Fleeing a vengeful stalker and desperate to help her daughter, Betsy, speak again, Allie Siders finds a safe place for them at the Bluebird Ranch, a home for troubled children---and abused horses. Owner Elijah DeAngelo welcomes them, but foreman Rick Bailey is guarded. Can Allie and Rick put aside the past to save all they hold dear? 320 pages, softcover from Nelson.
In the quiet safety of the Bluebird Ranch, old promises resurface and unexpected love brings new hope.
Though tragedy has wrecked her life, Allie Siders holds on to the hope that her five-year-old daughter, Betsy, will speak again. But with a stalker out for revenge, all Allie can think about now is their safety. She must sever all ties and abandon life as she knows it. She heads to the peaceful Bluebird Ranch, nestled deep in Texas hill country, and to the only person who can help them.
The ranch is a sanctuary for abused horses, and also for troubled youths: the perfect place for Betsy to grow and recover. Ranch owner Elijah DeAngelo eagerly welcomes the duo. But Rick Bailey--the ranch foreman and DeAngelo’s right hand man--hasn’t decided to let his guard down . . . yet.
Promises made long ago soon force Rick and Allie to work together to escape danger. Will they discover love along the way?
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
8 of 16 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Heather Berrio (Southampton, NJ), June 09, 2009
Colleen has a wonderful way of drawing the reader into her stories. This book had a little bit of everything - mystery, compassion, suspense, passion and an overwhelming amount of grace.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by brooklyn (New York, Gouveneur), May 27, 2009
these books are the best. i love the series and i really wish she woult write more books in the lonestar series. i read this book and i couldn't put it down along with the second book in the series "lonestar secrets". theses books are my favorite books and made me want to go out west to live on a ranch.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Stacey (Las Vegas, NV), April 14, 2009
Colleen Coble has captured my heart with her latest hero in “Lonestar Sanctuary,” the story of a single mother in trouble who seeks out her deceased husband’s best friend for help. Allie is running from a killer bent on torturing her, while seeking treatment for her young daughter who hasn’t spoken since witnessing her grandparents’ fatal plane crash. Several intriguing principles come into play beautifully in the story especially with regard to how Rick bears the responsibility of caring for his best friend’s widow.
This Christian romantic suspense novel is an incredible read that you will pick up off the shelf again and again. The rustic Texas small-town setting is a character in itself. The sub-plot of the ranch’s existence to help troubled kids is heart-warming, as is Allie’s search for questions about her past. Colleen Coble brilliantly weaves multiple elements together to create a multi-faceted tale that enchants and entertains.
Perhaps I take my entertainment too seriously, but this book has also changed the way I am praying for my husband right now. Rick’s struggle with the past and his desire to take good care of Allie and her daughter and be an honorable man has led me to pray that my husband would be like David, a man after God’s own heart. Not perfect, but willing to admit mistakes, deal with them and seek to be a better man, closer to God and those he loves, as a result.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Stephanie (North Carolina), March 07, 2009
This was my first Colleen Coble book, but after reading it, I want to read more of her work. The novel is an exciting ride from the first page. Allie, Rick, Betsy, and the others are engaging, and so well-developed that they are real to you. Even the minor characters are so real that what happens to some of them literally made me cringe. Colleen also did a great job of sprinkling in humor and some touching, romantic moments. The only place I see holes is in her conflict development. Colleen seems to have piled a lot of problems--Allie's Irlen syndrome, the illegal immigration thing, the custody problem--on top of each other. She also has an annoying habit, at least in this book, of resolving such things in a matter of what is the equivalent of a minute and a half in the book world. Next time, I hope she doesn't try to cover so much ground. But that aside, this book was terrific. Good work, Colleen--I look forward to the next book in the series and whatever else you have.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Joan Siman (Mantua, OH), January 29, 2009
I really liked the book. It kept me in suspense to find out what happened. She is a very good author.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Brenda Richardson (Ardmore, OK), January 12, 2009
This is an excellent mystery. I love the way Ms. Coble builds the suspense even until the end of the book. I am adding her books to "must reads" and "add to my collection". I always like a good Christian mystery.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Cynthia Engberts (Woodstock, On,), September 29, 2008
I won't give the details of the story. However, I will say that I was captivated from the beginning. The story was well written, kept my attention throughout, and a good read. I can't wait to get hold of other books written by Colleen Coble.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Gail Jackson (Vandalia, OH), September 26, 2008
I already love this author before purchasing this book. I have a love for animals and this book is awsome as it is about people and how animal help to make them well. A must read book!
View all 16 Reviews
Write a review of Lonestar Sanctuary, Lonestar Series #1
Author: Colleen Coble
Located in: Indiana
Submitted: July 17, 2008
Tell us a little about yourself. I'm a cowgirl at heart and love all things western. That extended a bit to the Victorian house we live in. I started writing after the oldest of my younger three brothers was killed in a freak lightning accident, and Randy loved the west. My first story was set on a fort in Wyoming so writing this book was like going home a bit.
What was your motivation behind this project? I love marriage of convenience stories and wanted to try writing one.
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? I'd love readers to realize that love is a choice! That we have to work at showing love--it's an action verb.
How were you personally impacted by working on this project? It was a fresh reminder never to take my wonderful husband for granted!
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? Ami McConnell and Erin Healy teach me new things with every book. And my crit partners Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, Denise Hunter, and Robin Caroll are wonderful helps!
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