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Outlaws & Orphans of Cooper's Ridge #1
The Runaway
A Man With A Shameful Past - A Woman Forced From Her Home - Can Two Outcasts And An Orphan Build A New Life Together In Cooper's Ridge?
Marie Wilson feels like the bad side of Cinderella living with her step-mother and step-sister who make her life miserable. When she is forced to leave home, a new life waits for her in Texas.
Except it's not the life she imagines. Finding herself in a unique situation, she agrees to step in as a mail-order bride to help raise an orphan who would rather run away than have someone love him. Can she put her own dreams aside to make a new life with strangers?
The new doctor, Owen Gorden, has a shameful past he's trying hard to come to terms with. When he orders a boy from the Orphan Train and a new mail-order bride for a marriage of convenience, the past seems to fade away. Or, has it? Will guilt cause him to spill the beans and ruin any chance with his new family?
Outlaws & Orphans of Cooper's Ridge is a spin-off from Cyndi Raye's Sons of Nora White series.
Cooper Murphy wore many badges in his outlaw days after the war. When he realizes he was becoming like the outlaws he chased, he returns home to change his life. Now a rough-speaking, gun toting man of God, he buys a plot of land and slowly builds the town of Cooper's Ridge. But there are rules and regulations to follow. Cooper's Ridge is for those who were once sinful and now have redeemed themselves, wanting to build a new life in a town that won't shame a man for his past behaviors. Can he keep peace and help build a town filled with character and redemption? This series is about the people who find this haven and make it their own
Marie Wilson feels like the bad side of Cinderella living with her step-mother and step-sister who make her life miserable. When she is forced to leave home, a new life waits for her in Texas.
Except it's not the life she imagines. Finding herself in a unique situation, she agrees to step in as a mail-order bride to help raise an orphan who would rather run away than have someone love him. Can she put her own dreams aside to make a new life with strangers?
The new doctor, Owen Gorden, has a shameful past he's trying hard to come to terms with. When he orders a boy from the Orphan Train and a new mail-order bride for a marriage of convenience, the past seems to fade away. Or, has it? Will guilt cause him to spill the beans and ruin any chance with his new family?
Outlaws & Orphans of Cooper's Ridge is a spin-off from Cyndi Raye's Sons of Nora White series.
Cooper Murphy wore many badges in his outlaw days after the war. When he realizes he was becoming like the outlaws he chased, he returns home to change his life. Now a rough-speaking, gun toting man of God, he buys a plot of land and slowly builds the town of Cooper's Ridge. But there are rules and regulations to follow. Cooper's Ridge is for those who were once sinful and now have redeemed themselves, wanting to build a new life in a town that won't shame a man for his past behaviors. Can he keep peace and help build a town filled with character and redemption? This series is about the people who find this haven and make it their own
144 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 29, 2022
137 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
April 20, 2022
Good story, not so good writing. Proofreading would have made this book more enjoyable.
August 10, 2023
Fun book. A reminder that evil doesn't last forever. Our God of second chances strikes again. Highly recommend this book.
May 7, 2022
Great Book
I just loved this book. Such a sweet heart warming story. Marie was treated so badly by her step mother and step sister, and her father was too blind to see what was going on. Then she was sent away to escort her step sister to Cooper's Ridge to marry a doctor. While on the train Marie meets a young orphan boy David who is on his way to be adopted. After offering to be his escort for the remainder of the trip, she discovers he is also going to Cooper's Ridge. Upon arriving, she meets Owen the man who is adopting David. After finding out his bride has jilted him and Marie has been supervising David, he asked her to marry him. Realizing that she doesn't have any other option, Marie agrees. But Owen is keeping a secret from her and trouble has followed them both to town. Will their happy family survive this? You need to read this book to find out if they truly become a happy family. This was a well written book that had quite a few twists and turns that keeps you turning pages. The characters in the book are interesting and likable, except for a few despicable ones. If you like orphan stories, I recommend this book.
I just loved this book. Such a sweet heart warming story. Marie was treated so badly by her step mother and step sister, and her father was too blind to see what was going on. Then she was sent away to escort her step sister to Cooper's Ridge to marry a doctor. While on the train Marie meets a young orphan boy David who is on his way to be adopted. After offering to be his escort for the remainder of the trip, she discovers he is also going to Cooper's Ridge. Upon arriving, she meets Owen the man who is adopting David. After finding out his bride has jilted him and Marie has been supervising David, he asked her to marry him. Realizing that she doesn't have any other option, Marie agrees. But Owen is keeping a secret from her and trouble has followed them both to town. Will their happy family survive this? You need to read this book to find out if they truly become a happy family. This was a well written book that had quite a few twists and turns that keeps you turning pages. The characters in the book are interesting and likable, except for a few despicable ones. If you like orphan stories, I recommend this book.
April 8, 2022
A man tryin to come to terms with his past and wondering if he’s good enough to be the town’s doctor but mostly good enough to be a husband and father .
A woman used to higher end society all of a sudden gets regetided by her father. Is put on a train with her mean step sister headed to Texas as her shaperone. The two women never got along so Marie wonders if she can ever be free from people not liking her.
A little boy with no name and no trust for anyone is on the train under tight eyesight so he wouldn’t runaway again. Can he know that he’s capable of receiving love and giving it in return?
Can the three of them find one another and over come the obstinate of life that has been presented to them?
This story will tear at your heartstrings, make you want to yell, make you laugh. But mostly it makes you feel like your there riding a horse, watching a shootout with a gun in your lap. Receiving a long overdue hug from a love one. You will live this story as you read it.
Wonderful book to start this new series
A woman used to higher end society all of a sudden gets regetided by her father. Is put on a train with her mean step sister headed to Texas as her shaperone. The two women never got along so Marie wonders if she can ever be free from people not liking her.
A little boy with no name and no trust for anyone is on the train under tight eyesight so he wouldn’t runaway again. Can he know that he’s capable of receiving love and giving it in return?
Can the three of them find one another and over come the obstinate of life that has been presented to them?
This story will tear at your heartstrings, make you want to yell, make you laugh. But mostly it makes you feel like your there riding a horse, watching a shootout with a gun in your lap. Receiving a long overdue hug from a love one. You will live this story as you read it.
Wonderful book to start this new series
March 29, 2022
Marie is forced to leave home and travel east, where she unexpectedly becomes a mail order bride and mother to an orphan on the same day.
It is great to be back in Cooper's Ridge, with both old and new friends, although it isn't essential to have read books in the previous series set here. If you enjoy American Historical romances you will love this, if you haven't tried one before this is an excellent introduction to the genre and it reminded me why I enjoy these so much. I felt for Marie, Owen (her unexpected husband) and David, the orphan, which drew me into the story. In addition to the romance, which is sweet but realistic, there is also that element of danger from the still "Wild West". I am really looking forward to the next book in the series, the seeds of the story which have already been sown in this one.
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however this did not influence my review of the book.
It is great to be back in Cooper's Ridge, with both old and new friends, although it isn't essential to have read books in the previous series set here. If you enjoy American Historical romances you will love this, if you haven't tried one before this is an excellent introduction to the genre and it reminded me why I enjoy these so much. I felt for Marie, Owen (her unexpected husband) and David, the orphan, which drew me into the story. In addition to the romance, which is sweet but realistic, there is also that element of danger from the still "Wild West". I am really looking forward to the next book in the series, the seeds of the story which have already been sown in this one.
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however this did not influence my review of the book.
June 6, 2023
Marie is relegated to the role of a servant by her stepmother and stepsister when her father remarries. Her nice clothes and jewelry stolen by them as well. When money becomes tight and her father tells the girls to find husbands, Marie is unaware how serious the situation is, and she has no time to look anyway. She's too busy doing the chores that her stepsister won't do as well as her own. When her stepsister identifies a mail order husband, Dr Owen Gorden, Marie is sent along as a chaperone. On the train headed west, Marie's stepsister finds a wealthy man and she bails on her arranged marriage leaving Marie to break the news to Owen Gorden. This is a fast past story with lots of nuances to keep your attention! I loved this book and would definitely recommend for a delighful and clean romance read!!
May 27, 2024
Marie Wilson's life with her step mother is like a cinderella story with the evil step mother. She finds herself on a train with her step sister so the step sister can be a mail order bride. When things on the train go off plan and the step sister finds another suitor Marie is left to let the original groom know that her sister will not be coming to marry him. On the train Marie meets a young boy David that was an orphan traveling to his new home. She befriends the boy and takes him to meet up with his father who she learns is also the intended groom to her step sister. Dr. Owen Gorden is awaiting his soon to be bride and his adopted orphan son only to be surprised his intended didn't come but her sister did and safely escorted his son to him from the train. I really enjoyed Owen and Marie's story it was a great start to the series.
November 7, 2022
very nice read
This was a very nice read. Starting in New York City with Maria the daughter of a banker. She lost her mother years ago and her father remarried. She has a step sister and step mother who cause many problems. Maria does all the chores in the home with very little help from others. She is badly treated by her step mother and sister. Owen is a doctor who was looking to settle down with a wife and a child he hoped to adopt. He corresponded with Maria’s step sister and asked her to marry him. On the way there her step sister decides to marry someone else and tells Maria to marry Owen, in which case she does. There is a lot going on in this book. Please read it. Cyndi Raye has written this book very well. It is very enjoyable.
This was a very nice read. Starting in New York City with Maria the daughter of a banker. She lost her mother years ago and her father remarried. She has a step sister and step mother who cause many problems. Maria does all the chores in the home with very little help from others. She is badly treated by her step mother and sister. Owen is a doctor who was looking to settle down with a wife and a child he hoped to adopt. He corresponded with Maria’s step sister and asked her to marry him. On the way there her step sister decides to marry someone else and tells Maria to marry Owen, in which case she does. There is a lot going on in this book. Please read it. Cyndi Raye has written this book very well. It is very enjoyable.
June 18, 2024
2.5 stars. A sweet little romance heavy on the melodrama with some irritating errors. Needed a good fact checker to catch things like the heroine referring to her 700’x20’ garden plot as being ‘hidden’ and ‘small’. Girl that is nearly a THIRD of an ACRE of vegetation in the middle of New York City. Ain’t no hiding your petite Central Park from your family. Also see the pregnancy that was detected by a first-time mama who has never been around pregnant ladies and never got The Talk, being noticed only a few weeks after the deed got did, before most women experience any symptoms of pregnancy. Also, editing needed to catch a number of grammatical/print errors.
March 29, 2022
I love when stories come together and bring thoughts to you that you didn't realize. Like how the Orphan Trains worked, and if the kids benefited from them. Some did and some didn't. in this case David definitely got the gift of parents that loved him and cherished him. Owen and Marie met and married and became David's parents all in one day! Their lives were enriched but were not without some excitement and strife at the beginning. They worked through the bad stuff and landed a beautiful HEA. You will love the start of the next Cyndi Raye series!
April 5, 2022
This is a sweet and heartwarming story that champions second chances. This is the first in a series that takes place in Cooper's Ridge, Texas, a town started on the premise that everyone deserves a second chance. This is Marie Wilson and Owen Gorden's story, and includes David, an orphan boy. The couple meet, marry and become David's guardians all in one day. As all three of them bear scars from the past, will they be able to form a tight knit and loving family? Be sure and read this wonderful story to find out; I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.
October 2, 2025
One Very, Very, Bad, Bad Day!
But it ends with a great HEA! The story was a bit dramatic at times but the morals are good, it has no sex or swears - so a sweet romance, it's entertaining with likeable characters with a few despicable ones thrown in to stir the plot.
I didn't like the first chapter because of the injustice of it all, but things really get interesting fast and it became a page turner book bringing the close with the very bad day. Read it. It's fun and makes you want more. Good job Cyndi Raye.
But it ends with a great HEA! The story was a bit dramatic at times but the morals are good, it has no sex or swears - so a sweet romance, it's entertaining with likeable characters with a few despicable ones thrown in to stir the plot.
I didn't like the first chapter because of the injustice of it all, but things really get interesting fast and it became a page turner book bringing the close with the very bad day. Read it. It's fun and makes you want more. Good job Cyndi Raye.
March 30, 2022
I haven’t read a mail-order bride book in awhile and this is a good one. Really good story covering all the bases of a perfect world in a safe old western town built by a Pastor of great faith. There are parts of the story that will make you smile and parts to make you realize not every family is all good. I loved David and his puppy, Goliath, while appreciating the all new life of Marie. It’s a quick read and one that can be enjoyed by anyone.
April 2, 2022
Sweet and Beautiful
This was truly a great story. I can't imagine a parent being so heartless or blinded to his own childs' situation in your own home. So happy that she got her happiness with Owen and David. Thankful that her father's eyes were opened and their relationship restored. Hope to see what happened with Nora and Constance. Maybe not what she thought she was getting in her rich husband, need to be brought down a peg or two.
This was truly a great story. I can't imagine a parent being so heartless or blinded to his own childs' situation in your own home. So happy that she got her happiness with Owen and David. Thankful that her father's eyes were opened and their relationship restored. Hope to see what happened with Nora and Constance. Maybe not what she thought she was getting in her rich husband, need to be brought down a peg or two.
July 23, 2022
What a sweet story.
Poor Marie is being abused at home by her step-mother and step-sister. Her dad is too busy to notice.
On her way to Texas, she meets an orphan that is headed in the same way. While on the train she takes over caring for him, only to find they are headed to the same place.
A surprise waits for them when they arrive and the story was well done. The characters were great, too. Great start to the series!
Poor Marie is being abused at home by her step-mother and step-sister. Her dad is too busy to notice.
On her way to Texas, she meets an orphan that is headed in the same way. While on the train she takes over caring for him, only to find they are headed to the same place.
A surprise waits for them when they arrive and the story was well done. The characters were great, too. Great start to the series!
February 19, 2023
A bit of drama and excitement to keep you reading till the end.
Marie is so sweet. Her story so sad after losing her mom and her dad remarrying a woman with a daughter of similar age but these 2 women are not nice. She is forced to go west as a chaperone for her stepsister. Her stepsister really made a mess for Marie to clean up. The book is really exciting and I couldn't put it down.
Marie is so sweet. Her story so sad after losing her mom and her dad remarrying a woman with a daughter of similar age but these 2 women are not nice. She is forced to go west as a chaperone for her stepsister. Her stepsister really made a mess for Marie to clean up. The book is really exciting and I couldn't put it down.
February 8, 2026
The Runaway Book #1
What a wonderful and well written book that had me turning pages and ignoring the happenings around me! I found Marie and Owen were likeable characters with interesting backgrounds and I enjoyed following along. Darling little Orphan, David had my heart from the start. I loved the storyline, the characters and I'm looking forward to the next one! Recommend. JudyE
What a wonderful and well written book that had me turning pages and ignoring the happenings around me! I found Marie and Owen were likeable characters with interesting backgrounds and I enjoyed following along. Darling little Orphan, David had my heart from the start. I loved the storyline, the characters and I'm looking forward to the next one! Recommend. JudyE
March 30, 2022
The Runaway Book #1 By Cyndi Raye
Five stars, Marie was abused by her stepmother and step sister.. On a train, she got a chance to take the place of her step sister and become a mail order bride.. Owen not only got a bride, but a don off the orphan train.. But Owen had past baggage, which he has to face in order to have the family he loves.. Good ending
Five stars, Marie was abused by her stepmother and step sister.. On a train, she got a chance to take the place of her step sister and become a mail order bride.. Owen not only got a bride, but a don off the orphan train.. But Owen had past baggage, which he has to face in order to have the family he loves.. Good ending
April 2, 2022
Marie has a terrible life but she has to deal with it. When her father sends her stepsister away to get married Marie has to go with her. But everything changed and she finds herself with a little boy in a unfamiliar place. Can she give the boy and herself a happy family?
Really entertaining story with very lovable characters.
Really entertaining story with very lovable characters.
July 5, 2022
I have always enjoyed books by Cyndi Raye and this book was not an exception. To be honest, I enjoyed it enough that I have read the next three books before I started writing my reviews. Patience isn’t my strong suit. The book has humor, romance, a few twists and turns and is entertaining even though there are a few homonym errors. I enjoyed the story line.
March 30, 2022
Owen, Marie, and David
This story us very well written. It was very enjoyable to read. I loved that she was able to tell the story without a lot of repetition. She never disappoints.
This story us very well written. It was very enjoyable to read. I loved that she was able to tell the story without a lot of repetition. She never disappoints.
March 30, 2022
I enjoyed the book! The characters were entertaining - the story was engaging. I look forward to reading more books by Cyndi Raye because I enjoy her writing style! I will recommend this book to friends!
March 30, 2022
New beginnings
Such a great beginning to this series! Child and MOB (substitute) found they were wanted. In a town of possibility, this story blends the personalities and promises of new beginnings.
Such a great beginning to this series! Child and MOB (substitute) found they were wanted. In a town of possibility, this story blends the personalities and promises of new beginnings.
June 9, 2022
Great short story, of a young woman Marie. Marie led a lonely abused and neglected life. After her Mother's death, Marie's father remarried and her home life was destroyed. She meets a young orphan on a train, this little boy she calls David will change her life Completely,
December 30, 2022
Amazing
I can already tell this is going to be quite the series. Little David I'd steal the show, such a little scamp. I really did worry about Marie, her self confidence real took a hit.
I can already tell this is going to be quite the series. Little David I'd steal the show, such a little scamp. I really did worry about Marie, her self confidence real took a hit.
January 6, 2024
A good start to the series. It has plenty of action and interesting characters. Some truly horrid characters as well, but after some intense issues, a good ending. The teaser for the next book sounds inticing too. A good clean read.
December 20, 2024
Really Great Series
A great beginning to the series. I can't wait to read more of the books. I loved Marie and Owen's story. Add in little David and his pup and you have a captivating read that I read straight through.
A great beginning to the series. I can't wait to read more of the books. I loved Marie and Owen's story. Add in little David and his pup and you have a captivating read that I read straight through.
February 21, 2025
I really enjoyed this story! The book blurb gives the reader the basic story. In the end, Owen, Marie and the orphan David become a family through many trials and tribulations. Thanks, Ms. Raye for wonderful book!!!
October 7, 2025
A sweet, light and clean read. This story is perfect for the young or the young at heart. It is a good filler for reading time that may need lighter material, especially when needing a break from heavy, more serious subjects.
October 9, 2025
I loved it!
Definitely a page turner and feel good book. Started a little sad but then happy til it ended. Lots of excitement at the end. This one I had to read in 2 days. Would definitely recommend. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Definitely a page turner and feel good book. Started a little sad but then happy til it ended. Lots of excitement at the end. This one I had to read in 2 days. Would definitely recommend. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews