Very enjoyable read. I had not read the first book and didn't feel like I missed anything. Very well written.

Ellie Burnett needed to get married before time ran out. Her father Archibald Burnett was dying and she would never be ready for it. She needed a husband as soon as possible to continue his father's legacy. Only she wasn't looking for a man to love and to hold nor cherish. She wanted a man who had strong physique to help toil the land and horses, a man who would respect her decisions and let her do just about everything concerning her family's ranch.

Only she met the man who couldn't possibly pass up for a husband, but he was too rude to her and ungentle and already formed an opinion about her. Irishman Thomas Sheenan didn't go to Montana to find a wife, in fact, he went away from Ireland to escape his past. But this little annoying redhead amused him so much, he couldn't help but agreed to her demands... Until the funeral happened.

Oh man, Ellie Burnett was such a feisty, stubborn woman and I had a hard time liking her. When I first read the few pages, I thought Ellie was a fine, independent woman, too headstrong for someone of her gender in the Western era (1890s). Too bad she didn't turn out amusing at all when she got married. I understand she was grieving following her father's demise, but she just as soon turned into her spoiled brat and surly persona when she finally realized what had been happening under her roof after three months. Unluckily for her, Thomas knew how to tame the beast and boy, what drastic methods he used to bend to his will. 

I am not entirely in favor of Thomas initial perception of Ellie, I thought he was too sexist, hinting that he preferred a woman with ladylike manners, soft and gentle and homebody.  Ellie was the complete contrast, much to his dismay, but there was something about her that mystified him and couldn't ignore that niggling feeling through his gut. When they got married, he was quite the bossy one.

As the story crawled, the journey to their better relationship and more understanding situation paved the way to a happily ever after. Both had learned to compensate each others' flaw, and though they married for convenience and first treated it as a business deal, in the long run, love finally won and found its way to their hearts. I may not usually read Western / historical romances, but I do appreciate a good balanced love story.

This was a brilliant, historical romance featuring the ancestors of Marietta’s Sheenan family. It tells the story of Thomas Sheenan, an Irish man who has nursed and lost all his family back in Ireland before emigrating to the US. He has no plans to marry but is determined to make his way in the world and be successful. When Ellie Burnett asks him to marry her to help her save the family ranch she grew up on and loves, before her very ill father dies. He is initially very reticent because, even though he finds her attractive, he knows she wants to be in charge and he’s man enough to not agree to that. With a headstrong, determined heiress and a stubborn, hardworking and equally determined Irish man, along with mutual attraction, you just know this will be a stormy romance!

I found it a great read. I really didn’t like Ellie to start with – she’s so sure her way is the right way and everyone else should do as she wishes. Thomas is also stubborn and he doesn’t want everything handing to him, he expects to work hard to earn his way in the world and to enable him to earn the respect of others. Such stubborn folk mean the story is going to involve plenty of drama and I wasn’t disappointed. The author’s fluent writing style takes the reader back to the 1800s with her characters and into this very different era. The angst and turmoil following the death of Ellie’s father and how Thomas reacts is brilliantly portrayed, making it easy to relate to Thomas in his endeavours. It is a very enjoyable story which I have no hesitation in highly recommending to anyone who enjoys their romances set in a different era – especially anyone who has, like me, enjoyed other stories set in Marietta, Montana!

I requested and was given a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion after choosing to read it.

This was not a good book. For starters, the pacing is really off. At times it goes unbearable slow, while at other times everything is solved in a minute. The main characters are not likeable and the sex scenes are a mix of detailed and prudish. This book feels very inconsistent.

A Woman for Another Century Stars
* * * 1/2
Sometimes I just like to leave today and go to another time... Western Romances do that for me. When I saw this cover... I could not take my eyes off of it... It just reached out to me... Because it had the Marriage theme, was Ole Time Western and then Author Jane Porter threw in an Irishman in the blurb...

How could I not escape into this...It had more than enough for me to start it right away...

So about that thing of escaping...Well, yes it was ole time Western and things were different...But in this tale, they also were so clear in what was expected and determined by your sex...and this story had that front and center.... which caused me to think on the state of Womanhood in these modern times too.

You see, Ellie Burnett needs a husband. Not because she has always dreamed of being married, taking care of a family and a HEA...Nope - the reason she needs a husband is due to her dear father is in the process of dying of cancer. Because a woman, even the daughter of a successful rancher, who did absolutely everything to run and manage the ranch for her dad...is not allowed to inherit the ranch after his death and continue to run it without interference from men sniffing around and trying to take the ranch from her.

Ellie thought she had found her needed husband. He had been a lovely man who was pleasant and polite... and she felt she would be able to manage him and in turn, convince him to let her run the ranch as she saw fit. Unfortunately, he didn't pan out in the end and now she was back to looking earnestly and had two very disappointing candidates.

Ellie's father was everything to Ellie. He allowed her to run free and learn everything a man did... she lost her mother early and her father indulged her. She had education and was self assured. She never had to cook or clean... she was raised with a housekeeper/cook. Ellie didn't have airs exactly... loving the woman who took care of everything...She just would focus on Riding, running the ranch and working the books.

Thomas Sheenan came to Paradise Valley, Montana to start over and make something out of himself. Leaving Ireland was not an easy choice for him... but the pain of loosing so much forced him to leave...Thomas was a man who was secure in who he was and he had no need for an complications ... no woman or wife.

These two first cross paths on the road to her family's ranch... Ellie prided herself as a strong buggy driver. She saw the aggravating Thomas Sheenan riding his cart on the road and decides to go around him at too fast apace. She looses control and the buggy ends up on the side of the road, tipped with Ellie in the mud.

Highly annoyed, Ellie starts to climb out of the ditch and Thomas pulls up. These two had a moment a while back when Thomas witnessed her one timed intended telling her he was not going to stay... and ran off to take care of an emergency. Ellie looked out at the fire truck where it was waiting for the man and Thomas up on the front looked at Ellie and his eyes locked onto Ellie...

There was a moment...

He saw a woman who was beautiful, fierce and strong... her chin was held high and she was not going to be beaten down by what has transpiring...She saw this huge powerful man holding her attention... and couldn't breathe... yes, his gaze held her... but also she felt she had just been humiliated and turned to get away.

Now here she was covered in dirt, struggling to find her footing, with Thomas standing there looking at her. Words were spoken and none of them to Ellie's liking. She got out of the ditch, complained the buggy was new and shouldn't have tipped... Thomas snorted and said maybe if she had driven it like a lady, it wouldn't have been in the ditch...

Huffing and pulling her skirts up, Ellie stomped down the road to the ranch.

Ellie checked in with her father and told him of her time on the road... about the Irish Brut and how he was no gentleman. Her father mentioned he had someone coming to pick up some of the sheep he was divesting...Ellie looked at her father and said...NO... It can't be him...

Well, it was and in the private conversation between the Father and Thomas, Ellie and the Ranch was offered to him. Thomas told the father he had no interest in marrying for his success and wealth...which only impressed the father more. The father asked for Thomas to at least think on it.

Thomas was someone who carried his pain with him...He wanted to work hard, make a life and just live... But his attraction to Ellie was not going to let him do that ... he became involved and when she realized she needed Thomas to marry her... he decided to go along with the idea.

This is a tale about two headstrong people and a sign of the times...Ellie loved her father- what he had accomplished and wanted to honor his reputation and memory. She thought by running the ranch exactly as it had been after he passed... it would be the way. But there were more factors which would not let that happen... and Ellie had a very difficult time dealing with them.

These two have a very rocky start... Ellie was a bit "highhanded"... but once she realized her feelings for Thomas became clear...she became more likeable...and warmer...
Thomas was a man I would have liked to meet...and he handed everything convincingly for me. The tale kept my interest and I wanted them to get their HEA. Jane Porter took me back in time and gave me a perspective of how hard it was to be a woman during these times.

A gifted copy was provided by Tule Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review.

This is the second book in the Paradise Valley Ranch series published by Tule Publishing. The book is a historical novella that gives the back story to the popular contemporary Sheenan Brothers series also published Tule.

Ms. Porter writes a lovely story but this is really a novella and the characters could have used a little bit more depth.

I did enjoy this novella despite the short length. It was a chance to see the early days of Marietta and enjoy a trip back in time.

A sweet historical western set in Marietta, Montana.
Ellie Burnett needs a husband to help her keep the ranch that she and her father live on. Archibald Burnett is dying, and wants her to leave it, knowing that life would be hard without a husband for her.
Thomas Sheenan isn’t looking for a wife but is attracted to her from the moment he first saw her and is reluctantly convinced to wed her to help her keep it.
Archibald's death, her deep depression caused by it, misunderstandings and the inner conflict of their feelings stirs things up until their confrontation forces out the feelings they both tried to hide.
I loved it. I requested and received a NetGalley copy to peruse.

Married in Montana by Jane Porter
A Paradise Valley Ranch Romance #2

Ellie Barnett’s father is dying and there is impetus for her to marry before he is gone. She is in her early 20’s, spoiled, headstrong and a daddy’s girl. She wants to run the ranch and is looking for a yes-ma’am husband. The man her father indicates is big, strong, handsome, Irish, not interested in marriage or feelings AND everything that Ellie has said she doesn’t want in a husband. An inconvenient marriage of convenience is begun but then Ellie goes into a funk for several months starting the day after her father dies. Thomas, having suffered much family loss, is sympathetic…for longer than I would have been before he makes moves to get Ellie back into the land of the living. Ellie made me think of a light that burned bright, was switched off, sputtered a bit when it was flicked on due to incompletely being screwed in place then managed to be properly seated and burst back on again. I had moments half way through the book that I thought about giving up on Ellie because she was wimping out and had wanted a husband to run the ranch then didn’t BUT in the end the story came right. I kind of wondered how Thomas managed to be as tolerant as he was for those months Ellie’s light was off but…again…all’s well that ends well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tule Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

2-3 Stars

Jane Porter has authored another engaging read with Married In Montana, the second book from her Paradise Valley Ranch series. This is a historical romance, a genre that I typically do not select. However, anything written by Ms. Porter is an automatic request for me. This book kept my attention with its engrossing plot, interesting characters and emotional circumstances. Although the pace was a little slow, I read it from cover to cover in less than a day. The book cover is lovely.

Ellie Burnett grew up on a ranch with a loving father that showered her with confidence, independence and determination. Sadly, her father is dying, and she needs a husband in order to hold onto the land that has been in her family for generations. Desperate, she proposes a marriage of convenience to Irishman Thomas Sheenan, a very attractive and self-assured newcomer to the town of Marietta.

Since losing his entire family to illness before emigrating to the United States, Thomas has no desire to form any emotional attachments or to take care of anyone. Marriage is not even on his radar, however, he likes Ellie's spunky attitude and her beauty. So he agrees to marry her and is very hopeful that she will one day be a dutiful wife. Ellie and Thomas are two peas in a pod and overtime they fall in love.

The eventual chemistry between Ellie and Thomas is very seductive. Thomas is a true alpha both in and out of the bedroom, and Ellie turns into mush with each and every caress, kiss and embrace. She slowly lets down her guard and allows Thomas to take care of her and love her. Overall, this is a well-written historical romance that can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

The Paradise Valley Ranch Series continues with this second novel which shows Porter’s ability to create interesting historical fiction with a romantic flair.

Ellie and Thomas will capture your heart as you follow their journey back during a time when a woman pretty much needed a man in order to survive. The chemistry between them was palpable and I did like that Porter gave her main female character a backbone so she didn’t play into the weak willed stereotype. The author also added in some real heartfelt writing by examining Ellie’s grief through the death of her father and I liked that she didn’t go with the insta-love trope but instead allowed their relationship to progress very naturally.
It’s just such a sweet story that tugs at the heartstrings; it will make you smile and cry at the same time.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tule Publishing for allowing me to review this book.

a good solid plot gives this romance an added boost. Excellent writing.

really liked this book

Married in Montana by Jane Porter
Like the time period of this book and the simple things that are treasured as they all done by machines today.
Starts out with Johanna's shop and she's so busy sewing for the Easter holiday. Her best friend, Elle visits and she tells her of her ailing father's condition, he won't last much longer. Elle had met Thomas, the night of the engagement reception when Sinclair breaks the engagement to become engaged to another. Thomas was the fireman that watched it all happen.
Thomas approaches her father and they have an agreement.
Her father wants to see her married by the time his life is ended. He's raised her his whole life. She approaches Thomas and asks him if he will accept her proposal. She really just wants a male figure to do the work on the farm while she is the one managing it, along with protecting her inheritance, along with time to get to know one another, perhaps up to a year. That's not quite the way he hears her though...
What I like about this is not only doing things by hand but all the things I learned along the way, detailed descriptions of the town architecture and other events that have occurred prior.
They do get married, living in separate rooms in the house on the farm. Story also brings us up to date with Thomas and how and where he was raised.
It's a wonder how things will work out as they are both bull headed, strong set in their own ways. He takes over the managing as she grieves. Love how he takes charge, love the things he does to wake her up.....her hair gets between them....
Steamy sex scenes. Great epilogue!
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest review.

Second in Jane Porter's western historical Paradise Valley Ranch series, Married In Montana is the story of Ellie Sheenan, a feisty redhead with plenty of spirit and no intention to buckle under a man's will. Ellie has so much personality she fairly leaps off the page. I loved her! Mind you, Thomas Sheenan is her perfect match. Despite the strong attraction these two so clearly have for each other neither enters into their marriage enthusiastically. With the death of Ellie's father they are both confronted with challenges and I thoroughly enjoyed them overcoming one thing after another on the way to their happy ever after. This has been another great read from a talented author.

Jane Porter is an author that I count on to deliver an interesting storyline with likeable characters. She has done it again with Married in Montana, book two of the Paradise Valley Ranch Series. It is a story easy to lose yourself in while reading.

I enjoy reading of a good, strong immigrant Irishman paired with an equally strong though in this case grieving woman. I liked how the characters worked through their problems falling in love in the process. It is a character driven story, making Married in Montana an excellent read.

If you have enjoyed any of the Contemporary Romance stories or series set in the small town of Marietta, Montana then you will love this Historical Romance series that looks back to the founding days of the small town we love so much. It’s a fun, and touching experience to recognize so many family names from these stories knowing their modern day relatives as we do now.

Married In Montana gives us a look back to the beginning of the Sheenan family. And the apple didn’t fall far from the tree as Ellie and Thomas’ great-great-(however many greats) – grandchildren have inherited that totally stubborn, bull-headed, prideful gene that runs strong in their ancestors.

Ellie had to marry. She’s aware that her father must see her married before his death – it didn’t matter if it was happily or stupidly in love, simply married. Because of her wealth, or her family’s wealth, there was no shortage of men who would happily take on the stubborn, bull-headed Ellie. None of them would do. Ellie intended to run the ranch, not be some doe eyed wife who stayed in the kitchen – no it was her ranch and she’d be the boss of it. There is one man who fits the type of man Ellie feels she could at least get along with for a lifetime. One man who has no interest in her, or the wealth that the other suitors never try to hide. In a marriage of convenience both parties should get at least part of what they need from the deal. And Ellie has an offer to make to Thomas that he should find difficult to turn down. She never expected to fall in love with her husband.

Thomas had left his homeland to strike out on his own, to make his future with his own hands. Life wasn’t easy in this small settlement, but he’d work hard for what he saw as his future. His plans didn’t include a wife, especially not Ellie who he wasn’t even certain he could stand for more than moments at a time. Yet she made an offer that enticed him. A marriage of convenience might not be a bad way to make his claim to something solid in this new world. He never counted on the woman she became after her father died. He hadn’t expected to care one way or the other if she never left her rooms to face the human race again. He definitely hadn’t expected the sparks that shot off of them, or the beginnings of thoughts for a future that was far more than she’d offered him. He hadn’t expected to love his wife.

Two strong, stubborn, mule-headed people are about to found a dynasty of sorts. First they have to admit that it’s not convenience that binds them and give love a chance to grow in big sky country.

Married In Montana has just about everything I look for in a romance. People who capture my imagination, situations that are tense yet believable, secondary characters that add to the story – and that indescribable something that sparks the belief that this is a couple who will make it against all odds. Thomas and Ellie might not have fallen love the usual way, but their emotions are strong, solid and fit their personalities. By the ending of their story I had no doubts that this was a love match that would endure. And that is what makes a good romance – I can believe in the couple’s reality.

If you love Marietta, Montana stories then going back to how it all began is a treat that shouldn’t be missed. I’d highly recommend this story, and the entire series to any Romance reader no matter your preferred genre.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

What an emotional read! I laughed, I cried. I really enjoyed Thomas and Ellie. She was a bit spoiled, but I can understand her reaction to her father's death. Thomas, despite his protests to the contrary, was the perfect person for Ellie. Their relationship had instant sparks, despite both seeming to instantly dislike each other
After reading so many books about Marietta in the present, this is the second set in its beginnings, and it was so interesting to see more of Marietta and it's surrounding areas in the early days.
Jane Porter delivers another book that I just couldn't put down.

I enjoyed this book and did seem the resemblance to the movie The Proposal. It was interesting setting for the story that I haven't read many book there as of yet. I found the characters to be very basic book characters. Brooding, large man who doesn't want to fall in love with strong willed female who can take care of her self. It was a fast read and I finished in one sitting.

A beautifully written marriage of convenience story.

If you have read any of Montana Born Books' Marietta based books, you will recognize the name Sheenan. This is the story of the first Sheenan to move to Montana in 1890.

Ellie Burnett's father was going to pass away soon and she needed a husband to help take care of their ranch. By marrying Thomas Sheenan, she could keep the ranch, in return Thomas would also get what he wants, wealth.

Thomas didn't want a relationship. He didn't want to be married or have a family. When he left Ireland to start a new life, it didn't include settling down. Ellie found Thomas to be attractive, but very stubborn and controlling. But through their ups and downs, they found a way to fall in love.

I really enjoyed learning more about Marietta in the early days and found Ellie and Thomas's story to be enjoyable. I liked how they were both stubborn and set in their ways, but when it came down to it, they were there for each other, especially when Thomas was trying to pull Ellie out of mourning for her father and back to enjoying life again.

I wanted to like this book but the heroine was just so unlikeable and immature. In the first half of the book, Ellie Burnett needs to find a man to marry before her father dies so she can keep the family ranch. It’s not really clear if her father is insisting she marry or he’ll change his will or what will happen. A woman in the late 19th century could have inherited a Montana ranch. There is no mention of a will or her dad changing his will. It seems he would rather leave her the money instead of the ranch but it’s not clear what would have happened to the ranch if she didn’t get married in time. It was a very weakly developed plotline.

So she ends up marrying Thomas Sheenan, an Irish immigrant whose whole family has died and who just wants to work hard without any emotional connection. They get married so she can keep the ranch. He is uncomfortable with suddenly inheriting all this money because he would rather earn it himself but he buckles down to deserve this new responsibility.

But Ellie, who is portrayed as this very strong young woman who was brought up to be able to run the ranch and was willing to marry any guy just to keep it then falls apart into a deep, deep depression after her father dies. Finally, Thomas works to bring her out of her deep funk and she just whines about everything. So this woman who so wanted to run the ranch herself goes three months not giving a flip about the ranch, her horse, her new marriage, anything. And she’s mad at Thomas for wanting more from his bride than a whining brat who throws tantrums every few pages.

This could have been so much better if Ellie had turned out to be as strong as she was originally portrayed as being instead of this immature ditz.

I was given a free ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.