1800s mail-order bride catalogs facilitated many happy marriages. Here are the stories of four couples who owe their wedded bliss to creative editing by The Hitching Post publisher.
“And Then Came Spring”—Margaret Brownley
Sheriff Tom Garrett wants vengeance on his brother’s murderers, but he must think of his orphaned nephew. Then Mary-Jo shows up, swearing she married Tom’s brother by proxy and he’d neglected to mention a son.
“An Ever-After Summer”—Debra Clopton
Widower Matt McConnell wrote his ad with no room for misunderstanding—Bible believers need not apply. But Bible-thumping Ellie shows up on his doorstep. Matt’s so desperate for her help that he accepts.
“Autumn’s Angel”—Robin Lee Hatcher
Luvena Abbott is a singing sensation in New York. But as guardian to her brother’s children, she has few options to provide a home. Clay Birch won an abandoned theater in a poker game. The Hitching Post editor thinks they’ll make a perfect match.
“Winter Wedding Bells”—Mary Connealy
David Laramie is looking for a woman to care for his children. In exchange he’ll make her financially comfortable for life. But no woman wants to marry a dying man. Then Megan responds to his ad. It seems his “edited” letter contained no mention of him dying.
“And Then Came Spring”—Margaret Brownley
Sheriff Tom Garrett wants vengeance on his brother’s murderers, but he must think of his orphaned nephew. Then Mary-Jo shows up, swearing she married Tom’s brother by proxy and he’d neglected to mention a son.
“An Ever-After Summer”—Debra Clopton
Widower Matt McConnell wrote his ad with no room for misunderstanding—Bible believers need not apply. But Bible-thumping Ellie shows up on his doorstep. Matt’s so desperate for her help that he accepts.
“Autumn’s Angel”—Robin Lee Hatcher
Luvena Abbott is a singing sensation in New York. But as guardian to her brother’s children, she has few options to provide a home. Clay Birch won an abandoned theater in a poker game. The Hitching Post editor thinks they’ll make a perfect match.
“Winter Wedding Bells”—Mary Connealy
David Laramie is looking for a woman to care for his children. In exchange he’ll make her financially comfortable for life. But no woman wants to marry a dying man. Then Megan responds to his ad. It seems his “edited” letter contained no mention of him dying.
Goodreads Blurb
This collection is perfect for busy readers who appreciate a sweet historical love story and a good laugh! I loved that I could enjoy a whole terrific story in one sitting. Melvin Hitchcock, owner and editor of the Hitching Post Mail Order Bride Catalogue, definitely white washes all his catalogue ads in order to make the sale (the match). You would NOT want to buy a used car from this man. However, all of his editing of the advertisements - for brides and grooms - works out in wonderful ways.
I loved Brownley’s opening story. What could be a better set up for a romance than a gambler’s daughter who travels all the way to Kansas from Georgia…especially if she insists on a fine Christian man while carrying her father’s lucky deck of cards with her? Then, she finds out that her intended husband will never be able to meet her or anyone else again. Her many attempts to ward off bad luck add to the fun – as do her skills on a penny whistle and ability to cook a possum. I enjoyed the idiom that the author has her main character use; and I agree that with some people, it does feel “like you’re knocking at the door of an empty house.” The scene in the churchyard when little Eddie finally talks to his deceased father…and then laughs up a storm with Mary-Jo touches your heart.
I could favorably describe any of these stories because they’re all unique; however, they all include well-meaning, loving, faith-filled people. I wish my nieces and their friends could meet good guys like these who want to “properly court” them. In the last story, David, thinking he’s dying, won’t make Megan his wife. When he knows that he’s getting better, Megan complains that she doesn’t want to “go over the ranch accounts again” as he pulls her into the bedroom. Romantic but clean…the stories respect their audiences. As David says, learning some lessons can be much better than learning to ride a horse. Learning to love the mail-order brides is easy!
Five Stars
*Reviewed by Colleen*
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The premise sounds interesting