Elise Mitchell is no stranger to travelling huge distances to follow her heart, but this time she is making the move to take back control. Tragically widowed and with a young son to look out for, she finds herself beholden to her husband’s family and their grip is chafing. Having come from Scotland, she knows the mountains and the fresh air will be a tonic for her and her son, Bailey, but will … the wilds of Montana be far enough away for her to be free of the Mitchell’s clutches?
Tom Greening loves his land, loves his cattle, and loves the single life. But, when his housekeeper decides to take matters into her own hands to find him a bride he finds himself intrigued, and even begins to think he might just be the marrying kind after all. But Tom has a secret, and it has haunted him for too long. Will it ruin everything and take from him the family he never knew he wanted?
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Having made the arduous voyage from safety to America with her new husband, Elise has already shown that she has courage, and is able to leave her home for the sake of love. When that love is cruelly ripped from her, she recognises that if she wants any say in her son’s future, she has to take her chances in her new land and thus decides to become a mail order bride to Tom Greening. Tom thought he had everything under control, but apparently his housekeeper didn’t agree with him, which is how he ended up with Elise as his wife and Bailey as his young son. Unfortunately, Tom has secrets that he is keeping, but as anyone knows that has an unresolved past, secrets have a way of coming back to haunt one. With threats against Tom and legal action against Elise for the custody of her child, Elise and Tom recognise that they have to pull together if there is any hope for a happy future. The story is generally well written, sweet and clean, with a fallible hero and desperate mother. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
There was a great depth to each character! The more I listen or read Karla’s books, the more I see her as a great writer!
Scott did his amazing narration as usual! I laughed at the exuberance he had the small town lawyer display when defending his clients!
Such a great book brought to life by a great story teller!
Elise has a difficult time after her husband dies tragically. Not only does she have to deal with a ‘mother-in-law’ who has never accepted her, but she also has to be careful with the meagre allowance her in-laws allow her from her inheritance which her husband left to her. They will not trust her with control of it and so she struggles to supply board, lodge and education for her son and lives a very quiet life with him.
She decides that the best thing for them is for her to find a Mail Order Husband and is soon corresponding with Tom, a rancher, whose housekeeper secretly wrote to some ladies in reply to their adverts, on his behalf. He is lonely but afraid to look for a wife because of a secret in his past. Soon he and Elise begin corresponding with each other.
They meet and like each other’s company and the story really takes off from there.
It is so cleverly written to include an interesting courtship which also includes her son Bailey. Elise and Tom are two very fine and caring characters and I enjoyed reading about them, their lives and hardships and the way they overcome them. There are also situations and people who need sorting out and all this goes to make the story more interesting, readable and entertaining.
I simply loved the eventual admission of love by both of them – it was so touching that it had me in tears of joy.
I really enjoy J.Scott Bennet’s narrations. They are so beautifully presented and this one is no exception.
I requested and listened to the audiobook version and my review above is voluntary and unbiased.
Elise Mitchell is originally from Scotland and married a Mill owner’s son from America. Most of her story we do see how Mrs. Mitchell her mother in law treats her like she is not worthy of being in her family. Mrs. Mitchell tries to take control over her Grandson Bailey because Wilson Mitchell is no longer there to help his wife not be run over by his mother. Elise decides that she wants more control over her own life and decides to go west as a mail order bride. She wants her son to be outside and not just sheltered and treated like he could break in an instant. She wants him to be free. Tom Greening is a rancher with a bit of a past and does not feel comfortable telling the secret to Elise right away. Her and Tom meet beforehand and have adventures together to see if they are a good fit. Tom did not realize he was lonely and instantly falls in love with Elise and Bailey and wants them to be his family. Mrs. Mitchell even though states away tries to cause trouble for Elise with Bailey.
This was a great sweet read. I enjoyed it.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own