One Pink Rose was a highly entertaining Western Historical Romance novella that was originally released in 1997 as part of the novel, For The Roses. This introduction into the Clayborne family kept me laughing while I fell for our hunky hero Travis and cheered our feisty heroine Emily on to find the man who would treat her right.

‘She could be a real charmer all right. She was also an amazingly feminine creature, and if she could only learn to be a little less crazy, she’d be just about perfect.’

I had such fun reading this short story. From the quirky, totally likable characters to the humorous bantering between our protagonists, the time absolutely flew by as I followed along on their journey. Set in 1880 in rugged Montana, the people were tough but still willing to help those in need. And that’s exactly how Travis got talked into escorting Emily to meet her fiance for the first time.

 

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I received an eARC, from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
This is book two in the "Claybornes' Brides (Rose Hill) "series. I just love Julie Garwood's books! They are usually the best, with a great story. This one too was really good book. With that said, I haven't yet read the first book "For the Roses" but now really want to since this book seem to be a continuation of the first. Although I didn't really see a problem with not reading the first...only that I loved this one so much I want to read more this series.
Emily Finnegan is going to Golden Crest, Montana as a mail order bride. Emily feels that she is taking charge of her life and this is the step to take. Travis Clayborne 'Mother" talks him into escorting Emily to her destination and to her possibly new husband. This starts their wonderful romance! Loved having the change to read this book!.

They really need half and quarter stars. 3.25 actually. While it was better than the first book, it was an anthology and all that entails.

The first short, featuring Travis, had a h who was a dingbat. No-really. She went for the mail order bride thing and, after deciding that she couldn't go through with it, insisted on telling the man in person, leading to the discovery that it was actually a man, his brother, and some other man, none of who were really willing to take no for an answer. H was shot as a result.

The second was pretty entertaining, although I raised an eyebrow at the Arabians and their registration papers. For one, Arabians were rarely imported, and for another, the US registry was not formed until the early part of the 20th century.

The third... the author tried too hard not to make race an issue, to the point it seemed like an elephant in the room. That was my biggest issue. There were other things, like another dingbat heroine. Also bemused as to how the h could have been a sheltered apparently free southern black lady in the aftermath of the civil war. Ah...yeah. Right. Ok.

One Pink Rose (Rose, #2) - Julie Garwood
★★★★☆ Pure fluff and fun. I probably shouldn't rate this one so high, but I love a good “mail-order bride” or a “fish-out-of-water” story and this one was both. Sure, it was predicable and a bit dated, but still cute. It was short, too! Just what I needed right now.

Travis, one of the Clayborne brothers that rescued - and raised - a baby in book #1 For the Roses, gets his turn at a HEA with Emily Finnegan, a Bostonian who has given up on love. Nevertheless, fate steps in and deals her an escort that takes her breath away, with kisses. She is filled with rightous indignation that Travis would assume she would want his kisses, when she is promised to another. Her indignation gets her into hot water a couple times:

“I should have tried to placate them, but they made me so angry. One of them called me a heifer.”

A hint of a smile crossed his face. “A heifer?”

“That’s what did it all right,” Millie interjected. “She got that mean look in her eyes right after that one named Carter called her a ‘pretty little heifer.’”

Emily straightened her shoulders. “No woman likes to be called a cow,” she announced in her haughtiest voice.

Travis and Jon both tried to hide their grins. Millie shook her head. “I think he was complimenting you in his own vile way. He didn’t call you a cow, Emily. He called you a pretty heifer,” she reminded her.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t they the same thing? Travis, I don’t believe I’ve said anything amusing. Why are you smiling?”

“Your indignation,” he replied.

She’s pretty feisty; when they get backed into a corner, Emily doesn’t desert Travis. Since he isn’t too keen to turn Emily over into the hands of another man, and it is his kisses that will make her decide otherwise, then he’ll provide them.

For the Roses One Pink Rose One White Rose One Red Rose Come the Spring

One Pink Rose (Rose, #2) - Julie Garwood
★★★★☆ Pure fluff and fun. I probably shouldn't rate this one so high, but I love a good “mail-order bride” or a “fish-out-of-water” story and this one was both. Sure, it was predicable and a bit dated, but still cute. It was short, too! Just what I needed right now.

Travis, one of the Clayborne brothers that rescued - and raised - a baby in book #1 For the Roses, gets his turn at a HEA with Emily Finnegan, a Bostonian who has given up on love. Nevertheless, fate steps in and deals her an escort that takes her breath away, with kisses. She is filled with rightous indignation that Travis would assume she would want his kisses, when she is promised to another. Her indignation gets her into hot water a couple times:

“I should have tried to placate them, but they made me so angry. One of them called me a heifer.”

A hint of a smile crossed his face. “A heifer?”

“That’s what did it all right,” Millie interjected. “She got that mean look in her eyes right after that one named Carter called her a ‘pretty little heifer.’”

Emily straightened her shoulders. “No woman likes to be called a cow,” she announced in her haughtiest voice.

Travis and Jon both tried to hide their grins. Millie shook her head. “I think he was complimenting you in his own vile way. He didn’t call you a cow, Emily. He called you a pretty heifer,” she reminded her.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t they the same thing? Travis, I don’t believe I’ve said anything amusing. Why are you smiling?”

“Your indignation,” he replied.

She’s pretty feisty; when they get backed into a corner, Emily doesn’t desert Travis. Since he isn’t too keen to turn Emily over into the hands of another man, and it is his kisses that will make her decide otherwise, then he’ll provide them.

For the Roses One Pink Rose One White Rose One Red Rose Come the Spring