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Buttons & Bobbins #3
Calico Bride
Safe, predictable Angel Falls, Montana, is Lila Lawson's home—but she secretly wishes it had adventures like the novels she loves to read. Then the new deputy stumbles into her father's mercantile, gravely injured, and Lila gets more excitement than she can handle!
A harsh childhood left Burke Hannigan with two options— get tough or give in. Lila's compassion and tender care make him yearn for more. But how can he ask her to forgive his outlaw past when he can't forgive himself? Unless love and faith can transform him into a hero worthy of this calico bride.
A harsh childhood left Burke Hannigan with two options— get tough or give in. Lila's compassion and tender care make him yearn for more. But how can he ask her to forgive his outlaw past when he can't forgive himself? Unless love and faith can transform him into a hero worthy of this calico bride.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2011
32 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Jillian Hart
191 books597 followersJillian Hart grew up on her family's homestead in Washington state, where she raised cattle, rode horses and scribbled stories in her spare time.
After earning her English degree from Whitman College, she worked in travel and advertising before selling her first novel.
When Jillian isn't working on her next story, she can be found puttering around her rose garden, curled up with a good book and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.
After earning her English degree from Whitman College, she worked in travel and advertising before selling her first novel.
When Jillian isn't working on her next story, she can be found puttering around her rose garden, curled up with a good book and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 9, 2025
This book was to long and boring for me, I wish Earlee had her own book.
December 31, 2015
So...I grabbed this one from the library simply because the cover was pretty. And I really enjoyed it! There's a mystery running through it that includes corrupt law enforcement and attempted murder...much more interesting than I suspected. This one's sheer fun...
April 9, 2021
Lila Lawson is bored with life in her family’s store until the day she heard gunfire in their quiet town of Angel Falls, Montana. Burke Hannigan stumbled into the story injured which lead to drama and more. There is a mystery thread in this story that made you wonder what would happen in the end with some harsh words spoken and deception by others in the town.
June 18, 2022
In true Jillian Hart fashion, this is another McKaslin book, as well as being in the 'Cowboy for Every Mood' and 'Buttons and Bobbins' series. Because why not kill THREE birds with one stone? Or is that not actually possible...?
Honestly, I'm *NOT* a fan of Jillian Hart's contemporary 'Love, Inspired' novels. They're about the worst out there, and there are nearly 1500 LI titles, at present, so that's really saying something. HAVING SAID... her historical novels are surprisingly really good.
In this one, the heroine is a bit of a Cinderella, with an 'evil' stepmother making her clean and work for no pay and bow to her every whim while lording over her. In order to escape that, the girl reads dime-store novels about western heroes who ride into town in disguise and infiltrate the bad guys in order to bring them to justice...
... And then one really *does*. He stumbles into the store with two bullet wounds and a Range Rider badge he begs her to hide before he loses consciousness. Of course she falls head over heels, and gets to use the stuff from her dime store novels to try to help him break up a gang of robbers.
It's fun, exciting, and not at all badly written. I very much enjoyed the book. HOWEVER... I had to dock a star, because the hero's dialogue is ridiculously unbelievable. The man hasn't been loved or had anyone show him any care since he was FOUR YEARS OLD, and when he falls for our damsel, he's suddenly spouting forth love words like... well, a forty-something woman author? Um... NO.
Still. Love words are nice. And I can roll my eyes at Hart for it - heaven knows I've done that enough times, before.
But mostly she made me happy with this one. So... well done, Jillian.
Honestly, I'm *NOT* a fan of Jillian Hart's contemporary 'Love, Inspired' novels. They're about the worst out there, and there are nearly 1500 LI titles, at present, so that's really saying something. HAVING SAID... her historical novels are surprisingly really good.
In this one, the heroine is a bit of a Cinderella, with an 'evil' stepmother making her clean and work for no pay and bow to her every whim while lording over her. In order to escape that, the girl reads dime-store novels about western heroes who ride into town in disguise and infiltrate the bad guys in order to bring them to justice...
... And then one really *does*. He stumbles into the store with two bullet wounds and a Range Rider badge he begs her to hide before he loses consciousness. Of course she falls head over heels, and gets to use the stuff from her dime store novels to try to help him break up a gang of robbers.
It's fun, exciting, and not at all badly written. I very much enjoyed the book. HOWEVER... I had to dock a star, because the hero's dialogue is ridiculously unbelievable. The man hasn't been loved or had anyone show him any care since he was FOUR YEARS OLD, and when he falls for our damsel, he's suddenly spouting forth love words like... well, a forty-something woman author? Um... NO.
Still. Love words are nice. And I can roll my eyes at Hart for it - heaven knows I've done that enough times, before.
But mostly she made me happy with this one. So... well done, Jillian.
May 14, 2013
The 3rd book in a series of 7 girls who were friends in school and for most of them they knew each other from youngsters. They meet together each week for sewing and visiting. The series is called Buttons and Bobbins. They are all from different walks of lives, some are wealthy and others dirt poor. The take place in a town called Angel Falls, Montana in the late 1800's.
Lila Lawson works in her families mercantile. Her mother had passed away from smallpox and her father remarried, not out of love as much as needing help with the store and his two daughters. Eunice is the type of woman that reminds you of Mrs Olson from Little House on the Prairie. She wants Lila and Lark to call her Ma. This hard for them as she is so different then their own mother was. Out of deep love and respect for her father, Lila does her best to be obedient.
After praying for more excitement in her life Lila finds herself shot at and then leaning over the new deputy in their store, he'd been shot twice. Through helping Burke Hannigan she feels a draw to the man.
Burke finds the girl helping him beautiful but knows with his past that God would not allow him to have such happiness. He asks her to keep a secret for him though.
When the whole town starts to think Burke as bad as Sheriff Dobbs, Lila keeps her promise and secret to him. She sees the good in him.
This is a really good read. It brings tears and heart tugs to the reader.
Lila Lawson works in her families mercantile. Her mother had passed away from smallpox and her father remarried, not out of love as much as needing help with the store and his two daughters. Eunice is the type of woman that reminds you of Mrs Olson from Little House on the Prairie. She wants Lila and Lark to call her Ma. This hard for them as she is so different then their own mother was. Out of deep love and respect for her father, Lila does her best to be obedient.
After praying for more excitement in her life Lila finds herself shot at and then leaning over the new deputy in their store, he'd been shot twice. Through helping Burke Hannigan she feels a draw to the man.
Burke finds the girl helping him beautiful but knows with his past that God would not allow him to have such happiness. He asks her to keep a secret for him though.
When the whole town starts to think Burke as bad as Sheriff Dobbs, Lila keeps her promise and secret to him. She sees the good in him.
This is a really good read. It brings tears and heart tugs to the reader.
August 16, 2011
Loved this book too. I didn't want to put it down. We are back in Angel Falls, Montana and this time Lila Lawson is featured. Lila is working in her fathers store and had to contend with her step mother who tends to be more worried about appearances and reputation rather than caring for people such as Lila and her little sister. Burke stumbles into the mercantile after being shot. He is a deputy sheriff and its interesting seeing the interaction between Lila and Burke. Burke has a past which haunts him and he is trying to pay for. We learn more about him as the story goes on. Lila also has her issues with her step mother and wanting some independence. We also see the friends and what they are up to and we see Earlee again who we found out was writing to a prisoner last book. We see more on the story this book which was nice. I cant wait for her story. This is a good story and add the drama of a bank robbery, outlaws and danger and it becomes a great historical drama. I am looking forward to the next book.
November 22, 2011
OH MY!!!!I HAVE A FAVORITE NEW HERO!!! ~LOVE!~ Burke Hannigan!!!! With ALL the books I ahve LOVED and given 5 stars to recently, it's been a while since I'VE LOVED a book....LOVED A COUPLE (LITERALLY SIGHED) over a couple!!! Didn't want to put the book down/yet didn't want their story to end since, Logan and Megan in Renee Ryan's 'The Lawman Claims His Bride'.....I just LOVED Lila and Burke. (I have a soft spot for the name Lila, since old Lila Quatermaine on GH years ago :-( I WANT a guy like Burke! I felt for him, got teary for him with his tortured childhood, and wanted to hold him like Lila did....I LOVED revisiting all the friend's; Fiona, Meredith, Kate, Scarlet and Ruby. (LOVED that Fiona and Shane are now expecting! :-) I'm looking forward to Ruby & Lorenzo's story next....In 'Snowflake Bride'....But they have a lot tyo live up to....But so far, (we do still have Ruby, Kate, and Scarlet.) 'Calico Bride' (Lila Lawson's story) is DEFINITELY my FAVORITE of Jillian Hart's Buttons and Bobbins series.
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December 24, 2014Miniseries: Buttons and Bobbins
December 3, 2012
overdrive tricked me into reading spiritual fiction when I thought I was getting a trashy romance. well played overdrive.
September 10, 2023
2.5 Stars. Not my favorite pacing for the romance. I can see the argument that meeting under heightened circumstances might accelarate their feelings, but it just seemed to me as though they’d barely interacted and already thought they were in love. It’s the sort of scenario where the feelings are so big and so certain so quickly that as a reader I felt sort of like I’d missed some crucial scenes that didn’t actually exist. It’s a personal preference issue and my preference is almost always a slower progression of emotions.
Burke, due to his past, doubted he was good enough for Lila, so it seemed like there maybe should have been more signs of resistance on his part. His willingness to spend time with Lila didn’t entirely mesh with what I’d imagine to be the personality of a man so prone to flashing back to the darkest times of his life, that didn’t exactly scream sociable, for the same reason, their moments of banter didn’t really fit him either and had a somewhat forced feel.
As for the mystery/action aspect of this one, to me it felt like there was a little too much time spent laying out Burke’s past and not enough time really tangling him up in the present situation or justifying why the guy even needed to be undercover to get the job done.
I liked that Lila gets in on the action a little bit, more than that I enjoyed how proactive Lila was in her own life, taking control and spreading her wings was easily my favorite aspect of her character, more invigorating to watch unfold than any of the cops and robbers stuff, I only wish that had occupied a larger portion of the book.
While I haven’t read the previous novels in this series and therefore went into this unfamiliar with the background stories of Lila’s friends, their scenes of friendship and support were the other highlights I found in this one, I just really liked the warm, caring vibes between these young women, and would have heartily welcomed more of their interractions.
Burke, due to his past, doubted he was good enough for Lila, so it seemed like there maybe should have been more signs of resistance on his part. His willingness to spend time with Lila didn’t entirely mesh with what I’d imagine to be the personality of a man so prone to flashing back to the darkest times of his life, that didn’t exactly scream sociable, for the same reason, their moments of banter didn’t really fit him either and had a somewhat forced feel.
As for the mystery/action aspect of this one, to me it felt like there was a little too much time spent laying out Burke’s past and not enough time really tangling him up in the present situation or justifying why the guy even needed to be undercover to get the job done.
I liked that Lila gets in on the action a little bit, more than that I enjoyed how proactive Lila was in her own life, taking control and spreading her wings was easily my favorite aspect of her character, more invigorating to watch unfold than any of the cops and robbers stuff, I only wish that had occupied a larger portion of the book.
While I haven’t read the previous novels in this series and therefore went into this unfamiliar with the background stories of Lila’s friends, their scenes of friendship and support were the other highlights I found in this one, I just really liked the warm, caring vibes between these young women, and would have heartily welcomed more of their interractions.
December 15, 2024
3.4
Not too bad overall, the gunfight near the end was pretty good
A lot of editing mistakes, which surprised me since this was pro published
Reads more for middle grade girls, not a true boddice ripper
Not too bad overall, the gunfight near the end was pretty good
A lot of editing mistakes, which surprised me since this was pro published
Reads more for middle grade girls, not a true boddice ripper
February 22, 2022
Good read.
December 19, 2011
Lila Lawson and most of her friends have graduated, Meredith is engaged to Shane and has left town for her first teaching job, while the rest of them are still in boring Angel Falls, Montana. As she is writing to Meredith and telling her how boring her life is, excitement practically falls at her feet in the doorway of the mercantile that her Dad owns, where she works. The new deputy is injured from a gunshot wound as the thieves are high tailing it out of town after robbing the bank. She's attempting to save his life when the Dobbs, the Sheriff, comes in and pretty much tells her to let him die, he's useless. When the deputy sees the sheriff coming in he slips her a Range Rider badge and asks her to hide it for him. Eunice, Lila's step-mother comes into the store and demands that she keep track of everything that is used to tend to Shane, the Sheriff says that he will not pay for any of it, with a sense of humor Shane asks Lila to put it on his account.
Things get worse when Lila's Father is attacked while making his deliveries. He is beat, they steal his horses, and the wagon full of supplies being delivered to his customers. When he is able to go to the Sheriff and file a report, the Sheriff and Shane both refuse to take him seriously and imply that he's mistaken about what happened. Then Lorenzo's Dad, a friend of Lila's that graduated with her, loses some cattle and gets the same response from Dobbs and Shane as her Father did.
While everyone in town now despise the Sheriff and Deputy and feel that they are part of the problem, Lila falls more and more in love with him. Lila's Dad has ordered her not to talk or have anything to do with Shane and to add up the bill for the supplies she used to tend to his wounds. She eventually quits working for her Dad and step-mother in the mercantile and takes another job which includes a room for her to live in.
When Shane takes her on a picnic, they are captured by the Cheever gang. The leader is a childhood friend of Shane's and Shane used to belong to the gang. Olly Cheever tells how many men Shane has shot and/or killed in his past.
What will she do now, she's left home, is in love with Shane but he has claimed he's a "lone wolf" and will never marry? He has left town now, and what about him being an outlaw and shooting men, how will she process that information?
I have really enjoyed this series and started the last book, Snowflake Bride, already. Jillian really did a good job of keeping me interested in this series. This book had more action than the other ones, so it moved along a little faster.
I would recommend this book to anyone that likes Inspirational Historical Fiction, you won't be disappointed.
Things get worse when Lila's Father is attacked while making his deliveries. He is beat, they steal his horses, and the wagon full of supplies being delivered to his customers. When he is able to go to the Sheriff and file a report, the Sheriff and Shane both refuse to take him seriously and imply that he's mistaken about what happened. Then Lorenzo's Dad, a friend of Lila's that graduated with her, loses some cattle and gets the same response from Dobbs and Shane as her Father did.
While everyone in town now despise the Sheriff and Deputy and feel that they are part of the problem, Lila falls more and more in love with him. Lila's Dad has ordered her not to talk or have anything to do with Shane and to add up the bill for the supplies she used to tend to his wounds. She eventually quits working for her Dad and step-mother in the mercantile and takes another job which includes a room for her to live in.
When Shane takes her on a picnic, they are captured by the Cheever gang. The leader is a childhood friend of Shane's and Shane used to belong to the gang. Olly Cheever tells how many men Shane has shot and/or killed in his past.
What will she do now, she's left home, is in love with Shane but he has claimed he's a "lone wolf" and will never marry? He has left town now, and what about him being an outlaw and shooting men, how will she process that information?
I have really enjoyed this series and started the last book, Snowflake Bride, already. Jillian really did a good job of keeping me interested in this series. This book had more action than the other ones, so it moved along a little faster.
I would recommend this book to anyone that likes Inspirational Historical Fiction, you won't be disappointed.
July 19, 2011
Every book by Jillian Hart has characters that seem to jump from the pages and right into your heart. Calico Bride was no exception. I loved all of the characters, and it was great that they weren't perfect, and seemed to know that themselves, relying on God to help in those areas where they were lacking. You always get a happy ending with Steeple Hill books, and I enjoy that, it doesn't bother me at all. However I don't want it to be overly obvious, and Calico Bride did a wonderful job of keeping you guessing and had a great ending, which I wont give away! I have read the whole Buttons and Bobbins series so far, and each book just gets better and better, and the friendships between these women never cease to endear me even more to this series, which focuses on one childhood friend at a time. Start with Homespun Bride and then go on to High Country Bride and In a Mother's Arms, in particular the story in the anthology, Finally a Family, and then start with the Buttons and Bobbins Series (The McKaslin Historical series I mention prior to the Buttons and Bobbins series ties in with these books, and that is why I mention them. They will give you a better perspective on the characters, the town, etc.) You wont regret a single book in the McKaslin Historical series or it sister series Buttons and Bobbins! Enjoy!
November 30, 2015
#3 Buttons & Bobbins
Nice to meet up with this group of friends again.
I loved Burke, the hero. A Montana Territory Range Rider ~ that was a first for me. Never heard of them before.
Lila made me smile often, with her wish for something to happen, then when it did, wishing it wasn't quite so drastic!
I hope Jillian writes all 7 girls stories.
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Nice to meet up with this group of friends again.
I loved Burke, the hero. A Montana Territory Range Rider ~ that was a first for me. Never heard of them before.
Lila made me smile often, with her wish for something to happen, then when it did, wishing it wasn't quite so drastic!
I hope Jillian writes all 7 girls stories.
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July 19, 2011
Loved this book in the Button and Bobbin Series! A former outlaw trying to make restitution by catching outlaws across the country meets his match in the stubborn girl who helps run her family's store. Little do they both know that the town bank robbery would change both their lives. As Lila minister's to the wounds of Deputy Burke Hannigan, she also minister's to his callous heart. Lila is always one to read romance novels with adventure, but when her life turn into excitement you would only read about in a novel, she learns a valuable lesson about herself and what love really is. Can't wait to read the next story in this series! I love these 7 friends and how they are there for each other when possible.
July 15, 2011
Lila Lawson lives a flat & monotonous life in Angel Falls Montana. She can't help but wish that her life were more exciting -- like the novels that she loves to read! After a shoot out on the street, the town's handsome new deputy, Burke Hannigan, hides out in her fathers store, gravely injured! Suddenly her life starts to get more exciting but when she learns the deputy hides a dangerous secret she is afraid she may get more than she bargained for!
Burke's outlaw past and his heavily guarded secret prevent him from being the "settling-down" type. But, under Lila's tender, nursing care he begins to rethink his future...and he begins to hope that maybe, Lila can be a part of it!
A great read with a romantic ending!
Burke's outlaw past and his heavily guarded secret prevent him from being the "settling-down" type. But, under Lila's tender, nursing care he begins to rethink his future...and he begins to hope that maybe, Lila can be a part of it!
A great read with a romantic ending!
January 9, 2016
I love how Jillian Hart takes all her previous stories and links them in this book. I read the first book i this series, but don't recall the McKaslin family being mentioned in it, but they are prominent in this story.
I ordered the three last books through my library, bur received this one next so read it. I wish I had read the previous book, and highly recommend you do so. Some of the scenes in this book are written with the assumption that the previous books were read. The author did such a great job with romance! I'm almost always taken in to her romantic scenes, and this book was very romantic! I loved Burke!!!
There is some suspense in this book as well that I found interesting.
I ordered the three last books through my library, bur received this one next so read it. I wish I had read the previous book, and highly recommend you do so. Some of the scenes in this book are written with the assumption that the previous books were read. The author did such a great job with romance! I'm almost always taken in to her romantic scenes, and this book was very romantic! I loved Burke!!!
There is some suspense in this book as well that I found interesting.
July 29, 2011
Another great story from Jillian Hart, "Calico Bride" this one has Lila wishing for more adventure in her life and she gets it in spades as she is working in her dads store she hears shots and a gun toting man bleeding staggers into her life. this story is one where you cant wait to see what will happen next and route for the "bad man" who really is not as bad as everyone thinks. You will want to read about the girls who grew up together in Angel Falls and each one has her story in Buttons and Bows series.
March 2, 2012
I would have to give this book 2.5. It was a cute book but a little too mushy at times. I enjoy Jillian Hart's books but she has a tendency to reuse lines in her books. For example something like "and in that moment the love she felt for him rushed through her" has appeared in more than one of her books. Yes, I know it's a love story and there are only so many ways to describe love but I like a little variety. Still, I think the book was definitely worth reading at least once and if I had realized that it was from a series and read the other 2 books first I may have enjoyed it even more.
April 5, 2013
Lila's father owned a merchantile that her step-mother made her work at. One day there was a robbery and the deputy got shot in front of the store so Lila took care of Burke until the doctor came along. Burke gave her something and whispered with all his strength not to tell anyone. He confided to Lila about some of his past that he never mentioned to anyone else. He trusted Lila but tried not to get close to her because of his past.
Burke and Lila had faith in each other and finally proved their love for each other. What a pleasant read.
Burke and Lila had faith in each other and finally proved their love for each other. What a pleasant read.
May 13, 2015
Unimaginative, cliched, poorly characterized, and saccharine. This book offers nothing unique, and is about as uninspiring as a love story can be. Jillian Hart's writing is not bad - she makes the tired story at least somewhat engaging, and seems to have some natural ability. However, frequent perspective shifts and simplistic stereotypes show that her technique is lacking.
There is nothing wrong with indulgent writing, and this book is fine if you are looking to indulge in shallow entertainment, but even for a romance novel it is lacking.
There is nothing wrong with indulgent writing, and this book is fine if you are looking to indulge in shallow entertainment, but even for a romance novel it is lacking.
February 2, 2014
Jillian Hart is one of my favorite Love Inspired authors, both in the historical and contemporary romance genres. She outdid herself with "Calico Bride." This is one of the most tender, poignant, compassionate romances I've read in a long time. Her characters are real and the obstacles they face daunting, but somehow, she still manages to craft a story that gives us all the happily-ever-after we want. I read it in one sitting, and I have a feeling you will, too.
June 25, 2011
This delightful installment in Jillian Hart's Buttons and Bobbins series is a very quick, satisfying read. I didn't want to put it down. I loved the main characters, Lila and Burke. Readers will feel like they truly get to know them well, and the plot has a wonderful mixture of suspense, romance, and spiritual growth.
October 13, 2014
This just may be my favorite of Jillian's work. I am loving this series of the Buttons and Bobbins friends. Lila is the kind of girl I like, her sense of adventure and courage was perfectly written into a loveable character I related to well. :) And Burke, well I think a big sigh about sums up what I think of the latest hero for me to dream about. :)
June 12, 2012
Another sweet installment by Jillian Hart. I love these darling girlfriends and their innocent dreams of their future husbands and happiness. This is Lila's story, but we get great glimpses into what's in store for the other friends. Burke was the perfectly flawed hero and this is a great story of redemption and forgiveness:)
May 23, 2013
Lila lives with her father, step-mother and sister and runs the family store just as her step-mother demands. She was always dreaming of adventure when the new deputy stumbles in the store after being shot by bank robbers. LILA CARES FOR HIS WOUNDS and ends up i love with him.
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July 1, 2011Miniseries: Buttons and Bobbins
July 26, 2011
Jillian Hart never disappoints.
September 2, 2011
I loved this book - wish I had read the first two first.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews