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A Man Wanting To Change His Ways - A Woman Forced To Start Over - An Innocent Child Filled With Shenanigans!

There’s a new sheriff in town and he has his eye on everything. Including the children’s agent stranded at the boarding house. He vows to keep Cooper’s Ridge free from riffraff. As a former bounty hunter and soldier, Sheriff Mac is ready to settle down, start a family and change his wandering ways.

When a harrowed wife from a neighboring farm gives the orphan she ordered back to the children’s agent claiming the child is a spawn of the devil, Winnie has a decision to make. Without a home to go back to or a job, will Winnie accept Sheriff Mac’s offer of marriage of convenience or leave the first chance she gets?


Outlaws & Orphans of Cooper's Ridge is a spin-off from Cyndi Raye's Sons of Nora White series.

Who started this town? 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 honorable men even if sometimes the past shows up to haunt a man?

139 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 26, 2022

100 people are currently reading
27 people want to read

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Cyndi Raye

163 books98 followers

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5 stars
221 (71%)
4 stars
60 (19%)
3 stars
25 (8%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Kristen Pretti Bamford.
149 reviews5 followers
October 9, 2022
Really enjoyed it, however I would have rated it higher if there was… more. The robbery ended and just, bam the story was over. No wrap up with her brother really and no epilogue.
Profile Image for Brittany Shelton.
13 reviews
May 12, 2022
Bad Ending

I did not like the ending. Such a let down. So much more could of happened. Was quite disappointed with how it worked out.
Profile Image for Colin Bell.
1,065 reviews13 followers
April 25, 2022
At the end of the last book we meet Winnie, who was helping supervise the orphans on the train whilst they were being transported to their new homes. She suddenly finds herself stranded when the orphanage find into money troubles with no means of returning home. Her troubles are compounded when one of the families returns a young girl, stating that she is the spawn of the devil.
It is great to be back in Cooper's Ridge in this latest book. We find out more about Winnie's back story as an orphan, supported by her now estranged brother. Again we are reminded of how tough life could be in the American Historical West, but there was also hope. I binge read this book, always a sign that I'm enjoying it, hoping that she would find a happy outcome. There was also that hint of danger regarding her brother, who had been associated with outlaws in the past, and whether he had turned over a new leaf. I'm now waiting with baited breath for the next book in the series, there are three people lined up as being the potential central character.
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however this did not influence my review of the book.
Profile Image for Rosa Cline.
991 reviews28 followers
April 24, 2022
young woman far from home on a business trip, when her employer lets her go. With no paycheck and no income to buy a ticket home. She must decide what to do. But when a mysterious man is everywhere she looks and is determined that she will marry him, she doesn’t know what to think.
A man who had a rough life chasing bandits and outlaws and is now Sheriff of a town of second chances. He’s ready to settle down and falls immediately in love with a new lady in town.
A little girl is “returned” to Winnie since she was an employee of the orphan train. The couple who adopted her said mean and hateful things about her. Winnie had no way of taking care of her and the orphanage wasn’t taking the child back.
Will this town of second chances give these three a second chance?
This book is full of fun, antics, working together, family, love, mystery, gun fight, and surprises. You start reading and won’t want to put it down. Wonderful story
1,027 reviews11 followers
April 27, 2022
The author has given us a sweet and heartwarming story in this Book #2 in the Outlaws and Orphans of Cooper's Ridge series. This is a story of three different individuals who need a new start, and the character development is outstanding. It is a story of mystery, surprises, a gun fight, faith and romance. This is Sheriff Mac and Winnie's story, as well as the little orphan girl Janey. Sheriff Mac is looking for a new start after spending years as a bounty hunter and wants to develop a town of second chances for people wanting to make a fresh start. Winnie worked for an agency of an orphanage but while she is in Cooper's Ridge her boss lets her go. Janie is returned to Winnie after the family that took her found her unsuitable. What will Winnie do..she has a child to take care and no job to provide for her? Will Sheriff Mac be the answer to the dilemma and will Winnie accept? Be sure and read this outstanding story to find out. I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.
760 reviews7 followers
April 26, 2022
I so enjoyed reading about Sheriff Mac and Winnie. I especially love the relationship Sheriff Mac develops with Janey! Janey is an orphan and at 3 years old she is full of mischief. She likes to stir the proverbial plot. Sheriff Mac is smitten with her right off the bat and he is equally smitten with her caretaker Winnie.
They need to be a family and fast! He wants more than anything to settle down and raise Janey and a few of their own added to the mix.. Will Winnie accept his offer or will she take Janey and go back to New York? Will the orphanage even take Janey back? You must read this book and see the beautiful story unfold. It has everything, a little drama, a little danger and a whole lot of love!
939 reviews3 followers
November 9, 2022
Such a sweet read

This was a sweet read by Cyndi Raye. Winning came to town to check on the orphan children that were left for adoption. This is where she was stranded. The sheriff, Mac, see Winnie and says I'm going to merry her. A child is given back to Winnie and told her she was responsible for the child now. Mac and Winnie merry to keep the child. This is when the fun begins. This is a well written book. A must read
Profile Image for Judy.
1,796 reviews12 followers
March 4, 2025
Mac and Winnie

I appreciate the fact that these stories are sweet and clean, but they end so abruptly.

And I’m sorry, but the three stars are mostly due to Janey. I find it hard to believe that a man like Mac would tolerate her wildness. And the continual hysterical laughing was a bit much… to the point where I almost stopped reading.
Mac and Winnie made no effort to teach her how to be a good girl.
Profile Image for Tracy Sylvester.
1,021 reviews9 followers
May 29, 2025
Winnie finds herself in the west after delivering the last set of orphans from the train and now shes been told she doesn't have a job anymore. Winnie isn't willing to give up so she finds a few jobs she can do to try and get a ticket back home. Sheriff Mac is a former bounty hunter has his sights set on Winnie to settle down and have a family with. I found myself engaged in the story so much I felt I was there with Winnie, Sheriff Mac, and little Janey. A truly enjoyable, heartwarming story!
351 reviews5 followers
May 9, 2022
Great book

This book is great! A well written book filled with great characters and a plot that's filled with romance, outlaws, action and one very precocious young orphan named Janey. This is Winnie and Mac's story. This is a fun book that I highly recommend, especially if you like historical western romance.
355 reviews4 followers
May 22, 2022
Loved it!

This book held my attention.
You'll find a woman stranded in a town but making the best of it waiting tables and mucking stalls.
You'll find a sheriff bent on making her his wife.
You'll find a little munchkin who's a handful but wins their hearts.
This is their story. And let's not forget the bad guys :)
Good book!
4,583 reviews31 followers
July 5, 2022
Sometimes even the Sheriff needs a little help to get the girl. He might have decided he and Winnie were going to be married, Winnie just hadn’t come to that decision. Both are newcomers to Cooper’s Ridge, a town of misfits and former outlaws wanting a second chance. She needs that little push provided by Janey. I really enjoyed this story.
457 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2023
Starting out left on her own and penniless but determined to survive.

Winnie is a very courageous and independent woman that will not owe anyone. She is a survivalist in a tough situation the society for the orphanage put her in. Thousands of miles from home. This book has a few twists that keeps you reading. I didn't want it to end.
2,089 reviews19 followers
May 26, 2025
Good

It turned out to be better than expected. The beginning did not really enthrall me. Janet was not my favourite character. Liked Mac's sister. The town's people are good. I like how they all look out for each other. The ending was the best part. However it left you hanging regarding Mac's family. So, yes, a decent story with a good ending.
Profile Image for Jamie Wagnor.
250 reviews2 followers
October 20, 2025
Winnie and Mac

Really enjoyed the majority of the book but then it kinda went sideways. The handling of Frankie was a little extreme in my opinion. Winnie’s final thoughts about him were WAY overblown. Janey was both cute and irritating. I still enjoy the family dynamic but yeah some of the ending felt ridiculously over done. Still looking forward to continuing the series.
644 reviews7 followers
April 30, 2022
I enjoyed this book! The story was entertaining and the characters were wonderful! The book is part of a series but it can be read as a stand alone book. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. I recommend reading this book!
718 reviews11 followers
May 9, 2022
Amazing and fun!

Amazingly sweet, amusingly charming and awesomely romantic and entertaining. This book has been a great read. The characters were very interesting and entertaining. Can't wait to read the next installment in the series.
2,787 reviews2 followers
July 1, 2022
A unique town!

This series is looking to be very interesting. I like the ensemble of characters that make up Cooper's Ridge along with the focus on a new couple. Good stories from good writing.
541 reviews1 follower
August 30, 2023
Delightful!

Loved the story line and the wonderful characters, especially the little mischief maker. Sadly, Winnie did not have a brother who was honest working as she and her spouse.
Profile Image for Mary Jane McLeod.
2,918 reviews6 followers
December 22, 2024
Really Great Series

I'm so enjoying this series and all the characters of Cooper's Ridge. I loved Mac and Winnie's story and adored little Jamie. A captivating read that I read straight through.
1,397 reviews5 followers
July 5, 2022
The brother who turned evil

I really enjoyed this book so much. THE MISCHIEF MAKER BOOK #2, OUTLAWS & ORPHANS OF COOPER'S RIDGE BY CYNDI RAYE. I recommend teens and up.
2,641 reviews10 followers
December 11, 2024
Fascinating

Just loved that mischief maker! She practically made the whole story for me. Cooper's Ridge is definitely the place of second chances and redemption.
630 reviews4 followers
February 22, 2025
This is another entertaining story from Ms. Raye's Outlaws & Orphans of Cooper's Ridge series. I give it 4.5 stars.
94 reviews
May 18, 2025
Onery love always wins!

God uses everything and everyone in his plans. What a special romance between two people who are strong and independent.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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