It All Started with an Ad in a Mail Order Bride Catalogue . . .
Melvin Hitchcock of the Hitching Post Mail Order Bride Catalog isn’t dishonest—not exactly. If he tweaks his clients’ applications a bit, it’s because he’s looking out for their best interests.
This charming bouquet of novellas introduces four Hitching Post prospects in the year 1870, each one eager for second chances . . . and hungry for happiness. Year in, year out, they’ll learn that love often comes in unexpected packages.
And Then Came Spring by Margaret Brownley
Mary-Jo has been unlucky all her life. But who would guess she’d travel halfway across the country to meet her match . . . only to find him dead!
An Ever-After Summer by Debra Clopton
Ellie had no idea she’s not what Matthew ordered. And what’s wrong with being a “Bible thumper” anyway? She’s determined to show him she’s tougher than she looks—and just the girl he needs.
Autumn’s Angel by Robin Lee Hatcher
Luvena would be perfect for Clay if she didn’t come with kids. But kids are a deal breaker, especially in a rough-and-trouble mining town. The trouble is, there’s no money to send them back. . .
Winter Wedding Bells by Mary Connealy
David’s convinced he’s not long for the world. He needs someone to mother his boys when he’s gone—nothing more. Can plucky Irish Megan convince him to work at living instead of dying?
A Bride for All Seasons has something for everybody. With faithful characters and not, some interested in love and others running from it, from robust cowboys to opera singers and those just shy of dying, there’s a character for everyone in this anthology.
My favorites, of course, were Mary-Jo and Ellie. I love their pluckiness in the face of diversity, and Megan comes in hard on their heels for just the same reason. Their sheer determination and grit reminds me of just how easy many of us find basic life now – and how blessed we are if we have made our own love match.
The premise of the story was pure hilarity – or, it would be, if it had not left so many people in such dire straits. Can you not picture a skinny little bean-pole of a man seeing himself as Cupid and trying to ‘improve upon’ the ads that were sent to his mail-order-bride catalogue?
The only issue I had with this book is that the stories are short – which, by definition to fit inside an anthology, they must be. Most of the characters had the depth built into their backgrounds to be much more than a short story, and so I kept expecting more twists and turns than the author had time to build in. I think that’s a good thing, that I wasn’t ready to turn the last page on these characters, so I’m definitely looking forward to the next adventure penned by these four.
You can read other reviews on this bloggy hop here; or, click over here to purchase your own copy now.
Margaret Brownley is a NEW YORK TIMES best-selling author and has penned more than twenty-five historical and contemporary novels. @margaretbrownley
Robin Lee Hatcher is a Christy and RITA award-winning author. Her books often appear on bestseller lists. @robinleehatcher
Mary Connealy is a Carol Award winner, an a RITA, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. @MaryConnealy
Debra Clopton is an award winning author of sweet, heartfelt, western romance that face life with a smile. With over 2 million books in print, Debra has her first book coming as a movie starring LeAnn Rimes. @debraclopton
I received a free copy of A Bride for All Seasons from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.
