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American Mail-Order Brides #29
Hannah: Bride of Iowa
Samuel Morrison, a farmer from Iowa, is in need of a wife and a mother for Lizzie, his three-year old daughter. He reads an article from Massachusetts advertising mail order brides. He writes to the agency stating he’s looking for a partner who will work by his side and, hopefully, come to care for him and be a loving mother to Lizzie.
Hannah Brown responds to his letter. Though she doesn’t say too much about herself, Samuel decides to take a chance and asks her to come to Iowa.
This woman is everything he wants in a wife and more -- or so he thinks. Hannah has a secret that, if revealed, could devastate their future.
If Hannah tells Samuel, will he send her away? She could lose all she’s come to cherish. Is Hannah willing to take that chance?
Hannah Brown responds to his letter. Though she doesn’t say too much about herself, Samuel decides to take a chance and asks her to come to Iowa.
This woman is everything he wants in a wife and more -- or so he thinks. Hannah has a secret that, if revealed, could devastate their future.
If Hannah tells Samuel, will he send her away? She could lose all she’s come to cherish. Is Hannah willing to take that chance?
167 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 17, 2015
75 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Penny Estelle
28 books40 followersMy name is Penny Estelle and I was an elementary school secretary for 21 years. I heard every excuse and story in the book when kids were sent to the principal. I promised myself when I retired I would write stories about kids that got under my skin – in a good way.
I am retired with my wonderful husband and we live on a fifty-four acre ranch in NW Arizona. Finding out it would cost over $100,000 to bring in electricity we decided to go green. We live on solar and wind. I am the “greenest” person and I know, even if I don’t want to be!
My book Hike Up Devil's Mountain is a MG/tweens fantasy. We need to get our kids reading again and hopefully this adventure will help do just that! It's now also out in print and audio!
I have three other MG/tween stories out. Billy Cooper's Awesome Nightmare - Book 1 of the The Wickware Sagas and just released is A Ride of a Lifetime, Book 2 of the Wickware Sagas. A Float Down the Canal is a story for any young lady in your life. A feel good story about the girl who is always just one of the gang.
I have also written a YA/adult story titled At What Price?, and a non fiction story about my life on solar. It's titled, Solar - One Family's Reality. Please stop by my website @ www.pennystales.com and get a taste of all my stories. I would love it if you left a comment!
Find me @ www.pennystales.com
pennyestelle.blogspot.com
twitter: @pennystales
I am retired with my wonderful husband and we live on a fifty-four acre ranch in NW Arizona. Finding out it would cost over $100,000 to bring in electricity we decided to go green. We live on solar and wind. I am the “greenest” person and I know, even if I don’t want to be!
My book Hike Up Devil's Mountain is a MG/tweens fantasy. We need to get our kids reading again and hopefully this adventure will help do just that! It's now also out in print and audio!
I have three other MG/tween stories out. Billy Cooper's Awesome Nightmare - Book 1 of the The Wickware Sagas and just released is A Ride of a Lifetime, Book 2 of the Wickware Sagas. A Float Down the Canal is a story for any young lady in your life. A feel good story about the girl who is always just one of the gang.
I have also written a YA/adult story titled At What Price?, and a non fiction story about my life on solar. It's titled, Solar - One Family's Reality. Please stop by my website @ www.pennystales.com and get a taste of all my stories. I would love it if you left a comment!
Find me @ www.pennystales.com
pennyestelle.blogspot.com
twitter: @pennystales
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 31, 2019
LIFE IS NOT ABOUT RULES BUT RELATIONSHIPS
I enjoyed this addition to the American Mail-Order Brides series, and each book will read well as a stand-alone. I loved all the mystery and secrets, and yet secrets have a way of causing issues. One man, Samuel Morrison, seeking a wife and mother for his little girl will finally take the plunge and send for a mail-order bride to come to Iowa. Two women, meeting by chance, each with a different want or need will play a role in this tale.
Maddie Peters had a good lift until her father took ill and she and her mother had to take on more responsibilities around their small farm. Eventually, he was able to work again, but he worked for others, and then his death will shatter mother and daughter. But when her mother decides to marry another, they go from existing to fear, and their situation is dire. With her mother dying, her stepfather a drunk—an attempted rape—and his death will have Maddie fleeing. Meeting Hannah Brown at the railway station will bring about a change and future.
The story is full of secrets that haunt Maddie as she pretends to be Samuel’s mail-order bride, Hannah. Falling in love with his daughter, and she is very attracted to Samuel and developing feelings for him. His family thinks the world of her, but her lie is hanging over her head. What will happen when Samuel learns she has deceived him?
The story will have several intense moments of life and death, that keep the pages turning as it unfolds. What will Maddie and Samuel do when the past comes knocking on their door? The story is a sweet clean romance with plenty of mystery, suspense, angst, and offers forgiveness and new beginnings.
I enjoyed this addition to the American Mail-Order Brides series, and each book will read well as a stand-alone. I loved all the mystery and secrets, and yet secrets have a way of causing issues. One man, Samuel Morrison, seeking a wife and mother for his little girl will finally take the plunge and send for a mail-order bride to come to Iowa. Two women, meeting by chance, each with a different want or need will play a role in this tale.
Maddie Peters had a good lift until her father took ill and she and her mother had to take on more responsibilities around their small farm. Eventually, he was able to work again, but he worked for others, and then his death will shatter mother and daughter. But when her mother decides to marry another, they go from existing to fear, and their situation is dire. With her mother dying, her stepfather a drunk—an attempted rape—and his death will have Maddie fleeing. Meeting Hannah Brown at the railway station will bring about a change and future.
The story is full of secrets that haunt Maddie as she pretends to be Samuel’s mail-order bride, Hannah. Falling in love with his daughter, and she is very attracted to Samuel and developing feelings for him. His family thinks the world of her, but her lie is hanging over her head. What will happen when Samuel learns she has deceived him?
The story will have several intense moments of life and death, that keep the pages turning as it unfolds. What will Maddie and Samuel do when the past comes knocking on their door? The story is a sweet clean romance with plenty of mystery, suspense, angst, and offers forgiveness and new beginnings.
August 30, 2020
You found it, this is the perfect mail order bride book!
If you are like me and and look at book after book and go through reviewafter review looking for an interesting read, look no further you found it! This book was so good… I am speechless I don’t know what to say let me say this, this is not only the perfect mail order bride book, but it’s also the perfect Western, Romance and family drama. Read the summary and just know they have 10 of the storylines that are just as good as that summary. I highly recommend this book I absolutely loved Maddie and I love the way Maddie treated people she wasn’t nice to everyone out of ignorance she was nice and caring even though she had a hard knock life and although she did worry about her secret coming to light but it wasn’t written about so much you got tired of it. Which happens a lot I find and mail order bride books this is the second book this week that was a mail order bride book but not your normal rinse lather and spin this is something superior it was excellent. A must read.
If you are like me and and look at book after book and go through reviewafter review looking for an interesting read, look no further you found it! This book was so good… I am speechless I don’t know what to say let me say this, this is not only the perfect mail order bride book, but it’s also the perfect Western, Romance and family drama. Read the summary and just know they have 10 of the storylines that are just as good as that summary. I highly recommend this book I absolutely loved Maddie and I love the way Maddie treated people she wasn’t nice to everyone out of ignorance she was nice and caring even though she had a hard knock life and although she did worry about her secret coming to light but it wasn’t written about so much you got tired of it. Which happens a lot I find and mail order bride books this is the second book this week that was a mail order bride book but not your normal rinse lather and spin this is something superior it was excellent. A must read.
November 26, 2018
Good Story but a Bit too much action to be historically accurate
This is a great addition to the American Mail Order Brides series. The author created a believable unique twists in the story of the heroine. But the drama was overblown by 4 deaths, 4 additional murders, the hero nearly died twice, and the author added a tornado. Additionally,it was annoying to see multiple spelling, usage and punctuation errors. The author or editor should have caught the errors. All in all, it was an enjoyable quick read that seemed to be setting up for a second book, but there is no mention of such in the author's note afterward.
This is a great addition to the American Mail Order Brides series. The author created a believable unique twists in the story of the heroine. But the drama was overblown by 4 deaths, 4 additional murders, the hero nearly died twice, and the author added a tornado. Additionally,it was annoying to see multiple spelling, usage and punctuation errors. The author or editor should have caught the errors. All in all, it was an enjoyable quick read that seemed to be setting up for a second book, but there is no mention of such in the author's note afterward.
March 20, 2018
Deception Never Works
Hannah/Maggie has to know that keeping any secret from her soon to be husband wouldn't work as guilt will eat you alive! This story has charm and suspense and love . A realy good read.
