Skipping to the back of the book is an introduction to Linda Broday which made me understand why I just loved TEXAS MAIL ORDER BRIDE. Broday is a western aficionada -- a cowboy buff just like me. Simply put Broday likes anyone in Stetsons and boots -- well as long as they are on the right side of the law. Here's where it gets murky in TEXAS MAIL ORDER BRIDE -- it's a story about people with pasts. True everyone has a past. Some of us hide from it, others embrace it and still others let it determine our future. So if you are thinking TEXAS MAIL ORDER BRIDE is a run of the mill tale of a woman on a mission to get married -- you better think again.

Delta was hungry -- hungry to find a place to belong -- a place where she was no longer invisible. She was alone and was looking for a chance to have someone to belong to. Answering the ad for a mail order bride seemed the answer to her prayers. Battle Creek is actually just the place for someone like Delta. It is the most welcoming town you could find where for the most part Delta was greeted with open arms. Heaven in Texas.

But the intended bridegroom was in for a surprise. Cooper absolutely did not put in that ad and he had not had any communications with any one answering it. Cooper and his two brothers were members of a group they organized called the Battle Creek Bachelors. Kind of tells it all.

Needless to say their first encounter did not bode well. So Delta quickly realized with her meager purse she needed a job if she intended to stay on in Battle Creek while she considered her sketchy options. Single woman in the old west had few real choices. They became spinsters, brides or bar room ladies. And yet Delta saw many opportunities in Battle Creek which was worse for wear and truly needing a woman's touch.

The woman of Battle Creek were no shrinking violets but they needed leadership and a push in the right direction to get their little town to prosper. Delta had the challenge she needed and with the ladies help she hoped to make this little town her new home -- married or not.

The town became hers -- Delta found herself watching it as if it was the most prized possession. Perhaps it was for a woman who had absolutely nothing and no one.

The last thing Delta really expected was to have any sort of relationship with Cooper -- who vehemently denied any part in the mail order business. But Cooper was enthralled with this sassy woman who stood up to him like no one else seemed to dare. Each confrontation actually increased his pride and if he was being honest with himself -- attraction to this newcomer.

Delta was becoming dear to many of the townspeople because of her kindness and honesty. Cooper's brothers were also getting close to this at times infuriating woman. This did not sit well with Cooper who could not understand these feelings. His plans did not include marriage. He was not marriage material. In his opinion his past did not make him a suitable mate for anyone much less a gracious intelligent woman like Delta.

But just as the town had already accepted Delta as one of their own -- Cooper was beginning to feel somewhat possessive. And when danger visited their little town Cooper realized all bets were off when it came to keeping Delta safe. He might not want to marry her -- but she was his all the same.

Don't you just love big strong rugged cowboys. Linda Broday and I obviously share a great fondness for them. TEXAS MAIL ORDER BRIDE is a great story about growth, pride, love and care. This is book one of the Bachelors of Battle Creek series. In TEXAS MAIL ORDER BRIDE we get to meet Cooper's brothers along with several other bachelors. Broday gave us just enough to whet our appetite to get to know these men a lot better. The men are hot and sexy and the women are sassy. All the ingredients for a fine new series.

Book Summary

"So beautiful. You make it impossible to think." He pulled her against him and found her mouth. "You don't know how long I've wanted to do this."

When he let her up for air, she whispered as though she couldn't trust her voice, "Is this another Texas custom?"

"Absolutely," he growled. "Welcome to Texas."

Rancher Cooper Thorne thinks his life is finally on an even keel-until Delta Dandridge steps off the stagecoach and claims she's his mail order bride. Brash and quick- witted, the meddling Southern Belle is everything Cooper thought he never wanted...and everything his heart is telling him he needs.

But Cooper swore long ago that he'd never marry, and he aims to keep his word, especially now that the demons from his past have returned to threaten everything-and everyone-he holds dear...

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