I received an advance copy of this book, and I voluntarily wrote an honest review.
I consider Cynthia Woolf the “Queen of Mail Order Brides.” Mail Order Moonlight is the fourth book in her “Brides of Seattle” series.
Michael Talbot, the main character in this book, is the brother of the three Talbot brothers who are the heroes in the first three books. However, Michael does not help them run their lumber business nor does he live in Bridal Veil Mountain near them.
Instead, Michael is a rancher who is working on a horse ranch outside of the city. Unfortunately, things at the ranch don’t work out, so Michael leaves to buy his own land where he plans to build his own ranch.
When this book starts, Michael has the land but hasn’t yet built his house, barn or any of the other buildings yet. Therefore, he stays at his brother’s house until he is able to move into his own place.
One evening, Michael joins them in a get-together held so that the women and the men can all get to know each other. While there, his sisters-in-law introduce him to Nicole.
Michael and Nicole are instantly attracted to each other. They discover they share a love for horses. Michael, then, goes back to live at his ranch so he can quickly get the house built. He wants to marry Nicole and bring her back to his ranch. Unfortunately, it takes Michael longer than he expects. Meanwhile, Nicole becomes engaged to another man, Clay.
When Michael finds out, he prepares to return to his ranch when he discovers Nicole, loudly sobbing inside the Seattle livery. Her clothes are torn, and her face shows that she has been violently beaten by Clay. Michael asks her to marry him, and takes her home to his ranch to recuperate.
Ms. Woolf does a wonderful job of creating caring and lovable characters. Nicole is independent and vulnerable at the same time. Her family has servants so she has no wifely skills to speak of. Yet, she is more than willing to learn so she can be an asset to her husband.
I also love and respect Michael. He knows Nicole has been through a very traumatic experience, so he volunteers to wait until Nicole heals before he claims his “marital relations.” He is gentle and understanding as he helps her heal from the Clay’s attack.
Mail Order Moonlight is a little different from the other books in this series. It immediately starts with Nicole’s catastrophic beating. Although we know who did it, the sheriff can’t do anything about it because he has no proof. So, Michael and Nicole are constantly watching their own backs to make sure Clay doesn’t attack them again.
Lastly, I enjoy all of Ms. Woolf’s books, but I especially like this book because it leans more toward my favorite genre, romantic suspense.