(Outlaw Mail Order Brides #2)
Linda Broday
Western Historical Romance
Published in 2019
H/h - Jack Bowdre/Nora Kane
Setting: Texas, 1880.
Read in February-March, 2020.
My rating:
[spoiler alert]
Saving The Mail Order Bride is the book 2 of Linda Broday’s ongoing western historical romance series, Outlaw Mail Order Brides. I’ve been enjoying this series so far, as I have some of her previously published series. Her easy, to-the-point storytelling has always managed to hook me into a story even before I knew it was happening. This new installment was no different.
The Outlaw Mail Order Brides series is connected to the author’s previous series, Men of Legend. It’s not mandatory to read that series. However, I believe you’d enjoy this new series even more if you read it as the main characters were introduced in Men of Legend either as secondary characters or made a brief appearances. Former outlaw Luke Weston Legend, one of the sons of the well-known rancher Stoker Legend, had been instrumental in making these characters known to us; whom he met while living the life of an outlaw. These men were outlaws just like him, though they wanted to leave that life for good. Motivated by that need, former outlaw—who also worked in Stoker’s ranch for a short time— Clay Colby, alongside a few of his former outlaw buddies, has been trying to build a town. Something to call their own where they can finally settle down and call it a home. But easier said than done. Interested females are hard to come by and Clay and his comrades have been having a difficult time trying to make Devil’s Crossing a habitable place. Located in Texas Panhandle, not only the place was middle of pretty much nowhere, it was a rough terrain still. Though the place was hidden enough with canyons around it, which would make it safer from unwanted snooping, it was also a far cry from the town that Clay wanted to make. This series is mainly based in and around Devil’s Crossing, which has now been renamed as Hope’s Crossing as we find at the end of book 1.
Book 1, The Outlaw’s Mail Order Bride was also Clay’s own story. When we met him, he was either toiling away or fighting an outlaw or two to make certain he can build the town of his dreams. He was also hoping to find a bride to suit his needs; someone who would be tough enough to work beside him as he built their home, while also warm and soft enough to give him the solace he needed at the end of the day. Unfortunately, his previous attempts at wooing women had all been in vain. Women didn’t like former outlaws. Not as husbands it’d seem. Clay had almost given up on finding a bride when Tally Shannon arrives in his life. Tally was one of the women Luke was helping to settle down (I was amused to find he was the one who founded this underground mail order bride thingy for his outlaw buddies but the whole story of how he came to know Tally can be found in the Men of Legend series).
Tally had a difficult past and had lived a life hiding away with some other women who were also the escapee of a place called Creedmore. It was a place made out of nightmares; where unwanted people were dumped and largely forgotten. Clay didn’t know any of that but he trusted Luke enough to take a chance of Tally and had been communicating with her through letters. Besides he had very little choice. Luckily, he found himself quite smitten with Tally the first time he set his eyes on her. Of course things didn’t just smoothly rolled into a happily ever after for these two. Tally, who had difficult time trusting men—and for very good reason—had to take a leap of faith she didn’t feel like taking. Again, she also trusted Luke enough to take a chance of Clay. And that was the best thing that happened to them both in a long while. Yet when her past returns to haunt her, Clay would prove to her that he’s much more than just another man. Someone who’d always be there to love, protect and cherish her.
Jack Bowdre, one of the comrades of Clay, was also very briefly featured in Men of Legend. I didn’t really know much about him until I begin reading his story in book 2. In book 1, we found that he’s been waiting for his future bride, who was another Creedmore escapee and introduced to him by Luke. Sadly, things didn’t go well with that girl when she decides to go to a nunnery instead of considering a marriage... and with good reason. If you read book 1, you’ll get hints of what they suffered at the hands of the men there. :( It felt that she needed the space and time to heal—if that was even a possibility—and marriage was the furthest thing from her mind even if it looked to be the only way out for a better life at that point. She simply couldn’t commit, but it was nothing to do with Jack per say. Just wanna note here that I’m really interested in her story and want to see her settle down with a good man, as long as she feels like she can do it.
But this development though made a negative impression on Jack’s psyche. He already had a heartbreaking past, where he lost a wife and a child. He loved them both and thought he was set for life. And yet, here he was, a wanted outlaw who has no idea where he lost that life along the way. Even though Clay found amnesty with Luke’s youngest brother Sam’s help (Sam is a Texas Ranger), Jack and some others hoping for it haven’t yet received it. Jack wasn’t even sure if he will have amnesty. So, for now, the ‘wanted’ tag was on him even when he was living with Clay and his friends, hoping to settle down. Then one thing led to another, and he found himself being arrested by a Marshall when he rode out of Devil’s Crossing for an errand. It surely would’ve been one of the worst things to happen to him, had it not been the presence of Nora Kane; the pretty lady who was also accompanying him and the smelly Marshall in the same coach as he was being transferred to jail. Jack couldn’t help but found it funny the way that petite woman tried to keep herself apart from him yet due to the jostling of the coach, she was finding it hard to do so. It was also certain from her looks that she found him... attractive? Whatever it was, it suited Jack just fine. If he can’t have a special lady in his life, he’ll take whatever fun he can have. After all, this very well might be his last fun if he’s delivered to the judge. They’d hang him sooner, rather than later.
But of course, fate had other plans and they end up having an accident when the coach hit a rut and toppled over. It leaves the Marshall and the coachman dead. It also leaves Jack with the pretty lady and a whole lot of unknown in front of them as they are now stranded in the middle of nowhere. Mainly a rough terrain that has every sort of barrier one can think of. How can Jack help himself, as well as the woman who is now beginning to aggravate him by cuffing herself to him and throwing the key away? Like what in the world woman??! Jack has weathered terrains like this in the past so he knows what he’s up against as long as he’s on his own. He needs to get as far away as possible because, despite being many miles away from any locality, the path is often used by coaches and other horse riders so it’s not an obscure area. Someone is bound to find their coach, and himself if he’s here doing nothing. He also knew that the sheriff had send message that they’re coming in with him (having a price tag on one’s head works like the charm!) so Jack has to go far away and as soon as possible. But how is he going to do it with Nora Kane on his toes, aggravating and inconveniencing him even more. -_- Not to mention, that was the time his body has decided that it wanted Miss Kane, despite the fact that they didn’t really know each-other. Or was it?
Jack had been corresponding with a new girl after his previous attempt to secure a bride had failed, which was news to me. LOL He knew that the girl, Lenora, had been scheduled to arrive any day now and here he was, once again. The sick feeling of failure twists his guts yet he has to make the best of it if he was to make it back alive.
I couldn’t imagine how these two fare the next few days with barely any food, scarce water and the hot, humid weather and always together! It was just crazy!! They also had to dodge the law enforcement coming to look for him and other stragglers, as he made his way back to Devil’s Crossing, all the while doubting they’d make it back. He was hoping to God that Clay and their friends are on their way, looking for him, for the news of their coach and his absence should be all over Texas by now. Also, living in such close proximity, introduced new intimacy with the pretty lady he was stuck with. By now Jack couldn’t say he was half as unhappy as he was when she cuffed herself to him. Apparently he actually liked being cuffed to her. ;) I think they also find out around the same time that Nora was the girl he’s been corresponding with, so their intimacy went to a new level from there, having the understanding that they’d marry as soon as they’re out of this mess.
On the other hand, Nora was in a big dilemma about what to do. Jack had no idea that she’s been hiding a terrible secret of hers too, even though they were hoping to begin a new life. That she also had men looking for her with the intention of killing her. We gradually get to know her background from her monologues, which was a little vague for my liking. I wasn’t sure how she saved her virginity, being as attractive was she as according to Jack, with the men she’d lived with from a young age and escaped from. That was one thing I had trouble believing. It would’ve helped if she told Jack of her troubles before the trouble found them but that didn’t happen. There were many instances, as they are thrust upon one dangerous situation after another, rescuing two orphans along the way, I was quite scared for them. I was on the edge every time they had to confront a killer set upon them by the a$$hole Nora ran away from.
When Clay and Tally do come and find Jack, I heaved a sigh of relief. Knowing the terrain like the back of their hands helped on their mission no doubt. They knew or guessed where he could be and followed trail as best as possible. When they finally are saved, and arrive at Devil’s Crossing, Nora was full of guilt because she and Jack had separated to save themselves from an attack. Clay was also gone to cover his back so she returned with Tally and the children they rescued and had already adopted as their own. But when, finally, Jack made it back with Clay after a very suspenseful event, she heaves a sigh of relief too.
But it wasn’t a relief after all. Nora’s enemies were still looking for her and needed to be taken care of. That man she escaped from was quite wealthy and Jack knew they’d have to have a strong plan and tread lightly if they were to take this ‘snake’ down. And even after all said and done, Jack was still in need of amnesty now that he and Nora were inseparable and going to marry as soon as possible. What will they do? Will these two lovebirds find a way to be together forever or the fate would be cruel enough to separate them again and again?
I did love the last few chapters. They were, as usual, full of suspense and thrilling moments. With Linda Broday’s books, you just never know what’s gonna happen next. You may think you know where the story is going, there’d still be something to catch you unawares. I especially love it when there are moments I just don’t know if the protagonists would make it or not! And that’s how well the story is woven, with danger dogging their every step.
Personally, going to pick up the next book in the series soon. 4 solid stars. All in all, recommended.
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