A delightful historical western romance from the author of The Unexpected Bride.Colorado 1880Rose was once a barefoot dreamer, carving whimsical creatures from the driftwood she found on the beach. However, after the death of her father, Rose finds herself cut adrift. So she answers an advertisement to become the bride of a blacksmith in Sweet Briar, Colorado, bravely leaving behind the coast of … Colorado, bravely leaving behind the coast of Maine and her beloved sandy beaches.
Living in the shadow of the Rockies, Emmett Southerland is a bit of a hopeless romantic. He’s been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the dark-haired beauty in the photograph he keeps over his heart. However, soon he and Rose find themselves snowed-in during the worst storm Colorado has seen in twenty-five years.
This sweet mail-order bride romance very loosely reimagines the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty, complete with a satisfying happily-ever-after. A short novel of approximately 42,000 words.
Historical Western Romance
No graphic content or swearing.
”I love a good mail-order bride story, and this one delivered!” (HEIDI READS)
”Sleeping Beauty with a western twist.” (CARISSA’S BOOKSHELF)
”A great curl-up-on-a-cold-night read, so go grab a copy for yourself!” (USA TODAY on The Unexpected Bride)
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I love a good mail-order bride story, and this one delivered! I loved the contrast between Rose and Emmett- she is numb from grief, he has already given away his heart to her. Her emotions are slowly awakened as she learns to trust and love Emmett in a new and very different part of the country. Emmett was pretty awesome- a true romantic inside a burly blacksmith, I loved how he was such a gentleman to Rose and also appreciated her individuality. Their romance is sweet with chemistry that had plenty of sparks 😉 While the story felt a little too-good-to-be-true, that same quality contributed to the fairy tale feel. Both settings- the east coast and the snowy mountains of Colorado, were very much a part of the story and they were easy to picture. I’m happy to have discovered a new-to-me author that I enjoy and look forward to reading more!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Are you a fan of mail order brides? You will enjoy this novella. Rose has just lost her father and her brother has abandoned her. Emmett Southerland, a bachelor living in Colorado, is in need of a wife.
I so enjoyed watching as Rose and Emmett met and worked through the awkwardness of being strangers to becoming friends. Their relationship is so endearing. They each deserve their happily ever after.
I recommend this novella to those who enjoy clean, historical romance.
I won a copy from an author giveaway. All views are my honest opinion.
The bio for Lena Goldfinch describes her books as having a taste of “sigh-worthy romance”. Sweet Briar Rose most certainly fits this description. Who doesn’t love the thought of a helplessly romantic man? Certainly not me! Emmett was such a fun contradiction, being a blacksmith and a tender-hearted gentleman.
A big conflict in the story was a lack of communication, which was rather ironic because both Rose and Emmett thought they were sharing their thoughts. Nevertheless, as with all relationships, communication goes so much beyond just answering questions and saying what is currently on your mind, and Rose and Emmett needed some lessons in this area.
The story was very touching and sweet. I strongly recommend it (and all of the other books by this author!)
Emmet’s thoughts (Quote from the book)
And so, from the first, Emmett had looked at Rose and fallen instantly in love. Perhaps it wasn’t the wisest thing, to give his heart so completely to a woman he’d only seen once, and that just an image of her. A single moment in time captured on glossy paper. But there was something about her. Some immediate and instinctual connection to her. To her spirit and heart. There was a sweetness of expression, a goodness about her that surely couldn’t be faked. From the demure way she folded her hands on back of the wing chair the photographer had used as a prop. To the graceful curve of her cheek and neck.
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Rose’s perspective (Quote from the book)
In all honesty, she wouldn’t have come at all if her decision had been based solely on that single blurred photograph. She had no reason to suspect Emmett was anything other than a “decent, hardworking man of means,” as his ad had claimed he was. He looked…clean. He’d had good posture. That much she could discern. But it was his letters that had convinced her. He’d won her over with words. His intelligence plain in every stroke of his boldly formed script. He was obviously a man of faith, of sensitivity and honor. Traits that hadn’t quite shone through in his photograph. But then, what did his appearance matter? Their union would be one of practical necessity, not any finer emotions such as love.
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As I corresponded with the author for her Songs of Salvation post, we discussed this story and she gave me this additional insight into the writing of the book:
I’m so glad you enjoyed Sweet Briar Rose! The title actually came later in the process (I often work with a boring vanilla placeholder title like “Rose and Emmett” until the final title crystallizes), but Rose’s name was in there from early on. Her name didn’t tip me off about the Sleeping Beauty theme until well into the book. I later made the name of the town Sweet Briar, Colorado, once I realized, and changed the title.
Funny about the kiss. I had a little voice in my head while I was writing that kept saying “It’s all about the kiss.” And I wasn’t entirely sure what that was about either! I love the scene where Emmett Sigh. I am such a hopeless romantic!
I would love to tell you what she said before that last sentence, but it would mean giving you a spoiler, and we all know that spoilers are bad! You’ll just have to read the book to know.
Rose was a free spirit who loved spending time on the beach collecting driftwood to carve. She was incredibly close with her father and when he passes she decides she has no choice but to accept a mail order bride placement from an ad she read. That leads her to Sweet Briar, Colorado and Emmett Southerland, the local blacksmith. Things at first seem strange between them until they discover they really had fallen in love with each other through initial correspondence. Such a beautiful love story with wonderful characters!