What’s a matchmaker to do when the husband-to-be rejects the bride?
Again . . .
Widowed as a young wife, Cara Cargill turned her head for business and love of romance into a successful mail-order bride enterprise. She’s never had a problem matching couples until one mule-headed man continues to refuse to wed the women she sends to meet him in Grass Valley, Oregon. In an effort to make a … she sends to meet him in Grass Valley, Oregon. In an effort to make a match he’ll keep and uphold her sterling reputation, Cara is desperate to find the perfect bride.
♥ Daisy – When her fiancé leaves her at the altar, Daisy Bancroft knows it is far past time for a change. Her dearest friend, Cara, offers to send her to a newly established town in Oregon, where possibilities abound and the grass is rumored to be as tall as a man’s head. Daisy arrives with plans to wed Tagg Thompson, only to find the obstinate rancher has foisted her off on his best friend.
♥ Birdie – Tired of waiting for her Mister Right to magically appear and whisk her away to a happily-ever-after, Bridget “Birdie” Byrne convinces her sister, a renowned matchmaker, to send her as the bride to Tagg Thompson. The man who greets her upon her arrival isn’t Tagg, but Birdie is certain she’s finally discovered the man she is meant to marry.
♥ Cara – Fed up with Tagg Thompson and his refusals of every bride she’s sent to Grass Valley for him to wed, Cara decides to meet the exasperating man in person. Her feet are barely on the ground in the rustic town before she’s nearly bowled over by a herd of stampeding cattle and swept into the brawny arms of a cowboy with the bluest eyes she’s ever seen.
Will true love find its home in the hearts of these Grass Valley Brides?
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This book was separated into three stories about Cara Cargill, her sister Birdie, and her friend Daisy. Matchmaker Cara is angry with her client Tagg Thompson, who keep rejecting the brides she sends to Grass Valley and pairing them up with other men to marry. I laughed over his letters and criticism about her ability to match him up with the right woman, even going so far as to say he was the better matchmaker. Daisy decides to give him a shot after she’s left almost at the alter by her fiance. Birdie is next going behind Cara’s back when she’s away. And Cara rounds out the book going to Grass Valley to confront Birdie. The men Tagg has in mind don’t agree at first that these are the right women for them and there are plenty of ups and downs in their relationships. I wasn’t sure how society women who were used to servants and conveniences would deal with a more primitive lifestyle. I loved Dane’s pet chicken, that big burly Rance took in orphan Tim and made him his apprentice, blind kind Drew the brides met on the stagecoach, and Tagg himself who knew what he wanted for the past twelve years and even though he was manipulative with the brides did so to achieve happiness with the woman he’s always loved. This was a sweet funny historical western mail order brides collection.
Joy! That’s what I feel! It’s amazing, wonderful, intriguing…
I can go on and on… I’ve been smiling and giggling and laughing out loud – such an amazing plot.
Highly recommend! Narration is fabulous!!!
“Life is too short to waste it to be anything but happy.”
A tale told from the perspectives of three young women, two sisters and their dear friend, Grass Valley Brides was an absolute delight to read and a book I would highly recommend to those looking for a lighter, wholesome read laced throughout with heaping doses of laugh-out-loud humor and sweet romance. The premise for the novel was unique and there were clever plot twists that were revealed as the story moved along. While divided into sections for each of the three young ladies, the plot is seamlessly woven together, as the stories take place one right after the other and make for a cohesive tale I did not want to put down. This may be my favorite yet of books I have read by Shanna Hatfield!
I received a complimentary copy from the author and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Awesome
I loved this book! I liked how the three stories were connected and while i loved each leading lady and their handsome men, I liked how it was all leading up to the story of Cara and Tagg. I really thought it was a sweet and satisfying ending. Daisy and BIrdie were great and Rance was a close favorite.
Cara Cargill had run a successful matchmaking business until Taggert Thompson started rejecting every bride-to-be she sent him. Grass Valley Brides is the story of three of the women who meet Tagg.
Daisy – Cara’s best friend knows all about her troubles with Mr. Thompson. When Daisy finds out the day before her wedding that her fiancé has run off with another woman, she is humiliated. Desiring to leave town, Daisy tells Cara she wants to be the next bride sent to Tagg. However, when Daisy arrives in Grass Valley, she discovers Tagg has sent his best friend, Dane, to pick her up.
Birdie – Cara’s sister has been dreaming of love and romance since her teens. When Cara goes on a trip and Tagg requests another bride, Birdie decides to go to Grass Valley and meet Tagg. Instead of Tagg waiting on her, Birdie finds he has asked a friend of his, Rance, a merchant in town, to escort her to the hotel.
Cara – When Cara returns from a trip and finds a telegram from Birdie stating she is married and a letter from Taggert Thompson asking for yet another bride, Cara is furious and immediately heads to Grass Valley to confront the man herself.
Grass Valley Brides, a historical prequel to Shanna Hatfield’s contemporary series, Grass Valley Cowboys, is fantastic from beginning to end. The author note gives a very thorough history of the town as well. It is a very easy and descriptive read, making you love the story and wanting to live there. I found each couple fun and entertaining and have asked the author for a follow-up.
I received a free Kindle copy of this book. I volunteered to read it and write a review.
The matchmaker meets her match!
My rating is 4.5 stars
It’s always a good sign when I am giggling before I’ve finished the prologue of a book. And, sure enough, I wasn’t even more than a few pages into Grass Valley Brides before the laughter started.
The absurdity of the man seeking a mail-order bride then matching them off with other men when they arrived made this quite an amusing tale – and the mystery of why he would do such a thing added some intrigue. When the entire story was revealed, I was a little surprised, though by that time enough hints had been dropped that I did expect it.
Other than letting you know how delightful this story is, I will simply say if you enjoy historical romance with a Western flavor that will make you smile, be sure to grab a copy of Grass Valley Brides.
Read my review of Grass Valley Brides by Shanna Hatfield at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
I loved this book. It was so satisfying to have not just one but three stories that were all intertwined together.
Shanna Hatfield writes engaging stories with real characters complete with real flaws – Cara has a bit of a temper and might be known to throw things in frustration (especially when caused by Tagg Thompson), Birdie disappears across town without letting anyone know where she was going and Daisy turns her life upside down with an on the spot decision. With the ability of a real storyteller, Shanna draws these characters out and weaves a beautiful story that I really didn’t want to put down. I’m really looking forward to reading more about those that live at Grass Valley.
Cara has a successful mail order matchmaking business until Taggart becomes the one groom that can not be satisfied. She has sent Daisy and Birdie but he has rejected each one but they did find their HEA. Cara decides to go to Grass Valley to meet with the stubborn Taggart to find out why he has turned down both mail order brides only to find the handsome man speaking to her heart. Loved this sweet clean romance that turns out to actually the three.
Cara Cargill, Philadelphia’s leading mail-order matchmaker, has successfully matched men with prospective brides throughout the west…except for ornery Taggart Thompson of Grass Valley, Oregon. He’s refused every one of the brides Cara sent him. Imagine! The nerve of that man! If it was the last thing Cara Cargill did, she’d find a suitable bride for Taggart Thompson…he wasn’t going to spoil her business or her sterling reputation.
Daisy – Daisy Bancroft, Cara’s best friend, arrives in Grass Valley intent on marrying Tagg Thompson and settling down. Though she is gently spurned by Tagg, she is relieved for her heart has been captured by one stubborn, set-in-his-ways Dane Dalton.
Birdie – Spirited, vivacious Bridget ‘Birdie” Byrne is tired of waiting for her happily-ever-after to show up on her doorstep. Determined to chart her own course, she waits until her sister, Cara, goes out of town then hops a train for Grass Valley. Thinking she is the perfect match for Taggart, her heart surprises her when she falls head over heels for the surly, gruff, short-tempered, but oh, so handsome, Rance Barlow.
Cara – Furious that Taggart Thompson continues to reject every bride, including her own sister, Birdie, Cara leaves for Grass Valley, intent on setting the obnoxious man on his ear. But when an admission comes to light, Cara can’t deny the love she’s waited a lifetime to call her own.
Oh my goodness! Just when you thought Ms. Hatfield’s writing couldn’t get better, this trilogy comes along and shoots that theory out of the water! In the space of eight to ten chapters, she’s developed fully rounded characters with strengths as well as flaws, back stories, and a simple plot which at times twists and turns…a trait which is a trademark in her books and done to perfection. The description of Grass Valley with its lush fields, blue skies, friendly people, and room to grow is as much a character as Tagg, Rance and Dane. Secondary characters Ruth Dalton and young Tim add another layer of interest while moving the story along. Ruth Dalton is the ideal mother-in-law we all yearn for-patient, loving, a friend as well as a parent wanting only the best for her son while Tim sees Rance as someone to look up to and emulate. Yet, he is strong enough in his convictions to tell Rance just what he’s thinking.
Admittedly and openly, I am a huge fan of the contemporary Grass Valley series with the Thompson brothers, their wives, family and friends. It’s such a joy to learn how the family came to settle in Oregon. Grass Valley Brides is a wonderful trilogy filled with hope, heart and humor and another jewel in Ms. Hatfield’s crown of western historical romance.
This book is part of a Regional Romance Series with authors Kit Morgan, Kari Trumbo and Peggy Henderson.
Grass Valley in Oregon seems like a place that everyone falls in love with. In reading these three historical romances I myself fell in love with Grass Valley. Such sweet , touching stories for three incredibly independent, strong willed ladies who meet their matches in men.
Story one was Daisy Bancroft and Dane Dalton. Story two is Birdie(Bridget) Byrne and Rance Barlow. The last story belongs to Cara Cargill and Taggart(Tagg) Thompson. All of these stories will tug at your heart strings but my favorite is Cara and Taggs story.
This is a fantastic set of books to read about Cara and her matchmaking business!! I simply could not put them down until I finished them!! You will feel like you are right there with them on the stage coach ride and with everything that happens along the way to the final HEA!! I read a bookfunnel copy and freely leave my review!!
After the dead of her husband Cara started a very successful matchmaking service. But one specific man makes her furious, Tagg Thompson refused all the brides she had sent. Instead of marrying one of the ladies Cara send him he finds husbands under his friends. What is the matter with that man? She sends her best friend and after that fails her sister finds her way to Grass Valley. What will Tagg do when a very furious Cara decides to confront him personally?
Great trilogy with some surprises that will keep you entertained till the last page. Shanna Hatfield is an amazing storyteller.
Great romance in Grass Valley Oregon! I loved these three stories in one set in Grass Valley! Taggart Thompson receives a string of mail order brides and marries them off to friends and neighbors. Finally the matchmaker herself shows up in Grass Valley to see what’s going on just to find out he has been waiting for her all along. Shanna Hatfield is a great story teller and weaves these historical sweet love stories with humor and love. Don’t miss it!
Ms. Hatfield knows her way with words and writing very fun and unique characters that you just end up loving her stories. This book has three mail order bride stories and they are so much fun and hilarious especially the last one. But the stories are all related as the matchmaker is friends to most of the brides and sister to one. The matchmaker for sure has a lot of sass and gumption, but so does her sister.
I had a blast reading these and you will too. This book is the historical story of one family in her familiar Grass Valley contemporary stories.
I hope she does more if they are related to the rest of the contemporary stories to give a lot of background to the characters.
This is a must read especially if you already read the Grass Valley contemporary stories but also a great set up for those who haven’t read them yet either.
I received a copy to read and I loved it so much I wanted to also give a review. This is my own opinion and I wasn’t asked to write it nor am I getting any compensation to do so.
Shanna Hatfield is a master at creating such sweet romantic plots, in every genre she embraces.
How does she continually do it?
Tagg Thompson stays in constant correspondence with Cara Cargill for the perfect Mail-Order Bride for him, however, each young lady Cara sends, just isn’t who Tagg is looking to wed. With each corresponding letter she receives from Tagg, Cara’s temper just boils.
DAISY:
Daisy and Dane were a fun, fun couple.
Stubborn, set in their ways, and the perfect “opposites attract” blossoming love!
I loved how they both tried so hard to hide their feelings, yet yearning to explore each other’s personalities and desires.
The precious animals incorporated in this story, will melt your heart and was such a special addition.
BIRDIE:
Birdie, with her a child-like, carefree euphoric nature, capture my heart and kept me smiling.
Rance, with his surly, quick witted demeanor, guards his heart from everyone, especially the newly arrived Birdie.
These two were perfect opposites who were destined for one another.
“She gave Rance Wings, and he gave her a solid place to land.”
When Dane and Daisy’s wedding day arrived, no one, especially Birdie and Rance, were prepared for the surprise Tagg Thompson had arraigned.
CARA:
My Heavens, Shanna saved the best for last. I can’t go into any detail about Cara’s story, because I’d give too much away.
I will tell you that, Cara’s story is phenomenal and is the perfect ending to this amazing trilogy.
I can’t emphasis enough, Grass Valley Brides is fantastically written for the hopeless romantic.
this is a wonderful , enjoyable story . Cara is a widow and a matchmaker and Tagg wants a wife and keeps sending for one and then one of his friends ends up with her, if you like cowboys and animals and city women who fall for the cowboys you will want to read this book could not stop reading it,i was given a copy of the book but this is an honest reveiw looking forward to more
These stories were so much fun.
Bits were predictable, but still enjoyable.
The characters were not thoroughly fleshed out––normal in short stories––but you still get a feel for them.
Oh, but the storylines! They were fantastic!
I absolutely loved this collection
of stories. All 3 were wonderful!
It takes place in 1884, in Grass Valley, OR.
Cara, is a matchmaker. Birdie, is her sister
& Daisy is her best friend.
And Tagg Thompson, is the annoying scoundrel that Cara, is trying to find a bride for. At this point, she’s completely exasperated with him.
They’re a charming, witty & moving romances with characters you cannot
get enough of.
The stories flowed seamlessly that
I couldn’t put them down.
I loved every page!!
Even though I had long figured out where these were going, I loved each one. Mail order bride shenanigans is the best way to explain these. The groom to be just couldn’t be satisfied and kept matching up the ladies that were sent to be his bride with other men in town. You need to read these wholesome and fun books.
Jay Dyess did a wonderful job narrating these. I listened too many books that he has narrated and they have been wonderful.
I received free copy of this audiobook from the author and I am voluntarily leaving this review.