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Redemption Bluff #1
Millie and the Marksman
A baker, a doctor, and his miscreant brother all want safety restored to Redemption Bluff, but for very different reasons.
Baker Millie Coco just wants Hawk Bauer out of her life for good. He’s the head of the ruthless Bauer gang, but also the brother to the town doctor. A man who wants her affections. Millie would rather have neither man, but agrees to convince Hawk his life could be better on this side of the jail cell.
Hawk Bauer’s name, earned through gun battles and a long string of crime, is his most prized possession. When he’s shot and winds up in the small settlement of Redemption Bluff, he finds a brother he thought was dead, and worse, he’s thrown off the family name. An insult that cuts deeper than the abandonment. To spite his brother, Hawk vows to steal the woman he loves. But will Millie’s charm prove too strong even for Hawk?
Start this sweet, romantic, western series filled with hope and second chances.
Baker Millie Coco just wants Hawk Bauer out of her life for good. He’s the head of the ruthless Bauer gang, but also the brother to the town doctor. A man who wants her affections. Millie would rather have neither man, but agrees to convince Hawk his life could be better on this side of the jail cell.
Hawk Bauer’s name, earned through gun battles and a long string of crime, is his most prized possession. When he’s shot and winds up in the small settlement of Redemption Bluff, he finds a brother he thought was dead, and worse, he’s thrown off the family name. An insult that cuts deeper than the abandonment. To spite his brother, Hawk vows to steal the woman he loves. But will Millie’s charm prove too strong even for Hawk?
Start this sweet, romantic, western series filled with hope and second chances.
166 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2019
199 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Kari Trumbo
127 books429 followersKari Trumbo is a writer of historical and contemporary Christian romance and romantic suspense. She's a mom to four wonderful children. When she isn't writing or editing, she loves to read, sing, and knit. Kari loves curling up with a fluffy blanket when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota with her husband of over twenty years, two daughters, two sons, many cats and one sweet bunny.
She also writes women's fiction under the name Teri Blake.
She also writes women's fiction under the name Teri Blake.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
August 11, 2023
I enjoyed this western story and the theme of redemption. Millie is quite the woman and I admired her because she is always willing to give people a second chance. This love story can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.
October 4, 2019
A fun read. Great start for a new Multi Author Series.
Millie was the bakery owner in the town of Redemption Bluff. When circumstances throw her into the middle of a gunshot victims life.
Hawk Bauer is the leader of the famous Bauer Gang, a group of outlaws capable of just about anything. He also happens to be the doctor's brother.
The town of Redemption Bluff is a town that derived out of a ghost town and is hidden away where no one really knows of it's existence. It is a place developed so that men and women that have been damaged by life, no matter the circumstances can turn their lives around. Hawk's brother just happens to be one of the men in this town. He was told two years ago that his brother was dead.
Can Millie convince Hawk he needs to remain here?
The mystery surrounding the town, the sprinkling of danger and the men and women that inhabit the town all work together to create this new book and series! The characters are well written and the story is compelling. I am excited to read the next book.
I received an ARC of this book and am choosing to leave an honest review.
Millie was the bakery owner in the town of Redemption Bluff. When circumstances throw her into the middle of a gunshot victims life.
Hawk Bauer is the leader of the famous Bauer Gang, a group of outlaws capable of just about anything. He also happens to be the doctor's brother.
The town of Redemption Bluff is a town that derived out of a ghost town and is hidden away where no one really knows of it's existence. It is a place developed so that men and women that have been damaged by life, no matter the circumstances can turn their lives around. Hawk's brother just happens to be one of the men in this town. He was told two years ago that his brother was dead.
Can Millie convince Hawk he needs to remain here?
The mystery surrounding the town, the sprinkling of danger and the men and women that inhabit the town all work together to create this new book and series! The characters are well written and the story is compelling. I am excited to read the next book.
I received an ARC of this book and am choosing to leave an honest review.
September 24, 2019
Brilliant!
In this story one can clearly see that when one does bad things, then the likelihood is at you will lead a life of 'always looking over your shoulder'.
But, in this town of Redemption Bluff, the male inhabitants are all ex-criminals and this leads to them going about life without committing crime.
Very interesting, I thought!
Along comes Hawk Bauer, the leader of the Bauer Gang and suddenly this little town isn't a peaceful haven anymore.
On top of that, Millie the Baker falls for him but she just knows that it wont't be a good thing for her. So, what is she to do?
I loved the concept of criminals reforming, of a gang leader trying to help the town and the individual strengths and weaknesses of the three main character (yes, you read it right). The story idea is brilliant and it is very well written too, so I am happy to recommend it as a great read.
I read an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of the book and my voluntary review above is unbiased.
In this story one can clearly see that when one does bad things, then the likelihood is at you will lead a life of 'always looking over your shoulder'.
But, in this town of Redemption Bluff, the male inhabitants are all ex-criminals and this leads to them going about life without committing crime.
Very interesting, I thought!
Along comes Hawk Bauer, the leader of the Bauer Gang and suddenly this little town isn't a peaceful haven anymore.
On top of that, Millie the Baker falls for him but she just knows that it wont't be a good thing for her. So, what is she to do?
I loved the concept of criminals reforming, of a gang leader trying to help the town and the individual strengths and weaknesses of the three main character (yes, you read it right). The story idea is brilliant and it is very well written too, so I am happy to recommend it as a great read.
I read an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of the book and my voluntary review above is unbiased.
October 7, 2019
I love the idea of a place like Redemption Bluff where no matter what you did before you can start over new with a clean slate. I thought it was funny that everyone thought Millie’s muffins had magical powers because after they ate them things happened. Maybe they were just that delicious that they made people happy and those good endorphins made them more aware, but that wouldn’t make for a good story. And Millie can’t help that her heart fell for bad boy outlaw Hawk over his reformed self-taught doctor brother Drake. It took a lot of guts to move to a town in the middle of nowhere with crazy people riding through, shooting windows, and causing trouble. I don’t know if I would have stayed. There was plenty of humor and suspense in this historical western. I can’t wait to read more about the rest of the townspeople.
September 25, 2019
This series is set in Redemption Bluff, a small town which is being populated by those seeking a second chance and a new life.
Into this town is bought Hawk Bauer, an Outlaw shot whilst rustling cattle from a local ranch. He is surprised to meet his brother, Drake, who he had thought dead but instead was acting as the doctor in this small town under a totally new name.
Drake, now Dane, convinces a bakery owner Millie to try to help make his brother stay and also create a new life in this town.
Kari writes stories with very human characters, with strengths and weaknesses rather than a more two dimensional personality so I start really feeling for them, sweet but not cloying and I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Into this town is bought Hawk Bauer, an Outlaw shot whilst rustling cattle from a local ranch. He is surprised to meet his brother, Drake, who he had thought dead but instead was acting as the doctor in this small town under a totally new name.
Drake, now Dane, convinces a bakery owner Millie to try to help make his brother stay and also create a new life in this town.
Kari writes stories with very human characters, with strengths and weaknesses rather than a more two dimensional personality so I start really feeling for them, sweet but not cloying and I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
December 19, 2019
Good story
There is a lot of action in this book. The thought of a town full of reformed outlaws probably isn't totally fiction. I'm sure their were many towns like that in the west.
There is a lot of action in this book. The thought of a town full of reformed outlaws probably isn't totally fiction. I'm sure their were many towns like that in the west.
October 11, 2019
Millie and the Marksman by Kari Trubo
July 26, 2019
5 stars
This is the first book in this new series and its going to be hard to beat! It's filled with excitement and danger, love and loss. While the series is named Redemption Bluff, this particular book isn't a Christian story, but I'd still classify it as inspirational. It's sweet and almost all the men in town are redeemed criminals. So, technically, there are many Christian morals and the townspeople have Christian charity toward each other. Millie seems to have a lot of pull and leadership in this young town. I wonder if in later books, she'll become the mayor!
July 26, 2019
5 stars
This is the first book in this new series and its going to be hard to beat! It's filled with excitement and danger, love and loss. While the series is named Redemption Bluff, this particular book isn't a Christian story, but I'd still classify it as inspirational. It's sweet and almost all the men in town are redeemed criminals. So, technically, there are many Christian morals and the townspeople have Christian charity toward each other. Millie seems to have a lot of pull and leadership in this young town. I wonder if in later books, she'll become the mayor!
December 31, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Millie and the Marksman. I love the concept of the town of Redemption Bluff and found the two main characters, Millie and Hawk, interesting and likable. (Hawk took a little longer to get to the likable stage.) The plot has twists and turns and moves quickly. I look forward to reading more of this series and more from Kari Trumbo. I would recommend this to readers of clean/wholesome romance and to western romance readers. I received a complimentary copy. I chose to write a review and share my opinion of this entertaining romance.
September 24, 2019
What a great book by Kari Trumbo! I loved all the characters but Millie was my favorite. She has such a good heart and wont give up on anyone. I enjoyed the plot and the town of Redemption Bluff. I’m looking forward to reading more in this series. The action with the Bauer gang and the romance kept me glued to the pages. I found myself rooting for Hawk Bauer and his redemption. This book is such a treat!
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
October 7, 2019
Millie wants Hawk out of her life......... but also into her life. She’s forced to take care of him after he got injured but she wants the outlaw away, until she gets to know him better. Why can she fall in love with the nice doctor instead of this outlaw? And will be ‘once a outlaw, always an outlaw ‘ true for Hawk?
This is an entertaining story about the people of an interesting town. A new series so hope to read more about these interesting characters.
This is an entertaining story about the people of an interesting town. A new series so hope to read more about these interesting characters.
October 8, 2019
Redemption Bluff is a place that former outlaws go to redeem themselves and start over with a clean slate. Millie runs a bakery where she has captured the attention of the outlaw turned Doc and the new outlaw in town Hawk. Interesting storyline and well developed characters to hold the reader's interest to the very end.
September 23, 2019
This book is so good! It is has action, drama, adventure and romance. It is well written and will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. It's a wonderful western story about hope and second chances. A great start to a new series.
December 16, 2021
DNF: Was too boring and repetitive for me.
November 13, 2021
Surprisingly cute, a little bit humorous, & a joy to read
I didn't think I'd like this book..a hardened criminal falling in love? But the author truly showed that you shouldn't judge a book before reading it. While it seemed a little short, and there was only one surprise, the relationship between Hawk, his brother, & Millie was conflicted enough to keep me reading till the end. This is a great clean romance! I thought the bit about Millie's muffins was a cute superstition & it made me laugh. I actually hated to hear the whole story on the amazing coincidences! One reviewer mentioned wax paper as being a prop in the story, & she said it was historically incorrect. But I had no problem as wax paper was only mentioned briefly & didn't detract from the story. The end introduces new characters I'm sure, who will be in later books. However this book can stand alone. I'm glad as I probably can't purchase others, though I'd love to do so. I grew up watching the old West movies starring Audie Murphy, and Hawk reminded me of this actor, but taller & darker. If you like romances set in the old West, you'll enjoy this.
I didn't think I'd like this book..a hardened criminal falling in love? But the author truly showed that you shouldn't judge a book before reading it. While it seemed a little short, and there was only one surprise, the relationship between Hawk, his brother, & Millie was conflicted enough to keep me reading till the end. This is a great clean romance! I thought the bit about Millie's muffins was a cute superstition & it made me laugh. I actually hated to hear the whole story on the amazing coincidences! One reviewer mentioned wax paper as being a prop in the story, & she said it was historically incorrect. But I had no problem as wax paper was only mentioned briefly & didn't detract from the story. The end introduces new characters I'm sure, who will be in later books. However this book can stand alone. I'm glad as I probably can't purchase others, though I'd love to do so. I grew up watching the old West movies starring Audie Murphy, and Hawk reminded me of this actor, but taller & darker. If you like romances set in the old West, you'll enjoy this.
May 23, 2022
Millie is the baker of Redemption Bluff in Kansas just after the Civil War. The town is tiny, but growing, and most of the men in town (and some of the women), have decided to stay and reform their ways. Hawk gets brought into town with a gun shot and his brother, the town doctor, and Millie nurse him back to health. Hawk is pissed that his brother faked his own death to leave their gang. He tells his brother that he's going to make Millie fall in love with him and then leave her heartbroken, because he knows his brother is in love with Millie. Of course things don't always turn out as planned. While the plot was there and I enjoyed the "Western" aspect of the story, the romance was not just vanilla, but didn't progress past kissing and "walking out." It's billed as a sweet Christian romance, but luckily there wasn't much mention of religion besides a few appearances by the town preacher. If you like your romance with a little more spice, this is definitely not the book for you.
November 11, 2021
Interesting
This was an interesting read. I love the name Redemption Bluff and what it stands for. It's a mix for me. Someone can be a criminal and move to the middle of nowhere and become an upstanding citizen with no penalty or reparation towards those you have stolen from. Makes me go hmm...
However the overall theme of turning away from crime and caring for others made for a great story. I do plan to read the other stories as I want to see what or should I say who happens to Dane.
As for Hawk and Millie hopefully we will continue to hear of them in the future books as well.
This was an interesting read. I love the name Redemption Bluff and what it stands for. It's a mix for me. Someone can be a criminal and move to the middle of nowhere and become an upstanding citizen with no penalty or reparation towards those you have stolen from. Makes me go hmm...
However the overall theme of turning away from crime and caring for others made for a great story. I do plan to read the other stories as I want to see what or should I say who happens to Dane.
As for Hawk and Millie hopefully we will continue to hear of them in the future books as well.
June 17, 2020
Millie and Hawk ❤️
Loved this story! I loved how drawn Millie was to Hawk. The scenes in the back of her bakery while he was healing....sigh... so romantic, especially when she helped him eat. He was a bad boy for sure but his heart was wanting to change and be the man Millie needed.
I looked ahead at the next books in the series, and am very sad that Dane doesn't get his HEA 😢
Loved this story! I loved how drawn Millie was to Hawk. The scenes in the back of her bakery while he was healing....sigh... so romantic, especially when she helped him eat. He was a bad boy for sure but his heart was wanting to change and be the man Millie needed.
I looked ahead at the next books in the series, and am very sad that Dane doesn't get his HEA 😢
June 23, 2020
Millie and the Marksman
I grew up watching great westerns on TV. This book was as good as any of them. I enjoyed it and appreciate that it is Christian and clean. It is a story of men and women who had no life or home after the Civil War. They escape the horrors of their broken lives in the wild and rugged west. I give this book 5 stars and would like it to be made into a movie. Bravo Kari!!! I strongly recommend this book to everyone who likes Westerns.
I grew up watching great westerns on TV. This book was as good as any of them. I enjoyed it and appreciate that it is Christian and clean. It is a story of men and women who had no life or home after the Civil War. They escape the horrors of their broken lives in the wild and rugged west. I give this book 5 stars and would like it to be made into a movie. Bravo Kari!!! I strongly recommend this book to everyone who likes Westerns.
December 18, 2024
A Sweet Story
Outlaw Hawk & Millie the town baker seem to have nothing in common. But Hawk winds up shot & his brother has to hide him, stitch him up, and put him on a cot in Millie’s kitchen. Against her better judgement, Millie finds herself drawn to Hawk. His brother, Dane, further complicates the situation because he is in love with Millie. I really enjoyed the complicated plot.
Outlaw Hawk & Millie the town baker seem to have nothing in common. But Hawk winds up shot & his brother has to hide him, stitch him up, and put him on a cot in Millie’s kitchen. Against her better judgement, Millie finds herself drawn to Hawk. His brother, Dane, further complicates the situation because he is in love with Millie. I really enjoyed the complicated plot.
February 12, 2020
Millie and the Marksman
Great story, unusual western. Millie Coco ran the bakery. Dane was the the doc. A wagon came tearing through town with a man who had been shot in the back. When they reached the bakery, the driver was trying to get him out. Doc recognized the man, it was his brother. More to read, great story.
Great story, unusual western. Millie Coco ran the bakery. Dane was the the doc. A wagon came tearing through town with a man who had been shot in the back. When they reached the bakery, the driver was trying to get him out. Doc recognized the man, it was his brother. More to read, great story.
November 8, 2021
Millie's Hawk
Millie was the baker in the town of Redemption Gulch. The men here had "died" to their old life and found redemption in the town. When sharpshooter, Hawk, was wounded in a cattle raid he was brought to her store. He thought he could never live here but needed to protect Mollie.
Millie was the baker in the town of Redemption Gulch. The men here had "died" to their old life and found redemption in the town. When sharpshooter, Hawk, was wounded in a cattle raid he was brought to her store. He thought he could never live here but needed to protect Mollie.
November 16, 2021
Definitely something lacking and soulless.
The plot of the story is the same as the name of the town, Redemption. While the plot was fair enough, there seemed to me to be something lacking. It felt flat, as though it was written all in one tone...unexciting. The characters were two dimensional and soulless. I won't be continuing with this author I'm afraid.
The plot of the story is the same as the name of the town, Redemption. While the plot was fair enough, there seemed to me to be something lacking. It felt flat, as though it was written all in one tone...unexciting. The characters were two dimensional and soulless. I won't be continuing with this author I'm afraid.
February 12, 2020
Wonderful
As always, a great storyteller. Loved the characters and an amazing concept. Looking forward to learning more about the other citizens of this amazing town. Keep up the great storytelling.
As always, a great storyteller. Loved the characters and an amazing concept. Looking forward to learning more about the other citizens of this amazing town. Keep up the great storytelling.
June 28, 2020
Millie and the Marksman
A town founded by women leaving the south after the war. They had nothing left for them, so they went west. The men, all outlaws looking to redeem themselves. Good book. Little language. Recommend.
A town founded by women leaving the south after the war. They had nothing left for them, so they went west. The men, all outlaws looking to redeem themselves. Good book. Little language. Recommend.
July 5, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book! It's about a member of a gang being shot and what happens to him and the people in town who take care of him! I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read western stories!
November 11, 2021
Millie, the Marksman and Muffins
This sweet yet eventful story made me hungry because of Millie's wonderful muffins. There is more to like here than bakery treats, though, including a small but well drawn, diverse cast of characters and an unusual but believable premise.
This sweet yet eventful story made me hungry because of Millie's wonderful muffins. There is more to like here than bakery treats, though, including a small but well drawn, diverse cast of characters and an unusual but believable premise.
November 16, 2021
This was a pretty good story with some very eclectic and interesting secondary characters. It seems all the books in this series are written by different authors. Looking forward to reading the books.
November 25, 2021
Looking inside yourself isn't easy
The whole town has something to loose , some more than others. But is knowing you are in like company enough to make you change? Life is full of hard decision, making the right ones is the tough part.
The whole town has something to loose , some more than others. But is knowing you are in like company enough to make you change? Life is full of hard decision, making the right ones is the tough part.
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December 1, 2021Entertaining
This was a fun story with some interesting characters. Throw in some good ole gun slinging gangsters with a heroine bent on reforming their leader and you hav a nice western.
This was a fun story with some interesting characters. Throw in some good ole gun slinging gangsters with a heroine bent on reforming their leader and you hav a nice western.
December 3, 2021
Interesting western read
A very different story set in the west. The story kept my interest from the beginning although the writing gave away how the story would end,as most of these stories do. The question was how it would be realized.
A very different story set in the west. The story kept my interest from the beginning although the writing gave away how the story would end,as most of these stories do. The question was how it would be realized.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews