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Devereaux #2
The Wedding Promise
The way west for Rachel Sinclair led straight down the aisle and into the arms of a man she barely knew! But Cord McPherson had taken her and her brothers in when trouble struck along the trail. And Rachel believed in her heart that this marriage of convenience would grow into a bond more precious that gold.
An instant family wasn't something Cord McPherson had planned on acquiring, but the sight of Rachel protecting her brothers told him she was plenty strong enough to be his bride. And he was good and ready to make their promise to each other last a lifetime.
An instant family wasn't something Cord McPherson had planned on acquiring, but the sight of Rachel protecting her brothers told him she was plenty strong enough to be his bride. And he was good and ready to make their promise to each other last a lifetime.
298 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1998
29 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Davidson
68 books89 followersCarolyn Davidson began writing in 1986, knowing absolutely nothing about the craft. Her first three books were rejected by Harlequin.
She met Dixie Browning at a Harlequin dinner in Charleston, South Carolina, and told Dixie she was writing, but that she feared she was too old to begin such an undertaking. Dixie's response spurred Carolyn to pursue her dream. Dixie said, in her own inimitable fashion, "Well, honey, you can't start any younger!" And she was right.
Having spent her life as a wife, mother, grandmother, and working woman, she's privileged to have a career that makes her dreams possible. Writing historical romance gives her the opportunity to travel, to visit all those places where our forefathers staked their claim on this country of ours. And then she goes home and writes their stories, maybe not exactly as they lived them, but as her imagination portrays them.
Carolyn lives in the South, where romance thrives, and where the sun shines almost every day of the year. In fact, some days it is difficult to stay glued to her computer, especially when the birds are singing and the flowers are in full bloom.
She lives not far from the ocean, close to Charleston, South Carolina, one of the most romantic cities in the world. Moreover, time at the beach is easy to come by. Does she enjoy her life? You bet! Harlequin allows her to write the books she loves, and her editor is patient with her quirks and foibles. Her family, though scattered in various states, is supportive, and her husband is a constant source of inspiration.
She met Dixie Browning at a Harlequin dinner in Charleston, South Carolina, and told Dixie she was writing, but that she feared she was too old to begin such an undertaking. Dixie's response spurred Carolyn to pursue her dream. Dixie said, in her own inimitable fashion, "Well, honey, you can't start any younger!" And she was right.
Having spent her life as a wife, mother, grandmother, and working woman, she's privileged to have a career that makes her dreams possible. Writing historical romance gives her the opportunity to travel, to visit all those places where our forefathers staked their claim on this country of ours. And then she goes home and writes their stories, maybe not exactly as they lived them, but as her imagination portrays them.
Carolyn lives in the South, where romance thrives, and where the sun shines almost every day of the year. In fact, some days it is difficult to stay glued to her computer, especially when the birds are singing and the flowers are in full bloom.
She lives not far from the ocean, close to Charleston, South Carolina, one of the most romantic cities in the world. Moreover, time at the beach is easy to come by. Does she enjoy her life? You bet! Harlequin allows her to write the books she loves, and her editor is patient with her quirks and foibles. Her family, though scattered in various states, is supportive, and her husband is a constant source of inspiration.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 4, 2011
5 stars A quick read that ran the gamut of emotions. The h&h were likable. Rachel is young and naive, doesn’t realize the positive impact she is having on the household. Cord is arrogant, but I like that he wants her from the beginning. This author can set a scene in a few words, making it easy to picture it in my mind’s eye and still move the story briskly along; sometimes I like that. Other times, I like an in-depth look at the characters and the time period, something she has done in her later books. This one was very good for the pages alloted for a Harlequin Historical.
March 22, 2019
I gave this up about halfway through, but I'll try to give this another try.
The story was alright, it began ok, but I didn't really like the hero and the story itself wasn't very engaging. Also, after barely knowing one another for more than 2 days, they were already panting after each other. I get why he was panting over her (it's explained in the book), but not why an innocent, virginal young woman from a "good" family would be so comfortable with exploring the sensual side of things. Maybe it's stupid to think like this, but it just seemed forced.
The story was alright, it began ok, but I didn't really like the hero and the story itself wasn't very engaging. Also, after barely knowing one another for more than 2 days, they were already panting after each other. I get why he was panting over her (it's explained in the book), but not why an innocent, virginal young woman from a "good" family would be so comfortable with exploring the sensual side of things. Maybe it's stupid to think like this, but it just seemed forced.
July 3, 2013
loved this book it's one of my all time favorites.
April 22, 2025
very nice and sweet
This is a very nice and sweet book to read. Carolyn Davidson is a very good writer and has such lovely books to read. A young woman is in charge of her younger brother’s after the death of her parents, then they are left in a town along the trail. What are they going to do, but take everything into your own hands. The wagon with its three people leave to parts unknown. Yet the rancher finds the squatting on his ranch. He takes one look and offers a job. Will they take it? A very enjoyable book to read.
This is a very nice and sweet book to read. Carolyn Davidson is a very good writer and has such lovely books to read. A young woman is in charge of her younger brother’s after the death of her parents, then they are left in a town along the trail. What are they going to do, but take everything into your own hands. The wagon with its three people leave to parts unknown. Yet the rancher finds the squatting on his ranch. He takes one look and offers a job. Will they take it? A very enjoyable book to read.
August 7, 2018
I liked the characters. The story moved very quickly. It is a “feel good” story which was very easy to read.
November 29, 2019
Did it finish
July 31, 2021
Best of the Best
I’ve read this story many times, in the first issue, the reissue and Kindle. I have a secret thought…I think Carolyn was really there, in the days of her stories.
I’ve read this story many times, in the first issue, the reissue and Kindle. I have a secret thought…I think Carolyn was really there, in the days of her stories.
June 25, 2011
Carolyn Davidson's A WEDDING PROMISE is a lighthearted look at love in Kansas after the Civil War. Cord McPherson has taken in Rachel Sinclair and her young brothers after finding them living in an abandoned hut on his land. He needs a cook and someone to wash his clothes. Rachel recently lost her parents on their way west. She needs a temporary home for herself and brothers until she is able to save enough monies to travel onward. She agrees with Cord's decision. It is August and she'll stay until spring and help him out.
A secondary story about Cord's brother Jake takes place. Bitter after having lost his legs while fighting for the Union army, he makes hell to pay for anyone who tries to get close to him. Cord stayed back to help work the ranch but his father wasn't happy with him. Because of the way he was treated by his father, insecurities are reflected in Cord's love for Rachel. They argue but their quarreling is realistic and far from the fabricated narrow-minded squabbles found all too often in romances.
This is a gentle romance where you see two people who obviously need each other to complete themselves. If you enjoy the McPhersons and want to read another story try the follow-up to this book, Ms. Davidson's REDEMPTION.
A secondary story about Cord's brother Jake takes place. Bitter after having lost his legs while fighting for the Union army, he makes hell to pay for anyone who tries to get close to him. Cord stayed back to help work the ranch but his father wasn't happy with him. Because of the way he was treated by his father, insecurities are reflected in Cord's love for Rachel. They argue but their quarreling is realistic and far from the fabricated narrow-minded squabbles found all too often in romances.
This is a gentle romance where you see two people who obviously need each other to complete themselves. If you enjoy the McPhersons and want to read another story try the follow-up to this book, Ms. Davidson's REDEMPTION.
June 14, 2019
This is one of those books that a reader can sink her teeth into a complex plot that satisfies. The two main characters, Rachel Sinclair and Cord McPherson are two intelligent, mature adults who have good chemistry together.
Rachel is responsible for two younger brothers; their parents died on the trail from Pennsylvania. Cord, and his Civil War hero brother, Jacob, share a large ranch. Jake came home from the war without legs and has spent the past three years feeling sorry for himself (he was a concert pianist).
When the town finds out that Cord hired Rachel to be the ranch’s cook and laundry lady (and there is no other female to serve as a chaperone), the minister’s wife sits them down for a serious chat.
The secondary characters are also interesting. When Rachel and Cord get together, their happiness affects others in ways they could not have imagined. Carolyn Davidson weaves her magic so that the reader cares about these characters and their problems.
Rachel is responsible for two younger brothers; their parents died on the trail from Pennsylvania. Cord, and his Civil War hero brother, Jacob, share a large ranch. Jake came home from the war without legs and has spent the past three years feeling sorry for himself (he was a concert pianist).
When the town finds out that Cord hired Rachel to be the ranch’s cook and laundry lady (and there is no other female to serve as a chaperone), the minister’s wife sits them down for a serious chat.
The secondary characters are also interesting. When Rachel and Cord get together, their happiness affects others in ways they could not have imagined. Carolyn Davidson weaves her magic so that the reader cares about these characters and their problems.
April 10, 2014
This book was put out in 1998 and I can't believe I missed it back then!! I'm a fan of Carolyn Davidson and always enjoyed her books. This story is set in Kansas right after the Civil War in around 1868. This a sweet romance with just a touch of heat to it, but just a touch!
Here is a write up from Amazon:
THE WAY WEST FOR RACHEL SINCLAIR LED STRAIGHT DOWN THE AISLE
And into the arms of a man she barely knew! But Cord McPherson had taken her and her brothers in when trouble struck along the trail. And Rachel believed in her heart that this marriage of convenience would grow into a bond more precious than gold.
An instant family wasn't something Cord McPherson had planned on acquiring, but the sight of Rachel protecting her brothers told him she was plenty strong enough to be his bride. And he was good and ready to make their promise to each other last a lifetime.
Here is a write up from Amazon:
THE WAY WEST FOR RACHEL SINCLAIR LED STRAIGHT DOWN THE AISLE
And into the arms of a man she barely knew! But Cord McPherson had taken her and her brothers in when trouble struck along the trail. And Rachel believed in her heart that this marriage of convenience would grow into a bond more precious than gold.
An instant family wasn't something Cord McPherson had planned on acquiring, but the sight of Rachel protecting her brothers told him she was plenty strong enough to be his bride. And he was good and ready to make their promise to each other last a lifetime.
July 20, 2013
Not exactly my favorite.
Rachel and her two younger brothers, are left alone after their parents gone. When they're running around looking for place to stay, they stumbled on Cord's land. Cord, seeing a fine young woman taking care of her brothers, was intrigued and asked Rachel to live and work in his house. But it turns out, Cord also fall for her each and everyday until he can't handle it anymore. He ask her to marry him..
I liked it at first, the way Cord behave towards Rachel are sweet and a bit alpha-ish it made me funny. But furthermore the storyline change.
It turn into flat and a bit boring. No real angst and no real events but Cord's annoying brother and his former lover. I expect something more.
Definitely could've been better.
Rachel and her two younger brothers, are left alone after their parents gone. When they're running around looking for place to stay, they stumbled on Cord's land. Cord, seeing a fine young woman taking care of her brothers, was intrigued and asked Rachel to live and work in his house. But it turns out, Cord also fall for her each and everyday until he can't handle it anymore. He ask her to marry him..
I liked it at first, the way Cord behave towards Rachel are sweet and a bit alpha-ish it made me funny. But furthermore the storyline change.
It turn into flat and a bit boring. No real angst and no real events but Cord's annoying brother and his former lover. I expect something more.
Definitely could've been better.
July 27, 2012
SHE WANTED TO BE HIS HOUSEKEEPER, BUT HE DESIRED HER AND WANTED HER TO BE HIS WIFE. WELL RACHEL SINCLAIR MARRIED SEXY RANCHER CORD MCPHERSON, BUT SHE DIDN'T COUNT ON FALLING IN LOVE WITH HIM AND HE FELLED FOR HER. SHE HAD A YOUNGER BROTHER ALSO. GOOD READ!!!
January 16, 2014
I felt there was too much dialog and not enough narrative content. I couldn't connect with the characters and the story wasn't eventful and pretty much boring. I almost couldn't bring myself to finish this book.
October 11, 2011
This is one of Davidson's better novels. It is worth reading just for one scene alone. (nope. not gonna spoil it for ya)
January 6, 2012
pretty good book, and rather 2 loves stories in one. And though it talks about it being a marriage of convenience, it really wasn't.
February 20, 2012
I didn't finish the book. It was way too predictable and too sugary sweet.
May 6, 2014
It was okay.
August 3, 2016
Cute, but not much else.
December 4, 2016
great book. . held my interest
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews