Beauty and the Beastly Rancher
Silhouette Romance, 1678
By Judy Christenberry 

A lady in need of saving:
     Anne Pointer, newly widowed and mother of two, finds herself in difficulty, trying to pay off the mortgage on her land. Desperate, she tries to sell her produce by the roadside. When two men attack her, Joe Crawford appears out of nowhere and rescues her from the clutches of her attackers.

A knight in shining armor:
     Joe Crawford is a confirmed bachelor, believing no woman could give her heart to such an ugly duckling as himself. One day, while tending his land, he answers the frantic cries of a small girl. He realizes her mother is in trouble and he is her only hope. Her assailants are no match for him, and he has the situation quickly under control.

     Joe admires the courage this of woman, Anna, and is determined to help solve her financial situation. He knows she would be proud to accept charity, so he cleverly devises a way for her to accept his money.

     With each passing day, he feels himself growing closer to her and the children. Would it be possible that they could return his feelings?

     Beauty and the Beastly Rancher is a very compelling and sweet story. I found that once started, I couldn't put it down. The only weakness is the title and the cover art, which is misleading. I bought this book because I expected to find a beauty and beast theme. What I discovered was Joe didn't meet my expectations as to what a true 'Beast' should be like. Still, for anyone looking for a light enjoyable read, this book won't disappoint.