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Wild West #2
Romancing the West
Emily McBride is in a pickle. The preacher's daughter secretly writes scandalous romantic adventures. But someone's uncovered her secret talent and threatens to expose her double life. Her small town friends and the man of her dreams will never speak to her again. Worse, she's growing fond of her new friend, a literary poet, who would surely be horrified by her novels.
When the Peacemaker Alliance recruits lawman, Seth Wright, he's ready, willing, and able to kick ruthless desperado butt for the covert government agency. His enthusiasm wanes, however, when his first assignment takes him to California to propose marriage to Miss Emily McBride on behalf of his boss and deliver her back to Arizona Territory. He's a lawman, not a courier. Worse, the small-town librarian mistakes him for a dandified poet! Before he sets her straight, she confesses she's mixed up in something tawdry. With two unwanted suitors hounding her, the woman needs protection. So Seth assumes the fancy pants identity to room in her house without compromising her reputation.
Seth's good intentions take a monumental twist when he develops genuine feelings for the passionate book lover. She's not what she seems. More jolting, neither is he.
When the Peacemaker Alliance recruits lawman, Seth Wright, he's ready, willing, and able to kick ruthless desperado butt for the covert government agency. His enthusiasm wanes, however, when his first assignment takes him to California to propose marriage to Miss Emily McBride on behalf of his boss and deliver her back to Arizona Territory. He's a lawman, not a courier. Worse, the small-town librarian mistakes him for a dandified poet! Before he sets her straight, she confesses she's mixed up in something tawdry. With two unwanted suitors hounding her, the woman needs protection. So Seth assumes the fancy pants identity to room in her house without compromising her reputation.
Seth's good intentions take a monumental twist when he develops genuine feelings for the passionate book lover. She's not what she seems. More jolting, neither is he.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2007
1 person is currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Beth Ciotta
42 books470 followersStorytelling comes naturally to award-winning author Beth Ciotta. Limiting herself to one sub-genre does not. Dubbed “fun and sexy” by Publisher’s Weekly, Beth specializes in writing Romantic Comedy with a Twist of Suspense and is published in contemporary, historical, and paranormal romantic fiction. “I can’t think of anything more fulfilling than writing stories where everyone (except the villain, of course) gets a happy ending!”
Beth lives in New Jersey with her husband, two zany dogs, and one crazy cat. Although writing takes up most of her time, she still performs occasionally as a singer, character actress, emcee, and storyteller. To support literacy, Beth also works at her local library.
To learn more about her chaotic life you can visit her Web site at www.bethciotta.com
Beth lives in New Jersey with her husband, two zany dogs, and one crazy cat. Although writing takes up most of her time, she still performs occasionally as a singer, character actress, emcee, and storyteller. To support literacy, Beth also works at her local library.
To learn more about her chaotic life you can visit her Web site at www.bethciotta.com
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 30, 2015
This was a wonderful book! It was a great follow up to Lasso the Moon! I loved the characters and the pace and the just right amount of romance and suspense. It was a fast read, great for a weekend treat!! I can't wait to read Rome's story next!! :) Great plot turns and I am happy with the conclusion, although I could have happily read a few hundred more pages :)
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November 18, 2021Never a dull moment
This book has mystery, laughs, suspense, romance and you rooting for the cowboy. I'm so glad I found this series.
This book has mystery, laughs, suspense, romance and you rooting for the cowboy. I'm so glad I found this series.
July 22, 2015
Librarian and daughter of a minister Emily McBride seems to fit the double stereotype. She's shy, demure, loyal and has been in love with Rome Garrett her whole life. Almost everyone on Heaven adore her. After her father died, men suddenly began proposing, but Emily's backbone was strong, and she said no. Yet Emily had other problems which included a blackmailer. Why would this sweet woman have a blackmailer.
Former sheriff, Seth Wright received 3 assignments from 3 different people all with the same results. Bring Emily to Chance to see her friend Paris, who would soon have a baby. Each person had special reasons from bringing Emily to Chance. Josh, Paris's husband wanted Emily there because the baby would be due soon, and he wanted to please his wife. Athens Garrett wanted Emily there for Emily, but also to be his wife and to take care of his two lively children. It wouldn't be a love match, but it would free him up for his newest assignment. Paris wanted Emily there because she missed her, but she also knew Emily was being blackmailed and Paris wanted Emily safe.
Paris has telegrammed Emily that Phineas Pinkerton would be arriving and would Emily please take him as a boarder. As Phineas wasn't the most manly of men, there really should be no questions as to his boarding with Emily. There was a last minute change in plans and Seth would be going to save the day instead. When he arrived, the situation demanded he keep the Pinkerton persona and he had no opportunity to tell the shy little librarian who he really was.
How can Emily suddenly begin feeling things for the gentle Poet when she has always been "in love" with Rome? There seems to be a powerful connection between the two souls. How can this be? And Seth is fighting his feelings because he is suppose to deliver Emily to his boss to be his bride, so the ruse really seems to suit his purposes, too. But Seth is determined to help Emily solve her other issues, especially her blackmailer.
Ciotta has written other cute Western filled with fraught, humor and passion. Historicals aren't my favorite books, but I really did enjoy this and will definitely read the 3rd installment in the series.
Review in exchange for copy.
Former sheriff, Seth Wright received 3 assignments from 3 different people all with the same results. Bring Emily to Chance to see her friend Paris, who would soon have a baby. Each person had special reasons from bringing Emily to Chance. Josh, Paris's husband wanted Emily there because the baby would be due soon, and he wanted to please his wife. Athens Garrett wanted Emily there for Emily, but also to be his wife and to take care of his two lively children. It wouldn't be a love match, but it would free him up for his newest assignment. Paris wanted Emily there because she missed her, but she also knew Emily was being blackmailed and Paris wanted Emily safe.
Paris has telegrammed Emily that Phineas Pinkerton would be arriving and would Emily please take him as a boarder. As Phineas wasn't the most manly of men, there really should be no questions as to his boarding with Emily. There was a last minute change in plans and Seth would be going to save the day instead. When he arrived, the situation demanded he keep the Pinkerton persona and he had no opportunity to tell the shy little librarian who he really was.
How can Emily suddenly begin feeling things for the gentle Poet when she has always been "in love" with Rome? There seems to be a powerful connection between the two souls. How can this be? And Seth is fighting his feelings because he is suppose to deliver Emily to his boss to be his bride, so the ruse really seems to suit his purposes, too. But Seth is determined to help Emily solve her other issues, especially her blackmailer.
Ciotta has written other cute Western filled with fraught, humor and passion. Historicals aren't my favorite books, but I really did enjoy this and will definitely read the 3rd installment in the series.
Review in exchange for copy.
April 14, 2014
***Received from Tasty Book Tours for an honest review***
Between Emily's penchant for dressing like a tomboy and Seth's "disguise" as someone else, I was either laughing, smiling, wondering, or cheering.
Though I didn't really like Seth not correcting Emily mistaking him for Paris' friend Mr. Pinkerton, I did like how he struggled with maintaining his cover and telling her the truth. His genuine curiosity about her at their initial meeting grew beautifully into lust and love as he got to know her. She might've been an oddity to the rest of the townsfolk (people did say she was crazy) but he discovered she wasn't, that she wanted more than what the townsfolk expected from a preacher's daughter.
Emily's keenly aware she's different from other women. She wears men's shirts, suspenders, lives without male protection (important back then), writes dime-novels under a pseudonym, and she doesn't see the beauty in herself that Seth does.
I like that she changes so much with Seth. Not in a bad way, but with him she learns to talk about her past, her dad, and herself. And with him, she finds love when she wasn't looking for it.
The highs and lows of Emily and Seth's relationship made for a fantastic story, but what really made this story was when Seth realized he loved Emily. The revelation came at the most heated and awkward moment possible, but maybe that's why it's stuck with me. Because, for Seth and Emily, it wasn't really all that awkward. It happened at just the right moment.
Between Emily's penchant for dressing like a tomboy and Seth's "disguise" as someone else, I was either laughing, smiling, wondering, or cheering.
Though I didn't really like Seth not correcting Emily mistaking him for Paris' friend Mr. Pinkerton, I did like how he struggled with maintaining his cover and telling her the truth. His genuine curiosity about her at their initial meeting grew beautifully into lust and love as he got to know her. She might've been an oddity to the rest of the townsfolk (people did say she was crazy) but he discovered she wasn't, that she wanted more than what the townsfolk expected from a preacher's daughter.
Emily's keenly aware she's different from other women. She wears men's shirts, suspenders, lives without male protection (important back then), writes dime-novels under a pseudonym, and she doesn't see the beauty in herself that Seth does.
"Surely, you're not surprised. Look at me."
What the hell was that supposed to mean? "I see a beautiful woman."
She smirked. "Yes, but you're not wearing your spectacles."
"Talk like that pisses me off, Emily." (Loc 2150, Kindle)
I like that she changes so much with Seth. Not in a bad way, but with him she learns to talk about her past, her dad, and herself. And with him, she finds love when she wasn't looking for it.
The highs and lows of Emily and Seth's relationship made for a fantastic story, but what really made this story was when Seth realized he loved Emily. The revelation came at the most heated and awkward moment possible, but maybe that's why it's stuck with me. Because, for Seth and Emily, it wasn't really all that awkward. It happened at just the right moment.
July 29, 2015
I have loved everything this author has written, Contemporary, to Steampunk, to Paranormal, to the first book in this series, "Lasso The Moon". I was given a free copy of this book to review, but couldn't get it to load, so I bought it. So, I am going to gush away, since I paid for this and was in no way compensated!
The second book in the Peacemakers series is my favorite, out of all of her books. Everything just clicks, from the characters, to the plot twists, to the small details in the story. I can't put a finger on exactly what made this book stand out, but she was swinging for the fences and hit it out of the park.
The main characters border on fish-out-of-water, due to the plot twists, yet remain totally likable, and will have you rooting for them, even as you wait to see how their transgressions and mis-directions will iron out in the end. Part of the reason that this book stood out, for me, is that these characters made some major "oopsies", but they are so well written and multi-dimensional, that their personalities made these forgivable, and you want to see their happily ever after, even as you want to see them get some kind of comeuppance.
This is a fast-paced, twisty, fun read. I can't wait to dig in to the 3rd book of the series.
The second book in the Peacemakers series is my favorite, out of all of her books. Everything just clicks, from the characters, to the plot twists, to the small details in the story. I can't put a finger on exactly what made this book stand out, but she was swinging for the fences and hit it out of the park.
The main characters border on fish-out-of-water, due to the plot twists, yet remain totally likable, and will have you rooting for them, even as you wait to see how their transgressions and mis-directions will iron out in the end. Part of the reason that this book stood out, for me, is that these characters made some major "oopsies", but they are so well written and multi-dimensional, that their personalities made these forgivable, and you want to see their happily ever after, even as you want to see them get some kind of comeuppance.
This is a fast-paced, twisty, fun read. I can't wait to dig in to the 3rd book of the series.
June 8, 2015
Romancing the West by Beth Ciotta
A rollicking good time in the old Wild West. Lots of humor, plenty of adventure and a female heroine who learns to support herself and stand on her own.
I typically don't read a lot of historical romance. I guess I consider it boring. Not this author. It was really fun. And the men are hot and sexy too.
Seth Wright, Former ranger, former sheriff, is offered the position of a elite government agent. His first mission is to find Emily McBride and present a marriage proposal on behalf of his new boss. At the same time, Paris has asked Seth to help Emily find a blackmailer. Seth shows up in town and Emily thinks he is a poet come to help. Hilarity ensues.
A couple of quotes I found entertaining.
“The mere thought of those shifty pricks made Seth mad as a peeled rattler."
“Taking orders from a man who substituted dad-blame-it for goddammit made Seth’s ass twitch.”
Excerpts From: Ciotta, Beth. “Romancing the West: A Wild West Romance (Book 2).”
A rollicking good time in the old Wild West. Lots of humor, plenty of adventure and a female heroine who learns to support herself and stand on her own.
I typically don't read a lot of historical romance. I guess I consider it boring. Not this author. It was really fun. And the men are hot and sexy too.
Seth Wright, Former ranger, former sheriff, is offered the position of a elite government agent. His first mission is to find Emily McBride and present a marriage proposal on behalf of his new boss. At the same time, Paris has asked Seth to help Emily find a blackmailer. Seth shows up in town and Emily thinks he is a poet come to help. Hilarity ensues.
A couple of quotes I found entertaining.
“The mere thought of those shifty pricks made Seth mad as a peeled rattler."
“Taking orders from a man who substituted dad-blame-it for goddammit made Seth’s ass twitch.”
Excerpts From: Ciotta, Beth. “Romancing the West: A Wild West Romance (Book 2).”
October 23, 2008
This book was fun! It takes place in Phoenix (!) and the Napa Valley area in 1878. I liked the main characters, and the secondary characters added a lot to the story--not taking anything away from the main characters at all. Emily McBride, preacher's daughter, and having recently lost both her parents, is being blackmailed. Her best friend, who is pregnant & can't travel, sends Seth Wright, lawman, to investigate what's going on, undercover. Seth befriends Emily, under the guise of being gay, and is able to protect her (mostly) and find out who her blackmailer is. The biggest secret in the book is probably obvious to everyone but me*--it was something I suspected, but then decided against. Not quite as screwball as All About Evie, but definitely fun!
*Good grief--not only do I not guess who did it in mysteries, I can't guess secrets in romances either!!! Authors must LOVE me!!!
*Good grief--not only do I not guess who did it in mysteries, I can't guess secrets in romances either!!! Authors must LOVE me!!!
January 11, 2015
I love the story between Emily and Seth it was fantastic. Seth leaves Arizona under orders from two of the Garrett siblings, one sending him to help her and fall in love with her while the other sends him to bring her back to be his wife. He gets there and Emily thinks he is somebody else. Emily already has two people wanting to marry her and one of them won't back off. She also has a blackmailer.
This book was full of fun and kept me entertained. I can't wait to read the rest of these books to see how good they are as well. I want to learn more about the Garrett family! Beth is has a way of painting the old west in a fun way and wow just wow! Great work!
RATING:
5 out of 5 stars
This book was full of fun and kept me entertained. I can't wait to read the rest of these books to see how good they are as well. I want to learn more about the Garrett family! Beth is has a way of painting the old west in a fun way and wow just wow! Great work!
RATING:
5 out of 5 stars
July 28, 2015
Ciotta definitely knows how to Romance the West!! This is a very fun story of mixed signals, mix up of names, and definitely mixed up intentions! Beth teaches us to never marry for anything less than love - don't just marry to give your children a mother, never think you can't be faithful because your father wasn't, and sometimes, sometimes love is waiting just around the corner in the very last person you thought. Oh, and, be very careful of wolves in sheep's clothing! Read this book!!
April 12, 2011
Seth Wright & Emily McBride
Seth is sent from AZ territory to Heaven, CA to get Emily to bring her back to marry a family friend. He hasn't asked her but Seth has a letter to give her. She won't travel with just anyone so Seth is posing as a poet (which is too funny) so she talks him into teaching her to kiss. They both wear glasses.
Review
Seth is sent from AZ territory to Heaven, CA to get Emily to bring her back to marry a family friend. He hasn't asked her but Seth has a letter to give her. She won't travel with just anyone so Seth is posing as a poet (which is too funny) so she talks him into teaching her to kiss. They both wear glasses.
Review
August 6, 2015
After enjoying Lasso the Moon so much, I was eager to dive into Romancing the West and had high hopes. I was not disappointed. I ended up staying up far past my bedtime 3 successive nights to finish this tale...an undercover hero set on solving a mystery can't help but fall in love with an eccentric heroine with a secret. And the side plot romance? Frosting on the cupcake!
May 7, 2009
I LOVED this book! I haven't been caught up in a book like this in a long time. The story line is wonderful. The characters are amazing. And the writing is perfect. I'll be reading more from this author!
June 11, 2015
I absolutely loved this book! I don't want to give away any spoilers, but I can say I did NOT expect it to take the turn it did, and that was a wonderful plot twist that Beth handled very expertly! What a fun, fun adventure!
July 29, 2012
Super Cute Western Without All The Sometimes Heavy Historical Stuff !!! Loved The Trilogy !!!
January 9, 2014
LOVED IT!!! I'm hooked on this series and this author! Fun characters with wonderful personalities and great plot.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews