A sweet western romance set in 1888.When rancher Seth Reagan left Kansas for a livestock show in Chicago, he never dreamed he’d be returning a week later with seven horses, extra carpet bags, and a wife.Lily Lind answered a mail-order-bride advertisement, expecting to be a Chicago businessman’s wife. Instead, she finds herself singing randy songs to a bunch of drunk men in a saloon.After escaping … saloon.
After escaping the saloon and finding Seth, Lily accepts his offer of a marriage of convenience to protect her from the saloon owner’s thugs. They travel back to Seth’s hometown to decide their future.
Now what? Go their own ways, or make their marriage real? Will Seth want Lily though, after he learns her secrets?
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DO I WANT TO BE FREE—OR DO I WANT TO STAY MARRIED
I enjoyed the story of Seth Reagan and Lily Lind. It is a wonderful addition to the Grooms with Honor series and shows how God can bring two people together under stressful and unusual circumstances. Each book in this series will read well as a stand-alone and even better if they are read in written order because they do run along a chronological timeline. The books are all clean historical tales that revolve around the Reagan family and Clear Creek, Kansas, revolving around faith and family.
Seth Reagan is one of the biological sons of Reverend Patrick Reagan, along with Angus, while his other brothers may not all be blood, they were all family and considered Kaitlyn their Ma. Seth works for Isaac Connely with the horses at the Straight Arrow Ranch. He will travel to Chicago to purchase some new stock of horses, as well as, some cattle to take back to the ranch. He will witness a scene at the depot with a young Swedish woman being summons by a man and overhear a conversation that has him upset and wanting to come to her aid.
Lily Lind will leave her homeland of Sweden after working on a horse farm when she and the owner’s son develop a relationship. She will be sent to Boston where she will work in a factory, waiting for him to join her. But instead, she will receive news he has married, and it is time for her to move on. She accepts the offer of a man in Chicago, but when she arrives is told that she won’t be a bride but instead expected to work in his Emporium as a singer and soiled-dove. With no one to help her, what will she do?
The plot will have Seth witnessing Lily’s shocking confrontation at the depot and deciding he must do something to help her. Raised by a family who helps others, he will find himself going to a place he would never normally go, a saloon that is also a brothel. But he must do something to help Lily, and that is exactly what he does. By pure chance, Lily sees the cowboy from the train and goes to him after her songs and he will pay to take her upstairs, only to talk, but how will he get her out of there?
The story is full of danger, suspense, life and death, intrigue, ingenuity, and determination. You can’t help but respect that Seth wants to do the right thing to help Lily, and that Lily is willing to risk everything to get out of the situation she finds herself in. It won’t be easy because the man she thought she was to marry is evil with thugs and even cops in his pocket. Lily will prove to be invaluable in helping Seth chose when stallions and mares to purchase, including a mare for her.
A marriage of convenience is planned, with the offer for an annulment when they get to Kansas. While the marriage is obtained, the danger isn’t over. The longer that Seth and Lily are together, the more attracted they become to each other. Will Seth be able to allow Lily to leave him? Seth knew in his heart he was ready to settle down, but what does she want for her life and future?
“Am I falling in love with my wife?”
“When your mind believes what your heart already knows, I’d like to perform a renewal vow for the two of you. It can either be in front of the whole congregation or privately. You need to think of your ‘situation’ as a marriage, Seth. You’ve said your wedding vows. Now you need to commit to them.” –Pastor Patrick Reagan
Seth Reagan and Lily Lind was a fantastic story. Meeting at the railway station in Chicago, they instantly connect for a few moments. Lily has answered a mail order bride ad. Seth is there for a horse auction. Later they again meet, but circumstances have turned worse for Lily and Seth. Lily is in the clutches of a man whose intent is to make her into a soiled dove in his establishment. Seth to the rescue! Their escape involves a few fist fights, and a marriage of convenience. Arriving home already married in name, the two begin to think about each other with love. Can they remain married and happy? Kidnapped by Mr. Hardesty once again, Lily knows for certain she is in for the fight of her life. Seth is on the trail but will he arrive in time? This series is a must read. Full of adventure and love.
I received this book as an ARC for review. All opinions in this review are my own.
“Seth’s Promise is a remake of Lilly: Bride of Illinois. The story has been updated to fit into the Grooms with Honor Series.”
I enjoyed the subtle differences between the two stories!
Tragedy turns to true love: From her earliest moments, Lily has had a rough life! From poverty, to servanthood, to mill worker, will she finally get her Happy Ever After? Will coming to Chicago be her saving grace? I love how this story connects with Linda’s other books set in Clear Creek! You must read this book to learn how her train ride to Illinois eventually gets her to Kansas!!
Seth’s Promise(Grooms with Honor Book 6) by Linda K.Hubdalek is like going home again. You get to revisit with the Reagan family and all the folk in Clear Creek. This is Seth and Lily’ s story and Linda Hubalek does not disappoint! Seth is just like his brother a man of Honor and when he sees a woman in trouble he does what he has to, to protect her including marrying her. Lily planned on being a mail order bride, but her groom is not the man she thought he was. This is a sweet romance, with some danger that will keep you turning the pages right up to the end.
Seth’s Promise, is a wonderful book.
It is a heartwarming story, with a little suspense. Seth is in Chicago, for a stock auction. He overheard a conversation, where it seems the woman, who just got off train, is in trouble. Lily came to Chicago, as a mail order bride.
But, it seems she has been mislead,
by a very dishonest man. When Seth
see’s Lily again, he asks her, if he can help. Lily know she’s is in danger,
& needs help.
I really enjoyed reading the story.
A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE!!