A sweet historical romance set in 1887.Gabriel Shepard has secretly loved Iva Mae Paulson for years, but has been too shy to court her. But when Iva Mae announces at a New Year’s Eve party that her 1887 resolution is find a groom, Gabe must decide if he’s ready to lose her to another man, or step out of his saddle shop to pursue her.Iva Mae Paulson loves teaching children but after six years, she … after six years, she wants a family instead. Since her choice of husband won’t take the first step, she’ll set her own destiny by sign up to become a mail-order bride.
Help and hindrance by family and friends makes this a comical trip down the aisle for this couple.
The Grooms with Honor series showcases the six sons of Pastor and Kaitlyn Reagan. The family and their friends were first featured in the 1873 year-based Brides with Grit series.
more
I WANT TO FEEL SAFE, LOVED, AND SHELTERED
I enjoyed this wonderful addition to the Grooms of Honor series, and this story is about Gabriel “Gabe” Shepard and Iva Mae Paulson. As with the other stories in this series, they are part of an ongoing saga in the town of Clear Creek, Kansas, and complement each other, but can read as a standalone. Both Gabe and Iva Mae have had a rough younger childhood, having experienced hardships that many people would not understand or have ever had to endure. They both arrived in Clear Creek, Kansas around the same time thirteen years ago and became best friends from school. Iva Mae has no doubts as to the man she is in love with and has become frustrated at his lack of commitment. While Gabe has feelings for Iva Mae, he has become complacent with living with his father and Darcie and working with his father.
A New Year’s resolution by Iva Mae to be married before the end of 1887 will set this tale into motion. When Gabe continues to withdraw from her, she will send off to a matrimonial agency to become a mail-ordered bride. Will this be the push that Gabe needs to step up his game or will his indecision end their future? What happens when Iva Mae starts getting letters from potential men as her future husband? “Love’s gonna strike between Iva Mae and one of these men and you’re not going to have kindling ready, let alone a match to light the fire, Gabe.”
For Gabe to marry, he needs to have a house, and working with Mack on the Johnston house may solve living arrangements, but first, he needs to talk to the bank. Gabe is a procrastinator, but he does seek out some sage advice from Pastor Reagan. “Life is a mixture of happiness and sorrow, so don’t expect marriage to be easy, but trust me, you’ll get through life better with the right woman.” “You’ve got to give something to get something.” What happens when the Johnston house sells before Gabe talks to the bank? Has all the planning been in vain? Will this derailment lead Iva Mae to accept another man’s proposal for marriage?
The story will take the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride and have those sweet, happy moments and even some that will have you groaning, and then a few laughing out loud moments too. I enjoyed the sage advice shared by several men, especially the old-timers that shared how waiting and not acting cost years of happiness. The story is a sweet and clean tale that keeps the pages turning with a great cast of characters. While it does contain many characters from previous stories, if you haven’t read them, you will not be lost. Best of all, it does have a happily ever after ending. I look forward to more stories in this series.
Linda Hubalek has done it again. She has written a story that draws you in. Written characters that are likeable, relatable and invite you to get to know them. Iva Mae has waited for YEARS for Gabe to asked her to court, but Gabe is so caught up with issues from the past that he can not move forward. It is only when Iva Mae takes matter into her own hands and decides that either with Gabe or not, by the end of the year she was going to be married, that it lights a fire under Gabe. The road to happy ever after was not a smooth one for Gabe and Iba Mae with Gabe not knowing his own mind, but with patient and faith it will turn out. I so enjoy catching up with all my favorites from Clear Creek. I received a ARC from the author. My opinion is my own.