The Outlaw Bride [Mass Market Paperback]

Josie thinks that Sims looks like "a dark angel who'd been shot out of the sky." Fiercely protective of her charge, Josie refuses to allow him to be carried to town and to jail. Despite what others believe, Josie believes that Sims is no outlaw. The daughter of a prostitute, Josie knows plenty about what men and women do together, and hold no desire to ever allow a man to cause her to loose control. But she smells of soap and sunshine, and despite his best intentions, Sims cannot resist the spitfire of a woman who's determined to provide legal representation.

Sims and his brother Ben disappeared along with a saddlebag of money that was supposed to pay for a herd of cattle. When Bear Claw found Sims, he was near death. Ben wasn't found at all. If Ben doesn't turn up and the money for the cattle is gone, they will loose the ranch. Without the new cattle or the money they had contributed to buy them, all the ranchers that contributed will be foreclosed upon. Further, those ranchers will want to lynch Sims despite Josie's lawyering skills.

As a new comer to Sandra Chastain's work, I find THE OUTLAW BRIDE delightful. The spunky heroine counterbalanced by the dangerous hero provides highly entertaining reading. Josie doesn't believe she's a lady any more than Sims believes that he's a gentleman. But together they are provocative, feisty, and great fun! Very highly recommended.

Josie Miller is a lawyer, nearly a doctor, and yet considers herself to be a bit of a fraud. Orphaned at a young age, she learned to pick pockets and locks to stay alive. Her outlaw past still haunts her. When adopted by Dan and Dr. Annie, Josie finds love and a secure home in Wyoming, but never believes that she is the lady they want her to be.

Sims Callahan is brought to Josie's house wounded and near death. Even though Dr. Annie is out of town, Josie is determined to save the mysterious stranger who looks more like an outlaw than a victim. Sims is badly injured and nearly dies, but Josie is able to bring him back from the brink of death. When he comes to, however, he finds himself accused of theft and on his way to prison. That's when his lady doctor becomes his lady lawyer, and Callahan wants her to be so much more.

Sandra has created bold, vibrant characters living in a rugged time. Josie is an interesting heroine, full of independence and righteous indignation on behalf of the downtrodden and persecuted, especially women. Sims is an enigma, just on the edge of the law, whose heart is in the right place but who has responsibilities and shadows from the past coloring his actions and decisions. These two people set off sparks from the moment they meet. They are intellectually well-matched and there is some wonderful dialogue between them. The secondary characters add a nice dimension to the story and are very believable.

If you are a fan of western historicals or of Sandra's many previous books, be sure you don't miss The Outlaw Bride.

After being ambushed, outlaw Sims Callahan is near death when he worries about his brother Ben. An Indian, Bear Claw, feeling he owes his life to the whites, rescues Sims by taking him to the Miller ranch, home of Dr. Annie and her spouse who are in New York. Josie also resides at the ranch and using the skills Dr. Annie taught her, works to heal the patient. As Sims recovers, he convinces Josie that neither he nor his brother are cattle rustlers. Meanwhile Ben heals under the care of Rachel. As the two couples fall in love, Josie sets out to prove the innocence of her man and his brother.

The OUTLAW BRIDE just proves that nobody does a western romance better than the incredible Sandra Chastain. The thrilling story line is packed yet not overloaded with action, romance, and a touch of mystery. Ms. Chastain not only provides an authentic taste for the late nineteenth century Wyoming Territory, but she uses her fully developed characters such as the romantic couples and secondary players like Judge Carl McSparren to accomplish this feat. This winning tale will send sub-genre fans seeking the tremendous previous story, THE RUNAWAY BRIDE.

Harriet Klausner