The Opera House Bride: A Mail-Order Bride Novella

by Robin Lee Hatcher

He wanted a partner. God sent him a family. When Clay Birch wins a hurdy-gurdy house in a poker game in the rough mining town of Grand Coeur, Idaho, he sees potential—not ruin. He dreams of transforming it into the finest opera house in the Northwest. But he needs a partner. A wife. One thing he makes clear in his ad for a mail-order no children.

That little detail doesn’t make it into the catalog.

Luvena Abbott arrives in Idaho with three children in tow—her orphaned nieces and nephew. A lady by birth, educated in the arts, and blessed with a voice like an angel, Luvena sees marriage to a stranger as her best hope to keep a promise to her sister.

Clay isn’t ready to be a father, and Grand Coeur is no place for a family. But Luvena is determined to change both his mind and his heart. Together, they’ll discover that the grandest dreams are built not on what’s planned . . . but on what’s found.

***



* Mail-Order Bride
* Orphaned Children
* Second Chances
* Opposites Attract
* Small Town Transformation
* Western Setting / Gold Rush Town
* Marriage of Convenience

134 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2025

About the author

Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of over 95 novels and novellas with more than five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Her numerous awards include the RITA® Award, Christy Award, Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award, and she is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America®. When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. A mother and grandmother, Robin makes her home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog.

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Reviews

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, sweet novella that I enjoyed. The characters are great, and the development of the love story is well done. Note that this was first published in 2013 in a four author collection called A Bride for All Seasons, under the title Autumn's Angel.

[Connie L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good

Extremely good work of fiction. The storyline was easy to follow. Confusion only came due to several editing errors. I enjoyed the mixture of Bible with the storyline. The book cover was a good fit.

[Joy]

Short & sweet story. Always love Hatcher's insights.