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Providence
Sparks fly when a young widow left with a cattle ranch to manage, hires an itinerant cowboy running from his past. Their future together is forged by God's providence and the sacrifice of a mysterious Comanche warrior.
276 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 2, 2012
Kate is a recent widow, who's trying to run her large ranch in 1890's Oklahoma Territory. After her husband's death, she has trouble keeping ranch hands, who don't want to work for a woman. A neighboring rancher wants her land, and will use any tactic to get it. She manages to hire a competent new ranch foreman, Luke, who's struggling with emotional issues from his past. In many ways, this is a beautiful book. It's fairly long, so the author took the time to show Kate and Luke believably falling in love. It's also a lyrical depiction of the seasonal ebb and flow of life on a large cattle and horse ranch, and all the work it entails. The secondary characters, including Kate's young daughter, are wonderful.
So, why only a 3 star rating? The author makes very clear that this book is a religious-themed romance, which I knew when I downloaded the book. I don't tend to read inspirational romances because I often find the religious message too intrusive, and I read for history and romance, not religion. I certainly respect an author's religious views, and there is quite a large market for inspirational romance. So, if an author wants to write for that market, readers who share her religious beliefs, that is understandable. But, with an author as talented as Ms. Noland, I would like to see her appeal to a wider readership. As it stands now, she may not, because this book is somewhat preachy, and contains lengthy and numerous quotes from scripture. For me (and I am probably not the reader she writes for) it detracted from the book.
My other problem can be resolved if this book has a sequel. If not, the author left unresolved the whole issue of the neighbor who wanted Kate's land. He had threatened her, as well committed criminal acts against her (and other ranchers), and then we hear no more about him. This was a major unresolved story line, which also lowered my rating of the book.
So, why only a 3 star rating? The author makes very clear that this book is a religious-themed romance, which I knew when I downloaded the book. I don't tend to read inspirational romances because I often find the religious message too intrusive, and I read for history and romance, not religion. I certainly respect an author's religious views, and there is quite a large market for inspirational romance. So, if an author wants to write for that market, readers who share her religious beliefs, that is understandable. But, with an author as talented as Ms. Noland, I would like to see her appeal to a wider readership. As it stands now, she may not, because this book is somewhat preachy, and contains lengthy and numerous quotes from scripture. For me (and I am probably not the reader she writes for) it detracted from the book.
My other problem can be resolved if this book has a sequel. If not, the author left unresolved the whole issue of the neighbor who wanted Kate's land. He had threatened her, as well committed criminal acts against her (and other ranchers), and then we hear no more about him. This was a major unresolved story line, which also lowered my rating of the book.
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January 21, 2012I really good book. It was a wonderful read
May 7, 2012
this book was a good book to read. But at the end it seemed to end aburptly. Left you wondering what happen to some people, other than the main people.
May 8, 2012
This was a good story - but a familiar story line. I think the Epilogue should also include what happened to the bad guy in the story???? Maybe there is a sequel on this book.
May 31, 2012
It was pretty good! I really like the character. I can simply see this book in Hallmark as a movie!
September 12, 2025
good plot
Well, it was a good story. However, there is a formatting issue for e-reading. I also noticed some editing issues that did not detract from the story. I felt like some of the storyline could have been developed more fully. An example is how Matt and his partner disappeared after the attack on Kate near the end of the story. I felt like there was a missed opportunity to build out their characters more and be a bigger part of the story as antagonists. Kate’s indian friend appeared at the most opportune times for easy resolutions. Don't get me wrong, I did like the story.
Well, it was a good story. However, there is a formatting issue for e-reading. I also noticed some editing issues that did not detract from the story. I felt like some of the storyline could have been developed more fully. An example is how Matt and his partner disappeared after the attack on Kate near the end of the story. I felt like there was a missed opportunity to build out their characters more and be a bigger part of the story as antagonists. Kate’s indian friend appeared at the most opportune times for easy resolutions. Don't get me wrong, I did like the story.
April 17, 2019
I really enjoyed this book until the rushed ending...that was very disappointing. This story could have continued to a more intentional conclusion. The author writes with enough details to keep the reader involved; I liked her style very much. Will consider reading more of her work.
December 17, 2012
Review coming soon.
September 18, 2013
A great summer / vacation read. Loved it from start to finish. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down.
April 26, 2014
Very good book to read. I was disappointed with the abrupt ending, it left some questions in my mind about some of the characters.
June 6, 2014
Would of easily been a 5 but so many ?s unanswered like what happen to Kate's shooters ,did she tell luke of his daughter etc. need a second story of them.please
May 13, 2013
Did not get very gave up, just didn't like it
April 30, 2017
Providence was just wonderful
I liked the way religion was handled...with reference and care and wove it easily into the story. It was a story I'd like to read again
I liked the way religion was handled...with reference and care and wove it easily into the story. It was a story I'd like to read again
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews