The Rancher Takes a Wife

Montana Bride, Book 1

By: Leslea Tash

Narrated by: Eileen Smith

One look into his piercing blue eyes, and I knew there was no way I could ever say no to Carl Ward. I wasn't sure he could help me, but more than anything, I wanted to see him again.

"Oh, Mr. Ward," I said. "Nothing would please me more."

Chastity Lilly is no flapper. In 1920s New York, she's determined to find a career as a teacher so she can support her family upstate. But one thing leads to another, and the company she keeps in the big city leads her down a very different path than the one she sought.

When she helps a handsome rancher in town looking for his own errant sister, can she turn her act around? Will she take his offer of a teaching position in Wedlock, Montana, and make a brand-new start? And if she does, can she - and the rancher - leave the past behind to forge a new future together?

Not if the rancher's sister has her way.

This is a sweet historical Western romance. There are no PG-13 or R-rated scenes.

©2014 Leslea Tash (P)2021 Leslea Tash

A sweet romance - but really, the story of a city girl in rural montana

Yes, this is a (very lovely) romance story - but what I find actually even more compelling is the fact that it is so much more. Chastity is studying to become a teacher, but a string of unfortunate events and some bad friends / people in her life severely limit her options to teach in upstate New York. Instead she is left with no choice but to go to Montana, where carl ward hired her to be the teacher of the town. Sadly, she can’t run from her past.

Leslea Tash wove a wonderful story with a range of characters (one of them repeatedly cracks me up - he’s a hoot! But has a lot of depth to him, too…) and Eileen did a wonderful job at the narration. Seriously, the encounters between Jessica and Chastity are great, as their personalities are basically diametrically opposed.

This book has some serious When Calls The Heart vibes and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Beyond the Surface

Tash leaves you no choice but to examine how your role in others' life brings a wealth of encouragement or hindrances. As she unveils the heart and mind of Chastity peering up the avenues and trails of love. As the reader breathes each of Tash’s characters to life with a silvery yet sultry alto stretching accents from Ireland to Montana. You will find yourself laughing at Mr. Harville’s antics; while checking the real meaning of Jessica's intent in crafting a moment of kindness; or better yet, the thriving ambition in Wedlock, MT. to lift Hope above jewels. At times you'll feel as if you are eavesdropping on the private life and conversation of truth. A wonderful pallet of voicing to accompany a well-written unfolding of life.

This is a wonderful book

I really enjoyed this book and the narrator. Started a bit slow but it began an exciting and amazing story

Finding love

Charming story of Chastity and her life, going to New York to study as a teacher and finding love
Excellent narration

Sweet Romance

Tho was an amazing historical western romance. Chastity is going to school to be a teacher but her companions are leading her astray. Can a chance meeting with Carl Ward change things for her? Will she make the right decision?

Eileen Smith is a new narrator for me. She didn’t disappoint. Loved it!

Great

This was like a modern day Cinderella. I loved it and can't wait for the next in the series. What happens to Jessica and does Harvell find a wife?

Sugary Sweet Love Story

Two soulmates find each other and find the life they didn't even realise they were dreaming of together. Redemption, faith and renewal shine in this well-paced and well-written novel, the first in the Montana Bride Series by the talented Leslea Tash.

I overlooked the sugary sweet and totally enjoyed this book and the superior narration by Eileen Smith.

Sweet escape-excellent narration!

This book offered a sweet escape from from the darker fiction I have been reading for my book club. It’s a clean romance with touches of drama to keep it exciting and enough historical context to keep things interesting. The narrator’s mellifluous voice is equal parts warm and expressive. It was easy to lose myself in the story because she moves smoothly between character voices without being distracting (a pet peeve of mine when listening to audio books).
In fact, the narrator helped bring the characters to life so effectively that I find myself wondering what happens to them. Can’t wait for the next installment!

The Rancher Takes a Wife

This audiobook was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

The historical stopping points are painted with a vivid brush and while the heroine is a tad naive… some people are. The cast of characters are colorful and entertaining. The early part of the book begins in the excess of the 1920s while Chastity is attending teaching college. Through a series of events following the stock market crash she ends up in the west for her first teaching position in a one room school house teaching both towns children and Native American children. Our rancher hero has an admirably progressive view on the treatment of others especially Native Americans and how he can serve the town for its future betterment.

I have read a wide gamut of romance books from Christian to closed door to open door. Generally there are parameters that are typically followed. For example in Christian romance the arc of developing faith in a character typically has a break through moment; those committing risky behavior are referred to as nothing more risqué than fallen women or referencing a child conceived outside of marriage/wedlock in dry clinical tones. This book is a little hard to categorize in that respect as there are references to “unnatural relationships” and the terms sl*t and wh*r* are used more than once.
And while morality is emphasized and church/Christianity is a background theme it did not feel like a central topic. While it does remain largely pg and really no consummation is even hinted at there are two occasions where there is fully clothed full body contact. I can see where these things might be a bit much for someone who only reads sweet clean Christian romance and I feel reviews stand an important roll to tell a potential reader whether this is a book that is to their taste or not. Often I feel 1 star reviews come from people who have read a book that is just not for them. I believe there is a book for everyone and a person for every book. On the flip side if you’re someone who only reads open door romance this may not be your cup of tea either. If you’re more flexible in your expectations it is worth a listen.

Audiobook length comes in at just under 6 hours. Good sound quality and narration. 4/5

Sweet story

Sweet, gentle story. Somewhat predictable but fun. Enjoyed the narration. Perfect voice for the very naive main character. Great differentiation in voices of the characters.