A Mail-Order Bride for the Brooding Rancher: A Historical Western Romance Novel

by Madeline Thornton

After a failed correspondence marriage, Sarah Whitman is determined to protect her heart. But when her family’s financial troubles deepen, a rancher offers her a marriage in exchange for her nursing skills to care for his sick mother. Hesitant yet desperate, Sarah must decide if she can make the most of this unexpected proposal—or risk losing her heart once again.

Dan McAllister’s life has been upended by his father’s death, leaving him to manage the family ranch alone. When his mother falls gravely ill though, she takes matters into her own hands and arranges a correspondence marriage for him—without his knowledge. Now, Dan must navigate his new responsibilities while grappling with a partner he never expected.

Thrown together by circumstance, Sarah and Dan must contend with sabotage, a sick mother, and a growing distance between them. As danger closes in, they find themselves drawn together—reluctantly at first. Can they overcome their pasts and trust each other before it’s too late?

Second Chance at Love, Mail-order Bride, Opposites attract

"A Mail-Order Bride for the Brooding Rancher" is a historical western romance novel of approximately 60,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

388 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2024

Reviews

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hattie is Dan's mother, and she is dying. Her wish is to find a wife for Dan before she dies. She advertises for a mail order bride/caretaker and doesn't tell him anything about it until the day before the bride is scheduled to arrive. Sarah has a difficult life, there is never enough money to feed their family. Her mother died a while back, and her father slowly is killing himself working in an awful mine. She has one little brother and two sisters. Everyone does what they can, but they are not making enough. Sarah answers the mail order bride/caretaker letter, and when Dan meets her at the station he obviously does not want her there. He tells her the truth, that his mother wrote the letters. The characters carry the story, because like someone else said, we are basically seeing a different version of the same story written over and over. I did enjoy the book.

[Patricia Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

I really enjoyed reading this story. When Sarah gets rejected by her mail order groom and sent back home she doesn't know how she's going to help her family. Then she answers another ad for a Mail order bride but doesn't know what will happen, as she knows she will be taking care of his dieing mother while he takes care of the ranch and that they will take their time to get to know each other. What happens next is amazing and exciting. This is a really good story.

[Ann Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly beautiful story!

This inspiring story of finding a second chance at love was compelling and filled with drama. The characters were endearing and the storyline was suspenseful . I recommend this amazing story to everyone who enjoys reading a incredible adventure into the old west!