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American Mail-Order Brides #41
Grace: Bride of Montana
Practical Grace Davenport thought she had her life all planned, including picking out the perfect husband. But she couldn’t have predicted the disaster that changed everything, leaving her no choice but to become a mail-order bride to a most imperfect man.
104 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 29, 2015
635 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Debra Holland
65 books318 followersUSA Today Bestselling author Debra Holland is a three-time Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist and one time winner. She’s the author of the award winning Montana Sky Series, sweet, historical Western romance. Book Two, Starry Montana Sky, was selected by Amazon as one of 50 Greatest Love Stories. Debra is also the author of The Gods’ Dream Trilogy, fantasy romance. Painted Montana Sky Christmas is her latest book.
Debra has written a nonfiction book, The Essential Guide to Grief and Grieving from Alpha Books (a subsidiary of Penguin). She has a free ebooklet available on her website, http://drdebraholland.com: 58 Tips for Getting What You Want From a Difficult Conversation.
Debra has written a nonfiction book, The Essential Guide to Grief and Grieving from Alpha Books (a subsidiary of Penguin). She has a free ebooklet available on her website, http://drdebraholland.com: 58 Tips for Getting What You Want From a Difficult Conversation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 24, 2016
3.5 Stars
This is a sweet story with likable characters and a well thought out plot. I would have liked a bit more depth in the hero and heroine, but it's an enjoyable read nonetheless. Happy reading!
This is a sweet story with likable characters and a well thought out plot. I would have liked a bit more depth in the hero and heroine, but it's an enjoyable read nonetheless. Happy reading!
September 17, 2016
Jilted by false pretense, causes a change in her life.
Taking a big risk and heading out west to be a mail order bride; brings two together as they overcome past issues and open up to one another.
Taking a big risk and heading out west to be a mail order bride; brings two together as they overcome past issues and open up to one another.
May 18, 2019
Narrated by: Lara Asmundson
Series: American Mail-Order Brides, Book 41
Length: 3 hrs and 45 mins
This is a story about two people who have been hurt in the past working to build a true relationship after the heroine learns that what she was hoping for in her life won't happen in the most awful manner. It shows the struggles of Frey and Grace as they work out their insecurities and doubts to realize they were both in love with one another. Such a sweet love story!!!!!
Series: American Mail-Order Brides, Book 41
Length: 3 hrs and 45 mins
This is a story about two people who have been hurt in the past working to build a true relationship after the heroine learns that what she was hoping for in her life won't happen in the most awful manner. It shows the struggles of Frey and Grace as they work out their insecurities and doubts to realize they were both in love with one another. Such a sweet love story!!!!!
June 12, 2020
This was simply wonderful. Debra Holland has written a story of the how life can take you on a different path, but it was the one you needed all along. Grace is one of the girls who lost their job from the factor they worked in burning down. Through a series of events she ends up a mail order bride to a man in Montana, Frey had been working hard to build his business and he advertised for a mail order bride. These two meet and it is a journey or friendship and understanding that leads love. The narrator Lara Asmundson was truly spot on in her voices and with the heartfelt words of Debra Holland, I could only sigh as it ended.
But! I love the cover and the story that was shared at the end!!
But! I love the cover and the story that was shared at the end!!
March 28, 2018
Interesting Novella That Fits with Multiple Series.
This is a story of a Mail-Order bride, Grace and her husband, Frey. It fits well with both the Mail-Oerder Brides of the West series and the Sweetwater Springs series. It looks like I will start to read the American Mail-Order Brides series. My only disappointment with this book is it's only 10 chapters leaving little time for details or other characters.
This is a story of a Mail-Order bride, Grace and her husband, Frey. It fits well with both the Mail-Oerder Brides of the West series and the Sweetwater Springs series. It looks like I will start to read the American Mail-Order Brides series. My only disappointment with this book is it's only 10 chapters leaving little time for details or other characters.
October 1, 2020
Simple, Beautiful Story
This book, Grace, is a simple but beautiful story of a woman who looses her job due to a fire and as a last resort becomes a mail-order- bride. The journey of both the bride and groom getting over their fears to build a true binding marriage will lift your spirits as much as it did for them.
This book, Grace, is a simple but beautiful story of a woman who looses her job due to a fire and as a last resort becomes a mail-order- bride. The journey of both the bride and groom getting over their fears to build a true binding marriage will lift your spirits as much as it did for them.
June 5, 2017
Western historical romance of little note. It's clean and sweet. The plot could have happened anywhere at any time, except for the mail order part of it. Except for Grace, the characters are familiar as this is number 41 of 50 in the series. After a few books, the series is growing tedious.
August 24, 2017
A short,sweet,love story.....
Graces story of finding love is innocent,sweet pleasure for the reader. Short and completely well written by Debra Holland.
She shines at coming up with adventures her characters some how seem to triumph through. Continue on Ms. Holland.... Please!!
Graces story of finding love is innocent,sweet pleasure for the reader. Short and completely well written by Debra Holland.
She shines at coming up with adventures her characters some how seem to triumph through. Continue on Ms. Holland.... Please!!
March 27, 2019
I enjoyed the exchange between Frey and Grace. I have read all the bride's of the west book bad liked Grace and Berths the best.
The book was an easy read. Grace was typical. Frey was great. So glad they found each other. Love and the west go hAnd and hand.
The book was an easy read. Grace was typical. Frey was great. So glad they found each other. Love and the west go hAnd and hand.
December 17, 2020
Grace: Bride of Montana (American Mail-Order Bride)
Frey wanted a wife so he talked to his friends Tracy and Seth. Grace heart was broken when she finds out Victor was already married. So Grace answered Frey letter.
Frey wanted a wife so he talked to his friends Tracy and Seth. Grace heart was broken when she finds out Victor was already married. So Grace answered Frey letter.
May 24, 2022
Somehow I missed this book!
I have loved each book of this series and keep hoping I had missed a few as I didn't want them to end! I was lucky to find that I had missed this one and loved it just as much as the rest of the series! Sad that they are over.
I have loved each book of this series and keep hoping I had missed a few as I didn't want them to end! I was lucky to find that I had missed this one and loved it just as much as the rest of the series! Sad that they are over.
July 28, 2023
Slow burn
Grace and Frey's love story takes time to develop, and I love the beauty of it. I appreciate how two people with previous hurts take time to bond and build a relationship. Gertie is also a welcome addition, and I love the humor and teasing they share.
Grace and Frey's love story takes time to develop, and I love the beauty of it. I appreciate how two people with previous hurts take time to bond and build a relationship. Gertie is also a welcome addition, and I love the humor and teasing they share.
February 12, 2017
Really enjoyed this book, but do feel it was too brief. Just when the story was improving and starting to hit it's stride, it ended.
April 10, 2020
Such a nice preview novel to the start of the Montana Series.
September 20, 2020
A man with a plan, and a girl looking for a new life. He was very sweet to her.
May 5, 2023
Good
Quick read. Cute story of a mail order bride gone right. A handsome and strong viking and who could not be happy. Lol. It was a sweet clean romance novella.
Quick read. Cute story of a mail order bride gone right. A handsome and strong viking and who could not be happy. Lol. It was a sweet clean romance novella.
April 20, 2024
it was written well - but all the buildup was for nothing. it was very underwhelming tbh
April 27, 2016
Grace’s story is technically book number 41 in the 50 books series American Mail-Order Brides; but don’t be fooled by this statement, you do not need to read them in any order. Each bride is simply from a different state in the United States. Grace is the bride of Montana – although her story starts in Massachusetts and with a sort of tragic story.
Grace sets her mind on becoming a mail-order bride because the company she works for burns down and her romantic prospects take a huge flop. She is desperate to get as far away from where everything has turned toward the worst and can’t perceive anywhere being further away than Montana. When she arrives in Montana she is met not only by her future spouse, Frey, but also Trudy and Seth Flanagan. It was interesting to see Grace interact with Trudy as Trudy arrived in Montana as a mail-order bride herself (she even has her own book!) and she could offer experience and someone for Grace to relate to in the new world. The scenes between Grace and Frey are sweet and develop from a friendship and into love. They both give each other time to get acquainted with their situation and don’t try to force something that isn’t necessarily there…yet. Grace is still reeling from the failed relationship at home and is both trying to deal with that as well as this new romantic relationship – so she is a rocky boat but trying to make the best of it.
This is a low drama novel; its strength is in its character building. I appreciated that the author allowed the characters to get to know each other and not have them fall in love at first sight. All of the characters are very likable and I found their conversations to be downright funny at times. There is one dramatic scene toward the end that really cements this new relationship, a pivotal moment that caught me off guard as I was used to the low key nature of the plot.
The heat rating is very low on this one – as I said, they are really just trying to figure things out and Grace is still mourning her last relationship. There are sweet thoughts, some hand holding, and a chaste kiss or two – it all made sense with how their relationship was forming.
I enjoyed this novella and would love to read more set in this world of Sweetwater Springs – which is excellent as there are not only many written by this author but a few written by other authors as well!
I had some issues with the narrator, most notably the voice that she used when reading the lines and thoughts of Frey, the male protagonist. It sounds like she was trying hard to pull over a low pitched voice, which didn’t quite come off natural, but felt a little forced. It would shake me from the story every time Frey would come back into the story, which was a little unfortunate as he was very often there. I didn’t have any issues with her other voices, even for the other male character, Seth Flanagan. I think it would have been markedly improved if she did not try for so low a voice for Frey. Ms. Asmundson narrates many of the novels in the Montana Sky series, particularly the Mail-Order Brides of the West segment, so I’m hoping that this doesn’t continue to be a repeated issue for me, since I would like to enjoy more of these on audio format. I enjoyed her pacing of the story, it felt natural and even overall.
This review was previously posted at The Maiden's Court blog and the audio download was received in exchange for an honest review.
Grace sets her mind on becoming a mail-order bride because the company she works for burns down and her romantic prospects take a huge flop. She is desperate to get as far away from where everything has turned toward the worst and can’t perceive anywhere being further away than Montana. When she arrives in Montana she is met not only by her future spouse, Frey, but also Trudy and Seth Flanagan. It was interesting to see Grace interact with Trudy as Trudy arrived in Montana as a mail-order bride herself (she even has her own book!) and she could offer experience and someone for Grace to relate to in the new world. The scenes between Grace and Frey are sweet and develop from a friendship and into love. They both give each other time to get acquainted with their situation and don’t try to force something that isn’t necessarily there…yet. Grace is still reeling from the failed relationship at home and is both trying to deal with that as well as this new romantic relationship – so she is a rocky boat but trying to make the best of it.
This is a low drama novel; its strength is in its character building. I appreciated that the author allowed the characters to get to know each other and not have them fall in love at first sight. All of the characters are very likable and I found their conversations to be downright funny at times. There is one dramatic scene toward the end that really cements this new relationship, a pivotal moment that caught me off guard as I was used to the low key nature of the plot.
The heat rating is very low on this one – as I said, they are really just trying to figure things out and Grace is still mourning her last relationship. There are sweet thoughts, some hand holding, and a chaste kiss or two – it all made sense with how their relationship was forming.
I enjoyed this novella and would love to read more set in this world of Sweetwater Springs – which is excellent as there are not only many written by this author but a few written by other authors as well!
I had some issues with the narrator, most notably the voice that she used when reading the lines and thoughts of Frey, the male protagonist. It sounds like she was trying hard to pull over a low pitched voice, which didn’t quite come off natural, but felt a little forced. It would shake me from the story every time Frey would come back into the story, which was a little unfortunate as he was very often there. I didn’t have any issues with her other voices, even for the other male character, Seth Flanagan. I think it would have been markedly improved if she did not try for so low a voice for Frey. Ms. Asmundson narrates many of the novels in the Montana Sky series, particularly the Mail-Order Brides of the West segment, so I’m hoping that this doesn’t continue to be a repeated issue for me, since I would like to enjoy more of these on audio format. I enjoyed her pacing of the story, it felt natural and even overall.
This review was previously posted at The Maiden's Court blog and the audio download was received in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2016
Mine to protect. Mine to cherish.
GRACE: BRIDE OF MONTANA by Debra Holland is a truly lovely clean western historical romance! Before I even delved into it, I was captivated by the extra personal touches that were incorporated into this installment including that the author, herself, is featured on the cover AND that the dog in the story is patterned after the dog who owns the hunky male model featured on the cover with Debra. As with all of her books in this series, this book works exceedingly well as a standalone, if that is your preference.
This is the story of Grace Dickinson, who had her eyes set on another man until she discovered he was married and broke her heart, and Frey Foster, a skilled mason dubbed the 'Viking' because of his considerable size and his Norwegian ancestry. Both are genuine, realistic characters who are guaranteed to pull at your heartstrings with their emotions and histories. It is a real pleasure to watch from the sidelines as Grace's and Frey's relationship delightfully evolves from strangers to friends.
I just love the small, homey community of Sweetwater Springs where this story is set. It is always a joy to catch up with favorite characters who reside there from the former mail-order brides' books. Seth Flanigan and his feisty mail-order bride, Trudy, and Reverend and Mrs. Norton are two of the couples who have substantial supporting roles herein.
I can't imagine anyone other than Lara Asmundson voicing this series. She always delivers a polished, solid, totally awesome performance with her clear, pleasant voice that is wholly easy on the ear. She never fails to nail all aspects of the stories from seamlessly differentiating between the characters, to the pacing, to perfectly exuding the array of feelings displayed by the individuals in the story. I look forward to savoring many more of her renditions in the future.
Debra Holland's books always bring joy to my heart and leave me with a feeling of warmth when all is said and done. This is a sweet and caring romance teeming with passion and fervor. I highly recommend GRACE: BRIDE OF MONTANA to anyone who enjoys mesmerizing, extremely well-written tales of historical western romance.
Suggested Reading Order:
Grace: Bride of Montana is #41 in the unprecedented 50-Book American Mail-Order Brides series.
It is also part of the author's Montana Sky Series, which includes The Mail-Order Brides of the West, masterfully straddling both series.
My full review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Please check it out there: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
GRACE: BRIDE OF MONTANA by Debra Holland is a truly lovely clean western historical romance! Before I even delved into it, I was captivated by the extra personal touches that were incorporated into this installment including that the author, herself, is featured on the cover AND that the dog in the story is patterned after the dog who owns the hunky male model featured on the cover with Debra. As with all of her books in this series, this book works exceedingly well as a standalone, if that is your preference.
This is the story of Grace Dickinson, who had her eyes set on another man until she discovered he was married and broke her heart, and Frey Foster, a skilled mason dubbed the 'Viking' because of his considerable size and his Norwegian ancestry. Both are genuine, realistic characters who are guaranteed to pull at your heartstrings with their emotions and histories. It is a real pleasure to watch from the sidelines as Grace's and Frey's relationship delightfully evolves from strangers to friends.
I just love the small, homey community of Sweetwater Springs where this story is set. It is always a joy to catch up with favorite characters who reside there from the former mail-order brides' books. Seth Flanigan and his feisty mail-order bride, Trudy, and Reverend and Mrs. Norton are two of the couples who have substantial supporting roles herein.
I can't imagine anyone other than Lara Asmundson voicing this series. She always delivers a polished, solid, totally awesome performance with her clear, pleasant voice that is wholly easy on the ear. She never fails to nail all aspects of the stories from seamlessly differentiating between the characters, to the pacing, to perfectly exuding the array of feelings displayed by the individuals in the story. I look forward to savoring many more of her renditions in the future.
Debra Holland's books always bring joy to my heart and leave me with a feeling of warmth when all is said and done. This is a sweet and caring romance teeming with passion and fervor. I highly recommend GRACE: BRIDE OF MONTANA to anyone who enjoys mesmerizing, extremely well-written tales of historical western romance.
Suggested Reading Order:
Grace: Bride of Montana is #41 in the unprecedented 50-Book American Mail-Order Brides series.
It is also part of the author's Montana Sky Series, which includes The Mail-Order Brides of the West, masterfully straddling both series.
My full review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Please check it out there: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
April 2, 2016
Frey and Grace are such a lovely couple. It was wonderful reading their story. It made me think of the saying, "When God closes a door, He opens a window."
At the beginning, my heart broke for Grace because she was preyed upon when she was vulnerable. I fell in love with her strength and character. She was able to take charge of her life and not allow her heartache to stop her. Frey is a wonderful gentle giant who is impossible not to love but it was
Gertie who stole my heart.
I have two favorite parts in the book. The first is when an unexpected guest interrupts the wedding and the second is when Gertie behaves heroically during the outing.
Favorite line: “Grace caught her breath at the magical sight, too awed to even speak. Without turning her head, she reached for Frey, clasping his hand to keep herself rooted to the earth, lest the buoyancy filling her soul float her into the brilliant blue sky.”
At the beginning, my heart broke for Grace because she was preyed upon when she was vulnerable. I fell in love with her strength and character. She was able to take charge of her life and not allow her heartache to stop her. Frey is a wonderful gentle giant who is impossible not to love but it was
Gertie who stole my heart.
I have two favorite parts in the book. The first is when an unexpected guest interrupts the wedding and the second is when Gertie behaves heroically during the outing.
Favorite line: “Grace caught her breath at the magical sight, too awed to even speak. Without turning her head, she reached for Frey, clasping his hand to keep herself rooted to the earth, lest the buoyancy filling her soul float her into the brilliant blue sky.”
March 8, 2016
Grace: Bride of Montana (American Mail-Order Bride #41)
By: Debra Holland
4/5 stars
Grace had been saving and planning for her marriage, just as soon as her beau landed himself another contract, which would be enough for them to start their new marriage. But she finds out later that he’s married and took advantage of her naiveté. So she takes her only recourse, and becomes a mail-order bride.
Frey is a gentle-giant and a master builder. He is getting in on the ground level of an expanding town. He sees what his friends have in their marriage and expanding family and he wants the same for himself. Frey places his ad and when Grace arrives, they are married. He’s willing to give in to just about anything to make his new wife happy. But in the end, she likes many of the things that he does and when they don’t agree there are compromises.
They both have issues that they have to work on getting over and open their hearts to the possibility that they may also fall in love.
By: Debra Holland
4/5 stars
Grace had been saving and planning for her marriage, just as soon as her beau landed himself another contract, which would be enough for them to start their new marriage. But she finds out later that he’s married and took advantage of her naiveté. So she takes her only recourse, and becomes a mail-order bride.
Frey is a gentle-giant and a master builder. He is getting in on the ground level of an expanding town. He sees what his friends have in their marriage and expanding family and he wants the same for himself. Frey places his ad and when Grace arrives, they are married. He’s willing to give in to just about anything to make his new wife happy. But in the end, she likes many of the things that he does and when they don’t agree there are compromises.
They both have issues that they have to work on getting over and open their hearts to the possibility that they may also fall in love.
January 25, 2016
Heartbroken and scared, left with nothing, Grace has no choice but to leave and become a mail order bride. And Montana looks like the perfect place.
Frey is lonely and longs to share his life so he places his add for a bride. And upon meeting her he is immediately smitten. But will she be able to fall in love with him, a giant of a man and be happy?
With the struggles of the west and their own insecurities, they must work together to lay a foundation of friendship and love. And with friends like Seth and Trudy they are off to a good start.
Loved the story between Grace and Frey and the feelings they invoke. Her fear and insecurity in her own judgement is heartfelt and Frey is a perfect gentleman with the wonderful ability to make her laugh and comfortable. Great great read!!
Frey is lonely and longs to share his life so he places his add for a bride. And upon meeting her he is immediately smitten. But will she be able to fall in love with him, a giant of a man and be happy?
With the struggles of the west and their own insecurities, they must work together to lay a foundation of friendship and love. And with friends like Seth and Trudy they are off to a good start.
Loved the story between Grace and Frey and the feelings they invoke. Her fear and insecurity in her own judgement is heartfelt and Frey is a perfect gentleman with the wonderful ability to make her laugh and comfortable. Great great read!!
April 26, 2016
Grace by Debra Holland
A charming mail order bride novella. It has heart, rejection, and friendship as key elements. I appreciated how Grace, the heroine, sees Frey with an animated personality, gesturing with his whole body. His amenable lightness in personality becomes very apparent in his comment of how he did a "Spectacular job of choosing friends".
I really enjoyed reading the afterward by the author. She talks about how the cover and the model became part of the story. It makes you feel included in the process and to take another look at it.
I listened to the audible version and occasionally followed along with the ebook. The narrater is very pleasing to the ear.
A charming mail order bride novella. It has heart, rejection, and friendship as key elements. I appreciated how Grace, the heroine, sees Frey with an animated personality, gesturing with his whole body. His amenable lightness in personality becomes very apparent in his comment of how he did a "Spectacular job of choosing friends".
I really enjoyed reading the afterward by the author. She talks about how the cover and the model became part of the story. It makes you feel included in the process and to take another look at it.
I listened to the audible version and occasionally followed along with the ebook. The narrater is very pleasing to the ear.
February 16, 2016
Grace: Bride of Montana
I really enjoyed this story; it is in the Sweetwater Springs series, as well as the American Mail-Order Bride series. It never ceases to amaze me how Debra Holland can come up with the great story lines that she does. Each story is so unique and interesting that I get lost in reading them.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical romance. You can't go wrong with a Debra Holland book!
I really enjoyed this story; it is in the Sweetwater Springs series, as well as the American Mail-Order Bride series. It never ceases to amaze me how Debra Holland can come up with the great story lines that she does. Each story is so unique and interesting that I get lost in reading them.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical romance. You can't go wrong with a Debra Holland book!
May 12, 2016
Grace's life gets turned upside down when the factory where she is working is destroyed and the man she was planning to marry already has a wife. She decides to become a mail order bride.
Grace travels to Sweetwater Springs Montana. I was able to catch up with another mail order bride, Trudy, from another book by Debra Holland.
I enjoyed reading about Grace's journey west and how she handles all of the challenges in her life.
Grace travels to Sweetwater Springs Montana. I was able to catch up with another mail order bride, Trudy, from another book by Debra Holland.
I enjoyed reading about Grace's journey west and how she handles all of the challenges in her life.
July 4, 2017
Grace had a good job and was in love. Then everything fell apart. The factory where she worked burned down and she found out the man she was going to marry was already married. She decided that she needed to move away and answered an ad for a mail order bride. She doesn't think that she will be able to really love her new husband as she should, but she would try. Her new husband is so wonderful, she just might start believing in love again.
Read
November 26, 2016I've always loved Debra Hollands book but this one seems a bit more special. Grace is a sweet girl who travels west because she realized the man she loved was a deceitful person. The difference with all the mail order brides books s the hero in the story. He is so wonderful, sweet and just so lovable from the very beginning. It's just a beautiful written book that will captivate you until the very end.
December 29, 2015
Amazing
I was not expecting such an excellent story with such interesting characters who are beyond belief. I LOVED this book and the whole series. Thank you Debra and all of the authors who contributed.
I was not expecting such an excellent story with such interesting characters who are beyond belief. I LOVED this book and the whole series. Thank you Debra and all of the authors who contributed.
January 30, 2016
Happy Story
I really enjoyed Grace's story. She had a few things to o overcome and Frey gave her the space she needed. I like that he was a kind and caring soul in the body of a Viking. I also loved Gertie. She added her own canine flair to the story.
I really enjoyed Grace's story. She had a few things to o overcome and Frey gave her the space she needed. I like that he was a kind and caring soul in the body of a Viking. I also loved Gertie. She added her own canine flair to the story.
August 10, 2016
This was a nice and a quick read. I greatly enjoyed the characters and their story. The story is familiar but not so much that it bothered me. It was fun to read about the author's inspiration for the story at the end and that the other characters in the story can be found in other books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews