The Bride of Johnny McAllister

The Western Sky #1

by Lori Copeland

Unjustly accused of a crime, drifter Johnny McAllister serves his year-long prison sentence vowing revenge upon his release, but when local temptress Ragan Ramsey catches his eye, Johnny begins to have settling-down dreams. Original.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Westerns, Historical Fiction, Historical, Christian Romance, Christian

377 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published January 1, 1999

About the author

Lori Copeland was born on 12 June 1941. She had a relatively late start in writing, breaking into publishing in 1982 when she was already forty years old. Over the next dozen years, her romance novels achieved much success, as was evidenced by her winning the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, The Holt Medallion, and Walden Books' Best Seller award. She has been inducted into the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame.

Despite her success in more mainstream romantic fiction, in 1995, she decided to switch focus. Her subsequent books have been in the relatively new subgenre of Christian romance. She has also collaborated with authors Angela Elwell Hunt or Virginia Smith on a series of Christian romance novels.

Lori and her husband of over forty years, Lance, live in Springfield, Missouri, surrounded by the beautiful Ozarks. They have three grown sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. She and her husband are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa.

Reviews

[Robin Tobin (On the back porch reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old fashioned western read.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outlaw's Bride was an enjoyable book in many ways. I loved the characters, and thought their stories were really interesting. What happened to them during the story kept me turning pages. How they came to be in their respective circumstances was also tackled in a way I hadn't read before. The interaction between the hero/heroine and villain was well done. I felt like there was definite closure. This book gave me the feeling that while it ended on a positive note, there was still enough reality in the tale to know that HEA is in the mind of the beholder and life, though full of struggles, can be much improved when we have someone by our side to love, help, support, and encourage us.
I almost gave it four stars but since I would definitely read it again if possible, I upped by rating. This book would be enjoyable, I think, for any reader who likes historical romance, western romance, inspirational romance, and/or clean reads.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was a little different from your usual "damsel in distress", but there wasn't enough character development or enough development of the relationship between the main characters. When I read a romance, it either needs to make me want to say "Awwww!" or fan myself a little (but not because it's indecent). This one didn't do either. It moved a little slowly in places, but also had a few funny places that made me laugh out loud. My grade would be C+.

[Breanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay, but it kind-of irritated me. The romance was kind-of inconsistent and the end felt a bit abrupt. There was something that was left unresolved and it annoyed me a bit.

[Sara ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute. The main characters were lovely and I'm glad they got together in the end. The thing I had a problem with was the town they live in. This town was, for some reason, over-run by bandits, basically. They kept riding through and shooting up the town. And OMG, the people were just STUPID and COWARDLY. It was completely over-the-top and really annoying how they tried to deal with the issue. Either stand up for yourself or quit and move somewhere else. But to be stubborn enough to want to stay (endangering yourself and your family), but not be willing to do anything about the bad guys (because it wouldn't be safe to confront them)???? *HUGE EYE ROLL*

So yeah. Not terribly strong, plot-wise. Just another example of how Christian publishers don't hold their writers up to high enough standards.... In other words, it's not good enough to have a cute religious plot. You ALSO need to have a strong, tight story without a bunch of plot holes. Come on, Harvest House. Do better! Your authors "can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [them]"*! Like write GREAT books.

* (Philippians 4:13)

[Gwen Hopkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book strayed from reality too much for me.

I could not visualize some of the circumstances and behavior of people at times. It did relate real emotions of the characters. The characters were likeable.

[Julynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked the book and hope the whole series is good!

[Kellie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this was a terrible book. The writing is not very good. The story is inconsistent, rushed and with no fluidity. I will not be reading the other in the series

[Em Witteveen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feel good harlequin romance.

[Dorothy J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action, rehab and love

Johnny is transformed from a hurting hard shelled person back to being able to receive and give love. His trust in God is restored.

[Betz]

Really Boring

[Dawn Brinks]

Great book, short chapters, hard to put down.

[Abi Kortum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second or third time I’ve read it. Still a cute story of forgiveness and love.

[Jenn H · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Mum · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting story but the plotting seemed forced. I think one was enough.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a bit slow going for me at first, but ended up being an enjoyable read.

[Beth Crites-Gohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a little corny for me.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book! Good story and I liked all the characters. Looking forward to reading the next one!

[Linda Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outlaw’s Bride is a delightful story of love and laughter. When Ragan and her employer, Judge McMann, decide to take on the responsibility of rehabilitating outlaws, she doesn’t realize that one certain outlaw is going to touch her heart. There is something about Johnny that doesn’t quite make sense and she becomes more and more curious about his past. Why won’t he talk about himself? Why is he so quiet? Is he really guilty of robbing a bank or is he innocent? Whatever the answers are to these questions, she knows without a doubt that there’s an underlying interest between one another. She can feel it and so can he.

Lori writes:
He couldn’t get involved with her, tempting as the idea might be, but she didn’t make it easy. With every passing hour it was harder to ignore her.
“Can’t we just be friends?” asked Ragan.
His tone gentled. If things were different – “I’m not in any position to be a friend or anything else to you. I’m a prisoner, Ragan. I’m here to serve a sentence.”
“Fine. You have my permission to kiss me.”
“Kiss you!” He groaned when she lifted her mouth to his. “This is exactly what I’m talking about. We cannot be friends or personally involved.”
“I didn’t ask for lifetime commitment. I asked for a gentleman’s kiss.”
“I am not a gentleman.”
“Stop talking and kiss me.”

Well, did Johnny give in and kiss her? You’ll have to read the book and see. Lori Copeland has the most witty and unusual ways of making you laugh. Just by adding a playful kitty to the story helps to bring about a lot of humor to this story. And of course, she adds some “nutty” characters, just for a bit of laughter.

Reviewed by Linda Weaver Clarke, author of the historical romance series, A Family Saga in Bear lake, Idaho.

[Tamara Tilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lori Copeland, known for her romantic westerns, does not disappoint with OUTLAW'S BRIDE. Originally entitled The Bride for Johnny McAllister when released in 1999, OUTLAW'S BRIDE is an enjoyable read with characters that are warm and truly likable.

When wrongly accused of bank robbery, Johnny McAllister is spared hanging and instead sentenced to a rehabilitation program at the home of Judge McMann. Johnny is more than willing to work off his sentence so that he can accomplish his goal - kill Dirk Bledso, the man who murdered his family.

Ragan Ramsey, the judge's housekeeper is both intrigued and frustrated by Johnny's arrival. His sullen, closed-off attitude is bothersome, as well as the attraction she feels towards him. She knows she has no business feeling the way she does for Johnny. He's a criminal after all . . . or is he?

Johnny has only known hate and revenge for sixteen years, but will he be able to put it aside and allow himself to find love and acceptance with Ragan and the people of Barren Flats?

An easy read, OUTLAW'S BRIDE is sure to please those of you who enjoy the open west, the adventure that comes with it and a romance that makes you smile and sigh with satisfaction.

[Annalisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining good clean Western read with romance. The author is definitely religious but this book is not "preachy". I am looking forward to reading others in the Western Sky Series though it doesn't appear that they intertwine at all. This is listed as the first but I don't really think it matters what order you read them in.

Amazon Product Description:
Falsely convicted of bank robbery, drifter Johnny McAllister is sent to a rehabilitation program in the home of a California judge. When he goes to Judge McMann’s home, his aim is to be a model prisoner, hoping to be released early and return to his life's mission: to kill the man who wiped out his family 15 years before. He’s planned for everything…except his encounter with Ragan, the beautiful and kind housekeeper, and with the generous folks of Barren Flats. But can Johnny let go of his anger and embrace a new life? One that would include Ragan as his bride?

This tender story reveals how even the hard law of the land doesn’t stand a chance when God’s mercy and true love come to reside in a heart.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book by Lori Copeland that I've read. I really enjoyed it. The romance was delightful and even a bit yummy in some places, though there was one spot where I was like, "Huh? She did not just do that!" But overall I'd recommend it because honestly it held my attention better than most historical westerns do, and it did ring true for the most part. The characters were engaging and very well developed. The spiritual lessons learned made this a worthwhile read, too. I grew very fond of the hero and heroine by book's end. Outlaw's Bride made me chuckle and smile. But most importantly I felt that satisfied "ahhh..." at the end, which for me is essential for a romance to be considered truly romantic.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how LOVE and happiness ALWAYS prevail...now only if that were true in real life!!!

Old time romances are so sweet and true. Not caught up in all the drama and emotion that relationships are today...how great would it be to go back in time and be truly courted so you can truly see the man's intentions

[Tressa (Wishful Endings) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the second book of this series, so I had high hopes for this book. It fell short. It was still a good book. There were just some things that were mentioned in the book, but never developed. Also, the gang who supposedly was after Johnny showed up so randomly it didn't really make sense to me.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally loved this book... I loved how everyone though Johnny was a bad person, but Regan has faith in him and knew he was innocent and a great man... Truly wrote in a great manner to keep you wondering and hoping...
loved the ending that they got married, and that she stood by him through everything a wonderful book....

[Susan Mabus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outlaw's Bride
I thought this book was a good story. And I liked it because of the romance story between the couple in this story.

[Teya Teya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was a quick read, gripping and sweet. Not really intense however it held my attention cause I wanted to know what about what happened. So a really well written good book. Very clean.

[puppitypup · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christian Romance Read earlier this year. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book, since Christian Romances are generally on the dull side. The characters are genuinely likeable and the story is enjoyable.

[Ella · Rating 1 out of 5]

didn't finish. trashy. must have been before Lori became a christian. Too bad, loved the beginning.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a quick and good read. It was pretty funny in a couple of parts. It's a simple little romance set in the "old west".