Mail Order Outlaw

Brides of Tombstone #1

by Cynthia Woolf

Ed Talbot isn’t husband material. He’s an outlaw, was forced into his father’s gang at the age of thirteen, and is wanted Dead or Alive in more than one territory. But now his father is dead, he hates the life, the blood, and his brother’s rages. When a stagecoach robbery goes awry, Ed ends up with a satchel full of charming letters from an enticing young miss. Unfortunately for Miss Lizzie Cobb, her betrothed is now dead, and Ed Talbot sees a way out. Impersonating a fine, upstanding young man shouldn’t be too difficult. Despite the risks, falling in love with her proves to be all too easy.

Isolated on her mother’s ranch just outside of Tombstone, Miss Lizzie Cobb doesn’t have the time or the means to find a respectable husband. As a half Apache woman in the Arizona Territory, being a mail order bride seems like the only solution to her problem until she realizes that San Francisco is too far away, and she’ll have to leave her vulnerable mother and baby brother behind. Her solution? Call off the wedding.

When her groom shows up on her doorstep, she’s shocked. He’s handsome, strong, and has traveled hundreds of miles to claim her. His kisses inflame her body and his presence soothes her soul. Falling for the rugged man is beyond her control. But the past has a way of catching up to outlaws, and facing the truth is going to be hard…for both of them.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Westerns, Historical Fiction, Western Romance, Ebooks

252 pages, ebook

First published May 8, 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.



WEBSITE – http://cynthiawoolf.com

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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

[Jessica's Totally Over The Top Book Obsession · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Feel good Stars



This book was just what I needed after the last book I read made me so sad. I love that about Cynthia Woolf, her books are always sweet lighter reads. I loved the plot. Loved the characters. I really enjoyed this book, although it isn't my favorite from Cynthia Woolf it was still a good one. This one is still free on Amazon right now if anyone would like to read it. I will put the link below.

http://www.amazon.com/Mail-Order-Outl...

http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...

[Anu · Rating 1 out of 5]

For a woman who shares her surname with perhaps one of the most prolific writers in the world has ever seen, who also happened to be a feminist, I'm sure this Ms. Woolf is making Virginia Woolf roll in her grave. With underdeveloped, shitty characters, terrible, almost juvenile writing, and a story-line thinner than my hostel room walls, this book definitely makes my 'burn this shit' list. The script is painfully repetitive; like she loves her brother, she's horny as fuck, his brother is an asshole, his father was an asshole, the earth is the third planet... we get it. Move the fuck on. On the subject of fuck, please don't use it in a so-called historical romance. I have no problem with the word; lord knows I use it more than I should, but I don't think outlaws in the 19th century casually used words like fuck to get their thoughts across. But then again, I'm not the expert, else I would've written my own historical fiction, complete with ranches and drawers and nubs. Yes, nubs. Don't ask me how these miserable excuses for books get published. They just do.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fast and light read for me. I enjoyed this one; but it was just a very low angst story. It is what I am looking for right now in my reads, so I was satisfied. I have always been a sucker for the "mail order bride" theme, and this one was set in the Western genre....A great read when you are looking for something light!

[Seon Ji (Dawn) · Rating 2 out of 5]

++Spoilers+++

I really didn't care for this, seeing how I actually finished, I supposed it could have been worse.

The story is told at a very fast pace. Lots of time jumping, and filled with mostly dialogue and having little detail to thoughts, expressions and atmosphere.

Right off the bat I didn't care for the fact the hero was in love before, and had been with so many whores. Amazingly, he didn't have VD or bastards, or at least it wasn't mentioned. He also didn't seem to care that his first love was raped and murdered by his brother, it was sort of like, "oh well."

The other thing I didn't like (nor do I ever like) is how the hero "teaches" the heroine about kissing and sex. I truly hate that. I hate when the heroine is ignorant about sex and the hero acts like some sort of expert and has to teach her. It is arrogant, and a complete turn off to me. All I think about is how many other people he did this too. It's disgusting and not manly IMHO.

Aside from my personal pet peeves, the romance was non existant, unrealistic and corny. The whole plot was like out of a 1930's old western.

The author missed so many opportunities to take the plot and characters to more interesting avenues. Like the whole half breed thing. More should have been developed on this, but wasn't.

The heroine acted more like a man and the antagonist was cartoonish, flat and stereotyped like all of the characters.

There were also numerous illogical moments. Too many to detail. One example that stood out in my mind was how the hero was shot yet could ride a horse, walk, run, and have sex almost immediately after.

Although I didn't skim, I did read very quickly. It was free, sitting on my kindle. Glad to have it off now.

I would not recommend this book and don't plan on reading any more by this author.

SAFETY:

Hero-Very experienced and a bit arrogant about it.
Heroine-Typically..virgin
Cheating-No
OM/OW- no
Rape- Hero's first love was raped but it was not detailed. just mentioned
Violence-mild
Sex-one time, not very well done. a few sentences.
HEA/ILY-yes
Marriage/baby-yes
Adultery-No
Cursing-Not that I can remember

[Coco.V]

💝 FREE on Amazon today (2/3/2018)! 💝

[Jenn Green · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oy. This one sounded SO interesting, and I wanted to like it so much. It was in desperate need of both a copy editor and a content editor, because there were a lot of typos, dropped words, plot holes, plot mistakes, and missed cues - for example, one page talks about the hero having been at the ranch for two months...and two pages later it says he's been there for one.

I'm confused as to how the hero is described as being half Mexican at one point (even though his mom is named Becky, which doesn't sound Mexican to me...), and then that's never addressed again? But every other page we're reading how the heroine is a half-breed.

It also concerns me that neither of them REALLY seemed all that upset that the heroine's actual fiance is dead and the hero essentially stole his money and his life.

The language used seemed out of place often, and the situations seemed hard to believe. This is also closer to novella length than an actual novel. And to be honest, the plot moves just as fast as a novella - and I'm not talking about a good novella.

I wouldn't recommend this read unless you're looking for a quick bit of fluff and are willing to ignore obvious mistakes. I didn't hate it, but it's not great.

[Jenn]

DNF @17%
The writing was a little cheesy for me. Bret- aka: Malcolm, acts as if he's been with Lizzie for ages on the first day of meeting each other- especially with her brother, Jamie. He promised to send him to college with his own money, even if he and Lizzie don't work out. Really? You don't even know the kid! The whole bank scene with Mr. Peterson was silly to me, and well- cheesy too.

To me, the hero was weak and the heroine was more like the male to me. The bad brother, of the hero's- Bret/Malcolm, seemed like a petulant little child who doesn't get his way.

Also, this book could have used more editing. Which is too bad as I loved the thought of this story-line, and had looked forward to reading it.

[Mystee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I failed to share my review here with you when I originally reviewed this, it will be featured again on Nov 27 at the following link: https://amomentwithmystee.blogspot.co...


I recently had the opportunity to read "Mail Order Doctor" by Cynthia Wolf, and I must say, it exceeded my expectations in every way possible. This book is a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of a unique concept, expertly crafted by the talented author.

From the very first page, I was drawn into the intriguing world Wolf has created. The story follows Dr. Emily Parker, a brilliant physician who embarks on an exciting adventure as a mail-order doctor. The premise itself is incredibly original and immediately piqued my interest. Wolf's attention to detail and thorough research shine through, making the fictional concept feel incredibly realistic.

The characters in "Mail Order Doctor" are beautifully developed and relatable. Dr. Parker is a strong and compassionate protagonist who tackles both personal and professional challenges with grace and resilience. The supporting cast adds depth and complexity to the narrative, each with their unique personalities and backstories. I found myself emotionally invested in their journeys, eagerly turning the pages to see how their stories would unfold.

Wolf's writing style is simply superb. She effortlessly weaves together vivid descriptions, heartfelt emotions, and engaging dialogue, creating a seamless reading experience. Her prose is elegant and evocative, painting a rich tapestry of the settings and events. I was transported to the various locations, feeling as if I were right alongside the characters, experiencing their triumphs and tribulations.

Furthermore, "Mail Order Doctor" tackles significant themes with nuance and sensitivity. The book explores the challenges faced by communities without access to proper healthcare and sheds light on the power of empathy and human connection. Wolf's exploration of these issues left a profound impact on me, prompting me to reflect on the state of healthcare in our own society.

This is an absolute gem that deserves the highest praise. Cynthia Wolf has created a captivating and thought-provoking masterpiece that will stay with me long after turning the final page. With its original concept, well-developed characters, and exceptional writing, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking an immersive and memorable literary experience. I wholeheartedly give it a five-star rating and eagerly look forward to future works by this talented author.

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Vikki’s Musings

I have read several books by Cynthia Woolf and have enjoyed them a great deal. Mail Order Outlaw may well be my favorite so far. Her writing is smooth and even though the plot of a mail order bride has been used many times, she puts a fresh spin on this one. I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful book.

I am not going to do a synopsis because Ms. Woolf has accurately given a detailed one. Mail Order Outlaw is an entertaining read and captured my attention from the first page and held it until the end. The pacing is quick and lively, along with excellent dialogue between the hero and heroine and the supporting characters.

Lizzie Cobb is a wonderful heroine. She is loyal to her loved ones, honest to a fault and has an independent side, yet she also comes across as feminine. Considering she rarely wears a dress and is able to manage her young brother’s rancher on her own is quite a feat. Well done, Ms. Woolf. Lizzie has to deal with prejudices because of her Indian blood, but she does it with grace.

Ed/Mal is a great hero. While life has dealt him a bad hand of cards, he has been able to avoid being tainted by his brother and father, choosing to hold his teachings from his mother close to his heart. I loved that he took an opportunity to escape his outlaw life and in such an innovative way. While he starts his courtship of Lizzie under a cloud of deceit, he does it so sincerely, I could not hold it against him.

Lizzie and Mal have great chemistry, and Ms. Woolf creates a wonderful and believable arch for their romance. I truly wanted them to find a way past the rocky start in their relationship. The love scenes, while explicit to some degree, are very tender and were devoted more to the emotions involved than the physical description of the sexual act. They also happen after their marriage. I really appreciated the delicacy Ms. Woolf used.

If you enjoy a unique love story with endearing characters and a good bit of suspense, then you will love Mail Order Outlaw as much as I did. I look forward to reading the next book in the Brides of Tombstone series. Happy reading!

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mail Order Outlaw is a fun twist on the whole mail order bride in the wild west story. I love the fact that there was little angst and tons of hijinxs. Swept away to the wild west and just what I needed after a stressful day at work.

My Rating: 4.5 stars

[Marci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read...and a pretty good story. Liked Mal and Lizzie...actually liked most of the characters. Some typos in the book but not too many.

[Connie N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

#1 Brides of Tombstone western romance series

This is a new-to-me author, and it was surprisingly enjoyable. At first I thought it was a bit simple, meaning the writing seemed amateurish and almost young-adult-ish, but apparently I got used to it because it didn't bother me after a while. And I got invested in the story. Ed was forced into a gang as a youngster, and now he sees his chance to sneak away and start a new life with a mail-order bride. He meets Lizzie and falls in love with her, with her life on the ranch, and with the small town they live in. Unfortunately his past catches up with him, and Lizzie must choose whether or not she'll go through with the wedding. Pleasant characters. An obvious story, but it still kept my interest. And a predictable but enjoyable HEA. I will probably look for more in this series and from this author as I see she has written a number of western romances.

[Eldarwen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

Potentially interesting idea but that's where it ends. The characters had no depths, there was no real flow connecting the actions and dialogues/thought processes. Every one was riding stallions, his was black and hers was white, perfectly complimenting each other *insert eye roll*

Oh, and Scarlett O'Hara's home made an appearance as well.

The villain certainly wasn't a villain either. More like a shunned little kid who did nothing but whine and squabble with his brother instead of actually being the villain he was supposed to be.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated 3.5 stars

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an ok - quick read. The characters and story itself lacked detail and substance. The heroine was very easy going and too understanding in light of the hero's untruthfulness.

I'm sorry ladies and gentleman, but once a liar, always a liar. The heroine should have cut her losses and run :P Well, that is what I would have done.

I also have book #2 and book #3 in this series that I intend to read. Fingers crossed that the next stories will be an improvement.

[Linda Oleniuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read about an outlaw who wants to settle down and has an opportunity to assume the identity of a gentleman who was on his way to meet his bride to be.

[♥ WishfulMiss ♥ · Rating 1 out of 5]

The blurb sounded pretty good but this one just never panned out for me. The characters were one dimensional and the dialogue was stilted and sounded like a really badly rehearsed play.

It almost read like a first draft of someone's very first book, but thats not the case here. No, this author has written a handful of books so I guess this is just her style?

Lizzie is supposed to be a half indian woman of twenty four in the Arizona Territory in 1882, but she acts and talks like a really naive 20th century teen. The slang and mannerisms she displayed seemed out of place and just plain wrong.

“You always know what to say to make me all squishy inside.”

She says things like that all the time! It just sounded really weird to me.

Than there is Ed/Mal who is twenty eight but also tends to speak and act like a child. He's been living most of his life with a gang of thieving, murdering outlaws and is over six feet tall, but somehow always comes out really beta. I would have thought a fully grown man that had seen and done the things Ed/Mal had done would be more mature.

I wanted to give this one the benefit of the doubt but in the end the book will speak for it's self. Maybe the next one in series will be better.

[Lori D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed so many stories by Cynthia Woolf and could not wait to listen to an audible! Wow.. The story of an outlaw, Ed Talbot, who was dragged into the life by his mean father and half brothers. Wanting to get out without his brother tracking him down and killing him, he saw his chance by taking the identity of a passenger on a stagecoach they robbed and acted as the mail order husband.

Lizzie Talbot has been taking care of the ranch along with her mother and younger brother since her father passed away. She had been corresponding with a gentleman in hopes they would be a match and marry. In a twist of fate, Ed impersonates her groom and the journey starts!!

A wonderful story told by narrator Lia Frederick who was perfect with her different voices.. She made me believe I was there watching the story unfold! Cannot wait for the next in the series!!

[Akina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story started off a bit shaky for me. The hero was a borderline bad guy and definitely not an alpha male. Mail order brides are also out of my comfort level. But I gradually warmed to the characters. The hero had a big heart which compensated for a lot of the shortcomings in the story. I didn't really feel love in the air as much as drive and dedication. More merger than match. Some typos and grammatical issues but not enough to hinder my interest.

[Anameeka · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very.... 1990s romance. This book needed more character development. I also think that events happened too quickly; I, as the reader didn't get a sense of time passing. I think that the audience is supposed to have a sense that not every event or day is being covered, but I didn't get that feel. In spite of the occasional time stamp. The book seemed to take place in a matter of a week or two, rather than a month or two.

[darlene. wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rancher and Ex-Outlaw Find Love

I love books that are set in the Old West. This story contains a mail order bride, criminals and escaping them, family, ranching and learning to love and trust. Mal and Lizzie worked through many things to find trust and love. This was a good read.

[Anna Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

So cheeseball, naive, and just sugary that I think my teeth are rotting out. The love scenes were corny beyond belief and the general plot is so paint by numbers it hurts to think about. I got to the end though and mostly liked the main characters, so it gets two stars.

[Jennifer Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet romance

This was. Great read. Easy to follow and a constant page turner. This was very sweet and emotional. A man who wanted to be more than what he was. And the woman who helped him do it.

[Amanda]

I can't do it, I just can't do it anymore. I tried to read it I really did. I even told myself it's short i should be able to get thru it but when I looked down and saw I was only half way thru I threw in the towel. Nope, just not going to happen.

[wonderfullyweird88 · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 37%. I had to stop reading it just wasn't worth my time. There was no chemistry between the two main characters. The relationship just wasn't believable.

[Shawn Hamdorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

Another great book by Cynthia Woolf. Seeing the determination of both Lizzie and Ed (Mal) to make a better life while doing it together was perfect.

[Leahanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Slow

SPOILER ALERT****


This is a classic story of mistaken identity. Ed Talbot, forced to be an outlaw from a young age, finds love letters from Lizzie Cobb, a mail order bride, written to shop owner, Malcom Brandon. Malcom “Mal” was killed in a stage coach robbery gone bad. Ed seizes the opportunity to leave the life of crime and settle down with Lizzie. Will Ed’s half brother, Harvey, let him go?
The story starts out at a good enough pace, but slows way down. Ed and Lizzie have zero chemistry. He lives on her ranch for months, working side by side everyday before he kisses her for the first time, 1/2 through the book. There isn’t any built up passion or intrigue. Lizzie pushes back each supposed advance. She allows him to call her his fiancé, but won’t allow any talk of the wedding. Harvey doesn’t come back into story until the last 1/4 of the story. Super predictable. The story became a chore to finish. No funny/cute scenes, not even a town social (common in historical romances); nothing really memorable to make me want to read it again.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ed Talbot was only thirteen when his mother died and his outlaw father forced him to join his gang of outlaws. He wanted out and found a way when he took a passenger's bag from a stage after his brother killed everyone on the stage.

The bag had letters from Malcolm Brandon's mail order bride in Tombstone, and enough cash for Ed to find a new life and he hoped with Lizzie Cobb. Pretending to be Mal, he started to learn how to be a rancher, met Lizzie's mother and brother and became like part of the family. He romanced Lizzie and things were going fine until his brother Harvey showed up in town a couple of days before his planned wedding.

Harvey threaten and hurt Lizzie, wanted money and shot Ed. The solution is a great old western type of solution and one that kept the excitement high. You have to love a shy guy that turns hero and a strong woman, who is good for him and to him to be his match.

[CHERYL SNIPE · Rating 4 out of 5]

MAIL ORDER Outlaw

I give Mail Order Outlaw a four star rating because the story was well written. Believable, warm,with just the right amount of romance, violence and western knowledge to make a story worth telling. I liked Lizzie because she was not one of those simpering female character that are so often found in romance stories. I also liked that Lizzie was half Indian not just another white woman. I believe other races should be written about in a romantic setting as well. What I was a bit disappointed with was how the story ended. I think it needed to be a little bit more romantic or erotic even. I know the author may have wanted to be more in tune with the western setting. But it could have been better. That being said. It was a good story and just any adult can read this story even Christians. I recommend that you read this story and tell what you think.

[Shel Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simplicity at it’s best

Malcom Brandon had 101 problems and no solutions. I thought his goose was surely cooked once his evil brother accidentally found him. The plot is great. A young man wants out if his family’s gang. So on the last job when everything goes wrong he decides to leave. He assumes a dead mans identity, takes his money, and vanishes into thin air. Malcom is on his way to meet his mail order bride before his untimely death and Ed picks up his mission and his woman. Go Malcom! He never looks back from there. This is the old west with all its rugged violence in tact. This is a page turner because it’s action packed and character focused. Not much sex because this is a different place in time and men had to have a little extra respect for females. The story is ample enough to keep you reading, definitely worth the time.