The Rancher Takes a Cook

Texas Rancher Trilogy #1

by Misty M. Beller

When their South Carolina home burns to the ground, Anna Stewart’s only choice is to move with her younger brother to the wilds of a Texas ranch.

Their prospects are beginning to look better, until the rancher’s son, Jacob O’Brien, shows up with his alarmingly blue eyes to put a kink in Anna’s well-controlled plans.

When danger escalates in the form of a band of cattle thieves with deadly intent, can Anna learn to release control to God’s capable hands…and those of the blue-eyed cowboy who’s stolen her heart?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian, Romance, Historical, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Historical Romance

283 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 23, 2015

About the author

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love. For a limited time, you can get a free bestselling novel here: https://mistymbeller.com/freebook

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.


Learn more at www.MistyMBeller.com.

Reviews

[Ana M. Román · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tuve dos grandes problemas con este libro.

1) La traducción es horriblemente mala. Muy pero que muy mala. Estaba decidida a ponerle una sola estrella, es decir, a bajarle la puntuación a una cuando llegué al final y me di cuenta de que es una traducción hecha por una persona no profesional y que por lo tanto la autora no tiene ni idea de en las malas manos que ha dejado su ejemplar. Así que al final apelé a mi parte sensible y le mantuve la estrella que le habría qutado de otra manera.

2) No había leído nada de la autora con anterioridad y tampoco sabía nada de ella así que no tenía ni idea de que era un libro romantico-cristiano (si es que se dice así). Por lo tanto, Dios está muy presente, o más bien lo hacen muy presente. Y sí, creo en Dios (como quiera que cada uno quiera llamarlo) pero soy más de la opinión que uno debe ayudarse a sí mismo y traerlo a mención cada vez que se toma una decisión...

Sobre la historia debo decir que no es mala, es uno de esos romances que se cuecen a fuego a lento aunque no he visto mucha chispa entre ellos sí encajaba bien con la época.

Por otro lado y si aún no te lo has imaginado, estamos ante un clean-romance así que no encontrarás escenas subiditas de tono, lo máximo que hay son un par de besos aunque a mí personalmente no me importa.

[Ligaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nota: 6'75
Me ha gustado 😊, es sencilla, es dulce, es bonita. Es cierto que no me esperaba que fuera... ¿Cómo le llaman? Una novela romántico histórico cristiana. Menciona o apela demasiado a Dios para lo que me gusta que aparezca en una novela, pero me ha gustado.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this audio book so much! It was a great combination of romance, ranch life, and some dangerous situations, as well. I thought that the narrator did a good job of reading the stories and adding some variation to the voices of some of the characters. I enjoyed listening to her read.

Anna and Jacob were very likable characters. I enjoyed watching as Anna began to let go of her younger brother, Edward, a bit and began to recognize and respect the man that he was growing into.

Anna and Jacob were a sweet pair and it was so much fun to see their attraction to each other develop and then watch as it bloomed into love. Jacob did a wonderful job of treating Anna with respect, love, and care. This was a great story from start to finish.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[One-Click · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook- narration, Tiffany Williams - nice narration and has a very pleasant voice.

This is a historical Christian Romance - I've read several of this genre and this was by far the most "religeousy" (yeah, I made that word up) of them all. There are a great number of references to the bible and characters ask for gods help continuously, even for the little things, so if that's not your thing, you may want to steer clear.

The author is also quite fond of using phrases like "teeth chattering faster than a rattler's tail", hearts are fluttering like something, things are going slower than something, taller than something, bluer than something, meaner than something, you get the idea. There's a lot. I mean a lot.

It was an ok book.

I received a copy of this audiobook free of charge from AudiobookBoom in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Randy Tramp · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Civil War has ended. Anna Stewart with her younger brother Edward moved to Texas when their home is burnt. Jacob O'Brien, the rancher's son, and Anna Stewart are attracted to each other.

Beller captures the post Civil War era. There's something I hadn't considered. The victorious northern army harbored animosity and took it out on Southerners. Edward became their target.

As a cook in the Navy, and then a cook supervisor at a federal prison, I especially loved "cooking" element of the book. The cowhands loved Anna's food and it made me hungry.

Romance, Old West, and a ranch made this a great read. I'm so ready for the next one in the series.

[Kendall · Rating 2 out of 5]

I probably should have DNFed. This book was SO SLOW. I thought for sure that the book was almost done after the confrontation with the cattle thieves, but nope! My favorite part was the descriptions of the food haha. It's so weird because I've loved other Misty Beller books. We'll see if I finish the series.

[Beth | Faithfully Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series featured on FaithfullyBookish.com

What a lovely trio of redemptive, feel-good stories! I completely enjoyed getting to know all the folks on this small-town Texas ranch. These stories have just the right amount of spunk and action to liven up the sweetly romantic plots. Settings and cultures are figuratively painted across each chapter with vibrant brushstrokes. I’m a big fan of Misty M. Beller’s Mountain series so I’ve had my eyes on this Texas series for a while now and it does not disappoint!

In my opinion, the narrations for the series are fair to good. For me, the first book’s performance is best followed by the third book with the second book starting out a bit rough but improving in quality as the story progressed.

I borrowed these audiobooks through an Audible Escape free trial. I was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Vicky Sluiter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Readingintheweehours · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet and homey

This is the perfect book if you’re looking for a sweet and tender, love-filled book.
Jacob is warm, affectionate, and kind.

[Mei L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a sweet and clean love story, but it's too slow-paced and lacking in excitement for my taste.

[Kirsi Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clean Read

I'd probably give this one more like 3.5 stars. The story and setting were good, but the pacing was a little off for me--the beginning and end both seemed to drag a little. Overall though, this is a sweet western romance that has left me wanting a bouquet of yellow roses.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rancher Takes A Cook is such a great read. I was hooked from the start. It is set during my favorite historical time period, Civil War era. I loved siblings, Anna and Edward Stewart. I loved the author's vision of the Texas frontier.
Great book!
5 stars

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too much detail and dragged on past where it should have ended, but still not a bad book. I liked the characters and the plot. The narrator has a great voice and did a fine job. Happy reading/listening!

[Katelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not convinced anything actually happened in this book. Girl talked a lot about cooking and that was about it.

[Garth Mailman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This begins as a Civil War tale. We’ve read about about Sherman’s March but his wasn’t the only example of looting and burning. The brother and sister in this story escape the destruction of their home to travel 5 days by stage coach to Seguin, Texas today home to a University. But in this period of the Reconstruction Union Solders with an axe to grind became an occupational force in many southern towns and cities. To soldiers dragged far from home these were still the enemy.

At 15 Edward finds work on a ranch and his sister Anna follows him to become the ranch house cook so she can stay close. As cattle still roamed free range cowboys were one with their horses and disdained any task that might require them to leave horseback. When Jacob, the owner’s son starts milking the cow, feeding the hens, and gathering the eggs for Anna it must be love. Not sure how a city girl learned to milk mind you.

This being a Western Romance the suspense of the piece surrounds how long it will take Jacob to pop the question. Of course there are a few chills and thrills along the way. When they drive up to their favourite spot by the Guadalope River I half-expected to see their new home standing nearby. In Texas Cowboy Boots are a fashion statement no matter what the occasion.

Don't remember Anna having red hair as pictured on the cover, and the yellow rose of Texas should have been wearing yellow.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anna has always put her trust in God but when one thing after another happens she decides to take her and her little brother Edward's future into her own hands. Jacob loves life on his dad's ranch and knows that nothing will ever change that. Edward has decided what he wants for his future also but when Anna finds out what it is she is determined to stop him. I loved the meeting between Anna and Mr. O'Brien, I had to laugh at the way he turned the conversation around on a very determined Anna. The beautiful and sweet Aunt Lola adds laughs and sincerity to the story. The Mexican cowboys that live at the Double B ranch add their own flavour and brand of braveness to a book that has lots of suspense, action and romance . As with other books I have read of Ms. Beller's God is woven gently through the lives of the people living in this time period. I really enjoyed listening to this book being brought to life through the narration of Tiffany Williams.
I received a free copy of this book to listen to from Audiobooks Unleashed. This review is my own honest opinion.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio Review
Anna and her brother Edward have dealt with many trials during the war and when their home and business burns to the ground from the Yankie soldiers it is time from them to leave their home and move west to live with their aunt and uncle in Texas. Little did Anna know that their troubles would not be over just because they moved. God had a plan though and he led her to the O'Brian ranch and there she would watch her brother grow and she would find her path in life and it would lead her to Jacob.

This is a really good story of trials and struggles and never loosing your faith during it all. Anna endures more than a young woman should have to but she does so with grace and faith and it leads her to her happily ever after.

Tiffany Williams does a good job narrating this story. I enjoyed listening to her.

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. There is danger, sweet love, family, and a sense of what women and men had to endure in Texas in the late 1800s.

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story that lasted a little too long

This story story started out great. The beginning was good and the middle of the book was good. But the ending went on and on with nothing happening.
Also I would like to know if these authors who write these stories have ever attempted to make a pie. The most I’ve made in one day was four and that was when I was much younger. And I created a huge mess while making them. One person feeding that many cowboys and making yummy desserts cheerfully is just a little too much for me to swallow. And of course she can hand stitch a perfect dress after cooking, washing clothes and cleaning the kitchen three times a day without breaking a sweat. It just wasn’t very realistic. As for the characters themselves,
I liked them all. I liked their personalities and the way they interacted with each other. If the author had ended her book sooner I would have given it at least four stars.

[Timothy Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exceptional book by Misty Beller. Again I enjoyed this book and plan to read the next one in this trilogy soon. I can get enough of this author's books. I love them. And, she has introduced me through her emails and newsletters to a number of other Christian authors whose books I also enjoy very much. I love how she weaves scripture and faith into her stories and portraying how they work in a person's life and how a person can be blessed. I like how she puts it, "spending some private time with the Father." Beautiful. You have to be well read in scripture to do what this author does in her stories. The main characters in this book are Anna Stewart and Jacob O'Brien. The setting for this book is in the time immediately following the end of the Civil War and the affect of the War had on so many. It was a beautiful story. I just loved it.

[Cathy Bickerstaff · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the death of their parents, Anna becomes overprotective of her younger, mostly grown, brother. After their house burns down, they are at the mercy of the charity of their neighbors.
Their aunt and uncle in Texas send for them. After arriving, Edward accepts a job on a ranch. Big sister Anna thinks being a cowboy is too dangerous for her precious little brother, so she rides out to demand he not be allowed to work there. Instead, she's offered the job of cook. Since she'll be close at hand, she keeps her peace about Edward.
She settles in to her new job. Soon the rest of the hands, including the ranchers handsome son, arrive back from the cattle drive.
It turns out that living on a cattle ranch can be dangerous, maybe more so for Anna than Edward.
There are situations with rustlers, and even a bear.

[Jan Niblock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story certainly shows how hard things were after the Civil War. The Union soldiers took out their anger on innocent people in the South. Anna and her brother, Edward, were ones that were the unfortunate young people who caught up in it.

Anna was one of those women who you didn’t mess with, she stood her ground and protected those she loved. By accident, she ends up as the cook for a cattle ranch because she wanted to make sure that her younger brother was okay.

Jacob is the son of the owner of the cattle ranch and he is totally not interested in anything except that ranch. He is not interested in marriage or even dating.

What is fun about this story is how these 2 people are thrown together.

[Tracy Sylvester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna Stewart has lost everything but her brother Edward. They decide to move to Texas and live with their Aunt and Uncle. When Edward starts having troubles with the Union soldiers Anna feels like she must go and find justice on behalf of her brother. When Anna finds out her brother is going to take a job on a local ranch she doesn't want him to do it feeling that it is too dangerous. Anna tries talking to the ranch owner and talking them out of hiring her brother but instead finds herself hired on as the cook on the ranch. When Jacob O'Brien returns from a cattle run he finds himself smitten with the new cook. Wonderfully written historical romance with great characters!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful historical romance novel that displays God's abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of Anna & Jacob.
The story begins as Anna & her brother Edward arrive at a Texas Ranch after their South Carolina home burns to the ground. Jacob O’Brian is the son of the rancher who hired Anna to become their cook, while her brother becomes a cowhand. Jacob, is handsome, dashing, chivalrous, and a man who loves God. He also has strikingly blue eyes that cause a stir in Anna. There is an obvious attraction, and a beautifully developed love story ensues. Highly recommend.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heard 1-3 in Hoopla Audio app. 2015 series. Having recently heard the Brothers of Sapphire Ranch series (2025), I'd say the author's storytelling/writing has grown, which is to be expected. Both series show strong Christian characters whose faith grows through or despite adversity. Scriptures and prayer are used in the stories when applicable. Not all characters are overtly Christian and there are legitimate bad guys. She writes characters I'd want to know if I lived in the 1800s.

It was interesting to see barbed wire appear as a new invention that they had never heard of in this series. Same review added to all books in series.

[Alan T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anna & Jacob

Anna Stewart and her brother Edward lose their home in Columbia SC when the city is burned during the Civil War. They go to Seguin, Texas to their aunt and uncle who run a mercantile.

Edward gets a job as a cow puncher on the Double Rocking B ranch and Anna rides out to tell the rancher that the 15 year old is too young. To her surprise she ends up with a job as ranch cook.

Anna finds the ranchers son Jacob O'Brian interesting, but is too busy to worry about it.

Excellent plotting and charactorization.

[Marcia Lips · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling read.

Loved the compelling story line that drew me in. Ms. Beller's books are fun to read, with believable characters. As the story unfolds, I found the storyline plausible and real. What I find unrealistic at times is some of Ms. Beller's characters abilities and skill sets are far too advanced in a foreign environment. Yes, there's fast learners, but these characters skills are far too developed for someone in unfamiliar territory. But for the most part, I love to read her books.

[Debbie West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Christian Romance

I really enjoyed this story. Personally I would have cut it off at wedding, simply mentioning honeymoon, then writing the trip home. I live in the country, woods on one side, farmland on the other. So the last part of ending appealed to me.
This story had plenty of exciting parts with cattle rustlers & a bear. The author did a great job of balancing ranch life with the dangerous aspects & still moving the romance forward. I do wonder why she brought in a lady character right at the end. I look forward to reading Edward's story .

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! The heart of the book is the kitchen at the ranch and the great little cute cook that found her way to Texas and into the hearts of everyone. The war left her and her brother, Edward, orphaned and homeless after burning raids took their home. The adventure of the storyline is amazing, and this author has the ability to make the reader a part of the story. There’s romance, friendships and church on Sunday. I loved it!

[Anne Butler]

The Rancher Takes a Cook

Wonderful book by Misty Beller.Anna and her brother Edward leave South Carolina after their home,business and entire town were byy u need to the ground by soldiers.The end up with an Aunt and Uncle in Texas where there are more soldiers who pick on Edward.Edward and Anna get jobs on a cattle ranch and she falls for the owners son Jacob.I loved this book so much I didn’t want to put it down and now I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

[Ollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Story

I enjoyed this book! Anna and Jacob have a sweet love story. It is not a fast paced love story, but is enjoyable and entertaining. We have a few very adventurous moments that keep it moving. They last few chapters moved a bit slowly, but it gave the story a very endearing touch. I really love how we see Edward grow up a bit throughout the story. You developed a very dear spot for him in your heart as well as the other ranch cowboys.