Book: The Bounty Hunter and the Bride
Author: Vickie McDonough
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: April 14, 2026
She’s wary of trusting her heart again. He’s haunted by his wife’s tragic death. As danger threatens to tear them apart, they must choose between fear and the chance for lasting love.
Pregnant and alone, Katie Hoffman struggles to save the family farm after her husband’s death. She nearly marries a charming stranger with dark intentions, but she’s saved by bounty hunter Dusty McIntyre. Though grateful, she blames him for the loss of her home and her brush with disaster. But as she witnesses his gentle way with her son and his determination to protect her, Katie finds her defenses crumbling.
Dusty McIntyre has spent two years tracking the outlaw who killed his wife, letting vengeance consume him. When his pursuit leads him to Katie, he never expects to feel such a powerful connection to the stubborn widow and her sweet baby boy. Yet his guilt over the past and anger toward God stand between them and any chance at happiness.
As an escaped criminal threatens their newfound peace and forces them to confront their fears, Katie and Dusty must decide if love is worth risking their wounded hearts—and if faith can light the way to a future together.
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Vickie McDonough is the CBA, EPCA and Amazon best-selling author of 54 books and novellas. Vickie grew up wanting to marry a rancher, but instead, she married a computer geek who is scared of horses. She now lives out her dreams penning romance stories about ranchers, cowboys, lawmen, and others living in the Old West. Vickie’s books have won numerous awards including the Booksellers Best, OWFI Best Fiction Novel Award, the Inspirational Readers’ Choice awards. When she’s not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, making cards, gardening, and traveling.
Excerpt from the Book
Chapter 1
Spring 1903, Sanders Creek, Oklahoma
”You ought’a be right proud of yourself.”
City Marshal Dusty McIntyre’s chest swelled at Deputy Tom Barker’s comment, then he heaved a sigh of relief, knowing the crafty swindler he’d been after for months was finally behind bars. He eyed the solemn prisoner in the cell. “I have to admit, there were days I wondered if we’d ever catch this weasel. Feels good to have him locked up.”
Ed Sloane’s eyes narrowed as he peered through the bars. “Just ’cause you got me locked up today, marshal, doesn’t mean you will tomorrow.” One cheek kicked upward in a cocky sneer.
Dusty wanted to smack that belligerent look off Sloane’s face, but he wouldn’t. As a law officer, he was bound by a different code than the man in his jail, and as a Christian, he was called by God to walk a straight path and control his temper. He looked at Sloane and recognized him for what he was—a lost man. A man on the road to hell if he didn’t change his ways real fast.
Sloane stuck his hands between two bars. “Think you could take these cuffs off now that you got me safe in your jail?”
Dusty didn’t miss the sarcasm that laced his prisoner’s voice. The man still didn’t seem to realize he’d been caught. Much as he’d like to leave Sloane handcuffed, he crossed the room, his boots echoing on the wood floor. He pulled a warm metal key from his shirt pocket, but stopped and glanced at Tom. “If he tries anything, shoot him.”
Tom pressed his lips together and nodded as he pulled his pistol from his holster and pointed it Sloan’s direction. “Be happy to.”
Dusty approached the cell with caution. Ed Sloane was slipperier than a greased hog at the county fair. A chill crept up Dusty’s spine when an evil glint flashed in the man’s pale blue eyes. What could bring a man to be so depraved that he would prey on the elderly and widows, stealing them blind, and leaving them penniless and heartbroken?
With a few rattles and clicks, the handcuffs were off, and Dusty moved back. Sloane chuckled a guttural laugh that sounded like a snarling, wounded animal. Shaking his head, Dusty crossed the room to his desk and tossed down the key. Tom picked it up, stuck it in the desk drawer, and then holstered his weapon.
”Don’t you reckon you ought’a head home to supper and tell that fine wife of yours all about your exceptional day?” Tom grinned, and his thick moustache twitched. “If she’s fixin’ that rhubarb pie of hers, you might save me a slice—if you’ve a mind to. Mmm mmm, it’s mighty fine.”
”I may do just that.” Dusty smiled at his deputy. Tom had been his best friend since school days, and it seemed natural to hire him as his assistant when Dusty’s father retired as City Marshal and Dusty took over. Most of the time he worked days and Tom evenings, but lately they’d both been pulling twenty-four hour shifts as their search for Sloane narrowed. They’d gone from house to house, ranch to ranch, searching for Sloane and his gang. His trail resembled that of a cyclone’s, leaving in its wake a debris path of desperation and destruction. Now that he’d captured Sloane, it shouldn’t be too hard to get the rest of his gang.
Dusty’s belly grumbled, and he yawned. All he wanted was to eat one of Emily’s fine meals, give her some lovin’, then hit the hay and sleep a full day and night.
Except for Sloane and the havoc he and his gang had caused lately, this past year had been the best Dusty could remember. First, he’d given his heart to God, then five months ago, he’d fallen in love and married the new banker’s daughter.
He longed to run fingers through Emily’s thick auburn hair. Soft as a horse’s muzzle, but as sweet smelling as the rose bushes in front of their porch. He imagined her pine green eyes twinkling with merriment as she played one of her little pranks on him. An only child, Dusty couldn’t wait until they had a houseful of children. Emily would be a wonderful mother, and he could only hope he’d be a decent father. God would help him in that area.
Ah, yes, life was good.
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For Him and My Family, April 25
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Stories By Gina, April 27 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 27
lakesidelivingsite, April 28
Simple Harvest Reads, April 29 (Guest Review from Donna)
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 30
Artistic Nobody, May 1 (Author Interview)
A Simple Texas Girl, May 1
Holly’s Book Corner, May 2
Pause for Tales, May 3
Jodie Wolfe, May 4
Cover Lover Book Review, May 5
Guild Master, May 6 (Author Interview)
To celebrate her tour, Vicki is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://gleam.io/iBJYy/the-bounty-hunter-and-the-bride-celebration-tour-giveaway
