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The Mail-Order Bride
Prize Winning Story - Clean Romance!
It was to be the big day for Eli. His fiancée, Molly, was coming in on a ship. Two years earlier, unable to find work in England, he had headed for America. His ship was caught in a storm, and he ended up, not in Pennsylvania as he planned, but in Newfoundland.
But that was all behind him now. He had written to Molly every day for the two years, and now she was coming so they could be married.
But Eli was in for a surprise. Unknown to him, Molly had married. She had bought him a mail-order bride, and Eli's life was going to suddenly take an unexpected twist.
This is a fun story about differences of culture, love, and life. The play based on this book is winner of many awards and has been produced internationally. This is a story you won’t want to miss.
It was to be the big day for Eli. His fiancée, Molly, was coming in on a ship. Two years earlier, unable to find work in England, he had headed for America. His ship was caught in a storm, and he ended up, not in Pennsylvania as he planned, but in Newfoundland.
But that was all behind him now. He had written to Molly every day for the two years, and now she was coming so they could be married.
But Eli was in for a surprise. Unknown to him, Molly had married. She had bought him a mail-order bride, and Eli's life was going to suddenly take an unexpected twist.
This is a fun story about differences of culture, love, and life. The play based on this book is winner of many awards and has been produced internationally. This is a story you won’t want to miss.
150 pages, Paperback
First published February 23, 2013
24 people are currently reading
416 people want to read
About the author
Daris Howard
50 books48 followers Daris Howard, an award winning author and playwright, grew up on an Idaho farm. He was a state champion athlete, competed in college athletics, and lived for a time in New York.
He has worked as a cowboy, a mechanic, in farming, and in the timber industry. He is now a college professor. He has also been a scoutmaster, having up to 18 boys in his scout troop at a time. In his wide range of experience, he has associated with many colorful characters who form a basis for his writing.
Daris has had plays translated into German and French, and his plays have been performed in many countries around the world.
For many years Daris has written a popular column called Life’s Outtakes that consists of weekly short stories, and is published in various newspapers and magazines in the U.S. and Canada.
You can see more about him at http://www.darishoward.com
He has worked as a cowboy, a mechanic, in farming, and in the timber industry. He is now a college professor. He has also been a scoutmaster, having up to 18 boys in his scout troop at a time. In his wide range of experience, he has associated with many colorful characters who form a basis for his writing.
Daris has had plays translated into German and French, and his plays have been performed in many countries around the world.
For many years Daris has written a popular column called Life’s Outtakes that consists of weekly short stories, and is published in various newspapers and magazines in the U.S. and Canada.
You can see more about him at http://www.darishoward.com
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 17, 2018
This is the first opportunity that I have had to read the works from this very talented author, and what a pleasant surprise it was. Expecting the same old "mail order bride" type of story (and I absolutely love those "run of the mill" tales), I was suddenly captivated by the tale that Daris Howard began to spin, right from the beginning, continuing until the very end. The story begins with Eli, delirious with excitement, as he awaits his fiances' arrival from Europe, to the place that he's called home for the past two years, even though it wasn't his original destination. If only he knew of the surprise that is in store for him!
Be prepared to ride the proverbial emotional roller coaster as this author takes us for the ride of our lives. From the obvious excitement, to utter disappointment and despair, and slowly back up from the beginnings of not only a new friendship, but a budding love that is destined to conquer the trials of time. Well written, with a plot that is easy to follow, I'm sure you won't be disappointed when you read this. I know I wasn't.
Be prepared to ride the proverbial emotional roller coaster as this author takes us for the ride of our lives. From the obvious excitement, to utter disappointment and despair, and slowly back up from the beginnings of not only a new friendship, but a budding love that is destined to conquer the trials of time. Well written, with a plot that is easy to follow, I'm sure you won't be disappointed when you read this. I know I wasn't.
March 26, 2020
This bride-order romance with a lovely cover had a different plot and setting than most mail-order bride novels, however was a bit wordy and stilted which made it difficult to maintain one's attention throughout. With perfect grammar and formatting, it had a predictable conclusion. Might be of better interest to Young Adults.
January 7, 2019
A great story! Heartwarming and clean romance. A story about friendship and self worth. Definitely worth the read.
June 1, 2013
The more things change the more they stay the same. So exchanged for a plot from contemporary times this would play out that a guy gets a date with a girl who he is really really attracted to, but who is a little out of his league, and a little narcissistic. She says yes but brings a less attractive friend to dinner. Leaving halfway through, guy gets stuck with girl's friend. Finds out it's not all about looks and falls in love with the substitute date original girl brought to dinner. This all plays out in one evening.
In this novel, it's the early twentieth century and this takes place over two continents, three countries (wasn't Newfoundland its own country then?), and the substitute girl is meant to be the main character's bride. Eli is the somewhat "aw-shucks" hero of the story who gets Anya, sent by his fiancee Molly who has gone and married someone else back in England. Eli's been sending Molly all his money, so I guess one could say the least she could have done was send a "mail order bride" - though not exactly the best catalog shopping gift idea.
While the original idea was to go to Pennsylvania, Eli ends up in Newfoundland - not exactly prime happening real estate any century. Anya is a little clumsy, almost bashing Eli's head in while he teaches her to fish. The story is a kind mildly comedic, and just as it says, clean romance all the way through.
If you're reading this far, go ahead and get it for a $1. The language is clear, free of syntax errors that make $1 Kindle books unbearable sometimes. The characters are well-defined, and the humor is touching in places if you're even a little bit the sentimentalist.
In this novel, it's the early twentieth century and this takes place over two continents, three countries (wasn't Newfoundland its own country then?), and the substitute girl is meant to be the main character's bride. Eli is the somewhat "aw-shucks" hero of the story who gets Anya, sent by his fiancee Molly who has gone and married someone else back in England. Eli's been sending Molly all his money, so I guess one could say the least she could have done was send a "mail order bride" - though not exactly the best catalog shopping gift idea.
While the original idea was to go to Pennsylvania, Eli ends up in Newfoundland - not exactly prime happening real estate any century. Anya is a little clumsy, almost bashing Eli's head in while he teaches her to fish. The story is a kind mildly comedic, and just as it says, clean romance all the way through.
If you're reading this far, go ahead and get it for a $1. The language is clear, free of syntax errors that make $1 Kindle books unbearable sometimes. The characters are well-defined, and the humor is touching in places if you're even a little bit the sentimentalist.
April 18, 2013
I got this free from Amazon.
This book was quite long. I found that I started skimming when I got about half way through the book. The author is most descriptive about the layout of the land, which I usually skim over with every book. She also added in some back story with some characters.
The character development was pretty good. I found that I was able to understand and know the main characters well. I'm glad the reader was able to get to know Jim and I found his character to be very likable. I liked Anya but I wish the author would have included more information on her. It bothered me that I wasn't able to place a homeland for her. I might be dense but or uneducated about the history of eastern Europe but I wasn't able to place where she came from. It just bugged me that the author was not as forthcoming about it but it wasn't essential to the story.
The book doesn't give much information as to the time period. I was able to grasp quickly that it was historical but only until the end did the book say that the characters were living during the turn of the century. I might be strange but I like to know things like that early on.
The ending added a small twist.
Overall, sweet read about a young man who was sent an unexpected mail order bride and how they get to know each other.
This book was quite long. I found that I started skimming when I got about half way through the book. The author is most descriptive about the layout of the land, which I usually skim over with every book. She also added in some back story with some characters.
The character development was pretty good. I found that I was able to understand and know the main characters well. I'm glad the reader was able to get to know Jim and I found his character to be very likable. I liked Anya but I wish the author would have included more information on her. It bothered me that I wasn't able to place a homeland for her. I might be dense but or uneducated about the history of eastern Europe but I wasn't able to place where she came from. It just bugged me that the author was not as forthcoming about it but it wasn't essential to the story.
The book doesn't give much information as to the time period. I was able to grasp quickly that it was historical but only until the end did the book say that the characters were living during the turn of the century. I might be strange but I like to know things like that early on.
The ending added a small twist.
Overall, sweet read about a young man who was sent an unexpected mail order bride and how they get to know each other.
July 11, 2014
I love that the book was a "Clean Read". The story line focused on learning to love and forgiving those around you. There are no sex scenes or heavy touching. There may be one or two sweet kisses, but that is all. This is a "find your own worth" book. Eli wants to prove to Anya that she is worth more than one dollar. It is worth a read and the only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the time period. In the very first few pages we learn that it is based in the 1920's, but I think there was a typo and it should be 1820. There is a little bit of gospel preached in this book. Jim is a side character and I found him very interesting. My heart broke for him. All in all...it was a good read ;-D
March 25, 2013
Throughout the entire book, I was clueless about what time period this book was in. Sometimes it felt like it was set in the late 1800s, and sometimes it was much too modern for that. No, there were no cars, but some of the dialogue seemed like it was possibly set in the mid to late 1900s. Finally about 3/4ths of the way through, I found out it is probably set in the 1920s or so. This problem and other plot holes left me feeling bereft of a great story.
April 16, 2013
It was a slow read, very clean romance though that was appreciated. I thought it would have been better if it hadn't taken so long for the marriage, and gave some insight in to their new lives together.
April 4, 2013
Well, good and bad (did they use the word 'dating' in this time period?), but overall never really felt attached to the characters, like I think I liked Old Jim better than the two main characters. Fun story idea, though.
February 27, 2013
This is a wonderful clean romance that delves into the difference of culture.
March 28, 2013
The setting and differences between the characters were interesting. I was put off by the style somewhat.
April 22, 2013
I liked the premise and the idea, but the characters just fell flat.
June 11, 2013
3.5 Stars
I got this as a free e-book. I really enjoyed it. I liked the characters. I liked the backdrop. I liked the tenderness in the relationships. This is a sweet, clean read.
I got this as a free e-book. I really enjoyed it. I liked the characters. I liked the backdrop. I liked the tenderness in the relationships. This is a sweet, clean read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews