I actually really enjoyed this, historical western romance is a new genre for me and I wasn't at all sure what to expect. I loved the two main characters and the dynamics between them, how Alexandra grew and became true to who she was throughout the book and the changes in Malcolm caused by Alexandra. I enjoyed Alexandra's strength and stubbornness and her ability to make the most of her situation. The chemistry between the characters was delightful to read and I kept hoping for the moment they would give in to it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for a copy in return for an honest review.

Alexandra is just the kind of woman Malcolm needs in his life. He assumes a lot about her that is absolutely wrong. Malcolm is the strong silent type who learns you cannot judge a book by its cover or a woman by her ‘eastern’ clothes. They are perfect together.

Fate brought these two together for a reason. We see their relationship grow and their protectiveness of each other build to a deep, strong love. Both Alex and Malcolm have their own mission which somehow become intertwined. Now they need to work together to solve one problem.

Amy Sandas is becoming one of my favorite authors. I plan to read previous releases during summer vacation. If you have not read one of her books, yet, this one is a great place to start.

Book Info
Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Expected publication: June 5th 2018 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 1492651974 (ISBN13: 9781492651970)
Edition Language English
Series Runaway Brides #1
Other Editions (1)
Source:Netgalley EARC

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BOOK BLURB


Three runaway brides
Determined to escape their fates
Flee West to find freedom that can only be had
in a cowboy's arms...

Alexandra Brighton has spent the last five years in Boston, with all evidence of the wild frontier girl she used to be erased. Before she settles down, she's determined to visit her childhood home. When she finds herself far from her destination, she has no choice but to have the rugged Malcolm Kincaid escort her to Montana.

Now that Malcolm finally has the name and location of the man who killed his brother, he has no interest in protecting a pampered Eastern lady. But something about her tells him he just can't leave her behind. And by the time they reach Montana, Malcolm must decide if seeing justice done for past wrongs is worth losing a future with a woman he never expected to need.

My Thoughts


Having been first introduced to a Amy Sandas with a novella in a Christmas anthology that I read for review in 2017, was excited to get the chance to crack open this full length historical western and it did not disappoint.

The colorful settings that Alexandra and Malcolm travel through on their way to her childhood home in Montana and the beloved father she has not seen in 5 long years were spectacular, if at times fraught with danger.

As the story unfolds we see another side of Alexandra that is so different then the proper Boston lady she had worked hard to become so as not to embarrass her Aunt or Cousin when they all were in a public venue.

Having once again cast off that uncomfortable persona her real personality as a capable westerner once again is donned and the taciturn Malcolm finds himself on a trip through the wild countryside with a worthy traveling companion instead of the soft city miss he first thought Alexandra to be.

Their journey is not only a revelation to Alexandra but to Malcolm as well when their mutual attraction becomes more intense than either one could resist.

The series of unexpected revelations upon journeys end brought this 1st in the series to a rousing ending. It gave readers not only an HEA for the couple but also had the added bonus of thwarting future fears on either ones behalf that trouble from Alexandra's past would ever bother her again.

What a road trip!

Author Amy Sandas tackled one of my favorite genres, Historical Western Romance, and for me it was executed excellently with an unconventional Hero/Heroine combination.

Whatever happens in the next story has a lot to live up to after reading this initial tale in the series and I hope to get the chance to read it as well.

[EArc from Netgalley]


On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

Though western romance isn't my favorite type of historical romance, I have many Amy Sandas books on my TBR pile, so I wanted to give this book a shot. It started out nicely, with Alexandra sneaking away from Boston to head back home to see her father in Montana. She needed to find a guide once the train portion of her journey ended. Malcolm McKaid, a bounty hunter on a mission, was recommended to her; however, he wanted to seek his prey and declined. So Alex found help elsewhere. Let's just say that didn't end well!

Malcolm catches up with her and decides to guide her to her father's on the way to his bounty. This is where the story slowed down. There was a slow burning attraction between the two, perhaps a little too slow. I got to the point I just wanted them to just sleep together and get on with it! And Malcolm wasn't particularly likeable during this time. Then big trouble hit, and Alex and Malcolm had to hole up in a tiny cabin.

Things started to pick up speed here. We learn that Alex is really a strong woman, and Malcolm's not as gruff as he appears. When they reach Alex's father, I couldn't out the book down until it was finished. Two things happened that I did NOT see coming, and things really got exciting!

This ended up being quite a good story, and I'm really interested in reading the next book in the series and others by Ms. Sandas.

I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.

I really enjoy branching out into new worlds with historicals and The Gunslinger’s Vow is a great read. I know there are lots of wild west stories but I rarely read them. I really liked that Ms. Sandas did not use the corny language of some western historicals. The story moved along well and the two main characters were really likeable. Yes, even Malcolm. He is adorable. It was fun to see how he was shocked to learn that Alexandra really could take care of herself. No prim and proper miss for her. Alexandra was bright and knew what she wanted and had no problem asking for it. Big smile when I finished the book.

I really enjoyed Alexandra and Malcolm's story!

I loved that Alexandra had an unconventional upbringing. Malcolm was pleasantly surprised when she proved that she was not a spoiled, city girl from Boston and that she could hold her own out in the wild west. It also made her that much more irresistible to him. But he was on a mission and would not be deterred from it even if he was falling for the woman he was traveling with.

I also loved watching Alexandra draw out Malcolm. He was so closed lipped when they first met, but as they spent more and more tome together, he was able to finally open up to her. I loved watching these two fall in love!

After reading this book, I'm excited to see what the next one in the series brings us!

I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review and all reviews are my own. I really enjoyed this book by Amy Sandas, the first time reading from this author. Alexandra is returning home to Montana and is seeking the help of Malcolm, a famously known bounty hunter. So starts their journey, although things don't start off as planned. Malcolm doesn't want some easterner that doesn't know the first thing about surviving in the west, let alone he only travels alone. Little does Malcolm know that Alex comes in handy and also helps save his life. This book is packed with action and it's hard to put it down once you get started. The connection between Alex and Malcolm is special and you get that from the authors writing.

Han Solo of the Western Romance world! Loved the bounty hunter hero and his transformation from revenge seeking killer to finding the love of his life.

Alexandra Brighton had to get home to Montana. She left Boston knowing that she could never actually marry the stiff, perfectly-mannered Peter. She had to get away from her fiance and to her father but knew that she could never do it alone. Meeting Malcolm was a risk but he was only hope to find her father. His arrogant, rude demeanor didn't hide his handsome, rugged exterior! Alex knew that she never would have anything to do with a gunslinger like him, or so she thought! Perfect character development and an adventurous plot make this one of my favorite historical romance books of the year. The author did such a great job on Malcolm, I even had a crush on him by the middle of the story! Highly recommended to lovers of western romance!

The Gunslinger's Vow by Amy Sandas will be available June 5, 2018 from SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

I thought the writing was really well done. I like the chemistry between characters and the mystery element. This was my first mmf book and it wasn't really my cup of tea, but I can understand the appeal. I might try it again in the future.

COULD NOT...put it down! The Gunslinger's Vow totally rekindled my passion for historical western romance stories.

This story surprised me as to how quickly I was absorbed into the world of the 1800s that author Amy Sandas weaved together brilliantly. Could hardly put it down! Tremendous tale of western lore like other great authors of the old west, like Zane Grey and Larry McMutry for example. The characters of Alex and Malcolm were as real to me as my own friends. Though their relationship started off on very rocky grounds, through the ups and downs of traveling the wilderness they eventually learned to trust each other.

I'm a massive fan of Amy Sandas. This was a good read. The pace was good. I found that the sexual tension between the two leads was dragged too long in the book before they even exchanged their first kiss and let alone any juicy actions between the sheets. But it was a good story of self discovery between Alexandra and Malcom. This is a change from her regency books and being also a massive fan of the western genre, I can't wait for the next book in the series.
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review that is all my own.

Amy Sandas has written a lively descriptive tale of hope, self-discovery, forgiveness and the most important ingredient is a happily ever after love. I love a well written action adventure western with a hot male lead and a woman strong enough to be by his side.
I am in love with the characters in this story, their strengths, weaknesses and perseverance to achieve their goals. The chemistry between Alexandra and Malcolm throughout the tale is palpable; I could feel it in my chest. You can feel the angst within the characters, but alas, there is hope for love. This is a book that can’t be put down until the end. There are a plenty of hot scenes for that “sizzle” factor.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

I have read two of this author's Regency novels, and enjoyed both, so it pains me to opine that this, her foray into Western Romance, just doesn'tt quite reach the same standard. Firstly, I can't pinpoint it, but I just feels her Western voice/language lacks authenticity compared to what I deem as gold standards in this genre - Kaki Warner, Jo Goodman, and Maggie Osborne.

The novel starts off in Boston with Alexandra accepting the marriage proposal of a very eligible suitor, a politically ambitious gentleman of good stock. It is a sensible match only she finds herself having second thoughts about it as soon as she utters the agreement. She decides, she needs to find herself first, before she allow herself to be absorbed into a passionless marriage. Because this line of reasoning made so much sense, it was repeatedly emphasised throughout the book. Now, Alexandra's idea of finding herself is to hightail out of her aunt's refined Boston home without much ado and head West, back to her roots, back to Montana and her father.

Taciturn and perpetual loner by choice, bounty hounter Malcolm Kincaid is finally on the scent of his ultimate target, the man who killed his younger brother many years ago. Malcolm certainly has no interest in playing nursemaid to an out-of-her-depth Eastern lady, who has no business this far west and certainly not on her own. He turns down her request for him to act as her guide back to her Montana home. Unfortunately, he finds her a bit of a leech, hard to shake off, especially once she falls preys to robbers. He reluctantly agrees to allow her to tag along, as they are both heading in the same direction. Of course, their road trip becomes an eye opener for both, with Alex not quite the dainty, useless lady he thought her to be, and Malcolm not quite the lead-hearted man, he thought himself to be.

I have many issues with Alex. She irresponsibly ran out without word to her aunt, who took her in and cared for her well. She treated her fiance dishonorably by disappearing on him just after agreeing of her own volition to marry him. He had done nothing wrong except that he was not her Mr. Right. She slept with the hero while still engaged to the other. I'm a bit morally righteous about such things. Overall, she was a fair bit muddled and inconsistent. Prime example, she didn't bring appropriate clothing to travel through the frontier terrain, because she wanted to show her father her fine lady-like clothing. Well, girl, can you make it your mind what you want? You left Boston because you missed the wildness and the freedom of Montanta, the freedom to race horses through the rugged landscape and live off the land like you used to, and so you bring dresses with 10 layers of petticoats to do these activities in?!

The hero was more appealing. I do like a gruff, tough alpha man of few words. However, the "she deserves better than him" line to keep her at an emotional distance (too late for keeping the physical distance) just got a bit tiring after a few repeats.

The novel feels like a Western Romance's fan's enthusiastic homage to the genre, not quite masterful but nevertheless a passionate attempt. Sometimes perhaps too passionate and OTT like the final shootout. (view spoiler). And the name of the hated nemesis - the Belt-Buckle Kid? Really ???

I received this in exchange for an honest review. This is book one in a series from a new author for me. I really enjoyed this story a great deal. I honestly couldn’t put it down. In this series we have a young woman that is wanting to figure out who she is and a man searching for revenge. This sparks fly in such a good story.