Rustling the Cowboy's Heart

Ritchie Ranch #1

by Ellie Hall

They’re frenemies but have to get married to save the ranch from ruin.
After a recent breakup leaves Amelia Ames with suspicions about her ex, she doubles down on documenting the history of her small town of Smuggler’s Springs. However, when her high school crush crosses her radar, she finds herself distracted.

When Parker Ritchie loses his father, he’s devastated, but he’s also confused about the stipulation in the will that he get married. His bigger concern is losing the ranch. That is until the girl who got away pops back into his life.

When a double date goes wrong, Amelia is in a position to help Parker save legendary Ritchie Ranch, but only if they tie the knot. Questions about who is behind the rash of vandalism on the property and a tragedy in the past threaten to keep them apart.

Will Amelia and Parker’s marriage of convenience be exposed or turn into a happily ever after?

This is book 1 in the Richie Ranch Clean Cowboy Romance series. Because of a mystery subplot, the first three books are best read in order for a deeper, richer experience. It is a sweet, small-town, cowboy “clean and wholesome” romance that’s Christian faith-friendly without swearing or mature content and contains a happily ever after.

Genres: Romance, Christian, Westerns, Chick Lit, Contemporary

190 pages, ebook

Published September 15, 2020

About the author

Ellie Hall is a USA Today bestselling author. If only that meant she could wear a tiara and get away with it. ;) She loves puppies, books, and the ocean. Writing sweet romance with lots of firsts and fizzy feels gives her joy. Oh, and chocolate chip cookies are her fave. Ellie believes in dreaming big, working hard, and lazy Sunday afternoons spent with her family and dog in gratitude for God’s grace.

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Newsletter: http://bit.ly/EllieHallNL
Website: http://www.elliehallauthor.com
Facebook: http://www/facebook.com/elliehallauthor
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/elliehallauthor

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Series and suggested reading order:

The Only Us Sweet Billionaire Series
•these billionaires have everything, but will they find love...?•

1. Only a Date with a Billionaire
2. Only a Kiss with a Billionaire
3. Only a Night with a Billionaire
4. Only Forever with a Billionaire
5. Only Love with a Billionaire
6. Only Christmas with the Billionaire
7. Only New Year with the Billionaire

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The Hawkins Family Clean Romance Series

•five brothers, torn apart and the women who help put them back together...•

1. Second Chance in Hawk Ridge Hollow

2. Finding Forever in Hawk Ridge Hollow

3. Resort Getaway with a Bodyguard

4. Going Home to Hawk Ridge Hollow

5. Christmas in Hawk Ridge Hollow

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The Blue Bay Beach Reads Romance Series

•a small-town restaurant, a dating dare, and happily ever afters...•

1. Summer with the Marine

2. Summer with the Rock Star

3. Summer with the Billionaire

4. Summer with the Cowboy

5. Summer with the Carpenter

6. Summer with the Doctor

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Ritchie Ranch Clean Cowboy Romance Series

•Cowboy hats & kisses with small-town charm•

1. Rustling the Cowboy’s Heart

2. Lassoing the Cowboy’s Heart

3. Trusting the Cowboy’s Heart

4. Kissing the Christmas Cowboy

5. Loving the Cowboy’s Heart

6. Charming the Cowboy’s Heart

7. Saving the Cowboy’s Heart

8. Wrangling the Cowboy’s Heart

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Falling into Happily Ever After Rom Com

• Sweet, heartwarming & uplifting romantic comedy

1. An Unwanted Love Story

2. An Unexpected Love Story

3. An Unlikely Love Story

4. An Accidental Love Story

5. An Impossible Love Story

6. An Unconventional Christmas Love Story

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Forever Marriage Match

• Five friends have to find true love or else...romcom

1. Dare to Love My Grumpy Boss

2. Dare to Love the Guy Next Door

3. Dare to Love My Fake Husband

4. Dare to Love the Guy I Hate

5. Dare to Love My Best Friend

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Home Sweet Home Small Town Romantic Comedy Series

Mr. & Mrs. Fix-It Find Love

Designing Happily Ever After

The DIY Kissing Project

The True Romance Renovation

Extreme Heart Makeover

Building What's Meant to Be

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The Costa Brothers Cozy Christmas Comfort Romance Series

Tommy & Merry and the 12 Days of Christmas

Bruno & Gloria and the 5 Golden Rings

Luca & Ivy and the 4 Calling Birds

Gio & Joy and the 3 French Hens

Paulo & Noella and the 2 Turtle Doves

Nico & Hope and the Partridge in the Pear Tree

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The Love List Series

The Swoon List

The Not Love List

The Crush List

The Kiss List

The Naughty or Nice List

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Love, Laughs, and Mystery in Coco Key

The Romance Situation

The Romance Fiasco

The Romance Game

The Romance Gambit

The Christmas Romance Wish

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On the Hunt for Love

The Grump and the Girl Next Door

The Bitter Heir and the Beauty

The Secret Son and the Sweetheart

The Ex Best Friend and the Fake Fiancé

The Best Friend’s Brother and the Brain

Select titles are available in audiobook, paperback, hardcover, and large print formats. Happy reading!♥

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rustling the Cowboy's Heart
2✨

confused, bored, could not get though this audiobook.
Characters are weird they are late 30's but act like 16 year olds. the FMC has a relationship but doesn't want to be with him, but with the MMC. If the tension and depth in their bound were played oud well. It could be sweet love at first sight. BUT. This plot is a mess. I didn't care, I was so confused, it was boring and dull.

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parker's in charge of the ranch now that his father has passed. He wants to be with Amelia, but she's with Rex. Amelia's with Rex because it looks good for her father's political aspirations. She knows he's a snake, and she wants to break up with him; she's in love with Parker, her childhood best friend. When they were kids, he promised her that one day they'd get married. When his father's will specifies that Parker must be married to continue to benefit from the family ranch, Amelia and Parker decide on a marriage of convenience/necessity. This is the first book in the author's new series, and it's just terrific. Aside from the sweet romance brewing between Amelia and Parker, there's the mystery of threats against Parker and the Ritchie ranch. It seems that her father and Rex might be involved in the threats, but why? Rex deserves everything bad that comes his way, just for how he treated Amelia. The Ritchie family - God-fearing, loving, wonderful group of people. I love Amelia and Parker together - they share the same values, the same love of God and family. And Parker's proposal - omg! It's off the charts romantic!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

This is a wonderful start to the Ritchie Ranch series. I adored the first couple (Parker Ritchie and Amelia Ames). The ranch has suffered from the Ritchie Curse. The ranch's patriarch, Clay, passes away and the mystery of the Ritchie family, possible treasure and the long held feud with the Cole family comes to light. Amelia and Parker were competitors when they were young. But with the passing of Amelia's mother, she is forced to become a high society lady (something that isn't her plus is far removed from the ranch life of Parker).

This story is one that has many twists and turns. They will be an under theme throughout the series.

My favorite dual POV format was utilized here. I adore that glimpse into the characters' thoughts. It helps me to fully grasp the character. This story has a strong-Christian theme throughout it. I would highly recommend this story to anyone especially if they love to read a sweet, clean Christian romance.

[Hannah (Fully Booked Penguin)]

DNF at 23%

The writing is haphazard, there are spelling mistakes, it jumps around in scenes, and characters pop in and out like gophers. I am doing acrobatics trying to wrangle the sentences together to make sense.
Our main female character, has a boyfriend who she obviously despises, but won't break up with because father doesn't want her to, and is constantly thinking about how really she wants to be with the male main character.
Meanwhile, the male character is dead gone over her, but couldn't possibly be with her because he doesn't deserve anything good in life due to past mistakes.
By this point in the book, the author has thrown in the word faith and God several times like she has to hit a quota, but it means absolutely nothing. The character's Godly witness, or Christian character, is non-existent as their thoughts and actions prove that they aren't really living any kind of walk with the Lord. Their minds appear to be not yet renewed.
To cap it off, at the 20% mark we discover these characters are in their late 30's...yet they are acting like teenagers with no emotional regulation or fortitude or moral backbone.
Honestly this book requires a rewrite, a good editor, and some thorough Bible reading.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia and Parker were friends growing up but they became enemies and that was strengthened with her dating the self-centered manipulative snake Rex. Her father was a piece of work trying to mold her into something that didn't make her happy and force her to be with Rex because of his actions and lying to Parker about his father Clay's will. When Amelia finally gains the courage to break up with Rex, she offers a marriage of convenience to Parker. But their path to romance does not run smooth and Rex's attacks on the ranch only add to their stress. Parker and Amelia spend a lot of time praying to find the strength to get through it. I thought it was cute that Amelia didn't like dogs, but big affectionate Knox won her over. I loved reading about all the history and the story about a hidden treasury on the Ritchie land. I would have loved to sat in with Amelia when Clay was telling her the stories about his ancestors. The recipes Amelia and Parker made from his mother's cookbooks sounded delicious and I would have loved to see one at the end of the book.

[Aurélie · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the reading of Clay’s will, it avers that Parker has to get married for the family ranch to stay in his name. This, the missing page of the will, and all that has been happening on the ranch lately, weighs heavily on Parker. To help him and the whole Ritchie clan out, Amelia offers Parker to marry him. From then on, they work together toward finding what is behind the missing page of the will.
In this new book from Ellie Hall, faith plays a more open role in the characters’ lives. Personally, I found it enhanced the story, and the people were still very relatable. The plot flows easily and is well written, which made the reading experience very pleasurable. I am looking to reading the sequel ☺!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in an all new series by Ms. Hall. I was excited to read this book because I knew I would be getting a sweet and charming story and I was not disappointed. Amelia and Parker had been good friends growing up until Amelia's mother died. Then her father took hold of her life and the two drifted apart. But when Parker needed a wife to inherit his ranch, Amelia was ready to help him out. A wonderfully sweet friends to lovers romance that was a heartwarming read. Great characters and well developed plot made this an excellent read I could not put down. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I start? Amelia and Parker had been good buddies growing up until Amelia’s mother died. Then everything changed and her father made her into a high society girl. I am so glad she did not like it! I was sorry for Parker when his dad died, and he found out so much information from Amelia. The story covers so many things – liking each other but not admitting it, feeling overwhelmed, grief that is hard to handle, feeling that bad things are your fault, and doing things you don’t want to do. This book does cover it all really well, and even throws in a treasure hunt!

(I received an advance copy of this book from the author. This review is completely my own opinion.)

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia and Parker have been competitive for years, but today is the funeral of his father, Clay Ritchie. When they get to the reading of Clay’s will, part of it’s missing, but it states Parker has to marry or lose the future profits from the ranch. Amelia says she’ll marry him. Will they end up marrying or will her father get his way and make her marry Rex? Grab your copy and get ready to fall in love with the Ritchie family.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janet Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rich Girl Loves Poor Cowboy Trope
This story failed to interest me and I had to make myself read it. It was painfully predictable. Spoiler alert!! I assume that the main story arc will continue over more books because the book ends without sewing up much of the plot. The wicked bad guy has not yet been dealt with. The ranch is still under threat. Rich Daddy came to the wedding but didn't want to. And then the book ends with a long teaser into the next book about a different couple. I received this ARC book for free from Booksprout and this is my honest review.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parker and Amelia were friends growing up until her father took over her life and kept her away from her friend. Parker has always been crazy about Amelia but now she is dating the wealthy Rex but what he does not know is Amelia does not even like Rex she is only dating him because of her father. When his father passes away the will states Parker must marry to be able to inherit the ranch so Amelia agrees to marry him. This is a sweet friends to lovers romance that has some twists that will keep you reading.

[Doni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good start to the new series, Ritchie Ranch Clean Cowboy Romance.
It's touching, moving & intriguing.
Amelia & Parker, have known each
other since they were kids.
But when her father steps in,
their friendship changed.
Years later, Amelia & Parker, came
together as friends, to correct the wrong being done by very dishonest people.
I enjoyed reading it from the beginning
to the end!!

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grandpa knew they had to be brought together so he sets the will to require a marriage and makes the incentive something his grandson can't let happen. Her father has set it up so she has to marry a bully that she doesn't love. As they are thrown together they agree to marry each other but can they keep thier feelings a secret for the marriage of convenience? As family secrets and the Ritchie Ranch curse take effect in their lives will they survive> This is a fun read with emotions running high. The mystery that weaves through this series is intense with this story. A great read.

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I liked this one.
The main characters grew up as good friends, crushed on each other, but never dated. But now they are getting married... to save his ranch.

It's a Christian-based story where the main characters turn to prayer frequently for guidance and in thanks. It's also a sweet, sweet, small-town romance.

There are definite good guys and bad guys, a bit of treasure hunting, and lots of family.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in the Ritchie Ranch Clean Cowboy Romance Series a well written story with a very good storyline that flowed smoothly across the pages. I enjoyed reading Amelia Ames and cowboy Parker Ritchie's story. I want to read more in this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written books that holds your attention. It is a book that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. Amelia and Parker's story was a joy to read. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Franki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a lovely book! It has all of the sweetness of family, both those we remember and the hope for the future... “Faith, family, and the farm”
Amelia and Parker are an ideal couple. I wanted to get lost in their world and dreaded the book’s end.
Well done!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amanda Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia lives at home with her father, a lawyer who wants to become a senator. She's been friendly with the Ritchie family for years but her father wants her to marry Rex, another lawyer, who she doesn't like.
Parker has known her for years, before her life changed, when her mother died. Now his father has died and the will states he must marry within the year.

A great read.

[Rebecca White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story of two families fighting over land through time and the younger generations trying to bring them back together. I loved the strong female who came into her own and realized that fame and fortune were not what truly matters in life. I enjoyed the mystery of the family fortune.

[Abby Wall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet

I really enjoyed the story and characters, but I think that enjoyment could have been greatly elevated if the author had taken the time and pages to elaborate on and develop the plot more. She writes well, and her books are easy and fun to read; however, I am always left feeling like I’m missing part of the story.

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this start of a new series. Frenemies, Cowboys on a Ranch, a marriage of convenience. It was amazing! I sped through this book - I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait for more!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely small town/cowboy romance! I really liked it! It is sweet and has a wonderful comforting feel to it.. Nice characters!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book the characters are amazing and well developed and engaging and he storyline flows smoothly throughout the pages.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Kotsios · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hooked me from the get go I just couldn’t put it down I fell in love with these characters and omg what a story just a perfect read.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this captivating book with exceptional characters in a world that is so realistic it felt like I was on the journey with them. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author that knows how to captivate the attention of their readers

[Erralee Hendrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading about the Ritchies. When Parker inherits the ranch after his fathers death; he also inherits a mystery and some interesting family history. Well written and held my attention early on in the story. There is even a hint of the next story and which Ritchie brother is the focus.

[Kylene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I love this story, just enough suspense and romance to keep you guessing till the end. But the suspense continues to book 2, which I can hardly wait for. I think everyone would like this book. It was well worth the 5 stars I gave it.

[Alison Ramsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming

Parker and Amelia, former best friends, are thrown together again at a funeral. They both want to save the ranch. America's love of history reveals clues to a treasure. Hopefully future books will continue the hunt.

[Pam Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story!

Parker and Amelia make a great couple. Together they run into family obstacles and underhanded political crooks. How it turns out & will they save Parker’s Ranch?
Read to find out.

[Marilyn Levia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ameila was the town's princess.

Her father had her life planned out. But she remembered being a tomboy. Riding with her best friend . That is the life she was craving. Then things change when her ex best friend's father died.