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The Wrong Cowboy
One mail-order bride in need of rescue!
All the rigorous training in the world could not have prepared nursemaid Marie Hall for trailing the wilds of Dakota with six orphans. Especially when her ingenious plan—to pose as the mail-order bride of the children's next of kin—leads Marie to the wrong cowboy!
Proud and stubborn, Stafford Burleson is everything Marie's been taught to avoid. But with her fate and that of the children in his capable hands, Marie soon feels there's something incredibly right about this rugged rancher and his brooding charm….
"A delightful western…humor, realism and sweet emotion." —RT Book Reviews on Inheriting a Bride
All the rigorous training in the world could not have prepared nursemaid Marie Hall for trailing the wilds of Dakota with six orphans. Especially when her ingenious plan—to pose as the mail-order bride of the children's next of kin—leads Marie to the wrong cowboy!
Proud and stubborn, Stafford Burleson is everything Marie's been taught to avoid. But with her fate and that of the children in his capable hands, Marie soon feels there's something incredibly right about this rugged rancher and his brooding charm….
"A delightful western…humor, realism and sweet emotion." —RT Book Reviews on Inheriting a Bride
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
70 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Lauri Robinson
174 books127 followersLauri Robinson's chosen genre to write is Western historical, and when asked why, she says, "Because I know I wasn't the only girl who wanted to grow up and marry Little Joe Cartwright."
With a degree in early childhood education, Lauri has spent three decades working in the non-profit field for Head Start, Child Abuse Intervention, the March of Dimes, and United Way. She claims the once upon a time and happily ever after premise of romance novels has always been a form of stress relief. When her husband suggested she write one, she took the challenge and has loved every minute of the journey.
Lauri lives in rural Minnesota, where she and her husband spend every spare moment with their three grown sons and their families, which includes three granddaughters, two stepgrandsons and two granddogs. She volunteers for several organizations, including her local library, and spends most fall weekends filling the freezer with homemade foodstuffs from the bountiful harvest of her husband's green thumb. She's a diehard Elvis fan (yes, she's been to Graceland), and loves to spend Sundays watching NASCAR, either live or on TV. However, she says her favorite weekends are spent in the woods of northern Minnesota on the land homesteaded by her great-grandfather.
Most of her childhood was spent in western Kansas, which is the setting for several of her stories. Lauri is a member of RWA, Northern Lights Writers,and Hearts Through History Romance Writers, as well as several online writing groups. She writes for Harlequin, Mills and Boon and The Wild Rose Press.
For updates on her writing please visit www.laurirobinson.blogspot.com
With a degree in early childhood education, Lauri has spent three decades working in the non-profit field for Head Start, Child Abuse Intervention, the March of Dimes, and United Way. She claims the once upon a time and happily ever after premise of romance novels has always been a form of stress relief. When her husband suggested she write one, she took the challenge and has loved every minute of the journey.
Lauri lives in rural Minnesota, where she and her husband spend every spare moment with their three grown sons and their families, which includes three granddaughters, two stepgrandsons and two granddogs. She volunteers for several organizations, including her local library, and spends most fall weekends filling the freezer with homemade foodstuffs from the bountiful harvest of her husband's green thumb. She's a diehard Elvis fan (yes, she's been to Graceland), and loves to spend Sundays watching NASCAR, either live or on TV. However, she says her favorite weekends are spent in the woods of northern Minnesota on the land homesteaded by her great-grandfather.
Most of her childhood was spent in western Kansas, which is the setting for several of her stories. Lauri is a member of RWA, Northern Lights Writers,and Hearts Through History Romance Writers, as well as several online writing groups. She writes for Harlequin, Mills and Boon and The Wild Rose Press.
For updates on her writing please visit www.laurirobinson.blogspot.com
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 2, 2015
Fun story of a city girl, a lonely cowboy and the six kids that brought them together. Marie is an orphan who is making her way in the world as a nursemaid. When the parents of the six children in her care are killed she takes it upon herself to take the children to their next of kin rather than allow them to be put in an orphanage. To accomplish this she pretends to be the man's mail order bride, embarking for Dakota before she hears back from him.
When she arrives at her destination she is dismayed to learn that the children's cousin is away and not expected back for months. She is met by Mick's partner, Stafford, who doesn't really know what to do with them. He doesn't quite believe her story, but he can't desert them. Stafford left his home in Mississippi when the girl he loved married his older brother, determined to make a success of his life. He has succeeded in that, having a successful ranch and business, and a large home of his own.
Marie and Stafford strike sparks off each other from the moment they meet. She thinks he's overbearing and grumpy, and he thinks she's haughty and clueless. Pretty soon he comes to admire her determination to do everything she can to make sure the kids are well cared for. He also starts thinking about her in ways that aren't right considering she's promised to his best friend and partner. Marie soon learns that Stafford is a man that can be counted on and is relieved to know that will be there for the children. She's not so relieved to be wishing that Stafford was the children's cousin instead of the missing Mick.
I loved Marie. She was fierce when it came to doing what she thought was right for the children, even standing up to Stafford. She began as a young woman who was confident in her ability to care for the children, but pretty clueless when it came to anything else. She had never learned to cook or sew and had no idea what life was like in the west. But she was determined, and she faced every challenge like a warrior going into battle. From the woodstove and filth of Mick's cabin to her need to learn to cook, she wasn't going to let anything get in her way, though some of the situations she got into were pretty amusing. Along the way she discovered that Stafford was actually a kind and honorable man, one that she could easily love.
Stafford was a terrific hero. Though gruff and distrustful at the beginning, he wasn't about to let any real harm come to Marie and the children. Her attitude irritated him, making him treat her a little more harshly than he would have normally, but her feistiness also amused him. He felt guilty about his actions that first week, and when the cabin burned it gave him an excuse to do what he should have done at the beginning. Having Marie and the children in the house with him showed him what he had been missing, and he began to picture what it would be like to have Marie there permanently. I also loved seeing how wonderful he was with all the kids. He was just the sort of father figure that they needed in their lives.
Things got a little rough when a local woman tried to take the kids away from Marie and Stafford. By this time Marie had changed considerably and I loved seeing her take Verna on. Stafford was there for support, but he was confident in Marie. This event made Stafford realize just what his feelings were for Marie, but Mick's arrival caused him to step back. Now Marie has to decide what will be best for herself and the kids. It was pretty easy to see what was going to happen, but seeing the process, especially from Marie's point of view was terrific.
I enjoyed the parts the children played. Each of them had their own personalities, and weren't too good to be true. I loved seeing how the oldest two boys became Stafford's shadows and how good it made him feel.
When she arrives at her destination she is dismayed to learn that the children's cousin is away and not expected back for months. She is met by Mick's partner, Stafford, who doesn't really know what to do with them. He doesn't quite believe her story, but he can't desert them. Stafford left his home in Mississippi when the girl he loved married his older brother, determined to make a success of his life. He has succeeded in that, having a successful ranch and business, and a large home of his own.
Marie and Stafford strike sparks off each other from the moment they meet. She thinks he's overbearing and grumpy, and he thinks she's haughty and clueless. Pretty soon he comes to admire her determination to do everything she can to make sure the kids are well cared for. He also starts thinking about her in ways that aren't right considering she's promised to his best friend and partner. Marie soon learns that Stafford is a man that can be counted on and is relieved to know that will be there for the children. She's not so relieved to be wishing that Stafford was the children's cousin instead of the missing Mick.
I loved Marie. She was fierce when it came to doing what she thought was right for the children, even standing up to Stafford. She began as a young woman who was confident in her ability to care for the children, but pretty clueless when it came to anything else. She had never learned to cook or sew and had no idea what life was like in the west. But she was determined, and she faced every challenge like a warrior going into battle. From the woodstove and filth of Mick's cabin to her need to learn to cook, she wasn't going to let anything get in her way, though some of the situations she got into were pretty amusing. Along the way she discovered that Stafford was actually a kind and honorable man, one that she could easily love.
Stafford was a terrific hero. Though gruff and distrustful at the beginning, he wasn't about to let any real harm come to Marie and the children. Her attitude irritated him, making him treat her a little more harshly than he would have normally, but her feistiness also amused him. He felt guilty about his actions that first week, and when the cabin burned it gave him an excuse to do what he should have done at the beginning. Having Marie and the children in the house with him showed him what he had been missing, and he began to picture what it would be like to have Marie there permanently. I also loved seeing how wonderful he was with all the kids. He was just the sort of father figure that they needed in their lives.
Things got a little rough when a local woman tried to take the kids away from Marie and Stafford. By this time Marie had changed considerably and I loved seeing her take Verna on. Stafford was there for support, but he was confident in Marie. This event made Stafford realize just what his feelings were for Marie, but Mick's arrival caused him to step back. Now Marie has to decide what will be best for herself and the kids. It was pretty easy to see what was going to happen, but seeing the process, especially from Marie's point of view was terrific.
I enjoyed the parts the children played. Each of them had their own personalities, and weren't too good to be true. I loved seeing how the oldest two boys became Stafford's shadows and how good it made him feel.
January 27, 2015
I saw this book received DIK status at AAR and as it's a Western, it didn't take much for me to hit that buy button.
The standout character in this book is the heroine Marie. She lived a very sad and lonely life as an orphan. That's why, once she has taken the position as a nursemaid to six children and their parents are tragically killed in a fire, she is determined to keep them all together and out of an orphaned. To this end she takes them all out west to their distant cousin, posing as a mail order bride. When she gets there, he isn't there but his business partner comes to take her and her charges back to their jointly owned ranch.
Stafford is quite suspicious of her and her story at first. Though Mick, his partner and prospective groom and new father has talked about getting himself a wife for years, he's just been joking and since he's not around to confirm or deny, he can't be sure.
As I said, Marie was wonderful. She refused to let anything keep from being a mama bear to the children. Although she comes across as prissy at the beginning of the book, it's more of a coping mechanism and after the first couple times Stafford finds it irritating, soon he finds her ways adorable.
Stafford to is a good hero. He's a bit unfair to her when they first get to the ranch, but he hasn't had a chance to really get to know her better and he does feel bad. And the children are well drawn. With children in a romance, they can be annoying, but not so in this story.
The only thing that didn't work for me and I read another reviewer had the same issue was how long Stafford worried about falling in love with his partner's promised. He knew she wasn't really a mail order bride; that she had just told that story to keep the children together and with her. So it didn't make sense to me that would be a barrier to him. But other than that I enjoyed this very likeable book.
The standout character in this book is the heroine Marie. She lived a very sad and lonely life as an orphan. That's why, once she has taken the position as a nursemaid to six children and their parents are tragically killed in a fire, she is determined to keep them all together and out of an orphaned. To this end she takes them all out west to their distant cousin, posing as a mail order bride. When she gets there, he isn't there but his business partner comes to take her and her charges back to their jointly owned ranch.
Stafford is quite suspicious of her and her story at first. Though Mick, his partner and prospective groom and new father has talked about getting himself a wife for years, he's just been joking and since he's not around to confirm or deny, he can't be sure.
As I said, Marie was wonderful. She refused to let anything keep from being a mama bear to the children. Although she comes across as prissy at the beginning of the book, it's more of a coping mechanism and after the first couple times Stafford finds it irritating, soon he finds her ways adorable.
Stafford to is a good hero. He's a bit unfair to her when they first get to the ranch, but he hasn't had a chance to really get to know her better and he does feel bad. And the children are well drawn. With children in a romance, they can be annoying, but not so in this story.
The only thing that didn't work for me and I read another reviewer had the same issue was how long Stafford worried about falling in love with his partner's promised. He knew she wasn't really a mail order bride; that she had just told that story to keep the children together and with her. So it didn't make sense to me that would be a barrier to him. But other than that I enjoyed this very likeable book.
May 16, 2015
I didn’t realise this was a Harlequin romance when I picked it up to read. I just really like historical westerns with the mail order bride theme, which is pretty well another way of saying marriage of convenience, my favourite historical romance trope. Luckily for me I was already well and truly hooked before I realised it was a Harlequin, otherwise I probably wouldn’t have picked it up in the first place – bad experiences in the past!
This is a really lovely, sweet story set in the 1880s about Marie, a nursemaid, who is left with the care of six children when their parents, her employers, are killed. Being brought up in an orphanage herself, Marie wasn’t going to allow the children to be split up, which is what was going to happen if she didn’t step in and take the children to the next of kin named by the deceased parents. He was a rancher out west and because she didn’t have the money to pay for the children’s travel, only her own, she told everyone she was his mail order bride so they could get to him without her having to pay for it. She was hoping that when he took the children on that she could stay as their nursemaid. It turns out when she arrives, the next of kin is away and his partner, Stafford, the hero of this story, has to step up and look after them all till he comes home.
So technically, this isn’t a mail order bride book, but not to worry, it’s a lovely story. The children actually add to the enjoyment of the book, thank goodness, and the hero and heroine were just lovely. All in all, a well-written, very lovely way to while away the first day of 2015.
This is a really lovely, sweet story set in the 1880s about Marie, a nursemaid, who is left with the care of six children when their parents, her employers, are killed. Being brought up in an orphanage herself, Marie wasn’t going to allow the children to be split up, which is what was going to happen if she didn’t step in and take the children to the next of kin named by the deceased parents. He was a rancher out west and because she didn’t have the money to pay for the children’s travel, only her own, she told everyone she was his mail order bride so they could get to him without her having to pay for it. She was hoping that when he took the children on that she could stay as their nursemaid. It turns out when she arrives, the next of kin is away and his partner, Stafford, the hero of this story, has to step up and look after them all till he comes home.
So technically, this isn’t a mail order bride book, but not to worry, it’s a lovely story. The children actually add to the enjoyment of the book, thank goodness, and the hero and heroine were just lovely. All in all, a well-written, very lovely way to while away the first day of 2015.
June 20, 2023
This was a great novel!
I saw this while I was browsing the library shelves. I'd seen other people mention LR as a good author and I was intrigued by people traveling out West with a gang of kids. Marie and Stafford were certainly a case of opposites attract. City woman learns how to rough it in the Midwest and cowboy has to learn patience with a "siditty Miss." I was entertained, but I also learned a lot about the Old West. It'a always fascinating to me how America as we know it started. Also, how different attitudes were back then, all kinds of religious guilt and social mores.
Overall, I found this to be romantic and charming. A few times I laughed out loud at the high jinks of the heroine trying to learn how to cook and deal with the taciturn hero (who of course has a heart of gold).
I saw this while I was browsing the library shelves. I'd seen other people mention LR as a good author and I was intrigued by people traveling out West with a gang of kids. Marie and Stafford were certainly a case of opposites attract. City woman learns how to rough it in the Midwest and cowboy has to learn patience with a "siditty Miss." I was entertained, but I also learned a lot about the Old West. It'a always fascinating to me how America as we know it started. Also, how different attitudes were back then, all kinds of religious guilt and social mores.
Overall, I found this to be romantic and charming. A few times I laughed out loud at the high jinks of the heroine trying to learn how to cook and deal with the taciturn hero (who of course has a heart of gold).
November 14, 2014
Good story line
I enjoyed the whole story line and all of the children. At times the tale gets a little wordy and descriptions get long winded, but totally loved the dialogue between characters. The Marshall seems like quite an interesting man.... hmmm.
I enjoyed the whole story line and all of the children. At times the tale gets a little wordy and descriptions get long winded, but totally loved the dialogue between characters. The Marshall seems like quite an interesting man.... hmmm.
September 15, 2023
The Wrong Cowboy isn't my cup of tea: I ordinarily avoid westerns and insta!families, but it featured as the penultimate story in the Harlequin Historical November 2014 Box Set (1 of 2). It was a slog for me. From the outset, Stafford Burleson antagonizes Marie Hall and I have no desire to see a woman 'put in her place' because she is--at worst--overzealous in her duty. Frankly, I'd expect little else since she's responsible for six orphaned children and she experienced parental abandonment in the past. I don't expect Stafford to know about trauma that Marie doesn't disclose, or to look beyond her presumptuous attitude. It's more interesting--and more realistic--that he doesn't; however, I bristled at the execution. I generally like enemies-to-lovers, but with Stafford and Marie, I would've preferred an honest conversation about the demands of life on the frontier over the misogyny and childish back-and-forth. By the time their relationship started to evolve, I'd lost interest.
The plot is primarily focused on the characters' (re)settlement process once they finally arrive at the ranch. I would've liked to see the text do more, either with Mrs. Smith or with Mick, because I had limited investment in domestic life and I found the romance bland. If the external conflict took place earlier, or had a more significant effect on the narrative, then it might've been able to hold my interest. On a more serious note, the characters' anti-Indigenous sentiment added little to the story besides racism. I know it arises in throwaway lines, but in the nine years since Lauri Robinson published The Wrong Cowboy, there's been a push for historical romance to grapple with the ongoing histories of violence behind our escapist fantasies. I'm not going to rehearse those arguments here because they're well-known, and there are bigger fish to fry, but I wanted to acknowledge it.
Ultimately, I'm not the target audience, so I don't think it's terribly surprising I was bored. I think if you like domestic drama and solid writing, then The Wrong Cowboy just might scratch the itch.
The plot is primarily focused on the characters' (re)settlement process once they finally arrive at the ranch. I would've liked to see the text do more, either with Mrs. Smith or with Mick, because I had limited investment in domestic life and I found the romance bland. If the external conflict took place earlier, or had a more significant effect on the narrative, then it might've been able to hold my interest. On a more serious note, the characters' anti-Indigenous sentiment added little to the story besides racism. I know it arises in throwaway lines, but in the nine years since Lauri Robinson published The Wrong Cowboy, there's been a push for historical romance to grapple with the ongoing histories of violence behind our escapist fantasies. I'm not going to rehearse those arguments here because they're well-known, and there are bigger fish to fry, but I wanted to acknowledge it.
Ultimately, I'm not the target audience, so I don't think it's terribly surprising I was bored. I think if you like domestic drama and solid writing, then The Wrong Cowboy just might scratch the itch.
February 23, 2024
3.5
Spice level: mostly passionate kissing but includes two semi-graphic scenes that are open-door.
Positives: Snake scene was great, characters and dialogue were consistent, cute interactions with the kids, character growth of oldest boy was great, only two typos I caught
Opportunities: open-door spicy scenes weren’t necessary, I wanted a little more drama and more interaction with Mick, the ending felt super rushed - I would have preferred less time on the wagon in the first 75 pages and more antagonizing over their predicament in the last turn of events
Spice level: mostly passionate kissing but includes two semi-graphic scenes that are open-door.
Positives: Snake scene was great, characters and dialogue were consistent, cute interactions with the kids, character growth of oldest boy was great, only two typos I caught
Opportunities: open-door spicy scenes weren’t necessary, I wanted a little more drama and more interaction with Mick, the ending felt super rushed - I would have preferred less time on the wagon in the first 75 pages and more antagonizing over their predicament in the last turn of events
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2025
nice
A nice and enjoyable book to read written by Lauri Robinson. A young woman is in charge of her dead employer children, they go to there next of kin only to find out he was not there. So what were they to do do. Burn a house down, cause problems and fall in love. Very nice
A nice and enjoyable book to read written by Lauri Robinson. A young woman is in charge of her dead employer children, they go to there next of kin only to find out he was not there. So what were they to do do. Burn a house down, cause problems and fall in love. Very nice
December 20, 2017
The first few pages were about what I expected. Weak prose, contrived plot, exposition dumps. How do people read this stuff?
February 7, 2018
Liked this book
I enjoyed this book a bit different and made a change a nice little story and an exe!lent price avoid read
I enjoyed this book a bit different and made a change a nice little story and an exe!lent price avoid read
July 13, 2023
Five our of five stars for the h accidently flashing her bum wile taking a pee.
October 6, 2023
Fabulous book. I really enjoyed it
March 9, 2024
Enjoyed the book but the MC seemed a bit immature to me. Her constant "I'm the best nursemaid ever" remarks got to be irritating.
February 19, 2016
Full review available on All About Romance - http://likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookRev...
Sometimes, you just want to read sweet. There are wonderful, wonderful books that are epics, with dramatic storylines and dark villainy, but honestly? I get tired of it. When I’m stressed or exhausted, or have had my sister’s babies in my care for just a moment too long, I want something cute and sweet. I want fluff. And The Wrong Cowboy delivered in the best of ways - we have humor and great characters and sweetness and some absolutely wonderful UST (unresolved sexual tension) that all works out wonderfully in the end.
Stafford Burleson and Mick Wagner have been partners for years, jointly running the Dakota Cattle Company and their ranch lands together, and making a success of the whole thing. When Mick heads down Mexico way to look at a certain brand of cattle, the last thing Stafford expects is for one Miss Hall to show up at the nearby town, claiming to be Mick’s mail-order bride. Adding in the 6 children she was traveling with takes the situation from strange to downright ridiculous.
But while Marie Hall is not Mick’s bride, the 6 kids now belong to him - his cousin and her husband left their children in his care as their closest relative. As their nursemaid Marie, knowing full well the horrors and despair that can be found in an orphanage, decides she will bring the whole group across the country to their new guardian. All of her training in childcare could not prepare her for life in the territories, but Marie is nothing if not determined. She will make sure these kids get to stay together in a home that’s theirs. Even if she can’t cook. And accidentally burns down Mick’s cabin. And almost gets bitten in the bottom by a snake. And...and...and….
Oh, so many ands. It may have started off a little slow, but Marie and Stafford’s story was exactly what I wanted. I wasn’t sure about Stafford to begin with - he was, quite frankly, being a bit of an ass to both Marie and the kids - but we get so much from his point of view, and a good bit about his history, that I very quickly went from “no way” to “yes, please” about him. His family history has made him almost militant about his privacy - it’s no wonder he was more than a little hesitant to let half a dozen children and their rather attractive young nursemaid into his life and his house. Though he really doesn’t have much of a choice when Marie literally burns Mick’s one-room cabin down around their ears. She really is my favorite kind of heroine - she is determined to make things work, and really puts forth a good effort. She definitely is human, though, and we get to see her work through her failures and try again. Plus, she’s the one who sets both the stage and the limits of their relationship (and this is particularly wonderful in the end - seriously, just read it, because I can’t give away the last 10 pages!)
Sometimes, you just want to read sweet. There are wonderful, wonderful books that are epics, with dramatic storylines and dark villainy, but honestly? I get tired of it. When I’m stressed or exhausted, or have had my sister’s babies in my care for just a moment too long, I want something cute and sweet. I want fluff. And The Wrong Cowboy delivered in the best of ways - we have humor and great characters and sweetness and some absolutely wonderful UST (unresolved sexual tension) that all works out wonderfully in the end.
Stafford Burleson and Mick Wagner have been partners for years, jointly running the Dakota Cattle Company and their ranch lands together, and making a success of the whole thing. When Mick heads down Mexico way to look at a certain brand of cattle, the last thing Stafford expects is for one Miss Hall to show up at the nearby town, claiming to be Mick’s mail-order bride. Adding in the 6 children she was traveling with takes the situation from strange to downright ridiculous.
But while Marie Hall is not Mick’s bride, the 6 kids now belong to him - his cousin and her husband left their children in his care as their closest relative. As their nursemaid Marie, knowing full well the horrors and despair that can be found in an orphanage, decides she will bring the whole group across the country to their new guardian. All of her training in childcare could not prepare her for life in the territories, but Marie is nothing if not determined. She will make sure these kids get to stay together in a home that’s theirs. Even if she can’t cook. And accidentally burns down Mick’s cabin. And almost gets bitten in the bottom by a snake. And...and...and….
Oh, so many ands. It may have started off a little slow, but Marie and Stafford’s story was exactly what I wanted. I wasn’t sure about Stafford to begin with - he was, quite frankly, being a bit of an ass to both Marie and the kids - but we get so much from his point of view, and a good bit about his history, that I very quickly went from “no way” to “yes, please” about him. His family history has made him almost militant about his privacy - it’s no wonder he was more than a little hesitant to let half a dozen children and their rather attractive young nursemaid into his life and his house. Though he really doesn’t have much of a choice when Marie literally burns Mick’s one-room cabin down around their ears. She really is my favorite kind of heroine - she is determined to make things work, and really puts forth a good effort. She definitely is human, though, and we get to see her work through her failures and try again. Plus, she’s the one who sets both the stage and the limits of their relationship (and this is particularly wonderful in the end - seriously, just read it, because I can’t give away the last 10 pages!)
April 21, 2016
G-rated drivel. There is actually nothing redeeming about the story. The characters are not well-developed, the romance totally not believable, the actions of the completely idiotic simpleminded heroine are laughable and the "villains" we're totally one-dimensional and predictable.
Quick summary:
The heroine is A 20-year-old orphan who was working as a nursemaid taking care of six children. The parents of the six children die and to prevent the children from being sent to an orphanage she decides to take them to the relative, a cousin, who was named in their parents life insurance policy as their guardian. Because she cannot pay for the train fare she tells the conductor that she is a mail order bride and that her husband will pay for the fair when they arrive at their destination.
When she gets to her destination the cousin is not there, she is meant by his business partner who is also the hero of the story. He pays the fair and brings them to the ranch that he shares with the cousin.
Issues I had with the story:
First foremost the heroine was so super annoying. A total priss with a stick up her butt who had absolutely no common sense about her situation. Here she is on a ranch living in a frontier town and she cares more about manners and etiquette then the more practical shit she should be worried about. I only finished this book because I cannot "not"finish a book.
The hero was OK, a little pathetic for my tastes, as he was still emotionally scarred from his brother marrying his fiancée years and years ago. Grow up and get over it already!
Quick summary:
The heroine is A 20-year-old orphan who was working as a nursemaid taking care of six children. The parents of the six children die and to prevent the children from being sent to an orphanage she decides to take them to the relative, a cousin, who was named in their parents life insurance policy as their guardian. Because she cannot pay for the train fare she tells the conductor that she is a mail order bride and that her husband will pay for the fair when they arrive at their destination.
When she gets to her destination the cousin is not there, she is meant by his business partner who is also the hero of the story. He pays the fair and brings them to the ranch that he shares with the cousin.
Issues I had with the story:
First foremost the heroine was so super annoying. A total priss with a stick up her butt who had absolutely no common sense about her situation. Here she is on a ranch living in a frontier town and she cares more about manners and etiquette then the more practical shit she should be worried about. I only finished this book because I cannot "not"finish a book.
The hero was OK, a little pathetic for my tastes, as he was still emotionally scarred from his brother marrying his fiancée years and years ago. Grow up and get over it already!
January 5, 2019
Lauri Robinson has done it again. A fun story, well written and entertaining.
When Marie Hall finds herself with six children who need to get to their only living relative, she feels useful and needed. She arrives to find that Mr Wagner isn't in town and his partner, Stafford Burleson is on hand to take care of them. She thought she might get Mr Wagner
to hire her on, but then she finds herself falling for Burleson.
Through mishaps and trials, Stafford and Marie become close. And they get a happy ever after.
When Marie Hall finds herself with six children who need to get to their only living relative, she feels useful and needed. She arrives to find that Mr Wagner isn't in town and his partner, Stafford Burleson is on hand to take care of them. She thought she might get Mr Wagner
to hire her on, but then she finds herself falling for Burleson.
Through mishaps and trials, Stafford and Marie become close. And they get a happy ever after.
October 21, 2014
3.5 stars. Sweet mail-order bride romance with an endearing ready-made family. Thankfully, there wasn't a subplot involving the kids causing trouble for Marie and Stafford or in general. In fact, the kids enhanced the connection between the couple. I liked Marie's problem-solving skills, her vulnerability, and innocence. Stafford was an easy hero to admire, especially since he didn't resist his growing feelings for Marie and the children.
August 1, 2015
The nurse maid who posed as a mail order bride
I love mail order brides stories ( when they're happy) and this one was so good, even though Marie wasn't really a mail order bride, but a nursemaid delivering her six charges to their cousin. Of course she had no way of knowing he had headed to Texas and Mexico on a cattle buying trip, and hadn't received her letter. A very good HEA.
I love mail order brides stories ( when they're happy) and this one was so good, even though Marie wasn't really a mail order bride, but a nursemaid delivering her six charges to their cousin. Of course she had no way of knowing he had headed to Texas and Mexico on a cattle buying trip, and hadn't received her letter. A very good HEA.
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January 12, 2016"Heartwarming and touching, this feel-good Western is perfect for the season. The romance between Robinson’s feisty Eastern heroine and tough but tender rancher is enhanced by six adorable children, one dog and a difficult cook stove. There’s a gentleness and warmth in the plot and characters that will have readers sighing with contentment" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
March 7, 2015
I really liked the characters in this book and the dialogue but I must say I got a little frustrated with Stafford repeatedly bringing up that he was "stealing" his friend's mail-order bride even after he found out that his friend wasn't actually even aware she was coming. But I got through it and overall, I really did like this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2015
(Romance is graded on a curve.)
About as good as expected for this type of novel. Repetitiveness, which is a common element of the genre (and a major sin IMO), is no stranger here. There's nothing exactly wrong with the writing; unfortunately it's somewhat lacking in subtlety and skill.
About as good as expected for this type of novel. Repetitiveness, which is a common element of the genre (and a major sin IMO), is no stranger here. There's nothing exactly wrong with the writing; unfortunately it's somewhat lacking in subtlety and skill.
July 31, 2015
Love this author!
I have read many of Laurie Robinson's book. She just has a way with a good western story. This one is no exception. And - the editing was perfect, which I really appreciate.
I have read many of Laurie Robinson's book. She just has a way with a good western story. This one is no exception. And - the editing was perfect, which I really appreciate.
September 4, 2015
Alright, another ridiculous title found for me by Amanda. And it's wasn't too bad. Despite the missishness of the main character that was faintly annoying and out of place in any novel written in 2014, it was still a fun, ridiculous read.
July 27, 2015
Great book ! Truly enjoy it !!!!!!
August 16, 2015
Six carrot head and Marie
Good book enjoyed every chapter . Especially when the ladies group came out to the farm, and Marie told them.
Good book enjoyed every chapter . Especially when the ladies group came out to the farm, and Marie told them.
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November 29, 2016Used - Good (Light spine creases)
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