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The Courtship of Izzy McCree
10th ANNIVERSARY
The Way To A Woman's Heart…
Isabella McCree wanted to be loved. So she traded her lonely Eastern existence for life in a mountain cabin with her rugged mail-order husband and his brood. But could she ever put her haunting secrets behind her and become a "real" wife?
Between raising four children and training wild stallions, Matt Prescott had no idea how to court a woman again. Especially not a shy beauty like Isabella. Yet when he looked into her blue-green eyes he saw strength—as well as a pain that mirrored his own—and knew he'd somehow find the way to her heart.
The Way To A Woman's Heart…
Isabella McCree wanted to be loved. So she traded her lonely Eastern existence for life in a mountain cabin with her rugged mail-order husband and his brood. But could she ever put her haunting secrets behind her and become a "real" wife?
Between raising four children and training wild stallions, Matt Prescott had no idea how to court a woman again. Especially not a shy beauty like Isabella. Yet when he looked into her blue-green eyes he saw strength—as well as a pain that mirrored his own—and knew he'd somehow find the way to her heart.
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 1998
8 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Ryan Langan
173 books111 followersRuth Ryan Langan (aka Ruth Langan) is an award-winning author of romance novels. She is a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award winner and has twice been nominated for Romantic Times Reviwers' Choice Awards, for Jade and Return of the Prodigal Son. She has spent much of her career writing historical romance novels for the Harlequin Historicals line of category romances. Many of her book are set in medieval times, while others are western romances. She has also written some contemporary romances, and often includes elements of suspense in her novels.
Langan began her writing career in secret. Her family discovered her writings when her children came home unexpectedly from school one day and found her writing. When Langan's husband was told of her hobby, he bought her an electric typewriter "because 'writers need tools'". Her first book was published by Silhouette Books in 1981 after an editor picked it out of their slush pile. After the first sale was completed, Langan got an agent.
Langan is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America. She has five children and lives with her husband in Michigan.
Has also written under the name of Ruth Langan and R.C. Ryan
Langan began her writing career in secret. Her family discovered her writings when her children came home unexpectedly from school one day and found her writing. When Langan's husband was told of her hobby, he bought her an electric typewriter "because 'writers need tools'". Her first book was published by Silhouette Books in 1981 after an editor picked it out of their slush pile. After the first sale was completed, Langan got an agent.
Langan is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America. She has five children and lives with her husband in Michigan.
Has also written under the name of Ruth Langan and R.C. Ryan
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 31, 2018
Ummm sweet yes, but also cheesy, formulaic and certainly paint by numbers!
September 20, 2013
If you can get past the cheesy cover there is a really good story inside.
A hard working woman so lonely she'll travel across a wilderness to marry a stranger. Unfortunately he didn't send for her. One of the kids did because he realizes they are in desperate need of a mother. Dear old dad decides to marry her out of obligation because he can't afford to send her back. He's not to happy about it but what's a guy to do? I could have been really trite from that point on but the characters are so human and vulnerable you have to like them. There are also some twists and turns along the way. On my top ten list. A book you put aside to read again.
A hard working woman so lonely she'll travel across a wilderness to marry a stranger. Unfortunately he didn't send for her. One of the kids did because he realizes they are in desperate need of a mother. Dear old dad decides to marry her out of obligation because he can't afford to send her back. He's not to happy about it but what's a guy to do? I could have been really trite from that point on but the characters are so human and vulnerable you have to like them. There are also some twists and turns along the way. On my top ten list. A book you put aside to read again.
May 17, 2018
Im so in love with HR its no joke
November 11, 2014
OMG! I absolutely loved this book. A big thanks to my reading buddy, Kate476, for this wonderful, wonderful recommendation. I've only read one other book by this author, and although her talent as an writer was very obvious, I didn't particularly care for the direction in which she took the book. That book, Highland Barbarian, was a big disappointment for me, this one was a sublime reading experience! Nicely written, and beautifully edited, the book is peopled with a rich cast of characters, who are all so superbly developed that they seemed almost to come alive between the pages of the book. I loved Matthew and Isabella (Izzy), both as a couple, as well as as individuals. Matthew's four children were adorable; my absolute favorite was Aaron, the man/child who was so protective of his family. My heart broke for Matthew, a man almost broken by his faithless wife's treachery; and as for Izzy...OMG! I cried when she finally told Matthew about her past. It's not that her tale was the most tragic I'd ever heard, but the author does such a good job bringing Izzy's past to life, that I was completely overcome with emotion.
The book blurb is pretty spot on, and I don't really have much to add. Izzy responds to a letter, that she believes is from Matthew, but in reality was written by his fifteen year old son, Aaron. Needless to say, Matthew is unpleasantly surprised--an understatement--when Izzy shows up on his doorstep. His first instinct is to return the unwelcome interloper to whence she came, but because they live out in the middle of nowhere, that will have to wait until morning. In the meantime, he has a change of heart and decides that, for his children's sake, he will marry Izzy. In the beginning Matthew comes across as a hard, angry, bitter, unbending man, who rules his family with an iron fist. Yet still, his children are devoted to him, and Izzy can see that he is just as devoted to his children. The first meal Izzy had with the family, the night she arrived, brought to mind a litter of pigs at a trough! If it were me, I think I'd have run screaming all the way back to Pennsylvania. ROTFL
Izzy has had a lifelong dream of having a home and a family of her own. When given the chance, she does everything in her power to make her dreams come true with Matthew and his children. But before she can achieve her dream, Izzy will have to face the demons of her past, and reveal the truth of her previous life to Matthew, in order to gain the love and acceptance she so desperately craves.
I really loved this book. For me it was a sublime experience in reading euphoria. LOL This is a book I happily recommend to anyone who reads historical romance books, but especially to those who particularly enjoy mail-order bride romances. FYI, this is essentially a clean romance. The couple do engage in marital relations, but the reader is given very little details. Happy reading!
The book blurb is pretty spot on, and I don't really have much to add. Izzy responds to a letter, that she believes is from Matthew, but in reality was written by his fifteen year old son, Aaron. Needless to say, Matthew is unpleasantly surprised--an understatement--when Izzy shows up on his doorstep. His first instinct is to return the unwelcome interloper to whence she came, but because they live out in the middle of nowhere, that will have to wait until morning. In the meantime, he has a change of heart and decides that, for his children's sake, he will marry Izzy. In the beginning Matthew comes across as a hard, angry, bitter, unbending man, who rules his family with an iron fist. Yet still, his children are devoted to him, and Izzy can see that he is just as devoted to his children. The first meal Izzy had with the family, the night she arrived, brought to mind a litter of pigs at a trough! If it were me, I think I'd have run screaming all the way back to Pennsylvania. ROTFL
Izzy has had a lifelong dream of having a home and a family of her own. When given the chance, she does everything in her power to make her dreams come true with Matthew and his children. But before she can achieve her dream, Izzy will have to face the demons of her past, and reveal the truth of her previous life to Matthew, in order to gain the love and acceptance she so desperately craves.
I really loved this book. For me it was a sublime experience in reading euphoria. LOL This is a book I happily recommend to anyone who reads historical romance books, but especially to those who particularly enjoy mail-order bride romances. FYI, this is essentially a clean romance. The couple do engage in marital relations, but the reader is given very little details. Happy reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2013
Uma Nova Vida
Ruth Langan
Clássico Históricos 147
Nova Cultural
1998
É uma belíssimo estória, que nos mostra uma mocinha órfã e inocente, mas isso não significa que ela seja boba. Ela é forte. Até chegar ao seu destino, a vida lhe foi muito dura e em alguns momentos até cruel. Mas o que não mata, fortalece. Mas o que realmente a moça quer?
Apenas quer ter uma família, maridos e filhos. Quer ser amada por todos. Será que ela vai encontrar isso na casa dos Prescott?
Já mocinho é um homem de verdade. Rústico, domador de cavalos selvagens. Que acredita não precisar de mulher alguma. Ele é um homem vivido, sofreu horrores com a primeira esposa.
Mas nem por isso deixou de amar todos os filhos e quem sabe, ele ainda tenha muito amor pra dar, só precisa se permitir.
A estória é linda, tem momentos únicos. Na realidade tem de tudo, ação, romance, perigo e muita tensão.
ADORO!!!
RECOMENDADÍSSIMO!!!
Ruth Langan
Clássico Históricos 147
Nova Cultural
1998
É uma belíssimo estória, que nos mostra uma mocinha órfã e inocente, mas isso não significa que ela seja boba. Ela é forte. Até chegar ao seu destino, a vida lhe foi muito dura e em alguns momentos até cruel. Mas o que não mata, fortalece. Mas o que realmente a moça quer?
Apenas quer ter uma família, maridos e filhos. Quer ser amada por todos. Será que ela vai encontrar isso na casa dos Prescott?
Já mocinho é um homem de verdade. Rústico, domador de cavalos selvagens. Que acredita não precisar de mulher alguma. Ele é um homem vivido, sofreu horrores com a primeira esposa.
Mas nem por isso deixou de amar todos os filhos e quem sabe, ele ainda tenha muito amor pra dar, só precisa se permitir.
A estória é linda, tem momentos únicos. Na realidade tem de tudo, ação, romance, perigo e muita tensão.
ADORO!!!
RECOMENDADÍSSIMO!!!
October 29, 2020
I'd actually give this book 2.5 stars. Parts of this book were heartwarming but others parts were frustrating or defied facts and logic.
Izzy answers a mail-order bride ad placed by Matt's son Aaron (who is my favourite character in the book.) Matt marries Isabella, even though their initial reaction to each other is not love at first sight. The children, however, love Izzy. The cabin is pristine. She’s is a fantastic cook (thanks to the tavern) and a great "mother.” Unfortunately she is not a great wife as Izzy is terrified of having sex. As a child, she lived with a woman who (before leaving her to fend for herself at the age of 12) told her to beware of men and made her cut her hair off to be less appealing. Izzy is then forced by circumstances to work in a tavern. She fended off the owner unwelcome advances and kept him and his obnoxious clients at bay with a knife given to her by the owner's son. Still, many customers were cruel to her (she has a slight limp) and angered that she would not bed them. This leads her to believe all men are cruel and untrustworthy. Her instense fear of sex, even when passion is overwhelming her, is over the top.
Matt reacts as if her fear is a rejection of him and leaves in anger to go sleep in the barn on several occasions. (God forbid he just sleep with her and let he slowly acclimatize herself to him.) This causes a lot of tension in the home where Matt takes his temper out on everyone.
When selling his mustangs to the army, one of them recognizes Izzy from the tavern and disparages her infront of the family and the army’s other representatives. Matt is enraged by this and at the man's treatment of one of his horses. A fight ensues and Matt, although badly beaten, wins.
Izzy admits she has lied to him since she met him and she is actually an orphan. Her life long dream has been a family. Although Matt has been brutally beaten and Izzy is a virgin they manage to make love all through the night. One wonders at their tolerance for pain, even when mixed with pleasure.
After that life is good.
Then our enraged army madman comes back to exact revenge for the beating that humiliated him. He's going to rape both Isabelle and Matt's young daughter but Izzy talks him into taking her away instead. He plans to rape, torture and kill her. Matt trails them (he's ex-army) but upon finding them does not have a plan. Shooting him in the back while he's on top of his wife sounded like a good one to me but no...Izzy saves the day. Izzy has burned her hands badly (they are black) but seems to be in little pain and heals quickly. “Fourth degree burns extend through the entire skin and as well as the underlying fat, muscle and bone. The skin will turn black and look charred. Fourth degree burns are the most serious and require immediate medical attention and treatment.Dec 8, 2013” It is one thing to write fiction. It is another to totally ignore facts.
Shortly after this episode, Matt's ex-whore-wife, Grace, shows up and Izzy (shocked that his wife is not dead as she thought) gets in a huff and leaves.
The family follows Izzy to town, Grace and a coffin in tow on the stage. (Why they the didn’t just leave the body for scavengers and send a note and maybe the man’s pistol to the marshal is beyond me.)
And then the kicker happens. The scene that really ruined the book for me. Defying all logic, not to mention threatening his family’s future, instead of giving Grace just enough money to get to the next town, Matt gives Grace ALL the much needed remaining money from the sale of the mustangs. They are divorced. She cheated on him and deserted the children (three of whom may be from affairs). This scene does not show Matt as kind. It shows him as a patsy who puts his ex-wife’s welfare above the welfare of Izzy and he children. Who does that? It clearly states in the book that the money was needed to make it through the winter, add to the farm and start breeding cattle. I thought this was absolutely appalling. I absolutely hate when bad people are rewarded, especially at the expense of others.
The three stars is mainly for the wonderful interactions between Izzy and Matt’s children.
Izzy answers a mail-order bride ad placed by Matt's son Aaron (who is my favourite character in the book.) Matt marries Isabella, even though their initial reaction to each other is not love at first sight. The children, however, love Izzy. The cabin is pristine. She’s is a fantastic cook (thanks to the tavern) and a great "mother.” Unfortunately she is not a great wife as Izzy is terrified of having sex. As a child, she lived with a woman who (before leaving her to fend for herself at the age of 12) told her to beware of men and made her cut her hair off to be less appealing. Izzy is then forced by circumstances to work in a tavern. She fended off the owner unwelcome advances and kept him and his obnoxious clients at bay with a knife given to her by the owner's son. Still, many customers were cruel to her (she has a slight limp) and angered that she would not bed them. This leads her to believe all men are cruel and untrustworthy. Her instense fear of sex, even when passion is overwhelming her, is over the top.
Matt reacts as if her fear is a rejection of him and leaves in anger to go sleep in the barn on several occasions. (God forbid he just sleep with her and let he slowly acclimatize herself to him.) This causes a lot of tension in the home where Matt takes his temper out on everyone.
When selling his mustangs to the army, one of them recognizes Izzy from the tavern and disparages her infront of the family and the army’s other representatives. Matt is enraged by this and at the man's treatment of one of his horses. A fight ensues and Matt, although badly beaten, wins.
Izzy admits she has lied to him since she met him and she is actually an orphan. Her life long dream has been a family. Although Matt has been brutally beaten and Izzy is a virgin they manage to make love all through the night. One wonders at their tolerance for pain, even when mixed with pleasure.
After that life is good.
Then our enraged army madman comes back to exact revenge for the beating that humiliated him. He's going to rape both Isabelle and Matt's young daughter but Izzy talks him into taking her away instead. He plans to rape, torture and kill her. Matt trails them (he's ex-army) but upon finding them does not have a plan. Shooting him in the back while he's on top of his wife sounded like a good one to me but no...Izzy saves the day. Izzy has burned her hands badly (they are black) but seems to be in little pain and heals quickly. “Fourth degree burns extend through the entire skin and as well as the underlying fat, muscle and bone. The skin will turn black and look charred. Fourth degree burns are the most serious and require immediate medical attention and treatment.Dec 8, 2013” It is one thing to write fiction. It is another to totally ignore facts.
Shortly after this episode, Matt's ex-whore-wife, Grace, shows up and Izzy (shocked that his wife is not dead as she thought) gets in a huff and leaves.
The family follows Izzy to town, Grace and a coffin in tow on the stage. (Why they the didn’t just leave the body for scavengers and send a note and maybe the man’s pistol to the marshal is beyond me.)
And then the kicker happens. The scene that really ruined the book for me. Defying all logic, not to mention threatening his family’s future, instead of giving Grace just enough money to get to the next town, Matt gives Grace ALL the much needed remaining money from the sale of the mustangs. They are divorced. She cheated on him and deserted the children (three of whom may be from affairs). This scene does not show Matt as kind. It shows him as a patsy who puts his ex-wife’s welfare above the welfare of Izzy and he children. Who does that? It clearly states in the book that the money was needed to make it through the winter, add to the farm and start breeding cattle. I thought this was absolutely appalling. I absolutely hate when bad people are rewarded, especially at the expense of others.
The three stars is mainly for the wonderful interactions between Izzy and Matt’s children.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2025
It was a heartfelt read, but my heart truly bled for the heroine. I kept wishing the author had given her more—more love, more dignity, more of a reward for everything she endured.
I understand that money isn't everything, but even the hero's love didn’t feel like enough. He expected her to be content with the bare minimum, and she was—only because she had never known better. That made it all the more heartbreaking.
And honestly, there was no real justification for him giving his ex-wife money. It felt unnecessary and disrespectful. On top of that, reusing the same ring he gave to a woman he clearly despised? That was just wrong.
Lastly, the hero’s explanation of his past with his ex-wife didn’t feel complete or convincing. I was left wanting more honesty and depth from him, especially if we were supposed to believe in his redemption.
I understand that money isn't everything, but even the hero's love didn’t feel like enough. He expected her to be content with the bare minimum, and she was—only because she had never known better. That made it all the more heartbreaking.
And honestly, there was no real justification for him giving his ex-wife money. It felt unnecessary and disrespectful. On top of that, reusing the same ring he gave to a woman he clearly despised? That was just wrong.
Lastly, the hero’s explanation of his past with his ex-wife didn’t feel complete or convincing. I was left wanting more honesty and depth from him, especially if we were supposed to believe in his redemption.
August 20, 2018
Dude was kind of a hella of a dick. I liked everyone else but he was really kind of an ass.
February 25, 2021
In SUCH a slump so I decided to read some vintage Harlequin recommended by someone. It was terrible. 😂😂😂
April 18, 2021
A fun, romance. Somewhat predictable but with a few interesting twists along the way. A cozy read.
June 14, 2021
Magnifique !! Très émouvant
January 13, 2023
A sweet romance, really enjoyed Isabella and Matt's love story.
August 19, 2016
Didn't really enjoy this one as much as I'd hoped. It was a bit boring. I often stopped reading and went to do something else. Hence why it took me twice as long to finish it.
I thought some things were over the top. Isabella is scared of having sex with her new husband. But they get into the habit of Matthew trying to get close, they kiss, she closes herself off, he gets mad and storms off to sleep in the barn. But then, something happens, she admits to all her lies and tells Matthew the truth about herself and bam, she's no longer scared, they have sex and they're in love.
Then in the end, the ex-wife appears out of nowhere. Isabella is mad Matthew lied (even though she did nothing but lie since she got there) and she leaves. But it's okay because they go after her. Then Matthew gives all his money to the ex-wife (WTF? Why? He owes her nothing!) and she's out of the picture again. They live happily ever after.
Not my cup of tea. Wasn't bad, just not for me.
I thought some things were over the top. Isabella is scared of having sex with her new husband. But they get into the habit of Matthew trying to get close, they kiss, she closes herself off, he gets mad and storms off to sleep in the barn. But then, something happens, she admits to all her lies and tells Matthew the truth about herself and bam, she's no longer scared, they have sex and they're in love.
Then in the end, the ex-wife appears out of nowhere. Isabella is mad Matthew lied (even though she did nothing but lie since she got there) and she leaves. But it's okay because they go after her. Then Matthew gives all his money to the ex-wife (WTF? Why? He owes her nothing!) and she's out of the picture again. They live happily ever after.
Not my cup of tea. Wasn't bad, just not for me.
June 15, 2019
This plot device has been used before but Ruth Langan added an interesting wrinkle or two. Izzy McCree has arrived to marry her mail-order groom only to find that he did not send for her. One of the children wrote.
Soon, Izzy and Matt marry but she has some serious problems with men. Matt, in disgust, orders the stagecoach to pick her up on their next run (the stagecoach travels infrequently in that area).
Izzy is particularly good with the children, who are starved for attention and some mothering. Matt is a good man but rather rough around the edges. One of the children suggests that Matt court his new wife; Matt is appalled by the idea. He works long hours just to keep the children fed. We know he’s a concerned father because the children are resourceful, polite and support each other emotionally.
This story comes to life with the twists and turns that Matt, Izzy and the children face. I’m glad I had the chance to read this book.
Soon, Izzy and Matt marry but she has some serious problems with men. Matt, in disgust, orders the stagecoach to pick her up on their next run (the stagecoach travels infrequently in that area).
Izzy is particularly good with the children, who are starved for attention and some mothering. Matt is a good man but rather rough around the edges. One of the children suggests that Matt court his new wife; Matt is appalled by the idea. He works long hours just to keep the children fed. We know he’s a concerned father because the children are resourceful, polite and support each other emotionally.
This story comes to life with the twists and turns that Matt, Izzy and the children face. I’m glad I had the chance to read this book.
November 15, 2016
Heartwarming and wholesome
This definitely made my day better!
This was such a cute story, there was nothing amazingly original to it but the characters made it special.
There wasn't anything new about it but it left me feeling happy. At the end, in the authors note she wishes for the reader to come away from her stories with a heart brimming with love and I most admit that I did feel it.
I can totally relate to Izzy's plight but also to Matt and the kids', sometimes the family we're given pales before the one we choose.
I recommend it to anyone who's feeling a little jaded and needs an emotional pick me up, it definitely leaves you smiling.
This definitely made my day better!
This was such a cute story, there was nothing amazingly original to it but the characters made it special.
There wasn't anything new about it but it left me feeling happy. At the end, in the authors note she wishes for the reader to come away from her stories with a heart brimming with love and I most admit that I did feel it.
I can totally relate to Izzy's plight but also to Matt and the kids', sometimes the family we're given pales before the one we choose.
I recommend it to anyone who's feeling a little jaded and needs an emotional pick me up, it definitely leaves you smiling.
February 7, 2017
This was much better than I was expecting.
Single father with 4 children living in the Sierra Nevadas gets an unexpected mail order bride. She's got secrets. He's got secrets. Eventually they learn each other's secrets and get a HEA.
It's maybe a tad too long. I could have done without so much of her "ack! Don't touch me! Wait touch me! No don't!" theatrics. But. It was an enjoyable story. The kids weren't smarmy or moppety.
I'd say verging on PG-13 but not quite.
I've put another one by her in my TBR pile.
Single father with 4 children living in the Sierra Nevadas gets an unexpected mail order bride. She's got secrets. He's got secrets. Eventually they learn each other's secrets and get a HEA.
It's maybe a tad too long. I could have done without so much of her "ack! Don't touch me! Wait touch me! No don't!" theatrics. But. It was an enjoyable story. The kids weren't smarmy or moppety.
I'd say verging on PG-13 but not quite.
I've put another one by her in my TBR pile.
April 20, 2015
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The heroine had a tough past but was still a strong character and managed to stand up for herself. While both hero and heroine make mistakes in the relationship I did not find myself getting overly irritated by them which happens with other books at times. The kids in the book were pretty endearing and the plot was action packed. I flew threw this book - very enjoyable and a surprising favorite.
August 22, 2011
This about a young woman Isabella McCree who wants to have a family to love. She answers a letter for a mail-order bride to Matt Prescott. When she arrives she finds that Matt didn't write the letter but his young son did and the three other children wants her to stay.
It is a cute book and the kind that stays with you and makes you want to read it again.
It is a cute book and the kind that stays with you and makes you want to read it again.
March 23, 2013
abrupt ending..otherwise 4.5 stars;)
June 20, 2013
One of my absolute favorites!
September 21, 2013
This is good. Have read it more then once over the years. Ruth Langan I enjoy reading.
June 30, 2014
A cute romance...I always love it when physically flawed heroines get the guy, just makes me feel all fuzzy and what not. Definitely in my Top 5 romance novel category, so I definitely recommend.
August 5, 2016
2 1/2
June 11, 2022
Relido em 06/2022.
January 2, 2019
Een pareltje.
Beetje zoals Dostojevski, alle grote thema's zijn aanwezig. Enkel de hoogdravende grootinquisiteur ontbreekt. Ook vlotter geschreven. Toppie!
Beetje zoals Dostojevski, alle grote thema's zijn aanwezig. Enkel de hoogdravende grootinquisiteur ontbreekt. Ook vlotter geschreven. Toppie!
January 3, 2017
Star Rating: ★★½☆☆
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews