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

Maggie Brendan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2009

Nothing in her past had prepared her for a Colorado cattle drive--or Luke Weber.

After the death of her father, Crystal Clark is determined to hold her own on her aunt's cattle ranch--even if a certain handsome foreman named Luke doubts her abilities. And just when she thinks she's getting a handle of her new surroundings tragedy strikes the ranch and Crystal must save the ranch from a greedy landowner--and that means taking charge of a cattle drive, ready or not.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Nothing in her past had prepared her for a Colorado cattle drive--or Luke Weber.

Longing for a new start, Crystal Clark arrives amid the splendor of the high country in June 1892. After the death of her father, Crystal is relieved to be leaving the troubles of her Georgia life behind to visit her aunt's cattle ranch. Despite being raised as a proper Southern belle, Crystal is determined to hold her own in this wild land--even if a certain handsome foreman named Luke doubts her abilities.

Just when she thinks she's getting a handle on the constant male attention from the cowhands and the catty barbs from some of the local young women, tragedy strikes. And saving the ranch from a greedy neighboring landowner means taking charge of a cattle drive, ready or not. Can she rise to the challenge? Or will she head back to Georgia defeated?

"Grab your hat and hold on to the reins for an exciting ride! An exciting historical novel by a rising new author."--DiAnn Mills, author of When the Nile Runs Red, Beyond the Memories, Awaken My Heart, and Lightning and Lace

"This gentle romance set amongst the rugged beauty of the Colorado foothills will warm a reader's heart."--Kim Vogel Sawyer, bestselling author of My Heart Remembers and the Sommerfeld Trilogy


Maggie Brendan is a member of the American Christian Writers and the American Fiction Writers Association, and is a contributor to www.bustlesandspurs.com, a website for inspirational romance in the old West. You can read her blog at southernbellewriter.blogspot.com. No Place for a Lady is her first novel.

About the Author

Maggie Brendan is a member of the American Christian Writers and the American Fiction Writers Association. No Place for a Lady is her first novel. Brendan lives in Marietta, Georgia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Revell; Original edition (January 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800733355
• ISBN-13: 978-0800733353
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #125,052 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Acclaimed romance writer, Maggie Brendan is the author of Heart of the West series that has been well-reviewed in Romantic Times, and she has received the Atlanta Persistence Award from the American Christian Writers. She is a member of American Christian Writers, Romance Writers of American, Faith Love and Hope, Georgia Romance Writers, and the American Fiction Writers Association. Maggie loves all things western and enjoys doing reseach for her historical novels. Her latest novel is Deeply Devoted, the first book in The Blue Willow Brides series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Colorado Dreamin', June 25, 2009

By 

Mary Bowen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: No Place for a Lady (Heart of the West Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

Finding a cowgirl outfit under the tree thrilled me as a five-year-old, and riding horses on my grandfather's farm later on was the ultimate treat, until I saw Colorado for the first time. That confirmed my love of all things western. While reading Maggie's book, I once again experienced the majesty of the Rockies and felt the warm camaraderie of ranch life. I faced my fears in a challenging trail drive and laughed and cried with the characters. Because the author researched the American west of the late 1800s, I learned many fascinating details of life in that time period, and felt drawn into the story of Crystal's new life there.

In the book, Crystal gradually develops from a pampered Southern belle to a capable leader who nonetheless retains her feminine charm. Her relationships also grow as she seeks God's help in her struggles. Luke, a tough, independent cowboy, starts to rethink his assumptions as he gets to know the intriguing Crystal. He discovers a personal God who changes him from the inside out. All through the book, whether rollicking in a barn dance or grieving the loss of a friend, Crystal and Luke's shared experiences mature them and bring them closer.

If you're looking for adventure, romance or inspiration, come visit Aspengold Ranch and sit a spell. You won't want to leave.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meet the New Heart of the West-An Author Riding the Forefront of Western Fiction!, January 23, 2009

By 

Kelly Long - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: No Place for a Lady (Heart of the West Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

Maggie Brendan is the new heart of western romance! She's got a pulsepoint for the mood, style, and moment of those delicious days gone by and weaves a plot tighter than a barbed wire cattle fence! Here's a book you can savor--if you like your heroines feisty and your cowboys lean and just a little mean. Wrangling romance between Crystal and Luke leaves the reader longing for more and Brendan doesn't disappoint with her teaser for the upcoming second novel. Maggie Brendan is a debut author with a very wise voice, warm, mellow, and charming. If you love Lavyrle Spencer, then take a ride on this Western plain and discover a writer and storyteller whose work you will follow for many years to come! Whoo-ee! Watch this new gal 'cause her wagon is hitched to the stars!

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Let Down, June 10, 2010

By 

Southern Housewife - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: No Place for a Lady (Heart of the West Series, Book 1) (Kindle Edition)

I was excited to read this book, being a fan of historical romances but quickly realized this one wasn't for me. The characters needed to be fleshed out more to make their conflict more believable. The ending was obvious from the beginning with a few awkward events thrown in as plot twists but none of them seemed very accurate to me. For example our pampered Georgia peach who lacks most domestic skills assumes the running of a ranch and even goes on a trail drive within months of her arrival in Colorado- uh huh. I also found the dialogue between characters to be stilted and almost silly at points which took me out of the story. I did finish the book hoping it would get better (it did not) but there are definately better historical/christian romance writers out there to spend an afternoon reading.