No Place for a Lady (Heart of the West Series, Book 1)

Enjoyed this book from start to finish. Things had changed for Crystal in Georgia causing her to go to her aunt ranch in Colorado . When she gets there she meets up with Rusty one of the men who works for her aunt. He's a great big lovable guy in his own right. He makes her feel right at home in the rugged west. She gets to the ranch Kate introduces her to everyone LUKE lifts her down from the wagon. He and the rest of the hands take her stuff into the house. All the hands which incude Jube, Kurt and Curly take a liking to her. Luke is somehat stand offish toward her. Carmen the housekeeper keeps her at arms length for awhile. Her southern dress and charm take a litle getting use to by all. But she finds friends in the shopkeeper Mary. Also in two of the neighbor girls Emily and Beth. Her aunt Kate teaches her about cooking and ranch life. Two of the men of the town try to court her one the pastor the other the son of the local cattle baron. The cattle baron daughter already had her talons in Luke the foreman of her aunt ranch. This girl was a spoiled brat and she didn't like Kate much. Just as Crystal had been getting use to being on the ranch and wanting to stay an unforseen accident happens killing her aunt Kate. Forcing Crystal to run the ranch along with Luke and Rusty and the rest of the hands. They needed to get ready for the roundup. Crystal said she was going along Luke didn't like that idea. Luke and Crystal had often argued since she had been there. But she wouldn't give up on her quest. So Rusty taught her to shoot and ride a cutting horse. Before they left on the cattle drive Mr Mcbride offered to buy Aspenglow but Crystal wouldn't sell. Luke also became engaged to April so he could get the land he wanted. All start out well on the cattle drive. Luke told Crystal to stay close to Curly on the cattle drive so she did. She did well along with the rest of the cowboys. She even saved Luke life after he was almost bit by a snake. They even became closer on the drive even though Luke was engaged. The only awful thing that happned on the drive happned during a stampede and Curly was killed. After this Luke started thinking about God more and also Crystal as well. They got to Denver Luke, Crystal and Rusty got the cows sold. Luke got a room for Crystal at a fancy hotel and told her he would meet her and Rusty for dinner. He had gotten a telegram from Kate lawyer so he went to see him. When he got there he found out Kate had given him Aspenglow. Crystal part in it was the money from the cattle and a pin left to her. Kate also gave Luke the admonish to take care of Crystal. This changed Luke future and what he had planned. He felt he couldn't share with Crystal about the ranch yet. Rusty had been in love with Kate and there had been made provision for him as well in the will. They all returned to the ranch life got back to normal. Crystal payed off Mr Mcbride her aunt had taken a loan from him. She also payed off things in town. The church bazaar came up and Crystal and Carmen made pies for it. Carmen and Crystal had become friends. Carmen shared how much she had come to care for Curly. They went to the bazaar Crystal being escorted by Josh the cattle baron son. This got under Luke skin somewhat. The pastor had given up on courting Crystal and had gone after her friend Beth. Jube also had fallen for her friend Emily. When it came to the dessert auction Luke and Josh bid on Crystal pie Luke won out. April was hoping Luke would bid for her dessert she was awful upset when Luke got Crystal dessert this caused her to leave the party. This was after Luke told that he wouldn't marry her. Not long after this Jube and Emily married. Well being in the house one day cleaning in her aunt Kate room she found Kate will giving Aspenglow to Luke she felt she should tell him about it and then she was going to leave. But she had a hard time doing it because she was falling in love with the cowboy. They finally shared with each other about the will. Luke shared with her about how much he loved her and when he had fallen in love with her. She also told him of her love for him. But before they could share about their love with others. They were invited to a skate party Luke escorted her there. But she ended up starting her skating out with Josh before LUKE could get a hold of her. He finally did though. Before they were married a few more things happned. One was the stillbirth of Emily and Jube baby which Crystal and Luke helped deliver. Luke fell in love more and more with Crystal. The day of their wedding all the townspeople were there. Carmen was Crystal bridesmaid Rusty gave her away. Carmen and Kurt had become close after Curly death. So I'm hoping I hear more about them and the others from Aspenglow and Steamboat Springs. Another great book by Maggie Brennan looking forward to reading others. Had already started one of her series earlier.

I downloaded this book for free from Amazon. Periodically, they will offer books from new authors for free, and there is always a chance that the storyline will not be good. If they turn out bad, that doesn't matter, as you can quit reading and quickly move on to the next novel in your Kindle collection without feeling like you lost your money!In this case however, this book absolutely does not disappoint! No Place For A Lady is a very good Christian novel, particularly for a first time author.This book features Crystal, a southern belle, who travels to Colorado to be with her aunt after the death of her father. What she finds there is a love of the land and a peaceful lifestyle that only country living can provide - and it certainly was not what Crystal anticipated. Transitioning from southern belle (being somewhat pampered), to competent rancher is an enjoyable read and a great journey for Crystal! Through her trials with the insufferable Luke, the dripping with jealousy and cutting nature of April, to the watchful, skeptical eye of Carmen - Crystal has her work cut out for her adjusting to her new lot in life.If you are familiar with ranch life, there were some very relatable phrases in this book, such as "The only time a real cowboy removes his hat is for a funeral, a wedding or a church." Which if you know any cowboys - it is almost true!There are also some very funny lines in the story. In a response to Crystal's teasing about Luke being nice to her, his response is "Even a cow needs a salt lick."This was an enjoyable read, and I kept turning the pages. With that said, I personally think its overpriced at the $9.99+ price Amazon is currently asking for it.

After her father died, Crystal Clark was forced to sell her Georgia estate and go live with her aunt on a Colorado ranch. She was unprepared for the rugged lifestyle but was also amazed at the beauty of the place. She might should have married Drew and stayed in Georgia, but she was unsure that she wanted to be his wife for the rest of her life. She eventually begins to fit into the ranch, but the handsome foreman both exasperates and draws her.Luke Weber has always had a way with women, until Crystal comes to the ranch. She seems immune to his charm, he seems to irritate her more than he entices her. Well, he needs to marry April anyway in order to get that piece of land her father has promised him. But why can’t he forget Crystal? When twister strikes and brings tragedy things get all mixed up. Can they ever be made straight?I liked the story, but there were some problems. It did not flow as smoothly as I would have liked, and it had abrupt point of view changes. I doubt they would have called a young, unmarried woman “ma’am,” and Crystal did things society in the 1800’s would not have allowed without ostracizing her. When she first came to the ranch, she and Luke rode off alone for the entire day. After her aunt and the housekeeper had left, she stayed on the ranch alone with just the cowboys. She also went on a cattle drive with only men. None of these would have been allowed. Also, near the end, when I thought she had figured out that Luke was honest, she reverted back to thinking he’d only been after the ranch. This didn’t make sense and seemed to be only to prolong the book. Despite these things, however, I did like the book and thought it was worth my time.

Love Luke and Crystal's sicerety honesty. A well written fiction that is very true life. I love the way Luke came to believe in God. His faith just sealed their love for each,

Another well written novel by an accomplished writer. She transported me from pretty mundane English weather to my favorite U.S.locations and a storyline with characters to die for. Well done Maggie Brandon.

Likeable characters with realistic troubles. Crystal's determination to be more than a southern belle who can't cope on a ranch is amusing and admirable.The story has a nice ending, although it felt a little rushed after the build up to it. Love the references to God and scripture and the characters were believable.

Crystal moves to Colorado to a large farm with her aunt after her father passes away. She is quickly introduced to farmlife and cowboys. Near death experiences , love and the good Lord help her to discover her fate.

A good easy reading book with a good story, a mixture of sadness and happiness . I will pass the name of book and author on to friends.