Caleb

The Surprise Brides #2

by Callie Hutton

Caleb Fraser is the town bad boy and enjoying the single life to the fullest. He has no intention of marrying. No time soon, anyway. He keeps telling his mama he will chose a wife shortly, just to keep her off his back. However, Mama Fraser takes the situation in hand and sends for mail order brides for all four of her sons.

Lily Parker is running from humiliation and is on her way to marry a stranger. She’s traveling with three other women, all of them contracted to wed the Fraser brothers. What they don’t know is the men have no idea they’re about to be hog-tied.

Both Lily and Caleb are in for a surprise. But will Lily’s surprise be too much for Caleb to handle?

Genres: Historical, Romance, Western Historical Romance, Western Romance

212 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 20, 2015

About the author

http://calliehutton.com/newsletter/ (receive a free book for signing up and be up to date on new releases and sales)

Hi Romance Fans,

My historical romances are full of heat, humor, and quirky characters. I’ve always loved history, which was my college major. Things of the past fascinate me. Not those boring history classes in high school, but the history of people. How they lived their lives, what they ate, what they wore, the challenges they faced, what they worried about.

I have recently delved into Historical Cozy Mysteries. My very first one, For the Love of the Baron, a Historical Romantic Suspense novella, spurred me to try a full length, non-romance focused cozy mystery. A Study in Murder released last year from Crooked Lane Publishing, and the reviews have been excellent. The second book, The Sign of Death, released this year and the next book, The Mystery of Albert E. Finch will release in January of 2022.

I've also been busy keeping up with my Regency/Victorian romances. Check out my latest series, The Rose Room Rogues. Four brothers who own a gambling club and find themselves caught in the net of love.

Watch for my new Highlander series, The Sutherlands of Dornoch. The first book in that series, To Deceive a Highlander, will release March 30th.

Take a look around my website and check out some of the books I write, and their lovely covers. www.calliehutton.com

Reviews

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a series where each book is written by a different author. So, we meet all of the cast in book one, presented by the first author. Then- we get this second book, written by a new person and to be honest- I didn't think it was that great. It didn't meet the expectations I had drummed up in my head for Caleb & Lillian in book one.

I also didn't find that the author stuck to the historical theme that well. Did men really call their women 'baby', or say the F word to their women, who are of the gentle breed of society? I don't know. I just didn't buy how Caleb talked to Lillian.

Also- I really didn't like how they all of a sudden fell in love when they barely got along. He constantly made her feel unwanted and shoved his old carousing ways in her face- whether on purpose or not. I just didn't buy their love for each other.

I also didn't think some parts from book two jived with what was said sometimes from book one or parts of book three, as I'm now reading that book.

[Vero Stro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Callie Hutton brings us a beautiful love story about an era where mail order brides were a common deed. This is one of foru books written by differente authors and part of The Surprise Brides. Caleb is surprised when her mother orders a mail order bride for him. Lilian wants to start again. Love doesn't come easy and they will need to adjust to their new reality. The book is sweet, well-written and very enjoyable! I really liked it!

[Viola · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice and enjoyable read

I really enjoyed reading this book by Callie Hutton. It is the 3rd book in the series, it is a stand alone book to read. Yet is nice to understand the other characters in the book. This one is about Caleb and Lily, Caleb is the 3rd son and Lily is the Librarian from Chicago. What can happen when Caleb is forced to merry when all he wants his freedom do what he wants. Very nice read

[Edna J Bayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disapointed

For being a Callie Hutton book I’m really disappointed. I didn’t like the character Caleb. I just didn’t like the book. It irritated me, so much so I skipped chapters to finish.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story. I really enjoyed it.

[Sara Archibald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received Caleb as an ARC for an honest review. There are 4 books in The Surprise Brides series. The books are about 4 brothers and each book is written by a different author, with each book, we see people from previous stories and then focus on the individual couples. You can read each book as a standalone however; I highly recommend you read them all. I couldn’t put them down from start to finish. I started with Jamie by Caroline Clemmons, then Caleb by Callie Hutton, Gideon by Cynthia Woolf and I’m reading Ethan by Sylvia McDaniel.

I was drawn in immediately and I highly recommend this book!

All Caleb Fraser wanted was to enjoy his life on his own terms and women lots of women! He didn’t see it coming when his mama leg shackled him to one Lily Parker. Caleb was a known to have fun but when his mama surprises him and each one of his brothers with wives what is going to do but to marry the woman or upset his mama and ruin the girl’s reputation.

Lily Parker was a librarian but has now run away from the humiliation because the man she was seeing for years up and married a new girl that came into town. However, Lily has a secret and she tries to figure out a way to tell her new husband. After a rough start Lily and Caleb start working towards their future, but when Caleb finds out her secret what will he do? Will he turn his back on her or will Love find a way.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner from Callie Hutton! I highly suggest this book. I immediately ordered the other three books in this series by other authors after reading Caleb and Lily's story.

The Surprise Brides series is about four brothers that receive mail order brides that were ordered by their mother without their or the mail order brides knowledge. This story is Caleb's and Lily's. Caleb has been a wild bad boy for years and is definitely not wanting a wife. After his mother has four mail order brides brought to their ranch in Angel Springs, Colorado, and sets the couples up, all four of the couples are married the next day to save the girls reputations as well as to please their mother.

Lily has had a troubled past with two men who deserted her. She decides to become Caleb's mail order bride. Of course when they meet and marry, sparks fly. Caleb is very outspoken about not wanting to have married her, plus he has ex-girlfriends that still want him after they learn he had married Lily. Can this couple overcome all their marital problems and misunderstandings?

I was given an ARC from the author in exchange of an honest review. My opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.

[Lori Meehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this story and I can't wait to read the other three books in the series. Callie Hutton writes some of the best western historical a that I've had the pleasure of reading. Mail Order Brides is such a fun troupe and Ms. Hutton has written one with a twist that I've not read before. Caleb Fraser's mother has sent for a Mail Order Bride for him and all three of his brothers. Only problem is the men knew nothing of it and are not pleased to say the least. Mrs. Fraser basically chooses the bride for each of her sons when they arrive and inform them that they will be back in the morning for their wedding or they will be brought there by gun point. Lily couldn't escape her home town fast enough she was looking forward to a man/husband who wants her. Unfortunately that is not what she found in Caleb.
This book is full of emotions, secrets and assumptions. Their chemistry was really good and it was a joy to watch these two work their way through a ruff situation and learn to love and except each other.
If you've not read Callie Hutton you are missing out on a true story teller.

[Cissie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four brothers - unmarried and living the single life. But their mother is not pleased and takes matters into her own hands. Four surprise brides appear at the ranch as a blizzard hits and each brother is assigned an unwanted wife. Callie Hutton shares Caleb's story with us. A playboy with a love for women and drinking, he isn't ready for monogamy. He's got too much living to do yet.

Lillian is on a quest to find a man who wants her. Not a man who uses her and tosses her aside. She isn't willing to share her man with other women either. Caleb is a looker but frustrating, obnoxious, a flirt, and everything she wants to avoid. Unfortunately, he's all hers. What has she agreed to and why?

This is a wonderful story about learning to love and discovering what is right in front of your eyes, waiting for you to realize what you have before it is lost forever.

** I received an ARC for my honest review. ** And, as always, Callie Hutton does not disappoint!

[Wende · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caleb and Lily were a sweet couple. Caleb’s mom sent away for a mail order bride for her sons. Caleb did not want to marry. He wanted to keep living the single life without thinking about the future. He met Lily and had to marry her or she would have been ruin. This story was not a quick affair into love but rather a slow wining road to love. Be warned there is a lot of angst and misunderstandings that a little talking would have solved it right up. If only I could have had 5 minutes with them I could have fixed their problems so much faster. Lol. I enjoyed it though and will continue with the series.

[Miriam Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprise brides!

I just love when we get a love hate relationship with our hero. Trapped in an unwanted marriage Gideon doesn't know if he should accept his marriage or keep up resisting the idea. Gideon has had a carefree life and has chased his share of woman. So he's not sure what to do with a pure wife, or how he will convince her to enjoy marriage. Lilli has made mistakes in her past, how will her husband understand she's not innocent anymore? Wonderful story, even their arguments we're fun to read.

[Shirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Callie Hutton is a great writer. This story is a good old fashion love story that starts off rough forcing people together when they didn't want it. The minds say no, but the hearts and emotions start to take over and what happens in between, makes this a very interesting book to read. I highly recommend this to everyone that wants a good love story.
Looking forward to reading the other books in this series.

[EvilAntie Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quintessential Callie Hutton

I love ensembles of writers and the premise of mail order brides and the old west is a killer combination. In this particular entry we have Caleb and Lily both really interesting characters with an expertly well crafted plot.- they don't or want each other and both have a "past" and both make this book a really enjoyable read. I hoping at some point that a collection of all four books is produced.

[ReadingWench · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. The characters are very believable and the plot great. Looking forward to reading the next.

[Sydnee Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caleb is a man that needs a good women to set him right. Lily is just that women too. He just needs to realize it.