A spinster, a bootlegger...an unexpected chance at love.
Leaving the safety of her old life, Prudence Walker rides the Bride Train west to the end of the line--her last chance at matrimony. She's too plain to inspire desire. Nor does she expect to find love. She does have her standards, however.
Arch Childers longs to put down roots, only he's too busy managing his family's illegal whiskey business to pursue his dreams. Deciding he needs help, his troublemaking brothers kidnap a spinster lady and present her to him, bound and gagged, as his bride. To protect her reputation—and keep his brothers out of jail–he does the only honorable thing and offers marriage.
Prudence isn't immune to the charming scoundrel, but a bootlegger is the last man on earth she would marry. That is, until Arch sacrifices his freedom to save her.
Tempting Prudence is Book 3 in an exciting new mail-order bride series--with a twist. If you like stories featuring strong heroines and atypical Western heroes set in the rough but real American West, don’t miss this new historical romance series by award-winning author E.E. Burke.
E.E. Burke describes herself as "a history geek and a sucker for a good love story."
She recently released the 10th Anniversary Edition of her bestselling series, Steam! Romance and Rails, a fast-paced blend of Western adventure, sizzling romance and suspense.
"I love to write stories infused with history, legend, and romance. "
Her novel Tom Sawyer Returns won the Grand Prize for the 2021 LARAMIE Award, a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards. This book and the companion novel Taming Huck Finn were featured by the Mark Twain House & Museum in the author spotlight, Romancing Mark Twain.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was eagerly awaiting Pru's book and Ms. Burke did not disappoint. Pru was my favorite secondary character from the other two Bride Train books and I desperately wanted Pru to get her happily ever after. Arch, who was introduced in Patrick's Charm, was the perfect match for her. He helped Pru see that she was more than what had been drummed in her head by her family and not nearly as plain as she seemed to believe. What I loved most about Pru and Arch's relationship was that they were both willing to sacrifice themselves for the other when the prudent thing to do might have been to walk away. If that's not true love I don't know what is.
Tempting Prudence is an excellent addition to The Bride Train series. I highly recommend this series to any fan of historical westerns and mail order brides.
Tempting Prudence is a delightful story about a woman's coming of age, so to speak, in the Wild West of Kansas, after the Civil War. With the ratio of men to women at about 10 to 1, the Railroad Commission decided to pay for brides in the hope of bringing a semblance of peace to the area, by marrying them to settlers who needed to keep their land.
Unfortunately, Prudence Walker, with her strict upbringing and naivete, thought they were gentlemen, not ill-kept men more interested in gambling and drinking. With no vanity whatsoever, Prudence downplayed her looks, content to be as plain looking as possible.
When she is kidnapped by three men and taken to a dilapidated shack, she is shocked to meet their brother Archer, who not only had no idea of their plan, but is as different from them as day and night.
I love the way Ms. Burke creates her protagonists, putting a unique spin on their personalities so when they collide, it's like a train wreck without the horror. Along with the secondary characters and of course, Rebel the three legged dog, you'll find yourself laughing when the mood is right and gritting your teeth when tensions take over.
Thank you for bringing us Arch Childers, a blessedly beautiful man in every way and Prudence Walker, for the love between them makes for one very sweet, satisfying book. Another great story in this series!
This is book #3 of The Bride Train series. I really liked this story. Prudence has had a very strict religious upbringing. She thinks that she is too old, not pretty, and doesn't have much to offer to a man in marriage but her cooking and housekeeping skills. When she is kidnapped and meets Archer, he shows her that things in life are not exactly as she believes!
Prudence Walker has been settling in pretty well at the Centralia Settlement in Southeastern Kansas when she is abducted right from the hotel kitchen where she has been working and thrown into a coffin on the back of a wagon. Terrified out of her wits, Prudence has no idea if she will survive. The spinster had high hopes of finding herself a husband when she arrived on the Bride Train but as the other woman before her have found their Happily Ever Afters, Prudence still is searching.
When Archer Childers misguided brothers show up at his doorstep with an unwilling bride, he must make things right before they all land in prison, but a bungled attempted escape leaves Prudence unconscious and injured, Arch needs to nurse her back to health and convince her to marry him.
The plot thickens when Prudence, although taken in by the handsome bounder whose sly smirk could melt an iceberg, is certain the pair just won't work. When she learns of his profession, Prudence is more determined to run the other way due to her staunch Christian upbringing and ideas. Before Arch realizes it, he has fallen for Prudence, but breaking through her steel exterior is a harder than he ever thought possible.
I simply love E.E. BURKE'S Bride Train series. It's well written and exciting with TEMPTING PRUDENCE as no exception. I adore how Arch opens Pru's eyes to look at herself for the woman she is and put behind her the unfeeling words and actions those in her past said and did to affect her so. Arch is a patient and understanding hero. When his brothers essentially break the law and kidnap Prudence, he's left with the aftermath. TEMPTING PRUDENCE is a great addition to E.E. BURKE'S Bride Train series and I look forward to the next one!
Tempting Prudence pulls the reader into an thrilling action packed romance right from the very beginning! It's amazing how much of a connection I felt as a reader to the characters so quickly! Prudence is a remarkable heroine who really blossoms in this novel. She has great depth and is sweet, yet witty and strong willed. Some of her antics are laugh out loud funny and the combination of traits makes her immensely likable! When she ends up in a dangerous situation, the only man who can save her is the very one who could cause her ruin.
Arch's brother have long been up to trouble, but their newest game can cost them all far more than they could have predicted. Arch must go against his family in order to keep an innocent woman safe. While trying to find a way out of the mess his no good brothers got him into, Arch ends up falling in way over his head. Arch is a hero a reader can't help but adore. He is sexy, rugged, tough, but at the same time tenderhearted and so desirable!
The chemistry between Prudence and Arch is sizzling right from the start! I loved all their playful banter, the way they were attracted to each other but pushed against it and all the many scenes and plots. I could have read about their romance forever! Even when I took breaks from reading, I couldn't get them out of my head. I loved the clever plot, the main and side characters, the humor and the breadth of the novel!
Disclosure: I received a copy in return for an honest review, and I absolutely loved this novel and would gladly buy a copy. This whole series is outstanding!
Maybe this book deserves a higher rating, but I just cannot get into stories with Confederate soldiers as the protagonist. I say this as a born-and-bred Southerner, who loves her home and (a lot of) the culture I was raised with: the Civil War was over white people's belief that it was their god-given right to OWN another person. The institution of slavery was unforgivably disgusting and brutal. Sorry, I just cannot overlook that. Add to that my dislike of most frontier romance novels (glossing over another horror in our history, the subjugation and genocide of Native Americans), I probably should have known this book was not for me. But, I love me a plain, spinster heroine, so I gave it a shot. The story is short and sweet, and inspired me to whip up a chess pie for the fun of it, but I think I need to hold off on this genre. (2.5 stars)
Another wonderful read by Ms. Burke this is one author that knows how to pull her readers in giving you a story that makes you smile with a touch of everything a good romance write can give. Finding a bride isn’t always easy when it is 10 to 1 odds it is even hard when you are so busy making a living trying to keep your family alive that you do not even have time to check out the newest brides to be that came on the train. What does one do when ones brother can’t find the time well they just go pick one for him. They knock on the door have a lovely chat and ask for her help. When she comes out they grab her and haul their butts right out of town with her in the back scared out of her mind. When the horse stop they drag big brother over to have a looks see. They do not understand why he is so mad and the fight is on with little brothers running for their lives leaving their brother and his new bride fighting it out.
Prudence feels she is old and might not find a husband she doesn’t hang out with all the women running here and there. She spends her time in the kitchen doing what she loves to do which is cooking that is until some young men come knocking at her door pulling the wool over her eyes. She is fit to be tied when they uncover her to the biggest man she has ever seen. He said let’s get married she said NO WAY and make a run for it. From this moment on life is not easy for the other as one tries to make the most of it and the other tries to get home. There is one thing after another that stands in their way but fate has a way of bring things to a head and changing our lives forever.
Arch really wants a wife and a family having little Archers running around is his dream but with little time on his hands running the family business he is all alone that is until his retard stupid brothers bring him a gift of one plain Jane who is fit to be tied ready to bite nails into. He wants a wife, she looking for a husband it all works out for the best they will just get married. All seem pretty clear now why is she mad?
This was a very humorous read that had me laughing at the things Prudence came up with. I laughed so hard at the Indians. I even laughed harder at the things she did to poor Arch that man really had me cheering for him. His whole family is something else as they weave their way into your heart. I just love this series it is well written with very likable characters that take you away to another time and place making you wish you could live with them. I loved Arch’s patient as he tried to make her understand herself and what they could have. His willing to give up everything to make a wrong a right. Ms. Burke does her research giving you true facts about towns and people why adding her own touch to bring the story alive. The name fits the story so well it was a pleasure watching Arch Tempt Prudence making her see her true self and not what her family thought she should be. This is a wonderful addition to this series. I can’t wait to read the next installment.
Merged review:
Another wonderful read by Ms. Burke this is one author that knows how to pull her readers in giving you a story that makes you smile with a touch of everything a good romance write can give. Finding a bride isn’t always easy when it is 10 to 1 odds it is even hard when you are so busy making a living trying to keep your family alive that you do not even have time to check out the newest brides to be that came on the train. What does one do when ones brother can’t find the time well they just go pick one for him. They knock on the door have a lovely chat and ask for her help. When she comes out they grab her and haul their butts right out of town with her in the back scared out of her mind. When the horse stop they drag big brother over to have a looks see. They do not understand why he is so mad and the fight is on with little brothers running for their lives leaving their brother and his new bride fighting it out.
Prudence feels she is old and might not find a husband she doesn’t hang out with all the women running here and there. She spends her time in the kitchen doing what she loves to do which is cooking that is until some young men come knocking at her door pulling the wool over her eyes. She is fit to be tied when they uncover her to the biggest man she has ever seen. He said let’s get married she said NO WAY and make a run for it. From this moment on life is not easy for the other as one tries to make the most of it and the other tries to get home. There is one thing after another that stands in their way but fate has a way of bring things to a head and changing our lives forever.
Arch really wants a wife and a family having little Archers running around is his dream but with little time on his hands running the family business he is all alone that is until his retard stupid brothers bring him a gift of one plain Jane who is fit to be tied ready to bite nails into. He wants a wife, she looking for a husband it all works out for the best they will just get married. All seem pretty clear now why is she mad?
This was a very humorous read that had me laughing at the things Prudence came up with. I laughed so hard at the Indians. I even laughed harder at the things she did to poor Arch that man really had me cheering for him. His whole family is something else as they weave their way into your heart. I just love this series it is well written with very likable characters that take you away to another time and place making you wish you could live with them. I loved Arch’s patient as he tried to make her understand herself and what they could have. His willing to give up everything to make a wrong a right. Ms. Burke does her research giving you true facts about towns and people why adding her own touch to bring the story alive. The name fits the story so well it was a pleasure watching Arch Tempt Prudence making her see her true self and not what her family thought she should be. This is a wonderful addition to this series. I can’t wait to read the next installment.
A very sweet read, although there were a few moments in the beginning where I wasn't too sure. The hero Arch is very kind and patient, although he does show some selfish behavior by keeping Prudence with him after she says she wants to come back to town, but I think this makes him flawed and human. I liked Prudence, even though very straight laced, she was also very smart and willing to open up. My only criticism is that I wish we had seen a little bit more of them getting to know each other, sharing their thoughts and dreams and their past. Overall a very pleasant read.
Fun romance with two hardheaded main characters. Prudence wrestles with her strict upbringing and sinful feelings for a younger man. The story moves quick, writing is smooth and filled with humor. I read this book in one rainy day. Entertaining.
Tempting Prudence by E. E. Burke is a charming American Western. Book 3 in the exciting "The Bride Train" series, but can be read as a stand alone. I would highly recommend reading the series in its entirety, however, it is not necessary to enjoy "Tempting Prudence".
A delightful post Civil War tale set in Centralia, Kansas, in 1870, during a time of illegal bootleggers, the rough American West, Mail-order brides, second chances at love and beautiful romance.
A Daughter of Temperance falls in love with the local bootlegger! Thus begins the story of Prudence and Archer Childers.
Steady paced, well written American Western. The characters are engaging, strong-willed, and delightfully entertaining. The storyline is unique, intriguing with laugh out loud moments, second chances, witty banter and so much more.
Two of the three wild Childers brothers are simple but hilariously entertaining, as they kidnap a spinster, Miss Prudence, a mail-order bride for their younger brother Archer. So begins this incredible, refreshing romantic Western.
With twists and turns the reader will not see coming, this quick read, about 170 pages or so, of pure joy, will have readers turning pages in this amazing, unexpected tale of Prudence and Archer. Follow this wide range of emotionally charged characters, in yet, another "The Bride Train" saga with strong characters, hair-brained ideas, witty dialog, and strong heroines and heroic heroes as Prudence and Archer found their way to love, and their HEA.
What a great read! Once again Ms. Burke has given readers an unexpected but brilliantly written American Western Romance. I can't wait to read more of the mail-order Train Brides saga. May the saga continue! This series only keeps getting better and better. I truly hope you will pick up yet another sweet but unique Mail-Order Train Brides story, for this is not, just another mail-order bride tale. I think you will thoughly enjoy this read. Received for an honest review. However, all opinions, insights and thoughts are my own personal opinions.
IF WE FACE THE WORLD TOGETHER, NOTHING CAN STOP US
I enjoyed this third addition to The Bride Train series and found myself laughing out loud so many times at Prudence and Archer. Prudence has agreed to be one of the brides in Centralia, Kansas rather than go with her brother and his family to California. Prudence has always been the good daughter, obeying her minister father and following the path of the church. She considers herself a plain looking old maid and just hopes to make a good match, one that will meet her standards. Arch Childers has dreams that don’t correlate with his families plans. He wants to work the land and raise horses, unfortunately, he is stuck helping his brothers with the family’s illegal whiskey business.
The plot has three wild Childers brothers kidnapping Prudence and delivering her to their baby brother, Archer. He was not part of this plan and feels sorry for Prudence, but when she takes off and gets hurt, rather than safely returning her to town, he is tending to her wounds and fever. Her reputation will be shattered, and he offers marriage which she declines. She is from Ohio, and he is whistling Dixie and a dog named Rebel. “Prudence put her hands over her ears. No dyed-in-the-wool Confederate for her, and he had to be a Democrat. She made another face. Another reason she wouldn’t marry him—as if she needed another reason.” “No one would’ve expected a Daughter of Temperance to fall in love with the local bootlegger.” The interaction between Prudence and Arch is full of witty comments, hair-brained antics, and humor. Sometimes differences make things more interesting, and you realize that maybe you have more in common that you think. Disclosure: I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions, and ratings are my own.
This was much better than the first book. Probably because it was longer and able to get more into the character's personalities. The romance and conflict between Prudence and Arch was compelling and entertaining.
Prudence was an irritating woman at times. What she wanted was right in front of her, but because she couldn't get passed her strict religious upbringing she refused to grab and hold unto Arch until she almost lost him.
That is one of my biggest issues with religion. It makes being human, particularly sexuality, a sin. Who came up with this nonsense?
I wonder which bride train woman E. E. Burke will write about next?
Tempting Prudence is the third book in The Bride Train series. I have read all three of these books and found each delightful. Poor Prudence has one chance at finding a husband before she resigns herself to a life of spinsterhood. Heading west to become a mail-order bride is not exactly what she had in mind, but it is a chance to find marriage. She isn’t looking for love or passion since she believes she’s not the type of woman who would stir a man’s affections. Although she decides on being a mail-order bride, she has standards and beliefs she holds onto tightly. She may not want to be a spinster, but she refuses to marry someone who can’t live up to her standards. When she is abducted by the brothers of a man who would like to settle down, she finds herself in a predicament. If she returns to town will her reputation be sullied? She was presented to Arch Childers as a gift from his brothers, but can she marry him? Prudence needs to look deep into her heart and soul to decide what she should do.
It is a wonderful historical western book filled with adventure, shenanigans, family nuisances, and possible love. The characters are believable and well-written. If you enjoy stories about mail-order brides, historical romance, or just a sweet romance, I highly recommend this book and the first two in the series. Ms. Burke did a fantastic job bringing this story, its characters, and settings to life.
I received an ARC of this book and promised an honest review which you just read.
This is the third book in The Bride Train series in which we have seven women who answer a railroad advertisement that's looking for single young ladies who are willing to be married off to the settlers on the Western frontier. What awaits them there is an adventure none of them even dreamed about.
I was really looking forward to this story ever since we met Pru in the previous two books. She was such a great character and I wondered who might be her happily ever after. Well, let me tell you, I never thought Arch would be the one! What an awesome pairing! Who better than him to iron the starch out of our straight laced heroine.
Arch was such a great guy. He knew how to approach Pru and he really did his best to make her feel comfortable and show her that they could pull this marriage business off, but Pru's stubbornness almost made them pay a high price, and I just wanted to shake her!
This was such a great story, and though it can certainly be read as a stand alone, I urge you to get the other three books that came before it. I say three because there's a prequel as well and all are exceptionally well written and plotted. But none of them would be great without the unique characters that are in them.
There's so much to recommend this story that actually was very close to the truth and what really happened once upon a time in the West. I hope you give it a go!
This was an excellent story about Prudence and her story of being kidnapped by the Childers boys. Prudence is ready to become a mail order bride rather than being the dutiful daughter. She knows she doesn’t have much to offer a man, but she will be an obedient wife. Along the route, she is kidnapped and delivered as a surprise gift to Arch Childers. Being part of an outlaw family is NOT part of her plan; however, fate has a way of turning situations upside down. This book taught this reader to expect the unexpected and delighted me with humor and historical anecdotes that made it hard to put the book down. A delicious, juicy read for those that like a little meat to the story!
Merged review:
This was an excellent story about Prudence and her story of being kidnapped by the Childers boys. Prudence is ready to become a mail order bride rather than being the dutiful daughter. She knows she doesn’t have much to offer a man, but she will be an obedient wife. Along the route, she is kidnapped and delivered as a surprise gift to Arch Childers. Being part of an outlaw family is NOT part of her plan; however, fate has a way of turning situations upside down. This book taught this reader to expect the unexpected and delighted me with humor and historical anecdotes that made it hard to put the book down. A delicious, juicy read for those that like a little meat to the story!
E.E.Burke is one of the most talented authors out there. She writes incredible stories that not only so well researched but also touch on the human spirit. Her male characters harken back to a time period where true heroes didn't depend on fancy gadgets but personal grit. Archer is an amazing character -quintessential E.E. Burke and he doesn't let the reader down ever. He is steadfast and loyal and you want him!! He is what legendary characters are made of. Prudence is symbolic of women in this time period God fearing and fearful. She is trapped by the norms of society but somehow through Archer finds her way to be free and to be loved. The beginning of Archer and Prudence begins with a coffin and ends with a heart. I can't rate this any higher than 5 stars that is a shame because this book and it's author E.E. deserve a 10 on this one.
I really enjoy the mail order bride trope of historical romance and Tempting Prudence, is the third book in The Bride Train Series by E.E. Burke. This mail order bride story begins with a kidnapping that terrifies Prudence Walker and angers Arch Childers, putting him in a very difficult dilemma. His family makes moonshine and if he lets Prudence go, his brothers will be jailed for kidnapping, which will lead to the discovery of their clandestine occupation. But how to keep Pru with him long enough to solve his dilemma? A well written series of novellas, with interesting and colorful characters, they illustrate a time when the railroads kept the peace by bringing women of a marriageable age to settle the men, and the west, one bride at a time. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is the first of the Bride train series that I've read and it won't be my last (and I didn't feel as if I was missing part of the story). I love how you are curious about Pru from the very first page and what her plight will be. You will connect with her and her insecurities, then Arch waltzes into the story and the tension begins. That is the best part of the whole novel. EE Burke writes tension so very well and that is the fundamental basis of a good romance. This novel has a heaping helping and will leave you unable to put it down. The characters are well-written and have a great depth, the story-line stays true, but even a good story without that tension wouldn't be half the story this is.
I received this novel free in exchange for an honest review.
EE Burke's newest book in The Bride Train Series - Tempting Prudence is a witty, phenomenal, edge of your seat page turner. When EE sets out to write a book, she not only pulls her readers into the pages, she weaves her characters into your heart and soul. Arch and Prudence lives start out in an unprecedented predicament, their destiny was branded by a kidnapping which turns out to be a blessing or does it? Both Arch and Prudence needed one another, but never knew how much. Fate is sometimes the true destiny one never foresees. This is a fantastic book and series, EE really brings history right to you through her writing, so set back and enjoy the ride, this one delivers.
E. E. Burke has another hit on her hands. Pru and Archer were made for each other. Some seriousness but humor also abounds. Another strong female character and she finds her way with Archer. They are an adorable couple, although his mom can be something else. The series so far is fun and entertaining. Each book can be read as a standalone but it is best to read the series. I love the historical aspect to each of the books. Who would have though a bootlegger and a quiet woman could make it work. Never prejudge, you would be disappointed.
Loved this book. Sometimes what we think we want is not what we get and if we look deep enough what we get is better than what we could imagine. Prudence has very rigid ideas of what she wants . How she finds true love is very unexpected and it makes for very good reading . I would recommend it and am looking forward to the next book in the bride train series
I can't wait to learn more about these bride's. Especially some of the secondary characters like the one with the scared face. Also the railroad agents story. Keep them coming Msn Burke!