Hannah

Brides of the Oregon Trail #1

by Cynthia Woolf

Desperate times call for desperate measures, so when Hannah Granger's little sister takes off for Oregon with a group of mail-order brides to meet her new husband, Hannah has no choice but to follow. She expects her sister to find trouble, and she does. But what Hannah doesn't expect is to fall for the hired gun traveling with the wagon train as they make their way along the treacherous Oregon Trail.The bounty hunter is tall, dark and dangerous, everything she's avoided her entire life. But when she begins to suspect criminals are riding just four wagons back, she'll do just about anything to convince him to listen...and to protect her fragile younger sister from the truth about what this trip is costing them both.The only thing bounty hunter Joe Stanton wants is to avoid trouble. He's tagging along on this trip to the Oregon Territory to put a little extra cash in his pocket and take a break from the hunt. The only woman he ever loved broke his heart and his last bounty cost an innocent man his life. Joe's had enough blood, death and betrayal to last a lifetime. So why, then, does he make Hannah's secrets his own? Why does he lie to protect her? And why does the stubborn woman's dogged attempts to help him track down criminals drive him insane with worry?Maybe because he's falling for the red-headed beauty. Maybe because if he doesn't keep her close, they'll both end up dead.

Genres: Romance, Westerns, Historical, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Ebooks, Western Romance

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Cynthia Woolf is the USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author of eighty-five works of romance fiction. Comprising sixty-six historical western romances, ten contemporary romance novels, two contemporary romance novellas, one historical western romance novella, and six sci-fi space opera romances, which she calls westerns in space. Along with these books, she has also published twelve boxed sets of her books and two short stories.

Cynthia loves writing and reading romance. Her first western romance, Tame A Wild Heart, was inspired by the story her mother told her of meeting Cynthia's father on a ranch in Creede, Colorado. Although Tame A Wild Heart takes place in Creede, that is the only similarity between the stories. Her father was a cowboy, not a bounty hunter, and her mother was a nursemaid (called a nanny now), not the ranch owner.

Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband, Jim, and her great critique partners for saving her sanity and allowing her to explore her creativity.



WEBSITE – http://cynthiawoolf.com

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TITLES AVAILABLE (English unless otherwise stated)

COLORADO BILLIONAIRES (sweet contemporary novels)
THE CEO
THE RANCHER
THE MAVERICK
THE TYCOON
THE ARTIST (coming soon)
THE QUARTERBACK (coming soon)


MONTANA BILLIONAIRES SERIES (contemporary sweet western novels)
Her Secret Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Mysterious Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Royal Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Christmas Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Bachelor Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Wild Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Elusive Cowboy Billionaire
Her Disguised Cowboy Billionaire


CHRISTMAS AT THE MISTLETOE INN (contemporary novella)
Cooking Up Christmas


THE BRIDES OF THE KLONDIKE
The Gold Rush Bride (Available in German)
The Gold Mountain Bride


THE PRESCOTT BRIDES (Available in German)
A Bride for Ross
A Bride for Frank
A Bride for Tucker
A Bride for Clay
A Bride for Brodie



THE HEART WISH MAIL-ORDER BRIDES SERIES
Heart of Stone
Heart of Shadow


MARSHALS MAIL ORDER BRIDES
The Carson City Bride (Available in German)
The Virginia City Bride (Available in German)
The Silver City Bride
The Eureka City Bride


ANGEL CREEK CHRISTMAS BRIDES
Adele


BRIDES OF GOLDEN CITY
A Husband for Victoria
A Husband for Cordelia
A Husband for Adeline


BRIDES OF THE OREGON TRAIL (Available in German)
Hannah
Lydia
Bella
Eliza
Rebecca
Charlotte
Amanda
Emma Rose
Nora
Opal


BACHELORS & BABIES
Carter (Book 3)


BRIDES OF SEATTLE (Available in German)
Mail Order Mystery
Mail Order Mayhem
Mail Order Mix-Up
Mail Order Moonlight
Mail Order Melody


CENTRAL CITY BRIDES (Available in German)
The Dancing Bride
The Sapphire Bride
The Irish Bride
The Pretender Bride


HOMESTEAD CANYON SERIES
Thorpe’s Mail-Order Bride
Kissed by a Stranger
A Family for Christmas


HOPE’S CROSSING
The Hunter Bride
The Replacement Bride
The Stolen Bride
The Unexpected Bride


AMERICAN MAIL-ORDER BRIDES
Genevieve, Bride of Nevada


THE SURPRISE BRIDES
Gideon


THE BRIDES OF SAN FRANCISCO
Nellie (Available in German)
Annie (Available in German)
Cora (Available in German)
Sophia (Available in German)
Amelia (Available in German)
Violet


THE BRIDES OF TOMBSTONE (Available in German)
Mail Order Outlaw
Mail Order Doctor
Mail Order Baron


DESTINY IN DEADWOOD (Available in German)
Jake
Liam
Zach


MATCHMAK

Reviews

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOME AT THE END OF A TWO-THOUSAND MILE JOURNEY

What an intriguing story with adventure, danger, and romantic suspense. A wagon train of over fifty wagons traveling from Independence, Missouri to the Oregon territory with mail-order brides and a few wagon hands. The story is a sensual love story for two of the people, outrider, Joe Stanton, a bounty hunter who has helped along this journey before, and the only female on the wagon train that isn’t spoken for, Hannah Granger.

Hannah and her sister, Lydia, who has accepted a marriage proposal to Walter Mosley, have purchased their wagon and food supply to begin this arduous two-thousand-mile journey to their new home. When Joe Stanton joins the journey, he and Hannah become friends who take walks at night near the river, but they also start kissing—and when the Reverend catches them, he insists they marry. While this isn’t a marriage of choice, more of convenience and to save her reputation, Joe is adamant that it will be for life—but says he can’t love her. How can they make things work?

“Can we have a real marriage or is that just a dream?” --Hannah

“I figured a kiss is what got us into this; we might as well enjoy another.” --Joe

The story has the good, the bad, and the ugly of people. As a bounty hunter, Joe is always on the lookout for outlaws and collecting the bounty that will help him settle down. The journey includes dangerous men, life-threatening situations, and troubles they encounter on the journey. It also has Lydia rescuing multiple wild animals, nursing them to health, and making them into pets.

While this is both a story of struggles and trials experienced along the six-month travels by wagon, it is also a sweet and enduring love story of two people who are married along the way and must become friends as well as husband and wife. The story could be considered PG but does not emphasize the intimacy between a husband and wife; it is more implied with the emotions. I like that Joe and Hannah talk to each other honestly about what is to happen, how they each feel, and are open. There are a few explicative words, used in context.

[Susan P · Rating 2 out of 5]

Awful! Filled with grammatical errors and sentence fragments--"Morning came early and as Mr. Gunn wanted to be back on the road by seven o'clock." "The food they'd laid before leaving in would have to last them . . ." The word 'emigrates' instead of 'emigrants' was used when referring to people. In addition, this juvenile romance could have been set anywhere in any time period. Did pioneer women actually say "oh, crap"? And how ridiculous was the statement, "I want to go, why can’t I go with you. Bounty Hunting will be fun."

[Lori D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Image being part of a wagon train going miles across the country to Oregon and having to fend for yourself! It made me remember the series Wagon Train that I was fascinated with when I was younger. Heck, who am I kidding? I still watch it when I can!! Traveling with a group of mail order brides, Hannah felt she could not let her younger sister Lydia go alone, as Lydia was traveling to meet the man she agreed to marry in Oregon. What Hannah doesn't expect is to meet Joe Stanton, a bounty hunter who joins the journey.
You see Hannah has always known her sister Lydia is the one men flock to and her hope is to just open a dress store once they get to Oregon. But as fate steps in as it often does, she and Joe become attracted but outside forces push them together quickly. Can they find love when Joe is so against that emotion because he had been hurt in the past?
An adventure that will keep you turning the pages as fast as you can and experiencing the danger and love along the Oregon Trail. This author writes wonderful stories that take you away to a different time and place and will make your heart smile at the end!

[Debbie West · Rating 2 out of 5]

Repetitive, boring & confusing, some pornography

I'm being gracious, giving this story 2 stars. Besides the one graphic sex scene, Hannah expects her & Joe to have sex in the woods.. "don't we have to lie down for this?" . A page later she tells him she won't have sex with anyone who's not her husband.
It's as if 2 different people are writing this book. At the beginning "noone will sleep st night in the wagon on the foodstuffs unless it's raining". A reason was given at that time. Now the end of the book when Hannah has a bad dream & Lydia wakes & checks on her.."Lydia went back into the wagon to sleep with her pets". And supposedly Joe & Hannah had also slept in wagon with Lydia & her managerie because author mentioned them having little privacy, so they were quiet when making love, whether they were on the ground or in the wagon with lydia. Those are only the 2 I can remember offhand. All the arguments Hannah had with Joe after they married were totally ridiculous. She sounded like she was 6 or 7 years old. Even after agreeing not to argue about something she argued again. At the epilogue when Joe &Hannah are in a house, Lydia comes. Apparently she lies close. No mention of the man she was to marry..the reason for the entire trip to Oregon. I see that author wrote a book about Lydia. It doesn't mean she couldn't have been married & expecting at the end of Hannah's story. Something could have been said. Also..really..keeping an owlet with a cougar & a wolf? There was no consideration for her future husband, no trying to prrpare ghese animals to hunt for food in case she had to get rid of them when she married.. Not to mention that all the time she spent with these wild animals, noone in the 52 wagon train ever saw any of them or heard a wolf or cougar? And she had so many in Independence. What if she hadn't found homes?
Also ..52 wagons at the beginning. "Several brides to be decided to stay at the fort & marry" Earlier in book several brides had also stayed when they met some men at the place where they stocked up on supplies. Yet toward the end there were still 52 wagons that crossed the mountains..minus one that crashed. 100+ women driving wagons & only 2 died? hannah & lydia also brought along a beef cow to be killed & dressed for the wagon train's food. Apparently it went all the way to Oregon ?! And noone else's cows seemed to be cooked either..the only meat mentioned was jerky & a buffalo killed on the trip.
I bought this ebook because I liked another book this author wrote. But this was nowhere close to being as good. There were a couple of parts someone who's never read about wagon trains might find interesting. I didn't though. The author's whole style was just monotone to me.

[Elodie’s Reading Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not used to western historical romances, I have read very few, and most from the Native Series by Glynnis Campbell, which I adored.
Plus as an European inhabitant, my only reference is from the TV serial The Little House In Prairie and some old western movies I saw with my father.
But I felt like I followed Hannah, Lydia and Joe’s journey, I was part of the wagon train, in for a very long trip.
The author described perfectly how women in these times struggled to live when they have no one to protect them.
How courageous they were to leave everything to go to the unknown, to marry a stranger.
This story was a good mix of actions and more intimate moments, at first it was rather slow, to introduce the main characters and how they will fare their journey, then when things get more serious between Joe and Hannah, they come to deal with some dangers.
Hannah was smitten from her first meeting with Joe, and each passing moment reinforced her feelings for him but even if they are attracted to each other, a heartbroken Joe sweared to never love again. Joe was taken too when he first saw Hannah but he does not want to care anymore for a woman. Just she has a way to go under his skin and to become more than a friend even if he refuses to acknowledge his sentiments.
It was in all a very entertaining and sweet story of two people who took a trip never expecting to find love on the road.
Now I’m curious what awaits Lydia, Hannah’s sister in Oregon.
A 4,5 stars rate.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first started this book, I was not sure about it. I thought it sounded like other books I have read. It is similar, but as I read more, I found I started to really like Hannah and Joe.
Hannah Granger and her sister join a wagon train that is going to Oregon. Most of the train are mail-order brides. Hannah’s sister, and only family is one of the brides. Hannah thinks she has everything planned out, then she meets Joe and nothing will be the same.
Joe Stanton is just looking for a break. He joins the train to make a little extra cash. Then he will go on his next hunt when this is over. One night he meets Hannah and can’t help but lookout for her and her sister. When he finds out she is not one of the brides he is not sure what to do next. He has been hurt in the past and his being a bounty hunter is not life for a wife. So why can’t he leave Hannah alone?
Will Hannah and Joe make it to Oregon alive and together for will this be the end of them?
* Free copy of book provided by author for an honest review.

[Alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was one of the worst books I’ve ever had the misfortune of reading. First of all the plot is extremely rushed. Second of all I feel like even the author can’t decide whether they like the characters or not and it feels like every other page they have decided to change how they’re writing them. The formatting is atrocious as well. They’ll literally be talking and then suddenly they’re waking up or it’s hours later and there’s no page break or anything to indicate that there is a shift in time. Literally I was confused at so many points because the time would shift so abruptly at random points. And the romance. Oh my god the romance. I feel like I’ve seen 14 year olds on AO3 write better romances. This literally felt like a child wrote this.
Don’t even get me started on the sister who just collects wolf animals and they just laugh saying well you don’t know her she can handle it and the naked lad will just respect her because it’s Lydia 🤗💁🏼‍♀️. Like no. That’s not how this works. A mountain lion is not going to just ignore its instincts just because little Lydia likes animals. Also they’re picking up these massive animals and they just happen to have enough food for all of them?
It genuinely baffles me that this had so many good reviews.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75. Nice read in this light western romance genre. Well written.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clean romance. A little cheesy and predictable, but cute.

[Melinda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hannah by Cynthia Woolf is book 1 of Brides of the Oregon Trail series. This book is different than other Cynthia Woolf books that I have read in that it details the travel west in great detail. Hannah is going West with her Little sister who is a mail-order bride on a wagon train filled with mail -order brides. Hannah meets Joe who is a bounty hunter and seems interested in her. The rest of the story is for you to read and find out but the story is interesting. The first few chapters are slow but keep with it and you will enjoy the story. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received this book as an ARC..to read in return for my most honest review.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could be a nice story, but needs more editing and work. Felt like at some times the story jumped or repeated itself... Also character development could have been worked on a little more.

[Sandra Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story

Another creative story by Cynthia she never disappoints a reader. This is a adventurous wagon train story with a lot of excitement. A hardheaded bounty hunter and a strong willed woman make a page turner of a story. I highly recommend you read this story and the others in this series and all title's by Cynthia🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💖💖💖💖💖

[Anita · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read a great deal. This book was one of the most cringeworthy I have ever read!
The setting, the Oregon Trail in the 19th Century when mail order brides were sent on the wagon trail to Oregon City to marry men they had never met, trekking across the desert and over mountain ranges, I thought it would be an exciting read. How wrong I was!
There was absolutely no tension in the story, I knew from page 3 what would happen. The writing and character development (or complete lack thereof) were pathetic; grammar and spelling errors galore. As for the dialogue, it made most fourteen year old school girls’ essays look professional. All the women were beautiful and courageous; and the leading man, Joe, was, of course, tall, dark, handsome, a John Wayne style Western Hero, a bounty hunter. A caricature if ever there was one.
The love scenes were unbelievable and the exchanges between the couple totally inappropriate for the time period of the story. For example the following quotations from the story - “Hannah laughed. “You’re not soft anywhere and that’s the way I like it. But I will take you up on your offer. I’d much rather sleep on you than without you any day.”
And also, my absolute favourite, “Joe took her lips with his. She seared him to his soul.” !🙄

[Jenika Ioffreda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I stopped reading halfway. It started really well, Hannah seemed an interesting character with some depth in her, the world building really well done. Her love interest seemed cool too... but after a while things changed. I felt as if I was reading a book written by two different writers: one writer really cared about the characters and made the story very much believable, the other writer didn't care at all about feelings or emotions, and just wanted to get it over quickly with the story. The results? The characters kept changing idea every few minutes and behaving contradicting what they had affirmed only a few hours or minutes before...
After I stopped reading I realised I tried already two more books by the same author and I dnf both of them... I guess this is not really my cup of tea...

[Mei Li · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unrealistic

The author described in detail the logistics of wagon trains and crossing the plains. I was impressed at how she knew so much about the West. I was disappointed in the characters, though. The women were very unlike the true pioneers—swearing, letting men bathe their feet, being alone with men, etc.
The morals were not of the 1800’s wagon train but of a 20something college campus. The speaking and thought processes were modern day and not old fashioned. The plot was unique but I do wish the writing had been cleaner and much more moral. I didn’t finish because of that.

[Michelle Cunningham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disliked Ending ond Skips in Story

I kept reading story as it kept me interested. But ***SPOILERS***last chapter of travel west story ends by a jump forward of 9 yrs in the epilog. The epilog itself was Hannah giving birth to another kid, Joe being there, sickly, sappy, nauseating. Spare me.

There was one other time in the book a whole section of story just wasn't told and got skipped over. Just too much short cutting. I won't read anything further from this author. Also Lydia's story is never even started. That must be the next book

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free complimentary book and voluntarily reviewed it.

Cynthia Woolf specializes in the mail order bride western genre. Hannah is the first book in her new series, “The Brides of the Oregon Trail.

This book begins on May 1, 1852. Hannah Granger and her younger sister, Lydia, live in Independence, Missouri, but they are preparing to go west on a wagon train.

Hannah and Lydia are both alone since their parents died two years ago. They are in their 20s and are basically considered “old maids.” Hannah is a seamstress and Lydia works for a newspaper. However, even though they both work, they barely make enough money to pay rent and buy food. Lydia decides to answer a newspaper ad to marry an older man who lives in Oregon City. He sends her money so she and her sister can travel across country to marry him.

The wagon train they travel on is filled with one-hundred and three mail order brides. All are promised to men who live in Oregon City. Because the wagon train population is made up of all women, their wagon master has hired several men to accompany them so they can do the heavy work necessary for a long trip.

Joe Stanton is a bounty hunter who signs on as one of these men. He is searching for several “wanted” men and hopes to make enough money to buy his own ranch. He meets Hannah, and both of them are very attracted to each other.

I always enjoy Ms. Woolf’s books, but I found this book even more interesting and enjoyable than usual. There are very few romantic westerns that take place along the Oregon Trail, and I found it exciting to observe how difficult this journey was. While reading it, I learned a lot of new details about life on a wagon trail.

I especially love the personalities of the three main characters. Hannah and Lydia are willing to make this long, uncomfortable and dangerous trip into the unknown without complaining and/or whining. They are both optimistic and flexible enough to accept whatever comes their way.

Joe is a charismatic man who is friendly to everyone. He helps out Hannah and Lydia even while he respects them and their ability to take care of themselves.

I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

[Beverly McCall · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Hannah (Bride of the Oregon, Book 1) by Cynthia Woolf transports readers back in time to the mid-1800s to join two sisters, Hannah and Lydia Granger journey from Independence to Oregon City with a wagon train of mail-order brides. The Granger sisters are independent women seeking a new life in Oregon. Lydia answers a mail-order bride advertisement and with her older sister, Hannah, head west. Enter Joe Stanton, a bounty hunter who hires on as a scout. Sparks ignite when Joe and Hannah meet, friendships develop, and obstacles emerge. So as not to be a spoiler, I’ll stop here and turn my attention to the mechanics of Ms. Woolf’s writing.

I appreciate the way Ms. Woolf penned this character-driven plot line. Opening with an introduction to the two Granger sisters, followed with introduction of Joe, we further learn that our two protagonists, Hannah and Joe are strong willed individuals. Events in their lives lead them to develop preconceived notions about what destiny has in store for them. When the plot line moves these two into a romantic situation, Ms. Woolf presented it respectfully instead of overly explicit. The supporting characters are also well thought out. They each play a vital role in moving this plot line along.

The dialog Ms. Woolf created allowed us to enjoy the banter between these two. Their conversations helped readers to better understand each one. I applaud Ms. Woolf on creating such genuine and multi-dimensional characters.

Likewise, I appreciated the descriptive language used in describing the setting. She allows readers to get a glimpse of what life was like on these wagon trains. The incident of the runaway wagon that fell off the cliff was riveting. After reading this book, I can appreciate what traveling west as part of a wagon train was like. Well done!

[Kelly Tyree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hannah (Brides of the Oregon Trail Book 1) is a historical western that puts the reader right on the wagon train with Hannah and those brides headed to their intended husbands.

After the death of their parents, Hannah Granger and her sister, Lydia, decide Lydia should answer an ad to become a mail order bride. They pack up their belongings and head to meet Lydia's husband. Along the way they meet one of the wagon train's hired hands, Joe Stanton. Hannah is struck by how handsome he is. Once she finds out he is a bounty hunter, she is intrigued by his profession as well. But Hannah feels as if someone like Joe would never be interested in her. Most men have befriended her only to get to her beautiful sister. Hannah is surprised when Joe befriends her and shows a romantic interest in her. When Hannah and Joe are caught kissing, they are forced to marry. Hannah has feelings for Joe but fears he will never love her. Joe has feelings for Hannah but he can never love a woman due to the dangerous profession he is in. He also got hurt once by a woman and has closed off his heart.

But danger for Joe and Hannah is closer than they may think. As Joe tries to take in the three men that are wanted on the wagon train, danger presents itself. Hannah finds herself in danger due to her marriage to Joe. As Joe and Hannah develop feelings for one another, Joe works to take in three dangerous criminals and keep his wife safe.

I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest feedback.

[Maureen Metcalfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just completed Hannah (Brides of the Oregon Trail # 1) by Cynthia Woolf
As always, it was a really enjoyable, easy reading book. I am a slow reader (as I mainly only read in bed), but almost every night, however tired I am, it’s takes my husband’s nagging about switching the light off before I can actually put it down. The wonderful thing about Cynthia’s books is that there are no sex scenes. In my own, prudish, personal opinion, I do not find they add to a story, and although I’m the only one who knows I’m reading that part, I still get extremely embarrassed, however excellent the book is otherwise (like Sian Ciewen’s Cruise Control. Totally excellent books (8 in series), but I get so embarrassed 🫣🤫🤭😹😹).
Sorry, I digress, Hannah is excellent, with wonderful sub character story lines as well, and I love having an epilogue so that you know how things evolved a few years down the line.
However, I do have one whinge. There is one certain sub character, who was essential to the storyline, that was barely mentioned in the epilogue. I would have dearly loved to find out how they had got on over the few years as well, but, you never know, it might be covered in a future book. 🤔
Apart from that, the slightest of slight criticism , it was an excellent book for people who like light reads, and I can’t wait for the next book to be released.”

[Becky Claxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like books about the old west, wagon trains, and mail Order Brides, then you will love this book. When I was younger I always read the old west romance novels. I even watched old west shows on TV growing up. So this book made me feel good and brought back a soothing feeling to me. Hannah and her sister Lydia are very brave to drive a wagon across the country back in the 1800’s. Hannah is older and takes care of her sister. Hannah is so strong, and giving. Lydia is the pretty one, and always picks up stray animals and takes care of them. Lydia has agreed to marry a much older man in Oregon. Hannah is just coming along with her hoping to open a dress making store when she gets to Oregon. Joe joins the train as he knows the wagon master and has helped with other wagon trains in the past. When Hannah meets him, she can’t imagine that Joe would ever be interested in her. I felt bad because Hannah always puts herself down because so many men have used her to get to her beautiful sister. We all see beauty in different ways, and I was glad that Joe saw Hannah’s beauty. There are some scary things that happen on the journey that makes the story more exciting. I strongly encourage you to read the book. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book.

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always inspired when reading books that portray the lives of early settlers and the enormous lengths they went to in order to reach their goals. This romance brings the adventure, danger and drama to life, transporting one into the story along with the characters. Hannah and Lydia weren't vapid, helpless little women. Rather, they planned their trip on the wagon trail well and prepared themselves in a way that few women would consider. I enjoyed their practical approach as well as their generosity. Joe is a delightful hero with his light-hearted but protective stance towards Hannah. Hannah is a strong and determined woman, despite battling with the self-image problems so many of us experience when we don't fit the perfect profile. This novel is well written and kept my interest the whole way through and I look forward to reading more stories in this series. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Amy Koster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love stories about the West and pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail. I love hearing about their adventures, struggles, and their devotion to west ward expansion. The story of Hannah is a fun twist on the Oregon Trail adventurers. Plus, it’s a mail-order bride book without the mail-order bride.

Hannah Granger is not about to let her sister, Lydia, make the trip to Oregon alone. Although she is not a bride, and not planning on becoming one, she certainly falls hard for the handsome bounty hunter Joe Stanton. Joe and Hannah hit it off instantly. Together they learn the true meaning of trust and dedication. They learn that love is forgiving and kind.

I completely enjoyed this book and look forward to more in this series. Please note there are mature themes and situations but are written with good taste.

*Please note I received a complimentary copy of this book. I am under no obligation to leave a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Sarah B White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wagon Train to Marital Bliss?

Hannah's sister is determined to join a wagon train headed from Independence to Oregon City. Afraid for her sister, Hannah joins her sister just before the wagon train was due to begin the journey. There was a fairly large group of mail order brides making the trip as well as families and others. At the last moment, a bounty hunter, Joe, joined the group. Hannah was interested in the handsome bounty hunter and she finally got a look at his wanted posters. Hannah recognized three of the wanted men as being part of the wagon train and told Joe.

Will Joe be arresting any of the men? Will Hannah and Joe get to know each other? Will there be wedding bells ringing? Read this book to find out. This was an enjoyable read. I hope you enjoy it also.

[Vicki Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this story is good, travel the Oregon Trail in a wagon train in the 1800's, but with mostly women - WOW! I lived on the Oregon Trail growing up in the 50's/60's in western Nebr and the trail marks are still there today. I was also very close to Ft. Laramie and the author did an excellent job with that description - it immediately came to mind in perfect replica. I have to give her points for those descriptions. The second half of the story was excellent with a beautiful ending. If you can be patient with the first chapters of the book, this is an enjoyable book and well worth the time to read.
I received an ARC copy of this book. This is my honest and voluntary review. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own. Vicki from Wyoming

[Albert · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a western romance about Hannah and her sister riding 3000 miles West in a trail of 55 wagons of mail order brides. It struck me as a potentially nice story. Hannah is the only woman who is not a mail order bride, and Joe is a bounty hunter who is hired as a scout for the wagon trail. I did some online research and the mail order brides were a true phenomenon, although probably not in the way described in this novel.

The long ride West sounded exciting enough, but I didn't get any further than 39%. I tried hard to keep on reading, but when Hannah and Joe had to marry, because otherwise her reputation would be ruined, I gave up. It is hard to classify the writing. I sort of got the impression that the writing was for 10 year old girls. Hope I am not insulting anyone.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent but different type of book for this author who I am a fan of. Hannah takes on the role of protector for her younger sister. Her sister agreed to marry a man at the end of the 2,000 mile journey. Most of the women on this trip are spoken for. Hannah’s hope is to follow her sister then open a shop. Joe is a bounty hunter by trade but took on this job because he needed a break. He never expected to run into someone like Hannah. These wagon trains were a normal part of life back in a time when women had few choices. I enjoyed this story with its ups, downs and unexpected surprises. I received a complementary copy of this book but chose to leave a review.

[Vivacity · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was OK

This story was alright, with only a few errors that should have been caught by an e editor or beta reader. The story line was predictable, and I felt the characters slipped into a one dimensional world as the story progressed.
There were a couple of things brought up that didn't exist until several years (decades) later. I also was annoyed with some of the stray animals a character collected. First because they do not follow doctors developmental facts (I.e. a day only animal can not do certain actions, etc.). I did finish the book, so it was not terrible...just the same old story.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hannah is traveling with her sister on a wagon train to
Oregon city in Washington territory. Hannah’s sister Lydia is one of the one hundred three women who have promised to be mail order brides to miners, lumberjacks and business men. Hannah and her sister have been taking care of each other since their parents passed away. This is the beginning of a very enjoyable romantic suspenseful thriller you just can’t put down. I loved it......Smile.....quite the adventure. I was given this, and I voluntarily leave this review.

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good start on this new series. Hannah is just along for the ride with her sister to Oregon. Her sister is a mail order bride, but Hannah has a dream. Along the way she meets a handsome bounty hunter, but he says up front that he is not the marrying kind. He was burned before and won't go through that again. But, Joe can't seem to stay away from Hannah and Hannah can't understand why Joe would be interested in her. When they marry, Joe assures Hannah that he will never love her but he wants a real marriage. Will she want to stay in a marriage with no love?