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Runaway Brides #1
The Gunslinger's Vow
Three runaway brides
Determined to escape their fates
Flee West to find freedom that can only be had
in a cowboy's arms...
Alexandra Brighton spent the last five years in Boston, erasing all evidence of the wild frontier girl she used to be. Before she settles, she's determined to visit her childhood home one final time. But when she finds herself stranded far from civilization, she has no choice but to trust her safety to the tall, dark and decidedly dangerous bounty hunter, Malcolm Kincaid.
Now that Malcolm finally has the location of his brother's killer, he has no intention of wasting time protecting a pampered Eastern lady. But something about Alexandra speaks to the heart he long thought frozen—and her slow transformation from proper miss to wild-eyed beauty leaves him shaken. By the time they reach Montana, Malcolm must decide if seeking justice for past wrongs is worth losing a future with the woman he never expected to need...
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2018
83 people are currently reading
388 people want to read
About the author
Amy Sandas
116 books344 followersMy love of romance began one summer when I was thirteen and complained of boredom. I ended up with one of my mother's Barbara Cartland books and an obsessive interest that expanded from there. My affinity for writing began with sappy pre-teen poems and led to a Bachelor's degree with an emphasis on Creative Writing from the University of Minnesota--Twin Cities.
I love pizza, wine, and dark brooding heroes! With a husband, three kids, and two dogs at home, it can be difficult to find the time (and the motivation!) to write. But somehow the words keep showing up on the page. I am endlessly grateful to the many wonderful readers who enjoy my books and ask for more!
I love pizza, wine, and dark brooding heroes! With a husband, three kids, and two dogs at home, it can be difficult to find the time (and the motivation!) to write. But somehow the words keep showing up on the page. I am endlessly grateful to the many wonderful readers who enjoy my books and ask for more!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
July 10, 2022
I have read two of this author's Regency novels, and enjoyed both, so it pains me to opine that this, her foray into Western Romance, just doesn'tt quite reach the same standard. Firstly, I can't pinpoint it, but I just feels her Western voice/language lacks authenticity compared to what I deem as gold standards in this genre - Kaki Warner, Jo Goodman, and Maggie Osborne.
The novel starts off in Boston with Alexandra accepting the marriage proposal of a very eligible suitor, a politically ambitious gentleman of good stock. It is a sensible match only she finds herself having second thoughts about it as soon as she utters the agreement. She decides, she needs to find herself first, before she allow herself to be absorbed into a passionless marriage. Because this line of reasoning made so much sense, it was repeatedly emphasised throughout the book. Now, Alexandra's idea of finding herself is to hightail out of her aunt's refined Boston home without much ado and head West, back to her roots, back to Montana and her father.
Taciturn and perpetual loner by choice, bounty hounter Malcolm Kincaid is finally on the scent of his ultimate target, the man who killed his younger brother many years ago. Malcolm certainly has no interest in playing nursemaid to an out-of-her-depth Eastern lady, who has no business this far west and certainly not on her own. He turns down her request for him to act as her guide back to her Montana home. Unfortunately, he finds her a bit of a leech, hard to shake off, especially once she falls preys to robbers. He reluctantly agrees to allow her to tag along, as they are both heading in the same direction. Of course, their road trip becomes an eye opener for both, with Alex not quite the dainty, useless lady he thought her to be, and Malcolm not quite the lead-hearted man, he thought himself to be.
I have many issues with Alex. She irresponsibly ran out without word to her aunt who took her in and cared for her well. She treated her fiance dishonorably by disappearing on him just after agreeing of her own volition to marry him. He had done nothing wrong except that he was not her Mr. Right. She slept with the hero while still engaged to the other. I'm a bit morally righteous about such things. Overall, she was a fair bit muddled and inconsistent. Prime example, she didn't bring appropriate clothing to travel through the frontier terrain, because she wanted to show her father her fine lady-like clothing. Well, girl, can you make it your mind what you want? You left Boston because you missed the wildness and the freedom of Montanta, the freedom to race horses through the rugged landscape and live off the land like you used to, and so you bring dresses with 10 layers of petticoats to do these activities in?!
The hero was more appealing. I do like a gruff, tough alpha man of few words. However, the "she deserves better than him" line to keep her at an emotional distance (too late for keeping the physical distance) just got a bit tiring after a few repeats.
The novel feels like a Western Romance fan's enthusiastic homage to the genre, not quite masterful but nevertheless a passionate attempt. Sometimes perhaps too passionate and OTT like the final shootout.
And the name of the hated nemesis - the Belt-Buckle Kid? Really ???
This was an ARC provided by NetGalley.
The novel starts off in Boston with Alexandra accepting the marriage proposal of a very eligible suitor, a politically ambitious gentleman of good stock. It is a sensible match only she finds herself having second thoughts about it as soon as she utters the agreement. She decides, she needs to find herself first, before she allow herself to be absorbed into a passionless marriage. Because this line of reasoning made so much sense, it was repeatedly emphasised throughout the book. Now, Alexandra's idea of finding herself is to hightail out of her aunt's refined Boston home without much ado and head West, back to her roots, back to Montana and her father.
Taciturn and perpetual loner by choice, bounty hounter Malcolm Kincaid is finally on the scent of his ultimate target, the man who killed his younger brother many years ago. Malcolm certainly has no interest in playing nursemaid to an out-of-her-depth Eastern lady, who has no business this far west and certainly not on her own. He turns down her request for him to act as her guide back to her Montana home. Unfortunately, he finds her a bit of a leech, hard to shake off, especially once she falls preys to robbers. He reluctantly agrees to allow her to tag along, as they are both heading in the same direction. Of course, their road trip becomes an eye opener for both, with Alex not quite the dainty, useless lady he thought her to be, and Malcolm not quite the lead-hearted man, he thought himself to be.
I have many issues with Alex. She irresponsibly ran out without word to her aunt who took her in and cared for her well. She treated her fiance dishonorably by disappearing on him just after agreeing of her own volition to marry him. He had done nothing wrong except that he was not her Mr. Right. She slept with the hero while still engaged to the other. I'm a bit morally righteous about such things. Overall, she was a fair bit muddled and inconsistent. Prime example, she didn't bring appropriate clothing to travel through the frontier terrain, because she wanted to show her father her fine lady-like clothing. Well, girl, can you make it your mind what you want? You left Boston because you missed the wildness and the freedom of Montanta, the freedom to race horses through the rugged landscape and live off the land like you used to, and so you bring dresses with 10 layers of petticoats to do these activities in?!
The hero was more appealing. I do like a gruff, tough alpha man of few words. However, the "she deserves better than him" line to keep her at an emotional distance (too late for keeping the physical distance) just got a bit tiring after a few repeats.
The novel feels like a Western Romance fan's enthusiastic homage to the genre, not quite masterful but nevertheless a passionate attempt. Sometimes perhaps too passionate and OTT like the final shootout.
And the name of the hated nemesis - the Belt-Buckle Kid? Really ???
This was an ARC provided by NetGalley.
June 4, 2018
4.5 stars
Alexandra has been trying to keep herself from going back home, returning to a life style that she was pushed away from. Learning to cover up her carefully crafted skills to attend balls and prove herself to be a good potential wife. Her past life has never been discussed or dealt with, causing Alex an extreme amount of discomfort and pain. Facing a new fear Alex decides to tackle her past and she does it very well.
Life has harden Malcolm in a way that makes him believe he has no right no happiness or no love to give. Being a bounty hunter is all he knows, learning to track down the people responsible for turn his life upside down will lead Malcolm to trust and love someone. Fate delivered another cruel twist before his thirst for revenge could be satisfied.
Malcolm and Alex have a very sparky relationship, they both love a good sparing and will never back down to anyone or each other. Once she proved to be stubborn and relentless in her pursuits Malcolm had no choice to provide what she needed. They truly had to battle, hunters to survive and themselves to form the relationship they both wanted so badly. Ms. Sandas’ novel had me reading at all hours of the day and night, wanting to see how it all unfolded; she did not disappoint. The primary focus was Malcolm and Alex while the secondary characters added their elements of anger and distrust, hope and love to the story. Gunslinger’s Vow will be one of my top reads for 2018, I cannot wait to read about the two remaining brides.
August 28, 2019
I enjoyed this, quite a lot actually. If you have liked other works by Amy Sandas, I recommend.
Both Malcolm and Alex were true to themselves. Malcolm was a hard man who has experienced pain and lived for revenge, but he was honest with himself when he started thinking of more and honest with Alex that he could not offer it. Alex was officially betrothed to another when she gave both her body and her heart to Malcolm, but it did not bother me. Her trip home was about finding who she was, and she quickly determined her place was not by the side of her Boston fiance. She was a woman who ran deep, and I liked her exceedingly well. I always enjoy a heroine who can think and take care of herself.
I don't think the story is exactly historically accurate nor does it have the feel of many westerns; but if you like to escape and vicariously embark on an adventure, this will do it.
Both Malcolm and Alex were true to themselves. Malcolm was a hard man who has experienced pain and lived for revenge, but he was honest with himself when he started thinking of more and honest with Alex that he could not offer it. Alex was officially betrothed to another when she gave both her body and her heart to Malcolm, but it did not bother me. Her trip home was about finding who she was, and she quickly determined her place was not by the side of her Boston fiance. She was a woman who ran deep, and I liked her exceedingly well. I always enjoy a heroine who can think and take care of herself.
I don't think the story is exactly historically accurate nor does it have the feel of many westerns; but if you like to escape and vicariously embark on an adventure, this will do it.
May 4, 2018
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Her father sent her east to Boston be refined, live the life of an elegant lady and for five years, Alexandra Brighton tried. It was the oh-so-proper marriage proposal that finally awoke Alex to the realization, she wasn’t sure who she was anymore and she needed to know that before she would carve her future in stone. She was far from the wilds of Montana, where she had felt alive and she needed to go home, just one more time. Was she running away from the passionless marriage she had committed to or was she running to something more?
Summoning the fire she had kept leashed in Boston, she approaches, Malcolm Kincaid, bounty hunter to escort her across the country. He emphatically says no, but Alex will not be thwarted and finds herself abandoned in the middle of nowhere until she sees a campfire. That fire belonged to Malcolm, a man with a score to settle, a man who wanted nothing to do with someone so far out of her depth. But is she? Alex has her own secrets, including the nightmare that forced her to leave Montana. Theirs will be a journey of discovery that won’t end in Montana, because what they both need will follow them wherever they go.
THE GUNSLINGER’S VOW by Amy Sandas starts out with a bang! A fierce woman on a mission, a mysterious and powerful loner caught up in her spell and the sparks that fly between them promise a passionate tale of romance. I just felt the romance took too long to develop and at points, the story dragged just a little too much for me. Instead of anticipating what will happen next, I found myself wanting them to move along.
An entertaining read, just a little too drawn out for me.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Sourcebooks Casablanca!
Series: Runaway Brides - Book 1
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (June 5, 2018)
Publication Date: June 5, 2018
Genre: Historical Western Romance
Print Length: 416 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Her father sent her east to Boston be refined, live the life of an elegant lady and for five years, Alexandra Brighton tried. It was the oh-so-proper marriage proposal that finally awoke Alex to the realization, she wasn’t sure who she was anymore and she needed to know that before she would carve her future in stone. She was far from the wilds of Montana, where she had felt alive and she needed to go home, just one more time. Was she running away from the passionless marriage she had committed to or was she running to something more?
Summoning the fire she had kept leashed in Boston, she approaches, Malcolm Kincaid, bounty hunter to escort her across the country. He emphatically says no, but Alex will not be thwarted and finds herself abandoned in the middle of nowhere until she sees a campfire. That fire belonged to Malcolm, a man with a score to settle, a man who wanted nothing to do with someone so far out of her depth. But is she? Alex has her own secrets, including the nightmare that forced her to leave Montana. Theirs will be a journey of discovery that won’t end in Montana, because what they both need will follow them wherever they go.
THE GUNSLINGER’S VOW by Amy Sandas starts out with a bang! A fierce woman on a mission, a mysterious and powerful loner caught up in her spell and the sparks that fly between them promise a passionate tale of romance. I just felt the romance took too long to develop and at points, the story dragged just a little too much for me. Instead of anticipating what will happen next, I found myself wanting them to move along.
An entertaining read, just a little too drawn out for me.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Sourcebooks Casablanca!
Series: Runaway Brides - Book 1
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (June 5, 2018)
Publication Date: June 5, 2018
Genre: Historical Western Romance
Print Length: 416 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News: http://tometender.blogspot.com
July 10, 2022
1.5 stars
June 9, 2018
Amazing talent! Amy Sandas has certainly established herself as a historical western romance author extraordinaire. Alexandra Brighton finds herself in a big pickle when she's robbed and left stranded in the middle of nowhere. Malcolm Kincaid wants nothing to do with a spoiled heiress. He'll take her to the nearest town and that would be that. Only........
The chemistry between these two will shake you and leave you wanting more. This story seeped into my soul and left such a deep yearning. I want a man like Malcolm. He's tall, dark, and very, very dangerous. Everyone knows that except Alex. She's glimpsed his softer side and peeked inside his heart and she wants him. Oh yeah, she really wants him! Run, don't walk, and get this book. You'll see what I'm talking about and you'll be anxiously waiting for each book in this series the minute it comes out.
The chemistry between these two will shake you and leave you wanting more. This story seeped into my soul and left such a deep yearning. I want a man like Malcolm. He's tall, dark, and very, very dangerous. Everyone knows that except Alex. She's glimpsed his softer side and peeked inside his heart and she wants him. Oh yeah, she really wants him! Run, don't walk, and get this book. You'll see what I'm talking about and you'll be anxiously waiting for each book in this series the minute it comes out.
August 23, 2018
This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
*May Contain Spoilers*
Gunslinger's Vow is the first book in Amy Sandas' new series "Runaway Brides" and boy was I surprised to see that she ventured out from regency romance and to historical westerns...because I rarely see that happen anymore. And for those fans of westerns...I can tell you right now she CONQUERED this genre....I never felt like anything was missing or that there was a lack of research, it flowed so smoothly and I was fascinated with this "on the road adventure" trope she ventured out with.
Our delicious tale begins with our heroine, Alexandra Brighton. Alexandra grew up being raised in Montana, and traveling the wild west with her father. But when she was fifteen, an event occurred that terrified her and pushed her father to send her to Boston to live with her aunt. And now its been five years, and Alexandra has changed into a woman she barely recognizes anymore. When she finds herself engaged to a man that she barely knows, she can't continue with the facade anymore. So she leaves everything in Boston, to go find her father in Montana.
Malcolm Kincaid, is on the hunt for his brother's murderer. He has been hunting for them for eight long years, and he is down to one man left, who has evaded his searches but now he has a clue onto his whereabouts and nothing and no one will stop him from having his revenge. What Malcolm doesn't count on is a determined young woman who makes him wish for more than he can have.Alexandra's stagecoach, breaks down and she finds herself stranded in Wyoming with no funds and no people she knows. She is told of a bounty hunter who is traveling to Montana and could help her out. So she enters the saloon of Rock Springs, and finds herself in a more dangerous situation that she ever planned on. She finds Malcolm, and he has no desire to help her out, and even though she senses how dangerous he could be, she knows he would be the best man for the job and she refuses to give up. But then she receives another offer and soon she finds out how dangerous and manipulative people can be and finds herself in the wilderness....alone with nothing but the clothes on her back. But then she stumbles across Malcolm and his fire and somehow convinces him to allow her to travel with him.
Malcolm has no idea how this woman has convinced him....a bad boy bounty hunter, to let her travel with him. But Malcolm does have a sense of honor and it doesn't allow him to let an innocent woman to be stranded in the middle of no where. As they travel to Montana together, the danger increases to them, and Malcolm's enemies are hunting him just as he is hunting them. But what he doesn't expect is that the woman he is supposed to be protecting is just as capable as he is and doesn't back down from a fight and has more courage and spirit than you would expect from a Boston woman. Will the road that Malcolm and Alexandra are on lead them in unexpected way including....love?
This story was packed with so much fantastic goodness that I couldn't help but be swept away in this romance...and man I LOVED everything about this book. The characters...the setting....the romance, this blew my mind in ways I didn't expect. This is one of those books that you can stay up late reading, because I know I stayed up way too late reading this one here and boy I just went through this story SO QUICKLY...I didn't expect that. I have really enjoyed reading Amy Sandas over the past few years, however, this was the first time I was so engaged that I couldn't put it down. I feel like this is one of her best works and its a WESTERN...so this makes my heart happy in more ways that just one.
The characters in this book are phenomenal, there is so much depth to them and I loved seeing the hidden qualities that we don't see at first. With each new adventure, we get a new layer of their personalities revealed. The heroine especially, I feel, is the center of this story. She goes through so much here and she is on a quest of finding herself, of reconnecting with her past and seeing what she is made of. We do see her deal with a past trauma, of defending herself and how that has haunted her. We see her courage and strength and man she can KICK BOOTY y'all. She is just wonderful, and anyone that can fight off a mountain lion with just a stick and attitude goes up a notch?
The hero is wonderful, but we don't see quite as much of him as I would have liked. We see a strong man, that is just surviving on his vengeance and nothing else and discovers that there is more to life than just surviving and Alexandra teaches him about the "more" that you can live for and that its worth fighting for. Malcolm and Alexandra make such a great fighting team, they are both good people who have lost their way and finding themselves along the way of finding each other. The hero is really closes off at times, but there is chemistry and true emotion that builds gradually and we see this slow burn romance take a fiery turn in such a delicious way.
Overall I found A Gunslinger's Vow to be a story that sweeps you off your feet in adventure, fighting for your life and finding love in the most unexpected ways. A tale of redemption, healing and discovery and most of all LOVE!! A ROMANTIC TALE TO WIN YOUR HEART!!
[foogallery id="59251"]
*May Contain Spoilers*
Gunslinger's Vow is the first book in Amy Sandas' new series "Runaway Brides" and boy was I surprised to see that she ventured out from regency romance and to historical westerns...because I rarely see that happen anymore. And for those fans of westerns...I can tell you right now she CONQUERED this genre....I never felt like anything was missing or that there was a lack of research, it flowed so smoothly and I was fascinated with this "on the road adventure" trope she ventured out with.
Our delicious tale begins with our heroine, Alexandra Brighton. Alexandra grew up being raised in Montana, and traveling the wild west with her father. But when she was fifteen, an event occurred that terrified her and pushed her father to send her to Boston to live with her aunt. And now its been five years, and Alexandra has changed into a woman she barely recognizes anymore. When she finds herself engaged to a man that she barely knows, she can't continue with the facade anymore. So she leaves everything in Boston, to go find her father in Montana.
She didn't want to just survive anymore. She wanted to live. To take risks and be free.
Malcolm Kincaid, is on the hunt for his brother's murderer. He has been hunting for them for eight long years, and he is down to one man left, who has evaded his searches but now he has a clue onto his whereabouts and nothing and no one will stop him from having his revenge. What Malcolm doesn't count on is a determined young woman who makes him wish for more than he can have.Alexandra's stagecoach, breaks down and she finds herself stranded in Wyoming with no funds and no people she knows. She is told of a bounty hunter who is traveling to Montana and could help her out. So she enters the saloon of Rock Springs, and finds herself in a more dangerous situation that she ever planned on. She finds Malcolm, and he has no desire to help her out, and even though she senses how dangerous he could be, she knows he would be the best man for the job and she refuses to give up. But then she receives another offer and soon she finds out how dangerous and manipulative people can be and finds herself in the wilderness....alone with nothing but the clothes on her back. But then she stumbles across Malcolm and his fire and somehow convinces him to allow her to travel with him.
Her steps faltered. What kind of stupid sheep walked right up to the alpha wolf? Appearently...this one did.
Malcolm has no idea how this woman has convinced him....a bad boy bounty hunter, to let her travel with him. But Malcolm does have a sense of honor and it doesn't allow him to let an innocent woman to be stranded in the middle of no where. As they travel to Montana together, the danger increases to them, and Malcolm's enemies are hunting him just as he is hunting them. But what he doesn't expect is that the woman he is supposed to be protecting is just as capable as he is and doesn't back down from a fight and has more courage and spirit than you would expect from a Boston woman. Will the road that Malcolm and Alexandra are on lead them in unexpected way including....love?
Right now...I need you more than life itself.
This story was packed with so much fantastic goodness that I couldn't help but be swept away in this romance...and man I LOVED everything about this book. The characters...the setting....the romance, this blew my mind in ways I didn't expect. This is one of those books that you can stay up late reading, because I know I stayed up way too late reading this one here and boy I just went through this story SO QUICKLY...I didn't expect that. I have really enjoyed reading Amy Sandas over the past few years, however, this was the first time I was so engaged that I couldn't put it down. I feel like this is one of her best works and its a WESTERN...so this makes my heart happy in more ways that just one.
The characters in this book are phenomenal, there is so much depth to them and I loved seeing the hidden qualities that we don't see at first. With each new adventure, we get a new layer of their personalities revealed. The heroine especially, I feel, is the center of this story. She goes through so much here and she is on a quest of finding herself, of reconnecting with her past and seeing what she is made of. We do see her deal with a past trauma, of defending herself and how that has haunted her. We see her courage and strength and man she can KICK BOOTY y'all. She is just wonderful, and anyone that can fight off a mountain lion with just a stick and attitude goes up a notch?
The only thing that mattered was this man. This harsh and competent man with his unwavering strength and rugged nobility, and his own silent pain. This man who admitted to a lack of tenderness even as he made her feel more cherished and safe than she'd felt in a long time.
The hero is wonderful, but we don't see quite as much of him as I would have liked. We see a strong man, that is just surviving on his vengeance and nothing else and discovers that there is more to life than just surviving and Alexandra teaches him about the "more" that you can live for and that its worth fighting for. Malcolm and Alexandra make such a great fighting team, they are both good people who have lost their way and finding themselves along the way of finding each other. The hero is really closes off at times, but there is chemistry and true emotion that builds gradually and we see this slow burn romance take a fiery turn in such a delicious way.
He had every intention of giving her more. Until she was limp and exhausted and so damned satisfied she'd sleep through the morning and awake with memories of love burned so deep in her soul she'd never forget him. Because he'd never forget her. Not for the rest of his life...however long that proved to be.
Overall I found A Gunslinger's Vow to be a story that sweeps you off your feet in adventure, fighting for your life and finding love in the most unexpected ways. A tale of redemption, healing and discovery and most of all LOVE!! A ROMANTIC TALE TO WIN YOUR HEART!!
Home is wherever we are, Malcolm. Our future together is as wide open as the Montana sky.
[foogallery id="59251"]
June 4, 2018
Alexandra Brighton has just accepted a marriage proposal from Peter Shaw, a member of one of the most prominent families in Boston. This proposal is everything her aunt has hoped for her since she came to live with her 5 years ago. But the instead of being overjoyed, she feels like she has made a horrible mistake and suddenly longs to go home to Montana. She askes her two dearest friends for help and sets out alone.
Malcolm Kincaid is a bounty hunter, but he has only one true goal in life - to hunt down and kill the man that murdered his younger brother. So when a fancy dressed woman enters the saloon in Wyoming asking for help - he has no problem saying no.
But fate isn't done with these two, when Alex is robbed and abandoned in the wilderness, she happens upon Malcolm. He agrees to take her as far as the next town - period. She uses their time together to try and change his mind and eventually succeeds.
As they travel together, their mutual attraction builds and Alex knows that she cannot marry Peter and plans to send him a letter once she reaches her father's home. When men hunting Malcolm attack, Alex saves him, but not before he is shot. She tends his wounds and nurses him back to health. He is shocked at how resourceful and competent she is and askes about her past. Slowly they learn each other's secrets (well most of them) and Malcolm makes it clear that he has no place in his life for a wife until he avenges his brother. Finally their attraction can no longer be denied and Alex pushes when Malcolm tries to be honorable. They both acknowledge their feelings to themselves and know that their time together is ending.
When they finally reach her father's home - Alex is shocked and hurt to learn how much her father has kept from her the last five years and Malcolm learns that he and Alex have more in common than he thought. On their last night together, he tells her he loves her, because if he doesn't make it back from his quest, he wants her to know. Alex is fuming when she learns that Malcolm left and refuses to be left behind. But will she arrive in time??
This was an entertaining read, the book is well written and is chocked full of action, adventure, gun fights, sexual tension and lots and lots of secrets. I did feel like it dragged a bit in the middle and the ending felt a little rushed, but overall I enjoyed the book and would be happy to recommend!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher*
Malcolm Kincaid is a bounty hunter, but he has only one true goal in life - to hunt down and kill the man that murdered his younger brother. So when a fancy dressed woman enters the saloon in Wyoming asking for help - he has no problem saying no.
But fate isn't done with these two, when Alex is robbed and abandoned in the wilderness, she happens upon Malcolm. He agrees to take her as far as the next town - period. She uses their time together to try and change his mind and eventually succeeds.
As they travel together, their mutual attraction builds and Alex knows that she cannot marry Peter and plans to send him a letter once she reaches her father's home. When men hunting Malcolm attack, Alex saves him, but not before he is shot. She tends his wounds and nurses him back to health. He is shocked at how resourceful and competent she is and askes about her past. Slowly they learn each other's secrets (well most of them) and Malcolm makes it clear that he has no place in his life for a wife until he avenges his brother. Finally their attraction can no longer be denied and Alex pushes when Malcolm tries to be honorable. They both acknowledge their feelings to themselves and know that their time together is ending.
When they finally reach her father's home - Alex is shocked and hurt to learn how much her father has kept from her the last five years and Malcolm learns that he and Alex have more in common than he thought. On their last night together, he tells her he loves her, because if he doesn't make it back from his quest, he wants her to know. Alex is fuming when she learns that Malcolm left and refuses to be left behind. But will she arrive in time??
This was an entertaining read, the book is well written and is chocked full of action, adventure, gun fights, sexual tension and lots and lots of secrets. I did feel like it dragged a bit in the middle and the ending felt a little rushed, but overall I enjoyed the book and would be happy to recommend!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher*
November 23, 2018
This was a really cute historical romance. Even though it took almost 250 pages to get a kiss between the H and h, the book was still good and kept my interest. I was interested to see where the book was going. Definitely a slow burn romance but a very sweet love story. Malcolm was protective of Alexandra but still allowed her to be an independent woman, who is very capable of taking care of herself.
Recommend!
Recommend!
May 27, 2025
Tropes: Runaway Heroine, Road Trip, Forced Proximity, Protector
Steam: 2
Steam: 2
November 26, 2019
Whoa! I loved this book SO much! This was my first Amy Sandas book and won’t be my last. I’ve always wanted to try her westerns and it didn’t disappoint. The beginning was a bit slow just because a lot was being set up, but once these two get moving- and especially when they get to the abandoned cabin- things heat up quite nicely! I loved that this was a slow burn with the characters really truly falling in love at the cabin. There was great sexual chemistry and build up that you just wanted them to kiss already! It takes awhile, but it’s so worth it. I love when you can feel their love. And it was hot! Loved Malcom so much!
Also, the heroine Alex was great. Our hero assumes at first that because she’s lived in Boston, that she’s not able to take care of herself out west... oh how wrong he was!
Oh and sidebar: there’s a scene where she shaves his face y’all! Oh the longing! The yearning! ❤️❤️❤️
Can NOT wait to continue on with book 2!
Also, the heroine Alex was great. Our hero assumes at first that because she’s lived in Boston, that she’s not able to take care of herself out west... oh how wrong he was!
Oh and sidebar: there’s a scene where she shaves his face y’all! Oh the longing! The yearning! ❤️❤️❤️
Can NOT wait to continue on with book 2!
September 14, 2019
A wonderful, wonderful story that I just couldn't read fast enough! The hero was PERFECT. There are so many new authors out there that really need to take note of how Amy Sandas creates perfect heroes, alpha and/beta, without making them into mean, arrogant assholes. This gunslinger of a hero was the perfect amount of stoic, dangerously serious, tough, protective even when he didn't want to be, thoughtful and sensitive without looking weak and sappy, and fell in love despite how hard he tried to avoid it. The heroine was also a perfect amount of brave, sassy, knew when to speak up AND to back down, not a lazy princess bone in her body and she knew what she wanted and went for it. This is my third book by Amy Sandas and I have to say 2 out of 3 have been 5-stars, but all of them have been exciting, slow slow burns that take awhile to build and then erupt into emotion-filled, super steamy scenes towards the end. Just perfect. Love you, Amy Sandas!! :)
February 18, 2019
1.5 stars. I wanted to find another Western series to love, but unfortunately, this is not the right one for me. The characters were cliche to the extreme and I could not find one original element. The blurb summarized up everything quite nicely. Emotionally stunted H, all too emotionally available h, and too many heated looks, bodily tingles, and intimate scenes. If I didn't know better, I would've thought this was written during the bodice ripper days.
Safety
Safety
June 8, 2018
The Gunslinger's Vow is the first book in the Runaway Brides series by Amy Sandas. After reading it I know that I will definitely be reading the future books as well.
Alexandra Brighton was brought up in the West, but circumstances saw her father sending her East to Boston where her aunt taught her to hide her unladylike ways, and during 5 years made her into a lady that society would love. The problem was that Alex didn't know if she wanted to be that lady, or if she should just go back West to her father. After a betrothal to a prominent man in Boston, Alex decides she can't decide if she has done the right thing or not, and in a panic, she packs a bag and runs away only leaving a letter. She is going back west so that she can finally decide who she really is and where she wants to live.
Malcolm Kincaid is a bounty hunter, but over the years he has also had his own agenda, that of searching for and killing the man who put a bullet through his brother's heart. The fugitive has managed to stay elusive, but finally, Malcolm finds out the real name of the killer and knows that he lives in Montana. He is in a saloon having a drink before heading out. The same saloon that Alex walks into with every intention of finding the bounty hunter she heard was in there. Realising what a dangerous journey she was taking upon herself, travelling alone, she wants to hire him to see her safely cross-country to her father. It's just fortunate that they are heading in the same direction.
At first, he doesn't agree, but the pair are destined to take the journey together and it isn't long before Alex realises that he has no choice but to take her to Montana. They both have secrets and agendas and although they don't get along well, to begin with, they soon find that so much time spent together has them not only lusting after each other but also thinking of their future, a future that neither are sure is possible. One, in fact, that Malcolm just can't see happening, not when it would put Alex in danger from the men seeking vengeance from the family and friends of people he has either killed or put in jail.
The attraction between the couple was almost palpable, the build-up that the author portrayed of them fighting the attraction then to finally give in to that first hot passionate kiss was amazing. I felt like doing a happy dance at that wonderful moment. I thought it would never happen!
Their budding romance, the doubt of their future together, coupled with the excitement of them trying to reach Montana safely captured me from the very first pages of this book. I couldn't read quickly enough to see how our couple could work things out so that they would have a believable happy ending. I am pleased to say that the ending was perfect and left me with a smile on my face.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book
Alexandra Brighton was brought up in the West, but circumstances saw her father sending her East to Boston where her aunt taught her to hide her unladylike ways, and during 5 years made her into a lady that society would love. The problem was that Alex didn't know if she wanted to be that lady, or if she should just go back West to her father. After a betrothal to a prominent man in Boston, Alex decides she can't decide if she has done the right thing or not, and in a panic, she packs a bag and runs away only leaving a letter. She is going back west so that she can finally decide who she really is and where she wants to live.
Malcolm Kincaid is a bounty hunter, but over the years he has also had his own agenda, that of searching for and killing the man who put a bullet through his brother's heart. The fugitive has managed to stay elusive, but finally, Malcolm finds out the real name of the killer and knows that he lives in Montana. He is in a saloon having a drink before heading out. The same saloon that Alex walks into with every intention of finding the bounty hunter she heard was in there. Realising what a dangerous journey she was taking upon herself, travelling alone, she wants to hire him to see her safely cross-country to her father. It's just fortunate that they are heading in the same direction.
At first, he doesn't agree, but the pair are destined to take the journey together and it isn't long before Alex realises that he has no choice but to take her to Montana. They both have secrets and agendas and although they don't get along well, to begin with, they soon find that so much time spent together has them not only lusting after each other but also thinking of their future, a future that neither are sure is possible. One, in fact, that Malcolm just can't see happening, not when it would put Alex in danger from the men seeking vengeance from the family and friends of people he has either killed or put in jail.
The attraction between the couple was almost palpable, the build-up that the author portrayed of them fighting the attraction then to finally give in to that first hot passionate kiss was amazing. I felt like doing a happy dance at that wonderful moment. I thought it would never happen!
Their budding romance, the doubt of their future together, coupled with the excitement of them trying to reach Montana safely captured me from the very first pages of this book. I couldn't read quickly enough to see how our couple could work things out so that they would have a believable happy ending. I am pleased to say that the ending was perfect and left me with a smile on my face.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book
Read
March 27, 2022Review also available at The Smut Report.
Heat Factor: This burn is slow, but once it gets going, we’ve got a full-on conflagration
Character Chemistry: Extremely stoic men are hard to develop chemistry with, but our heroine manages it
Plot: Woman runs west to find herself, finds true love in the process
Overall: Based on the first chapter, I thought I would hate this book, but I ended up really enjoying it
In a recent review, I lamented my inability to find authors writing good Westerns right now. Luckily for me, a friend lent me this book by Amy Sandas, so I can say: I found one!
Malcolm is a pretty standard extreme stoic Wild West hero. He’s on the trail of a bad bad man – but it’s personal. He has spent the last eight years of his life seeking vengeance (or justice?) for the death of his brother (with a side hustle in bounty hunting, naturally), and is therefore a loner who fully expects to die violently in the not too far off future. Having lived so long on the fringes of society, doing nothing but courting revenge and killing bad guys, he believes he’s no longer suitable to settle down, and until Alexandra shows up, had forgotten that he once wanted to. He is stoic all the way down, so the reader gets way less insight into his mind than we do for the heroine (more on her in a second), but… it works. We get just enough that we can see the way his opinion of the heroine evolves, from annoyance to grudging respect to full-on respect and desire.
He also has a standard arc. He wants to be left alone, and refuses to help Alexandra when she first walks into a saloon asking for an escort. But then she really gets stuck in a tight spot, and he’s her only option, so he reluctantly agrees to escort her to Montana. On the way, they run into some bad guys, and through their various adventures the pair find true love.
What makes this book really work for me is Alexandra. If Malcolm is a standard hero, Alex is not quite the standard heroine. Now, the book starts off with the classic Western trope of naive eastern city girl out of her depth in the Wild Wild West. And really, Alex’s reasons for running off to Montana from her cushy life in Boston seem ridiculous – she gets engaged, feels smothered, and decides she needs to find herself by revisiting her childhood one last time. She does the thing where she shows up in a saloon wearing fancy traveling clothes and gets robbed, etc. Insert extreme eye rolling here.
However, Alex is not fully the eastern Miss she first appears to be. She didn’t just grow up in Montana, she grew up roughing it in Montana with her father and no one else, so she has all kinds of skills (you know… hunting skills, sharpshooting skills, herbal remedy skills…). What really works, though, is that Sandas reveals the extent of Alex’s abilities slowly, as they become necessary for her continued survival. In addition, as Alex allows more of her western self to resurface, she becomes increasingly desirable – and one way that Sandas tracks that is through Malcolm noting the way Alex smells.
I may have noticed the evolution of Alex’s scent because I read a recent piece by Kate Clayborn about smells in romance novels shortly before I picked up The Gunslinger’s Vow. While the piece is mainly focused on what it means to “smell like MAN” (if you’re interested in what MAN smells like, the Male Scent Catalogue is pretty amazeballs), she does touch on traditionally feminine smells as well. Clayborn writes:
Alex starts off smelling like honeysuckle – a nice, delicate floral scent that goes with her East Coast Society persona. But then, there’s a scene where she and Malcolm eat dinner together, and she drinks some whiskey with him to toast his agreement to taking her on to Montana, and Malcolm specifically notes the smell of whiskey on her breath – and finds it attractive. Later, after she has proven her competence more completely, she smells “earthy and fresh,” and Malcolm’s desire increases even more. Alex doesn’t smell delicate and ornamental and nourishing; she smells like nature and strength and competence, and I found this whole dynamic sooooooo refreshing.
Alex’s journey is not just about returning to her childhood home and asserting her competence and becoming more attractive to the hero. On a deeper level, it is about facing the traumatic experience that exiled her from the West in the first place, and her decision to live in a manner that is true to herself. She overcomes her past in a way that’s all about her (not Malcolm saving her). Part of that process is explicitly through refusing to live by others’ standards and embracing freedom. Recapping it makes it sound cheesy, but Sandas builds this process slowly, and in her hands Alex’s journey feels empowering.
The evolution of Alex’s character, combined with a truly hot slow burn romance, meant that this romance was something special. If you’re interested in Westerns, check out Amy Sandas. You’re welcome.
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Heat Factor: This burn is slow, but once it gets going, we’ve got a full-on conflagration
Character Chemistry: Extremely stoic men are hard to develop chemistry with, but our heroine manages it
Plot: Woman runs west to find herself, finds true love in the process
Overall: Based on the first chapter, I thought I would hate this book, but I ended up really enjoying it
In a recent review, I lamented my inability to find authors writing good Westerns right now. Luckily for me, a friend lent me this book by Amy Sandas, so I can say: I found one!
Malcolm is a pretty standard extreme stoic Wild West hero. He’s on the trail of a bad bad man – but it’s personal. He has spent the last eight years of his life seeking vengeance (or justice?) for the death of his brother (with a side hustle in bounty hunting, naturally), and is therefore a loner who fully expects to die violently in the not too far off future. Having lived so long on the fringes of society, doing nothing but courting revenge and killing bad guys, he believes he’s no longer suitable to settle down, and until Alexandra shows up, had forgotten that he once wanted to. He is stoic all the way down, so the reader gets way less insight into his mind than we do for the heroine (more on her in a second), but… it works. We get just enough that we can see the way his opinion of the heroine evolves, from annoyance to grudging respect to full-on respect and desire.
He also has a standard arc. He wants to be left alone, and refuses to help Alexandra when she first walks into a saloon asking for an escort. But then she really gets stuck in a tight spot, and he’s her only option, so he reluctantly agrees to escort her to Montana. On the way, they run into some bad guys, and through their various adventures the pair find true love.
What makes this book really work for me is Alexandra. If Malcolm is a standard hero, Alex is not quite the standard heroine. Now, the book starts off with the classic Western trope of naive eastern city girl out of her depth in the Wild Wild West. And really, Alex’s reasons for running off to Montana from her cushy life in Boston seem ridiculous – she gets engaged, feels smothered, and decides she needs to find herself by revisiting her childhood one last time. She does the thing where she shows up in a saloon wearing fancy traveling clothes and gets robbed, etc. Insert extreme eye rolling here.
However, Alex is not fully the eastern Miss she first appears to be. She didn’t just grow up in Montana, she grew up roughing it in Montana with her father and no one else, so she has all kinds of skills (you know… hunting skills, sharpshooting skills, herbal remedy skills…). What really works, though, is that Sandas reveals the extent of Alex’s abilities slowly, as they become necessary for her continued survival. In addition, as Alex allows more of her western self to resurface, she becomes increasingly desirable – and one way that Sandas tracks that is through Malcolm noting the way Alex smells.
I may have noticed the evolution of Alex’s scent because I read a recent piece by Kate Clayborn about smells in romance novels shortly before I picked up The Gunslinger’s Vow. While the piece is mainly focused on what it means to “smell like MAN” (if you’re interested in what MAN smells like, the Male Scent Catalogue is pretty amazeballs), she does touch on traditionally feminine smells as well. Clayborn writes:
“We can contrast this with the scents we often find for women characters. There’s no escaping the outdoors, but women are less likely to be linked to trees than they are to the smaller, more delicate specimens out there: flowers or gentle herbs. As frequent as alcohol is in describing heroes, it is damned rare in describing heroines, who are more likely to be linked to food, but only certain kinds of food: strawberries or other fruits, cake or other baked goods. If men seem to be repeatedly linked to strength and work and wealth, women seem to be linked, again and again, to delicacy and ornamentation and comfort and nourishment.”
Alex starts off smelling like honeysuckle – a nice, delicate floral scent that goes with her East Coast Society persona. But then, there’s a scene where she and Malcolm eat dinner together, and she drinks some whiskey with him to toast his agreement to taking her on to Montana, and Malcolm specifically notes the smell of whiskey on her breath – and finds it attractive. Later, after she has proven her competence more completely, she smells “earthy and fresh,” and Malcolm’s desire increases even more. Alex doesn’t smell delicate and ornamental and nourishing; she smells like nature and strength and competence, and I found this whole dynamic sooooooo refreshing.
Alex’s journey is not just about returning to her childhood home and asserting her competence and becoming more attractive to the hero. On a deeper level, it is about facing the traumatic experience that exiled her from the West in the first place, and her decision to live in a manner that is true to herself. She overcomes her past in a way that’s all about her (not Malcolm saving her). Part of that process is explicitly through refusing to live by others’ standards and embracing freedom. Recapping it makes it sound cheesy, but Sandas builds this process slowly, and in her hands Alex’s journey feels empowering.
The evolution of Alex’s character, combined with a truly hot slow burn romance, meant that this romance was something special. If you’re interested in Westerns, check out Amy Sandas. You’re welcome.
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August 16, 2024
Alexandra has lived in Boston with her aunt for the last 5 years. After she is proposed to, by a gentleman who sees her helping his political ambitions, she flees back home to her father's in Montana. Malcolm is a bounty hunter who is hunting the individual who murdered his brother. He is a successful bounty hunter. After an unfortunate event, he agrees to escot Alexandra (Alex) to Montana.
Both characters were interesting. Alex for sure was more than she seemed. The reason why she was sent to live in Boston with her aunt was interesting and unexpected. I liked that Malcolm and Alex had more in common than they first realized.
An epilogue would have been nice, I thought her reunion with her dad and the events after that were a little rushed. An epilogue would have smoothed that over. (I think).
RBSB: Runaway Bride
Both characters were interesting. Alex for sure was more than she seemed. The reason why she was sent to live in Boston with her aunt was interesting and unexpected. I liked that Malcolm and Alex had more in common than they first realized.
An epilogue would have been nice, I thought her reunion with her dad and the events after that were a little rushed. An epilogue would have smoothed that over. (I think).
RBSB: Runaway Bride
July 20, 2018
Absolutely stinkin' AWESOME!! This is one of the best western historical romances I've read!! It has everything I crave in a HWR and delivers it with both barrels smokin'!
You'll get a rough, scary, tough-guy hero whose heart and soul is battered and bruised, but there's still something deeper inside that makes him fully who he is.
You'll get a delightful heroine who makes you struggle between wanting to be her best friend and along for the ride or to be her so you can have Malcolm's intensity focused on you. She's strong, determined, and fully capable, but she still stays fully feminine.
The drama was from mostly outside sources (thank the Lord!) and the adventure and charm keeps the pages turning.
This is a book I look forward to revisiting!
You'll get a rough, scary, tough-guy hero whose heart and soul is battered and bruised, but there's still something deeper inside that makes him fully who he is.
You'll get a delightful heroine who makes you struggle between wanting to be her best friend and along for the ride or to be her so you can have Malcolm's intensity focused on you. She's strong, determined, and fully capable, but she still stays fully feminine.
The drama was from mostly outside sources (thank the Lord!) and the adventure and charm keeps the pages turning.
This is a book I look forward to revisiting!
June 11, 2018
Malcolm is the quintessential sexy, smoldering, strong, silent man. Alexandra may need some help getting through the Wyoming Territory but she is certainly no damsel in distress. They are truly well-matched. The plot was fast-paced and the dialog was great. There are very few modern romance authors who have that old school flare of awesome characters and really great writing. Add in that this is a Western, and it gave me all sorts of feels! It reminded me of "Angel" by Johanna Lindsey, complete with the utterly satisfying ending.
October 14, 2018
Reviewed by JoAnne
Book provided by NetGalley
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
The Gunslinger’s Vow is the first book in the Runaway Brides series. The book is set in the late 1800’s and takes us from Boston, MA to the Colorado and Wyoming Territories as well as Montana. The bar is set high for the next two books in the series since it’s a five star read with lots of action and adventure mixed in with lots of loving and love.
Alexandra has lived with her aunt and cousin in Boston for five years after being sent there by her father from Montana after an incident. She didn’t realize at the time that it could be a permanent move for her and she still has a longing to go back even if it’s just to say goodbye to her father. Alexandra has a lot of spunk and doesn’t seem to fit society’s mold for young women who live in the city. It doesn’t help that she says yes to an engagement and then wishes she wasn’t so fast to respond. Will Peter be man enough for her and will she follow society’s dictates on thoughts and actions? When she meets Malcolm it’s with the intent to hire him to take her to Montana. He’s a bounty hunter headed that way but has no desire to be her guide. When she entrusts her lives to others will she get through the wilderness safely? When their paths unexpectedly cross again things heat up in so many ways!
There are family and friends, secrets, outlaws, anger, tears, sadness, hurt, gunfire, injuries and wounds, horses and other animals, camping out, unexpected surprises, happiness, heat up the sheets moments, lots of loving and love. The descriptions throughout of the lands, the homes and businesses, the shootouts and the preparations needed to survive made me feel that I was there. The story flowed smoothly and Alexandra and Malcolm had a depth to them that I wasn’t expecting. There is some closure and a happily-ever-after in the offing but an epilogue would have been the icing on the cake. I loved the cover which was sensuous with the backdrop of the mountains and gave a hint of what was to come since Alexandra was not dressed for the wilderness at all.
Sandas is a new to me author and I look forward to reading more of her books not just in this series.
Book provided by NetGalley
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
The Gunslinger’s Vow is the first book in the Runaway Brides series. The book is set in the late 1800’s and takes us from Boston, MA to the Colorado and Wyoming Territories as well as Montana. The bar is set high for the next two books in the series since it’s a five star read with lots of action and adventure mixed in with lots of loving and love.
Alexandra has lived with her aunt and cousin in Boston for five years after being sent there by her father from Montana after an incident. She didn’t realize at the time that it could be a permanent move for her and she still has a longing to go back even if it’s just to say goodbye to her father. Alexandra has a lot of spunk and doesn’t seem to fit society’s mold for young women who live in the city. It doesn’t help that she says yes to an engagement and then wishes she wasn’t so fast to respond. Will Peter be man enough for her and will she follow society’s dictates on thoughts and actions? When she meets Malcolm it’s with the intent to hire him to take her to Montana. He’s a bounty hunter headed that way but has no desire to be her guide. When she entrusts her lives to others will she get through the wilderness safely? When their paths unexpectedly cross again things heat up in so many ways!
There are family and friends, secrets, outlaws, anger, tears, sadness, hurt, gunfire, injuries and wounds, horses and other animals, camping out, unexpected surprises, happiness, heat up the sheets moments, lots of loving and love. The descriptions throughout of the lands, the homes and businesses, the shootouts and the preparations needed to survive made me feel that I was there. The story flowed smoothly and Alexandra and Malcolm had a depth to them that I wasn’t expecting. There is some closure and a happily-ever-after in the offing but an epilogue would have been the icing on the cake. I loved the cover which was sensuous with the backdrop of the mountains and gave a hint of what was to come since Alexandra was not dressed for the wilderness at all.
Sandas is a new to me author and I look forward to reading more of her books not just in this series.
June 6, 2018
I personally believe there isn't enough western historical romance being published right now. I miss the days of Johanna Lindsey characters exploring a young American west. Ms. Sandas is filling a huge void with her new series and I could not be happier with the results.
The pros: Ms. Sandas is really good at writing truly heroic heroes. Allow me to explain. Malcom was a single man and a gunslinger at that but at his heart, he was a good man. In my opinion, he went above and beyond for Alexandra. After his initial crustiness, Malcom is unconditional in his support of Alexandra. Alex is bold, fun, and confident. She followed her heart back to Montana and I was with her the whole way.
The cons: Alexandra did have some TSTL moments (too stupid to live) which are off putting. I realize we needed some of those plot points to move the story forward and create a situation Malcom couldn't grouch his way out of. But honestly, running away without telling her fiance? Getting stranded without any money or clothes? She should have probably been a little more concerned than she was. Luckily, Alexandra more than made up for it in other ways.
Overall, this is everything you want in a western. It was light enough to read easily, but had heart and soul. I wish we had learned more about her friends! I'm excited to read more about their stories heading west.
**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**
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The pros: Ms. Sandas is really good at writing truly heroic heroes. Allow me to explain. Malcom was a single man and a gunslinger at that but at his heart, he was a good man. In my opinion, he went above and beyond for Alexandra. After his initial crustiness, Malcom is unconditional in his support of Alexandra. Alex is bold, fun, and confident. She followed her heart back to Montana and I was with her the whole way.
The cons: Alexandra did have some TSTL moments (too stupid to live) which are off putting. I realize we needed some of those plot points to move the story forward and create a situation Malcom couldn't grouch his way out of. But honestly, running away without telling her fiance? Getting stranded without any money or clothes? She should have probably been a little more concerned than she was. Luckily, Alexandra more than made up for it in other ways.
Overall, this is everything you want in a western. It was light enough to read easily, but had heart and soul. I wish we had learned more about her friends! I'm excited to read more about their stories heading west.
**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**
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July 16, 2018
3.5 stars
Overview: I really enjoyed this Western historical romance! It's about a society girl from Boston, Alexandra, who gets engaged in the beginning of the book but forges her way towards the West to meet her father, who she hadn't seen in 5 years. I guess you could technically call her actions with the love interest Malcom as "cheating" since she was engaged when it all happened, but I never felt it in this book. (Which is weird, because I hate cheating.) But the author pretty much wrote off the other engaged party so I just went with it *shrugs*
Writing: I've only read one other book by Sandas, but her writing is pretty solid and consistent! I really enjoyed the characters' interactions (grumpy, solitary bounty hunter love interest next to a bubbly girl from the East? Here for that!) and the storyline. It's a journey-intense plot, so we get to see a lot of traveling and tensions building between the characters. I think the romance's pace was really well done and realistic. Overall, this was just a really light, heartwarming read that historical romance readers would enjoy!
Romance: 4/5
Trigger/Content Warnings: sexy times, mild violence, cheating (although see above for more explanation)
Freedom. Freedom to make mistakes, to go out in the world with the confidence that she would find her way and be all right in the end. That is all she wanted, and it was everything she had been missing in Boston, where life had been about carefully following the established rules and expectations.
There was little risk in a life like that and no adventure.
Overview: I really enjoyed this Western historical romance! It's about a society girl from Boston, Alexandra, who gets engaged in the beginning of the book but forges her way towards the West to meet her father, who she hadn't seen in 5 years. I guess you could technically call her actions with the love interest Malcom as "cheating" since she was engaged when it all happened, but I never felt it in this book. (Which is weird, because I hate cheating.) But the author pretty much wrote off the other engaged party so I just went with it *shrugs*
Writing: I've only read one other book by Sandas, but her writing is pretty solid and consistent! I really enjoyed the characters' interactions (grumpy, solitary bounty hunter love interest next to a bubbly girl from the East? Here for that!) and the storyline. It's a journey-intense plot, so we get to see a lot of traveling and tensions building between the characters. I think the romance's pace was really well done and realistic. Overall, this was just a really light, heartwarming read that historical romance readers would enjoy!
Romance: 4/5
Trigger/Content Warnings: sexy times, mild violence, cheating (although see above for more explanation)
January 1, 2019
I'm always on the lookout for new historical western writers, and despite not being a huge fan of "pampered Eastern lady goes West" plots - I had hopes for this one since the heroine was born in Montana and had only been living in Boston for 5 years. Unfortunately, while she is resourceful and clear-headed, there are enough moments of plot driven bone-headedness to make her an uneven character (accepting a marriage proposal and then running away, leaving no word with her Aunt who took her in, not packing any practical western wear for the trip, ignoring her gut instinct and getting stranded and robbed for her trouble...). However, her arc of self-discovery and coming to terms with what she wants out of her life is very well done.
The pacing is the real sticking point though. It takes forever for the story get moving (30%), then the interlude at the cabin drags on for too long, leaving only a few chapters to deal with the heroine reuniting with her father and the hero dealing with the Big Bads. It makes for a very rushed ending.
However, I did basically read this in a day. I don't know if I'll bother with the next two books in the series (more Eastern ladies heading West...), but I'd read another book by Sandas in the future. An OK read, not terrible, not great.
The pacing is the real sticking point though. It takes forever for the story get moving (30%), then the interlude at the cabin drags on for too long, leaving only a few chapters to deal with the heroine reuniting with her father and the hero dealing with the Big Bads. It makes for a very rushed ending.
However, I did basically read this in a day. I don't know if I'll bother with the next two books in the series (more Eastern ladies heading West...), but I'd read another book by Sandas in the future. An OK read, not terrible, not great.
June 2, 2018
I actually really enjoyed this, historical western romance is a new genre for me and I wasn't at all sure what to expect. I loved the two main characters and the dynamics between them, how Alexandra grew and became true to who she was throughout the book and the changes in Malcolm caused by Alexandra. I enjoyed Alexandra's strength and stubbornness and her ability to make the most of her situation. The chemistry between the characters was delightful to read and I kept hoping for the moment they would give in to it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for a copy in return for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for a copy in return for an honest review.
July 29, 2025
At first it's like, oh, another cheesy romance novel with cowboys in it, duh. But it's actually crazy how well this is written and reminds me why romance novels can be a pretty honest writing flex at the end of the day. The relationship between the main characters feels organic without having to sacrifice characterisation. It's like a romcom where you watch two people actually fall in love instead of watching the plot shove them together via tropes and AO3 tags for simplicity's sake (cough, romantasy), and even when it has to force them into situations, the drama and strength of their personalities keeps that shit both entertaining and compelling. Huh, wow.
November 8, 2022
This was my first read by Amy Sandas, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked both the main characters. This was a great adventure with a few surprises along the way. There was not a lot of development of the surrounding characters; the focus was completely on the H/h and their story. I was completely engaged from beginning to end. Definitely recommend!
April 12, 2018
4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this story! Review to come...
I really enjoyed this story! Review to come...
April 12, 2018
Amy Sandas has written a lively descriptive tale of hope, self-discovery, forgiveness and the most important ingredient is a happily ever after love. I love a well written action adventure western with a hot male lead and a woman strong enough to be by his side.
I am in love with the characters in this story, their strengths, weaknesses and perseverance to achieve their goals. The chemistry between Alexandra and Malcolm throughout the tale is palpable; I could feel it in my chest. You can feel the angst within the characters, but alas, there is hope for love. This is a book that can’t be put down until the end. There are a plenty of hot scenes for that “sizzle” factor.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.
I am in love with the characters in this story, their strengths, weaknesses and perseverance to achieve their goals. The chemistry between Alexandra and Malcolm throughout the tale is palpable; I could feel it in my chest. You can feel the angst within the characters, but alas, there is hope for love. This is a book that can’t be put down until the end. There are a plenty of hot scenes for that “sizzle” factor.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.
April 14, 2018
I'm a massive fan of Amy Sandas. This was a good read. The pace was good. I found that the sexual tension between the two leads was dragged too long in the book before they even exchanged their first kiss and let alone any juicy actions between the sheets. But it was a good story of self discovery between Alexandra and Malcom. This is a change from her regency books and being also a massive fan of the western genre, I can't wait for the next book in the series.
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review that is all my own.
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review that is all my own.
May 21, 2018
Book Info
Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Expected publication: June 5th 2018 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 1492651974 (ISBN13: 9781492651970)
Edition Language English
Series Runaway Brides #1
Other Editions (1)
Source:Netgalley EARC
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BOOK BLURB
Three runaway brides
Determined to escape their fates
Flee West to find freedom that can only be had
in a cowboy's arms...
Alexandra Brighton has spent the last five years in Boston, with all evidence of the wild frontier girl she used to be erased. Before she settles down, she's determined to visit her childhood home. When she finds herself far from her destination, she has no choice but to have the rugged Malcolm Kincaid escort her to Montana.
Now that Malcolm finally has the name and location of the man who killed his brother, he has no interest in protecting a pampered Eastern lady. But something about her tells him he just can't leave her behind. And by the time they reach Montana, Malcolm must decide if seeing justice done for past wrongs is worth losing a future with a woman he never expected to need.
My Thoughts
Having been first introduced to a Amy Sandas with a novella in a Christmas anthology that I read for review in 2017, was excited to get the chance to crack open this full length historical western and it did not disappoint.
The colorful settings that Alexandra and Malcolm travel through on their way to her childhood home in Montana and the beloved father she has not seen in 5 long years were spectacular, if at times fraught with danger.
As the story unfolds we see another side of Alexandra that is so different then the proper Boston lady she had worked hard to become so as not to embarrass her Aunt or Cousin when they all were in a public venue.
Having once again cast off that uncomfortable persona her real personality as a capable westerner once again is donned and the taciturn Malcolm finds himself on a trip through the wild countryside with a worthy traveling companion instead of the soft city miss he first thought Alexandra to be.
Their journey is not only a revelation to Alexandra but to Malcolm as well when their mutual attraction becomes more intense than either one could resist.
The series of unexpected revelations upon journeys end brought this 1st in the series to a rousing ending. It gave readers not only an HEA for the couple but also had the added bonus of thwarting future fears on either ones behalf that trouble from Alexandra's past would ever bother her again.
What a road trip!
Author Amy Sandas tackled one of my favorite genres, Historical Western Romance, and for me it was executed excellently with an unconventional Hero/Heroine combination.
Whatever happens in the next story has a lot to live up to after reading this initial tale in the series and I hope to get the chance to read it as well.
[EArc from Netgalley]
June 11, 2018
4.5 Stars as reviewed at Roses Are Blue: https://wp.me/p3QRh4-LW
Alexandra Brighton was raised in Montana, where she learned to hunt, shoot, and live off the land. Then at age fifteen, she was attacked, and her retaliation caused repercussions that forced her father to send her away to Boston to live with her aunt. For the last five years, she has learned to be a proper lady, and now she has received a proposal that should have her overjoyed.....only, it doesn't. Though she requested many times that her father let her return home, he has never agreed. Now Alex knows that she can never settle into a marriage until she returns to Montana to determine which place is truly her home. She sneaks away and boards a train west, anxious to see her father again, and to sort out her feelings.
Bounty hunter Malcolm Kincaid has had only one goal in life for the past eight years - find the man who killed his younger brother, or die trying. Every time he gets close to Walter Dunstan, it seems that he is warned and manages to elude Kincaid. Now Kincaid finally has a solid lead, and plans to start his quest the next day, when he is approached by a beautiful, well dressed lady, who requests that he escort her the rest of the way to Montana. Kincaid is a loner, and has no desire to play nursemaid to Alexandra. Though he initially firmly refuses her, he encounters her later, finding her abandoned by the party she had subsequently agreed to travel with. He reluctantly agrees to take her as far as the next town, only to find the formerly bustling city has now dwindled down to a tenth of its former size.
It seems that fate is determined to foist Alex on Kincaid. Despite his gruff manner, he can't abandon her, so he agrees to escort her to her father's home. Initially, Kincaid is annoyed by Alex's chatting and her questions. He's the epitome of the grumpy, surly, anti-social gunslinger. (Think of the old Clint Eastwood westerns.) But he's also handsome, protective, a good hunter, and a man so wracked with guilt that he's given up all hope of a life and happiness of his own. Though he finds Alex desirable, he's honorable enough to keep his distance, as he's a man with no future. Each day, Alex slips more into her "Montana" skin and shows that she's no helpless lady from back east. She does her share of the work, and proves to Kincaid that she knows how to hunt, shoot better than he does, and takes care of him when he is injured.
When Kincaid's injury forces them to seek shelter in a secluded cabin, they give in to the simmering attraction that both have been feeling. Kincaid is quick to affirm that he has no future to promise, and Alex is content to accept their passion as something they'll share only for now. Up until then, the unspoken lust between them was like a bubbling cauldron that kept building and building, only to have Kincaid turn away. The sexual tension was truly palpable, and showcased Kincaid's unbelievable willpower and determination to not take advantage of Alex, though she gave every indication of being willing.
I don't read many westerns, but Amy Sandas is an author whose historical regencies I've enjoyed, and I found myself loving THE GUNSLINGER'S VOW. Both Kincaid and Alex are strong, determined, and focused on their goals. I liked and admired them, and couldn't wait for them to finally succumb to their overwhelming desire for each other. I loved how well this book flowed, and how it turned out they had another connection in their pasts to link them. The conclusion to this well written and passionate story was exciting and very satisfying. I'm looking forward to the upcoming stories in the RUNAWAY BRIDES series.
Alexandra Brighton was raised in Montana, where she learned to hunt, shoot, and live off the land. Then at age fifteen, she was attacked, and her retaliation caused repercussions that forced her father to send her away to Boston to live with her aunt. For the last five years, she has learned to be a proper lady, and now she has received a proposal that should have her overjoyed.....only, it doesn't. Though she requested many times that her father let her return home, he has never agreed. Now Alex knows that she can never settle into a marriage until she returns to Montana to determine which place is truly her home. She sneaks away and boards a train west, anxious to see her father again, and to sort out her feelings.
Bounty hunter Malcolm Kincaid has had only one goal in life for the past eight years - find the man who killed his younger brother, or die trying. Every time he gets close to Walter Dunstan, it seems that he is warned and manages to elude Kincaid. Now Kincaid finally has a solid lead, and plans to start his quest the next day, when he is approached by a beautiful, well dressed lady, who requests that he escort her the rest of the way to Montana. Kincaid is a loner, and has no desire to play nursemaid to Alexandra. Though he initially firmly refuses her, he encounters her later, finding her abandoned by the party she had subsequently agreed to travel with. He reluctantly agrees to take her as far as the next town, only to find the formerly bustling city has now dwindled down to a tenth of its former size.
It seems that fate is determined to foist Alex on Kincaid. Despite his gruff manner, he can't abandon her, so he agrees to escort her to her father's home. Initially, Kincaid is annoyed by Alex's chatting and her questions. He's the epitome of the grumpy, surly, anti-social gunslinger. (Think of the old Clint Eastwood westerns.) But he's also handsome, protective, a good hunter, and a man so wracked with guilt that he's given up all hope of a life and happiness of his own. Though he finds Alex desirable, he's honorable enough to keep his distance, as he's a man with no future. Each day, Alex slips more into her "Montana" skin and shows that she's no helpless lady from back east. She does her share of the work, and proves to Kincaid that she knows how to hunt, shoot better than he does, and takes care of him when he is injured.
When Kincaid's injury forces them to seek shelter in a secluded cabin, they give in to the simmering attraction that both have been feeling. Kincaid is quick to affirm that he has no future to promise, and Alex is content to accept their passion as something they'll share only for now. Up until then, the unspoken lust between them was like a bubbling cauldron that kept building and building, only to have Kincaid turn away. The sexual tension was truly palpable, and showcased Kincaid's unbelievable willpower and determination to not take advantage of Alex, though she gave every indication of being willing.
I don't read many westerns, but Amy Sandas is an author whose historical regencies I've enjoyed, and I found myself loving THE GUNSLINGER'S VOW. Both Kincaid and Alex are strong, determined, and focused on their goals. I liked and admired them, and couldn't wait for them to finally succumb to their overwhelming desire for each other. I loved how well this book flowed, and how it turned out they had another connection in their pasts to link them. The conclusion to this well written and passionate story was exciting and very satisfying. I'm looking forward to the upcoming stories in the RUNAWAY BRIDES series.
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