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The Justice Way #1
Ryder's Wife
Delaney Ruban left a clause in his will requiring his granddaughter Casey to marry within 48 hours or forfeit her inheritance. Beautiful Casey adored her grandfather and had been groomed by him to rule his financial empire. She refused, however, to let him rule her private life as well. With her back to the wall, she foils his last attempt to force his handpicked husband on her; instead, she walks into a roadhouse deep in the Mississippi Delta and announces that she'll marry the first man who has the guts to stand up to her pack of barracuda relatives. Ryder Justice has his own demons to fight and is running from a past that torments him. But there's something about the lovely, desperate Casey that makes him step forward. Casey thinks he has the coldest eyes she's ever seen, but she's desperate enough to make a deal with him. Fate throws Casey and Ryder together, but the heat of passion and their forced intimacy forges a bond that will make their marriage of convenience last a lifetime.
249 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
About the author
Sharon Sala
281 books2,317 followersBiography
Sharon Sala is a Native Oklahoman and still lives within a two hour drive of where she was born.
First published in 1991, she is a New York Times/USA Today, best-selling author with a 135 plus books published in seven different genres, including Romantic suspense, Mystery, Young Adult, Western, Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Non-Fiction.
Industry Awards include:
Eight-time RITA finalist. (Romance Industry award)
The Janet Dailey Award.
Five-time Career Achievement winner from RT Magazine.
Five time winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award.
Five time winner of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence.
Heart of Excellence Award.,
Booksellers Best Award.
Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award RITA, presented by RWA.
Centennial Award from RWA for recognition of her 100th published novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 19, 2011
Ryder's Wife is the first in the series about two brothers. Ryder is the middle one and he adored his father and ran a flying business when in one crash, he survived and his father died. Over-burdened by guilt despite being told it wasn't his fault he ran away, leaving his business and family far behind roaming from place to place trying to forget.
Casey Ruban is a heiress who lost her parents at the age of 6, and went to live with her grandfather and her two half-siblings from her mother's first marriage. Her maternal grandmother also moved in with them but Casey was more or less ignored and considered the cook and her husband her family. As she grew older and her grandfather realized that she was the only blood relation he started grooming her for the business. Now, the grandfather is dead and all responsibilities lie on Casey, but her grandfather has a clause, she has to marry within 48 hours. Casey is furious and realizes her grandfather wanted her to marry the family lawyer Lash Marlow.
But Casey doesn't like being manipulated and doesn't like the guy and walks into a bar and challenges she will marry the first man who has the guts to stand up to her family.
So Casey and Ryder get hitched fast. Casey is in a temper and shock and not really sure what is she getting into. She doesn't know anything about Ryder and neither does he but they work things out. She tells Ryder that he can be the family chauffeur and they go and confront the family. Ryder tells Casey he is her husband if not in the real sense but he will not be her lap-dog, Casey is shocked since she is used to responsibility, her two half-siblings are spongers who have never worked a day in their lives. The initial sense of discovery is shown well. Casey doesn't have instant trust in Ryder since she doesn't know him from Adam. But Ryder constantly takes care of her, when she is injured or even tired after a exhausting day.
Now, Ryder is great, he stands up to her family and shocks the hell out of them. He stands up for Casey and makes the sister feel ashamed when she tries to come on to him, makes the grandmother loosen up and realize that she is no Queen-bee and threatens the brother, that he better learn to treat Casey better. Not that Casey needs much help, she control the purse strings and never uses it. She tries to get her siblings to do work in life and knows that they feel left-out since they are not blood born.
Slowly, these two get to know each other, Ryder even pokes fun at Casey's inability to even boil water and makes her wash dishes for the first time. But through out even when they fall in love and their marriage becomes real Ryder doesn't tell her about his past. Casey knows he is a good man but she wants to know and hires someone to do it, obviously he finds out and they fight.
I loved the book, how Ryder was the most amazing chauffeur, how broken up he was when Casey takes a flight and he think it has crashed. I also loved the glimpses of the Justice family and it was great to see how they were worried about their brother and Roman the brother who saves the day sounds intriguing as hell.
The best part was seeing these two discover each other, trust each other and then fall in love.
Casey Ruban is a heiress who lost her parents at the age of 6, and went to live with her grandfather and her two half-siblings from her mother's first marriage. Her maternal grandmother also moved in with them but Casey was more or less ignored and considered the cook and her husband her family. As she grew older and her grandfather realized that she was the only blood relation he started grooming her for the business. Now, the grandfather is dead and all responsibilities lie on Casey, but her grandfather has a clause, she has to marry within 48 hours. Casey is furious and realizes her grandfather wanted her to marry the family lawyer Lash Marlow.
But Casey doesn't like being manipulated and doesn't like the guy and walks into a bar and challenges she will marry the first man who has the guts to stand up to her family.
So Casey and Ryder get hitched fast. Casey is in a temper and shock and not really sure what is she getting into. She doesn't know anything about Ryder and neither does he but they work things out. She tells Ryder that he can be the family chauffeur and they go and confront the family. Ryder tells Casey he is her husband if not in the real sense but he will not be her lap-dog, Casey is shocked since she is used to responsibility, her two half-siblings are spongers who have never worked a day in their lives. The initial sense of discovery is shown well. Casey doesn't have instant trust in Ryder since she doesn't know him from Adam. But Ryder constantly takes care of her, when she is injured or even tired after a exhausting day.
Now, Ryder is great, he stands up to her family and shocks the hell out of them. He stands up for Casey and makes the sister feel ashamed when she tries to come on to him, makes the grandmother loosen up and realize that she is no Queen-bee and threatens the brother, that he better learn to treat Casey better. Not that Casey needs much help, she control the purse strings and never uses it. She tries to get her siblings to do work in life and knows that they feel left-out since they are not blood born.
Slowly, these two get to know each other, Ryder even pokes fun at Casey's inability to even boil water and makes her wash dishes for the first time. But through out even when they fall in love and their marriage becomes real Ryder doesn't tell her about his past. Casey knows he is a good man but she wants to know and hires someone to do it, obviously he finds out and they fight.
I loved the book, how Ryder was the most amazing chauffeur, how broken up he was when Casey takes a flight and he think it has crashed. I also loved the glimpses of the Justice family and it was great to see how they were worried about their brother and Roman the brother who saves the day sounds intriguing as hell.
The best part was seeing these two discover each other, trust each other and then fall in love.
April 11, 2016
I had a paperback copy from when this book was first released but it has since disappeared (into the black hole of lost books - I swear I have a portal in my house ;) However, when I got the Kindle app on my iPod, one of the first books I bought was Ryder's Wife (along with the other two books in the set).
It's classic 1990s Harlequin - the kind I read throughout high school and into university. It's predictable, somewhat dated, slightly cheesy (especially the cover - but then, you don't read Harlequin's for their covers!), and as formulaic as possible. It is one of Sala's older books and it shows.
But despite it's faults, Ryder's Wife is one of my comfort reads. I love the Justice boys (though admittedly homebody Royal is my favourite), and their larger than life Texas personalities. I love their heroines - who, despite what's been thrown at them, don't just sit and whine. (They are kick-ass heroines with the best of them.) I also love the slightest touch of the paranormal - just enough to nudge the story into something a little extra, but have it still read like a regular contemporary.
It's classic 1990s Harlequin - the kind I read throughout high school and into university. It's predictable, somewhat dated, slightly cheesy (especially the cover - but then, you don't read Harlequin's for their covers!), and as formulaic as possible. It is one of Sala's older books and it shows.
But despite it's faults, Ryder's Wife is one of my comfort reads. I love the Justice boys (though admittedly homebody Royal is my favourite), and their larger than life Texas personalities. I love their heroines - who, despite what's been thrown at them, don't just sit and whine. (They are kick-ass heroines with the best of them.) I also love the slightest touch of the paranormal - just enough to nudge the story into something a little extra, but have it still read like a regular contemporary.
October 6, 2019
Fabulous storytelling
Sala has to be my favorite author...she is a superb storyteller who brings her characters to life ... and this book is no exception. Ryder Justice, trying to outrun the tragedy in his past, life takes an unexpected turn... Casey Ruben is not a woman to be pushed into an untenable situation....can these two determined souls find a way past the obstacles determined to keep them apart...a heartwarming story of courage ...
Sala has to be my favorite author...she is a superb storyteller who brings her characters to life ... and this book is no exception. Ryder Justice, trying to outrun the tragedy in his past, life takes an unexpected turn... Casey Ruben is not a woman to be pushed into an untenable situation....can these two determined souls find a way past the obstacles determined to keep them apart...a heartwarming story of courage ...
January 5, 2018
DNF @ 43%
The story moved too slow and it spent too much time on mundane slice of life aspect to engage me.
February 6, 2018
Really good story
I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. It is an older story but the first time I have read the book. Ryder and Cassie meet in this story in a strange way but it really gets the story moving. I had a hard time putting it down once I started. I loved both of these characters from the start. I did not like Cassie’s twin siblings and could not understand their role in this story. I guess you had to have someone to dislike but it didn’t make a lot of sense. Her siblings were the children of her mother from her previous marriage yet they lived in the mansion and received money from their step grandfather as if they were his kin. It made no sense to me and made me dislike both of them for how they treated Cassie’s character. Other than them all the other characters had played a role that made sense to me in the story. A very well done book and I can’t wait to read the next story.
I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. It is an older story but the first time I have read the book. Ryder and Cassie meet in this story in a strange way but it really gets the story moving. I had a hard time putting it down once I started. I loved both of these characters from the start. I did not like Cassie’s twin siblings and could not understand their role in this story. I guess you had to have someone to dislike but it didn’t make a lot of sense. Her siblings were the children of her mother from her previous marriage yet they lived in the mansion and received money from their step grandfather as if they were his kin. It made no sense to me and made me dislike both of them for how they treated Cassie’s character. Other than them all the other characters had played a role that made sense to me in the story. A very well done book and I can’t wait to read the next story.
August 8, 2020
Another awesome read by Ms. Sala. I am going to start the next book in this series, right now. It is not a continuation, but rather the story of one of Ryder's brother's, ROMAN; "Roman's Heart". I wonder though if I might apply as an editor/proofreader for Ryder's Wife. There was a consistent grammatical error where periods (.) appeared in the middle of sentences throughout the book. There is a discrepancy in chapter 3 and chapter 6 regarding where Joshua and Tilly lived. Did anyone else pick up on this too? Nevertheless, I enjoyed this one immensely.
June 30, 2021
What another amazing book by Sharon Sala.
Casey Ruben is left with a dilemma at the reading of her granddad’s will.
She needs a husband and has 48 hours to find him.
Ryder Justice is down out, and reeling from the plane Crash that killed his dad… he blames himself.
Evil is coming and it’s closer than they think. Sometimes those against you can be family or foe…
This had such an amazing ending
Casey Ruben is left with a dilemma at the reading of her granddad’s will.
She needs a husband and has 48 hours to find him.
Ryder Justice is down out, and reeling from the plane Crash that killed his dad… he blames himself.
Evil is coming and it’s closer than they think. Sometimes those against you can be family or foe…
This had such an amazing ending
August 22, 2024
This was not bad, per se, but I got impatient and didn’t finish it. Somewhat cliche with obvious in-your-face plot points. At first I read all the words, then I started skimming entire paragraphs to get to the point of the paragraph, then I did that with chapters that didn’t have to do with the MCs. The characters are nice and it starts well but just sort of felt like riding on a carriage wheel going nowhere fast. Some people would like it, but I didn’t.
September 18, 2021
This book is not one that I would normally read. However, the book is an easy read. A young woman inherits a possible fortune. The only catch is that she must marry. This makes for an interesting story line.
October 31, 2017
Rider's wife
Excellent read, looking forward to the rest of the series and I disintegrate available today. For what it's worth, I don't like being told how long my reviews can be.
Excellent read, looking forward to the rest of the series and I disintegrate available today. For what it's worth, I don't like being told how long my reviews can be.
January 27, 2018
Ryder's Wife is the first romantic suspense book in The Justice Way series written by author Sharon Sala. Love the characters!
February 5, 2018
RYDER'S WIFE
Loved this story, love this author- her stories are always unique and special. Enjoyed Casey walking into the bar to find a husband-wow!
Loved this story, love this author- her stories are always unique and special. Enjoyed Casey walking into the bar to find a husband-wow!
February 14, 2018
Wonderful Story
This story had me in tears, it was a wonderful story. Sharon Sala knows how's how to write wonderful stories....
This story had me in tears, it was a wonderful story. Sharon Sala knows how's how to write wonderful stories....
March 31, 2018
Action packed indeed
The action included romance, family drama, triumph and tragedy. Sala always satisfies! For escape reading, Sala provides a path to other worlds.
The action included romance, family drama, triumph and tragedy. Sala always satisfies! For escape reading, Sala provides a path to other worlds.
June 24, 2018
Where to start?
The premise is too far fetched.
Casey is WAY too much of a princess.
The Ryder/Casey show is too awkward to be sexy.
The antagonists are kinda lame.
The premise is too far fetched.
Casey is WAY too much of a princess.
The Ryder/Casey show is too awkward to be sexy.
The antagonists are kinda lame.
November 30, 2019
A good read. I really enjoyed this book. Now on to the second in the series.
July 31, 2023
Finish the within two hours and I’m about to search for the rest of the series.
January 25, 2024
A good story about a woman who does not give up even when her back is up against a wall. The hero is as unexpected. I enjoyed seeing everything come together.
March 18, 2017
1st book in series. The story of Ryder Justice and Casey Ruban. Casey just found out that her grandfather put in his will that she has to marry in 48 hours to inherit or it goes to her half brother and sister, that go have always just sponged off the families fortune. Her grandfather has raised Casey to take over the family empire but was trying to force her to marry their lawyer Lash. Instead she runs to the flatlands and finds Ryder. He agrees to marry her for 1 year in name only. This is their story of how living together and getting to know each other brings them closer than they ever expected.
April 12, 2015
Casey Ruban has been raised by her grandfather to take over Ruban Industries when he dies. However, when he does go he leaves a stipulation that she must marry in 48 hours and reside with her husband for a year in order to inherit. He had his lawyer in mind and the lawyer went along with this stipulation, but his name was not mentioned. Casey storms off and finds her own husband in a bar in the flat lands, Ryder Justice. Ryder has spent 8 months drifting, since the day his plane was hit by lightning, crashed and killed his father. Ryder has been unable to fly and has flashbacks. He likes her grit and welcomes a purpose. She hires him as chauffeur and they move into the apartment over the garage. Ryder needs to deal with 2 selfish step-siblings, an aunt and the lawyer. And figure out a way to stay uninvolved with Casey while fulfilling the bargain. Well done.
July 19, 2011
Book one in "The Justice Way" trilogy. We know from her later work that Sala is a great suspense author, this book helps show why. It contains just a hint of the paranormal.
The protagonists and secondary characters all show character growth. The heroine is a gutsy rich dame whose impulse control is a bit weak. The hero is learning to get past guilt for an accident that was not his fault but cost the life of a loved one. The villain is a crooked attorney, the last in an old Southern family trying to save his plantation home. The heroine's siblings and grandmother are fascinating characters in their own rights.
The hero's brothers each star later in the trilogy.
Enjoy!
The protagonists and secondary characters all show character growth. The heroine is a gutsy rich dame whose impulse control is a bit weak. The hero is learning to get past guilt for an accident that was not his fault but cost the life of a loved one. The villain is a crooked attorney, the last in an old Southern family trying to save his plantation home. The heroine's siblings and grandmother are fascinating characters in their own rights.
The hero's brothers each star later in the trilogy.
Enjoy!
January 2, 2025
Good rom-sus beginning the Justice Way series. Ryder Justice has run away from home, leaving his wealthy lifestyle, his brothers and their businesses. He's living in guilt about the small plane crash that killed his father and he can't be responsible anymore. One evening in a roadhouse a woman comes in and makes an incredible proposition.
Before he knows it, he has accepted and is on the way to her home. He becomes her "chauffeur" as well as her "legally-bound for a year" husband. Each of them has secrets and there's danger involved. The Ruban family is as full of vipers as you can imagine and it will take love and skill to outwit them.
Before he knows it, he has accepted and is on the way to her home. He becomes her "chauffeur" as well as her "legally-bound for a year" husband. Each of them has secrets and there's danger involved. The Ruban family is as full of vipers as you can imagine and it will take love and skill to outwit them.
July 1, 2011
First in the Justice Way series. Middle brother Ryder. A nice story of an arranged marriage in order to inherit. The hero was running from a tragedy in his life and agrees to marry the heroine, an heiress. He is nice to her and stands up for her which is a nice thing to see. Well written as are all Sala's stories. I did notice though that I've seen her use a bad guy almost exactly like this in a later book.
June 13, 2015
I give this book 4.5 stars at least.. This book was published in 1997 and has only had 225 reviews which is a damn shame.. Well written, great story. People just don't know this Author well I guess. Please take time to check this book out!!!
Read
January 26, 2016Have read this book so many times it fell apart. LOVED LOVED LOVED it. (Bought another copy on Ebay that might have to be replaced as well).
A must read if you are a Sharon Sala fan.
The other 2 in this series are just as good and are also must reads.
A must read if you are a Sharon Sala fan.
The other 2 in this series are just as good and are also must reads.
Read
August 16, 2008Ryder's Wife (The Justice Way) (Silhouette Intimate Moments No. 817) (Harlequin Silhouette Intimate Moments, No 817) by Sharon Sala (1997)
July 15, 2010
Typical early Sharon Sala fare.
August 12, 2012
Great book! Love the Ryder character. I hope she will write a sequel some day! Love Sharon Sala's books!
May 9, 2018
This one ages really well. I've read it a few times now and it's always entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews