Blue Moon Promise (Under Texas Stars) [Paperback]

Colleen Coble (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 14, 2012 | Series: Under Texas Stars (Book 1)

"Coble is a great writer, she knows what readers want and she does not disappoint."—Romantic Times

Lucy Marsh's worldly resources are running out, but she's fiercely determined to care for her younger brother and sister. When she discovers that their father's recent death was no accident, Lucy is eager to leave town. She accepts a proxy marriage she believes will provide safe refuge. But trouble follows her to Texas where her new husband is surprised to suddenly have a wife and children to care for.

Nate Stanton always hoped he'd marry someday, but running the family ranch meant he had no time for romance. When his father deposits Lucy Marsh—a city girl—on his doorstep, with two siblings in the bargain, he expects ranch life will send her running on the first train out of town. But Lucy is made of tougher stuff than Nate imagined. When danger moves in, Nate finds he'd give anything to protect Lucy and the children he's grown to love. Even if it means giving up his ranch.

Blue Moon Promise is a story of hope, romance, and suspense . . . immersing the reader in a rich historical tale set under Texas stars.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

RITA-finalist Colleen Coble is the author of several best-selling romantic suspense novels, including Tidewater Inn and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 14, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595549153
• ISBN-13: 978-1595549150
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 1.1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (147 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #314,153 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Colleen Coble is the author of more than forty books, most of them bestsellers. Some of her most recent novels are Lonestar Angel, The Lightkeeper's Ball, Blue Moon Promise, and Anathema, an Amish suspense. One of her most popular series is the Rock Harbor mystery series featuring Bree and Samson, a search-and-rescue dog team. She has won the Carol Award numerous times as well as romance and mystery awards. She lives in Wabash, Indiana with her husband Dave.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#15 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#44 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#79 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Historical Romance

#82 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Suspense

#83 in Books > Romance > Historical

#15 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#44 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#79 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Historical Romance

#82 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Suspense

#83 in Books > Romance > Historical

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Fiction! January 28, 2012

By Tammy's Book Parlor

Format:Paperback

Lucy Marsh is running out of options...she has been told by her landlord that the place where they are living has been sold. However, Lucy is fiercely protective of her siblings, Jed and Eileen, so she knows that she will need to find a home for all of them. She also finds out that her fathers death was not an accident! Lucy is in turmoil!
Than she receives a most unusual proposition from Henry Stanton. He wants her to marry his son, Nate, by proxy! Just like Abraham found a wife for his son Isaac. Lucy decides that this is the best she can do under dire circumstances...so off she and the children go to Wichita Falls, Texas with Mr. Stanton to the family ranch.
Imagine Nate's surprise when his father returns home with a wife for him and two young 'uns! Maybe not the best way to begin a relationship, much less a marriage. Lucy is determined to make this marriage work. She is a kind, helpful wife. When troubles arise Nate refuses to let anything harm his newfound family.
I loved the title of this read...a blue moon is an unusual event that rarely happens; hence, the saying "Once in a Blue Moon." This expression was first noted in 1821 and refers to occurrences that are uncommon, though not truly rare. For more than half a century, whenever two full Moons appeared in a single month (which happens on average every 2 1/2 to 3 years), the second has been christened a "Blue Moon." An unusual event. So, not unlike the blue moon over Texas is the story of Lucy...an unlikely event but not rare!
A heartwarming read filled with the sideline of Rebekah and Isaac's story from the Bible.
*This book was provided for review by BookSneeze/Thomas Nelson Publishing*

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Colleen Coble's - Blue Moon Promise February 11, 2012

By Christine'sTeaTime

Format:Paperback

I must say I truly appreciated Colleen's Coble's Blue Moon Promise. While I am a huge Christian Fiction fan, and have read many books in this genre, for some reason, this was the first book that I read by Colleen Coble. I will say that I was not disappointed. While the book summary sounded intriguing, I have been burned too many times by a great synopsis that fizzles due to poor character development or uninspired writing. Well this was not the case with Blue Moon Promise.

Lucy a young woman, has a lot on her plate trying to raise her younger brother and sister. Intrigue is introduced early on when Lucy finds that her home is being watched. Losing her job, no money, both parents gone, and getting kicked out of their home, Lucy is in dire straits. So when an offer to marry a man site unseen comes along during a particularly trying time, Lucy decides she doesn't have much of a choice.

Unbeknown to Nate, he has been married by proxy to Lucy, so imagine the fireworks when they meet and he finds out that he is not only married but has a ready made family. The story offers several mysterious sub-plots and interesting characters, with Nate's father being at the top of the list. Lucy and Nate will have to navigate there way to each other through thieves, wicked step mothers, manipulation, family responsibilities, cattle drives and so much more. This book packs a punch.

The best part of the book for me is the personality of both Lucy and Nate. It has been a long time since I have like the personality of both characters from the beginning. I appreciated that they both knew the Lord from the beginning; however, as with all of us, they had flaws that God needed to do a work on. While there is a kiss here and there the chemistry between the two can be found throughout the story. My only complaint would be the end wrapped up a little fast with some major events that seemed to need more time to develop. Overall very good book. Take a chance.

This book was provided to me via Netgalley for my honest opinion.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Under the stars of Texas, a promise was made... March 3, 2012

By Katie McCurdy

Format:Paperback

Even though this is only the second book I have read by Colleen Coble, I know that I will always enjoy reading anything she writes. She wonderfully mixes a sweet historical romance with suspense, intrigue, and adventure to make her books enjoyable to a variety of readers!

While the story plot is very important in a book, the characters are even moreso--if the characters don't seem real, the story falls apart. At least, in my opinion. I was excited and delighted to discover that Coble created a wonderful cast of characters within Blue Moon Promise--from Drew Larson, a guy with a serious chip on his shoulder, to Jed, a young boy striving to be the man of the house.

I remember with the previous book I read by Coble, I sometimes had a problem with how the action scenes were written. And I was delighted to find out that I ran into no such problem in Blue Moon Promise! Things flowed along at a good pace--not very fast, but then I didn't expect it to be. It's a historical romance, and while there is suspense in it, it's more of a subplot. The main focus is on the budding relationship between married couple Nate and Lucy. Which was totally sigh-worthy, by the way! :-)

In all, Blue Moon Promise was a very sweet read from beginning to end. I always love reading a romance where the two main characters marry, and then have to learn how to love, respect, and honor each other. And Colleen did it so beautifully in this one! I look forward to the next book in the Under Texas Stars series--and hope it tells Margaret or Fanny's story!

I reviewed this book for Thomas Nelson via Litfuse. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.