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09 June 2015

Noela Nancarrow reviews UNDERCOVER BRIDE by Margaret Brownley

Undercover Bride
Undercover Bride (Undercover Ladies, Book 2)
By Margaret Brownley
Barbour Publishing, Inc (June 1, 2015)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow
5 Stars *****

Tying the knot – might it be in marriage or with a noose?

Three things I KNOW will happen when I read a story by Margaret Brownley. 1. I know I will be thoroughly entertained by a completely unique and captivating plot. 2. I know I will learn little-known yet fascinating historical facts. 3. I know at some stage I will laugh out loud! You can expect all these things and more whilst reading this second, although completely stand-alone book, in Margaret Brownley’s ‘Undercover Ladies’ series.

Pinkerton detective Maggie Cartwright has been assigned the daunting task of going undercover as a mail-order bride to Garrett Thomas, the man suspected of being the Whistle-Stop Bandit. Her mission is to dazzle this alleged thief and murderer while searching for evidence to be used against him in a trial. But Maggie has barely arrived in Arizona Territory when the wedding is moved up, so she is desperate to discover incriminating evidence before she finds herself married to a criminal!

As Maggie gets to know Garrett as the gentle and devoted father of two endearing children, she finds herself torn when the facts begin to stack up against him. As much as she despairs of tearing this ‘unfairly handsome’ bandit away from his children, Pinkerton agents never let emotions get in the way of capturing their man.

The tentative feelings that develop between the main characters have disaster written all over them, yet this conflict doesn’t hinder the sweet, exciting, and precarious romance in Undercover Bride. And as always, author Margaret Brownley creates a brilliant secondary cast. Deserving a mention is the fabulous Aunty Hetty who, in her mind, could die at any time with her imaginary myriad of maladies. This tale is first and foremost a mystery, one that is unpredictable and extremely well-executed. The spiritual themes of forgiveness and seeking God add layers of inspiration, and the ‘miracle’ that wakes up the church is a stroke of genius! Highly recommended and guaranteed to keep the midnight-oil burning!


*Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of Undercover Bride to review. I was not required to give a positive review.
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You will find this book at these places and others: Amazon; CBD; Barnes & Noble

Check out Margaret's page for a load of fun and fascinating facts, plus all her books! Margaret Brownley ~ Love and Laughter in the Old West

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GIVEAWAY: An E-book of 'Undercover Bride' from Margaret Brownley, plus we have a $10 Amazon gift card which will be given away to someone who posts comments on BOTH my review of 'Undercover Bride' and on Diana's review of 'Mist of Midnight' by Sandra Byrd coming up on Thursday! 


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47 comments:

  1. Jumping Off.....Maybe!June 9, 2015 at 8:50 AM

    Looks great!

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    1. UnknownJune 9, 2015 at 9:52 AM

      It sure is 'Jumping Off' and definitely worth 'jumping into'! :-)

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    2. Margaret BrownleyJune 9, 2015 at 10:40 AM

      Now I'm feeling jumpy, too!

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  2. Nancy MJune 9, 2015 at 9:12 AM

    This looks like a fun and interesting book! And not the typical romance! I look forward to reading this one!

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    1. UnknownJune 9, 2015 at 9:55 AM

      Margaret's books are always innovative and interesting Nancy... some of the reasons I love Margaret Brownley's books so much! :-) Thanks for coming by!

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    2. Margaret BrownleyJune 9, 2015 at 10:42 AM

      It was really fun writing about female Pinkerton detectives. Did you know that Allan Pinkerton had a whole department of female detectives in the 1800s? He was a man ahead of his time. Nothing typical about him!

      Delete
  3. Diana FlowersJune 9, 2015 at 9:53 AM

    What a delightful review, NOELA! I love unpredictable novels instead of the same ole same ole. Thank you for the wonderful review!

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    1. UnknownJune 9, 2015 at 10:04 AM

      Thanks Diana! I know what you mean my friend, and I know with Margaret's books, I'm always going to get an intriguing story plot unlike any other! :-) Hope you get a chance to read it sometime!

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    2. Margaret BrownleyJune 9, 2015 at 10:39 AM

      Hi Diana, thank you for stopping by. NOELA always writes the best reviews! She's a gifted writer who should be writing her own books.

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    3. UnknownJune 9, 2015 at 9:21 PM

      You're too sweet, Margaret!! I'm too busy reading too many fabulous books that y'all keep writing!! ;)

      Delete
  4. KavJune 9, 2015 at 11:35 AM

    Oh, I love Margaret Brownley's wit! And the whole Pinkerton angle is a great twist. Must add this to my TBR list. Great review!

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    1. Margaret BrownleyJune 9, 2015 at 1:12 PM

      I loved writing about Pinkerton detectives. I was really sorry to finish the third and last book in the series (out in December). I miss those undercover ladies!

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    2. UnknownJune 10, 2015 at 8:09 AM

      Thanks Kav! Love Margaret's wit too... Never fails to make me smile and laugh, and you can never have enough of that these days!
      Margaret, I'm really going to miss those Pinkerton ladies too!! Eagerly awaiting the third in the series though, even if it is the final. :-)

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  5. Caryl KaneJune 9, 2015 at 12:22 PM

    Noela! I love reading your reviews! UNDERCOVER BRIDE sounds fantastic. I'm adding to my Wish List!

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    1. Margaret BrownleyJune 9, 2015 at 1:09 PM

      Hi Caryl, I love reading Noela's reviews, too! I wonder if your Wish List is as long as mine. So many books, so little time...

      Take care.

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    2. UnknownJune 9, 2015 at 9:05 PM

      Thank you Caryl and Margaret! You'll love Undercover Bride, Caryl!! Ohh that Wish List... Mine is definitely out of control! I need that deserted tropical island stat, to get through the hundreds on my list! ;)

      Delete
  6. Rachael KJune 9, 2015 at 3:15 PM

    I really enjoyed Petticoat Detective, so I'm looking forward to this one! The female Pinkerton Agent angle is brilliant!

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    1. Margaret BrownleyJune 9, 2015 at 3:46 PM

      Rachael, so glad you enjoyed Petticoat Detective. I can live with the word brilliant. LOL!

      Delete
  7. Deanna StevensJune 9, 2015 at 4:40 PM

    I so enjoyed Petticoat Detective & looking forward to this one.. Loved this review :)
    dkstevensne AToutlookD OtCoM

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    1. UnknownJune 9, 2015 at 8:03 PM

      Wasn't that such a great story, Deanna!! Absolutely LOVED Petticoat Detective! You'll definitely enjoy this one too, Deanna! :-)

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  8. Pam K.June 9, 2015 at 5:16 PM

    What a great review! I love Margaret Brownley's books and totally agree with your three things you know will happen when you read her books. I'm very much looking forward to reading Undercover Bride.

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    1. UnknownJune 9, 2015 at 8:09 PM

      Yay Pam, I'm glad you agree! :-) I really think those 3 things are so synonymous with Margaret's books! Happy reading with Undercover Bride!

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  9. BettiJune 9, 2015 at 5:33 PM

    Fabulous review, Noela - I am very sure I would greatly enjoy this book. I must see if I can find it at the library 😀
    bettimace at gmail dot com

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    1. UnknownJune 9, 2015 at 8:10 PM

      Or if you win, you could get the book yourself Betti! :-) Happy reading however you get a hold of Undercover Bride!!

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  10. Trixi June 9, 2015 at 7:58 PM

    Sounds like a book I NEED to have :-D I love this review! I've read one other book involving the Pinkerton detectives and really enjoyed it (can't remember the name or author now, though). So I think this would be one that will be on my to-read list!

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    1. UnknownJune 9, 2015 at 8:23 PM

      Thanks Trixi, and yeah, you do need to have it, lol! Margaret's books ALWAYS makes for great reading, and learning about the fascinating Pinkerton detectives is a huge bonus! Enjoy!

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  11. Mary PrestonJune 9, 2015 at 9:11 PM

    Three things I can get on board with. Thank you.

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    1. UnknownJune 9, 2015 at 9:19 PM

      Awesome, Mary!! :-) Me too, btw! All the best Mary!!

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  12. Lane Hill HouseJune 9, 2015 at 9:25 PM

    What fun! I love reading these Pinkerton stories! (Aunty Hetty ~ I might have met her, grin... saying first how wonderful they look today ~ heads off a twenty-minute deluge of too much information, and offers a surprised look.)

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    1. UnknownJune 9, 2015 at 9:33 PM

      LOL I think we have all met an Aunt Hetty or two in our lifetime Kathleen! :-) And followed your path of diversion also haha. Pinkerton stories are great aren't they? I've learn so much since reading Margaret's books and all her researched insights! Blessings, Kathleen!

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  13. Melanie BackusJune 9, 2015 at 10:22 PM

    Great book, great author!!!!!! Thank you for the opportunity!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. UnknownJune 9, 2015 at 11:35 PM

      Couldn't agree more, Melanie!!! :-) Thanks for coming on by, all the best!!

      Delete
  14. AnonymousJune 10, 2015 at 12:36 AM

    Fantastic review, makes me want to read it straight away. The cover looks great as well.

    lientjiehuman@yahoo.com.au

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    1. UnknownJune 10, 2015 at 2:38 AM

      That's great, love to hear that! Ohh I love that cover too... and how dishy is that guy, just quietly?! ;)

      Delete
  15. Bonnie RoofJune 10, 2015 at 4:57 AM

    ALWAYS enticed to add more books to my huge TBR pile - by your reviews, Noela, and ALWAYS impressed by their beauty. Thank you for this one!!

    "Undercover Bride" has an unusual story line that sounds totally captivating. The humor, mystery, inspiration and romance are a winning combination. I also love and appreciate learning historical facts in the fiction I read, and only recently learned that Pinkerton's has female agents and has been around since the 1800's. Can't wait to read "Undercover Bride" - Margaret is a masterful author with numerous fascinating books!!

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    1. UnknownJune 10, 2015 at 8:16 AM

      Thanks Bonnie, and you know... I doubt I would have known there were Pinkerton detectives had it not been for Margaret's books, because that was news to me also. Pinkerton looked after them too...Something else I've learnt. :-) I'm like you Bonnie in that I love learning about yesteryear while reading... And to be entertained and inspired at the same time makes for a great all-round read!!

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  16. Anne PayneJune 10, 2015 at 8:33 AM

    Oh man! I want to read this book so bad!!! I love Margaret's books but I left NetGalley. I need print books for the most part because of my eyes. :(

    Love the review, Noella! Fantabulous, as always. :-)

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    1. UnknownJune 10, 2015 at 8:44 AM

      I know how much you love Margaret's books, Anne... So I'm wanting you to read this so bad, too!! :-) I'm awfully sorry your eyes are letting you down with not being able to read too many digital's. It's become such a convenient way to read hasn't it? Blessings to you, Anne!

      Delete
  17. Ruth Logan HerneJune 11, 2015 at 4:47 AM

    What a great review for a marvelous author! Noella, you did it again! Don't put me in the drawing but I saw you were doing this and just had to stop by and offer kudos! Great review, great author/book and wonderful people over here! Waving to all of you!!!!

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    1. Margaret BrownleyJune 11, 2015 at 9:17 AM

      Hi Ruth, waving back! I agree wonderful people over here!

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    2. UnknownJune 11, 2015 at 10:16 AM

      Hi Ruthy, waving HI to you too! So lovely to see you pop in, and thank you SO much for the kind words!! I sure agree about the 'marvelous author' bit... For Margaret, and yourself!! :-) Love you guys!

      Delete
  18. Mary LouJune 11, 2015 at 6:32 PM

    Noela, I so loved your review of this book. I love that you loved the plot and the part that this book has humor in it and I am curious to see what happens before "the wedding"! It sounds like an excellent entertaining book and I also love the part that she is a detective on the go. What an interesting plot.
    Mary Lou K flowersmarylou85(at)gmail(dot)com
    Thank you!

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    1. UnknownJune 28, 2015 at 1:12 AM

      Thank you so much Mary Lou!! Hoping you get to read it soon! Blessings!

      Delete
  19. AnonymousJune 15, 2015 at 12:46 AM

    Love this kind of book and Noela's reviews always makes us really want the books. Please put my name in. Love the cover Margaret. > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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    1. UnknownJune 28, 2015 at 1:14 AM

      Great to hear Maxie, thanks! :-) Margaret always writes the most entertaining books! Agree about the cover too!

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  20. PattyJune 15, 2015 at 3:40 PM

    Great review Noela, I love a book that can make me laugh outloud!

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    1. UnknownJune 28, 2015 at 1:15 AM

      Thanks Patty! Laughing out loud books is something that Margaret is wonderful at writing!! She has the best sense of humor! :)

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