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Montana Mavericks: Return to Whitehorn #5
Wild West Wife
Return To Whitehorn, Montana, where a lone maverick out for justice forged a legend . . .
Mail-order bride Haley Winthrop came to Big Sky Country with big dreams of a home and husband, until a soft-spoken cowboy with haunted eyes stole her heart away from her fiance and took her heart hostage.
Jesse Kincaid had vowed to bring down the man who'd had his father killed -- and what better way to start than by kidnapping his bride-to-be? But he hadn't planned on falling for his own prisoner, and though Jesse'd sworn off love forever, something in Haley's blazing kisses promised eternity.
Mail-order bride Haley Winthrop came to Big Sky Country with big dreams of a home and husband, until a soft-spoken cowboy with haunted eyes stole her heart away from her fiance and took her heart hostage.
Jesse Kincaid had vowed to bring down the man who'd had his father killed -- and what better way to start than by kidnapping his bride-to-be? But he hadn't planned on falling for his own prisoner, and though Jesse'd sworn off love forever, something in Haley's blazing kisses promised eternity.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
About the author
Susan Mallery
865 books15.6k followers#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. She's best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.
Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.
Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.
Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.
Critics have dubbed Mallery "the new queen of romantic fiction." (Walmart) Booklist says, "Romance novels don't get much better than Mallery's expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling," and RT Book Reviews puts her "in a class by herself!" It's no wonder that her books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list.
Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool's Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.
Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Visit Susan online at www.SusanMallery.com.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 13, 2019
Haley Winthrop, growing up in a Chicago orphanage, wants a home and family. After corresponding briefly with Lucas Stone, a rancher in Montana, he sends a ticket to Haley to marry him.
Haley is a naïve young woman who endows her future husband with wonderful attributes and is excited to pull up stakes and move to the wilds of Montana.
Unfortunately, the stagecoach is held up by a bandit, Jesse Kincaid. He wants Haley, not money. After taking her from the coach, he starts telling Haley dire things about her intended. Haley is not interested in hearing anything negative about her future husband.
Kincaid tells Haley terrible things about Lucas Stone; he had Jesse’s father killed. This wealthy rancher is grabbing land as it becomes available (by killing the owners). Haley is desperate to hang on to her dream.
All 3 people in this story have strong wills. Jesse wants Stone to implicate himself while rescuing his intended; Haley wants her dream to come true and Stone wants land more than a wife. All of these passions boil over and lead to death.
The plot is a bit different but the execution was rather ho-hum.
Haley is a naïve young woman who endows her future husband with wonderful attributes and is excited to pull up stakes and move to the wilds of Montana.
Unfortunately, the stagecoach is held up by a bandit, Jesse Kincaid. He wants Haley, not money. After taking her from the coach, he starts telling Haley dire things about her intended. Haley is not interested in hearing anything negative about her future husband.
Kincaid tells Haley terrible things about Lucas Stone; he had Jesse’s father killed. This wealthy rancher is grabbing land as it becomes available (by killing the owners). Haley is desperate to hang on to her dream.
All 3 people in this story have strong wills. Jesse wants Stone to implicate himself while rescuing his intended; Haley wants her dream to come true and Stone wants land more than a wife. All of these passions boil over and lead to death.
The plot is a bit different but the execution was rather ho-hum.
July 11, 2020
A mail-order bride story with an unusual twist: the groom-to-be is a criminal. A wealthy, respected man many people don’t realize is a criminal, but the people he’s killed and whose ranches he and his cousins have burned, as well as a few other citizens know. No one has been able to spoil his reign of terror, but Jesse Kincaid is determined to succeed. His father was killed and their home burned while Jesse was driving cattle up from Texas to add to their herd.
Now, Jesse is determined to stop Lucas Stoner. He starts by kidnapping Stoner’s bride from the stagecoach bringing her to town. She’s not happy, and she doesn’t hesitate to let Jesse know it. Jesse takes her into the forest, where they spend the better part of a week laying false trails. But is anyone looking for them?
An orphan, Haley has a rosy dream of the man she has agreed to marry, but it’s far from reality. Will Jesse be able to convince her that she’s wrong?
Once he does, will she be able to convince him that she’s the perfect wife for him?
Now, Jesse is determined to stop Lucas Stoner. He starts by kidnapping Stoner’s bride from the stagecoach bringing her to town. She’s not happy, and she doesn’t hesitate to let Jesse know it. Jesse takes her into the forest, where they spend the better part of a week laying false trails. But is anyone looking for them?
An orphan, Haley has a rosy dream of the man she has agreed to marry, but it’s far from reality. Will Jesse be able to convince her that she’s wrong?
Once he does, will she be able to convince him that she’s the perfect wife for him?
February 13, 2023
3.5 stars
This is part of the Montana Mavericks series which is written by several different romance writers.
I think I've read a few of them here & there but it's not a series I follow closely.
This is a prequel novel setting up the family that eventually becomes a dynasty in Whitehorn, MT.
I highly recommend it if you follow this series. It's a great set up for the stories taking place in present day.
In terms of a historical romance, it's a good one.
Jesse & Haley are likable from the start. The romance develops over the course of the kidnapping. The bad guy is very evil but the violence is within context of the story. Some humor. Vivid details. You root for the protagonists to succeed and end up together. I also liked Christine & Bart. I wondered if there was a book w/their story as well.
This is part of the Montana Mavericks series which is written by several different romance writers.
I think I've read a few of them here & there but it's not a series I follow closely.
This is a prequel novel setting up the family that eventually becomes a dynasty in Whitehorn, MT.
I highly recommend it if you follow this series. It's a great set up for the stories taking place in present day.
In terms of a historical romance, it's a good one.
Jesse & Haley are likable from the start. The romance develops over the course of the kidnapping. The bad guy is very evil but the violence is within context of the story. Some humor. Vivid details. You root for the protagonists to succeed and end up together. I also liked Christine & Bart. I wondered if there was a book w/their story as well.
July 22, 2022
I inherited a western book collection. This was the second romance novel of the group. Other than the sex, this was a standard western. Mail order bride comes west and is kidnapped by a good guy who is trying to get the goods on her future husband. Characters good, plot predictable, but moves. I think I’ll stick to a man and his horse, gun, or something with less skin.
October 15, 2024
This is a different format for Mallery (historical western) but it is a good story. Haley is looking for somewhere to belong and be loved, while Jesse doesn't believe in love and wants justice for his family. Their attraction was inevitable. Many of the elements were predictable but it was still fun and there was a dash of suspense thrown in. A fun, quick read for romance readers.
July 24, 2018
I love Susan Mallery's books but this one just didn't work for me. Haley is the mail order bride from Chicago that Lucas Stoner had ordered. She is kidnapped by Jesse and refuse to believe anything bad about Lucas.
October 27, 2023
Noiva por encomenda é sequestrada por mocinho local que jurou vingança contra o vilão - o noivo em questão.
Alta expectativa de entretenimento, zero na entrega. Cada diálogo era um clichê, cada parágrafo, um bocejo.
Passe longe.
Alta expectativa de entretenimento, zero na entrega. Cada diálogo era um clichê, cada parágrafo, um bocejo.
Passe longe.
November 21, 2017
Great read!
The challenge of right and wrong, love and marriages. Haley and Jesse, Daisy and Leland. Yes. Lindsey finally getting it right.
The challenge of right and wrong, love and marriages. Haley and Jesse, Daisy and Leland. Yes. Lindsey finally getting it right.
April 19, 2016
Haley Winthrop is an orphan from Chicago who has answered a letter for a mail order bride. Never meeting or seeing a picture of her Lucas Stoner, her finance', she creates this image of him in her mind. But little does she know this man whom she thinks is a good, honest man is anything but.
Jesse Kincad is a hard working rancher, who has recently lost his father and ranch to so called "renegades". But he knows the truth...it is really by the hands of Lucas Stoner. He wants answers, and will do anything to get those answers, even kidnapping!
As the story unfolds, Jesse and Haley come to spend much time together forming a closeness that neither one of them expected or even wanted from the start. Will Jesse be able to convince Haley that her beloved finance is not the man he claims to be? Will Jesse survive his encounter with Lucas Stoner or will he end up swinging from the end of a rope like his father?
This book is filled with adventure, set in a time where the west was WILD. There was no luxuries, no running water, unless from a stream, no indoor plumbing, you had to work hard for what you had and even had to fight for what was yours. Only the strongest of the strong survived these elements. Would Haley convince Jesse that she too could survive this, his Wild West?
There are some scenes in this book that are a bit racy, and could cause you to blush, but over all this book was fantastic. This is not my first time reading Susan Mallery's work and I know it will not be the last time. She is an incredible author who pulls you into her stories quickly and doesn't let you go until the last word. You will not be disappointed if you pick up this book and read it.
Whitehorn, Montana, 1879
Beautiful and strong-willed Haley Winthrop has a dream of marriage, family and to finally have the peace of mind of belonging somewhere. Abandoned at birth, Haley grew up in a Chicago orphanage and was no stranger to hard work and loneliness, so when she answered an ad to be a mail-order bride in remote Montana, she knew her dream was within her grasp. From just one brief letter, the intended groom, Lucas Stoner, sent for her. Surely, he's everything wonderful and perfectly agreeable and their life together will be long and filled with happiness!
Nearing the end of her tiring journey through the beautiful Montana wilderness, the stage was held up by a lone bandit, but this bandit did not want money or jewels, he wanted Haley. Handsome rancher, Jesse Kincaid, vowed to bring down the evil and greedy Lucas Stoner, the man who had his father killed and what better way to begin than by kidnapping his bride-to-be. Intimidation, deception and murder is not beyond Lucas's determination to get what he wants and the fact that Haley is an orphan is just the tactic he needs towards reaching his malicious goals; never mind caring about her.
While being a hostage, Haley realized her experience of being a captive was nothing like she expected. Jesse's notion of being a kidnapper was nothing like he anticipated. She surprisingly takes pleasure in being his prisoner and he began to enjoy being her kidnapper.
Will their long quest that's filled with danger, intrigue and deception eventually bring them together to find eventual peace and happiness where dreams come true?
This is an easy-to-read and wonderful addition to the Montana Mavericks series; guaranteed not to disappoint!
Jesse Kincad is a hard working rancher, who has recently lost his father and ranch to so called "renegades". But he knows the truth...it is really by the hands of Lucas Stoner. He wants answers, and will do anything to get those answers, even kidnapping!
As the story unfolds, Jesse and Haley come to spend much time together forming a closeness that neither one of them expected or even wanted from the start. Will Jesse be able to convince Haley that her beloved finance is not the man he claims to be? Will Jesse survive his encounter with Lucas Stoner or will he end up swinging from the end of a rope like his father?
This book is filled with adventure, set in a time where the west was WILD. There was no luxuries, no running water, unless from a stream, no indoor plumbing, you had to work hard for what you had and even had to fight for what was yours. Only the strongest of the strong survived these elements. Would Haley convince Jesse that she too could survive this, his Wild West?
There are some scenes in this book that are a bit racy, and could cause you to blush, but over all this book was fantastic. This is not my first time reading Susan Mallery's work and I know it will not be the last time. She is an incredible author who pulls you into her stories quickly and doesn't let you go until the last word. You will not be disappointed if you pick up this book and read it.
Whitehorn, Montana, 1879
Beautiful and strong-willed Haley Winthrop has a dream of marriage, family and to finally have the peace of mind of belonging somewhere. Abandoned at birth, Haley grew up in a Chicago orphanage and was no stranger to hard work and loneliness, so when she answered an ad to be a mail-order bride in remote Montana, she knew her dream was within her grasp. From just one brief letter, the intended groom, Lucas Stoner, sent for her. Surely, he's everything wonderful and perfectly agreeable and their life together will be long and filled with happiness!
Nearing the end of her tiring journey through the beautiful Montana wilderness, the stage was held up by a lone bandit, but this bandit did not want money or jewels, he wanted Haley. Handsome rancher, Jesse Kincaid, vowed to bring down the evil and greedy Lucas Stoner, the man who had his father killed and what better way to begin than by kidnapping his bride-to-be. Intimidation, deception and murder is not beyond Lucas's determination to get what he wants and the fact that Haley is an orphan is just the tactic he needs towards reaching his malicious goals; never mind caring about her.
While being a hostage, Haley realized her experience of being a captive was nothing like she expected. Jesse's notion of being a kidnapper was nothing like he anticipated. She surprisingly takes pleasure in being his prisoner and he began to enjoy being her kidnapper.
Will their long quest that's filled with danger, intrigue and deception eventually bring them together to find eventual peace and happiness where dreams come true?
This is an easy-to-read and wonderful addition to the Montana Mavericks series; guaranteed not to disappoint!
March 16, 2021
Yet one more of my western binges this spring. Google Play hasn't run out of them yet, I guess.
Anyway, another reviewer said it best: this is a mail-order bride novel with an unexpected twist--the intended groom is a criminal. And though MC Haley doesn't realize it (for much too much of the book, in fact), she's incredibly lucky to be kidnapped from the stage by Jesse, a man who has more than a bone to pick with her intended.
Only, the criminal groom doesn't care enough about his mail-order-bride to go after her and get her back safely. So Jesse is stuck taking care of her for a while, since he's too good to do anything less, despite her (rather annoying) professions about her intended groom--that he's such a great guy and couldn't possibly be responsible for the crimes Jesse speaks of.
Honestly, I really liked Jesse--Haley, not so much, even though I understood where she was coming from. It was like she wore blinders about her intended groom and couldn't see the great guy right in front of her for too long. Jesse, in contrast, was always doing his best to set things right and root out the bad guy. He even goes so far as to let Haley believe her delusions because he cares too much about her after a short time to destroy her dreams of setting down roots.
An entertaining story, to say the least.
Anyway, another reviewer said it best: this is a mail-order bride novel with an unexpected twist--the intended groom is a criminal. And though MC Haley doesn't realize it (for much too much of the book, in fact), she's incredibly lucky to be kidnapped from the stage by Jesse, a man who has more than a bone to pick with her intended.
Only, the criminal groom doesn't care enough about his mail-order-bride to go after her and get her back safely. So Jesse is stuck taking care of her for a while, since he's too good to do anything less, despite her (rather annoying) professions about her intended groom--that he's such a great guy and couldn't possibly be responsible for the crimes Jesse speaks of.
Honestly, I really liked Jesse--Haley, not so much, even though I understood where she was coming from. It was like she wore blinders about her intended groom and couldn't see the great guy right in front of her for too long. Jesse, in contrast, was always doing his best to set things right and root out the bad guy. He even goes so far as to let Haley believe her delusions because he cares too much about her after a short time to destroy her dreams of setting down roots.
An entertaining story, to say the least.
February 23, 2019
The story is fast-paced and reads quickly. I enjoyed all the characters. It unfortunately gets docked a star because the heroine does two really stupid things. The second was so stupid that I had to question her intelligence. It's like those movies with a well-publicized serial killer where a young woman hears a noise in the basement and wanders down to check it out. Duh! How stupid can you get? Well, Haley certainly gives those young women a run for their money in the stupid department. The rest of the story was great and sometimes chilling.
August 1, 2015
Haley Winthrop is out to marry the man of her dreams, and hopefully the one to make her dreams come true. Of course, she has still to meet the man she has set out to marry. a mail-order bride, she almost makes it to his arms.
Jesse Kincaid is out to end the nightmare that his life has become. He wants justice for the death of his father, and to seek out why the place he calls home has been strife with conflict. He knows the man responsible, but not how to prove it.
So, Jesse kidnaps the future bride, Haley.
Jesse Kincaid is out to end the nightmare that his life has become. He wants justice for the death of his father, and to seek out why the place he calls home has been strife with conflict. He knows the man responsible, but not how to prove it.
So, Jesse kidnaps the future bride, Haley.
August 2, 2012
I read this during a road trip out west (Colorado), which seemed appropriate. It was actually more than your typical romance novel--there were some interesting plot elements related to the renegades burning down ranches near town and murdering the ranch owners that were pretty good. No real twists, but the story was fun.
January 17, 2016
Jesse and Haley
I enjoyed this book about a mail order bride being kidnapped before she got to her future husband. Jesse was trying to prove her future husband was evil and murdered. Some suspense.
I enjoyed this book about a mail order bride being kidnapped before she got to her future husband. Jesse was trying to prove her future husband was evil and murdered. Some suspense.
January 7, 2016
Better than Anticipated
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would because the characters were multi dimensional. The circumstances morphed and the characters rose to whatever circumstances they encountered.
Worth reading
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would because the characters were multi dimensional. The circumstances morphed and the characters rose to whatever circumstances they encountered.
Worth reading
January 19, 2009
Good but not great. I think I'm becoming jaded.
September 28, 2009
A page turner.......couldn't put it down.
Want to Read
April 12, 2012Probably not going to read this book. I read a page and already got bored.
Read
January 12, 2016Miniseries: Montana Mavericks
May 20, 2016
Sweet, satisfying and highly enjoyable.
June 23, 2016
Ok Haley just became my fave.. she's spunky and hilarious and tough
Want to Read
July 4, 2016I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13103985
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13103985
October 5, 2016
Such a disappointment, it started quite well but at half of the book it became annoying. =/
May 17, 2011
It was an enjoyable read, exactly what would you would expect!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews