Gentlemen don’t court feisty straight shooters like JoBeth McCoy. Just as she’s resigned to a lifetime alone, a misunderstanding forces the spunky telegraph operator into a marriage of convenience. Wedding the town’s handsome new marshal offers JoBeth a chance at motherhood, caring for the orphaned little girl she’s come to love.

Garrett Cain will lose guardianship of his niece, Cora, if he stays single, but he knows no woman could accept the secrets he’s hidden about his past. The lawman can’t jeopardize Cora’s future by admitting the truth. Yet when unexpected danger in the small town threatens to expose Garrett’s long-buried secret, only a leap of faith can turn a makeshift union into a real family.

I really enjoyed The Marshall’s Ready-Made Family.  Usually my historical romances are all about the British lords and ladies so it was a nice change to move to the Old West.  Being a part of the Love Inspired line, it delivers the expected heart-tugging warmth their books are known for.

Jo is wonderfully unsure of herself – she’s not the typical girly girl (well, as girly as you get in small town Kansas).  I’d actually think that she’d be more attractive because she can take on a lot and life would have been hard, but I think she’s intimidating instead.  Garrett is a guy’s guy, as to be expected from a lawman in the West.  He’s a straight-shooter and doesn’t take a lot of nonsense.  But he’s also carrying a heavy burden and now is taking on the role of father for his orphaned niece.  The little girl is sweet and charming as only a moppet of a child can be and she instantly steals Garrett’s heart (and Jo’s too).

These two have a lot to work through before they can make a true family for Cora.  I think it is a little unfortunate that they do that work alone, instead of together, but their journey to peace is an interesting one.  For those who like a historical western, I think this one is a winner.  It’s an interesting take – with a woman that doesn’t fit in even in her rough world and a man who is carrying a whole load of weight on his shoulders.