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Mrs. Roycroft
Montana Territory, 1868
When Ellen Roycroft's wayward husband, Sam, abandons her to go look for gold in Dakota Territory, she finds herself alone in the rough town of Gage. Filled with hard-drinking ruffians, this place is nothing but trouble for a woman with no male protection. Desperate for safety, Ellen contacts Sam's twin brother, Ben, and proposes a daring scheme - Ben can impersonate Sam, guarding her from Gage's miscreants, long enough for Ellen to find a steady job and save enough money to leave Gage for good.
As identical twins, Ben and Sam can easily pass for each other in all but personality. Ben has no desire to copy his brother's gambling, liquor-slinging ways, especially since they've made him an enemy to several men in town. But Ellen has no one else to turn to...
Ben reluctantly agrees to try the plan for a few weeks, but when a series of snowstorms stops the trains from running, it becomes clear that Ellen won't be leaving Gage until winter ends. Their plan for a short deceit turns into a long winter's wager. Will they be able to keep their secret, or risk bringing down the wrath of Gage on their own heads?
When Ellen Roycroft's wayward husband, Sam, abandons her to go look for gold in Dakota Territory, she finds herself alone in the rough town of Gage. Filled with hard-drinking ruffians, this place is nothing but trouble for a woman with no male protection. Desperate for safety, Ellen contacts Sam's twin brother, Ben, and proposes a daring scheme - Ben can impersonate Sam, guarding her from Gage's miscreants, long enough for Ellen to find a steady job and save enough money to leave Gage for good.
As identical twins, Ben and Sam can easily pass for each other in all but personality. Ben has no desire to copy his brother's gambling, liquor-slinging ways, especially since they've made him an enemy to several men in town. But Ellen has no one else to turn to...
Ben reluctantly agrees to try the plan for a few weeks, but when a series of snowstorms stops the trains from running, it becomes clear that Ellen won't be leaving Gage until winter ends. Their plan for a short deceit turns into a long winter's wager. Will they be able to keep their secret, or risk bringing down the wrath of Gage on their own heads?
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 13, 2023
9 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Cora Mabry
18 books55 followersCora Mabry is an entrepreneur by day and author of Christian fiction by night (or whenever the ideas strike her). Penning novels in genres ranging from historical fiction to suspense, she enjoys creating relatable characters and captivating stories that always have a happy ending.
When Cora isn't working or writing, she enjoys hiking, baking, and reading (of course!).
When Cora isn't working or writing, she enjoys hiking, baking, and reading (of course!).
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
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January 29, 2024Set in Montana Territory in the year 1868, Mrs. Roycroft is my second historical fiction novel and one I particularly enjoyed writing. The historical research necessary for this book was fascinating to me, and I learned a lot as I put this story together. I also wanted this story to be one about how God's love is not off limits to anyone, and how it can find you anywhere - and change your life, if you'll let it! I hope you'll enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it!
When Ellen Roycroft's wayward husband, Sam, abandons her to go look for gold in Dakota Territory, she finds herself alone in the rough town of Gage. Filled with hard-drinking ruffians, this place is nothing but trouble for a woman with no male protection. Desperate for safety, Ellen contacts Sam's twin brother, Ben, and proposes a daring scheme to him: Ben can impersonate Sam, guarding her from Gage's miscreants, long enough for Ellen to find a steady job and save enough money to leave Gage for good.
As identical twins, Ben and Sam can easily pass for each other in all but personality. Ben has no desire to copy his brother's gambling, liquor-slinging ways, especially since they've made him an enemy to several men in town. But Ellen has no one else to turn to...
Ben reluctantly agrees to try the plan for a few weeks, but when a series of snowstorms stops the trains from running, it becomes clear that Ellen won't be leaving Gage until winter ends. Their plan for a short deceit turns into a long winter's wager. Will they be able to keep their secret, or risk bringing down the wrath of Gage on their own heads?
When Ellen Roycroft's wayward husband, Sam, abandons her to go look for gold in Dakota Territory, she finds herself alone in the rough town of Gage. Filled with hard-drinking ruffians, this place is nothing but trouble for a woman with no male protection. Desperate for safety, Ellen contacts Sam's twin brother, Ben, and proposes a daring scheme to him: Ben can impersonate Sam, guarding her from Gage's miscreants, long enough for Ellen to find a steady job and save enough money to leave Gage for good.
As identical twins, Ben and Sam can easily pass for each other in all but personality. Ben has no desire to copy his brother's gambling, liquor-slinging ways, especially since they've made him an enemy to several men in town. But Ellen has no one else to turn to...
Ben reluctantly agrees to try the plan for a few weeks, but when a series of snowstorms stops the trains from running, it becomes clear that Ellen won't be leaving Gage until winter ends. Their plan for a short deceit turns into a long winter's wager. Will they be able to keep their secret, or risk bringing down the wrath of Gage on their own heads?
July 15, 2025
Depressing
A well told tale of abuse and hardship.
Ellen has had a hard life, the best seems to have been in the orphanage. After that it just seems to get worse and worse. There are a couple, ok, three people who are kind and caring. She eventually gets to know Jesus personally. That leads to a good ending, but it's through nearly constant hard and difficult situations.
Well done, but I prefer books that are uplifting and encouraging. Life is hard enough, without reading about it as well, in my opinion.
A well told tale of abuse and hardship.
Ellen has had a hard life, the best seems to have been in the orphanage. After that it just seems to get worse and worse. There are a couple, ok, three people who are kind and caring. She eventually gets to know Jesus personally. That leads to a good ending, but it's through nearly constant hard and difficult situations.
Well done, but I prefer books that are uplifting and encouraging. Life is hard enough, without reading about it as well, in my opinion.
April 15, 2026
I enjoyed this story, mostly because of the true Christian character shown, and the story behind the story of how a Christian’s character and prayers can be effective in turning someone else’s heart toward God, and ultimately their salvation. The story was very good, although at times unrealistic, but that is often the case in fiction. This author certainly has a gift for weaving in the characters to make it true “Christian fiction”. For that, I rated it 5 stars.
November 29, 2023
To be honest I decided to read this just because I've enjoyed every Cora Mabry book I've read so far, and this one did not disappoint!! She has an amazing way of taking real life situations and turning them into such inspiring stories. Added bonus that this book takes place through Christmas!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews