The Rancher Takes a Cook

Texas Rancher Trilogy, Book 1

By: Misty M. Beller

Narrated by: Tiffany Williams

Length: 7 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's Summary

When their South Carolina home burns to the ground, Anna Stewart's only choice is to move with her younger brother to the wilds of a Texas ranch. Their prospects are beginning to look better, until the rancher's son, Jacob O'Brien, shows up with his alarmingly blue eyes to put a kink in Anna's well-controlled plans.

When danger escalates in the form of a band of cattle thieves with deadly intent, can Anna learn to release control to God's capable hands; and those of the blue-eyed cowboy who's stolen her heart?

©2015 Misty M. Beller (P)2016 Misty M. Beller

Great Book

Where does The Rancher Takes a Cook rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book ranks at the top of all audible books I have!

What about Tiffany Williams’s performance did you like?

I really like Tiffany Williams as a narrator

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

when they were in Church and sang a song that said, "I am at peace with my Soul " That stuck in my mind through the whole book, Guess I will remember that for a long time.

Any additional comments?

This was an awesome book, Love the story of Ann and Jacob, I hated to see it end! Misty Beller is a great Author and I will be reading all of her books. Thanks Misty for many hours of listening to a wonderful story. I would recommend this book to everyone!

A fun, sweet romance!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! This book about starved me to death! Anna was always cooking up something that sounded delicious. The story was fun and inspirational. I didn't find it "preachy" at all because the main character prayed and searched for solace in scripture. The Bible says we are to pray without ceasing. She prayed a LOT less than that. Usually when she faced hardship. I didn't find that she prayed any more than I do. I am a Christian and will never be a "good Christian".

Who was your favorite character and why?

It would have to be Anna! Not only for her story, but because she gave me many ideas of what to cook for dinner while I was listening.

What about Tiffany Williams’s performance did you like?

I love that Tiffany William's voice is solid and a little deep. I very much appreciate her not trying too hard with the Southern accent. Being from Arkansas, Georgia and Texas (Military brat), I find that when a lot of narrators do the accent, it comes across as making us sound ignorant. She did great! The richness of her voice added gravity to the story as well.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Anna was tied up and helpless.

Any additional comments?

A light, pleasurable story. Got me happily through my commute and kept me entertained as I folded mountains of laundry late at night after the family was in bed.

Christian Romance

Narration, Tiffany Williams - nice narration and has a very pleasant voice.

This is a historical Christian Romance - I've read several of this genre and this was by far the most "religeousy" (yeah, I made that word up) of them all. There are a great number of references to the bible and characters ask for gods help continuously, even for the little things, so if that's not your thing, you may want to steer clear.

The author is also quite fond of using phrases like "teeth chattering faster than a rattler's tail", hearts are fluttering like something, things are going slower than something, taller than something, bluer than something, meaner than something, you get the idea. There's a lot. I mean a lot.

It was an ok book.

I received a copy of this audiobook free of charge from AudiobookBoom in exchange for an unbiased review.

Great Story

I loved the story. Although faced with many adversities Anna never allowed them to get her down. She kept her brother with her after losing home and their only parent to the Civil War. After her father died she gathered what she had and traveled to Texas to live with a loving uncle and aunt. Anna eventually met a rancher who hired her brother and then her and eventually she met his son Jacob. The story is centered around this relationship and the ups and downs that they encountered. A good heart warming western romance.

I was provided this book through Audiobook Blast for an honest review.

Cute Clean Western Love Story

This is a sweet romance, very clean and deals with Anna and her faith. This has a Christian faith in God theme and was well written. I usually don't read this sort of faith based book. However, this had a great story line and the characters at the Ranch become part of Edward and Anna's lives.

The Union soldiers have destroyed their family candle business, their home and both parents are dead. Their Aunt and Uncle own a general store in Texas. The Civil War is over and Anna takes her younger brother and moves to Texas.

While working in the mercantile general store, a cowboy from a local ranch notices that Edward is good with animals. Edward is offered a job on the ranch. Not wanting to be parted from Edward, Anna goes to ask for a job as a cook and meets Jacob.

Jacob is the love of her life. Jacob endures cattle rustlers, storms, and wildlife attacks and realizes he cannot live without Anna. The landscape and life on the ranch is very detailed. I really like the author’s descriptive talents.

This audiobook was provided by the author at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.

Great Christian Book

Would you consider the audio edition of The Rancher Takes a Cook to be better than the print version?

I have never read the printed version but i really did enjoy the audio edition.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Rancher Takes a Cook?

There was a couple memorable moments, but if i had to choose one i would say when Anna was on her way home from visiting her friend by herself.

Have you listened to any of Tiffany Williams’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not, but i have no complaints.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did not have an extreme reaction but i was happy i could get the whole book listened to in 1 night at work, i would not have wanted to wait until the next day to finish it.

Any additional comments?

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

A Sweet, Clean, and Satisfying Western Romance

The Rancher Takes a Cook was a nice, clean, historical fiction story about Anna, her brother Edward, and the cow punch she falls for named Jacob. Him and the other cowboys love Anna's cooking. The characters were likeable and it was set in Seguin, Texas. I also enjoyed the Christian values in the story.

Misty M. Beller did a wonderful job writing this story. I'm glad it's a trilogy and look forward to the next in the series. Book 1 was enjoyable and the series looks promising.

Tiffany Williams narration was exceptional. This was my first time listening to her and I really enjoyed her work. She had the perfect voice for this book. She has a nice tone and great voice inflections. An overall terrific listen.

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

Great story, but author needed to research more

I really enjoyed listening to this, but there were a couple of times that I was sort of annoyed with the author. For example the hymn It Is Well With my Soul was not written until after this story takes place. But the most annoying thing was that when a foal is born the head does NOT come first in a proper birth. The front feet come first with the head coming out between the front legs. Other than that, it was a great listen.

I Really Enjoyed This Story!

I enjoyed this audio book so much! It was a great combination of romance, ranch life, and some dangerous situations, as well. I thought that the narrator did a good job of reading the stories and adding some variation to the voices of some of the characters. I enjoyed listening to her read.

Anna and Jacob were very likable characters. I enjoyed watching as Anna began to let go of her younger brother, Edward, a bit and began to recognize and respect the man that he was growing into.

Anna and Jacob were a sweet pair and it was so much fun to see their attraction to each other develop and then watch as it bloomed into love. Jacob did a wonderful job of treating Anna with respect, love, and care. This was a great story from start to finish.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Tragedy turns into a new life

Anna and her brother Edward have dealt with many trials during the war and when their home and business burns to the ground from the Yankie soldiers it is time from them to leave their home and move west to live with their aunt and uncle in Texas. Little did Anna know that their troubles would not be over just because they moved. God had a plan though and he led her to the O'Brian ranch and there she would watch her brother grow and she would find her path in life and it would lead her to Jacob.

This is a really good story of trials and struggles and never loosing your faith during it all. Anna endures more than a young woman should have to but she does so with grace and faith and it leads her to her happily ever after.

Tiffany Williams does a good job narrating this story. I enjoyed listening to her.

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. There is danger, sweet love, family, and a sense of what women and men had to endure in Texas in the late 1800s.