What do you think?
Rate this book
Wife Lottery #1
The Texan's Wager
From Publishers Weekly: Two emotionally scarred people find love in this fast-paced Western from Thomas (To Wed in Texas, etc.). When Bailee Moore and her two female companions are voted off a wagon train, they reluctantly make their way to Texas, where they are accosted by a wild, smelly man set on stealing their wagon. The three women bash the brute over the head and promptly turn themselves in to the nearest sheriff, convinced they've committed murder. Instead of sending them away to be hanged, however, Cedar Point's wily sheriff devises a marriage lottery, in which the women are raffled off and married to men willing to pay their prison fines. Carter McKoy, a silent recluse with a tragic past, draws Bailee's name, and though she deplores her lot, she quickly warms to him. The first half of the novel ambles leisurely along as Bailee and Carter come to know one another, but the pace picks up abruptly when Bailee learns the man she allegedly killed is alive and eager for revenge. Though the intrigue subplot fleshes out Carter's character and allows for some compelling cowboy action (complete with fistfights and bullet-dodging heroics), it detracts from the real drama between Bailee and Carter. Thomas's crisp prose, sprightly dialogue and homespun characters will charm most readers, but some may be left puzzling over the novel's loose ends.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
309 pages, Hardcover
First published October 29, 2002
440 people are currently reading
5960 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Thomas
129 books2,506 followersI'm a New York Times and USA Today Best Selling author, wife, mother, in-law, grandmother, sister, friend, and owner of one fat cat.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 633 reviews
August 24, 2009
I can't tell you how much I love this book. It's a special love story, with characters you will never find in another book. Carter McKoy has my complete and utter devotion. He may not attract all romance novel fans. He doesn't talk, not that he can't. He just doesn't. He's a recluse. He's a virgin. But he's a survivor. His family was horribly murdered while he was forced to hide out. His parents told him to survive and that's what he did. His strength of will and character are what attracted me to him and earned my eternal devotion. He's a beta hero, but he's no pushover. He's capable and resourceful, and reading this book only shows just how endowed with these traits he is. One day he decides to find a wife. His chosen bride is Bailee, who has the choice of getting married to one of the men who shows up for the wife lottery or possibly being hanged for killing a man who tried to assault her and her friends. The town is so small and devoid of women that the lawman would much rather marry off the three women criminals than see them hung. It turns out to be a very fortunate day for both Bailee and Carter. Carter takes home his new bride, and the love story begins. It's a true, simple love story. Although they are not alike, Carter and Bailee are true soulmates. They embody what a marriage should be. Watching them grow to know and to love each other and take care of each other is a true joy. They truly meet each others' needs. If you want to read a different kind of romance with a very unique hero, but one that shows the true spirit of romance, read this book. I doubt that you would be disappointed. They don't call Jodi Thomas the queen of Texas romance for no reason.
February 21, 2017
Be my wife, all my life.
That’s all that Carter McKoy asked of Bailee Moore, the woman who would become his wife if he won the Wife Lottery. That wasn’t too much to hope for, was it? And in truth, he didn’t even expect his name to be chosen. After all, there were probably 40 men waiting, hoping to be one of only three names drawn in the lottery, and Carter’s life had been anything but lucky. So why expect that to change now? Well, much to his surprise - and dismay, things were about to start looking up. And I thank Sheriff Riley for his part in that.
I’ve come to realize that if I don’t connect with the hero, if I don’t become invested in him as a person, and if I don’t feel like he’s overcome some… some… something in his life, the story never quite makes it to 5 stars. The poor heroine could go through hell and back and it won’t mean much to me unless the hero is amazing and has done the same.
The Texan’s Wager is a fast paced, comfortable read – easy, but not dumbed down. It isn’t a deep, dark tale, nor is it the most amazing writing I’ve ever come across. But what it is, is a really sweet story with the key ingredients for a 5 star read.
Tormented hero – Check!
Great heroine – Check!
Believable, gut wrenching and heartwarming storyline – Check!
A happily ever after with a heroine worthy of the hero - Check!
I wish I could tell all about Carter, but to do so would take too much away from the story, because his past is told in small bits and pieces beginning with his very sad childhood right up to the present time. But I will say that this man, this Carter McKoy who very seldom talks, speaks volumes with this actions and he now holds a place of honor on my Top Heroes shelf.
For those of you who might be wondering about the steam factor in this book, while there’s plenty of passion there is very little, if any, descriptive sex. But trust me when I say this is one of those instances when I feel that the story wouldn’t have been nearly as sweet if there had been.
That’s all that Carter McKoy asked of Bailee Moore, the woman who would become his wife if he won the Wife Lottery. That wasn’t too much to hope for, was it? And in truth, he didn’t even expect his name to be chosen. After all, there were probably 40 men waiting, hoping to be one of only three names drawn in the lottery, and Carter’s life had been anything but lucky. So why expect that to change now? Well, much to his surprise - and dismay, things were about to start looking up. And I thank Sheriff Riley for his part in that.
I’ve come to realize that if I don’t connect with the hero, if I don’t become invested in him as a person, and if I don’t feel like he’s overcome some… some… something in his life, the story never quite makes it to 5 stars. The poor heroine could go through hell and back and it won’t mean much to me unless the hero is amazing and has done the same.
The Texan’s Wager is a fast paced, comfortable read – easy, but not dumbed down. It isn’t a deep, dark tale, nor is it the most amazing writing I’ve ever come across. But what it is, is a really sweet story with the key ingredients for a 5 star read.
Tormented hero – Check!
Great heroine – Check!
Believable, gut wrenching and heartwarming storyline – Check!
A happily ever after with a heroine worthy of the hero - Check!
I wish I could tell all about Carter, but to do so would take too much away from the story, because his past is told in small bits and pieces beginning with his very sad childhood right up to the present time. But I will say that this man, this Carter McKoy who very seldom talks, speaks volumes with this actions and he now holds a place of honor on my Top Heroes shelf.
For those of you who might be wondering about the steam factor in this book, while there’s plenty of passion there is very little, if any, descriptive sex. But trust me when I say this is one of those instances when I feel that the story wouldn’t have been nearly as sweet if there had been.
February 11, 2021
4½ stars ★★★★✭
I loved, loved, loved this book! But then, I’m a big fan of a vintage western or a western-romance. My father, when he was eighty-three (and still sharp as a tack), taught me to appreciate them when I used to read to him the last three months of his life. I was amazed; he was so knowledgeable about this era of American history; I loved discussing the books with him. And he would have loved this one too (sans the sex scenes, of course) - and the hero, the taciturn Carter McKoy. Yup. My dad wasn’t much of a talker either. One of his favorite jokes was this one:
If you’ve read the back-of-the-book-synopsis then you know that Bailee marries Carter to avoid jail or hanging. This part was just a little contrived, and kept it for being a perfect ★★★★★, as men in Texas hung other men for attempted rape and/or kidnapping; nevertheless, I bit the bullet, while shrugging my shoulders and went with the set-up.
To say Carter is not much of a talker would be an understatement. He’s downright silent at first which causes Bailee, conversely, to start to babble. I love what he thinks of the quixotic rules she makes up and changes on the spur of the moment after their kissing secretly flusters her. He has secrets too; secrets that are delicious and heart-touching to uncover in this tender, sweet, surprisingly action-packed story. Want just a hint?:
There are also wonderful secondary characters in this story: the other Lottery wives, the lawmen, the soiled doves, the other train travelers. (Naturally there’s a train ; this is a western!)
A big “Thank You” to everyone who encouraged me to try a Jodi Thomas book, specifically this one. I will definitely be reading the next in the Wife Lottery series When a Texan Gambles; it is already sitting on my bedside table. Hot Damn! I wish my dad were here so I could read it to him.
I loved, loved, loved this book! But then, I’m a big fan of a vintage western or a western-romance. My father, when he was eighty-three (and still sharp as a tack), taught me to appreciate them when I used to read to him the last three months of his life. I was amazed; he was so knowledgeable about this era of American history; I loved discussing the books with him. And he would have loved this one too (sans the sex scenes, of course) - and the hero, the taciturn Carter McKoy. Yup. My dad wasn’t much of a talker either. One of his favorite jokes was this one:
Some cowboys on a cattle drive were around a campfire, listening to the lowing of the livestock. Nobody spoke while they ate their meal. Finally one of the animals made a bleating call.
After a while, one cowboy voiced an opinion, “Heifer.”
After about an hour, a second cowboy said, “Bull.”
In a bit, a third cowboy got up and started packing his gear and saddled up. The first man asked, “Going somewhere?”
“Leaving,” said the third cowboy.
“Why?”
“Too much arguing.”
If you’ve read the back-of-the-book-synopsis then you know that Bailee marries Carter to avoid jail or hanging. This part was just a little contrived, and kept it for being a perfect ★★★★★, as men in Texas hung other men for attempted rape and/or kidnapping; nevertheless, I bit the bullet, while shrugging my shoulders and went with the set-up.
To say Carter is not much of a talker would be an understatement. He’s downright silent at first which causes Bailee, conversely, to start to babble. I love what he thinks of the quixotic rules she makes up and changes on the spur of the moment after their kissing secretly flusters her. He has secrets too; secrets that are delicious and heart-touching to uncover in this tender, sweet, surprisingly action-packed story. Want just a hint?:
There are also wonderful secondary characters in this story: the other Lottery wives, the lawmen, the soiled doves, the other train travelers. (Naturally there’s a train ; this is a western!)
A big “Thank You” to everyone who encouraged me to try a Jodi Thomas book, specifically this one. I will definitely be reading the next in the Wife Lottery series When a Texan Gambles; it is already sitting on my bedside table. Hot Damn! I wish my dad were here so I could read it to him.
April 20, 2021
“Be my wife, all my life.”
I was not prepared for how EMOtional this book made me! I wasn't even 30% in before I had bawled my eyes out like 3 times.
I genuinely loved the first half of this book. The slow burn romance between the quiet hero, Carter McKoy, and the strong heroine, Bailee Moore, was so pure and wholesome. I loved how hardworking Carter was. Even though he barely ever spoke, his actions spoke volumes. He was such a dependable hero! Bailee was also a wonderful heroine, she's a woman of conviction with steadfast loyalty.
Without thinking, he began to sign, slowly moving his hand. The words he couldn’t say, might never say to her, whispered in movement. Words of love. Words of promise. Words of forever.
I loved how Carter and Bailee tried to fit into each other's lives and how they tried to communicate with each other. Even in their miscommunication, they were always trying to figure each other out. And even though they both had secrets of their own, they were just made for each other. It was really sweet!
Unfortunately the events that occurred in the second half of the story just didn't really capture my attention - I mean, Carter was literally thrown out a window, talk about a random shift in tone??? I just wish this story had been more focused on the romance, rather than the side plot because it made the story drag on for longer than necessary. There were also a few loose ends that really needed to be answered too.
Despite its shortcomings, I'm actually pretty pleased with my first Jodi Thomas book. I really enjoyed the romance aspect, I just wish the mystery plot line had been cut shorter! If you love a good beta hero and a sweet romance, The Texan's Wager might be worth your while!
Rating: 3.5/5
July 29, 2016
Nice Western romance story. I was hoping for more, way more. I almost put this down but gave it another shot. This line: "Be my wife, all my life" is what convinced me to keep reading. I liked the characters enough to keep reading and the premise sounded really interesting but I just didn't find myself attached or moved by anything in this as I wanted to be. The plot and pacing definitely could have been juiced up.
This is my first Jodi Thomas book so I'm not familiar with her writing. I felt too much time was focused on things that weren't really interesting or as dramatic as they were supposed to be and little time was spent on the central characters: Carter and Bailee. I struggled to truly believe Bailee and Carter falling so quickly in love given the little amount of time they spent together and actually communicating. I really felt more of the story should have focused on them as a married couple rather than them individually helping the town sheriff, hiding Gypies, and running after criminals.
The world building in this I felt was lacking in some areas, especially intimate scenes. It just made the reading disruptive and choppy which was frustrating. There were parts where I literally had to go back and re-read passages because I had difficulty picturing exactly what was going on in a scene or the physical positions and actions of the characters weren't translating well or just didn't make any sense. Trying to figure out if the couple are lying down or standing while having sex can just ruin the moment. :/ Because of that I just couldn't fully get into it and I felt the overall story and my enjoyment suffered because of it.
Carter made for an interesting hero. I liked him, he was really sweet but I do wish the author wasn't so heavy-handed with his brooding silence and selective hearing quirks. At times he came off a little too empty-headed and slow rather than reserved and quiet. His back story and how he came to be the way he is heartbreaking, I just struggled to connect with him. Given his careful nature and weariness around new people I found it a little hard to believe how quickly he became smitten with Bailee who is the complete opposite of him. I don't mind beta heroes, I love them, but here I guess you can say I found the passion, emotions, reactions overall totally lacking, especially where Carter is concerned. I wanted more from him, Bailee and the story.
Bailee I wasn't really impressed with. I liked her at times but she frustrated me too. Her constant habit of second-guessing and mistrusting Carter started to wear thin and I didn't understand. While the story takes place in a span of 1-2 months I felt the romance arc was incredibly rushed and not really believable. Why? Because the amount of time these two actually spend together actually communicating was very little. Carter is not the talkative type, the beginning of the story he's a mute and Bailee has to corner him into talking to her. Once he starts to open up to her I was hoping we would get more meaningful alone time or special moments but except for a hesitant quick peek-a-boo 'revealing' by the peach trees nothing else happens. The author divides these two up quite often throughout the story, spending ridiculous amount of time apart worrying about secondary characters that for me, were not interesting enough to take up page time. The author doesn't waste time on any flowery prose but rather blunt straight-to-the-point dialogue, which is fine in some cases, but here I found it a little jarring and missing it's mark. This is a Western-romance after all. And there are some sweet touching moments in here but I found them fleeting, very rushed and just.... cold for the lack of a better term. I didn't get any emotion behind the ILY confessions at the end. I wanted to be swept away or at least feel something and I didn't. Everything just read very dry and detached. The end conclusion I found very abrupt and anticlimactic considering the time these two spent apart. So yeah, great potential but the overall writing style and execution of the story I found lacking.
This is my first Jodi Thomas book so I'm not familiar with her writing. I felt too much time was focused on things that weren't really interesting or as dramatic as they were supposed to be and little time was spent on the central characters: Carter and Bailee. I struggled to truly believe Bailee and Carter falling so quickly in love given the little amount of time they spent together and actually communicating. I really felt more of the story should have focused on them as a married couple rather than them individually helping the town sheriff, hiding Gypies, and running after criminals.
The world building in this I felt was lacking in some areas, especially intimate scenes. It just made the reading disruptive and choppy which was frustrating. There were parts where I literally had to go back and re-read passages because I had difficulty picturing exactly what was going on in a scene or the physical positions and actions of the characters weren't translating well or just didn't make any sense. Trying to figure out if the couple are lying down or standing while having sex can just ruin the moment. :/ Because of that I just couldn't fully get into it and I felt the overall story and my enjoyment suffered because of it.
Carter made for an interesting hero. I liked him, he was really sweet but I do wish the author wasn't so heavy-handed with his brooding silence and selective hearing quirks. At times he came off a little too empty-headed and slow rather than reserved and quiet. His back story and how he came to be the way he is heartbreaking, I just struggled to connect with him. Given his careful nature and weariness around new people I found it a little hard to believe how quickly he became smitten with Bailee who is the complete opposite of him. I don't mind beta heroes, I love them, but here I guess you can say I found the passion, emotions, reactions overall totally lacking, especially where Carter is concerned. I wanted more from him, Bailee and the story.
Bailee I wasn't really impressed with. I liked her at times but she frustrated me too. Her constant habit of second-guessing and mistrusting Carter started to wear thin and I didn't understand. While the story takes place in a span of 1-2 months I felt the romance arc was incredibly rushed and not really believable. Why? Because the amount of time these two actually spend together actually communicating was very little. Carter is not the talkative type, the beginning of the story he's a mute and Bailee has to corner him into talking to her. Once he starts to open up to her I was hoping we would get more meaningful alone time or special moments but except for a hesitant quick peek-a-boo 'revealing' by the peach trees nothing else happens. The author divides these two up quite often throughout the story, spending ridiculous amount of time apart worrying about secondary characters that for me, were not interesting enough to take up page time. The author doesn't waste time on any flowery prose but rather blunt straight-to-the-point dialogue, which is fine in some cases, but here I found it a little jarring and missing it's mark. This is a Western-romance after all. And there are some sweet touching moments in here but I found them fleeting, very rushed and just.... cold for the lack of a better term. I didn't get any emotion behind the ILY confessions at the end. I wanted to be swept away or at least feel something and I didn't. Everything just read very dry and detached. The end conclusion I found very abrupt and anticlimactic considering the time these two spent apart. So yeah, great potential but the overall writing style and execution of the story I found lacking.
August 9, 2016
3.5 STARS.
Enjoyed this one. Sweet Hero... yes, I can do "sweet" hero too. Feisty Heroine. Life must have been tough in the heartland of American back in the day. No electricity, no motor vehicles. Weather was harsh.
I have to organise dinner so have no time to review properly.
Enjoyed this one. Sweet Hero... yes, I can do "sweet" hero too. Feisty Heroine. Life must have been tough in the heartland of American back in the day. No electricity, no motor vehicles. Weather was harsh.
I have to organise dinner so have no time to review properly.
August 18, 2011
Surprisingly, I loved this sweet, poignant love story....and I didn't think I would:)!
There are many elements to this story that are totally opposite of what I normally want in a romance novel. But I soon found myself loving sweet Carter McKoy and the heroine Bailee Moore. Far from being perfect and carrying a lot of pain from their past; both are lonesome souls, hoping to find the "forever" kind of love.
A sweet, feel good romance, with a sensual tone that made this one work for me. It will pull on your heartstrings and have you anxiously hoping they find their HEA!
This is my first read by this author and I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
There are many elements to this story that are totally opposite of what I normally want in a romance novel. But I soon found myself loving sweet Carter McKoy and the heroine Bailee Moore. Far from being perfect and carrying a lot of pain from their past; both are lonesome souls, hoping to find the "forever" kind of love.
A sweet, feel good romance, with a sensual tone that made this one work for me. It will pull on your heartstrings and have you anxiously hoping they find their HEA!
This is my first read by this author and I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
May 5, 2014
A different sort of western cowboy romance....
The hero...Carter
A man who rarely speaks, a farmer that the entire town mocks for his reclusive ways. Carter puts his name into the wife lottery on a whim and almost instantly regrets his decision...what does he know of being a husband?
The heroine...Bailee
A woman on the run for murdering a man, shunned and shipped off by her own father. On a wagon train west, Bailee teams up with two other lone women, one a young teenager woman who speaks too much and the other who is at death's door after losing her child and husband. Accosted while alone, another death is laid at their feet and to escape the noose, they are entered into a wife lottery in order to give the male-dominated town the option of a wife.
My Thoughts:
This was just the kind of unique, detailed read I was looking for. I'd only read one Jodi Thomas book before but it was a contemporary and I have to say that this was much better...no wonder she's got so many Texas romances with fantastic ratings!
When I say unique, it's because of a few reasons, one of them that intangible authentic quality that some authors just have. Thomas just has it. This wasn't a cheesy, over the top yee haw cowboy romance. This was a genuine story of something that could have actually happened a long time ago in this great state that I live in. The male dominated southwest was a tough place for a woman to be if she was unprotected. The random chance of these three women finding men who were somewhat honorable (buying a wife? Oh, well...) and chivalrous really is attributed to the fact that the sheriff gives them an out...in order to make sure that they aren't stuck with horrible, abusive husbands, he will check up on them three times. Each time he'll give them the chance to go back to jail or stay with their husband. I loved that out!
My reasons for not five starring is pretty simple...I felt like a couple of things weren't explained very well. Bailee's past, for one. Did she or didn't she kill the guy? It's never explained at all, which I thought was weird. What happened? Also,
Carter, of course, stole the show here. He's an extremely simple guy. Viciously protective of his privacy and his land, it seemed way out of character for him to do something so spontaneous and life altering as grabbing at a wife. But he gets stuck with her, and they both try to make an honest go of it. I loved that he's a virgin, that he is completely socially inept and awkward, but he has the kindest heart. And he stole mine multiple times. Bailee is a wonderful heroine as well. Doesn't happen often that the heroine doesnt' annoy me but it happened here. She's a great match for Carter...she's patient and kind and she's absolutely willing to give their marriage a fair chance to work.
I'll definitely move on to read the next three in the series.
Thanks to Jilly my Australian Filly for the rec :P
December 27, 2021
4 stars
This book reminded me of Archer's Voice (my baby Archer actually had communicated more than our H Carter here). You know what that means? I loved this book. These characters are precious, and must be protected!
THANKS, REN !
This book reminded me of Archer's Voice (my baby Archer actually had communicated more than our H Carter here). You know what that means? I loved this book. These characters are precious, and must be protected!
THANKS, REN !
April 30, 2014
I have read many romance novels by Teresa Medeiros and Lisa Kleypas, but this is the first time that I have read a romance novel by Jodi Thomas! “The Texan’s Wager” is the first book in Jodi Thomas’s “Wife Lottery” series and it is full of hot romance, drama, adventure and excitement that will make this book one of a million!
Bailee Moore was thrown out of a wagon train along with two other women named Lacy and Sarah after Bailee had supposedly committed a murder in her hometown and was thrown out of town. After the three women got to the city called Cedar Point, they meet up with a vicious man named Zeb Whitaker who starts assaulting them and that led the three women into beating him up to defend themselves. The three women are then thrown into jail and the sheriff proposes that the only way for the three women to get out of jail is if they are selected in the “Wife Lottery,” which is where men come all over Cedar Point and pick one of the three women to be their wives. Bailee Moore is then chosen to be a wife to Carter McKoy, a silent man who has not spoken a word since his parents’ brutal deaths. However, Bailee will soon realize that there is more to Carter than meets the eye!
Wow. All I can really say is…wow. I have never in all my life read such an exciting and romantic western romance novel that is full of drama and pure romance! Jodi Thomas has definitely done an awesome job at writing this story as the characters were righteously perfect and the action paced plot of the story is never truly over the top! I can name out so many things about this book that I simply loved, but that is too many to list, so I will just mention the characters themselves. The heroine of the story, Bailee Moore, is such a lovable character! I loved the way that Bailee has such a caring and courageous nature, especially when she tries to do everything in her power to protect Carter from any kind of danger that comes their way, even if it means putting her own life on the line. I will admit that sometimes I get a little irritated whenever Bailee does not seem to trust Carter completely, but her heroic actions throughout the novel truly makes up for that. Another character I really loved in this book was Carter McKoy himself as he was the first silent hero I have ever read about in any romance novel I have read! The aspect of Carter’s personality that truly stood out for me was his slightly silent nature because he sometimes uses sign language to communicate what he wants to say with everyone and I have always wanted to know how to sign language myself, so this aspect of Carter’s personality is so interesting to me since it shows another level of communication that I rarely seen in most romance novels. I also loved how courageous Carter is as he will put his life on the line to save Bailee from any misfortunate that befalls her and it’s that aspect that I truly love in a hero! The best part of the entire book was the romance between Bailee and Carter as it was genuine and caring enough to put other romance novels’ romance to shame! Sure, at first Bailee and Carter did not really trust each other because they did not know each other at first, but as the book goes on, Bailee and Carter’s romantic relationship was truly astounding as I loved the way that Bailee did not judge Carter because he did not speak at first, but once she starts realizing what a wonderful person Carter is, she starts falling madly in love with him and does everything in her power to protect him. I also loved the way that Carter treated Bailee because even though at first, he was really shy to be near her, I admit that the moment that Carter first began to talk clearly with Bailee, I was totally surprised yet felt cuddly inside that Carter felt comfortable talking about anything with Bailee and that proved how solid and real their relationship with each other is.
There are some brief sex scenes in this book, although it is not as explicit as most romance novels I have read. So, anyone who does not like reading about certain sex scenes, might want to skip over these scenes.
All in all, if you are looking for drama, sizzling romance and adventure in the Wild West, then “The Texan’s Wager” is definitely the right romance novel for you!
Now that I read the first installment in the “Wife Lottery” series, do you think that I want to read more of this series? You bet I do! I am definitely looking forward to read the next book in the “Wife Lottery” series, “When a Texan Gambles” so it will definitely be interesting to see more of this series!
I would like to thank my Goodreads buddy, Lady Danielle, for recommending me this book!
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
Bailee Moore was thrown out of a wagon train along with two other women named Lacy and Sarah after Bailee had supposedly committed a murder in her hometown and was thrown out of town. After the three women got to the city called Cedar Point, they meet up with a vicious man named Zeb Whitaker who starts assaulting them and that led the three women into beating him up to defend themselves. The three women are then thrown into jail and the sheriff proposes that the only way for the three women to get out of jail is if they are selected in the “Wife Lottery,” which is where men come all over Cedar Point and pick one of the three women to be their wives. Bailee Moore is then chosen to be a wife to Carter McKoy, a silent man who has not spoken a word since his parents’ brutal deaths. However, Bailee will soon realize that there is more to Carter than meets the eye!
Wow. All I can really say is…wow. I have never in all my life read such an exciting and romantic western romance novel that is full of drama and pure romance! Jodi Thomas has definitely done an awesome job at writing this story as the characters were righteously perfect and the action paced plot of the story is never truly over the top! I can name out so many things about this book that I simply loved, but that is too many to list, so I will just mention the characters themselves. The heroine of the story, Bailee Moore, is such a lovable character! I loved the way that Bailee has such a caring and courageous nature, especially when she tries to do everything in her power to protect Carter from any kind of danger that comes their way, even if it means putting her own life on the line. I will admit that sometimes I get a little irritated whenever Bailee does not seem to trust Carter completely, but her heroic actions throughout the novel truly makes up for that. Another character I really loved in this book was Carter McKoy himself as he was the first silent hero I have ever read about in any romance novel I have read! The aspect of Carter’s personality that truly stood out for me was his slightly silent nature because he sometimes uses sign language to communicate what he wants to say with everyone and I have always wanted to know how to sign language myself, so this aspect of Carter’s personality is so interesting to me since it shows another level of communication that I rarely seen in most romance novels. I also loved how courageous Carter is as he will put his life on the line to save Bailee from any misfortunate that befalls her and it’s that aspect that I truly love in a hero! The best part of the entire book was the romance between Bailee and Carter as it was genuine and caring enough to put other romance novels’ romance to shame! Sure, at first Bailee and Carter did not really trust each other because they did not know each other at first, but as the book goes on, Bailee and Carter’s romantic relationship was truly astounding as I loved the way that Bailee did not judge Carter because he did not speak at first, but once she starts realizing what a wonderful person Carter is, she starts falling madly in love with him and does everything in her power to protect him. I also loved the way that Carter treated Bailee because even though at first, he was really shy to be near her, I admit that the moment that Carter first began to talk clearly with Bailee, I was totally surprised yet felt cuddly inside that Carter felt comfortable talking about anything with Bailee and that proved how solid and real their relationship with each other is.
There are some brief sex scenes in this book, although it is not as explicit as most romance novels I have read. So, anyone who does not like reading about certain sex scenes, might want to skip over these scenes.
All in all, if you are looking for drama, sizzling romance and adventure in the Wild West, then “The Texan’s Wager” is definitely the right romance novel for you!
Now that I read the first installment in the “Wife Lottery” series, do you think that I want to read more of this series? You bet I do! I am definitely looking forward to read the next book in the “Wife Lottery” series, “When a Texan Gambles” so it will definitely be interesting to see more of this series!
I would like to thank my Goodreads buddy, Lady Danielle, for recommending me this book!
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
March 17, 2021
The beginning of this (first 40%) was totally what I wanted out of a western HR. Mainly because I love homesteaders story. The farming, the gardening stuffs, those stuffs might bore others but aphrodisiac for me though 😂.
Then the conflict came about and to be honest, I kinda don't care for it. Most of the times I just want them to get home and tell me how to make butter dammit.
As per the characters, mah god Carter McKoy. He's one of the sweetest characters ever. He's so pure and innocent (and yes also a virgin) and overall so wholesome. I love to see his interaction with his lottery-won wife, how awkward and lost he seemed sometimes. Just a complete cinnamon loveballs.
Then the conflict came about and to be honest, I kinda don't care for it. Most of the times I just want them to get home and tell me how to make butter dammit.
As per the characters, mah god Carter McKoy. He's one of the sweetest characters ever. He's so pure and innocent (and yes also a virgin) and overall so wholesome. I love to see his interaction with his lottery-won wife, how awkward and lost he seemed sometimes. Just a complete cinnamon loveballs.
March 3, 2012
Most boring romance novel I've read lately.
Reasons:
Guy never talks.
Lady has no personality.
1 sex scene
Sex scene was very terrible*
*Reasons sex scene was very terrible:
I don't need a list, the quote will do quite nicely.
(Please don't read this, Children)
"When there was no more resistance, no more hesitation, no more shyness, he parted her legs and came home to his wife.
She arched her back and cried out, then wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and held on as they rode passion’s journey together.
When he collapsed on top of her, neither had enough energy to speak.
“Carter?” She stretched beneath him. “Do you think we did it right?”"
Reasons:
Guy never talks.
Lady has no personality.
1 sex scene
Sex scene was very terrible*
*Reasons sex scene was very terrible:
I don't need a list, the quote will do quite nicely.
(Please don't read this, Children)
"When there was no more resistance, no more hesitation, no more shyness, he parted her legs and came home to his wife.
She arched her back and cried out, then wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and held on as they rode passion’s journey together.
When he collapsed on top of her, neither had enough energy to speak.
“Carter?” She stretched beneath him. “Do you think we did it right?”"
March 7, 2016
It was hard for me to finish the book. It started good but page by page, it was getting worse and at last I lost my interest. It took time to finish the book.
There's Meldoy's review that I exactly thought like her. She penned the reasons very well. Melody's review.
There's Meldoy's review that I exactly thought like her. She penned the reasons very well. Melody's review.
July 22, 2010
This is such a beautiful book and I loved the qualities the hero (Carter) and the heroine (Bailee) had in the book. Carter and Bailee had experienced hard times, but they did not let that harden them. Bailee had been disappointed in love and never expected to marry. Carter had lived through a traumatic experience as a child and was considered a loner. It was really by chance that they met each other and married. I loved reading how they grew to respect and love each other in the book. There were also changes each had to make and I thought that was moving as well. I did not want their story to end and I hope I will still get glimpses of their life together in the rest of the series. Jodi Thomas is a new author for me and I am so happy to have found her. I cannot wait to read the rest of her books.
January 24, 2011
4.5 STARS!
While I really enjoyed this book I just couldn't completely get to love it as much as I did others.
This is a very well written story, totally entertaining and I definitely recommend it. In it we read about a different type of hero, one I had never read before. Carter is just not one of those guys who stands out, he seems very plain and normal and not the guy you would care to read about. He's a farmer and a guy who hates talking to people (literally), till the heroine nobody had really spoke with him because he's a loner.
But then, 3 women come to town and need to find a husband able to pay to get them out. So a lottery is organized with 40 guys from town. Carter's name gets out the last and he ends up getting married with Bailee. She is a pretty normal heroine,one who suffers some terrible fortune later, but there's just nothing very remarkable about her. How then this two very plain characters got to become such an amazing read? Well, many reasons. First, the author writes incredibly well. You can really get into the story with her words, she just knows how to describe things. But more than that, what you get to love the most about this book is the romance between the hero and the heroine. They are just perfect for each other. It's pretty obvious from the beginning that the hero needed something, a change.
This was a very sweet romance and I really enjoyed it. I just can't give it a higher rating because I am a chick who loves alpha heroes. I know, those assholes many hate, yep, those are my men,LOL. I love them being jerks to everybody buy finding a soft spot in their hearts for their heroines. Still this was a great change, and I must tell you all to read this beautiful story.
While I really enjoyed this book I just couldn't completely get to love it as much as I did others.
This is a very well written story, totally entertaining and I definitely recommend it. In it we read about a different type of hero, one I had never read before. Carter is just not one of those guys who stands out, he seems very plain and normal and not the guy you would care to read about. He's a farmer and a guy who hates talking to people (literally), till the heroine nobody had really spoke with him because he's a loner.
But then, 3 women come to town and need to find a husband able to pay to get them out. So a lottery is organized with 40 guys from town. Carter's name gets out the last and he ends up getting married with Bailee. She is a pretty normal heroine,one who suffers some terrible fortune later, but there's just nothing very remarkable about her. How then this two very plain characters got to become such an amazing read? Well, many reasons. First, the author writes incredibly well. You can really get into the story with her words, she just knows how to describe things. But more than that, what you get to love the most about this book is the romance between the hero and the heroine. They are just perfect for each other. It's pretty obvious from the beginning that the hero needed something, a change.
This was a very sweet romance and I really enjoyed it. I just can't give it a higher rating because I am a chick who loves alpha heroes. I know, those assholes many hate, yep, those are my men,LOL. I love them being jerks to everybody buy finding a soft spot in their hearts for their heroines. Still this was a great change, and I must tell you all to read this beautiful story.
April 1, 2023
4 stars
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would.
It was emotional at times and it made me really empathise with the lead characters.
It’s probably one I’ll reread at some point.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would.
It was emotional at times and it made me really empathise with the lead characters.
It’s probably one I’ll reread at some point.
August 30, 2023
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨
First Impressions
The Texan's Wager is the first book in the Wife's Lottery series by Jodi Thomas. This was also my very first Jodi Thomas book and I was beyond impressed with this. I was first drawn to this book years ago when seeing it on all of the top romance booklists and I was intrigued on why that was. I finally took the initiative and buddy read this with Mina @ Mina Reads and it was a blast of a good time. I was so highly entertained by this one and I couldn't put it down. If you are looking for witty writing that is highly engaging in a historical read, than this is a book for you especially if you are drawn to the forced marriage type of situation and a beta tortured hero. I was so fascinated by the set up of the story and for the most part it was execute very well and the author really engages you very easily. This is a quick and fast read that has such heart and characters that just wrench your heart in such a relative human way.
First Line
Bailee Grace Moore watches as the last few stragglers of the Rolan wagon train disappeared into the fiery sunset.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Carter McKoy
Parents murdered at a young age, was abused living in different homes, until he found his place at his parents farm learning to make his place a fortress and building a life for him away from the human world and is more than content.
The Heroine: Bailee Moore
Bailee having been kicked out of her fathers home, abandoned by a previous fiancee and forced to go out west on a wagon train, is a strong go getter who is independent but has a soft caring heart.
Summary
Bailee alongside with her two friends Lucy and Sarah are abandoned by their wagon train near the Texas border, so they make the trek through Texas, hoping that they find a town before they starve to death. They are discovered by a lone man outside of the town "Cedar Point" and this is where they are attacked and in self defense they are forced to kill the man that attacked them. They then find the town Cedar Point and confess everything to the sheriff. The sheriff knows that these women aren't killers, but he also can't let it just be hidden under the rug. So he barters them off as brides to pay the fine of the crime. Bailee is bartered off to Carter McKoy who is the town's reject. He doesn't speak much and isn't used to human interaction. When he finds himself with a wife, he has no clue what to do with her. He has had only the barest interaction with very few people from town, he doesn't speak much and is haunted by the demons of his past and losing his parents at such a young age. But he knows that having a "wife" is the normal way of things even if he is at a loss how to deal with her after living alone for so long. But Bailee is determined to make this marriage work and find a common ground with her new quiet husband who is making her fall hard for him in his strong resilient ways...
What I Loved
The Texan's Wager was such a delightful book! I had so much fun with this one. Literally I was laughing all over the place. The writing style from this author is super witty just in the way its written and it just captivated me immediately and I was so drawn into these characters. I absolutely loved all of these women that become friends and very quickly. They all have very different personalities but Bailee was one I probably related with the most. She is strong and independent but also wants love in her life and a true family. Then we have Carter, who is a hero that held my heart. I am normally not drawn to the beta heroes, but Carter, he was so delicious. He is broody, quiet, and so tormented. When you see as he goes through the motions, what motivates him and how he gets treated by others in the town, my heart fell so hard for him. But if you are a fan of (Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan I guarantee you will die for this hero).
These two couldn't be more opposites if they tried. haha And Carter doesn't talk very much so their beginning is definitely tough and it happens very slowly their connection. But once they really find their common ground with each other and start communicating with each other in some very unique ways they also click on every level and seeing this connection was so captivating. I was so drawn in emotionally on the bond that they create for each other. The sweet way that they can sense what the other needs and fill that need. The moments in which they will protect each other and fight for what the other needs and protect those in need, just melts the heart. If you are looking for a solid historical western that will steal your heart, then look no further than "The Texan's Wager".
What I Struggled With
So there were a few aspects to this story I wasn't a huge fan of. The plot in the second half of the story was truly unnecessary. It couldn't have been way shortened down the danger aspects to the story because having it drawn out so much really was a detriment to the romance as a whole. Because just when these two are clicking and connecting, is when the danger side of the plot is introduced and it really took away for their story. This couple deserved more time to flesh out their relationship more and really learn each other. Also if you are expecting high spice, don't with this one. There is like one bedroom scene although the intimacy aspects are done very well and they each have a deep connection to each other. However, I feel like their romance was ruined by the plot of the story. And there were a few plot holes on little details that might throw some readers off as well
Overall View
The Texan's Wager is a emotionally powerful story that will grab your attention and take your breath away. Its a story to tug at your heartstrings and display deep poignant emotion to captivate from beginning to end.
Favorite Quote(s)
“Oh, not that the saloon girls ain’t nice and all, but a good woman does something to a man. She makes him want to be better than he knows he is by nature.”
“I’m twenty-five, so I guess that makes me an old maid. I’ve no money and only a few things in my wagon to bring to a marriage. But if you’re willing, I’m willing to do what you wrote.” She lifted the paper sack where Carter had scribbled simply, “Be my wife, all my life.”
She kissed him as if there would be no tomorrow, and he kissed her back as if he believed they’d be together forever.
He needed her. Far down in the very core of his being, he needed her ... and her world crumbled about her when she realized he hated himself for it.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance, American West
Character Types: Beta Hero, Tortured Hero
Themes: Small Town, Disability, Female Friendships, Wager, Western
Tropes: Arranged Marriage/Marriage of Convenience, Opposites Attract
Book Perspective
3rd POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Plot Conflict is more present
Song This Book Inspires
Don't Be Afraid by Air Supply
Recommendation For Reading Order
Can be read as a standalone
Steam/Spice Explanations
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
June 27, 2024
I’m in my western era 🤓
This one was a bit more action-less romance than I usually like, but entertaining and good nevertheless.
This one was a bit more action-less romance than I usually like, but entertaining and good nevertheless.
June 23, 2015
I've been in bad book slump for a couple weeks, and this one had been on my TBR shelf, so I decided to give it a try. I must admit, historical/western romance is not one of my preferred genres. That being said, I still really liked this book. Here's my breakdown:
The pros:
* The plot was fast paced and never dull
* I fell in love with the characters
* A strong heroine, even the secondary female characters were solid
* Book virgins - which is usually a negative for me, but in this read it just worked. The hero and heroine were both virgins but it wasn’t in a cliché sort of way. They spent their lives surviving not fooling around. It added to the characters chemistry in this book. It seemed so innocent and yet passionate as they discovered one another.
* The hero in this one was such a sweet and loyal character
* For a book setting in the 1800s it had a very modern feel throughout
* The romance was developed - no insta-love here
The cons:
* There were a lot of loose ends to me personally - I would have liked some of the outcomes to have happened differently and there were quite a few areas not addressed that I felt were of importance. I guess that’s expected in a series, although I wasn’t aware this was a sort of series when I started it.
* The epilogue left me wanting much more
* It was priced on the high side at $7.59
Overall, I liked this book and the writing style and will check out the other books in this series.
The pros:
* The plot was fast paced and never dull
* I fell in love with the characters
* A strong heroine, even the secondary female characters were solid
* Book virgins - which is usually a negative for me, but in this read it just worked. The hero and heroine were both virgins but it wasn’t in a cliché sort of way. They spent their lives surviving not fooling around. It added to the characters chemistry in this book. It seemed so innocent and yet passionate as they discovered one another.
* The hero in this one was such a sweet and loyal character
* For a book setting in the 1800s it had a very modern feel throughout
* The romance was developed - no insta-love here
The cons:
* There were a lot of loose ends to me personally - I would have liked some of the outcomes to have happened differently and there were quite a few areas not addressed that I felt were of importance. I guess that’s expected in a series, although I wasn’t aware this was a sort of series when I started it.
* The epilogue left me wanting much more
* It was priced on the high side at $7.59
Overall, I liked this book and the writing style and will check out the other books in this series.
September 8, 2011
This book starts off good.
Bailee, Sarah and Lacy are voted off a wagon trail headed West. They fight for their lives leaded by Sara - the sensible and the plainest one. They kill together a man, who is trying to kidnap and rape the youngest (Lacy). They confess their murder and the sheriff, not knowing what to do with them, decides to do a wife lottery. To Sarah's astonishment, 50 men apply.
Carter McKoy, a man who almost never speaks wins Sarah. Her mother was deaf and when he was a child, thieves murdered his parents and Carter was alone with the bodies, for days. Parker never socializes, but he is gentle, caring, willing.
So far, so good. But then instead of letting grow their relationship, Thomas adds subplots, turns and twists that include train robberies, deaf babies, and gypsies with unbelievable twists that spoiled the story for me.
Bailee, Sarah and Lacy are voted off a wagon trail headed West. They fight for their lives leaded by Sara - the sensible and the plainest one. They kill together a man, who is trying to kidnap and rape the youngest (Lacy). They confess their murder and the sheriff, not knowing what to do with them, decides to do a wife lottery. To Sarah's astonishment, 50 men apply.
Carter McKoy, a man who almost never speaks wins Sarah. Her mother was deaf and when he was a child, thieves murdered his parents and Carter was alone with the bodies, for days. Parker never socializes, but he is gentle, caring, willing.
So far, so good. But then instead of letting grow their relationship, Thomas adds subplots, turns and twists that include train robberies, deaf babies, and gypsies with unbelievable twists that spoiled the story for me.
May 8, 2022
I read this back before I started actually writing reviews. Mostly I write reviews to help keep the books straight in my memory and to kinda pass it on... Because I would have probably read countless disappointing reads if it weren't for other people's reviews steering me right.
This is a fave that I need to return to for a re-read. Damn I wish they would make an audiobook of it!
Safety is impeccable.
So I'm adding this one to my new shelf "Faves for MothersDay" shelf, cause sometimes I don't want to read anything new on special days.
This is a fave that I need to return to for a re-read. Damn I wish they would make an audiobook of it!
Safety is impeccable.
So I'm adding this one to my new shelf "Faves for MothersDay" shelf, cause sometimes I don't want to read anything new on special days.
March 15, 2018
It was okay. Pretty good, actually. I liked the setting and the general story. Apparently, I'm into westerns? A little unexpected. But it's refreshing to read a historical romance with adventures and plot and stuff at stake. I'll almost definitely read more from the series. I didn't love the heroine, but still, it was a quick and pleasant enough read.
August 17, 2015
Overall rating: 4 "Be My Wife. All of My Life" stars!
Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Sex with om/ow:
OW/OM drama:
Push/pull:
HEA:
My review:
This was a very cute read. So why didn't I rate it higher than 4 stars? The thing is, this book had NONE of my triggers. None. This should have been a 5 star read for me. I honestly cannot truly put my finger on why I didn't rate this higher. So I will simply say it was my mood. The things that bothered me in this book, normally don't bother me at all.
It's no secret that the hero in this story was a virgin. Not only WAS he a virgin, but he was also very very innocent. I mean innocent to everything. And he didn't talk much. And the thing is, I never really understood why. He did talk a little to the heroine, but not as much as I would have liked ... at least not until way later in the book. I would have liked it more if the hero would have been chatty cathy to the heroine and would not speak to anyone else. He was innocent to many things though - even when he went to that "boarding house" for help when people were shot ... he didn't understand that when the women were dressed scantily clad and mentioned going upstairs, that they were ladies of the night LMAO. Sometimes this type of behavior in a hero is endearing and it was sort of, but I guess it was kind of silly to me too! Don't be mad at me, blame it on my mood! LOL!!! I kind of like virgin heroes that are still a little alpha - maybe that was another issue I had.
So this story starts off with Bailee along with two other girls, Sarah and Lacey, being thrown off the band wagon literally. Because one of them was sick and they were pretty much dead wait. Bailee was the ring leader and decides to take their fates in her hands and travel her crew down to Texas for them to have a chance at life again. Each of the ladies have their own backstory and Bailee's has to do with her father sending her away for a reason that is never TRULY brought to light.
Nearly to Texas, these girls run into the evil Zeb. He tries to take Lacey and their wagon, but Bailee isn't having it so she hits him over the head and knocks him out cold. She thinks she killed him so both of the other girls hit him as well so they can all take the blame for killing this man who is HUGE with lots of gold coins. They go into town and confess to the sheriff. The sheriff keeps them in jail until he figures out a plan. He doesn't know if the girls took all that gold that Zeb had - which he had stolen from many people in town. The plan he comes up with is the a marriage lottery. Any male that had the appropriate amount of payment could put their name in a hat to be picked in this lottery. Carter is the one who wins Bailee's hand.
So this story is about them finding their way towards each other, learning trust among other things. This is also a tad suspenseful. Of course, Zeb wasn't really dead and then there are train robbers and such.
I found myself kind of bored at times as well but once again, maybe this was just my mood? I want to be completely fair to this book. It was well written and a cute story with two virgin main characters! :)
Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Sex with om/ow:
OW/OM drama:
Push/pull:
HEA:
My review:
This was a very cute read. So why didn't I rate it higher than 4 stars? The thing is, this book had NONE of my triggers. None. This should have been a 5 star read for me. I honestly cannot truly put my finger on why I didn't rate this higher. So I will simply say it was my mood. The things that bothered me in this book, normally don't bother me at all.
It's no secret that the hero in this story was a virgin. Not only WAS he a virgin, but he was also very very innocent. I mean innocent to everything. And he didn't talk much. And the thing is, I never really understood why. He did talk a little to the heroine, but not as much as I would have liked ... at least not until way later in the book. I would have liked it more if the hero would have been chatty cathy to the heroine and would not speak to anyone else. He was innocent to many things though - even when he went to that "boarding house" for help when people were shot ... he didn't understand that when the women were dressed scantily clad and mentioned going upstairs, that they were ladies of the night LMAO. Sometimes this type of behavior in a hero is endearing and it was sort of, but I guess it was kind of silly to me too! Don't be mad at me, blame it on my mood! LOL!!! I kind of like virgin heroes that are still a little alpha - maybe that was another issue I had.
So this story starts off with Bailee along with two other girls, Sarah and Lacey, being thrown off the band wagon literally. Because one of them was sick and they were pretty much dead wait. Bailee was the ring leader and decides to take their fates in her hands and travel her crew down to Texas for them to have a chance at life again. Each of the ladies have their own backstory and Bailee's has to do with her father sending her away for a reason that is never TRULY brought to light.
Nearly to Texas, these girls run into the evil Zeb. He tries to take Lacey and their wagon, but Bailee isn't having it so she hits him over the head and knocks him out cold. She thinks she killed him so both of the other girls hit him as well so they can all take the blame for killing this man who is HUGE with lots of gold coins. They go into town and confess to the sheriff. The sheriff keeps them in jail until he figures out a plan. He doesn't know if the girls took all that gold that Zeb had - which he had stolen from many people in town. The plan he comes up with is the a marriage lottery. Any male that had the appropriate amount of payment could put their name in a hat to be picked in this lottery. Carter is the one who wins Bailee's hand.
So this story is about them finding their way towards each other, learning trust among other things. This is also a tad suspenseful. Of course, Zeb wasn't really dead and then there are train robbers and such.
I found myself kind of bored at times as well but once again, maybe this was just my mood? I want to be completely fair to this book. It was well written and a cute story with two virgin main characters! :)
September 4, 2013
Read the story. I started so many sentences only to delete them. They are not enough. This should have been 4.5 rating, but because of Carter it gets 5 stars.
Three extraordianary women were thrown off from their train, left in the wilderness because one of them was too talkative and too alive (those poor ladies on the train thought she was a witch), the other was too sick (after the death of her child and husband it's no wonder) and the third, whose story you'll read here was too good if there is such thing (she dared to offer her wagon for someone others thought should be dead).
Somehow they ended up in Cedar Point where they accepted the Cedar Point sheriff's plan to organize a lottery and find them husbands. It was either that or murder charges.
And that is how Bailee ended up married to Carter McKoy.
I don't want to retell every special and beautiful moment.I don't want to rob anyone of a chance to read about him and every heart-stopping moment where they would think Oh, my God for themselves after each layer of Carter's personality is revealed. From the silent moments of simple holding Bailee's hand, the place he keeps his treasured possessions, or the way he expresses himself, Carter is one of the most wonderful male characters I've read.
How could you describe a man who manages to say more with his silence and eyes than the best of poets? At times that silence got a personality of its own. It is beautiful, deep and it speaks volumes. Bailee didn't stand a chance.
I know I didn't write much here, but don't let that fool you. I am simply overwhelmed. I thought of making a special shelf for Carter, but can't think of any names which would do him justice.
Three extraordianary women were thrown off from their train, left in the wilderness because one of them was too talkative and too alive (those poor ladies on the train thought she was a witch), the other was too sick (after the death of her child and husband it's no wonder) and the third, whose story you'll read here was too good if there is such thing (she dared to offer her wagon for someone others thought should be dead).
Somehow they ended up in Cedar Point where they accepted the Cedar Point sheriff's plan to organize a lottery and find them husbands. It was either that or murder charges.
And that is how Bailee ended up married to Carter McKoy.
I don't want to retell every special and beautiful moment.I don't want to rob anyone of a chance to read about him and every heart-stopping moment where they would think Oh, my God for themselves after each layer of Carter's personality is revealed. From the silent moments of simple holding Bailee's hand, the place he keeps his treasured possessions, or the way he expresses himself, Carter is one of the most wonderful male characters I've read.
How could you describe a man who manages to say more with his silence and eyes than the best of poets? At times that silence got a personality of its own. It is beautiful, deep and it speaks volumes. Bailee didn't stand a chance.
I know I didn't write much here, but don't let that fool you. I am simply overwhelmed. I thought of making a special shelf for Carter, but can't think of any names which would do him justice.
August 10, 2017
Loved it!! Carter is officially one of my favorite H's ever!! He is sweet, hardworking, loyal and sexy. He doesn't speak much, but when he does its so meaningful and beautiful it makes every word he says that much more special.
This story had it all. Romance, adventure, passion, and a little suspense. It was so romantic!
Highly recommend this book to all romance fans, specially if you love historical romance. Can't wait to read Sarah and Lacy's stories next.
This story had it all. Romance, adventure, passion, and a little suspense. It was so romantic!
Highly recommend this book to all romance fans, specially if you love historical romance. Can't wait to read Sarah and Lacy's stories next.
August 15, 2014
4.5 stars
"Bailee almost wished she had her board. Then, a moment after the thought of clubbing Harman registered, she decided she must be some kind of mass murderer. She was no better than a female Jack the Ripper. Killing someone was crossing her mind far too often of late."
Well, it turned out she didn't really kill the man. She just knocked him out. And it was self-defense!
What happened was that she and her two friends were cast out of the train and forced to walk to *gasp* Texas(heathen land, apparently). Then, near the town they were attacked by Zeb, the criminal creep. They, collectively, knocked him out. Thinking they killed him-they turned themselves in. The sheriff, not knowing what to do with three young ladies confessing to a murder, when there's no body, decides he needs to do something. He can't just let them walk free. And as there's a serious lack of women in the town, organizing a wife lottery seemed like a good idea. Men would come, pay the entering fee, slip a piece of paper with their names and a request into a hat, and gthen the women will draw. Incredible, but true!
"Be my wife, all my life"
Pretty simple and straight-forward, yes? That's probably because Carter is a man of few words. Literally he almost never talks, though he can. He's also amazingly sweet and innocent.
Bailee accepted the offer. She has always had bad luck in life. Because of a scandal her father through her out, just to save his career. Now, she thinks to make the best of things. I liked Bailee. It did bug me that we're never told, what exactly happened back home. What did she do? Why? With whom? It's an important detail missing.
"Though he’d never been told, he assumed it wasn’t polite to growl in public, so he continued to stare until the sheriff looked away."
Right on, Carter! Carter is truly an amazing character. Due to a trauma when he was a boy, he has lived alone all his life. He has walled himself off from everyone and now, due to a moment of insanity, he has acquired a wife. He's surprisingly innocent, especially considering wordly things. He also keeps his home safe obsessively, laying traps, and building underground tunnels and whatnot.
Some of his statements are hilarious, like the one about growling and others...
"He had no idea how long bedding a woman would take. Not more than a few minutes, he’d guess. He figured he had the basics of the act down, but there were probably things he should say or do before he started."
"He figured he’d said something wrong so he added, “She runs a boardinghouse for mature ladies and is too poor even to afford enough clothes to keep herself properly covered.” He’d thought his description would make Bailee feel sorry for Alice, but instead she looked at him in a way that made him think he’d be better off to say no more."
Yes, he really is THAT clueless, lol.
"He couldn’t just take her home, bed her, and wait for children to pop out. Somewhere in between, he’d have to talk to her."
And, right again, Carter! Watching their marriage develop was amazing. The way it did, slowly, while we got to see them through mundane things, like getting used to living together, division of chores, setting of rules. Watching Bailee explain to Carter the rules of marriage was hilarious. I loved it and how the focus here, wasn't the suspense, but their marriage, and mostly themselves. It's a character-driven book, for sure.
I loved the side characters, too. Nellie is awesome and I can't wait for Lacy's story.
The only thing that bugged me were the unexplained things:her past "crime" and his parents' deaths. It may be explained later on, but I missed it here.
But overall, an amazingly funny, sweet story. The first Historical Western I've read that can compare to Lorraine Heath's books.
Highly recommended.
Finally I leave you with this gem by the sheriff...
“A man never knows a woman until he lives with her. I grew up with my wife living not a mile down the road from me, and I can tell you there were a great many things I didn’t know about her until after we’d tied the knot. After a few years, reasons why we never should have married seemed to pop up daily.” He scratched his way across his thin hair. “Time came when I couldn’t even remember one reason we got together, and, from the way she complained, she couldn’t, either."
"Bailee almost wished she had her board. Then, a moment after the thought of clubbing Harman registered, she decided she must be some kind of mass murderer. She was no better than a female Jack the Ripper. Killing someone was crossing her mind far too often of late."
Well, it turned out she didn't really kill the man. She just knocked him out. And it was self-defense!
What happened was that she and her two friends were cast out of the train and forced to walk to *gasp* Texas(heathen land, apparently). Then, near the town they were attacked by Zeb, the criminal creep. They, collectively, knocked him out. Thinking they killed him-they turned themselves in. The sheriff, not knowing what to do with three young ladies confessing to a murder, when there's no body, decides he needs to do something. He can't just let them walk free. And as there's a serious lack of women in the town, organizing a wife lottery seemed like a good idea. Men would come, pay the entering fee, slip a piece of paper with their names and a request into a hat, and gthen the women will draw. Incredible, but true!
"Be my wife, all my life"
Pretty simple and straight-forward, yes? That's probably because Carter is a man of few words. Literally he almost never talks, though he can. He's also amazingly sweet and innocent.
Bailee accepted the offer. She has always had bad luck in life. Because of a scandal her father through her out, just to save his career. Now, she thinks to make the best of things. I liked Bailee. It did bug me that we're never told, what exactly happened back home. What did she do? Why? With whom? It's an important detail missing.
"Though he’d never been told, he assumed it wasn’t polite to growl in public, so he continued to stare until the sheriff looked away."
Right on, Carter! Carter is truly an amazing character. Due to a trauma when he was a boy, he has lived alone all his life. He has walled himself off from everyone and now, due to a moment of insanity, he has acquired a wife. He's surprisingly innocent, especially considering wordly things. He also keeps his home safe obsessively, laying traps, and building underground tunnels and whatnot.
Some of his statements are hilarious, like the one about growling and others...
"He had no idea how long bedding a woman would take. Not more than a few minutes, he’d guess. He figured he had the basics of the act down, but there were probably things he should say or do before he started."
"He figured he’d said something wrong so he added, “She runs a boardinghouse for mature ladies and is too poor even to afford enough clothes to keep herself properly covered.” He’d thought his description would make Bailee feel sorry for Alice, but instead she looked at him in a way that made him think he’d be better off to say no more."
Yes, he really is THAT clueless, lol.
"He couldn’t just take her home, bed her, and wait for children to pop out. Somewhere in between, he’d have to talk to her."
And, right again, Carter! Watching their marriage develop was amazing. The way it did, slowly, while we got to see them through mundane things, like getting used to living together, division of chores, setting of rules. Watching Bailee explain to Carter the rules of marriage was hilarious. I loved it and how the focus here, wasn't the suspense, but their marriage, and mostly themselves. It's a character-driven book, for sure.
I loved the side characters, too. Nellie is awesome and I can't wait for Lacy's story.
The only thing that bugged me were the unexplained things:her past "crime" and his parents' deaths. It may be explained later on, but I missed it here.
But overall, an amazingly funny, sweet story. The first Historical Western I've read that can compare to Lorraine Heath's books.
Highly recommended.
Finally I leave you with this gem by the sheriff...
“A man never knows a woman until he lives with her. I grew up with my wife living not a mile down the road from me, and I can tell you there were a great many things I didn’t know about her until after we’d tied the knot. After a few years, reasons why we never should have married seemed to pop up daily.” He scratched his way across his thin hair. “Time came when I couldn’t even remember one reason we got together, and, from the way she complained, she couldn’t, either."
April 24, 2016
3.5 stars
A bit slow moving, but that didn't bother me because at this time I wanted a slow sweet read to get over the last book I read which practically traumatized me with a douchebag hero.
I really like Carter who was traumatized as a boy witnessing the murder of his parents. The heroine I found a bit annoying at times with her innocense but otherwise I liked her.
I felt the drama and conflict to be lacking. There was only one gripping part of the story where Carter was confronted by the deputy in his barn, but other then that, I felt the conflicts resolved too easily. There were alot of gaps in the story and unsaid details that should have been covered. Like for example, the story of the heroine's first murder. It's never really explained. We also never get to see what happens to the shady deputy.
Too many lose end IMHO.
This is a relatively clean read, which I didn't mind but it was bothersome that you don't get the loving until the very end.
I think there could have been more to the build up of the romance. A few more fluttering hearts, light touches and glances would have been nice.
I do like the creativity of the author in making the hero virtually mute for half the story but the idea, although creative, could have been used better.
This book had some serious potential but on the whole fell a little flat.
I will consider reading more from this author in the future, and would recommend it to anyone who likes a gentle sweet realtively clean read.
A bit slow moving, but that didn't bother me because at this time I wanted a slow sweet read to get over the last book I read which practically traumatized me with a douchebag hero.
I really like Carter who was traumatized as a boy witnessing the murder of his parents. The heroine I found a bit annoying at times with her innocense but otherwise I liked her.
I felt the drama and conflict to be lacking. There was only one gripping part of the story where Carter was confronted by the deputy in his barn, but other then that, I felt the conflicts resolved too easily. There were alot of gaps in the story and unsaid details that should have been covered. Like for example, the story of the heroine's first murder. It's never really explained. We also never get to see what happens to the shady deputy.
Too many lose end IMHO.
This is a relatively clean read, which I didn't mind but it was bothersome that you don't get the loving until the very end.
I think there could have been more to the build up of the romance. A few more fluttering hearts, light touches and glances would have been nice.
I do like the creativity of the author in making the hero virtually mute for half the story but the idea, although creative, could have been used better.
This book had some serious potential but on the whole fell a little flat.
I will consider reading more from this author in the future, and would recommend it to anyone who likes a gentle sweet realtively clean read.
April 18, 2021
3.5 stars! ⭐
This one was neither good nor bad. I'm a big fan of western historicals, and after reading some of the GR reviews, I had high hopes for this book. But sadly, all my expectations plummeted to the ground after reading the first few chapters.
I thought this book would be either like the Silver Lining by Maggie Osborne or Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold by Ellen O' Connell. I mean it had everything I loved in a romance novel from a forced arranged marriage down to a hero who doesn't like to talk much. So, naturally I didn't think twice before downloading it.
The story starts when three girls confesses the murder they have committed to the sheriff, and as punishment the sheriff decides they will be given as brides in a "Wife Lottery". The main character of this novel is given to a man who hasn't talked to anybody for years ever since he found his parents dead in his home.
My main problem with the story began when they rescued the girl from the outlaws. Till then, I was enjoying reading about the characters who were opposite to each other in every way navigate their married life. I guess I'd have liked it more if the author didn't include the suspense plot. The book became boring to me then.
Anyways, this one was an okay book, and it'll probably be my first and last book from the author.
This one was neither good nor bad. I'm a big fan of western historicals, and after reading some of the GR reviews, I had high hopes for this book. But sadly, all my expectations plummeted to the ground after reading the first few chapters.
I thought this book would be either like the Silver Lining by Maggie Osborne or Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold by Ellen O' Connell. I mean it had everything I loved in a romance novel from a forced arranged marriage down to a hero who doesn't like to talk much. So, naturally I didn't think twice before downloading it.
The story starts when three girls confesses the murder they have committed to the sheriff, and as punishment the sheriff decides they will be given as brides in a "Wife Lottery". The main character of this novel is given to a man who hasn't talked to anybody for years ever since he found his parents dead in his home.
My main problem with the story began when they rescued the girl from the outlaws. Till then, I was enjoying reading about the characters who were opposite to each other in every way navigate their married life. I guess I'd have liked it more if the author didn't include the suspense plot. The book became boring to me then.
Anyways, this one was an okay book, and it'll probably be my first and last book from the author.
December 27, 2010
oh my gosh!! I loved this book! I loved Carter .. he was this quiet, sweet, virgin recluse who did not talk, had only one sorta friend and here he shows up at the wife lottery! There were lots of fun twists and turns in this book and it was wonderful watching him interact with Bailee. I just loved, loved, loved, loved Carter! He had a lot of terrible things happen to him throughout his life. He just breaks your heart. This is going to me on my re-read pile over and over again. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series as well as more books from Jodi Thomas.
September 1, 2012
★★★★½ I had to re-read this one because I love it so much. There are a couple minor issues that Ms. Thomas left unanswered or that I wished she had developed more; however, this is an earlier one of her earlier works, so I forgive her. For my original GoodReads review, see
this link
.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 633 reviews