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Mail Order Romance #1
West For Love
Shamed for not birthing a child with her wealthy husband, Anna Stewbren can no longer face her family and the disappointment that they wear on their faces daily. After her husband forces her into divorce, Anna travels to town and reads a heartbreaking letter from a wet nurse in Kansas, seeking a mail order bride for the widower she works for. She instantly knows it is the answer to her prayers...
Josephine has a God given gift to nurture the infants of widowers and the wealthy who would rather not feed their own children. Never before has she met a man like Thomas who so deserves a second chance at love. When she pens a letter to a newspaper in Massachusetts, she does so without permission...
Thomas Calhor is a hardworking man, generous to those around him, and a loving father. However, he is broken and lost without his wife, who did not survive childbirth. His reaction to Josephine's letter even surprises himself and begins a journey that will forever change many lives...
Arriving in Kansas brings Anna more challenges than she ever expected to find, but through love, honor, marriage, and a shocking secret that will forever keep her with Thomas proves that in romance, anything can happen...
Josephine has a God given gift to nurture the infants of widowers and the wealthy who would rather not feed their own children. Never before has she met a man like Thomas who so deserves a second chance at love. When she pens a letter to a newspaper in Massachusetts, she does so without permission...
Thomas Calhor is a hardworking man, generous to those around him, and a loving father. However, he is broken and lost without his wife, who did not survive childbirth. His reaction to Josephine's letter even surprises himself and begins a journey that will forever change many lives...
Arriving in Kansas brings Anna more challenges than she ever expected to find, but through love, honor, marriage, and a shocking secret that will forever keep her with Thomas proves that in romance, anything can happen...
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 8, 2013
228 people are currently reading
672 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
March 9, 2015
Shamed for not birthing a child with her wealthy husband, Anna Stewbren can no longer face her family and the disappointment that they wear on their faces daily. After her husband forces her into divorce, Anna travels to town and reads a heartbreaking letter from a wet nurse in Kansas, seeking a mail order bride for the widower she works for. She instantly knows it is the answer to her prayers...
Josephine has a God given gift to nurture the infants of widowers and the wealthy who would rather not feed their own children. Never before has she met a man like Thomas who so deserves a second chance at love. When she pens a letter to a newspaper in Massachusetts, she does so without permission...
Thomas Calhor is a hardworking man, generous to those around him, and a loving father. However, he is broken and lost without his wife, who did not survive childbirth. His reaction to Josephine's letter even surprises himself and begins a journey that will forever change many lives...
Arriving in Kansas brings Anna more challenges than she ever expected to find, but through love, honor, marriage, and a shocking secret that will forever keep her with Thomas proves that in romance, anything can happen..
**************************
I think the "trailer" is a bit misleading - Anna does not find challenges in Kansas, she brings them with her. Based on a weak premise of a wealthy man not getting his heir within a year and parents who pushed their daughter into a marriage for the money, the guilt is laid on pretty thick. But it is a sugar sweet story where everyone is beautiful/handsome and gets along and though everyone worries about too many things without discussing it thoroughly, it all works out despite the angst of getting there.
I am getting tired of the cliched themes and poorly editted ebooks.
Josephine has a God given gift to nurture the infants of widowers and the wealthy who would rather not feed their own children. Never before has she met a man like Thomas who so deserves a second chance at love. When she pens a letter to a newspaper in Massachusetts, she does so without permission...
Thomas Calhor is a hardworking man, generous to those around him, and a loving father. However, he is broken and lost without his wife, who did not survive childbirth. His reaction to Josephine's letter even surprises himself and begins a journey that will forever change many lives...
Arriving in Kansas brings Anna more challenges than she ever expected to find, but through love, honor, marriage, and a shocking secret that will forever keep her with Thomas proves that in romance, anything can happen..
**************************
I think the "trailer" is a bit misleading - Anna does not find challenges in Kansas, she brings them with her. Based on a weak premise of a wealthy man not getting his heir within a year and parents who pushed their daughter into a marriage for the money, the guilt is laid on pretty thick. But it is a sugar sweet story where everyone is beautiful/handsome and gets along and though everyone worries about too many things without discussing it thoroughly, it all works out despite the angst of getting there.
I am getting tired of the cliched themes and poorly editted ebooks.
February 12, 2015
Poorly written, filled with anachronistic details, lifeless characters who act bizarre. But even if you handwave away all of that, once the character of the wet nurse enters the story it becomes oddly focused on breastfeeding. Lots and lots of talk about nursing. The baby has a tooth come in - cue the nudges and winks in the wet nurse's direction. At one point the heroine notes the wet nurse's reddened, chewed up nipples and she calmly lectures the heroine on the importance of breastfeeding. The kicker is that we learn the wet nurse is a walking miracle, having never had a child of her own. She magically started lactating at puberty and after surviving the shame of everyone thinking she was just a slutty girl who got pregnant and wouldn't admit it, she realized her mission from God was to feed the babies of the world.
Strange, haunting book with barely any romance and a lot of lactation talk.
Strange, haunting book with barely any romance and a lot of lactation talk.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2015
West For Love
By: Claire Charlins
This was the very first book I read from this author. I enjoy reading historical romance books so mail order bride books fall into that category for me as well. This was a well written book and I enjoyed the story.
Ann is divorced and cast aside for not producing an air within a year of her marriage. Feeing the girl and burden of her life she has laid on her sister and parents. Ann decides to become a mail order bride. To finally find the love she so desires and hopes of the chances to fine. Reading a heartfelt letter of a man who has lost and wants nothing more then to be loved again but most of all to understand and love him. Can Ann be that woman for this lost heart broken man? She s going to try.
I would suggest this book to friends.
By: Claire Charlins
This was the very first book I read from this author. I enjoy reading historical romance books so mail order bride books fall into that category for me as well. This was a well written book and I enjoyed the story.
Ann is divorced and cast aside for not producing an air within a year of her marriage. Feeing the girl and burden of her life she has laid on her sister and parents. Ann decides to become a mail order bride. To finally find the love she so desires and hopes of the chances to fine. Reading a heartfelt letter of a man who has lost and wants nothing more then to be loved again but most of all to understand and love him. Can Ann be that woman for this lost heart broken man? She s going to try.
I would suggest this book to friends.
February 12, 2015
I was good enough. But needs editing, proofreading, some phrases didn't make sense. Jo the wet nurse was very special. Anna and Thomas were ok but I didn't really feel any emotional connection between them.
June 19, 2015
Inspirational Romance
This was a great story. It was hard to put down most of the time. I would read until late at night. I really liked the way they kept their faith. It was a miracle from God that things happened the way it did, all in his timing not theirs. Keep the faith.
This was a great story. It was hard to put down most of the time. I would read until late at night. I really liked the way they kept their faith. It was a miracle from God that things happened the way it did, all in his timing not theirs. Keep the faith.
September 27, 2013
good book
October 24, 2022
embarrassed to say I read this one.
September 9, 2013
Enchanting
July 22, 2018
Never Give Up On Love!
This story introduces the reader to farm life as it was well over a hundred years ago. The daughter of a farmer is pledged to a wealthy man ... the man wanted something and put a timeline on getting it - one year. When he did not get it, he divorced his wife.
Heartache and difficult times surrounded her until a chance meeting in town, then hope was reborn and everything she wanted seemed possible.
This sweet, soulful story grabbed me at the start and now has me looking to the next story in this set!
This story introduces the reader to farm life as it was well over a hundred years ago. The daughter of a farmer is pledged to a wealthy man ... the man wanted something and put a timeline on getting it - one year. When he did not get it, he divorced his wife.
Heartache and difficult times surrounded her until a chance meeting in town, then hope was reborn and everything she wanted seemed possible.
This sweet, soulful story grabbed me at the start and now has me looking to the next story in this set!
May 18, 2021
Honestly it was kinda terrible. I couldn't bring myself to give it two stars however because I didn't disliked it, it was just badly written.
Every character in this book talks (and writes) like they are in a poorly written Hallmark movie. And I mean those on the bad way. The roll your eyes "who the heck talks like that?!? kind of way. And the magically lactating Mary Poppins and the matchmakers were both ridiculous caricatures.
But I read it all, and smiled a few times, so I had to give it three stars. It amused me. The author has potential. I hope she's grown in her later books.
Every character in this book talks (and writes) like they are in a poorly written Hallmark movie. And I mean those on the bad way. The roll your eyes "who the heck talks like that?!? kind of way. And the magically lactating Mary Poppins and the matchmakers were both ridiculous caricatures.
But I read it all, and smiled a few times, so I had to give it three stars. It amused me. The author has potential. I hope she's grown in her later books.
October 4, 2018
I was so caught up in every moment.... it felt like I was that person. If you read a book and it takes you to that place.. it an awesome feeling. I always say, if you want to travel the world for free read a book.
I was so caught up in every moment.... it felt like I was that person. If you read a book and it takes you to that place.. it an awesome feeling. I always say, if you want to travel the world for free read a book.
I was so caught up in every moment.... it felt like I was that person. If you read a book and it takes you to that place.. it an awesome feeling. I always say, if you want to travel the world for free read a book.
January 12, 2018
I chose to read and review this book. I love this genre of books. Mail order brides are some of the sweetest books to read. This one was well written, great plot, nice story, captivating characters that are full of emotions. The road we chose is never easy but it is rewarding.I loved the couple in this one so much decided to buy it and some of the others in the series.
July 9, 2017
Sweet Story
This is a sweet fast read, nothing was dragged out to long before finding love in each other's arms. It would have been more exciting if Anna's first husband found out she had a baby and even better if it were twins. None the less the story was perfect .
This is a sweet fast read, nothing was dragged out to long before finding love in each other's arms. It would have been more exciting if Anna's first husband found out she had a baby and even better if it were twins. None the less the story was perfect .
September 25, 2018
After a long break, i made a comeback with this and I must say it was great indeed. I needed something simple and sweet and WEST FOR LOVE didnt disappoint. Amazing characters with the right amount of edge to make for a great read. Most of all it was heartwarming
May 1, 2024
beautiful, redeeming hope
I love this story. So much. I've always liked the mail-order bride books, but this one is a special gem. The story story will live in my heart for a long time.
5 full, happy stars
-ncv
I love this story. So much. I've always liked the mail-order bride books, but this one is a special gem. The story story will live in my heart for a long time.
5 full, happy stars
-ncv
June 20, 2017
There was sexual content in the book.
December 11, 2017
This is the first book I've read by this author, but this was a very good western romance regarding a mail-order bride. I'm looking forward to reading more by her.
January 27, 2018
A tear jerker
This is a wonderful story about love, grief and a family that overcomes it all and find real love an happiness
This is a wonderful story about love, grief and a family that overcomes it all and find real love an happiness
October 2, 2018
Easy read. Nice, simple story gives you a good feeling similar to watching a Hallmark movie. Predictable but sweet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2018
It was a simple romance. Sweet and if that’s the type of thing you are looking for you will enjoy it.
January 30, 2019
Could not put this bookdown
I really enjoyed it had to read it all in one night can’t wait to read the next book in this series
I really enjoyed it had to read it all in one night can’t wait to read the next book in this series
May 27, 2021
A beautiful story with hope, faith, kindness, and love that brings gentle healing, peace, and happiness.
February 15, 2015
A blessing for most and a curse for some, conceiving a child is the catalyst of life that ensured its perpetuation. When Anna accepted the proposal and secured the wedding bands with William Stewbren it was only for the best wishes of others. She was attractive, young and pure, making her a prime candidate for William’s one heart’s desire; to have children. The marriage insured her parents and sister the prosperity they desired and felt that they deserved. For Anna, it brought nothing. Nothing is a strong word and on further reflection inappropriate. The marital bond brought her stress, feelings of inadequacy, self condemnation and no love. Maybe thanks to this or a combination some of these or all of these or even none of these; she didn’t conceive that by all desired offspring. After a year of sharing the marital bed William lost patients (he wasn’t a serene man) and obtained a divorce, leaving Anna and her family to fend for themselves. Anna’s older sister (by two years) Abigail, had lost her husband in a freak and tragic accident after only a short time of marriage, leaving both sisters alone and in danger of becoming spinsters at the age of twenty. That is until Anna met Henry Belles and Mary Roberts of Belles and Roberts. Some “pot luck” dinners can be the best. Historical fiction is more than just a story set in the past. It is a tale of another time where people are little changed from those of today. Online dating and relationships are relative new but the concept is as old as civilization itself. The only difference is speed. I enjoyed this book for many reasons but maybe, most of all, because it spoke to me personally as it is sure to do many others.
February 19, 2015
This was a book that I downloaded for free from Amazon and I must say, I am glad that I did! It was a really good story! I have mentioned before that I have gotten into reading the Mail Order Bride type books & this one was a good one! I love books that are set back in the 1800’s and really enjoy reading about that time frame!
West For Love by Claire Charlins was so good! I enjoyed reading about Anna and Thomas’ story and seeing how quickly Anna fell in love with Thomas and his infant son, Thomas Jr! Thomas is a recent widower and had to get a wet nurse (Josephine) for his infant son after his wife died shortly after child birth!
Anna had previously been in a marriage and was given one year from the date of her marriage to her previous husband to become with child, or he would divorce her and stop helping her family out with their farm and land. When she didn’t get pregnant, he followed through with divorcing her.
I look forward to reading more of Ms. Charlins’ books, and I really hope that she has written a book that tells whether Anna’s sister receives her happily ever after!
West For Love by Claire Charlins was so good! I enjoyed reading about Anna and Thomas’ story and seeing how quickly Anna fell in love with Thomas and his infant son, Thomas Jr! Thomas is a recent widower and had to get a wet nurse (Josephine) for his infant son after his wife died shortly after child birth!
Anna had previously been in a marriage and was given one year from the date of her marriage to her previous husband to become with child, or he would divorce her and stop helping her family out with their farm and land. When she didn’t get pregnant, he followed through with divorcing her.
I look forward to reading more of Ms. Charlins’ books, and I really hope that she has written a book that tells whether Anna’s sister receives her happily ever after!
May 16, 2015
As one who is interested in history, I was drawn to this book by the concept of a Mail-Order Bride. In the end of the 1800s, America was changing. The western frontier provided many opportunities. However, in the west it was quite common that men outnumbered women. Women did not have many opportunities other than being a homemaker or a teacher. To change the existing circumstances, unmarried or widowed women sought out this new opportunity to live new lives with purpose. Hence, Claire Charlins' premise for her book, West for Love.
Charlins introduces us to the main characters, Thomas and Anna. Both were faced with unhappiness. Both wanted something more in life. Their tale is beautifully presented. Charlins' sensitivity portrays a believable tale of what life would be life was like in Kansas during that time. This story was well done and done with taste. Highly recommend this book.
Charlins introduces us to the main characters, Thomas and Anna. Both were faced with unhappiness. Both wanted something more in life. Their tale is beautifully presented. Charlins' sensitivity portrays a believable tale of what life would be life was like in Kansas during that time. This story was well done and done with taste. Highly recommend this book.
October 5, 2016
The concept was interesting. The execution was poor. This whole thing was in desperate need of an editor; typos, dropped words, confusing plot, anachronisms. Every conversation was littered with names - seriously, if a conversation was three sentences, the person speaking would say the name of the person they were talking to twice. And the use of letters was....over the top and completely unbelievable. If nothing else, no one writes the name of the person they're writing a letter to over and over and OVER again.
There was the weirdest focus on lactation that I can't even properly explain. I mean, seriously, the author AND the characters came across as downright creepy.
This was written to be an inspirational piece, I'm guessing, but it definitely was the dirtiest Christian romance novel I've ever read, so I would NOT suggest this one to anyone looking for something clean.
There was the weirdest focus on lactation that I can't even properly explain. I mean, seriously, the author AND the characters came across as downright creepy.
This was written to be an inspirational piece, I'm guessing, but it definitely was the dirtiest Christian romance novel I've ever read, so I would NOT suggest this one to anyone looking for something clean.
February 14, 2015
This was a pleasant read with a happy ending for a woman whose husband had put her aside because she did not bear him a child in the first year of marriage. She took the train west to marry a man whose wife had died in childbirth, to become a mother to his infant son.
As with some other e-books, this one could have used the help of a beta or proofreader: sometimes there were just single letters in place of a word; other times there were cringe-worthy mistakes. Because it was only 150 pages long, there didn't seem to be time enough to devote to more description and story development.
The story did seem to be told from the two women's points of view, and I would have liked to have learned more about Thomas, Sr.
As with some other e-books, this one could have used the help of a beta or proofreader: sometimes there were just single letters in place of a word; other times there were cringe-worthy mistakes. Because it was only 150 pages long, there didn't seem to be time enough to devote to more description and story development.
The story did seem to be told from the two women's points of view, and I would have liked to have learned more about Thomas, Sr.
February 14, 2015
Just ok
When I read historical fiction, I expect the characters and storyline to stay in the time period they are written in. And while this was a good story, the characters were too contemporary. Men and women of the 19th century did not openly discuss pregnancy and breastfeeding the way these characters did, and it really detracted from the story because of it. Authors do your research! If you want to write historical fiction then don't let your characters walk around acting like people of today! Also the author needs to decide if she is writing a steamy romance or a Christian story. This book tried to do both and I don't think the two mix.
When I read historical fiction, I expect the characters and storyline to stay in the time period they are written in. And while this was a good story, the characters were too contemporary. Men and women of the 19th century did not openly discuss pregnancy and breastfeeding the way these characters did, and it really detracted from the story because of it. Authors do your research! If you want to write historical fiction then don't let your characters walk around acting like people of today! Also the author needs to decide if she is writing a steamy romance or a Christian story. This book tried to do both and I don't think the two mix.
April 7, 2015
This book was very interesting and hooked into my flesh. I really enjoyed it, but I'm glad it was only a hundred pages on my iPad, because there is no way I would have been able to finish it otherwise.
Karolyn James (aka Claire Charlins) has a skill in plot formation. Delivery, not her strongest suit. There were SOOO many blaring editing issues that took away from the storyline. Also, I wish there was more character development, as I just felt the entire story was far-fetched because it was not explained very well.
However, I did like this book. It was new and it was fresh, yet don't sign me up for the next one in the series.
Karolyn James (aka Claire Charlins) has a skill in plot formation. Delivery, not her strongest suit. There were SOOO many blaring editing issues that took away from the storyline. Also, I wish there was more character development, as I just felt the entire story was far-fetched because it was not explained very well.
However, I did like this book. It was new and it was fresh, yet don't sign me up for the next one in the series.
February 2, 2015
Anna and Thomas
Love can heal all wounds!!
Anna's husband was cruel. He only married her for children, not love and when she did not fulfill his wish, he divorced her.
Thomas wife died in childbirth. Leaving him with a son to take care of. Josephine, the baby's wetnurse tended to the baby's needs but could not help Thomas with what he really needed, someone to love and heal his broken heart.
A heartbroken divorced woman....and a man with a broken heart....could they both heal their broken hearts, love again and become a family? Read for yourself.
Love can heal all wounds!!
Anna's husband was cruel. He only married her for children, not love and when she did not fulfill his wish, he divorced her.
Thomas wife died in childbirth. Leaving him with a son to take care of. Josephine, the baby's wetnurse tended to the baby's needs but could not help Thomas with what he really needed, someone to love and heal his broken heart.
A heartbroken divorced woman....and a man with a broken heart....could they both heal their broken hearts, love again and become a family? Read for yourself.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews