A Blizzard Changes Everything Abigail Bracey arrives in Nebraska in January 1888 to teach school…and to execute a task for the government: to identify a student as the hidden son of a murderous counterfeiter–the man who killed her father. Agent Dashiell Lassiter doesn’t want his childhood sweetheart Abby on this dangerous job, especially when he learns the counterfeiter is now searching … counterfeiter is now searching for his son, too, and he’ll destroy anyone in his way. Now Dash must follow Abby to Nebraska to protect her…if she’ll let him within two feet of her. She’s still angry he didn’t fight to marry her six years ago, and he never told her the real reason he left her.
All Dash wants is to protect Abby, but when a horrifying blizzard sweeps over them, can Abby and Dash set aside the pain from their pasts and work together to catch a counterfeiter and protect his son–if they survive the storm?
Join the adventure as the Daughters of the Mayflower series continues with The Blizzard Bride by Susanne Dietze.
More in the Daughters of the Mayflower series:
The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1620 Atlantic Ocean (February 2018)
The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1725 New Orleans (April 2018)
The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep – set 1760 during the French and Indian War (June 2018)
The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1774 Philadelphia (August 2018)
The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear – set 1794 on the Wilderness Road (October 2018)
The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall – set 1814 Baltimore (December 2018)
The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1836 Texas (February 2019)
The Golden Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1849 San Francisco (April 2019)
The Express Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1860 Utah (July 2019)
The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear – set 1863 Tennessee (December 2019)
more
I have read books by this author before and I always enjoy them. I have also read several books of The Daughters of the Mayflower Series and each one has followed a little later in history than the one before and has been wonderful stories.
Abigail’s father was killed and she wants to find man who did it. She takes a teaching job to help the government find this man. She is to identify the son of the murderer. Her childhood sweetheart of whom she is at odds with follows to protect her. She was not happy! Then a blizzard comes and now they must really work together to survive and catch the man. You will want to find out how Abigail and Dash handles being around each other again. This book is intriguing and I wondered if they would survive. You really must read this story and I highly recommend it. It’s mysterious, inspirational and touching and has all the components of a wonderful book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions are my own.
An excellent mystery that was exciting to read!
A school teacher who lost all her family, Abby had to travel far away to Nebraska, not only to teach young children, but to help spy and capture a notorious killer (who killed her own father). To top off matters, she was an assistant to her former beau, Dash who had deserted her without an explanation six years earlier. With all these clues plus more, it made for a very good read!The Blizzard Bride had a well written section that described how horrible it was to be caught in a sudden storm on a nice day catching everyone off guard. Her little school house had children trapped with her and she had to protect them at all costs, even to her own danger.The sub plots are good too, how Abby lived with the embarrassment of her father’s criminal acts years ago and how she had been shunned. The postmaster, the rejected man in town, a baby being born soon, a mysterious little boy are all full of adventure!I thoroughly enjoyed this book!I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
A very intriguing tale of a one room schoolhouse teacher in Nebraska! Abby Bracey is an excellent protagonist as she gets a job as a teacher but is really on the lookout for a counterfeiter who killed her father! She is working for the Secret Service as is her former suitor, Agent Dash Lassiter. It was suspenseful when the Blizzard of 1888 hit while Abby and her students are at the schoolhouse except for two students who were sent home early because the brother brought a skunk to school–for the second time I recommend The Blizzard Bride to others who enjoy historical fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
The Blizzard Bride by author Susanne Dietze is book eleven in the Daughters of the Mayflower Series. It can be picked up and read as a stand-alone. This book is based on actual events and set in Nebraska in the year 1888. It is a Christian historical, adventure, romance with a beautifully intriguing cover.
This is the story of Abigail (Abby) Bracey and the Nebraska blizzard of 1888. In January 1888 she ventures to Nebraska under the ruse of teaching school. She really is going to find the man that murdered her father and sullied her family name.
Years ago her father was involved in counterfeiting with rough, unsavory characters and ended up being murdered. Abigail is going under cover to catch them. Agent Dashiell (Dash) Lassiter from the Secret Service is going to Nebraska to bring in a counterfeiter. He and Abby have a history.
There is so much to love in this book. To begin with the cover is captivating. Author Dietze has such a pleasant style of writing that she made the story easy to follow and interesting. Main and secondary characters were relatable. Details were enough to capture each person but not overly long to bore readers. I loved the history learned in this book.
The author researched her material, has a well organized book, and has written it beautifully. There is danger, intrigue, romance, history, along with inspirational life lessons. The faith element is not hidden and beautifully presented.
I highly recommend this book. It grabbed my attention immediately and I was invested in the characters. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Barbour Publishing but these are my honest words.
History wrapped in fiction – a great vehicle for those who didn’t love History class but love to read about past events. The author did a marvelous job with this book. History, mystery, and romance all wrapped up in a story full of rich details that bring you into the midst of the characters’ world. Love, forgiveness, grace, and survival add to the history of the horrific “Children’s Blizzard of 1888. This is a wonderful continuation of the Daughters of the Mayflower Series, following the lives of strong women facing difficult challenges throughout history. If there are more books coming in this series, I look forward to reading them as well. I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. These thoughts and opinions are my own.
Each book in this series highlights a historical moment or fact that the authors weave interesting tales around for the enjoyment of audiences everywhere. The books are penned by different authors and can be read as a stand-alone, though I have found reading them in order makes the history come alive. The series includes the following books: The Mayflower Bride, The Pirate Bride, The Captured Bride, The Patriot Bride, The Cumberland Bride, The Liberty Bride, The Alamo Bride, The Golden Bride, The express Bride, and The Rebel Bride.
This tale is woven around a historical event that occurred in January 1888. In the back of the novel, the author shares from her research of this event and separates the facts from fiction. I am a reader who likes to read these notes before reading the book to acquaint myself with the blizzard event, which was one I had never heard about. For me, the book started out slower than the other books and it took a couple of chapters for me to really become engaged in the telling. However, other readers may not find that to be the case.
The story just is not about the blizzard of 1888 but also the secret service and their responsibilities at that time. Like the other books in the Mayflower Bride series, there is romance that occurs between Abigail and Dashiell who have a past that just might affect their ability to work together and weed out a counterfeiter. The author does a superb job of drawing audiences into the mystery, danger, and fictional town where the story takes place.
Once I got involved in the book, I couldn’t put it down. Reading about that time period and how quickly life can turn perilous in weather conditions that weren’t forecasted made it exciting to read. With each page I turned, I wondered who the counterfeiter was and who may have been adding to the spread of counterfeit money. I hope you enjoy the story, characters and plot as well as the history that is shared. Feel free to start at the beginning of the series or pick ones that interest you the most as they provide hours of entertainment for the imagination!
A new-to-the-series author joins the Daughters of the Mayflower team in The Blizzard Bride, and seamlessly transitions readers to the next descendant’s story with a counterfeiter, the return of a first love, and a blizzard.
Susanne Dietz pulled me right into this book with a woman set on avenging her father, The Secret Service, and a mystery to solve. The residents of Wells, Nebraska, especially the school children, and Abby and Dash kept me reading.
There is a lot happening in this story, yet not once does it become confusing or convoluted. Dietz weaves a tale of finding the place you belong, forgiveness, and understanding in The Blizzard Bride. And the depiction of the blizzard had me hunched under a blanket to stay warm.
You do not want to miss this installment to the series (and if you haven’t read any of them yet, this is a great place to start).
Disclosure statement:
This book was obtained via the Kindle Unlimited program. All opinions are my own
I believe that this is my favorite story of the whole series.
I loved that it is based on a true story with some fiction mixed in.
From page one the story just keeps getting better and better!!
Yes, we’ve all suffered hurts just like Abby and Dash, Maynard (whom I felt sorry for). For some at the hands of others and for some that brings it onto themselves through no fault of their own.
Redeeming Grace. What a sweet sweet words. The Lord God helps us through the most trying times doesn’t He? Yes I know it isn’t easy to ask myself included but asking for divine help isn’t a shameful or embarrassing thing. It’s what the Lord Jesus is there for.
All we need to do is ask.
Forgiving is hard. Very hard but if you don’t do it it will eat you up and make you a bitter person. It’s more for yourself than others.
I think the school children were my favorites. It sort of reminded me of Little Town on the Prairie and By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder (my most favorite series)! Where blizzards seemed to strike and last for days. I wonder if the West is still like that?
The author has described this scene so well I felt that I could actually hear the blizzard winds shrieking and howling. Not a pleasant sound.
I didn’t want the book to end!
I loved the authors note at the end of the book. I learn so much from that excerpt. To me, it shows she’s done her homework. I like that.
I will be looking for more from this author in the future.
My thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book. NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own.
This book was a real page-turner. A murderous counterfeiter, Secret Service agents, a blizzard, and more. Abby and Dash had the same mission – to find the counterfeiter- but working together was impossible with the animosity between them. I liked how Abby was able to realize that her anger and unforgivess had made her a person that she didn’t want to be and she was able to turn back to God to help her overcome those things. I loved Dash and how he persevered in spite of feelings of inferiority. I thought this was a wonderful story and the author did an excellent job of telling it. I would recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
This was such a fun historical read! This is my first read of The Daughters of the Mayflower series but I will be looking in to more of them. This book has great characters, an interesting(and based on true events) plot and a satisfying conclusion. And can we talk about that cover?? It is so pretty! The blizzard element made for some exciting and tense moments and the mystery angle was really good. All in all, this was an enjoyable and easy read. This book perfect for curling up with a blanket, a cup of tea/coffee and reading to your heart’s content.
I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
The Blizzard Bride is a marvelous historical romance with true to life characters and events. Abigail Bracey was ready to leave her former life and take on the assignment of teaching in a school in Wells, Nebraska. She was anxious to assist in the capture of her father’s killer, a counterfeiter moving around the country. With the latest information Agent Dashiell Lassiter had from his Secret Service superiors Wells was where Pitch the offender was headed to find his son that was living with an aunt using alias name.
This book is packed with exciting events based on the blizzard that hit Nebraska in 1888. Since it was snowing while I was reading this book, I was thankful we weren’t in the descriptive vivid blizzard I was reading about. The deception of the counterfeiter held a mystery for secondary characters plus the riveting action of others who was respected and a loner that Abigail reached out to. The painful past of Abigail and Dash brought tense moments and residents surmising he was sweet on Abigail when she couldn’t have a suitor by teaching. The drama grew as Dash zeroed in on the offender. Dietze interwove a beautiful faith message for her characters throughout the story. The children were an added bonus and the love Abigail had for her students and their love in return to her. This is one of my favorite books in The Daughters of the Mayflower series, which can be read as a standalone.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. I have expressed my own sincere thoughts.
The Blizzard Bride takes place in 1887-1888 in the small town of Wells, Nebraska. Abigail Bracey has suffered many losses, being abandoned by the man she loved, becoming a social outcast due to her father’s criminal behavior, and the deaths of both parents, leaving her bitter and resentful. She’s been offered the opportunity by the Secret Service to help in their efforts to catch the man responsible for her father’s death, a counterfeiter and murderer named Fletcher Pitch. Pitch is searching for his son, an 8 year old boy being hidden and cared for by his aunt since his mother’s death. Abigail has been offered a position teaching the school in Wells, Nebraska, the town that an informant told them the child and his aunt have recently moved to. Here, she is to use her position as teacher to try to determine which of three 8 year old boys being raised by a single mother is actually Pitch’s son, as they don’t know what names the boy and aunt are going by or what they look like. Abigail is eager to have the chance to bring her father’s killer to justice, but then she learns the Secret Service operative she must work with is Dashiell Lassiter, the man who broke her heart. Abigail and Dash must find a way to work together to catch a criminal, and Abigail must find a way to forgive for past wrongs and to again find her faith that God really is there and has always been there loving her even during her darkest times.
I’ve read several of the Daughters of the Mayflower series, and I found The Blizzard Bride to be as exciting and engaging as the others. I love when stories like these are based on historical events, in this case, the Children’s Blizzard of 1888. I found the characters to be well-developed, and I found Abby to be relatable; the fear, bitterness, and resentment that she holds as well as her struggle to offer forgiveness. I found Dash to be endearing; his steadfastness in his love for Abby and his desire to protect her and do what will be best for her even if it comes at a cost to him. And I love the rekindling of Abby’s faith that helps her to forgive, helps her to encourage a friend to also make peace, and allows her to open her heart up to love again. I truly enjoyed reading The Blizzard Bride.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Susanne Dietze pens a worthy addition to the Mayflower Brides series with her title, The Blizzard Bride. Hoping against hope for snow this year, the title appealed to me, as I love the cold ferocity of a blizzard (as long as my family is all safely ensconced at home with me).
Set in the open plains of Nebraska in 1887, Abigail Bracey agrees to help the Secret Service by posing as a school teacher while looking for a missing boy and a counterfeiter. That might have been simple if the operative assigned the case were not Dash Lassiter, who left her six years ago amid their dreams for a wedding.
Abby has a lot of courage and spunk, but she also needs to learn to rely on others and the Lord. Life’s difficulties have taught her to reject getting too close to people, and to trust only herself.
Dash has been cut to the core by people’s mean assessment of his lack. I found myself wondering whether Abby would truly be able to see beyond these deficiencies or whether she would reject Dash for good. Then, the big question, can Dash see himself as a person of worth in God’s eyes, or will he forever believe his inability equals personal failure?
Themes in The Blizzard Bride include questions of unanswered prayers and why we suffer for others’ sins. We also see
lessons of forgiveness, fairness, the spirit of love (& spunk) fostered by forgiveness.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinions, for which I am solely responsible.
What a great addition to the Mayflower Brides series! Every book has been a delight and this one is no exception! I really enjoyed all of the mentions of the ancestors bringing the books together. The romance was spot on and I especially enjoyed the history between the hero and heroine. Their chemistry was great and built well. My other favorite part was the spiritual content. I loved how each of them had a difficulty to overcome and how their walk back to the Lord was a journey we got to experience. Very well done, Susanne Dietze!
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is the 11th book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series and I was privileged to read them all. The Blizzard Bride is no exception and as the title infers, there is a snow/ice blizzard in the reading. This was based on a true happening in history….Abigail Bracey arrives in Nebraska in January 1888 to teach school…but really her true motive was to find the man that killed her father and caused the premature death of her mother. This caused her to become penniless as they lost everything. She is very bitter and has turned her back on God for allowing all her misery. Plus the man she had loved left her without a word and moved away. She has come undercover for the government, to identify a student as the hidden son of a murderous counterfeiter—this was the man who killed her father. When she arrives she finds her former love, Dash is there for the very same purpose. All of this makes for a wild ride and turning page after page in suspense. Will she be able to accomplish her purpose, can she even be civil to this heart breaker? Which child is the one she is looking for as she has learned to love all of them? You will love this superb novel that will keep you guessing………I would like to thank NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for sharing an eARC of The Blizzard Bride and I am happy to leave this review.
When Abigail Bracey and Dash Lassiter ended up in the same small town in Nebraska, they were more than two people working undercover to try to find a dangerous counterfeiter who was also a murderer. Dash had been Abby’s childhood sweetheart and she was deeply hurt when he left town. She also carried the grief of her father being murdered and that traumatic event had left her a bitter young woman. As Abby tackles her teaching job she realizes that it may be just the antidote that she has needed because she has become very fond of her students and, faced with the immense danger from the unexpected Blizzard of 1888, she bravely risks her life to guide them to safety. Abby also begins to experience familiar emotions as she and Dash work together and she understands that it is time that she put the past behind her. She recognizes her need to forgive but can she truly forget all that has happened?
I was familiar with the Blizzard of 1888 that claimed the lives of so many children in Nebraska and across the Great Plains so I was very excited to learn that Susanne Dietze was using it in The Blizzard Bride. I was anxious to read it and I’m so very glad that I did! This book has everything that I love–true historical events woven into a fictional story; realistic characters that portray the worst and the best of humans; a mystery that had me guessing until the end; a beautiful faith message that reminded me of the need to forgive as I have been forgiven; and a romance that I won’t soon forget! This is the eleventh book in The Daughters of the Mayflower series and I highly recommend it to all who enjoy historical fiction and Christian romance.
I received a copy of this book from the author but there was no obligation for a positive review. These are my honest thoughts.
Another wonderful installment to a favorite series. Abby and Dash are wonderful characters, I loved their journeys to forgiveness, and Abby’s long road back to trust in genuine love and friendship. This story had lots of good side characters, a basis in real historical events, and of course a message of hope and faith.
Well written and entertaining inspirational romance. Well crafted plot and believable characters. If you enjoy historical romance novels I recommend this book. I received an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
Finding forgiveness and healing:
This book grabbed my attention from the very beginning and had me turning pages as fast as I could in order to see what would transpire. I liked the mix of faith, romance, drama and mystery. It was well paced and whilst an easy read; it had a depth and maturity to it.
There were important lessons about forgiveness and trusting God. Abby had built a wall to protect her heart but this caused her to be isolated from both the Lord and those who cared about her. Meanwhile Dash also had regrets from his past and working together again they were able to find absolution and hope for the future.
This was a fabulous addition to the Daughters of the Mayflower series and I look forward to reading more books by this talented author.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
An unusual twist in a historical novel—a teacher works undercover to help locate her father’s murderer. Only this task requires she partner with the man who jilted her years ago. How can Abigail Bracey possibly work with Agent Dashiell Lassiter? And will this job turn dangerous? Set in the winter in Nebraska in 1888, you know a bad snowstorm is coming. What will happen to the students? The intrigue and twists also made the book fun to read. The layering and character development make you ponder and consider life choices and consequences. The book stands strongly on its own. I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.