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Changing Brides
Buck Meadow’s top lawman, Sheriff Dirk Easton, is by the book. Everything is either right or wrong in his view, so it’s no surprise that he reprimands his younger brother for fighting over one of the saloon ladies. He is incensed that his sibling would do something so stupid—until he sees the beautiful Celeste Lebeau for himself. He’s instantly smitten with dislike tempered with a lot of lust. He wants her out of town and fast. Most of all, he wants to make sure she stays away from his brother. His jealousy makes no sense, especially since he’s an engaged man, but he feels what he feels and soon becomes involved with the woman bold enough to challenge him in front of the whole town. How in the world is he going to get his life back on track when he’s promised to one woman but falling fast and hard for another?
175 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2017
92 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 9, 2017
Great story a must read
Five stars are not enough for this one. Could not put the kindle down I wanted to know what would happen next. A Great story of love and how first impressions are not always lasting or correct. People are more than just the color of their skin , and right can pull people together. Loved this story!!
Five stars are not enough for this one. Could not put the kindle down I wanted to know what would happen next. A Great story of love and how first impressions are not always lasting or correct. People are more than just the color of their skin , and right can pull people together. Loved this story!!
August 10, 2017
4.5 Stars
This book was a pleasant surprise. The story takes place 15 years (I think) after slavery has ended. Dirk's the Sheriff and Celeste is the painted lady. The sheriff's brother Josh defends her honor and Dirk wants him to stay away from her and out of trouble. Of course, Dirk has to tell Celeste to leave his brother alone, which further fuels her to antagonize the sheriff on every occasion they meet. All that bickering is just foreplay for the roll in the hay that they both want to happen ... it's just a matter of time.
This book was a pleasant surprise. The story takes place 15 years (I think) after slavery has ended. Dirk's the Sheriff and Celeste is the painted lady. The sheriff's brother Josh defends her honor and Dirk wants him to stay away from her and out of trouble. Of course, Dirk has to tell Celeste to leave his brother alone, which further fuels her to antagonize the sheriff on every occasion they meet. All that bickering is just foreplay for the roll in the hay that they both want to happen ... it's just a matter of time.
August 14, 2017
I had some minor doubts about this one after realizing the time period in which the story was constructed, the late1880s, and the fact the H's name was Dirk which made me think about Dirk Diggler from 'Boogie Nights', but I digress. Nevertheless, this was a really fun story.
I do love stories where the h and H don't get along, at first, and eventually they're fighting their attraction, and seemingly can't stay away from one another. Celeste and Dirk are a classic example of that. Celeste was not a push over by any means regardless of her profession. She rattled Dirk at every single turn that led to them having explosive chemistry you could feel. They were a match for one another and I loved that. Dirk had his moments I wanted to throttle him, but at the end of the day he was a western version of Mr. Darcy.
I think some more detail could have been added about the capture of one the antagonists Dirk had been after to heighten the suspense and action. But it was glossed over and then not brought back up until 97% mark of the book. There were also a few moments I had to suspend belief that most of the people in Buck Meadows would be so cool and accepting of their famed white sheriff marrying a black woman, in that day and time. The only real adversity Celeste and Dirk faced came from Dirk's racist father. Other than that, this was an easy read.
Will definitely check out more work by this author.
I do love stories where the h and H don't get along, at first, and eventually they're fighting their attraction, and seemingly can't stay away from one another. Celeste and Dirk are a classic example of that. Celeste was not a push over by any means regardless of her profession. She rattled Dirk at every single turn that led to them having explosive chemistry you could feel. They were a match for one another and I loved that. Dirk had his moments I wanted to throttle him, but at the end of the day he was a western version of Mr. Darcy.
I think some more detail could have been added about the capture of one the antagonists Dirk had been after to heighten the suspense and action. But it was glossed over and then not brought back up until 97% mark of the book. There were also a few moments I had to suspend belief that most of the people in Buck Meadows would be so cool and accepting of their famed white sheriff marrying a black woman, in that day and time. The only real adversity Celeste and Dirk faced came from Dirk's racist father. Other than that, this was an easy read.
Will definitely check out more work by this author.
September 25, 2018
I loved this story! Set about 15 years after the abolishment of slavery, the tale is of an engaged sheriff who falls for a beautiful French-Creole prostitute who works at the local saloon. The story is engaging, lots of heat you just really root for Celeste. I love that character. She's so reslient and fierce after suffering sexual assault, and losing a child, she finds it in herself to be independent fighting to survive with the cards dealt her. She uses her body and beauty basically to survive. It's heartbreaking, yet somewhat inspiring. Despite her past and what she does for a living, she doesn't run or push Sheriff Easton away. In fact, she's downright bold about what she wants in exchange for staying away from his little brother. He tries to deny his intense attraction for her, but it's too powerful to deny. Great read!
February 20, 2023
Great Read
First time reading a book from this author, a little apprehensive as I don't normally like the era. But to my surprise I enjoyed the story line and the elements the story line was about. Racism, family dynamics, and there is mention about abuse... the only criticism I do have is about Josh and Suzanne, where they all of a sudden have this hidden relationship that came out of nowhere, I would of liked to explore that a bit, but really enjoyed the book and would read another story from this author.
First time reading a book from this author, a little apprehensive as I don't normally like the era. But to my surprise I enjoyed the story line and the elements the story line was about. Racism, family dynamics, and there is mention about abuse... the only criticism I do have is about Josh and Suzanne, where they all of a sudden have this hidden relationship that came out of nowhere, I would of liked to explore that a bit, but really enjoyed the book and would read another story from this author.
January 7, 2022
Great book
Very romantic. Very sexy. Some things were historically wrong & too anachronistic to be believable.
First, interracial marriage was only outright banned in SOME states in the country. Interracial marriage has NEVER been illegal everywhere in all the United States. It was generally frowned upon & taboo by the 1890's Jim Crow era, b/c it was certainly not illegal everywhere. What the 1960's Loving vs. Virginia did was federally invalidate individual states' anti-miscegenation laws and ban individual states from ever being able to pass new anti-miscegenation laws again.
Second, and this is somewhat of a spoiler, there definitely no way Celeste, who was trying to separate her public image & reputation from that of prostitution, would get married in the brothel that she hated where she serviced the male clients that she hated over getting married in Dirk's beautiful house like she originally planned. When women left that life to get married & have a family, they left & never looked back and for good reason. A majority of ppl have to drink & get high to tolerate sex work LIKE CELESTE DID b/c it's seedy, dirty, dangerous, & degrading. Watch the movie "Pretty Baby" for reference. There was also the idea that she'd still dress in her prostitute clothing or wear a strapless wedding dress...she was trying to clean up her public reputation to protect Dirk's and his job as sheriff. I just found these elements of the story to be anachronistic & implausible for a woman of her time and situation. They also didn't fit for the respectable, normal home life she was trying to build w/ Dirk. They were coming from the land of third wave "sex positive" feminism, ignoring the fact that most women who leave sex work never want anything to do w/ it ever again.
There's no way in heck respectable middle-class black people like the black sheriff & his mother would attend a wedding in what amounted to a wh-rehouse. Black people do not have any greater societal acceptance for prostitution & drinking than white people, so let's not pretend they do - especially upper to middle class black people. So if Dirk's parents wouldn't be there, the black sheriff would've been there nor taken HIS MOTHER to a saloon where prostitutes work. Again, if prostitution is still considered seedy now, consider how it was viewed then. Then TRULY think if any man would bring his mother with him to a brothel for any reason whatsoever in the 1890's.
Very romantic. Very sexy. Some things were historically wrong & too anachronistic to be believable.
First, interracial marriage was only outright banned in SOME states in the country. Interracial marriage has NEVER been illegal everywhere in all the United States. It was generally frowned upon & taboo by the 1890's Jim Crow era, b/c it was certainly not illegal everywhere. What the 1960's Loving vs. Virginia did was federally invalidate individual states' anti-miscegenation laws and ban individual states from ever being able to pass new anti-miscegenation laws again.
Second, and this is somewhat of a spoiler, there definitely no way Celeste, who was trying to separate her public image & reputation from that of prostitution, would get married in the brothel that she hated where she serviced the male clients that she hated over getting married in Dirk's beautiful house like she originally planned. When women left that life to get married & have a family, they left & never looked back and for good reason. A majority of ppl have to drink & get high to tolerate sex work LIKE CELESTE DID b/c it's seedy, dirty, dangerous, & degrading. Watch the movie "Pretty Baby" for reference. There was also the idea that she'd still dress in her prostitute clothing or wear a strapless wedding dress...she was trying to clean up her public reputation to protect Dirk's and his job as sheriff. I just found these elements of the story to be anachronistic & implausible for a woman of her time and situation. They also didn't fit for the respectable, normal home life she was trying to build w/ Dirk. They were coming from the land of third wave "sex positive" feminism, ignoring the fact that most women who leave sex work never want anything to do w/ it ever again.
There's no way in heck respectable middle-class black people like the black sheriff & his mother would attend a wedding in what amounted to a wh-rehouse. Black people do not have any greater societal acceptance for prostitution & drinking than white people, so let's not pretend they do - especially upper to middle class black people. So if Dirk's parents wouldn't be there, the black sheriff would've been there nor taken HIS MOTHER to a saloon where prostitutes work. Again, if prostitution is still considered seedy now, consider how it was viewed then. Then TRULY think if any man would bring his mother with him to a brothel for any reason whatsoever in the 1890's.
January 11, 2023
I really liked Celeste but I did not like Dirk. He was very cruel to Celeste in the beginning and never really made amends. I also found the story to be pretty shallow, which was a shame. All in all I did enjoy the book, even if I wasn’t wowed.
May 9, 2025
3.00 Stars. (BW/WM). Kindle Unlimited 175 page e-book.
Setting: 1889 Buck Meadow, Kansas.
Trope: Sibling rivalry. Racial, social and economic bias.
Main characters:
1. Sheriff Dirk Easton, male lead, is the eldest son of the wealthiest and most influential ranchers in the area.
2. Celeste Lebeau, female lead, is a beautiful 22-year-0ld black mixed race prostitute female of French heritage. Celeste has been servicing the locals from the Golden Moon Saloon.
3. Josh Easton is Dirk's younger brother; although he has a platonic relationship with Celeste. he secretly loves Dirk's fiancee.
4. Gerald and Lila Easton are the parents of Dirk and Josh Easton.
5. Suzanne is Dirk's fiancee but she's secretly in love with Josh.
6. Miss Mabel is a Celeste's best friend and co-worker at the Saloon.
7. Big Jake Lincoln is a mean spirited bully, ruffian and all around bad guy.
The is short, interesting and well written. Celeste and her parents suffered a vigilante attack, her parents were killed and Celeste survived but left pregnant from the being raped by several the vigilantes. She gave birth to the child of her rapists but the baby died. Celeste developed a drinking habit as a result of self medicating and having to prostitute herself in order to survive. The author tells the story of how Dirk and Celeste fell in love, the extreme measures his father took to separate them and how his brother and his fiancee acknowledged their desire for each other. I did not like the third act break-up but all in all this is a well told story. In the end, all the couples in the story get a happy ever after, Gerald and Big Jake get jail time for their miss deeds.
Setting: 1889 Buck Meadow, Kansas.
Trope: Sibling rivalry. Racial, social and economic bias.
Main characters:
1. Sheriff Dirk Easton, male lead, is the eldest son of the wealthiest and most influential ranchers in the area.
2. Celeste Lebeau, female lead, is a beautiful 22-year-0ld black mixed race prostitute female of French heritage. Celeste has been servicing the locals from the Golden Moon Saloon.
3. Josh Easton is Dirk's younger brother; although he has a platonic relationship with Celeste. he secretly loves Dirk's fiancee.
4. Gerald and Lila Easton are the parents of Dirk and Josh Easton.
5. Suzanne is Dirk's fiancee but she's secretly in love with Josh.
6. Miss Mabel is a Celeste's best friend and co-worker at the Saloon.
7. Big Jake Lincoln is a mean spirited bully, ruffian and all around bad guy.
The is short, interesting and well written. Celeste and her parents suffered a vigilante attack, her parents were killed and Celeste survived but left pregnant from the being raped by several the vigilantes. She gave birth to the child of her rapists but the baby died. Celeste developed a drinking habit as a result of self medicating and having to prostitute herself in order to survive. The author tells the story of how Dirk and Celeste fell in love, the extreme measures his father took to separate them and how his brother and his fiancee acknowledged their desire for each other. I did not like the third act break-up but all in all this is a well told story. In the end, all the couples in the story get a happy ever after, Gerald and Big Jake get jail time for their miss deeds.
May 25, 2021
In the town of Buck Meadows, Kansas in the late 1800s, Dirk, the town sheriff and Celeste, a "working girl" cross paths. Dirk, a man who never rocks the boat and does everything by the book finds himself drawn to the new saloon girl in ways he never expected. Celeste is the new girl in town, trying to make a living the only way she believes a woman without family can. As a woman of color, there are even less options for her. With a tragic past and much pain, she dreams of leaving the life behind. When Dirk sees the new girl at the saloon, the sparks fly immediately. Soon, heat turns to fire and these two find themselves in a forbidden and dangerous love affair. Not only is Dirk engaged but he is a white man from a very prominent family and there are those who would do anything to keep them apart.
This was a very sweet, romantic and tragic read. I loved the story. It has a very nice flow and the characters were fun and interesting. Dirk and Celeste were about as different as two people could be at the time but as my Grandmother use to say,Love will find a way. Great read.
This was a very sweet, romantic and tragic read. I loved the story. It has a very nice flow and the characters were fun and interesting. Dirk and Celeste were about as different as two people could be at the time but as my Grandmother use to say,Love will find a way. Great read.
August 6, 2020
I am loving me some sheriff Dirk Easton. I wouldn’t mind living in Buck Meadows if the sherif was Dirk Easton. I see how Celeste wasn’t able to get her mind off the sheriff.
Dirk was the strong good guy who was always following the rules until he met Celeste who challenged in every aspect. Dirk fell in love instantly with Celeste even though she worked at the saloon, but her spunk and beauty wouldn’t allow him to ignore her. I liked how strong Celeste was and how she yearned for a home. I love how she and Dirk was back and forth arguing and stealing sweet glances and kisses until everything just blow up and their relationship was out in the open. I like how we witnessed their relationship develop and how Celeste fought for their life together after Dirk tried to prove his love in the most unselfish was possible. This book is a keeper and I will definitely be reading it again. Especially when I want some sheriff Dirk.
Dirk was the strong good guy who was always following the rules until he met Celeste who challenged in every aspect. Dirk fell in love instantly with Celeste even though she worked at the saloon, but her spunk and beauty wouldn’t allow him to ignore her. I liked how strong Celeste was and how she yearned for a home. I love how she and Dirk was back and forth arguing and stealing sweet glances and kisses until everything just blow up and their relationship was out in the open. I like how we witnessed their relationship develop and how Celeste fought for their life together after Dirk tried to prove his love in the most unselfish was possible. This book is a keeper and I will definitely be reading it again. Especially when I want some sheriff Dirk.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2017
I was excited when I came across this book. It started off really good then kind of lost it's fire with the constant back and forth between Celeste and Dirk. Then there was Dirk's younger brother Josh with whom he has a shaky relationship with, he has one last scolding from Celeste about standing up and stop trying to be his brother then we never hear about him again until it is mentioned that he has run off with Suzanne. Then there was the issue of Big Jake and his gang going around committing violent crimes/murder Dirk rides out to join another Sheriff to hunt them down then abruptly they were caught with nothing but a mere mention of it when Dirk made it back to Buck Meadows to be with Celeste. Overall this book had very good potential it just seemed like everything thing that happened was so rushed. Strong happenings with mediocre finishes. So I give it 2.5 stars
May 17, 2020
This Book😍
Oh my god I can't believe I've never read anything by this author before!How is that possible? I was looking for something different( no IR billionaires, secret babies, alpha this or that, etc.)and literally stumbled across this book.It was a wonderful story about a prostitute and a sheriff who fell in love.Even though I love spoilers I don't want to give anything away about this book.Celeste and Dirk are everything, and even though there are some really steamy scenes( thank god)it's still a really good story.Sometimes IR romance is just erotica with no real storyline, but that wasn't the case here.This book had a plot, and was very well written.Great job to the author!
Oh my god I can't believe I've never read anything by this author before!How is that possible? I was looking for something different( no IR billionaires, secret babies, alpha this or that, etc.)and literally stumbled across this book.It was a wonderful story about a prostitute and a sheriff who fell in love.Even though I love spoilers I don't want to give anything away about this book.Celeste and Dirk are everything, and even though there are some really steamy scenes( thank god)it's still a really good story.Sometimes IR romance is just erotica with no real storyline, but that wasn't the case here.This book had a plot, and was very well written.Great job to the author!
September 17, 2017
This is my review and how I see it. First read from author V.C. Taylor, Changing Brides is an old western version of Pretty Woman with a twist. Sheriff Dirk Easton has met his match in Celeste Lebeau. She challenges him like no other woman cannot even his fiancee. The problem is Celeste works as a Saloon girl at the Golden Moon. Celeste might have escaped his notice for a little bit more if his brother had not been fighting over her.
Will Sheriff Easton be able to resist the tempting Celeste Lebeau?
This was a good read, although I felt the author left something out in a certain area of the story.
This is my review and how I see it.
Will Sheriff Easton be able to resist the tempting Celeste Lebeau?
This was a good read, although I felt the author left something out in a certain area of the story.
This is my review and how I see it.
August 27, 2017
Ridiculous Storyline
This is a romance novel with a western theme. The lead male character Dirk is a well to do Sheriff and the female lead is Celeste who a mix race prostitute who falls in lust/love. The first half of the book is the constant back and forth...I want but I don't want you. There is no redeeming quality about Celeste she is not a nice person so who in their right mind would ever root for her to have a happy ending. Unfortunately this author does. I would not recommend this book, it's just not a good read.
This is a romance novel with a western theme. The lead male character Dirk is a well to do Sheriff and the female lead is Celeste who a mix race prostitute who falls in lust/love. The first half of the book is the constant back and forth...I want but I don't want you. There is no redeeming quality about Celeste she is not a nice person so who in their right mind would ever root for her to have a happy ending. Unfortunately this author does. I would not recommend this book, it's just not a good read.
March 17, 2018
Feisty, Tumultuous Love
Undeniable forbidden love!
Sheriff & Mademoiselle meet
hurling insults at each other
trying to ignore the heated
attraction drawing them together!
Full of sarcastic teasing the young
Mademoiselle meets her match!
This Sheriff demands law & order
By any means necessary! SO HOT!!!
Undeniable forbidden love!
Sheriff & Mademoiselle meet
hurling insults at each other
trying to ignore the heated
attraction drawing them together!
Full of sarcastic teasing the young
Mademoiselle meets her match!
This Sheriff demands law & order
By any means necessary! SO HOT!!!
September 19, 2021
A passionate enemies-to-lovers historical romance.
I loved this story!
Dirk, a straight-laced, rule abiding alpha male was not ready for Celeste, the irrepressible, seductive, alluring woman of the night. She was beautiful beyond compare and completely in charge of her sexuality. At first glance, he was addicted and flipped his whole world upside down to have what he desired most: her.
I loved this story!
Dirk, a straight-laced, rule abiding alpha male was not ready for Celeste, the irrepressible, seductive, alluring woman of the night. She was beautiful beyond compare and completely in charge of her sexuality. At first glance, he was addicted and flipped his whole world upside down to have what he desired most: her.
August 28, 2017
1st Time Reader
This is the first book I've read from this author and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I like his style and I like period pieces from time to time. I'll read more books from V.C.
This is the first book I've read from this author and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I like his style and I like period pieces from time to time. I'll read more books from V.C.
August 30, 2017
What a breath of refreshing air. strong heroine, funny content, alpha male but again she could hold her own. I enjoyed it. I'm sure there were errors but I didn't care because it was entertaining.
October 13, 2017
Ok Read
The premise of this story initially pulled me in but there was way too much bickering back and forth between the lead characters Dirk and Celeste. 40% of the book was just wasted on this. Once this couple admitted their feelings the book improved greatly.
The premise of this story initially pulled me in but there was way too much bickering back and forth between the lead characters Dirk and Celeste. 40% of the book was just wasted on this. Once this couple admitted their feelings the book improved greatly.
November 10, 2017
Undeniable chemistry and passion
I enjoyed reading this story between Dirk and Celeste. I got so tickled at the back and forth between them, plus the undeniable chemistry and passion. I was hesitant at first to read this book, but I'm so glad that I gave it a chance.
I enjoyed reading this story between Dirk and Celeste. I got so tickled at the back and forth between them, plus the undeniable chemistry and passion. I was hesitant at first to read this book, but I'm so glad that I gave it a chance.
December 7, 2017
I just loved it!!!
I just loved it!!! There has to be more. This is a cliffhanger. I really want to see Celeste's friend get married. I wanted to see more of characters in the book. I need more. This can't be the end.
I just loved it!!! There has to be more. This is a cliffhanger. I really want to see Celeste's friend get married. I wanted to see more of characters in the book. I need more. This can't be the end.
August 13, 2020
Quick romantic read
4 stars for the steamy discriptions during intimate moments, although it would have been more interesting if the brother did actually employ the lady of the evening , I would've liked a little more jealousy and friction between the brothers.
4 stars for the steamy discriptions during intimate moments, although it would have been more interesting if the brother did actually employ the lady of the evening , I would've liked a little more jealousy and friction between the brothers.
November 17, 2021
I really loved this story. It was hilarious and engaged me from the beginning to the end. I absolutely loved the well-written characters and their explosive chemistry. This is the first book I'm reading from the author. Will definitely read more going forward!
March 9, 2022
🥰🥰🥰
Great story with good characters and some really bad ones to!!! But a definite HEA. Some historical info that no matter how you one tells it, you still get angry at the way some people can be so visciously cruel and most inhuman to do the things they did to others.
Great story with good characters and some really bad ones to!!! But a definite HEA. Some historical info that no matter how you one tells it, you still get angry at the way some people can be so visciously cruel and most inhuman to do the things they did to others.
September 18, 2023
Awesome!
This was a beautiful love story! After overcoming all that she did and in the midst of it all, Dirk and Celeste managed to find each other and a love so real. It was achingly beautiful. Great job!
This was a beautiful love story! After overcoming all that she did and in the midst of it all, Dirk and Celeste managed to find each other and a love so real. It was achingly beautiful. Great job!
August 27, 2017
Engaging
A lesson about assumptions and prejudices that are very common for people to ignore. Celeste and Dirk rose above it and listened to their hearts desire.
A lesson about assumptions and prejudices that are very common for people to ignore. Celeste and Dirk rose above it and listened to their hearts desire.
October 16, 2017
The color of love!!
The was great story of love conquers all even through the heartache of the past. Dreams do come true all you have to is believe I
the impossible.
The was great story of love conquers all even through the heartache of the past. Dreams do come true all you have to is believe I
the impossible.
October 21, 2017
Mediocrity at its best. There was nothing special, interesting, new, or different about this story.
October 24, 2017
Pleasantly surprised by this one.
November 22, 2017
Wow!
Wow what a fantastic story. This was way better than I expected and not as predictable. I couldn't put it down until I finished. Bravo!
Wow what a fantastic story. This was way better than I expected and not as predictable. I couldn't put it down until I finished. Bravo!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews