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Wild West Weddings #1
Bride by Mail
"27-year-old fur trader seeks wife and helpmate."
Expecting a plain, dependable woman to reply to his advert, what Jack Trudeau actually gets is pampered fashion plate Olivia Hansson. There's no denying she's pretty, but patently ill-equipped for life in his simple log cabin -with its one bed- in the wild Rocky Mountains.
Olivia must make a success of her new life. But how to convince her skeptical husband that she is capable? She doesn't cook and only knows how to grow flowers, not practical vegetables! Undaunted, Olivia sets out to win his grudging admiration&-and his closely protected heart.
Wild West Weddings
Mail-order brides for three hard-working, hard-living men!
Expecting a plain, dependable woman to reply to his advert, what Jack Trudeau actually gets is pampered fashion plate Olivia Hansson. There's no denying she's pretty, but patently ill-equipped for life in his simple log cabin -with its one bed- in the wild Rocky Mountains.
Olivia must make a success of her new life. But how to convince her skeptical husband that she is capable? She doesn't cook and only knows how to grow flowers, not practical vegetables! Undaunted, Olivia sets out to win his grudging admiration&-and his closely protected heart.
Wild West Weddings
Mail-order brides for three hard-working, hard-living men!
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
31 people are currently reading
463 people want to read
About the author
Katy Madison
28 books61 followersKaty Madison has always loved stories. As a child she was always lugging a book around. At the age of eight, after
Katy Madison having gone through over a hundred Nancy Drew mysteries, all the Laura Ingalls Wilder books—at least twice—and many others including her full weekly allotment of library books, Katy went to her mother and begged for a new book to read. Her frustrated mother handed her a romance novel. Katy fell in love with the romance genre. She quickly found where her mother hid the rest and began sneaking them out to read. She cut her eye teeth on books by Georgette Heyer and Mary Stewart, not to mention dozens of Barbara Cartland’s. With a nod to great Gothic novels like Jane Eyre and Rebecca, Katy offers up her gothic romance Tainted by Temptation.
Katy Madison having gone through over a hundred Nancy Drew mysteries, all the Laura Ingalls Wilder books—at least twice—and many others including her full weekly allotment of library books, Katy went to her mother and begged for a new book to read. Her frustrated mother handed her a romance novel. Katy fell in love with the romance genre. She quickly found where her mother hid the rest and began sneaking them out to read. She cut her eye teeth on books by Georgette Heyer and Mary Stewart, not to mention dozens of Barbara Cartland’s. With a nod to great Gothic novels like Jane Eyre and Rebecca, Katy offers up her gothic romance Tainted by Temptation.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 12, 2015
After several months of exchanging letters, Olivia has finally arrived in Denver, ready to marry Jack. The letters he wrote describing the beauty of where he lives touched her heart and made her long for something she hadn't had in years - a place to belong. Things don't go quite as she hoped, as Jack's first reaction to her seems to be dismay.
Jack had certainly not expected the young woman in the fashionable clothing, who can't even look him in the eye. As they travel toward his home he discovers that she can't cook, knows nothing of growing food, and seems to be afraid to even touch him. He's bitterly disappointed and has no trouble letting it show.
Olivia sees his disappointment, and feels rejected already. She has grown up feeling that she doesn't meet anyone's expectations. Her parents died in a train wreck when she was a child and she was raised by an older woman who rarely had anything good to say to her. As an adult she worked in a cotton mill where she was also looked down on. Ever since writing to Jack she has dreamed of finally having someone who accepts her for who she is. If she wants to make her marriage work she has to learn a new way of life.
I felt bad for Olivia because she was way out of her depth. She had never experienced anything like the wilderness she was now going to be living in. She waffles back and forth between wanting to stay and make it work with Jack and wanting to leave because she can see he doesn't want her. She's also extremely innocent, and doesn't understand the feelings that Jack rouses in her. They scare her a bit and cause her to shrink away from him. It takes a near tragedy for her to see that she is stronger than she thinks she is. I liked seeing her start to display the strength she'll need to have the future she wants.
I was a bit frustrated with Jack. I got the impression that he hadn't been all that specific in his letters to Olivia about what he actually expected of her. I felt that he could have at least offered to teach her what she needed to know. Instead, all he can see is that she doesn't fit the preconceived picture he had in his mind of what the perfect wife would be. Jack spends a lot of time comparing her to his mother, who had left him and his father because she couldn't handle the life there, and to his late Indian wife, who had known exactly what needed to be done and how to do it. Added to that, he's really attracted to her, but afraid to get close because it will hurt when she leaves. So he blows hot and cold with her, as the attraction makes him want her to stay, but his fears cause him to push her away.
Things would have gone much more smoothly with them if they would have just talked to each other about what they were feeling. They were so busy protecting themselves that they couldn't see what needed to be done. The only times they really communicated in any way was when the attraction would take over. I did like Jack's patience and gentleness with Olivia and her innocence.
I liked the section where they were caring for Jack's former brother-in-law. It was a terrific demonstration of the things that could happen and how they would need to be dealt with. I loved seeing the progression that Olivia made from her fears at the beginning of it, to her courage and determination by the time Jack came back. I also liked seeing that Jack finally realized what an idiot he'd been. The plans they made for their future together were an excellent compromise to both their needs. The only thing that might have made it better would be an epilogue from a year or so later.
Jack had certainly not expected the young woman in the fashionable clothing, who can't even look him in the eye. As they travel toward his home he discovers that she can't cook, knows nothing of growing food, and seems to be afraid to even touch him. He's bitterly disappointed and has no trouble letting it show.
Olivia sees his disappointment, and feels rejected already. She has grown up feeling that she doesn't meet anyone's expectations. Her parents died in a train wreck when she was a child and she was raised by an older woman who rarely had anything good to say to her. As an adult she worked in a cotton mill where she was also looked down on. Ever since writing to Jack she has dreamed of finally having someone who accepts her for who she is. If she wants to make her marriage work she has to learn a new way of life.
I felt bad for Olivia because she was way out of her depth. She had never experienced anything like the wilderness she was now going to be living in. She waffles back and forth between wanting to stay and make it work with Jack and wanting to leave because she can see he doesn't want her. She's also extremely innocent, and doesn't understand the feelings that Jack rouses in her. They scare her a bit and cause her to shrink away from him. It takes a near tragedy for her to see that she is stronger than she thinks she is. I liked seeing her start to display the strength she'll need to have the future she wants.
I was a bit frustrated with Jack. I got the impression that he hadn't been all that specific in his letters to Olivia about what he actually expected of her. I felt that he could have at least offered to teach her what she needed to know. Instead, all he can see is that she doesn't fit the preconceived picture he had in his mind of what the perfect wife would be. Jack spends a lot of time comparing her to his mother, who had left him and his father because she couldn't handle the life there, and to his late Indian wife, who had known exactly what needed to be done and how to do it. Added to that, he's really attracted to her, but afraid to get close because it will hurt when she leaves. So he blows hot and cold with her, as the attraction makes him want her to stay, but his fears cause him to push her away.
Things would have gone much more smoothly with them if they would have just talked to each other about what they were feeling. They were so busy protecting themselves that they couldn't see what needed to be done. The only times they really communicated in any way was when the attraction would take over. I did like Jack's patience and gentleness with Olivia and her innocence.
I liked the section where they were caring for Jack's former brother-in-law. It was a terrific demonstration of the things that could happen and how they would need to be dealt with. I loved seeing the progression that Olivia made from her fears at the beginning of it, to her courage and determination by the time Jack came back. I also liked seeing that Jack finally realized what an idiot he'd been. The plans they made for their future together were an excellent compromise to both their needs. The only thing that might have made it better would be an epilogue from a year or so later.
May 7, 2021
This is one of my favorite books and I have read it several times over the past few years. I understand other reader's being critical of the hero of the story. He is difficult from the beginning and seems way too harsh of our helpless heroine. But looking at it historically, the male character probably isn't unrealistic. The harsh life in the Colorado Rockies would make daily activities difficult for anyone, least of all a pampered Miss from Connecticut. I loved the way the characters change and transform throughout the story. I think the heroine's determination to succeed is inspiring. Looking forward to more by this author.
September 24, 2014
I picked up this book because I love anything to do with historical books about Brides by Mail. I had no idea this was a Harlequin Romance. I hardly read romance books anymore because ¾ of the book is the couple not understanding or communicating with each other about wanting to be with one another and the rest of the book is about sex. I skimmed through 80% of the book because of the stuff I hate about romance books. Sigh.
September 29, 2019
I WAS REAL HYPED ABOUT THIS ONE BECAUSE I'M A TOTAL SUCKER FOR MAIL BRIDE STORIES FEATURING MCs THAT ARE TOTALLY WRONG FOR EACH OTHER.
WHY THE 3 STARS? I GOT REAL ANNOYED WITH THE HEROINE SOMETIMES FOR BEING SUCH A MILK SOP. I BLAME IT FOR THE FACT THAT I'M A 21ST CENTURY WOMAN AND THIS FEMALE PROTAGONIST WAS JUST WEAK SOMETIMES, I GOT PISSED.
HERO needs a sturdy wife who can handle the harsh climate and livelihood of his job. He's a fur trader and he hunts animals. He needs a woman who can cook, take care of the house and his needs while he puts bread on the table. Jack used to be married to a squaw who was barren, dark and sturdy as a tree stump yet capable. His new bride is the total opposite and he honestly didn't like what she represented in half the story, until lust caught up with him. If I can be frank, what made him liked her in the end was instigated by lust mainly...and only then his heart softened up to take in the sacrifices that she's trying to do for his behalf and their marriage. She's all wrong for him but she's too beautiful, soft and lady-like he doesn't even know what to do with her. The poor man. Most times I felt for him because I got irritated at her helplessness and appreciated butt kicking heroines more instead of this soft, limp flower.
HEROINE could have been stronger. It's not that I've never read heroines in her situation with the same kind of character disposition but the many failings that were drawn out in the beginnings of her marriage was laugheable I don't know if the author wanted her to look silly or truly fail. She could have given her some pride back you know. A city girl who only wants a home to belong to after her parents' tragic death, she accepted Jack's marriage only to have a frightening amoung of reality check about her new life. I hated how she always cower around him like he's some sort of monster....I hated how she botches everything up (she's allowed to of course but everything?)...but I loved how she tried her best and how she handled the baby chicks. Of course, I would have liked to see her achieve something significant instead of always saying 'I'll learn, I'll learn." At the end, I don't see much changes in her ALTHOUGH she did toughen up a little at the end.
OVERALL this could have been way better. One discrepancy I couldn't get over is how the Hero fell in love with her too fast when there wasn't much changes in her own character that would WOW him as a man whose IS living a hard life. I'm not asking them to CHANGE but at least to become stronger and as a woman....prove her point that she's not useless ornamentation.
WHY THE 3 STARS? I GOT REAL ANNOYED WITH THE HEROINE SOMETIMES FOR BEING SUCH A MILK SOP. I BLAME IT FOR THE FACT THAT I'M A 21ST CENTURY WOMAN AND THIS FEMALE PROTAGONIST WAS JUST WEAK SOMETIMES, I GOT PISSED.
HERO needs a sturdy wife who can handle the harsh climate and livelihood of his job. He's a fur trader and he hunts animals. He needs a woman who can cook, take care of the house and his needs while he puts bread on the table. Jack used to be married to a squaw who was barren, dark and sturdy as a tree stump yet capable. His new bride is the total opposite and he honestly didn't like what she represented in half the story, until lust caught up with him. If I can be frank, what made him liked her in the end was instigated by lust mainly...and only then his heart softened up to take in the sacrifices that she's trying to do for his behalf and their marriage. She's all wrong for him but she's too beautiful, soft and lady-like he doesn't even know what to do with her. The poor man. Most times I felt for him because I got irritated at her helplessness and appreciated butt kicking heroines more instead of this soft, limp flower.
HEROINE could have been stronger. It's not that I've never read heroines in her situation with the same kind of character disposition but the many failings that were drawn out in the beginnings of her marriage was laugheable I don't know if the author wanted her to look silly or truly fail. She could have given her some pride back you know. A city girl who only wants a home to belong to after her parents' tragic death, she accepted Jack's marriage only to have a frightening amoung of reality check about her new life. I hated how she always cower around him like he's some sort of monster....I hated how she botches everything up (she's allowed to of course but everything?)...but I loved how she tried her best and how she handled the baby chicks. Of course, I would have liked to see her achieve something significant instead of always saying 'I'll learn, I'll learn." At the end, I don't see much changes in her ALTHOUGH she did toughen up a little at the end.
OVERALL this could have been way better. One discrepancy I couldn't get over is how the Hero fell in love with her too fast when there wasn't much changes in her own character that would WOW him as a man whose IS living a hard life. I'm not asking them to CHANGE but at least to become stronger and as a woman....prove her point that she's not useless ornamentation.
August 17, 2025
Go west young...city woman?
Olivia answers a marriage ad from a fur trader named Jack, which sends her on a journey to parts unknown to her to marry a total stranger and start a harder life than she was accustomed to. First seeing her in her best dress doesn't give Jack a lot of confidence that she's the right woman for his rougher and more dangerous lifestyle.
At first I was on board, because that conflict is totally believable. She grew up in a city on the east coast, he grew up in the mountains of the midwest, so of course there's going to be a lot of adjustment on both sides.
But while the book had a strong beginning, the story began to weaken over time, and midway through the Third Act, I was starting to experience ending fatigue. This was mainly due to problem after problem being stacked on top of each other with barely any of them being resolved before yet ANOTHER issue came up. I know full well that conflict is important to a plot, but the myriad of "micro problems" and misunderstandings instead of a few strong conflicts throughout the story just started to grate on me after a while. Also, while the relationship itself showed promise, the ending was extremely weak and a little abrupt, unfortunately.
Not the worst book I've read this year, but not one of the stronger contenders, either. But if you like pioneer romances, give it a shot. 3/5 stars.
Olivia answers a marriage ad from a fur trader named Jack, which sends her on a journey to parts unknown to her to marry a total stranger and start a harder life than she was accustomed to. First seeing her in her best dress doesn't give Jack a lot of confidence that she's the right woman for his rougher and more dangerous lifestyle.
At first I was on board, because that conflict is totally believable. She grew up in a city on the east coast, he grew up in the mountains of the midwest, so of course there's going to be a lot of adjustment on both sides.
But while the book had a strong beginning, the story began to weaken over time, and midway through the Third Act, I was starting to experience ending fatigue. This was mainly due to problem after problem being stacked on top of each other with barely any of them being resolved before yet ANOTHER issue came up. I know full well that conflict is important to a plot, but the myriad of "micro problems" and misunderstandings instead of a few strong conflicts throughout the story just started to grate on me after a while. Also, while the relationship itself showed promise, the ending was extremely weak and a little abrupt, unfortunately.
Not the worst book I've read this year, but not one of the stronger contenders, either. But if you like pioneer romances, give it a shot. 3/5 stars.
September 14, 2017
When I first read that the hero is a widow I was in dismay then as he describe his first wife as "The Wife of His HEART" ( does he even have a heart? ) I was shaken ... I mean it can happen that he might fall in love before and beside it only means he is capable of loving? (perhaps) .........So I should give it a chance after all 2 of my favorites "The Bride" and "To Sir Philip With Love" have widow hero and I still love them anyway... But in this book's case knowing that the hero was perhaps in love with his first wife before the heroine made me feel so down and jealous for the heroine.. it's like she is already beaten by a dead wife towards the hero's affection and it would definitely hinder the development of their relationship...
In the end I still continue hoping it would get better.... but nope he already judge the heroine harshly ..... He didn't give her too much chance to prove herself.. he is annoying beyond annoying and it took him all the chapters to admit his feeling and even almost at the end he still pushes her away from him.... grrrrr what a FTFRSRT7f6@R%#&&@! Sorry my feelings for the hero is so harsh just as he is harsh to the heroine... arrrrrghhhhh
In the end I still continue hoping it would get better.... but nope he already judge the heroine harshly ..... He didn't give her too much chance to prove herself.. he is annoying beyond annoying and it took him all the chapters to admit his feeling and even almost at the end he still pushes her away from him.... grrrrr what a FTFRSRT7f6@R%#&&@! Sorry my feelings for the hero is so harsh just as he is harsh to the heroine... arrrrrghhhhh
June 23, 2021
2.5? Jack places an ad for a mail order bride to help in his mountain home while he traps, and he isn't expecting an orphaned and unskilled heiress who spent the last few years working in a mill to show up. I liked Olivia, who did eventually stand up for herself and her value. Jack was kind of whiny. Opening the book with comparing American Indians to animals (birds, here) set my teeth on edge. I'm not quite sure how these two actually got through their hurdles. They just sort of...did. With a racist doctor reluctantly saving the life of his American Indian brother in law in their one room cabin? I dunno. It got a little vague at the end.
January 21, 2025
This book had me intrigued with its vivid characters and heartfelt moments. While the story brought plenty of drama and romance, the miscommunication trope felt like an uninvited guest who stayed a little too long. And let's just say, there was more steam than I expected—like someone cranked the boiler up to max! Still, the characters’ depth and charm kept me reading. This is why I’m giving it 3 stars: it had potential, but it wasn’t entirely my cup of tea. If you’re into historical romances with a flair for the dramatic, this one might just be your cup of tea (or shot of whiskey!)
July 22, 2019
Good writing but very loopy discussions and misunderstandings. The resolution only happens in the last chapter, no outside tension to loosen it up.
March 31, 2021
Boring, slow and no need for explicit sex.
July 5, 2021
I enjoy these for the view they provide of western life
November 11, 2025
A good read
Enjoyed this book tremendously. It’s for 18 plus readers and the scenes are spicy. Only wish they came together sooner.
Enjoyed this book tremendously. It’s for 18 plus readers and the scenes are spicy. Only wish they came together sooner.
March 16, 2016
Oh dear. I only made it to page 135, about half-way thru it looks to be. I love mail-order bride stories, but this one had such an annoying hero in it that I couldn't take it anymore. He was just such a big baby, and not because he was a 'loner, mountain man type', he was just a ... jerk. I understood his point about being disappointed in receiving a bride that didn't know how to cook, garden, etc but she was not an idiot and he should have realized that she would just need to learn real quick-like. Not that big of a deal, everybody has to learn at some point. Next up... intimacy. The girl was an unwanted orphan-type that had never had anyone have "the talk" with her basically, so she was a very nervous, shy virgin-type. Every time this guy stopped hating her suddenly for a second and tried to touch her and she jerked away in virginal shyness, he would storm off pissed that 'she can't stand his touch and is disgusted by him'. He never once thought for a second... 'maybe she is shy, virginal, etc.' And between the two of them, they were constantly fretting about supposed things that were wrong, but they were just incorrect assumptions and misunderstandings. Annoying.
January 18, 2015
Step back and put your mind in the timeframe this story is wrote for. Without doing that, I would have been very frustrated by the characters due to their inability to communicate with each other. If you are looking for a story that is about a whimsical romance, don't read this. There are real issues about frontier/pioneer living. Both people were willing to make compromises and do what was right by each other, regardless if the marriage is to be a success. The book left a few questions unanswered. (Who was Jack writing? Did the squaw help Oliva? How did Oliva get the doctor to help Anatonga?)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 12, 2016"This delightful tale about a fur trapper and a lady, and how mismatched they are, is Madison’s debut novel with Harlequin — the first of her Wild West Weddings series about mail-order brides for three hardworking, hard-living men! It’s funny, charming, realistic and full of sexual tension — a treat for all western fans (RT Book Reviews)!" 4 stars
Miniseries: Wild West Weddings
Miniseries: Wild West Weddings
October 17, 2014
3.7 Stars. Public Library 10/17/14. Desperate city girl answers a bride by mail ad in the newspaper. After packing up her life and moving out west her new husband isn't what she was expecting. Can two propel from different world get along or will they fail before they try? Not a bad book good for an afternoon read if you're looking for an uncomplicated read.
October 8, 2014
I enjoy the mail order bride books, but this one sent a girl from the East to the wilderness. It was okay, but too far out in the wilderness for me to relate. Very few characters in the book. Just three stars. :(
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July 5, 2014Miniseries: Wild West Weddings
Read
July 31, 2015Enjoyable but so much potential wasted!
June 20, 2014
Entertaining read! Although the story has quite typical for the mail order genre. There is sex in the book and quite natural in the relationship.
Read
August 31, 2014Pleasant but slow-moving story featuring a waif-like heroine. I usually love a mail order bride story, but I just couldn't get into this one. I may try it again one day.
August 15, 2014
So sweet.
September 1, 2014
I found it to be a good summer beach read. Enjoyable story, entertaining characters set against unsettled Colorado background. Fun read.
November 1, 2014
A pretty HOT historical romance from Harlequin. A good first Historical from this author.
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April 14, 2015Different. Western historical.
August 2, 2015
I enjoyed this book. It is a bit different than the usual mail order bride books. I enjoyed the characters and plot. I look forward to the next book in the series.
June 1, 2014
looking forward to Anna and Selina's stories.
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September 10, 2016An enjoyable book.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews