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Frontiers of the Heart #2
Bound for Sin
Georgiana Bee Blunt is a respectable widow of means who knows exactly what she wants: a resourceful frontiersman--for the purpose of matrimony.
Citified men with thoughts of love need not apply to Georgiana's ad for a husband. What she desperately needs is a rugged backwoodsman who can get her family safely to California, two thousand miles away. Someone who could wrestle a bear and not break a sweat. Someone just like Matt Slater...
Travel worn and trail weary, Matt Slater wants a clean bed and some R & R--not a woman with fancy airs and a brood of high-spirited children. He can tell Georgiana is trouble, but doesn't realize how much until he's bamboozled into pretending to be her fiancé. And when Georgiana hitches her wagons to his train, Matt finds himself facing something much more daunting than the journey before them: a woman with the spirit and the courage to tame his wild ways...
Citified men with thoughts of love need not apply to Georgiana's ad for a husband. What she desperately needs is a rugged backwoodsman who can get her family safely to California, two thousand miles away. Someone who could wrestle a bear and not break a sweat. Someone just like Matt Slater...
Travel worn and trail weary, Matt Slater wants a clean bed and some R & R--not a woman with fancy airs and a brood of high-spirited children. He can tell Georgiana is trouble, but doesn't realize how much until he's bamboozled into pretending to be her fiancé. And when Georgiana hitches her wagons to his train, Matt finds himself facing something much more daunting than the journey before them: a woman with the spirit and the courage to tame his wild ways...
429 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2018
87 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Tess LeSue
4 books43 followersWhen not galloping through the Wild West, Tess is not-so-mild-mannered academic Dr Amy Matthews.
Amy is Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at Flinders University and also writes fiction and non-fiction under the name Amy T. Matthews and Amy Barry. She clearly has too much time on her hands.
Tess LeSue writes raunchy and adventurous historical romances, with strong and sassy heroines and heroes to make your knees go weak. Set against vast and dramatic backdrops, these are love stories to sweep you back in time, and off your feet.
Her historical Western, Bound for Eden, was runner up for Romance Writers of Australia’s 2016 Emerald PRO award and will be published by Harlequin/MIRA in 2016.
You can find Tess on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tess-LeSue-1...
Amy is Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at Flinders University and also writes fiction and non-fiction under the name Amy T. Matthews and Amy Barry. She clearly has too much time on her hands.
Tess LeSue writes raunchy and adventurous historical romances, with strong and sassy heroines and heroes to make your knees go weak. Set against vast and dramatic backdrops, these are love stories to sweep you back in time, and off your feet.
Her historical Western, Bound for Eden, was runner up for Romance Writers of Australia’s 2016 Emerald PRO award and will be published by Harlequin/MIRA in 2016.
You can find Tess on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tess-LeSue-1...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
September 3, 2018
Bound for Sin is a sweeping epic of a romance set in the American West at the height of the California gold rush. Georgiana Blunt is bound for the west to reclaim her oldest son where he is being held ransom. She’s spent most of her inheritance to get to Missouri and now she is advertising for a husband. And not just any husband. All she needs is a brute of a frontiersman to take her and her 4 other children safely there. One look at Matt Slater and she knows he’s the one to do it. Matt has returned to Missouri and is ready to take the next train of emigrants out west. What he didn’t count on is the involvement Georgiana and her crew would be for him and his job. He gets caught up in her web and is pretending to be her fiancé as they travel west. It’s complicated in the beginning but after being around her and the kids he’s starting to like the idea. A lot.
The whole story was captivating from beginning to end. Her description of the times and the perils they faced were real and kept me engaged in the story. I was riveted to the story and didn’t want to put it down. I fell in love with Georgiana and Luke because they felt real and authentic with their feelings and actions. Her secondary characters were also depicted well and forwarded the story along to its wonderful conclusion. This western historical romance had humor, danger and romance leaving me wanting more. Bound for Sin is the second story in the series but definitely can be read as a stand-alone story.
September 20, 2018
BOUND FOR SIN by Tess LeSue is easy to recommend for its well-rounded entertainment. You’ll laugh, cry, and be enchanted by the western historical detail that makes you stick to this book like glue. I really can’t get enough of the FRONTIERS OF THE HEART series. I’m completely addicted, especially to read more about Deathrider, my favorite character.
Georgiana Bee Blunt advertises for a husband and starts a ruckus in Independence, Missouri. Men come from near and far to get their hands on her gold, even though she’s beautiful enough to be desired for that alone. Her rambunctious children may be a problem, though.
Instead of the fancy gents who coming calling, Georgiana has her eye on a brute of a man, Matt Slater. He’s surly, big, and a hairy beast after being on the trail so long. But Matt wants nothing to do with this woman and her unruly children. He just wants a bath, a bed, and a good meal. Heck, he’ll take the bed without the bath or a meal if you get right down to it.
If these men only knew that Georgiana’s oldest son is being held for ransom in exchange for her husband’s gold mine. Leave it to that no-good, notorious husband to up and die on her 2000 miles away, leaving her twelve-year-old son to fend for himself. Georgiana had no choice but to pack up her twin boys, her daughter, and her two-year-old son to go west and rescue the oldest. She lands in Missouri hoping to find a husband to get her westward.
There are so many wonderful parts to this novel. It truly has something for every type of historical western fan. From the hilarious repartee from Deathrider, my favorite character in this series, to the rich historical detail of traveling by wagon train, I can’t really say what makes this book so awesome other than it has everything I love in a story. I laughed so hard in certain moments. I cried my eyes out in others. I raced ahead to see how their issues would be resolved. So much to love.
I enjoyed the detail about the wagon train preparations. It made this historical time frame come alive. America’s early pioneers are fascinating, and the enormity of what they’re undertaking is evident in these characters’ thoughts. It makes me appreciate the brave men and women with an adventurous spirit that forged ahead into the unknown.
I was thrilled to have Deathrider take such a huge roll in this novel. He slayed me in book one, so I couldn’t wait to see what he would do in this novel. His sparring with Matt is just as hilarious as in the first book with Matt’s brother. But he’s even more cranky when he’s ill, which makes him more lethal and funnier at the same time. Even though Deathrider isn’t the hero in this book, I think he might be my favorite Native American character of all time. His dry sense of humor mixed with his sense of honor is a fascinating combination. He pushes Matt’s buttons more than he pushed his brother’s in book one.
There is also a very emotional proponent to this novel that turns everything you thought you knew upside down. Wow, did that one get to me. I wasn’t sure how Georgiana and Matt would get past their obstacles. There are some nasty villains in this one that put them through their paces.
I loved Georgiana and Matt together. They win the least likely couple award, which makes their story a very addictive roller coaster. Matt is every woman’s dream of a strong, resourceful man who can survive anything thrown at him on the trail westward. But that doesn’t mean he lives without feeling things deeply. Georgiana really tested him.
I enjoyed BOUND FOR EDEN, the first book in the FRONTIERS OF THE HEART series. I couldn’t imagine a better book, but BOUND FOR SIN is exactly the type of pioneer story I love to read.
Excellent story! Even though I guessed what would happen in one suspenseful moment, there were so many other surprises that I didn’t guess. I miss the characters and wish the book could go on and on. Highly recommend.
A recommended read!
Reviewed by Dorine, courtesy of RomanceJunkies.com. Print ARC provided by the publisher for an honest review.
Georgiana Bee Blunt advertises for a husband and starts a ruckus in Independence, Missouri. Men come from near and far to get their hands on her gold, even though she’s beautiful enough to be desired for that alone. Her rambunctious children may be a problem, though.
Instead of the fancy gents who coming calling, Georgiana has her eye on a brute of a man, Matt Slater. He’s surly, big, and a hairy beast after being on the trail so long. But Matt wants nothing to do with this woman and her unruly children. He just wants a bath, a bed, and a good meal. Heck, he’ll take the bed without the bath or a meal if you get right down to it.
If these men only knew that Georgiana’s oldest son is being held for ransom in exchange for her husband’s gold mine. Leave it to that no-good, notorious husband to up and die on her 2000 miles away, leaving her twelve-year-old son to fend for himself. Georgiana had no choice but to pack up her twin boys, her daughter, and her two-year-old son to go west and rescue the oldest. She lands in Missouri hoping to find a husband to get her westward.
There are so many wonderful parts to this novel. It truly has something for every type of historical western fan. From the hilarious repartee from Deathrider, my favorite character in this series, to the rich historical detail of traveling by wagon train, I can’t really say what makes this book so awesome other than it has everything I love in a story. I laughed so hard in certain moments. I cried my eyes out in others. I raced ahead to see how their issues would be resolved. So much to love.
I enjoyed the detail about the wagon train preparations. It made this historical time frame come alive. America’s early pioneers are fascinating, and the enormity of what they’re undertaking is evident in these characters’ thoughts. It makes me appreciate the brave men and women with an adventurous spirit that forged ahead into the unknown.
I was thrilled to have Deathrider take such a huge roll in this novel. He slayed me in book one, so I couldn’t wait to see what he would do in this novel. His sparring with Matt is just as hilarious as in the first book with Matt’s brother. But he’s even more cranky when he’s ill, which makes him more lethal and funnier at the same time. Even though Deathrider isn’t the hero in this book, I think he might be my favorite Native American character of all time. His dry sense of humor mixed with his sense of honor is a fascinating combination. He pushes Matt’s buttons more than he pushed his brother’s in book one.
There is also a very emotional proponent to this novel that turns everything you thought you knew upside down. Wow, did that one get to me. I wasn’t sure how Georgiana and Matt would get past their obstacles. There are some nasty villains in this one that put them through their paces.
I loved Georgiana and Matt together. They win the least likely couple award, which makes their story a very addictive roller coaster. Matt is every woman’s dream of a strong, resourceful man who can survive anything thrown at him on the trail westward. But that doesn’t mean he lives without feeling things deeply. Georgiana really tested him.
I enjoyed BOUND FOR EDEN, the first book in the FRONTIERS OF THE HEART series. I couldn’t imagine a better book, but BOUND FOR SIN is exactly the type of pioneer story I love to read.
Excellent story! Even though I guessed what would happen in one suspenseful moment, there were so many other surprises that I didn’t guess. I miss the characters and wish the book could go on and on. Highly recommend.
A recommended read!
Reviewed by Dorine, courtesy of RomanceJunkies.com. Print ARC provided by the publisher for an honest review.
September 4, 2018
ARC from the publisher
Bound for Sin is the second book in Tess LeSue’s Frontiers of the Heart series, but this book can be read as a stand alone as very few characters from the previous book appear in this one. Having said that, if you enjoy a good book, I definitely recommend going back and picking up Bound for Eden. This story opens with Georgiana interviewing potential husbands, and the most important qualities to her are that he be rugged and able to lead her family across the rough terrain to California, as she has a very important mission to accomplish. When she spies Matt Slater out the window, not interested in becoming a husband, she can’t help but think how perfect he looks for the job. It’s clear this man knows how to survive in the wilderness, but when Georgiana gets a look at him all cleaned up, she finds his good looks and charm off putting. That is, after all, what she fell for in her first husband. And that didn’t work out so well for Georgiana. I loved Georgiana’s character. This is a woman who comes from extreme wealth, and while she has had learn to be judicious with her money, she doesn’t bat an eye parting with it to get to her son. It was really a lot of fun to watch Georgiana learn to juggle motherhood. She is without nannies for the first time in her life, and four kids would be a lot for anyone who got to break themselves in one (or two) kids at a time, but to take it on all at once is nearly impossible. And she’s not above a well-timed bribe or threat to get them to behave. The children were wonderful – even with four of them, they didn’t overwhelm the story. Their interactions with Georgiana and Matt were orchestrated to show us more about each character, and these kids were far from perfect. You can tell how the events of their lives have shaped them, and the way they clung to Matt was so precious. Honestly – it was Matt who stole my heart in this book. The thing I liked the most about him was his thoughtfulness – how everything he is going through now makes him reflect on his past, particularly his relationship with his oldest brother, who stepped in and raised his younger siblings when they lost their parents. He was so effortless in almost everything; the patience and care he showed for Georgiana’s kids was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to this man’s good heart. Part of his charm came from his naivete, and watching him fight his attraction to Georgiana and try to convince himself he didn’t want her was hilarious, particularly with Deathrider by his side informing him that he did, in fact, want Georgiana. Deathrider is a character from the previous book, and his character is very intriguing and mysterious – more so in the first book than this one, and he plays a pretty big role in this one. I’m also hoping he has a book of his own on the way, and I think I may know his heroine is going to be, and if I’m right, I AM SO ON BOARD FOR THAT! Seline, a local whore, was also in the previous book, and while her role isn’t quite as prominent in this book as Deathrider’s, we learn more about her in this one, and while I am interested in reading her story, I’m not sure how I feel about her hero. I’ll will definitely be reading her book; I’ll just be going in cautiously optimistic. (Though let’s be honest – I’m sure Tess LeSue will win me over.)
I really enjoyed the romance between Georgiana and Matt; it is definitely slow burn, so if you’re a fan of that, you’re in for a treat. As this is a book that takes place on a trail reminiscent of the Oregon Trail, there is a lot of daily life. But if you’re a fan of historical westerns or cowboy books, you know this is standard. And for me, it’s something I love! There are also some very raw scenes in this book that will break your heart and put it back together again, but true to reality, life on the trail is rough.
My only criticism of this book was the end. There was a twist I saw coming, and I feel like it stalled the story instead of adding something to it. I would have much preferred more drama surrounding the event that brought Georgiana to California in the first place, but despite threats, that whole scene was a bit anticlimactic.
As you can tell from my review, I really enjoyed this book. I fell in love with Georgiana and Matt’s love story, and if Western Historical Romances are something you enjoy, I think you will, too. Bound for Sin is a book I can see myself picking up over and over again.
This review was originally posted on Books & Beauty Are My Bag.
Bound for Sin is the second book in Tess LeSue’s Frontiers of the Heart series, but this book can be read as a stand alone as very few characters from the previous book appear in this one. Having said that, if you enjoy a good book, I definitely recommend going back and picking up Bound for Eden. This story opens with Georgiana interviewing potential husbands, and the most important qualities to her are that he be rugged and able to lead her family across the rough terrain to California, as she has a very important mission to accomplish. When she spies Matt Slater out the window, not interested in becoming a husband, she can’t help but think how perfect he looks for the job. It’s clear this man knows how to survive in the wilderness, but when Georgiana gets a look at him all cleaned up, she finds his good looks and charm off putting. That is, after all, what she fell for in her first husband. And that didn’t work out so well for Georgiana. I loved Georgiana’s character. This is a woman who comes from extreme wealth, and while she has had learn to be judicious with her money, she doesn’t bat an eye parting with it to get to her son. It was really a lot of fun to watch Georgiana learn to juggle motherhood. She is without nannies for the first time in her life, and four kids would be a lot for anyone who got to break themselves in one (or two) kids at a time, but to take it on all at once is nearly impossible. And she’s not above a well-timed bribe or threat to get them to behave. The children were wonderful – even with four of them, they didn’t overwhelm the story. Their interactions with Georgiana and Matt were orchestrated to show us more about each character, and these kids were far from perfect. You can tell how the events of their lives have shaped them, and the way they clung to Matt was so precious. Honestly – it was Matt who stole my heart in this book. The thing I liked the most about him was his thoughtfulness – how everything he is going through now makes him reflect on his past, particularly his relationship with his oldest brother, who stepped in and raised his younger siblings when they lost their parents. He was so effortless in almost everything; the patience and care he showed for Georgiana’s kids was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to this man’s good heart. Part of his charm came from his naivete, and watching him fight his attraction to Georgiana and try to convince himself he didn’t want her was hilarious, particularly with Deathrider by his side informing him that he did, in fact, want Georgiana. Deathrider is a character from the previous book, and his character is very intriguing and mysterious – more so in the first book than this one, and he plays a pretty big role in this one. I’m also hoping he has a book of his own on the way, and I think I may know his heroine is going to be, and if I’m right, I AM SO ON BOARD FOR THAT! Seline, a local whore, was also in the previous book, and while her role isn’t quite as prominent in this book as Deathrider’s, we learn more about her in this one, and while I am interested in reading her story, I’m not sure how I feel about her hero. I’ll will definitely be reading her book; I’ll just be going in cautiously optimistic. (Though let’s be honest – I’m sure Tess LeSue will win me over.)
I really enjoyed the romance between Georgiana and Matt; it is definitely slow burn, so if you’re a fan of that, you’re in for a treat. As this is a book that takes place on a trail reminiscent of the Oregon Trail, there is a lot of daily life. But if you’re a fan of historical westerns or cowboy books, you know this is standard. And for me, it’s something I love! There are also some very raw scenes in this book that will break your heart and put it back together again, but true to reality, life on the trail is rough.
My only criticism of this book was the end. There was a twist I saw coming, and I feel like it stalled the story instead of adding something to it. I would have much preferred more drama surrounding the event that brought Georgiana to California in the first place, but despite threats, that whole scene was a bit anticlimactic.
As you can tell from my review, I really enjoyed this book. I fell in love with Georgiana and Matt’s love story, and if Western Historical Romances are something you enjoy, I think you will, too. Bound for Sin is a book I can see myself picking up over and over again.
This review was originally posted on Books & Beauty Are My Bag.
August 27, 2018
4.5 stars! I did not expect to enjoy and LOVE Bound for Sin as much as I did. I've never read a true historical western before, but all I can say is that I'm so happy that the first one I read was this one. I fell in love with the hero and heroine, the heroine's hilarious kids, and their journey west to California. The hero has so many qualities I adore – he's big, grumpy, anti-social, and shy around women. I didn't want this story to end and I will definitely be picking up the rest of the series now!
Full review to come!
Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me a copy to review.
Full review to come!
Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me a copy to review.
May 26, 2019
4.5
What a surprise this was
And so real written that I felt like all this actually happened
I’m definitely going to be reading more historical westerns from now on
What a surprise this was
And so real written that I felt like all this actually happened
I’m definitely going to be reading more historical westerns from now on
August 28, 2018
Romance is my thing, throw in it set in the Wild West and I am a very happy reader. There is very thing in this book to keep me happy. Its a wonderful slow burn read. It has romance, ransom, gold mines and the wagon train. Just heaven really.
Georgiana and Matt are like chalk and cheese and yet they do seem to fit well together but just dont know it, along with Georgiana's very funny kids who just adore Matt and he is really good with them, i love that he was not this big tough guy but shy and protective. Really lovely to read. I read this on one sitting, it was daylight and suddenly it was dark out side.
Tess writes a bloody good yarn, and this is one of those book you pick up and you know you are in for a really good time. What I love also is that we get to know to these characters and I ended up just loving them so much.
As for the writing , well its beautifully written and the characters are well fleshed out. The Wild West is the place to be, and I can not wait for the next book. The cover is also stunning. enjoy
Georgiana and Matt are like chalk and cheese and yet they do seem to fit well together but just dont know it, along with Georgiana's very funny kids who just adore Matt and he is really good with them, i love that he was not this big tough guy but shy and protective. Really lovely to read. I read this on one sitting, it was daylight and suddenly it was dark out side.
Tess writes a bloody good yarn, and this is one of those book you pick up and you know you are in for a really good time. What I love also is that we get to know to these characters and I ended up just loving them so much.
As for the writing , well its beautifully written and the characters are well fleshed out. The Wild West is the place to be, and I can not wait for the next book. The cover is also stunning. enjoy
August 19, 2018
A glorious slow-burn romance set against the grand and wild stretches of land along the Oregon Trail.
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
May 31, 2019
Definitely the best of the series. I loved it! I started with book three of the series, and although I liked it, I felt like I was missing something because I hadn't read the first two books. Book one was lovely, but Bound for Sin, book two in the series really hit the spot. It was delightful in so many ways. Matthew is a bit of a loner, focused on leading his wagon train to Oregon, nothing more, nothing less. He doesn't worry about women. He's terrible with women. He just does his job and does it well. That all changes when he is thrown into the path of Georgiana Bee Blunt, a (seemingly) wealthy widow who has advertised for a husband to take her to California. Matthew wants no part of this, but through a series of unfortunate/fortunate events he finds himself fake engaged to Georgiana and headed out west.
I loved this book because the pacing was almost perfect. Unlike the other two books of this series that I have read there is no deception going on between the main characters. Sure, Matt and Georgiana are pretending to be engaged, but they are both in on the deception, so their relationship is allowed to progress at a reasonable pace. There is muted attraction, but they start out somewhat indifferent to friendly to romantic. I especially loved to see Matt's interaction with the children. It was so obvious that he was meant to jump into this family and be their guy. I loved Matt with his quiet strength and his compassion for Georgiana and her children. I loved his insecurity and his belief that he wasn't cut out for relationships with women because he always messed things up. I loved how he reacted in the midst of a great tragedy that occurs midway through this story. He was lovely. Georgiana was lovely as well. She was pretty pampered and soft when this book began, but she was determined to make things work. She hadn't ever really physically struggled in her life up to this point, and I felt her weariness as she cried while doing her own laundry in Independence. But seeing her grow and harden (in a good way) throughout this story was rewarding. It was obvious that she was the perfect woman for Matthew. The children were wonderful too.
There is a whopper of a plot twist that happens toward the end of the book that explains why this book is entitled Bound for Sin. Egads! It was awful. It was so awful that I felt like the ending and the beginning of a Happily Ever After was a bit too abrupt. I felt like there needed to be more time to move from the awfulness of the plot twist to the relief of the resolution of this problem. I've kind of felt that way in all of the books in this series. But it's okay. I still loved the resolution.
A small little shout out for Deathrider. I can't wait for his book. There is so much more to know about him, and I loved every scene he was in. Thank goodness he arrived to save the day whenever he showed up.
I'm actually going to go back and reread book three now that I have the background information about all of the characters who show up in that book. I think that I'll find it much more rewarding knowing what I know now. I never thought I'd be a fan of western historical romances, but here I am, totally a fan of this series. Five stars for this book! It was amazing.
I loved this book because the pacing was almost perfect. Unlike the other two books of this series that I have read there is no deception going on between the main characters. Sure, Matt and Georgiana are pretending to be engaged, but they are both in on the deception, so their relationship is allowed to progress at a reasonable pace. There is muted attraction, but they start out somewhat indifferent to friendly to romantic. I especially loved to see Matt's interaction with the children. It was so obvious that he was meant to jump into this family and be their guy. I loved Matt with his quiet strength and his compassion for Georgiana and her children. I loved his insecurity and his belief that he wasn't cut out for relationships with women because he always messed things up. I loved how he reacted in the midst of a great tragedy that occurs midway through this story. He was lovely. Georgiana was lovely as well. She was pretty pampered and soft when this book began, but she was determined to make things work. She hadn't ever really physically struggled in her life up to this point, and I felt her weariness as she cried while doing her own laundry in Independence. But seeing her grow and harden (in a good way) throughout this story was rewarding. It was obvious that she was the perfect woman for Matthew. The children were wonderful too.
There is a whopper of a plot twist that happens toward the end of the book that explains why this book is entitled Bound for Sin. Egads! It was awful. It was so awful that I felt like the ending and the beginning of a Happily Ever After was a bit too abrupt. I felt like there needed to be more time to move from the awfulness of the plot twist to the relief of the resolution of this problem. I've kind of felt that way in all of the books in this series. But it's okay. I still loved the resolution.
A small little shout out for Deathrider. I can't wait for his book. There is so much more to know about him, and I loved every scene he was in. Thank goodness he arrived to save the day whenever he showed up.
I'm actually going to go back and reread book three now that I have the background information about all of the characters who show up in that book. I think that I'll find it much more rewarding knowing what I know now. I never thought I'd be a fan of western historical romances, but here I am, totally a fan of this series. Five stars for this book! It was amazing.
September 5, 2018
Bound for Sin by Tess LeSue is the 2nd book in her western historical romance Frontiers of the Heart series. The story take place during the Gold Rush Days, and LeSue gives us a perfect look at life during those times.
We meet our heroine Georgina at the start, with her interviewing candidates for a husband. Georgina needs to find herself a strong man, who can help her go back to California to help find her oldest son, who is being held for ransom (gold land claim). She has her 4 young children in tow with her, which makes things difficult for her, since the children are a handful.
Matt Slater, our hero, is the brother of Luke Slater (first book hero), and plans to travel home to Oregon, but on the way will lead a wagon train through rough terrain. He meets the pretty Georgina, but is determined to stay clear of her trying to find a husband. He does convince her to join his wagon train, as she will be safe with them. Georgina finds the rugged handsome Matt just what she wants, especially with her also feeling attracted to him. In a short time, Matt will give in to become her fake fiancée, to help her get around the men following her to make sure she goes to California.
Once they all leave for the rough trek, Matt will slowly find himself enamored by Georgina, and she even more so, as she watches how he manages to control her children, and they all care for him. Can Georgina win Matt over?
I loved the way Matt was so great with the kids; perfect father material. It did not take long for him to give into his feelings for Georgina, as their chemistry was scorching. Together they make plans to go to California to get her son.
I do not want to tell too much more, as the last ¼ of the book had some twists and turns, which changes things drastically. What follows is a sweet adventure with some danger, excitement and the humorous banter between Matt and Georgina. I really liked them together, but there were so many issues that kept them apart; even to the point that I was beginning to lose hope. Especially as we got closer to the end, things were happily looking up, and a surprise twist blows it all away. Will Matt ever find happiness with Georgina? You will have to read the book to find out.
It was a very intense but satisfying finish. Bound for Sin was a sweet fun historical western that was exciting, romantic and humorous, with a great couple. I suggest you read Bound for Sin, which was very well written by Tess LeSue. I look forward to the next book by Tess LeSue.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
We meet our heroine Georgina at the start, with her interviewing candidates for a husband. Georgina needs to find herself a strong man, who can help her go back to California to help find her oldest son, who is being held for ransom (gold land claim). She has her 4 young children in tow with her, which makes things difficult for her, since the children are a handful.
Matt Slater, our hero, is the brother of Luke Slater (first book hero), and plans to travel home to Oregon, but on the way will lead a wagon train through rough terrain. He meets the pretty Georgina, but is determined to stay clear of her trying to find a husband. He does convince her to join his wagon train, as she will be safe with them. Georgina finds the rugged handsome Matt just what she wants, especially with her also feeling attracted to him. In a short time, Matt will give in to become her fake fiancée, to help her get around the men following her to make sure she goes to California.
Once they all leave for the rough trek, Matt will slowly find himself enamored by Georgina, and she even more so, as she watches how he manages to control her children, and they all care for him. Can Georgina win Matt over?
I loved the way Matt was so great with the kids; perfect father material. It did not take long for him to give into his feelings for Georgina, as their chemistry was scorching. Together they make plans to go to California to get her son.
I do not want to tell too much more, as the last ¼ of the book had some twists and turns, which changes things drastically. What follows is a sweet adventure with some danger, excitement and the humorous banter between Matt and Georgina. I really liked them together, but there were so many issues that kept them apart; even to the point that I was beginning to lose hope. Especially as we got closer to the end, things were happily looking up, and a surprise twist blows it all away. Will Matt ever find happiness with Georgina? You will have to read the book to find out.
It was a very intense but satisfying finish. Bound for Sin was a sweet fun historical western that was exciting, romantic and humorous, with a great couple. I suggest you read Bound for Sin, which was very well written by Tess LeSue. I look forward to the next book by Tess LeSue.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
July 25, 2018
Georgina needs a husband who can not only help her and her children make it across the country, but also help her get her son back who's being held for ransom in California. However, of all the men she's interviewed, not one of them is right for the job. They are all too prim and proper for the journey that lays ahead. That is, except for Will. Will is a rugged frontiersman who spends his time take people back and forth across the country. While he may be perfect for Georgina, he has no desire to settle down and marry. He's quite happy with his quiet, solitary life, and he has no plans to change that.
In the last installment we followed Luke who was also in charge of leading groups of people across the country. This time we follow his brother who has sort of taken over the business. I honestly don't remember Will and couldn't say whether or not we met him in the previous book. So with that being said, you don't need to have read the previous book in order to follow the story. The only common character in this story is Rides with Death. He has been traveling with Matt previously before the story begins and he continues to travel with Matt for the majority of the story. I'm not going to lie, I was kind of hoping the second book would be his story, but alas I'm still waiting for his story to pop up.
One thing that I loved about this story was Matt. He's just this quiet, shy, protective character. I'm so used to having alpha males, that Matt's character was a nice change of pace. While he may be unsure around Georgina, he's so great with her kids. He knows all the right things to do and say in order to calm them down and steer them towards behaving. He instantly fell into a fatherly role for the kids whether he meant to or not.
And those kids, boy were they a handful. They were all over the place. Although, there is a part in the beginning where Georgina couldn't tell the twins apart and it was noted that she has a hard time figuring out who is who. Which made me think maybe the kids weren't hers... but they were. You would think that a mother would be able to tell her kids apart. She also acted as if it were her first time being a mother. She was always wrung out, not sure what to do, and just sort of bumbling all over the place. Not to mention that the children didn't respect her or listen to her... that is, until Matt came along.
I really liked that this story was sort of a fake relationship turned real. Matt ends up pretending to be her fiance in order to keep her and the kids safe during their journey when her son's kidnappers decide to join the convoy to keep an eye on her. I've never read "Oregon Trail" style stories before this series, and I have to say that I'm a big fan. The stories take place over at least half a year (since that's the time it takes them to make their journey) which allows the readers and characters to get used to each other. There's no insta-love and the characters seem honest and real to their time. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I am bummed to see that Rides with Death still doesn't have a story yet. I REALLY hope the author decides to give him his own book because that guy definitely has a story there and getting the little snippets in these books just isn't enough.
In the last installment we followed Luke who was also in charge of leading groups of people across the country. This time we follow his brother who has sort of taken over the business. I honestly don't remember Will and couldn't say whether or not we met him in the previous book. So with that being said, you don't need to have read the previous book in order to follow the story. The only common character in this story is Rides with Death. He has been traveling with Matt previously before the story begins and he continues to travel with Matt for the majority of the story. I'm not going to lie, I was kind of hoping the second book would be his story, but alas I'm still waiting for his story to pop up.
One thing that I loved about this story was Matt. He's just this quiet, shy, protective character. I'm so used to having alpha males, that Matt's character was a nice change of pace. While he may be unsure around Georgina, he's so great with her kids. He knows all the right things to do and say in order to calm them down and steer them towards behaving. He instantly fell into a fatherly role for the kids whether he meant to or not.
And those kids, boy were they a handful. They were all over the place. Although, there is a part in the beginning where Georgina couldn't tell the twins apart and it was noted that she has a hard time figuring out who is who. Which made me think maybe the kids weren't hers... but they were. You would think that a mother would be able to tell her kids apart. She also acted as if it were her first time being a mother. She was always wrung out, not sure what to do, and just sort of bumbling all over the place. Not to mention that the children didn't respect her or listen to her... that is, until Matt came along.
I really liked that this story was sort of a fake relationship turned real. Matt ends up pretending to be her fiance in order to keep her and the kids safe during their journey when her son's kidnappers decide to join the convoy to keep an eye on her. I've never read "Oregon Trail" style stories before this series, and I have to say that I'm a big fan. The stories take place over at least half a year (since that's the time it takes them to make their journey) which allows the readers and characters to get used to each other. There's no insta-love and the characters seem honest and real to their time. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I am bummed to see that Rides with Death still doesn't have a story yet. I REALLY hope the author decides to give him his own book because that guy definitely has a story there and getting the little snippets in these books just isn't enough.
August 20, 2018
This book grabbed me from page one and never let me go. Such a wonderful ride you will not want to miss, because even when I thought we were getting to settle down, there was another twist in the tale that kept me wondering and angsting for our gorgeous heroine and hero. Saddle up and hang on for what will be the ride of your life. I loved book one in this series ( Bound for Eden) and after reading Bound For Sin, can't wait for Bound for Temptation. So much to look forward to.
August 22, 2018
I received access to the galley for free through the First to Read program. Thank you Penguin House and to Tess LeSue for the ebook ARC
First time reading a book by Tess and I really enjoyed it. It ook me a bit to get into but once Matt and Georgiana interacted more the more I got into it. I really wish there was more to the ending though. Since it felt a bit rushed, but other than that I couldn't put the book down. The relationship between the two was just beautiful from him fighting her off, giving in to their feelings to the sad moment that happened. I cant wait to read the next book about Tom and Emma. And going back to read Luke's book.
First time reading a book by Tess and I really enjoyed it. It ook me a bit to get into but once Matt and Georgiana interacted more the more I got into it. I really wish there was more to the ending though. Since it felt a bit rushed, but other than that I couldn't put the book down. The relationship between the two was just beautiful from him fighting her off, giving in to their feelings to the sad moment that happened. I cant wait to read the next book about Tom and Emma. And going back to read Luke's book.
January 8, 2019
If you are in the mood for a weighty historical with rich descriptive setting information, this one is excellent. It's a long book and the romance is a slow burn. The depth of research put into this book is amazing, and by the end, it's a lovely romance with a side mystery.
November 26, 2020
What a wonderful slow burn! As a history major, my pet peeve is inaccuracies, especially ones avoidable with a little bit of research, but that wasn’t the case. The depth and descriptive western setting was amazing. I found the heroine’s children entertaining, but at the same time realistic; unlike children in some romances I’ve read. It was a lengthy book, but I was was constantly entertained.
August 21, 2018
Boy oh boy did this book break my heart for a long long time and then spent just as much time putting it back together. I loved seeing the heroine grow from a spoiled, prissy, overwhelmed rich girl into a capable and willful woman. Matt was also an absolute treasure and I would like to request one for Christmas! Galley received via First to Read.
February 14, 2019
Oh, this was interesting! Definitely more than a little lengthy (read: a lot lengthy); I really enjoyed the slow burn romance aspects of this.
dnf
March 20, 2020dnf 16%
August 13, 2018
Sometimes you read historical novels and can’t imagine what life was like but Bound for Sin makes you feel like your suffering right along with the characters. Georgianna needs to find a husband fast so she puts an add in the paper and preparing to go to California to save the son her dead husband kidnapped. Matt just wants to get his “brother “ Tom healed up before he takes the wagon trains to Oregon and California but when he sees Georgianna being harassed he steps in to save her. What Matt doesn’t realize is he just signed up for a whole lotta trouble and Georgianna undergoes a change she never saw coming. The only thing I didn’t like was that the story had to end, maybe they will do a second one.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha
August 2, 2018
Georgiana Bee Blunt or Georgiana Smith as we first see her is advertising for a husband because she needs someone to protect her as she goes out west. She wants a rugged strong man. She came from a wealthy family but due to the death of her husband she is left to use most of her money to try to get her oldest son back from a man her husband had done business with. The son was being used for ransom of a Gold mine. Most of the prospects for husbands are not the quality of man you would want protecting you and they were only interested in going to California for a gold mine anyway. The one rugged man she sees is not interested in getting married.
Matt Slater is the rugged man she sees and ends up linked to him even though he does not want to be. Of course Georgiana's kids love Matt and the boys especially want to hang out with him. He is a wagon train leader to Oregon. Georgiana ends up in a Wagon train convoy with Matt. There have already been a few Shenanigans by this point but a few more happen. There are several twists in the book. Several things shocked me.
Worth a read.
I received this book for free to read from First to read in exchange for an honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own.
Matt Slater is the rugged man she sees and ends up linked to him even though he does not want to be. Of course Georgiana's kids love Matt and the boys especially want to hang out with him. He is a wagon train leader to Oregon. Georgiana ends up in a Wagon train convoy with Matt. There have already been a few Shenanigans by this point but a few more happen. There are several twists in the book. Several things shocked me.
Worth a read.
I received this book for free to read from First to read in exchange for an honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own.
July 22, 2018
It's the height of the Wild West Gold Rush days and Georgiana is in a bind -- her philandering husband has squandered most of her family's money and has taken her oldest son hostage to California. With word that her husband has died of fever, she must trek to the Golden State wagon-train style with her four other children in tow and sign away her family's gold-laden plot of land as collateral in order to get her son back. Georgiana doesn't think she can do this all herself, so she advertises for a husband -- must be tall, strong, and a frontiersman -- to help her. Enter the brutish Matt Slater. Matt wants nothing to do with Georgiana and her situation, regardless of how pretty he thinks she is and how captivated he is by her, and he certainly had no intention of applying for the "open" husband position she has available. But when circumstances leave him with no choice but to help her, they agree to pretend to be engaged to help keep Georgiana and her children safe during their journey West. Pretending is proving to be incredibly difficult when they're Bound to Sin, their deep attraction for one another becoming harder to ignore. Georgiana is determined to get her son back and to start a new life for her children, and her plans just may include a new husband she never saw coming. That is, if they can survive their treacherous westward journey...
Thoughts: I am so happy First to Read gave me the opportunity to read Bound to Sin. I'll be honest, I'm not a huge Wild West fan and, if not offered by First to Read, I'm not sure I would have picked this one up. I am so glad I did, though. It was a lovely story and each character was dynamic in their own way. The attraction between Georgiana and Matt was palpable, and Matt's chivalrous nature was swoon-worthy. His treatment of her children was adorable, as well -- he knew just the right things to say and do. Matt's friendship with Deathrider was all too funny -- I loved the sarcastic go-betweens they had throughout the novel. My only caveat to the book was that it began to drag on a bit towards the last 1/4 of the story, but LeSue puts enough interesting plot at the end to make it worth it. I really enjoyed this novel.
Thoughts: I am so happy First to Read gave me the opportunity to read Bound to Sin. I'll be honest, I'm not a huge Wild West fan and, if not offered by First to Read, I'm not sure I would have picked this one up. I am so glad I did, though. It was a lovely story and each character was dynamic in their own way. The attraction between Georgiana and Matt was palpable, and Matt's chivalrous nature was swoon-worthy. His treatment of her children was adorable, as well -- he knew just the right things to say and do. Matt's friendship with Deathrider was all too funny -- I loved the sarcastic go-betweens they had throughout the novel. My only caveat to the book was that it began to drag on a bit towards the last 1/4 of the story, but LeSue puts enough interesting plot at the end to make it worth it. I really enjoyed this novel.
July 20, 2018
I received a digital copy of this book from First to Read.
I really enjoyed this book. All parts of the book were interesting, I was afraid the travel parts would be boring. But the book flowed nicely. And I found myself wishing there was more at the end of the book even though it was wrapped up nicely.
I'm looking forward to checking out the first book in the series and the third book that comes out later this year.
I really enjoyed this book. All parts of the book were interesting, I was afraid the travel parts would be boring. But the book flowed nicely. And I found myself wishing there was more at the end of the book even though it was wrapped up nicely.
I'm looking forward to checking out the first book in the series and the third book that comes out later this year.
September 5, 2018
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
>>>>>My Synopsis (Review follows): <<<<<
'A respectable widow of means seeks resourceful frontiersman for the purpose of matrimony...'
That was the first line of the advertisement a desperate Georgiana Bee Blunt had listed in the paper. Georgiana has gotten herself into a real bind, or rather her late husband had. He and their young son had headed out west to make their fortune when he had passed away. Now she needs to go and retrieve her son, but there is a catch. Someone is holding him for ransom. She'll need to travel out west with her other children to save him. That means she'll need someone to help her because traveling so far with or without small children can be a deadly undertaking. Especially when you've been gently born and raised in the city where you've never needed to acquire any of the skills needed to survive such a perilous journey--not even cooking. She'll need someone to not only help her and her children make the trip safely, but someone who can help her maneuver the tricky situation she expects to encounter once she finally gets to California. The major problem she's presently experiencing is that none of the potential candidates responding to her advertisement are anything near what she was looking for. Not even close.
Matt Slater is everything Georgina is looking for in a man--strong, knowledgeable about traveling the open trail, and capable of protecting her and her children. There is just one problem, Matt has no interest in settling down any time soon. He's made his living for the last five years as a trail guide escorting wagon trains back and forth between Independence, Missouri and Oregon City, Oregon. He loves his job and it pays well. When he steps in to help the beautiful young widow who's in trouble, he finds himself in the middle of something he hadn't expected--a pretend engagement.
With months of traveling ahead of them, will Georgiana be able to convince the man to marry her, and escort her and the children to California to save her son? Only time will tell...
>>>>>My Review: <<<<<
This was the second novel in the Frontiers of the Heart series by Tess LeSue. It can easily be read as a standalone as there is little to do with the couple from the previous novel in the series. Matt, however, is the brother of Luke (the 'hero' from the previous novel), and he is the reason Matt took over the trail riding job five years ago. He stepped in and took Luke's place when Luke decided to settle down. While I haven't read 'Bound for Eden', after reading the description, I really want to. It's a gender swapping novel and I always love it when the heroine poses as a boy. They are usually hilariously good.
I very much enjoyed 'Bound for Sin' , and would love to see more Wild West period romances. Georgiana is a smart woman who finds herself between a rock and a hard place, and is boldly trying to strategically maneuver her way out of trouble. A difficult task to pull off when living in a male dominated world. Ironically, my father-in-law just told me a story about how one of his ancestors had been a mail order bride. When she arrived in the United States to meet her prospective bride groom she decided she wanted nothing to do with the man and broke off their engagement. She eventually ended up marrying someone else, my father-in-law's great-grandfather, and the rest, as they say, is history. So there were definitely ways for smart and innovative young women of the time to pick their own path in life, but it was by no means easy. I liked how Georgiana kind of turns the table on the mail order bride situation when she's gets to pick and choose her own spouse. I rather enjoyed how she took charge of her own destiny, and when things didn't go as she expected, she thought on her toes and found a solution.
Matt was a fun character who Georgiana describes as being very muscular, and looking like he could rip an oak from the earth bare-handed. He is a great guy who slowly finds himself falling for Georgiana and her kids. He's exactly what she needs but more importantly, she's exactly what he needs but doesn't know it yet. He tries to resist his feelings, but constantly finds himself being drawn to the young woman and her children. I loved watching these two fall in love.
It took me a little while to get hooked into the story, but I really liked it except for one thing--I took issue with the main character's last name--Bee Blunt. I'm guessing the author picked the name to be funny, but at times I found myself being ripped out of the fabric of the story when her true name was used because it usually coincided with a moment when I truly wanted Georgiana to be blunt and just spit out to Matt what was really going on. When this happened it emphasized the fact she should be blunt and it immediately released me from the story's grip. While it's fun to have little jokes running through a story, an author should make sure it doesn't distract the reader from the story. That is what unfortunately happened to me, and I didn't really care for it.
Overall, I gave this one 3 1/2 roses out of 5. It was a sweet, cute, and charming romance that managed to mix a little history into the story. I adored the chemistry between Matt and Georgiana. and liked the reverse mail order bride scenario. There was some humor, a smidgen of suspense, and a lot going on to keep one's interest. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.
>>>>>My Synopsis (Review follows): <<<<<
'A respectable widow of means seeks resourceful frontiersman for the purpose of matrimony...'
That was the first line of the advertisement a desperate Georgiana Bee Blunt had listed in the paper. Georgiana has gotten herself into a real bind, or rather her late husband had. He and their young son had headed out west to make their fortune when he had passed away. Now she needs to go and retrieve her son, but there is a catch. Someone is holding him for ransom. She'll need to travel out west with her other children to save him. That means she'll need someone to help her because traveling so far with or without small children can be a deadly undertaking. Especially when you've been gently born and raised in the city where you've never needed to acquire any of the skills needed to survive such a perilous journey--not even cooking. She'll need someone to not only help her and her children make the trip safely, but someone who can help her maneuver the tricky situation she expects to encounter once she finally gets to California. The major problem she's presently experiencing is that none of the potential candidates responding to her advertisement are anything near what she was looking for. Not even close.
Matt Slater is everything Georgina is looking for in a man--strong, knowledgeable about traveling the open trail, and capable of protecting her and her children. There is just one problem, Matt has no interest in settling down any time soon. He's made his living for the last five years as a trail guide escorting wagon trains back and forth between Independence, Missouri and Oregon City, Oregon. He loves his job and it pays well. When he steps in to help the beautiful young widow who's in trouble, he finds himself in the middle of something he hadn't expected--a pretend engagement.
With months of traveling ahead of them, will Georgiana be able to convince the man to marry her, and escort her and the children to California to save her son? Only time will tell...
>>>>>My Review: <<<<<
This was the second novel in the Frontiers of the Heart series by Tess LeSue. It can easily be read as a standalone as there is little to do with the couple from the previous novel in the series. Matt, however, is the brother of Luke (the 'hero' from the previous novel), and he is the reason Matt took over the trail riding job five years ago. He stepped in and took Luke's place when Luke decided to settle down. While I haven't read 'Bound for Eden', after reading the description, I really want to. It's a gender swapping novel and I always love it when the heroine poses as a boy. They are usually hilariously good.
I very much enjoyed 'Bound for Sin' , and would love to see more Wild West period romances. Georgiana is a smart woman who finds herself between a rock and a hard place, and is boldly trying to strategically maneuver her way out of trouble. A difficult task to pull off when living in a male dominated world. Ironically, my father-in-law just told me a story about how one of his ancestors had been a mail order bride. When she arrived in the United States to meet her prospective bride groom she decided she wanted nothing to do with the man and broke off their engagement. She eventually ended up marrying someone else, my father-in-law's great-grandfather, and the rest, as they say, is history. So there were definitely ways for smart and innovative young women of the time to pick their own path in life, but it was by no means easy. I liked how Georgiana kind of turns the table on the mail order bride situation when she's gets to pick and choose her own spouse. I rather enjoyed how she took charge of her own destiny, and when things didn't go as she expected, she thought on her toes and found a solution.
Matt was a fun character who Georgiana describes as being very muscular, and looking like he could rip an oak from the earth bare-handed. He is a great guy who slowly finds himself falling for Georgiana and her kids. He's exactly what she needs but more importantly, she's exactly what he needs but doesn't know it yet. He tries to resist his feelings, but constantly finds himself being drawn to the young woman and her children. I loved watching these two fall in love.
It took me a little while to get hooked into the story, but I really liked it except for one thing--I took issue with the main character's last name--Bee Blunt. I'm guessing the author picked the name to be funny, but at times I found myself being ripped out of the fabric of the story when her true name was used because it usually coincided with a moment when I truly wanted Georgiana to be blunt and just spit out to Matt what was really going on. When this happened it emphasized the fact she should be blunt and it immediately released me from the story's grip. While it's fun to have little jokes running through a story, an author should make sure it doesn't distract the reader from the story. That is what unfortunately happened to me, and I didn't really care for it.
Overall, I gave this one 3 1/2 roses out of 5. It was a sweet, cute, and charming romance that managed to mix a little history into the story. I adored the chemistry between Matt and Georgiana. and liked the reverse mail order bride scenario. There was some humor, a smidgen of suspense, and a lot going on to keep one's interest. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.
December 9, 2019
More than just another historical western, this is a saga about the highs and lows along the Oregon Trail. This deeply moving account follows the lives of Georgiana and others who are desperate to travel to California. In need of protection, she as a widow seeks a husband who is a frontiersman (a little rough around the edges) so she may reclaim her eldest son. Trying to navigate her way in a foreign world, she embarks on the long journey westward dragging her four children with her and rises to her inner strengths through it all. Her frontiersman, Matt, selflessly helps the family along. We also meet other characters who add to the quality of this stunning adventure.
June 28, 2025
I was about to DNF the fuck out of this book when we get to the part of Wilby dying by the river bank. It was such a shock to me. I was so angry and frustrated like no other book had made me.
Maybe I could have gotten over the part of the little adorable child dying since ofc the frontier is such a harsh place and children could die for a number of reasons while traveling on the trail. I expected one of the kids to fall into danger at some point in the story.
But!! What I was so mad about is how the author suddenly wrote the h as being a bad, irresponsible mother. A mother who lost her two-year-old baby boy while she is busy lusting and making out with her boyfriend behind the bushes. The author could have chosen a number of ways to insert this plot to the story. But leaving children running wild by the dangerous river banks where multiple strangers are about just so their mother could get it on with the hot guy, is a very poor way to give us this plot.
Over and over she was viewed as a mother who wants safety and care for her children despite her being a spoiled rich lady from the east. But then, we read scenes like this one where her urges to be bedded by the H clouds her mind to prioritizing her children’s safety and well-being.
Honestly, I was surprised that h never, not once blamed herself for Wilby’s “death” during her short period of mourning since it was practically her fault that the child was “dead”. She sould be watching over her toddler or have someone watch over him. (It was also the H’s fault but he was not their father so the blame falls more on the sole parent).
————
Ok, Glad that I did not DNF though! Cause of plot armor, Wilby turns out to be alive and well!!! Hurray for that!!! I like reading Wilby’s adventures. It was endearing. In fact, I like to read about the children. The author did well to make up personilities and characterization for these little hellions. They made the story better.
I did enjoy this book despite my complaints about it. Although, the heroine would never be one of my favorite heroine of all time, I really did admire her despite her flaws and weaknesses. She was a strong character in her own way. At the first parts, she was more of an older sister who can never get a firm hold over kids rather than a competent mother. But this is highly understandable considering she has always relied on servants and governesses to raise her children. Slowly but surely, I began to admire her for accepting the fact that she is not rich anymore and trying her best to search for a better life despite the way her life was left in tatters by her husband.
The frustrating thing about this book is the lack of the hero killing all these villains and scums. It seems like the villains did get away for all the things they did and were given the very things they wanted in the end. That kidnapper guy got the land that he was obsessed of so much. His henchmen got their money. The husband got the divorce so he can ruin another woman again.
The lack of just deserts makes me think that the hero didn’t do all that much at all in saving the heroine and her children. The heroine could have had married some other less tougher guys like what she was about to do in the begininng and the results would still be the same.
Maybe I could have gotten over the part of the little adorable child dying since ofc the frontier is such a harsh place and children could die for a number of reasons while traveling on the trail. I expected one of the kids to fall into danger at some point in the story.
But!! What I was so mad about is how the author suddenly wrote the h as being a bad, irresponsible mother. A mother who lost her two-year-old baby boy while she is busy lusting and making out with her boyfriend behind the bushes. The author could have chosen a number of ways to insert this plot to the story. But leaving children running wild by the dangerous river banks where multiple strangers are about just so their mother could get it on with the hot guy, is a very poor way to give us this plot.
Over and over she was viewed as a mother who wants safety and care for her children despite her being a spoiled rich lady from the east. But then, we read scenes like this one where her urges to be bedded by the H clouds her mind to prioritizing her children’s safety and well-being.
Honestly, I was surprised that h never, not once blamed herself for Wilby’s “death” during her short period of mourning since it was practically her fault that the child was “dead”. She sould be watching over her toddler or have someone watch over him. (It was also the H’s fault but he was not their father so the blame falls more on the sole parent).
————
Ok, Glad that I did not DNF though! Cause of plot armor, Wilby turns out to be alive and well!!! Hurray for that!!! I like reading Wilby’s adventures. It was endearing. In fact, I like to read about the children. The author did well to make up personilities and characterization for these little hellions. They made the story better.
I did enjoy this book despite my complaints about it. Although, the heroine would never be one of my favorite heroine of all time, I really did admire her despite her flaws and weaknesses. She was a strong character in her own way. At the first parts, she was more of an older sister who can never get a firm hold over kids rather than a competent mother. But this is highly understandable considering she has always relied on servants and governesses to raise her children. Slowly but surely, I began to admire her for accepting the fact that she is not rich anymore and trying her best to search for a better life despite the way her life was left in tatters by her husband.
The frustrating thing about this book is the lack of the hero killing all these villains and scums. It seems like the villains did get away for all the things they did and were given the very things they wanted in the end. That kidnapper guy got the land that he was obsessed of so much. His henchmen got their money. The husband got the divorce so he can ruin another woman again.
The lack of just deserts makes me think that the hero didn’t do all that much at all in saving the heroine and her children. The heroine could have had married some other less tougher guys like what she was about to do in the begininng and the results would still be the same.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2018
Bound for Sin by Tess LeSue is an entertaining historical romance with a slight element of suspense. While this latest release is the second installment in the Frontiers of the Heart series, it can be read a standalone.
Georgiana Bee Blunt needs a husband to safely escort her and her children to California. After placing an ad in the newspaper, she is overwhelmed with prospects who do not quite live up to her standards. However, rugged frontiersman Matt Slater is just the type of man she is looking for but he is not in the market for a wife. When Georgiana's past unexpectedly catches up with her, Matt gallantly comes to her rescue. Matt reluctantly agrees to pretend to be engaged to her in order to protect her and her kids as they travel halfway across the country. With a smoldering hot attraction burning brightly between them, will Georgiana and Matt's fake relationship turn into a lasting romance?
Georgiana is definitely in a tight spot and despite her pampered past, she is now virtually penniless and desperate to get to California. She has not spent much time with her hellion children and she is floundering in her attempts to keep them under control. She has plenty of gumption but her now deceased husband, Leonard, left her in a precarious situation that Georgiana is desperate to rectify.
Matt is a reluctant hero who very chivalrously sets aside his qualms to help Georgiana travel safely to California. He is kind-hearted, compassionate and treats everyone with respect. Despite his awkwardness with Georgiana, Matt is surprisingly at ease with her children and he deftly reins them without much trouble.
Although Matt and Georgiana's romance is an enjoyable addition to the Frontiers of the Heart series, Bound for Sin has a slow moving and somewhat predictable storyline. Like many historical romances, villains abound and Georgiana is a bit of a damsel in distress. But in a refreshing change of pace, Matt might be a little shy but he proves to be very protective of the charges in his care. Georgiana's children are rambunctious and their antics are quite humorous. With one final twist, Tess LeSue brings the novel to a somewhat abrupt but satisfying conclusion.
Georgiana Bee Blunt needs a husband to safely escort her and her children to California. After placing an ad in the newspaper, she is overwhelmed with prospects who do not quite live up to her standards. However, rugged frontiersman Matt Slater is just the type of man she is looking for but he is not in the market for a wife. When Georgiana's past unexpectedly catches up with her, Matt gallantly comes to her rescue. Matt reluctantly agrees to pretend to be engaged to her in order to protect her and her kids as they travel halfway across the country. With a smoldering hot attraction burning brightly between them, will Georgiana and Matt's fake relationship turn into a lasting romance?
Georgiana is definitely in a tight spot and despite her pampered past, she is now virtually penniless and desperate to get to California. She has not spent much time with her hellion children and she is floundering in her attempts to keep them under control. She has plenty of gumption but her now deceased husband, Leonard, left her in a precarious situation that Georgiana is desperate to rectify.
Matt is a reluctant hero who very chivalrously sets aside his qualms to help Georgiana travel safely to California. He is kind-hearted, compassionate and treats everyone with respect. Despite his awkwardness with Georgiana, Matt is surprisingly at ease with her children and he deftly reins them without much trouble.
Although Matt and Georgiana's romance is an enjoyable addition to the Frontiers of the Heart series, Bound for Sin has a slow moving and somewhat predictable storyline. Like many historical romances, villains abound and Georgiana is a bit of a damsel in distress. But in a refreshing change of pace, Matt might be a little shy but he proves to be very protective of the charges in his care. Georgiana's children are rambunctious and their antics are quite humorous. With one final twist, Tess LeSue brings the novel to a somewhat abrupt but satisfying conclusion.
January 23, 2019
When Georgiana Bee Blunt advertises for a husband, she's not looking for a handsome man, or a smart man, or a charming man. What she wants is a brute. A no-nonsense, capable backwoodsman who won't trouble her with talk of love; she just wants someone to get her and her fatherless children safely to California. Matt Slater seems to fit the bill perfectly. The only problem is he doesn't want a wife. Well, not the only problem...Truth be told, Georgiana has more problems than she knows what to do with. Left holding a gold claim by her not-so-dearly departed husband, Georgina finds her eldest son held ransom by the sinister Hec Boehm and his henchmen, and herself facing a journey of more than two thousand miles to rescue him. With four children in tow. And no nanny. All Matt Slater wants is to be left alone. He's spent most his life on his lonesome in the wilderness, and he's comfortable that way. But then a widow with big blue eyes and the tenacity of a buffalo turns his entire life upside down, and before he knows it, he's playing caretaker to a pack of kids...and trying not to succumb to their mother's charms.
December 15, 2018
Lesue doesn’t mince words. She tells a good, fully fleshed out story, but she doesn’t pretty up the parts that where the characters would have some grit. She startled me a bit in BOUND FOR EDEN with repeated usage of the word “whore”. Likewise, in BOUND FOR SIN, Matt’s use of “ain’t” was at first a bit jarring. But the words are accurate for the time in the old west.
She adds some humor courtesy of Deathrider with his opinions and often cantankerous personality. While at points she gives Deathrider and the Indians in the story the appearance of being dumb or ignorant, for the most part their scenes are well done.
Lesue builds the romance slowly—she doesn’t have the couple falling in love and in bed by chapter two. She builds the tension between the couple and for the reader. When a character I liked died I was about ready to put the book aside, especially when reading about the depth of despair and depression felt by some of the other characters. Advice to the reader…keep reading. Lesue redeems herself with a well done twist.
November 8, 2019
Call it two and a half. I like a good Oregon/California trail story, and this delivered, but some aspects just didn't work for me. Like the virgin hero who just never felt very comfortable around women--except the heroine, who gets him incoherently horny within seconds. Like the multiple mentions of the heroine's full, high breasts--except she's given birth to five children, so that defies all gravity and logic. Like the obstacle that magically appeared in the last thirty pages to add an extra dollop of anguish, because the plot hasn't given them enough to deal with already.
I will say that the apparent loss of Wilby, and Georgiana and Matt and the others children's grief over it, was both emotionally wrenching and done well. Grief hits everyone differently, as does the urge to blame someone/yourself, and the path out of it is different for everyone as well.
I will say that the apparent loss of Wilby, and Georgiana and Matt and the others children's grief over it, was both emotionally wrenching and done well. Grief hits everyone differently, as does the urge to blame someone/yourself, and the path out of it is different for everyone as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2019
Entertaining premise, well-developed characters, pretty good setting. The pacing through the first part of the book is quick and interesting, but I felt like the second half of the book was very uneven, and dragged between several interesting twists and high points of action. It seemed like there was a lack of trouble on the trail with one exception, and I thought that there would be many more difficulties on that trail, as most fiction surrounding the Oregon Trail has a much higher level of struggle and danger incorporated into the trailer.
Overall an enjoyable read, and except for the length, I would be interested in reading the other books in the series as well.
Overall an enjoyable read, and except for the length, I would be interested in reading the other books in the series as well.
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