I loved everything about this book! It has fantastic characters and a wonderful story! A definite must read! ( )

I enjoyed the concept of this series, where 4 ladies head west to Colorado, in 1887, to own land and set up a sawmill and place an ad for 3 "Godfearing men" interested in joint ownership of a sawmill and marriage. It is the reverse of a mail order brides story line. These ladies all have strong but different traits and it was fun and interesting seeing how they all banded together when needed.

Evie is one of the 4 ladies that is emphasized in this story. She is a fantastic cook and sets up a cafe in the sawmill town and feeds the men who come looking for a wife. She is a very determined and forthright young lady and what she says goes in her restaurant.

Jacob is a man in search of the man who killed his brother to clear his brother's name. He comes into town searching for the man he believes did it. But he didn't count on protecting the 4 young ladies from all the men, or falling in love with the best cook and feisty young lady, Evie. He loves everything about her, but these two argue and fight more than anything. Trusting and loving Jacob comes hard for Evie, but in the end, in a rather dramatic way, their love for each other will prevail.

A fun story, but still has danger and adventure in it too. I look forward to reading the next two books in this series and seeing how the other ladies find their matches. ( )

Evie and her friend's plan to open new businesses goes awry when their ad for husbands attracts dozens of men to their fledgling town. Evie realizes quickly that they're in over their heads, but who can they trust? Will the commanding Jake protect them from would-be suitors...and claim one of their hearts for himself in the process?

I loved this story! I loved the characters and the relationship between Evie and Jake. One of m y favorite (and most relatable) parts was when they argue over her weight. It's so sweet to see his love, not just for Evie's character, but her "plump" figure as well! Every big girl's dream! ( )

This book had quite an intriguing premise -- four women decide to place an ad for husbands in order to revive a dead mining town and turn it into a sawmill town. Their good intentions did not account for the reality of the kind of men who would be showing up for such a curious promise, and the likelihood of their being able to maintain control of a town full of men. I also found it a bit ironic that the book is marketed as a Christian fiction book, though the four women have made themselves heads over the men and are anything but submissive -- even Cora, the one woman actually engaged. Still, the scenario presents some humorous situations as the women interact with the various men of many colorful backgrounds.
The major issue of control is a point of contention for the women throughout the book, as it is obvious that food and lodging won't be enough to corral the men into subservience, even food as delicious as Evie's. Jake is one of the men that steps in to act as bodyguard to the women and leader over the men, since he conveniently has a background in running a sawmill. Jake's presence in Hope Falls is an accident, though, as he had no previous interest in obtaining a wife and was more interested in pursuing revenge for the murder of his brother. He adopts the name Jacob Creed to hide his identity, and uses the husband ad as a cover for his true intentions, but his attraction to Evie is obvious to all but Evie herself.
Evie's self-esteem issues regularly get in the way of her being able to build a relationship with any of the men, especially the one man who gets under her skin, Jacob. She covers her low self-esteem with a bossy pride that annoyed me throughout the book, as her main obstacle seemed to be herself. But Jacob's approach to her low self-image will have any woman with "heft" cheering, especially when he almost force-fed her cookies.
This book was a fun and humorous read, with an original concept that I found refreshing. ( )

RUGGED & RELENTLESS by Kelly Eileen Hake is an exciting inspirational historical romance set in Hope Falls, Colorado in 1887. This is Book #1 in the "Husbands for Hire" series. Four women who are determined to go to Hope Falls,following ones brother's accident.Braden Lyman,who is Lacey Lyman's brother and Cora Thompson's fiancee was caught in a cool mine accident,thought dead,but survived. The women are Lacey Lyman,Braden's sister,Naomi Higgins,cousin to Lacey and Braden,Cora Thompson,
Braden's fiancee and Evelyn (Evie) Thompson,Cora's sister. These four women are not only investors in Hope Falls but also best friends.Together,they desire to "mail order husbands",place an ad requesting the prospective husbands write to a post office in Hope Falls,but they all happen to show up at Hope Falls.While this does create a few problems it gives the ladies a chance to meet each prospective suitor and make their decisions. This first story is about Evelyn Thompson and Jake Granger. Evelyn,while considers herself outspoken,a little plumb for some men,she is an excellent cook and owns a restaurant.Jacob (Jake) Granger,is handsome,a logger turned bounty hunter,since is brother's death at the hands of a gambler.He is in search of this gambler,looking for not only vengeance but for justice for this brother.This search leads him to Hope Falls.and maybe the love of his life. This story has murder,romance,faith,family friends,mail order husbands,throw in a little chaos and a logger turned bounty hunter and you have a fast paced,action packed story that will leave you wanting to read the next installment. Along the way Evelyn and Jake finds hope,peace,faith,and Jake learns that vengeance may not bring him the happiness and peace he thought,especially if he loses the love he may have found with Evelyn.A must read for all and any historical romance readers along with Western readers,and a new concept "mail order Husbands".This book was received for the purpose of review from Net Galley and the publisher and details can be found at Barbour Publishing,Inc. and My Book Addiction Reviews. ( )