Book Review: The Vigilante's Bride by Yvonne Harris

Excerpt: The director sighed. "Be sensible, Emily. There's little a woman - a decent woman - can do here without a husband. Be a good wife to him, and I expect you'll be happy. He's provided the best of accommodations for you - even a ticket on the new Pullman car, not the coach."

With three quick steps she was around the desk. Smiling, she threw her arms around Emily and hugged her tight. "It's a blessing, dear. The Lord is giving you a chance to have a home and family of your own." The Vigilante's Bride, pg 10.

Back Cover: Robbing a stagecoach on Christmas Eve and abducting a woman passenger is the last thing Luke Sullivan expected to do. He just wanted to reclaim the money stolen from his pa, but instead ends up rescuing a feisty copper-haired woman who was on her way to marry Sullivan's dangerous enemy.

Emily McCarthy doesn't take kindly to her so-called rescue. Still, she's hoping Providence will turn her situation for good, especially when it seems Luke Sullivan may just be the man of her dreams. But Luke has crossed a vicious man, a powerful rancher not used to losing, and Emily is the prize he's unwilling to sacrifice.

My Review: The Vigilante's Bride is a typical western romance. The men are rough and tough, fast draws and great cow hands. The leading lady is young and naive, but with a big load of pluck. Of course, the circumstances forcing Emily west are very interesting. I don't think that I could be a mail order bride, even through I fantasized about it as a child. I have great respect for women who traveled West to marry men they had never met. It was a risky, and exciting venture. I'm just not sure that I would have had what it takes to make it.

I enjoyed the complexity of these characters. They had a past, which helped form them into what they had become. Their past played a part in the way they responded to certain things, like Luke's fear of going into Indian territory. The dialogue and interaction between Emily and Luke is enjoyable, and makes the book so much fun to read.

My Rating: 

My Recommendation: I recommend this to readers who enjoy romances set in the Old West. This story is full of Indians, Cowboys, Good guys and Bad with lots of lead flying through the air.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)