Hannah/Maggie has to know that keeping any secret from her soon to be husband wouldn't work as guilt will eat you alive! This story has charm and suspense and love . A realy good read.
March 6, 2021
A little all over the place and the "suspense" part was unnecessary. Also a third plot line emerged in the last like three chapters so like I said, a little all over the place. Not awful, not great. The things we read for challenges...
June 9, 2023
Another winner in a wonderful series
Hannah's story had some great, unexpected twists that made her story even more fascinating. The supplemental characters also added to the story, and I enjoyed every bit of it.
Hannah's story had some great, unexpected twists that made her story even more fascinating. The supplemental characters also added to the story, and I enjoyed every bit of it.
April 23, 2019
A good read
This is a very unusual mail order bride story. Love, yes. But also some mayhem and murder. Two young ladies meet at the train depot and come close to swapping lives.
This is a very unusual mail order bride story. Love, yes. But also some mayhem and murder. Two young ladies meet at the train depot and come close to swapping lives.
April 25, 2019
A very good book
June 6, 2022
A good storyline
This one has a great storyline but somehow it felt like I was reading two different books in one. Liked the way it turned out with the real Hannah!
This one has a great storyline but somehow it felt like I was reading two different books in one. Liked the way it turned out with the real Hannah!
February 24, 2024
Hannah: Bride of Iowa
What a great story and another great book in this series. I loved this book and look forward to reading more by this author.
What a great story and another great book in this series. I loved this book and look forward to reading more by this author.
October 4, 2020
Before Internet matchmaking and dating services there was the mail-order bride. These women were the backbone of the old West. Back in the 19th Century when the Westward expansion was in high gear, men far outnumbered the fairer sex. For families to thrive and farms and towns to bustle women were needed from the East. Many young women facing poverty, loneliness, or the social stigma of spinsterhood answered the call. Hannah: Bride of Iowa relates the story of Maddie Peters.
Maddie grew up in the arms of a loving family in Little Valley, New York. Her family’s fortunes radically changed when her pa was struck down in the prime of life by a heart attack. In an effort to keep the family farm operating Emma Peters, Maddie’s ma, agreed to marry Jeb Sleuter. Unfortunately, Jeb turned out to be a low-life wife-beating skunk of a drunk.
After Emma’s passing, Maddie had no place to turn but to distant relatives in Pennsylvania. While trying to come up with enough money to book passage on a train to meet her cousins, Maddy bumped into Hannah Brown, a mail-order bride headed for Iowa to marry farmer Samuel Morrison.
It seems Hannah had met an attractive man on the train from Boston to New York City who convinced her to travel to New Orleans with him for a more exciting life than as a farmer’s wife. She accepted and turned her train ticket to Iowa City over to Maddie.
Thus P.A. Estelle begins her compelling historical novel, Hannah: Bride of Iowa. Estelle does a wonderful job in character development and setting. Though the plot seemed a bit predictable at times, the author’s demonstrative sense of timing kept this reader riveted to Maddie’s story and the surprise ending.
The American Mail-Order Bride series consists of 50 historical novels set in each one of our 50 states. Hannah: Bride of Iowa represents the Hawkeye state admirably.
Maddie grew up in the arms of a loving family in Little Valley, New York. Her family’s fortunes radically changed when her pa was struck down in the prime of life by a heart attack. In an effort to keep the family farm operating Emma Peters, Maddie’s ma, agreed to marry Jeb Sleuter. Unfortunately, Jeb turned out to be a low-life wife-beating skunk of a drunk.
After Emma’s passing, Maddie had no place to turn but to distant relatives in Pennsylvania. While trying to come up with enough money to book passage on a train to meet her cousins, Maddy bumped into Hannah Brown, a mail-order bride headed for Iowa to marry farmer Samuel Morrison.
It seems Hannah had met an attractive man on the train from Boston to New York City who convinced her to travel to New Orleans with him for a more exciting life than as a farmer’s wife. She accepted and turned her train ticket to Iowa City over to Maddie.
Thus P.A. Estelle begins her compelling historical novel, Hannah: Bride of Iowa. Estelle does a wonderful job in character development and setting. Though the plot seemed a bit predictable at times, the author’s demonstrative sense of timing kept this reader riveted to Maddie’s story and the surprise ending.
The American Mail-Order Bride series consists of 50 historical novels set in each one of our 50 states. Hannah: Bride of Iowa represents the Hawkeye state admirably.
March 8, 2016
Hannah: Bride of Iowa (American Mail-Order Bride #29)
By: Penny Estelle
4/5 stars
So when I first started reading this story I was confused by the characters because this was supposed to be Hannah’s story. But it all made sense after the story got into it & there was a switcheroo. Hannah needed to get out of her home and jobs were unavailable so she became a mail order bride. She doesn’t tell Samuel that she and the ‘real’ Hannah switched places, because she’s afraid that he will refuse to marry her and will send her back.
Samuel Morrison is a farmer in need of a wife. His young daughter needs a mother, and he wants a wife, a life partner. They don’t marry right away, but are engaged to be. Meanwhile, he and his daughter are busy falling in love with her, and she with them. But he doesn’t realize that he isn’t engaged to the ‘real’ Hannah.
But the truth always comes out. Sometimes it’s due to a guilty conscience and sometimes it’s because the truth comes back to bite you, still other times, it’s both.
By: Penny Estelle
4/5 stars
So when I first started reading this story I was confused by the characters because this was supposed to be Hannah’s story. But it all made sense after the story got into it & there was a switcheroo. Hannah needed to get out of her home and jobs were unavailable so she became a mail order bride. She doesn’t tell Samuel that she and the ‘real’ Hannah switched places, because she’s afraid that he will refuse to marry her and will send her back.
Samuel Morrison is a farmer in need of a wife. His young daughter needs a mother, and he wants a wife, a life partner. They don’t marry right away, but are engaged to be. Meanwhile, he and his daughter are busy falling in love with her, and she with them. But he doesn’t realize that he isn’t engaged to the ‘real’ Hannah.
But the truth always comes out. Sometimes it’s due to a guilty conscience and sometimes it’s because the truth comes back to bite you, still other times, it’s both.
September 15, 2016
Audiobook - Narration, Emma Lysy - good!
So, this is Maddies's story, but she spends a good part of the book as Hannah - but you'll have to listen to find out why.
I really enjoyed this story! Maddie loses her pa, then when her mother nears death, she's left with her worthless drunk of a stepfather to help nurse her mother back to health. But she loses her ma and her stepfather in a twist of circumstances and needs to get out and make a fresh start.
Through another twist of circumstances, Maddie becomes Hannah and the mail order bride to Samuel and his adorable daughter Lizzy. Of course, Samuel doesn't know that this isn't the Hannah he had sent for. They begin a courtship as Hannah and Samuel and before long, begin to develop a wonderful closeness and relationship that seems to meant to be. But secrets have to come out and truths have to be told before this couple will ever have a chance at a HEA.
Really enjoyable story with Good narration!
I received a copy of this audiobook free of charge from AudiobookBoom in exchange for an unbiased review
So, this is Maddies's story, but she spends a good part of the book as Hannah - but you'll have to listen to find out why.
I really enjoyed this story! Maddie loses her pa, then when her mother nears death, she's left with her worthless drunk of a stepfather to help nurse her mother back to health. But she loses her ma and her stepfather in a twist of circumstances and needs to get out and make a fresh start.
Through another twist of circumstances, Maddie becomes Hannah and the mail order bride to Samuel and his adorable daughter Lizzy. Of course, Samuel doesn't know that this isn't the Hannah he had sent for. They begin a courtship as Hannah and Samuel and before long, begin to develop a wonderful closeness and relationship that seems to meant to be. But secrets have to come out and truths have to be told before this couple will ever have a chance at a HEA.
Really enjoyable story with Good narration!
I received a copy of this audiobook free of charge from AudiobookBoom in exchange for an unbiased review
February 12, 2017
Great story...
I enjoyed the authors use of a switch of women as the basis of a plot. The story had many twists and turns though out.
I enjoyed the authors use of a switch of women as the basis of a plot. The story had many twists and turns though out.
January 12, 2016
Great Story
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. Baddie has no where to turn so she is more than willing to take Hannah's place as a mail order bride to Samuel. She likes him and his daughter Lizzy immediately. She takes her place in their home and lives. She does finally tell him her true identity right before they are married.
There is love and action in this story. It is a must read and such a sweet story.
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. Baddie has no where to turn so she is more than willing to take Hannah's place as a mail order bride to Samuel. She likes him and his daughter Lizzy immediately. She takes her place in their home and lives. She does finally tell him her true identity right before they are married.
There is love and action in this story. It is a must read and such a sweet story.
June 24, 2016
A beautiful story about getting the truth out and showing that love conquers all.
Nicely written and the story just seemed to flow out.
I would recommend this book/audiobook to those who enjoy tales of Mail Order Brides.
The narration in the audiobook was not overly dramatized and was easy to listen to.
This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.
Nicely written and the story just seemed to flow out.
I would recommend this book/audiobook to those who enjoy tales of Mail Order Brides.
The narration in the audiobook was not overly dramatized and was easy to listen to.
This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.
July 6, 2016
Wonderful story Penny! Thank you for sharing with me!
Terrible things just continue to happen to Mattie and her family! Finally she's completely alone. She meets Hannah and they end up trading places and she becomes a mail order bride! Is there a future filled with hope or more desperation? Find out is the exciting audiobook!!
Terrible things just continue to happen to Mattie and her family! Finally she's completely alone. She meets Hannah and they end up trading places and she becomes a mail order bride! Is there a future filled with hope or more desperation? Find out is the exciting audiobook!!
February 22, 2016
An enjoyable story and a nice addition to the series, but it was Maddies's story not Hannah's. I liked the interaction between the characters and found myself rooting for Maddie from beginning to end. It was interesting to find out what happened to Hannah, but this was never her story and her name shouldn't have been the one in the title.
June 24, 2016
“This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”
This was a sweet quick romance. The female protagonist has a secret, will it ruin her future plans to marry the man she has come to love? I hope to find more works by this author.
The narration was well done.The characters were well portrayed.
This was a sweet quick romance. The female protagonist has a secret, will it ruin her future plans to marry the man she has come to love? I hope to find more works by this author.
The narration was well done.The characters were well portrayed.
December 17, 2015
Hannah: Bride of Iowa, was such a sweet romantic read with suspense and mystery peppered in. The author has a wonderful imagination and did an excellent job bringing the characters to life. I feel in love, along with Hannah. I felt her fear and her grief as well as her happiness.
Read
May 6, 2016A nice tame Mail Order Bride Romance. I liked this one because the heroine was not in danger from some jilted lover or someone from her past. I thought it was well-written, and I am reading more by this author.
July 4, 2016
Historical Western Romance
5 star's for this book . Penny Estelle wrote a winning story. I read this book and others yesterday and over into the night. I enjoyed Hannah Bride of Iowa . I will now read the state's I missed in the series!!!!! You will enjoy them also!!!!!
5 star's for this book . Penny Estelle wrote a winning story. I read this book and others yesterday and over into the night. I enjoyed Hannah Bride of Iowa . I will now read the state's I missed in the series!!!!! You will enjoy them also!!!!!
July 8, 2017
This series was my first experience with multiple authors working together to write a series on a large scale. I enjoyed every book in the series and found several new authors that I hadn't read before.
January 26, 2017
It was a story full of surprises. I liked the characters and they were interesting to follow. A lot of murders in this book which made it different from others in this series. A little disturbing that no one paid the price for this.
December 18, 2015
Great Read!!!
What a wonderful book I loved it, loved the twist.. putting this book in my favorites of this series! !! I love P.A Estelle books great writer..
What a wonderful book I loved it, loved the twist.. putting this book in my favorites of this series! !! I love P.A Estelle books great writer..
December 30, 2015
Perfect story
I loved this quick read...what a great story about Maddie and Samuel. A twist of fate brings two people together and the result is a great read.
I loved this quick read...what a great story about Maddie and Samuel. A twist of fate brings two people together and the result is a great read.
January 3, 2016
Aww, just aww
Sometimes I am such a sap. I do love a sweet and sentimental story and I think this one qualifies. Happiness emerges from bad things and people.
Sometimes I am such a sap. I do love a sweet and sentimental story and I think this one qualifies. Happiness emerges from bad things and people.
January 10, 2016
Tragedy to Triumph
Really impressive all of the twists and turns. I was shocked at how much I enjoyed it after the beginning- Barbie
Really impressive all of the twists and turns. I was shocked at how much I enjoyed it after the beginning- Barbie
January 16, 2016
Worth morevtgan 5 stars. Very well done story.
December 6, 2016
Having lived in Iowa and Hated it! I was not looking forward to this but I actually enjoyed the read. Lizzie the little girl was quite funny. I enjoyed this a great deal.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews