Book Review: Mail Order Baron

About the Book

When her parents died, Molly McGregor did what she needed to survive in New York City all alone. She took a job for a well respected banker, but made a discovery that put her life in danger. Now in 1882 she is fleeing New York for the western frontier, Molly makes the desperate decision to become a mail order bride in Tombstone, Arizona Territory. She doesn't hope for much, just that her new husband will be strong enough to protect her from the danger she fears will follow. 

Ben King was too busy making his fortune in silver to worry about a wife or family. Now he's rich, well known, owns half the town of Tombstone, and is utterly alone. When his heart becomes entangled with his best friend's new wife, he decides drastic action is required and contracts a mail order bride. He requests someone plain, someone simple to warm his hearth and home, someone he can be sure won't rouse his passion or complicate his life. He's tired of fancy women chasing him for his money, and even more tired of hoping any woman could be different. He doesn't believe in true love, and doesn't want the complications that would come with it. He doesn't have time for complicated. He has an empire to run. 

But Molly is a shock to his senses. She doesn't care about his money or his fame. All she wants from him is a safe haven, security, and a new last name. Ben tries to keep his heart out of danger, but danger seems to be Molly's middle name. When a rich and powerful enemy chases his beautiful new bride halfway across the country to extract vengeance, Ben discovers his heart is not nearly as cold as he'd hoped. Their passion fires hot, hot enough to kill...more than hot enough to burn them both. 

My Comments:

There is a phrase that I had never heard before a few years ago: "it is what it is" and that phrase sums up this book perfectly.  Believe it or not, I read books that aren't reviewed here--most of them are self-published romances I pick up free or for relatively little on Amazon.  Mail Order Baron  is the third in a series of books about mail order brides who end up in Tombstone Arizona.  The first is free; this one is $2.99.  Like most of those other low-priced romances, this one wasn't a bad little story.  However, it was a bit on the unrealistic side.  She became a mail-order bride because she was running for her life--but then ditches a bodyguard and meets up with her nemesis in an empty house far from eveyone, but not before leaving a note telling her husband where he can find her.   He ordered a mail-order bride because he wanted someone who wanted him, not his money--but he was carrying a flame for his best friend's wife.  He avoids her except in the bedroom but then ends up falling for her anyway.

The book includes bedroom scenes and they are moderately graphic.

As I initially said, the book is what it is.  If you like those cheap series romances that are all over Amazon, this is as good as any, but that is all this is.  Grade:  B-