BOOK REVIEW- The Mail-Order Bride Carries a Gun (Brides of Sweet Creek Ranch Book 1) by Wanda Ann Thomas

THE BRIDES OF SWEET CREEK RANCH is an uplifting Sweet Historical Western Romance series introducing the untamed Haven brothers. A cattleman, gunslinger, rodeo cowboy, cattle rustler, and gambler, the adopted brothers struggle to save the family’s frontier ranch. Only women with grit and courage would consider making a home in the remote wilds of Wyoming as well as give the safekeeping of their hearts to the Haven men. Come visit Sweet Creek Ranch and experience love, adventure, and happily ever after. 

The mail-order bride seeks justice. Not a husband…

ELLA HUNTER never thought she’d be a mail-order bride. But when she sees a photo in the Marriage Gazette of the man she believes killed her brother, Ella agrees to marry the Civil War soldier turned cowboy. Prepared to confront a cold-hearted killer then return home, she finds all her expectations dashed when her intended husband appears to be a good man. Ella’s loyalties are torn between honoring the memories of her family and her undeniable attraction to Ty Haven. 

TY HAVEN needs a wife. The ranch he runs in the wilds of Wyoming Territory could use a woman’s influence. Frankly, so could he. So when Ella arrives like a gift tied up in a cornflower-blue hair ribbon, more intelligent, practical, and, yes, beautiful, than he could have imagined, he hopes she will give him and the West a chance. Turns out, he doesn’t just need a wife. He needs Ella. But she has a secret, and it might destroy their marriage almost before it’s begun. 

Can the unforgivable be forgiven? What will the cowboy ranchman do when he learns why…THE MAIL-ORDER BRIDE CARRIES A GUN?   AMAZON  5 STARS

 I feel like I just ate a full, satisfying meal after reading this book. 
It had great main characters, both with their own emotional scars but putting one foot in front of the other.  The longer Ella was around Ty, the more attracted she became to him.  She also began hoping that there was more to the story of her brother's death and his saber.  As she watches him with his brother/second chance boys she sees a side to him that really makes her wonder.  One minute her mind is made up that she was leaving in the spring and the next, she wanted to stay.  
The emotional tug of war for both of them was so well done.
The other men and boys at the ranch added so much more to the story and  Seth is at least one of the boys struggling almost as much as Ella is.  
I just felt like the author did a really good job building the personalities, challenges and pasts for each one of the people in the story. I also want to credit the author with grabbing my attention right away with a really great title for this book. 

What was an unexpected surprise was when Boone, one of the "brothers" from the ranch shows up with more of his story included.  He is a gunslinger looking to get out of the game.  Things really hit the fan when one of his brothers signed him up for a mail order bride. Then things really go south after he marries Margaret Lily.  But not at first, you see Margaret has a few dangerous secrets of her own.  This is a really interesting story line that won't be finished in this book.  "Gunslingers Don't Die (Brides of Sweet Creek Ranch Book 2)" continues that story. 
I've got to be honest and say that I will be following that story soon.  
Overall I was really happy with how the book ended.  Well, except for that black-hearted wannabee land baron, Blackwell.  Can someone please do something about him WITHOUT getting hanged for it?