Have Brides, Will Travel

Have Brides, Will Travel #1

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

JOHNSTONE. WHERE IT’S NEVER QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT.In this rollicking new series, the Johnstones cordially invite you to the biggest, baddest event of the season—one that gives a whole new meaning to “shotgun wedding” . . . Here come the brides. And the bullets . . .Bo Creel and Scratch Morton are lifelong drifters who keep one eye on the horizon, one finger on the trigger, and one foot out the door. Roaming the West is what keeps them young, or so Scratch tells Bo. But when they save the life of Cyrus Keegan—the owner of a matrimonial agency—they receive an unexpected proposal that’s hard to resist. Keegan needs to deliver five mail order brides to a mining town in New Mexico Territory. All Scratch and Bo have to do is get these gals to the church on time—and alive, if possible . . .The job seems easy enough—and the brides-to-be are even easier on the eyes. Cecilia, Beth, Luella, Rose, and Jean all need good husbands. But their prospects look bad when the journey to the altar includes Mexican banditos, scheming silver robbers, and one overbearing rancher who won’t take no for an answer. Bo and Scratch promised to keep the ladies safe—and keep their hands to themselves—but it could be the last vow they’ll ever make . . .Live Free. Read Hard.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Adult Fiction

339 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 26, 2019

About the author

William W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.

Reviews

[MacKenzie Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can I get a big YEEEEHAWWW

[Abibliofob · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a long time since I last read anything with Creel and Morton but it still works. This is one really entertaining western. The plot with the brides is unusual and well played. The "boys" still got it and it is everything a good western should be. Thanks to #Netgalley and #KensingtonBooks for letting me read this.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never expected I'd enjoy a western!

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. The many characters are well differentiated and the protagonists Bo and Scratch are very likable. The plot is engaging. It drags a bit toward the middle but picks up again. The end is a mite anemic—What happens to Miss Hampshire?—but I guess that is picked up in book #2 of the Have Bride series, ‘Shotgun Wedding.’ Will have to add it to my reading list!

[Jt Furbay · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of western movies with a lot of action and quirky characters, you will like this book. Bo and Scratch are hired to escort five young and attractive women to meet their prospective husbands. They are up to the job and prove they are still quick on the draw and can take care of these women. After they arrive, they find out that there are no husbands but a big festival scheduled with a chance to meet with the winters of various contest to see if they would make a good husband. This is a cover up for a big silvery robbery. What a great read!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Have Brides , Will Travel
Series: Have Brides, Will Travel #1
Author: William W, Johnstone
Genre: Western
Pages:400
Rating: 4.5
In this rollicking new series, the Johnstones cordially invite you to the biggest, baddest event of the season--one that gives a whole new meaning to "shotgun wedding" . . .

Here come the brides. And the bullets . . .
Bo Creel and Scratch Morton are lifelong drifters who keep one eye on the horizon, one finger on the trigger, and one foot out the door. Roaming the West is what keeps them young, or so Scratch tells Bo. But when they save the life of Cyrus Keegan--the owner of a matrimonial agency--they receive an unexpected proposal that's hard to resist. Keegan needs to deliver five mail order brides to a mining town in New Mexico Territory. All Scratch and Bo have to do is get these gals to the church on time--and alive, if possible . . .

The job seems easy enough--and the brides-to-be are even easier on the eyes. Cecilia, Beth, Luella, Rose, and Jean all need good husbands. But their prospects look bad when the journey to the altar includes Mexican banditos, scheming silver robbers, and one overbearing rancher who won't take no for an answer. Bo and Scratch promised to keep the ladies safe--and keep their hands to themselves--but it could be the last vow they'll ever make . . .

My thoughts
Would I recommend it? yes
Will I read more of this series? yes
Would I read more by this author? yes
Once again its a win for William W.Johnstone , no matter the story or the genre his books are always big with me, they always keep me pulled into the story, in fact this one remind me of an old movie called Westword the women ( 1951), which I grew up watching , and that's another thing I love about their books is how they sometimes reminds me of old black and white movies I love to watch over and over . With that said I want to say thank you to Netgalley for letting me read and review it.

[Jo-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance? Yes, it has some. Adventure? Oh, definitely! These are just a few of the words that come to mind after reading the first book in the Have Brides Will Travel series by the Johnstones. The action in the book was just outstanding and kept me reading until I finished the book!

Bo and Scratch are two men who roam the range. They have been partners for a long time which helps when confronting trouble! Many times in the story, these two men didn’t speak a word to the other but already knew what the other would likely do. They defend women and can measure up an opponent without much time necessary!

Now they are hired to take five young ladies to a boomtown to meet their potential mates. Sounds easy right? Well, it might sound easy but what happens in the tale will take your breath away and keep you wondering what can possibly happen next. The nefarious characters are relentless in their pursuit of these ladies, and it keeps Bo and Scratch on their toes constantly.

Readers will enjoy the surprising twists in the book, and I hope, like me, cannot wait for the next installment to be released!

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I did win this book with the expectation of following up once I had finished with my honest review.

I don't have much experience with reading westerns, but I was intrigued by the premise of this one. I love the idea of two older, grizzled cowboys escorting a group of women across the dessert to safety and their prospective husbands. I was surprised by the big turn of events when the motley group arrives at their destination, but it wasn't enough for me to fall in love with the story. I was also a bit curious as to the whole journalist story line; it felt a bit out of place. I would like to see where this series goes and where the women wind up.

[Violet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pleasant read. Not as good as the Preacher books or the Jensen books but a great story. Transporting the mail order brides to Silverhill was not so difficult for Bo and Scratch, but things pick up after they arrive. I like the unique idea of the guy in charge of the town holding contests with the best man in each having first pick of one of the five brides. The brides did not have to accept the guy but it was certainly a novel idea. Unfortunately, there are always the bad guys to deal with also and that worked out okay, as usual. Good entertainment.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun western story about transporting mail order brides to the mining town of Silverhill. Bo Creel and Scratch Morton are back and have to deal with angry ranchers, potential thieves and a Mexican gang. But they want to do the right thing as they bring the five brides to be to the New Mexico territory. But when they get there, things are not what they appear to be. Like I said this was a fun western with a lot of shooting and the good guys always win.

[Sandra Blackmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I genuinely enjoyed the book. The plot with the brides to be and the main characters Bo and Creel was very entertaining. This is a book I will reread in the future and I rarely do that. I enjoy some of William W. Johnstone's other series and hope this becomes the start of a new series. I found the book to be engaging and humorous.

[Hyacinth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised. When I got the book, I was not impressed by the cover. As I began reading though, I was quickly locked in. I loved Scratch, Bo and the girls. It was written in the proper time period with the right sound. I could see it in my mind's eye. The flow was on point and ended on a good note. I was not disappointed. I won this book in a goodreads giveaway.

[Elizabeth West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Western

Have Brides, Will Travel by William Johnstone. A interesting twist to a western. Two cowboy pals escort five Mail-Order brides to their destination. The problems they face on the way after arriving. Some gunfights and outlaws along with some lies and trickery. Entertaining. I enjoyed this book.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Western Don't Come Any Better!!!

Once again the William W. & J.A.Johnstone once again deliver another shining example of western/action perfection. Fans of the Johnstone's should be totally pleased and entertained by this newest release.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I don't read westerns often, I fell on this one due to it's interesting idea -- two seasoned gunslingers escorting a bunch a brides to a mining town with chaos following. I enjoyed the action and fell for the characters and can't wait to get my hands on the next book.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun. A quick but entertaining read. Bo and Scratch are a good team; and the storyline moved along nicely. A couple of minor twists and a much too quick ending. Overall, good enough to make me want to read the next in the series.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by William W, Johnstone. I really enjoyed meeting the characters of Bo and Scratch, they were older men that enjoy the drifters life style. But, it was a pleasure for them to escort mail order brides to a Boomtown.

[Ray Ratliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a great book.

[Chip Newell · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read.

[Sherry Guice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much western and not enough romance for me as a reader...but, that is what this writer does and does well.

[Kat M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Johnstones western there's something about them that I always enjoy. The characters are good and the plot is exactly what I want for a western.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have Brides, Will Travel is another great read by William W Johnstone. I give it five stars and recommend it.

[Ralynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun story about two old drifters who find trouble. Then take a job that involves 5 ladies. Not real fast past but kept your interest and made you smile and laugh at all the trouble they get into

[Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the characters Creel and Morton. Good story and worth the read.

[Lewestover · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining read -- reminded me of old Gabby Hayes movies, for some reason. It was delightful to have the "heroes" be crusty old-timers with a clear sense or right and wrong.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Westerns = Romances

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always this story is extremely good!

Love this team of author's! This one was really good, but I sure hoped to find out who the girls ended up with!

[Larry Embling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a good William Johnston novel

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like heroes who are actually heroes. This book qualifies.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Two old cowboys out shot, out fought, and were great western heroes. They took care of 5 young women in a dangerous western story. Fun and exciting.