An uncommon protector / Shelley Shepard Gray.

Title :

An uncommon protector

Author:

Format:

Books

Summary:

"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. 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"--

"From New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray, An Uncommon Protector tells an unforgettable story of the endurance of loyalty and love"--

Language:

English

ISBN - ISSN:

9780310345428

0310345421

Physical Description:

305 pages ; 22 cm.

Subject:

Man-woman relationships -- Fiction.

Women ranchers -- Fiction.

Veterans -- Fiction.

Ex-convicts -- Fiction.

Ranches -- Fiction.

Frontier and pioneer life -- Fiction.

Texas -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction.

Series:

Lone Star hero's love stories.

First Title value, for Searching:

An uncommon protector / Shelley Shepard Gray.

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Available:*

Library	Audience	Home Location	Material Type	Shelf Number	Status
Searching... Central	Adult	Fiction	Book	GRAY	Searching... Unknown
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Searching... Jungman	Adult	Fiction	Book	GRAY	Searching... Unknown
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Summary

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. 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.

Author Notes

Shelley Shephard Gray earned a bachelor's and master's degree in education. Before becoming a full time writer, she taught elementary school in Texas, Arizona, and Colorado. She started writing about the Amish because their way of life appealed to her and she wanted to write stories about regular people in extraordinary situations. Her works include the Sisters of the Heart series, Seasons of Sugarcreek series, The Families of Honor series, Heart of a Hero series, and Secrets of Crittenden County series.

(Bowker Author Biography)

Reviews (2)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Post-Civil-War Texas is a tough place for Laurel Tracey, whose brother and father died in the war, and whose mother passed away shortly thereafter. Though 200 acres of land is legally hers, squatters have trespassed, cattle are dying mysteriously, and a former admirer has returned to press his suit for her hand. No wilting lily, Laurel frees a prisoner, former Confederate soldier Thomas Baker, by hiring him as an indentured servant for one year in hopes that he will scare off those threatening her land and help her get the ranch back in shape. A bit short-tempered, Thomas nevertheless proves to have a most worthy character and an honorable history. A sweet attraction flares between them immediately, and their shared faith gives them a foundation from which to withstand their trials. But the development of their relationship lacks spark and is too predictable, as are the overall plot and the identity of her nemesis. The resolution comes far too easily, reflecting the simplicity of the one-plot story. But Thomas's war buddies spark curiosity and interest, which bodes well for Gray's Lone Star Hero Love Stories series overall. Agent: Nicole Resciniti, Seymour Agency. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Library Journal Review

In post-Civil War Texas, Laurel Tracey is the last surviving member of her family; she needs help running her 200-acre ranch. Thomas Baker is a former soldier, jailed for nonpayment of fines. The two make a deal: he'll work for her for one year and she'll bail him out. They work tirelessly to hold the ranch, while trying to ignore the electric currents flowing between them. After a threat is made on Laurel's life and her livestock mysteriously die, both realize it's time to stop pretending they don't care for each other. Although better known for her Amish fiction, Gray ("Heart of a Hero" romances) launches a new Texas historical series and once again demonstrates her skill at establishing an authentic Western setting and strong, memorable characters. The tense story line and suspenseful tone will have readers rooting for Thomas and Laurel the whole way. VERDICT Gray's ardent fans will line up for this one. © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.