If you like a good historical western romance then you will enjoy this book.This is the fourth book in the series and while it is not my favorite in the series it is still a super read really well written and a very believable romance.It has something for everyone plenty of action and danger but also has tons of romance it's kinda a enemies to lovers romance

This is a gritty, heartwarming, tell it like it is book that truly captures life in the wild west. It is definitely a must have for those who enjoy historical western romances.. The characters are brilliantly written and the story line is absolutely enthralling. Prepare yourself for a roller coaster ride as this wonderful book takes you through every emotion with a vivacity that will steal your breath away. I received this ARC via NetGalley and I voluntarily write the review for this book. All opinions are honest and only my own. Regards: Anna

A story with powerful chemistry between two characters who are needed by each other to obtain one goal. There’s twists and turns that lead you to where you least expect...throw in conflict, choices having made lead to danger and you’ve got a wonderful story that will entertain and leaves a HEA that’s so very satisfying.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

It’s easy and entertaining to put a pretty and sweet spin on history, leaving out the truly ugly, hateful parts. That is not what you’ll find in Anna Schmidt’s series Where The Trail Ends and certainly Last Chance Cowboys: The Rancher is a hard slice of reality in the American West By the time we come to Trey Poterfield’s story the West may have been tamed a bit, but it is as dangerous as ever, if not more so now.

Trey may have been considered the dreamer in his family, but his strength, intelligence and personality truly shine in this story. The land that he loves, the community he is part of is being torn apart by prejudice, hate and simple greed. He refuses to stand on the side and do nothing. He has a solution, one that may or may not be logical, but his instincts tell him that teaming up with Nell is the best solution for them both. Did he expect to eventually fall in love with this spunky woman? Not really, but time, circumstances and growing emotions will change that.

As I’m thinking back on Nell the phrase ‘true grit’ comes to mind. She is faced with unimaginable hardship and loss, she stands her ground in spite of what is happening around her. At a time when women had a place in society Nell stands out as a strong, determined woman. She’s not without fears, but she faces those fears and still stands strong. I really liked and admired Nell, for me she very much made this story what it is.

I read and enjoy all types of Historical Romance. A story like Last Chance Cowboys: The Rancher really gives me a sense of being there with all the good parts, the truly ugly realities and the courage of those who stood their ground and made their lives in unimaginable (for me, now) conditions, circumstances and danger. If you’re looking for a story with the true grit of the old West, seeing the difficulties and the rewards of those pioneers who paved the way come to life, then this story and the entire series are books you should be picking up to devour. I loved this series, enjoyed my time in this world and was completely entertained throughout with vivid descriptions, realistic characters and a better sense of what my forefathers faced as they headed into the dangers of the West. I would not hesitate to recommend this story to any Western Historical Romance or Historical Romance reader. You’ll be captivated.

*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.*

If you like your fiction full of history and richness, then you’ll love this book. The author weaves a story opposing forces, i.e. cattlemen vs herders, through the eyes of Trey and Nell. Full of suspense and treachery, it leaves the reader breathless wondering how this turmoil could possibly be reconciled by the end of the book.

Anna Schmidt’s The Last Chance Cowboys: The Rancher is an accurate depiction of the American West in the late 1890’s and made a great story for the last in the series. Both cattle ranchers and sheep herders are having a hard time coexisting in the Arizona Territory and the tension is sky high for the everyone trying to make a living there. The youngest Porterfield, Trey, is now running the ranch and is trying to find a way to alleviate this tension and hopes an ally can help. Nell Stokes runs the bordering ranch and is struggling to keep her sheep ranch running after her husband was murdered. Can she keep things going without her half-brother’s help? Who else can she turn to for help?

Nell Stokes made this story for me because of her strength and resiliency to persevere through these tough times. She didn’t cower but held her ground not only with her family but with the cattle ranchers. It is a tough time to be a woman when she doesn’t have many rights, but the ones that she does have she holds on tight and fights for them. Her attraction and eventual marriage with Trey just shows me that she wants what’s best for her and her son Joshua.

Anna Schmidt has written a story describing the ruggedness of the American West while a romance blossoms between two engaging and complex characters. Trey Porterfield has many layers to him which make the man more compelling and engaging to the reader. He may have been known as a dreamer but it is his larger picture outlook that attracts Nell to him and hopes that he can build a future with her by his side. Along with the Porterfield’s are several other families that impact one another, and in some case, bigotry plays a big part in their behavior. I thought she paced the story well especially when it came to forgiveness and not letting another life go to waste when something good can come out of all this ugliness. The trial scene was very powerful and well written.

I have thoroughly enjoyed these stories especially The Rancher because it was rich with description, conflict and resolution. To see the West through the Porterfield family has been an adventure. To see a slice of history and watch a family grow and lead fulfilling and loving lives has been an enlightening experience.

This is historical romance at its best! Gritty, real, heartwarming and passionate this journey will take you through every human emotion in the space of one story.

Trey and Nell are the perfect had to marry for the good of the land and town but found so much more than what they where looking for couple. So many things going on in the story, lines are crossed, friendships lost, hard choices made, lives changed forever and new stronger bounds formed. I highly enjoyed this exciting and thrilling romantic journey.

Book Info
Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
Expected publication: March 6th 2018 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 1492613053 (ISBN13: 9781492613053)
Edition Language English
Series Where the Trail Ends #4
Other Editions (1)
Source:Netgalley EARC

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BOOK BLURB


"You can't be sure we're doing the right thing," she said.
He drew closer to the barbed wire separating them. "It's impossible to know what's right. But it doesn't stop me from wanting you."

The world is changing, and the West isn't as wild as it used to be. Trey Porterfield welcomes a new era of law and order―and the influx of settlers coming to the Arizona territory. But not everyone is willing to see the old ways change, and as the cattlemen and the herders take sides, a full-blown range war may be inevitable. There's only one way Trey can see to bring peace to his feuding neighbors.

Marry the enemy.

Nell Stokes is a young widow fighting just to stay alive. In Trey, she sees a chance to heal old wounds and start over. Love was never in the cards, yet as Trey and Nell fight to unite the feuding land, they'll discover a passion neither could have expected...and a danger far greater than either has ever known.

My Thoughts


This story was set in the latter part of the 1800's, right near the end of The Old West era but not quite yet there for those in the part of Arizona territory that Porterfield, Stokes, Galway's, Collins and Mendez families called home.

There is an allure to this particular era that has always called to me, growing up the westerns that enjoyed with my father frequently took place in the 1800's and to this day evoke fond memories of both the characters and the stories settings.

I found that in this story as well, though to be sure the setting is not as rough and tumble as those earlier reads it is still quite rustic as the characters must work hard to accomplish things that are very simply taken care of in todays world.

While Trey Porterfield has always been a cautious man his logic gets thrown out the proverbial window the first time he really sets his eyes on the Widow Stokes. Nell is not only younger than he had always though but she is beautiful to boot.

Trey however is a cattle rancher and Nell and her entire family are sheep herders. The two factions are not friendly with each other at all, as a matter of fact they are actually on the verge of all out war with one another.

Trying to prevent such a catastrophe Trey convinces Nell to marry him which of course starts a chain of events that neither one wanted.

Easy to read and hard to put down I loved the romance and especially the way tragedy turned to triumph in the end.

[EArc from Netgalley]


On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

Nell Stokes is a widow, just trying to protect her young son and their property. When her half-brother tries to intervene and take over the ranch, she has to decide what's best for her family. Her choices are to sign over the farm, marry a man that's already crossed her personal boundaries, or accept the marriage proposal of the enemy.
Trey Porterfield feels an instant attraction when he first meets Nell, and after witnessing the harassment she endures, all he wants is to provide a safe environment for her and her son. Hoping to quell the disagreements between the cattlemen and herders, Nell's choice ends up causing a larger war than anyone could've imagined.
This was a wonderful story filled with adventure, danger and romance. The author does a great job of keeping you on your toes. The chemistry between the characters is off the charts, and the twists will have you captivated with each page.

The book is interesting, a good mix of history and romance however I felt a little out of loop as it's an instalment of a series, nevertheless, I enjoyed it all the same! It didn't take me long to read but that's not a bad thing, just wish I could have read the earlier books too!

Great story. Great characters. I was totally immersed into Nell and Trey story and the hardship over the land. I will come back for more books from Anna Schimdt.
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review that is all my own.

“The Rancher” is the fourth installment in Anna Schmidt’s in her Last Chance Cowboys series, and she does not disappoint the reader. Trey Porterfield is the youngest of his siblings and has often been described as a dreamer who thinks there is good in everyone, and when a range war with sheepherders begins to destroy the way of life for the people in his community, Trey knows that he must find a peaceful solution for everyone. Nell Stokes comes from a family of sheepherders, and when her husband and several herders are killed in cold blood she struggles to maintain her flock while caring for her young son. Trey makes the decision to make contact with Nell and he likes her on sight and together they decide to work together to try to instill a compromise between the herders and the cattle ranchers as well as creating a love that will withstand the test of time. I was given an advanced copy of this book, and all of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

More like this, please. This is my kind of book. Real western history combined with romance and fiction. Was a fast read for me, but I read fast especially when the book is this good. The message of this book is getting along with others that come from different ways of life and learning to find good in all. The story was so good, mad it hard to put down, so I read it in a few hours......during trying to bake and buy for Christmas!! Will read more by this author for sure!! Thank you.

Living in the West I understood the anger between the ranchers and the herders and enjoyed a little known historical problem. Characters were fine, story was fine, nothing wrong, just wasn't a-must read-cant't-put-down.