Marshal in Petticoats

Halsey Brothers #1

by Paty Jager

When a down-on-its-luck mining town makes Darcy Duncan marshal after she shoots a bank robber, she puts every effort into helping the town. Her accident-prone nature, however, makes the task difficult as well as throws her into the arms of an unsuspecting drifter. All Gil Halsey wants is to bring back the boss's son and secure the foreman job on a large cattle ranch. He's been running from his past and has finally found a place to settle. That is until a scrawny, greenhorn marshal turns out to be an enticing, young woman who lures him from his path.

Genres: Historical, Historical Romance, Romance, Amazon, Westerns, Historical Fiction, Western Romance

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 6, 2006

About the author

Paty Jager is an award-winning author of 55+ novels, novellas, and short stories of murder mystery, western romance, and action adventure.
All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. Paty and her husband raise alfalfa hay in rural eastern Oregon. Riding horses and battling rattlesnakes, she not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it.

Reviews

[Evelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read "A Husband for Christmas" earlier and had high hopes for this book. What I found was a totally unbelievable plot, lots of disreputable characters, and tons of grammatical errors. We are to believe that Darcy Duncan, a nineteen-year-old girl and her little brother, Jeremy, could come into town and take over the sheriff's office. Darcy manages to convince people that she is indeed a young man (lots of putting her hat low on her face) and, even though she is not a good shot, and clumsy to boot, she manages to take on the job. She meets Gil Halsey and he discovers her secret. Falling in love with her, he comes to her rescue countless times. Not to mention the amount of sex these two manage to fit in between kidnapping, robberies, and near-death experiences. I found it very disappointing. I did like one character, Mrs. Danforth, the local owner of a bathhouse/brothel. She is kind, resourceful and asks no questions.

[Janet Denise Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. READ AMOST ALL NIGHT!

Part Jager, definitely has a great 5 STAR Western Romance, here. The storyline just flows so well it is so good and entertaining a story about Darcy, her brother Jeremy, and Gil. This original story mixed with a known concept, kinda, made me laugh out loud in some instances. Paty Jager, blended western, romance, and a little naughty erotica together for a new look. I did enjoy this book. 18 yrs old & up! Warning: there is a few scenes of nudity & sex

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darcy is a young woman who dresses as a boy and no one suspects a thing. When she accidently shoots a bank robber the mayor hires her to be sheriff of the town. I liked the story. It flowed smoothly and at a nice pace. It didn't slow down and lag but kept the story going to the end. My only real gripe was towards the end but I can't say what it was without giving spoilers.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is about Darcy a 19-year-old trying to raise her 12-year-old brother Jeremy. They were struggling because it was hard for her to make enough money to feed them. She had to dress as a man because men wouldn't leave her alone. One day she was looking at a rifle outside the general store. She tripped and accidentally shot the robber who robbed the bank across the st. The mayor hired her right there as sheriff. A man named Gil was there and he thought there was something odd about the sheriff. He came by the office often to check on her. Then one time she tripped, knocked her hat and he saw her braided hair. What I did not Like was that every time she was dressed as a woman, the mayor and the gang members tried to force her to dance with them and tried to feel her up. She was supposed to get dressed like a lady to go to a dance so she could figure out what the mayor was up to. Only she was so pretty that Gil wouldn't let her alone. What I did not Like was that every time she was dressed as a woman, the mayor and the gang members tried to force her to dance with them and feel her up. I loved the way, that it was family-oriented. I loved the ending.

[Ronnae Stately · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darcy and Gil are an unlikely pair who meet up by accident. He’s in town looking for his bosses son an she is just trying to hang onto surviving her treacherous uncle while taking care of her brother. Darcy accidentally shoots a bank robber who happens to be in cahoots with the towns mayor. This gets her a job as a sheriff because the mayor thinks she’s a boy and that she will do as he wants. But Darcy knows he’s up to something so she puts her foot into tho ha by trying to find out what he’s up to. In the meantime Gil finds out that Darcy is not a boy but a very intriguingly beautiful girl that seems to be in over her head. He tries his best to keep an eye on her but she’s no dummy. In the end everything comes to a head and all is taken care of in more ways than one.

[Jamie Wagnor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whew-

I don’t know about this one. The writing was good, the characters were interesting and I liked most of the story- but it moved so slowly. I wasn’t overly invested and found myself just reading not really caring.

I really can’t say for why I felt that way. But it was what it was. I do think Gil and Darcy are great together and I enjoyed their interactions the most. Jeremy was an awesome brother. And the other Halseys were fun to meet. So I’m left confused as to what it was about this book that didn’t grip me.

One thing I will say, is Darcy as the Marshall was a fantastic idea. And I was not the least bit surprised by who ended up wearing the badge at the end.

I might give the next book a chance and see if my feelings change.

[Sherry Hepner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darcys love story.

I really loved this story of how siblings should always love each other and how Darcy always took care of Jeremy no matter what and how she met Gil and through everything how a forever love sprang out of such a rough life that Darcy had. She is a very guarded person to let Til in. There are a lot of exciting happenings in this story and it keeps you wanting to read through out the night which I did many nights and I took it where ever I went so I could just keep reading. It's a really great book, I loved it. Sad it's over but so happy it ended in happiness for Darcy, Jeremy and all the Halsey brothers. Thank you for the book. God bless.

[Dana Redding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marshal in Pettycoats

Jeremy and Darcy ran away from their Uncle who sold Darcy, she escaped and they ran away. They got into town and we’re going to mine for gold for a better life. She is dressed like a boy and tested the feel of a rifle ends up shooting a bank robber and is given a job as a Marshal!


Gil is after a man to take back to a ranch so he can become the foreman. He has questions about the young man who is a marshal.

Good story line. To much adult content.

[Ronnie Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Breath story, sex to graphic.

A 4-Star story but I gave it 3-stars because sex is more graphic than necessary. That is my beliefs because you can have a great story without so many sex details. To me that makes the author appear less confident in their writing skills and use lust to keep you reading.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really good, but I wanted to skim because I was so anxious. I was worried all the time that something bad was going to happen. If you like that, this is for you. I personally need less drama, but the writing was excellent and romantic.

[Jordan Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

With endearing characters and just the right touch of chaos, this story had me hooked from the first chapter. Darcy’s clumsy courage and Gil’s reluctant charm are a match made in Western heaven. You’ll laugh, swoon, and cheer them on.

[Joann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful

Filled with drama, action packed, and I just couldn't believe all the happenings! I know its a series about the brothers but sure seems a little lady is the center of attention.

[Bill Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sucks big time!

[Cissie Breland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never a dull moment

There will never be a dull mom in the lives of Gil and Darcy. She will always be a challenge and he will always be her safety net.

[Joseph K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This was not your standard western! It had a twist that kept me entertained all the way to the ending.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fun adventure and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series

[Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rollicking good time!

Oh I so loved this book! From a young woman who couldn't walk without tripping with a young brother to take care of to a man trying to get the foremans job by bringing his bosses' son back to the ranch, to a crooked mayor this book takes you on a laugh-out-loud journey through mayhem and bank robbery. So worth the read!!

[Judy Esposito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marshall In Petticoats!

I enjoyed this first book in the Halsey Brothers Series and my first by this author. Romance, a little suspense and humor to keep it light. Likable, well thought out characters with a few bad ones thrown in to keep the story interesting. An easy flow from beginning to the end and this is why it gets 5 stars. Normally it would get 4 stars because it overflows with sexual content, had to skip pages, but I was warned at the beginning so I can't blame the author. Having said that, I enjoyed the book enough to continue reading the series, to see if each of the brothers reach their HEA. Sexual content. JudyE

[darlene. wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpected Love

I loved that this story was set in the Old West. The way the characters interacted with each other was well written. First impressions can be deceiving. The love between Darcy and her brother was a wonderful. The way Gil and his brothers were such a close family, even though they hadn't seen each other for a long time was inspiring. Gil and Darcy were so good together.

[Nana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am related to Paty, so found out about her writing at a family reunion. I enjoyed the story and the writing is fairly well done. I will definitely look to read more of her stories when I am in the mood for a romantic western.

[E_bookpushers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining read. More of a 3.5 star. Not sure I agreed/understood what made heroine decide to do the deed given her background. I liked everything else about the book and have decided to get the rest of the series. I don't usually get $0.99 cent books but this was recommended so I am glad I gave it a try.

[Marlo Pedersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this ebook, and I have to give it a five (5) star rating. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I would recommend this ebook to one and all, I enjoy reading good Christian frontier romance. Excellent ebook for anyone to enjoy.

[Phylis Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story

This is an excellent delightful story. The characters are strong and believable. I really enjoyed this wonderful story. I could not put this one down I finished reading it. This is a must read.

[Lesia Chambliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fun, heartwarming, a wonderful western adventure. I love the many characters in the book, and look forward to reading each of their stories. I highly recommend reading Marshal in Petticoats by Paty Jager.

[Paty Jager]

My first Halsey brother book. The heroine is accident prone and the hero yummy.

[Skeeter Jorgensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a few sex scenes that I felt were to explicit, the story was good, I liked the genre, but just don't like all the sex, so I only rated it 3 stars.

[Delle Samples · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this authors books. All of them. They are clean cut and and an easy read. Her characters are likable and believable. Give her a shot you won't be sorry!!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is a great book to read

[Donna Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!!!

Great read, first book by this author and I really enjoyed it , its one of them books you don't want to put down!!!

[EKP · Rating 3 out of 5]

An nteresting plot that had both comic and deep scenes. Overall, a very interesting quick read. Not too many grammatical errors (big issue for me).