Ivy's Inheritance: Westward Home and Hearts Mail-Order Brides Book 57

by Linda Shenton Matchett

Ivy Cregg’s father is a gambler, but this time he’s gone too far. He loses his mining fortune and her along with it in a high-stakes poker game. Unwilling to go along with the deal, she hides out with a friend who tells her about Ms. Crenshaw, owner of the Westward Home & Hearts Mail-Order Bride Agency who is in town. The prospective groom is a wealthy man which seems like an answer to prayer until Ivy discovers he made his fortune in mining. Is he as untrustworthy as her father?

After emigrating to America to fight for the Union during their Civil War, Slade Pendleton moved West while working on the railroad, then headed to the plains of Nebraska to seek his fortune. He was one of the lucky ones and now has everything he could ever want. Except a wife. With the few women in the town already married, he sends for a mail-order bride. The woman arrives carrying the telegram that explains her need to flee, but now that she’s safe, she seems to have no interest in going through with the ceremony. Should he send her packing or try to convince her to stay?

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2025

About the author

Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A self-professed history geek, she is a volunteer archivist and docent at the Wright Museum of World War II. Linda has published more than twenty-five books. When not writing, she enjoys exploring historical sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

Reviews

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mail order bride Ivy Cregg has escaped being forced into marriage by her gambler father. She heads west to Lincoln, Nebraska to wed rich rancher Slade Pendleton. They agree on a month to get to know each other before the wedding. Ivy teaches school and learns about being a ranch wife from neighbor Dinah who became a friend. Ivy and Slade want what is best and seek God for the answers.
I liked the way the author showed Ivy interacting with the students and how Slade was a good and fair boss and learned from his mistakes.
The story was a good look at life out west after the Civil War and got very exciting when Ivy was kidnapped. There was a slow build romance and a happily ever after.
For fans of Historical Christian Fiction and a feel-good story with strong faith thread.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Shortwave Press on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

[Carolyn Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ivy’s Inheritance is an engaging addition to the Westward Home and Hearts Mail-Order Brides series. Ivy Cregg needs to escape her Pennsylvania home after her gambler father “lost” her in a poker game to a ruthless man twice her age. Can becoming a mail-order bride to Nebraska rancher Slade Pendleton be the answer? Is Ivy the person Slade needs to fill the lonely hole in his life? Their touching, entertaining story grabbed me from the beginning and held me tight to the end. Set in 1878, the well-paced and expertly plotted storyline, featuring several unexpected twists, offers an ideal blend of drama, romance, and faith. Well-crafted, relatable characters—both main and supporting—advance the narrative and kept me rooting for a promising outcome and bright future. I truly appreciate the encouraging faith thread with reminders of the importance of forgiveness, trusting God, and learning from our difficulties, knowing that He is in control. I thoroughly enjoyed this romantic western novella and highly recommend it.
I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy’s Inheritance is a wonderful historical fiction novel that will take you out west and into a world you will love to get lost in! Linda Shenton Matchett is an author whom I always read. I’ve got notifications set up on my book review sites so I always know when she has a new book out, and I’m immediately reading it. She’s that good.

Anything you find an author like this that you connect with, you know that you’ll always have books to read. I love her attention to detail with the historical aspects of her books. She researches and makes sure she’s being truthful and giving you the best picture of life during that time. Her WWII books are some of my favorites!

This novel takes us back to the West when it was wild. Ivy’s father is a gambler. And this time, he takes it too far. Not only does he gamble away and lose his entire fortune, but he also throws Ivy in the mix. She runs off and hides with a friend. And then they realize something that saves her. There is a mail-order matchmaking bride service in their town.

And Ivy is going to go!
The groom selected is a wealthy man. That’s something she likes until she realizes he made his fortune through mining like her father. Is he just like him? Will she face a similar future? Can she trust him? I can’t even imagine all of the thoughts she would have been feeling as she basically gambled her own life away.

Was she going out of the frying pan and into the fire?
Slade is a rancher now. Ivy goes out to him. She’s got her information letting him know why she’s fleeing, but as she realizes how he made his money, will she marry him? She’s safe out west with him in the Lincoln, NE area. Can he convince her to give him a try and go through with the marriage?

This was such a great novel. I loved the characters and truly enjoyed visiting with them. As a fun side note my husband was raised in the Lincoln, NE area and was still living there when we became engaged.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author.. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

[T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed to the end

This started out really well until the snake bite. After the snake bite I’m confused by her living arrangements. I was under the impression she lived at Slade’s house. It’s even mentioned that his housekeeper was their chaperone and now she’s at someone else’s house and it seems to be the first night there with no explanation. I couldn’t focus anymore trying to understand why she switched houses without an explanation. I kept going. Once she suddenly went shopping for school supplies out of the blue with no mention of her taking up teaching I skimmed to the end. I wanted to know what would happen with her dad and the other guy only they weren’t the ones who took her and Slade had to rescue her from. We don’t get to see them or either of them defeated. Lots of potential so it gets a 3, but the plot holes really need fixing.

[Bridgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story. It was more of a novella, which I didn't realize when I first started the book. I know there's only so much you can fit into a novella, but I wished the beginning would have been fleshed out a little more. Like her history with her father and the forced marriage situation. I loved the premise and the romance that develops, and the happily ever after. It would have been a great full length novel, because the story was there, and I really like the author's writing style. All in all, it was a quick and enjoyable read. This is a new to me author, and I will definitely pick up more of her books.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Lisa Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy's inheritance by Linda Shenton Matchett. Wow, what a great story! I did not want to put the book down, because of being so into the story and could not wait to find out what happened next. 

Follow along with Ivy and her exciting adventure as she escapes Pennsylvania to avoid an arranged marriage that takes her all the way to Lincoln, Nebraska as a mail order bride of all things. 

Fun and engaging characters, this book will leave you wanting more, in a good way. I highly recommend. 

[Mary Hake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ivy’s gambler father wants to marry her off to a man who beat him at cards. She sneaks away to escape this undesirable fate, but will becoming a mail order bride be better for her? This dilemma leads to a powerful marriage of convenience tale that tugs at the heartstrings. Readers can’t help but hope Ivy will find love and happiness. The characters and events in the story draw readers in and keep them engaged. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Evelyn Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for a book that has it all? You found it! Danger, mail-order match (or is it?), sparks of romance…..I so enjoyed absorbing this story as I lost myself in the lives of it’s wonderful characters, Ivy, Slade, Dinah, Nathan and more, as the protection and plan of God unfolded despite those desiring to thwart His purpose in each life. Sweet, encouraging read!

[Debbie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book! Ivy escaped from Philadelphia where her father had gambled her away to a horrible man. Slade had written to a matchmaker in hopes of finding a bride. When Ivy arrives, he is smitten but she is hesitant to set a wedding date - especially she is afraid she will be found. I highly recommend reading this book!

[sheila jo gravely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exhilarating and inspiring

Ivy and Slade ‘s story is filled with exhilarating, exciting, twists and turns, kidnapping, dangerous journey, A father that would lose his daughters hand through poker, Ivy runs straight to Slade for protection and marriage. With bounty hunters and more looking for her, only to take her back to where she doesn’t belong! Well worth the risk!

[Linda Hoover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy's Inheritance by Linda Shenton Matchett is an enjoyable read. Tension combines with a sweet main character who wants to protect his mail-order bride and a bride who is afraid to trust, even though danger is looming.

[Anna Marie Leffew · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Ivy's Inheritance** by Linda Shenton Matchett

This book truly captivated me. The emotional depth was profound, and I felt completely immersed in the story. Ivy's self-doubt and struggles resonated deeply, while Slade's journey with his faith was both touching and relatable. From the very first page, I was drawn into the narrative, unable to put it down. The fast-paced action compelled me to keep turning pages, while the exploration of faith in God and the power of surrendering to Him provided a powerful backdrop. This story is genuinely inspirational. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking a moving and uplifting read.

[Linda Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great mail order bride story. Great characters in Lily and Slade. Perfect book for those who enjoy Christian historical romance. I received a copy this story and all opinions are mine.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

This was a great book and by a great author. I highly recommend this book and author. I can’t wait to read the next book by this wonderful author.