The Blacksmith's Stubborn Bride

The Brides of Miss Mabel’s Registry #1

by London James

He asked for a quiet wife. She sent him a firecracker in a bonnet.

When gruff Colorado blacksmith Thatcher Hale writes that he doesn’t want a fussy, opinionated wife, Miss Mabel does the only sensible she sends him Clara Hollis—strong-willed, sharp-tongued, and completely unafraid to speak her mind.

Clara never expected to become a mail-order bride, and certainly not to a man who clearly didn’t ask for her. But with nowhere else to go, she’s determined to make the best of her unexpected match—even if it means clashing with the one man who might just be everything she never knew she needed.

In a town full of gossip, grit, and unexpected grace, sparks fly as iron wills collide. But when God starts shaping something new from the ashes of disappointment, both Clara and Thatcher must decide if what they really need… might be each other.

They ask for quiet, obedient brides. Mabel sends them the ones with fire.

Full of laugh-out-loud banter, heartfelt faith, and sweet frontier romance, The Brides of Miss Mabel’s Registry is a series of wholesome, charming love stories where opposites attract, sparks fly, and happily ever after comes with a few unexpected detours.

There are lots more stories to come! Book #1 is only the beginning for Miss Mabel and her brides.

Genres: Romance, Historical

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2025

About the author

Welcome to my little corner of the internet! So who am I? Well, it’s quite simple actually. Of course, first and foremost, I’m a wife and mother. However, along with those two hats, I’m also a Sweet Historical and Contemporary Romance author who writes in her fuzzy pants and loves her horses and her cats!

Love historical romance? Well, then strap on those petticoats, travel back in time, and go on adventures with my sweet Historical Romances. Not feeling historical today? I have a few sweet Contemporary Romances, too!

And if you are looking for something with a little more heat (not too much, but more smooching and some fade-to-black scenes), then check out my titles written under the name Angela Christina Archer

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will be filled with happiness, after reading The Blacksmith's Stubborn Bride. Miss Mabel has the instinct to match two people together, even though everything points in the opposite direction. Clara is matched with Thatcher, but they are complete opposites, except for both being stubborn. Will they be able to move forward with God's help or both be miserable forever. Great story and the characters will make you feel their pain.
I was given an ARC of this book by the author for an honest review.

[BlueJeansAndTeacups · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clara Hollis and Thatcher Hale are Miss Mable's latest match! However, things quickly go sideways. There are some laugh-out-loud moments, plenty of hurts to work through and positive faith moments as well.
Quotable: "The pastor chuckled, shaking his head. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone more stubborn than you two, except for you two. You both give each other a run for your money.”

I liked it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read 9/17/2025

I purchased this eBook. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!

Clara had lost her job and had no where to go. She had forgotten that she had signed up to be a mail order bride a while back. Now, it seems, it’s her only option. Miss Mabel is a tad unorthodox in how she matches people. So when Clara shows up in Thatcher’s smithy, he’s very confused as he did not ask for a bride.

Thatcher was a bit of a dunderhead for a good part of the story, but it took almost losing Clara to wake him up. Very sweet epilogue.

[Earlene Click · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clara and Thatcher Hale

This is the sweet tale of two with lost love and desires of a found love. Two hard headed and stubborn people that can’t believe true love would ever find them. Through trial and error, ups and downs they find each other and still can’t quite believe it’s true love. You will enjoy this short story.

[Carol Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpy and loveable

Thanks for an amazing story to enjoy reading! Loved the characters and how they meshed to compliment each other! The story kept me on my toes and it was near impossible to put it down! Please keep up the good work!

[Charline Romine · Rating 4 out of 5]

She Really Did Leave on the Stagecoach.

A cute story of two souls matched by a witty matchmaker. All she wanted was a home and a place to call her own and all he wanted was to be left alone. This may require a tissue at the end. 🤭

[Rhonda Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I really enjoyed this book. Not only was the bride stubborn but so was the blacksmith. I'm glad the story ended with a happily ever after. I recommend this book.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two stubborn people.

Thatcher finally decided that he wants her to stay. Clara decides to stay also.
Both are two very stubborn people who must decide what they want.

[Medenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twist from the beginning. He didn’t know he needed a wife. His friends thought he did. A fall from a loft starts the story off.

[JoAnna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. I love this author. She is an amazing writer.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved the way author expresses character's opinion of people the interacted with
2nd reading found more humor