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Bitter Springs
Boots Under Her Bed
From four acclaimed authors come four all-new novellas featuring the rugged men of the West and the women who want them…
From Jodi Thomas...Callie has done a lot of crazy things, but it’ll take one more to prove she isn’t nuts: find a husband, fast! Her only requirement: he has to be taller than she is and swear not to have her committed during their ruse of a marriage.
From Jo Goodman...Felicity Ravenwood was raised to be independent-minded, but when this runaway bride opposes her father’s choices, it is up to Nat Church to bring her around. But he doesn’t count on springing her from jail, holding her hostage, or falling head over boot-heels in love.
From Kaki Warner...Two strangers on a train have more in common than they know—both have hidden purposes and ties to a Nebraska bank robbery. But when their schemes unravel, they find a bigger surprise awaiting them than either could have imagined.
From Alison Kent...When runaway New York socialite Maeve Daugherty joins her father’s bodyguard Zeb Crow on his personal mission of revenge, what was a slightly scandalous new life as a bookkeeper for an infamous San Antonio brothel becomes downright dangerous. But that’s not stopping Maeve from having the time of her life.
From Jodi Thomas...Callie has done a lot of crazy things, but it’ll take one more to prove she isn’t nuts: find a husband, fast! Her only requirement: he has to be taller than she is and swear not to have her committed during their ruse of a marriage.
From Jo Goodman...Felicity Ravenwood was raised to be independent-minded, but when this runaway bride opposes her father’s choices, it is up to Nat Church to bring her around. But he doesn’t count on springing her from jail, holding her hostage, or falling head over boot-heels in love.
From Kaki Warner...Two strangers on a train have more in common than they know—both have hidden purposes and ties to a Nebraska bank robbery. But when their schemes unravel, they find a bigger surprise awaiting them than either could have imagined.
From Alison Kent...When runaway New York socialite Maeve Daugherty joins her father’s bodyguard Zeb Crow on his personal mission of revenge, what was a slightly scandalous new life as a bookkeeper for an infamous San Antonio brothel becomes downright dangerous. But that’s not stopping Maeve from having the time of her life.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 7, 2014
About the author
Jodi Thomas
118 books2,533 followersI'm a New York Times and USA Today Best Selling author, wife, mother, in-law, grandmother, sister, friend, and owner of one fat cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
January 19, 2014
Boots Under Her Bed is a collection of four novellas from current western romance writers. I'm not a big romance reader, and for the most part, these stories were a bit too silly for my taste, but I kept reading on account of Kaki Warner's inclusion in the book. I read and loved her Blood Rose trilogy and was interested to see what she would do in the shorter form.
In Warner's story "The Scent of Roses," two strangers meet on a train, where they are each trying to uncover the other's ties to a bank robbery.
Warner's characterization was strong, and as usual, I liked her witty dialogue, but I think the story as a whole would have been stronger if she'd had more space to develop it. The ending seemed rushed, a little contrived. (On a side note, I hated that she named the hero Richard Whitmeyer. I couldn't stop thinking of him as DickWhit.)
In Warner's story "The Scent of Roses," two strangers meet on a train, where they are each trying to uncover the other's ties to a bank robbery.
"I can't believe you pawed through my purse," she said.
"Only out of concern for you." He gave her an indulgent smile. "When I picked it up, I heard the clank of metal and wanted to make sure you hadn't accidentally slipped the hotel silverware inside."
"Had they been a finer grade of tin, I might have. Especially the knife."
Warner's characterization was strong, and as usual, I liked her witty dialogue, but I think the story as a whole would have been stronger if she'd had more space to develop it. The ending seemed rushed, a little contrived. (On a side note, I hated that she named the hero Richard Whitmeyer. I couldn't stop thinking of him as DickWhit.)
February 7, 2014
A great collection of Wild West novellas! Each novella found in this novel is unique, sassy, and down right fun to read! This was my first experience with all four of the authors, but certainly not my last. Each time you start a new story in this book, the characters, storyline and even the setting are rather different and very entertaining!
Crazy Callie needs to find a husband, fast, if she’s going to escape her stepfather’s devious plans. When she goes husband hunting, in a rather unique place, she finds just the type of man she’s looking for. But after she and Luke marry, she learns that while she found Luke when he was down, he definitely wasn’t out for the count. As the two of them deal with the obstacles facing Callie, they find that love can be found even under the strangest of circumstances.
Head strong Felicity isn’t going to bow to her father’s wishes. She wants to marry of course, but not to the men of her father’s choosing. So she runs and ends up causing quite the commotion in a small town jail. When Nat Church shows up and springs her, she’s not exactly willing to go, but Nat has ways to manage difficult females. Once safely tucked away in her private train car, Nat reveals that she is being allowed to have a grand tour of the west, but if she steps one foot out of the car, she’s officially cut off and not allowed back inside. But being held captive isn’t quite so bad when you’re riding with Nat Church…..Has Felicity finally found a man she wants? And is Nat Church willing to marry a rather strong-willed female, such as Miss Felicity Ravenwood?
When Rachel James and Richard Whitmeyer board a train, they have a lot more in common than they think they do. Both are connected to a bank robbery in Nebraska, both are hiding a secret or two, and both are trying to pry information from the other. But when their train gets stranded, things start to get quite interesting…. I wish I could tell you more about this one, but I don’t want to ruin the story so you’ll just have to read it for yourself! I’m sure it will keep you guessing until the last page!
When Maeve Daugherty runs away with her uncle, the last place she expected to find herself was working in brothel. But as circumstances would have it, that’s exactly where she finds herself. But at least she’s being allow to use the accounting skills she learned and not serving the men. But when her father’s hired gun, Zebulon Crow turns up looking for her, she decides to go with him, even though she has no desire to return home to her parents. She’s always had a thing for Zeb and while not looking forward to the journey or the end destination, it allows her to spend time with him. But the longer she’s with him, the more she learns that things are not as they seem. Can Maeve deal with learning the truth about her parents and uncle? And will Zeb and Maeve have to pay the price for all the wrongs her family has done?
Just a wonderfully written, highly entertaining collection! Even if you’re not the biggest fan of Westerns, I encourage you to pick up a copy of Boots Under Her Bed. I promise, you will not be disappointed. I look forward to reading more from these amazing authors!
Rating: 4.5
Heat Rating: Mild
Reviewed by AprilP
Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
Crazy Callie needs to find a husband, fast, if she’s going to escape her stepfather’s devious plans. When she goes husband hunting, in a rather unique place, she finds just the type of man she’s looking for. But after she and Luke marry, she learns that while she found Luke when he was down, he definitely wasn’t out for the count. As the two of them deal with the obstacles facing Callie, they find that love can be found even under the strangest of circumstances.
Head strong Felicity isn’t going to bow to her father’s wishes. She wants to marry of course, but not to the men of her father’s choosing. So she runs and ends up causing quite the commotion in a small town jail. When Nat Church shows up and springs her, she’s not exactly willing to go, but Nat has ways to manage difficult females. Once safely tucked away in her private train car, Nat reveals that she is being allowed to have a grand tour of the west, but if she steps one foot out of the car, she’s officially cut off and not allowed back inside. But being held captive isn’t quite so bad when you’re riding with Nat Church…..Has Felicity finally found a man she wants? And is Nat Church willing to marry a rather strong-willed female, such as Miss Felicity Ravenwood?
When Rachel James and Richard Whitmeyer board a train, they have a lot more in common than they think they do. Both are connected to a bank robbery in Nebraska, both are hiding a secret or two, and both are trying to pry information from the other. But when their train gets stranded, things start to get quite interesting…. I wish I could tell you more about this one, but I don’t want to ruin the story so you’ll just have to read it for yourself! I’m sure it will keep you guessing until the last page!
When Maeve Daugherty runs away with her uncle, the last place she expected to find herself was working in brothel. But as circumstances would have it, that’s exactly where she finds herself. But at least she’s being allow to use the accounting skills she learned and not serving the men. But when her father’s hired gun, Zebulon Crow turns up looking for her, she decides to go with him, even though she has no desire to return home to her parents. She’s always had a thing for Zeb and while not looking forward to the journey or the end destination, it allows her to spend time with him. But the longer she’s with him, the more she learns that things are not as they seem. Can Maeve deal with learning the truth about her parents and uncle? And will Zeb and Maeve have to pay the price for all the wrongs her family has done?
Just a wonderfully written, highly entertaining collection! Even if you’re not the biggest fan of Westerns, I encourage you to pick up a copy of Boots Under Her Bed. I promise, you will not be disappointed. I look forward to reading more from these amazing authors!
Rating: 4.5
Heat Rating: Mild
Reviewed by AprilP
Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
May 27, 2020
Such a beautifully written book. Jodi and friends certainly can captivate their fans with this fun romantic anthologies. A book not to be missed if you love short stories with beautiful happy endings.
August 12, 2016
Wonderful, sweet read! This is about a fictional character that one of Jo Goodman's characters writes about in her current series. It was short, but really good. I love Nat in this story and I hope that we get more stories about Nat and Felicia.
January 2, 2019
Four western novellas from authors I've enjoyed before. Most have an unexpected twist which was quite entertaining.
June 24, 2015
I really loved Jodi Thomas's story. The others were cute, but just not as well written. But it is a fantastic Wild West romantic book.
August 21, 2015
My boyfriend's mom gave me this book. It was actually more tasteful than I was expecting, though I still felt pretty embarrassed leaving it laying on my towel at the pool. Ha.
September 15, 2023
Boots Under her Bed is a fun collection of short romance stories, all old-wild-west themed. Each of the stories makes for a quick read and as they are totally independent, you can actually read them in any order you want.
Nat Church and the Runaway Bride
Loved it. It’s my favorite of the whole lot. The beginning is extremely funny, and the end is really romantic. For a short story, it’s pretty well structured and just as good as other full sized books by Jo Goodman I have read in the past.
The Hired Gun’s Heiress
Definitely not my favorite. I couldn’t connect with either character and actually disliked Maeve. Even accounting for the fact that it’s a short story, the plot is weak and there are lots of details that could have been better explained.
The Scent of Roses
Not bad, but the story could have been much better without Richard's assumptions about Rachel. That he immediately thought a pretty well dressed woman traveling alone had to be a prostitute felt offensive right from the start and I just couldn’t get past that - even if Rachel apparently did.
Crazy Callie
My second favorite of the lot. I had a few issues with the plot here and there, but overall I very much enjoyed this story about two absolute strangers making the best of their time together, building a new life and falling in love along the way.
Overall, if you love the genre this is a great book to have on hand if you only have shorter periods of time to read but don't like to leave stories unfinished.
Nat Church and the Runaway Bride
Loved it. It’s my favorite of the whole lot. The beginning is extremely funny, and the end is really romantic. For a short story, it’s pretty well structured and just as good as other full sized books by Jo Goodman I have read in the past.
The Hired Gun’s Heiress
Definitely not my favorite. I couldn’t connect with either character and actually disliked Maeve. Even accounting for the fact that it’s a short story, the plot is weak and there are lots of details that could have been better explained.
The Scent of Roses
Not bad, but the story could have been much better without Richard's assumptions about Rachel. That he immediately thought a pretty well dressed woman traveling alone had to be a prostitute felt offensive right from the start and I just couldn’t get past that - even if Rachel apparently did.
Crazy Callie
My second favorite of the lot. I had a few issues with the plot here and there, but overall I very much enjoyed this story about two absolute strangers making the best of their time together, building a new life and falling in love along the way.
Overall, if you love the genre this is a great book to have on hand if you only have shorter periods of time to read but don't like to leave stories unfinished.
January 8, 2014
4.5 Stars
Berkley hit upon a recipe for success when they chose to combine novellas from four excellent and popular authors in this anthology.
“Crazy Callie” by Jodi Thomas
Callie Ann Cramer needs a groom in a hurry. Marriage will ensure that her husband is her next of kin and thwart her step-father’s plan to have Callie committed to an institution for the insane. He covets the ranch that he has worked since he married Callie’s mother, and there’s not much he is unwilling to do to achieve his goal. Callie has evaded his efforts to marry her off, survived attacks on her person, and found some measure of contentment living in a small house on the edge of the property. Her step-father has already been successful in persuading most of the town that eccentric Callie who prefers animals to people is crazy. Now that the woman he wants to marry refuses to love on a ranch with Crazy Callie, he has a new reason to get rid of his step-daughter. Lawyer Luke Morgan—dumped, broke, and drunk—looks like Callie’s best bet, but he proves to be a better bargain than Callie dared dream.
Jodi Thomas is one of the best storytellers writing romance fiction, and in “Crazy Callie,” she takes one of the oldest tropes in the genre, the marriage of convenience, and gives it a fresh twist. The result is a story that blends humor, sweetness, and a sigh-worthy ending. Thomas is an expert at creating quirky characters that retain their credibility, and she does so again in this story. Even the villain is human. If you are a fan of Thomas’s Western novels, you will fully appreciate this one.
“Nat Church and the Runaway Bride” by Jo Goodman
Felicity Ravenwood left her groom at the altar and ran away in the private rail car her father had built for the couple’s wedding trip. Her father, a railroad tycoon, calls in a favor and sends Nat Church, an expert in repossession and recovery whose service is usually under the direct orders of the President of the United States, after his wayward daughter. Nat finds Felicity in a jail cell in Falls Hollow, Colorado, along with seventeen local temperance activists. Felicity has no intention of meekly accepting a return to her father, and refuses to leave the jail. But Nat is a man who knows how to ensure his success. The next thing Felicity knows she is in her private rail car in a leg iron, listening to Nat tell her that her father has cut off her funds but given her freedom to travel in the car so long as she never leaves it. Thus the two begin two journeys: a circuitous one in the luxurious car through thinly inhabited Western towns and an emotional one that ends in an HEA.
Goodman’s story is my favorite. I too fell in love with Nat Church, who reminds me of a younger, sexier, more handsome version of Paladin in Have Gun—Will Travel, one of my early heroes. And Felicity’s independence and intelligence make her almost as delightful as Nat. The seduction scene is one of those perfect scenes that readers are lucky enough to be given sometimes. Readers of Goodman’s recent Western romances will recognize Nat Church as the fictional character in the dime novels referenced in those books.
“The Scent of Roses” by Kaki Warner
Richard Whitmeyer and Rachel James meet on a train shortly after a bank robber in Omaha City escaped with two hundred bearer bonds and a fortune in uncut jewels and left behind not a single clue as to his identity. Richard is an insurance investigator on track of the robber; Rachel is employed by a detective agency for the same task. Each holds his/her own identity close, and each is suspicious that the other knows something about the robbery. Warner adds a powerful attraction between these two strong-minded, intelligent people, the spice of danger, and some genuinely funny moments.
I love Kaki Warner’s characters. I always find them fully dimensional with an extra dollop of wit and warmth. Richard and Rachel are just as appealing as the characters in Warner’s novels. The battle between attraction and suspicion is handled with great skill, and the interactions between the protagonists often left me smiling.
“The Hired Gun’s Heiress” by Alison Kent
Maeve Daugherty ran away from her life as a banker’s privileged daughter in New York City because of her parents’ interference in her efforts to make a difference in the poorest sections of the city. She joined her Uncle Mick on his journey to Texas, but Mick gambled away their funds and left Maeve in San Antonio with the advice that she seek employment as a housekeeper on nanny. Instead, she finds work as bookkeeper in a brothel. Zebulon Crow, her father’s bodyguard, comes after Maeve. She thinks he has been sent by her father. In reality, her father is far more concerned about Mick and money he has stolen from him. Finding Maeve is Zeb’s personal mission, but the two will have to survive danger and defeat dangerous enemies before they can claim their HEA.
Kent’s story is the darkest in the group, and the most action-filled. It features degrees and varieties of villainy, class issues, a tortured hero, and an unconventional heroine. That’s a lot to pack in a novella, and it is a measure of Kent’s skill as a writer that she does so and makes them all work.
Boots Under Her Bed is a rare anthology in which all the stories are entertaining with engaging characters. The voices and styles of the four authors are diverse, so there is never the sense of a story retold that plagues some collections. If you are a fan of any of these authors or if you just have a fondness for Western romance, I think you will agree that this book is a winner.
Originally posted at The Romance Dish:
http://www.theromancedish.com/2014/01...
Berkley hit upon a recipe for success when they chose to combine novellas from four excellent and popular authors in this anthology.
“Crazy Callie” by Jodi Thomas
Callie Ann Cramer needs a groom in a hurry. Marriage will ensure that her husband is her next of kin and thwart her step-father’s plan to have Callie committed to an institution for the insane. He covets the ranch that he has worked since he married Callie’s mother, and there’s not much he is unwilling to do to achieve his goal. Callie has evaded his efforts to marry her off, survived attacks on her person, and found some measure of contentment living in a small house on the edge of the property. Her step-father has already been successful in persuading most of the town that eccentric Callie who prefers animals to people is crazy. Now that the woman he wants to marry refuses to love on a ranch with Crazy Callie, he has a new reason to get rid of his step-daughter. Lawyer Luke Morgan—dumped, broke, and drunk—looks like Callie’s best bet, but he proves to be a better bargain than Callie dared dream.
Jodi Thomas is one of the best storytellers writing romance fiction, and in “Crazy Callie,” she takes one of the oldest tropes in the genre, the marriage of convenience, and gives it a fresh twist. The result is a story that blends humor, sweetness, and a sigh-worthy ending. Thomas is an expert at creating quirky characters that retain their credibility, and she does so again in this story. Even the villain is human. If you are a fan of Thomas’s Western novels, you will fully appreciate this one.
“Nat Church and the Runaway Bride” by Jo Goodman
Felicity Ravenwood left her groom at the altar and ran away in the private rail car her father had built for the couple’s wedding trip. Her father, a railroad tycoon, calls in a favor and sends Nat Church, an expert in repossession and recovery whose service is usually under the direct orders of the President of the United States, after his wayward daughter. Nat finds Felicity in a jail cell in Falls Hollow, Colorado, along with seventeen local temperance activists. Felicity has no intention of meekly accepting a return to her father, and refuses to leave the jail. But Nat is a man who knows how to ensure his success. The next thing Felicity knows she is in her private rail car in a leg iron, listening to Nat tell her that her father has cut off her funds but given her freedom to travel in the car so long as she never leaves it. Thus the two begin two journeys: a circuitous one in the luxurious car through thinly inhabited Western towns and an emotional one that ends in an HEA.
Goodman’s story is my favorite. I too fell in love with Nat Church, who reminds me of a younger, sexier, more handsome version of Paladin in Have Gun—Will Travel, one of my early heroes. And Felicity’s independence and intelligence make her almost as delightful as Nat. The seduction scene is one of those perfect scenes that readers are lucky enough to be given sometimes. Readers of Goodman’s recent Western romances will recognize Nat Church as the fictional character in the dime novels referenced in those books.
“The Scent of Roses” by Kaki Warner
Richard Whitmeyer and Rachel James meet on a train shortly after a bank robber in Omaha City escaped with two hundred bearer bonds and a fortune in uncut jewels and left behind not a single clue as to his identity. Richard is an insurance investigator on track of the robber; Rachel is employed by a detective agency for the same task. Each holds his/her own identity close, and each is suspicious that the other knows something about the robbery. Warner adds a powerful attraction between these two strong-minded, intelligent people, the spice of danger, and some genuinely funny moments.
I love Kaki Warner’s characters. I always find them fully dimensional with an extra dollop of wit and warmth. Richard and Rachel are just as appealing as the characters in Warner’s novels. The battle between attraction and suspicion is handled with great skill, and the interactions between the protagonists often left me smiling.
“The Hired Gun’s Heiress” by Alison Kent
Maeve Daugherty ran away from her life as a banker’s privileged daughter in New York City because of her parents’ interference in her efforts to make a difference in the poorest sections of the city. She joined her Uncle Mick on his journey to Texas, but Mick gambled away their funds and left Maeve in San Antonio with the advice that she seek employment as a housekeeper on nanny. Instead, she finds work as bookkeeper in a brothel. Zebulon Crow, her father’s bodyguard, comes after Maeve. She thinks he has been sent by her father. In reality, her father is far more concerned about Mick and money he has stolen from him. Finding Maeve is Zeb’s personal mission, but the two will have to survive danger and defeat dangerous enemies before they can claim their HEA.
Kent’s story is the darkest in the group, and the most action-filled. It features degrees and varieties of villainy, class issues, a tortured hero, and an unconventional heroine. That’s a lot to pack in a novella, and it is a measure of Kent’s skill as a writer that she does so and makes them all work.
Boots Under Her Bed is a rare anthology in which all the stories are entertaining with engaging characters. The voices and styles of the four authors are diverse, so there is never the sense of a story retold that plagues some collections. If you are a fan of any of these authors or if you just have a fondness for Western romance, I think you will agree that this book is a winner.
Originally posted at The Romance Dish:
http://www.theromancedish.com/2014/01...
November 3, 2019
Loved the first story
Four stories with lovely heroes. What more can you ask for? Yet it is the first story that steals my admiration. Callow is desperately trying to find a husband. Anyone will do as her uncle is intending on putting her into an asylum. She searched among the drinks lying outside the saloons in town and finds one that will do.
Luke Morgan has been drinking steadily for 3 days. Suddenly his life is turned upside down. I particularly liked Luke as his vulnerability shows through whilst still portraying a man who can take control. Well done Jodi Thomas.
Four stories with lovely heroes. What more can you ask for? Yet it is the first story that steals my admiration. Callow is desperately trying to find a husband. Anyone will do as her uncle is intending on putting her into an asylum. She searched among the drinks lying outside the saloons in town and finds one that will do.
Luke Morgan has been drinking steadily for 3 days. Suddenly his life is turned upside down. I particularly liked Luke as his vulnerability shows through whilst still portraying a man who can take control. Well done Jodi Thomas.
March 12, 2019
Jodi Thomas' novella was probably my favorite; the other three stories in the collection didn't really catch my fancy. I liked the way Thomas showed the couple slowly getting acquainted and having certain phrases they repeated to each other. This can be difficult with the limited word count of a novella, but she managed it.
November 8, 2016
I bought the book for Jo Goodman and her story is the only one that I liked. But I must say novella is not my thing. Things happen too quickly and too prematurely to make a lasting impression on me.
October 2, 2019
DNF. only read 1st story which was average.
May 12, 2021
2 1/2 stars
February 14, 2023
This is a collection of four mildly steamy romances with an Old West flavor.
October 16, 2023
I Liked it.
June 29, 2024
4 short stories where the young lady is in trouble, but very independent. A young man comes to the rescue but again the lady helps herself out .
February 15, 2026
Enjoyable collection of stories - introduced me to a few new-to-me authors!
September 10, 2016
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2014/01/14/...
Publisher: Berkley
Publish Date: Out Now
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher
From four acclaimed authors come four all-new novellas featuring the rugged men of the West and the women who want them…
From Jodi Thomas…Callie has done a lot of crazy things, but it’ll take one more to prove she isn’t nuts: find a husband, fast! Her only requirement: he has to be taller than she is and swear not to have her committed during their ruse of a marriage.
From Jo Goodman…Felicity Ravenwood was raised to be independent-minded, but when this runaway bride opposes her father’s choices, it is up to Nat Church to bring her around. But he doesn’t count on springing her from jail, holding her hostage, or falling head over boot-heels in love.
From Kaki Warner…Two strangers on a train have more in common than they know—both have hidden purposes and ties to a Nebraska bank robbery. But when their schemes unravel, they find a bigger surprise awaiting them than either could have imagined.
From Alison Kent…When runaway New York socialite Maeve Daugherty joins her father’s bodyguard Zeb Crow on his personal mission of revenge, what was a slightly scandalous new life as a bookkeeper for an infamous San Antonio brothel becomes downright dangerous. But that’s not stopping Maeve from having the time of her life.
This blurb came from Goodreads.
I requested this anthology because I have read and enjoyed three of the four authors before. It also helped that this was a western one of my favorites of the romance sub-genres.
“Crazy Callie” by Jodi Thomas was a sweet novella. It reminded me of a Louis L’amour western with an emphasis on sweet romance. Callie desperately needed a husband so she found a man who lived for three years on the promise of a dream only to have it snatched away from him. Together they decided to make the best of it and along the way fell in love. While the bad guy didn’t get what was coming to him in terms of retaliation or punishment, I thought how the final confrontation was handled spoke volumes for the essence of Callie and Luke and what they wanted to build their life on.
I give “Crazy Callie” a B
“Nat Church and the Runaway Bride” by Jo Goodman is a novella about a character whose exploits are the subject of dime store novels mentioned in Goodman’s western novels. I have enjoyed the technique of an author writing the story of a character who is fictional to their main characters in the past and this was no exception. The forced interaction between Nat and Felicity was very entertaining as they learned about each other. Felicity’s strength of will remained evident and Nat never crushed her drive or independent spirit. I loved how they figured out their feelings and how to remain independent from her father.
I give “Nat Church and the Runaway Bride” a B+
“The Scent of Roses” by Kaki Warner was my introduction to Warner. I found it full of secrets, hidden agendas, verbal missteps, and card games. I enjoyed the cat and mouse game with the main characters trying to figure out who their traveling companions really were. Warner kept me wondering about the possibility of multiple criminals all with the same goal in mind, which made me speculate until the very end. I did guess who might have done it in the story but Warner made the confrontation quite exciting.
I give “The Scent of Roses” a B-
“The Hired Gun’s Heiress” by Alison Kent was probably my favorite in this anthology. The contrast between sheltered Maeve working out of her comfortable environment and the hard certainly not sheltered Zeb was very entertaining. Zeb and Maeve had never really talked except for one evening when Maeve got drunk and started asking Zeb questions that she had wondered for years but never asked. She was resistant to leaving her job but on the journey continued to pry at Zeb out of curiosity and frustration. I loved how Kent built the sexual tension and thought this line by Zeb after Maeve stopped their first actual kiss was hilarious. “Because I’m going to be busy awhile putting out my own flame. I sure as hell don’t have time dealing with yours.” I also really liked how it took Maeve’s quick thinking and Zeb’s knowledge of betrayal among criminals to get out of an ugly situation.
I give “The Hired Gun’s Heiress” an A-
Overall this was a better than usual anthology because even though I had not read all of the authors previously, I enjoyed all four stories to varying degrees. One theme that I found consistent is the desire to live a happy relatively peaceful life together without the need to wreck ultimate vengeance against those who could have been considered the ultimate bad guys.
I give Boots Under Her Bed a B+
Publisher: Berkley
Publish Date: Out Now
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher
From four acclaimed authors come four all-new novellas featuring the rugged men of the West and the women who want them…
From Jodi Thomas…Callie has done a lot of crazy things, but it’ll take one more to prove she isn’t nuts: find a husband, fast! Her only requirement: he has to be taller than she is and swear not to have her committed during their ruse of a marriage.
From Jo Goodman…Felicity Ravenwood was raised to be independent-minded, but when this runaway bride opposes her father’s choices, it is up to Nat Church to bring her around. But he doesn’t count on springing her from jail, holding her hostage, or falling head over boot-heels in love.
From Kaki Warner…Two strangers on a train have more in common than they know—both have hidden purposes and ties to a Nebraska bank robbery. But when their schemes unravel, they find a bigger surprise awaiting them than either could have imagined.
From Alison Kent…When runaway New York socialite Maeve Daugherty joins her father’s bodyguard Zeb Crow on his personal mission of revenge, what was a slightly scandalous new life as a bookkeeper for an infamous San Antonio brothel becomes downright dangerous. But that’s not stopping Maeve from having the time of her life.
This blurb came from Goodreads.
I requested this anthology because I have read and enjoyed three of the four authors before. It also helped that this was a western one of my favorites of the romance sub-genres.
“Crazy Callie” by Jodi Thomas was a sweet novella. It reminded me of a Louis L’amour western with an emphasis on sweet romance. Callie desperately needed a husband so she found a man who lived for three years on the promise of a dream only to have it snatched away from him. Together they decided to make the best of it and along the way fell in love. While the bad guy didn’t get what was coming to him in terms of retaliation or punishment, I thought how the final confrontation was handled spoke volumes for the essence of Callie and Luke and what they wanted to build their life on.
I give “Crazy Callie” a B
“Nat Church and the Runaway Bride” by Jo Goodman is a novella about a character whose exploits are the subject of dime store novels mentioned in Goodman’s western novels. I have enjoyed the technique of an author writing the story of a character who is fictional to their main characters in the past and this was no exception. The forced interaction between Nat and Felicity was very entertaining as they learned about each other. Felicity’s strength of will remained evident and Nat never crushed her drive or independent spirit. I loved how they figured out their feelings and how to remain independent from her father.
I give “Nat Church and the Runaway Bride” a B+
“The Scent of Roses” by Kaki Warner was my introduction to Warner. I found it full of secrets, hidden agendas, verbal missteps, and card games. I enjoyed the cat and mouse game with the main characters trying to figure out who their traveling companions really were. Warner kept me wondering about the possibility of multiple criminals all with the same goal in mind, which made me speculate until the very end. I did guess who might have done it in the story but Warner made the confrontation quite exciting.
I give “The Scent of Roses” a B-
“The Hired Gun’s Heiress” by Alison Kent was probably my favorite in this anthology. The contrast between sheltered Maeve working out of her comfortable environment and the hard certainly not sheltered Zeb was very entertaining. Zeb and Maeve had never really talked except for one evening when Maeve got drunk and started asking Zeb questions that she had wondered for years but never asked. She was resistant to leaving her job but on the journey continued to pry at Zeb out of curiosity and frustration. I loved how Kent built the sexual tension and thought this line by Zeb after Maeve stopped their first actual kiss was hilarious. “Because I’m going to be busy awhile putting out my own flame. I sure as hell don’t have time dealing with yours.” I also really liked how it took Maeve’s quick thinking and Zeb’s knowledge of betrayal among criminals to get out of an ugly situation.
I give “The Hired Gun’s Heiress” an A-
Overall this was a better than usual anthology because even though I had not read all of the authors previously, I enjoyed all four stories to varying degrees. One theme that I found consistent is the desire to live a happy relatively peaceful life together without the need to wreck ultimate vengeance against those who could have been considered the ultimate bad guys.
I give Boots Under Her Bed a B+
January 13, 2014
Boots Under Her Bed is the new historical romance anthology from four well known romance writers, Jodi Thomas, Jo Goodman, Kaki Warner and Alison Kent. These four short novella's offer readers who have never read these authors a chance to see if their writing style appeals to them. It also offers readers who know and love their work a bonus. A short work that will entice them to read more from their favorites.
With stories ranging from bank robbery, runaway brides and socialites to jail breaks and hasty weddings, this anthology set in the West has something to offer just about every kind of romance fan. A great collection of novella's with a Western theme!
What I liked and didn't like, all in one:
I will be the first to tell you that I sometimes have mixed feelings about reading anthologies. I have a hard time deciding whether I think any author can get a romantic theme down to novella size and make it work. But I will have to say that there are some distinct advantages to this format as well, especially as a preview to the author's work. I liked anthologies that are set in world's that authors have already created, it showcases their abilities and it gives new readers a chance to see what they've got, so to speak.
Boots Under Her Bed is a very well written and put together anthology set in the West. Jodi Thomas is well known for writing Western Romance, as is Alison Kent. I was unfamiliar with Kaki Warner or Jo Goodman's work when I began this book, but I'm pleased to say that both of their novella's fit the theme and kept me interested. The length of the anthology was comfortable and though I liked a couple of the stories better than the others each one held it's own against the others. As far as anthologies go, I was happy with this one for sure.
Crazy Callie is Jodi Thomas' offering in Boots Under Her Bed. It's basically a marriage of convenience story with a crazy twist, literally. If Callie doesn't find a husband her step-father will have her committed. I liked the urgency of this story. Thomas makes the reader believe there might be some question about this gal's sanity and it adds an interesting element to the story. Given that this is a novella, I wanted more time with Callie, she is definitely a character that might deserve a full length story of her own. One of my favorites of the anthology.
Nat Church and the Runaway Bride comes from author Jo Goodman. This was my first experience with Goodman's writing and I was pleasantly surprised. This story had a lot of potential with a great hero and a bride who would do just about anything to escape marriage. The novella included a jail break, a hostage situation and true love. I liked the author's voice, this story was simple and to the point and showed great clarity. I was intrigued by this one and would definitely read more from this author now that I am aware of her.
Kaki Warner's story, The Scent of Roses was probably my favorite of the anthology. I had never read her work before, so that really surprised me. You have two characters who are both trying to solve a crime and end up thinking that each other may be the culprit. I liked the train setting and the fact that the hero just couldn't seem to keep his illicit thoughts to himself. Warner uses a great deal of wit and humor in this story. It was very entertaining and Warner obviously knows what she's talking about when it comes to writing a good Western themed romance. A very good read.
I have enjoyed Alison Kent's work for some time. She has a way with a love scene that is unparalleled in Western themed romances, and I was excited to read her contribution to the anthology, The Hired Gun's Heiress. Great title, a very likable hero in Zebulon Crow, and your typical socialite gone astray in Mauve. It had all the right elements, but didn't seem to get off to a good start. I think this is a story that would have benefited from a longer length, in that, it needed that set up time and background that is usually sacrificed in shorter fiction. It was still a good read, but perhaps not the best showcase of this author's work.
Overall I am happy that I got a chance to review this book. I was introduced to two new authors in Jo Goodman and Kaki Warner and got to read two good stories from old favorites in Jodi Thomas and Alison Kent. The novellas worked well with each other and provided a good sampling of what each author has to offer readers. I thought The Scent of Roses was obviously the best story, the humor in it just won me over. Crazy Callie was also a favorite. I loved the 'crazy' theme. Reminded me of 'crazy' Cora from Quigley Down Under with Tom Selleck. Great movie and a great story in this case from Jodi Thomas. The other two stories were good as well, just not my favorites.
Pick this one up, I think you'll enjoy it!
With stories ranging from bank robbery, runaway brides and socialites to jail breaks and hasty weddings, this anthology set in the West has something to offer just about every kind of romance fan. A great collection of novella's with a Western theme!
What I liked and didn't like, all in one:
I will be the first to tell you that I sometimes have mixed feelings about reading anthologies. I have a hard time deciding whether I think any author can get a romantic theme down to novella size and make it work. But I will have to say that there are some distinct advantages to this format as well, especially as a preview to the author's work. I liked anthologies that are set in world's that authors have already created, it showcases their abilities and it gives new readers a chance to see what they've got, so to speak.
Boots Under Her Bed is a very well written and put together anthology set in the West. Jodi Thomas is well known for writing Western Romance, as is Alison Kent. I was unfamiliar with Kaki Warner or Jo Goodman's work when I began this book, but I'm pleased to say that both of their novella's fit the theme and kept me interested. The length of the anthology was comfortable and though I liked a couple of the stories better than the others each one held it's own against the others. As far as anthologies go, I was happy with this one for sure.
Crazy Callie is Jodi Thomas' offering in Boots Under Her Bed. It's basically a marriage of convenience story with a crazy twist, literally. If Callie doesn't find a husband her step-father will have her committed. I liked the urgency of this story. Thomas makes the reader believe there might be some question about this gal's sanity and it adds an interesting element to the story. Given that this is a novella, I wanted more time with Callie, she is definitely a character that might deserve a full length story of her own. One of my favorites of the anthology.
Nat Church and the Runaway Bride comes from author Jo Goodman. This was my first experience with Goodman's writing and I was pleasantly surprised. This story had a lot of potential with a great hero and a bride who would do just about anything to escape marriage. The novella included a jail break, a hostage situation and true love. I liked the author's voice, this story was simple and to the point and showed great clarity. I was intrigued by this one and would definitely read more from this author now that I am aware of her.
Kaki Warner's story, The Scent of Roses was probably my favorite of the anthology. I had never read her work before, so that really surprised me. You have two characters who are both trying to solve a crime and end up thinking that each other may be the culprit. I liked the train setting and the fact that the hero just couldn't seem to keep his illicit thoughts to himself. Warner uses a great deal of wit and humor in this story. It was very entertaining and Warner obviously knows what she's talking about when it comes to writing a good Western themed romance. A very good read.
I have enjoyed Alison Kent's work for some time. She has a way with a love scene that is unparalleled in Western themed romances, and I was excited to read her contribution to the anthology, The Hired Gun's Heiress. Great title, a very likable hero in Zebulon Crow, and your typical socialite gone astray in Mauve. It had all the right elements, but didn't seem to get off to a good start. I think this is a story that would have benefited from a longer length, in that, it needed that set up time and background that is usually sacrificed in shorter fiction. It was still a good read, but perhaps not the best showcase of this author's work.
Overall I am happy that I got a chance to review this book. I was introduced to two new authors in Jo Goodman and Kaki Warner and got to read two good stories from old favorites in Jodi Thomas and Alison Kent. The novellas worked well with each other and provided a good sampling of what each author has to offer readers. I thought The Scent of Roses was obviously the best story, the humor in it just won me over. Crazy Callie was also a favorite. I loved the 'crazy' theme. Reminded me of 'crazy' Cora from Quigley Down Under with Tom Selleck. Great movie and a great story in this case from Jodi Thomas. The other two stories were good as well, just not my favorites.
Pick this one up, I think you'll enjoy it!
March 4, 2017
"Crazy Callie" by Jodi Thomas is a short and sweet historical western. Given the fact that it's only 88 pages long, Ms. Thomas did a fair job of character development. I liked both MCs and found their story to be quite charming. The premise and plot were also very simple, but this did have a very rushed feel to it. The resolution of the conflict was also a little too easy and there wasn't too much justice to be had. 2 stars.
"Nat Church and the Runaway Bride" by Jo Goodman features her dry sense of humour and witty banter. The love between the MCs sort of sprung up on me. I know that the MCs try explaining it on page but it was still a little underwhelming. I guess that's another element that's prevalent in Jo Goodman's stories. This was a sweet story, but the romance didn't convince me. I just don't think Jo Goodman's stories and I get along. 1.5 stars.
"The Scent of Roses" by Kaki Warner was just so fun. It's no secret that I adore Ms. Warner's writing and this short was no exception. It hooked me in right away, the humour and witty banter were so enjoyable, and romance was just right, neither too OTT or too understated. 3 stars.
The last short (can't remember the title right now) felt like it started in the middle of the story, which I guess it kind of did. The author did a good job making the MCs interesting and I wanted to learn more about them and their backstory. The constraints of length led to underdeveloped MCs and plot, which isn't uncommon in short stories. The difference between a well written short and a not so great one is the feeling you're left with when the story's over. Do you think "glad that's over" or "intriguing"? I would be willing to read more by this author. 2 stars.
"Nat Church and the Runaway Bride" by Jo Goodman features her dry sense of humour and witty banter. The love between the MCs sort of sprung up on me. I know that the MCs try explaining it on page but it was still a little underwhelming. I guess that's another element that's prevalent in Jo Goodman's stories. This was a sweet story, but the romance didn't convince me. I just don't think Jo Goodman's stories and I get along. 1.5 stars.
"The Scent of Roses" by Kaki Warner was just so fun. It's no secret that I adore Ms. Warner's writing and this short was no exception. It hooked me in right away, the humour and witty banter were so enjoyable, and romance was just right, neither too OTT or too understated. 3 stars.
The last short (can't remember the title right now) felt like it started in the middle of the story, which I guess it kind of did. The author did a good job making the MCs interesting and I wanted to learn more about them and their backstory. The constraints of length led to underdeveloped MCs and plot, which isn't uncommon in short stories. The difference between a well written short and a not so great one is the feeling you're left with when the story's over. Do you think "glad that's over" or "intriguing"? I would be willing to read more by this author. 2 stars.
January 5, 2014
Posted on What I'm Reading
I can honestly say that I haven't read too many Western Historical Romance. I know I have a few on my kindle and in my scary TBR case. So, I was lucky to win an early copy of Boots Under Her Bed by Jodi Thomas, Jo Goodman, Kaki Warner, and Alison Kent. So lets dive into stories.
Crazy Callie
Jodi Thomas
How many of you would go out trying to find a guy to marry, so you don't have your step-father have you commit you to asylum? I guess if you were put in that situation, you would do about anything. Well, Callie Ann Cramer actually went to find a drunk guy to marry her. The guy she found was Luke Morgan. Now Luke came out to Texas to marry another girl, but she was already moved on. Don't you hate when that happens. Now Luke is Callie saving grace.
So, Crazy Callie is basically a marriage of convenience story. Which I tend to have a soft for. Even though Luke was drunk, he was willing to take a chance on the town kook. However, he starts to see that there is more to Callie and vice versa. All though this is a quick read, it's still a pretty good story. I mean you have young woman trying to escape a tragic fate by marrying someone doesn't really know. Yes, there is a sappy ending. Hey, I love sappy endings.
Rating: 5 Stars
Nat Church and the Runaway Bride
Jo Goodman
In Nat Church and the Runaway Bride, we have Nat Church and he has been sent to fetch Felicity Ravenwood. Honestly, I was expecting her to put up more of a fight than what she did in the story. Granted she couldn't leave the train otherwise she wouldn't be able to get back on again. However, she was a clever young woman I wish she would have liked her to spar more with Nat. I guess I was looking for more tension in the story after all they were cooped up on a train. Anyway, it wasn't bad and the story was well written. However, it just didn't really capture my attention.
Rating: 2 Stars
The Scent of Roses
Kaki Warner
I have to say that The Scent of Roses was a lot of fun to read. Richard Whitmeyer and Rachel James who are both trying to find the criminals from Nebraska, but they suspect each of the crime. While on the train they are trying to figure out who did the crime. What makes this story funny was Richard has the typical guy thoughts when it comes to Rachel. Some are highly inappropriate, and he accidentally let some slip. Then you have Rachel who is clever and beautiful; a dangerous combination. Overall, a witty read and highly entertaining.
Rating: 4 1/2 Stars
The Hired Gun's Heiress
Alison Kent
In the The Hired Gun's Heiress, we find Zebulon Crow (Zeb) looking for Maeve Daugherty. He happens to find the runaway in a boardinghouse (a brothel). However, he wasn't task to find her, but her uncle Mick. Yet, he wanted to find her even if her parents didn't care enough about her. Honestly, this is a sweet story about a guy who likes a girl. He knows that she's way above him in station, but still cares enough to find her and save her. Overall, a sweet read.
Rating: 3 Stars
Overall, the stories in Boots Under Her Bed were mostly entertaining and sweet. So, if you are hankering for some westerns you might want to checkout this anthology to satisfy your hunger for westerns.
Copy provided by Author (Alison Kent)
I can honestly say that I haven't read too many Western Historical Romance. I know I have a few on my kindle and in my scary TBR case. So, I was lucky to win an early copy of Boots Under Her Bed by Jodi Thomas, Jo Goodman, Kaki Warner, and Alison Kent. So lets dive into stories.
Crazy Callie
Jodi Thomas
How many of you would go out trying to find a guy to marry, so you don't have your step-father have you commit you to asylum? I guess if you were put in that situation, you would do about anything. Well, Callie Ann Cramer actually went to find a drunk guy to marry her. The guy she found was Luke Morgan. Now Luke came out to Texas to marry another girl, but she was already moved on. Don't you hate when that happens. Now Luke is Callie saving grace.
So, Crazy Callie is basically a marriage of convenience story. Which I tend to have a soft for. Even though Luke was drunk, he was willing to take a chance on the town kook. However, he starts to see that there is more to Callie and vice versa. All though this is a quick read, it's still a pretty good story. I mean you have young woman trying to escape a tragic fate by marrying someone doesn't really know. Yes, there is a sappy ending. Hey, I love sappy endings.
Rating: 5 Stars
Nat Church and the Runaway Bride
Jo Goodman
In Nat Church and the Runaway Bride, we have Nat Church and he has been sent to fetch Felicity Ravenwood. Honestly, I was expecting her to put up more of a fight than what she did in the story. Granted she couldn't leave the train otherwise she wouldn't be able to get back on again. However, she was a clever young woman I wish she would have liked her to spar more with Nat. I guess I was looking for more tension in the story after all they were cooped up on a train. Anyway, it wasn't bad and the story was well written. However, it just didn't really capture my attention.
Rating: 2 Stars
The Scent of Roses
Kaki Warner
I have to say that The Scent of Roses was a lot of fun to read. Richard Whitmeyer and Rachel James who are both trying to find the criminals from Nebraska, but they suspect each of the crime. While on the train they are trying to figure out who did the crime. What makes this story funny was Richard has the typical guy thoughts when it comes to Rachel. Some are highly inappropriate, and he accidentally let some slip. Then you have Rachel who is clever and beautiful; a dangerous combination. Overall, a witty read and highly entertaining.
Rating: 4 1/2 Stars
The Hired Gun's Heiress
Alison Kent
In the The Hired Gun's Heiress, we find Zebulon Crow (Zeb) looking for Maeve Daugherty. He happens to find the runaway in a boardinghouse (a brothel). However, he wasn't task to find her, but her uncle Mick. Yet, he wanted to find her even if her parents didn't care enough about her. Honestly, this is a sweet story about a guy who likes a girl. He knows that she's way above him in station, but still cares enough to find her and save her. Overall, a sweet read.
Rating: 3 Stars
Overall, the stories in Boots Under Her Bed were mostly entertaining and sweet. So, if you are hankering for some westerns you might want to checkout this anthology to satisfy your hunger for westerns.
Copy provided by Author (Alison Kent)
September 10, 2016
I really wish Goodreads let us give partial stars. Technically, this was a 4.5-4.75 read for me but I enjoyed it enough to splurge with the full 5 stars. I've discovered that in some instances, anthologies are a bit "uneven" for me. I usually read one for a particular story by a particular author. In this case, it was Jo Goodman's "Nat Church and the Runaway Bride." More about it in a moment. Here are my thoughts on each novella, in the order they appeared in the book.From Jodi Thomas, "Crazy Callie." To be fair, I've met Jodi and have shared high tea with her. I don't read her often, though after reading her contribution, I may go back and catch up with her backlist as I have time and inclination. The description from the book nicely sums up the plot: Callie has done a lot of crazy things, but it'll take one more to prove she isn't nuts: find a husband fast! Her only requirement: He has to be taller than she is and swear not to have her committed during their ruse of a marriage. This book reads like a spring day in Texas, one with a playful breeze.
From Jo Goodman, the aforementioned "Nat Church." The description: Felicity Ravenwood was raised to be independent-minded, but when this runaway bride opposes her father's choices, it is up to Nat Church to bring her around. But he doesn't count on springing her from jail, holding her hostage, or fall head over boot heels in love. Okay, if you haven't read any of Ms. Goodman's Bitter Springs books, just enjoy the heck out of this tale. If you have read them, you will recognize both Nat and Felicity as being fictional characters in a series of dime novels read and commented upon by the characters in the series. Yes, I know. Confusing, convoluted, and utterly delightful! As a reader, I can only hope that Nat and Felicity take on a life of their own and their "dime novels" actually get written for the rest of us to enjoy! LOVED this story.
From Kaki Warner, "The Smell of Roses." Two strangers on a train have more in common than they know--both have hidden purposes and ties to a Nebraska bank robbery. But when their schemes unravel, they find a bigger surprise awaiting them than either could have imagined. This story had a nice twist at the end. I enjoyed it.
From Alison Kent, "The Hired Gun's Heiress." When runaway New York socialite Maeve Daugherty joins her father's bodyguard Zeb Crow on his personal mission of revenge, what was a slightly scandalous new life as a bookkeeper for an infamous San Antonio brothel becomes downright dangerous. But that's not stopping Maeve from having the time of her life. Okay...the blurb is a bit misleading and the story was better than I anticipated. Zeb's on the trail of Maeve's uncle and he snares her along the way, but for personal reasons. I had to laugh at the surprise Ms. Kent added at the end--one I should have seen coming.
If you are looking for some fun historical western romance with the chance to sample new-to-you authors or just want to read personal favorites, I can highly recommend this anthology.
June 11, 2019
This is one anthology I’ve been eagerly anticipating; 3 of the authors are my faves.
Crazy Callie – Jodi Thomas – 5 stars
This marriage of convenience story is fun; Callie needs to marry someone before her step-father carts her off to the asylum in Austin. She and a friend scout around the town’s saloons; they are searching for someone taller (no kidding) than Callie, who is drunk enough to agree to marry her.
Fortunately for Callie, Luke Morgan is winding down from a 3 day drunk; he came across the country to marry someone who had already married another. He didn’t have any pressing plans, so he agrees to Callie’s marriage proposal.
Nat Church and the Runaway Bride – Jo Goodman – 3 stars
Having read about Nat Church in Jo Goodman’s previous novels, I was eager to learn more about him. Nat was just what I was expecting – a good man who kept his cards close to his vest. However, this story just didn’t click with me.
The Scent of Roses – Kaki Warner – 5 stars
This story is a hoot! From beginning to end, there is an easy banter between the two leads (Rachel James and Richard Whitmeyer). We learn that Richard is an insurance investigator but are only told that Rachel seeks independence.
I’ve read everything Kaki Warner has written and this proves her creativity with a short story.
The Hired Gun’s Heiress – Alison Kent – 3 stars
Of the four authors, this is the only writer I’ve never read before. I can’t say if the story lacked something or if it was just the unfortunate placement of this novella after Warner’s winner.
Zebulon Crow (Zeb) comes looking for Maeve Daugherty, daughter of his employer. He finds her working as an accountant at a brothel in San Antonio. He plans to take this unwilling woman back to her family in New York – first, he has to find Maeve’s uncle (who ran away to Texas with her).
Overall, I’m glad I bought the book and enjoyed it all!
Crazy Callie – Jodi Thomas – 5 stars
This marriage of convenience story is fun; Callie needs to marry someone before her step-father carts her off to the asylum in Austin. She and a friend scout around the town’s saloons; they are searching for someone taller (no kidding) than Callie, who is drunk enough to agree to marry her.
Fortunately for Callie, Luke Morgan is winding down from a 3 day drunk; he came across the country to marry someone who had already married another. He didn’t have any pressing plans, so he agrees to Callie’s marriage proposal.
Nat Church and the Runaway Bride – Jo Goodman – 3 stars
Having read about Nat Church in Jo Goodman’s previous novels, I was eager to learn more about him. Nat was just what I was expecting – a good man who kept his cards close to his vest. However, this story just didn’t click with me.
The Scent of Roses – Kaki Warner – 5 stars
This story is a hoot! From beginning to end, there is an easy banter between the two leads (Rachel James and Richard Whitmeyer). We learn that Richard is an insurance investigator but are only told that Rachel seeks independence.
I’ve read everything Kaki Warner has written and this proves her creativity with a short story.
The Hired Gun’s Heiress – Alison Kent – 3 stars
Of the four authors, this is the only writer I’ve never read before. I can’t say if the story lacked something or if it was just the unfortunate placement of this novella after Warner’s winner.
Zebulon Crow (Zeb) comes looking for Maeve Daugherty, daughter of his employer. He finds her working as an accountant at a brothel in San Antonio. He plans to take this unwilling woman back to her family in New York – first, he has to find Maeve’s uncle (who ran away to Texas with her).
Overall, I’m glad I bought the book and enjoyed it all!
March 23, 2014
From four acclaimed authors come four all-new novellas featuring the rugged men of the West and the women who want them. Four novellas that put the "wild" in Wild West!
"Crazy Callie" From Jodi Thomas...Callie has done a lot to crazy things, but it'll take one more to prove she isn't nuts: find a husband, fast! Her only requirement: he has to be taller than she is and swear not to have her committed during their ruse of a marriage.
"Nat Church and The Runaway Bride" From Jo Goodman...Felicity Ravenwood was raised to be independent-minded, but when this runaway bride opposes her father's choices, it is up to Nat Church to bring her around. But he doesn't count on springing her from jail, holding her hostage, or falling head over boot-heels in love.
"The Scent Of Roses" From Kaki Warner...Two strangers on a train have more in common than they know~~both have hidden purposes and ties to a Nebraska bank robbery. But when their schemes unravel, they find a bigger surprise awaiting them than either could have imagined.
"The Hired Gun's Heiress" From Alison Kent...When runaway New York socialite Maeve Daugherty joins her father's bodyguard Zeb Crow on his personal mission of revenge, what was a slightly scandalous new life as a bookkeeper for an infamous San Antonio brothel becomes downright dangerous. But that's not stopping Maeve from having the time of her life.
My Thoughts...
As anyone who follows my reading blog knows, I enjoy Jodi Thomas novels. That is the reason I purchased this book. And again I was not disappointed I enjoyed reading Jodi's book. "Crazy Callie." However, I had never read anything by the other three writers, so it was nice to become acquainted with them. Kind of a bonus book~~four books in one.
This book is part of my Kindle library, and I enjoyed it enough to award it 4 western spur stars.
"Crazy Callie" From Jodi Thomas...Callie has done a lot to crazy things, but it'll take one more to prove she isn't nuts: find a husband, fast! Her only requirement: he has to be taller than she is and swear not to have her committed during their ruse of a marriage.
"Nat Church and The Runaway Bride" From Jo Goodman...Felicity Ravenwood was raised to be independent-minded, but when this runaway bride opposes her father's choices, it is up to Nat Church to bring her around. But he doesn't count on springing her from jail, holding her hostage, or falling head over boot-heels in love.
"The Scent Of Roses" From Kaki Warner...Two strangers on a train have more in common than they know~~both have hidden purposes and ties to a Nebraska bank robbery. But when their schemes unravel, they find a bigger surprise awaiting them than either could have imagined.
"The Hired Gun's Heiress" From Alison Kent...When runaway New York socialite Maeve Daugherty joins her father's bodyguard Zeb Crow on his personal mission of revenge, what was a slightly scandalous new life as a bookkeeper for an infamous San Antonio brothel becomes downright dangerous. But that's not stopping Maeve from having the time of her life.
My Thoughts...
As anyone who follows my reading blog knows, I enjoy Jodi Thomas novels. That is the reason I purchased this book. And again I was not disappointed I enjoyed reading Jodi's book. "Crazy Callie." However, I had never read anything by the other three writers, so it was nice to become acquainted with them. Kind of a bonus book~~four books in one.
This book is part of my Kindle library, and I enjoyed it enough to award it 4 western spur stars.
February 11, 2014
You can always expect a great story from author Jodi Thomas, and her story, "Crazy Callie," is just excellent. This short story features a spunky heroine, a lawyer-turned-ranch owner, and a love story that will just delight readers. Thomas creates a lovely romance that has a bit of spice to it as well. I loved it and I think you will too!
Jo Goodman's offering, "Nat Church and the Runaway Bride," is a fun, lively story that was just a joy to read. I love the setting, taking place nearly entirely on a private rail coach, and I loved the characters - Ned, a dime novel hero, and Felicity, the opinionated gal that falls for him. Lots of humor in this tale as well as lots of sparks!
Kaki Warner's story, "The Scent of Roses," wraps it's romance in a intriguing mystery, also set on a train. Lots of fun bantering back and forth between the two main characters, and plenty of lively action as well. The surprising ending will charm readers.
Alison Kent's tale, "The Hired Gun's Heiress," is a lovely story about a headstrong society girl who is determined to make her own way in the world, and the man who was hired to find her. The adventure that Maeve and Zeb find themselves embroiled in is dangerous and exciting, and the romance that sparks between them is heartwarming.
All four of these Western-flavored short novellas are a lot of fun to read and would be just perfect for warming up a chilly winter's night. I highly recommend it!
Jo Goodman's offering, "Nat Church and the Runaway Bride," is a fun, lively story that was just a joy to read. I love the setting, taking place nearly entirely on a private rail coach, and I loved the characters - Ned, a dime novel hero, and Felicity, the opinionated gal that falls for him. Lots of humor in this tale as well as lots of sparks!
Kaki Warner's story, "The Scent of Roses," wraps it's romance in a intriguing mystery, also set on a train. Lots of fun bantering back and forth between the two main characters, and plenty of lively action as well. The surprising ending will charm readers.
Alison Kent's tale, "The Hired Gun's Heiress," is a lovely story about a headstrong society girl who is determined to make her own way in the world, and the man who was hired to find her. The adventure that Maeve and Zeb find themselves embroiled in is dangerous and exciting, and the romance that sparks between them is heartwarming.
All four of these Western-flavored short novellas are a lot of fun to read and would be just perfect for warming up a chilly winter's night. I highly recommend it!
July 27, 2016
This was a great way to read a sampling of authors in the same genre. I am already a Kaki Warner fan, but had not read the other authors. So naturally, I started with her story, and immediately fell in love with the characters and their hilarious back-and-forth banter. By hilarious, I mean laugh-out-loud. Two strangers, thrown together on a train, both suspicious of the other's motives, but yet falling in love. Warner is a master at creating believable settings through her extensive research, and she has set up a complicated scenario in this short story. I wanted to keep turning pages, but at the same time, I didn't want to arrive at the end that quickly. The book is worth it for The Scent of Roses, especially for Kaki Warner fans. I enjoyed the introduction to Jodi Thomas through her story, Crazy Callie. Also a very strong read that I could not put down. I loved the sweet relationship that bloomed from this marriage of desperation. The other two stories were good, although at times I had trouble understanding the emotions of the characters. They seemed inconsistent, and I wasn't as drawn in. I would definitely read more of both Thomas and Warner.
January 31, 2025
Boots Under Her Bed Crazy Callie / Nat Church and the Runaway Bride / The Scent of Roses / The Hired Gun's Heiress, Authors: Alison Kent, Kaki Warner, Jo Goodman, Jodi Thomas
This is a wonderful western anthology with 4 stories.
CRAZY CALLIE by Jodi Thomas Callie's step father has been working for years to make her ranch his. He has made everybody think she crazy. Her one chance to keep from being committed is to marry.
Luke Morgan is taller than Callie and flat-out drunk behind the saloon.. she found her groom.
NAT CHURCH AND THE RUNAWAY BRIDE by Jo Goodman
Felicity Ravenwood is in Texas jail with the local temperance ladies and she refuses to post bail and when Nat Church posts it for her, she refuses to leave the jail.
THE SCENT OF ROSES by Kaki Warner
Working under cover for separate agencies they each think the other is the bank robber. It's a realy interesting train ride.
THE HIRED GUN'S HEIRESS by Alison Kent
Maeve Daugherty was traveling with her uncle and he left her behind in Texas. She takes a job as book keeper in a local brothel. Zeb Crow is determined to protect her from herself.. and her uncles enemies.
This is a wonderful western anthology with 4 stories.
CRAZY CALLIE by Jodi Thomas Callie's step father has been working for years to make her ranch his. He has made everybody think she crazy. Her one chance to keep from being committed is to marry.
Luke Morgan is taller than Callie and flat-out drunk behind the saloon.. she found her groom.
NAT CHURCH AND THE RUNAWAY BRIDE by Jo Goodman
Felicity Ravenwood is in Texas jail with the local temperance ladies and she refuses to post bail and when Nat Church posts it for her, she refuses to leave the jail.
THE SCENT OF ROSES by Kaki Warner
Working under cover for separate agencies they each think the other is the bank robber. It's a realy interesting train ride.
THE HIRED GUN'S HEIRESS by Alison Kent
Maeve Daugherty was traveling with her uncle and he left her behind in Texas. She takes a job as book keeper in a local brothel. Zeb Crow is determined to protect her from herself.. and her uncles enemies.
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July 20, 2016Crazy Callie by Jodi Thomas
4 stars
Callie and Luke's story evokes a strong sense of the western landscape and the challenges of being a woman who's at the mercy of a dishonorable man. Callie's indomitable spirit shines as brightly as Luke's intrinsic honor. There's a pleasant twist in the conflict resolution.
Nat Church and the Runaway Bride
by Jo Goodman
3 stars
It's a predictable, but satisfying tale that gives J.G.'s story-within-other-stories character of Nat Church a worthy mate in Felicity.
The Scent of Roses by Kaki Warner
3 stars
Great competitive rapport between Rachel and Richard makes this story a fun read like a western historical version of Clue.
The Hired Gun's Heiress by Alison Kent
2.5 stars
Maeve's and Zeb's individual traits and backstories are interesting, but the romantic chemistry wasn't there for me. My bias toward A.K.'s contemporaries, especially her SG-5 series, may have lessened my enjoyment of this story.
Overall, the anthology is worth reading.
4 stars
Callie and Luke's story evokes a strong sense of the western landscape and the challenges of being a woman who's at the mercy of a dishonorable man. Callie's indomitable spirit shines as brightly as Luke's intrinsic honor. There's a pleasant twist in the conflict resolution.
Nat Church and the Runaway Bride
by Jo Goodman
3 stars
It's a predictable, but satisfying tale that gives J.G.'s story-within-other-stories character of Nat Church a worthy mate in Felicity.
The Scent of Roses by Kaki Warner
3 stars
Great competitive rapport between Rachel and Richard makes this story a fun read like a western historical version of Clue.
The Hired Gun's Heiress by Alison Kent
2.5 stars
Maeve's and Zeb's individual traits and backstories are interesting, but the romantic chemistry wasn't there for me. My bias toward A.K.'s contemporaries, especially her SG-5 series, may have lessened my enjoyment of this story.
Overall, the anthology is worth reading.
January 19, 2014
I am a big fan of Jodi Thomas and Jo Goodman so when I saw they both had a novella in Boots Under Her Bed I immediately purchased the book. I was not disappointed. Usually in a book like this there is one novella that is my hands down favorite and the others are just OK. Not the case here. I loved all four. Each author produced a very strong and well written story.
Jodi Thomas wrote a story about a marriage of convience that turned into a love match. Jo Goodman used Nat Church as her hero. He is the hero of dime novels in some of her books. The story was really cute. This is the first time I had read anything by Kaki Warner and Alison Kent. Both featured unusual scenes and characters in their novelas.
If you are a fan of Western Romances this is a very good choice. Pick it up for four fun stories filled with romance and set in the old west.
Jodi Thomas wrote a story about a marriage of convience that turned into a love match. Jo Goodman used Nat Church as her hero. He is the hero of dime novels in some of her books. The story was really cute. This is the first time I had read anything by Kaki Warner and Alison Kent. Both featured unusual scenes and characters in their novelas.
If you are a fan of Western Romances this is a very good choice. Pick it up for four fun stories filled with romance and set in the old west.
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