Great book full of twists and turns! Full of action, romance, suspense and comedy even. I loved the theme of redemption that played out throughout the story. Just when I thought I could predict what would happen something else would happen and throw my prediction off. I enjoy books that aren't predictable from the beginning. This was just that. I could picture the story as it happened. The author is very descriptive and really brings the entire story to life! It would make a great movie. Trying to keep this review free of spoilers, I would have loved for the book to have an epilogue. I wanted more. I was sad it was over. Loved the story and couldn't put it down. I was late for a meeting because of this book!

Shelley Shepard Gray has written another amazing historical romance as the setting really came alive as did the characters.  Laurel and Thomas both need something, and really someone to help them and they find that help in each other.  Laurel is trying to run the family ranch by herself as she is the only one left to do so, but it is too much for her to handle alone.  Thomas needs money but more than that he needs and wants his freedom, and he is determined to fulfill his end of the deal in exchange for his freedom.  As the two strive to protect and run the ranch it is not as smooth as it should be and they realize they have a fight on their hands, but also feelings are growing that they are torn between fighting or accepting. 
This is such a sweet story that is rich with historical detail and vivid imagery that transported me back in time to time when the country was trying to recover from a devastating war and yet it is also a time of growth and hope.  Laurel and Thomas were both so easy to empathize with and love; they are excellent main characters. 
I highly recommend this book to historical fiction fans!

I've read the author's Chicago World Fair's Mysteries and enjoyed them. I haven't read any of her Amish books. I have to say I enjoyed this book more than I did her three Chicago World Fair books.

The writing style is quite different in this book than in the three World Fair books. It is more fluid though she does keep that unique style of writing in third person but conveying an almost first person perspective. I liked the flashbacks scattered throughout the story that showed the reader Thomas' character through dialogue.

The plot is a typical post-Civil War one based in Texas, where everyone is struggling to rebuild after the devastation of war. Thomas is a war-hardened soldier who grew up on the streets but has a heart for God and learned life lessons through many trials. Laurel is an independent woman with a kind and soft heart struggling to hold on to her ranch. The main characters are so real, with their physical, emotional, and mental flaws and short-comings. Yet despite these flaws that they themselves know so well, they depend on God and His grace to pull them through each day.

The romance was sweet. There was less suspense in this book than in the Chicago World's Fair books but still enough to keep the pages turning until the end.

Now I need to go and read the first book in this series (Loyal Heart). Not having read the first book didn't detract from reading this one since the books are about different people who served in the war together.

I received a digital advance reader copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

I love this author's books and An Uncommon Ground was no exception. As with all of Ms. Gray's work this book was well written with a terrific plot and the characters were well thought out and believable. When it comes to historical fiction my favorite are books set in the Civil War era, this book takes place following the end of the war. If you enjoy good, clean historical fiction I recommend this book.

It seems like I don’t give many solid five-star ratings. This is largely because I don’t round my ratings up. I always round down, because I know I tend to be more generous than many other reviewers - and because I want to be able to see at a glance on Goodreads which books I have actually given five stars to! So I’m impressed that I’ve given both this book and the first in the series five stars. Good job, Shelley Shepard Gray!

"An Uncommon Protector" (Zondervan, 2017), second in the " Lone Star Hero" series by Shelley Shepard Gray, is a Christian historical romantic suspense set in Texas in 1867 with occasional flashbacks to 1865 Johnson’s Island in Ohio. The novel is a standalone story, but I’d still recommend starting with book #1, "A Loyal Heart". I chose "An Uncommon Protector" from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, because I enjoyed the first book so much.

Rating: 5 stars

The hero: Sergeant Thomas Baker, is one of a close knit group of officers who were imprisoned together at a Confederate Officers POW Camp. These men were first introduced in "A Loyal Heart": the highly respected Captain Monroe, Major Ethan Kelly, Lieutenant Robert Truax, and Lieutenant Phillip Markham. They were “some of the finest men he’d ever met.”

They take their friendship with each other very seriously, keeping in touch with a strong commitment to be there for one another. While in the POW camp, Thomas tended to chafe against the Union guards. His “mouth always had gotten him into trouble,” ever since his family died. As a child, his father ordered him to hide during a Comanche attack, and Thomas’s family was wiped out. “Never again would he follow instructions he didn’t agree with.” Then as he grew up, he’d “constantly had to fight and scrape to survive.” However, Thomas “sure wasn’t the type to sit around and feel sorry for himself.”

The heroine: Laurel Tracey is an orphan. Her father and brother died in the war, and her mother succumbed to influenza a few years later. Red Roan Ranch is now Laurel’s, and she is alone in the world except for two mooching step-siblings. She “was attempting to run what was left of a pitiful cattle operation with barely twenty head, little money for alfalfa for them to graze on, and far too many squatters in the area. She was exhausted and beginning to think she was never going to be able to keep the ranch going.” Laurel is in serious need of help. “She liked her ranch. She wanted to keep it, wanted to live there.”

Laurel and Thomas cross paths when he is one of a group of prisoners “serving short jail terms for minor infractions,” assigned to fix her fence as a charitable deed. “There was something about the man that had caught her regard and held on tight.” In a brief conversation, she learns that that he is eligible for release the following day if someone hires him as an indentured servant for a year. And that’s just what she does, figuring it’s a good investment of her limited funds.

Christian elements: I’ve listed just a few quotes. Faith is strong in the story but not flaunted. I didn’t see anything that concerned me.

*Laurel: “Let’s believe him… It’s the Christian thing to do.”

*Thomas: ”I am hard. But because of that, I’ve learned to reach out to our Lord. I’m a man who needs all the help he can get.”

*Of Thomas: “He’d learned along time ago to stop feeling guilty about the past and concentrate on looking forward. That was his chief survival skill.”

What I liked:

*I like that Thomas is a flawed character, but the reader sees his heart and sees him grow, and it is so easy to root for him. Laurel is a lovely character inside and out and is very brave, but she is also vulnerable. I always enjoy a hero and heroine who so obviously fit each other so well. Also, they’re definitely drawn to each other, but the romance is not rushed, which makes sense for their positions as employer and indentured servant.

*I enjoyed the following exchange, which simultaneously acknowledges that Thomas’s presence is outside of societal norms and provides a justification for it. And the comeuppance of an obnoxious character is fun, too.

Laurel’s step-brother: “You being here is already ruining her reputation.”
Thomas: “It very well might be. But she will be safe with me.”

What I didn’t like: I could only find two very minor issues. An odd use of the word rectify (in my opinion) and a discrepancy about Thomas’s age. Thomas was 22 in 1865, he is still 22 in 1867, and it’s mentioned again later that he’s 22 in 1867. Oops! Perhaps that has been fixed, as I read an eARC. Not enough to bring this book down from five stars, though.

If Shelley Shepard Gray writes any more books in this series, they will be auto-reads for me. (I am really hoping there will be a novel for each of the military friends.) As the rest of the author’s books under this pseudonym appear to be Amish stories (which I avoid), I plan to dip my toes into her Westerns under the pseudonym Shelley Gray. So I’ve put her Chicago World’s Fair Mystery series on my to-read list.

I highly recommend this book to any fan of Christian historical romantic suspense. As I said earlier, the faith elements are not flaunted. They are so integrated into the characters that I think this book would also appeal to non-Christians.

I thought the idea behind this story was a great one -- single girl with a ranch in danger hires a jailbird to protect the property. Obviously, her surrounding neighbors and townspeople think this is a bad idea.

Lots of other things happen in the story: irritable step siblings who want Laurel to sell, a neighbor intent on marrying Laurel, sinister sabotage of the ranch and its animals... all make for a great story.

However, An Uncommon Protector read kind of slow for me. I also found it odd that for that time period, both Laurel and Thomas were ok with him sleeping in a guest room. The book was ok...it just wasn't a 'couldn't put down' kind of read for me, unfortunately.

Another great story taken place in Texas after the Civil War. I could see this period of time come alive through the scenes described and the characters. Very enjoyable!

An Uncommon Protector (Lone Star Hero, #2)

I knew I enjoyed reading Shelley Shepard Gray's books but this one just blew me away. This is the best one I've read to date! Rich in historical detail and vivid descriptions you will feel as if you are there with Laurel Tracey and Sergeant Thomas Baker. Laurel has the hardship of trying to run a 100 acre ranch on her own. Knowing she is unable to do it she buys a prisoner for a years time to work her land and protect her from squatters on her land. Thomas Baker is what some would call a hard man, unflinching,uncaring. After all he has been through who could blame him. When he was just a child there was an Indian raid on his home. His father told him to go in the crawl space under his house and not come out no matter what he heard and he heard plenty. He heard the killing of his brother,mother and father. It turned him bitter. Having no one to care for him he wanders about until he is old enough to join up and fight. Taking risks no one else will because he has no one to care about him he advances fast and moves up the ranks. He lands in jail when he can't pay off a debt.
On Laurel's ranch he swears to work it and protect her. There is danger around every corner there and it has Laurel scared. She is respectful and kind to him and he feels undeserving of it. He may be a hard man and have seen bloodshed in the war but he would never let any harm come to Laurel,he would lay down his life to protect her. Historical romance at it's best with a hint of danger in the suspense.
The title is so perfect for this book, An Uncommon Protector, that is exactly what Thomas Baker is. He goes above and beyond.
I hope this book is next on your to buy list as it's simply a do not miss book!
Excellent,excellent book. I look forward to reading many more books by Shelley Shepard Gray.
I highly recommend this to fans of Historical Romantic fiction.
Pub Date 07 Feb 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Zondervan Fiction for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

An Uncommon Protector continues the story of Sergeant Thomas Baker, who was one of the soldiers that vowed to care for his fellow comrades while they were prisoners in the Confederate States of America Officers’ POW camp. An Uncommon Protector is set in Sweetwater, Texas.

Laurel Tracey inherited the family two hundred ranch after the death of her parents. It’s all she has to call her own. Her step siblings want her to sell the farm as they want the money while they are of no service to Laurel in running the ranch. Events are happening all around Laurel and the ranch to force her to sell.

Sergeant Thomas Baker along with other prisoners from the county jail was on the ranch helping to mend fences. Laurel was drawn to Baker and offered water to the prisoners. When Laurel realized Baker would be up for auction the next day on the town square, she journey there to purchase him. Her purchase price for Baker’s freedom would ensure that he would work for her for one year.

The first night after Baker became Laurel’s employee a dead calf was placed on her front porch. Laurel was alarmed with who had done this hideous crime as she had seen squatters on her land. Baker’s willingness to protect Laurel ignited something within both of them that needed to be guarded since their relationship was strictly to be employee and employer. When unexpected actions kept transpiring without the sheriff really being concerned; however, an overly zealous neighbor that wanted Laurel as his spouse and to own her land offered his assistance along with her step-siblings. Will Laurel and Thomas feel safe?

Thomas had strong faith that everything would work out for Laurel, but he reached out to his prison buddies Captain Monroe, Major Kelly and Lieutenant Traux. Will their arrival and training benefit Laurel and Thomas in finding their offenders?

Gray has researched this series thoroughly as illustrated in the marvelous plot and story for An Uncommon Protector. The hero and heroine had their struggles yet their integrity, faith, determination, and fortitude kept them fighting to save Laurel’s family ranch. The vivid descriptive words had me right in the moment—whether it was the heat of the day or the delicious meal Laurel prepared. My senses and emotions were on alert as the plot unfolded with unexpected drama that kept me turning the pages. An Uncommon Protector has history, drama, suspense, romance and faith interwoven to give readers a beautiful post Civil War story.

Gray’s books are powerful and vivid with characters that are not forgettable along with a story that will remain with readers. Book three centering on the lives of Major Kelly and Captain Monroe cannot be released soon enough for this reader. The vow these soldiers made while in prison will demonstrate the bond and brotherhood they shared during the Civil War along with providing support and assistance when one of them was in need.

I received An Uncommon Protector from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review, but have shared my sincere thoughts about An UnCommon Protector.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1870460428 also on BnN under name Mar-J and Pending with CBD. I could not post to amazon yet.

This is the second book in this series, and just as good as the first one The Loyal Heart, and you might consider reading this one too, but you don’t have to have read the first to enjoy the second.
Thomas Baker as a mother I wanted to grab and hold that poor boy, and things don’t seem to get much better for him when he ends up a Confederacy Prisoner, and our dear boy has a temper, not that I blamed him, but he sure does get whipped for it.
What put these two together is kindness and belief in God, when on a hot day in Texas Laurel Tracey offers a drink of water to the prisoners fixing her fence, the sheriff is helping her out. Our boy is there and that meeting might just save both of their lives.
I loved the compassion, even in adverse conditions of these people who lived their faith, and the help they received from people who are not related, but love God. Why would people kill innocent animals, greed sad to say? You will be wrapped up in this time and period in no time, and I can’t wait for more, as there are more friends here.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan, and was not required to give a positive review.

Laurel Tracey was not perfect but she would rank up there with the saints in my book because of how much she had tried to do to help her step-brother and step-sister after the deaths of her mother and step-father. Red Roan Ranch belonged to her free and clear but they recklessly squandered all of their inheritance and then came to Laurel expecting her to support them and do their bidding while they never lifted a finger to do anything but take. I am fairly certain I would have been less than charitable about handing out money for them to spend on their selfish desires while I ran the ranch and took care of the house on my own. But that is not the real story here. Laurel needed help with the ranch, particularly in dealing with squatters on her land. Thomas Baker, a former sergeant in the Confederate army and an ex-POW, has ended up in jail because of gambling debts he could not pay. Laurel sees a way to save her ranch, but will it work? She has turned down several offers from other ranchers to buy it. What is she going to do? Can Thomas be the answer to her prayers? The personalities of Laurel and Thomas had some similarities. They both seemed to question if they were good enough to find true love and acceptance. Shelley Shepard Gray weaves a lot of Thomas’s background into the story to show how far he had come from his childhood days as an orphan until he had found himself in jail at the age of 22. He was far from perfect himself, with a lot of rough edges but he was a work in progress. The action, suspense, and romance mount through the story. The squatters were Laurel’s major concern when she paid to have Thomas freed from the local jail to help her but that quickly became a minor concern when they realize they are under attack. How can a man and a woman ever get out of the predicament they have found themselves in? I recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

An uncommon Protector is book 2 in the Lone Star Hero series which centers around a brotherhood of men who became friends while prisoners of war during the War of Norther Aggression. These brotherhood of friends make a vow to be there for each other if every help is needed. This book features Thomas Baker one of the men. Thomas Baker has no family, his dying when he was just a lad. After the war was over he landed in jail because of gambling debt that he could not pay. He's hired on at Laurel Tracey's farm for a day. There is an instant attraction there between him and Laurel. He still has to go back to jail but when he is put up for sale Laurel purchases his release and he becomes an indentured servant for a year. He immediately goes into protective mode to protect her from all those wanting to harm her. There is no mystery as to who the bad guys are. You find out pretty early in the book. Thomas comes to realize that he has to call on the brotherhood of friends to help him confront the villains who want to harm Laurel and drive her off her farm.

I enjoyed reading this book better than the first one in the series. I think the characters and the storyline was developed better. I look forward to reading more stories in this series. Thanks to Netgalley and Zondervan for providing me a digital copy of this book to review. An Uncommon Protector is due to be released on February 7, 2017.

An Uncommon Protector
Shelley Shepard Gray
Fans of historical fiction will love this book set just after the Civil War in Fort Worth, Texas. In this story, which is the second in Gray’s Lone Star Heroes series, we meet Laurel and Thomas. Laurel lost her father and brother in the war; shortly thereafter she loses her mother and stepfather as well. She is trying hard to hold on to her family’s cattle ranch, even though her step-siblings want her to sell out. Thomas is a former soldier who spent part of the war in captivity on Johnson’s Island with a group of men anyone would be lucky to know. He is now a convict, put in jail for failing to pay his debts from a poker game.
Laurel purchases Thomas for one year to in exchange for his freedom. She needs his help to run the ranch. There have been problems with squatters and she can’t handle it all on her own. Thomas is only there one day when trouble begins in earnest. Someone wants Laurel to sell so bad that they are willing to kill her cattle, poison her creeks, and shoot at the two of them. As they try to figure out what is happening, Thomas calls on his friends from Johnson’s Island (some of whom we already met in The Loyal Heart, book 1).
The adventure is exciting and love is in the air from the first page of the book. Laurel and Thomas very clearly care for each other, but they must work through their own personal thoughts and what society deems acceptable. Will they find love in the end? Will Laurel save her ranch? Read the book and see! It is totally worth it!
I received a free copy of this book for my honest review from NetGalley.

4 1/2 stars! I really enjoyed An Uncommon Protector. When Laurel's father and brother die in the Civil War she is left to take care of there family ranch. When things start going wrong she realizes that she needs help. She decides to get her help by getting a convict out of jail and hiring him for a year. Thomas is a former soldier who remembers the time he was in a prison camp and what occurred there. Part of Thomas' job is to protect Laurel and her ranch. There is an attraction that he fights because he doesn't think he is good enough for her.

This book by Shelley Shepard Gray was the first book from this author that I have had the pleasure of reading that wasn't an Amish book. I was so delighted to read this captivating historical novel of Laurel, a young woman trying to make it on her own and finding many things hindering her goals. As she requests to have an indentured servant who was apparently judged as a criminal she finds that this man was anything but a criminal as he helps in every way he can to protect both her and the property and animals she owns. As others try to procure her property by using scare tactics in hopes of her relenting to either marriage or selling of her property she battles back with Thomas at her side.

I really enjoyed both the writer's style and the story as well. It was a very good book and I highly recommend it.

I received an ebook copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review which I have given.