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Mail-Order Outlaw
Arranging a marriage by proxy to avoid the insufferable match her father had wanted, New York debutante Cassandra Templeton's plans for freedom backfire when arrogant Texan Jake Steele arrives, clad in black and a six-shooter, to claim her as his own. Original.
373 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1994
47 people want to read
About the author
Millie Criswell
49 books33 followersNational bestselling author Millie Criswell didn't start out to be a writer. Instead, she had aspirations of joining the Rockettes as a toe-tapping member of their dancetroop, or tapping her heart away in one of those big, corny MGM musicals. Of course she was only ten at the time, had absolutely no talent as a dancer, and cannot be blamed for her failure to succeed.
To date, Ms. Criswell has written twenty-one historical, category, and contemporary romances. She has won numerous awards, including the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, the Reviewers' Choice Award, the National Reader's Choice Award, and the coveted MAGGIE Award from Georgia Romance Writers.
Ms. Criswell resides in Virginia with her husband of thirty-two years. She has two grown children, both lawyers, and one neurotic Boston terrier
To date, Ms. Criswell has written twenty-one historical, category, and contemporary romances. She has won numerous awards, including the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, the Reviewers' Choice Award, the National Reader's Choice Award, and the coveted MAGGIE Award from Georgia Romance Writers.
Ms. Criswell resides in Virginia with her husband of thirty-two years. She has two grown children, both lawyers, and one neurotic Boston terrier
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 16, 2012
Story and Writing Style
This story had everything I love in a Western romance: I nice blend of high-society New York and gritty backwoods Texas; hot cowboys and stubborn, high-maintenance women; suspense, intrigue and murder, and lots and lots of sex. Spoiled, hot-tempered Cassandra doesn’t want to marry the white-collar type her father works with, so she decides to undermine her father’s rule by placing an ad for a random cowboy to help her father see that she can pick her own husband. She didn’t expect anyone to answer it, nor did she expect it to backfire. Then from New York we go to Texas, a rich backdrop in both locales. While formulaic, it’s a fun little romp across the country, and it doesn’t fail to deliver on witty conversation or sexy interlude.
You know what’s funny? It’s rare when I find a book that I don’t grow bored with after the first sex scene or two. Considering the average number of sex scenes and intensity for each one, I was genuinely interested in the story (again, even though each step of the way was predictable…), and I wanted to see it through to the end. There’s a healthy dose of danger and intrigue, as I said, with a satisfying end.
Characters
As much as I love the characters, both highborn Cassandra Templeton and rough-and-tumble Jake Steele, their archetypes are extremely cliché. Both stubborn and used to getting their way, it’s fun to watch the concessions they make for one another. They work very well together, they grow together. And it’s very sexy to see a beautiful blonde socialite stand up to the tanned, broad-shouldered and brooding figure of a Wild West gunslinger.
Sex
You know, as I look back to this story, I realized that while the sex was good, if not as commonly-occurring as it is in other novels, it is the sexual tension between Cassie and Jake that really make it a solid story. The frustrated back-and-forth between them between sex is quite heated. They’re so hot that I just wanted to read about them in bed together again and again. Their first instance of intercourse was very wild, fun and naughty, I remember quite vividly.
This story had everything I love in a Western romance: I nice blend of high-society New York and gritty backwoods Texas; hot cowboys and stubborn, high-maintenance women; suspense, intrigue and murder, and lots and lots of sex. Spoiled, hot-tempered Cassandra doesn’t want to marry the white-collar type her father works with, so she decides to undermine her father’s rule by placing an ad for a random cowboy to help her father see that she can pick her own husband. She didn’t expect anyone to answer it, nor did she expect it to backfire. Then from New York we go to Texas, a rich backdrop in both locales. While formulaic, it’s a fun little romp across the country, and it doesn’t fail to deliver on witty conversation or sexy interlude.
You know what’s funny? It’s rare when I find a book that I don’t grow bored with after the first sex scene or two. Considering the average number of sex scenes and intensity for each one, I was genuinely interested in the story (again, even though each step of the way was predictable…), and I wanted to see it through to the end. There’s a healthy dose of danger and intrigue, as I said, with a satisfying end.
Characters
As much as I love the characters, both highborn Cassandra Templeton and rough-and-tumble Jake Steele, their archetypes are extremely cliché. Both stubborn and used to getting their way, it’s fun to watch the concessions they make for one another. They work very well together, they grow together. And it’s very sexy to see a beautiful blonde socialite stand up to the tanned, broad-shouldered and brooding figure of a Wild West gunslinger.
Sex
You know, as I look back to this story, I realized that while the sex was good, if not as commonly-occurring as it is in other novels, it is the sexual tension between Cassie and Jake that really make it a solid story. The frustrated back-and-forth between them between sex is quite heated. They’re so hot that I just wanted to read about them in bed together again and again. Their first instance of intercourse was very wild, fun and naughty, I remember quite vividly.
July 15, 2016
Mail-Order Outlaw by Millie Criswell
I liked this story.
The description of the book I am listing below is from the back jacket of the book. I'm adding it because I believe the one on the Goodreads page does not depict this story.
WANTED: BIDDABLE, PASSIVE HUSBAND...
New York debutante Cassandra Templeton was bound and determined to get married -- to anyone besides the insufferable fool her domineering father had chosen for her. Her plan was ingenious and simple: she'd place an ad, marry some gentleman farmer by proxy, then be free to live her life as she wished, out from under dear daddy's thumb.
DESIRED: ARROGANT, PASSIONATE OUTLAW!
But when tall Texan Jake Steele -- clad in black, sporting a six-shooter and spurs -- showed up at the Templetons' Gramercy Park mansion, Cassie realized her scheme had backfired in her face. Worse yet, the bold, handsome devil whose name she now shared was hellbent on winning her heart ... and succeeding.
I liked this story.
The description of the book I am listing below is from the back jacket of the book. I'm adding it because I believe the one on the Goodreads page does not depict this story.
WANTED: BIDDABLE, PASSIVE HUSBAND...
New York debutante Cassandra Templeton was bound and determined to get married -- to anyone besides the insufferable fool her domineering father had chosen for her. Her plan was ingenious and simple: she'd place an ad, marry some gentleman farmer by proxy, then be free to live her life as she wished, out from under dear daddy's thumb.
DESIRED: ARROGANT, PASSIONATE OUTLAW!
But when tall Texan Jake Steele -- clad in black, sporting a six-shooter and spurs -- showed up at the Templetons' Gramercy Park mansion, Cassie realized her scheme had backfired in her face. Worse yet, the bold, handsome devil whose name she now shared was hellbent on winning her heart ... and succeeding.
March 8, 2022
no logic to this story, but the characters aren't even likeable. it gets one star for the gorgeous cover that drew me in, but thats about it.
August 31, 2022
One of my long time favorites for maybe twenty years or more-
I wish this book had an audible version.
It’s a comfort read for me!
Full of sweet spice and silly humor!
I wish this book had an audible version.
It’s a comfort read for me!
Full of sweet spice and silly humor!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews