Overwhelmed by the responsibilities of running a ranch on her own, Laurel Tracey decides to hire a convict—a man who’s just scary enough to take care of squatters and just desperate enough to agree to a one year post.The years following the war have been hard on Laurel Tracey. Both her brother and her father died in battle, and her mother passed away shortly after receiving word of their demise. … receiving word of their demise. Laurel has been trying to run her two hundred acre ranch as best she can.
When she discovers that squatters have settled in her north pasture and have no intention of leaving, Laurel decides to use the last of her money to free a prisoner from the local jail. If she agrees to offer him room and board for one year, he will have to work for her to pay off his debt.
Former soldier Thomas Baker knows he’s in trouble when he finds himself jailed because he couldn’t pay a few fines. Laurel’s offer might be his only ticket out. Though she’s everything he ever dreamed of in a woman—sweet and tender-hearted, yet strong—he’s determined to remain detached, work hard on her behalf, and count the days until he’s free again.
But when cattle start dying and Laurel’s life is threatened, Thomas realizes more than just his freedom is on the line. Laurel needs someone to believe in her and protect her property. And it isn’t long before Laurel realizes that Thomas Baker is far more than just a former soldier. He’s a trustworthy hero, and he needs more than just his freedom—he needs her love and care too.
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This is another great book by Shelley Shepard Gray. A story of a Rancher named Laurel and a prisoner named Thomas. It is a touching story.
I liked everything about this book. Good story from a great writer!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book
I received this book from The Fiction Guild. I was not required to give a favorable review. All thoughts are my own . This is a wonderful story about a young woman who is left her family ranch after both her brother and father are killed in the Civil War and her mother remarries. Her mother and her step-father have both passed and she is having to deal with her step-brother and step-sister trying to get her to sell the ranch so they can collect part of the proceeds since, they had already sold their father’s home and used that money unwisely. She had a group of convicts helping her fixing fences on her property and one of them stood out to her. When he came up to be able to be released from jail and she could buy him working for her for a year to pay off his debts. He becomes a force to reckon with when he ends up throwing her step siblings out, and having to deal with people trying to ruin her ranch. Plus the man who owns the ranch next to them wants to marry her and she doesn’t. Little does Laurel understand that the man she got to help was once a very good soldier and would do anything to keep her safe.
I really enjoyed this book quite a bit! I will be re-reading this in the future! Great story telling!
I enjoy reading books that aren’t dark and gloomy. An easy and enjoyable read.
Chivalry and loyalty are two words that describe this series and the characters perfectly. Thomas Baker, while a bit rough around the edges, is loyal to the core, and when his new boss Laurel Tracey needs his help, he freely gives it. Moreover, he realizes they will need more help than just the two of them can give, so he calls upon his friends – also former soldiers, who are willing to help at almost a moments notice.
Laurel, though still a woman of her time, is determined to keep her ranch and her family legacy intact. Others seek to use the fact that she is a woman alone to their advantage. Though she finds it uncomfortable to go against what society dictates, she is willing to do it for her ranch and for her very life.
An Uncommon Protector is a good story. Not great for me, but good. The plot is engaging, and the characters are the best part, in my opinion. The romance is where things fell a bit flat. It moves way too fast for my preference in a story and lacks any build-up whatsoever. Other readers may not mind this as much, but it’s usually a sticking point with me. I also like more historical details in a story, and this one is very light in that regard.
Still, it’s a sweet romance, and while they weren’t my new favorite couple, I did still like Laurel and Thomas together. I do want to read book three at some point, to finally get a story that focuses on Major Kelly because he’s still my favorite out of the four friends.
Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary copy of this novel. I chose to read and review it, and the opinions expressed here are my own.
Not very realistic
Wonderful book I couldnt put down. So looking forward to volume 2. Its not available until July, ugggg. I need it now.
I enjoy reading about the Civi War and the way things were immediately after. I wasn’t disappointed in this book.
I enjoyed this book so much I stayed up one evening to finish it. I loved the main characters and their quips. The theme of judgment and biases during that time period was thought provoking. I also enjoyed learning about practices with dealing with the blind at that time.
I enjoyed this book because it reminded me that the Lord directs our path and he uses people who have made mistakes. Just because someone has been in jail is no reason to stay away from them—it depends on the person. It also reminded me that sometimes you need to keep your mouth shut.
I will look for more by this author.
Ejoyable read