jjares reviewed The Mail Order Bride's Secret (Outlaw Mail Order Brides, Bk 3) on + 3270 more book reviews
Although I own all four books in this series, I accidentally picked this one first to read. The premise is unique and interesting. I couldn't wait it get started.
Melanie and Ava Dunbar (twins) are cardsharps, along with their father. However, Dad Dunbar is a crook and a cheat while his daughters have learned to count cards and win fairly. He leaves them with some fraudulent banknotes and they are arrested and tried. Being sent to prison for 20 years, the judge makes Melanie an offer. She has been corresponding with a notorious train robber. If she will marry him, find out where he's hidden the money, and turn Tait Trinity over to the law, Melanie and her sister will be absolved of their crime. Ava will stay behind, in prison, to make sure Melanie does her job.
At about the same time, Tait has become the guardian of his only sister's three children (because Claire and her husband were murdered). Tait has no idea how to raise children and he hurriedly telegrams for Melanie to come to marry him quickly. He neglects to mention his three new wards.
When Melanie arrives, she's underwhelmed with Tait's three children. She's never been around small children and wonders if she will be any help to Tait. However, after a few false starts, the couple decides to wed. And then the fun begins. Melanie is afraid that Tait will just dump the kids on her and head for parts unknown. Of course, that was pretty much what Tait was planning on but he readjusts his thinking to meet Melanie partway.
However, Tait must go to find out why and how (and who) killed his sister and his brother-in-law. Because the children are still suffering from the loss of their parents, Melanie knows Tait must go (to give them closure). To me, the strongest part of this great story is the incredible build-up in tension; the reader knows something awful is going to happen -- soon.
Generally, I have a hard time giving a western story five stars. However, this had everything going for it and I finished it in record time because I had to turn those pages. This has an engaging plot and wonderful pacing.
Outlaw Mail Order Brides
1. The Outlaw's Mail Order Bride (2019)
2. Saving the Mail Order Bride (2019)
** 3.The Mail Order Bride's Secret (2020)
4. Once Upon a Mail Order Bride (2020)
Melanie and Ava Dunbar (twins) are cardsharps, along with their father. However, Dad Dunbar is a crook and a cheat while his daughters have learned to count cards and win fairly. He leaves them with some fraudulent banknotes and they are arrested and tried. Being sent to prison for 20 years, the judge makes Melanie an offer. She has been corresponding with a notorious train robber. If she will marry him, find out where he's hidden the money, and turn Tait Trinity over to the law, Melanie and her sister will be absolved of their crime. Ava will stay behind, in prison, to make sure Melanie does her job.
At about the same time, Tait has become the guardian of his only sister's three children (because Claire and her husband were murdered). Tait has no idea how to raise children and he hurriedly telegrams for Melanie to come to marry him quickly. He neglects to mention his three new wards.
When Melanie arrives, she's underwhelmed with Tait's three children. She's never been around small children and wonders if she will be any help to Tait. However, after a few false starts, the couple decides to wed. And then the fun begins. Melanie is afraid that Tait will just dump the kids on her and head for parts unknown. Of course, that was pretty much what Tait was planning on but he readjusts his thinking to meet Melanie partway.
However, Tait must go to find out why and how (and who) killed his sister and his brother-in-law. Because the children are still suffering from the loss of their parents, Melanie knows Tait must go (to give them closure). To me, the strongest part of this great story is the incredible build-up in tension; the reader knows something awful is going to happen -- soon.
Generally, I have a hard time giving a western story five stars. However, this had everything going for it and I finished it in record time because I had to turn those pages. This has an engaging plot and wonderful pacing.
Outlaw Mail Order Brides
1. The Outlaw's Mail Order Bride (2019)
2. Saving the Mail Order Bride (2019)
** 3.The Mail Order Bride's Secret (2020)
4. Once Upon a Mail Order Bride (2020)
