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Sweet Land of Liberty Brides #1
Giovanna: The Cowboy's Calabrese Mail Order Bride
The year is 1892, and Giovanna is a young widow struggling to raise her daughter on her own. Hard-working, beautiful, and honest to a fault, Giovanna's dreams of a life with her husband, Frank, were cut short when he died soon after they arrived from Calabria, Italy, four years earlier. Now Giovanna must find a way to help her sick daughter, Rosa, before she loses the only thing she loves!
Laars Gundersen has broken from his family in Minnesota to work a claim in the Dakota Territory. He needs a wife, but his work ethic and cool Nordic ways don't leave much time for children.
Will Giovanna find the love she deserves and be able to care for Rosa before it's too late? Find out in this clean, sweet historical romance, Book One in the Sweet Land of Liberty Brides series.
Lorena Dove writes sweet, clean, inspirational Western romance, suitable for readers of all ages.
Laars Gundersen has broken from his family in Minnesota to work a claim in the Dakota Territory. He needs a wife, but his work ethic and cool Nordic ways don't leave much time for children.
Will Giovanna find the love she deserves and be able to care for Rosa before it's too late? Find out in this clean, sweet historical romance, Book One in the Sweet Land of Liberty Brides series.
Lorena Dove writes sweet, clean, inspirational Western romance, suitable for readers of all ages.
175 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 2, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 14, 2018
I love mail order bride stories but this was pretty weak. Husband's views changed so fast I nearly got whiplash.
July 31, 2017
A book that fails on just about every level! The plot is predictable and lacks drama, the characters are so thin they might as well be flat-landers.
July 6, 2018
A charming little (and short) story about Laars, who owns a claim in Dakota, and Giovanna, a young penniless widow who answers his advert for a bride and heads out with her sick daughter Rosa to marry him in the hopes that he might pay for a doctor to heal her. Problem is, Laars did not have a clue how sick Rosa was, nor does he have a lot of time for children.
A lovely story, with a good plot and very likeable characters, a fluent narration. But - the story was too short to do justice to the plot and the development of the characters, or the changes of heart they have to undergo. Everything happened too quickly to just fit into the length of the story. This is a case where the book definitely would have gained a lot by "fleshing" out a bit.
A lovely story, with a good plot and very likeable characters, a fluent narration. But - the story was too short to do justice to the plot and the development of the characters, or the changes of heart they have to undergo. Everything happened too quickly to just fit into the length of the story. This is a case where the book definitely would have gained a lot by "fleshing" out a bit.
May 21, 2017
A very nice story.
This is a very nice story a d a quick read. Obama's husband had died shortly after coming to America. When her daughter Rosa became ill she didn't know what to do. She had met a woman who suggested that she become a mail order bride and helped her find a husband. She received a letter from Laar's who agreed to marry her. When they arrived he did not know that Rosa was sick and was quite upset when he found out. When Rosa was dying he figured everything out and went to Giovanna to express his love. You'll have to read the book to find out if Rosa lived and if Giovanna loved him.
This is a very nice story a d a quick read. Obama's husband had died shortly after coming to America. When her daughter Rosa became ill she didn't know what to do. She had met a woman who suggested that she become a mail order bride and helped her find a husband. She received a letter from Laar's who agreed to marry her. When they arrived he did not know that Rosa was sick and was quite upset when he found out. When Rosa was dying he figured everything out and went to Giovanna to express his love. You'll have to read the book to find out if Rosa lived and if Giovanna loved him.
April 19, 2018
I’m a big fan of Mail order bride stories
Giovanna a young widow with a daughter, randomly becomes a mail order bride. She leaves all she’d known since moving to the states from Italy and then finds herself in a similar position years later.
Like every mail order bride, she’s uncertain of her marriage and her daughter’s life.
This was extremely short that I felt there were important parts missing.
Giovanna should have kept in touch with Mrs Forsythe. Love also takes time to develop not within a week!
However the story was quite all right and captivating. I am unsure if I could read more from this author but maybe one more won’t be a bad idea.
Giovanna a young widow with a daughter, randomly becomes a mail order bride. She leaves all she’d known since moving to the states from Italy and then finds herself in a similar position years later.
Like every mail order bride, she’s uncertain of her marriage and her daughter’s life.
This was extremely short that I felt there were important parts missing.
Giovanna should have kept in touch with Mrs Forsythe. Love also takes time to develop not within a week!
However the story was quite all right and captivating. I am unsure if I could read more from this author but maybe one more won’t be a bad idea.
August 10, 2019
Sweet short novella!
This story was too quick, I was able to read the story within an hour. I do have to commend the author for having the main protagonist as an immigrant mail order bride with a daughter. I feel this book had so much potential and was disappointed how quickly the character’s flaws especially Laar’s flaws were resolved. I really did not feel how quickly he fell in love with Giovanna, this story was too short for me I felt Giovanna’s character was the only one who I really got to know.
This story was too quick, I was able to read the story within an hour. I do have to commend the author for having the main protagonist as an immigrant mail order bride with a daughter. I feel this book had so much potential and was disappointed how quickly the character’s flaws especially Laar’s flaws were resolved. I really did not feel how quickly he fell in love with Giovanna, this story was too short for me I felt Giovanna’s character was the only one who I really got to know.
July 6, 2026
The characters' stereotypical basic attributes were a help in defining them in this shorter story since it offers little room for developing them.
Giovanna doesn't change much during the story except where she drops her pride to ask for medical help for Rosa. Laars, though, does change. In his frustration, he remembers the advice he's been given in the past and reevaluates his feelings about Giovanna and Rosa.
I like that you could see they both chose to love each other. They were married. They took seriously that they had made that commitment.
Giovanna doesn't change much during the story except where she drops her pride to ask for medical help for Rosa. Laars, though, does change. In his frustration, he remembers the advice he's been given in the past and reevaluates his feelings about Giovanna and Rosa.
I like that you could see they both chose to love each other. They were married. They took seriously that they had made that commitment.
November 2, 2018
Kind of sweet novella
I like Giovona, Right day, and Laars. Giovanna was so dedicated to her sweet, sick daughter. Laars needed a wife so sent for a mail order bride. He felt cheated and deceived when Giovanna arrived with a very sick daughter, who was going to cost him a lot of money. I won’t give away more. It was ok, but a bit jumpy and seemed to end abruptly. I guess novellas don’t have much time for stories.
I like Giovona, Right day, and Laars. Giovanna was so dedicated to her sweet, sick daughter. Laars needed a wife so sent for a mail order bride. He felt cheated and deceived when Giovanna arrived with a very sick daughter, who was going to cost him a lot of money. I won’t give away more. It was ok, but a bit jumpy and seemed to end abruptly. I guess novellas don’t have much time for stories.
February 26, 2021
I wanted to give 4 stars. Liked this short story. Giovanni lost her husband, Rosa's father to consumption. Rosa now has a cough that's getting worse. So Giovanna answers an ad for a wife placed by Laars. Laars was not expecting a child, let alone a sick one, but does what's necessary to get her help. He realizes that he's fallen for them both and doesn't want to lose them. Nice ending.
January 11, 2018
Very interesting book
liked Giovanna determination to raise her daughter no matter what. Did not like husbands lack understanding until he realized how
Much he had at stake after understanding proved how much he really caredLiked From your
liked Giovanna determination to raise her daughter no matter what. Did not like husbands lack understanding until he realized how
Much he had at stake after understanding proved how much he really caredLiked From your
February 20, 2018
Lovely easy read
It is definitely a love story. I really enjoyed it. It was too short though. :-) other than the length, it was a good tale. It could use a little more fleshing out and would be much more.
It is definitely a love story. I really enjoyed it. It was too short though. :-) other than the length, it was a good tale. It could use a little more fleshing out and would be much more.
February 14, 2019
Great sweet read. It was nice and kept my attention. Loved the story line. The characters were just adorable.
The leading lady was described so well, it seemed like I could see her. Loved the outcome. Ma!we got an enjoyable evening of reading!
The leading lady was described so well, it seemed like I could see her. Loved the outcome. Ma!we got an enjoyable evening of reading!
August 10, 2019
Sweet, but a little hard to follow sometimes.
This story was sweet and pleasant to read, but it had some point of view slip-ups and could be hard to follow at times. I enjoyed it well enough. It was a bit slow in areas as well, but otherwise good! A nice, quick read.
This story was sweet and pleasant to read, but it had some point of view slip-ups and could be hard to follow at times. I enjoyed it well enough. It was a bit slow in areas as well, but otherwise good! A nice, quick read.
October 23, 2019
A Short Sweet Story
This is a short, sweet mail order bride story. It’s also a clean romance between the main characters. I loved the story but it’s one fault was that it was much too short. Still I will be sure to read more of the author’s work in the future.
This is a short, sweet mail order bride story. It’s also a clean romance between the main characters. I loved the story but it’s one fault was that it was much too short. Still I will be sure to read more of the author’s work in the future.
November 19, 2019
Interesting combination
A nice romance with a happy ending. I'm sure with mail order brides their were all kinds of combinations, but an Italian immigrant widow with a Scandinavian is not a couple I would have imagined. Should be an in e marriage!
A nice romance with a happy ending. I'm sure with mail order brides their were all kinds of combinations, but an Italian immigrant widow with a Scandinavian is not a couple I would have imagined. Should be an in e marriage!
December 24, 2021
A tender story with love and motherhood front and center. The intentions of each person in a mail order bride encounter start as a need and end up as a want with love at it's center. I enjoyed reading this and look forward to more of the same in the future.
July 23, 2017
Characters are lacking
Maybe due to the length but I felt the story could have been more promising but the characters somehow lost in this book.
Maybe due to the length but I felt the story could have been more promising but the characters somehow lost in this book.
January 21, 2018
This was a good mail order bride story. I felt all her heartaches & was glad when husband realized what was important.
February 3, 2018
Short and clean
I enjoy mail order bride stories. This one was simple and short. It was free from sexual tension and descriptions. Fluffy light read
I enjoy mail order bride stories. This one was simple and short. It was free from sexual tension and descriptions. Fluffy light read
February 19, 2018
Loved it. A fan!
I'm a fan. A delightful read. I love Miss Dove and her unique take on humankind. Loved it! Give us more Lorena.
I'm a fan. A delightful read. I love Miss Dove and her unique take on humankind. Loved it! Give us more Lorena.
February 19, 2018
Rosa
Cute story. Italian and Swedish immigrants coming together to form a family with sick child pulling them together. A mail order bride book.
Cute story. Italian and Swedish immigrants coming together to form a family with sick child pulling them together. A mail order bride book.
February 21, 2018
A sweet short read
I wish the book was longer. I loved the characters and the plot was good. Would like to read more by Lorena Dove.
I wish the book was longer. I loved the characters and the plot was good. Would like to read more by Lorena Dove.
February 21, 2018
Ebook
She’s a widow with a sickly child, she answers a mailorder bride add. He’s not ready for wife and child but there’s something about her ...
She’s a widow with a sickly child, she answers a mailorder bride add. He’s not ready for wife and child but there’s something about her ...
February 21, 2018
History and Inspiration
Imagine traveling for days to marry someone you've never met. The life of this mail order bride is heart-rending and inspiring.
Imagine traveling for days to marry someone you've never met. The life of this mail order bride is heart-rending and inspiring.
February 21, 2018
Quick read
A good book but short. I enjoy books about mail order brides. I'll continue the series. Just wish they were a little longer.
A good book but short. I enjoy books about mail order brides. I'll continue the series. Just wish they were a little longer.
February 21, 2018
It was okay. But author could have made the connection between the couple take more time. I wouldn't recommend it though I gave it four stars.
February 22, 2018
Short
I didn't know this was a short story. Was good a made me cry. I wish it was a novel
I didn't know this was a short story. Was good a made me cry. I wish it was a novel
February 28, 2018
Reminds reader of courage and adaptability of women settling the American west.
good model of risk-taking
good model of risk-taking
March 1, 2018
Short Story.
Surprised the story was so short, but it had a good storyline. It is hard to develops characters, but I did enjoy it.
Surprised the story was so short, but it had a good storyline. It is hard to develops characters, but I did enjoy it.
March 2, 2018
Good short story
This is a sweet story. I like it a lot. This story had me from the first page. This us a clean Christian story and I highly recommend it.
This is a sweet story. I like it a lot. This story had me from the first page. This us a clean Christian story and I highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews