Skipping to the back of the book is an introduction to
Linda Broday which made me understand why I just loved
TEXAS MAIL ORDER BRIDE. Broday is a western aficionada --
a cowboy buff just like me. Simply put Broday likes
anyone in Stetsons and boots -- well as long as they are
on the right side of the law. Here's where it gets murky
in TEXAS MAIL ORDER BRIDE -- it's a story about people
with pasts. True everyone has a past. Some of us hide
from it, others embrace it and still others let it
determine our future. So if you are thinking TEXAS MAIL
ORDER BRIDE is a run of the mill tale of a woman on a
mission to get married -- you better think again.
Delta was hungry -- hungry to find a place to belong -- a
place where she was no longer invisible. She was alone
and was looking for a chance to have someone to belong
to. Answering the ad for a mail order bride seemed the
answer to her prayers. Battle Creek is actually just the
place for someone like Delta. It is the most welcoming
town you could find where for the most part Delta was
greeted with open arms. Heaven in Texas.
But the intended bridegroom was in for a surprise. Cooper
absolutely did not put in that ad and he had not had any
communications with any one answering it. Cooper and his
two brothers were members of a group they organized
called the Battle Creek Bachelors. Kind of tells it all.
Needless to say their first encounter did not bode well.
So Delta quickly realized with her meager purse she
needed a job if she intended to stay on in Battle Creek
while she considered her sketchy options. Single woman in
the old west had few real choices. They became spinsters,
brides or bar room ladies. And yet Delta saw many
opportunities in Battle Creek which was worse for wear
and truly needing a woman's touch.
The woman of Battle Creek were no shrinking violets but
they needed leadership and a push in the right direction
to get their little town to prosper. Delta had the
challenge she needed and with the ladies help she hoped
to make this little town her new home -- married or not.
The town became hers -- Delta found herself watching it as
if it was the most prized possession. Perhaps it was for
a woman who had absolutely nothing and no one.
The last thing Delta really expected was to have any sort
of relationship with Cooper -- who vehemently denied any
part in the mail order business. But Cooper was
enthralled with this sassy woman who stood up to him like
no one else seemed to dare. Each confrontation actually
increased his pride and if he was being honest with
himself -- attraction to this newcomer.
Delta was becoming dear to many of the townspeople
because of her kindness and honesty. Cooper's brothers
were also getting close to this at times infuriating
woman. This did not sit well with Cooper who could not
understand these feelings. His plans did not include
marriage. He was not marriage material. In his opinion
his past did not make him a suitable mate for anyone much
less a gracious intelligent woman like Delta.
But just as the town had already accepted Delta as one of
their own -- Cooper was beginning to feel somewhat
possessive. And when danger visited their little town
Cooper realized all bets were off when it came to keeping
Delta safe. He might not want to marry her -- but she was
his all the same.
Don't you just love big strong rugged cowboys. Linda
Broday and I obviously share a great fondness for them.
TEXAS MAIL ORDER BRIDE is a great story about growth,
pride, love and care. This is book one of the
Bachelors
of Battle Creek series. In TEXAS MAIL ORDER BRIDE we
get
to meet Cooper's brothers along with several other
bachelors. Broday gave us just enough to whet our
appetite to get to know these men a lot better. The men
are hot and sexy and the women are sassy. All the
ingredients for a fine new series.
"So beautiful. You make it impossible to think." He pulled her against him and found her mouth. "You don't know how long I've wanted to do this." When he let her up for air, she whispered as though she couldn't trust her voice, "Is this another Texas custom?" "Absolutely," he growled. "Welcome to Texas." Rancher Cooper Thorne thinks his life is finally on an even keel-until Delta Dandridge steps off the stagecoach and claims she's his mail order bride. Brash and quick- witted, the meddling Southern Belle is everything Cooper thought he never wanted...and everything his heart is telling him he needs. But Cooper swore long ago that he'd never marry, and he aims to keep his word, especially now that the demons from his past have returned to threaten everything-and everyone-he holds dear...
Excerpt
Delta covered the space between them so quickly Bandit scurried for safer territory. She glared up into eyes that reminded her of a cold winter’s day. “I can’t believe this. You have a lot of gall, Mr. Thorne. The way I see it, you gave up your right to meddle in my affairs when you told me in no uncertain terms that you weren’t looking for a wife. Therefore, what I do is none of your concern. If I want to—” “Do what?” Cooper brushed her cheek with a fingertip. “Women like you won’t throw your reputation to the wind. You want it all or nothing.” She glared. “You’re awfully sure of yourself.” “I know more than you think.” His words were soft. “I see the yearning for permanence in your eyes. Dear God, you’re a difficult woman to forget.” Cooper tugged her against his lean body, lowered his head, and pressed his sensual lips firmly on hers. The long kiss held passion and promise and warmth. Delta’s breath got caught somewhere between the need for more and wishing she’d stayed in town, far away from men who indulged in contradictory behavior. Her knees grew weak and she clutched the shirt covering his broad chest to keep from falling as the world tilted on its axis. As the kiss deepened, their breaths mingled in a heated flurry while blood pounded in her ears. She heard a low moan and realized it came from her. Strange how it sounded so very far away. Her stomach whirled and dipped as though she’d fallen from a great height. Tingles raced up her spine in some kind of mindless confusion. The anger that had propelled her into dangerous territory melted away and left a strange desire in its wake. Before she could unclench her hands from his shirt to take a step back, he released her. The kiss ended suddenly, leaving her wanting more. Cooper’s sinful half smile turned her knees to jelly. “And that, Miss Delta, is how we do things here in Texas.”
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