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Unbridled #1
Lost Fortune
Lost Fortune - Historical Western Romance
"What do you do when the world as you know it is ripped from under you, and everything you believed to be true no longer makes sense?"
Rilla travels across the pond to Boston, the place of her birth. After eight years away, she discovers her very existence has been a lie. The people she thought she knew, and those she loved, had kept secrets and lies that could bring scandal and shame if they are discovered. Everything she holds dear could be taken from her. Making matters worse, she is being hunted by a stranger whose sole purpose is to separate her from her inheritance, leaving her in ruin.
Left with no other choice, Rilla must flee for her very life.
Calvin Dalton has been sent by the Pinkerton Agency to recover a lost fortune. A chance meeting with a beautiful woman on the train into town left him breathless, and unable to get the exotic beauty out of his mind. He is delighted to discover they are staying at the same boardinghouse, even though he knows he has no time to become sweet on the girl. He’d been sent there to do a job, so he’d have to fall in love on his own time. However, when he agreed to take on the job, he had no idea where this journey would lead him, or the lives he’d ruin with his investigation. Calvin’s heart and his job were on a collision course of disaster.
What will happen when the mysterious woman he’d met on the train becomes his prime suspect? It appears his heart wasn’t the only thing she’d stolen.
“Lost Fortune” is the 1st book in Sandra E. Sinclair’s “Unbridled” historical, western romance series—where the female are all strong, capable and sassy, but most of all…unbridled. If you like escaping into bygone days when the west was wild and women wore big dresses, you will love the “Unbridled” series.
"What do you do when the world as you know it is ripped from under you, and everything you believed to be true no longer makes sense?"
Rilla travels across the pond to Boston, the place of her birth. After eight years away, she discovers her very existence has been a lie. The people she thought she knew, and those she loved, had kept secrets and lies that could bring scandal and shame if they are discovered. Everything she holds dear could be taken from her. Making matters worse, she is being hunted by a stranger whose sole purpose is to separate her from her inheritance, leaving her in ruin.
Left with no other choice, Rilla must flee for her very life.
Calvin Dalton has been sent by the Pinkerton Agency to recover a lost fortune. A chance meeting with a beautiful woman on the train into town left him breathless, and unable to get the exotic beauty out of his mind. He is delighted to discover they are staying at the same boardinghouse, even though he knows he has no time to become sweet on the girl. He’d been sent there to do a job, so he’d have to fall in love on his own time. However, when he agreed to take on the job, he had no idea where this journey would lead him, or the lives he’d ruin with his investigation. Calvin’s heart and his job were on a collision course of disaster.
What will happen when the mysterious woman he’d met on the train becomes his prime suspect? It appears his heart wasn’t the only thing she’d stolen.
“Lost Fortune” is the 1st book in Sandra E. Sinclair’s “Unbridled” historical, western romance series—where the female are all strong, capable and sassy, but most of all…unbridled. If you like escaping into bygone days when the west was wild and women wore big dresses, you will love the “Unbridled” series.
190 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2016
604 people are currently reading
366 people want to read
About the author
Sandra E. Sinclair
48 books21 followersSandra E. Sinclair is a dreamer and hopeless romantic. Sandra grew up in London, England where the skies are often gray and the streets could be cleaner. However, she doesn't let this dampen her spirits. She loves her hometown and considers herself a true-blue Londoner, who is happy to find her sunshine overseas, and she does as often as she can. It’s through traveling abroad that she finds her inspiration for her stories.
Her stories are designed to elicit every emotion in her readers. You will laugh, cry, be shocked, and titillated. The one thing you won't be, is bored.
Her stories are designed to elicit every emotion in her readers. You will laugh, cry, be shocked, and titillated. The one thing you won't be, is bored.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
February 5, 2018
Do people really read books like this? And call them romance? With a hero who says "dang" and a "low-down, yellow-livered dog's dinner" and " yellow-bellied snake"? I could forgive that- I guess that cowboy schtick does not resonate with me- but the writing was very average (" implicit" used instead of " complicit"- yikes), the plot lame ( for example, the hero demands a bottle of whiskey at the bar and warns the bartender to lock him in his room because otherwise he is going to SHOOT a bunch of people, he's just so mad) and the characterisation wooden.
Only good thing- women could own property in California. Yay for the most progressive state in the US!
No more cowboy HR for me. Sorry, but just no. At least I can tick it off my Challenge list!
Only good thing- women could own property in California. Yay for the most progressive state in the US!
No more cowboy HR for me. Sorry, but just no. At least I can tick it off my Challenge list!
October 25, 2016
It's fun, romantic, yet full of spunk. It hilariously funny yet so real you feel like you're back in time -Nook Books and More Blog.
I enjoy Historical Romances every now and then. It gives you that rustic feel yet a taste of yesterday and freshness that you crave. You are automatically drawn into the story as you get familiar with the characters. The authors pulses in a twist of each characters pov which is quite refreshing for a change. You get to know each character and understand there passion as it unfolds. The history line pulls you in because it's intriguing yet intriguing. It makes you want a taste of It yourself.
The plot is full of mystery, suspense, secrets, devious characters, nefarious acts, and then throw in a determined woman, who won’t let anyone stop her from what's rightfully hers? You'll have to read the story. The storyline is full of intrigue and details that bring you back in time.
Calvin just get this beauty out of his mind. He craves more but little does he know it embarks on a journey that not only rocks there world and change things. The drama pulls you in and the laughs keep you glued. It's an enduring love story that sings to your heart.
The words flowed nicely and kept you intrigued throughout the story. The historical facts throughout seemed believable. This enchantment of a story make you crave to go back an enjoy a love the "old school" way. Kudos to Sinclair!
I enjoy Historical Romances every now and then. It gives you that rustic feel yet a taste of yesterday and freshness that you crave. You are automatically drawn into the story as you get familiar with the characters. The authors pulses in a twist of each characters pov which is quite refreshing for a change. You get to know each character and understand there passion as it unfolds. The history line pulls you in because it's intriguing yet intriguing. It makes you want a taste of It yourself.
The plot is full of mystery, suspense, secrets, devious characters, nefarious acts, and then throw in a determined woman, who won’t let anyone stop her from what's rightfully hers? You'll have to read the story. The storyline is full of intrigue and details that bring you back in time.
Calvin just get this beauty out of his mind. He craves more but little does he know it embarks on a journey that not only rocks there world and change things. The drama pulls you in and the laughs keep you glued. It's an enduring love story that sings to your heart.
The words flowed nicely and kept you intrigued throughout the story. The historical facts throughout seemed believable. This enchantment of a story make you crave to go back an enjoy a love the "old school" way. Kudos to Sinclair!
October 6, 2021
This HR took place during the Civil War, no exact
date offered. The action happened in Mass, Arizona,
and California.
Upon her arrival in Boston, heroine Rilla learned her
parents recently died and they kept a secret from her.
Hero Cal was 1 of 10 sons! And a Pinkerton detective
hired by her bro to locate the rest of his inheritance.
R+C fell in love at 1st sight but lost contact.
Rilla was engaged to mama's boy Odum. He had no
fortitude to question his mother. Rilla's father's last
will & testament required she wed inside of 1 year of
his death in order to claim her inheritance.
I really enjoyed this book despite modern language,
gaps in logic related to the will, and an angry baddie.
My only wish was to see R+C reunited sooner.
date offered. The action happened in Mass, Arizona,
and California.
Upon her arrival in Boston, heroine Rilla learned her
parents recently died and they kept a secret from her.
Hero Cal was 1 of 10 sons! And a Pinkerton detective
hired by her bro to locate the rest of his inheritance.
R+C fell in love at 1st sight but lost contact.
Rilla was engaged to mama's boy Odum. He had no
fortitude to question his mother. Rilla's father's last
will & testament required she wed inside of 1 year of
his death in order to claim her inheritance.
I really enjoyed this book despite modern language,
gaps in logic related to the will, and an angry baddie.
My only wish was to see R+C reunited sooner.
September 13, 2023
Received from the author in exchange for a fair review.
The reader; C. J. McAllister was 'meh'. Sometimes he'd attempt a french accent and it was actually better when he didn't. Still he should have chosen one way or the other.
The story was original and what kept me reading/listening.
This is a safe, clean romance.
Rilla and Calvin the man who almost ruins her.
Rilla learns some hard facts about herself shortly after her estranged parents die in a carriage accident. At the same time she finds she is quite wealthy and leaves for California to see the estate and gold mine that were left to her. There are, however a couple stipulations to the inheritance. 1)she must marry within the year and 2)she must start a business. Not sure what her parents were thinking?? But anyways, before she leaves, she meets Calvin.
Calvin is a Pinkerton detective who was hired by the half brother she doesn't know, to get his inheritance back. (There's A LOT of gaping holes in the logic here). The brother however, knows about her and has an ax to grind.
So onward to California after much time is wasted, where the step-brother catches up with her.
Things I liked;
The characters for the most part, despite them being formulaic and OTT. Although I thought Rilla was a bit of a hypocrite.
I liked the strange convoluted tale despite the lack of logic.
Things that hampered my enjoyment;
insta love (at least on the H's part)
It takes over half the book before the MCs spend more than a half hour together.
There is a LOT of repetition.
The strange word choices. Sometimes I wasn't sure what the author was trying to convey and sometimes the language was just too modern. Sometimes it seemed a phrase was taken from a dickens novel. Like sticking a top hat on a guy in burmuda shorts.
Overall it was OK. I think it could have been better if the author had simplified the tale (it's pretty short) and spent more time 'showing' and less 'telling'.
The reader; C. J. McAllister was 'meh'. Sometimes he'd attempt a french accent and it was actually better when he didn't. Still he should have chosen one way or the other.
The story was original and what kept me reading/listening.
This is a safe, clean romance.
Rilla and Calvin the man who almost ruins her.
Rilla learns some hard facts about herself shortly after her estranged parents die in a carriage accident. At the same time she finds she is quite wealthy and leaves for California to see the estate and gold mine that were left to her. There are, however a couple stipulations to the inheritance. 1)she must marry within the year and 2)she must start a business. Not sure what her parents were thinking?? But anyways, before she leaves, she meets Calvin.
Calvin is a Pinkerton detective who was hired by the half brother she doesn't know, to get his inheritance back. (There's A LOT of gaping holes in the logic here). The brother however, knows about her and has an ax to grind.
So onward to California after much time is wasted, where the step-brother catches up with her.
Things I liked;
The characters for the most part, despite them being formulaic and OTT. Although I thought Rilla was a bit of a hypocrite.
I liked the strange convoluted tale despite the lack of logic.
Things that hampered my enjoyment;
insta love (at least on the H's part)
It takes over half the book before the MCs spend more than a half hour together.
There is a LOT of repetition.
The strange word choices. Sometimes I wasn't sure what the author was trying to convey and sometimes the language was just too modern. Sometimes it seemed a phrase was taken from a dickens novel. Like sticking a top hat on a guy in burmuda shorts.
Overall it was OK. I think it could have been better if the author had simplified the tale (it's pretty short) and spent more time 'showing' and less 'telling'.
August 31, 2017
This was a fun read full of sparks and passion. I loved the plot it is full of suspense, mystery and secrets. Rilla is one determined women lord help who ever tries to stop her she isn’t about to let anyone get in her way of what is rightfully hers. This was really a very intriguing read that pulls you in from the first page.
Back in that time period what Rilla had to go through when she found out she had be lied to for so many years is just heartbreaking. I am sure her parents didn’t plan on dying or they would have planned better. If things weren’t bad enough now she finds some man is looking for her as her heart goes out to him he tears hers right out of her chest. Add the man she plans to marry who is really a mothers boy and his evil mother to mix and you have one intriguing story. Calvin is a man of few words with his back ground he doesn’t need them. When he takes on a job he sees it through to the end. With the job he is on nothing is adding up and he really cannot stand the man who hired him. Things really goes crazy when he finds out the women he plans on courting is the women he has been hired to find. Things really get crazy when said man comes in and lays down the law leaving poor Rilla with few options.
I thought Mr. McAllister did a really good job with the narration. The only problem I really had was his character voice for Rilla sounded more Chinese than French. It was pleasant but just not what I had pictured her voice to be like. He does put a lot of emotion into the listen really making you feel the emotions he is trying to bring to the story. He male voices are as good as his female ones. You know have no trouble knowing who is talking and what they are feeling. This is a three and a half hours listen and you have no trouble getting into it listening to it all at one setting. There was one place towards the beginning where he did repeat a few words but it isn’t a big deal it is just noticeable. There are no background noises and no volume changes, if any breaks were taken I could not tell. It is really a very clear and clean audio that I enjoyed very much.
This was a very refreshing read with new twist and characters you will fall in love with. It was a story I could not put down. I loved how the author twist the plot giving you a very highly entertaining read that has you racing turning the pages to see what new twist is in store for you. For a debut novel the writing is great, the plot very interesting and it holds your attention.
Back in that time period what Rilla had to go through when she found out she had be lied to for so many years is just heartbreaking. I am sure her parents didn’t plan on dying or they would have planned better. If things weren’t bad enough now she finds some man is looking for her as her heart goes out to him he tears hers right out of her chest. Add the man she plans to marry who is really a mothers boy and his evil mother to mix and you have one intriguing story. Calvin is a man of few words with his back ground he doesn’t need them. When he takes on a job he sees it through to the end. With the job he is on nothing is adding up and he really cannot stand the man who hired him. Things really goes crazy when he finds out the women he plans on courting is the women he has been hired to find. Things really get crazy when said man comes in and lays down the law leaving poor Rilla with few options.
I thought Mr. McAllister did a really good job with the narration. The only problem I really had was his character voice for Rilla sounded more Chinese than French. It was pleasant but just not what I had pictured her voice to be like. He does put a lot of emotion into the listen really making you feel the emotions he is trying to bring to the story. He male voices are as good as his female ones. You know have no trouble knowing who is talking and what they are feeling. This is a three and a half hours listen and you have no trouble getting into it listening to it all at one setting. There was one place towards the beginning where he did repeat a few words but it isn’t a big deal it is just noticeable. There are no background noises and no volume changes, if any breaks were taken I could not tell. It is really a very clear and clean audio that I enjoyed very much.
This was a very refreshing read with new twist and characters you will fall in love with. It was a story I could not put down. I loved how the author twist the plot giving you a very highly entertaining read that has you racing turning the pages to see what new twist is in store for you. For a debut novel the writing is great, the plot very interesting and it holds your attention.
May 7, 2017
Unusual in that it was a clean romance without the usual foul language and sex. Nothing boring here, this fast paced story keeps you page turning with all the suspense and activity. A great read and one that you will enjoy. A beautiful love story
November 27, 2020
A Comedy of Errors with a Fist Full of Propriety
A Comedy of Errors with a Fist Full of Propriety
Good writing and Good story.
A historical romance in case the cover left any doubts. 🙂
Book #1 in The Unbridled Series.
This book has no steam what-so-ever. Its more Good Chemistry. For those of you out there that don’t like the sexy stuff but still want to read a romance, this is the book for you. Personally I would of like at least a heated embrace and/or kiss or two. Despite being on the chaste side, it was still a good story.
The story opens with our heroine, Rilla Staab, pondering the parents she barely knows. They sent her to a boarding school in France at the age of 10 and she hasn’t seen them since. It is now 8 years later and the only communication she has had with them has been through letters. They were supposed to meet her at the train station, but that never happens. Her parents have met their untimely ends in a carriage accident and their lawyer fills her in on all the things her parents have been keeping secret.
Rilla’s world is turned upside down, and to add insult to injury, her inheritance comes with stipulations that are made difficult to accomplish because of the secrets her parents kept from her. Fleeing Boston for California, she hopes to hide her questionable past for long enough to meet the requirements laid out in her father’s will.
A comedy of errors ensues as Rilla’s half-brother Wyatt Worthington fights for what he deems is his, handsome private detective Calvin Dalton fights to win Rilla’s heart, and her best friend Jewel Inghram just fights because she wants her bestie to be happy.
The story sets up book 2 about mid-way through, when we are introduced to Cal’s younger twin brothers Cole and Colt. There are a total of 10 Dalton sons, and they are all single, so I would think that all of the Dalton brude will be getting stories as well considering book 3 is also about a Dalton.
This was my first read by Sandra E Sinclair and it was good. If this book is a representative of what her other works are like, then this would be a good candidate for the shelf I call “The In Between”. It is the books I listen to in between the heavier, darker reads that you need a brain break from, while you lock up the killers, clean off the blood, and put your heart back in your chest.
C.J. McAllister’s narration was good. He is articulate and understandable, but a bit clipped. His voice is smooth and masculine, just needs a little more polish to truly live up to his ability
4 Stars!
Ebook purchased through Kindle store.
Audiobook obtained for free at my request and I am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review
More Reviews @ AudiobookRomance.com
May 27, 2019
I liked this book very much; but although it ended okay I thought there could have been more to what was clearly a happily ever after ending. I felt the ending was just a little sudden. But, I did enjoy the storyline and I thought the characters were very well developed. However I feel the best developed characters is Calvin Dalton and Wyatt Worthington. Calvin Dalton is the Pinkerton Agent that is hired to find the additional properties that Wyatt Worthington felt he should have also inherited above and beyond the substantial inheritance he did receive. The thing that makes matters worse is that Calvin is attracted and fallen in love with Rilla Staab. Who happens to be the half sister of Wyatt Worthington, a sister he is unaware of. Rilla Staab is also the person who has inherited the portion of the inheritance that Wyatt Worthington is trying to find. I think the characters of Calvin Dalton and Wyatt Worthington are better developed than the character of Rilla Staab as important as she is to the story. There isn’t any profanity and no explicit sex scenes.
May 10, 2020
Such a truly mesmerizing story that held me in it's grip until the end! Rilla Staub has finally returned from France where she had been in boarding school since she was 8. Now back in Boston, at the train station she was excitedly looking for them to claim her, but instead it was their lawyer. He had to tell her they had both been killed in a carriage accident and he proceeded to tell her the truth about her parentage and what they had left to her.
She finds out she has a half brother and that he will inherit their home and other things there and she decides to go to California to her inheritance there, trying to outrun what she knows will ruin her in Boston. So she wants to start a new life and figure out how to meet the further stips in the will.
Just an amazing story and I loved every word of C J McAllister's narration. He is truly amazing and made the story come alive with the magical words of Sandra E Sinclair. I cannot wait to listen to the next in this series and trust me, you do not want to miss this one or any by this duo!
She finds out she has a half brother and that he will inherit their home and other things there and she decides to go to California to her inheritance there, trying to outrun what she knows will ruin her in Boston. So she wants to start a new life and figure out how to meet the further stips in the will.
Just an amazing story and I loved every word of C J McAllister's narration. He is truly amazing and made the story come alive with the magical words of Sandra E Sinclair. I cannot wait to listen to the next in this series and trust me, you do not want to miss this one or any by this duo!
March 29, 2019
Clean Romance, but no real storytelling
Written from each point of view, rather than told as a story. It felt like tidbits of thoughts that were not fleshed out.
Clean romance, so it has that going for it. I just didn't feel any build up of emotion to the couple falling in love.
Written from each point of view, rather than told as a story. It felt like tidbits of thoughts that were not fleshed out.
Clean romance, so it has that going for it. I just didn't feel any build up of emotion to the couple falling in love.
May 26, 2021
Clean romance with good humor. Author has gift for humorous moments. I really liked the characters and the story... it had so much more potential which is why i was disappointed it ended so quickly. This book was free to introduce this series and the author. Which it did.
I liked the book and the author very well. (I do wish authors that offer a "Free Novel" give a full novel and not a shortened form. )
The main charcters were fun to read. The background characters did not catch my heart in any way to become attached to them and want to read their HEA. However, the author has a gift for writing & I'd read the next bk due to her writing. As said the humor for me was very sweet. I tried my best to read each character with the voice accent the author indicated. This really gave a fuller, richer feeling to the scenes and enlivened the main chatacters. If you can hear Rilla and Jewel with French accents (one hint : make most of your T's sound Sssss. Like "The" is "See " and soft sounding. Its fun!)... it will change your enjoyment of the story! Add a southern accent to Cal and your good to go !
Good grammer most of the way! This was a delightful surprise, many nowadays are not giving grammer hard editing. Well done.
Again, I'd like to plug for this author for her ability to work with good humor. Humor is not always an easy element. Im not saying the book is "comedy "... its not. However, its fun to read with funny lines here and there that I loved.
This series has great potential. I've only read this one. I will read further because the writer has a gift. I think at least one side character should pull at my heart so i want to read his her next HEA.
The author is new to me. She lives in London. And she wrote an environment of historical United States (well, war torn states. But the story is in California. With a few Characters from the war areas. War does not figure in this book). However , my point is the writer did a wonderful job keeping the environment feeling real, keeping the characters feeling real to their time. Jane Austen advised her neice to stick to writing what she knew, where she knew, not putting her characters in cities she had not been. This proves true, and easier, many times. But, today we have access to research beyond our shores. Travel. And, smile, we have YouTube! You can hear short classes on anything! Even accents from different places and different times. This author did her homework (I'd live to know what it was) because her characters have the right inflections when they speak. Again, well done! If a reader doesnt read and hear the accents, i wonder if the story is less enjoyable.
I read so many HEV's where it takes the H a long time to "love". Ill only say I loved this H for knowing his heart!
Author: i wish you'd make a long novel out of this story! Its really wonderful and has so much potential for more fun ... before the ending. You made me smile and laugh and feel good. For that i thank you.
I liked the book and the author very well. (I do wish authors that offer a "Free Novel" give a full novel and not a shortened form. )
The main charcters were fun to read. The background characters did not catch my heart in any way to become attached to them and want to read their HEA. However, the author has a gift for writing & I'd read the next bk due to her writing. As said the humor for me was very sweet. I tried my best to read each character with the voice accent the author indicated. This really gave a fuller, richer feeling to the scenes and enlivened the main chatacters. If you can hear Rilla and Jewel with French accents (one hint : make most of your T's sound Sssss. Like "The" is "See " and soft sounding. Its fun!)... it will change your enjoyment of the story! Add a southern accent to Cal and your good to go !
Good grammer most of the way! This was a delightful surprise, many nowadays are not giving grammer hard editing. Well done.
Again, I'd like to plug for this author for her ability to work with good humor. Humor is not always an easy element. Im not saying the book is "comedy "... its not. However, its fun to read with funny lines here and there that I loved.
This series has great potential. I've only read this one. I will read further because the writer has a gift. I think at least one side character should pull at my heart so i want to read his her next HEA.
The author is new to me. She lives in London. And she wrote an environment of historical United States (well, war torn states. But the story is in California. With a few Characters from the war areas. War does not figure in this book). However , my point is the writer did a wonderful job keeping the environment feeling real, keeping the characters feeling real to their time. Jane Austen advised her neice to stick to writing what she knew, where she knew, not putting her characters in cities she had not been. This proves true, and easier, many times. But, today we have access to research beyond our shores. Travel. And, smile, we have YouTube! You can hear short classes on anything! Even accents from different places and different times. This author did her homework (I'd live to know what it was) because her characters have the right inflections when they speak. Again, well done! If a reader doesnt read and hear the accents, i wonder if the story is less enjoyable.
I read so many HEV's where it takes the H a long time to "love". Ill only say I loved this H for knowing his heart!
Author: i wish you'd make a long novel out of this story! Its really wonderful and has so much potential for more fun ... before the ending. You made me smile and laugh and feel good. For that i thank you.
August 24, 2022
Confused...Which book is this? Where are they?
The intro of this audiobook introduces it as the book MY SALVATION by Michelle Dare, written in 2014. Intro says it is the story of Owen and Callie.
Has the wrong intro been attached to LOST FORTUNE by Sandra Sinclair?
LOST FORTUNE is the story of Rilla, a young woman returning to the US from a French boarding school after her American parents die and Calvin, a Pinkerton agent.
During the story, I was confused as to the place action was taking place, especially based on the number of days it would have taken to travel from Boston to California at that time. Unless the extra characters will take lead roles in upcoming issues of the series, I would recommend getting rid of them, i.e. the hero's extended family.
No sex is described.
First in the three book Unbridled, Western romance, series.
The intro of this audiobook introduces it as the book MY SALVATION by Michelle Dare, written in 2014. Intro says it is the story of Owen and Callie.
Has the wrong intro been attached to LOST FORTUNE by Sandra Sinclair?
LOST FORTUNE is the story of Rilla, a young woman returning to the US from a French boarding school after her American parents die and Calvin, a Pinkerton agent.
During the story, I was confused as to the place action was taking place, especially based on the number of days it would have taken to travel from Boston to California at that time. Unless the extra characters will take lead roles in upcoming issues of the series, I would recommend getting rid of them, i.e. the hero's extended family.
No sex is described.
First in the three book Unbridled, Western romance, series.
May 15, 2019
Lost Fortune
Rilla has returned from boarding school in France upon arriving she is escorted to a lawyers office and learns quite a few things about her parents and her birth. She has inherited a home and a large plot of land which has a gold claim.
Cal Is a Pinkerton agent, he is tasked with finding out where his clients inheritance has gone. He knows there is more and is determined to find it.
Loved this story, I did have an issue small one where the author didn’t keep with the timeline, states purse, back then it was called a reticule. I understand sometimes we get out of the era and forget the language.
I did enjoy reading this book.
Rilla has returned from boarding school in France upon arriving she is escorted to a lawyers office and learns quite a few things about her parents and her birth. She has inherited a home and a large plot of land which has a gold claim.
Cal Is a Pinkerton agent, he is tasked with finding out where his clients inheritance has gone. He knows there is more and is determined to find it.
Loved this story, I did have an issue small one where the author didn’t keep with the timeline, states purse, back then it was called a reticule. I understand sometimes we get out of the era and forget the language.
I did enjoy reading this book.
December 20, 2017
Lost Fortune
This is an interesting story of a young woman who returns from schooling in France to find both of her parents dead. When she reads the will everything she thinks she knows about herself and her parents is a lie, however they did leave financially stable. Next we learn she has a 1/2 brother who is extremely jealous and wants to take everything their parents left to her.
Will the brother succeed in destroying her?Will the Pinkerton agent be enough to protect her?
Read the book to get the answers to these and many questions arising from the book!!
This is an interesting story of a young woman who returns from schooling in France to find both of her parents dead. When she reads the will everything she thinks she knows about herself and her parents is a lie, however they did leave financially stable. Next we learn she has a 1/2 brother who is extremely jealous and wants to take everything their parents left to her.
Will the brother succeed in destroying her?Will the Pinkerton agent be enough to protect her?
Read the book to get the answers to these and many questions arising from the book!!
February 12, 2018
It was an enjoyable, short read. For historical fiction, there are probably some corrections that should be made, both in details and in language. There were a few funny scenes and a few poignant scenes. One of the characters seemed to go in a completely different - and reflective - direction without any real catalyst, and a several of the characters would benefit from a little forethought, but it was all ok. If I take it for what I wanted - a light read that would distract me and help me sleep (no offense meant), then it fulfilled its purpose admirably.
May 4, 2018
A sweet romance
I'm a sucker for Historical romances and this one did not disappoint. Rilla Staab is on her way home to Boston. It's been years since she saw her parents. Met at the train station by their lawyer, she soon finds out her life has been into utter chaos. Her parents died in a carriage accident. They weren't married. And to top it off, they left her a fortune that her half brother, from her father's marriage, wants. The one stipulation in the will is she has to be married within a year of her father's death.
I'm a sucker for Historical romances and this one did not disappoint. Rilla Staab is on her way home to Boston. It's been years since she saw her parents. Met at the train station by their lawyer, she soon finds out her life has been into utter chaos. Her parents died in a carriage accident. They weren't married. And to top it off, they left her a fortune that her half brother, from her father's marriage, wants. The one stipulation in the will is she has to be married within a year of her father's death.
November 4, 2019
Full of stilted prose, historical inaccuracies, and limp characters
I was intrigued by the premise... wealthy woman home from a finishing school discovers she’s illegitimate and her mother was a Madam. But the execution fell down, a lot. The first chapter is filled with info dump. Things that could have been imparted gradually are instead just hurled at the reader very drily. And the sentences are very jerky, not flowing together smoothly as if the story hadn’t been edited. Thoughts are erratic and jump around so it doesn’t make a lot of narrative sense. And the historical inaccuracies start in the very first chapter. Often I can overlook historical inaccuracies if the characters leap off the page and these ones didn’t. I didn’t care about them not at all. The heroines‘s character voice didn’t stand out.
I gave this three chapters before giving up. There are a lot better American historical romance is out there this is not one of them.
One star for a DNF
I was intrigued by the premise... wealthy woman home from a finishing school discovers she’s illegitimate and her mother was a Madam. But the execution fell down, a lot. The first chapter is filled with info dump. Things that could have been imparted gradually are instead just hurled at the reader very drily. And the sentences are very jerky, not flowing together smoothly as if the story hadn’t been edited. Thoughts are erratic and jump around so it doesn’t make a lot of narrative sense. And the historical inaccuracies start in the very first chapter. Often I can overlook historical inaccuracies if the characters leap off the page and these ones didn’t. I didn’t care about them not at all. The heroines‘s character voice didn’t stand out.
I gave this three chapters before giving up. There are a lot better American historical romance is out there this is not one of them.
One star for a DNF
November 27, 2017
Great book! Clean, cute, & never a dull moment!
Loved this book! Rilla, such an unusual name, but a great character! Never dull, always full of life on the pages. And so was Cal. All of the characters, though there were few, were very real and enjoyable. The plot was great. It's so heartening to read a clean romance that's as good as this one is. I look forward to more books by this author.
Loved this book! Rilla, such an unusual name, but a great character! Never dull, always full of life on the pages. And so was Cal. All of the characters, though there were few, were very real and enjoyable. The plot was great. It's so heartening to read a clean romance that's as good as this one is. I look forward to more books by this author.
December 19, 2018
Lost Fortune
A very well written story of how life as a lower class person was lived and abused by those who thought they were better in their standing in the community. The story of finding a fortune left to you and then about to lose it to someone you never knew even existed. Love and loss seems to be the order of the day, enjoy and you will be rewarded for your effort. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
A very well written story of how life as a lower class person was lived and abused by those who thought they were better in their standing in the community. The story of finding a fortune left to you and then about to lose it to someone you never knew even existed. Love and loss seems to be the order of the day, enjoy and you will be rewarded for your effort. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
August 17, 2019
Rilla had many surprises when she left school in France and returned to the United States. The first being her parents were dead. The second being she was a bastard. The third her mother was a whore. She inherited a fortune but she must leave town immediately and marry within a year to keep it.
Cal, a Pinkerton agent, was hired to find a fortune his client was positive that should have come to him, but mysteriously disappeared.
A interesting story.
Cal, a Pinkerton agent, was hired to find a fortune his client was positive that should have come to him, but mysteriously disappeared.
A interesting story.
April 23, 2020
From beginning to end I loved this book. I fell in love with characters. I highly recommend this book. Although there were a few inconsistencies in the story after I fell in love with Riel I couldn’t stop listening. Even if it is just for the same with Riel her best friend and a lawyer are pretendinglike her life is doom and gloom it is worth reading I also thought the narrator CJ did a great job he does women this is voice is really well. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
October 20, 2021
I don't want to write spoilers in my review so I will keep things pretty general. This is a page turner (if an audio book had pages). I was hooked from the beginning. I love the mystery, adventure, good guys and bad guys (both who get what they deserve), sweet romance, a little humor, and a happily ever after. Best of all clean reading.
I requested this audio book from Audiobooks Unleashed and have voluntarily left this review.
I requested this audio book from Audiobooks Unleashed and have voluntarily left this review.
February 7, 2017
Exciting and Engaging Western Romance
Cal and Rilla really make this story sparkle. At times it was hilarious, such as the scene where they were trying to get Cal to offer marriage. Rilla's determination to make something good out of the ashes of her life was a testament to her giving heart. Thank you very much for a wonderful story, Danny Scott.
Cal and Rilla really make this story sparkle. At times it was hilarious, such as the scene where they were trying to get Cal to offer marriage. Rilla's determination to make something good out of the ashes of her life was a testament to her giving heart. Thank you very much for a wonderful story, Danny Scott.
August 29, 2017
After 8 yrs., Rilla returns home to find everything has changed drastically. She has lost both parents and goes California to see about her inheritance. There, she starts a girls school. Through twists and turns of the story, it is definitely a happily ever after
It is very well written and such a good read.
It is very well written and such a good read.
May 30, 2018
I liked the storyline and the twists it employed and the love story sequences are short and fine. I liked the characters and their development. The end of the story is very touching and didn't knew when finished - felt a sudden stop. Overall the book ‘Lost fortune’ gave to me a good reading experience. Best of luck to Sandra and appreciated her attempt to take this story.
February 2, 2019
I wanted to like this book
This book seem rushed. Each plot was met with a short predictable happy ending. It had promise with Worthington seeming to be a very good antagonist but floundered as soon as the author started explaining his actions in his motel room.
I am going to read the next book in the series to see if she improves.
This book seem rushed. Each plot was met with a short predictable happy ending. It had promise with Worthington seeming to be a very good antagonist but floundered as soon as the author started explaining his actions in his motel room.
I am going to read the next book in the series to see if she improves.
February 3, 2019
I enjoyed this story. I took a star off because I wanted more background. What happened when Rilla got to California? How did she meet Odom? Some background info on Cal and his family. What happened to Wyatt? Even with all that said, this is a good story and I would recommend it. Hope the rest of her book are this good.
July 2, 2019
This was a pretty ordinary story. The storyline was not well developed and some of the elements of the story were unrealistic and over the top. I would consider this a light, clean romance, but alot of details that would have made it more interesting were left out. As the story reached its climax I was left thinking, is that it?
July 6, 2020
I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title.
She arrived to unexpected tidings, and although she survived, even thrived, there was something missing.
A look, that's all it took, and fate had stepped into both their lives. Yes there were difficulties, but well, you need to read, or listen, to the whole tale, to enjoy this wonderful uplifting story.
She arrived to unexpected tidings, and although she survived, even thrived, there was something missing.
A look, that's all it took, and fate had stepped into both their lives. Yes there were difficulties, but well, you need to read, or listen, to the whole tale, to enjoy this wonderful uplifting story.
September 19, 2021
The writing was fine, if a few editing mistakes. The story was a little loose, and underdeveloped, but it was amusing & light, and what I was looking for at the time. I got several laughs out of it, situationally. There wasn't really any relationship /feeling development, but it was a nice little comedy of circumstances.
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