Beguiled

Cutter's Creek, Book 22

By: Vivi Holt

Narrated by: Paul Curtis

When Scarlett Johnson, a sporting woman from the Rosita Saloon, is chased by a scoundrel from the only place she can call home, she boards a train bound for the western frontier. But a chance encounter with a regretful Mail Order Bride gives her an idea - what if she could impersonate the woman? Even if only for a few days - for a warm bed and a hearty meal or two. She won't marry the man, but maybe she could hole up on the ranch for a while, just until she figures out a way forward.

Joe Baker, a cowboy working on the Moore ranch, waits in Cutter's Creek for the stage coach to deliver his Mail Order Bride. But when she arrives, she isn't the woman he expected her to be. She's beautiful and colorful and makes his heart pound. But is she the bride he sent for?

Will Scarlett's ruse be exposed? Or will she beguile the man she has no intention of marrying?

When secrets from the past come back to haunt them, both Joe and Scarlett have decisions to make, and Scarlett's life will be thrust into danger. Can they find love? Or are they destined to be torn apart by circumstances beyond their control?

Journey back to Cutter's Creek where old friends await, good always triumphs over evil, and love overcomes all else in the old west.

©2017 Black Lab Press (P)2019 Black Lab Press

Another great read in the series!

I really enjoyed listening to this. Vivi Holt is always able to hold my attention, and Paul Curtis did a great job with his narration as well! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Pride not Honor

I like the hero on the book cover better than the audio book. I love listening to Paul Curtis read. I respect Joe for trying to honor the contract to Minnie, but Minnie was the one to break the contract. Joe also made a promise to Scarlett, and I feel he did not look hard enough for Minnie, or wait long enough for a response. Scarlett deserved better from Joe, because in her heart she believed she wasn't good enough because of her past. Even when she broke down and confessed she had no where to go, Joe still did not back down from his supposed honor. He never asked what she would do when she left Cutter's Creek or if she would go back to being a saloon girl. I hate when a man can't see past his own pride. So parts of this story made me angry, but of course the women in Cutter's Creek come in to save the day. What would man do without women? Answer. He would be eternally unhappy and in the dark. This story will tell you how to look past your pride and see a solution and future happiness.

Each story just gets better.

I have been a fan of Vivi Holt for some time and eagerly await her newest offerings; so I was especially thrilled to get the chance at reviewing the audible version of Beguiled.... I was richly rewarded with yet another great story.
Ms. Holt’s characters are always multilayered, interesting and seem to grow in character as the plot develops. I am grateful for the realistic soul searching that occurs as they grapple with how to live true to their faith in difficult circumstances.
In Beguiled a chance encounter during Scarlett Johnson’s hasty escape from life as a saloon girl leads her to assume the identity of Minnie, a Mail order bride who has decided to jilt her fiancée, Joe Baker. Originally Scarlet is just looking for a place to rest for a few days before continuing on to San Francisco but after showing up as Minnie, meeting the charming ranch hand and the welcoming Moore family, she wonders if perhaps she could have found love and a place to belong instead. If so, she will have to be willing to share the difficult truth about her past and her deceptions. Joe must also make difficult choices as he tries to reconcile his desires with what is the right thing to do. I am always impressed with how this author takes a deeper look into the motives behind her characters actions.
This storyline took several unexpected twists and turns on the way to a very satisfying happy ending. I think you will be smiling at the conclusion of this story as well as challenged to view your personal life choices in the light of how they affect others. I can soundly recommend Beguiled as an interesting choice for your reading /listening pleasure.

The Bride Switch

Another great audible book by Vivi. The story line is great and the characters are too.
Two girls meet on the train. One is going to become a mail order bride. the other is running away from her boss a saloon owner.
decides to take her place so that she can hide out for a while and have a decent meal and place to stay. She doesn't plan to marry him.
Joe picks her up at the rail station. He thinks she is beautiful but not anything like what he was expecting. They get to know each other and then the original Bride shows up..You will have to get this book to find out what happens. I highly recommend it.
the audio is very good, I think Paul did a great job.

Finding One's Way

Beguiled by Vivi Holt is an awesome listen. I love how she wrote Scarlett with fearless determination at a chance with a better life. This book has some heartbreaking moments, never ending twists, and intriguing characters. Paul Curtis is amazing performing this book. He adds the right emotions. Beguiled Cutter's Creek, Book 22 is a standalone listen. I love the message that good over evil, love over everything else that the author writes.

Beguiling

I got this ARC via audiobook boom and this is my voluntary review. I enjoyed this story very much. I liked the way the author wove the past and present together and worked with two heroines. She told two very different tales in one tale and it worked out very well for me. The narrator was perfect for the story.

Beguiled

Scarlett and Joe's relationship starts out a bit off as do lots of Mail Order Bride Stories. I can't Imagine the challenges of that time for a woman. Its a great story of learning who you are and accepting who others are. The story is a sweet clean romance. The narration was nice.

Clean historical romance.

I liked the female characters in this book, not so much the male. I honestly felt like slapping him at times. I can understand him having some pride but I would have liked him to have listened more to the main character and show more compassion.
It has a happy ending which I love so it all ends well.

Beguiled Cutter's Creek, book 22

Another great audible book, by Vivi Holt,
The Narration is brought to life very well.
I look forward to more in the future!

Love this series

After working in the Rosita Saloon, and having her boss take all she has saved, Scarlett knows it's time to go. But where can she go to start over? She finds an opportunity to take over the spot of a mail order bride in Cutter's Creek. She will just stay awhile, enough time to get her life in order and not fall for the intended, Joe Baker. But will it work out as intended? Vivi Holt writes this story of finding your way home. She gives Scarlett grit and gumption to make a new life, redeem herself and find true love. Joe is an honest man of his word and comes through with his true love. This series is beautiful, each story its own personality. This one took my heart, broke it and mended it back stronger. Paul Curtis continues to bring it all to life with his wonderful narration.