What do you think?
Rate this book
The Texas Brands #6
The Baddest Bride In Texas
THE BLACKMAILED BRIDE
Two years ago, Kirsten Cowan had married the richest, meanest man in Texas—for reasons she had to hide from Adam Brand, the man she'd left standing at another altar....
Even now, Kirsten had to keep her secret, though she stood accused of her late husband's murder. Even though Adam Brand betrayed his own family to take her into hiding...
Because she knew the love they both felt couldn't be denied—just like the terrible, irreversible truth....
Two years ago, Kirsten Cowan had married the richest, meanest man in Texas—for reasons she had to hide from Adam Brand, the man she'd left standing at another altar....
Even now, Kirsten had to keep her secret, though she stood accused of her late husband's murder. Even though Adam Brand betrayed his own family to take her into hiding...
Because she knew the love they both felt couldn't be denied—just like the terrible, irreversible truth....
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 1999
414 people are currently reading
476 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Shayne
257 books2,571 followersI live in the teeny, tiny town of Taylor, NY, (Alliteration Alert!) though my mailing address is Cincinnatus, my telephone exchange is Truxton and I pay taxes and vote in Cuyler. All of these are at least in the same rural county in the southern hills of New York State; Cortland County. There are more cattle than people here. The nearest “big” cities are Syracuse and Binghamton and they are an hour away, in different directions, and not really all that big by most standards, though they both seem humongous to me. I look out my window to see rolling, green, thickly forested hills, wildflower laden meadows and wide open blue, blue skies. My road is barely paved. The nearest neighboring place is a 700 acre dairy farm.
My house is a big, century old farmhouse. I moved in here after my divorce in 2006. Just a little over a year later, the house, which I had named, SERENITY, burned. It was 99% gutted, and I lost my two dogs, Sally, an 11-year-old great Dane, and Wrinkles, my 14-year-old, blind bulldog. This was the culmination of my Dark Night of the soul, which had seemed to hit me all at once in 2006-2007. My mother died that year, after a 14 month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was only 60. The youngest of my five daughters had left home that same year, and while that’s not a tragedy at all, it felt like one to me. Then came the divorce. And finally there was the fire--it seemed my darkest night wasn’t quite finished with me after all. I had lost almost everything before that point, and as I poked through the wet ashes and soot the next day, I realized that I had now been stripped all the way to the bone.
No better time to start over. (And no, I didn’t come to that realization that day--there were a few days of wallowing in pity first, particularly the day after the fire, when I hit a deer and smashed up my car, which I was practically living in!)
That’s when I started to laugh. Just sat on the side of the road as the deer bounded, uninjured and carefree, out of sight, and laughed. It was just too ridiculous at that point, to do anything else!
And from there, I picked myself up, and brushed myself off, and said, okay, there’s only one way to go from here. Forward. And that’s what I did. There I was at the age of harrurmphemmph, living in my one, mostly undamaged remaining room, with a dorm-sized mini-fridge, a futon, a TV, my cat (nine lives!) and a laptop. And not much else. (Though thank goodness the room that survived the fire, was a room that had its own attached bathroom!)
Since then I have rebuilt my beloved home, which really has become my haven, my “Serenity.” I share it now with my fiancé, Lance, and we have accumulated quite the little family together. “Little” being a relative term. We have a pair of English Mastiffs, Dozer and Daisy, who weigh 203 pounds and 208 pounds respectively, and a little pudgy English Bulldog named Niblet, who is bigger than both of them, inside her mind. We also have the aforementioned cat, Glorificus (“Glory” for short,) who adores her canine pups and keeps them firmly in line. And we've acquired a pair of stray cats as well, a mother and son, Luna (Lulu for short) and Butters aka Buddy. Lulu showed up pregnant during a lunar eclipse, had a litter, and vanished again. We found homes for all the kittens except one. Butters. We got him fixed and kept him. A few months later, Lulu returned, again expecting. This litter was born on the "Monster Moon." Again, all the kittens were spayed and neutered and placed in homes, and this time we got Lulu to the vet in time to spay her before the cycle could repeat.
Glory is not amused.
She has a story of her own, my old Glory cat, having been with me before the Dark Times descended, she went through it all with me, moved with me, survived the fire, and remains with me still. She's tolerating the newcomers. Barely.
My partner is an artist, a mechanic, a welder and an inventor, and the rumors are true, he is much younger than I
My house is a big, century old farmhouse. I moved in here after my divorce in 2006. Just a little over a year later, the house, which I had named, SERENITY, burned. It was 99% gutted, and I lost my two dogs, Sally, an 11-year-old great Dane, and Wrinkles, my 14-year-old, blind bulldog. This was the culmination of my Dark Night of the soul, which had seemed to hit me all at once in 2006-2007. My mother died that year, after a 14 month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was only 60. The youngest of my five daughters had left home that same year, and while that’s not a tragedy at all, it felt like one to me. Then came the divorce. And finally there was the fire--it seemed my darkest night wasn’t quite finished with me after all. I had lost almost everything before that point, and as I poked through the wet ashes and soot the next day, I realized that I had now been stripped all the way to the bone.
No better time to start over. (And no, I didn’t come to that realization that day--there were a few days of wallowing in pity first, particularly the day after the fire, when I hit a deer and smashed up my car, which I was practically living in!)
That’s when I started to laugh. Just sat on the side of the road as the deer bounded, uninjured and carefree, out of sight, and laughed. It was just too ridiculous at that point, to do anything else!
And from there, I picked myself up, and brushed myself off, and said, okay, there’s only one way to go from here. Forward. And that’s what I did. There I was at the age of harrurmphemmph, living in my one, mostly undamaged remaining room, with a dorm-sized mini-fridge, a futon, a TV, my cat (nine lives!) and a laptop. And not much else. (Though thank goodness the room that survived the fire, was a room that had its own attached bathroom!)
Since then I have rebuilt my beloved home, which really has become my haven, my “Serenity.” I share it now with my fiancé, Lance, and we have accumulated quite the little family together. “Little” being a relative term. We have a pair of English Mastiffs, Dozer and Daisy, who weigh 203 pounds and 208 pounds respectively, and a little pudgy English Bulldog named Niblet, who is bigger than both of them, inside her mind. We also have the aforementioned cat, Glorificus (“Glory” for short,) who adores her canine pups and keeps them firmly in line. And we've acquired a pair of stray cats as well, a mother and son, Luna (Lulu for short) and Butters aka Buddy. Lulu showed up pregnant during a lunar eclipse, had a litter, and vanished again. We found homes for all the kittens except one. Butters. We got him fixed and kept him. A few months later, Lulu returned, again expecting. This litter was born on the "Monster Moon." Again, all the kittens were spayed and neutered and placed in homes, and this time we got Lulu to the vet in time to spay her before the cycle could repeat.
Glory is not amused.
She has a story of her own, my old Glory cat, having been with me before the Dark Times descended, she went through it all with me, moved with me, survived the fire, and remains with me still. She's tolerating the newcomers. Barely.
My partner is an artist, a mechanic, a welder and an inventor, and the rumors are true, he is much younger than I
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
January 19, 2015
Well I have to say. I was a little disappointed in the characters in this book. Adam promised over and over that he would be there for her and the moment she tells him the truth, he's GONE! Big character flaw in my opinion. He could have asked her for time to digest what she told him but no. He walks out on her.then blames it on grief for a 20 year old ACCIDENT. In my opinion the hero of the story should be a little more… more. Just kinda bummed that he had such a bad temper.
Then there was the mystery. I pieced it together as she was telling it and some things can be figured out right away. Like I knew the killer from the beginning and I also knew Cowan was behind it. It was OK though.
But I think my biggest irritation of the book was their game of "how many times can I say the name Kirsten?" (Or Kirsty) I mean it felt like it was said in at least every other paragraph! I was so tired of reading it that I totally skimmed the word and omitted it in my mind.
I give this book a solid 3 stars because it was a good book but there were a couple flaws that I just couldn't get past.
Then there was the mystery. I pieced it together as she was telling it and some things can be figured out right away. Like I knew the killer from the beginning and I also knew Cowan was behind it. It was OK though.
But I think my biggest irritation of the book was their game of "how many times can I say the name Kirsten?" (Or Kirsty) I mean it felt like it was said in at least every other paragraph! I was so tired of reading it that I totally skimmed the word and omitted it in my mind.
I give this book a solid 3 stars because it was a good book but there were a couple flaws that I just couldn't get past.
October 10, 2012
I'm not really into the western setting, but Ms. Shayne made me enjoy this book. The killer was so unexpected! Never see that one coming, really. Plus, the romance between Adam and Kirsten went lovely as well. They got married, finally!
December 11, 2013
OMG I loved this book. I'v alway liked Adam even tho he was a dick a lot to Kristen for good reason. Mystery secrets come out and new rd open up for a lot of characters. Great HEA.
January 13, 2025
In the 6th book, we finally get to Adam and Kirsten's story. It was nice to finally find out all of Kirsten's secrets and get closure to her story.
Kirsten left Adam at the alter 2 years ago and married the richest man in the county. Adam never got over it and left town for a while but came back to help his brother Ben. He discovered that he was homesick and started thinking about a plan to remain in town. Everything changes when Kirsten finds her husband dead from the gunshot to the head. When the murderer threatens to kill her, she picks up the gun and fires at him, meaning her fingerprints are all over the murder weapon. When she calls Garratt and Adam answers, they both immediately get involved. Kirsten swears she is innocent and that she doesn't have a motive since she won't inherit his money. Little did she know that Joseph recently changed his will so that she would inherit. Adam, not thinking straight, runs off with Kirsten to keep her from going to jail. He thinks they can hide out long enough to find the evidence they need that someone else committed the crime. In the middle of everything, Kirsten will have to find the strength to tell Adam everything. The fact the Joseph blackmailed her into marrying him and what it was he had on her. The very secret that she believed would make the Brands, especially Adam, hate her forever. Will she be able to tell Adam everything; will he be able to forgive her and can the family discover what is really going on in time to save Kirsten?
Kirsten left Adam at the alter 2 years ago and married the richest man in the county. Adam never got over it and left town for a while but came back to help his brother Ben. He discovered that he was homesick and started thinking about a plan to remain in town. Everything changes when Kirsten finds her husband dead from the gunshot to the head. When the murderer threatens to kill her, she picks up the gun and fires at him, meaning her fingerprints are all over the murder weapon. When she calls Garratt and Adam answers, they both immediately get involved. Kirsten swears she is innocent and that she doesn't have a motive since she won't inherit his money. Little did she know that Joseph recently changed his will so that she would inherit. Adam, not thinking straight, runs off with Kirsten to keep her from going to jail. He thinks they can hide out long enough to find the evidence they need that someone else committed the crime. In the middle of everything, Kirsten will have to find the strength to tell Adam everything. The fact the Joseph blackmailed her into marrying him and what it was he had on her. The very secret that she believed would make the Brands, especially Adam, hate her forever. Will she be able to tell Adam everything; will he be able to forgive her and can the family discover what is really going on in time to save Kirsten?
January 20, 2020
I was looking forward to Adam and Kirsten’s book I wanted to know what the bribe was that got her to marry the old man. I honestly thought it had to do with Penny or Kirsten’s father. Alas I was so wrong. It was huge also! Outside of what the actual secret was I feel like all the Brand’s should’ve reacted a bit more. I mean really or when the end came with all the drama and murder mystery it ended up not being the truth or something dramatic like that.
Any who, Adam was such a jerk in the previous book all nasty to Kirsten I was shocked that he went so quickly to her side. I expected him to be nastier to her and was very happy that he wasn’t. This couple for me was on point in my eyes I enjoyed their book way more then I expected and there were lots of twists and turns.
Any who, Adam was such a jerk in the previous book all nasty to Kirsten I was shocked that he went so quickly to her side. I expected him to be nastier to her and was very happy that he wasn’t. This couple for me was on point in my eyes I enjoyed their book way more then I expected and there were lots of twists and turns.
August 15, 2023
Lone Star Lonely No More
This story about Kirsten and Adam and the whole Brand family is a murder mystery that is so exciting that I couldn't put it down. I carried the book with me everywhere until I finished reading it. Kirsten is a strong woman who is hiding a secret from everyone in town. She is a trophy wife that her husband tells her what to do because he l knows the secret. He blackmail her into marrying him. She left her real love at the altar to marry this blackmailing old man. Adam is the Brand who hates her for this.
This story about Kirsten and Adam and the whole Brand family is a murder mystery that is so exciting that I couldn't put it down. I carried the book with me everywhere until I finished reading it. Kirsten is a strong woman who is hiding a secret from everyone in town. She is a trophy wife that her husband tells her what to do because he l knows the secret. He blackmail her into marrying him. She left her real love at the altar to marry this blackmailing old man. Adam is the Brand who hates her for this.
July 27, 2017
Lone Star Lonely by Maggie Shayne is number 6 in The Texas Brand series. I read it on my nook. Adam Brand is left at the alter by Kristen. Joseph the richest man in town told Kristen she had killed Adams parents when she was 14 and in a car accident hitting their car. Kristen married Joe to keep the secret. Joseph is killed and Kristen is blamed. The Brand family helps to sort this whole mess out.
October 19, 2025
Sorry, but way too out there for me, especially the whole thing with her mother/half-brother, just too ridiculous!
And let's get real: no way would a marriage work between the H and h. He might be able to forgive what she did, but no way could he forget, and that goes for his brothers and sister. True, she was young and didn't know what had happened at the time, but still, she'd be a reminder to all of them every day.
And let's get real: no way would a marriage work between the H and h. He might be able to forgive what she did, but no way could he forget, and that goes for his brothers and sister. True, she was young and didn't know what had happened at the time, but still, she'd be a reminder to all of them every day.
January 3, 2019
Awesome Read!
I enjoyed reading this book about Adam and Kirsten. The things that happened in this book! Things a person would do for love and things a person would do because of hate! Sometimes the lines are blurred between the two! I know everyone who reads this book/series will definitely enjoy it! I will recommend this book to everyone!
I enjoyed reading this book about Adam and Kirsten. The things that happened in this book! Things a person would do for love and things a person would do because of hate! Sometimes the lines are blurred between the two! I know everyone who reads this book/series will definitely enjoy it! I will recommend this book to everyone!
June 9, 2024
The Danger from the past.
The gripping truth. The lost love and brother. This story kept me trying to figure out the end. Did she really kill the Brands in th accident or did something happen after she left the site. This story leaves a lot of unanswered questions. But it was a great thriller.
The gripping truth. The lost love and brother. This story kept me trying to figure out the end. Did she really kill the Brands in th accident or did something happen after she left the site. This story leaves a lot of unanswered questions. But it was a great thriller.
November 23, 2025
Too Many Murder & Rapes
Its been awhile since I've read a Maggie Shayne book. This book is full with so many murders and rapes that I was so disappointed with this storyline because it's weak with romance and high with murders and rapes. The lies and abuse was difficult to read. This will be the last of the Texas Brands book that I will buy or checkout from library.
Its been awhile since I've read a Maggie Shayne book. This book is full with so many murders and rapes that I was so disappointed with this storyline because it's weak with romance and high with murders and rapes. The lies and abuse was difficult to read. This will be the last of the Texas Brands book that I will buy or checkout from library.
March 17, 2022
A difficult read with murder and mayhem and an abused woman being framed. Adam didn't take as long as I expected to get over his anger at his former fiancee, Kiersten, so I had to take this with a grain of salt. I have to admit I was expecting something a little different.
December 18, 2022
Lone Star Lonely (The Texas Brands Book 6)
Finally learning Kirsten and Adam's story was almost as awesome as seeing them finally get their happy ending. Almost since Book 1, details and questions alike have been slipped into the current circumstances in each storyline.
Finally learning Kirsten and Adam's story was almost as awesome as seeing them finally get their happy ending. Almost since Book 1, details and questions alike have been slipped into the current circumstances in each storyline.
March 7, 2023
Heartbreaker
This book will hold you until you finish it! Its a heartbreaker! The things we do for the ones we love! You'll enjoy it! Read how Kirstin and Adam face down each other after one fateful phone call!
This book will hold you until you finish it! Its a heartbreaker! The things we do for the ones we love! You'll enjoy it! Read how Kirstin and Adam face down each other after one fateful phone call!
June 14, 2023
Must Read
You will love this family and all of there adventures. Don’t start with this book start with book one. If you have read 1-5 you will love book 6. The Brand family are up to there necked with all kinds of twisted and turns. Enjoy
You will love this family and all of there adventures. Don’t start with this book start with book one. If you have read 1-5 you will love book 6. The Brand family are up to there necked with all kinds of twisted and turns. Enjoy
February 3, 2025
Love conquers all
To carry such a burden and the guilt that makes you deaden your emotions. And to run away from your emotions and do not fully live life until after everything comes out. Still this ends in forgiveness and an HEA.
To carry such a burden and the guilt that makes you deaden your emotions. And to run away from your emotions and do not fully live life until after everything comes out. Still this ends in forgiveness and an HEA.
November 18, 2018
Adams story
Accidents happen and we are our own worst enemy. This story has a happy ending but it is also a lesson to everyone.
Accidents happen and we are our own worst enemy. This story has a happy ending but it is also a lesson to everyone.
January 3, 2020
3 1/2 ☆☆☆
March 25, 2023
Loved them
Read all six books all where good
Read.only one I picked on wad kind of h
ockey I mean hobby oh well can t spell.liked reading the books
Read all six books all where good
Read.only one I picked on wad kind of h
ockey I mean hobby oh well can t spell.liked reading the books
July 19, 2023
most nerve racking yet!
This book keeps you on the edge of your seat with nerve wracking can’t put it down reading awesome enjoyment
This book keeps you on the edge of your seat with nerve wracking can’t put it down reading awesome enjoyment
August 20, 2023
Fantastic
This story is like watching a tennis match. The Brand family is tenacious and show in every novel the concept of a truly loving family.
This story is like watching a tennis match. The Brand family is tenacious and show in every novel the concept of a truly loving family.
February 21, 2024
Wonderful book
This author is beyond great. I don't know where her plots come from other than her brains but they are remarkable.
This author is beyond great. I don't know where her plots come from other than her brains but they are remarkable.
August 30, 2024
I remember loving this series when I was younger. On rereading this book, it fell short of my memories.
September 15, 2024
Couldn't put it down
Lots of action. Lots of secrets. Very entertaining. I just couldn't put it down! As all the other books in the Texas Brands series.
Lots of action. Lots of secrets. Very entertaining. I just couldn't put it down! As all the other books in the Texas Brands series.
November 20, 2017
Glad that Adam & Kirsten found their way back to each other, but what a mess they went through! The old man that was blackmailing Kirsten was despicable, and I am happy for Adam's support for a woman who had hurt him so...
August 8, 2008
Book 6 in the Brand series. I’m not a western romance fan, but since Ms. Shayne is one of my favorite authors, I knew I had to read her Brand series. Overall, they are all quite good! Some are a little bit better than others, in my opinion. If you are a fan of the western romances, you can’t miss this series!
The story of Adam Brand and future HEA- Kristen. Kristen left Adam at the altar while she married another man. Can he forgive her and keep her safe as she is accused of her late husband's murder? No kids. Adam and Kristen own a dude ranch in Quinn.
The story of Adam Brand and future HEA- Kristen. Kristen left Adam at the altar while she married another man. Can he forgive her and keep her safe as she is accused of her late husband's murder? No kids. Adam and Kristen own a dude ranch in Quinn.
January 23, 2015
Adam was jilted at the alter and later he finds that his would be bride, married a rich man old enough to be her father.... It breaks him, he leaves for the city, he can't be in texas while she's there.... Kirsten has a secret, the reason she left the love of her life at the later and she's paid for it for the last two years... Her millionaire husband is murdered and she could spend the rest of her life in prison for it, even though she didn't kill him... I couldn't wait to read Adam and Kirsten's story and I wasn't disappointed!!!
January 25, 2015
Adam was jilted at the alter and later finds that his would be bride married a rich man old enough to be her father.... I breaks him, he leaves for the city, he can't be in Texas while she's there.... Kirsten has a secret, the reason she left the love of her life at the later and she's paid for it the last two years... Her millionaire husband is murdered and she could spend the rest of her life in prison, even though she didn't do it...I couldn't wait to read Adam and Kirsten's story and I wasn't disappointed!!
March 10, 2016
So disappointed. I love how the author has a lot of different types of situations which you haven't seen before.
If she had taken this one in a different direction, it would have been believable. As it stands, I am just in shock. I don't think this is realistic at all! I don't want to spoil it, but the reaction the the secret is totally off & I think the law should have been involved!!
If she had taken this one in a different direction, it would have been believable. As it stands, I am just in shock. I don't think this is realistic at all! I don't want to spoil it, but the reaction the the secret is totally off & I think the law should have been involved!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews