What do you think?
Rate this book
Unconventional #1
Abby: Mail Order Bride
"2014 Historical Romance Gold Medal Winner Readers' Favorite Book Contest"
Other books in the Unconventional Series: Broken Angel, Ryder's Salvation, Joy's Return
Brant Samson has fallen on hard times with the death of his beloved wife a year earlier from lung fever. Left with three children, he's desperate to find a mother for them. Ten year old Jenny does her best to care for two year old Ty, and fourteen year old Luke works the ranch with his father, losing himself in dime novels to ease the pain of his mother's passing. Brant's options are limited since eligible women seldom pass through Two Rivers, much less settle in the small Texas town. In desperation, he places a classified advertisement for a mail order bride. Marrying a woman he'll come to know through a newspaper advertisement scares the bejesus out of him, but at this point, he's out of options.
Abigail Mary Vaughn always dreamed of having her own family, but caring for her elderly parents, as well as working as a teacher to help with finances, ended that dream. Her parents are now dead and she's faced with the reality of her lonely existence. After reading Mr. Samson's advertisement in the Philadelphia Inquirer, she garners enough courage to respond. Since she is considered an old maid at the age of thirty-eight, she'll more than likely spend the rest of her life wondering "what if" unless she does something unconventional.
Sensual love scenes.
Other books in the Unconventional Series: Broken Angel, Ryder's Salvation, Joy's Return
Brant Samson has fallen on hard times with the death of his beloved wife a year earlier from lung fever. Left with three children, he's desperate to find a mother for them. Ten year old Jenny does her best to care for two year old Ty, and fourteen year old Luke works the ranch with his father, losing himself in dime novels to ease the pain of his mother's passing. Brant's options are limited since eligible women seldom pass through Two Rivers, much less settle in the small Texas town. In desperation, he places a classified advertisement for a mail order bride. Marrying a woman he'll come to know through a newspaper advertisement scares the bejesus out of him, but at this point, he's out of options.
Abigail Mary Vaughn always dreamed of having her own family, but caring for her elderly parents, as well as working as a teacher to help with finances, ended that dream. Her parents are now dead and she's faced with the reality of her lonely existence. After reading Mr. Samson's advertisement in the Philadelphia Inquirer, she garners enough courage to respond. Since she is considered an old maid at the age of thirty-eight, she'll more than likely spend the rest of her life wondering "what if" unless she does something unconventional.
Sensual love scenes.
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2012
341 people are currently reading
1082 people want to read
About the author
Verna Clay
57 books116 followersI love a book that makes me forget everything except what I'm reading. As a preteen, I devoured Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys' Mysteries. When I reached my teens, romance novels became my favorite genre. Many years later, I decided to try my hand at writing and I've been doing so with a passion ever since. I have released over twenty-five romance novels, including a contemporary western series titled "Romance on the Ranch." The initial story, "Dream Kisses," started out as a single novella, but turned into an ongoing saga when secondary characters cried out for their own stories. The series was completed with book 10 and its one of my proudest accomplishments. As for historical romance, I ventured into that genre with a four book series titled "Unconventional," and enjoyed it so much that I wrote another collection titled "Finding Home." After that I returned to contemporary romance with the unlikely setting of a trailer park in the Arizona Desert, and, believe it or not, romance abounds at Desert Princess Trailer and RV Park in the middle of nowhere. There are three books in the "Oasis" series. Of course, I couldn't overlook writing in the paranormal/fantasy genre and released "The Shapeling Trilogy" about shapeshifters. In that series, my shifters travel the world, solve mysteries, and fall in love.
Using the pen name of Colleen Clay, I published a YA novel titled, "Fragile Hearts."
Now that I've been writing for so many years, I can't imagine doing anything else.
Using the pen name of Colleen Clay, I published a YA novel titled, "Fragile Hearts."
Now that I've been writing for so many years, I can't imagine doing anything else.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
April 18, 2022
I like this trope… a lot. Mail order bride arrives to find herself saddled with a widower husband that is still hung up on his dead wife…. And where much of this reads like a “nice” version of The Heartbreaker… it was just missing something. I’m partial to an asshole and not a huge fan of the unattractive spinster h. 🤷♀️Truthfully, I still probably would’ve rounded this up had I not lost most of my patience and respect for Abby towards the end. I know the author was trying to generate drama, but I found her actions so self-centered and inconsiderate. I won’t give spoilers but will just say that she placed her needs/pain above others that had lost far more, and it pissed me off.
Abby is a 38-yr old spinster schoolteacher that answers an ad for a mail order bride. Brant is a 32-yr old, widowed rancher in need of help for his three kids. This is a slow burn romance with uptight Abby slowly thawing and Brant slowly healing from his beloved wife’s death. There’s also the added layer of the kids and a small bit from a wannabe OW. Both are quite kind and respectful to each other as they grow closer.
Bottom Line- Short, easy read with some sweet and sadness but not much angst. Short epilogue.
Abby is a 38-yr old spinster schoolteacher that answers an ad for a mail order bride. Brant is a 32-yr old, widowed rancher in need of help for his three kids. This is a slow burn romance with uptight Abby slowly thawing and Brant slowly healing from his beloved wife’s death. There’s also the added layer of the kids and a small bit from a wannabe OW. Both are quite kind and respectful to each other as they grow closer.
Bottom Line- Short, easy read with some sweet and sadness but not much angst. Short epilogue.
October 13, 2018
I picked up this short little read this morning and was sucked in from the very first page. I thought this might be a bit of an angsty story, and was I ever right. This one had me bawling like a baby by the time it had ended.
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇 Me towards the ending of this story....
Anyone in the mood for an angsty read that's also a tearjerker, this is the one for you!
July 14, 2012
There isn't anything exceptionally different about this mail-order bride story. It has all the elements you would expect, like the unsure new husband and the sulky teen boy, the cute little girl who longs for a mother and the adorable baby boy. Our heroine is older (38) than the hero (32) and I loved that and that age wasn't an issue for our hero. So I'm expecting this nice little western read and then WHAM! Out of nowhere I'm a slobbering mess of tears. I can't exactly explain why this affected me the way it did, but even now as I write this review I'm tearing up.
Looking forward to reading more by this author!
4.5 stars
Looking forward to reading more by this author!
4.5 stars
November 17, 2015
This very sweet historic romance story was spoiled by modern sounding dialogue that is inconsistent with the 1886 setting.
- Brant tells his new fiancé (about his son) that he will "catch up with Luke and find out what the bee up his butt is."
- Brant tells Abby that he will not compromise her reputation; however, they cohabitate without a chaperone for several weeks before marrying.
- After a shooting lesson, Brant praises Abby, "You're a damn good shot..."
- When discussing being "in a family way," an elderly widow tells Abby, "Well, it won't be long. Not with a stud like Brant for a husband."
The author of Abby: Mail Order Bride tells a sweet story; however, her style of writing seems better suited for contemporary romance.
- Brant tells his new fiancé (about his son) that he will "catch up with Luke and find out what the bee up his butt is."
- Brant tells Abby that he will not compromise her reputation; however, they cohabitate without a chaperone for several weeks before marrying.
- After a shooting lesson, Brant praises Abby, "You're a damn good shot..."
- When discussing being "in a family way," an elderly widow tells Abby, "Well, it won't be long. Not with a stud like Brant for a husband."
The author of Abby: Mail Order Bride tells a sweet story; however, her style of writing seems better suited for contemporary romance.
October 14, 2018
3 stars
A spinster schoolteacher from the East travels to TX to be a mail order bride to a widower with 3 children. All are in a state of grief from losing their beloved wife/mother. A sweet, quick and emotional read.
A spinster schoolteacher from the East travels to TX to be a mail order bride to a widower with 3 children. All are in a state of grief from losing their beloved wife/mother. A sweet, quick and emotional read.
December 17, 2020
I enjoyed reading this story.
When the heroine saw the hero's ad for a wife, she was in that time in life where she can honestly ask 'what else could she lose?' She has a kind and big heart ready to be filled and she's hoping, with people who will value her back. I admire her more when she came through her initial struggle against her prospective family, the rugged land and living, and since this is a romance the unwanted rival.
The hero is presented as your typical male character. Widow, with children to raise, struggling farm, and his share of family issue. I wanted to hit him during their firt meeting since he is acting like a typical man towards a woman they consider not pretty while the heroine is twisted in knots for being in a very strange sorrounding for the first time. But like I said, he is just a man.
I loved that they started their relationship in honesty and that the progress in their story is paced just right. The issues they came against are as true then as it is now between starting couples. The insecurities, family dramas, adjustments, and of course tragedies that can either break the family or make them stronger.
Overall, the story distinguished itself for me by the plot, a few unique twists, and mostly by the strength of the heroine's character. Sometimes a tear-jerker, especially towards the end, and sometimes funny. Even the couples' bedroom activities are hot without being graphic. Mostly, it covers relationship between family members, the good times and the bad, and getting to know each other.
When the heroine saw the hero's ad for a wife, she was in that time in life where she can honestly ask 'what else could she lose?' She has a kind and big heart ready to be filled and she's hoping, with people who will value her back. I admire her more when she came through her initial struggle against her prospective family, the rugged land and living, and since this is a romance the unwanted rival.
The hero is presented as your typical male character. Widow, with children to raise, struggling farm, and his share of family issue. I wanted to hit him during their firt meeting since he is acting like a typical man towards a woman they consider not pretty while the heroine is twisted in knots for being in a very strange sorrounding for the first time. But like I said, he is just a man.
I loved that they started their relationship in honesty and that the progress in their story is paced just right. The issues they came against are as true then as it is now between starting couples. The insecurities, family dramas, adjustments, and of course tragedies that can either break the family or make them stronger.
Overall, the story distinguished itself for me by the plot, a few unique twists, and mostly by the strength of the heroine's character. Sometimes a tear-jerker, especially towards the end, and sometimes funny. Even the couples' bedroom activities are hot without being graphic. Mostly, it covers relationship between family members, the good times and the bad, and getting to know each other.
August 10, 2012
I can't resist a mail-order bride story, and this one was very good. There were some definite tear-jerker moments in it, one in particular that shocked the life out of me and made me very sad. I enjoyed seeing Brant and Abby come to love one another. Really looking forward to Luke's story in the next book!
April 22, 2025
MOC and H is a bit surprised when she's older, thin and plain. He takes timme to see she's also kind, brave and a school teacher who truly cares for his children. It's a bitter sweet love story with the h in love long before the H. He spends their wedding night at his wife's grave. Loved the angsty slow burn.
February 16, 2015
I liked the start of this book, with the characters exchanging honest letters about their identities and lives, and neither party being deceived or falling into the dreaded Big Misunderstanding that often plagues historical romances. But I had a lot of issues with the rest of it, from poor copy editing ('visa versa' instead of 'vice versa', 'lightening' instead of 'lightning'), to anachronistic ways of thinking (how many 19th century ranchers ran around saying, 'You're a giving person, and when you're denied that opportunity, you're not fulfilled'?), to a heroine I simply could not like after her actions at the end of the book. In many ways, I thought this read like a first draft - lots of potential, but a lot of work still required to shape it into the sort of story it could potentially have been. I won't be seeking out anything further by this author.
July 24, 2015
Pretty heart wrenching at 64%, I didn't see that coming at all. Sweet read overall though.
August 26, 2020
Gostei muito. Uma historia de superaçao da dor pela perda de entes queridos com a descoberta de novos amores pelos quais vale a pena lutar.
January 27, 2021
3.5 stars.
July 24, 2012
Sometimes I just need a quick, light read. And I am a sucker for Western romances, especially enjoying the mail-order bride aspect. This was actually a bit more than the typical story of this type though because of the depth of the story line. I enjoyed reading it.
November 30, 2021
I mean…I wasn’t an emotional mess reading this. That was disappointing because based on the reviews I thought I’d be sobbing and damnit I was in the mood for angst. I’m also not a fan of western books…I get enough western and cowboy where I am from. It was sweet, not much more than that. I kept waiting for someone to warm up my heart, but my cold little heart is still nice and chilly...bummer.
Read
April 30, 2023Spoilers about the 79% mark
WHY DID THE AUTHOR KILL THE BABY OFF AAAAAAAAAAAA
Rtc
WHY DID THE AUTHOR KILL THE BABY OFF AAAAAAAAAAAA
Rtc
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2021
A lovely tearjerker of a book. Short, but packs a punch.
April 2, 2020
Definitely reads like a weekly series. There is a lot packed into that one hour. The author gives enough depth to the characters, thank goodness for that, and the love story is real and believable. The subplots smack you in the face and are resolved far too easily, causing some eye rolls here and there. I'll finish this series as I'm now vested in the characters. Bravo for that Dear Author. 🦋
January 28, 2020
There is something about the Old West that inspires authors to write great stories!
I have read many stories of mail order brides and this has become one of my favorites. I love the interaction between all of the characters.
I have read many stories of mail order brides and this has become one of my favorites. I love the interaction between all of the characters.
November 25, 2015
For its length, this was a pretty successful romance. Novella length stories of this kind don’t always succeed, but for the most part, this one does.
I liked that the author chose to play around with her leads and their circumstances, making them different than your usual farmer and his mail-order bride. Their ages are significantly different than the usual, and I liked that Abby was a normal sized woman, not a pixie-thin gal. For being a former teacher from a somewhat privileged background, Abby shows a lot of grit and bravery to go into such an unknown situation and try to build a better life. I loved that Brant was willing to look beyond the obvious with Abby to see the sweet, loyal individual she really was.
I liked that the author was also willing to go to some distressing areas with the overall story and fate of characters. Historical romances can veer off into the smoopy sweet territory, making many areas unbelievable and so removing my enjoyable from the story. Yet, Clay played around with some tragedy and tears to give her romance depth in contrast to all the pain. For a novella, that’s a bold step I liked.
Where this book suffered a smidge was a common fault I’ve run across in novellas. The author seemed to be trying to fit too much into one storyline. Situations and conflicts were solved very quickly as the story progressed, never really giving the reader a chance to sink teeth into any one thing. Prime example of this is how quickly Brant’s kids got on with Abby and how quickly they seemed to accept her as a mother figure, Luke especially. He starts out as a typical teen who misses his mother so lashes out, but it only takes a few gestures on Abby’s part to win him over.
For a historical romance novella, this work actually stands up pretty well. I loved the leads and their relationship. The author chose to incorporate unusual aspects into the story that gave it extra depth and stand-out power. It fell short in the usual area that novellas do with me; yet overall, I enjoyed the book more than I didn’t. I’d recommend it to lovers of short historical romances as it’s a nice diversion and won’t take long to devour.
I liked that the author chose to play around with her leads and their circumstances, making them different than your usual farmer and his mail-order bride. Their ages are significantly different than the usual, and I liked that Abby was a normal sized woman, not a pixie-thin gal. For being a former teacher from a somewhat privileged background, Abby shows a lot of grit and bravery to go into such an unknown situation and try to build a better life. I loved that Brant was willing to look beyond the obvious with Abby to see the sweet, loyal individual she really was.
I liked that the author was also willing to go to some distressing areas with the overall story and fate of characters. Historical romances can veer off into the smoopy sweet territory, making many areas unbelievable and so removing my enjoyable from the story. Yet, Clay played around with some tragedy and tears to give her romance depth in contrast to all the pain. For a novella, that’s a bold step I liked.
Where this book suffered a smidge was a common fault I’ve run across in novellas. The author seemed to be trying to fit too much into one storyline. Situations and conflicts were solved very quickly as the story progressed, never really giving the reader a chance to sink teeth into any one thing. Prime example of this is how quickly Brant’s kids got on with Abby and how quickly they seemed to accept her as a mother figure, Luke especially. He starts out as a typical teen who misses his mother so lashes out, but it only takes a few gestures on Abby’s part to win him over.
For a historical romance novella, this work actually stands up pretty well. I loved the leads and their relationship. The author chose to incorporate unusual aspects into the story that gave it extra depth and stand-out power. It fell short in the usual area that novellas do with me; yet overall, I enjoyed the book more than I didn’t. I’d recommend it to lovers of short historical romances as it’s a nice diversion and won’t take long to devour.
August 15, 2014
Book 4.5
Narration 2
Amended 10/5/2013: Listened to Amy Graymour's narration, it's just okay... as though I was being read to. A narrator in my opinion performs. Even though Amazon currently has the whispersync version available... unless you adore the book and would just like to listen. I wouldn't spend the 1.99 to get the audible version. WHAT a SHAME this is a fantastic book.
Original review as read:
I bawled my eyes out reading this, so sweet and sad at times, but love and hope made this work. Written well and very tight, constantly moving forward but I never felt I was short changed. My only regret is the story is a novella in length. Solid 4.5, had it been a bit longer it would have hit a solid 5.
Narration 2
Amended 10/5/2013: Listened to Amy Graymour's narration, it's just okay... as though I was being read to. A narrator in my opinion performs. Even though Amazon currently has the whispersync version available... unless you adore the book and would just like to listen. I wouldn't spend the 1.99 to get the audible version. WHAT a SHAME this is a fantastic book.
Original review as read:
I bawled my eyes out reading this, so sweet and sad at times, but love and hope made this work. Written well and very tight, constantly moving forward but I never felt I was short changed. My only regret is the story is a novella in length. Solid 4.5, had it been a bit longer it would have hit a solid 5.
May 2, 2017
Mail order bride becomes step mother to baby (18 Months), daughter (10yrs), and son (14 years), who have tragically lost their beloved mother in death the previous year. Baby and daughter kindly welcome and love her and even call her mama. When baby dies, bride's grief is so bad that she abandons her family.
Because that's what a mother does right? Even though that little girl had already lost one mother, her grief was just too much. Doesn't matter that those kids are now going to have abandonment issues. Never mind how her husband must feel losing his baby - it's HER grief that matters the most.
This one is a big nope from me.
Because that's what a mother does right? Even though that little girl had already lost one mother, her grief was just too much. Doesn't matter that those kids are now going to have abandonment issues. Never mind how her husband must feel losing his baby - it's HER grief that matters the most.
This one is a big nope from me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2022
I enjoyed this author’s writing style. I thought the setting and secondary characters were well-developed. This book had some tropes I’m fond of such as virgin MOB, H mourning dead wife, and horrible OW.
I liked some aspects of Abby’s character, like her compassion for the kids and her fortitude. Was she really plain? Not sure! She was given sometimes-favorable descriptions. I strongly disliked the stunt Abby pulled at the end. I thought it wasn’t really true to her character and it made me highly dislike her. It was a speedy read and I recommend if you like the above tropes.
Big Trigger Warning: death of a child (prominent secondary character)
I liked some aspects of Abby’s character, like her compassion for the kids and her fortitude. Was she really plain? Not sure! She was given sometimes-favorable descriptions. I strongly disliked the stunt Abby pulled at the end. I thought it wasn’t really true to her character and it made me highly dislike her. It was a speedy read and I recommend if you like the above tropes.
Big Trigger Warning: death of a child (prominent secondary character)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2012
2.5 stars. I got this as a free ebook and it was a sweet story about a widower with three children falling for his mail order bride, Abby. However, this novel was seriously lacking in character development. I did like that Abby was older and that she fully embraced Brant's children as her own and that Brant was more interested in personality/intelligence and not just a pretty face.
February 12, 2017
Starts off okay, typical storyline, decent characters. But then
September 3, 2016
A really good heartfelt read. Something that catches the sweet part of your heart and wish for those cotton candy and sugar cane dreams.
Happy Reading :D
Happy Reading :D
July 31, 2025
I’m on a quest to find the best mail order bride books.
This is NOT it.
While it had cute themes and moments it was so, so, so, incredibly boring. 🥱
This is NOT it.
While it had cute themes and moments it was so, so, so, incredibly boring. 🥱
June 9, 2017
#1 in the Unconventional historical romance series
This is a Kindle freebie that turned out to be a winner. I very much enjoyed this sweet romance set in the late 1880's. After the death of her elderly parents, Abigail decides to answer an ad for a mail-order bride to begin a new life. Her husband, Brant, in search of a mother for his 3 children after his wife's death, turns out to be young and handsome and kind. As they get to know each other, they begin to fall in love and become a family. It was interesting to see this city girl learn to adapt to small-town ranch living. Plus it was a struggle as each person faced their grief over the loss of their beloved wife/mother. This isn't an exciting book with lot of action, but it's more about the characters and their growth, both separately and together as a family. I enjoyed watching the developing relationships. The characters were well-built, and I really felt as though I were a part of the family right from the beginning. I will look for the next in this series.
This is a Kindle freebie that turned out to be a winner. I very much enjoyed this sweet romance set in the late 1880's. After the death of her elderly parents, Abigail decides to answer an ad for a mail-order bride to begin a new life. Her husband, Brant, in search of a mother for his 3 children after his wife's death, turns out to be young and handsome and kind. As they get to know each other, they begin to fall in love and become a family. It was interesting to see this city girl learn to adapt to small-town ranch living. Plus it was a struggle as each person faced their grief over the loss of their beloved wife/mother. This isn't an exciting book with lot of action, but it's more about the characters and their growth, both separately and together as a family. I enjoyed watching the developing relationships. The characters were well-built, and I really felt as though I were a part of the family right from the beginning. I will look for the next in this series.
August 14, 2019
The pacing of this novel was perfect. Yes, there was sadness in this story, but frontier life was often sad. This was in a day in which there were no antibiotics and people often died of things we now consider minor. The author did some unique things for a novella or even a romance. I liked the fact that the heroine was 6 years older than Brant. It was a problem for Abby, but when Brant indicated it was immaterial to him, she let go of her concern.
Abby was stunned when she arrived and found there was competition for Brant's affections. I thought Brant handled it well, although Abby was horrified that someone else wanted Brant -- and the competition was beautiful. This book is under 200 pages, yet it offers an interesting story that stays with the reader. There is a great depth of emotion displayed in this book. It is a gem.
Unconventional
**1. Abby: Mail Order Bride (2012)
2. Broken Angel (2013)
3. Ryder's Salvation (2014)
4. Joy's Return (2014)
Abby was stunned when she arrived and found there was competition for Brant's affections. I thought Brant handled it well, although Abby was horrified that someone else wanted Brant -- and the competition was beautiful. This book is under 200 pages, yet it offers an interesting story that stays with the reader. There is a great depth of emotion displayed in this book. It is a gem.
Unconventional
**1. Abby: Mail Order Bride (2012)
2. Broken Angel (2013)
3. Ryder's Salvation (2014)
4. Joy's Return (2014)
January 11, 2018
I chose to read and review this book. I love mail order brides series. This one was amazing. I loved Abby characters a lot. Of course, the sadness was there but so was love joy happiness and all that is amazing in love. I liked the interactions between her and the hot stud who married her. The sparks are everywhere. So full of emotions that we all feel no matter time or space. I recommend this and can't wait to read more of this author. I loved it so much I got it.
November 22, 2021
Beautiful
Abby and Brant take you on a very emotional, sweet, amazing read for first love, a second chance and a romantic story. These two have tragedy and loss but the biggest one almost makes them lose each other and the kids. Will they be able to see that they both love each or will the sadness and pain be too much? Absolutely love this book made me laugh and cry and gave me all the feels. Can't wait to read more from this author.
Abby and Brant take you on a very emotional, sweet, amazing read for first love, a second chance and a romantic story. These two have tragedy and loss but the biggest one almost makes them lose each other and the kids. Will they be able to see that they both love each or will the sadness and pain be too much? Absolutely love this book made me laugh and cry and gave me all the feels. Can't wait to read more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews