What do you think?
Rate this book
Brides of Beckham #15
Mail Order Melody
Famous opera singer, L'Angelina seems to have it all. She travels from place to place with her manager making a living with her voice. So why is she so unsettled? When she receives a note threatening her family, she jumps at the first opportunity available to her. She becomes a substitute mail order bride using the name she was born with, Eliza Woods. Calvin Simpson has finally reached the point where he feels he can financially support a family, so he sends off for a mail order bride. He's not thrilled that the bride chosen for him is nineteen, but he doesn't feel he can be too choosy. When a mature, full-figured woman gets off the train and announces she's there to be his wife, he's thrilled. Eliza is the woman of his dreams. Can they be happy or will the constant threat destroy their marriage?
99 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2014
85 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 10, 2015
Love the author's plot lines but the lack of editing makes them difficult to read. I'm not good at reviewing so my review will be the same for all the books from here on out. I read them all but wanted to take a red pen out all the way through. She did not spread "Flower" all over the kitchen while baking. (book 15) October to December does not equal " years" ( Book 11) A large cattle operation is a whole lot more than 40 acres. Some of the mistakes were just typos but quite a few were just careless research. I loved her characters but hated the lack of realism.
December 3, 2018
I received an advance copy of this book, and I voluntarily wrote an honest review.
Mail Order Melody is Cynthia Woolf’s fifth book in her “Brides of Seattle” series. Although this is a series, it is not necessary to read the books in sequential order.
This is an historical romance. It takes place in the Seattle territory in 1864. There were very few women there, so many men turned to mail order brides when they were ready to settle down and have families.
The Talbot brothers own a lumber mill in the Seattle territory. When his employees become dissatisfied with their lives, the brothers bring in 100 women from New Bedford, Massachusetts. They set them up in dormitories so the men and women can meet and date each other. In this way they can fall in love with each other naturally .
Karen Martell is a young widow with two young children. She comes to Seattle to find a husband and to help the women. As a medically trained midwife, she plans to use her skills to treat illnesses, injuries and to deliver the babies of the new brides. I like that Karen is a very independent woman who can take care of herself and her two children without a man.
Adam Talbott is one of the brothers who helped bring the women over. He and Karen are instantly attracted to each other. However, Adam’s fiancée eloped with his best friend and left him at the altar. Now, he does not want to have any woman in his life.
On the other hand, Karen is very busy with her children and her work. She does not have time to date anybody.
Then, when Adam finally decides to court Karen, the suspense begins. An irrational, crazy woman from Karen’s past comes to her house to warn her that she will “have my revenge on you.”
Throughout the rest of the book, Karen and Adam must try to figure out how to catch this woman before she seriously harms Karen. However, the woman is very clever and does an excellent job of hiding until she is ready to attack
To further complicate matters, Karen has some serious doubts about Adam and his personality. Because of this, the couple must work out some issues before they can even get close to their happy ending.
I enjoyed the suspense and the realistic characters.
Mail Order Melody is Cynthia Woolf’s fifth book in her “Brides of Seattle” series. Although this is a series, it is not necessary to read the books in sequential order.
This is an historical romance. It takes place in the Seattle territory in 1864. There were very few women there, so many men turned to mail order brides when they were ready to settle down and have families.
The Talbot brothers own a lumber mill in the Seattle territory. When his employees become dissatisfied with their lives, the brothers bring in 100 women from New Bedford, Massachusetts. They set them up in dormitories so the men and women can meet and date each other. In this way they can fall in love with each other naturally .
Karen Martell is a young widow with two young children. She comes to Seattle to find a husband and to help the women. As a medically trained midwife, she plans to use her skills to treat illnesses, injuries and to deliver the babies of the new brides. I like that Karen is a very independent woman who can take care of herself and her two children without a man.
Adam Talbott is one of the brothers who helped bring the women over. He and Karen are instantly attracted to each other. However, Adam’s fiancée eloped with his best friend and left him at the altar. Now, he does not want to have any woman in his life.
On the other hand, Karen is very busy with her children and her work. She does not have time to date anybody.
Then, when Adam finally decides to court Karen, the suspense begins. An irrational, crazy woman from Karen’s past comes to her house to warn her that she will “have my revenge on you.”
Throughout the rest of the book, Karen and Adam must try to figure out how to catch this woman before she seriously harms Karen. However, the woman is very clever and does an excellent job of hiding until she is ready to attack
To further complicate matters, Karen has some serious doubts about Adam and his personality. Because of this, the couple must work out some issues before they can even get close to their happy ending.
I enjoyed the suspense and the realistic characters.
May 15, 2018
Reviewed at Historically Romantic
Mail Order Melody is an entertaining story with touches of danger and secrets. Eliza is trying to escape her controlling manager who has directed almost every aspect of her life for almost sixteen years. When she overhears one young mail order bride refusing to board the train because she’s afraid to go Eliza sees a chance to escape and quickly offers to step in. During her mad dash to freedom a paper is pressed into her hand by a stranger – threats against her widowed sister and her nephews only furthers her resolve to simply disappear into the West.
Calvin and Eliza make an interesting couple. She’s an opera singer with the voice of an angel, he’s a lover of music but cannot carry a tune in a bucket. Learning her reactions to his singing voice brought quite a few chuckles. Eliza must eventually trust Calvin with all of her secrets as they face a very real danger from several sides. I had fun with this story and if you enjoy Western Historical Romance then I’m betting you’d enjoy this series as well.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Mail Order Melody is an entertaining story with touches of danger and secrets. Eliza is trying to escape her controlling manager who has directed almost every aspect of her life for almost sixteen years. When she overhears one young mail order bride refusing to board the train because she’s afraid to go Eliza sees a chance to escape and quickly offers to step in. During her mad dash to freedom a paper is pressed into her hand by a stranger – threats against her widowed sister and her nephews only furthers her resolve to simply disappear into the West.
Calvin and Eliza make an interesting couple. She’s an opera singer with the voice of an angel, he’s a lover of music but cannot carry a tune in a bucket. Learning her reactions to his singing voice brought quite a few chuckles. Eliza must eventually trust Calvin with all of her secrets as they face a very real danger from several sides. I had fun with this story and if you enjoy Western Historical Romance then I’m betting you’d enjoy this series as well.
I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
February 26, 2018
Calvin was all set to marry his mail order bride, Dorothy, but just before boarding the train she was telling Elizabeth Miller, the matchmaker, she didn't want to get married.
Eliza, an opera singer, was tired of singing and not being able to spend much time with her sister and her two boys. Plus Eliza had just received a note threatening her sister and her boys if she didn't stop singing. Eliza overheard the conversation between Dorothy and Miss Miller and asked if she could take Dorothy's place and Miss Miller agreed to allow her to take Dorothy's place as Calvin's mail order bride and hope that he would accept a substitute.
This book, like all of the Brides of Beckham books, was a great story and I really like it. There is drama and some funny scenes.
Eliza, an opera singer, was tired of singing and not being able to spend much time with her sister and her two boys. Plus Eliza had just received a note threatening her sister and her boys if she didn't stop singing. Eliza overheard the conversation between Dorothy and Miss Miller and asked if she could take Dorothy's place and Miss Miller agreed to allow her to take Dorothy's place as Calvin's mail order bride and hope that he would accept a substitute.
This book, like all of the Brides of Beckham books, was a great story and I really like it. There is drama and some funny scenes.
December 29, 2017
Despite myself, I really enjoy this series. I must do to have got to book 15.
No, they are not high art and they are pretty predictable, but they are sweet and happy and sometimes that's what you need. (And they make me very happy I don't have to cook and clean on a ranch all day!)
This wasn't my favourite. I didn't fall for the main characters the way I have in some of the other books, but it was a good enough read.
No, they are not high art and they are pretty predictable, but they are sweet and happy and sometimes that's what you need. (And they make me very happy I don't have to cook and clean on a ranch all day!)
This wasn't my favourite. I didn't fall for the main characters the way I have in some of the other books, but it was a good enough read.
June 26, 2019
Nice Story
This is the story of an opera singer who wants to stop singing professionally and be a wife and mother. She has interesting funny fights with her husband and there is a bit of drama, but it's settled in a realistic way.It's an enjoyable book and I hope she also writes about her sister finding a husband.
This is the story of an opera singer who wants to stop singing professionally and be a wife and mother. She has interesting funny fights with her husband and there is a bit of drama, but it's settled in a realistic way.It's an enjoyable book and I hope she also writes about her sister finding a husband.
January 22, 2023
Premier mezzo-soprano, a greedy and manipulative manager with only his wants in view, set the stage for this interesting story.
Walton Dalton makes a cameo. His first appearance was in Love at Harvest Moon. Love it when 'worlds collide.'
Walton Dalton makes a cameo. His first appearance was in Love at Harvest Moon. Love it when 'worlds collide.'
June 4, 2024
Love the premise of all these books. This one confused me as it hinted that Eliza's sister was also pregnant but didn't name her husband. So, I am assuming perhaps one of the 58 books in this series is about her.
July 19, 2018
Wonderful
I love the way Kirsten weaves a story. Her creativity is outstanding. This story had it all.. Intrigue, suspense, family, love.
I love the way Kirsten weaves a story. Her creativity is outstanding. This story had it all.. Intrigue, suspense, family, love.
June 9, 2019
Good read
I love a story where the truth can be shared between two people and the love strengthens instead of tearing apart a relationship.
I love a story where the truth can be shared between two people and the love strengthens instead of tearing apart a relationship.
September 27, 2020
Loved it! 💕
September 11, 2024
A very enjoyable love story with some suspense!! Grab the book and enjoy this love story and how they finally got their HEA!!
July 3, 2017
Another great series by Osbourne. She brings her great sense of humor into every story and I love the way her characters and series overlap.
August 29, 2014
The right notes
As usual Kristen Osbourne,has done it again!!! Each book gets better. Having older characters was great. The feelings and passion crackles to life a passion Eliza never new existed. Intrigue,mystery are a large part of the book. Eliza is free from Sebastian to make a life of her own! She's been a slave to Sebastian! Eliza finally makes a friend,learns to cook,do laundry after a failed attempt and holes in shirts. Nights of passion with her husband Calvin. At 32 she starting to live.
As usual Kristen Osbourne,has done it again!!! Each book gets better. Having older characters was great. The feelings and passion crackles to life a passion Eliza never new existed. Intrigue,mystery are a large part of the book. Eliza is free from Sebastian to make a life of her own! She's been a slave to Sebastian! Eliza finally makes a friend,learns to cook,do laundry after a failed attempt and holes in shirts. Nights of passion with her husband Calvin. At 32 she starting to live.
October 25, 2014
Good, but I think I'm done with the mail order brides for a while. If you want an outstanding work in the same genre try Vera Clay's "Abby". I loved that story..one of the better mail order Brides. Also the Hallmark classic Sarah, Plain and Tall is another keeper. But this story is nearly an entire series of excellent books of this type all free on Kindle-unlimited.
June 29, 2015
Love for two very different singers
Eliza is an opera singer with an overbearing, controlling manager. Calvin is a Missouri rancher in his late 30's looking for a bride who sings off key.
The bride that agrees to go to Missouri backs out at the train station and Eliza tells Elizabeth that she will take her place as a way to hide.
There are a few other twists to the plot. Enjoy!
What is Walton Dalton doing on the train to Chicago? He is from the Dalton Brothers series.
Eliza is an opera singer with an overbearing, controlling manager. Calvin is a Missouri rancher in his late 30's looking for a bride who sings off key.
The bride that agrees to go to Missouri backs out at the train station and Eliza tells Elizabeth that she will take her place as a way to hide.
There are a few other twists to the plot. Enjoy!
What is Walton Dalton doing on the train to Chicago? He is from the Dalton Brothers series.
August 7, 2015
Loved the story. Good ol' Walton Dalton (from the Dalton Brides series) makes an appearance once again to save the damsel in distress. (He was also in Seattle Suitors Violet's book) only thing I really was curious about what who did Eliza's sister marry? She was mentioned in the epilogue and pregnant and about 5 months along.
August 30, 2014
Another wonderful story.
Kirsten never fails to write the most amazing stories. Kudos to you Kirsten. I know you don't want to hear this but ... NEXT! Absolutely loved All of your books. Thanks for being the awesome author ever.
Kirsten never fails to write the most amazing stories. Kudos to you Kirsten. I know you don't want to hear this but ... NEXT! Absolutely loved All of your books. Thanks for being the awesome author ever.
May 2, 2015
Eliza turns away from opera to be a bride.
Eliza is tired of going from town to town singing. She wants to settle down and she wants babies. She hears of a bride that doesn't want to become one and takes her place.
Eliza is tired of going from town to town singing. She wants to settle down and she wants babies. She hears of a bride that doesn't want to become one and takes her place.
June 27, 2017
This seemed to be a very long read and it was difficult to get through. Not very believable and I think the author tried to do too much in the book.
It was a ver uncomfortable way to end the series - if it ends here...?
It was a ver uncomfortable way to end the series - if it ends here...?
May 23, 2016
As Above
A Very thrilling and Loving Story. I really enjoyed this Story. It's nice to be able to just set down and read and feel so good after you are done. But still looking forWard for another one.
Shirley Ketcham
A Very thrilling and Loving Story. I really enjoyed this Story. It's nice to be able to just set down and read and feel so good after you are done. But still looking forWard for another one.
Shirley Ketcham
August 27, 2014
Incognito
Every book of The Brides of Beckham Series has been so engaging and heartwarming! This book 15 has suspense, wonderful story, and such a sweet path to love.
Every book of The Brides of Beckham Series has been so engaging and heartwarming! This book 15 has suspense, wonderful story, and such a sweet path to love.
March 28, 2016
A good story
This is a good story about a mail-order bride who is trying to escape a controlling manager. It has dange
This is a good story about a mail-order bride who is trying to escape a controlling manager. It has dange
March 31, 2020
Eliza and Calvin
Loved this story that is well written with charismatic characters and witty dialogue. Their story has a satisfying HEA.
Loved this story that is well written with charismatic characters and witty dialogue. Their story has a satisfying HEA.
June 19, 2016
It was good but reading this book made me tired of reading 'mail order brides' books for a while
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews