A Path to Love's Redemption: A Historical Western Romance Novel

Whispers of the Western Wind

by Madeline Thornton

In the wake of the devastating Great Chicago Fire, Lucy Wilson seeks a a husband in order to provide a better life for herself and her siblings. When the mysterious Mr. Moore offers to become her husband, she seizes the opportunity and embarks on a life-altering journey with her two youngest siblings in tow. With an unyielding spirit and a heart filled with dreams, Lucy yearns for a great romance and a future where she can thrive in happiness.

Can she truly find the love she so fervently desires?

Mr. Isaac Moore, a weathered ranch owner, still reels from the loss of his wife during childbirth. Left with a vulnerable baby daughter, Isaac turns to a mail order bride agency, hoping to find his daughter a mother. Unlike Lucy, Isaac has given up on love and plans to keep his new bride at arm's length. However, when Lucy arrives at Isaac's ranch, their worlds collide. The emotionally distant Isaac immediately clashes with Lucy's vibrant personality and they gradually draw closer.

Can Lucy's warmth and kindness thaw the icy heart of a man who has given up on love?

Together, Lucy and Isaac must endure various trials and tribulations. Along the way, they learn to grapple with past wounds and seek to embrace new beginnings. Will they manage to transcend their initial intentions and forge an unbreakable bond?

"A Path to Love's Redemption" is a historical western romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

492 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2023

Reviews

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Madeline Thornton. I am hooked! This author not only tells a great story but gets into the character's head. The Wilson family live in Chicago, and their mother and father has gotten sick and died. Winnie is the oldest, then Lucy, then the little ones, 2 more brothers, Mattie and Eddie, and a sister, Estie the youngest. They struggle to survive, but they still have their house and jobs. Then the unthinkable happens, the Chicago Fire takes their home and everything they had. Now they are struggling to just survive, living in a tenement apartment and never having enough food. Winnie sees an ad for a mail order bride and decides to become one and take the youngest ones with her. She answers an ad from Isaac, a widower with a small baby that he doesn't say anything about. The night before she goes, Lucy sees Winnie with a man, obviously so in love, and realizes Winnie is yet again putting her siblings first. So, Lucy decides to go in Winnie's place, taking Mattie with her. Isaac Moore has a beautiful ranch, but a not so beautiful personality and countenance. He makes it very clear that she is only to take care of his baby, there will never be any kind of relationship between them. He is so rude to her, and he is still mourning the death of his wife. There is so much to this book! It is a wild ride but oh so enjoyable reading. I will be looking forward to more from this author!

[Hannah Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good

I find this kind of romance novel can be pretty hit and miss - they're often filled with infuriating misunderstandings and middle school levels of lack of emotional intelligence and ability to communicate. This book was not that. The protagonists Lucy and Isaac were fairly well written and developed, as were the other key characters. The journey doesn't run smoothly, and it is all very believable (no stupid misunderstandings).

I've knocked a star off because there's enough errors I noticed- at one point the family next door go between being the Wilsons and the Walkers in a matter of pages, multiple times, and various other missed words etc.

Definitely a lovely story though, and I'm glad I read it :-)

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic story of people that are so worried about taking care of other people they don't realize what is right in front of them. Issac sends for a mail-order bride and when slightly younger sister, Lucy, realizes that her sister would be giving up her own love she goes instead. The rancher had already agreed to take in 2 younger siblings so leaving Chicago wasn't a problem. However, Lucy was expecting romance, too many dime novels, and she got a rancher. Things are tough but eventually they reach the right end.

[Danielle Carpenter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is heart-breaking in the fact that Isaac could easily replace Lucy's sister for Lucy. Isaac is abusive to Lucy emotionally, and is even occasionally abusive to his family members and the men he hired on his ranch. Isaac is not out of the grief stage of anger, yet. His family forces him to apply for a mail-order bride, because his sister-in-law is due soon and won't be able to take care of his daughter. He should have just hired a nurse, he would have been better off than abusing Lucy and his ranch. This story tended to run on and became tedious at points.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author's second title involves Lucy, a young woman who in the care of her younger siblings decides to head west after the tragic configuration in Chicago. She accepts an offer from Issac, a widowed rancher. Once she arrives she finds that Issac and her new husband have vastly different ideas on what their new life together will look like. I enjoyed this old west romance very much and look forward to reading more of Madeline Thronton's works.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read!

I loved the ending almost more than the rest of the book! The sunrise part was awesome! My younger sisters get up most every morning and share pictures by text messages!

[Patricia Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

I really enjoyed reading this story as it is a story full of second chances and love. This is a really good book.