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Heartbreak Creek

(Runaway Brides #1)

Kaki Warner

3.89 · Rating details · 1,470 ratings · 153 reviews

Four unlikely brides make their way west—and find love where they least expect it in award-winner Kaki Warner’s heartwarming series, one “as stellar as her Blood Rose trilogy…”* For fans of Linda Lael Miller and Jodi Thomas...

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, ...more

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ebook, 372 pages

Published July 5th 2011 by Berkley Books (first published May 25th 2011)

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Jul 05, 2011 Jill rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance-american, 2011-4-5-5-stars

4.5 stars

After the devastation of the Civil War that has left her beloved Rose Hill Plantation, Louisiana in ruins, widow Edwina Ladoux and her sister Prudence have few prospects. Forced to sell her ancestral home, Edwina answers an advertisement for a mail-order bride in the Colorado Territory. Declan Brodie is a widower and rancher, and desperate for a sturdy wife to help with chores and his four unruly children. Unfortunately for Edwina she's not sturdy and knows nothing of cooking or ...more

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Feb 10, 2020 Jonetta rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-romance, group-read, nc-br-digital-library, 5000-2020, 2020-in-2020, 2020-historical-fiction, 2020-library-love

Edwina Ladoux has reached the end of the line financially in trying to keep her southern Louisiana family home in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War. Unable to pay the back taxes, Edwina made plans to marry a Colorado rancher in response to his ad for a wife. She and her half sister, Prudence (a reluctant participant) embark into the unknown and to say that she was underwhelmed by her new husband is an understatement. Declan Brodie is equally disappointed in the Southern princess that ...more

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Jul 07, 2011 Lisa Kay rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommended to Lisa Kay by: Jill

Shelves: all-time-favorites, genre-romance-historical, animal-dog-in-story, character-widow, theme-mail-order-bride, amazing-secondary-characters, character-child-children-featured, genre-photography, buddy-read, character-widower

Blake Shelton, as Declan Brodie.

What a wonderful read! I just love a good western and this one is great. Kaki Warner is a new-to-me-author and I have to say, she delivered. By the end of this book I felt I really knew these characters. I found plenty of pain, grief and drama here; but, there was also unexpected humor, joy, love and growth in the depths of these amazing people.

For probably the first time in Edwina Ladoux’s life, she steps out from behind her protective half-sister’s petticoats ...more

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Aug 07, 2011 KatLynne rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to KatLynne by: Jill & Lisa Kay

Shelves: part-of-a-series, g-historical-romance, romance-western-or-cowboy, library-book, mail-order-bride, sweet-warm-romance, 2011-reads, heroine-domestic-or-child-abuse, heroine-or-hero-southern, hero-alpha-warrior

Honest, hard-working widower, age thirty-three, seeks sturdy English speaking woman to help with mountain ranch and four children. Drinkers, whores and gamblers need not apply.

With an add like that and the intrigue of a mail-order-bride I couldn't resist:)

Widow Edwina Ladaux is leaving all behind of her childhood home in the war torn south and moving more than 1000 miles away to become the mail-order-bride of rancher, Declan Brodie. Destitute, down trodden and with her entire way of life gone, ...more

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Feb 14, 2020 Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-western, 4-move-up-tbr-list, western-historical, favorites-2020

Books like Heartbreak Creek are the reason I've fallen head over heels with historical western romance! Warner has quickly become one of my favorite Western authors. Her writing flows like water out of a mountain canyon - saturating everything in its path including my heart & soul. Heartbreak Creek is just magic - a fantastic story with characters that will make you feel a range of emotions as you walk every step with them. And the laughter . . . omg. I don't remember a book making me laugh ...more

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Jul 17, 2011 TJ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, western, historical, own-or-have-a-copy

4.5/5.0
For anyone who enjoys a really good Western romance minus the "howdy's" and constant show-downs but with an honest, realistic view of the lives and people who (sparsely) populated places within that West, will absolutely love this sweet and wonderful story. Lest one think it might be somewhat dull, however ("no shoot-em-ups?" *gasp*!) there is plenty of conflict and a suspenseful ending that rivals any main-street showdown.

Edwina, a Southern Belle to her very core, who, after struggling 4.5/5.0
For anyone who enjoys a really good Western romance minus the "howdy's" and constant show-downs but with an honest, realistic view of the lives and people who (sparsely) populated places within that West, will absolutely love this sweet and wonderful story. Lest one think it might be somewhat dull, however ("no shoot-em-ups?" *gasp*!) there is plenty of conflict and a suspenseful ending that rivals any main-street showdown.

Edwina, a Southern Belle to her very core, who, after struggling fruitlessly to keep her family plantation following the devastation of the civil war, is faced with bankruptcy and bigotry. With no where left to turn, Edwina accepts the offer to become a mail-order bride to a widower with four children in Colorado. Hauling her sister along, Edwina sets out to change their lives - hopefully for the better. When she discovers the huge, somewhat taciturn man who is her husband, however, she seriously questions her sanity, along with her future.

What follows is an absolutely delightful and heart-touching account of how two people - vastly different in every way - learn to accept, appreciate and slowly, to love. Declan Brody's character is the perfect example of a Western rancher of that era. He talks only when it's needful, doesn't mince words when he does and expects people to use their common sense to deal with life's challenges. These traits can drive, not only Edwina, but the reader to distraction. One wants to rip some conversation out of his mouth at times, especially when Edwina is working so hard to make their marriage succeed. Her fortitude and determination in spite of the challenges is amazing and inspiring. She faces even the most daunting of situations forthrightly and endeavors to do well. I absolutely loved her!

I do believe the story would have been much better if the synopsis hadn't given away a huge spoiler in the storyline. To have suddenly seen Declan's first wife show up out of the blue right along with Declan would have allowed readers a well of emotion that was taken away because we already knew it was coming. The predictability in that and a few other situations is the only downside to an otherwise pitch perfect Western romance. ...more

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Dec 20, 2011 Linda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: children-involved, heartwarming, humorous-moments, mail-order-bride, homespun-historical, 1800s-period-of-history, chemistry-is-good, homespun-series, series, american-west-romance

This is my first Kaki Warner romance that I read and it won't be my last. Do I dare call the story 'yummy'? How about heartwarming yet steamy? Rarely have I read a historical western that keeps me wanting more. Edwina Brodie comes to Heartbreak Creek to meet her husband-by-proxy, Declan. Beside her is her half-sister Pru and two other ladies she's met on her journey.

Edwina and Declan Brodie do not get along when they first meet. She's from the old south, having survived The Civil War. His first ...more

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Mar 01, 2013 Foxfire rated it it was ok · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I loved the writing, and thoroughly enjoyed the first 1/3 of the book. Then the pace slowed down and I ended up skimming the remaining parts.

So, even though it was a good story, I'll have to stick to my rules: if the author can't hold my interest and I start skipping, it has to be two stars only.

There were a few aspects that did not work so well for me:

Although Edwina loved her sister, she had always relied on Prue to take care of her. In the five years since the war, despite the fact that they I loved the writing, and thoroughly enjoyed the first 1/3 of the book. Then the pace slowed down and I ended up skimming the remaining parts.

So, even though it was a good story, I'll have to stick to my rules: if the author can't hold my interest and I start skipping, it has to be two stars only.

There were a few aspects that did not work so well for me:

Although Edwina loved her sister, she had always relied on Prue to take care of her. In the five years since the war, despite the fact that they had no money, Edwina could not cook or do household chores. This implies that she had treated Prue like a servant.

And yet, once they get to Declan's ranch, within a couple of weeks Edwina has mastered housekeeping, despite the primitive conditions. It seems puzzling that she learns everything so fast - and if she does have the aptitude, why didn't she do her share before but left everything to Prue?

Declan and Edwina had agreed to a three month trial period, but after a couple of weeks she wants to make the marriage real. Her lack of worry about the future, and her eagerness to consummate the marriage seem a little unrealistic. It is nicely shown how the physical attraction grows between them, but I would not have expected her to cast aside all her concerns so easily - as it is, her biggest worry seems to be that her breasts are not "pointy".

When Declan's first wife is found as an Indian captive, sick and dying after four years of torture, Declan decides to divorce her. She was his wife for a decade and bore him four children, but he tells himself she is in the past. Edwina, whom he has known for a month, is the future.

To me, the act lacks honor. Divorce was extremely rare in those days. People might be unfaithful, but they remained married. Yes, Sally had wanted to leave him, but I got the impression that Declan had neglected her during the marriage. I would have expected him to feel a lot greater guilt, a lot more sympathy for her suffering. Now, when her first words to him are "Four years and you never came for me" it is implied that she is callous because she doesn't ask about her children.

Those would have been my first words too. And, Sally might have found it far too painful to ask about her children. And I expect she wouldn't have wanted them to see her until she had a chance to clean up.

Also, it bothered me that the Indians captured and tortured Prue. It seemed to me that Edwina earned her happiness through the suffering of other women, and this made me like her less.

I did enjoy the writing and will try other books in the series. ...more

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May 22, 2013 Regan Walker rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 5-star-reads, 19th-century-america

Great 1st in the Brides Trilogy, a Must Read Western!

First in the Brides trilogy (Heartbreak Creek, Colorado Dawn and Bride of the High Country), and set in Colorado in 1870, this is the story of Edwina Ladoux, “the once reigning belle of Sycamore Parish” in Louisiana, now a widow, who because of circumstances decides to become a mail order bride to a man described as an “honest, hard-working widower” seeking a “sturdy English-speaking woman” to help with his ranch and 4 children.

Edwina doubted Great 1st in the Brides Trilogy, a Must Read Western!

First in the Brides trilogy (Heartbreak Creek, Colorado Dawn and Bride of the High Country), and set in Colorado in 1870, this is the story of Edwina Ladoux, “the once reigning belle of Sycamore Parish” in Louisiana, now a widow, who because of circumstances decides to become a mail order bride to a man described as an “honest, hard-working widower” seeking a “sturdy English-speaking woman” to help with his ranch and 4 children.

Edwina doubted she could be considered “sturdy,” but decided to proceed nonetheless. In her own words, “She might be leaping from the fat into the fire, but at least for that brief moment she hung suspended between the two, she would be totally free.” How could you not like a woman who would take a leap like that? Especially when she drags her older sister, Pru, along with her for this adventure into the unknown. Like several of Warner’s latest novels, this one features a train ride (to Colorado) and names like Damnation Creek—I loved them.

It gets more interesting as we learn that Pru is Edwina’ half sister and her mother was black. Pru is a beautiful, accomplished woman who is self-educated and able to care for both Edwina and herself. Both Pru and Edwina have a past that still affects them. Our hero, Declan Brodie, is a man of few words who is overwhelmed by his sprawling ranch and his four children. He also has a past that haunts him—his first wife left him for another man and Indians killed both.

Edwina thinks of Declan as a “great lump” due to his size. He calls her Miss Priss and then “Ed,” which she likes better. He has agreed to her terms—to give her a few months without consummating the marriage to see if they are compatible. Initially it seems they are not when he learns she can’t cook and she imposes rules on the children that have them bristling, but then Declan begins to admire other things about her. I loved their conversations and sparing. I loved the way Warner had the exasperated man cursing in his mind. She captures the male point of view so well.

Warner plunks you down into the late 19th century American frontier with ranchers, Indians, freed slaves and others trying to build a new life. And we are introduced to the other “brides” in the trilogy so read this them in order.

The dialog is realistic and rich, the characters varied and well drawn and the plot is intriguing and exciting. Spread over all this like chocolate shavings over cake frosting is Warner’s dry wit. Simply delicious.
...more

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Jul 10, 2015 Lyuda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: western

“Honest, hard-working widower, age thirty-three, seeks sturdy English-speaking woman to help with mountain ranch and four children. Drinkers, whores, and gamblers need not apply”.
The year is 1870 America. Desperate times call for desperate measures. And Edwina Ladoux, a widow and a former southern belle, is desperate. Her husband perished in the Civil War, her father killed when Yankees invaded their plantation, her home is in ruins, and there is no money to pay property taxes, so everything “Honest, hard-working widower, age thirty-three, seeks sturdy English-speaking woman to help with mountain ranch and four children. Drinkers, whores, and gamblers need not apply”.
The year is 1870 America. Desperate times call for desperate measures. And Edwina Ladoux, a widow and a former southern belle, is desperate. Her husband perished in the Civil War, her father killed when Yankees invaded their plantation, her home is in ruins, and there is no money to pay property taxes, so everything would be auctioned out. More importantly, she fears for her and her half-sister safety from both returning dispirited Southern solders and carpetbagger Yankees. Answering the advertisement for a mail-order bride and marring by proxy seems to be the only solution available to her. With her resolve strong and unwavering, Edwina and her sister boarded a train and headed west to Colorado. This resolve was sorely tasted when she finally meets her huge, dour, unsmiling, uncommunicative husband Declan. An ex-sheriff turned rancher, Declan is dismayed. The thin exhausted woman is definitely not a farm wife he expected. She could not even cook and also brought with her another mouth to feed! He couldn’t even picture her surviving the antics and pranks of his four spirited children! But with the proxy papers signed, traveling money spent, they would just have to build their new life as best as they could.
I love-love the characters! Their interactions, inner thoughts, their budding head to head, their slow falling in love were both exciting and heartfelt. And these children had such an enduring, unique personalities.
The plot had so many twists and turns and unexpected events, that I was never bored. Some of the turns were not for a fainted heart. The sense of place, times were so vivid that I felt like an insider, as part of the story.
If you like historical western romance, don’t miss this wonderful book. It’s the first in the three part Runaway Brides series and I will be definitely checking the next one in the series.
...more

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Jul 07, 2011 MBR rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Fans of the genre

Recommended to MBR by: Jill

Shelves: endearing-hero, historical-romance, law-enforcement-hero, emotional-wrangler, marriage-of-convenience, widowed-heroine, hot-as-sin-hero, laugh-out-loud-moments, kick-ass-heroine, brooding-hero

Heartbreak Creek is book one in the series Runaway Brides by author Kaki Warner. Recommended by my friend Jill on Goodreads, I needed no further urging as I am a huge fan of American Western romances. From the very start, the concept of 4 women who find love in the most unexpected places grabbed me and held me enthralled as each of the characters wormed their way into my heart, telling a story that would linger with me for the time to come.

Heartbreak Creek brings the story of 26 year old Edwina ...more

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Jan 30, 2012 Mimi Smith rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

4 stars

The ad

Honest, hard-working widower, age thirty-three, seeks sturdy English speaking woman to help with mountain ranch and four children. Drinkers, whores and gamblers need not apply.

A charming marriage proposal, for sure. It goes to show how desperate Edwina was, since she responded. Even though she's not exactly sturdy. Or much of a help on the farm or with children. She's led a rather sheltered life, but to make things better she's willing to marry a stranger and travel with her 4 stars

The ad

Honest, hard-working widower, age thirty-three, seeks sturdy English speaking woman to help with mountain ranch and four children. Drinkers, whores and gamblers need not apply.

A charming marriage proposal, for sure. It goes to show how desperate Edwina was, since she responded. Even though she's not exactly sturdy. Or much of a help on the farm or with children. She's led a rather sheltered life, but to make things better she's willing to marry a stranger and travel with her half-black sister to a strange land.

Declan Brodie is, as his add says a widower looking for a wife to help him with his ranch and children. What he's not looking for is a young, foul-mouthed girl who has no practical skills to speak of. No, wait-she can sew. But, he married her and there's nothing to be done now. And who knows, she might prove to be useful after all. What he didn't predict was that he'd fall in love with her, against his better sense.

About those 4 children-they're demons. Demons, I tell you! I truly felt for Ed, she really is trying, the poor thing. And she's bound and determined to teach them some manners. Good luck with that, girl! I got to like them a lot, even though they are pranksters. They're unique and in need of a mother. The kids are Brin, R.D, Joe Bill and Lucas...

After an extended period of squirming and throat clearing, Chick began in a voice worthy of any pulpit, “O Lord, before you send us wretched sinners and Godless heathens into the fiery pit of hell to burn forever in the crackling flames of eternal damnation, we ask that—”
“Pa,” Brin cried, eyes round with terror, “I don’t wanna go!”
“Me, neither!”
“What’s a heathen?”
Pandemonium erupted.

“Do they have dolls in there?” she asked, instead.
“Dolls?”
“I thought I might get one for Brin. When Pru and I were cleaning out the children’s quarters, we noticed she didn’t have one.”
“She did at one time, I think. But as I recall, she and Joe Bill tied it to a stake and burned it.”
“I wonder who thought that one up,” Edwina murmured."

Declan's first wife was an adulteress, who left them and was then kidnapped by Indians and was supposedly killed. Now, one of my complaints was the fact that we learn that she comes back in the synopsis. So, the whole book I was aware of it and waiting for it to happen.

All in all, I liked this book. It was easy to read and the romance was sweet. A bit more about Declan&Ed

Ah . . . vanity. Edwina understood it well, having suffered her fair share of that vice and all the fears that came along with it. How gratifying to know that her perfect sister had her worries, too. “I know what you mean,” she murmured in sympathy. “I was worried about my flat bosom, too. But when I asked Declan about it, he said it didn’t matter.”
Pru looked up. “You discussed your bosom with Mr. Brodie?”
“Of course I did. If it was going to upset him that they weren’t pointy, I needed to know before we . . . you know.”

Ed's a hoot :)

...more

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Feb 27, 2017 Leona rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

Did not like the pacing or the character development. Too may gaping holes at the conclusion of the story. I recognize it's a series, but there were still too many open threads.

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Jul 14, 2011 Anne OK rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-reads

Another absolute winner with the first book in Kaki Warner's second series. Great characters, great dialogue that can take you from laughter to tears in only moments, and an all-around wonderful western reading experience.

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Jun 03, 2012 Aoi rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: hf-america-frontier-wild-west

4.5 Stars

Honest, hard-working widower, age thirty-three, seeks sturdy English speaking woman to help with mountain ranch and four children. Drinkers, whores and gamblers need not apply.

Charming, isn't it?

Edwina Ladoux is that desperate to leave her old way of life behind and tie her fortunes to a husband she's never met. Her beloved 'Old South'destroyed post the Civil war- she is left destitute, the verbal attacks on her coloured half-sister Prudence increasing- she wants to make a new start ...more

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Jul 20, 2014 Shabby Girl ~ aka Lady Victoria rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: four-star-books

This is a first time author for me, and I really enjoyed the experience. I love westerns, both contemporary, but especially historical, and they're so hard to find. It doesn't seem to be a genre written in at present, which is probably why I was over the moon Catherine Anderson had a new historical western out recently with more come come, yay!

I had a bit of trouble liking the heroine for a while, but she came good over time and the hero was just wonderful. It does help also that this is a mail ...more

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Aug 04, 2011 Jenny E rated it liked it · review of another edition

I overall enjoyed this book, but I'm only giving it 3 stars because the ending was too abrupt and there were too many things left unresolved. Plus, I just couldn't fathom how Declan would not contact her for five weeks after the funeral. Some things just didn't make sense to me. And geez, the fade to black after all the UST was just disappointing. The book was enjoyable to read, but it left me wanting (in more ways than one!) and while the next book might clear up some stuff, it still opens a ...more

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Jan 31, 2013 Nefise rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: sweet-romance, historical-romance, western-american-history, marriage-of-convenience, opposite-attraction, slowly-building-romance

4.5 stars.

It is one of memorable book and I think, after HR, American/Western HR is my second favorite genre. I try to read more of them.

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Jun 06, 2011 Mandi Schreiner rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, favorite-2011

Edwina Ladoux has endured some tough times. Living in southern Louisiana, she was once the bell of the town, Growing up privileged and frivolous, but then the civil war came and now that the war is done, she has nothing left. No family, except for her half-sister Pru whom she is very close with. With no money, and her once beautiful house turned over to the bank, Edwina doesn’t have a lot of options. She sees in the paper an ad that catches her eye. A Mr. Declan Brodie from Heartbreak Creek, ...more

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Feb 04, 2018 Nuki rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: marriage-of-convenience, kickass-heroine, drama, abused-heroine, commitment-issues, wild-wild-west, angsty, hilariously-witty-banter, no-detailed-sex-scenes, crazy-ex-involved

4**** “It’ll get worse before it gets better” Stars

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Jul 10, 2011 Kristiej rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I have to be honest and say Going in this book already had me. I read and adored her previous series and I love Westerns.
And I was right! I loved the story of Declan and Edwina or Ed as Declan affectionately calls her.

As a widower with four children, Declan is desperate for help and has sent for a mail order bride. Edwina, however, isn't quite what he was expecting. She had grown up the pampered daughter in the South whose life was changed forever by the war. She's pretty helpless when it comes ...more

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Dec 16, 2011 Rbeey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historic-love-romance, 2funnee-kid, native-american-man-blackwoman, fiction, mail-order-bride, laugh-out-loud-moments, library-bk

Ms.Warner's Voice is imposingly direct Sweet ,firm,lovely &without no regret! I'm living 4 it..yeahhhh!I must say that its with great unspeakable Joy & honor 2 have Read such a wonderful heartfelt story as: Heart Break Creek.bravoo!!! Ms. Warner I'm new 2 ur work but I must say you've captured the very Souls/essence of the people of Heart Break Creek..((sigh)).I know these people.The characters take me back 2 a Special fond place, a time,push back 2 rewind then now..OOH wow l@@k how U ...more

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Aug 07, 2011 Jacqueline J rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: owned, western-historical-romance, historical-romance, baby-child-involved, mail-order-bride, kindle-reads, forced-arranged-convenient-marriage, cowboys-ranchers, widow-widower, abuse-as-child

3-1/2 stars. I enjoyed this second try at Kaki Warner better than the first. Love the mail order bride trope. I felt that the time frame was just a bit fast but the emotional development was pretty good. The author made a pretty reasonable effort to set it firmly in time and place. I enjoyed the relationship between the two main female characters. I did feel that Edwina learned all she needed to know to become a farm wife just a bit too easily but the main thrust of the story was the conflict ...more

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Jul 24, 2011 Leslie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: library-book, romance, reviewed, western

Many of you know how much I love a good western romance. After reading and enjoying Ms. Warner's Blood Rose trilogy, to say I was looking forward to her newest release was putting it mildly. One of my absolute favorite romance tropes is the mail-order-bride trope. If I read a blurb mentioning mail-order-bride, I'm there. For me, it's the ultimate in the romantic fantasy of trusting in fate and falling in love.

Southern belle Edwina Ladoux has lost just about everything. Her home, almost all of Many of you know how much I love a good western romance. After reading and enjoying Ms. Warner's Blood Rose trilogy, to say I was looking forward to her newest release was putting it mildly. One of my absolute favorite romance tropes is the mail-order-bride trope. If I read a blurb mentioning mail-order-bride, I'm there. For me, it's the ultimate in the romantic fantasy of trusting in fate and falling in love.

Southern belle Edwina Ladoux has lost just about everything. Her home, almost all of her family and her way of life. But she's ready to start a new life as the mail-order-bride of a man she only knows through his letters. Along with her best friend and half-sister Prudence (Pru), they head west. Edwina is a woman who can give the outward appearance of a delicate and proper lady but when she wants something she can be as stubborn as a mule! Edwina and Delcan don't make the best first impressions on each other. She thinks he's too big and too rough and he thinks she has some crazy ideas.

Declan Brodie is rough around the edges with a sweet and gentle inside. He loves his four rambunctious children and he loves his ranch. But he can't run a ranch and take care of the kids and the house too. Declan is nothing if not practical so he advertises in the Matrimonial News no less.

Honest, hard-working widower, age thirty-three, seeks sturdy English-speaking woman to help with mountain ranch and four children. Drinkers, whores, and gamblers need not apply.

How could Edwina possibly pass up a request like that? Except Ed, as Declan calls her, after first calling her Miss Priss, Declan doesn't think Ed has what it takes to take care of the children and house. He thinks she's too fragile and she can't even cook! Imagine! LOL Good think Pru is there to cook and teach Ed. Declan's impression of Ed slowly changes as he watches her take on the task of corralling his children's wild ways and learning about ranch life.

Ed and Declan were so very good together! They tease and irritate each other while they're busy checking each other out. I loved how Warner developed the romance, letting Ed and Declan discover that their first impressions only showed the surface and there was a lot more going on underneath. There's one scene where Declan realizes that he doesn't just need a wife, he needs Ed. For Ed, she not only fell in love with Declan, she also fell in love with his children which was important since the are so much a part of him. Some of the best scenes were with Ed and the children. These kids had personality and certainly added humor and emotion to the story.

The secondary characters that populate the town of Heartbreak Creek are a wonderful mix of typical small town folk and a couple of newcomers who liven the place up. Maddie Wallace and Lucinda Hathaway arrived on the same train as Ed and Pru. The four women become fast friends and share advice, experience and encouragement on their new lives. I know we'll see much more of both Maddie and Lucinda in coming books.

Ranch life isn't easy but for Declan and Ed, it's made even more difficult with a crazy man out to get revenge against Declan. Looking back, there was a lot going on in addition to Ed and Declan getting to know each other. Lots of upheaval with threats to everyone Declan cared about. Then throw in the once-thought-dead wife come back to life and damn but they had a heck of a lot to overcome. Yet, I never felt that it took away from the romance. If anything, it brought Declan and Ed closer together. There was just the right balance of romance, humor, suspense and teasing for future books.

Heartbreak Creek is a beautifully told historical western romance. We need more books like this! Thankfully, Ms. Warner has more on the way. ...more

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Jun 11, 2011 J. rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

How do you top a series like The Blood Rose Trilogy by Kaki Warner? The men were wounded heroes worth sighing over. The women were strong enough, interesting enough, to stand beside their men without being overshadowed. The details were richly drawn and story both exciting and heartfelt. As I cracked the first page of Heartbreak Creek, the first book in Warner’s new series, I held my breath, hoping for the best but knowing my expectations were high. I need not have worried.

Everything I loved
How do you top a series like The Blood Rose Trilogy by Kaki Warner? The men were wounded heroes worth sighing over. The women were strong enough, interesting enough, to stand beside their men without being overshadowed. The details were richly drawn and story both exciting and heartfelt. As I cracked the first page of Heartbreak Creek, the first book in Warner’s new series, I held my breath, hoping for the best but knowing my expectations were high. I need not have worried.

Everything I loved about Warner’s writing is present in Heartbreak Creek, the first of the Runaway Brides books. While Warner originally won me over with her Blood Rose heroes, it is the heroines who captivated me this time. Four unique women head west seeking stability, adventure, lost loves or new lives. They bond through shared experiences and circumstance in spite of their differences. The seeds of their hopes, dreams, and future relationships are planted in the fertile ground of an unlikely setting: Heartbreak Creek, a decrepit mining town about to be changed forever.

In the opening book, the stage is set as Edwina Ladoux flees the troubled Deep South with her half-sister, Prudence. Edwina hasn’t been totally honest about her ability to be the rancher’s wife her husband by proxy, Declan Brodie, needs and expects. Humorous and heart-tugging moments resulting from Edwina’s lack of skill, her need to tame but also protect Declan’s children, her loyalty to her sister and perseverance in spite of her flaws had me cheering for Edwina from the beginning.

Declan is not what Edwina expected either but he was everything I hoped for as a reader. Larger than life, troubled but caring, the rancher who wanted a sturdy farm wife gets a challenging handful of a woman instead. His befuddlement with her is endearing. His insecurities and past history are intriguing. As Declan’s relationship with Edwina evolves, more and more layers of his facade are stripped away, his past explained. I fell in love with him just as Edwina does.

As much as Edwina and Declan shine, the strong secondary characters and story lines add to the appeal of this historical western romance. Prudence, Lucinda and Maddie are wonderfully written, without overshadowing Edwina. The town is a character all its own, facing its own challenges. As the series continues, I look forward to seeing the town evolve as much as I want to find out more about these four women. Heartbreak Creek is an excellent start to the Runaway Bride series. The next book can’t come fast enough.

...more

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Sep 29, 2011 Anna rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, historical, cowboys, convenience-marrigage, humour, widow

I’m sick to death of nail-tough heroines, so when I find one who is a fighter (as accomplished as life lets her) but also a vulnerable human being my heart melts. Edwina, a former southern lady, and now an almost destitute one, has backbone enough to take a very difficult decision and apply for a sturdy-wife-job in order to give a future both to herself and her half-blood sister.

Thought I liked she performed as she was brought up(expecting to being served, shocked when Big Bog expected her to ...more

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Jul 18, 2011 Gisela rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: z2013, western-historical-romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 13, 2017 Miss Rail rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historicals, h-or-h-on-journey-of-self-discovery, silly-overthetop-stuff-included, kids-and-single-parents-in-romance, wtf-o-o-effect, angsty, marriage-of-convenience, old-wild-west

3 stars
Enjoyable....even if:
I struggled a bit with the plot and pace in the second half.
I didn't enjoy the way the twist the blurb mentions is handled.
Nothing is really explained about Sally's "4 years of hell" and why she was kept alive...everything is just hinted at but, in my opinion, not very well developed.
I saw less of the children than I would have liked and than I expected when I first started reading.
There was so much potential for more on the development of their relationship with ...more

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Feb 21, 2012 Michelegg rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I loved this book. Edwina and Declan's story was divine, the Colorado setting was so enjoyable and the time period was one of my favorites - the American West right after the Civil War. The secondary characters were well written as well and I'm looking forward to their stories in the next books of the series. Extremely sigh worthy!

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Jul 23, 2011 J.A. Saare rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Stayed up well past my bedtime (and into the early morning) to read this book. It's romance without the heat (I confess, I've become a bit of a snob recently, reading only "hot" romance -- this book is a reminder of why it's not the wisest decision as you miss out on fantastic books), just like the novels I devoured years ago.

Love, love, loved this. Can't wait for the next in the series.

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About Kaki Warner

Kaki Warner

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Kaki Warner is an award-winning author and long time resident of the Pacific Northwest. Although she now lives on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains in Washington State, Kaki actually grew up in the Southwest and is a proud graduate of the University of Texas. Her years spent riding horses and enjoying the expansive views of Texas became the Historical Romance Author, Kaki Warner ...more