Holmes' Bride: Mail-Order Bride

by Marie Higgins, Stacey Haynes

Fallon Holmes has spent the last five years trying to escape the tragedy that shattered his world and left him not wanting to fall in love again. When Catherine Austen appears in his life, he must finally face the truth he’s been avoiding. He finds himself torn between protecting his heart or risking it all to defend his town… and the woman he’s grown to care for.

Catherine, known for her strength, compassion, and unwavering loyalty to her family, stands up to the reserved, affluent man who builds hotels nationwide and keeps his distance. She recognizes the goodness beneath Fallon’s silent exterior and believes that even a wounded heart can rediscover love.

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2026

About the author

Marie Higgins is an award-winning, best-selling author of clean romance novels.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holmes’ Bride.  When Fallon Holmes and Brian Crane shows up in Evergreen, MT they were looking for Catherine and Mary Austen.  They had no idea that the woman Fallon pulls out of the river in need of help would be Catherine.  They had come from Stumptown to bring someone back to help with Hamilla,  their older sister.   She was married and pregnant with her second child and had fell down some stairs and been put on bed rest.  Brian was Mary and  Catherine’s cousin and had became a priest that worked in Stumptown.  Fallon was Caleb’s, Hamilla’s husband, best friend.  They had came to persuade the girl’s father that Hamilla needed help and was asking him to send one of his daughters.  Since their father was usually drunk, when the men had explained why they were there and the need of help for Hamilla, he said she married a rich man to let him hire someone.  Catherine was as stubborn as her father.  So both Catherine and Mary packed and left with Fallon and Brian while their father was asleep.  As they traveled by train to Stumptown, Fallon and Catherine starts to talk and she can’t help but to start having feelings for him.  He wants her to know he can never have feelings for another woman.

 

When they arrive in Stumptown, Fallon can tell something is wrong like it was five years ago.  He talks to the sheriff and is appointed as a deputy.  There was a wagon turned over and the driver killed and it was set fire just at the edge of the town.  He knew what that meant to the people of the town and was determined to get rid of the trouble before some more people were killed.  The sheriff they had now was not around five years ago to know what happen then.  And Fallon was determined to get the proof he needed and get Sheriff Reed behind him on cleaning up the town.

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

From England and Ireland many residents of Evergreen Montana have made Evergreen their home. Once a small town, a church, and One store has grown. Now with one hotel, stores and more when Fallon returns after years, his angst is still palatable. Between rumors and fact, his last fiancee' passed when her home was torched. Knowing those responsible are around he heads home. His best friend has one little girl and his wife is expecting soon. He and the priest from town travel to where Hamilla's sisters live to ask for help. En route they find an abandoned wagon and hear a scream for help. That is where Fallon meets a sister of HamillaI suppose i was rafting. May I suggest net time use an actual raft? Too cute!. This is where he discovers the strength of Catherine when she goes against her dads edict and she and her younger sister both go to help Hamilla. He has a quest to find who is responsible for the burning of his fiance's home killing her. This is such a gripping story and heart felt. This book is a prime example why I love the books by sisters Marie Higgins and Stacey Haynes.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holmes' Bride:Mail Order Bride is another wonderful story. Fallon Holmes is coming back to Stumptown to find answers and hopefully start his life over again. He is not looking for love, just the opposite. When he rescues a damsel in distress, Catherine, his heart just isn't ready for more. Catherine is no fancy lady, but an independent woman and has met match in Fallon.
I was given an ARC of this book by the author for an honest review.