Jesse

Bounty Hunters of Sunset Creek Ranch #2

by Barbara Goss

Fake friends are like shadows: they follow you in the sun but leave you in the dark

Jesse, a scarred man after being a bounty hunter for ten years, lives like a recluse. Suddenly two women enter his life, a raving beauty named Delia, and a bubbly woman, named Charlotte, who loves riding and shooting. One is out for his money and even his life, and the other is out for his heart. Jesse discovers one of his friends is behind a scheme to kill him and steal his land and money by using a woman. He needs to find out which of his friends and which woman is deceiving him. He marries one woman—but was she the right one?

110 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2020

About the author

AKA Barbara A. Masci & Barbara Masci-Goss

From Kindle Author Page:

Barbara Masci Goss is now just Barbara Goss. I live in Western New York State and have three grown sons, two step daughters and 10 grandchildren. I wrote my books in the early '90's and now that I'm retired I have obtained the book rights and am converting them to Kindle. That's exciting for me because I don't read paper books at all anymore. I have designed new covers with a new author name: Barbara Goss. My first two books "Captured Heart" and "Forbidden Legacy" went to a second printing in the mid '90's and the publisher added my name as Barbara Masci-Goss, but I now prefer to keep it short and sweet.

From Author Website:

I'm from Western New York, and I live with my husband and two cats, Mandy and Molly.


I wrote these books in the early 1990's in paperback. My publishers were Fleming Revell and Baker Book House.


Now, I have the rights and have put them out on E-Books so people can still enjoy them.


My goal in writing these books is to provide clean but still romantic and adventurous novels for all ages. I've always felt that we needed more clean, wholesome books. When I wrote these books there were but a handful of Christian romance writers. Now, thankfully there are more. My biggest influence in writing was Grace Livingston Hill. Enjoy.

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

They see past first impressions

Both Jesse and Charlie are judged by society, Jesse was a bounty hunter and people see him as intimidating, cold and hard. Charlie hates wearing dresses, only rides astride and has a confident personality...men are intimidated and want a meek wife. Well most men, Jesse loves Charlie exactly as she is, fun, sassy, confident and brave. She in turn, sees past his job and lack of social skills to see the loving man buried beneath, a man who only sees her.
I really like Jesse and Charlie, they may not conform to what society expects but they love each other, quirks and all. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesse
By: Barbara Goss
Narrated by: J. Scott Bennett

Fun! Fun! Fun! I love Barbara Goss and this book has all the things in it that I love about her writing. A good romance, some suspense, a strong woman and a lot of faith has this one coming in as one of my favorites! Jesse is a bounty hunter. Between jobs, he is home and kind of seeing Delia a local woman who works in the saloon. When his friend Seth asks him to be his best man for his mail order bride wedding, he is more than happy to oblige. And there he meets Charlie. Seth's new sister-in-law. These two hit it off. But now what will happen with Delia? Will Charlie stay? Will she be happy with a bounty hunter? Will either woman be happy his lack of faith in God? This book has it all. Delia is a spitfire, and this just gives a glimpse of what she is like! Charlie is quite the woman. Perfectly suited for Jesse, a little tomboyish and all woman. And Jesse is a wonderful man, trying not to cause any hurt feelings, figuring out where his life will take him. But what is the most exciting is the underlying suspense of his one. It's got a few unexpected twists and turns and kept me wondering how things were going to turn out! Another wonderful listen by Barbara.

Her narrators always suit her books perfectly. J Scott Bennett enhances this one with his calming voice. I always enjoy his narrations, as he knows his character and tunes into their personalities. He brings his romantic suspense to life and made my ears happy!

[Sandra Sorola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge Fan of Barbara Goss. She has outdone herself with this one! Jesse, ex bounty hunter is sort of courting a beautiful woman in town. Delia.. A woman with a past and a plan that Jesse is unaware of at the moment.
His friend Sean has a Mail Order Bride arriving, but she also brought your sister along! Sean needs a favor. So Jesse agrees to help out and entertain Charlie for a few hours each week so Sean can get to know his new bride Sophia.
Delia is stunning and seems to be everything a man could want. But she falls flat in Jesse's eyes. Why?? He can't quite figure it out.
Charlie, the young woman enjoys things most women wouldn't. Riding horses astride and shooting guns. Her personality fits in well with Jesse's and they really do hit it off. The only thing they don't have in common is Charlie's love of God. Will Jesse give her lifestyle a chance and attend church with her? Can he learn to love the Lord the way Charlie does?
Will Jesse see what is in front of him before danger strikes? This book has it all. Fast pace to keep you reading, a little danger, a lot of action and a beautiful love story unfolding. In my eyes this book is a must read. You will love the action and adventure..

[Zena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting Story!
The first thing that grabbed my attention was the cover. It is so different to all of the other books coming out at the moment that I couldn't help but notice it. Besides that, it has a really nice looking young man looking straight at one with quite a serious look in his eyes.
But, that is not what I am supposed to review, or is it? Never mind...
I enjoyed this story so very much. It held my attention all the way through, has interesting characters and I loved Jesse's integrity. I also loved the way certain facts got uncovered and that all the situations got neatly tidied up before the end of the story.
This was really a very exciting and entertaining story and I am so glad to have read it.
My voluntary and unbiased review, after reading an Advance Reader Copy (ARC), is recorded above.

[BrendaLee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed this story. The narrator is one of my favorites and makes the story come to life. The characters were great and the story line was exciting. I couldn’t figure out there for a while what woman Jesse was going to pick. A good romance, with some suspense and a great faith thread going on too. Very interesting story. By the way I really liked Charlie and how she was strong but yet very soft inside. When things took a turn for the worse Charlie didn’t want to sit around and do nothing. But trouble follows so you will have to read or listen to the book to find out what happens. I recommend the audiobook because hearing it really enhanced the imagination.
I received a copy of this audiobook from the narrator but was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Phyllis Rundell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Goss has brought us an exciting, yet different, story with great characters. This is Jesse, Delia, and Charlie's story, which evolves into a love triangle of sorts. Delia is up to no good and involved in a scheme to take his money, get him killed and take his land; Charlie is different from any woman Jesse has ever known and one of very deep faith that Jesse does not share. As an ex-bounty hunter, Jesse is leery of both woman, but ends up marrying one and then has second thoughts as to his decision. Will Jesse find out who wants him dead and will he and his bride find a HEA. Be sure to read this spellbinding book containing some surprises to find out. I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book. I love these sweet, Christian romances by Barbara Goss. I love that the romances are more refined and based on heart before the physical aspects of love.
Jesse almost got himself into a heap of trouble with a gal working at the saloon. However, the friendship he had developed with the sister of his best friend's mail order bride provided a solution to his problem and to Charlie's solution to not wanting to return to New York City. Charlie might not be your average wilting, handkerchief fluttering woman, but she's just what Jesse likes. Their marriage of convenience might turn into one of love-- if Jesse manages to stay ahead of those who have it in for him.
I was given a complimentary copy of this audiobook. All thoughts are my own.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found it hard to put this audio book aside! There was intrigue from the beginning and it wasn't cleared up until the end. Jesse had to learn the hard way that outward appearances do not always reflect what is inside a person. I would have felt sorry for Delia but for the fact that she was not willing to face her past, accept responsibility, and tell the truth. Instead she turned herself into a victim. Finally through his friendship with Charlie he began to see the real Delia as well as the real Charlie. The ending is perfect for all the characters--each reaped their rewards. Great book!

I requested this audio book from Audiobooks Unleashed and have voluntarily left this review.

[Earlene Click · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesse and Charlotte/Charlie

This is a sweet love story written by Barbara Goss. She has excitement and adventure on every page of this tale. Jesse is a retired bounty hunter that is setting up his ranch/home on property he and six by of his friends had equally inherited. Charlie and her I sister come from New York to the area for her sister’s mail order bride marriage. You will enjoy discovering how Jessie and Charlie find their happily ever after.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook of this story. The narrator brought the characters to life. I enjoyed listening to this book. Jesse was a bounty hunter for many years and now he just wants to be left alone or does he. When suddenly, two women take an interest in him, is it for his farm and money or his heart. Can he find out the truth, before it is to late. Can he trust his friends. You decide as you read this book. Will he choose Delia or Charlotte.

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read or listened to in this series, but I'm only sad that there's a set limit to the length of this series! Ex bounty hunters are a great topic to start with, so, I hope they'll all be as enjoyable as this one! One of my favorite narrators and one of my favorite Christian and Sweet authors, always make such a great team.
Scott did a great job narrating and besides his great a sounding voice, his cadence and soft voice, he has the calming affect of a caring doctor.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story. It was a fairly simple love story. I liked that their were several points of view in the story. It didn’t give away immediately who the ex-bounty was going to fall in love with. It was obvious both women had feelings for the man but one had ulterior motives in her pursuit of Jessie. I liked that it had Christian ideals but it was a little cheesy in the presentation of it for my taste. The story line was good. Kept me on my toes a bit.

[Elsa · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you like clean, sweet books, I wouldn't even bother trying this!
I usually will try my best to get through a book but I couldn't do it with this one. Within the first little bit, we learn that the heroine murdered a man that tried to attack her and fled. Then the "hero" is busy thinking about his past lover. Ya,.... I'm not investing my time in a book that starts that way.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie and Jesse 💞

I enjoyed the growing relationship of Charlie and Jesse. She was so much better for him that Delia. True beauty is not just external, as Jesse learned.

I appreciated the Gospel message, as well.

The story was basically clean, with mentions of intimacy several times after they married, but no lewd details. No cursing, either.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A plot, a plan, an innocent man

A plot , A plan and an innocent man. Not crime wise - innocent as in naive. Jesse has lived off the land for ten years. He doesn't know much about society, but he knows what he likes. When Celia catches his eye, he likes her attention, but when Charlie is foist upon him everything changes - for the better.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, I had it read in 3 days. It was awesome to watch Jesse work through his feelings for 2 women and truly figure out what true love was. I enjoyed watching all the characters grow, and watching love blossom with Christ at the center. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good western book or romance.

[Marty Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this storyline. There was a lot about the characters that I could relate to and I enjoyed the way Jesse handled things. He wasn't the type to shoot first then ask questions, though at times to his detriment.
This is another great story by Barb Goss!!

[kathi Driskell]

Short and sweet

I found this book to be less exciting than I expected. Maybe I thought more interaction at the ranch with the other owners would be more evident
Overall it was a sweet, Jesus filled read and ended the story well with Sunset Creek Growing

[Kathy Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet love story

Jesse and Charlie fell in love despite Delia trying to get Jesse to marry her for his money. This story has a !ot of twists an turns, in the end the live happily ever after.

[Pat Comer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good series.

Thank you, Barbara Goss, Jesse and Charlie met and fell in Love. Charlie's brother was bad guy, Jesse went after him, got shot , then Jesse didnt come back, so Charlie and some Deputies went after Leo. Jesse and Charlie lived happy ever after.

[Myrna Des · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love to read

Well, I've finished another great book and eagerly looking forward to the next in the series. I`m very pleased with this series. Thank you Ms. Goss for these lovely stories.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of trying to find new life but old one calls back. A new wife that is nothing like he thought she would be like. Robbery, gun fights, friendships, family and love. You won’t regret the time you spend with this book.

[Natalya · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a sweet romance story of hope and home, family and friends, and finding one’s place!
Narrator did a great job!

[ReadingWench · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can never go wrong with a Barbara Goss book. I loved it. It was fun and I loved the characters and story.

[judith napier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

One of the best things about this book, is that it goes on to give more to story than, just they got married. Recommended read.

[Lea & Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet series

Jesse"s profession as a bounty hunter places him in risky situations but the trickiest is between two women. Interesting how it all plays out.