My thoughts: Ranch life in the 1800s was not easy for man or woman, married or single. Opening the pages of Safe In the Arms we find Margaret O'Brien who is helping her father run the ranch. Margaret's mother died when Margaret was young and she has not had much female influence in her life. Her life has been that of the rough riding ranch hand - but she is the daughter of the owner of the ranch. She has worked hard to help her father keep the ranch going and building it to enviable status.

Now dad hires a new foreman, Daniel Cutler and Margaret sees him as an intrusive, soft, non-rancher who possibly has a criminal background. The story has twists and turns around future ownership of the ranch when Dad decides he is going to leave the ranch to a male cousin and settle money on Margaret when she marries. His goal is to see her settled in the role of wife and mother. Margaret is headstrong as well as body-strong and she is hurt, befuddled, and very ill at ease with the situation.

Then things really begin to happen and danger lurks.

Author Colleen Coble has written an interesting historical story of the peoples and life on a Texas ranch in the 1800s bringing her characters to life and capturing our interest. Yes, I figured that the romance would happen and predicted its outcome. I did not, however, see the outcome of the danger and intrigue portions. You'll find this an interesting read.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary advance reader copy was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group on behalf of the publisher and author to facilitate my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely mine and I was under no obligation to render a positive review.

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.

Margaret runs the ranch for her father but he thinks its time for her to be a "lady" and find a husband. He hires a new foreman. Over heard conversation casts doubts on the new foreman Daniel Cutler. Unexplained accidents, bank robberies, murder and other secrets. Can there be anyway for these two to fall in love with all the doubt and secrets? Colleen's faith, her sense of humor and her love of story telling really shines. For someone that didn't read westerns until last year, this was terrific.

I really enjoyed this book

Still reading this. Tough to put down. Very well written.