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The Bride Lottery
THE BRIDE LOTTERY
~ by USA Today Bestselling Author Kristin Holt ~
Prosperity's Mail-Order Brides, Book 1
Forty Bachelors.
Fifteen Brides.
What could go wrong?
EVELYN IS IN A PICKLE.
In less than five months, Evelyn Brandt will be an unwed mother. Her parents discover her secret and send her away on the next west-bound train. They insist she deliver the child on the other side of the continent where the disgrace won’t harm her father’s business empire and the family’s social standing. She’ll be allowed to return home after the child is adopted by decent people and her corset fits properly once more.
SAM'S IN CHARGE OF THE BRIDE LOTTERY, AND THE COMPETITION'S FIERCE.
It’s too bad the mail order bride agency failed to round up even half their order, ‘cause every man on the mountain wants a bride—except Sam Kochler—so he’s saddled with enforcing the rules. He received information about each lady the agency sent, so when Evelyn steps off the train, he’s a tad curious and a mite too interested.
The tougher the competition becomes, the worse some fellas behave, and it’s not long before Sam finds himself courting Evelyn—only to protect her while she makes up her mind. He won’t allow himself to fall in love and still doesn’t want a wife…or so he keeps telling himself.
~ by USA Today Bestselling Author Kristin Holt ~
Prosperity's Mail-Order Brides, Book 1
Forty Bachelors.
Fifteen Brides.
What could go wrong?
EVELYN IS IN A PICKLE.
In less than five months, Evelyn Brandt will be an unwed mother. Her parents discover her secret and send her away on the next west-bound train. They insist she deliver the child on the other side of the continent where the disgrace won’t harm her father’s business empire and the family’s social standing. She’ll be allowed to return home after the child is adopted by decent people and her corset fits properly once more.
SAM'S IN CHARGE OF THE BRIDE LOTTERY, AND THE COMPETITION'S FIERCE.
It’s too bad the mail order bride agency failed to round up even half their order, ‘cause every man on the mountain wants a bride—except Sam Kochler—so he’s saddled with enforcing the rules. He received information about each lady the agency sent, so when Evelyn steps off the train, he’s a tad curious and a mite too interested.
The tougher the competition becomes, the worse some fellas behave, and it’s not long before Sam finds himself courting Evelyn—only to protect her while she makes up her mind. He won’t allow himself to fall in love and still doesn’t want a wife…or so he keeps telling himself.
180 pages, ebook
First published July 30, 2014
134 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Holt
27 books116 followersKristin Holt, USA Today Bestselling Author writes Sweet Victorian Romance set in the American West. She writes frequent articles about the nineteenth century American west--every subject of possible interest to readers and amateur historians. She contributes monthly to Sweet Americana Sweethearts.
~ Sweet Romance Appropriate for All Audiences ~
~ Sweet Romance Appropriate for All Audiences ~
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
September 22, 2014
Daughters of New Money did not give birth and raise a child without benefit of marriage. Which is why Evelyn Brandt's father is sending her from their home in New York to his brother's home in California until the baby is born and adopted by an upstanding couple. And then she will return home, having been "abroad for educational refinement." That is her father's plan.
But Evelyn has another plan... She can't stand to part with this baby. So when she meets up with some mail order brides on the train she is convinced to change her plans and gets off the train with them.
Of the men in Prosperity, Colorado only two of them don't want wives... the old cook and Sam Kochler. Sam had his heart broken by the beautiful high-society Octavia and has no plans to marry any time soon.
Evelyn has decided that Sam Kochler is the only man she is interested in, and Sam is interested in protecting her so he starts to court her. It doesn't take long for Sam to realize that Evelyn is completely different from Octavia, and he starts to lose his heart to her. But will their budding love survive all the visitors that are about to come to town on the next stagecoach?
But Evelyn has another plan... She can't stand to part with this baby. So when she meets up with some mail order brides on the train she is convinced to change her plans and gets off the train with them.
Of the men in Prosperity, Colorado only two of them don't want wives... the old cook and Sam Kochler. Sam had his heart broken by the beautiful high-society Octavia and has no plans to marry any time soon.
Evelyn has decided that Sam Kochler is the only man she is interested in, and Sam is interested in protecting her so he starts to court her. It doesn't take long for Sam to realize that Evelyn is completely different from Octavia, and he starts to lose his heart to her. But will their budding love survive all the visitors that are about to come to town on the next stagecoach?
August 5, 2014
I am always amazed at the dynamics of family and choices made. I had so many questions early in the book about family members and their choices which the author allowed me to dwell on and fuss over before providing the answers. I love the time period of this story, when women had a place not just in society, but in their homes and families. For one, it is a remarkable journey from a place of wealth and societal judgment to a place in the heart. For the other, a journey of acceptance. This book is filled with courage, determination, and a wonderful sense of belonging.
August 17, 2014
Sweet story about potential brides invited to a mining camp 'town'.
Sam nursing a bruised heart is running the show, keeping the roudy bunch inline refuses to participate.
Evelyn, high society girl, shipped off in disgrace decided to get off the train, join the brides with a possible solution she may keep her babe.
Sam in protection of Evelyn offers courtship but winds up offering more. However, they both have difficulties in their pasts & potential trouble shows up on the stage together.
Small glimpse into frustrations of the frontier.
Sam nursing a bruised heart is running the show, keeping the roudy bunch inline refuses to participate.
Evelyn, high society girl, shipped off in disgrace decided to get off the train, join the brides with a possible solution she may keep her babe.
Sam in protection of Evelyn offers courtship but winds up offering more. However, they both have difficulties in their pasts & potential trouble shows up on the stage together.
Small glimpse into frustrations of the frontier.
October 9, 2014
Great story
I just love the Mail Order Bride stories as things were actually done this way and there were many marriages that were a total success. They make the way things go now look very bad.
I just love the Mail Order Bride stories as things were actually done this way and there were many marriages that were a total success. They make the way things go now look very bad.
September 14, 2021
This was an enjoyable read! I loved how the characters changed throughout the book. It was just one of those feel good stories that I couldn’t put down!
May 17, 2018
The Bride Lottery (Prosperity's M/O Brides Book 1),
The idea of a Bride Lottery is a very unique perspective that was very entertaining to try to envision through this story. For whatever reasons that these brave women decided to go not only to the gold camps in Colorado but all over the west, the following generation would not be here if they were not so willing to seek their own fate and make their own version of history, even if this story may be fiction, the articles that the author used in her research provider the seed for her story. It was a very good read, hope to see more. 👏BRAVO!!!
The idea of a Bride Lottery is a very unique perspective that was very entertaining to try to envision through this story. For whatever reasons that these brave women decided to go not only to the gold camps in Colorado but all over the west, the following generation would not be here if they were not so willing to seek their own fate and make their own version of history, even if this story may be fiction, the articles that the author used in her research provider the seed for her story. It was a very good read, hope to see more. 👏BRAVO!!!
November 19, 2024
The two main characters have been through relationships which the other partner was in it for the physical passion and the "in-the-moment" kind of relationship commitment. As the two main characters learn to heal from their previous manipulative and emotional abuse relationships, they find healing, and real love which is the only thing to bring a relationship which is stable and satisfying. The author also brings in the challenges those with no example of what a healthy relationship attachment is and how to create one, and the opportunity for those willing to create one finding teaching by the main characters to do so.
June 5, 2017
A good read
I enjoyed the story and the characters well. It is well written and the writing flows as it should. This is the story of a young lady who thought she found the one only to find herself pregnant and the father long gone. Her parents send her away to have the baby and give it up for adoption so she can come home and marry their choice of husband. On the train she makes a detour and find her future.
I enjoyed the story and the characters well. It is well written and the writing flows as it should. This is the story of a young lady who thought she found the one only to find herself pregnant and the father long gone. Her parents send her away to have the baby and give it up for adoption so she can come home and marry their choice of husband. On the train she makes a detour and find her future.
May 24, 2017
Kristin Holt is an awesome author!!! Prosperity's Mail Order Brides is an excellent read Can't wait to read the next book of this series. There is so much wit, humor and love in this novel.
I'm sure you will enjoy this love story as much as I have. Please refer this novel to family and friends.
I'm sure you will enjoy this love story as much as I have. Please refer this novel to family and friends.
August 27, 2017
My heart stopped
This was such a good story, but when Octavia showed up, I had stop reading for a few days..and her parents..."double whammy". I loved her parents, couldn't stand them in the beginning but they truly redeemed themselves in the end. I also didn't anticipate "Pickle Pike's" turn around...that was awesome. Really well written, totally enjoyed.
This was such a good story, but when Octavia showed up, I had stop reading for a few days..and her parents..."double whammy". I loved her parents, couldn't stand them in the beginning but they truly redeemed themselves in the end. I also didn't anticipate "Pickle Pike's" turn around...that was awesome. Really well written, totally enjoyed.
September 1, 2017
2.5 stars. This one was predictable and pretty much insta love. The whole premise of the book is based on premarital sex since the lead is pregnant and abandoned by the cad father as well as her family. There is no sex in the book though. There is crudity which is inevitable since it takes place in a mining town and there aren't enough women for the men.
January 13, 2018
3.5*
A well-plotted story of a journey to true love which is never smooth, this book encompasses many of society's mores of the time. I really enjoyed reading it and staying with the twists and turns of fate in it. This is the first book I have read by Kristen Holt and I will not hesitate to read another!
A well-plotted story of a journey to true love which is never smooth, this book encompasses many of society's mores of the time. I really enjoyed reading it and staying with the twists and turns of fate in it. This is the first book I have read by Kristen Holt and I will not hesitate to read another!
August 7, 2022
One thing I love about the book is that the girl got balls (asking him outright if he’s interested instead of living in limbo).
The development/romance was good, even if the conflict at the end was VERY sudden. And the ending was rushed, too, I think.
Overall it was a nice story. Not what I expected, but I liked it.
The development/romance was good, even if the conflict at the end was VERY sudden. And the ending was rushed, too, I think.
Overall it was a nice story. Not what I expected, but I liked it.
July 16, 2017
Very sweet and clean historical romance. I would have liked to see a bit more from the POV of the parents when they realize
July 28, 2017
This book "gushed" too much which made the characters unbelievable and at times un-relatable. I truly like Christian books but the people in the book must feel "real". Good idea for a mail-order bride story. Just too over the top in "godliness".
February 10, 2018
Great read.
A great read. Enjoyed the description of the country and a time when it took a special solution to get brides to the men on the frontier. I can only imagine how the women felt about this new adventure.
A great read. Enjoyed the description of the country and a time when it took a special solution to get brides to the men on the frontier. I can only imagine how the women felt about this new adventure.
November 11, 2018
Good story to begin series
I love a good series that has such a strong beginning. Here is a spoiler, how many books can there be when there are 39 miners, 14 brides came in this book and 20 are supposed to arrive next book? I hope there are a lot of stories there.
I love a good series that has such a strong beginning. Here is a spoiler, how many books can there be when there are 39 miners, 14 brides came in this book and 20 are supposed to arrive next book? I hope there are a lot of stories there.
May 28, 2017
Sweet romance. Mail order bride finds the only man in town who doesn't want to get married...
June 27, 2017
The Bride Lottery: Mail order brides
Several funny stories of adventure and struggles to win one of a number ladies looking for a husband and a family.
Several funny stories of adventure and struggles to win one of a number ladies looking for a husband and a family.
August 18, 2017
Well written and historically accurate
I really enjoyed this book. It was very well written and moved along at a good pace.
The characters were all developed well.
I really enjoyed this book. It was very well written and moved along at a good pace.
The characters were all developed well.
September 21, 2017
An okay romance.
June 6, 2018
Light romance.
July 6, 2018
This was a quick, interesting read. I enjoyed it.
May 5, 2019
Too many useless words to fill a quota.
This book would have been much better if it was a shirt story book. Too many useless words, couldn't even finish the book. Too predictable.
This book would have been much better if it was a shirt story book. Too many useless words, couldn't even finish the book. Too predictable.
April 10, 2020
Great love story. Seemed real with the “will she won’t she” stuff. Not over dramatized...perfect!
March 23, 2017
I enjoyed Kristin Holt's book, The Bride Lottery. It is an easy one sitting read at only 176 pages. Holt does a good job of describing what times were like in 1881 when new mining camps were starting and men were looking for wives. This story is a sweet and clean romance.
December 4, 2014
A very mild book, this takes one of the oldest stories, around the block one more time, with grace and dignity.
Ms Holt creates a group of colorful men, and adds a smattering of women. The female lead (Evelyn) is relatively well-defined prior to their meeting, while small bits and pieces of the hero (Sam) are revealed for most of the book. Just how much she changed between the beginning and end are almost totally concealed, while the true wealth of his maturation is suddenly brought into question as the story reaches its peak.
As the story ends, there is a rather complete and unexplained change of heart by Evelyn's father that could have been handled more believably - perhaps by giving her parents a couple scenes alone. However, the fact that they have (somehow) figured out where she is does speak volumes to the fact of their love for their child.
As in many romances, there are supporting characters whose existence builds the story. In many stories, the females in this group are built into fairly well-fleshed figures. The fact that a majority of the women are as nebulous at the end as the beginning serves to emphasize how isolated Evelyn is. The men are slightly more defined, usually through using an interaction with Evelyn, which serves, again, to emphasize her aloneness.
There are two "villains" in the story (plus a number of misguided but obviously retrievable souls), one of each gender. One ends of leaving via the stagecoach, while the other is retained in the small hamlet of Prosperity, Colorado.
Ms Holt creates a group of colorful men, and adds a smattering of women. The female lead (Evelyn) is relatively well-defined prior to their meeting, while small bits and pieces of the hero (Sam) are revealed for most of the book. Just how much she changed between the beginning and end are almost totally concealed, while the true wealth of his maturation is suddenly brought into question as the story reaches its peak.
As the story ends, there is a rather complete and unexplained change of heart by Evelyn's father that could have been handled more believably - perhaps by giving her parents a couple scenes alone. However, the fact that they have (somehow) figured out where she is does speak volumes to the fact of their love for their child.
As in many romances, there are supporting characters whose existence builds the story. In many stories, the females in this group are built into fairly well-fleshed figures. The fact that a majority of the women are as nebulous at the end as the beginning serves to emphasize how isolated Evelyn is. The men are slightly more defined, usually through using an interaction with Evelyn, which serves, again, to emphasize her aloneness.
There are two "villains" in the story (plus a number of misguided but obviously retrievable souls), one of each gender. One ends of leaving via the stagecoach, while the other is retained in the small hamlet of Prosperity, Colorado.
July 11, 2015
Fairly predictable, but cute story. Evelyn finds herself in trouble when her beloved leaves her expecting a baby. She is shipped out west only to come home when her condition is remedied. Sam is helping run a lottery for mail order brides. He wants nothing to do with marriage- he has been hurt too much to ever want to marry. Evelyn meets the brides to be on the train and decides to throw her fate in with theirs so she can marry and keep her baby.
Of course the only man she is interested in is Sam. Slowly Sam finds his heart thawing and his conviction to never marry wavers-- but what do he or Evelyn really need?
An ok story. Cute premise. Good ending. Clean language.
Of course the only man she is interested in is Sam. Slowly Sam finds his heart thawing and his conviction to never marry wavers-- but what do he or Evelyn really need?
An ok story. Cute premise. Good ending. Clean language.
August 22, 2014
I love a good Mail Order Bride (or Groom) Romance. This one was good if predictable and then it stalled into mundane a bit annoying.
I really hate added in conflict when two people who don't really know each other and the backstory each bring is enough. There is a moment in the book where are I just groaned because we had to deal with the OW (Other Woman). Why? I would have instead like to have couple time and seen the leads actually fall in love.
The writer shows promise and I might try the next one in the series to she if the melodrama is outgrown.
March 27, 2016
Just as promised, it was a sweet/clean romance. I thought it was well written and I enjoyed the story. There was a bit of drama with the overly forward suitors and the other woman, but that seems pretty common with these sorts of stories. At least the ones I've read. The drama and obstacle between the couple often taking this form. I do wish there was more Evelyn and Sam bonding, though. All in all, not a bad story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews