A chance meeting shifts Maggie’s future with Peter.It’s 1892, almost twenty years after the first mail-order brides found love in Clear Creek, Kansas in the Brides with Grit Series.The older members of the Clear Creek church women’s group, informally known as the Peashooter Society, decide to help the unattached women in town obtain husbands because there are more women in town than men.Maggie … obtain husbands because there are more women in town than men.
Maggie Brenner, the oldest daughter in the Brides with Grit series book, Sarah Snares a Soldier, grew up on the vast Cross C Ranch north of Clear Creek. Maggie, and all her siblings were adopted by Sarah and Marcus Brenner when Maggie’s widowed mother died giving birth to her triplet brothers.
Now an adult, Maggie would have preferred to leave the area to work with young children, but she moves into Clear Creek instead when her younger sisters, Molly and Maisie, take over the town’s dress shop.
The Peashooter Society decides Maggie needs a husband to complete her life, even if Maggie longs to work in an orphanage to help children find homes.
Peter Gehring, along with five friends, left New York City on an orphan train when Peter was four years old. He was adopted by a tailor and his wife. Now mustered out of the army, where Peter was a barber, the group of friends gets the chance to live and work together in a small community, thanks to the plan of the Peashooter Society.
Because of Peter’s tall, bulky stature, his benefactors think he’s built to run the blacksmith shop, even though he knows nothing about the craft. Luckily, he gets to take over the barbershop instead, enjoying cutting hair and visiting with anyone who stops by.
Peter and Maggie start a friendship which grows into love, but they aren’t sure they want the same thing when it comes to marriage and life in Clear Creek. Then a chance meeting of a group of orphans on a train cements their future.
Sounds like fate? Maybe. A happy ever after? Definitely!
Read all these romance novels set in the fictional Clear Creek, Kansas.
Mismatched Mail-Order Brides Series (new third series, 1892) all available and future titles
1. The Peashooter Society’s Plan
2. Amelia changes her Fellow (Amelia and Barton)
3. Avalee exchanges her Fiancé (Avalee and Gordon)
4. Maggie shifts her Gent (Maggie and Peter)
5. Maisie swaps her Groom (Maisie and Squires)
6. Molly switches her Man (Molly and Tobin)
7. Nadine trades her Partner (Nadine and Wesley)
Brides with Grit Series (first series in the years 1873-1874)
1. Rania Ropes a Rancher (Rania and Jacob)
2. Millie Marries a Marshal (Millie and Adam)
3. Hilda Hogties a Horseman (Hilda and Noah)
4. Cora Captures a Cowboy (Cora and Dagmar)
5. Sarah Snares a Soldier (Sarah and Marcus)
6. Cate Corrals a Cattleman (Cate and Isaac)
7. Darcie Desires a Drover (Darcie and Reuben)
8. Tina Tracks a Trail Boss (Tina and Leif)
9. Lorna Loves a Lawyer (Lorna and Lyle)
10. Helen Heals a Hotelier (Helen and Ethan)
11. Faye Favors a Foreman (Faye and Rusty)
12. Amy Admires an Amish Man (Amy and Eli)
Grooms with Honor Series (second series covering 1885-1892)
1. Angus’ Trust (Angus and Daisy)
2. Fergus’ Honor (Fergus and Iris)
3. Gabe’s Pledge (Gabe and Iva Mae)
4. Mack’s Care (Mack and Pansy)
5. Cullen’s Love (Cullen and Rose)
6. Seth’s Promise (Seth and Lily)
7. Adolph’s Choice (Adolph and Poppy)
8. Nolan’s Vow (Nolan and Holly)
9. Elof’s Mission (Elof and Linnea)
10. Jasper’s Wish (Jasper and Julip)
11. Tully’s Faith (Tully and Violet)
12. Kiowa’s Oath (Kiowa and Mary)
more
KEEP FATE IN MIND IN THE DAYS AHEAD, BECAUSE THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON
The story is the fourth in a new series and is a spin-off from the Grooms with Honor and Brides with Grit Series. When six of the elderly ladies, better known as the Peashooter Society, get together, it is to come up with a plan. Now it involves getting the six prospected new grooms to meet the six potential new brides. The story is the match between Maggie Brenner and Peter Gehring.
Maggie Brenner is a mothering soul, having been the oldest daughter of the eight children adopted by Sarah and Marcus Brenner. She has a soft spot for children and has even contemplated working with orphans.
Peter Gehring lost his parents in a house fire and was adopted, along with his five friends in the same town. He was adopted by a tailor and his wife, who taught him the trade. He also served in multiple capacities in the army where he worked well as a barber. Now that he is in Clear Creek, he is hoping to take over the barbershop.
While the Peashooters tried to match up the six men and women, they also attempted to assign each man a job, rather than learning what they were best suited doing. At least some of the men in town will listen and allow them to do a job best suited for each of them.
The plot will have an emergency train whistle to alert the townsfolk of a dire situation. A tree limb has crashed into one of the passenger cars, injuring many, and even claiming a life. Two women from the Orphanage in New York were traveling with children to find homes and had three remaining orphans, siblings that had not been adopted. With the help of the townspeople and the Brenner sisters, they will watch the children, but the little boy will cling to Peter. This will be their story.
“Maggie’s reason for being in town was now clear. Those children needed her.”
“Peter stood, balancing a child in each arm, and walked to the table. He never guessed when he opened the barbershop this morning he’d be taking care of two children this evening, but that’s how fast life can change. As an orphan himself, he knew their pain and confusion.”
With the injured Ann Beasley, a temporary housing situation will be set up off the barbershop for her and the three children, with Maggie helping them. But, the agency is sending others to pick up the three children in a weeks time. Then what will happen? Will the plight of Christian, Bonita, and baby Alice be the final push that Peter and Maggie need to commit to each other?
“You realize your barbershop and apartment are going to be filled with crying children, people’s outcast furniture, and too many busy-bodies for the next week?
“Yes, Maggie was the Brenner sister he’d like to marry because he was falling in love with the kind, giving woman.”
“Peter never guessed when he and his five friends decided to take a chance in Clear Creek, Kansas, that he’d find a job, home, community, a loving wife, and instant family.”
This series is so good! I love how Linda Hubalek gives her characters heart and soul. She brings about matches based on the couple’s inner identity. Children add a special touch to her stories and their personalities touch your heart. Maggie and Peter are the perfect combination, not initially matched, but they are attracted. Their love of children will bring them together and keep them together. I highly recommend this book.
I received an ARC of this book and am choosing to leave an honest review.
I love Linda K. Hubalek’s series. Brides with Grit and Grooms with Honor set up this series, Mismatched Mail-Order Brides. The prospective brides and grooms are sorting themselves out. Maggie and Peter get an unexpected boost to their courtship. This book was fun to read and it pulls at the heartstrings. I recommend this book.
Oh, that was heartbreaking and heartwarming!
I love seeing the men’s first days in town from different points of view. And, I love seeing the personalities evolve and relationships bloom.
I love this series!
Sweet Historical Romance
I think this one is my favorite so far! Clear Creek truly comes together as a community with a few injuries due to a train mishap! And another surprise awaits!
This is such a wonderful book!
I enjoyed reading this heartwarming
& moving romance.
You never when love will find you.
Maggie, Peter, Christian, Bonita & Alice,
are delightful characters, making it
the perfect read. Another great book
in the series!!