A Timeless Romance Anthology: Mail Order Bride

Welcome to the eighteen hundreds/turn of the century, when being a mail order bride was sometimes the only option for a respectable single lady with nowhere to go or no one to turn to. The other option was to be an unrespectable lady.

Each of the six stories is told with its own charm and voice. All the heroines head west for a fresh start with a stranger. What they end up with a man who captures her heart. The fun of each story is in the details.

Clean, wholesome, romantic, and utterly enjoyable.

I'd love to see these authors cook up a reverse romance series where the hero is a mail order groom!

Amazon

Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Mail Order Bride Collection, now a USA TODAY Bestseller! Six historical romance novellas set in the Old West. 

WRITTEN IN HER HEART, a charming novella by Stacy Henrie, Georgeanna is getting desperate. She can’t fund her favorite orphanage unless she marries and secures the rest of her inheritance left by her father. But her father’s financial planner, Clay, can't understand why she's not content with her current situation. Georgie determines to send out a notice as a mail order bride to attract suitors who won’t know her financial situation. Little does she know, Clay takes up the pen and sends her letters of his own under an assumed name. After years of working for Georgie’s father, Clay realizes he isn’t ready to watch her marry another, not when his heart is already claimed by her.

In Kristin Holt’s delightful novella WANTED: MIDWIFE BRIDE Dr. Naomi Thornton thinks she has it all: a beautiful house, a loving husband, and a fulfilling career. But when everything she holds dear is ripped away, Naomi has no choice but to start over. What will she find in the wild and untamed Wyoming Territory? Dr. Joe Chandler has waited years for a wife with the knowledge, skills, and tender heart he yearns for in a medical colleague and lifetime companion. When a midwife arrives with more expertise and secrets than he counted on, Joe quickly discovers there’s more to love and marriage than a simple mail order contract. 

In THE SOUND OF HOME, a captivating novella by Annette Lyon, Marilyn is given the choice of either marrying the despicable Victor or being charged with a murder she didn’t commit. Refusing to believe that either is her fate, she finds a third option: she answers a mail order bride advertisement and boards a train to Wyoming to wed a man named Harry. Moments after her arrival, she learns that Harry isn’t who he seemed to be, and the advertisement turns out to be a giant mistake. Harry’s brother Thomas agrees to let her stay until she can figure out what to do next—after all, she simply cannot return to New York—but Marilyn quickly finds herself developing feelings for Thomas.

In Sarah M. Eden’s endearing novella FOR BETTER OR WORSE Gerald Smith, on the advice of his well-meaning neighbors, has decided it’s time to change his lonely existence. Mary Hill, on the advice of her empty pocketbook and non-existent roof over her head, has decided it’s time to secure herself a future. A mail-order marriage, they both realize, is no guarantee of happiness, but it is a risk they are willing to take. However, coming face to face on the train platform, the hapless couple discovers an unexpected truth: marriage to a perfect stranger is sometimes far preferable to the prospect of a lifetime with someone you used to know.

Heather B. Moore’s sweet novella THE INCONVENIENT BRIDE sees Carmela traveling from Boston to Colorado, eager to meet the man she’s been corresponding with and will soon marry. Her brother’s new marriage leaves little room for Carmela in her old life. Upon arrival in Leadville, she faces a rude awakening, and the only one who can understand her predicament is her fiance’s brother, Samuel. But Samuel can’t possibly help her out of an awkward situation, can he? 

THE PRICE OF SILVER, an engaging novella by Siân Ann Bessey, Katie leaves New York for Idaho to marry Jake, a man she’s written to a couple of times. But when she steps off the train, his brother Caleb is there to greet her. Jake has gone to take a mining job he couldn’t pass up. Caleb takes Katie back to the family ranch to wait for Jake’s return. The more Caleb gets to know Katie, the more he envies his brother, but he can’t let his heart overrule his head unless Jake changes his mind about his intended bride.

Tomorrow's Lulllaby

Ms. Armstrong's follow up to Chasing Someday is beautiful.

Lots of adoption issues abound for Sienna and Aaron. There's good representation of how it is to be a birth mom and an adopted child, giving both sides of the coin so to speak.

Emotions and chemistry ride high. Have fun on the tidal wave of both.

Poor Jared. I hope he finds a happily-ever-after in one of Ms. Armstrong's books someday. He was a good guy who deserves one.

You can read this as a stand alone but I highly recommend you read Chasing Someday to better understand Sienna.

As strong as any of her other works, you can enjoy this one just as much.

My only nit pick is the cover (which is stunning btw). It doesn't accurately potray Aaron's heritage.

Amazon

Falling in love just got complicated.

When Sienna McBride placed her baby for adoption at eighteen, she never dreamed that two years later she’d find herself falling for someone who resents his birth mother for not keeping him. 

A relationship that screams “baggage” is the last thing she has time for, especially with her last-chance Juilliard audition approaching. She can’t afford any distractions if she’s going to get back into the school she turned down because of her pregnancy. But that’s exactly what Aaron is turning out to be—a devastatingly handsome, butterfly-inducing distraction. One that’s making her reconsider the importance of attending Juilliard. 

The future of their relationship rests on whether Sienna can live a lie or trust Aaron with the truth. If only she felt confident in either decision.

Ultimate Life: Create a Life Worth Living in 9 Simple Steps

A non-fiction book by the talented Rachelle Christensen and her husband Steve Christensen to get your life on track. 

I've been interested in this subject for years and read about it occasionally. I eat well, exercise, and keep my life fairly well in balance so I was curious what additional light they might shed on the experience. 

The book is well written and an excellent starting point for those embarking on a wellness journey. There are helpful tips and stories to spur you along, and a website to check out for more information. 

As always, you can read until the cows come home, but if you don't get out of your chair/off your couch, nothing will change. You have to do the work. No one can do it for you. 

This book was a good refresher for me. As I've already incorporated the nine steps in my life, I'm looking forward to a version of an Advanced Ultimate Life. I hope they'll write one. 

Amazon

Ultimate Life gives you a simple, yet detailed look at how to create a life worth living in 9 simple steps. 
In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to:
•Gain more energy and vitality in life
•Choose the right foods to help you lose weight 
•Build lasting relationships that connect at a deeper level
•Create a workout routine that produces noticeable results 
•Gain a greater understanding for your own purpose in life 

Get ready to live the life of your dreams, your Ultimate Life! Get the guide to get started at www.createultimatelife.com 

40 Days with the Savior

This one has sat on my e-reader for far too long. Every year, I tried to start it so I would end on Easter, but whenever I picked it up it always seemed to be less than 40 days before Easter and so I would put off reading it another year. This year, I read the book. I finished 5 days after Easter and didn't mind a bit.

Don't make the same mistake I did.

Anytime is a good time to pick this up and read it, Easter season or not.

Ms. Sokol delivers powerful insights and raises thouhgtful questions as to how we can individually learn from and grow to be like Jesus Christ.

If you are looking for a quick daily devotional that can bring you closer to Him, then you have arrived at the right book. Start reading.

I'd love for her to do another one based on this theme, perhaps for Christmas time.

Amazon

Do you desire a more Christ-centered experience? 

You’ll experience a more fulfilling spiritual season with these positive and inspiring devotionals on the Savior. For forty days, enjoy a daily scripture and personal insight on a character trait of Jesus Christ, and how it applies to everyday living. Learn more of who He was, what He taught, and how it can bless your life. 

Mr. Darcy Presents His Bride

This is my first read by Helen Hastead.

I'm a great fan of Ms. Austen and have read many authors tales of life after Pride & Prejudice. This one may be my favorite.

All the beloved characters are back, and even some unbeloved (Lady Catherine) to share in the bliss and trials of Lizzie and Darcy as they navigate the sometimes muddy waters of marriage. There are new characters to add to the cast, Marchioness of Englebury, playwrights, wits, those who wish they were wits...etc.

The manners are delightful, the setting engaging, and the writing stunning. There are moments of both comedy and tradgedy portrayed, and, of course, romance.

The only fly in the ointment, for me, was the head hopping, though this is certainly not a deal breaker.

Amazon

IN PRIDE & PREJUDICE, JANE AUSTEN brought together one of the most beloved literary couples of all time - Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. Now, Mr. Darcy Presents His Bride continues the story of these passion-filled newlyweds as they enter London's glamorous high society. This page-turning novel finds Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy entangled in the frivolity and ferocity of social intrigues. Although Elizabeth makes a powerful friend in the Marchioness of Englebury, the rivalry and jealousy among her ladyship's prestigious clique threatens to destroy the success of her new marriage. Written in the style of Jane Austen, full of humor and sardonic wit, Mr. Darcy Presents His Bride brings Regency society vividly to life and continues the romantic, sometimes tragic, stories of other popular Pride & Prejudice characters including Georgiana Darcy and Kitty Bennet.

Meet Me at Sunrise Launch!

BOOK 2 of the Destined for Love: Europe Series is HERE! #destinedforlove

Meet Me at Sunrise by Lucinda Whitney 
When Vanessa boards her grandfather’s ship for a river cruise in northern Portugal, she doesn't expect him to ask the handsome captain to take her ashore on day trips.
But as she and the captain spend more time together, they find their assumptions of each other are wrong, and maybe eight days are not enough after all.

Grab it on Amazon! 

You can still preorder 12 Days to Love on Amazon, launching June 6th! 

The Duke Conspiracy

I found this book as lovely as the other I read by Ms. Andrews.

I hope she continues to write strong female characters who aren't afraid to be exactly who they are even in the face of society and its rules, though they do it very discreetly.

Lots of the conflict is based on the past and clearing the air. Thankfully, Ms. Andrews does satisfy all the necessary questions.

There was good representation of feelings from all characters, though I could have done without the head hopping (a personal preference of mine).

If only there were more Alex's in the world!

Well written, a good representation of the time, and, most of all, clean and delightful.

Amazon

Miss Rosamund Smythe, the only daughter of a baron diplomat, is finding the Season to be a dead bore. After her stint at spying while in Vienna with her father, she wants a higher purpose in life than “just” being a wife. 

His Grace, Alexander Milton, the Duke of Wrentham, wants a quiet life with a “proper” lady as his wife after the tumultuous childhood he had. His parents had fought viciously, lied often, and Alex secretly wonders if he was even his father’s son.

Rose and Alex grew up on neighboring estates and have been best friends since she was four years old but a family feud has torn their friendship apart.

At a Society event Rose overhears a plot to entrap Alex into a marriage of convenience. Her loyalty to their old friendship as well as her knowledge of the conspirator, Sir Jason Broderick, causes Rose to overcome her aversion to Wrentham in order to warn him of his danger. Alex’s complicated childhood has caused him to despise all forms of deception so Rose avoids telling him how she knows so much about Sir Broderick.

When Rose is abducted by Sir Broderick to prevent her interference, Alex must deal with his own conflicted feelings to help her rescue herself. Can they claim their happily ever after despite the turmoil?