Cinders' Bride (Mail Order Brides of Texas Book 1)

I loved this book! Shannon is a gutsy character who strikes out on her own for a better life only to find herself duped, alone and scarred for life until Cinders enters the picture. Cinders is the perfect hero --gallant, goofy sometimes and sexy. Their story gripped my heart and their name game made me laugh. Ms. Ball concocts the perfect story: emotion-filled, funny at times, and deeply seasoned with authentic details about the old West. She tops this delicious sundae off with the perfect cherry -- a character named Cookie, a man, a cook and a gruff sweetheart. I couldn't put this story down as I was driven to find out what happens, then sad when the book ended. Don't miss this one.

This was quite an enjoyable historical western romance novel. Generally I don`t read many books in this genre but the cover and description of Cinders' Bride captured my attention. I found myself swept up into a lovely little romance tale with enjoyable characters, sweet dialog, timid love scenes (timid in comparison to my usual reads) and a good feel for the era and setting. Any fan of the genre should enjoy this latest from Ms. Ball.

To escape an existence of an impoverished woman, Shannon leaves NY city to become a mail order bride of a rancher in Texas. When she arrives, she discovers the man lied about his livelihood and she refused to marry him. She suffers a use at his hand for this and is rescued by a new widower(Cinders). She endures snubbing by townsfolk and some ranch hands. In addition, she has to learn to deal with snakes and Indians as well as learn to develop skills of shooting and other protective methods. Will her marriage to Cinders have a chance of surviving, or will he insist on comparing her to his past wife and their circumstances rather than grasping the opportunity before him and work to develop a positive future? A really good read!

To escape an existence of an impoverished woman, Shannon leaves NY city to become a mail order bride of a rancher in Texas. When she arrives, she discovers the man lied about his livelihood and she refused to marry him. She suffers a use at his hand for this and is rescued by a new widower(Cinders). She endures snubbing by townsfolk and some ranch hands. In addition, she has to learn to deal with snakes and Indians as well as learn to develop skills of shooting and other protective methods. Will her marriage to Cinders have a chance of surviving, or will he insist on comparing her to his past wife and their circumstances rather than grasping the opportunity before him and work to develop a positive future? A really good read!

Great start but a very short, SHORT story. The Author could have made this a wonderful series about Cinder but seemed to just loose the story too quickly. Save your money for another, or if you prefer the short 1-2 hour reads go for it, you'll enjoy!

I guess the actual rating is somewhere between "I didn't like it" and "It's OK".

All in all, I was not happy with this book. I thought that it was both simplistic and over the top at the same. The characters were very one-dimensional and despite the fact that I have grown to really like a few western romances, this one was not my cup of tea. Will not be reading more of the series.

This book is written in time period however the author forgot how the actual people of said time period behaved. She gave them current personalities and perspectives. For me this ruins the book. If she would have written it as a modern time frame I may have enjoyed it.

I really loved this story and the characters. There was a very sweet quality to it. But, I was so disappointed after investing so much time into it that the ending was like the story just got chopped off. There were many issues in the story that were not concluded and as this was no part of a series it's just like a bunch of loose ends. I would not recommend this book.

This story was ver disjointed and I got whiplash from the disconnected back and forth in the story. It didn't flow well, the dialogue is awful, the characters are unbelievable and hard to like. I really can't recommend this story at all.

Shannon McMurphy has risked everything. She has taken the stagecoach to Texas, once there she hopes that all her troubles will be over. She is to marry John Hardy. John owns a large ranch and is looking for a wife. Shannon dreams of a home full with children ~ but coming from New York there is one small problem. She has never met her would be husband, John.

When Shannon reaches Texas, she discovers a terrible truth. John isn't a rancher - he owns a seedy saloon. There is no way on earth that Shannon would consent to marry him. But saying 'NO' to John has consequences. Lucky for Shannon, Cinders - a young, handsome, recently widowed, rancher - steps in and saves her. The only way Cinders can protect Shannon from John is to marry her himself and so, the adventure begins.

This is the first book I have read by Kathleen Ball ~ I must say that I was completely seduced into buying this book by the cover, and the blurb sounded fabulous as well. I couldn't wait to sit down and read it!

I liked the character of Shannon, she is a sweet, hardworking girl who just wants a home and a family. She doesn’t want to be a burden to anyone and if it wasn’t for Cinders she would have, no doubt, become one of John’s “girls” to pay of the debt that she owes him. Thankfully, Cinders steps in and saves the day.

Now this is where I came a little unstuck. Initially, I was shocked by how the townsfolk reacted to Shannon. They knew what John was like, and they could see she was an innocent, but they gladly show her where John can be found. They do nothing to warn her of his character, and when she comes back with a slashed face, they treat her as if she is a prostitute. Why would they do that? She had only been in the salon for five minutes??! Shannon continues to be treated in this detestable manner throughout the book - sorry, I just didn't understand this.

I also kept thinking that Shannon was a spinster, and this was the reason that she was a mail-order bride and then it turns out, much later on in the book, that she is only 19. I would have liked to read more of her back story.

Likewise with Cinders. I would have liked to have known more about him. He was closed off and distance for most of the book. He didn’t want to let Shannon into his heart. I actually preferred Cookie as a hero, at least he treated Shannon with a little compassion.

There was something fundamentally missing from this book - to me it seemed as if the author had rushed it. There were inconsistencies and underdeveloped characters. There was far too much 'tell' rather than 'show.’ It left me with a lukewarm feeling.

Nevertheless, the cover was great!!

A very well written book! Cinder a rancher not looking for a wife when he helps Shannon from being attacked by her husband to be John. The judge in town tells him the only way to help Shannon's reputation and save her from John they must get married. I will say Cinder should have used some old time justice on John. I'm afraid if I had been Shannon I would have punched Polly in the nose I few times. ( Polly an old friend of Cinder's) With that being said read the book I think you will enjoy it.

Kathleen Ball received 5 STARS for Cinders' Bride (Mail Order Brides of Texas Book 1) her first book in this series which is just terrific and one to read. Kathleen, hits on a fantastic story that is written well and reads with all the exciting happenings and strange interesting things in a quick almost a rhythm like pace. You will not be disappointed with this choice of reading material.
16 & Up Mild to NO SEX