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Bluebonnet Texas #3
Redheaded Stranger
When Keilana Boudreaux married the love of her life, Alexander Boudreaux, she understood that he was estranged from his family, but the birth of their son changes everything. Nobody holds a grudge like a redhead—Alexander is proof of that. Ten years ago he found out his father had an affair…and a child. Unable to forgive or forget, he's stayed away until one fateful Thanksgiving when instead of telling his family about his own marriage (and child), he loses his cool. But Zander isn’t the only one with a fiery temper. When Kei finds out what really happened, she issues an ultimatum—tell your family about us or else. Zander refuses and Kei takes matters into her own hands, packs up the car and heads for Bluebonnet, Texas, and her unsuspecting in-laws. *Warning this book contains a secret baby (or two), family feuds, Christmas carols, and married people having hot sexy times.
90 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 2015
29 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Amie Stuart
21 books183 followersAmie Stuart is the last of a dying breed: a Native Texan. She writes sexy, emotional contemporary romances set in small towns. In the past, she's worked as a receptionist, a daycare office manager, delivered pizzas, and was even a hairdresser for five years--all fodder for the writing gig. That and all those Barbara Cartland romances she cut her teeth on.
None of those careers can compare to her favorite job: writer. She's a storyteller through and through, even when she's keeping tabs on her almost-grown sons and many pets, or organizing promo and planning trips for her day job as a personal assistant. She smokes, she drinks, she writes, she curses--sometimes at the same time.
You can reach her online at www.amiestuart.com
And copy/paste the link to sign up for her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bo1GNT
None of those careers can compare to her favorite job: writer. She's a storyteller through and through, even when she's keeping tabs on her almost-grown sons and many pets, or organizing promo and planning trips for her day job as a personal assistant. She smokes, she drinks, she writes, she curses--sometimes at the same time.
You can reach her online at www.amiestuart.com
And copy/paste the link to sign up for her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bo1GNT
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 13, 2015
My favorite character in this whole book was the baby.
My distant second favorite was Alex.
Everyone else could take a seat.
The wife, Keilana, was a controlling shrew. It was obvious her husband, Alex, had really deep issues with his family. Like really deep. And she decides to show up on their doorstep to force his hand in reconciling with his family. No, you don't ambush your husband in that way. I agree that his failure to introduce her or even inform his family that he is married with a wife is ten kinds of fucked up, but you deal with that with your husband. That is his issue, you deal with him on that. You don't go behind his back. It felt manipulative and wrong. And I won't even talk about her 'job changing plans' that spontaneously occurs at the end of the book. Again, no discussion with her husband... just upend their lives because that was she wants. I wanted to throat punch her.
Alex had his issues, sure. But I think the author did a good job of making his issues feel plausible for him. He was upset with his father for cheating on his mother and having a daughter as a result of that affair. He couldn't reconcile that in his head because he felt that it broke his family. He remembers years of them arguing which obviously had a profound effect on him as he was growing up. Fast forward to now the entire rest of the family seems to have forgiven the father and embraced the half-sister. But he hasn't been able to and allowed himself to be come estranged. This to me is a completely valid way for him to feel. And yet the entire book has people lining up to repeatedly tell him how completely invalid his feelings are. I scratch my head at how great a case the author makes for Alex's state of mind and feelings and yet allows the other characters to pile on as if he is in the wrong. And yes, that includes his trifling wife.
Alex's family as a whole were presented as nice, loving decent people. I suppose they were. But they also came off as a bit self righteous with a heaping help of 'let me tell you how you should feel'.
Outside of my dislike of his family there were a couple of things that niggled. The story works in alternating chapters, one from Keilana's POV and one from Alex's. Keilana's are told in first person. Alex's are told in third. I know that this is a narrative decision, but I tend to dislike the changing voices. Not sure why Alex's chapters couldn't also be in first person? This isn't a real knock on eh book, but more of a personal preference.
Also Keilana refers to Alex as 'Alex' and the family refers to him as 'Zander.' This is perfectly fine since that make total sense. But the third person narrative voice referred to him interchangeably as Alex and Zander sometimes in the same paragraph. It was a bit jarring.
The book ends super abruptly with no real conclusion. I gather this is part of some series but I am not interested in following up.
My distant second favorite was Alex.
Everyone else could take a seat.
The wife, Keilana, was a controlling shrew. It was obvious her husband, Alex, had really deep issues with his family. Like really deep. And she decides to show up on their doorstep to force his hand in reconciling with his family. No, you don't ambush your husband in that way. I agree that his failure to introduce her or even inform his family that he is married with a wife is ten kinds of fucked up, but you deal with that with your husband. That is his issue, you deal with him on that. You don't go behind his back. It felt manipulative and wrong. And I won't even talk about her 'job changing plans' that spontaneously occurs at the end of the book. Again, no discussion with her husband... just upend their lives because that was she wants. I wanted to throat punch her.
Alex had his issues, sure. But I think the author did a good job of making his issues feel plausible for him. He was upset with his father for cheating on his mother and having a daughter as a result of that affair. He couldn't reconcile that in his head because he felt that it broke his family. He remembers years of them arguing which obviously had a profound effect on him as he was growing up. Fast forward to now the entire rest of the family seems to have forgiven the father and embraced the half-sister. But he hasn't been able to and allowed himself to be come estranged. This to me is a completely valid way for him to feel. And yet the entire book has people lining up to repeatedly tell him how completely invalid his feelings are. I scratch my head at how great a case the author makes for Alex's state of mind and feelings and yet allows the other characters to pile on as if he is in the wrong. And yes, that includes his trifling wife.
Alex's family as a whole were presented as nice, loving decent people. I suppose they were. But they also came off as a bit self righteous with a heaping help of 'let me tell you how you should feel'.
Outside of my dislike of his family there were a couple of things that niggled. The story works in alternating chapters, one from Keilana's POV and one from Alex's. Keilana's are told in first person. Alex's are told in third. I know that this is a narrative decision, but I tend to dislike the changing voices. Not sure why Alex's chapters couldn't also be in first person? This isn't a real knock on eh book, but more of a personal preference.
Also Keilana refers to Alex as 'Alex' and the family refers to him as 'Zander.' This is perfectly fine since that make total sense. But the third person narrative voice referred to him interchangeably as Alex and Zander sometimes in the same paragraph. It was a bit jarring.
The book ends super abruptly with no real conclusion. I gather this is part of some series but I am not interested in following up.
May 26, 2016
Cute but I found myself agreeing with Zander way more often than I thought I would after reading the synopsis (I didn't care for anyone in his family). Solid 3 stars until I realized it had no real ending. And Kei's "career plans" at the end were plain stupid. I have no desire to read the rest of the series.
Random but... the title doesn't fit at all. While he is a redhead, he is not a cowboy and the couple are already married and in love. This story is more about the love Zander has for the family he made leading him back to his family of origin. "Redheaded Prodigal: A Family Reunion After The Hero Showed His Entire A#! at Thanksgiving" would be a better title.
Random but... the title doesn't fit at all. While he is a redhead, he is not a cowboy and the couple are already married and in love. This story is more about the love Zander has for the family he made leading him back to his family of origin. "Redheaded Prodigal: A Family Reunion After The Hero Showed His Entire A#! at Thanksgiving" would be a better title.
June 13, 2015
“Redheaded Stranger: A Cowboy Love Story” By Amie Stuart is a beautifully written and consists of a few twists about the love of two amazing characters. This was my first story from Amie, but will definitely not be my last. I enjoyed trying to understand what the true deal with Alex’s family was and why he wanted to keep Keilana and his child away from his family’s farm. This story will teach you that you can never assume the reason a person wants to shield his current life from his past. This is a true must read for anyone that has ever dreamed when they were young about moving away from home and never returning because you think that living in your hometown as an adult is the last thing that you would ever want for your children. We tend to take certain things for granted until we don’t have them anymore. This story is well written and will have you smiling but will also pull at your heart a few times.
May 16, 2016
Not my favorite in the series...a lot felt unresolved still. And I felt like there could have been a better plot device used than making Betti and Ty's baby die because of Zander's outburst in book 2 to bring him home and make amends. Books 1 & 2 were longer and more on depth, and I just feel like there was a missed opportunity here to go in depth and explore emotions.... This felt more looks a quick novella/between the books type of story...the ones that are about a side character or situation that help flush out the little unresolved things....except it created more questions than answers. I did like that the love explored wasn't just between a couple, but an entire family...but as I said, the author missed an opportunity to really go emotionally in depth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2015
When Keilana Boudreaux married Alexander Boudreaux she understood that he was estranged from his family. Yet, when she had their first child it changed everything.
Nobody holds a grudge like a redhead--Alexander is proof of that. Ten years ago he found out his father had an affair. He then learned a child came from that affair. He's been unable to forgive his family so he's made sure to stay away. Until he loses his cool and doesn't tell his family about his wife or child.
Soon Zander finds he isn't the only one with a fiery temper. When Kei tells him what she wants him to do and he doesn't. She takes matters into her own hands!
Nobody holds a grudge like a redhead--Alexander is proof of that. Ten years ago he found out his father had an affair. He then learned a child came from that affair. He's been unable to forgive his family so he's made sure to stay away. Until he loses his cool and doesn't tell his family about his wife or child.
Soon Zander finds he isn't the only one with a fiery temper. When Kei tells him what she wants him to do and he doesn't. She takes matters into her own hands!
March 21, 2017
We first saw Zander's drama in Ty's book. And what drama he caused. Now it's time to fix the drama he caused and tell the secrets he's kept. The instant bond of his family with his wife and son was heart warming. A great addition to the series!
December 29, 2015
Ummm
Okay, this book started off okay, but then it made absolutely no sense whatsoever. I get being upset with the father but he took it out on the whole family....
Okay, this book started off okay, but then it made absolutely no sense whatsoever. I get being upset with the father but he took it out on the whole family....
February 13, 2016
Good
the story that is one about how families who have disagreements became far apart and distance becomes a way to avoid the problems
the story that is one about how families who have disagreements became far apart and distance becomes a way to avoid the problems
Want to read
February 7, 2017wonderful
February 5, 2021
Redheaded Stranger
When she has asked for years to meet his family she takes it in her own hands and goes to visit. But he had went the month before to finally let them know, but family drama blew that out of the equation. Now he has nothing to do but go get his wife and son. And figure out what is going on?
When she has asked for years to meet his family she takes it in her own hands and goes to visit. But he had went the month before to finally let them know, but family drama blew that out of the equation. Now he has nothing to do but go get his wife and son. And figure out what is going on?
April 7, 2020
Good Series...Bad Novella! My least favorite Boudreaux, loved Kei...
August 22, 2023
Alex/Zander was an ass. The author tried to redeem him at the end but the book was just too short to make that happen and make it believable. I really liked Keilana so that was a plus.
April 11, 2017
Nice story
A nice short story overall. Too short for my liking, however I enjoyed getting a little more insight on Zander/Alex's life.
A nice short story overall. Too short for my liking, however I enjoyed getting a little more insight on Zander/Alex's life.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews