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The Dalton Brides #6
Benedict's Bargain Bride
From the tender age of seven, Lillian knew there was only one man she would ever love. Her love was intense and strong, and totally oblivious of the fact that the object of her attention didn't care about her. Orphaned in her early twenties, she agreed to meet a man who was interested in marrying her, but realized she couldn't. Her love was too strong. When she went to explain she couldn't meet the man, she overheard something that turned her life upside down. When she was crying on the street, her only love, Benedict, came to her rescue, but made it clear he would only help her for a short time.
Benedict was the oldest of three brother's and the second child in a family of six. He'd always known what he wanted from life, and he knew how he was going to get there. When his parents' reputation and their family mercantile were ruined by the three deacons who had tried to marry his sisters, he knew he had to find a new plan for his life. It couldn't possibly include his childhood nemesis, Lillian, could it? Could he possibly make a fresh start with her? Could Lillian convince him that they were destined to be together forever?
Benedict was the oldest of three brother's and the second child in a family of six. He'd always known what he wanted from life, and he knew how he was going to get there. When his parents' reputation and their family mercantile were ruined by the three deacons who had tried to marry his sisters, he knew he had to find a new plan for his life. It couldn't possibly include his childhood nemesis, Lillian, could it? Could he possibly make a fresh start with her? Could Lillian convince him that they were destined to be together forever?
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 12, 2015
174 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 2, 2016
Benedict is angry. The 3 Deacons at his church ruined his family and their business when Ben's 3 sisters escaped to Texas as mail order brides rather than marrying the Deacons. Benedict was to inherit the family business and now he has nothing. When still in the schoolroom a girl named Lillian had a big crush on him. One day she left flowers and a note on his desk. Another boy grabbed the note and read it out loud to the class. He was so embarrassed and angry he never spoke to her again and she was at his house all the time as she was friends with her sisters. Now he sees her up ahead crying on the street. He wants to ignore her, but he can't stand to see a woman cry. He knew her parents had perished in a fire. Now the Deacons are pressuring her to marry a friend of theirs. She doesn't trust the Deacons and doesn't want to meet their friend, she feels something is off about the whole arrangement. Sex slavery is rampant in their area. He can't prove the Deacons are involved, but he has his suspicions. He agrees to help her. He takes her to a safe house and convinces her to travel to live temporarily with his sisters until she can get her life together. But she refuses to travel with him without a chaperone or their marriage. Exasperated he finally agrees to marry her in name only promising an annulment once she is safe in Texas. Lillian has always loved only Ben. Despite the times her mother was very forward thinking and told Lillian a lot more than most women about sex and pleasing her eventual husband. Lillian plans to use the trip to pull out all the stops and make sure an annulment is not possible at trip's end. Will she succeed and get to stay married to her only love? Or will Ben's long time animosity with Lillian keep him safe from her machinations?
September 10, 2025
In the previous books in the series, three sisters escaped three evil suitors (who are also deacons) in Massachusetts, and found their true Heroes in Dalton, Texas. Meanwhile, other women in Massachusetts were being trafficked by the three evil men. They were never able to prove the 3 deacons were involved, so those 3 men are still living in town.
Benedict (25), a brother to the three sisters, remains in Massachusetts, intending to sell their family home and then join them in Texas.
So at the beginning of this book, Benedict is walking down the street one day. He sees his sister's BFF, Lillian (21), crying. Lillian may be his sister's best friend, but she is also his nemesis. When she was 11, she left a love note on his school desk, which some other boy read out to the whole class. He never forgave her because he was teased about it every day till they graduated.
He asks her why she's crying, and she says one of the deacons wants her to marry his nephew, Thaddeus. She doesn't want to marry the nephew, and then she overheard them talking about Thaddeus actually planning on selling her. Her parents recently died in a fire and she has no one to help her. That's why she's crying.
Benedict and Elizabeth, the owner of the mail order bride business, already know about the trafficking, and are working together to stop it. Benedict takes Lillian to meet Elizabeth. They tell Lillian she needs to leave town ASAP, and she should go to Texas. But Elizabeth says she should travel with Benedict, so he can protect her if the deacons try to follow her.
Lillian won't travel with a man she's not married to. Benedict doesn't want to marry Lillian because he hates her. Another problem is he thinks she's only 13 years old, for some reason, even though she's the same age as his married sister. It's mainly because he hasn't even spoken to her since they were children and still thinks she is a child. And he doesn't want to marry a child.
Elizabeth tells Benedict to get over what Nellie did so he can marry her temporarily, then get an annulment when they get to Texas, which will only take about 2 weeks. He agrees, begrudgingly.
Lillian, on the other hand, is still in love with him, and is convinced she can change his mind about the annulment before they get to Texas, and she tells him this while they're on the train. She's convinced they'll be together forever, and ngl, she does sound absolutely crazy. I didn't really like Lillian very much, because she's a lunatic.
They stop on the way to Texas for a few days in Arizona, and stay with a friend of Benedict, who owns a hotel. This friend tries to convince Benedict that it would be a good thing for Benedict to be married to a crazy chick who worships him. There are worse things than being worshiped. So this changes Benedicts mind, and now he wants to consummate the marriage.
There's some manufactured wanna be OW drama with another guest at the friend's hotel. She tries throwing herself at Benedict and Lillian gets jealous and angry. Lilian tells him she doesn't want to have sex with him anymore because she didn't enjoy it, and that she suddenly plans not to stay married once they reach Texas. It's because she saw him walking outside with the wanna be OW. And she doesn't tell him she saw him with the OW. I can't deal with this insane heroine. DNF.
Benedict (25), a brother to the three sisters, remains in Massachusetts, intending to sell their family home and then join them in Texas.
So at the beginning of this book, Benedict is walking down the street one day. He sees his sister's BFF, Lillian (21), crying. Lillian may be his sister's best friend, but she is also his nemesis. When she was 11, she left a love note on his school desk, which some other boy read out to the whole class. He never forgave her because he was teased about it every day till they graduated.
He asks her why she's crying, and she says one of the deacons wants her to marry his nephew, Thaddeus. She doesn't want to marry the nephew, and then she overheard them talking about Thaddeus actually planning on selling her. Her parents recently died in a fire and she has no one to help her. That's why she's crying.
Benedict and Elizabeth, the owner of the mail order bride business, already know about the trafficking, and are working together to stop it. Benedict takes Lillian to meet Elizabeth. They tell Lillian she needs to leave town ASAP, and she should go to Texas. But Elizabeth says she should travel with Benedict, so he can protect her if the deacons try to follow her.
Lillian won't travel with a man she's not married to. Benedict doesn't want to marry Lillian because he hates her. Another problem is he thinks she's only 13 years old, for some reason, even though she's the same age as his married sister. It's mainly because he hasn't even spoken to her since they were children and still thinks she is a child. And he doesn't want to marry a child.
Elizabeth tells Benedict to get over what Nellie did so he can marry her temporarily, then get an annulment when they get to Texas, which will only take about 2 weeks. He agrees, begrudgingly.
Lillian, on the other hand, is still in love with him, and is convinced she can change his mind about the annulment before they get to Texas, and she tells him this while they're on the train. She's convinced they'll be together forever, and ngl, she does sound absolutely crazy. I didn't really like Lillian very much, because she's a lunatic.
They stop on the way to Texas for a few days in Arizona, and stay with a friend of Benedict, who owns a hotel. This friend tries to convince Benedict that it would be a good thing for Benedict to be married to a crazy chick who worships him. There are worse things than being worshiped. So this changes Benedicts mind, and now he wants to consummate the marriage.
There's some manufactured wanna be OW drama with another guest at the friend's hotel. She tries throwing herself at Benedict and Lillian gets jealous and angry. Lilian tells him she doesn't want to have sex with him anymore because she didn't enjoy it, and that she suddenly plans not to stay married once they reach Texas. It's because she saw him walking outside with the wanna be OW. And she doesn't tell him she saw him with the OW. I can't deal with this insane heroine. DNF.
February 4, 2024
very nice
I really liked this book. Kristen Osbourne has written it and very well at that. A child leaves a note to a boy who she loves. Another boy finds the note and reads it in front of the whole school. Oh how embarrassing that is. Then all the teasing one will get just from that note. Now fast forward that same child is a young woman and the boy is a man who wants nothing to do with her. Yet they get married. What happens? Very enjoyable read.
I really liked this book. Kristen Osbourne has written it and very well at that. A child leaves a note to a boy who she loves. Another boy finds the note and reads it in front of the whole school. Oh how embarrassing that is. Then all the teasing one will get just from that note. Now fast forward that same child is a young woman and the boy is a man who wants nothing to do with her. Yet they get married. What happens? Very enjoyable read.
July 27, 2018
Interesting and Exciting
This is the story of the second Blue brother and Lillian. It's less about the bad guys and more about the internal struggles of the main characters. It was very enjoyable and believable, but I noticed that by sharing this series between authors, the stories of the secondary characters are not being told.
This is the story of the second Blue brother and Lillian. It's less about the bad guys and more about the internal struggles of the main characters. It was very enjoyable and believable, but I noticed that by sharing this series between authors, the stories of the secondary characters are not being told.
June 1, 2021
I don't care for psycho manipulative women
This author routinely creates irritating, selfish, juvenile women characters like Gwyn and Lillian with a little weird religion thrown in. I'm 17% into the book and just feel bad for Benedict. He deserves better. Can't finish the book.
This author routinely creates irritating, selfish, juvenile women characters like Gwyn and Lillian with a little weird religion thrown in. I'm 17% into the book and just feel bad for Benedict. He deserves better. Can't finish the book.
July 29, 2017
Another great story combining the worlds of the Dalton family in Texas and Beckham, Mass. This one also includes Amelia Adams' Kansas Crossroads world as Benedict and Lillian make a stop at the Brody Hotel in Topeka.
August 14, 2017
Good read
I enjoyed the chemistry between Benedict and Lillian . Lillian knew she loved Benedict when she was just a child. I loved reading how Benedict couldn't resist Lillian even though he wanted to . Kirsten did it again by keeping me completely invested in the story .
I enjoyed the chemistry between Benedict and Lillian . Lillian knew she loved Benedict when she was just a child. I loved reading how Benedict couldn't resist Lillian even though he wanted to . Kirsten did it again by keeping me completely invested in the story .
July 7, 2017
just a fun read - still awaiting what happens with the deacons
June 4, 2018
Such fun!
Lillian is so dang funny!!!! I love her grit and spirit, especially when it comes to Benedict. Wonderful read for all.
Lillian is so dang funny!!!! I love her grit and spirit, especially when it comes to Benedict. Wonderful read for all.
March 31, 2020
Loved it! 💕
May 12, 2024
Excellent book. I really enjoyed it.
April 30, 2025
I enjoyed reading about Lillian's and Benedict's childhood relationship and their trip to Texas. Liked the two of them and Benedict's friends. It has a happy ending
March 21, 2017
Great story...
I enjoyed this story of adventure and suspense. The author has put the characters in the story in a strange relationship, but made sure it was entailing.
I enjoyed this story of adventure and suspense. The author has put the characters in the story in a strange relationship, but made sure it was entailing.
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June 16, 2015Bossy Benedict rediscovers his love
After the Blue sisters find their husbands in the Dalton Brides Series, the three authors tell the stories of the Blue brothers. The dastardly deacons of Beckham have ruined the Blue family name and business. The Blues are packing up and heading to Texas to join the sisters. These stories are consecutive, but all are related to the deacons' scheme to sell young white women into slavery.
Lillian has loved Benedict since she was 7 years old. When she is 10, she leaves a love note on his school desk that a classmate reads aloud. Benedict proclaims her "dead to him." After her parents' death in a fire, the deacons come to her offering marriage to a nephew that she doesn't want. Benedict finds her crying at the side of the street and thus begins their journey to Texas and the rest of their lives.
I like the author's use of characters from a different story series, A New Beginning, as a stopover on the journey. I have since started to read that series as well.
After the Blue sisters find their husbands in the Dalton Brides Series, the three authors tell the stories of the Blue brothers. The dastardly deacons of Beckham have ruined the Blue family name and business. The Blues are packing up and heading to Texas to join the sisters. These stories are consecutive, but all are related to the deacons' scheme to sell young white women into slavery.
Lillian has loved Benedict since she was 7 years old. When she is 10, she leaves a love note on his school desk that a classmate reads aloud. Benedict proclaims her "dead to him." After her parents' death in a fire, the deacons come to her offering marriage to a nephew that she doesn't want. Benedict finds her crying at the side of the street and thus begins their journey to Texas and the rest of their lives.
I like the author's use of characters from a different story series, A New Beginning, as a stopover on the journey. I have since started to read that series as well.
May 8, 2016
I love this series.
It doesn't matter where you start in the series all of the books are very good. Bossy Ben Blue sees Lillian crying on the street. He has hated her for ten years, since she embarrassed him at school. Now do to circumstances beyond their control he is forced to marry her and escort her to Texas. Along the way she is determined to make him love her. They stop in Kansas on their way to Texas and a strange woman accosted him. Elian sees him with the woman and thinks the worst. She Bollinger believes he's her knight in shining armor and he has to figure out what to do to win heroes back. This I s a very y story and a very quick k read. I believe you will enjoy this. Also, check out the first five books in the series.
It doesn't matter where you start in the series all of the books are very good. Bossy Ben Blue sees Lillian crying on the street. He has hated her for ten years, since she embarrassed him at school. Now do to circumstances beyond their control he is forced to marry her and escort her to Texas. Along the way she is determined to make him love her. They stop in Kansas on their way to Texas and a strange woman accosted him. Elian sees him with the woman and thinks the worst. She Bollinger believes he's her knight in shining armor and he has to figure out what to do to win heroes back. This I s a very y story and a very quick k read. I believe you will enjoy this. Also, check out the first five books in the series.
April 21, 2015
3 1/2 stars
I've enjoyed seeing the Blue brothers (whose sisters married the Daltons) find their own matches. Benedict Blue marries Lillian in order to protect her and take her to his sisters. He plans to anull their marriage when they get to Texas, but Lillian has other plans.
I liked it, but Lillian's plans to make their marriage real were funny and awkward. I could have done with a little less detail.
I've enjoyed seeing the Blue brothers (whose sisters married the Daltons) find their own matches. Benedict Blue marries Lillian in order to protect her and take her to his sisters. He plans to anull their marriage when they get to Texas, but Lillian has other plans.
I liked it, but Lillian's plans to make their marriage real were funny and awkward. I could have done with a little less detail.
April 14, 2015
BENEDICT'S BARGAIN BRIDE
I love these stories about family. Such a great love that lasted 10 years of being ignored! I hope there are even more series in the future. Now on to the last!
I love these stories about family. Such a great love that lasted 10 years of being ignored! I hope there are even more series in the future. Now on to the last!
April 15, 2015
Ben &Lillian
Awesome story Kirsten. Love the way you incorporated Ms. Adams characters. I loved her story also. Excellent job! I said it before and I will say this again. Anything you write I will read. Thank you Kirsten!
Awesome story Kirsten. Love the way you incorporated Ms. Adams characters. I loved her story also. Excellent job! I said it before and I will say this again. Anything you write I will read. Thank you Kirsten!
May 2, 2015
Just not my type of book.
May 7, 2015
Bossy Benedict, finds love.
Benedict Blue, hasn't spoken to Lillian for more than ten years. He sees her crying and stops to find out what is wrong. This Leland to marriage.
Benedict Blue, hasn't spoken to Lillian for more than ten years. He sees her crying and stops to find out what is wrong. This Leland to marriage.
March 31, 2020
Lillian and Ben- an enjoyable engaging story with a wonderful HEA
March 24, 2017
This was another sweet love story in this bride series. In this one, there is no mail order bride but there is a sudden marriage with an unwilling groom. Lillian has loved Benedict most of her life but he hasn't spoken to her for ten years because of a mistake she made when they were kids. Now she's in trouble because of the deacons and he has to decide if he's enough of a gentleman to help her. There are no steamy sex scenes - this is a sweet love story instead. Although this is a standalone story, I recommend reading the entire series in order so that you'll understand what the deacons have done and know the story of each member of the Blue family. I'm looking forward to Percy's story and hope the deacons get what's coming to them.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews