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Look out, Larsen, Texas! Paddy O'Brien wants his daughter to start acting like a modern 19th Century lady and give up her branding iron and riding britches for frilly dresses and lace. Why? So she can find a worthy husband, of course. Easy ladies, his heart's in the right place, even if he is going about this all wrong. My first reaction was to bark out a laugh. After all, Margaret is her father's daughter. She won't make this easy.

To accomplish his goal, he's brought in a new foreman, one tall, dark-haired and handsome man named Daniel Cutler. He's going help manage the Triple T, thus giving Margaret more time to be a lady. Never mind that Margaret might have a say in things, or that she can run the ranch as well or better than any man in Texas. Paddy is set in his ways and is determined that Margaret be well looked after when he's gone. Having a grandchild to bounce on his knee before he meets his Maker wouldn't be bad either.

Daniel might be the first man to catch Margeret's eye since Nate Stanton married Lucy, but she's furious with being undervalued by her father and wants nothing to do with him, even if her heart does beat a little faster when he's around. When she overhears a private conversation, suddenly Daniel isn't as honest and trustworthy as she thought. Things aren't smooth sailing for Daniel either. Meeting Margaret at this time in his life is ill-timed and clashes with his job. If he follows his heart concerning the lovely redhead, can he keep her safe?

This is a heartwarming story, filled with emotion, mystery, and quite a bit of action and suspense. Colleen Coble writes realistic characters that have everyday flaws we can all relate to. I liked Margaret from the last book and was thrilled to read her story. I wasn't exactly surprised to learn that all of her confidence and bluster was a mask for the isolation and pain she's carried over the years. Daniel has his own load of baggage, but he is a little further along in the unpacking process. It was a delight (if not an adventure) to watch them fall in love and learn to trust.

Ms. Coble is quickly becoming my favorite Christian Romance author. Her books are refreshing and uplifting reads, with characters that go about their daily lives walking with God. The couples find common ground, find each other romantically and spiritually, which adds a special level to the relationship that's missing in a lot of mainstream romance. It's not an overpowering element, just a nice addition that blends seamlessly into a well written book. If you've never tried clean or Christian romance before, this is a great place to start. I highly recommend this series! ( )

This is fiction with a purpose. And what a purpose it is.
Meet Margaret O'Brien, daughter of wealthy cattle rancher Paddy O'Brien who can only see her many faults.
Fiercely loyal, prickly, and stubborn (like any true redhead), Margaret must overcome many issues that keep her from believing that God can truly love a misfit such as she.

Margaret struggles with things that many young and more mature women today must face and deal with on a daily basis. We, who are naturally hard on ourselves, often forget that we were created without mistakes by a God who loves us ~ just as we are. It's up to us to embrace His will and plan for us to be truly happy.

This is a heartwarming tale. Fraught with danger and excitement, this book will steal your afternoon. And you may find yourself a better person for it.

My thanks to the publisher who provided me with a copy of this book to review in exchange for my honest opinions. These opinions are my own, and they are exactly what I think. ( )

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the writing and I found that I saw a lot of myself in the main character in the book. The author does a great job of explaining things and keeping the story flowing as well as keep the reader in suspense. I wasn't sure while reading this one if it was going to work out how I thought it should but I was glad when it did. ( )

By: Colleen Coble
Published By: Thomas Nelson
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Book Blog For: GMTA
Series: Under Texas Stars #2
Review:

"Safe In His Arms" by Colleen Coble good read filled with: Christian, historical, western, adventure, mystery and a thriller read that was a second in this series. This was a novel that once you start reading it will be hard to put it down until the very end because there will be in a lots of thrills in this read. We find that Margaret works hard at her father's wealthy ranch but finding out that Daniel has been hired along with her cousin, Lewis to run the ranch doesn't make Margaret too happy. Margaret’s father Paddy decides it is time that she act more like a woman and find a suitable mate so he can have grandchildren. Margaret thought that she would get the ranch, but it seems like her fathers has something else in mind. "Along with all of the changes someone is trying to kill her father and snooping around the ranch" This is where this story picks up and I say you must pick up "Safe in His Arms" to find out what happens next in this well written read. Be ready for a Christian fiction that isn't too peachy along with a good, clean, some old fashioned 'old west' mystery and some romance. With all of this you will be given a wonderful read that I would recommend to you. ( )