The Outlaw Groom [Mass Market Paperback]

Pat Pritchard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2005

Seems like every female in Lee's Mill, Missouri, is married or about to be - but Cora Lawford doesn't even have a beau. Not for long...the young schoolteacher's pretty face and figure - and her independent spirit - are much admired by Luke Gibson, a new man in town who has all the women shispering. Luke is dogged by rumours, and it's said that he went to prison for a crime he won't explain. His troubled past - and a good-for-nothing brother - are about to catch up with him. But Cora is certain Luke is innocent. No matter what the gossips say, they belong together, come hell or high water...and her heart will be his forever...

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

After living with her strict but loving aunt Henrietta, Cora Lawford is ready for a place of her own. Even though her new home is a bit far from town, Cora loves it, and she soon has new neighbors when the Gibson brothers, Luke and Jack, return to Lee's Mill. After serving five years in prison for murder, all Luke wants is a chance to rebuild his life and restore his family's farm, but he is still haunted by his memories of the war and troubled by his younger brother Jack's frequent disappearances and possible involvement with a band of night riders. Right now Luke doesn't need any more complications in his life, and he believes getting involved with a sweet, innocent young woman like Cora would be nothing but complicated. Pritchard returns to the town of Lee's Mill, Missouri, the setting for two of her previous post-Civil War western historicals, and her beautifully spare writing nicely compliments this richly poignant tale of love and redemption. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"A strong western and a lovely holiday story all rolled into one. Pat Pritchard has written a love story to capture your heart."

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zebra Books (January 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821777912
• ISBN-13: 978-0821777916
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,923,599 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book and a wonderful, brooding hero, November 16, 2008

By 

Jackie (Pawleys Island, SC, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Outlaw Groom (Mass Market Paperback)

I don't usually enjoy American historicals, but I picked this one up on a whim and it turned out to be a good decision. I read it in one day, because I didn't want to put it down.

This is the third book in a series about a group of women in a small Missouri town who form bonds through a society for their enrichment and, one by one, fall in love and marry. I went back and read the other two after finishing this one, but this was by far my favorite.

Cora is the youngest member of the Luminary Society. Having just turned 21 and come into her inheritance, she's finally moved out from under the watchful eye of her strict and sometimes overbearing aunt, and built a house on the outside of town. She loves having her independence, but her friends worry about her being so far away without any close neighbors, especially after a band of outlaws moves into the area.

Cora is working at her friend Lucy's store when she gets her first look at Luke Gibson, her new neighbor. He just moved back to town with his brother, Jack, after spending five years in prison for murder (He is guilty, but under the circumstances, it's hard to blame him). Before his conviction, he fought in the War between the States and now he just wants to restore the family farm and rebuild his life.

The sparks between Cora and Luke are immediate, but he doesn't think he has anything to offer her, so he tries to scare her away. But living so close to each other, it's impossible for them not to see each other, especially when Cora keeps landing herself in trouble and Luke can't stop himself from running to her rescue.

Luke is a great tortured hero and, though he's at times harsh with Cora, he's gentle when it matters and always there when she needs him. It's obvious he's really a good man at heart. Cora's been sheltered most of her life, but she's far from being stupid or weak. It's her impulsiveness that gets her into trouble. Luckily, she's also persistent, because it take a lot of effort to convince Luke she doesn't care about his past and is strong enough to help him fight his demons.

This one goes on my keeper shelf.

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a keeper!!, April 21, 2010

By 

Haley "Mama to 3 boys" (Roll Tide) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Outlaw Groom (Mass Market Paperback)

I had never read anything by this author, but I absolutly loved this book. Very hard to put down. Luke and Cora had a very strong attraction that Luke fought through most of book. He was having a hard time fighting his own demons in his mind, and learning to live again. Cora has such a strong willed, independant nature that you admire. And full of spunk. The book is very well written, it keeps your attention. I felt like a was there and could see and hear everything the characters did, and not all authors can do that. Jack was a nice addition because he brought some adventure. You will fall in love with several different characters. I like books that don't have the H and h becoming intimate right off. You are able to see the tension build with Luke and Cora before the relationship turns intimate. The sexual content is well written. The sex scene is near the end and a great part of the book. I would recommend this book and I will reread it myself:)

5.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed this book.., January 23, 2010

By 

Gina Bennett - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Outlaw Groom (Mass Market Paperback)

This was a good book.I felt bad for Luke because he thought he wasnt good enough for Cora.But he was perfect for her.