Many years have passed since Bernadette Bellamy fled the Cariboo Gold Rush and her reputation as the sister of a French-Canadian gang of thieves. Armed with only an honest talent for sewing and a willingness to lead a solitary life on the run, she stays one step ahead of everyone seeking her brothers’ last—and now lost—heist. Until a craving to settle down makes her reinvent herself as Birdie … Bell, a dress shop owner. The arrival of an old foe combined with her desire to hold onto her treasure trove of fabrics has Birdie joining a wagonload of brides bound for a remote town.
After losing his leg and his wife, Jack Peregrine buries his pain under a mountain-high pile of work. He only agrees to sign up for a mail-order bride to save the town of Noelle, keep his freighting business, and care for his absentminded grandfather. But Jack’s request for a sturdy bride who won’t crumble under his burdens brings him a woman as tiny as she is troubled. Can two mismatched people band together to become the perfect match?
A wanted woman’s flight, a man in pursuit of honesty, not stolen gold…and only nine days left to save the town.
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I can only imagine the mix of fear and excitement mail-order brides felt as they traveled across the country in search of a new life.
Ms. Nelson does a fantastic job painting settings in a readers mind so that you feel as though your right there with the characters!
Jack Peregrine lost his father and his leg in the same horrible accident, and not long afterward his wife disappears leaving him broken and lonely. His only refuge is his work as a trader and caring for a grandfather who becomes more forgetful by the day. Desperate to save his town and to find companionship he agrees to send away for a mail-order bride.
Birdie Bell has secrets. If anyone finds out who she really is, she’ll go to jail. Desperate to escape to a place where she can become a new person, she agrees to travel to Noelle as a mail-order bride.
Can these two lost and lonely people cast aside their past to face a brave new future- together?
This was a heartwarming story of love against all odds.
A great series. I enjoyed all the books and loved Birdie and Jack’s story.
My second story by this author was another exciting one. I’m finding Jacqui Nelson is a fantastic author who develops marvelous characters with real grit, both men and women who can stand up to all odds and no matter their size can handle themselves if need be. Birdie is small in stature but mighty in protecting herself as she has done for years. Jack with only one good leg can handle himself as well. He lost part of his leg in the war between states trying to save his father.
Both business people find themselves as matches when Birdie becomes a mail order bride to Jack in Noelle,CO.
It seems as they both have secrets, and Birdie as her namesake is flighty as ever for a very good reason. Then add grandpa Gus in the mix and he’s one wiley guy who should never be left alone but manages to sneak off when he wants. Loveable grandpa Gus can get himself in enough messes of his own. Fun, mystery, elusive people and trouble from Birdie’s past keep them one their toes.
Another must read from this multi-author series
Such a sweet story and beautifully written. I loved all of the characters, and especially Grandpa Gus. I didn’t completely understand the French, but got the gist. I loved the Old West setting.
Great, easy to read story!
I have always loved mail order brides books. This one is no different! A great story woven throughout. With some great people, sweet, sassy, and excitement throughout- I thoroughly enjoyed this story!
I received this story as an ARC.
Bernadette Bellamy is on the run and has changed her name to Birdie Bell. She joins a bunch of women who journey to Noelle to marry their perspective grooms. Jack Peregrine has returned from the war with the scars of his fathers’ death and his lost leg. He runs a Freight Business and buries himself in his work and taking care of his aged uncle. To help save the town he agrees to take a wife.
I really enjoyed this story. It’s a clean romance and is a pleasure to read. The characters are well thought out and the plot is good with the story flowing and keeping me interested until the last page. I think any reader of romance will enjoy this book by Jacqui Nelson.
Good clean romance, Jack and Birdie have some chemistry, but grandpa is who keeps the story alive.
A sweet read with a show stealer. That was Grandpa Gus. It is a great story that is part of a series. A worthwhile read by itself and also with the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved Birdy, Jack and Gus! The town of Noelle was in for quite a wakening when the brides arrived to save it. The characters were so much fun and so quirky and this story was so full of adventure and excitement. I loved it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I have wanted to read the books in The 12 Days of Christmas Mail-Order Brides series for sometime now, and I just never got around to doing so. When I saw this book offered as an ARC I went now is the time to read atleast one. I know after reading this one that I want to read the rest. Bernadette Bellamy/Birdie Bell and Jack Peregrine’s story is one that kept me turning pages there is suspense, drama, danger, a not very nice lady, a grandfather figure, and romance. I recommend this book.
This is a sweet romance set in the times of mail-order brides. A failing mining town needs some brides to ensure it’s growth and have the rail road come through. Birdie is on the run from her previous life and is instantly attracted to her husband to be. The characters and their antics were fun to read. Romance and drama entwined to create this charming tale in the old west.
Part of a series based on a single town with characters that exist in the other stories, but the story itself stands alone. Birdie is on the run, looking to hide, and Jack needs a wife. She is a strong independent woman, wanting to live peacefully, and I loved how she took on protecting those around her from her past. Jack does not trust her but once I learned his past, I rooted for him to come around. This is a quick read, and I look forward to reading the rest in this series.
This is my unsolicited review.
Always original, this romance will win your heart!
Once again the author has recreated the old west with a new vigor. Her attention to detail sets scenes that are easy to picture and delightful to experience. Her appealing characters have rich backgrounds that allow the reader to emotionally engage in every plot twist and turn. Altogether a delightful holiday read (or any time for that matter!). P.S. Have fun watching for the clever bird references!
Best in series so far
The Calling Birds – This is my first read by this author and I found this book OK. It is simplistic, unrealistic, but the author tries. There is a little intrigue concerning her background and the baddies. The author does not know anything about sewing a simple one-hour top, else she would not have Birdie making dresses in one day and without fittings. Hand sewing the garments from that era involved a lot of stitches and acres of material.
Some of the dialog was silly, but most of the characters were nice, if underdeveloped. The nude scene did not work for me. Grandpa would be pushing for marriage, not bedding. I found this book on Booksprout and the cover attracted my attention. 3*
Robyn – This sequel takes place about a year after Calling ends. We have a petite woman riding a Clydesdale; grown men would have a problem riding that large of a horse. The characters are uninteresting; the story boring; and silly dialog galore. While Calling could be read, this book is not that good. I found this book on Booksprout and the cover attracted my attention. 3*