Kaki Warner - Bride of the High Country

Margaret Hamilton escaped the Irish slums of Five Points as the ward of a wealthy Manhattan widow, but only marriage can make her future secure. Railroad mogul Doyle Kerrigan needs a well-connected wife. It seems a perfect match...until a shocking revelation sends her fleeing from the wedding reception.
Desperate to make a fresh start, Margaret takes on a new identity and heads West, finally stopping in Heartbreak Creek, Colorado, a dying mining town of little interest to anyone. Here, she finds new purpose, beloved friends to replace the family she’s lost, and a home at last.
But two men from Margaret’s past are on her trail. One is seeking vengeance, the other truth. When they both arrive in Heartbreak Creek, she must choose between the town she has come to love, and the man who might finally capture her heart…

Comment: This is the third installment in the Runaway Brides trilogy by author Kaki Warner. I had read the first in 2014 and liked it, but only last month did I pick the second one, which was a lot less thrilling to me. I also had this third one and had some hopes the overall story would end positively and, thankfully, this was more entertaining to me.

In this story the protagonist is Lucinda Hathaway, previously known as Margaret Hamilton, the hotel owner where often the cast of characters reunites. She is an independent woman who cherishes her friends and the life they all have there and is also eager to help develop Heartbreak Creek by investing on the railway. But life hasn't always been easy for her, especially during her childhood, for she lived through things no child should have to. Fortunately, a priest helped her and she became the ward of a widow, who she grew fond of too, and as an adult she wanted the security a marriage can provide for a woman. But Lucinda's choice turned out to be someone she can't accept, and she ran on her wedding day... his business' partner Tait Rylander went after her and once he discovered some things, decided to help her. But now the past is coming back after her...

This story did captivate me a lot more than the second one and the main reason why was the protagonists. I did like Lucinda and Tait and not only as a couple. I've felt that who they were individually, as well as their back stories, made me me root for them a lot more, because their relationship and circumstances somehow made more sense to me.

This is also a story told in a special way. Since it's the third of a trilogy, there is information we already know anyway, but the author chose to write this story in the past. Meaning, we get to see how Lucinda became who she is and what choices in life she did. I'd say the majority of the novel is set when she is about to marry and leave her fiancé Doyle, and we follow up on her adventures in settling down in Heartbreak Creek. Only the last, let's say 25 or 30% of the book are focused on what is happening now, which is to say, after the events we had in the 2nd book. Thus, this is a book about Lucinda's past, and not as much about what she is doing now.

Usually, such methods tend to annoy me. I very much prefer stories set on the now, whenever that is supposed to be, because too much time in a past situation  - which cannot be changed - feels boring. It's one of the reasons I don't seek lovers reunited tropes, too long spent on things that can't be undone, but I will admit that in this situation, in this specific book, I was interested in Lucinda and in what had happened and in how she and Tait got to become close in the past. Their romance is captivating and I was definitely rooting for them.

Despite this, I still had the sensation that, once we reach the "now" moment of the overall story, the end did feel a little rushed. I say this because of how things were written, after all Lucinda's HEA was a long time coming as we learn, but having such a bigger amount of scenes which are already over vs the ones we get to follow now, feels unbalanced. I think I might always have this personal perspective of this writing method, even if the story is appealing as this one was.

Lucinda is a brave woman and she deals with what happened to her in a very courageous way. I always felt she was determined and adventurous and she even found a man who can respect her for the things that should mark her as less than perfect, physical beauty aside. What we see of her past and what efforts she tries to have a new life, without regrets, makes her a very likable heroine. Tait, as the hero also worked out quite well for me, and the more we saw, the more he proved to be a worthy partner. I did like the fact they got their HEA.

The last pages, plot wise, were quite summarized and things happen in a very quick manner. If one bears in mind what happened, maybe it isn't that simple, but it was how it read to me. Things happen in a predictable way, but it doesn't mean it's not rewarding to see bad guys punished and our beloved characters reach happiness and stability. The HEA is sweet and with the whole cast more less reunited, made things seem more romantic and sweeter than the rest of the content actually was.

There is an epilogue too, featuring Thomas and Prudence, the characters who have been alluded to become a couple throughout the three novels, but things have not been fully solved for them. I wonder if a novella had been in the author's plans, or another book... I don't think their story needed resolution, but why leave things in the open anyway? I think this option was unnecessary.

All things considered, this was a better story for me than the last, yes. Despite the time it took me to read it (too many daily life things to deal with), I had a good time and liked the overall result.

Grade: 8/10

Kaki Warner - Colorado Dawn

After only three letters and one visit during her six-year marriage to a Scottish Cavalry Officer, Maddie Wallace decides to build a life without him. Accepting an assignment from a London periodical to photograph the West from a female perspective, she sails from England, determined to build a new life as an independent woman.
After injury ends his military career, Angus Wallace returns home to find his wife gone, his family decimated by fever, and himself next in line to an earldom. His new mission is clear--find his wife and sire heirs. His search takes him across an ocean and half a continent, but he finally tracks her to Heartbreak Creek, Colorado. There his biggest challenge awaits--to convince his headstrong wife to return home as his viscountess.
Amidst statehood struggles, claim jumping, and railroad disputes their passionate battle rages...until word comes that Angus has become the earl. Now they must decide between a life in the mountains of Colorado, or in the glittering ballrooms of London...and between duty and desire.

Comment: In 2014 I've read a book by author Kaki Warner and I liked it a lot. Checking out my post, it was quite a high grade but I barely remember details, much less specific information. That book is the first in a trilogy and I did add the other two to my TBR but in all these years they simply were left aside. This year I told myself, just read them and get them out of the pile, thus why I've picked out this one now, and I'm planning on reading the third next month.

The trilogy, titled Runaway Brides, features brides who are running away from something,of course. In this second novel, Maddie Wallace leaves England, after months of not having any information on her cavalry husband. Thinking he died and no one told her or that he had forgotten about her, she decides to accept a photography assignment in the West, which will be published as being from a woman's perspective. Her days are quite enjoyable and she has even found a group of friends, however, one day, her husband simply shows up and she believes her  life will be in his control again.

Angus Wallace, now lord Ashby, was injured and when he returned home, his family was ill and his wife was gone. He now needs her to go back to England, for there are duties they must perform, but what he finds is his wife flourishing and happy. Will they find a way to work together so both can have what they want? They will need to make a decision before a man seeking trouble discovers they all might be in his way...

Eleven years can change a lot but thankfully, I'm still interested in historical stories for the most part, and I've started this book with some expectations. The beginning, however, was a little slow and not very vibrant and on top of things it even featured a lovers reunited trope, which in par with friends to lovers isn't one I find that thrilling. I also think the development of this story didn't make me change my mind on that.

To start with, I am part of that group of readers who thinks Maddie going to America to be a photographer was a fine idea but the why is a bit contrived. I supposed the author had to explain why a married woman could simply leave, and then conveniently her husband would find her, but this whole set up was a bit weak to my way of thinking and it felt even worse when the reasoning was that she waited months for him to reply to her letters, so she believed hat she wanted and went. Possible, yes, but not convincing to me.

Maddie, I should say, does think and act as an independent woman and I certainly cherished this, even though it's an historical, but I think she wasn't always a very approachable character. Perhaps this is only my own vision of things, but I didn't really warm up to her. I did like Ashby a bit more and when they meet again, very early in the book, I thought his explanations to be reasonable but, again, after being married for some time and for love, that he hid one or two details from her... I've summarized this in my head this way: they didn't properly communicate before so that now their story could really begin.

Certainly, this is valid and I suppose the setting up was the author's way of letting us know about what happened to lead to the current situation but... ehh, I was not really satisfied with these decisions. The romance simply didn't move me and while I knew they would get their HEA, I was not moved by the evolution of their relationship. In fact, I was way more interested in seeing the dynamics with the secondary characters (some had already been in the previous book but I didn't remember much) and how everyone acted as if they were this united family.

There is also another sub plot, regarding two brothers who are looking for a gold location, after killing the owner. The only clue to the spot is a photography taken by Maddie, as they later discover, and they think she might remember where that had been. From the moment these two show up and the others realize what is going on, the story became a lot more engaging and the main reason why I enjoyed the book until the end. Not everything is great about this subplot but it allowed for further developments and evolution in what the characters were thinking of doing.

All in all, this book ended up being average to me. I liked some elements but the romance was really poor to my way of seeing things. Maddie and Ash can be as happy as they want but I wasn't convinced. I hope the third book is better executed.

Grade: 6/10

Kaki Warner - Heartbreak Creek

Edwina Ladoux hoped becoming a mail-order bride would be her way out of the war-torn South, but as soon as she arrives in Heartbreak Creek, Colorado, and meets her hulking, taciturn groom, she realizes she’s made a terrible mistake. Declan Brodie already had one flighty wife who ran off with a gambler before being killed by Indians. He’s hoping for a practical farm woman who can corral his four rambunctious children. Instead, he gets a skinny Southern princess who doesn’t even know how to cook.
Luckily, Edwina and Declan agreed on a three-month courtship period, allowing them time to get the proxy marriage annulled. Yet as the weeks pass, thoughts of annulment turn into hopes for a real marriage—until the unspeakable happens, and suddenly Declan is torn between duty and desire, and Edwina has to fight for the family she’s grown to love…

Comment: After seeing the opinion of some people about this book I thought it would be an interesting story to try. I usually enjoy westerns although I haven't read all that many so far, but it's never too late right? Anyway, this story seemed intriguing and I was very curious how the author would play the mail order bride and children's elements into the novel.

This is the story of Edwina Ladoux, she's a southern belle but her house has to be sold because she can't afford to take care of it anymore. Things are harsh in the south so Edwina decides to be a mail order bride and she along with her mulatto half-sister go to the west in order for her to be married and thus having a life for themselves.
Her future husband only wanted someone decent to help him with the house and the children.He didn't count on someone so alive and special and easy to fall for, more so when himself changes with her presence. But an Indian looking for revenge might ruin their starting relationship for good...

I think this book has several good elements. It wasn't as perfect as it could be for me due to a couple of things which didn't looked as well done as they could, but overall, I think it was a good experience with a first book by the author.
I liked the feel of the story, how Edwina and her sister Pru were trying to go to a new life after what they ever known wasn't what they loved anymore. It takes a certain kind of courage - and despair - to leave everything and go start new somewhere else. I think this part was well done and I could see how they were eager for a new start but there were some lingering memories still alive in their minds, but that only gave the reason to try...Their childhood wasn't the easiest one and several clues here and there helped to explain their behavior and feelings. I think this is the strongest part of the writing, how the author conveys huge things with such small details, scenes or sentences.

The plot was both funny and endearing. I was very curious to see Edwina find happiness and joy again and throughout her new experiences with the west, the people she met on the way, her new husband, his family, all this helped her to be someone new and that also changed things around them.
The Indian's revenge is always a sore subject that provokes countless actions and part of me was a bit bored by how much detail was given into it when it would have been easier to focus more on the romance. I liked things ended well but some things on the way, like this I just said and a surprise the reader didn't see coming - which for me was just a convenient plot trick and could have been avoided without the story loosing focus and power - were things that distracted and weren't as successfully done in my opinion.

There's also a sort of secondary romance, not solved in this book, about Edwina' sister, which really left me curious and if there's a reason to keep reading, this is it.

The main romance was funny. Edwina and Declan didn't seem to match at first but with time, the author created a reasonable and later on even expected and believable love story and it was wonderful to see them fall in love, to talk about what they felt like about things and this was great. Declan proved to be a great character and willing to say he was wrong. There's a curve ball for him but as I said, all ends well.
It was also funny to see Edwina deal with the children and how that also helped Declan see how she was worthy and how they could be a real family. I liked this too.

All in all, a good story, good elements and for the most part, a very enjoyable time reading. Sometimes, if the book works for you, that is the biggest goal you could want, just time well spent.
The following book doesn't seem as appealing for me but eventually I'll try. I guess I hope to be surprised and there's always Edwina's sister secondary plot to look for.
Grade: 8/10