Kisses in Keystone

Seven Brides of South Dakota, Book 2

By: Kari Trumbo

Narrated by: Meghan Kelly

Hattie Arnsby’s been a slave to men and whiskey for the last year. She’s drowned herself in drink to avoid her life at the Red Garter Saloon in Keystone, SD. When a handsome deputy finds her after a year of searching, she finally sees a sliver of hope.

Hugh Bradley is deputized to find Hattie and bring her home, but her captors aren’t ready to set her free. He must help her be rid of the drink and the binds of the brothel.

But when Hattie’s handed temptation, will she run back to her past or embrace the love growing between them?

Kisses in Keystone, the second-chance novel in the Seven Brides of South Dakota series by Kari Trumbo, combines romance, history, action, and faith into a story you won’t want to put down.

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©2018 Kari Trumbo (P)2018 Kari Trumbo

HUGH AND HATTIE—BY THE GRACE OF GOD

The second story in the Seven Brides of South Dakota will have Hugh Bradley, sent by the Arnsby family to locate Hattie. Hattie has been missing for about a year, and Sheriff Seth Bullock has deputized Hugh. The journey will bring him to Keystone to find a strung-out, emancipated Hattie. While he can get her out of the Red Garter, they must remain in Keystone until her status is handled.

Hattie Arnsby left her family's safety for a pipe dream, with faith that Roy was going to save her and marry her—but that dream quickly became a nightmare. He used her, then sold her to Ros at the Red Garter, and that is where Hugh will find her. Now they need to wait for a circuit judge to decide if she was coerced? Did she sign a document? And what will the future hold?

"He tricked me. He told me he cared. I don't want to be here anymore. I am Hattie Arnsby. Take me home, whoever you are."

"Good to find you, Miss Arnsby. Sorry it took me so long. I'm Hugh Bradly, and I'll get you out of her as quickly as I can."

I loved the dialog, characters, interaction, and realism of this tale. It has the good, the bad, and the ugly of life and people—but it also offers hope and a future with patience. The story is a clean, godly-based historical western without curse words or intimate scenes. It does have a happy ending and can read well as a stand-alone

The story was an emotional roller coaster ride as we listened to the audiobook. The author, Ms. Kari Trumbo, brings her characters to life and allows the reader or listener to become immersed in this tale. Both my husband and I talked about how sad it was that another human could do vile things to another person. Hattie wanted love and freedom and instead found abuse and prison. Forced to be a prostitute and staying so drunk she could escape from the pain of her life. But, this story is about perseverance, acceptance, not judging, learning to trust, learning that God never leaves us, and even when we think He has abandoned us, it is, in fact, us who has turned away from Him. When calling upon God, and listening to His voice, and following His lead, that salvation is given. This is one of the highs in this story.

"How can I believe in a God that ignores those who need Him most?"

Several people will play critical roles in helping Hattie see that God is there for everyone, and even when you doubt, He still loves you. Ezzy, the seamstress, Hugh Bradley, and several others will gently talk to Hattie about God and His love—and when Hattie listens and trusts, God directs her too.

"All right. You have my attention, God. The last two times I've wanted to give up, you presented a way of escape. I heard you tell me to jump, now what?"

Hugh and Hattie will both be challenged—when Sheriff Bullock and the Arnsby family can't come to Keystone—the telegram tells him to marry her—to protect her. Why would Hattie want to be forced to marry a stranger? Will God open Hugh's eyes to His word? Will Ezzy help Hattie see that she is more than a calico queen and has a chance for a future with Hugh? Will a wedding gown matter what color it is—or is finding a man who loves you no matter what has happened the happily ever after part?

"You wear whatever dress you want to wear. A wedding is one special day, a marriage is a lifetime."

Overcoming Addiction & Finding Self-Worth Again

Hattie’s addiction to alcohol and being charmed by the lying self-serving pimp who sold her into enforced prostitution caused her to fall deeper into despair and more dependent on alcohol to deal with a brutal life where she was starved, beaten, and used by men on a daily basis. Hugh was sent by her family to find and bring her home. But after all she’s been though and how people treat her Hattie doesn’t feel worthy to be part of her family anymore. She also lets her craving for alcohol cause her to wonder if she should just give up and go back to a hated but known life as a prostitute. This story was heart wrenching as Hattie had to learn to love herself again and believe that she was worthy of a better life. Unfortunately, there is still plenty of human trafficking and those who would choose to use others in despicable ways for their own gain in today’s world. And the topic of addiction is so relevant with so many people losing their way to it in so many different forms today. I felt Hattie’s despair as she tried to overcome it and find her self worth again while battling forces that tried to take away her freedom again.

The narrator had a nice even tone with inflections in the right places.

Romance with a Christian influence.

This is a story that tells of the trouble a headstrong woman, Hattie gets into, due to her dependence on alcohol and believing a rogue. Fortunately for Hattie, Hugh has been sent by her relatives to find her. There follows some dangerous times and a definite Christian theme. Hugh and Hattie are attracted to each other but Hattie wonders if Hugh can forgive her past. Hattie also has to work to overcome her addiction. The narrator had an easy voice to listen to and she changed her voice for the different characters.

Old West romance that shows Love helps healing!

The great second book in this series of seven sisters in South Dakota. In this story of a damaged woman who needs rescuing from some of her bad life choices, rides a hero that feels he needs to do something good to redeem himself. It is a very touching Christian romance as these two broken people feel love starting to grow. Very enjoyable listen made even better by the good narration.

Second book is twice as fun!

Hattie has run away thinking she will be free from the pressures of family only to be caught up in a very destructive life. 


Hugh has been asked to find Hattie and bring her home only to find how dangerous her new life has become. 


As he rescues Hattie from her new life, will he also be able to show her that she can also be redeemed and loved?



I really liked this book. The plot and characters were good and I really felt like this book is a stand alone. (the first book did not have that feeling since it came from a different series) Kari did a good job with the tension of the characters and the situations without getting graphic in Hattie's situation and bad choices. Meghan did a beautiful job with the narrative, pacing and both female and male characters! Looking forward to book 3!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Men want only one thing. Will this man be any dif

Standalone book, but picks up where Dreams in Deadwood left off.
Hugh Bradley and his family moved to Deadwood, SD to join his younger brother, Aiden, and new wife Jennie’s family. New to the area and needing work, the local sheriff hired Hugh for a special job. Aiden’s sister-in-law Hattie had been kidnapped and he needed someone to find her. After searching for 9 months Hugh found her in the worst place possible, The Red Garter Saloon. She had been made false promises of marriage from a man named Roy. He had treated her well, gave her the liquor she craved, then sold her in Keystone. Now she was locked in a room and Roy had her “working” for him. The only thing that got her through the day & night was the bottle of whisky he gave her. When Hugh went to take Hattie away, he was stopped and told he couldn’t have her. There were legal contract issues that had to be decided in two weeks by a judge. Hugh didn’t know what to do. All he had was a small 2 room cabin big enough for one. Hattie was small, sickly, and afraid of any man that came near her. Was this man any different than all the others? Hugh knew he had to get her sober and trust him before going to court. Would he be able to find the tough spirited girl she once was? Ms. Trumbo put a lot of emotion and character development in Hattie’s story. She portrayed the subject matter of prostitution and abuse without going into vivid details. Each book in the series has an HEA, but leaves you wanting to continue with the next book to find out more about these couples. I enjoyed the audible version narrated by Megan Kelly.

What a great kisses of a Audio

Love the first story and this one will also have you kissing the air over this second audio. Meghan Kelly voice was phenomenal as always. Meghan brought this audio to life. Meghan did all the parts great.
The author Kari wrote a great historical story about the second sister Kari chapters have depth , well developed. They enjoy life and some like to take risks and rebel That is true in this story .
The second sister is getting sick and tired of always being a second fiddle . Hattie is wondering when her life is going to get more exciting. Hugh the second deputy does has feelings for her but .....l.
Hattie decides to take a risk about finding adventure. The one risk she took backfires. The one risk took her towards a path she didn’t want or need. That is where Huge comes in.
Grab it and see how Hattie had her life turned upside down

Another winner

Another great story that was told by the fantastic Meghan Kelly, who knows how to get into the characters and make them come to life! I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next one in the series. It's a nice story, but not too 'tame' for my liking. Enjoyed it!

Heartfelt!

What a wonderful story of life in the hills of South Dakota. Megan Kelly brought the love and pain to life of the characters.
Hattie felt sorry for herself. She felt she was a prisoner everywhere she went. She started drinking moonshine that her father made and got hooked on alcohol. When she got to Deadwood, SD with her sisters, she took off with Roy. She thought he wanted to marry her, but he sold her to a whorehouse and took all the money she made. A lawman named Hugh Bradly came to her room while Roy was beating her. Then the trials and adventure got exciting.

I Enjoyed The Journey

I have the audiobook and was as good as the first book. The narrator Meghan Kelly was wonderful as she was in “Dreams In Deadwood”.
Hattie one of the seven sisters ran off in the first book and this one is all about her even though the other family members were brought into the story too.
I enjoyed the journey of finding Hattie and the way the author went about telling of her situation. She did a great job with a couple hard subjects. A historical romance with adventures, bad guys and good guys. Faith and forgiveness is shown throughout this book. I love that the characters are deep and actually have layers of personality that they work through. Read this book and find out if Hattie can overcome all the mess she got herself in.
I received this book from the author and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions and views are my own.