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Tulip: Garden Belles Mail-Order Brides Book 11
For the majority of her life, Tulip Williams has been tied to her two adoring aunts, the sisters who comprise the mail-order bride service known as the Garden Belles. And what a delightful life it has been.
The Garden Belles, and all the young women who have crossed their paths, have been as much a sense of pride for Tulip as it has been for her aunts. Their only regret… much to Tulip’s consternation… is their inability to find a match for their niece. Not that they haven’t tried.
As a highly respected physician and head of the women’s medical unit at the largest hospital in Saint Louis, Tulip has admittedly spent far more time on her career than she has on her social life. A fact for which she has mixed feelings.
Hired as the new chief of staff at the prestigious Saint Louis General Hospital, Doctor Kevin MacKinnon, is looking forward to getting to know his department heads. He’s been forewarned about their idiosyncrasies and is especially interested in the unusual approach to women’s medicine under the leadership of Dr. T. L. Williams. While he’s all for innovation, Kevin’s a bit skeptical about the man’s methods.
Imagine his surprise when he discovers T. L. Williams, M.D. is not a man but… rather… a very beguiling raven-haired beauty.
Can these two bickering professionals find common ground both professionally and personally? Or will Tulip end up asking for her aunts help finding her an out-of-state mail-order husband before they retire?
The Garden Belles, and all the young women who have crossed their paths, have been as much a sense of pride for Tulip as it has been for her aunts. Their only regret… much to Tulip’s consternation… is their inability to find a match for their niece. Not that they haven’t tried.
As a highly respected physician and head of the women’s medical unit at the largest hospital in Saint Louis, Tulip has admittedly spent far more time on her career than she has on her social life. A fact for which she has mixed feelings.
Hired as the new chief of staff at the prestigious Saint Louis General Hospital, Doctor Kevin MacKinnon, is looking forward to getting to know his department heads. He’s been forewarned about their idiosyncrasies and is especially interested in the unusual approach to women’s medicine under the leadership of Dr. T. L. Williams. While he’s all for innovation, Kevin’s a bit skeptical about the man’s methods.
Imagine his surprise when he discovers T. L. Williams, M.D. is not a man but… rather… a very beguiling raven-haired beauty.
Can these two bickering professionals find common ground both professionally and personally? Or will Tulip end up asking for her aunts help finding her an out-of-state mail-order husband before they retire?
88 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2026
About the author
Nancy Fraser
105 books468 followersNancy Fraser is an American critical theorist, currently the Henry A. and Louise Loeb Professor of Political and Social Science and professor of philosophy at The New School in New York City. Fraser earned her PhD in philosophy from the CUNY Graduate Center and taught in the philosophy department at Northwestern University for many years before moving to the New School.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.
See also: Romance author Nancy Fraser
Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.
See also: Romance author Nancy Fraser
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 30, 2026
IT WAS OUR PLEASURE. IT’S WHAT FAMILIES DO.
"The Garden Belles Mail-Order Bride agency was located in St. Louis, Missouri, and began in 1850, during the height of the westward wagon-train exodus. They helped match men desperate for a wife and sought the help of sisters, Dahlia and Zinnia Williams. The sisters, both spinsters, are especially proud of three things in their lives: their garden, filled with every kind imaginable flower; their penchant for finding perfect wives for most suitable husbands; and, more importantly, the orphaned niece they raised from a baby.”
The story will be the final in the Garden Belle Mail-Order Brides series. Doctor Tulip Williams has returned to Saint Louis, Missouri, where she is in charge of women’s health at Saint Louis General Hospital. The hospital staff has been informed that they will be getting a new hospital administrator, Doctor Kevin MacKinnon, from Massachusetts General Hospital.
Zinnia and Dahlia’s matchmaking business has dwindled over the last five years. When they started it thirty years ago, they had men moving westward who wanted wives who could handle the land and changes. Now that it is 1880, there are fewer requests for either mail-order brides or grooms. They have had a great run, but it is time to retire and enjoy their gardening. Their only hope is to help Tulip find a husband—even though she tells them she is content being single—like they are.
Doctor Kevin MacKinnon needs a change of pace and to get away from his former fiancée, who married another doctor and took the position that Kevin was promised. This opportunity in Saint Louis came at the perfect time—not that his mother sees it that way. Meeting with his department heads, he is surprised when he meets T. L. Williams and discovers it is a woman. He is impressed with her beliefs about proper nutrition for both mother and infant. The more these two interact, the closer they become.
“We saw it the first time the two of you were together”, Dahlia had insisted. “Yes, you were made for one another,” Zinnia had agreed. "
The story has the good, the bad, and the ugly in people. It also deals with stereotypes, rules, and how two people finally make a difference. I liked the chemistry between Kevin and Tulip and how they both are forward-thinking and acting. In the end, two people find the right person to love, and they have enough love to offer to add a new family member. As for the matchmakers, they have made a difference in so many lives and are ready to embrace their retirement, while being active in Kevin and Tulip’s family.
NOTE: I read this book with my paid Kindle Unlimited subscription.
"The Garden Belles Mail-Order Bride agency was located in St. Louis, Missouri, and began in 1850, during the height of the westward wagon-train exodus. They helped match men desperate for a wife and sought the help of sisters, Dahlia and Zinnia Williams. The sisters, both spinsters, are especially proud of three things in their lives: their garden, filled with every kind imaginable flower; their penchant for finding perfect wives for most suitable husbands; and, more importantly, the orphaned niece they raised from a baby.”
The story will be the final in the Garden Belle Mail-Order Brides series. Doctor Tulip Williams has returned to Saint Louis, Missouri, where she is in charge of women’s health at Saint Louis General Hospital. The hospital staff has been informed that they will be getting a new hospital administrator, Doctor Kevin MacKinnon, from Massachusetts General Hospital.
Zinnia and Dahlia’s matchmaking business has dwindled over the last five years. When they started it thirty years ago, they had men moving westward who wanted wives who could handle the land and changes. Now that it is 1880, there are fewer requests for either mail-order brides or grooms. They have had a great run, but it is time to retire and enjoy their gardening. Their only hope is to help Tulip find a husband—even though she tells them she is content being single—like they are.
Doctor Kevin MacKinnon needs a change of pace and to get away from his former fiancée, who married another doctor and took the position that Kevin was promised. This opportunity in Saint Louis came at the perfect time—not that his mother sees it that way. Meeting with his department heads, he is surprised when he meets T. L. Williams and discovers it is a woman. He is impressed with her beliefs about proper nutrition for both mother and infant. The more these two interact, the closer they become.
“We saw it the first time the two of you were together”, Dahlia had insisted. “Yes, you were made for one another,” Zinnia had agreed. "
The story has the good, the bad, and the ugly in people. It also deals with stereotypes, rules, and how two people finally make a difference. I liked the chemistry between Kevin and Tulip and how they both are forward-thinking and acting. In the end, two people find the right person to love, and they have enough love to offer to add a new family member. As for the matchmakers, they have made a difference in so many lives and are ready to embrace their retirement, while being active in Kevin and Tulip’s family.
NOTE: I read this book with my paid Kindle Unlimited subscription.
May 25, 2026
The Final Chapter
A perfect ending to the final book, Tulip: Garden Belles Mail Order Brides series. Dahlia and Zinnia are considering retirement from their business, but their niece, Tulip hasn’t found a husband yet. Tulip is happy with her life and her position at the hospital, but maybe things could change. She now has a new boss, Dr Kevin and there might be something there, but she is not sure. There is always hope, right? Wonderful story!
A perfect ending to the final book, Tulip: Garden Belles Mail Order Brides series. Dahlia and Zinnia are considering retirement from their business, but their niece, Tulip hasn’t found a husband yet. Tulip is happy with her life and her position at the hospital, but maybe things could change. She now has a new boss, Dr Kevin and there might be something there, but she is not sure. There is always hope, right? Wonderful story!
May 25, 2026
Tulip
Great ending to a wonderful series. Garden Belles Mail-Order Brides Book11 was nice to read and a good finale for the series.
Great ending to a wonderful series. Garden Belles Mail-Order Brides Book11 was nice to read and a good finale for the series.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews