Nora: Historical Western Romance Brides of the Oregon Trail Book 9
Western Romance
Firehouse Publishing
July 1, 2021
143
Wed one of her father’s lecherous old cronies or flee. Those are the only options for Nora Jones. Refusing to be a pawn, she escapes in the night, running for her life. Her freedom.
Ben Taylor is no stranger to a fight. An honorable man, he’s still a rough, tough cowboy who gets into plenty of trouble. When caught in a compromising situation, albeit an innocent one, Ben does the first thing that comes to mind – marry the lady in distress.
Sparks fly in 1855 in the Willamette Valley in the Oregon Territory as Nora and Ben fall unexpectedly in love, but no one can outrun their past forever. When danger comes calling, will Ben be able to protect Nora, or will they all go down in flames?
***Note. This book features Rebecca's brother Ben as the hero. Some of the set up of the book is similar to Rebecca, Book 5 of the series.
Reviewed by Linda Tonis
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
Another visit to the old West this time 1853, Independence, Missouri. A wagon train is travelling to Oregon City filled with mail-order brides and some families. The trip will take six months and that is the time that Ben Taylor hopes to win Nora Jones’ heart.
Nora ran from her father who was determined to marry her off to one of the two wealthy neighbors who just happened to be old enough to be her father. While travelling Ben tries to convince Nora that she should marry him and not the lumberjack, Seth Haller she is engaged to. Nora has feelings for Ben but would never do something so mean and after six months with the wagon train she meets and marries Seth.
After a year of marriage and pregnant with their first child Seth is killed in an accident leaving her alone with a baby coming. The men at the camp got money together for her which she used to buy a sewing machine, rent a place for her dress shop and live with her newborn son in the back. Nora’s shop is a success and after two years Ben shows up at her doorstep. He has never married and has never forgotten Nora. Nora loved Seth but she knew that her first love was Ben, but had she not married Seth she wouldn’t now have her precious son.
Ben wants to court Nora but a misunderstanding with his best friend Jonah makes him do a very stupid thing. Jonah is going to marry a woman from the dress shop who is pregnant and Ben’s temper kicks in. He rushes over, grabs Nora and kisses her, remember this is 1853 and a kiss is not just a kiss it is reason enough to marry especially if the town gossip sees you. Ben got his wish after all he marries Nora in spite of the fact that she hates him for forcing the marriage on her.
Married and raising her young son together Ben tries to make up for what he did while Nora refuses to consummate the marriage and forgive him. In time Ben’s kindness wins her over but trouble is knocking on the door and it is Seth’s mother, a woman he ran from and now a woman determined to get her grandson and raise him. Nora has a fight on her hands but Ben will not let her fight alone, he will protect his son and wife no matter what it takes and no matter what he has to do.
Another wonderful story by Ms. Woolf, a story of love and family and just enough drama to keep you glued to the pages.