Book Review: Cowboys and Calico Anthology - Kirsten Osbourne, Amelia C Adams, Cassie Hayes, Kristin
Synopsis:
Five bestselling Western romance authors come together to bring you one collection of all-new stories that will sweep you off your feet! MAIL ORDER MIDWIFE by Kirsten Osbourne - Widowed midwife Patsy Lawrence spent too much time working and not enough with her young daughter. She knew Emily's childhood would be over before she realized it, so she responded to an ad for a mail-order bride, hoping for a better future for them both. Dr. Wesley Hardy needed a wife to complete him, so he sent a letter to a mail-order bride agency back East. When he received a letter from a widow with a young daughter, he was thrilled with everything but her profession. Could he live with the fact that his new bride was a midwife? Or would they be destined to live without love for the rest of their days? A BROKEN WING by Amelia C. Adams - Bored beyond all reason while riding a train from Missouri to Colorado, Trinity Scott amuses herself by imagining things about the passengers around her, including the handsome man sitting across the aisle. With his dark curly hair and warm brown eyes, he’s certainly intriguing, and the fact that his arm is in a sling makes him all the more a curiosity. But when three dangerous men board the train, her desire for adventure and excitement takes a sinister turn, and she must call on her inner strength to do what’s needed to survive. THE MARSHAL’S REBELLIOUS BRIDE by Cassie Hayes - U.S. Marshal Curtis ‘Griff’ Griffith is on the trail of a wanted man. The last thing he needs is to be distracted by the newest resident of the Dalton Brothers Ranch. So why does he keep returning? It’s certainly not to see the beautiful-but-bullheaded Catherine James. Catherine has no interest in men or marriage, but there aren’t many choices for single ladies to earn a living on a remote Texas ranch. When she discovers that she holds the key to capturing the outlaw — and collecting some of the reward — she doesn’t hesitate to force Griff’s hand. Will they kill each other before they find the murderer, or will they risk their damaged hearts for a shot at a new life? COURTING MISS CARTWRIGHT by Kristin Holt - Courtship, by the book, is supposed to be easy… As the daughter of an unwed mother, Felicity Percival is accustomed to rejection. Her mother was her only family ... until she is summoned to the reading of her father's will. To learn he was a married preacher with a second daughter horrifies her. The stipulations attached to her inheritance infuriate her. The last thing she expects is the emergence of truths that destroy her life-long beliefs. The last thing she wants is to feel the blush of first love for a man she can't have. The road to Happily Ever After should not be rocky, especially for level-headed, rule-following Rocky Gideon. His courtship of the minister’s daughter is successful and on track, surviving everything life throws at them … except the appearance of the preacher’s other daughter. Felicity asks too many questions, forces him to evaluate his carefully constructed plan, and somehow steals his heart. Rocky desperately needs a solid marriage that will go the distance … so why does he yearn for the wrong sister? WANTED: THE PERFECT HUSBAND by Margery Scott - Sybil Franklin needs a husband—fast! In order to keep her ranch, she must be married within thirteen days. Devin McGregor meets all her requirements and comes highly recommended, but he has no interest in marriage. Devin McGregor had a ranch once, a fiancée, a future. He made a mistake, and it cost him everything. Now, even though he’d love to own his own land again, he’s afraid to risk failure. Sybil decides to post an advertisement for the perfect husband. As Devin tries to protect her from being taken advantage of, his feelings for her grow, but his fear of failing her won’t let him accept her proposal. Both Sybil and Devin have choices, but making the right choice means they could both lose everything.
My Rating: ★★★★★
My Thoughts:
Most collections you read have one or two good books in it and the rest are just okay. That is not the case with this collection. Every single book in it was great! They were all well written and kept your attention from beginning to end. I found several new authors that I will definitely seek out to read more from them.
A Broken Wing by Amelia C Adams
This was such a sweet romance. I liked how their love was a slow buildup not instant like most novellas. I like how the story found their happily ever after and went on to put an ending to the surgery and having the dad’s acceptance. I didn’t feel that I was missing something when I finished the book.
The Marshal’s Rebellious Bride by Cassie Hayes
Loved this story! The story starts with the main characters being on opposite sides and not looking “for” each other. It shows that you can’t always judge someone by first impression that you need to get to know the first person. However, getting to know each other led them to a happy ending. I enjoyed the banter back and forth and how in the most desperate times that their love was finally brought out into the open. It was done splendidly and make the whole scene seem real.
Courting Miss Cartwright by Kristin Holt
I liked how this story is not your typical story. To spin a story where two people are against each other and come together for the best of the family is not always the easiest thing however K. Holt pulled it off splendidly. I couldn’t wait to finish the book to find out what happened with the two sisters.
Wanted the Perfect Husband by Margery Scott
Oh my goodness, what a story! I liked how even though Devin didn’t want Sybil, he didn’t want anyone else to have her either. It shows that when you think you don’t have a chance at love and don’t think you deserve it; you never know what is in the other’s person’s heart. I liked how it wasn’t a quick fall in love and get together book. I thought it was all plotted well and made the story seem real. The only thing I was left wondering is why did the dad leave and stay married to Sybil’s mom.
Mail Order Midwife by Kirsten Osbourne
Sweet, sweet story! I enjoyed reading this story from beginning to end. It was not your traditional woman, which ended up causing some conflict, only to have them work things out and find their happy ending. I found it funny when the little girl was covered in mud and the Dr. Hardy didn’t know who it was. It made a typical child into an untypical child which I thought was great! Emily is sure to capture anyone’s heart.
Five books by five talented authors. If you like reading westerns, this is the box set for you. Well worth the read and money. You will not be disappointed in any of the books in this set.