The Rancher's Unexpected Bride

About the Book

Title: The Rancher's Unexpected Bride

Series: Second Chances in Harmony Springs, Book 1
Author: Lauralyn Keller
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: March 25, 2025

In the rugged Montana Territory, a Boston socialite’s bid for freedom collides with a rancher’s quest for a family.

According to Boston’s elite society, Ella Mountbatten has it all: status, prestige, and a bright future. What they don’t know is that her life as a socialite has become a gilded cage of abuse and oppression under the control of her cruel fiancé and domineering parents. Desperate to escape, Ella flees Boston and seeks refuge in the small town of Harmony Springs, Montana Territory, where her former friend now resides as the sheriff. But with her family determined to drag her back to Boston, Ella’s hard-won freedom—and her very life—hang precariously in the balance.

Rancher, Cody Brooks, is ill-equipped to be the guardian of three orphaned children. But that’s the situation he’s in after the death of his best friend. Now, what he needs is a wife to help provide love and stability to his makeshift family. So when a runaway heiress arrives in need of protection, it seems a marriage of convenience may be the answer to both their prayers.

But with danger closing in from Boston and the challenges of building a new life together, Cody and Ella must confront their deepest fears and desires. Can their marriage of convenience blossom into true love, or will the shadows of Ella’s past tear apart the fragile hope they’ve found in Harmony Springs?

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About the Author

Lauralyn Keller loves to combine history and romance in stories that touch the heart. She lives in beautiful Colorado and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and reading.

More from Lauralyn

Stories have a funny way of percolating in my mind. I’ll be driving or doing dishes or some other mundane activity, and all of a sudden, an idea pops into my head. What my mind does with it then determines the course of a story.

Here’s a peek at my thought process for The Rancher’s Unexpected Bride.

Marriage of convenience stories are fun—maybe I could write one. Oooh, and I love Montana. It should take place there. Historical, of course, since stepping back in time is also fun. Hmmm….who should the characters be? Maybe a socialite….or an heiress….where would someone like that be from? Philly? New York? Ooh, I know—Boston! Yeah, Boston. Let’s see, her name can be Ella, though that doesn’t sound terribly high society. Maybe Ariella, but she prefers being called Ella. And she wants to leave town because she feels that society life is suffocating her. Hmmm, that doesn’t quite seem like a strong enough reason. Oh! She comes from a stuffy family….with harsh parents….and an abusive fiance. That’s why she runs away. I can iron out the details later. Okay, so Ella runs from Boston to Montana. Now, who’s her love interest? A farmer might work, but why would they agree to a marriage of convenience? I suppose Ella could be a mail-order bride….hmmm, no, that might not work. She needs to leave in a hurry (the why to be determined later). Maybe the guy (let’s call him Cody—that’s a good name) is a widower raising young kids and needs a wife to help. Or….no, he took in the kids after their parents died. That’ll create an immediate need for a wife. Perfect! Actually, I think he should be a rancher instead.

And just like that, a story is born. Sometimes it comes to me in moments, other times in weeks. This story developed over a couple of years. I wrote one draft, decided it was too fluffy, and ended up giving it a complete rewrite. I’m very happy with how Ella and Cody’s story turned out. It’s a sweet, love-comes-softly romance, and I hope you enjoy it.

Devoted To Hope's Review of The Rancher's Unexpected Bride

The Rancher’s Unexpected Bride doesn’t tiptoe around hardship or sugarcoat faith. It rides straight into the thick of it—with boots on and prayers whispered through dust and tears.

From the first few pages, I was drawn in by the strength of the characters—not flashy or loud, but the kind of strength that’s forged in hard places. Real places. And through it all, the thread of Christian faith wasn’t decorative—it was essential. This is the kind of story where personal relationships with Jesus don’t sit quietly in the background; they drive the choices, anchor the hope, and steady the hands holding tight to truth.

There’s a moment that struck me deep—Ella thinking: “Whatever the future held, she needed to trust that God had it under control. Whatever that might look like.” That line isn’t just for the page. It’s the kind of reminder that shows up in real life—when nothing’s predictable and everything feels uncertain. That’s the tone this book carries—not just romantic tension or frontier challenges, but a daily faith walk that breathes off the page.

Cody’s life is ranch work, responsibility, and doing the best he can for the three children suddenly placed in his care. His world isn’t polished, but it’s steady. And when Ella steps into it, she brings more than relief—she brings a strength that’s been forged through pain. Their journey together isn’t rushed or tidy… and that’s exactly what makes it feel real.

One of my favorite moments? When Ella says: “Do what you can, and trust God with the rest.” That’s the heart of this book—doing what you can, and laying the rest at His feet.

And then there’s this: “God had taken her fear and turned it to joy.” What a testimony. What a turnaround. What a powerful picture of what the Lord can do with a life that refuses to be defined by fear.

The pacing? Seamless. The setting? Rich without ever distracting. The writing? Fresh, immersive, and emotionally grounded. There were moments I could smell the dust in the air and hear the creak of saddle leather. Others where I felt like I was standing right next to Ella, watching her grow into the freedom and peace she fought hard to find.

If you're after a story where faith is lived, where ranch life meets real-life mess, and where God’s goodness doesn’t wait for perfection—this one will bless you like it did me. These loveable characters are the kind of people you pray for, root for, and feel better for having known. Then it hits you—they’re fictional. :)

I received a digital ARC of this book from Celebrate Lit Publicity Group. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.