Lazarus County has yet to be tamed. There’s drought, bandits, and natives to contend with. People have moved out there hoping to better themselves, have a chance at the kind of life they could never hope for back East. Of course plenty of the settlers are lonely and willing to take a chance on love, even with someone that they’ve never met. In She Has to Stop Running Sometime: Ellen has to stop … Ellen has to stop running sometime. She’s fled her past all the way across the Atlantic and has given up hope of having the kind of romance she dreamed of as a girl. Bruised, inside and out, she’ll be happy just to find a family she can keep house for.
Nate Harper has been in Lazarus County, NM for years. His younger sister knows how lonely he is has been seeking a bride for him back East. He’s embarrassed but his heart wells up with kindness when he reads about Ellen’s hopes for a new life and invites her to his home as a housekeeper. Neither want to admit to their attraction, and Ellen can’t shake the feeling that no man will ever love her with her dark past.
In Western Redemption: Marlie Kane needs salvation. Not just for herself but for her three brothers, two of which can’t stay sober long enough to pay rent in Boston. When their landlord tells Marlie that her only way to make money is to sell her body, she’s praying for a miracle and willing to try anything to get away.
Graham Evans is the cooper and carpenter of the town of Gilgamesh in Lazarus County. After losing his wife to diphtheria he came to New Mexico to forget his past. He’d long since given up on love but is surprised by the happiness that his friend Nate has found with his mail order bride. Ready to throw the dice, he puts out a matrimonial ad himself.
Graham is hardly prepared for Marlie’s brothers to arrive in Lazarus County as well. The whole town is shocked by the arrival of other outsiders, who think that the family owes them something. Their plans to take it out of Marlie’s flesh lead to a confrontation and a decision by Graham that changes his life forever.
In Western Freedom: Annabelle Feelan is from the upper crust of Philadelphia. Her wealthy father has showered her with luxuries and indulgence her entire life but now is beginning to despair of her. It’s time for her to marry but Annabelle finds every prospective husband who is suitable to her father a complete bore.
She longs for the sort of romance she’s read about in novels. None of the men in Philadelphia could bring her excitement or rescue her from bandits! She finally takes matters into her own hands and puts an advertisement in a newspaper. She never imagined a man like Aidan Killarney would respond!
Aidan is a homesteader in Gilgamesh, New Mexico. He came to Lazarus County with his sister and twin younger brothers. Watching his sister get married and prepare to have a baby has made him realize that his life of hard work in Lazarus County might not be enough after all. He never expects that answering a strange girl’s newspaper ad would be the most important decision of his whole life.
In The Sheriff Needs a Bride: Lazarus County needs a Sheriff. There are Indian tribes and bandits throughout New Mexico and the people of Gilgamesh have gone on far too long without a lawman. The town folk unanimously vote for John Wilkins, the stage coach driver, but he thinks his soldiering days are long past.
Nonetheless, he is beloved by the people of Gilgamesh, including the Kimball family who are just there for a spell while the father, James, works on the railroad. Harriet Kimball finds herself enchanted by Gilgamesh and begins to think of the place as home, going so far as to put out an ad for marriage in the newspaper. She is almost as surprised by John Wilkins’ reply as he was.
John’s passion for Harriet reawakens his old self and before he knows he’s reconsidering the offer from the town and the solitary, lonely future that he’d accepted.
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I loved these stories. Although all taking place in the same town in New Mexico, they are about very different love stories!
The last one was my favorite!
I wasn’t particularly pleased with the narration though! She constantly breathed out her words like excitement at a constant rhythm. it was strange. Two stories starred Irish characters, and her Irish lilt was anything but!
She did do great on the other voices though. If she worked on her breathyness she’d be amazing!
This is a set of 4 short sweet stories of how 4 different women in Gilgemish Lazarus County NM. It shows how women who are desperate and have courage for love, to make a difference in their lives. Not knowing if it’s for the better, but they are willing to take a chance on finding love.
Charley Ongel tells these stories with gentleness and sweetness! I enjoyed listening to these stories.
audiobookobsessionreviewer
A lovely series of short romances
Audiobook version: 4 stars overall, 4 stars story, 3 stars narration
Overall, I was quite pleased by this 6.5-hr audio boxed set that includes the first four stories in a series. The stories are clean (just kissing) Christian romances about mail order brides going to the fictional town of Gilgamesh, New Mexico, in the 1880s. The Christian element is light and not overwhelming to people like me who are not very religious. Every story has a likeable and good-hearted pair of people who are just right for each other. Of course, finding your perfectly suited spouse by mail order is not realistic, but it makes a very nice sweet romance. The historical setting seemed realistic and a little bit gritty. Of the four stories, I liked the fourth one the best, but they were all enjoyable with happy endings that gave me a peaceful feeling. The first two stories end rather abruptly, but thankfully those couples briefly appeared in later stories so that the listener gets a little update on their relationships.
Charley Ongel is the sole narrator in this boxed set. Her performance had several problems, so I had to give the narration 3 stars. However, the narrator’s performance improved with each subsequent story until she was flawless on the fourth story. First, there were several mispronounced words but not so many that it bothered me much. Secondly, in the first half of the first book, the narrator had a slightly annoying singsong rhythm to her sentences. Thankfully, she got rid of that flaw quickly. Thirdly, the thing that bothered me the most is that the accents required by the text were either not attempted at all or sounded ridiculous. In the first book, the heroine was clearly English, but the narrator only gave her an American accent. In the second story, the heroine and her three brothers recently immigrated from Ireland, but the narrator made them sound sort of Swedish. It sounded ridiculous and not Irish at all. However, the narrator thankfully had no problems with accents in Books #3 and 4. I did enjoy the narrator’s lovely tone of voice throughout. It was pleasing to my ear, and she was exceptionally good at the hero’s voice in Book #4.
I requested and received a free audiobook copy via #AudiobookObsession, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
#AudiobookObsession Reviewer
I really enjoyed this compilation of mail order bride stories. Each one was different, so it did not matter the order I read them in. They are perfect for when you have a little time to read. Each story had a bride running from something, or someone. It added a little suspense and kept the story intriguing. My favorite of the four stories was Western Redemption. I love the family ties, and how close Marlie was to her brothers. Although it was a very sweet romance, the suspence in this story add depth. Overall, this is a great compilation of mail order brides and it kept my interest through each story.
Charley Ongel narrated this complete series. Ms. Ongel has a sweet voice that is perfect for these heroines. I enjoy listening to her performance. Each bride had a uniqueness to them that Ms. Ongel easily brought to life. Both male and female characters were easily differentiated through Ms. Ongel’s narration. This is a great listen and should not be missed
You get for quick and clean books in this box set and have to say that em you will be pleased. Each book is set up for a stand-alone read but they blend together perfectly as well. All these couple were fun to listen to but have to say the last was my absolute favorite. This is a must read for someone who is looking for clean romance to listen too. Narration was absolutely fantastic!
STRENGTH IS IN THE ACTIONS, NOT THE THOUGHTS
Four riveting stories of strong women in the 1800’s that decided to take their fate into their own hands and travel across an ocean, in one instance, and across the country to New Mexico. Their boldness is something to be admired, even by today’s women. The men who loved them can set an example for some men today, also.
Mixed Sweet Stories
Book 1: SHE HAS TO STOP RUNNING SOMETIMES – This story revolves around Ellen Cross, but her maiden name is Killarney. She has bruised on her arms and other injuries.She sees an ad for a wife needed for a man in Gilgamesh, New Mexico. That will be Nathaniel Harper his sister Marnie bad up that story. There’s a lot more going on.
Book 2 – WESTERN REDEMPTION: Maria and her three brothers came with her from Ireland to Boston and got a room with a despicable land lord., she finally sees an ad and starts corresponding Graham Evend who the town carpenter. So they ending up moving to Gilgagamesh, New Mexico.
BOOK 3 – WESTERN REDEMPTION: AnnaBelle Feelan comes early to meet Aidan Killarney. They were corresponding back and forth until AnnaBelle tells her father. AnnaBelle is from a well ta do family and her father gets angry and thinks she doesn’t know what shes doing. So she comes to Aidan without the dowry she promised.
Book 4 – THE SHERIFF NEEDS A BRIDE: John Wilkins is the stage coach driver and he likes his job, but the town has voted him sheriff. He doesn’t want it. He doesn’t want to settle down until he meets Harriet Kimble.
These all have happy endings and they are sweet quick romances.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A great collection of well written short mail order bride stories that are fast paced and well written. They all are surprising, intriguing, suspenseful and romantic. Each feature a women that is strong and brave and men who are in love at first sight. I enjoyed how the stories continued with previous couples or a future couple. A good value. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved these books. These books ate so well written so when I saw the boxset I had to get it so I could read all the books. This author I took a chance on a while ago but I am glad that I did because she is an amazing writer.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This four book Historical Western romance box set gave me hours of reading pleasure! Each and every book in this collection had good storylines and great characters which kept me totally enthralled until the very last page!
Great stories that take place in New Mexico in the late 1800’s. The H’s & h’s are seeking spouses that are right for themselves when they can’t find one where they live. All find the right match in New Mexico. The H’s and h’s all stay true to themselves. They’re good people who care about there families or other people in their lives. The stories can be read individually or collectively. They’re sweet & clean & I recommend all of them. I received a free copy of books for a honest voluntary review.
Fall in love with these brave women who take a chance and become a mail order bride when there seems nothing left for them where they are. See how they all get on and if they find their place
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4 stars
Four auburn hair women move west.
I received a free copy of the four part novella Lazarus County Mail Order Brides Boxed Set 1-4 by Amber Seraph and this review was given freely. The fast paced short stories feature strong green eyed, auburn haired females who flee west to find freedom, love, and a caring community in Lazarus, New Mexico. These love at first sight romances always have a character named Harper, each story builds on the previous, and except for the last one have a period of corresponding that ends abruptly with a wedding soon after the brides arrival in Lazarus.
Ellie Cross left behind her country and bad memories to come to America for a fresh start. Nate wasn’t looking for a wife but needed a housekeeper. Both got more than they bargained on!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Easy to read and forget where you are and become part of the story. Love the characters and setting.
Thank you for being able to have a sneak read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A well-written boxed set of 273 pages, so a nice fast set to read a set that I enjoyed reading I liked them all so I could not pick one I liked over another. This is a set well worth reading. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book 1 – She Has To Stop Running Sometime. Nate lived in New Mexico. he placed an advertisement for a bride. Ellen lived in London. She answered the ad and received a rejection letter telling her that Nate’s sister was the one that placed the ad and she apologized. Devasted but determined, Ellen ask if she could be Nate’s housekeeper. Accepted. Ellen arrived in New Mexico and Nate was smitten.
Book 2 – Western Redemption. Maria and her three brothers lived in Boston in abject poverty. Graham lived in the same town as Nate. He also placed an ad for a wife. Maria answered his ad and soon she and her brothers arrived in town. The brothers quickly staked a claim for a property. Everyone got a new start.
Book 3 – Western Redemption. Annabelle was in Philadelphia living with her very wealthy father. She wrote an ad for a husband. Aidan lived in the small town where Nate, Graham, his sister, and brothers were. Aidan was intrigued by Annabelle’s ad and answered right away. She quickly arrived to meet Aidan.
Book 4 – The Sheriff Needs a Bride. John is almost forced to take the job of sheriff. He didn’t want any part of being sheriff but the town needed a good man to protect them and their property. Harriet lived in the same town with her little brother and her father. She placed an ad for a husband. John and Harriet found each other and the rest is history.
These stories are short but complete and all have a HEA. Set in the 1880’s so the men are very protective of their women. I like strong men and in these, the women are strong and independent also. I recommend if you like clean romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lazarus County Mail Order Brides A Boxed Set by Amber Seraph contains the four books of the series. The books need to be read in order to get the full story. The series has mystery, adventure and romance involved. The books are set in and around the town of Gilgamesh in Lazarus County. There are plenty of e twists and surprises. Who is stealing things from the people in town? Can three people get redemption? All four of the books hold your attention. They are quick reads. If you enjoy clean western historical and romance you will enjoy these 4 stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Love these mail order brides reads. How cool is it to go out to be someone’s bride and you don’t know or have seen them. Scary for one thing. These women are strong, brave and it is exciting, surprising, intriguing, suspenseful and so much more. I was given a review copy by booksprout and voluntarily review it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sweet mail order bride stories set in a small western town.
The stories are pretty simple, but well done. The townspeople are good and honorable. They support and defend their own.
I can’t wait for more Lazarus County stories!