Customer Reviews

A Lady Like Sarah (A Rocky Creek Romance)

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

What first attracted me to this book was the cover and tag line. A lady outlaw and a preacher would definitely make for great conflict. And, I wasn't disappointed!

Ms. Brownley painted a picture for me on each and every page. I read the book while visualizing every scene as if watching a Hallmark movie--the kind you snuggle up with on a lazy Sunday afternoon. The characters came to life for me. I fell in love with Sarah Prescott, the feisty heroine. She had to save her own hide from a noose waiting for her in Rocky Creek. But, she couldn't abandon Justin Wells, the reverend on his way to a new position as preacher for the very town she needed to avoid. The poor man had no clue how to keep his hide intact.

I laughed, cried, cheered, and worried for the fate of Sarah and Justin through the very last word of this heartwarming novel. Ms. Brownley has written a wonderful story full of hope, compassion, and yet with so much conflict that you'll have to keep turning the pages, until you close the book with a sigh.

I hope Ms. Brownley has a sequel in mind!

A LADY LIKE SARAH, by Margaret Brownley, is an atypical Western because the two main characters are a woman outlaw, Sarah, and a minister, Justin. The woman outlaw, Sarah, didn't deserve to be outlawed; her brothers have done some bad things for what they believe to be good reasons, and her only "crime" is that she's related to them; the minister is from Boston, and is aristocratic and refined, while Sarah's anything but. As I'd hoped when I ordered this book, there was a good amount of witty dialogue, and the character development was excellent.

I appreciated Ms. Brownley's underlying plot; it wasn't just the "union of opposites" that's so often seen in this genre (though that was done very well) -- it was the historical accuracy. Many places in the West were short of ministers at that time, so if a minister went West for _any_ reason (including Justin's reason, which was of minor scandalous import), the minister in question was warmly welcomed. And in this case, Justin gets a chance at personal redemption by going West, and meets Sarah -- a woman who can't help but challenge his perceptions at every turn, because she isn't very much like any lady he's ever met as her elocution is poor (many "ain'ts" and the deliberate speech of someone trying hard to be ignored, thus burying her intelligence in the process), her wardrobe is limited, and she's been unfairly accused of crimes she didn't commit due to who her brothers are (a bunch of outlaws).

There are some big questions being explored here, skillfully undercover; those include: "What makes a good woman?," "Does God really care about protecting the innocent?," "Can a change of scenery really bring about a different viewpoint?," and "Is it really possible to start over?"

These questions are not treated lightly, even though the dialogue above is so witty it reminded me of many Gable-Lombard romances (transported to the American West, of course). This is a Christian romance, so many of those questions would've come up in some fashion or another, but the main difference here is how deftly Ms. Brownley brought these things up -- usually in dialogue, or in inner monologue -- and how these big questions do not stop the narrative in the slightest.

I liked both main characters, and want to see more of them; if there is a direct sequel to this book, I'd enjoy seeing it.

Four stars, recommended.

Barb Caffrey

This is the first Christian romance book I have read. I was drawn to it by the interesting premise- a disgraced preacher from Boston, Justin Wells, meets a beautiful red-headed outlaw, Sarah Prescott,on the way to Texas. I am glad I decided to give it a try because it is the most entertaining and exciting book I have read in a long time!
Margaret Brownley does a great job creating the two main characters and a host of secondary characters. She keeps the plot the moving at a brisk pace and there is always something unexpected around the corner! I started reading in the early afternoon and didn't stop till I was done.
The book is full of romance, adventure and more than a few laughs. Befitting a Christian book- its not just Justin & Sarah 's love that is tested on the journey-but also their faith. I found that aspect of the story inspiring.
I wound up loving this book and I am sure you will too.I look forward to the next book in the Rocky Creek series!

What does it take for a woman to be a real lady? Is it the way she speaks? The clothes she wears? Or is it the depth of her character? When Pastor Justin Wells first meets Sarah Prescott, there's nothing ladylike about her. Her language is coarse, she dresses like a man, and she's in handcuffs with an injured US Marshall. Forced to travel together, Sarah and Justin forge a strong friendship, despite the initial friction between them. When friendship turns to love, Sarah must trust God for a miracle, because that's the only way she and Justin can be together.

Margaret Brownley has crafted an entertaining novel of life, love, and survival in the American West. In Sarah, she gives us a woman who's been running so long, she believes that's her lot in life. And Justin is leaving his former Boston congregation in shame, his only choice to start a new life in far off Texas. Both have been judged for actions that were not their own, and both must trust God to show them their true selves. "A Lady Like Sarah" is funny, touching, and a great start to the new Rocky Creek series.

NOTE: A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher for review purposes.

This book begins with a great idea: a handsome, educated preacher from Boston escorting a young, pretty female outlaw to Texas. Many adventures follow (some sobering, others hysterical), and along the way, they fall in love. Unfortunately, Sarah's been sentenced to hang. Meanwhile, Justin encourages her to trust in her newfound faith and believe God for a miracle.

It started out great for me, but it soon became predictable. I knew how it would end way too soon, and in fact, it seemed almost too easy for Sarah. Everything fell into place just in the nick of time. It was an okay read, but it didn't hold my interest like many other books do. I still don't understand why Justin fell in love with Sarah, except that she's pretty and speaks her mind. He came to care for her very early on, seemingly without knowing much about her true character. She's portrayed as a good-hearted, misunderstood young woman caught in the fallout of her brothers' thieving ways. There should have been more character development to make me truly care about Sarah and Justin. It's an easy read and enjoyable for what it is--light reading with a focus on Christian values.

I loved A Lady Like Sarah by Margaret Brownley! The story is about a lady named Sarah Prescott, the funny thing about the title is Sarah is far from a lady!! Her parents died when she was a young girl and so she was raised by her wild, revenge seeking older brothers. They didn't teach her how to be a lady but how to defend herself against the harsh world and shoot, lie and sneak around. Sarah soon runs to a preacher by the name of Justin Wells who saves her numerous times and she ends up saving him a few times too. Sarah and Justin come from very different worlds and society standards that at first they clash badly, but soon a friendship blooms. They find an orphaned baby and are determined to find her a good home. Justin is trying to convince Sarah, who is an outlaw, to turn herself in and trust on God to keep her safe, all the while he is struggling with his own faith in God too.

A Lady Like Sarah is filled with mishaps, laughs, tears and lots of adventure. Margaret Brownley has really captured a good story of inspirational romance and God's forgiveness and guidance.

I really enjoyed the character of Sarah. She very much felt that God had abandoned her and that she did not deserve a good and happy life. Once she learned how great God was/is and that he never left her she turned her faith right around like a child! I recommend this story to anyone who loves inspirational romances and stories of God's amazing guidance, love and forgiveness in our lives

Sarah is by no means a lady, but she meets a preacher. The poor preacher is by no means equipped for life in the west.
Together they face Indians, the dangers of running from the law (Sarah is an outlaw), and the hangman's noose.
In the end they find love and Sarah finds grace.
No fears for the family in this one. Simply clean romance.

I've just found a new book for my `keeper' shelf...AND a new author to read. Margaret Brownley - and the book is A Lady Like Sarah.

What do you get when you cross an outlaw and a preacher? A heap of trouble, laughter, and, surprisingly, humor.

Sarah Prescott has known the life of being an outlaw since her brothers started robbing stages. Now, because of her compassionate heart, she's on her way to the hangman's noose. When she and the marshal escorting her are attacked along the road, Sarah's left handcuffed to a dying marshal, waiting for death to come long before the noose can finish he job.

Along comes....a hero, in the guise of a preacher. Being quite fond of preachers myself, I was glad to meet Justin Wells. Without a doubt, he is worth the read, and the repartee between the two, sidesplitting.

Add to the confusion a three-month old baby girl, and you have a book that spins with energy, hilarious misunderstandings, beautiful `faith moments', and sweet romance. Sarah is such a transparent heroine and the perfect match for Justin. It was easy to see how he fell in love with her honest, sarcastic, and compassionate personality.
Justin is a wonderful hero. Kind, determined, gentle - with a sense of humor of his own. His tender care of the baby girl and his constant faith in Sarah is breathtaking.

But how on earth can a preacher and an outlaw be together? It's gonna take a miracle. Especially when Sarah is capture by the law and set to hang. Is there a miracle in store for her, besides the one that has already taken place inside her heart?

Be prepared for a glorious finish, complete with Sarah acquiring about twenty more brothers than she ever thought she'd want.

If you find this book - buy it. I'd offer a giveaway, but I'm keeping mine :-)

Wonderful story, beautiful book, and fantastic characters.

Margaret Brownley's, A LADY LIKE SARAH, hit me right in the gut. Sarah is an outlaw who has had to fight for everything she has ever had. She is gritty, unapologetic, and would be voted "the least likely to be a lady." But Sarah dreams. She dreams of becoming someone that people look to and wants to be respectable. She wants to learn and laugh and not have to fight for everything. But alas, at the moment Sarah is handcuffed to a dying US Marshal without the ability to free herself. Redemption and hope comes in the form of disgraced preacher Justin Wells. He frees Sarah from her cuffs with the promise she won't run away. Sarah's word is her bond and so she stays.

A LADY LIKE SARAH explores exactly what it means to be a lady. Long ago, many thought that to be a lady you had to be born a lady - Margaret Brownley takes that theory and throws it into the dust. Sarah was loyal and she learned to love and trust in God. I really enjoyed reading this historical Christian novel and would definitely read Margaret Brownley again.

Natalie S. for Amazon Vine

As an avid Christian fiction fan, I found this one to be well worth the read! It is the story of Sarah, a woman who is all tom-boy and no morals/manners. Until she meets the calm preacher man, of course! The story, in a way, is the story of Christ: How He loves us no matter what is and stable and there for us... just waiting for us to turn to Him and do the right thing. I highly recommend this for a good weekend read!!! Lots of good humor, you will laugh the whole way through at the antics of Sarah.