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Bluebonnet Bride #5
Montana Wife
MAN AND WIFE --- FACING THE RIGORS OF HIGH COUNTRY RANCHING
That was the simple, solid ideal that Daniel Lindsay willingly offered Rayna Ludgrin. But she'd lived a grand passion, he knew, and he could promise only a quiet, steady brand of love.
Her soul raw with a new widow's grief, Rayna Ludgrin vowed she'd never feel love again. Still, life under the wide Montana sky was hard for a woman alone --- and she pledged herself to Daniel Lindsay out of a desperate need to save her sons and her ranch. But though she'd taken him into her home as husband, could she ever welcome him into her heart?
That was the simple, solid ideal that Daniel Lindsay willingly offered Rayna Ludgrin. But she'd lived a grand passion, he knew, and he could promise only a quiet, steady brand of love.
Her soul raw with a new widow's grief, Rayna Ludgrin vowed she'd never feel love again. Still, life under the wide Montana sky was hard for a woman alone --- and she pledged herself to Daniel Lindsay out of a desperate need to save her sons and her ranch. But though she'd taken him into her home as husband, could she ever welcome him into her heart?
296 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2004
20 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Jillian Hart
192 books601 followersJillian Hart grew up on her family's homestead in Washington state, where she raised cattle, rode horses and scribbled stories in her spare time.
After earning her English degree from Whitman College, she worked in travel and advertising before selling her first novel.
When Jillian isn't working on her next story, she can be found puttering around her rose garden, curled up with a good book and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.
After earning her English degree from Whitman College, she worked in travel and advertising before selling her first novel.
When Jillian isn't working on her next story, she can be found puttering around her rose garden, curled up with a good book and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 23, 2012
Too much sadness and daily struggle. Too much description of planting, farming and the stress to make ends meet. The hero was a tortured man. Afraid to open up his heart. He reflected a lot on the abuse and beatings he experienced as a child. The h was guilt-ridden for caring about a new husband. A hard romance to enjoy. H/h were so unhappy because of the constant battle to eke out a living. They never got a break or prospered. Few pages of happiness at the end. These were two good people who deserved a HEA and struggled to get there. This reader also struggled to find the romance that was slow in coming.
March 8, 2010
Another great addition to the historical books Jillian writes.
Not only a great story but showing how tough it was for the widows
back then. I also am enjoying how the last few books have connections. Friends and neighbors in previous books.
Not only a great story but showing how tough it was for the widows
back then. I also am enjoying how the last few books have connections. Friends and neighbors in previous books.
May 12, 2023
I thought this was good, but a little too short which left the story feeling slightly rushed. I liked the premise but it was marketed as a marriage of convenience yet they didn’t get married till 50%. The end seemed to happen so suddenly and I felt like there were loose ends I still had questions about. I don’t usually say this, but I think some time jumps would’ve helped. The story taking place over such a short amount of time just doesn’t seem realistic— like if she was a widow who thought she’d never love again, it seems odd she’d be over that in like two months.
May 25, 2018
Ok, this isn't the worst romance book that I have read in my recent studies of the genre. There are things to like. For instance, the writing is perfectly straightforward and crisp, it does a good job of capturing the difficulties that widowed women in previous centuries faced, and there were even a few lines I liked. Were the option available, I would give it more of a 2.5 star rating.
The drawbacks for me were that the prose did seem to be doing a lot of telling. The characters reflect ad nauseam on their feelings for one another, and it was often repetitive. I only need to be told so many times that Daniel has never let anyone into his heart or that Rayna is grieving. The characters didn't really feel real to me, and without that connection the plot felt shoehorned and sluggish. Overall, it was meh.
The drawbacks for me were that the prose did seem to be doing a lot of telling. The characters reflect ad nauseam on their feelings for one another, and it was often repetitive. I only need to be told so many times that Daniel has never let anyone into his heart or that Rayna is grieving. The characters didn't really feel real to me, and without that connection the plot felt shoehorned and sluggish. Overall, it was meh.
June 8, 2025
To be fair, this book has good elements in it. I like the second half of the book better than the first.
Because at the first half, I am really struggling with the pace of this story. Chapter after chapter, everything seems so redundant with the couple’s relationship. The H is there willing to help and is struggling with an attraction to the h who is a widow. The h is thankful to the H for his help and has growing problems because of her husband’s debts. And on and on, it went like this for half of the book. The couple don’t have meaningful conversations aside from polite words here and there. There is no connection and understanding that I would have like to see.
I love slow burn and all that but it feels like the inner monologue of the characters just keep repeating for the first 50%, telling us the same thing that the last chapter has told us. Like I just want to yell, get on with the marriage of convenience that is bound to happen!
Why does the author feel the need to drag this on? Two chapters of listing out Rayna’s problem would have done the job of giving us the background for what is bound to happen.
The second half was full of angst but not really the gut wrenching angst that would have satisfied me since we all know that the h is falling in love with H, just not recognizing and accepting the fact. The does she love me, does she love me not cycle was a nice enough read though.
Because at the first half, I am really struggling with the pace of this story. Chapter after chapter, everything seems so redundant with the couple’s relationship. The H is there willing to help and is struggling with an attraction to the h who is a widow. The h is thankful to the H for his help and has growing problems because of her husband’s debts. And on and on, it went like this for half of the book. The couple don’t have meaningful conversations aside from polite words here and there. There is no connection and understanding that I would have like to see.
I love slow burn and all that but it feels like the inner monologue of the characters just keep repeating for the first 50%, telling us the same thing that the last chapter has told us. Like I just want to yell, get on with the marriage of convenience that is bound to happen!
Why does the author feel the need to drag this on? Two chapters of listing out Rayna’s problem would have done the job of giving us the background for what is bound to happen.
The second half was full of angst but not really the gut wrenching angst that would have satisfied me since we all know that the h is falling in love with H, just not recognizing and accepting the fact. The does she love me, does she love me not cycle was a nice enough read though.
March 30, 2021
Este es uno de esos libros que siempre tienen un precio interesante el diversas plataformas de libros electrónicos, y que son un recurso muy bueno cuando no quieres leer algo muy profundo pero a la vez añadir libros a tu librería y así cumplir el reto anual de lecturas deseadas.
La trama es la que sigue: una esposa de Montana se encuentra un día que su esposo desde hace quince años, y padre de sus dos hijos, ha muerto de repente cuando realizaba sus tareas diarias. Sin marido, con un rancho, una casa, y unos hijos que cuidar se siente perdida pero todo se complica mucho más cuando descubre que está endeudada hasta más allá de las cejas, y que ahora que la cosecha se ha arruinado por una terrible tormenta lo va a perder todo. Ahí entra acción Daniel Lindsay, un vecino que un par de días después de enterrar al marido de la viuda se presenta en su casa para ofrecer su ayuda con la cosecha. Él ha sido el único que se ha presentado ahí con la intención de ayudar y no se aprovecharse de ella. Pero la situación es tan mala que para salvarlo todo ella debe tener más ayuda: debe volver a casarse y así tener la ayuda de un marido que trabaje en la granja... Y Daniel está dispuesto a ser ese marido.
ES un libro interesante. Ranya es una recién viuda que adoraba a su marido y que tiene dos hijos a los que adora. Es hermosa, aún joven y no sabe qué hacer. Ella siempre fue la esposa que cuidada de la casa y nada más. Las finanzas son cosas del marido. Así que ahora muerto el marido, se ve metida un una deuda que es inmensa y que no puede afrontar. Me gustó que intentara salvarlo todo, que se esforzara por cuidar de su familia, antes que rendirse a otro hombre. Que sufriera tanto le da valor a sus actos pero, sinceramente, considerando fue muy irritante que tuviera al difunto marido todo el tiempo en la cabeza. Entiendo que lo amara, y todo eso pero para ser una historia de amor entre ella y el pobre Daniel, pues el marido de ella estaba demasiado presente. Quizá el mayor problema aquí es que Jillian Hart no ha dejado tiempo para el dolor, me refiero, se muere el marido -que repito amaba con locura- y al cabo de un par de días se tiene que casar con un hombre al que ha visto en muy pocas ocasiones, por el que empieza a tener sentimientos my pronto. Pues poco le ha durado el dolor. No tengo nada en contra de que la gente se case de nuevo pero si estás rota de dolor por la pérdida del amor de tu vida, me parece raro que al cabo de unos días estés complemanente enamorada de otro.
Daniel es el típico protagonista sufridor. Huérfano se ha ganado el sustento desde que era un niño, y tiene cicatrices para mostrarlo. Ahora tiene un rancho pequeño pero está dispuesto a sacrificarse por la joven viuda porque está enamorado de ella hasta las cejas. Se ve desde el primer momento que él la quiere de verdad, es como su sueño de mujer. A pesar de ello es muy respetuoso, y está todo el día trabajando. No creo que he visto a un protagonista tan trabajador como él, lo que está muy bien pero es excesivo la información sobre la granja, los cultivos, las vacas y demás. Es excesivamente descriptivo en cierto momento.
Hacen buena pareja pero como he mencionado antes para mí el tiempo desde que entierra al marido hasta que se enamora de Daniel es demasiado corto.
Por cierto, los hijos de ellos son adorables. El mayor con su responsabilidad y el pequeño con su ternura y su renuencia al nuevo marido de su madre.
No hay muchos libros publicados en español de esta escritora y los pocos que hay deben de tener un buen montón de años encima así que para leer algo de ella hay que recurrir al formato digital o puede que alguna biblioteca pública.
La trama es la que sigue: una esposa de Montana se encuentra un día que su esposo desde hace quince años, y padre de sus dos hijos, ha muerto de repente cuando realizaba sus tareas diarias. Sin marido, con un rancho, una casa, y unos hijos que cuidar se siente perdida pero todo se complica mucho más cuando descubre que está endeudada hasta más allá de las cejas, y que ahora que la cosecha se ha arruinado por una terrible tormenta lo va a perder todo. Ahí entra acción Daniel Lindsay, un vecino que un par de días después de enterrar al marido de la viuda se presenta en su casa para ofrecer su ayuda con la cosecha. Él ha sido el único que se ha presentado ahí con la intención de ayudar y no se aprovecharse de ella. Pero la situación es tan mala que para salvarlo todo ella debe tener más ayuda: debe volver a casarse y así tener la ayuda de un marido que trabaje en la granja... Y Daniel está dispuesto a ser ese marido.
ES un libro interesante. Ranya es una recién viuda que adoraba a su marido y que tiene dos hijos a los que adora. Es hermosa, aún joven y no sabe qué hacer. Ella siempre fue la esposa que cuidada de la casa y nada más. Las finanzas son cosas del marido. Así que ahora muerto el marido, se ve metida un una deuda que es inmensa y que no puede afrontar. Me gustó que intentara salvarlo todo, que se esforzara por cuidar de su familia, antes que rendirse a otro hombre. Que sufriera tanto le da valor a sus actos pero, sinceramente, considerando fue muy irritante que tuviera al difunto marido todo el tiempo en la cabeza. Entiendo que lo amara, y todo eso pero para ser una historia de amor entre ella y el pobre Daniel, pues el marido de ella estaba demasiado presente. Quizá el mayor problema aquí es que Jillian Hart no ha dejado tiempo para el dolor, me refiero, se muere el marido -que repito amaba con locura- y al cabo de un par de días se tiene que casar con un hombre al que ha visto en muy pocas ocasiones, por el que empieza a tener sentimientos my pronto. Pues poco le ha durado el dolor. No tengo nada en contra de que la gente se case de nuevo pero si estás rota de dolor por la pérdida del amor de tu vida, me parece raro que al cabo de unos días estés complemanente enamorada de otro.
Daniel es el típico protagonista sufridor. Huérfano se ha ganado el sustento desde que era un niño, y tiene cicatrices para mostrarlo. Ahora tiene un rancho pequeño pero está dispuesto a sacrificarse por la joven viuda porque está enamorado de ella hasta las cejas. Se ve desde el primer momento que él la quiere de verdad, es como su sueño de mujer. A pesar de ello es muy respetuoso, y está todo el día trabajando. No creo que he visto a un protagonista tan trabajador como él, lo que está muy bien pero es excesivo la información sobre la granja, los cultivos, las vacas y demás. Es excesivamente descriptivo en cierto momento.
Hacen buena pareja pero como he mencionado antes para mí el tiempo desde que entierra al marido hasta que se enamora de Daniel es demasiado corto.
Por cierto, los hijos de ellos son adorables. El mayor con su responsabilidad y el pequeño con su ternura y su renuencia al nuevo marido de su madre.
No hay muchos libros publicados en español de esta escritora y los pocos que hay deben de tener un buen montón de años encima así que para leer algo de ella hay que recurrir al formato digital o puede que alguna biblioteca pública.
July 7, 2024
I needed a book with "wife" in the title for a 2024 book challenge monthly surprise read. And since I wanted something short (200 pages) and light, I found this on my e-reader and it seemed to fit my needs. A historical romance sent in Montana, Rayna Lundgren, has just been widowed, leaving her with a ranch mortgaged to the hilt and two sons to raise. Daniel Lindsay, a neighbor, who was befriended by Rayna's husband, tries to save the ranch but the only way he can raise the money is through putting his land down as collateral and asking Rayna to marry him so he can also retain her property. The story describes the hardship of ranch life and how everyone in the family has to be part of the economic process of saving the ranch. The story also deals with grief and acceptance, especially for Rayna who's first husband was her great love, but she can see the value of Daniel's concern, care and growing love for her. It's a sweet story - sometimes you need these just for the pure escapism they offer.
May 6, 2013
Her husband was dead. Rayna Ludgrin found herself unexpectedly alone. How was she going to survive and raise her two young sons? She discovers something shocking when she goes through her husbands papers...her ranch and everything on it are mortgaged to the hilt! Men come out of the woodwork trying various schemes to steal her corp in the field waiting to be harvested, her land and her virtue!
Her neighbor Daniel Lindsay offers a hand up and a way out. He wants her land, but will marry her and provide for her sons to get it, so both of them will benefit. Rayna agrees, but can this marriage of necessity ever become anything else? Will they always be just friends?
A fun and easy read with many ups and downs on the path to their future. Great for when you need a quick distraction from our modern world of electronics and complicated lives!
Her neighbor Daniel Lindsay offers a hand up and a way out. He wants her land, but will marry her and provide for her sons to get it, so both of them will benefit. Rayna agrees, but can this marriage of necessity ever become anything else? Will they always be just friends?
A fun and easy read with many ups and downs on the path to their future. Great for when you need a quick distraction from our modern world of electronics and complicated lives!
May 13, 2008
I am currently reading Montana Wife by Jillian Hart.
Montana Wife
Jillian Hart
Historical Western
296 pages
Man And Wife--Facing The Rigors Of High Country Ranching.
That was the simple, solid ideal that Daniel Lindsay willingly offered Rayna Ludgrin. But she'd lived a grand passion, he knew, and he could promise only a quiet, steady brand of love...!
Her soul raw with a new widows' grief, Rayna Lundgrin vowed she'd never feel love again. Still, life under the wide Montana Sky was hard for a woman alone--and she pledged herself to Daniel Lindsay out of a desperate need to save her sons and her ranch. But though she'd taken him into her home as husband, could she ever welcome him into her heart?
Montana Wife
Jillian Hart
Historical Western
296 pages
Man And Wife--Facing The Rigors Of High Country Ranching.
That was the simple, solid ideal that Daniel Lindsay willingly offered Rayna Ludgrin. But she'd lived a grand passion, he knew, and he could promise only a quiet, steady brand of love...!
Her soul raw with a new widows' grief, Rayna Lundgrin vowed she'd never feel love again. Still, life under the wide Montana Sky was hard for a woman alone--and she pledged herself to Daniel Lindsay out of a desperate need to save her sons and her ranch. But though she'd taken him into her home as husband, could she ever welcome him into her heart?
October 13, 2012
A sweetly romantic tale that hit all the right spots, just shy of touching that soul-moving level. Good elements with a grieving widow forced to marry to save the ranch, an emotionally wounded man who recognized the gift of his ready-made family, and a villain who wanted to steal it all. 3.5 stars.
January 13, 2014
Back in the day - the frontier day - when a spouse died, you pretty much had to start thinking about another one before you were really ready to. It was a harsh land and you needed a partner in order to survive. This was a good story, a sweet budding romance, and well written enjoyable read.
January 17, 2026
**Not as good the second time reading it. I think I’d give it 3 stars now.
This has everything I love in a western romance - marriage of convenience, cute kids and a brooding hero.
- marriage of convenience
���️ 1/5
This has everything I love in a western romance - marriage of convenience, cute kids and a brooding hero.
- marriage of convenience
���️ 1/5
June 17, 2013
A story full of emotion which made a wonderful read. I couldn't help love Daniel, so I understood Rayna well. It didn't matter that the story was predictable, the characters made up for that.
November 27, 2018
Oh this story. It was heartbreaking. I almost felt my heart break for Daniel when his live wasn’t returned. And after his past at that.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews