Annie

The Brides of San Francisco #2

by Cynthia Woolf

Annie Markum grew up with a bible in one hand, and a disapproving father holding the other. At twenty-two, she dared to dream of a different life and risked everything to become a mail order bride. One year later, she finds herself on a friend's doorstep, penniless, pregnant, and a widow. Her husband was an honorable, church-going man, and she believes her father will allow her to come home. To get back to her father in New York will take money she doesn't have. She's got no choice but to accept work as a cook in a local saloon. Her father would never approve, but Annie is determined to earn enough for safe passage for herself and her beautiful new baby girl.

It's never good to lust after another man's wife. Saloon owner, Nick Cartwright, learned that lesson the hard way. He took one look at Annie Markum and fell hard for his friend's mail order bride. A year later, she's back in his life, a widow with a precious daughter to protect. Nick will do anything to convince Annie to give him a chance, except the one thing she demands...sell his saloon. Annie has lived a sheltered life, and her innocence is one thing Nick wants to preserve. Life is rough, and Annie is soft, sweet, and all too kissable. He wants to keep her and her little girl, but Annie is determined to raise her daughter as far away from the saloon as possible.

Annie fights her growing attraction to Nick. She might even be in love with him, but with Nick comes the saloon. And the whiskey. The gambling and the women. One of them will have to sacrifice everything to make a relationship work, and neither wants to budge. When it turns out that Annie's dead husband actually left her a fortune, her future seems set. Until someone decides to take both Nick and her new found freedom away from her. And Annie realizes that sometimes, in life and in love, you have to fight dirty to win.

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

303 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 20, 2015

About the author

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

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

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



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TITLES AVAILABLE (English unless otherwise stated)

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


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


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


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


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



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


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


ANGEL CREEK CHRISTMAS BRIDES
Adele


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


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


BACHELORS & BABIES
Carter (Book 3)


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


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


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


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


AMERICAN MAIL-ORDER BRIDES
Genevieve, Bride of Nevada


THE SURPRISE BRIDES
Gideon


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


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


DESTINY IN DEADWOOD (Available in German)
Jake
Liam
Zach


MATCHMAK

Reviews

[Anna Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't really enjoy this story as much as the first book in the series, I actually found it quite predictable. I liked to find both Nellie and Blake in this story and read that their friendship helped Annie and Nick to finally get married and be happy.

[Delta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice story and well-written, but a bit confusing if you haven't read the first book in the series. I found Annie's father to be irritating and honestly a bit unnecessary to the plot since it's his ideals that cause conflict more than his actual presence.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

[Dosha (Bluestocking7) Beard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book but it was hard to stay interested. It didn't drag, but I had to put it down and pick it back up a couple of times. It was written well enough that I every time I returned to it, I was able to immediately remember what had already happened. I enjoyed book 1 more, and I intend to continue with this series. It is a clean historical romance, which is always refreshing.

[Sara Archibald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie Markum White was a mail order bride who showed up on her friend Nellie’s doorstep at the age of 23 widowed, pregnant, and penniless. She didn’t want to be a burden to anyone, however she didn’t know how she was going to make it and support her unborn child. The only thing she could do was ask for help. She ends up having a beautiful little girl Evie, but she needs to find a way to get the money for passage for her and Evie to go back home with her father whom is a pastor. Therefore, she ends up working for Nick and Blake as a cook in their Saloon.

Nick Cartwright it was love at first sight with Annie. He fell in love with her at his best friend/business partners wedding however, he found out she was a mail order bride and was going to marry another man. Therefore, he didn’t pursue anything with her. A year later he is there when she show’s up a Nellie and Blake’s. Fate has intervened and given him another chance at love with Annie the only problem is he owns a saloon and her father wouldn’t approve. So he has to try to convince her to take a chance on love and on him.

Annie falls in love with Nick, and Nick falls even more in love with Annie and her precious baby girl Evie. However, will love be enough or will she return home to her father?

[Jo ann boothby · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review".
was such an awesome read loved it from beginning to ending could not put down once started to read thank you for letting me read and review

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story and loved Annie and Nick. Glad I found this series and look forward to reading the last one in the series. Happy reading!

[Sarah B White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie: A Story of Loss and Love!

Annie Markham became a mail order bride to escape her strict father. She married, but he died a year later. She was alone, with a baby, no money, and no job. Her deceased husband had a friend who owned a saloon which also served meals. She accepted a job there, preparing food for the diners in the separate dining room, so she could provide a home for her baby girl. She had nothing to do with the sale of strong drink. Her father came to San Francisco from New York for a visit and was really upset that she was working in a building housing a saloon even though she worked in the restaurant. She refused to return to New York with him. Will she find love in San Francisco?

This well-written book continues with the story line. Read Annie to find about her life as a widowed mother and her life with working and mothering the child. Does she remain single or fall in live and marry? I an not answering that question, but you can find the answer by reading this book. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really easy, light little read. Part of a series, but can be read standalone.
Well edited.

Annie has come out to San Francisco as a mail order bride. It wasn't a good marriage, but it was over rather quickly, leaving Annie pregnant and a widow. She goes to her friend and promptly gives birth to her daughter. While at her friends', she is reacquainted with their friend, Nick. Annie and Nick were attracted to each other before her brief marriage, but Annie stuck to her contract and Nick bowed out. Now, the only thing standing in the way is the fact that Nick owns a saloon and Annie's preacher father would never approve. Will Nick find a way to win Annie's heart? Will Annie open her eyes to the good man Nick is and choose love for herself? What other bumps will they encounter on the path to true love and happiness?

This was a sweet, quick read. Enjoy.

[Donise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie becomes a mail-order bride and goes to San Francisco with two other ladies through a matchmaking company. Once they land her groom whisks her away right after one of the other ladies gets married. One day she arrives on the front steps of her married friends house alone, destitute and in labor. Nick is the best friend and business partner of Annie's friend's husband and he has had an affection for Annie since the first time he saw her and now that he sees her again it is even stronger. Read to see if Nick can convince Annie to give him a chance and see if he can prove to her that her father's sermons aren't necessarily the truth. I loved this story and it helps prove that not everything is black and white. To get the full affect I would read Nellie's story first. I read this story as part of the boxed set The San Francisco Brides.

[Ingrid Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overcoming prejudices of others

Annie was deeply in love with Saloon owner Nick. He was there for her when she gave birth to her daughter from her deceased husband. Have her a job when she insisted on working. Protected her time after time. He was also a father to Evie, Annie's baby. But because of Annie's upbringing and strict teaching by her preacher father that saloons, and their owner, were spawns of the devil, she refused to marry him, although she loved him.

There are twists and turns as Annie has to work through her moral dilemmas and decide if she will accept the love of a good man and accept that her father's may have been wrong, or give Nick up thereby losing him to another woman someday and coming between Evie and the man she calls "papa". Good book.

[Judith Barillas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about perseverance in the face of many obstacles. Annie is a wonderful character that's trying to do what is right against many odds - her father, her heart, and what's best for everyone. Her journey is about learning to figure out what she really wants, and that sometimes you can't make everyone else happy! Her beliefs and the love in her heart are her guide to making right choices. I loved this character from the start, struggled with her in battle after battle, and rejoiced to see how her choices worked out. It was a great read and I'm eager to get to know another woman in this San Francisco Bride series.

[Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie was forced to marry and older man she did not love. When he died she was expecting his child and found out he left her with nothing. She asked a friend for help and stayed with her friend. Nick was her friends husbands best friend and showed up just as she was getting ready to have her baby. He owned a salon which her father told her was evil. Writing to tell her father he had a grand daughter and she was a widow was hard she did not want him to know she cooked in a salon. Annie was in for a lot of surprises and mysterious loved this book

[Danielle Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very poignant story. Annie is as stubborn as Nick. Nick loves this woman, but she won't marry him, because she wants her father's blessing. To be honest, Annie wants to make her own choices, but in her heart she always needs her father's approval. It wasn't about her faith in God, but what her own father believed. If it wasn't for the Nick's love for Annie, this relationship would never had a chance.

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked Annie and Nick, but was aggravated that Annie could be so stubborn. She wouldn't marry Nick because of her father. It took her way too long to see things clearly. I did enjoy the story and loved little Evie. Annie and Nick are so generous and willing to take in other children. Nick is so patient and it is a good thing.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome western mail order bride story. The opposite that Annie and Nick cause all types of angst that draws the story out to a wonderful conclusion. This is a stand-alone but one of the fantastic set of The Brides of Sam Francisco.

[Fiorela · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a nice reading, my main trouble with it was the last part. I couldn't reconcile Annie from the beginning, the uber proper preacher's daughter with the wildcat at the end, well mostly a wildcat, like super forward with Nick. Just a bit strange.

[Sandra Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story

I love this book and series. I have read a lot of Cynthia's books and they all are very entertaining, exciting, creative and well worth the time to read. This story has some mystery,violence,humor and love. I highly recommend this book and the others in this series and all title's by Cynthia🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💖💖💖💖💖

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie

Will Annie find love and will she try to please her father? Poor Annie becomes a widow so young and left with little Evie. She falls in love but her father won’t approve of the man she loves because of his job. What’s she going to do? Good book! Jo

[Delbora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie is a unique character in this series because she doesn't really follow a desire at the beginning. She arrives to marry a man chosen and approved by her preacher father. She is lucky enough to find love but not confident enough to grab it.

[Sandi Niemeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet

This is Annie and Nick's story, a sweet tale about a bar owner and a preacher's daughter. Annie's father does not approve of Nick's profession, Annie sees the goodness in Nick's life. Can she convince her father?

[Elizabeth West · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie

4 stars because this story kept you wanting to know what was going to happen next. Suspense and drama with romance. Very good read.

[Steve Orton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this free through a Goodreads giveaway.

My wife thoroughly enjoyed this, and has since looked for other books by the author. She strongly recommends it.

[Henar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me

[Jan Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good reading

As always Ms. Woolf doesn't disappoint with her stories. Well worth the time to read. Her star characters are always interesting.

[Barb Nifong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie Markum White was a mail order bride of the 1860's. She had a bad marriage and was not entirely unhappy when her husband died suddenly leaving her with a lot of debt and pregnant. What to do?

She couldn't go home. She had no money to get there and couldn't be a burden to her father. Her mom died when she was young and she was raised by her dogmatic preacher father. She has spent her life trying to please him and make him love her.

Past due and dog tired, the only thing she can do is make it to her best friend, Nellie Malone and her husband, in
San Francisco. When her daughter was born right away, she met Nicholas Cartwright. They were attracted to each other at first glance. love bloomed with both Annie and her daughter, Evie, and Nick. But it was not to be. Nick was everything her father was against and the way she was raised. Can she overcome her fear of her father's disapproval and her beliefs to find happiness?


It is refreshing to find an author who can write without using four letter words, and graphic violence and sex. Cynthia Woolf has captured the story of mail order brides and written in the language of the day.
I liked this book so much I ordered two previous books by the Sam author.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lori Meehan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good fast read and my first book by Cynthia Woolf. It will not be my last!
It was full of really fun and complicated characters and I found myself rooting for the main characters Annie Markum White and Nicholas Cartwright. Annie was born to a judgmental Preacher and a mother who died young. Nick set out to make something out of himself and became a saloon owner with his friend Blake Malone. Annie met Nick at the wedding of her best friend Nellie and Blake Malone. Nick fell for Annie at first sight but she was to marry shortly after Nellie's wedding. When they meet again Annie is a widow, left destitute and very pregnant. Nick vows to win Annie for his own but he must first get past Annie's belief of the sins of owning a saloon and the people who frequent them.
I loved Annie's daughter Evie and the part she played to bridge the gap between Annie and Nick.
This book had everything one looks for in a romance a building of the romance, great characters, suspense, laughter and tears. My only problem with the story was at times it was very sappy.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quickly found myself full of sympathy for the terrible circumstances we first meet Annie. However, it was wonderful to see the return of Nellie and Blake. They support Annie emotionally and financially while she tries to put her life back together after the death of her husband and the subsequent financial ruin. Although Annie was raised by a strict preacher, she is willing to work hard to support herself and her new baby. Annie spends most of the story enjoying Nick, Blake's partner in business, fall in love with her daughter and avoid his marriage proposals, while she works as a cook in their saloon. It is frustrating that even though she considers both Blake and Nick to be good men through and through, she is not able to accept their business and that is why she continues to avoid Nick's marriage proposals. More clarity on the resolution with Sarah, Nick's sister, and her circumstances would have been appreciated instead of just a quick mention towards the end of the story. Overall though, I definitely appreciated Annie's strength and desire to do what is right.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

The book is sweet and has some interesting details about life at the saloon. It also deals closely with the heroine's baby, including slightly graphic details of childbirth.

At times the plot feels a bit rushed or underdeveloped. The characters are instantly attracted to one another, but the heroine refuses to act on it because he runs a saloon, yet she is willing to work there. I feel like a lot of the romance happens off stage. The dialogue is a bit stilted. It will go on for a paragraph of one person talking without the other responding quite often. The plot does have some surprises.

Also, trigger warning, there is violence against women in this book.

[Stephanie (Between the Coverz) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very simple entertaining good read. It was a funny, suspenseful, romantic storyline that flowed smoothly. The plot moved quickly and captured your attention from the very beginning to the end. Overall I enjoyed the historical romance story and look forward to reading more from this author. If you like mail-order bride books then it will not disappoint you.

[Patti Fischetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't stop reading.

After I read the first book I was hooked. I love stories that revolve around San Francisco even though these books never talks about the city itself. It revolves around another mail order bride that was introduced in the first novel "Nellie". A page turner and a must read if you like historical fiction.