Gideon

The Surprise Brides #3

by Cynthia Woolf

The Surprise One determined mama, four reluctant brothers, four mail order brides. Meet Jamie, Caleb, Gideon and Ethan.

As the local preacher, Gideon Fraser often talks about the many virtues of a good marriage, but that doesn't mean he has the slightest inclination of claiming a bride of his own. No, he's been burned before, by greedy women who only want the prestige and money the Fraser family name can provide. When his mother's devious matchmaking results in his unexpected wedding, Gideon looks at the beautiful face of the woman who has sworn to be his and wants nothing to do with her. But Gideon is in danger of losing his heart until he discovers the truth. His new wife lied to him...about everything.

Ruby Haller needed a husband and fast. A treacherous man promised her the world, took her virginity, and left her without a father for her unborn child. When her father, the town minister, found out she was expecting a child, he offered her hand in marriage to the meanest man in town. Becoming a mail-order-bride appeared to be a safer choice. But instead of a rancher, she ends up the wife of a stubborn, bull-headed preacher and he's none too pleased when he discovers her duplicity. Worse? The local town beauty, who had been courting him for years, is determined to make her life a living hell.

But Angel Springs, Colorado is a small town that can inspire big dreams. It's nearly Christmas, and as these two hearts heal, a holiday miracle just might be within reach.

Genres: Western Romance, Historical

208 pages, Paperback

First published August 31, 2015

About the author

Cynthia Woolf is the USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author of eighty-five works of romance fiction. Comprising sixty-six historical western romances, ten contemporary romance novels, two contemporary romance novellas, one historical western romance novella, and six sci-fi space opera romances, which she calls westerns in space. Along with these books, she has also published twelve boxed sets of her books and two short stories.

Cynthia loves writing and reading romance. Her first western romance, Tame A Wild Heart, was inspired by the story her mother told her of meeting Cynthia's father on a ranch in Creede, Colorado. Although Tame A Wild Heart takes place in Creede, that is the only similarity between the stories. Her father was a cowboy, not a bounty hunter, and her mother was a nursemaid (called a nanny now), not the ranch owner.

Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband, Jim, and her great critique partners for saving her sanity and allowing her to explore her creativity.



WEBSITE – http://cynthiawoolf.com

NEWSLETTER – https://www.subscribepage.com/k1p2m1

If you enjoyed my book you can find out about the newest ones through the Bookbub New Release Alert. All you have to do is follow me on Bookbub. You can do that here: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cynth...

You can also follow me on these social media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CynthiaWoolf

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CynthiaWoolf

TITLES AVAILABLE (English unless otherwise stated)

COLORADO BILLIONAIRES (sweet contemporary novels)
THE CEO
THE RANCHER
THE MAVERICK
THE TYCOON
THE ARTIST (coming soon)
THE QUARTERBACK (coming soon)


MONTANA BILLIONAIRES SERIES (contemporary sweet western novels)
Her Secret Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Mysterious Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Royal Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Christmas Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Bachelor Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Wild Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Elusive Cowboy Billionaire
Her Disguised Cowboy Billionaire


CHRISTMAS AT THE MISTLETOE INN (contemporary novella)
Cooking Up Christmas


THE BRIDES OF THE KLONDIKE
The Gold Rush Bride (Available in German)
The Gold Mountain Bride


THE PRESCOTT BRIDES (Available in German)
A Bride for Ross
A Bride for Frank
A Bride for Tucker
A Bride for Clay
A Bride for Brodie



THE HEART WISH MAIL-ORDER BRIDES SERIES
Heart of Stone
Heart of Shadow


MARSHALS MAIL ORDER BRIDES
The Carson City Bride (Available in German)
The Virginia City Bride (Available in German)
The Silver City Bride
The Eureka City Bride


ANGEL CREEK CHRISTMAS BRIDES
Adele


BRIDES OF GOLDEN CITY
A Husband for Victoria
A Husband for Cordelia
A Husband for Adeline


BRIDES OF THE OREGON TRAIL (Available in German)
Hannah
Lydia
Bella
Eliza
Rebecca
Charlotte
Amanda
Emma Rose
Nora
Opal


BACHELORS & BABIES
Carter (Book 3)


BRIDES OF SEATTLE (Available in German)
Mail Order Mystery
Mail Order Mayhem
Mail Order Mix-Up
Mail Order Moonlight
Mail Order Melody


CENTRAL CITY BRIDES (Available in German)
The Dancing Bride
The Sapphire Bride
The Irish Bride
The Pretender Bride


HOMESTEAD CANYON SERIES
Thorpe’s Mail-Order Bride
Kissed by a Stranger
A Family for Christmas


HOPE’S CROSSING
The Hunter Bride
The Replacement Bride
The Stolen Bride
The Unexpected Bride


AMERICAN MAIL-ORDER BRIDES
Genevieve, Bride of Nevada


THE SURPRISE BRIDES
Gideon


THE BRIDES OF SAN FRANCISCO
Nellie (Available in German)
Annie (Available in German)
Cora (Available in German)
Sophia (Available in German)
Amelia (Available in German)
Violet


THE BRIDES OF TOMBSTONE (Available in German)
Mail Order Outlaw
Mail Order Doctor
Mail Order Baron


DESTINY IN DEADWOOD (Available in German)
Jake
Liam
Zach


MATCHMAK

Reviews

[Jessica's Totally Over The Top Book Obsession · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Trust Stars



May have very Mild Spoilers

I really enjoyed reading Gideon. Gideon was the 3rd book in The Surprise Brides series. The series was about the 4 Fraser brothers, and their mama, who wrote and got them mail order brides. Mama Fraser did this without any of her sons or the brides knowledge. Each book is one of the brother's story and each book is written by a different author. Gideon was the only book in this series that I have read and it was written by Cynthia Woolf. Cynthia Woolf is a author who's books I have enjoyed many times in the past and this love story was everything I have come to expect from Mrs. Woolf.

"I'm sorry, Gideon. You didn't want any of this. First your mama forces you to wed and now you find out you are going to be a father to a child who is not yours."-Ruby



Gideon was sexy, caring, and honorable. Gideon was a preacher, a man of God and he tried to live a Godly life. He of course wasn't perfect. He had some trust issues from being hurt in a past relationship. So that at times he didn't trust his wife when he should have, it didn't help that she lied to him in the start of their marriage, but Gideon was always gentle and kind. Ruby was a very sweet and loving woman who was treated ill by her family and the man she thought loved, and planned to marry her. Instead she was abandoned. She became a mail order bride because her father, who was also a preacher planned on marrying her off to the meanest man in town. Scared to tell the truth and be cast off again she told her new husband some lies to protect herself. Ruby had a big heart and was like a mother hen always trying to help others.

"I'm weak where you are concerned, Gideon and I do not like it, not one bit, but I cannot help how I feel. I do love you, as much as I don't want to admit the feeling to you, I can no longer deny the emotion is there."-Ruby



"Did you know," he stroked her arm with his hand, "that I thank God every day for each moment I have with you? I can't believe you're here, and you're mine. I must have done something good for Him to reward me thus."-Gideon

I found Gideon and Ruby's relationship very sweet and touching. This book had a little drama with a woman in town that wanted Gideon for her own, but for the most part it was a nice feel good book. I really liked Mama Fraser, and all the brothers, expect Caleb. I kinda wanna go back and read them all now. Although I wish they were all written by Cynthia Woolf, I know her writing, I like her writing, and I am unfamiliar with all the other authors in this series, but I may go back anyway! I really liked the fact that the prologue was the same for all four books and gave you the basics of the series plot. It helped keep me from feeling lost even though I was only reading the 3rd book, but it let you know to skip to the 1st chapter so you aren't rereading it over and over if you do read the whole series. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a nice heartwarming, easy going read!

"God blessed us both when He gave us each other. I guess He knows what He's doing after all. Don't ever tell Mama I said anything to the effect that this was the perfect solution."-Gideon




http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...

[Jenn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This story is part of a series, where each book is written by different authors. I felt at times parts did not jive well from what was originally stated in book one. If you're going to write a series of four books by different authors, you should really get all your facts straight and make sure it matches the other two books. Not that book two jived all that well with book one, either.

i.e.: Taking their horses through the pass from Mama's house to town, back to Gideon's house. In book one AND two, they stated that Gideon drove Ruby and Desiree home in a wagon. In fact, it sounded like even Pete, who works the Fraser Ranch, drove them home. SO- why does the author state they used horses and not Pete and the wagon? Gideon makes a big deal about why they can't use a wagon.

What I liked:
1. When Ruby stands up for her self - even if that doesn't last long.


I really didn't like this story as:
1. Gideon talks and treats his wife, who is only like 5 years younger than he, as a child. He NEVER believes her but does the horrid Gloria or others. Only when some other despicable person, or a few good people tell him the same thing does he feel stupid.
2. Ruby- she sure doesn't act like a preachers wife or daughter. Also, many times she started acting like a child in a way to me.
3. I don't see how these two supposedly fell in love. I really couldn't buy into it with how things went down between them most of the book.
4. There's no depth to this book.
5. Their marriage bed. For a virgin, Gideon sure seemed like he wasn't. He does something the very first time they couple that surprised me as a preacher man and virgin. How does he know to try that? His brothers??? I have to assume preacher man was a virgin, he states to Ruby on their wedding night that she would know more about the marriage bed then he would and plus, he's never been married. So...? Plus, I felt like Gideon was too worried about trying to get his wife in bed- especially when she was mad and hurt by him. Like what the heck?
6. Ruby stands up for herself, then lets it crumble away too fast. I liked that she tried but then I didn't like that she gives in too easily.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads First Reads Giveaways

I'm usually a big fan of mail order brides books, but unlike the other books in this series I didn't like this book at all. Gideon and Ruby were two characters that I had a hard time with in the beginning of the book and I thought I would grow to enjoy them and their story but never did.

I've enjoyed other books written by Cynthia Woolf in the past and I'm sure I will enjoy more by her in the future, just not this one.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow.

While Book 1 and 2 in "The Surprise Brides" were a pleasant read, Gideon's story read like a bad, overly dramatic soap opera.

Gideon was portrayed very differently in the earlier books as well... he went from a voice of reason, to an immature, h*rn dog :P

Alright. Now it is time to read "Ethan" - the finally book from this western historical romance series.

[Viola · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice

This was a nice read by Cynthia Woolf. This was book 2 in this series of book about four surprised brides and grooms. This one is about Gideon and Ruby. Ruby claimed she was a widower that was going to have a baby. Gideon is the town preacher who loves his wife very much. This is a very nice book to read.

[Caroline Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

I loved this story can't wait for the next one. Cynthia Woolf is a terrific writer she makes her people that she writes about come alive, she also makes the country come alive also. I have not read a single book I did not love.

[Doreen Ewasiuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie, Caleb, Gordan, and Ethan..

I found all four books on the four brothers very entertaining, some part were funny. Their mother was something else, she l find did a good job on her pickings.

[Lea & Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lessons in love

A preacher is just as susceptible to trust issues as anyone else. In this case Gideon has lessons to learn and Ruby is the perfect teacher.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. I really enjoyed it

[Dawn Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I was given a complimentary copy for an honest review.

Gideon is a fun, lighthearted story based on the Mail Order Bride theme. The twist is that the groom knows nothing about the bride! The story is one of 4 that have been written about one particular Colorado ranching family in the 1880's. There are 4 brothers whose mother is tired of waiting for them to make good on their promises to get married, so she takes matters in her own hands and orders brides for them. When the brides arrive, a huge snow storm hits and they have no choice but to get married or ruin everyone's reputation. This is all pretty much in the prologue that's the same for each brother's story.

Brother number 3, Gideon, is the central character in this story and his chosen bride is Ruby. What each don't realize is that the other is harboring a host of secrets. When they leak out, they have to rebuild the trust that has been damaged. The bottom line becomes whether or not they are committed enough to work through those trust issues and build a future together.

What I liked - I liked the focus on telling the truth and being honest with each other. I liked that those who gossiped were confronted and stopped. I also liked that there was an underlying commitment to making the marriage work.

What I didn't like - I think the theme of the story is strong and that it has the potential to be a top seller, but it honestly needs to be thoroughly scanned for grammar mistakes, typos, and some choppy sentences. Just too many of them to not say something. If I only catch a few, I usually don't say anything, but there were a bunch. A few hours under the careful scrutiny of a good proofreader would do wonders.

Should that prevent you from reading it? I don't think so, they're not a show stopper. The story is still good and has a solid message that we can all learn from.

Language - clean
Romance - mostly PG, but some PG-13 scenes between married couple
Editing - needs some help

What to rate? On the one hand it's got a good start, a good foundation for a solid story. On the other hand, it needs some editing to clean up the mistakes and typos. So, I'm going to give it 4 stars.

[Sara Archibald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received Gideon as an ARC for an honest review. There are 4 books in The Surprise Brides, The books are about 4 brothers and each book is written by a different author, with each book, we see people from previous stories and then focus on the individual couples. You can read each book as a standalone however; I highly recommend you read them all. I couldn’t put them down from start to finish. I started with Jamie by Caroline Clemmons, then Caleb by Callie Hutton, Gideon by Cynthia Woolf and I’m reading Ethan by Sylvia McDaniel.

I was drawn in immediately and I couldn’t put the book down from start to finish. I highly recommend this book!

Gideon Fraser is the peacemaker of the family and also known as the local preacher. He is reserved when it comes to women he was burned in the past by a woman who only wanted his money. When his momma’s conniving ways land him married with a wife who has a big secret, can he see past the lie and finally give his heart to a woman who will keep it safe?

Ruby Haller was a preacher’s daughter and saw just how hypocritical her father was after she ended up pregnant. He didn’t want anything to do with her and was going to marry her off to the meanest man in the town. Her only option was to become a mail order bride. Therefore, she lied to Gideon and told him that she was a widow after they were married and her secret was out in the open. However, as the lies unravel she has to deal with a new threat in the form of a beautiful woman who set her sights on Gideon. Ruby falls in love with her husband, but can he trust her and love her back? Can he see the truth through all the lies?

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

***I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are 100% my own.***

We were introduced to Ruby and Gideon in Jamie by Caroline Clemmon of this same series. He’s the third of four brothers whose mother decided to send for mail-order brides for them. Completely without their knowledge, and the women had no idea that they weren’t talking with the men in the letters. Gideon was the town’s preacher and he needed a wife, if for no other reason than to get rid of the mothers in town from trying to foist off their daughters on him. Ruby needed to get married. She was pregnant and she was alone. But she was leery if Gideon would be able to handle her secrets.

I enjoyed this. I liked Gideon, but I felt that he didn’t give her a fair shake. He was kinder to Gloria than he was his own wife, which really bothered me. It took something drastic for him to open his eyes and be a real man about things. And I liked Ruby. She was subtle but she wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. We also see a little more into Caleb’s story in this one than we did in Jamie. Something I found very interesting is that the story we see of Gideon and Ruby in Jamie is a lot different than this story. Which doesn’t mean that the two do not mesh, just that private lives are private.

Ms. Woolf writes an interesting story. I liked the realistic way she painted Ruby. She wasn’t perfect, she wasn’t without being catty or without malice toward some deserving people. But in the end, she was still kind and thoughtful, even to them. Would I recommend this book to people? I would. It’s interesting and gives a whole new perspective on the other brother’s lives.

[Barb Nifong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Good Read.

Four women went west to become mail order brides. They didn't know they were surprise brides. This is the story of one of them, Ruby Haller. She wasn't shown much love growing up and was betrayed by a man she thought she loved and thought returned her love. After he toke her virginity, he told her he was married and left her pregnant. Her father was a minister and didn't want the disgrace of having an unwed pregnant daughter, so he threatened to marry her off the oldest,meanest man in town. She decided becoming a mail order bride was a better choice.

The mother of the Fraser family men set up a wedding between Ruby and her son Gideon, who was also a town minister. He had no idea this was to happen. He had also been betrayed by a fiancé who only wanted his money. Gideon wanted nothing to do with the red haired beauty at first, but was growing to care for her until he found out she had lied to him about everything in her previous life. There are lessons to be learned about love, forgiveness , and trust.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

[Patty Nobles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gideon is Cynthia Woolf’s contribution to the Surprise Brides contemplation. In Ms. Woolf’s novel, Gideon Fraser is surprised by his mother when she presents him with his wife to be Ruby. Ruby is grateful for the chance to marry as she has found herself pregnant without a husband, but she is not prepared to share all of her secrets with her new husband. Ruby confesses to Gideon that she is pregnant, but decides to wait to tell him about her one time of lovemaking until her hand is pushed and when she finally does tell him, he says he understands but he can no longer trust her. The trust issue becomes the crux of their marital discord, and when Ruby’s life is endangered Gideon must determine if he loves Ruby more than he distrusts her. Ms. Woolf has mastered the art of historical western fiction in a way that brings her characters to life in the setting she has created.

[Jackie O'Donnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an ebook copy for an honest review. I wasnt sure how this story would read. But I can honestly say I enjoyed the book. If you are looking for a sweet romance then this is the book for you. It is a unique story about a cowboy preacher who lives in a small town with his three brothers and mother. Little does he know but his mother takes it upon herself to write letters so she can order brides for her sons. The woman who is choosen for Gideon (the preacher) is a sweet girl by the name of Ruby who has no choice but to become a mail order bride or be kicked out of her parents home. Ruby hides a secret while Gideon finds it hard to trust his new bride. The two of them must learn to forgive each other and in turn love will shine upon the both of them.

[Diane Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a very sweet clean book, This is it. I feel in love with the characters in this story. It's about a family of five and the love of a Mother for her four grown sons. The steps she's willing to go to see that everyone has the lives they deserve and the people who will help them get there. There are four books in the series and as soon as I am finished with this review I am going to start on the next book. I was very privileged to receive this wonderful book fron the author in exchange for an honest review and I am so glad that I did. Please do yourself a huge favor and give this book a chance, You won't regret it.
Thank You so much. Diane E. Goodman...

[Gina Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book in the surprise brides collection, but a stand alone story. A mother, tired of waiting for her sons to get married, orders each of them a bride. This is Gideon and Rubys' story. Ruby is pregnant and wasn't honest about the circumstances and Gideon is a minister. Because of Ruby's deception the marriage gets off to a rocky start. Can she gain Gideon's trust. She must try because she has fallen in love with him. A very sweet romance.
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[EvilAntie Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gibson's bride

The match making saga of the year- mom knows best! Gideon is an amazing character in this series. I can't tell if it is because he is a preacher but he is a really nice guy and Ruby is one lucky woman.

[Sherry Westendorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good heartfelt book. Two people learn about each other and fall in love in the process. A group of brothers whose mom ordered them mail order brides and didn't tell them until the ladies got there. A book to curl up with. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed the story. The ups and downs kept it interesting. The mother of all of the boys was a funny character. And would tell anyone who likes romance to read this book.

[kelly mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read.

I got this book free n exchange for an honest review. I read many many books and this one ranks at the top. Based on this book I bought the rest of the series. Sexy clean fun make a good story

[Sandy Smith]

I received this book free to provide an honest review. Great book. I did not want to put it down. Enjoyed the story line about four sons and mom ordered them brides. Love the fact book only followed one brother and his bride. Will have to read rest of series now.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected mail order bride for him and a new safe life for her. Ruby and Gideon learn to trust to build a relationship that he learns needs to be defended. Ruby is open to new friendships but not afraid to stand up for what she feels. Loved Velvet.

Received ebook from netgalley

[Jerry L Flett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

Very intriguing story and love all history stories. Lost learning about the west and the hardening they endured to survived

[ReadingWench · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the character of Gideon. I loved that he had flaws. You can never tell that this series is written by different authors. Their collaboration is wonderful and you don't miss a detail!

[Betty Ayres · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a fun quick easy read for the young at heart. I was disappointed in the ending.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

* I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads. *

This is a quick easy read. There are trust issues that come up frequently that are a little frustrating. Overall the story is sweet.

[Sydnee Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gideon and Ruby are great. They had a few challenges to get through before it was all right but they stuck it out.