About the Book
Book: The Rancher’s Unexpected Bride
Author: Lauralyn Keller
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release date: March 25, 2025
In the rugged Montana Territory, a Boston socialite’s bid for freedom collides with a rancher’s quest for a family.
According to Boston’s elite society, Ella Mountbatten has it all: status, prestige, and a bright future. What they don’t know is that her life as a socialite has become a gilded cage of abuse and oppression under the control of her cruel fiancé and domineering parents. Desperate to escape, Ella flees Boston and seeks refuge in the small town of Harmony Springs, Montana Territory, where her former friend now resides as the sheriff. But with her family determined to drag her back to Boston, Ella’s hard-won freedom—and her very life—hang precariously in the balance.
Rancher, Cody Brooks, is ill-equipped to be the guardian of three orphaned children. But that’s the situation he’s in after the death of his best friend. Now, what he needs is a wife to help provide love and stability to his makeshift family. So when a runaway heiress arrives in need of protection, it seems a marriage of convenience may be the answer to both their prayers.
But with danger closing in from Boston and the challenges of building a new life together, Cody and Ella must confront their deepest fears and desires. Can their marriage of convenience blossom into true love, or will the shadows of Ella’s past tear apart the fragile hope they’ve found in Harmony Springs?
Click here to get your copy!
My ReviewThis is the first book I've read by this author. It was an exciting and suspenseful read with intense times of danger, moments of fun, and lots of twists and turns. I also enjoyed the sweet, budding romance between Ariella and Cody. The antics of the orphan children that Cody was raising kept me laughing.
The book had everything I could ask for in an 1800s Western Romance. The writing was easy to read, the characters were heroic with many layers, and the faith elements were woven into just the right places. The town of Harmony Springs, Montana Territory descriptions, made me feel as though I was there watching things happen.
The tension and unexpected twists kept me turning pages, wondering what would happen next. One minute, I was laughing; the next, I was on the edge of my seat, and something else touched my heart with joy. I loved the ending, which wrapped everything up wonderfully—highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.
About the Author
Lauralyn Keller loves to combine history and romance in stories that touch the heart. She lives in beautiful Colorado and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and reading.
More from Lauralyn
Stories have a funny way of percolating in my mind. I’ll be driving or doing dishes or some other mundane activity, and all of a sudden, an idea pops into my head. What my mind does with it then determines the course of a story.
Here’s a peek at my thought process for The Rancher’s Unexpected Bride.
Marriage of convenience stories are fun—maybe I could write one. Oooh, and I love Montana. It should take place there. Historical, of course, since stepping back in time is also fun. Hmmm….who should the characters be? Maybe a socialite….or an heiress….where would someone like that be from? Philly? New York? Ooh, I know—Boston! Yeah, Boston. Let’s see, her name can be Ella, though that doesn’t sound terribly high society. Maybe Ariella, but she prefers being called Ella. And she wants to leave town because she feels that society life is suffocating her. Hmmm, that doesn’t quite seem like a strong enough reason. Oh! She comes from a stuffy family….with harsh parents….and an abusive fiance. That’s why she runs away. I can iron out the details later. Okay, so Ella runs from Boston to Montana. Now, who’s her love interest? A farmer might work, but why would they agree to a marriage of convenience? I suppose Ella could be a mail-order bride….hmmm, no, that might not work. She needs to leave in a hurry (the why to be determined later). Maybe the guy (let’s call him Cody—that’s a good name) is a widower raising young kids and needs a wife to help. Or….no, he took in the kids after their parents died. That’ll create an immediate need for a wife. Perfect! Actually, I think he should be a rancher instead.
And just like that, a story is born. Sometimes it comes to me in moments, other times in weeks. This story developed over a couple of years. I wrote one draft, decided it was too fluffy, and ended up giving it a complete rewrite. I’m very happy with how Ella and Cody’s story turned out. It’s a sweet, love-comes-softly romance, and I hope you enjoy it.
Blog Stops
Maureen’s Musings, April 1
Texas Book-aholic, April 2
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 3
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 4
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 5
Devoted To Hope, April 6
lakesidelivingsite, April 7
Stories By Gina, April 8 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, April 8
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 9
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 10
Simple Harvest Reads, April 11 (Guest Review from Melissa)
For Him and My Family, April 12
Holly’s Book Corner, April 13
A Reader’s Brain, April 14 (Author Interview)
Bizwings Book Blog, April 14
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Lauralyn is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
