The Hunter Bride

Hope's Crossing #1

by Cynthia Woolf

Five years ago, a band of outlaws murdered Josephine Shafter's parents and younger brother. Desperate for vengeance, Jo has spent every day since serving the law as a bounty hunter. But the trouble with justice served is that now that her family's killer has been brought in, she has nothing to do and no one to hunt. She decides it may be time for a new life and a fresh start. She longs for the arms of a strong man around her, and for a child of her own. But the Chicago dandies don't know how to kiss a woman who is tougher than they are. Jo decides her best chance at happiness is to head out West, to the wild Montana territory, to start a new life as a mail order bride.

Sam Longworth has been the Sheriff of Hope's Crossing, Montana for two miserable years. He was much happier roaming the untamed plains as a bounty hunter, bringing outlaws to justice. But that was no life for a husband or father, and his wife wanted him home, safe and sound, every night. Forced into marriage, theirs had never been a love match, but he thought warming her bed every night would be enough. Instead she left him and took a stagecoach to rendezvous with her childhood sweetheart. She vowed never to return, and died on the journey.

Plagued by guilt over her death, Sam doesn't need a woman's love, he just needs a wife. He orders a mail order bride, a woman who won't make too many demands, who can build a home and give him children. Josephine fits his life perfectly, until danger follows her to her new home and he realizes she's keeping secrets that could get them both killed. Trust is a hard road for two lost souls used to keeping secrets, and their new and fragile love might not be strong enough to survive what's coming.

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

227 pages, ebook

Published November 27, 2015

About the author

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

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

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



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TITLES AVAILABLE (English unless otherwise stated)

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


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


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


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


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



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


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


ANGEL CREEK CHRISTMAS BRIDES
Adele


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


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


BACHELORS & BABIES
Carter (Book 3)


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


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


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


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


AMERICAN MAIL-ORDER BRIDES
Genevieve, Bride of Nevada


THE SURPRISE BRIDES
Gideon


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


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


DESTINY IN DEADWOOD (Available in German)
Jake
Liam
Zach


MATCHMAK

Reviews

[Jessica's Totally Over The Top Book Obsession · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Keeping Secrets Stars



Cynthia Woolf is not a new author to me. I have read two of her series, The Tame series and Matchmaker & Co series both of which I loved. I also have 5 of her books waiting on my kindle for me to read, so needless to say I am a fan. The Hunter Bride was missing something for me. I liked it okay, but it didn't really grab me like some of her other books have. I liked Jo, thought she was brave and a little sassy. I also liked Sam thought he was sweet and maybe a little cavemanish (that's a word right? lol) but for back then that was totally normal, and hey we all love it when our men go a little caveman now and then. But I felt some of the things Jo and Sam said were kinda cheesy. Then at times it felt to me, like their relationship was forced or rushed. Now this is a short book like 127 pages so maybe that's why. Whatever the reason this book for me was just okay overall. I didn't hate it, I didn't love it, I wasn't bored, I just was. Still it was a cute, quick, and entertaining read.



http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...

[Mitticus · Rating 1 out of 5]

(In Read Now at Netgalley)

How can I say this? ... the book was AWFUL.

I was promised a strong, independent woman, and was delivered another woman trying to be something else, more 'womanly'. The sheriff is a macho man, who is waiting the peferct wife wo cook, sew, and wash, and had sex every time he wants. And stays safely at home and do what he says. Ugh, let me gag.

I love you, too, more than I can ever show you.”
“You just showed me in the best way possible. You gave me a son.”

WTF?

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC, from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
'The Hunter Bride' by Cynthia Woolf is book one in the "Hope's Crossing" series.

This was a sweet, clean and different type of romance book in the way that Josephine Shafter 'Jo' had taken to being a bounty hunter to find and put to justice the people that killed her family.

Now that the goal has been met of bring them to justice, Josephine feels that she would like to make a fresh start. So she thinks to become a 'Mail Order Bride' which leads her to Sam Longworth.

Sam had a wife but she ended up leaving him and then got herself killed. So now Sam just wants a 'marriage of convince' of sorts. A wife that can give him kids and turn his house into a home but now be there for love.

Jo finds that her past is catching up to her and Sam realizes that there is more going on with Jo then what he knew.


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[Deborah · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's okay 2.5 stars.

CONTAINS SPOILERS

The blurb is good so there's no point doing my usual summary and I'm not sure where to start with this.
It was ok.
The more I read and the older I get the less patience I have for stupid characters and considering she's supposed to be a great bounty hunter Jo makes a lot of really stupid decisions.
Josephine is fine spending hours and hours riding around looking for Jackson while he leads her on a wild goose chase but when he's been shot she doesn't use the advantage to check around not even the last place he'd been seen, she knows he's taken up with a girl from the saloon but she waits for him to recover and come after her, it was absolutely crazy and as for her going after him alone when she's pregnant and knows he has a partner, talk about TSTL.
Also loads of mistakes it needs editing.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 books in the series, I found the 1st book FREE on Amazon. Such a great read. I am new to Cynthia's writing. I think? I gotta check, her collection is huge and there are so many books to check out??! I love westerns, anything having to do with out west ... Montana Wyoming ... whatever. I am so there. Gorgeous cover. Loved this read, couldn't put it down. I love her style and I will be checking out more from her very very soon. Well done. I am such a new fan. ( :

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a silly type of story. I thought Josephine didn't behave as a female bounty hunter in that time would've done, especially someone who was supposedly so good at it. Didn't really care for this book.

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not the first book I have read by Cynthia Woolf and it will not be the last. This book is free on Amazon and the audio is available for a modest price, so I eagerly downloaded both. I always enjoy and good Mail-Order Bride romance and this one definitely has a twist.

I thoroughly enjoyed this well-thought out plot. There are no plot holes and the ending was not rushed. The pacing is nice and steady, and Ms. Woolf’s writing style is smooth and flowing. Overall this is an interesting read.

Josephine Shafter is not my favorite kind of heroine, and I did not expect to like her, but as the story unfolds I gradually warmed up to her. Her motives for her unusual career are honorable, and I could see myself taking that path under the circumstances. By the end of the book, I very much wanted her to hear the words “I love you” from the stubborn hero.

Sam Longworth is a mixed bag for me. He has a soft side, which he is determined to hide. His late wife left him and was killed, so he is determined to never give his heart again, and definitely never say those dreaded three little words. He fights against it to the bitter end.

At first his only reason for taking a mail-order bride is because he wants a woman to cook and clean for him and be a willing bedmate, but that does not really hold true since he finds out almost immediately, Jo is a bounty hunter and lacks many of the womanly virtues he thinks he wants. It’s quite obvious that he is vastly intrigued by her, and deep inside knows she is perfect for him.

The villain in this story is ornery, a really bad guy and dangerous, but a little inept. He bungles several attempts on Jo’s life through much of his own stupidity, so at times his attempts are a bit comical, not sure if that was Ms. Woolf’s intent or not, but I’ll give her the benefit of doubt and believe they are supposed to be more humor than suspenseful.

The romance between Jo and Sam is not fierce, even though they clearly like each other from the start. It’s nice to read a book where there is not instant love but like instead. I do feel that Jo is a bit wishy-washy at times regarding her need to hear the words. That became irritating after a while. She vacillates between wanting to stay, yet believing she has to go too often. Sometimes paragraph to paragraph.

The narration is performed by Lia Frederick. I think she narrates most if not all of Ms. Woolf’s books. She reads with just the right amount of emotion, which I truly appreciate. Lately, I’ve listened to several books where the narrator sounds very wooden. Her performance enhances the story and pulls me in. I always know I’m in for a treat when she is the narrator.

Nonetheless, I did enjoy The Hunter Bride, and I do recommend it if you enjoy a story with a unique plot and true to life characters, especially for this time period. Both Jo and Sam have flaws and for me that makes them real. I look forward to reading future books in this series. Happy reading!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you do if an outlaw killed your entire family? Jo knew what she was going to do…hunt every one of the gang members down until justice was met. And that is exactly what she did.
Several years later, Jo has taken in the last member, the leader of the gang that killed her family and collected the bounty. With her bounty hunting days done and her family avenged, Jo sets to see to her own dreams by marrying and having kids. Jo believes that she will make those dreams come true by accepting the marriage proposal by Sam Longworth, a sheriff in Montana.
Jo arrives in Montana with her past buried behind her through deception, or so she thinks. She didn’t count on someone recognizing her or for Billy Jackson to escape his recent arrest. As Jo tries to become a good wife to Sam, she is consumed with finding Billy at all costs.
Sam Longworth is the sheriff of Hope’s Crossing in Montana. Married once before and losing her because of his job, Sam has kept his own secrets as well as his heart from Jo. He repeatedly tells Jo he cares for her but will never love her.
Billy Jackson comes to Hope’s Crossing to get Jo and make her pay for his arrest. As time is winding down for Jo to find Billy, she must decide if she is willing to tell Sam the truth. Will the secrets being shared be enough to help them come together to capture Billy before someone is hurt? Will it be enough to save their marriage? Will Jo walk away from Sam leaving her heart behind?
Cynthia Woolf is a wonderful story teller of the west and its mail order brides. Her characters have flaws, courage and strength to fight for their dreams as they battle adversity. Cynthia Woolf writes endearing books that I have always enjoyed.
I received this eBook in exchange for a review.

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I REJECT BEING IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE WHO CAN’T LOVE ME BACK
I enjoyed this historical romantic suspense western with a mail order bride who is more than she lets on, trying to put her past behind her and a stubborn lawman who refuses to love again. Josephine Shafter came from a loving home, with a father who was a renowned bounty hunter and who trained her the same way. She has looks and nerves of steel, but now that she has captured Billy Jackson he has gone to trial, she is ready to settle down as a mail order bride in Montana. Sheriff Sam Longworth needs and wants a wife, but after his first wife left him, he swears he will never love another woman again, just care for her. Secrets eventually will be revealed, life and death moments, kidnap and capture and eventually it will come to an end. When it is all over what will come of Sam and Jo? She can’t live without love. The plot kept the pages turning in this cat and mouse game of bounty hunter and fugitive. The story has a great cast of characters, entertaining and emotional dialog and intense moments. How close must you come to losing someone close before you realize that life will never be the same without them? Life and death situations can be the greatest eye-opener to seeing what real love is. Disclosure: I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions, and ratings are my own.

[Sara Archibald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo Shafter has been bounty hunting for a while and after the last five years of tracking down each and every murder in the gang that killed her parents and brother she has decided to settle down. She wants to have a family of her own but all the men who know her are scared of her so she decided to start fresh and become a mail-order bride. She decides to keep some things from her soon to be husband.

Sam Longworth is the sheriff of Hope’s Crossing and soon to be married to Jo. Sam was married before and has issues with love, but he wants a wife to cook, clean and have his babies. Sam also has secrets of his own . However when a blast from Jo’s past shows up and is determined to take revenge on her and Sam both will they be able to confide in each other? Will Sam be able to get over the hurt from his past?

I Love all of Cynthia Woolf’s books!! I received The Hunter Bride (Hope’s Crossing Book 1) as an ARC and I couldn’t put it down! If you haven’t read any of Cynthia’s books you need to because your missing out!! This book had me crying and laughing. I cannot wait for the other books in Hope’s Crossing to come out!

[Patty Nobles · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her newest series Hopes Crossing, Cynthia Woolf takes her readers to Hope Crossing Montana where life can be filled with drama, heartache, but mostly hope for better days to come. In The Hunter Bride, Josephine Shafter is a bounty hunter who has finally brought the man who killed her family to justice, and now she can hang up her buckskins and revolvers and settle down and get married. Jo has answered an ad to become a mail order bride to the Sherriff of Hope Springs, Montana, who has not been totally honest with her. Sam Longsworth was looking forward to meet his new bride, but he knew the secret he withheld from his bride to be may end his married life before it even gets started. Sam and Jo find a good rhythm to their lives, until Jo gets unexpected news that could destroy everything they have worked so hard to create. Ms Woolf has a talent to use words to create a vivid storyline that engrosses the reader from the first sentence to the final words, and this book is one of her best. I was given this book by the author to read by the author for an honest review.

[My Bookbag by Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book so much! I really liked the characters, plot, and setting. This book was very engaging, and a joy to read. I was drawn in immediately. It was such an interesting story line. The relationship between Sam and Jo was communicated wonderfully, and the flow of the book was decidedly well done.

I appreciated Woolf’s attention to the story’s details. Western Romances hadn’t been my genre of choice for a long time. However, I decided that it was going back on my list… especially if it was written by author Cynthia Woolf.

I was very disappointed to find so many grammatical errors throughout the book. I marked more than 30, so this book definitely needed another proofing.

If not for the many grammatical errors in the book, I would have rated this book 5 stars. As it was though, I could only award 4 1/4 stars… which translates to a 4 star rating via amazon and Netgalley.

I was provided a copy of this book, by its publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

I really enjoyed this book- it was entertaining, there was suspense, and the characters were interesting individually as well as how they related to each other. And I have to say how incredibly refreshing it was to see a mail-order story that was not solely, or mostly focused on the inevitability of the two main characters falling in love- not that those stories aren't enjoyable- but there was more to this book, and I appreciated it. Plus, Jo is fantastic! How can you not like a woman who is strong, smart, and determined enough to be a bounty hunter who pretty much single-handedly takes down the criminal who murdered her family- especially in a time where this would have been looked down on rather than just being discouraged.

[Gina Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo Shafter was raised to be a bounty hunter like her father. After capturing the man responsible for murdering her family, Billy, she decides she is ready for marriage and children. Fearing no one from the area will be interested in her she decides to become a mail order bride. So she travels to Montana to wed sheriff Sam Longworth. She conceals her past and hopes she can learn the things a wife should know. Meanwhile Billy escapes and hunts down Jo. Can Sam protect Jo and can Jo keep her secret safe? A very sweet, funny and interesting read.
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Another_Book_to_Ponder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I wasn't expecting the story to unfold the way that it did. It had some humor to it. I loved how the characters developed and interacted.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but good

I liked the storyline and the strong female character. Beyond the fact that there were a couple spelling mistakes, making different words in the beginning, and it feeling a little rushed in the beginning, I have no real complaints. All of the characters were good and interesting. I was frustrated when the characters were frustrated and was happy when they were happy.

[Anna Marie Leffew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action, Suspense, wonderful narration

I really enjoyed this book! The narrator did an awesome job! she did a fantastic job with all the different characters voices and did the Male voices really well. The story had alot of action and suspense it had me turning the pages. Thank you Cynthia Woolf for another wonderful read. I cannot wait to read the next one!

[Jultri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very basic writing with poorly rendered characters and inadequate insight into their motivations and thoughts. I could not force myself to finish this book. Not a one star, as it is not morally offensive. This was a free ARC copy.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hunter Bride (Hope's Crossing #1)
by Cynthia Woolf (Goodreads Author)
I just finished this book. I really liked it. I do enjoy a good mail order bride story! This one didn’t disappoint me. I had never read one where the bride was a bounty hunter in her past life. She decides as she captures the man who murdered her family and takes him in, that she is going to settle down, find a husband and have a family. She does stretch the description of her abilities a bit! She does arrive and she marries Sherriff Sam Longworth of Hope’s Crossing, only to find out that the criminal that she captured got loose and is out looking to kill her. She also doesn’t have any clue that Sam, before being a Sherriff, was a bounty hunter himself. They just never crossed paths. The book is packed with action, has some scenes that pull at your heartstrings a bit and of course has a happy ending. What happens? You have to read the book to find out. Will Sam keep her? Read the book.

I received this book free in kindle format from the author in exchange for an honest review. This is that review.

Description as found on Good Reads:
Five years ago, a band of outlaws murdered Josephine Shafter's parents and younger brother. Desperate for vengeance, Jo has spent every day since serving the law as a bounty hunter. But the trouble with justice served is that now that her family's killer has been brought in, she has nothing to do and no one to hunt. She decides it may be time for a new life and a fresh start. She longs for the arms of a strong man around her, and for a child of her own. But the Chicago dandies don't know how to kiss a woman who is tougher than they are. Jo decides her best chance at happiness is to head out West, to the wild Montana territory, to start a new life as a mail order bride. Sam Longworth has been the Sheriff of Hope's Crossing, Montana for two miserable years. He was much happier roaming the untamed plains as a bounty hunter, bringing outlaws to justice. But that was no life for a husband or father, and his wife wanted him home, safe and sound, every night. Forced into marriage, theirs had never been a love match, but he thought warming her bed every night would be enough. Instead she left him and took a stagecoach to rendezvous with her childhood sweetheart. She vowed never to return, and died on the journey. Plagued by guilt over her death, Sam doesn't need a woman's love, he just needs a wife. He orders a mail order bride, a woman who won't make too many demands, who can build a home and give him children. Josephine fits his life perfectly, until danger follows her to her new home and he realizes she's keeping secrets that could get them both killed. Trust is a hard road for two lost souls used to keeping secrets, and their new and fragile love might not be strong enough to survive what's coming.

[Michael K · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can't do it!

I made it 40 pages in, and thought 'why the hell am I reading this?' Cynthia Woolf has a couple books I've actually enjoyed, but this one was terrible. It's short, not well executed, has a VERY rushed plot, and is super obnoxious in characterization. Even though the characters (well at the beginning of the story) are hiding information from one another--someone should tell them secrets don't make friends--there's gaps in information that SHOULD be included. It's an incredibly frustrating story in that regard.

Here is a transcript of my internal dialogue while reading this short story.
"Wait, why is she doing this?"
"Why is she thinking she 'should' be doing this?"
"Oh, that explains a bit of it."
"But wait, what's wrong with her now?"
"Oh, when did that happen?"
"Oh, gotcha', a couple years ago."
"But why is that a problem, the time period?"
"Oh, gotcha', I'm glad the author explained that."
*twenty pages later*
"Oh, nevermind, I misunderstood all those earlier things, my bad."
"Oh wait, all the psychology has actually swapped? Wait--WHY AM I READING THIS?"

This IS NOT a good representation of a Cynthia Woolf novel guys, she usually has a much better grasp of story and character arch! Hopefully this doesn't dissuade you from her other stuff, but this particular one: AVOID, further revision is necessary!

[Candy Briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josephine Shafter ( Longworth), is a Bounty Hunter and trained by her father. He was the best of them. He also trained her brother and the two men would go and do some hunting. Her mother wanted her to learn how to cook and do other womanly chores. But she never got the chance. Billy Jackson a criminal, came to their home and killed all but her. She had been hunting. She spent five years hunting them and she caught them all. With Billy being the last.
Sam Longworth was also a Bounty Hunter but now he was a sheriff. His first wife left him. He did not think he could love again. But he wanted a family. He sent off for a mail-order bride. They had chosen each other. The man escaped on his way to prison. He wanted Jo dead or alive(soon to be dead). So he came to their town and tried to kill her, several times.
I enjoyed this story. There were good times and bad. I liked where she and Sam did things together.
It was nice watching them get closer together and how the people of the town accepted her and were a support base for them. It was heartwarming and encouraging. The tale was also exciting and you felt a little anxious for them.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Ay Oh Be · Rating 1 out of 5]

Romance is one of my favourite genres. I love the drama and excitement of experiencing a couple falling in love. This book did NOT deliver that.
Even ignoring that the author used the wrong name for a character at least once, and had some grammatical errors that caused me to re-read sentences, there didn't seem to be any real connection or any development of one. Which is too bad because I really like Jo. She is strong, smart and independent. Her character was balanced, she could do all these interesting things but couldn't cook a pot roast, I found that endearing. But Woolf focused so much on balancing Jo (and her mediocre cooking abilities) that interactions with Sam mostly surrounded that fact. It just felt flat and forced.
But I will leave you with my favorite set of lines:

"What if I don't believe you?" (Jo)
“You don’t have to. You can tell me to leave and I will, but not until you believe that I love you and I will always love you." (Sam)

So ... She doesn't have to believe him but he is staying till she does ...

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raised as a son and taught everything necessary for a Bounty Hunter to know by her father, Josephine/Jo Shafter had only the bare minimum lessons in cooking from her mother before her parents were murdered.

Sam Longworth sends for a Mail-Order-Bride and after months of them corresponding he and Jo commit to marriage.

Now having done so and finding each other to be mentally and physically compatible the couple have secrets between them on both sides that stand a good chance of ending their relationship once revealed.

This very secretiveness is why I am the most inclined to lower my rating because it was very irritating that such a huge part of both Sam and Jo's former lives was used as a ploy to create unnecessary drama.

Despite that, and several other peeves, like the story for the most part.

[Timothy Skilton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Within a few pages of beginning, I realized that this story had a number of problems, the most glaring being improper comma usage for about 50% of all commas or places where commas should have been. This resulted in a number of sentences that didn't read correctly, the literal meaning being drastically altered by poor comma placement. The characters were under-developed and it was hard to engage with them. The vocabulary was weak and many parts of the story read like a news story, simply stating facts in a dry and unappealing manner, and that includes the sex scenes. The plot was okay, but not very inventive. The best thing about the story was the historical references and notes tucked throughout the book, giving the reader an intriguing view of life in that era.

[Sarah B White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo had spent every day of the last five years looking for the man who had killed her parents and brother. She had become a bounty hunter while searching for the murderer, following in the footsteps of her father. Finally Billy Jackson was captured and was being sent to prison for execution.

Jo wondered just what to do and decided to become a mail order bride. She answered a mail order bride advertisement and was contacted by a sheriff in Montana. Jo and the sheriff were married as soon as she arrived. She learned that Billy Jackson had escaped while being transported. He wanted Jo to pay for having him arrested and was determined to make her suffer.

Was Billy recaptured? Did Billy make contact with Jo? Read the book and find out. This book is a quick read and I enjoyed it.

[Mavi Santacruz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read a historical romance a long time ago maybe that's why I found the writing very refreshing, light and simple. I liked it. Their dialogues were very straight, no ramblings:)
The characters were mysterious. The fun part was that they were both hunters hiding it from each other.
Message: simple- to trust and to admit and say out loud your feelings.
It was a little predictable, though considering the police and criminal theme.
End: what a lovely name for the baby boy they had. I love it.

[Dana Redding · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hunter Bride

Billy is wanted for murdering Jo’s family. She is a bounty hunter and has captured him and brought him in for justice.

Now she wants to put aside bounty hunting and be a wife, she is going out to marry Sheriff Sam. She doesn’t know much about tending a house or cooking and doing the washing but she knows a little and learns along the way.
Billy has escaped custody. She starts hunting him again but when her husband learns of her profession will he divorce her?

Good story, I enjoyed reading this book

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

When two strong willed people meet and marry, sparks are bound to fly. But the sparks can turn to a passion that turns into flames. Jo and Sam are two such people. How and why, they come to be together is how this delightful story starts. I enjoyed watching the journey these two take Watching Sam understand that he needs to leave some of his past behind is liberating for him. Watching Jo learn to embrace the softer side of her femininity is just wonderful. A most delightful story. Cant wait to read book 2

[Lyngay Hemsath · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rare story way before the time of equality.

Sam's jobs were typical for that time frame, Jo's not so typical. Both very good at their jobs. Not hard to understand why she did the job. The Billy wouldn't stay to be hung. Revenge and Justice's were never done. Read the clean standalone historical romance the characters, the situations will be well Worth the effort. Enjoy this author's books.

[Sherry Hepner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hopes Crossing Book 1

I really loved this book and the plot and ending, the only thing I wish you would have had the ending as the sentencing of the hanging of Billy, Sam and Jo leaving the court house happy and content of Jo being a house wife and mother knowing her marriage was full of love. But still I loved this book and didn't want it to end until 3 or 4 kids later. Thank you for the good read and God bless.