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Montana Collection
Patty's Gamble
Greg Wilson is in a real fix. Upon his father’s death, he expects to inherit the ranch. Only, he can’t because his father owed a substantial amount of money to John Meyer and he doesn’t have enough to settle the debt. Now in order to protect the land and livestock, he must make a very unpleasant agreement. He must marry Patty Dixon.
Patty has been in love with Greg since childhood, and when her father offers to buy Greg’s land to keep it safe from John, she sees this as her chance to finally marry him. With a little plotting, she convinces her father the best way to ensure the land stays in the family is if she marries Greg and has children with him.
Seeing the brilliance in her plan, her father tells Greg the only way he’ll hand the land back over to him is if he marries Patty. Reluctant to give up his bachelorhood, Greg agrees. Patty’s determined to prove that Greg’s better off being married. But that is easier said than done. Will her gamble pay off or is this bet going to lead to heartache?
Patty has been in love with Greg since childhood, and when her father offers to buy Greg’s land to keep it safe from John, she sees this as her chance to finally marry him. With a little plotting, she convinces her father the best way to ensure the land stays in the family is if she marries Greg and has children with him.
Seeing the brilliance in her plan, her father tells Greg the only way he’ll hand the land back over to him is if he marries Patty. Reluctant to give up his bachelorhood, Greg agrees. Patty’s determined to prove that Greg’s better off being married. But that is easier said than done. Will her gamble pay off or is this bet going to lead to heartache?
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First published May 1, 2010
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About the author
Ruth Ann Nordin
172 books714 followersWhat's to say? I write a lot. I read often. I sleep little. Once in awhile, I've been known to clean the house. A number of kids live in my house and there's this guy they call dad and I call husband. All in all, it's a pretty good life. :-)
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 18, 2016
++SPOILERS++
Thank God for this author. Just what I needed after coming off a few bad reads.
This can be a stand alone.
Here we have Patty & Greg's story. They knew each other as children and Patty loved him since she was 16.. and unbeknownst to Greg he loved her too (well he did know, but refused to admit it). But something happened, and Greg stopped going to school to work his father's farm full time. He was supposed to take Patty to the town square dance but never showed up. Patty tried going to his house several times to talk to him but he was never available. Through the years, Patty did everything she could to get Greg's attenetion, but he never talked to her or any other woman.
He didn't want to marry...anyone.
But Patty is stubborn, and knew in her heart that he loved her, and she was never going to give up.
So she arranges a way to, and tricks, Greg into marrying her, because she knew she could break through his wall.
Greg's problem was that his mother ran off on him and his dad when he was 16, which left his dad heart broken. She didn't like the life of being on a ranch so she went back East to all the fine shops and such. Greg was afraid a woman would do the same to him, and he never wanted to go through what his dad had. So he protected his heart and avoided women.
I really LOVED Patty. She had a little of Lucy Ricardo in her..lol. I love how she is never deterred by Greg's pushing her away. Everything he does to try to make her leave him fails, and everything she does to try to win him over also fails..until she realizes all she needed to do is just be herself. She is strong, smart and beautiful. She could run a ranch better than any man! She was just awesome.
I loved Greg too. He was a bit of a grump and although he tried to make Patty leave, he was never mean or cruel to her.
I loved Patty's persistance and how she never let it get her down how stubborn Greg was. She had already won over all his ranch hands, so she had many ally's to help her. She just had to find a way to win him over, and she tried many clever ways.
Greg finally comes around, when he sees her strength and courage, at that point he is hopelessly in love with her. She was right he always did love her.
I enjoyed it. I chuckled at Patty's schemes and was happy that all worked out.
Nothing unsafe here IMHO. They were each others first last and only, they never strayed from each other and in the end they both got their HEA, and a baby.
There are 2 detailed sex scenes and many implied.
I would definately recommend.
Thank God for this author. Just what I needed after coming off a few bad reads.
This can be a stand alone.
Here we have Patty & Greg's story. They knew each other as children and Patty loved him since she was 16.. and unbeknownst to Greg he loved her too (well he did know, but refused to admit it). But something happened, and Greg stopped going to school to work his father's farm full time. He was supposed to take Patty to the town square dance but never showed up. Patty tried going to his house several times to talk to him but he was never available. Through the years, Patty did everything she could to get Greg's attenetion, but he never talked to her or any other woman.
He didn't want to marry...anyone.
But Patty is stubborn, and knew in her heart that he loved her, and she was never going to give up.
So she arranges a way to, and tricks, Greg into marrying her, because she knew she could break through his wall.
Greg's problem was that his mother ran off on him and his dad when he was 16, which left his dad heart broken. She didn't like the life of being on a ranch so she went back East to all the fine shops and such. Greg was afraid a woman would do the same to him, and he never wanted to go through what his dad had. So he protected his heart and avoided women.
I really LOVED Patty. She had a little of Lucy Ricardo in her..lol. I love how she is never deterred by Greg's pushing her away. Everything he does to try to make her leave him fails, and everything she does to try to win him over also fails..until she realizes all she needed to do is just be herself. She is strong, smart and beautiful. She could run a ranch better than any man! She was just awesome.
I loved Greg too. He was a bit of a grump and although he tried to make Patty leave, he was never mean or cruel to her.
I loved Patty's persistance and how she never let it get her down how stubborn Greg was. She had already won over all his ranch hands, so she had many ally's to help her. She just had to find a way to win him over, and she tried many clever ways.
Greg finally comes around, when he sees her strength and courage, at that point he is hopelessly in love with her. She was right he always did love her.
I enjoyed it. I chuckled at Patty's schemes and was happy that all worked out.
Nothing unsafe here IMHO. They were each others first last and only, they never strayed from each other and in the end they both got their HEA, and a baby.
There are 2 detailed sex scenes and many implied.
I would definately recommend.
February 28, 2011
I've always loved RA Nordin's writing. This story was kinda too short for my liking, but still was enjoyable without too many complicated and twisted story line.
Finished this in one siting.
Finished this in one siting.
April 21, 2018
I read this some time ago, twice, and really enjoyed it.
August 24, 2017
I admire women who know what they want and are go-getters but maintain their pride and will not compromise/change themselves just to have what they want.
While Patty knew what she wants, and was sharp as a whip and quick on her feet (as her father described her), it was very evident that she was a manipulative, desperada doormat---she was willing to be someone else she's not just to please Greg! And tricking him into marrying her! In my point of view, it's not a simple tricking but emotional blackmailing---using his noble side to rescue her.
It's a good thing that RA Nordin's novels are not as irritating (and/or boring) as the others, even if her characters are. Or else, I will definitely give this story a one star and stop reading all her works. There is just something about the way she writes that makes me continue on reading her stories even how ridiculous or senseless they are.
While Patty knew what she wants, and was sharp as a whip and quick on her feet (as her father described her), it was very evident that she was a manipulative, desperada doormat---she was willing to be someone else she's not just to please Greg! And tricking him into marrying her! In my point of view, it's not a simple tricking but emotional blackmailing---using his noble side to rescue her.
It's a good thing that RA Nordin's novels are not as irritating (and/or boring) as the others, even if her characters are. Or else, I will definitely give this story a one star and stop reading all her works. There is just something about the way she writes that makes me continue on reading her stories even how ridiculous or senseless they are.
June 22, 2019
Another great story
Greg- ranch owner who refused to get married.
Patty- been in love with the hero and knew he loved her too so she never gave up.
I enjoyed reading this captivating story that is fantastically written with charismatic characters and some drama. Their story has a wonderful HEA.
Greg- ranch owner who refused to get married.
Patty- been in love with the hero and knew he loved her too so she never gave up.
I enjoyed reading this captivating story that is fantastically written with charismatic characters and some drama. Their story has a wonderful HEA.
May 29, 2025
Okay book. Greg blaming all women for the mistakes of his mother was annoying but understandable
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2019
Another great one by Ruth Ann Nordin! Love her stories & enjoyed seeing how Patty got her man :-)
Looking forward to the next book in this series.
Read in order:
Ruth Ann Nordic’s Montana collection
1 - Mitch’s Win: Lewistown, Montana May 1896
2 - Boaz’s Wager: July 1897 Just south of Circle, Montana (but ends in Lewiston)
3 - Patty’s Gamble: July 1897 Lewistown, Montana (but later says “it’s August”) - overlaps with book 2
4 - Shane’s Deal: September 1897 Five miles south of Lewistown, Montana. - day after book 3 ends
—— —— ——
1 - Mitch’s Win: Lewistown, Montana May 1896
Heather Curtiss - 17, parents pasted recently, long brown hair, brown eyes,
Abe Curtiss (older brother) - 18 years older, gambler, not around when Heather growing up, loved in Bozeman, Montana
Mitch Grady - 25, dark brown hair, blue eyes
Boaz Grady - 20, gambler, drunk, lost wife to child birth & hasn’t handled it well
Mother - Gertrude/Gerty
Boaz’s & Hannah’s kids
Leroy is three
Hannah is two - wavy golden hair & green eyes (like her mom)
John Meyer - leader of the group of gamblers
Preacher Higgins - in 40s,
Mitch’s ranch hand - Clark - comes out 3 days a week
Patty Dixon - around Heather’s age, determines to marry Greg Wilson, brunette
Matthew Dixon - Patty’s Dad
Greg Wilson - friend of Mitch’s & ranch owner
Some towns people:
Evelyn/Eve - in early 30s
Ellie - tall blonde with twin babies, around Mitch & Heather’s age
Zach - has horses & Boaz used to work for him
Elliot - Boaz’s friend
Eugene - another poker player
———
2 - Boaz’s Wager: July 1897 Just south of Circle, Montana (but ends in Lewiston)
Boaz Grady - 21 now, goatee,
Eva Connealy - 21, from Omaha, Nebraska, was going to be a school teacher, taught there for 4 years, youngest of 6 growing up,
Leroy - 4
Hannah - 3, wavy golden hair & green eyes (like her mom)
Greg Wilson - ranch owner
Herbert (Herb) Allen - Boaz’s friend, brunette, work 2 part time jobs: livery stable and Greg Wilson’s ranch
Rachel Larson - 18 years old, teacher was Eva Connealy for 3 years, learn more about her in Nebraska series.
McCormick - ranch owner
Jafferty - hired Boaz & talkative
Bull - scrawny & nick name because “I once stayed on one for a couple minutes”
Conner - ranch owner, wife likes to cook for people,
Otis Mills - Boaz beat out for Eva
Madeline Thompson - robbers looking for her money
Herb and Rachel’s infant daughter Edna
———
3 - Patty’s Gamble: July 1897 Lewistown, Montana (but later says “it’s August”)
Patty Dixon - around Heather’s age, determines to marry Greg Wilson, brunette
Matthew Dixon - Patty’s Dad, 23 when she was born, so maybe 46-ish now?
Greg Wilson - ranch owner, Dark hair, a strong jaw with a hint of a beard, piercing blue eyes, broad shoulders, mother left to go back to Boston (told everyone she was ill) when he was 16, Boaz’s age (21?) but more in common with Mitch Grady
Bill Wilson - Greg’s pa & died of broken heart
seven ranch hands:
Marv - cook for ranch hands
Herbert (Herb) Allen - Met in Book 2, brunette
Archie - dark-haired
Randy - older (could be with a widow)
Lyle - there was something about him that bothered her. She took note of his blond hair, skinny frame, and tall height. It wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye on him.
Jill Edwards - widow who was living with her brother and his wife, 3-year old son, Walter (husband) died 2 years ago
Evelyn Heiser - mean to Patty & even bully’s her husband, married for 5 years, know from church
Gracie - Jill’s sister-in-law
Stella Hudson - thirty-five and lived by herself on a small ranch
John Meyer - leader of the group of gamblers, terrible person
Zeke - stealing with John
Mayor White
Marshal Taft
Madeline Thompson - mentioned in book 2 (robbers looking for her money)
1 year later:
Greg & Patty’s 1 month old daughter, Angie.
Heather & Mitch’s 6 month old son, Ian
Archie married Jill Edwards
Romance between Matthew Dixon & Stella Hudson
———
4 - Shane’s Deal: September 1897 Five miles south of Lewistown, Montana
Madeline Thompson - mentioned in book 2 (robbers looking for her money), well off all her life, from Kansas City, where husband was murdered
Marshal Shane Taft
Looking forward to the next book in this series.
Read in order:
Ruth Ann Nordic’s Montana collection
1 - Mitch’s Win: Lewistown, Montana May 1896
2 - Boaz’s Wager: July 1897 Just south of Circle, Montana (but ends in Lewiston)
3 - Patty’s Gamble: July 1897 Lewistown, Montana (but later says “it’s August”) - overlaps with book 2
4 - Shane’s Deal: September 1897 Five miles south of Lewistown, Montana. - day after book 3 ends
—— —— ——
1 - Mitch’s Win: Lewistown, Montana May 1896
Heather Curtiss - 17, parents pasted recently, long brown hair, brown eyes,
Abe Curtiss (older brother) - 18 years older, gambler, not around when Heather growing up, loved in Bozeman, Montana
Mitch Grady - 25, dark brown hair, blue eyes
Boaz Grady - 20, gambler, drunk, lost wife to child birth & hasn’t handled it well
Mother - Gertrude/Gerty
Boaz’s & Hannah’s kids
Leroy is three
Hannah is two - wavy golden hair & green eyes (like her mom)
John Meyer - leader of the group of gamblers
Preacher Higgins - in 40s,
Mitch’s ranch hand - Clark - comes out 3 days a week
Patty Dixon - around Heather’s age, determines to marry Greg Wilson, brunette
Matthew Dixon - Patty’s Dad
Greg Wilson - friend of Mitch’s & ranch owner
Some towns people:
Evelyn/Eve - in early 30s
Ellie - tall blonde with twin babies, around Mitch & Heather’s age
Zach - has horses & Boaz used to work for him
Elliot - Boaz’s friend
Eugene - another poker player
———
2 - Boaz’s Wager: July 1897 Just south of Circle, Montana (but ends in Lewiston)
Boaz Grady - 21 now, goatee,
Eva Connealy - 21, from Omaha, Nebraska, was going to be a school teacher, taught there for 4 years, youngest of 6 growing up,
Leroy - 4
Hannah - 3, wavy golden hair & green eyes (like her mom)
Greg Wilson - ranch owner
Herbert (Herb) Allen - Boaz’s friend, brunette, work 2 part time jobs: livery stable and Greg Wilson’s ranch
Rachel Larson - 18 years old, teacher was Eva Connealy for 3 years, learn more about her in Nebraska series.
McCormick - ranch owner
Jafferty - hired Boaz & talkative
Bull - scrawny & nick name because “I once stayed on one for a couple minutes”
Conner - ranch owner, wife likes to cook for people,
Otis Mills - Boaz beat out for Eva
Madeline Thompson - robbers looking for her money
Herb and Rachel’s infant daughter Edna
———
3 - Patty’s Gamble: July 1897 Lewistown, Montana (but later says “it’s August”)
Patty Dixon - around Heather’s age, determines to marry Greg Wilson, brunette
Matthew Dixon - Patty’s Dad, 23 when she was born, so maybe 46-ish now?
Greg Wilson - ranch owner, Dark hair, a strong jaw with a hint of a beard, piercing blue eyes, broad shoulders, mother left to go back to Boston (told everyone she was ill) when he was 16, Boaz’s age (21?) but more in common with Mitch Grady
Bill Wilson - Greg’s pa & died of broken heart
seven ranch hands:
Marv - cook for ranch hands
Herbert (Herb) Allen - Met in Book 2, brunette
Archie - dark-haired
Randy - older (could be with a widow)
Lyle - there was something about him that bothered her. She took note of his blond hair, skinny frame, and tall height. It wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye on him.
Jill Edwards - widow who was living with her brother and his wife, 3-year old son, Walter (husband) died 2 years ago
Evelyn Heiser - mean to Patty & even bully’s her husband, married for 5 years, know from church
Gracie - Jill’s sister-in-law
Stella Hudson - thirty-five and lived by herself on a small ranch
John Meyer - leader of the group of gamblers, terrible person
Zeke - stealing with John
Mayor White
Marshal Taft
Madeline Thompson - mentioned in book 2 (robbers looking for her money)
1 year later:
Greg & Patty’s 1 month old daughter, Angie.
Heather & Mitch’s 6 month old son, Ian
Archie married Jill Edwards
Romance between Matthew Dixon & Stella Hudson
———
4 - Shane’s Deal: September 1897 Five miles south of Lewistown, Montana
Madeline Thompson - mentioned in book 2 (robbers looking for her money), well off all her life, from Kansas City, where husband was murdered
Marshal Shane Taft
July 15, 2014
Patty’s Gamble by Ruth Ann Nordin
Montana Series Book Three
Patty Dixon is sure that Greg Wilson cares for her. So she sets up a trap to get him to marry her. And it works...sort of. Just because she is his wife in name,
it doesn’t mean he’s going to give her a real marriage. Patty gets ready to hang on for the ride of her life because she is going to win her husband’s heart.
Greg Wilson realizes all the things he could have done differently to get out of this marriage. A marriage he’s pretty sure he was tricked into. It’s not that Patty isn’t pretty, the fact is he never wanted a wife and he has darn good reasons for his decision. He just needs to find the right way to get her to run back to her pa’s ranch and leave him alone.
Patty hides who she really is to please her new husband. She also hides the secret of her entrapment she used on him. As we all know...it’s not good to keep a secret. They always find a way to get out. Old friends are revisited in this story also which I always enjoy seeing how characters from previous stories are doing. Another enjoyable story from this author.
**Sexual content within marriage
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
Montana Series Book Three
Patty Dixon is sure that Greg Wilson cares for her. So she sets up a trap to get him to marry her. And it works...sort of. Just because she is his wife in name,
it doesn’t mean he’s going to give her a real marriage. Patty gets ready to hang on for the ride of her life because she is going to win her husband’s heart.
Greg Wilson realizes all the things he could have done differently to get out of this marriage. A marriage he’s pretty sure he was tricked into. It’s not that Patty isn’t pretty, the fact is he never wanted a wife and he has darn good reasons for his decision. He just needs to find the right way to get her to run back to her pa’s ranch and leave him alone.
Patty hides who she really is to please her new husband. She also hides the secret of her entrapment she used on him. As we all know...it’s not good to keep a secret. They always find a way to get out. Old friends are revisited in this story also which I always enjoy seeing how characters from previous stories are doing. Another enjoyable story from this author.
**Sexual content within marriage
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
December 4, 2014
Forced weddings, square dances, and rattlesnakes
Those are just a few of the things in this story, which takes place in central Montana.
Patty - of - title is a young ranch woman, living with her father on the same ranch she grew up on, still loving the boy next door - or as it happens in that sort of country, the boy next ranch. Grown up into the rancher, since his father has passed on, and left him the ranch.
But the man has, for some unknown reason, decided that he is not going to fall into any sort of love, and certainly does not intend to marry. The why of that could be a whole 'nother story.
To get her man, Patty makes the first of several gambles. Getting married, and getting the man, are not synonymous. And there is still the mystery of the cattle rustlers (well, of course, there are rustlers!) She takes a couple more gambles to catch to thieves, complete with pretending to be a thief herself. But in the end, of course, she is happily married, with a darling daughter, plotting the poor little tyke's marriage. The rustlers are caught, and life will go on (happily).
Those are just a few of the things in this story, which takes place in central Montana.
Patty - of - title is a young ranch woman, living with her father on the same ranch she grew up on, still loving the boy next door - or as it happens in that sort of country, the boy next ranch. Grown up into the rancher, since his father has passed on, and left him the ranch.
But the man has, for some unknown reason, decided that he is not going to fall into any sort of love, and certainly does not intend to marry. The why of that could be a whole 'nother story.
To get her man, Patty makes the first of several gambles. Getting married, and getting the man, are not synonymous. And there is still the mystery of the cattle rustlers (well, of course, there are rustlers!) She takes a couple more gambles to catch to thieves, complete with pretending to be a thief herself. But in the end, of course, she is happily married, with a darling daughter, plotting the poor little tyke's marriage. The rustlers are caught, and life will go on (happily).
September 4, 2010
This novella about a girl being forced to marry an outlaw has her "pa" force a local ranch owner to marry her by gunpoint.
The story was described as a romantic comdedy. But it is neither romantic or comedic.
After 2 days of the Patty trying everything and anything (including washing clothes in the nude) to convince Greg not to get an annulment, Greg decides he loves her.
The only thing sillier than this is the non-believable sex scene at the end. The story would have been better without it.
The good thing was it was free and short.
The story was described as a romantic comdedy. But it is neither romantic or comedic.
After 2 days of the Patty trying everything and anything (including washing clothes in the nude) to convince Greg not to get an annulment, Greg decides he loves her.
The only thing sillier than this is the non-believable sex scene at the end. The story would have been better without it.
The good thing was it was free and short.
September 5, 2014
Perseverance (along with a little deception) finally pays off
Patty has been in love with Greg forever, and everyone knows it. Unfortunately, Greg's determination to avoid the marriage trap is also well-known in Lewistown. So what's a girl to do? Over the years, she's tried everything, but she refuses to give up, so Patty sets a trap, with the help of the town's most unsavory character. Poor Patty. She thought she'd finally gotten her heart's desire only to find out that her "catch" still has a lot of fight in him, and a few tricks of his own up his sleeve.
Patty has been in love with Greg forever, and everyone knows it. Unfortunately, Greg's determination to avoid the marriage trap is also well-known in Lewistown. So what's a girl to do? Over the years, she's tried everything, but she refuses to give up, so Patty sets a trap, with the help of the town's most unsavory character. Poor Patty. She thought she'd finally gotten her heart's desire only to find out that her "catch" still has a lot of fight in him, and a few tricks of his own up his sleeve.
January 2, 2012
The story was okay for a novella but don't understand why the author classified the book as romantic comedy. One of my least favourite stories of this author, but the concept of this series is interesting and will read the next book .
August 20, 2014
Happening same time as Boaz's Wager. Gets everything about Patty and Greg cleared up but I just didn't love this one but can't put my finger on the exact problem. Disguises, snake shooting and scheming!
June 2, 2010
This was a good book - I just wish is was longer.
December 9, 2010
Cute and predictable but a nice interlude if you have an hour or two to spare.
March 7, 2011
This wasn't a bad story, but I don't know if I would call it a comedy. Most of the heroine's actions seemed desperate more than humorous.
March 12, 2011
Cute story. Very short and quick to read.
April 7, 2011
Romantic Comedy, no. It was an ok read though. Seemed rushed
April 11, 2011
I like the author's other works, (Eye of the Beholder is superb!) but this one didn't work for me, sadly.
July 17, 2014
Another great by Ruth Ann Nordin!!
September 4, 2014
Another outstanding book from Ruth Ann Nordin!
March 6, 2016
It is really funny....heroine is just amazing!!
April 25, 2016
Quite possibly the WORST book I've ever read from this era. Maybe even EVER. What a load of cr*p.
April 23, 2015
Very good, but short.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews