Sandy M’s review of Texas Mail Order Bride (Bachelors of Battle Creek, Book 1) by Linda Broday
Historical Western Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 6 Jan 15

This is my first Linda Broday book. I’ve wanted to read her for a while now, ever since a good friend told me how much she’s enjoyed the author’s earlier books. As happens with a bookaholic, it’s not for lack of want that I’ve gone this long not reading one of her westerns, especially since I love the genre. So when the opportunity arose to read her latest release, I jumped at it.

While this first book in a new series mostly works for me, there is something that’s missing, which, unfortunately, is the most important thing – the romance.

I really enjoy the brothers of Battle Creek and the story of how they came together as youngsters.  Cooper is the oldest and did his best over the years to keep them together and safe. He still worries, but his siblings have grown into good men. He’s a bachelor for life, even starting a bachelor club with the men of Battle Creek. When he comes face to face with Delta Dandridge, he’s determined to straighten her out quick like.

Delta is in Battle Creek after answering an ad for a mail-order bride. So life is looking up for her, at least until she meets her prospective husband. Not sure how such a faux pas could happen, she’s not sure what to do at first when he tells her he’ll never marry. But Delta is a heroine who is feisty and smart. She likes what’s she’s seen of Battle Creek so far, as well as the folks she’s met, so why not just settle in and make that new life she came for.

And, boy howdy, does Delta dig in once she’s settled. She wrangles a job from the local mercantile owner who recently lost his wife. That’s just the beginning of Delta’s influence on this tiny town. She makes friends quickly and begins to see the possibilities in Battle Creek. Who she’s still at odds with is Cooper Thorne. It’s like oil and water every time they meet up. And this is where my disconnect comes in. You know that eventually they have to bury the hatchet, but in the meantime their chemistry just never comes to life for me. Even when Rand, Cooper’s middle brother, is thrown into the pot, as is a local woman and her son whom Cooper feels responsible for, for the jealousy card, there’s just not been enough between Cooper and Delta that I’m that invested in their relationship. After all the attitude from both of them, there should have been something more powerful between them when they finally turn that corner.

Though the concept of the book is one we’ve read so many times, what saves the entire story is the Battle Creek townsfolk, even Cooper and Delta in their own right. Cooper saving Bandit is one of my favorite scenes, as is Delta winning over her boss as the working days go on. The town is full of lovable and entertaining characters, just what you would imagine in Texas with folks making do after the war, glad to have their lives back. Even the villain, as much as you hate him, fits right in. Ms. Broday does get the American West exactly right. You feel like you’re right there in early small town America. I do like both of Cooper’s brothers, and despite my issues with this book, I am looking forward to Rand’s story, which is out in March of this year.

Grade: B-

Summary:

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 waited 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, claiming 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.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: