What do you think?
Rate this book
Bride #1
Bride of Shadow Canyon
When the widowed boardinghouse keeper he has come torescue turns out to be a scantily-clad showgirl, Jed Doulanknows he's in for trouble. With his shadowed past, he'dbe mad to let this spirited—and surprisingly innocent—woman get close.
Bound by a hasty marriage to her reluctant hero,Rachell Carlson senses his struggle to keep a distancebetween them. But the message in Jed's eyes makes herpulse quicken—and even dares her to believe in love.
Bound by a hasty marriage to her reluctant hero,Rachell Carlson senses his struggle to keep a distancebetween them. But the message in Jed's eyes makes herpulse quicken—and even dares her to believe in love.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2007
13 people are currently reading
364 people want to read
About the author
Stacey Kayne
9 books105 followersStacey Kayne is a new voice in western historical romance. Her debut novel MUSTANG WILD,(Wild Trilogy), was released in March 2007 from Harlequin. BRIDE OF SHADOW CANYON (Bride Series)was released in April 2007. Stacey has since sold eight western romances to Harlequin--watch for new installments in her WILD and BRIDE series. Specializing in the adventurous wild west, Stacey brings her love of the past to vivid life. With a passion for history and flair for storytelling, she strives to weave fact and fiction into a wild ride that can capture the heart.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 22, 2016
4.5 Stars! I waited a long time to read this book, and I was not disappointed!
After reading and falling in love with this author's Wild series, I was anxious to start this book and series. Alas, real life steps in and it gets put on the back burner. Then recently I gorged myself on some western romances and remembered Bride of Shadow Canyon. It was well worth the wait, every bit as good as I remembered her writing from her other series. Fun characters, a captivating story and the struggle to overcome the elements and bad guys!
Rachell was a regular Annie Oakley, a spitfire that knew her way around a gun, and Jed was all the good stuff that gunslinger heroes are made of and as much as he tried to talk himself out of it, he couldn't help but fall for Annie! This is a May/December romance, but that's nothing unusual for this time period and setting. It comes around slowly, which made it all the sweeter. They fight their way through all the danger, and with each other, as they make their way to a beautiful happily ever after! Loved it!
November 2, 2014
Cotton candy Western romance - however I really dislike it when the heroine lays her heart out, repeatedly, and the hero pushes her away, repeatedly, heroine cries and becomes heartbroken, waits for hero to return her affections - repeat cycle. I don't like hot and cold heroes - tortured heroes I understand and tolerate, but it doesn't mean I enjoy reading about them, especially when there isn't enough balance in the relationship.
June 6, 2013
Found this at a used book sale today and as soon as I came home I opened it up and read it in one sitting. I love me a good western-HR. This was funny and exciting and just all around entertaining to read. A smart, tough, witty heroine and an angsty, equally witty, gunslinger cowboy hero meet, get hitched and go on an adventure while he tries to get her home to her sister while protecting her from everyone.
All I know is if you can make me literally laugh out loud then you've half-sold me to your book... and I laughed plenty here. The couple was cute, the plot was fun, and even though Jed's angst was a little hard to sell (as compared to what Rachell has gone thru) I still wasn't frustrated with him when he held back (like I normally do with heroes who keep heroines at arms length). I love me a good story with a couple that has sexual tension, and here it was off the charts! I love it when we have a bickering couple written well- they're so rare to find.
I've enjoyed Kayne's writing so I am definitely keeping my eyes open for the next book in the series!
All I know is if you can make me literally laugh out loud then you've half-sold me to your book... and I laughed plenty here. The couple was cute, the plot was fun, and even though Jed's angst was a little hard to sell (as compared to what Rachell has gone thru) I still wasn't frustrated with him when he held back (like I normally do with heroes who keep heroines at arms length). I love me a good story with a couple that has sexual tension, and here it was off the charts! I love it when we have a bickering couple written well- they're so rare to find.
I've enjoyed Kayne's writing so I am definitely keeping my eyes open for the next book in the series!
May 5, 2014
I maybe spoiled by writer such as O'Connell when western hystoricals are concered, but this book was good too.
The story is nothing unusual, but the hero and heroine are really nice! Their dialogue is good too.
I like a forced marriage theme, but this it was unusual. They're married by a judge under the threat of prison for the hero. Neither her nor him wanted to be married, but they still do it, not because they're afraid of prison, but because they cannot loose time! That was unusual! :)
The book is fast paced and interesting. A lot of things happen, and even if everything happens at a break-neck pace the writing flows very well and I followed everyting avidly!
The story is nothing unusual, but the hero and heroine are really nice! Their dialogue is good too.
I like a forced marriage theme, but this it was unusual. They're married by a judge under the threat of prison for the hero. Neither her nor him wanted to be married, but they still do it, not because they're afraid of prison, but because they cannot loose time! That was unusual! :)
The book is fast paced and interesting. A lot of things happen, and even if everything happens at a break-neck pace the writing flows very well and I followed everyting avidly!
December 10, 2019
*3.5 Stars*
March 18, 2021
jed is sent to rescue a widowed boardinghouse keeper and instead finds her to be a scantily clad young saloon girl. they're bound together by an unplanned marriage, trying to outrun a crazy saloon owner who demands rachell marry him. jed needs to get her to california to her sister in one piece, and is trying not to consummate the fake marriage so there can be an annulment when they get there.
"you're ... packed with enough stubbornness to fill three women your size."
"if you're teasing me jed doulan, i'll crown you with a frying pan when you return."
-3 stars? 2? i'm figuring out what hits the 2 rating, but this might fit. most of the story deserves more stars, but it has a major plot failure.
the crazy man maxwell is chasing them with a large group of armed men to try to take rachell back. jed sneaks into his camp and confronts him. tells him to leave, but maxwell refuses without rachell. and jed just WALKS away. leaves him alive KNOWING full well the man and his army will come upon their camp the next day and there WILL be a gunfight. jed has already killed multiple people to keep rachell safe, whats one more? he should have just shot maxwell and it would have all been over. rachell would have been safe. instead he sneaks out of the camp unseen and allows maxwell to have the gunfight that nearly kills rachell. i mean wtf? why did jed not shoot the crazy idiot when he could? the dude was clearly crazy, and made it clear he'd never give up hunting down rachell. so why would jed allow someone to do that when he's already killed to protect her, and walking away puts her in danger? and if jed could sneak out of the camp even with maxwell raising the alarm, he could have snuck out of the camp after shooting him. it makes no sense. it was stupid, and annoyed me the rest of the book.
"you're ... packed with enough stubbornness to fill three women your size."
"if you're teasing me jed doulan, i'll crown you with a frying pan when you return."
-3 stars? 2? i'm figuring out what hits the 2 rating, but this might fit. most of the story deserves more stars, but it has a major plot failure.
the crazy man maxwell is chasing them with a large group of armed men to try to take rachell back. jed sneaks into his camp and confronts him. tells him to leave, but maxwell refuses without rachell. and jed just WALKS away. leaves him alive KNOWING full well the man and his army will come upon their camp the next day and there WILL be a gunfight. jed has already killed multiple people to keep rachell safe, whats one more? he should have just shot maxwell and it would have all been over. rachell would have been safe. instead he sneaks out of the camp unseen and allows maxwell to have the gunfight that nearly kills rachell. i mean wtf? why did jed not shoot the crazy idiot when he could? the dude was clearly crazy, and made it clear he'd never give up hunting down rachell. so why would jed allow someone to do that when he's already killed to protect her, and walking away puts her in danger? and if jed could sneak out of the camp even with maxwell raising the alarm, he could have snuck out of the camp after shooting him. it makes no sense. it was stupid, and annoyed me the rest of the book.
Read
April 30, 2007This book was a decent story but one that I could put down and come back to later. It had a western setting with a woman that is trying to escape a crazy, obsessed man. He believe that she is someone else. She sends word to her sister that she needs help. Jed is the one sent to help her. The story is about them falling in love and fighting to get away from the enemy and get back home.
January 2, 2019
A beautiful woman with self image problems, fleeing the grasp of a deranged rich man. Her rescuer is loved or hated in several states & especially ticked off cranky judge who abitarially marries him to the woman in centre of the storm. The couples spats, her hidden talents & her cooking efforts make it both amusing & entertaining.
June 5, 2020
4 stars. (2016)
3.5 stars. (2020)
3.5 stars. (2020)
February 23, 2019
OMG, so boring and drawn out, repeating the same musings and conversations again and again.
July 5, 2023
I must say I really enjoyed this book. It's my first with the author and I liked the flow, the writing, and how it made me feel. I live for the angst and this was what this book was all about, the secret yearning between the main characters - despite their biting remarks towards each other.
So many misconceptions.
So many misunderstandings.
I LOVED THEM ALL.
A saloon singer was rescued by the hardened Hero. She was an innocent lady despite her being a widow. The Hero, having been sent by the heroine's older sister, had all the wrong impressions towards the girl; thinking she worked in a saloon hence she must be a loose woman. The only thing that was bothering me was the age gap; the heroine was 23 years old whereas the Hero was 39.
It's a bit of a slow romance and the ending was a bit blah but overall, a good one to pass the time. I gulped it all in one go.
So many misconceptions.
So many misunderstandings.
I LOVED THEM ALL.
A saloon singer was rescued by the hardened Hero. She was an innocent lady despite her being a widow. The Hero, having been sent by the heroine's older sister, had all the wrong impressions towards the girl; thinking she worked in a saloon hence she must be a loose woman. The only thing that was bothering me was the age gap; the heroine was 23 years old whereas the Hero was 39.
It's a bit of a slow romance and the ending was a bit blah but overall, a good one to pass the time. I gulped it all in one go.
December 12, 2019
I love old historical romances. They have alot of action and passion. Meeting Jed Doulan and Rachell Carlson was alot of fun. The way the author brought out Rachell's fiery personality in the story made it a joy to read. Jed was fun to read for he was raised by native people and was a perfect complement. I love how the author brought the story to life in the book. Between the action and the twists in the story it comes to life between the pages. Its a great story and hard to put down. J
July 24, 2022
I absolutely loved this book. But there’s something I don’t get. I need someone to clarify if Malika is also a typical Native American name? I KNOW it’s a South Asian name. And I can’t help but wonder if the author typed in “Indian names” and picked one not knowing that Indian is a derogatory term for Native Americans.
Smacks of racism to me tbh.
Smacks of racism to me tbh.
April 11, 2025
Amazing read
Every once in a while a book will blow it out of the water and this is the book for me. It had me hooked from page one and only got better as I read on. It had action, a slow burn but enough heat and steam to make you blush. I was sad for it to end. I'm telling you, I haven't read a book this good in awhile.
Every once in a while a book will blow it out of the water and this is the book for me. It had me hooked from page one and only got better as I read on. It had action, a slow burn but enough heat and steam to make you blush. I was sad for it to end. I'm telling you, I haven't read a book this good in awhile.
May 5, 2020
Good read
Good book, sweet and well written. All characters flowed nicely together. It’s a book I would read if I wanted a happy ending.
Good book, sweet and well written. All characters flowed nicely together. It’s a book I would read if I wanted a happy ending.
April 12, 2025
Loved the main characters in this book. A wonderful romance. Very good.
November 24, 2012
Aww...God. Buku ini bikin saya menitikkan airmata berkali-kali. Dari awal sampai akhir saya dibikin frustrasi dengan pertengkaran dua tokoh utama yang kaya anjing vs kucing. Saya suka dengan karakterisasi para tokohnya. Mulai dari tokoh utama sampai tokoh pendukung. Semuanya kuat dan essensial.
Rachell, janda yang bekerja sebagai penyanyi klub malam--istilahnya "Songbird" dikurung oleh atasannya yang delusional gara-gara Rachell punya kemiripan dengan istri atasannya yang sudah meninggal. Suatu malam, Jed Doulan, pria berandal datang menyelamatkan Rachell. Tanpa disangka, di tengah upaya penyelamatan itu mereka berdua malah dinikahkan paksa oleh seorang hakim. Mereka berdua sepakat bakal membatalkan pernikahan itu setelah Rachell diantar ke California dengan selamat oleh Jed. Namun sepanjang perjalanan mereka bertemu berbagai macam situasi yang mendekatkan mereka dan membuat mereka saling jatuh cinta.
Delapan belas tahun lalu Jed juga pernah dinikahkan paksa dengan Malika--gadis indian yang diselamatkan Jed. Sayangnya Malika engga membalas cinta Jed dan malah tewas dalam sebuah adu senjata. Hal ini yang membuat Jed susah banget membuka hatinya ke Rachell. Ditambah lagi Rachell lebih muda dari Jed enam belas tahun dan ternyata masih perawan--karena dulu dia dinikahi sahabatnya cuma untuk perlindungan di masa perang, dan suaminya Rachell tewas dalam peperangan sebelum "menunaikan'' kewajibannya sebagai suami.
Di sisi lain, Rachell juga merasa Jed sering mem-push away dirinya dan berpikir kalau Jed masih mencintai Malika & ga menginginkan istri lagi. Dan Rachell yang stubborn & harga dirinya tinggi banget sering crash dengan Jed. Apalagi karena dia ngerasa Jed bakal tetap membatalkan pernikahan mereka meski sudah tahu kalau Rachell cinta dia. Jujur, ini yang bikin saya frustrasi sampai akhir cerita karena dua orang ini sama-sama keras kepala untuk bisa dipersatukan. Meski begitu, love will always find the way.
Rachell, janda yang bekerja sebagai penyanyi klub malam--istilahnya "Songbird" dikurung oleh atasannya yang delusional gara-gara Rachell punya kemiripan dengan istri atasannya yang sudah meninggal. Suatu malam, Jed Doulan, pria berandal datang menyelamatkan Rachell. Tanpa disangka, di tengah upaya penyelamatan itu mereka berdua malah dinikahkan paksa oleh seorang hakim. Mereka berdua sepakat bakal membatalkan pernikahan itu setelah Rachell diantar ke California dengan selamat oleh Jed. Namun sepanjang perjalanan mereka bertemu berbagai macam situasi yang mendekatkan mereka dan membuat mereka saling jatuh cinta.
Delapan belas tahun lalu Jed juga pernah dinikahkan paksa dengan Malika--gadis indian yang diselamatkan Jed. Sayangnya Malika engga membalas cinta Jed dan malah tewas dalam sebuah adu senjata. Hal ini yang membuat Jed susah banget membuka hatinya ke Rachell. Ditambah lagi Rachell lebih muda dari Jed enam belas tahun dan ternyata masih perawan--karena dulu dia dinikahi sahabatnya cuma untuk perlindungan di masa perang, dan suaminya Rachell tewas dalam peperangan sebelum "menunaikan'' kewajibannya sebagai suami.
Di sisi lain, Rachell juga merasa Jed sering mem-push away dirinya dan berpikir kalau Jed masih mencintai Malika & ga menginginkan istri lagi. Dan Rachell yang stubborn & harga dirinya tinggi banget sering crash dengan Jed. Apalagi karena dia ngerasa Jed bakal tetap membatalkan pernikahan mereka meski sudah tahu kalau Rachell cinta dia. Jujur, ini yang bikin saya frustrasi sampai akhir cerita karena dua orang ini sama-sama keras kepala untuk bisa dipersatukan. Meski begitu, love will always find the way.
October 28, 2014
No me ha dejado un buen sabor de boca.
La historia ha estado muy bien, muy entretenida, con unos personajes muy sólidos y encantadores, con un romance que se va construyendo poco a poco ante los ojos del lector, con una trama muy consistente: todos tienen sus motivos para ser cómo son, los malos, los buenos y los regulares, pero, y para mí es un “pero” importante, el final deja mucho que desear.
No hay nada más emocionante (siempre en mi opinión, claro) que un viaje a través del Salvaje Oeste, con pocos o ningún recurso, al tiempo que los malos te persiguen pisándote los talones… me gusta cuando los protagonistas no tienen más remedio que adaptarse a las circunstancias que los rodean y sacar el mayor partido posible de lo poco que tienen, es una buena manera de ver cómo va cambiando su relación a base de pasar tiempo juntos. Esa es la parte de la historia que más me ha gustado.
Lo que menos me ha gustado ha sido el final. No soy fan de los malentendidos o de la falta de comunicación. Me resulta frustrante que todos los romances tengan que seguir el mismo guión pero aún me resulta más chocante que la situación que se provoca para poder cumplir ese guión ni siquiera sea original o creíble. Es como si a 20 páginas del final y con la historia ya encauzada, la única manera de seguir es convirtiendo en sordos a los personajes: se hablan pero no se escuchan y uno decide qué es lo mejor para el otro, aunque el otro casi se queda sin voz por decirle lo que desea…no tiene sentido y es un jarro de agua fría. Si no hay una buena razón para a los protagonistas antes del final de la historia…quizás no deberían
La historia ha estado muy bien, muy entretenida, con unos personajes muy sólidos y encantadores, con un romance que se va construyendo poco a poco ante los ojos del lector, con una trama muy consistente: todos tienen sus motivos para ser cómo son, los malos, los buenos y los regulares, pero, y para mí es un “pero” importante, el final deja mucho que desear.
No hay nada más emocionante (siempre en mi opinión, claro) que un viaje a través del Salvaje Oeste, con pocos o ningún recurso, al tiempo que los malos te persiguen pisándote los talones… me gusta cuando los protagonistas no tienen más remedio que adaptarse a las circunstancias que los rodean y sacar el mayor partido posible de lo poco que tienen, es una buena manera de ver cómo va cambiando su relación a base de pasar tiempo juntos. Esa es la parte de la historia que más me ha gustado.
Lo que menos me ha gustado ha sido el final. No soy fan de los malentendidos o de la falta de comunicación. Me resulta frustrante que todos los romances tengan que seguir el mismo guión pero aún me resulta más chocante que la situación que se provoca para poder cumplir ese guión ni siquiera sea original o creíble. Es como si a 20 páginas del final y con la historia ya encauzada, la única manera de seguir es convirtiendo en sordos a los personajes: se hablan pero no se escuchan y uno decide qué es lo mejor para el otro, aunque el otro casi se queda sin voz por decirle lo que desea…no tiene sentido y es un jarro de agua fría. Si no hay una buena razón para a los protagonistas antes del final de la historia…quizás no deberían
May 23, 2012
This was the first book that I've read by Stacey Kayne and I was not disappointed. In fact, just the opposite. Wow, what an amazing story, and so very well written. From the very first page, to the very last, Stacey took you on a wonderful journey. I love the characters. There was never ending action, and drama. I couldn't get enough of Jed, and really liked, Rachell as well.
When I later looked up Stacey's website, I was pleased to see she had another book with Juniper as the main character. I'll have to get that one. I would rank Stacey's writing and ability to tell a story with captivating characters, right up there with Jodi Thomas and Linda Lael-Miller. When I see her name in the future on the bookshelf, I won't be able to resist picking up her latest novel and purchasing it. It's always nice to find a new/exceptional author.
When I later looked up Stacey's website, I was pleased to see she had another book with Juniper as the main character. I'll have to get that one. I would rank Stacey's writing and ability to tell a story with captivating characters, right up there with Jodi Thomas and Linda Lael-Miller. When I see her name in the future on the bookshelf, I won't be able to resist picking up her latest novel and purchasing it. It's always nice to find a new/exceptional author.
May 27, 2018
This was my third re-read of this book. If you like historical romance with a alpha cowboy who's older than the h and sweet, strong, possessive and loving, this is one for you. It's not full of erotic love scenes but has some very well written sex scenes filled with tenderness and love. I loved the H, Jed, he was such a good man. Very strong h. This is a book I'll read again and again.
Read
May 24, 2011This is my all time favorite book, only because it was my first romance novel and I literally stayed up all night reading. It's one of those books I can just read over and over and pick up at any time, like I should be doing with my bible :)
January 7, 2024
Two of the most insecure people in the old west find each other. Then dwell on their miserable past relationships for an entire book. But if whiny H/h determined to be unhappy and sexually repressed and cartoon bad guys are your thing read on. Seriously flawed.
February 17, 2016
A sweet historical romance novel. Set in the wild west with fun unforgettable characters and a great adventure full of mystery, guns and good looking men. I really enjoyed reading this.
August 12, 2014
This book has everything I want in one...action, romance, banter, love, and humor.
April 30, 2015
3.5/5
March 12, 2021
One of my favorites
One of my favorites. I've read it many times over the years. Such a sweet love story. After much ado it becomes a 'happily ever after'.
One of my favorites. I've read it many times over the years. Such a sweet love story. After much ado it becomes a 'happily ever after'.
March 9, 2009
Good fun read! I really enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews