ONCE UPON A MAIL ORDER BRIDE
Outlaw Mail Order Brides, #4
by
Linda Broday
Categories: Western / Historical Romance
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Date of Publication: November 24, 2020
Number of Pages: 352 pages
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Accused of crimes he didn’t commit, ex-preacher Ridge Steele is forced to give up everything he knew and make his home with outlaws. Desperate for someone to confide in, he strikes up correspondence with mail-order bride Adeline Jancy, finding in her the open heart he’s been searching for. Upon her arrival, Ridge discovers Addie only communicates through the written word, but he knows a little of what trauma can do to a person and vows to stand by her side.
Addie is eager to start a new life with the kind ex-preacher and the little boy she’s stolen away from her father―a zealot priest of a terrorized flock. As her small family settles into life at Hope’s Crossing, she even begins to find the voice, and confidence, she’d lost so long ago.
But danger is not far behind, and her father will not be denied. While Addie desperately fights the man who destroyed her childhood, a determined Ridge races to the rescue. The star-crossed lovers will need more than prayers to survive this final challenge…and find their way back to each other again.
PRAISE FOR ONCE UPON A MAIL ORDER BRIDE:
“An awesome culmination to a great western romance series!”
~ Fresh Fiction
“Broday concludes the Outlaw Mail Order Bride series with a sizzling finale that features a tantalizingly slow build to intimate trust that catapults into adrenaline packed ardor.” ~Booklist
Finding something new to say when you have already reviewed the first three books in the series (and another 5 by Ms. Broday!) is a challenge. It’s pretty much a given that I’m going to love the book. Great characters, lots of action, believable romance, and excellent writing are all hallmarks of Ms. Broday’s works. (See all my other reviews here.) In Once Upon a Mail Order Bride, we have Adeline Jancy and Ridge Steele’s story (FINALLY!).
Ridge has long been one of my favorite secondary characters in the Mail Order Bride series and I’m glad that he is finally getting his own Happily Ever After. The former preacher turned outlaw’s backstory is very compelling. He’s a dependable friend to those in town, always willing to put himself in harm’s way to protect others. Ridge is certainly the classic Western romance hero that I want to read about.
I was drawn to Addie right away as a character. Why was she in jail? Why can’t she speak? I was turning pages to discover more about her. She’s faced adversity but manages to come out the other side mostly intact. What really impressed me with Addie, and Ms. Broday’s writing in this instance, was the emotions that she conveyed, despite not being able to speak. And I love this quote from the beginning of the novel:
“Doubts jumped into her head like circus fleas on a dog”
I very much pictured The Flea Circus cartoon reading that line!
The romance between Ridge and Addie is slow-building after a great meet-cute that I won’t spoil! Addie and Ridge learn to trust and love each other over time. I really appreciate this element of the story. The love between these two characters is real and believable.
Once again, Ms. Broday’s writing and storytelling are on point. One aspect that I really appreciate is how Ms. Broday weaves details (characters, especially) from her other novels into her stories, including Once Upon a Mail Order Bride. This allows new readers to easily catch up with the storyline but doesn’t bore loyal readers. (And sometimes helps when a loyal reader may have forgotten the details. 😉) I always appreciate catching up with the citizens of Hope’s Crossing, Dr. Mary especially. She is a hoot!
This novel is chockablock full of action. Shoot-outs, kidnappings, a tornado, and more kept my heart pounding and my attention riveted while reading. I do love some action (pardon the pun!) in my romance stories!
I am a little sad that this series is now finished. I’ve more than enjoyed my visits to Hope’s Crossing. While each book can be read separately, they are certainly best enjoyed as a series. After reading Ms. Broday’s comments on another tour post (over here), I’m positive there are more stories to come that I’ll enjoy equally as much!
I received Once Upon a Mail Order Bride free in exchange for my honest review. Thanks to author Linda Broday and Lone Star Book Blog Tours for providing this opportunity.
I’m a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thirty historical western romance novels and short stories. I reside in the Texas Panhandle on land the American Indian and early cowboys once roamed, and at times if the breeze is just right, I can hear their voices whispering in the wind. Texas’s rich history is one reason I set all my stories here where cowboys still remain caretakers of the land. I’m inspired every day by their immense dedication and love for the wide-open spaces. I combine those men with the love of family in all my stories and hope to continue to give readers books that entertain and fulfill.
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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
FOUR WINNERS
GRAND PRIZE :
Full Autographed Set of the Mail Order Bride Series
2ND and 3RD PRIZE:
Autographed copy of Once Upon a Mail Order Bride
4TH PRIZE: $10 Amazon Gift Card
US Only. Ends Midnight, CST, 12/11/2020
CLICK TO VISIT THE LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE TOUR PAGE
FOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH POST ON THIS TOUR, UPDATED DAILY,
or visit the blogs directly:
| 12/1/2020 | Book Trailer | StoreyBook Reviews |
| 12/1/2020 | BONUS Post | Hall Ways Blog |
| 12/2/2020 | Excerpt | Forgotten Winds |
| 12/3/2020 | Review | Carpe Diem Chronicles |
| 12/4/2020 | Review | Momma on the Rocks |
| 12/5/2020 | Character Interview | All the Ups and Downs |
| 12/6/2020 | Excerpt | The Clueless Gent |
| 12/7/2020 | Review | Missus Gonzo |
| 12/8/2020 | Guest Post | The Page Unbound |
| 12/9/2020 | Review | Chapter Break Book Blog |
| 12/10/2020 | Review | Reading by Moonlight |
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SO MUCH to love in your review! I plan on binge reading the series start to finish, but it’s great to know that anyone can jump in on any book and not feel lost. Love the character & setting crossover concept! Thanks for the post!
Thanks, Kristine! And yes. Anyone could jump into the series at any point!
Linda- I’m so proud of you and look at this stellar review. My heart is HAPPY. Love you my sweet Sister Friend.
Thanks for stopping by, Tonya!