Release Day Review: The Outlaw's Mail Order Bride by Linda Broday


Series: Outlaw Mail Order Brides #1 Genres: Historical Romance, Western


When the West was wild
And man's law favored the few
These extraordinary women could be found...in the heart of an outlaw.


Former outlaw Clay Colby is abuzz with his mail order bride's expected arrival. He's fought long and hard to drag Devil's Crossing out of lawlessness...so when his homestead is set ablaze by a bitter rival, he's heartbroken. There's no woman in the world who'd stand by him now.

But Talley Shannon is no ordinary woman.

After escaping the psychiatric hospital in which she was wrongfully detained, Tally only wants someone to protect her and the little girl under her care. She doesn't mind that Clay's home is dang near burned to the ground--not when he makes her feel so safe. So cherished. But it's only a matter of time before the ghosts of her past come calling...and her loving cowboy must defend his new bride--and the family they built together--to his very last breath.

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EXCERPT

Tally cleared her throat. “I have some things to ask of you, Clay. Refusal of any will be a deal-breaker.”

“Sounds fair enough. I’m sure you won’t need anything too difficult.”

“I’ll help build your town, share your bed, and raise your children.” She hardened her gaze. “In return, you promise never to put me back in the asylum and you’ll fight anyone who tries. Also extend that promise to Violet and if anything should happen to me, you’ll raise the child. You’ll never collect the reward that’s offered for me and I’ll never collect yours.” She paused before adding. “One last thing—you’ll release me next spring if this marriage doesn’t work.”

Clay brushed his fingers across her cheek that carried the mark. “You have my word on every stipulation.” His gaze shifted to the gun on her hip and she thought she saw admiration and some intimidation. “I only have one simple request. You have to promise never to shoot me, no matter how mad you get.”

“That depends on what you what do.” She leaned close, putting her lips next to his ear. “Hurt Violet and I’ll kill you in a heartbeat.”

He chuckled softly. “Trust me, I’d never be fool enough to cross you. Nor will I ever cause that little girl grief. That’s a vow I’ll never break.”

“Then we’re clear.” She straightened in her chair.

Clay leaned forward and lifted a tendril of hair, rubbed it between his thumb and forefinger. “Are you crazy, Tally?”

She allowed a smile. “Some would say that and at times I wonder. Back in Deliverance Canyon, I’d often wake in the dead of night and stand in the moonlight, letting the breeze brush my face. I needed the reassurance that I wasn’t back in that hellhole.”

“Do you mind if I ask why you were put there?”

“My stepmother put me there to get rid of me so she could steal what was mine. She told them that I was a sexual deviant and preyed on children.” She hated her strained voice.

“I can tell you’re not. I assume she had a ruthless plan.”

Tally’s voice turned cold and hardened. “When my father died, he had quite a large estate that included land, money, and other possessions. He left everything to me which angered my stepmother. She put something in my food that made me deathly ill and unable to fight her or speak. Some men loaded me into a wagon and Lucinda drove me to the Creedmore Lunatic Asylum.”

“I’ve heard of the place. Most never escape—except in a coffin. You were lucky, Tally.”

“A fierce determination helps. I was there a year and suffered—” her voice broke. She forced calm and continued. “Crimes you couldn’t imagine. But it only strengthened my resolve. I watched and waited for the right opportunity and when it came, I took it. Five of us broke out that moonless night. I’ve been back several times, once recently, for others like me.”

“Why do they want to imprison perfectly healthy women? What do they gain?”

“Money. Families pay a good deal to get rid of who they want. Men are getting rich off them and it’s become a big rotten business.” She watched his eyes darken, his anger build.

He let her strand of hair fall from his fingers. “Why was Violet there?” he asked, his voice tight.

“Her parents thought raising a blind child was too much trouble.”

“Dear God! Such fools.” Clay rose to stand at the thick window.

She didn’t know what the tall, broad-shouldered outlaw was staring at, but the muscles of his jaw clenched tight, speaking of deep anger. He might convince himself that he was through dispensing justice but she could see that it continued to burn.

Could such a man love her?

An ache filled Tally. Could he make a little room in his heart for her?

She bit back a sob that tried to escape. Would she ever find someone who loved her fully and completely? Or would she have to settle for less as she’d always done? She was weary of settling. She wanted to be all of someone’s world, not just a part. She yearned to fill a man’s heart so full that his love for her spilled out all over the place.


 

**ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review**


"She was tired of settling. She wanted to be all of someone's world, not just a small part. She yearned to fill a man's heart so full that his love for her spilled out all over the place."

The Outlaw's Mail Order Bride is about Clay, who I was introduced to in The Heart of a Texas Cowboy. He was a bit mysterious in that book, and that made me curious about him. I am always happy when side-characters get their own story/HEA. And I think he found his perfect match in Tally Shannon, who escaped a psychiatric hospital in which she was wrongfully detained. She is very independent and doesn't trust easily, but she's also very practical. She is strong and can definitely take care of herself. I love these type of women in my Historical Romance books. Clay is a great guy and has turned his life around, he doesn't want to be an outlaw anymore. He was very caring and patient, especially when he first met Tally face to face. He knows he has to be cautious in not making Tally regret agreeing to marrying him. She doesn't come alone. She brings along Violet, a little girl, who is even more afraid of strangers and especially men. Clay has to do his best to win her trust. The scenes between Clay and Violet were my favorites. She was just the cutest.

"Sometimes, if we're lucky, there's a crack in the darkness and light seeps in. You're my light, Tally. My hope, my salvation, my future."

I adore Linda Broday's Historical Western Romances. She does such a great job in writing complete characters with intriguing stories. She doesn't rush anything, and this results in great character development. I do have to admit that her stories are bit on the longer side than what I usually read, but I don't really mind it in my Historical Romances. This book had plenty of romance, action, humor and some emotional scenes as well. The development in Clay and Tally's relationship is amazing, and I loved seeing it grow. They were a team and had each other's backs. They weren't perfect and made mistakes, but they knew have to fix those and learn from it. I highly recommend Linda's books to everyone who loves Historical Romances (HR). As for readers who haven't read any Western/Frontier HR, I hope you'll give it a try because you don't know what you are missing out on.
Afbeeldingsresultaat voor about the author

Linda BrodayI live in the Texas Panhandle on land they call the Llano Estacado where the Native Americans once roamed. History is so thick here with the ghosts of the people who settled this land. I love writing western historical romance and can't imagine writing anything else. I love a man in a Stetson and tight pants. Oh man! Those cowboys sure make my heart beat faster.


2 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for liking Clay and Tally, Betul! They really found a place in my heart and it seems they did in yours too. Love your review and I'm happy to celebrate release day with you! Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Awesome review. I loved this book. Linda’s books are timeless.

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