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High Button Shoes
A feisty widow; a dashing outlaw—something’s definitely afoot.
The Widow
Beautiful Maggie Turner was the soul of respectability, determined to earn an honest living for herself and her town children in rough and tumble nineteenth century California.
The Outlaw
Dominick Sanders was shrouded in mystery, known to Maggie as the notorious Kissing Bandit—a man who kissed the women in the stages he robbed! It was enough to make Maggie’s blood boil—and heart pound faster.
The Marriage.
But now these two are thrown together in a mock marriage designed to deceive the world. Maggie has no choice but to play along—or else risk losing everything she’s ever worked for, including the man she has no business loving.
The Widow
Beautiful Maggie Turner was the soul of respectability, determined to earn an honest living for herself and her town children in rough and tumble nineteenth century California.
The Outlaw
Dominick Sanders was shrouded in mystery, known to Maggie as the notorious Kissing Bandit—a man who kissed the women in the stages he robbed! It was enough to make Maggie’s blood boil—and heart pound faster.
The Marriage.
But now these two are thrown together in a mock marriage designed to deceive the world. Maggie has no choice but to play along—or else risk losing everything she’s ever worked for, including the man she has no business loving.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 10, 2013
14 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Brownley
68 books776 followersBEST-SELLING AUTHOR MARGARET BROWNLEY has penned nearly forty novels and novellas. Her books have won numerous awards, including Readers' Choice and Award of Excellence. She's was a two-time Romance Writers of American RITA® finalist and has written for a TV soap. She is currently working on a new series. Not bad for someone who flunked eighth grade English. Just don't ask her to diagram a sentence.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 15, 2013
I'm not a person who laughs out loud at books, more the SALTS type (smiled a little then stopped). But this book had me GUFFAWING several times, especially in the first few chapters where we're introduced to the characters. OMGoodness, the "Kissing Bandit" is too hilarious. We first meet him travelling in the same stagecoach as the heroine, he of course is shackled with ball and chain, while she and her two children are passengers. The prisoner's guard snores, the other male passenger reads Shakespeare and the bandit stares openly and appreciatively across at the heroine the WHOLE stagecoach ride. When she eventually glares at him he blows her a kiss. Totally cracked me up.
On another occasion the stagecoach is rocking so violently that the heroine is near to being sick. The only thing that holds her back is that she reflects on her strength and tenacity and decides she "would NOT make a fool of herself, especially in front of a prisoner..." well, "between Santa Maria and Ballard," the book continues," Maggie Turner made a fool of herself" (it goes on to describe the heroine hanging out the stagecoach window, whacking her head against the frame and eventually ending up in a heap on the floor).
It's one of the things I love about Margaret Brownley, the characters are somewhat self-deprecating and we can connect with them.
When certain situations arise and the heroine realizes that she is going to be stuck with the bandit for the forseeable future she decides to "smoke him out" and make him leave by irritating the living daylights out of him. She burns his food, leaves darning needles on chair cushions and is completely obnoxious. Entertaining reading at it's best!
Margaret's writing is brilliant. This is my third book by her that Ive read and they've all been 5 stars.
There is no sex, no cussing , no violence and no preachiness whatsoever in this book.
On another occasion the stagecoach is rocking so violently that the heroine is near to being sick. The only thing that holds her back is that she reflects on her strength and tenacity and decides she "would NOT make a fool of herself, especially in front of a prisoner..." well, "between Santa Maria and Ballard," the book continues," Maggie Turner made a fool of herself" (it goes on to describe the heroine hanging out the stagecoach window, whacking her head against the frame and eventually ending up in a heap on the floor).
It's one of the things I love about Margaret Brownley, the characters are somewhat self-deprecating and we can connect with them.
When certain situations arise and the heroine realizes that she is going to be stuck with the bandit for the forseeable future she decides to "smoke him out" and make him leave by irritating the living daylights out of him. She burns his food, leaves darning needles on chair cushions and is completely obnoxious. Entertaining reading at it's best!
Margaret's writing is brilliant. This is my third book by her that Ive read and they've all been 5 stars.
There is no sex, no cussing , no violence and no preachiness whatsoever in this book.
April 4, 2016
When I first started reading this I kept thinking it should have been titled The Kissing Bandit, which to me sounded a lot better than High Button Shoes. Come to find out, this book had originally been published in 1993 under the title The Kissing Bandit. From what I can gather from previous reviews, the ’93 version was maybe a little steamier than this one (which was close to squeaky clean). I think a better title would have been My Kind of Man.
This one grabbed me right from the start and I had a hard time putting it down. The story and characters were engaging and I enjoyed the unique plot of the heroine being a shoe maker. When Maggie’s husband became ill she had him teach her his shoemaking business. When he passes away she uses it as a way to support her two children. I liked Maggie, she has a lot of spunk and is always trying to do the right thing. I liked Dominick quite a bit, he loved to tease Maggie about him being an outlaw. They are forced into a fake relationship and it was fun to watch the sparks fly.
I thought the story was fun and kept me entertained. I'm so grateful the author decided to republish this as a clean read, I really enjoyed it! I will definitely be trying more books by Ms. Brownley.
Content
Romance: Clean
Violence: None-mild
Religious: None-mild. Religious elements very subtle and true to characters, no preaching (maybe mild talk about forgiveness and finding peace in good choices).
This one grabbed me right from the start and I had a hard time putting it down. The story and characters were engaging and I enjoyed the unique plot of the heroine being a shoe maker. When Maggie’s husband became ill she had him teach her his shoemaking business. When he passes away she uses it as a way to support her two children. I liked Maggie, she has a lot of spunk and is always trying to do the right thing. I liked Dominick quite a bit, he loved to tease Maggie about him being an outlaw. They are forced into a fake relationship and it was fun to watch the sparks fly.
I thought the story was fun and kept me entertained. I'm so grateful the author decided to republish this as a clean read, I really enjoyed it! I will definitely be trying more books by Ms. Brownley.
Content
Romance: Clean
Violence: None-mild
Religious: None-mild. Religious elements very subtle and true to characters, no preaching (maybe mild talk about forgiveness and finding peace in good choices).
June 18, 2014
Maggie Turner is a respectable widow moving her two young children to Santa Barbara in hopes that it will improve the health of her young son. She happens to be on the same stagecoach as "The Kissing Bandit" - who has been taken into custody. When the stagecoach has an accident she and her children depend on "The Kissing Bandit" to help them survive and make it to Santa Barbara. She knows there is more to Dominick Sanders, but she can't quite figure him out - or stop herself from being attracted to him!
Dominick Sanders is an investigator trying to find The Kissing Bandit, and Sheriff Eugene Badger is their chief suspect. Dominick was posing as The Kissing Bandit (when he met Maggie) so he would be incarcerated in the Santa Barbara jail to keep his eye on the sheriff. Because his partner died in the stagecoach accident he needs a new cover - and decides that posing as Maggie's husband will be the perfect cover! Only Maggie isn't as cooperative as he would like -- especially because she believes he's the outlaw! But he always manages to stay one step ahead of her...
I thought the chemistry between Dominick and Maggie was fun, and it was sweet to see him interact with her children. I would definitely read more from this author!
Content: Very Clean
Dominick Sanders is an investigator trying to find The Kissing Bandit, and Sheriff Eugene Badger is their chief suspect. Dominick was posing as The Kissing Bandit (when he met Maggie) so he would be incarcerated in the Santa Barbara jail to keep his eye on the sheriff. Because his partner died in the stagecoach accident he needs a new cover - and decides that posing as Maggie's husband will be the perfect cover! Only Maggie isn't as cooperative as he would like -- especially because she believes he's the outlaw! But he always manages to stay one step ahead of her...
I thought the chemistry between Dominick and Maggie was fun, and it was sweet to see him interact with her children. I would definitely read more from this author!
Content: Very Clean
August 21, 2014
Great, rollicking Old West fun, with a bit of mystery, danger and romance mixed in! Margaret Brownley's dialogue is a hoot at times, making this a fast, enjoyable read. It's evident that she's done her research as well, with a lot of historical details included, and yes, there really is a steep San Marcos pass between Santa Maria, Lompoc and Santa Barbara. There's also a historic stagecoach stop at the bottom of the hill in Los Olivos (now a tavern), and Mission Santa Barbara is still a beautiful place to visit.
November 24, 2013
This is a cute little Western romance. What was nice was the setting was something different. Coastal California made for a different ambience in a western setting. But, the protagonists were delightful as well. Maggie and Aita both were charmingly drawn. It was a lot of fun to see how he could so cheerfully drive her nuts. I wouldn't mind another visit with them at all.
November 3, 2023
I love this story, it was fun, witty, charming and adventurous. This is my first Margaret Brownley book and it really impressed me. It won't be my last!
Both main characters Maggie and Dominik have courage, spunk and character. And I found endeering the way they grow and become closer throughout the story.
Recommend!
Both main characters Maggie and Dominik have courage, spunk and character. And I found endeering the way they grow and become closer throughout the story.
Recommend!
November 2, 2019
A compelling historical romance
Enjoyable and interesting story of a young widow and mother who is a shoemaker. She is held up on the stagecoach by the kissing bandit. Who is he and what happens to her and her children?
Enjoyable and interesting story of a young widow and mother who is a shoemaker. She is held up on the stagecoach by the kissing bandit. Who is he and what happens to her and her children?
October 21, 2020
I just made it to 5 percent. DNF. If the word “sensuous” comes up in casual reference at the very beginning of the story, perhaps things are going in a direction I don’t like. I do note that I have read other books by the author and survived but I am leaving this unfinished.
October 27, 2022
Great read. Dominick was such an awesome character. You had to like him even though he was an outlaw...or was he?
September 30, 2025
Best Author Around
You always make me laugh, and your stories are the best. I always think about writing but I’d never even come close to you 💗💗
You always make me laugh, and your stories are the best. I always think about writing but I’d never even come close to you 💗💗
March 21, 2017
Loved this!
This book had me from page one. I loved the humor, and the characters were very likable. I look forward to reading more from this author!
This book had me from page one. I loved the humor, and the characters were very likable. I look forward to reading more from this author!
November 23, 2013
Cute, quick read about an uptight widower and a man set out to find the bandit responsible for the death of his family. I enjoyed much about this story including the plot, setting and hero but the heroine really annoyed me. She came across to me as arrogant, ungrateful and rude. There was a lot of squabbling between the H/H which made for a few humorous moments but I feel like there were not enough good times between them to show how Dominick could have fallen in love with Maggie. Entertaining story but probably won't read it again.
November 20, 2014
Witty
I enjoyed this book there were several parts that made me laugh out loud and in today's time we need laughter. I will continue to seek out Margaret's other books.
I enjoyed this book there were several parts that made me laugh out loud and in today's time we need laughter. I will continue to seek out Margaret's other books.
January 17, 2015
so sweet
This was a sweet, fun adventure! The woman who has to survive it all and come out with her quick wits. A little too judgmental for me. But, great romance!
This was a sweet, fun adventure! The woman who has to survive it all and come out with her quick wits. A little too judgmental for me. But, great romance!
January 22, 2015
Fun and great read
There were a couple of slow chapters but overall it was filled with funny moments and lots of action. I definitely recommend
There were a couple of slow chapters but overall it was filled with funny moments and lots of action. I definitely recommend
March 26, 2015
What a full story. Heartwarming, fresh, fun, forgiving, romantic, suspenseful, humorous, and adventurous. What more can be said. I will read it again.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews