What do you think?
Rate this book
Nebraska Legacy #4
Renegade Husband
Audra Dreams of Adventure
When Audra moves to frontier Colorado to marry the local pastor, she is assured a life of adventure. She never realizes how much adventure until her stagecoach is robbed—and she learns it's her future husband's twin brother who committed the crime.
Through his life, Caleb Windsor has been blamed for the sins of his brother. But when he tries to stop his twin's outlaw lifestyle by arranging a marriage for him, Caleb doesn't realize how it will affect his own heart—especially when it seems Audra is much better suited to himself.
Could Audra ever love a renegade husband? Can Caleb clear his name in time?
When Audra moves to frontier Colorado to marry the local pastor, she is assured a life of adventure. She never realizes how much adventure until her stagecoach is robbed—and she learns it's her future husband's twin brother who committed the crime.
Through his life, Caleb Windsor has been blamed for the sins of his brother. But when he tries to stop his twin's outlaw lifestyle by arranging a marriage for him, Caleb doesn't realize how it will affect his own heart—especially when it seems Audra is much better suited to himself.
Could Audra ever love a renegade husband? Can Caleb clear his name in time?
- GenresWesterns
170 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2005
About the author
DiAnn Mills
127 books1,989 followersDiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who invites her readers to step into stories where suspense meets adventure and romance warms the heart. Known for crafting unforgettable characters tangled in unpredictable plots, DiAnn believes every breath we take unfolds a story waiting to be told—so why not make it thrilling?
Her novels have consistently landed on bestseller lists including CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly, and have won prestigious awards such as the Christy, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol awards.
DiAnn is a founding board member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Conference Advisor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers. She actively participates in Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, International Thriller Writers, Outliers Writing University, and The Christian Pen. DiAnn passionately invests in helping fellow authors succeed through mentoring, book coaching, and editing. She travels nationwide speaking and teaching engaging writing workshops.
A proud coffee snob who roasts her own beans, DiAnn also enjoys diving into good books, experimenting in the kitchen, and unabashedly spoiling her grandchildren—whom she insists are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband make their home under the sunny skies of Houston, Texas.
Connect with DiAnn online for behind-the-scenes glimpses, writing tips, and lively discussions on any of the following social media platforms:
Website: https://diannmills.com/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/diann...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diannmills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diannmillsa...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannmills/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/diannmills/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/diannmills
X: https://twitter.com/diannmills
Her novels have consistently landed on bestseller lists including CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly, and have won prestigious awards such as the Christy, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol awards.
DiAnn is a founding board member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Conference Advisor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers. She actively participates in Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, International Thriller Writers, Outliers Writing University, and The Christian Pen. DiAnn passionately invests in helping fellow authors succeed through mentoring, book coaching, and editing. She travels nationwide speaking and teaching engaging writing workshops.
A proud coffee snob who roasts her own beans, DiAnn also enjoys diving into good books, experimenting in the kitchen, and unabashedly spoiling her grandchildren—whom she insists are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband make their home under the sunny skies of Houston, Texas.
Connect with DiAnn online for behind-the-scenes glimpses, writing tips, and lively discussions on any of the following social media platforms:
Website: https://diannmills.com/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/diann...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diannmills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diannmillsa...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannmills/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/diannmills/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/diannmills
X: https://twitter.com/diannmills
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 26, 2021
I have never given one star before. The plot was completely improbable. If this was the first draft of a first book by a 12-year-old I would be impressed, but since it’s a published work by a well respected author, i’m very disappointed. Should’ve spent my money at Starbucks instead
August 17, 2020
Annoying "heroine".
December 20, 2021
The entire storyline was utterly ridiculous.
July 4, 2024
Very disappointed in this book! I normally like DiAnn Mills, but this one was a struggle to finish. It might have been better if I had read it instead of listening to to it. But I doubt it!
November 24, 2017
Wow! What a confusing conflict! Lots of suspense in this romantic thriller of sorts! I like to solve mysteries and try to figure out how it will play out but I couldn't see how this one would pan out! I was pleasantly surprised! Great story! It kept me on the edge of my seat!!
August 14, 2023
It was time for a western. And what would tickle me more than a murderous thief disguised as a godly small town minister? :)
The plot is a tad convoluted: Audra's pastor has asked her to consider marrying his son Chris, who is a pastor out in Colorado. Chris and Caleb are identical twins (you can't tell by the cover - those are two VERY different dudes). What Audra isn't told is that one of the brothers is an outlaw.
On her way to Colorado with her father, the outlaw robs the stage she's in. He SAYS he's her intended's brother, Caleb. So naturally she hates Caleb and asks God how two brothers could be so different. She's betrothed to a kind, godly, upright man... while his brother just killed an innocent stage driver in cold blood, hit her father, and stole her family heirloom.
What she DOESN'T know is that Chris uses the upright pastor schtick to throw people off, and he's framed his (upright) brother as his patsy. Caleb is trying desperately to clear his name and make sure this girl isn't drawn into the mess, but Chris is sure that having a beautiful and godly wife will solidify his alibi and false front.
Which, btw, is SO TRUE OF THE CHURCH... I loved this story line. Pastors are schiesters - they love attention, they are all about being the mastermind, orchestrating the big illustration, swaying the people to believe what they say. BTDT, watching and being coerced as church pianist to assist in the emotional manipulation of the sheeple. So this plot line? RIGHT on the money. Love it!!
And the characterization here ...isn't bad. I didn't mind the story, but it wasn't done as well as it could've been. There were plot holes (the bounty hunter that 'questions' them just walks away?!?!), a lack of chemistry, and there's NO way the townspeople wouldn't suspect this guy. It wasn't handled well. The story... I liked it, but it could've been written better.
Still. For a writer to peg it the way it is? THANK YOU, Ms. Mills.
The plot is a tad convoluted: Audra's pastor has asked her to consider marrying his son Chris, who is a pastor out in Colorado. Chris and Caleb are identical twins (you can't tell by the cover - those are two VERY different dudes). What Audra isn't told is that one of the brothers is an outlaw.
On her way to Colorado with her father, the outlaw robs the stage she's in. He SAYS he's her intended's brother, Caleb. So naturally she hates Caleb and asks God how two brothers could be so different. She's betrothed to a kind, godly, upright man... while his brother just killed an innocent stage driver in cold blood, hit her father, and stole her family heirloom.
What she DOESN'T know is that Chris uses the upright pastor schtick to throw people off, and he's framed his (upright) brother as his patsy. Caleb is trying desperately to clear his name and make sure this girl isn't drawn into the mess, but Chris is sure that having a beautiful and godly wife will solidify his alibi and false front.
Which, btw, is SO TRUE OF THE CHURCH... I loved this story line. Pastors are schiesters - they love attention, they are all about being the mastermind, orchestrating the big illustration, swaying the people to believe what they say. BTDT, watching and being coerced as church pianist to assist in the emotional manipulation of the sheeple. So this plot line? RIGHT on the money. Love it!!
And the characterization here ...isn't bad. I didn't mind the story, but it wasn't done as well as it could've been. There were plot holes (the bounty hunter that 'questions' them just walks away?!?!), a lack of chemistry, and there's NO way the townspeople wouldn't suspect this guy. It wasn't handled well. The story... I liked it, but it could've been written better.
Still. For a writer to peg it the way it is? THANK YOU, Ms. Mills.
July 5, 2016
Renegade Husband by DiAnn Mills is what I'd consider a novella. It's a Chrstian Western romance, and very clean with kisses only. Twenty-year-old Audra travels west (to Colorado?) to meet Chris, the preacher son of Audra's preacher in Nebraska to consider marriage. Her father escorts her, and when they've nearly arrived in the stagecoach, they are held up and robbed. Apparently, Chris's twin brother, rancher Caleb is a wanted man for cattle rustling and thieving.
This book is a bit of suspense and a bit of romance. You see the love in the hero/heroine, but they both feel they must hold back from discussing their feelings due to the outlaw in the family causing so many problems!
I enjoyed this book, and it definitely kept me turning the pages. You know a writer does a good job when she is able to pull off a seemingly convoluted plot and make it convincing. I felt that it was neither heavy nor light, and it was within my comfort zone. I typically prefer my romances fluffier.
This book is a bit of suspense and a bit of romance. You see the love in the hero/heroine, but they both feel they must hold back from discussing their feelings due to the outlaw in the family causing so many problems!
I enjoyed this book, and it definitely kept me turning the pages. You know a writer does a good job when she is able to pull off a seemingly convoluted plot and make it convincing. I felt that it was neither heavy nor light, and it was within my comfort zone. I typically prefer my romances fluffier.
February 25, 2016
I really had a hard time accepting the premise of this book.
Two brothers, twins. One a criminal. One not. One a pastor. One a rancher. Throw a girl in who is supposed to marry the pastor and see if she can figure out which man is on the most wanted poster. And then join in a plot to stop him.
Oy. Really irritated at this book.
I kept wanting the honest brother to QUIT SHIELDING HIS BROTHER. For heavens sake, it just doesn't make sense to take the blame for outright crime to do what exactly...give him time to repent? He's obviously not going to choose that route. And to go on the run and accept that you are going to likely HANG for your brother's crimes? Makes him almost as bad as the evil one in his own way, doesn't it?
So this one wins the prize for having characters I most want to give a hard shake and perhaps a smack upside the head for acting stupid. Yet, I liked the girl. I liked her father and the couple she stays with. And because there's a fair amount of honesty about just how quickly a church can turn against someone....I'll give it two stars instead of one.
Two brothers, twins. One a criminal. One not. One a pastor. One a rancher. Throw a girl in who is supposed to marry the pastor and see if she can figure out which man is on the most wanted poster. And then join in a plot to stop him.
Oy. Really irritated at this book.
I kept wanting the honest brother to QUIT SHIELDING HIS BROTHER. For heavens sake, it just doesn't make sense to take the blame for outright crime to do what exactly...give him time to repent? He's obviously not going to choose that route. And to go on the run and accept that you are going to likely HANG for your brother's crimes? Makes him almost as bad as the evil one in his own way, doesn't it?
So this one wins the prize for having characters I most want to give a hard shake and perhaps a smack upside the head for acting stupid. Yet, I liked the girl. I liked her father and the couple she stays with. And because there's a fair amount of honesty about just how quickly a church can turn against someone....I'll give it two stars instead of one.
April 20, 2013
"So you'll marry me?''
'today if you want.''
Caleb ginned and reached across his horse to take her hand.''The road ahead will be rough with Chis's trial and helping my father endure it all,but I do love you, Audra.I will love and protect you for as long as I live.''
''And I will love you forever.''
HE smiled and nodded.''When we get to the ranch, I'm going to kiss you.''
''You mean you'r not asking permission?''Audra hid her delight.
''I don't want to give you a chance to say no.''
''Mr.Windsor, if I'm going to be Mrs.Windsor,than there needs to be a lot of kisses.''
Caleb squeezed her hand lightly and winked.A nudging in her spirit told her a new adventure was adout to begin-the biggest adventure of all.
'today if you want.''
Caleb ginned and reached across his horse to take her hand.''The road ahead will be rough with Chis's trial and helping my father endure it all,but I do love you, Audra.I will love and protect you for as long as I live.''
''And I will love you forever.''
HE smiled and nodded.''When we get to the ranch, I'm going to kiss you.''
''You mean you'r not asking permission?''Audra hid her delight.
''I don't want to give you a chance to say no.''
''Mr.Windsor, if I'm going to be Mrs.Windsor,than there needs to be a lot of kisses.''
Caleb squeezed her hand lightly and winked.A nudging in her spirit told her a new adventure was adout to begin-the biggest adventure of all.
May 27, 2016
For the most part this book was entertaining, I thought the plot was interesting, and unique. However, the story was stressing enough that I didn't find myself really enjoying it.
The thing that had me miffed was how Caleb continually walked on eggshells for his brother. We're talking about a thief and a murderer ... there's NO time to waffle and grovel! I found myself thinking less of him because of it.
The ending was a letdown! The story built and built and then abruptly ended very anticlimactically.
The thing that had me miffed was how Caleb continually walked on eggshells for his brother. We're talking about a thief and a murderer ... there's NO time to waffle and grovel! I found myself thinking less of him because of it.
The ending was a letdown! The story built and built and then abruptly ended very anticlimactically.
January 29, 2025
A good little Western romance with twins, one a pastor and one an outlaw. Which one is which? It starts with her stagecoach being robbed and then she learns it is her future husband's twin brother who committed the crime. There the story starts and you'll like the ending. I did!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews