Blue Moon Promise (Under Texas Stars #1)

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Blue Moon Promise (Under Texas Stars #1)

by Colleen Coble (Goodreads Author)

4.07 of 5 stars 4.07 · rating details · 896 ratings · 131 reviews

"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...more

Paperback, 312 pages

Published February 14th 2012 by Thomas Nelson Publishers

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Apr 20, 2012 Tracey rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, western, romance

This was received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review – thank you.

Blue Moon Promise is one of those books I didn't have terribly high expectations for - but I did have hopes. I've seen my expectations turned on their heads quite often lately, and this seemed to have promise. It's a Christian romance set in the American West in the very early 1900's, about a girl (Lucy) who is approached by a rancher offering her a new life: she can pack up her few belongings and her little half-brot...more This was received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review – thank you.

Blue Moon Promise is one of those books I didn't have terribly high expectations for - but I did have hopes. I've seen my expectations turned on their heads quite often lately, and this seemed to have promise. It's a Christian romance set in the American West in the very early 1900's, about a girl (Lucy) who is approached by a rancher offering her a new life: she can pack up her few belongings and her little half-brother and half-sister and leave this place where life has been extremely unkind, and she can come west with him to be his son's bride. That is, he will have her married to him by proxy before they leave, and no, his son, Nate, doesn't know, and she gets the impression that he won't be overjoyed. But circumstances don't leave her much choice - her father just died, her siblings' mother has abandoned them, and she just lost her job and was evicted (the latter two events all in one day) – and she decides to do it. The rest of the story is working out that situation, along with the exact circumstances of her father's death and the status of some valuable silver coins she finds.

Let's face it; awful as they must be in reality, arranged marriages are interesting to read about, and this is the first time I've come across marriage-by-proxy in a semi-modern setting. Also, I often enjoy Westerns and "wild west" settings. I was interested. What I found was a solid, workmanlike story, pretty well told; the characters are amiable enough; the plot is rather overwrought and far-fetched – with startling revelations, hysterical amnesia, family feuding, and sinister stalkers – but it managed to pull it off; the little girl, while not written so as to be appealing to me, was also not one of the more annoying I've ever read. The humor – chiefly centering on a tarantula named Zeke – achieves humorousness, if nowhere near the laugh-out-loud variety, and not exactly with a feather-light touch. The narrative moves briskly and efficiently from point A to point B and onward to the conclusion. There were enough interesting elements to the plot to keep me reading to the end. Unfortunately, Blue Moon Promise didn't quite exceed my low expectations; it told the story, but did not make me care about it or the characters. To be honest, I finished it less than twenty-four hours before writing this, and I can't remember the climax of the story. I do know that it seemed like a string of one injury after another, to one main character after another – a time-honored Romance Novelist's Friend, one way to ramp up feeling between protagonists who might not otherwise admit to being in love.

While the writing was, overall, serviceable, there were some questionable dialogue moments. I'm not convinced the little girl (whose dialogue was more annoying than endearing) would have been constantly telling everyone she had to "go potty" at this point in time, but I am pretty thoroughly certain a twelve-year-old boy in 1910 would not tell his sister that a cattle stampede "was really cool". That was a sad, sad thing, although I have to say I think I'd rather read an anachronistic "cool" than the presumably contemporary phrase "let's jaw awhile". The man who says this is making a tentative romantic overture in this scene … I think there might have been a better way to phrase it, especially as he doesn't as a rule talk like an ol' cowhand from a low budget western.

It was sweet; it was clean; it bordered on heavy-handed in its Christianity, but for me didn't quite cross the line into proselytizing, working fairly organically into the writing; none of its flaws were so terrible as to be odious. It did hold my attention, but simply to find out what happened, not so much because I wanted resolution for the characters as because I wanted it for myself – I hate loose ends. It wasn't one of those books that make me regret the time spent reading it. It was okay.

(Ah: I seem to have been right -
potty (n.) 1942, child's word for "chamber pot," from pot (1). Potty-training is attested from 1958. Potty-mouth "one who uses obscene language" is student slang from 1968.
potty (adj.) "crazy, silly," 1920, slang, of unknown origin, perhaps connected to potter (v.). Earlier slang senses were "easy to manage" (1899) and "feeble, petty" (1860).
Another source indicates the word usage originated around 1840–50; still, it didn't sit right. So to speak.)
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Dec 06, 2012 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this title and almost read the entire novel in a few hours one night. If I wasn’t trying to get to bed earlier these days, I probably would have read into the wee hours just to finish it.

The characters are believable and the setting is described well enough to paint a picture of their environment. I really do NOT envy the women who lived in the wild frontier with potential threats just around the corner. I would most definitely be like Lucy as she screamed at the site of a ‘pet’ tarantul...more

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Jul 28, 2012 Kathy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: western, marriage-of-convenience, read-2012

So, this was a pleasant read, but not a favorite. I liked the twist on the arranged marriage. Lucy marries Nate by proxy, he has no idea a wife is about to show up on his doorstep. He is pretty surprised and upset about the whole thing, but decides to make the best of it and accepts Lucy and her siblings into his life. I liked the plot and thought things moved along fine, although it did seem like Lucy kept getting into tough situations. Their relationship progressed kind of slowly, he was alway...more

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Jul 26, 2012 Kathryn rated it 5 of 5 stars

The perfect amount of family,romance, mystery and conflict!
Lucy got the bad end of the bargain from the beginning. She never knew her mother and then got a stepmother than was anything but the mothering type. Lucy becomes the mother figure for her step brother, Jed and her 3 year old sister Eileen. When her father dies in a suspected accident and Jed gets amnesia from the same accident, then her step mother takes off leaving her with the care of her siblings...everything keeps going south. She l...more

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Jun 19, 2012 Kathleen E. rated it 5 of 5 stars

5.0 out of 5 stars Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble c2012, February 14, 2012

This review is from: Blue Moon Promise (Under Texas Stars) (Paperback)
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble c2012

Enjoy this overview from author Colleen Coble about the writing of Blue Moon Promise http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FBr0B...

Find out all about *Stars Above Ranch* in this first novel in the Under Texas Stars Series written by Colleen Coble. In this new series, you will come to love th...more 5.0 out of 5 stars Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble c2012, February 14, 2012

This review is from: Blue Moon Promise (Under Texas Stars) (Paperback)
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble c2012

Enjoy this overview from author Colleen Coble about the writing of Blue Moon Promise http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FBr0B...

Find out all about *Stars Above Ranch* in this first novel in the Under Texas Stars Series written by Colleen Coble. In this new series, you will come to love this family as they grow together in understanding and love.

Lucy Marsh, 22, her brother, 12, and sister, 3, are being expelled from their home as the owner has sold the property. Their father, an owner of a pawnshop, has died three weeks earlier and there is a question of suspicious break-ins that further has Lucy on alert for their safety. Because of economic down turn, Lucy has just been discharged from her job. After the death of her husband, Lucy's stepmother abandons the two younger children. Her father's boyhood friend arrives upon hearing of her father's passing and offers a remedy for their care. Marry his eldest son and return to Texas with him. Should she consider this, you wonder? It is 1877, they are to be without a home in seven days, and on top of it, a messenger arrives to take their little sister. What would you do? One piece of information is missing from you. The prospective groom is not there.

"I have my son's signature to act as his agent in all business matters for this trip, so if you agree, I will arrange a proxy marriage. Right after the ceremony we'll leave for Texas. A train leaves at one o'clock tomorrow afternoon."

I liked this book because of the perseverance and character growth as they come to care for each other. From the unsuspecting bridegroom to the original goal of providing a home for her siblings, the story is about going forward with choices beneficial to all. I am looking forward to the second novel in the series, The Red River Bride.

I received Blue Moon Promise free from BookSneeze in exchange for a review in my own words.(less)

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Jun 11, 2012 Renn Shearin rated it 5 of 5 stars

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 Wichita Falls, Texas, where the man she came to marry seems surprised to suddenly have a wife and children to provide for.
Nate Stanton always hoped he’d marry someday, but running the...more 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 Wichita Falls, Texas, where the man she came to marry seems surprised to suddenly have a wife and children to provide 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 realizes 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 by Colleen Coble is an interesting novel filled with love, dreams, and danger that I heartily enjoyed. The plot line of the novel was clear and intriguing. While at times it seemed to be just the typical plot of a western romance, the winding strands of suspense and mystery soon developed the book into so much more. I enjoyed the wild twists, the hilarious encounters of Lucy with ranching life, and the budding feelings between Nate and Lucy. The story was an excellent mix of mystery, romance, and family that kept me deeply engrossed in the story.

The characters were equally as charming. Nate was my all time favorite character. His hidden love and kindness enfolded throughout the novel, and his utter confusion about Lucy was adorable. Lucy was also a sweet and engaging character. Her stubbornness led to some interesting situations, and her desire to see her extended family united was admirable. I loved seeing her and Nate interact.

The themes of the novel were clear and important. These themes included the importance of love, forgiveness, relying on God instead of one's own strength, and honesty.

Overall, I enjoyed this novel immensely, and I would highly recommend Blue Moon Promise and any of Colleen Coble's other works.

I received this eBook for free from Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

See other reviews at http://hearttohearbooks.blogspot.com (less)

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Jun 04, 2012 Annalisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

I always enjoy a good clean western romance and this did not disappoint. I look forward to more from this author.
Amazon Product Description:
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 s...more

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Apr 24, 2012 My Book Addiction and More MBA rated it 4 of 5 stars

BLUE MOON PROMISE by Colleen Coble is an exciting christian western historical romance set in Wichita Falls,Texas. It is book 1 in the new “Under Texas Stars” series. It is the story of Lucy Marsh,a young lady who is running out of time until a visitor offers her a way out,a proposition of marriage to his eldest son,Nate. And Nate Stanton,who is thrown off guard when his father arrives home with a new wife for Nate,and her two siblings. “Blue Moon Promise” has secrets,murder,hope,faith,love,roma...more

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Mar 18, 2012 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Colleen Coble always pens a good story, and this opening to her new series is no exception. Lucy and her brother and sister (Jed and Eileen) wrapped themselves around my heart immediately. Lucy is such a complex characater -- so spunky, competent and determined while at the same time overcome with insecurities. She may be tiny in stature, but she has a heart as big as the Texas sky! Nate didn't endear himself to me (or to Lucy!) initially but then, that should come as no surprise for a confirmed...more

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Mar 10, 2012 Krystal rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lucy has a lot on her plate, considering her fathers' recent death and having to raise her sibling by herself. When someone steals from her father's pawn shop, she knows something has to change. A sudden change happens when Lucy opens her door to a...marriage proposal from a well-meaning father of the groom. Lucy can't think of any solid reason to say no and agrees, especially if it helps her siblings. However, the new groom didn't quite get the plan...he isn't too happy about his new bride and...more

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Mar 08, 2012 Britni rated it 4 of 5 stars

It's 1887 and Lucy's just been let go from her job and gotten news that she is being evicted from the home she's known for ten years. And she's being followed by a strange man she's never seen.

All she's ever wanted to do was take care of her 3-year sister Eileen and 12-year old brother Jeb, especially since their father died a few months ago. But now it looks like she's running out of options until Henry knocks on her door and says that he's a friend of her father's and feels like he was sent by...more

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Mar 05, 2012 Kathleen (Kat) Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-literature, christian-action-adventure, christian-fiction, christian-teen-fiction, christian-western-romance, contemporary-fiction, romance-fiction, young-adult-fiction

To say that Lucy Marsh is having a really bad day would be an understatement. Today she has managed to lose her job through no fault of her own, its simply a sign of the times and those times are looking up for anyone. However she has also just recently lost her father and her mother decided to skip town with her new "friend" and leave her with the job of raising her younger brother Jed, and her younger sister Eileen.

Now just arriving home with no hopes for money, she is met at her door by Mr. C...more To say that Lucy Marsh is having a really bad day would be an understatement. Today she has managed to lose her job through no fault of her own, its simply a sign of the times and those times are looking up for anyone. However she has also just recently lost her father and her mother decided to skip town with her new "friend" and leave her with the job of raising her younger brother Jed, and her younger sister Eileen.

Now just arriving home with no hopes for money, she is met at her door by Mr. Cramer, her landlord, who informs her that he is selling the building and it's going to be torn down. She has a week to find suitable housing elsewhere.

Now she finds herself at odds with what to do, not only that but a man has been stalking her outside of her work and home lately and she's afraid with no one in the house but her and the children. When she opens the door to greet the children, she finds Henry Stanton of Larson, Texas who tells her that Jed has attempted to steal his wallet. He was waiting to talk to Lucy when she walked in from work.

Learning of her father's death and her mother's recent departure with another man, he offers Lucy a proposal that just may save her, but the cost may be more than she can bare. He asks her to marry his son Nate by proxy and in return will provide them with a stable place to stay and food for the children. Is this the answer to her prayer? Shouldn't she at least meet the man to see if they are suitable? Perhaps true love can come once in blue moon!

To find out just what happens, you'll have to pick up Colleen Coble's latest novel, Blue Moon Promise. She wrote this novel with a whole lot of herself put into the character of Lucy. Lucy will have to suffer through her own issues with a lack of control until she realizes that only God is ultimately in control. While we may trust God and are content to rest with what He has for us, when hard times come, we try to rely on our own strength to often instead of turning our burdens over to God and leaving them with Him. This is what Lucy will hope to learn in this novel.

I received Blue Moon Promise compliments of Litfuse Publicity for my honest review and being a huge fan of Colleen Coble's there hasn't been any book I haven't come to love. This one is no exception. As a reader, you are immediately immersed in poor Lucy's situation and often find yourself wondering just what you would do. A great story with a great reminder of trusting in God and for that reason I think it deserves a 5 out of 5 stars. This is the first book in her Under The Texas Stars series and I will be reading the rest!(less)

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Mar 04, 2012 Melissa rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction, clean-romances, clean-romances-western, forced-arranged-accident-marriage

One of my favorite kinds of books are arranged marriages so I had high hopes for this one. It was sweet and very clean. It takes place in the west on a cattle ranch and I love a good western romance. It had some good action scenes and the story was very interesting and was a great plot. Unfortunately the book fell flat for me in many ways. It felt very rushed and disjointed. There were many instances were the movement and transition was just off. Here is an example- He tried to pull her close ag...more

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Mar 03, 2012 Virginia Campbell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, inspirational, mystery, suspense, western

Colleen Coble is a gifted storyteller, and I appreciate her wonderful way with words more and more with each book. "Blue Moon Promise" is the first entry in the "Under Texas Stars" series, and it is a great beginning! Two things really stood out about this lovely historical western romance: the remarkable heroine, and the way that the story line got better and better until I hated to see it end. I could have read more about the characters and the events in their lives. Lucy Marsh provides for he...more Colleen Coble is a gifted storyteller, and I appreciate her wonderful way with words more and more with each book. "Blue Moon Promise" is the first entry in the "Under Texas Stars" series, and it is a great beginning! Two things really stood out about this lovely historical western romance: the remarkable heroine, and the way that the story line got better and better until I hated to see it end. I could have read more about the characters and the events in their lives. Lucy Marsh provides for her younger brother and sister with great care, often enduring hardship herself so that the children will be fed and sheltered. When their father dies under suspicious circumstances and their stepmother runs off with another man, Lucy is determined to keep her siblings Jed and Eileen safe. An unexpected visit from an old family acquaintance brings a surprising solution to the desperate situation of Lucy and the children. Henry Stanton had been contacted by Lucy's stepmother when her father died, and after sizing up Lucy and her predicament, he offers her marriage by proxy to his son, Nate, and a home at the Stanton ranch. A threat involving a business deal of her father's places the family in peril, and Lucy agrees to the strange marriage arrangement. She and the children leave the city life they have always known and head to the Stanton family ranch to face the promise of an unknown and challenging new world. When Nate meets his new wife and family, he is not just surprised, he is furious with his father! Lucy is small and genteel, and appears far too delicate to survive the rigors of ranch life. Nate has been somewhat of a confirmed bachelor, set in his ways, and used to the rough and tumble life of a working ranch. He never imagined that he would suddenly find himself married to a city woman with a ready-made family. However, Lucy is a woman of great fortitude, and she gradually earns Nate's respect and admiration as she adapts and makes the best of her new life. Young Jed shows an aptitude and eagerness as a beginning ranch hand, and little Eileen effortlessly steal Nate's heart. The four of them settle into Nate's rugged cabin on the family land, and Lucy soon has the place feeling just like home with her good cooking and housekeeping skills. As she and Nate form a tentative friendship, there are those around them with their own agenda, and the lies and secrets of others may keep the couple from ever being truly husband and wife. Lucy and Nate must learn to trust each other as they try to uncover the source of the manipulations and mysteries which threaten their budding happiness. Historical western romance with a suspense element makes for a mighty fine read, and I look forward to the next book in the series: "The Red River Bride".

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Mar 01, 2012 Shari rated it 5 of 5 stars

I found the concept of the book very interesting - a poor orphan girl, supporting herself, and 2 young siblings gets a proposition to marry a man she hasn't met. The man has his father come home with a ready made family.

I found it so interesting to follow their journey from strangers to a real marriage all while being married, and having kids.

My hubby and I met, dated, broke up and were best friends for 9 months before we got back together. We were together 9 years before we got married, and did...more I found the concept of the book very interesting - a poor orphan girl, supporting herself, and 2 young siblings gets a proposition to marry a man she hasn't met. The man has his father come home with a ready made family.

I found it so interesting to follow their journey from strangers to a real marriage all while being married, and having kids.

My hubby and I met, dated, broke up and were best friends for 9 months before we got back together. We were together 9 years before we got married, and didn't have kids for a few years into our marriage. I know how different married life is when you have kids in the mix. It made me think of how hard it would be to have the kids, and then try to build a real marriage and relationship while you were already living like you were married.

I found this book to be a quick read, and a really great book. I was totally absorbed in it, and completely identified with Lucy's personality. It makes you feel better about yourself when you know others struggle with the same things as you.

As a Christian I know that I can't control my life, and I can't earn God's love, or others love. As is said in the book, love earned is not love at all. Yet, I try. I try to control how things go, and work so hard to earn love. I so identified with Lucy who worked so hard to earn love, that she didn't realize she already had it. She just needed to stop trying so hard, and accept it.

About the book:

Book Number One in the Under Texas Stars series

A love like Lucy and Nate’s only comes along once in a blue moon . . .

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.

About Colleen:

Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA’s RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.(less)

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Feb 29, 2012 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was pleasantly surprised in Colleen's Coble's Blue Moon Promise. There were many times I thought the author was going to have her characters make poor choices that would have been plain silly but the author came through with intelligent and somewhat flawed characters that were believable. Thank you!

Lucy has recently lost her father to an accident and is trying desperately to provide for her young step-siblings from her father’s second wife; who up and left the children when their father died....more

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Feb 27, 2012 Molly rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone

Recommended to Molly by: LitFuse Group

Shelves: book-review

Colleen Coble has always been a wonderfully talented author with her ability to take romance, Godly messages, and fabulous characters and mix them all with a bit of suspense. Her stories capture the hearts of readers instantly and before you realize, you're at the end of another fabulous novel. Blue Moon Promise is one of those amazingly written novels filled with a powerful plot line and intriguing suspenseful elements.

A story filled with hope, honor, trust and second chances, this book takes...more Colleen Coble has always been a wonderfully talented author with her ability to take romance, Godly messages, and fabulous characters and mix them all with a bit of suspense. Her stories capture the hearts of readers instantly and before you realize, you're at the end of another fabulous novel. Blue Moon Promise is one of those amazingly written novels filled with a powerful plot line and intriguing suspenseful elements.

A story filled with hope, honor, trust and second chances, this book takes the reader on a whirlwind of emotions. Lucy Marsh is left to raise her young siblings, Jed and Eileen, after her father was found murdered. Their mother was gone, and their step mother...well let's just say that she didn't stay around long. So, when she's forced to make a decision of an arranged marriage by her father's friend, or risk being evicted from the home she lives in, she sets off to meet her new husband.

Nate Stanton is not only shocked to find his father has brought him a wife, but also that she comes as a packaged deal: her siblings. Knowing that he could never love her, he is reluctant to jump into the marriage. But, when trouble arises for Lucy and her siblings, and Nate's father falls ill, he agrees to the marriage.

As each new page turn brings another twist here, and events happen through the book that pushes the turns of the story to the center of the readers heart, you'll be swept away on a head-spinning ride, as Lucy and Nate realize that love and faith in God can over come any circumstance, good or bad.

I truly enjoyed this historical 5 Book worthy novel from this seasoned author. Ms. Coble always has a way with her writing that touches the readers deep in their soul. I highly recommend this novel to everyone and I can't wait for another book in this series to release. I loved all the characters in this novel and can't wait for the trip back to Texas to visit with my new friends once again!

This review originated at Reviews By Molly in part with a blog tour. (less)

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Feb 25, 2012 Maureen Timerman rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

Colleen Coble has another great book here, this one will linger with you long after you have finished.
We have a very strong girl in Lucy Marsh, and she is in a precarious position. When the story starts she has just lost job, and returns home to find that her landlord is selling the house. Things have been rough since the untimely death of her Dad, and she has two young siblings that are in her care.
Enter Henry Stanton, with the most unusual proposition, marry his son Nate and move to Texas. In...more

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Feb 16, 2012 Cleffairy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Reviewed at: Over A Cuppa Tea
Review date: 17 Feb 2012
Review link: http://cleffairy.com/?p=6871

Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble is a very inspiring read. I couldn’t help but admire the heroine’s determination and strength in trying to keep her family together. At some point, I would have thought that she will break down and give up, but she did not, and that, is very admirable.

I did not like the hero in the beginning, but I warmed up to him when he finally accepts his responsibiliy instead of f...more

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Feb 15, 2012 Sara rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was recently introduced to the author Colleen Coble through another review. I loved that book, so wanted to read more by her.
This book did not disappoint! Blue Moon Promise begins in the year 1877 with the character Lucy Marsh. She is determined to take care of her younger brother and sister, after their father dies. With diminishing funds, and less than a week to find a different place to live, Lucy chooses to lean on her faith in God and accepts an offer for a proxy marriage from an old fri...more

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Feb 11, 2012 Kristilyn (Reading In Winter & Winter Distractions) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: physical-book, read-in-2012, review-books-completed

FTC DIsclaimer - I received this book complimentary from Booksneeze in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I've never been one to read Westerns, but when I was taking a look at the current offerings from Booksneeze, I knew I had to give Colleen Coble's Blue Moon Promise a try. I had read her novella in the book Smitten a few months ago and really enjoyed the Christian romance aspect of it, so I figured this book would be a wonderful offering.

The first of the Under Texas Stars series, Blue Moon...more FTC DIsclaimer - I received this book complimentary from Booksneeze in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I've never been one to read Westerns, but when I was taking a look at the current offerings from Booksneeze, I knew I had to give Colleen Coble's Blue Moon Promise a try. I had read her novella in the book Smitten a few months ago and really enjoyed the Christian romance aspect of it, so I figured this book would be a wonderful offering.

The first of the Under Texas Stars series, Blue Moon Promise tells the story of Lucy Marsh and her siblings, Jed and Eileen, who have had some bad luck in life, with their mother dying when they were young, and their new mother leaving them to fend for themselves. Lucy starts to feel desperate as she loses her job, her father dies, and she's left to care for herself and her siblings. When Lucy and her siblings' safety is put at risk, she must make an important decision when an old friend of her mothers finds her and offers to help. Lucy feels it's the only thing left to do, but what he asks - that she marry his son by proxy - sounds a little crazy to her, but it's all she can do in order to keep herself and her sibling's safe.

I thought this was a wonderful book and another great story by Coble. I loved the characters, especially Lucy as she moves from her small home to assist her new husband on his farm. I loved her strength, how she was always willing to try doing something new, even if it seemed too much for her small size. She was full of spunk and never wanted to seem weak, which is something I appreciated about her.

The romance was there - just what I like in a book! - but like most of the Christian romances I've read, it was subtle and grew as the plot developed. I really enjoyed watching Lucy and her new husband, Nate, grow as they learned more about each other, working out their differences so they could learn to love one another.

I'm really interested to read more books in this series. It didn't come across as how I would normally picture a Western book, but there was a farm and horses, and activities like cattle branding and whatnot, but even still, I enjoyed the book a lot.

If you're a fan of Western romances, or Christian romances, this book would be a good read. There's even a hint of mystery to it, which was very refreshing.(less)

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Feb 08, 2012 Julie Graves rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, christian

Lucy Marsh is on her own trying to raise her young brother and sister. When circumstances become dangerous for this young family Lucy finds the only thing she can do is accept a proxy marriage to Nate Stanton.

Henry Stanton is Nate's father. He has come in search of a young Christian woman to marry his son. His offer helps get Lucy, Jed and Eileen out of a dangerous situation. She believes this is an answer to her prayers to protect her family.

Nate has problems of his own. The Stanton's and the L...more

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Feb 07, 2012 Meagan Myhren-bennett rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Christian Romance Fans, YA, Adults

Recommended to Meagan by: Book Sneeze

Shelves: adventure, christian, drama, family, forgiveness, friendship, murder, romance

BLUE MOON PROMISE
Under Texas Stars book 1
By Colleen Coble

After her father's death and her step-mother's desertion, Lucy Marsh didn't think things could get much worse. But when she loses her job, loses her home and has someone break into her home all in one day, she is left wondering how she can possibly provide for her younger brother and sister.

When, her father's boyhood friend, Henry Stanton arrives with an offer that could solve her immediate problems she is left with a decision. Does she m...more BLUE MOON PROMISE
Under Texas Stars book 1
By Colleen Coble

After her father's death and her step-mother's desertion, Lucy Marsh didn't think things could get much worse. But when she loses her job, loses her home and has someone break into her home all in one day, she is left wondering how she can possibly provide for her younger brother and sister.

When, her father's boyhood friend, Henry Stanton arrives with an offer that could solve her immediate problems she is left with a decision. Does she marry by proxy a man she has never met nor heard of before. Concern for Jed and Eileen's safety and welfare, along with pray leads her to accept Henry Stanton's offer. Lucy soon finds herself heading to Texas and her new unsuspecting husband Nate Stanton.

Meanwhile on the Stars Above Ranch, Nate is dealing with Drew Larson and his hate for the Stanton family. With strangers attempting to start fires in his barn and cattle rustling Nate has his hands full working the ranch.

When Henry Stanton arrives home, Nate assumes the young woman with him is a housekeeper out to snare his father and get money. But when Henry introduce Lucy as Nate's new wife, Nate is understandably shocked and angry. In his anger he says Lucy would be no good as a rancher's wife is too unsuitable and would be unable to pull her own weight. As they argue about it Henry has a heart attack. When the doctor arrives he says that there isn't anything he can do, that Henry's heart is just wearing out and he needs to rest and take it easy. Lucy is determined to prove her worth to Nate at any cost.

Lucy is surprised when she discovers the man feuding with the Stanton family is her Uncle Drew. Drew is angry when his learns that Lucy married a Stanton – the family that ruined him and stole his land. Lucy hopes that she can bridge the animosity between them.

But the danger that drove Lucy from her home, soon resurfaces in Texas. Who is following them and what do they want?

As Lucy and Nate work at being friends will something more develop between them? With the promise of a blue moon between them will they discover love before it is too late? Or will the greed of Henry Stanton destroy them all?

Blue Moon Promise is a lesson in how without realizing it we try to control our lives. We tell God what we think He should do and then do it our way. Blue Moon Promise is also a lesson in what true love is, it is not something we can earn but rather it is a gift given.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255(less)

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Feb 05, 2012 Wanda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Blue Moon Promise is the story of a young woman who has the responsibility of raising her two younger siblings and has run out of options. She has lost her job and her home and has no idea where they can go. She also suspects that she is being followed although she has no idea why. When she is offered the opportunity to move to Texas and marry a rancher as a way out of her many problems, she decides to accept for the sake of her siblings. Lucy finds the west to be new and exciting and quickly re...more

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Feb 28, 2012 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Title: BLUE MOON PROMISE
Author: Colleen Coble
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
February 2012
ISBN: 978-1-59554-9150
Genre: Inspirational/historical/romantic suspense

The sudden death of Lucy Marsh’s father is a shock, but it’s even more shocking when she learns that the death wasn’t an accident, Lucy decides it’d be safer to take her brother and sister and flee Indiana. She wants to be someplace where trouble will never find them. She accepts an offer of marriage by proxy to a man she never met in Texas.

Nat...more

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Feb 01, 2013 Elizabeth rated it 2 of 5 stars

I’d like to state that I usually love the author’s works and have read many of her books. I so wanted to give this one a higher review but it was just not up to par with the authors other works. The story for the most part seemed unbelievable. I can't tell you what I found so unbelievable because that would be a spoiler but it’s pretty much the back stage to the whole story. Mostly where this story falls to the floor is in the annoying missed in editing flow problems. I found myself having to re...more

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Jul 11, 2012 Melissa rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

This is an enjoyable Christian romance with a mystery as well. When Lucy finds that she has not only lost her job, but is about to lose her home as well, she is faced with the decision of what to do with her little brother and sister. A stranger appears at her door and claims to be a friend of their dead father. He offers to rescue her and her siblings from the situation they are in if Lucy agrees to marry his son by proxy. Lucy decides to think about it and during the night is awakened by a bur...more

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Feb 25, 2012 Coranne (The Best Books Ever) rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is my first Coleen Coble book. In the past, I haven't picked up her novels because they seemed to be contemporary romance (which I am not a huge fan of). I loved this novel! It was incredibly action packed and took both the characters and the reader on a roller coaster ride. From the very beginning of the book, Lucy Marsh has had a very difficult life. We meet her as she is in a very difficult position- within one day she both loses her job and home and has no way to support her siblings. W...more

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Feb 22, 2012 *Babs* rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Romance, Historical

Shelves: romance, historical, christian

Lucy Marsh has had some bad luck with her father passing away, someone stealing some important merchandise from her fathers pawn shop, raising her two young siblings, and now losing her job. She did not know how she was going to take care of the children then that same night she lost her job she learns they are getting evicted from their home as well. A knock comes to the door when she opens it there is a man standing there that can change everything for Lucy and her brother and sister.

Henry Sta...more

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Feb 16, 2012 AbbyJoy rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Ages 17+

Blue Moon Promise is probably the most enjoyable book I've read in a long time. In fact, in the two days it took me to read it, it has won its way into my small handful of favorite books. Despite a few "awkward turtle" moments near the end, it had me fully engaged and amused the entire time.

The plot centers around the two main characters, Lacy and Nate, who are two completely different people, and yet have interesting similarities. Lacy is a single woman taking care of her two younger siblings...more

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About Colleen Coble

Carol Award winner Colleen Coble lives with her husband, Dave, in Indiana. She is the author of dozens of novels including the Rock Harbor Series, the Aloha Reef Series, the Mercy Falls Series, the Hope Beach Series, the Lonestar Series and two Women of Faith fiction selections, Alaska Twilight and Midnight Sea. She has more than 2 million books in print.

More about Colleen Coble...

Books by Colleen Coble

The Lightkeeper's Daughter (Mercy Falls, #1)

Lonestar Sanctuary (Lonestar Series, #1)

The Lightkeeper's Ball (Mercy Falls, #3)

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“God was in the business of bringing blessings out of unexpected circumstances, but Lucy didn’t want this twist to her life. … but didn’t God ask the seemingly impossible at times?” — 1 person liked it

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Blue Moon Promise (Under Texas Stars #1)

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