Arriving from Arkansas

The Pioneer Brides of Rattlesnake Ridge, Book 1

By: Elisa Keyston

Narrated by: Alexandra Bitton-Bailey

Will this couple’s secrets cause them to miss their chance at a happily-ever-after?

Josephine Lane arrived in Rattlesnake Ridge under false pretenses. As far as the townspeople know, she’s simply the new cook for the local boarding house. Nobody has to know the secret her late uncle shared with her before his death or how that same secret could make her the wealthiest person in the state of Nevada.

Jim Griffin works hard as a foreman at the local lumber mill. He also works hard to keep his real identity as an undercover lawman hidden as he closes in on his brother’s murderer. When the killer gets close, the last thing Jim needs is a distraction–especially the pretty blonde cook at the boarding house.

Jim and Josie’s separate secrets just might bring them closer than either could have predicted. But will they be able to resist falling in love when so much is already at stake for the both of them?

©2023 Elisa Keyston (P)2024 Elisa Keyston

A bit of mystery, a bit of romance

The FMC applies to a job as a cook for a boardinghouse despite not being able to cook well. Her secret reason is that her uncle has a gold chain nearby that she I'd trying to find as his heir. In the meantime, the MMC is in town, undercover, searching for his brother's killer. The two of them meet and are drawn to each other but are both hesitant to give into their attraction knowing they are both in town under false pretenses. This story focuses more on both of their secret goals and how each of them pursue their goals and how their goals end up intertwined together. Despite the real lack of interaction for their romance, the story is so well written that the result is still satisfactory and the listener doesn't miss the lack of relationship development. the story is clean and ends in a HEA. The narrator did a great job narrating.

Entertaining!

This is the first book in The Pioneer Brides of Rattlesnake Ridge. Josephine and Jim's story is entertaining, and heartwarming, filled with mystery, secrets, danger, and twists and turns. I liked the little suspense in the story. Alexandra Bitton-Bailey did a great job bringing this story to life. Looking forward to more in the series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Arriving from Arkansas!

This is my first story by this author and would love to read more from this one. This is a historical romance set in the Pioneer days of the west. It is a delightful read/listen that is heartwarming and fun. The story is about Jim and Josie, who meet on their way out west. Both have their secrets but are drawn to each other. As their story unfolds the secrets are revealed. This story is sweet and clean with mystery, suspense, danger, secrets and more. The narration of this story was really good. The narrator did a good job brining the characters and their story to life.

Hidden Treasure and Justice

I found this book charming. The couple meet on their way to remote Rattlesnake Ridge, where she is about to start a new life as a cook and he is undercover trying to solve a murder. He's actually a lawman, but the particular murder he is trying to get justice for is much more personal. Both have secrets the reader is aware of but that they don’t divulge to each other for a while—which actually not only imperils their personal safety but also their potential for romance. As often happens in historical Western romances, the story includes elements of hidden treasure and danger! The hero is totally swoonworthy and very protective of the heroine. I found it laughable how the heroine attempts to start her new life as a cook, as she couldn't cook to save her soul! Luckily, she has a patient boss. An enjoyable story with well-drawn characters.