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An Unexpected Family in Montana: A Western Historical Romance Book
“You think I can’t handle this ranch, a wife, and a baby?” he glared at her.
“Let’s see who’s tougher,” she shot back.
Being abandoned as a baby taught Pauline one She’s not someone people stay for. Running away from her controlling adoptive parents and an arranged marriage, she answers a mail-order ad, hoping for freedom—and maybe even love. But when she arrives at Amos’s isolated ranch, she finds a baby on his doorstep and a man staring at her like she was the last thing he wanted in his life. “This wasn’t my idea,” he said. Neither was the baby, apparently…
Amos has lived alone for years. He pushes people away, hidden behind his scars, inside and out. He didn’t ask for a wife or a baby, but here they were, turning his quiet ranch into chaos. “You don’t trust me,” she told him one night. “I don’t trust myself,” he replied.
Just as they’re figuring out this new life, danger arrives, claiming the baby as his own. Now they have to protect the family they never asked for—but can’t imagine losing...
Through fields and storms, they learn to stand,
A family formed by fate’s own hand.
In the heart of Montana, where hearts are tried,
They’ll find what matters when they stand side by side.
☆☆☆☆☆
An Unexpected Family in Montana is a stand-alone Western Historical Romance book with no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
► Doorstep Baby, Isolated Alpha-Male, Community
Buy it now to discover Pauline's thrilling romantic story and feel at home in the Old West!
Thank you!
Get this Book FREE With Kindle Unlimited!
“Let’s see who’s tougher,” she shot back.
Being abandoned as a baby taught Pauline one She’s not someone people stay for. Running away from her controlling adoptive parents and an arranged marriage, she answers a mail-order ad, hoping for freedom—and maybe even love. But when she arrives at Amos’s isolated ranch, she finds a baby on his doorstep and a man staring at her like she was the last thing he wanted in his life. “This wasn’t my idea,” he said. Neither was the baby, apparently…
Amos has lived alone for years. He pushes people away, hidden behind his scars, inside and out. He didn’t ask for a wife or a baby, but here they were, turning his quiet ranch into chaos. “You don’t trust me,” she told him one night. “I don’t trust myself,” he replied.
Just as they’re figuring out this new life, danger arrives, claiming the baby as his own. Now they have to protect the family they never asked for—but can’t imagine losing...
Through fields and storms, they learn to stand,
A family formed by fate’s own hand.
In the heart of Montana, where hearts are tried,
They’ll find what matters when they stand side by side.
☆☆☆☆☆
An Unexpected Family in Montana is a stand-alone Western Historical Romance book with no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
► Doorstep Baby, Isolated Alpha-Male, Community
Buy it now to discover Pauline's thrilling romantic story and feel at home in the Old West!
Thank you!
Get this Book FREE With Kindle Unlimited!
435 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2025
About the author
Nora J. Callaway
272 books15 followersI’m a lover of nature in the mornings and a writing soul at nights. My name is Nora J. Callaway and I come from Nevada, the beautiful Silver State.
I hold a BA in English Literature and an MA in Creative Writing. For years, I’ve wanted to get my stories out there, my own ‘babies’ as I like to call them, as inspired by my own experience leaving out West and my research of 19th-century American history.
All my life I have been breeding horses, cows and sheep and I’ve been tending to the land. It’s time to tend now to my inner need to grow my stories, my heart-warming Western romance stories, and share them with the rest of you!
I’m here to learn and connect with others who enjoy a cup of black coffee, a humble sunset and a ride with a horse! Bless your hearts, as my nana used to say! Come on, hope in!
I hold a BA in English Literature and an MA in Creative Writing. For years, I’ve wanted to get my stories out there, my own ‘babies’ as I like to call them, as inspired by my own experience leaving out West and my research of 19th-century American history.
All my life I have been breeding horses, cows and sheep and I’ve been tending to the land. It’s time to tend now to my inner need to grow my stories, my heart-warming Western romance stories, and share them with the rest of you!
I’m here to learn and connect with others who enjoy a cup of black coffee, a humble sunset and a ride with a horse! Bless your hearts, as my nana used to say! Come on, hope in!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 22, 2025
5 star plot with 4 star spelling
I really enjoyed the story and the characters were realistic and relatable. I was definitely drawn in to the moments and felt the joy, suspense and tears. It would be absolutely perfect if not for some grammatical errors that deterred attention from the plot. There weren't so many that if one wasn't so affected by the use of words and grammar one might not have been bothered at all. I always want to give 5 stars when an author can draw me into their written world and I don't want to put the book down. But I find it diminishes the quality of my 5 star ratings I give to those who weave tales that draw me in and are edited so that everything flows smootly. I can't recall more than a handful of those errors in this book so it's still worth the read even for those who are picky like me. So unless one is a grammar Nazi the book is one that you can fall in love with.
I really enjoyed the story and the characters were realistic and relatable. I was definitely drawn in to the moments and felt the joy, suspense and tears. It would be absolutely perfect if not for some grammatical errors that deterred attention from the plot. There weren't so many that if one wasn't so affected by the use of words and grammar one might not have been bothered at all. I always want to give 5 stars when an author can draw me into their written world and I don't want to put the book down. But I find it diminishes the quality of my 5 star ratings I give to those who weave tales that draw me in and are edited so that everything flows smootly. I can't recall more than a handful of those errors in this book so it's still worth the read even for those who are picky like me. So unless one is a grammar Nazi the book is one that you can fall in love with.
February 10, 2025
So this is how the 'forced proximity' romance trope got started! There really isn't a defined plot. The best part of the story is the Montana late 1800s setting. Not sure why this is called a 'romance' because there is no hugging or even one kiss. I doubt these two people have ever kissed anybody. There is an abandoned infant, a mail-order bride 'by mistake' woman who ran away from abusive parents, and a man with a locked down heart. He takes her into his home until they figure things out. There is an underlying sense of danger. It is a sweet story that is almost all narration and too long. It needed tighter editing; I skipped chapters of the overly long descriptive pages. It's told from the 3rd person, which feels detached. We just 'read' about the characters until they start to interact at about 35%; then it bogs down until 75%.
February 11, 2025
Heroic
Heroic describes Amos, who saved his sister's life during a fire thar claimed his parents. One day, years later, a baby is left on his doorstep and that very day, a mail order bride arrives...but he didn't send for a bride. His sister thought he needed a wife. He agrees to her staying in order to take care of the baby while they try to find his family. There were quite a few editing errors but not enough to make me put the book down. A lot of things happened and it made me think m9re time had passes, but it was only a one month time frame. Also the baby and bride showed up 25 years after he saved his sister from the fire. So while he was referred to as young, he was actually 35, which was bordering on old age at the time because life expectancy was 45-50 in the mid 1860s. It was a good read, though.
Heroic describes Amos, who saved his sister's life during a fire thar claimed his parents. One day, years later, a baby is left on his doorstep and that very day, a mail order bride arrives...but he didn't send for a bride. His sister thought he needed a wife. He agrees to her staying in order to take care of the baby while they try to find his family. There were quite a few editing errors but not enough to make me put the book down. A lot of things happened and it made me think m9re time had passes, but it was only a one month time frame. Also the baby and bride showed up 25 years after he saved his sister from the fire. So while he was referred to as young, he was actually 35, which was bordering on old age at the time because life expectancy was 45-50 in the mid 1860s. It was a good read, though.
February 6, 2025
Amos, Pauline and Calvin
This is the sweet tale of a mail order bride that was ordered by his sister, even though he didn’t know she was on the way. Amos and his sister, Emily had survived a tragic fire that also took their parents. In time they were able to some degree get on with their lives. Amos was scared and felt that folks saw pity and believed him not as good as the others because of his scars. When Pauline arrives and discovers what happened and who ordered her as Amos’ bride things were a bit unsettled. At the same time someone leaves a new born boy on Amos’ front porch. Oh what a mess! An unwanted bride and an unknown baby child left to care for. You will enjoy discovering how they overcome all of this trauma and find their happily ever after. Good read.
This is the sweet tale of a mail order bride that was ordered by his sister, even though he didn’t know she was on the way. Amos and his sister, Emily had survived a tragic fire that also took their parents. In time they were able to some degree get on with their lives. Amos was scared and felt that folks saw pity and believed him not as good as the others because of his scars. When Pauline arrives and discovers what happened and who ordered her as Amos’ bride things were a bit unsettled. At the same time someone leaves a new born boy on Amos’ front porch. Oh what a mess! An unwanted bride and an unknown baby child left to care for. You will enjoy discovering how they overcome all of this trauma and find their happily ever after. Good read.
March 23, 2025
nice read
This is another nice book to read written by Nora J. callaway. She has away with making books an enjoyable book to read. A fire leaves scars on a young man to the point he thinks no one will want him. A young woman comes to town to marry a friend’s groom only to find out he did not order a bride. A baby shows up on the man pouch so what is he to do? He asks his sister and she tells him to take care of the baby. An enjoyable book to read.
This is another nice book to read written by Nora J. callaway. She has away with making books an enjoyable book to read. A fire leaves scars on a young man to the point he thinks no one will want him. A young woman comes to town to marry a friend’s groom only to find out he did not order a bride. A baby shows up on the man pouch so what is he to do? He asks his sister and she tells him to take care of the baby. An enjoyable book to read.
January 27, 2025
An Unexpected Family
I enjoyed Amos and Pauline’s story. It’s a clean romance with no cursing. The story itself shows how a close nit community it was back in the day. Neighbors looked out for each other. They always helped when it was needed. Amos and Pauline had their ups and downs yet they came through it together. Baby Calvin was an added bonus.
I enjoyed Amos and Pauline’s story. It’s a clean romance with no cursing. The story itself shows how a close nit community it was back in the day. Neighbors looked out for each other. They always helped when it was needed. Amos and Pauline had their ups and downs yet they came through it together. Baby Calvin was an added bonus.
March 9, 2025
An Unexpected Family in Mony
This is the story of a young mail order bride who had traded places with her friend and travelled west by wagon to a small town where she was to meet her groom only to find when she arrived that he had not written the letters but his sister did on his behalf. This my review and mine alone Norma Gorrill
This is the story of a young mail order bride who had traded places with her friend and travelled west by wagon to a small town where she was to meet her groom only to find when she arrived that he had not written the letters but his sister did on his behalf. This my review and mine alone Norma Gorrill
February 7, 2025
Western Historical Romance
I liked this story very much. Pauline has friend who helps her escape from her adoptive parents and unwanted marriage.. When she arrives she finds out the groom doesn’t want to get married. Here begins the twists and turns of a western story
I liked this story very much. Pauline has friend who helps her escape from her adoptive parents and unwanted marriage.. When she arrives she finds out the groom doesn’t want to get married. Here begins the twists and turns of a western story
February 10, 2025
Love lost, love found
Fires bring devastation and realization. Taking a friends place fulfills destiny. Little things mean much. Healing takes time. Adoption can be good and bad, it depends on the adoptive parents. Highly recommended for all readers.
Fires bring devastation and realization. Taking a friends place fulfills destiny. Little things mean much. Healing takes time. Adoption can be good and bad, it depends on the adoptive parents. Highly recommended for all readers.
February 24, 2025
Good book
I liked that baby Calvin was about to stay with them but I didn't like all the fire... Fire to me is worse than drowning, worse than long sickness. There is not much that is as messed up as someone burning up
I liked that baby Calvin was about to stay with them but I didn't like all the fire... Fire to me is worse than drowning, worse than long sickness. There is not much that is as messed up as someone burning up
June 17, 2025
Unexpected Family in Montana
Another good book by Arthur Callaway. It's about hard times, living, happiness and love. Recommend reading it. Was hard to stop reading to do other things.
Another good book by Arthur Callaway. It's about hard times, living, happiness and love. Recommend reading it. Was hard to stop reading to do other things.
May 14, 2026
hard hearts can be softened
Good read. I was appalled at Pauline’s step parents but glad she escaped and found love. The tragedy that happened to Amos in his young life cause him to harden his heart but love has a way to soften even the hardest heart.
Good read. I was appalled at Pauline’s step parents but glad she escaped and found love. The tragedy that happened to Amos in his young life cause him to harden his heart but love has a way to soften even the hardest heart.
February 17, 2025
Enjoyable read
At first, I thought as a bit worried but pushed on. Delightful story, the characters were sweet. Will read more of her books.
At first, I thought as a bit worried but pushed on. Delightful story, the characters were sweet. Will read more of her books.
February 24, 2025
An interesting story filled with struggles
I liked how this story brought together people who feel they are brought together for a reason at just the right tine.
I liked how this story brought together people who feel they are brought together for a reason at just the right tine.
February 26, 2025
All Is Well That Ends Well
Another absolute joy to read! Love the way it all comes together to fill the pages with excitement and suspense and best of all a wonderful happy ending
Another absolute joy to read! Love the way it all comes together to fill the pages with excitement and suspense and best of all a wonderful happy ending
March 19, 2025
Good read
Very enjoyable. Sometimes it's like pulling teeth to get through some western stories but Nora writes stories you just can't put down.
Very enjoyable. Sometimes it's like pulling teeth to get through some western stories but Nora writes stories you just can't put down.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews