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When Vella Givens learns three orphaned siblings are hiding in town and stealing to survive, she knows she must find and protect them from men who want to separate and adopt them out for cash.
But she fears Marshal Baird McKiernan and his lawman's ethics would force him to do the legal thing and return the children to the orphan train they escaped from.
Unable to follow his dream of becoming a doctor, Baird wants to help—if only he can convince Vella to trust him to do what’s right for the children.
The orphans, Dewey, Jess and Nedra, have plans of their own. They want parents who will take all three of them, and Baird and Vella are the couple they choose. They’ll do anything they can to help them fall in love.
But she fears Marshal Baird McKiernan and his lawman's ethics would force him to do the legal thing and return the children to the orphan train they escaped from.
Unable to follow his dream of becoming a doctor, Baird wants to help—if only he can convince Vella to trust him to do what’s right for the children.
The orphans, Dewey, Jess and Nedra, have plans of their own. They want parents who will take all three of them, and Baird and Vella are the couple they choose. They’ll do anything they can to help them fall in love.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2020
About the author
Charlene Raddon
42 books425 followersCharlene Raddon began writing western historical romance novels in 1980. Her book Tender Touch was a Golden Heart Finalist. Forever Mine received a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award nomination. Her books have received other awards and won or placed in several contests. She loves hearing from readers. When not writing, Charlene loves to travel, do genealogy, needlepoint, crochet or dye Ukrainian style eggs. She also designs book covers for other authors at www.silversagebookcovers.com.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 2, 2020
The series will be multiple stories by various authors, but each story will read well as a stand-alone. The story is a clean western historical with a touch of history. The story is a spin-off from this author's book featured in the Bachelor and Babies series. Chase Givens will be one of the men who will adopt and raise the triplets born on the ranch, and then their mother left. Chase will marry Jessamine and raise Vella.
The story picks up in Cutthroat, Montana, in July 1894. Vella is the schoolteacher and lives in town near the school in a small house. She is buying food when a young boy snatches her market basket. With the aid of Marshall Baird McKiernan, they catch the culprit, a dirty little boy, but there is also a little girl with him. There have been reports of food items taken, and maybe this crime is being solved. As Baird and Vella talk, the miscreants take off, but not before, it is guessed that they are run-away orphans for the last orphan train.
The story is full of mystery, angst, suspense, secrets, revelations as Vella learns more about herself and her brothers, all from a comment from a stranger. It will have a preacher who doesn’t walk the walk, a former madam who becomes a friend, and three orphans who keep several people on a merry chase.
It is a town marshall who made a deathbed promise against what he wants to do in life, trying to decide what is best for him. A school teacher who has compassion and goes out of her way to rescue these orphans with the marshall's help.
The good, the bad, and the evil all play their roles in this tale. It includes three cleaver orphans who devise a plan to try and bring Baird and Vella together. Maybe it is the kids who need to pick out their adopted parents!
“We ain’t intelligent people,” Dewey said. “We’re kids who need parents and a home.”
I love how Vella was raised to not look down on people, care about them, care for animals, and give. She doesn’t look at the former soil doves as beneath her; instead, willing to teach these ladies how to read and write. When it comes to three orphan children, she is compelled to aid them with food, clothes, shelter, and love. If there is any way she can work it out and give them a home, she will do it. This new ordeal will open her eyes to the plight of her mother and help her understand.
Baird is a man who comes from a background of lawmen, but it isn’t his calling; it was a deathbed promise. What he wants to do is become a doctor. He also agrees with Vella on the future welfare of the three orphans. That family is essential, and it isn’t fair to break them up.
By the end of this story, I was laughing and crying happy tears. Sometimes stranger make the most perfect families when brought together by love.
“I love you so much. I think God must’ve led you to us ‘cause he’s bound to be please with how things turned out. I am.” --Jess
The story picks up in Cutthroat, Montana, in July 1894. Vella is the schoolteacher and lives in town near the school in a small house. She is buying food when a young boy snatches her market basket. With the aid of Marshall Baird McKiernan, they catch the culprit, a dirty little boy, but there is also a little girl with him. There have been reports of food items taken, and maybe this crime is being solved. As Baird and Vella talk, the miscreants take off, but not before, it is guessed that they are run-away orphans for the last orphan train.
The story is full of mystery, angst, suspense, secrets, revelations as Vella learns more about herself and her brothers, all from a comment from a stranger. It will have a preacher who doesn’t walk the walk, a former madam who becomes a friend, and three orphans who keep several people on a merry chase.
It is a town marshall who made a deathbed promise against what he wants to do in life, trying to decide what is best for him. A school teacher who has compassion and goes out of her way to rescue these orphans with the marshall's help.
The good, the bad, and the evil all play their roles in this tale. It includes three cleaver orphans who devise a plan to try and bring Baird and Vella together. Maybe it is the kids who need to pick out their adopted parents!
“We ain’t intelligent people,” Dewey said. “We’re kids who need parents and a home.”
I love how Vella was raised to not look down on people, care about them, care for animals, and give. She doesn’t look at the former soil doves as beneath her; instead, willing to teach these ladies how to read and write. When it comes to three orphan children, she is compelled to aid them with food, clothes, shelter, and love. If there is any way she can work it out and give them a home, she will do it. This new ordeal will open her eyes to the plight of her mother and help her understand.
Baird is a man who comes from a background of lawmen, but it isn’t his calling; it was a deathbed promise. What he wants to do is become a doctor. He also agrees with Vella on the future welfare of the three orphans. That family is essential, and it isn’t fair to break them up.
By the end of this story, I was laughing and crying happy tears. Sometimes stranger make the most perfect families when brought together by love.
“I love you so much. I think God must’ve led you to us ‘cause he’s bound to be please with how things turned out. I am.” --Jess
November 5, 2020
This is a sweet and heartwarming story with wonderful characters. This is a continuance of the story of Vella, one of the babies from the Bachelors and Babies series. There is lots of action in the story that moves along at a fairly fast pace that will keep you turning the pages. You will find three orphans, some evil people, mystery and suspense, and romance. Will Vella and Baird find their HEA. Be sure to read this page turning story to find out. I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.
November 1, 2020
Vella is the newest in the Cupids and Cowboys Series. A story continuation from the Bachelors and Babies Series. I absolutely loved this book!
It has a great cast of characters and they are so well written that you feel you are right there with them. The book moves along and keeps you on your
toes! It has a bit of everything! Drama, mystery, suspense and of course romance! You are going to enjoy this book.
It has a great cast of characters and they are so well written that you feel you are right there with them. The book moves along and keeps you on your
toes! It has a bit of everything! Drama, mystery, suspense and of course romance! You are going to enjoy this book.
November 5, 2020
Baird- Towns new Marshall that wants to be a dr.
Vella- Chase and Jasmine/Minnie's daughter and the town's school teacher
I enjoyed reading this intriguing story with witty orphans who just want a loving family. Their story has a good HEA.
I will say that Vella's whining about what her mother confessed was over the top , it was kinda hard to like her much after that but she did redeemed her self a little.
Vella- Chase and Jasmine/Minnie's daughter and the town's school teacher
I enjoyed reading this intriguing story with witty orphans who just want a loving family. Their story has a good HEA.
I will say that Vella's whining about what her mother confessed was over the top , it was kinda hard to like her much after that but she did redeemed her self a little.
November 20, 2020
What a Fun Story
I really enjoyed this romance about a young schoolteacher who felt no rush to get married. Then she became aware of three orphans. First she had to find them. Then she had to convince them to trust her. To keep them from those with nefarious designs, she had to find a way to adopt them. That is when the orphans took matters into their own hands. Good characters, an action packed plot and some funny scenes. A fun read.
I really enjoyed this romance about a young schoolteacher who felt no rush to get married. Then she became aware of three orphans. First she had to find them. Then she had to convince them to trust her. To keep them from those with nefarious designs, she had to find a way to adopt them. That is when the orphans took matters into their own hands. Good characters, an action packed plot and some funny scenes. A fun read.
November 24, 2020
The story about a marshal a teacher and three orphans who wanted to be adopted together. But how to get them to get married? And not everyone what’s them together.
This is such a fun and entertaining story. Three children who are fighting for what the want when the bring Vella and Baird together.
The characters in the books in this Cupids and Cowboys series are the next generation of the Bachelors and Babies series, both great series!
This is such a fun and entertaining story. Three children who are fighting for what the want when the bring Vella and Baird together.
The characters in the books in this Cupids and Cowboys series are the next generation of the Bachelors and Babies series, both great series!
January 31, 2022
Beautiful story
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Vella's grown up story. I first met her in the Bachelor's and Babies series, so I looked forward to seeing how her life turned out as an adult. I was not disappointed. Her story, along with her family members, the orphans and the Marshal kept me reading to see what was going to happen next. It's a beautiful story to read and I highly recommend it.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Vella's grown up story. I first met her in the Bachelor's and Babies series, so I looked forward to seeing how her life turned out as an adult. I was not disappointed. Her story, along with her family members, the orphans and the Marshal kept me reading to see what was going to happen next. It's a beautiful story to read and I highly recommend it.
March 5, 2022
Many surprises!
I'm smiling a silly smile. Through many trials and tribulations our sweet crew made their way to an extremely happy ending.
I'm smiling a silly smile. Through many trials and tribulations our sweet crew made their way to an extremely happy ending.
November 24, 2020
Vella: Cupids and Cowboys Series Book 3
This is another enjoyable book by one of my favorite authors. I loved the storyline and the main characters along with the secondary characters. My heart was sad reading about the orphan train and the three little runaways. Biting my nails at times, but as with all of Charlene's books, there's always a HEA. JudyE
This is another enjoyable book by one of my favorite authors. I loved the storyline and the main characters along with the secondary characters. My heart was sad reading about the orphan train and the three little runaways. Biting my nails at times, but as with all of Charlene's books, there's always a HEA. JudyE
November 1, 2020
Set in Montana in the late 1800s. A different time, especially for women and children. At times they were mere property. I enjoyed this story with our main character being Vella, a young woman, schoolteacher and fiercely independent. Three orphans arrive in town after escaping their train. She is determined to save them and they have their own plans. Can she get the Marshall onside with her or will he send these children away. There's some drama with two unscrupulous men with their own greedy agenda. All in all an entertaining read with wonderful characters. I was privileged with an early read.
October 31, 2021
Love works its magic.
I loved the characters and the pacing of the story. Vella was such a strong character and l wanted more about Earlene. The 3 orphaned children were survivors. I couldn't stop reading.
I loved the characters and the pacing of the story. Vella was such a strong character and l wanted more about Earlene. The 3 orphaned children were survivors. I couldn't stop reading.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews