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Granger Family Ranch #3
The Rancher's Promise
Rancher Justin Granger hasn't seen his high school sweetheart since she rode out of town with his heart. Now, "too good for this small town" Rori Cornell stands on his doorstep, seeking a job as his cook and housekeeper. He can't turn her away, not with the sadness and worry in her cornflower-blue eyes. He'll just have to avoid her between meals. But when Justin discovers that Rori's big dream has always been him, he finds his heart softening. And an old promise yearning to be kept.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
28 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
Jillian Hart
192 books602 followersJillian Hart grew up on her family's homestead in Washington state, where she raised cattle, rode horses and scribbled stories in her spare time.
After earning her English degree from Whitman College, she worked in travel and advertising before selling her first novel.
When Jillian isn't working on her next story, she can be found puttering around her rose garden, curled up with a good book and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.
After earning her English degree from Whitman College, she worked in travel and advertising before selling her first novel.
When Jillian isn't working on her next story, she can be found puttering around her rose garden, curled up with a good book and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 30, 2010
Yay! Another great book from Jillian! I just love how she makes her characters so real and accessible. Two people who have different perspectives on how things in their relationship went at a young age can cloud judgement. But, the fact that both have grown up and learned lessons the hard way benefits both of them. Despite a horrible choice in a marriage partner the first time around, Rori, wants to let by gones be by gones and get along with erh former flame Justin. Justin can seem to get passed the hurt and forgive her,and in the mean time he can't seem to grasp the fact that maybe he didn't completely listen to her when he first proposed. In the end, both are able to resolve their hurts and forgive each other to find out that they really are meant to be together! Can't wait to see what happens in the next granger family story.
September 21, 2018
The best part of this book was the winter-time romance between Frank Granger and ... maybe I shouldn't reveal whom.
New foals were always precious. I remember seeing my cousins' new foal.
For the most part, though, this book was mainly about conversations that didn't go anywhere or say what really needed to be said, conversations about rehashing old things, going around in circles, trying not to love someone. I'm afraid I got tired of some of those circular conversations, and it seemed for a long while that they weren't making any progress.
My favorite quote was, "Believe me, there will come a time when your pride isn't as important as other things. A time when you wish you'd made things right ..."
The other plot about the rustlers who stole the cows was not addressed by the main characters, but solved by characters so far removed, and with such a scant report that I missed it at first. That led me to say that this isn't really much of a western, but more of a romance, which, I suppose one could tell by the "Love Inspired" logo on the front. But some of the other books in this series make subplots more clear and more a part of the story.
Also, we never did find out whether those cows who had been mistreated by the rustlers did indeed have to be euthanized.
There was a statement late in the book about following God and your heart. I'll agree with following God, But following our hearts?
Jeremiah 17:9-10 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"
Our hearts do tend to deceive us, and sometimes they desire things that aren't good for us - an extra cookie, dishonest money, or a relationship that shouldn't be. I'm not saying that was the case with Justin and Rori, just that following your heart is a dangerous sport. Other examples in this story would be Rori and her first husband. They married, thinking it would bring happiness, but it didn't. Their hearts deceived them. Or Frank Granger and his first wife.
One Focus on the Family's "Adventures in Odyssey" made that clear to children. ("In My Image" from "The Truth Chronicles" collection) It featured a child character who played hooky from school because his heart told him to, and then broke into a store to steal a cookie, again because his heart told him to. He decided he really wanted that cookie.
Ephesians 4:22-24 says, "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Our hearts can deceive us. We can have deceitful desires.
It's not that all our desires are bad, because God Himself can give us good desires. But our hearts can trick us into thinking that even our bad desires are good or from Him.
It's not Christianity, but the philosophy of secular humanism, that believes that everything we desire is good simply because we desire it, and that the evil in the world is from rules or tradition that keeps us from our desires. Christianity believes that although we were made in God's good image, we all have a "broken" sin nature that desires wrong things, and that these broken desires actually war against us.
"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." - 1 Peter 2:11, NIV
Christians believe that because we have a sin nature, because we sometimes desire harmful things, because we do indeed sometimes give in to temptations, that's why Jesus died on the cross to save us, to take our punishment and to make us right with God. Because of the love of God towards us, he died for our forgiveness.
As always, these "Love Inspired" books, although described as Christian, don't really say what the characters actually believe.
New foals were always precious. I remember seeing my cousins' new foal.
For the most part, though, this book was mainly about conversations that didn't go anywhere or say what really needed to be said, conversations about rehashing old things, going around in circles, trying not to love someone. I'm afraid I got tired of some of those circular conversations, and it seemed for a long while that they weren't making any progress.
My favorite quote was, "Believe me, there will come a time when your pride isn't as important as other things. A time when you wish you'd made things right ..."
The other plot about the rustlers who stole the cows was not addressed by the main characters, but solved by characters so far removed, and with such a scant report that I missed it at first. That led me to say that this isn't really much of a western, but more of a romance, which, I suppose one could tell by the "Love Inspired" logo on the front. But some of the other books in this series make subplots more clear and more a part of the story.
Also, we never did find out whether those cows who had been mistreated by the rustlers did indeed have to be euthanized.
There was a statement late in the book about following God and your heart. I'll agree with following God, But following our hearts?
Jeremiah 17:9-10 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"
Our hearts do tend to deceive us, and sometimes they desire things that aren't good for us - an extra cookie, dishonest money, or a relationship that shouldn't be. I'm not saying that was the case with Justin and Rori, just that following your heart is a dangerous sport. Other examples in this story would be Rori and her first husband. They married, thinking it would bring happiness, but it didn't. Their hearts deceived them. Or Frank Granger and his first wife.
One Focus on the Family's "Adventures in Odyssey" made that clear to children. ("In My Image" from "The Truth Chronicles" collection) It featured a child character who played hooky from school because his heart told him to, and then broke into a store to steal a cookie, again because his heart told him to. He decided he really wanted that cookie.
Ephesians 4:22-24 says, "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Our hearts can deceive us. We can have deceitful desires.
It's not that all our desires are bad, because God Himself can give us good desires. But our hearts can trick us into thinking that even our bad desires are good or from Him.
It's not Christianity, but the philosophy of secular humanism, that believes that everything we desire is good simply because we desire it, and that the evil in the world is from rules or tradition that keeps us from our desires. Christianity believes that although we were made in God's good image, we all have a "broken" sin nature that desires wrong things, and that these broken desires actually war against us.
"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." - 1 Peter 2:11, NIV
Christians believe that because we have a sin nature, because we sometimes desire harmful things, because we do indeed sometimes give in to temptations, that's why Jesus died on the cross to save us, to take our punishment and to make us right with God. Because of the love of God towards us, he died for our forgiveness.
As always, these "Love Inspired" books, although described as Christian, don't really say what the characters actually believe.
August 25, 2020
(divorce/adultery) I really don't understand. The author has an English degree from a good college, yet the book wanders in and out of different points of view with no warning. One minute, you are in the hero's head, then you switch to a single sentence in the heroine's head, then you are off in the head of the hero's father. I just don't get it. I also don't get the lack of plot. In most books, except the most abstract, you build to the pinnacle. This book doesn't. You have one minute of hero and heroine getting along, and the next of the hero being cold and hard toward the heroine--for absolutely no reason. For example, It was almost like the author went, oops, I need another 20,000 words... 10,000 words... 5,000 words-so I better make him act like he is scared of a relationship again. There were also things that the author didn't seem to think through. I can't tell you how many times the heroine bridles, saddles, and mounts a horse with a sandwich and coffee in her hands and no help doing it. Then there is the nature--I get admiring a beautiful moment, but this felt like a musical. Every time something good happens, larks are singing in the bushes nearby. Aside from my inability to really care, the non-plot, and the dad's longing looks at a new girl in town that keep interrupting the main story, I really did not like the whole divorce scenario and found it hard to believe this was a Christian book. For 2/3 of the book, the heroine's divorce is not finalized. The day she signs the papers . I mean, hello, you are still technically married. Plus, she apparently has been in love with the hero since before she married some other guy--and didn't seem to love her husband either. Why did she get married? As a Christian, if you are in love with someone else who is alive, you most certainly should resolve those feelings before marrying a different person. Scarlet O'Hara is not the Christian role model. In this case (unlike Scarlet), the heroine NEVER loved or loves her husband. He was just someone to marry because the guy she loved wasn't around. She doesn't resolve her issues or even admit she has them. She blames her ex-husband for running off with his secretary, but since she apparently lusted for the hero in this book even the day she was walking down the aisle with her ex-, it seems to me that she was the first to sin.
December 14, 2018
I'm giving it 3 stars not because I think the romance deserves it (see below for explanation), but because I did care about the characters and I liked the small town. I liked Frank Granger, the father, and that he was gentlemanly as well as teaching his sons to be gentlemen (though Justin often seems to forget some of the actions that go with it when he's trying to avoid Rori). I agree with another reviewer that Frank's potential romance was more exciting than the romance this book was supposed to focus on which was that between Rori and Justin.
The Rori and Justin storyline went around in circles. I love him/her but I don't want to; I love him/her but I shouldn't; how could I trust her again after she turned me down; and on and on. And instead of admitting their feelings for each other when they can no longer deny them, they again are willing to walk away from each other rather than risk getting hurt. It was a storyline stretched out way too long for me to continue to care.
The Rori and Justin storyline went around in circles. I love him/her but I don't want to; I love him/her but I shouldn't; how could I trust her again after she turned me down; and on and on. And instead of admitting their feelings for each other when they can no longer deny them, they again are willing to walk away from each other rather than risk getting hurt. It was a storyline stretched out way too long for me to continue to care.
June 25, 2018
Enjoyed this book very much and found it very moving. This is the first book I have read in the Series of Granger Family Ranch.
Looking forward to reading book #1, 2, and 4 .... and if there are more. !
(more review to follow) !
Looking forward to reading book #1, 2, and 4 .... and if there are more. !
(more review to follow) !
June 15, 2010
She broke his heart several years ago when she left town seeking bigger and better things. Experience told Justin he wasn’t good enough. He wasn’t looking for any relationship or to rekindle any feelings from the past, but he still didn’t like what he saw. And what he saw was Rori Cornell, his old high school sweetheart, walking down the street, looking better than ever. If that wasn’t bad enough, she showed up at his family’s ranch to interview for the cook and housekeeper position. He was not happy. But he could tell she’d fallen on hard times and his conscious wouldn’t let him turn her away when he knew she needed a job. A man has to eat, but he was keeping his distance. He’d worked hard to put a protective shell around his heart and he wasn’t letting anything or anyone crack it. He’d just have to ignore the fact that his heart was disagreeing with his head.
Rori was captivated once again by Justin, despite her feelings of failure and distrust with men. It didn’t matter though. Justin was clear he aimed to steer clear of her. And no matter what her heart was telling her, no man was worth trusting again. She’d made mistakes all right, but she was smarter now and things were going to be different from here on out. It felt good to be home for the summer. Her love of music and teaching brought her pleasure, but the love of being home brought her peace. Was it possible to have both?
They once had a love that never meant to hurt. But that was exactly what they’d done to one another. Can misunderstandings be overcome in order to move beyond the pain their decisions have caused? Can they seek God’s plan in order to get beyond the past, accept the present, and look forward to the future?
Jillian led us to the Granger family ranch and welcomed us as part of their family, as we lived right alongside them with her description of ranch life. Lessons of true love, pride, and misunderstandings are woven through this inspirational romance. Not all lessons are easily learned. Jillian shows how God works to bring people around to the truth and back to true love despite their stubbornness. Trusting in God’s plan -- despite our hurt, lack of trust, and overwhelming fears, -- is always best. It’s only through God’s promises that we can make promises of our own.
I enjoyed reading this sweet, sweet love story. And I can’t wait to read more of the stories about the Granger family where ranch life, love of God, and stubbornness are all bound to collide giving us more wonderful love stories. Congratulations, Jillian,on yet another winner! I can’t wait for another mini-vacation into Wyoming with your next book in this series.
Rori was captivated once again by Justin, despite her feelings of failure and distrust with men. It didn’t matter though. Justin was clear he aimed to steer clear of her. And no matter what her heart was telling her, no man was worth trusting again. She’d made mistakes all right, but she was smarter now and things were going to be different from here on out. It felt good to be home for the summer. Her love of music and teaching brought her pleasure, but the love of being home brought her peace. Was it possible to have both?
They once had a love that never meant to hurt. But that was exactly what they’d done to one another. Can misunderstandings be overcome in order to move beyond the pain their decisions have caused? Can they seek God’s plan in order to get beyond the past, accept the present, and look forward to the future?
Jillian led us to the Granger family ranch and welcomed us as part of their family, as we lived right alongside them with her description of ranch life. Lessons of true love, pride, and misunderstandings are woven through this inspirational romance. Not all lessons are easily learned. Jillian shows how God works to bring people around to the truth and back to true love despite their stubbornness. Trusting in God’s plan -- despite our hurt, lack of trust, and overwhelming fears, -- is always best. It’s only through God’s promises that we can make promises of our own.
I enjoyed reading this sweet, sweet love story. And I can’t wait to read more of the stories about the Granger family where ranch life, love of God, and stubbornness are all bound to collide giving us more wonderful love stories. Congratulations, Jillian,on yet another winner! I can’t wait for another mini-vacation into Wyoming with your next book in this series.
February 21, 2013
Reviewed on Clean Adult Fiction
This was a really sweet love story. I loved learning about Rori and Justin's as their past together and apart came out through the story. Rori had left Justin and the farm life to go to college. Rori had gotten married and was now back in Justin's life after a rough divorce. The characters were great with a fun peek into the life of a rancher. I didn't know cows could show affection!
The only thing that bothered me was the change in Point of View. The POV changed without any break which left me confused and having to re-read paragraphs. Sometimes the switch would happen at a chapter, but other times it was the next sentence. Other than that it was a nice romance.
If you're looking for a sweet love story about second chances then you'll enjoy this book.
Content Ratings:
sexual: very mild
language: none
violence: none
This was a really sweet love story. I loved learning about Rori and Justin's as their past together and apart came out through the story. Rori had left Justin and the farm life to go to college. Rori had gotten married and was now back in Justin's life after a rough divorce. The characters were great with a fun peek into the life of a rancher. I didn't know cows could show affection!
The only thing that bothered me was the change in Point of View. The POV changed without any break which left me confused and having to re-read paragraphs. Sometimes the switch would happen at a chapter, but other times it was the next sentence. Other than that it was a nice romance.
If you're looking for a sweet love story about second chances then you'll enjoy this book.
Content Ratings:
sexual: very mild
language: none
violence: none
May 14, 2015
Even though this is the third book in the 'Granger Family Ranch' series, I feel like this should have been the first one. Justin's family was introduced as cousins to Pierce Granger in the second book, but this is the first one actually set in its entirety on the family ranch. I loved the character of Frank, and Justin's sisters. I especially loved how Frank's story was starting to come together.
Justin drove me bonkers, and to be fair, so did Rori, at times. A little more communication could have helped nipped many understandings in the bud. Ahh well, I suppose you have to have conflict to have a good storyline, and both did learn to listen to the Lord's leading in the end. All in all, another sweet read from Jillian Hart!
Justin drove me bonkers, and to be fair, so did Rori, at times. A little more communication could have helped nipped many understandings in the bud. Ahh well, I suppose you have to have conflict to have a good storyline, and both did learn to listen to the Lord's leading in the end. All in all, another sweet read from Jillian Hart!
September 23, 2012
Jillian Hart is very gifted at character development. I found myself really enjoying the Granger family and their Wyoming ranching friends. I am so glad this is part of a series of books about the Grangers; I look forward to reading all of the others. The descriptions of the life of a rancher are very realistic; Ms. Hart's background raising cattle and riding horses shines through in the familiar way she is able to write about the setting of her novel. Anyone who loves animals and outdoor life will be thrilled with some of the passages about caring for ranch animals. This is an delightful, quick, and enjoyable read.
January 30, 2012
I really enjoyed this book from the Granger Family Ranch series!
The descriptive way that Jillian Hart writes her stories makes me feel like Im on the ranch and enjoying all that it has to offer!
This heartfelt story is about Justin and his high school sweetheart, Rori.
They had both cared about each other in the past, but when Rori moves to the big city, Justin thought that their relationship was over...
This series also involves the rest of Justin's family including his Dad, who just might be finding
love again!
I am putting the rest of this series on my tbr list of books!
The descriptive way that Jillian Hart writes her stories makes me feel like Im on the ranch and enjoying all that it has to offer!
This heartfelt story is about Justin and his high school sweetheart, Rori.
They had both cared about each other in the past, but when Rori moves to the big city, Justin thought that their relationship was over...
This series also involves the rest of Justin's family including his Dad, who just might be finding
love again!
I am putting the rest of this series on my tbr list of books!
April 1, 2013
Somewhat dull story of the Granger family ranch in Wyoming, where Justin Granger finds himself dealing with his first love, Rori Coldwell, who has returned to the small town freshly divorced from her attorney husband (who has, naturally, taken all the money in their account).
Just once, I would like to see a female character who's "too good for a small town" acknowledge that she was wrong. Here, Rori simply bats her eyelashes and people tell Justin to date her again! Hey, maybe he doesn't want to since she, you know, broke his heart and all.
Just once, I would like to see a female character who's "too good for a small town" acknowledge that she was wrong. Here, Rori simply bats her eyelashes and people tell Justin to date her again! Hey, maybe he doesn't want to since she, you know, broke his heart and all.
February 12, 2016
I don't normally read Christian romances or Christian fiction. I got this book as a freebie and decided to give it a try,since i have read Jillian Hart before i know that she's a good author.
I like the Secondary characters also. The author promises the extra characters will get their own stories in upcoming books.
This is a sweet romance with inspiring comments and scripture worked into the storyline. I really enjoyed it!
I like the Secondary characters also. The author promises the extra characters will get their own stories in upcoming books.
This is a sweet romance with inspiring comments and scripture worked into the storyline. I really enjoyed it!
December 30, 2013
One of the books in my own library that I pull out and read now and again. Sweet love story, but one of those where the characters are blind to the other's true feelings. You know the frustrating type. But still sweet. I love a book where the characters are praying their way through life - you know things will work out for the best when they are doing that!
May 17, 2012
I love this book. I love the characters and the thought of second chances. Justin Granger is the hunky rancher we all want to fall in love with. Can't wait to read more of the Granger family stories.
July 19, 2012
I enjoyed this book, it teaches a good lesson in love lost and trying to get it back. I thought it could have been better but I am not complaining about it. I didn't like how Justin was very ignorant to her and standoffish but I can also see where he was coming from.
October 25, 2013
"The Rancher's Promise" was a phenomenal installment in The Granger Family Ranch Series. I absolutely loved it: the characters, story line, everything. This is my second time reading this series, and I can't wait to finish re-reading the rest!
June 3, 2010
another excellent Jillian Hart book.
Although she leaves us hanging in this one. The start of a romance of another couple.
Although she leaves us hanging in this one. The start of a romance of another couple.
October 13, 2014
Yet another good one from my dear author friend Jillian! :) I related a lot to the main characters in this book, I feel like they could be relatives of mine! Love it when a book feels real like that!
April 18, 2011
Wonderful love story and very sweet but way to drawn out. Waited the entire book for the climax and it was over in two pages. Although I liked it and would recommend it as a warm fuzzy.
August 10, 2011
This is a great read.
June 18, 2013
I love every single Granger Family Ranch Book. A wonderful family.
January 9, 2014
High school sweethearts find a second chance.
April 30, 2014
I loved it!!!!;)
Want to read
August 21, 2016I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14138334
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14138334
June 15, 2014
Lovely book with inspirational messages.
May 30, 2017
too predictable.
Want to read
June 24, 2017I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13104065
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13104065
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews