Heiress Bride

Matchmaker and Co. #2

by Cynthia Woolf

Heiress Ella Davenport survived a carriage accident that killed her father. Her life saved in exchange for savage scars marring her beautiful face. Her friends, socialites, showed their true colors, casting Ella aside like damaged goods and leaving her a social pariah. Even her wealth can’t buy her the kind of marriage she wants. Desperate to find a husband who can accept her despite her scars and, without knowing about her money, she seeks to become a mail order bride. Matchmaker & Co. is her one chance to start over and leave the pain and betrayal far behind her. Nathan Ravenclaw was run out of town by the father of the girl he was courting once he discovered Nathan’s Arapaho heritage. It didn’t matter that Nathan was a successful rancher, businessman, and a positive member of society. The white community suddenly saw only a half-breed. Even his money couldn’t buy him a wife. That was ten years ago. He moved and rebuilt everything that cold rancher once took from him. He has it all...except a wife. Matchmaker & Company promises to send him a woman willing to start a new life with him. But Nathan's battered heart lacks the ability to trust. He longs for children, not romance. His new bride, scarred and cast aside like himself, promises to be perfect for him. Until he meets his mail order bride. Fierce desire and an even more dangerous hope roar back to life within him. Two things he swore never to indulge in again. And love? For these two battered souls, that's the biggest risk of all

Genres: Romance, Historical, Historical Romance, Westerns, Mail Order Brides, Historical Fiction, Western Romance

250 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2011

About the author

Cynthia Woolf is the USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author of eighty-five works of romance fiction. Comprising sixty-six historical western romances, ten contemporary romance novels, two contemporary romance novellas, one historical western romance novella, and six sci-fi space opera romances, which she calls westerns in space. Along with these books, she has also published twelve boxed sets of her books and two short stories.

Cynthia loves writing and reading romance. Her first western romance, Tame A Wild Heart, was inspired by the story her mother told her of meeting Cynthia's father on a ranch in Creede, Colorado. Although Tame A Wild Heart takes place in Creede, that is the only similarity between the stories. Her father was a cowboy, not a bounty hunter, and her mother was a nursemaid (called a nanny now), not the ranch owner.

Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband, Jim, and her great critique partners for saving her sanity and allowing her to explore her creativity.



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TITLES AVAILABLE (English unless otherwise stated)

COLORADO BILLIONAIRES (sweet contemporary novels)
THE CEO
THE RANCHER
THE MAVERICK
THE TYCOON
THE ARTIST (coming soon)
THE QUARTERBACK (coming soon)


MONTANA BILLIONAIRES SERIES (contemporary sweet western novels)
Her Secret Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Mysterious Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Royal Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Christmas Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Bachelor Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Wild Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Elusive Cowboy Billionaire
Her Disguised Cowboy Billionaire


CHRISTMAS AT THE MISTLETOE INN (contemporary novella)
Cooking Up Christmas


THE BRIDES OF THE KLONDIKE
The Gold Rush Bride (Available in German)
The Gold Mountain Bride


THE PRESCOTT BRIDES (Available in German)
A Bride for Ross
A Bride for Frank
A Bride for Tucker
A Bride for Clay
A Bride for Brodie



THE HEART WISH MAIL-ORDER BRIDES SERIES
Heart of Stone
Heart of Shadow


MARSHALS MAIL ORDER BRIDES
The Carson City Bride (Available in German)
The Virginia City Bride (Available in German)
The Silver City Bride
The Eureka City Bride


ANGEL CREEK CHRISTMAS BRIDES
Adele


BRIDES OF GOLDEN CITY
A Husband for Victoria
A Husband for Cordelia
A Husband for Adeline


BRIDES OF THE OREGON TRAIL (Available in German)
Hannah
Lydia
Bella
Eliza
Rebecca
Charlotte
Amanda
Emma Rose
Nora
Opal


BACHELORS & BABIES
Carter (Book 3)


BRIDES OF SEATTLE (Available in German)
Mail Order Mystery
Mail Order Mayhem
Mail Order Mix-Up
Mail Order Moonlight
Mail Order Melody


CENTRAL CITY BRIDES (Available in German)
The Dancing Bride
The Sapphire Bride
The Irish Bride
The Pretender Bride


HOMESTEAD CANYON SERIES
Thorpe’s Mail-Order Bride
Kissed by a Stranger
A Family for Christmas


HOPE’S CROSSING
The Hunter Bride
The Replacement Bride
The Stolen Bride
The Unexpected Bride


AMERICAN MAIL-ORDER BRIDES
Genevieve, Bride of Nevada


THE SURPRISE BRIDES
Gideon


THE BRIDES OF SAN FRANCISCO
Nellie (Available in German)
Annie (Available in German)
Cora (Available in German)
Sophia (Available in German)
Amelia (Available in German)
Violet


THE BRIDES OF TOMBSTONE (Available in German)
Mail Order Outlaw
Mail Order Doctor
Mail Order Baron


DESTINY IN DEADWOOD (Available in German)
Jake
Liam
Zach


MATCHMAK

Reviews

[Jonel · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a very captivating novel. It is so well and clearly written that you can easily lose yourself in its pages. I can’t believe how completely and utterly I submersed myself in this novel. It was breathtaking. I’d love to live the life presented in this novel, hardships and all.

It’s very unique to see the decisions running down both sides of the relationship, and to be able to see where the misunderstandings are coming from. Everything is so clearly laid out that as a reader, you feel completely immersed in this world. That said, it is also very captivatingly written. It’s hard to fathom living in a relationship such as this. It’s also gratifying to see two people who deserve each other so fully overcome hardships to be together.

The characters in this novel were phenomenally well developed. Every one of them had their own life and their own personality that they brought to the story. The characters also complimented each other. Although they were their own person, they melded together to create a realistic and heart-warming family. The characters were also spot on for the time period. It was gratifying to see a novel with characters who were not only real humans, but periodically correct.

This very intriguing novel keeps you coming back for more and hoping that it will never end. So much happens that you can’t help but get caught up in the action. This novel also makes you wonder what online dating was like before the world of ‘online’ or ‘dating.

Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[StellaR · Rating 3 out of 5]

She cried a lot, wow and he had the patience of a saint. Mostly I was irritated by how gullible she was and towards the ending with them going back and forth, so unnecessary.

[Lindsey Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will state first off, that historical romance is not my usual cup of tea. That being said, just the summary pulled me into Ella and Nathan's world.

From the very beginning, I felt a connection with Ella. She was a young woman that carried a terrible burden. The scars she received in a carriage accident covered half of her face. Any husband she would find in New York society in the 1860's would marry her for her money. Ella didn't want a man like that.

Ella had a match-maker find her a husband in Nathan Ravenclaw. Woolf's description of Nathan is the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. I do admit to a slack jaw while reading the descriptions of Nathan's astounding physique. The Colorado rancher had been burned by love because of his heritage. He wanted a wife to work along side him and give him his own heirs, not a woman to love.

From the introduction of Nathan to the story, I fell in love with his outgoing and generous personality. The way he and Ella took to each other from the first moment they met was a tell-tale sign of an epic romance, whether he would admit to it or not.

Every story has it's discord and Woolf brought forth an intriguing threat to the newlyweds life. I don't want to give it away, but I was kept on the edge of my seat for a majority of the book waiting to read what would ultimately happen to the couple.

It was very easy to get lost in the wonderful language of the time. I was laughing in the very beginning as Ella called her brother an "ornery cuss". For the time period, I was expecting hearts and flowers love scenes. Not in this one. Woolf was able to stay true to the period and create some very hot and sensual love scenes between Ella and Nathan.

This was my first experience with Cynthia Woolf's work, but she has published several other novels I want to read soon.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have so enjoyed reading this series and this one is no exception. So intriguing how in those days mail order bride so popular. This company really took the time to check each one out and she seems to be able to match her clients up real good. It would seem she had a special touch for it. Having been introduced to Nathan in the first book he now requests the services of Matchmaker & Co. thanks largely to the successful match of his friend and neighbor John. His is going to be alittle bit of a challenge thanks to the prejudices of folks and views concerning Indians and also half breeds. But never fear she has just the bride for him. Ella has also a need of a husband and she has her own obstacles she deals with scars she considers ugly enough to cover from view. Thanks to a attempted murder on her but succeeded to murder her father in a carriage accident with no one caught. Friends no longer come around-some friends huh. Keeps more and more to herself and a brother is only one left to whom she trusts. Talk about a heartstring puller here. Money big factor here on motive for murder. So far away from this she decides to go in accepting the tickets to go marry Nathan. They get along right off the bat and they click. Enjoyable reading the building and budding relationship between these two filled with humor and love and not to forget the danger that is still lurking out there for her and her brother. Great supporting characters colorful for sure. Revisit old friends if read the first one or meet new ones. The talent of the author is revealed in the writing of this story and if they are able as she is to keep you immersed they have done a good job which most certainly happens in this one. Heart warming scenes and mystery is solved-remember a murder did take place, and romance is plentiful. Great pick me up ending filled with joy. received a copy for a honest review.

[Tanya Vought · Rating 4 out of 5]

*****I received this book through Goodreads First Review.
I enjoyed this book! I am So grateful for being a winner from GoodReads! ******

What do you do when everyone stares at you and no longer finds your beautiful? You hide your face behind a veil and wonder if you ever had any true friends! That is the life of Ella Davenport.
Since her accident in the carriage that took the life of her father and left her badly scared she has been wanting to get out of town and decided to become a mail order bride.

The man she is to marry, Nathan Ravenclaw also had an interesting life since he is half American half Arapaho. White's don't accept him and the one person he thought he loved 10 years ago .. her family kicked him out of town due to his heritage. Therefore, he has built a great life on his ranch, but wants children but not LOVE. not love.

However, when these two meet it is like lightning. It is beautiful to see two battered souls come together by Matchmaker and Co.
Their relationship is so cute, it is nice to see the relationship Ella establishes between Nathan's friends and people who help out on the ranch.

Nathan is protective, kind, warm and so caring to Ella it is so sweet to watch the love unfold while reading... and I love how he would always tell her.. "Trust me." Trust me. He would always protect her!
I loved how he only cared about her safety in the one section of the book.. and didn't care about himself.. that is when you knew really knew.. LOVE was there. ;)

I enjoyed this book by Cynthia Woolf. This was the first book I've read by you,but it definitely won't be the last! Well done. ;) :)

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am having a tough time deciding how to review this book. I enjoyed the story itself but I felt that it skipped around a bit. Things were a bit jumbled for me here and there. I had a hard time picturing a woman of that time period so easily accepting talk of sex. And I felt that the details that were missing held some major pieces to the story.

But that being said I still enjoyed this story. I enjoyed the fact that Ella who was scarred from an accident married a man who she didn't know. I can relate to that since I married a man who I met online and had never met in person and we are extremely happy so I could easily relate to the fact that a marriage to a stranger could work.

I am giving this book 3.5 stars, it didn't quite reach that 4 star mark for me. While I did enjoy the story, I felt that with a little bit more character development, plot development and scene development were in order. Also with a little less skipping around in the story it would have been far more enjoyable.

I will say this, the story itself holds promise, and the book as it stands now is enjoyable to read. So don't just take my opinion as gospel truth, go grab a copy for yourself and give it a shot, you may just like it!

Details/Disclaimer: Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Heiress Bride to be an easy two-day read. It was a very nice break from some of the heavier novels/biographies that I have been reading.

The plot was not too complex, but I was surprised that Ella was so willing to experiment sexually as she did with Nathan. From other literature I have read dealing with this time period, the topic was much more taboo!

I do think there were areas that could have been developed more--Nathan's upbringing as an Indian/White man; Ella's accident and healing; John and Sarah's past. I do realize that this book might be one in a series and I have read the books out of order; therefore, some of my criticism might have been dealt with in a previous book.

As an English teacher, I did notice a proofreading error--Nathan was talking to Ella and suddenly Sarah's name appeared! But this was minor compared to another book I read recently where there were errors on almost every page.

This book was sent by the author as part of the goodreads giveway. Getting the book for free did not influence my review. I will probably read more of Woolf's works.

[My Book Addiction and More MBA · Rating 4 out of 5]

HEIRESS BRIDE by Cynthia Woolf is an exciting Historical Romance(Cowboys/Westerns) set in 1871. Matchmaker and Co. Series #2. What an exciting series. A tale of two tormented and battered souls. Join Nathan Ravenclaw and Heiress Ella Davenport,they both have scars inside and out. While Ella's is on the outside for you see she was scarred during a carriage accident while Nathan's scars are on the inside, he is of native Indian heritage. Filled with passion,betrayal,mistrust,hope,and love. Nathan has written to The Matchmaker and Co for a match, what he finds is Ella and a chance to start over again.I look forward to the next tale in the Matchmaker and Co has to offer. Fast paced and a wonderful tale of love and healing. A wonderful read! Received for an honest review from the author.

RATING: 4.5

HEAT RATING: MILD

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Review courtesy of My Book Addiction and More

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotionally rich story of two scarred people. Ella wears her scars from a carriage accident on the outside. Nathan's scars are inside -- from his rejection as a half-breed and from the rejection of the first woman he planned to marry. This Mail Order Bride tale is part romance and part thriller as a murderer follows Ella from Boston. What makes this book stand out is the humor and playfulness of the couple.

[Tory · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, It was a quick read. I liked that for different reasons, Ella and Nathan have a hard time trusting. Ella was traumatized by an accident that scarred her and killed her father. Nathan was left by women due to his Arapho heritage. I liked watching these two wounded characters come to care for and trust each other.

[Connie McElfresh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found the characters very believable. This is book 2 in the series and I had no problem with that at all, I think you can read this as a stand alone and not feel like your missing any part of a story. I would recommend this to anyone, very good book.

[Natasha Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Capital Bride and really liked it. I thought this would be better but was left disappointed. It was okay but found myself hurrying to finish. The formula is the same as Capital bride but didn't work for me but I can't wait to read the next book.

[Dacia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really give this 3.5 stars.....I liked the characters, and the story was fun, but it was a little predictable for me. I'll still be looking for the other 2 books in the series. :)

[Vykki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong characters, a wonderful love story. This will make a great summer read. I won this book on
Goodreads. Thank you

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming soon

[Scarlet Fanning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shipbuilding heiress Ella Davenport becomes a veiled recluse after the near fatal carriage accident that left her scarred. Her friends disappeared and the only beaus were after her money. The carriage axil had been sawed causing the accident when it reached high speed. Her father died, but she survived. Her brother now has body guards with him.

If Ella was going to have a life and children, she needed to leave New York City. She applied as a mail-order bride with a matchmaker. She accepts a rancher in Colorado, who has scars of his own.

Nathan Ravenclaw is a half-breed. His mother is Arapaho and his father is from Philadelphia. He was raised with his mother's people till he was fifteen and had become a man after his ghost dance vision. A vision where he saw Ella and that a relative was trying to kill her.

Nathan sees Ella as beautiful and makes her remove her veil. She wears it in town, till she realizes than no one cares about her scars. Ella blooms as a western wife, but is hurt when Nathan says he will not give his heart to her. He was rejected by the first girl he loved, and her father made him move from that town.

Ella becomes pregnant, and the two cannot see what everyone else does --- they are madly in love.

Tender romance with suspense element as a murderer follows Ella west.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

From high society belle to ranch wife.

This story was interesting. I enjoyed it mostly but thought it was a bit hard on the bride. It covered many issues, murder, inheritance, mixed marriage, predjudice. The bride had a hard time. If I was that rich I definitely would have hired a few servants. Every other story about ranching seem to involve a cook for that many men. Luckily all turns out well. I gather out west scars were more frequently seen. And given all they did was work and not much society outings.
Wondering how the grandmother knew about the child. Think a few bits of story were cut out. Otherwise it was enjoyable and well written story.

[Susan Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

So Much Potential!

After I read the first in the series, I was excited about reading this installment between a shunned half-breed and a scarred heiress. Somehow, the book simply never met up to its potential, but I cannot identify why. The best parts involve Ella's interaction with her brother, Martha, and the animals except for the horses. Maybe it seems to be that somebody is always getting hurt. There could be many more fun times OUT OF THE BEDROOM. I will read more in the series.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ella was in the carriage accident that killed her father. She received a lot of injuries which left her with a lot of scars. The people she had thought were her friends rejected her now. So she became a mail order bride. Nathan is half Indian and had learned the hard way that some white people would not marry an Indian. So he was sure he would never love again. These two seemed to get along really well. But someone was trying to kill Ella. A very interesting short story.

[Ruby Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really Not Sure I liked The Book

The author does a good job of Plotting. Both H/h have major personal issues with scarring and race therefore they look for a mail order bride/husband. But it takes no time before they have sex again and again and again. The H was a rancher so I wondered how he could be available so much of the time. The h was involved in a bit of a mystery with her illegitimate brother. But overall, the book didn't work for me.

[Mary Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stand-alone book that is the second in the Mail Order Brides series. A worthy addition. A damaged heiress headed to the Wild West to a disheartened groom, the story gives us a taste of what it was like to live and love in Colorado and the prejudices to be dealt with. Murder and attempted murder abound as they try to heal each other with their love. Great to see the characters from the first book. Well done!

[Viola · Rating 5 out of 5]

very nice

A very nice book to read. It was written by Cynthia Woolf and is written very well. There is a lot of different things happening in this book, from murder, to running, to attempting murder again. A young woman is injured badly in an accident where her father dies. Later she runs from what she believes someone is trying to kill her. She finds the love of her life in her rancher. Then yet again someone is trying to murder them. A very enjoyable book to read.

[Paulette Deutsch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much graphic sex

I chose 3 stars because it had a good story line and likeable characters. I would have given more stars except there was too much graphic sex. Call me old-fashioned, I don't care, but in my opinion it degrades the quality of story. Alluding to sex and then 'fading to the next morning' is a classier way to tell the story.

[Vicki or Dennis Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting storyline with very descriptive characters made this an easy read. I had just read and reviewed a new book in this series last week. This came up at a bargain price so I took advantage. There was some graphic sex sporadically spaced which I just skimmed. That is not my preferred reading and this is the first book by this author where I encountered this.

[Diane Horne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heiress Bride (Book 2) By Cynthia Woolf

Four stars, good storyline although it had its moments.. Ella was a cry baby throughout the book.. Nathan who was a half breed Indian was burned by a first love, his baggage wasn't bad.. Naturally there was drama, which was taken care from of.. Lots of sex.. Average happy ending.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella

The Heiress was a mystery in away, with a greedy killer. Ella found love and a home and a family. A book for mature readers. It had a lot of descriptive sex. Still a good book. Jo

[Malika-Liki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had all the ingredients I love: scarred young women, mixed blood heroes, and some intrigue but it was for me just OK. Not a heartbreaking story or a warm-hearted one. I liked it but it is far from being among my favorite stories.

[Kat Piparo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book cant wait to read the next one

[Chanel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like most “Mail Order Bride” theme books, it was entertaining, but predictable. Though, this one included a little suspense. Nathan is a wonderful husband and Ella is a sweetheart.

[Frank · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book as the author got carried away with steamy sex scenes. It was a good story and she ruined it for me by trying to spice it up. Clean and wholesone this book is not.