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The Brides of Cheyenne #1
The Cheyenne Mail Order Bride Dreams of a Rich Life
Virginia Bellamy is an ambitious, well-to-do socialite who aspires to marry into Boston’s most elite social circles. But when she fails to attract a proposal that meets her high standards, she agrees to become the mail order bride to a wealthy Cheyenne businessman. He promises her a life of luxury and status. It appeals to her to be one of the most important families in the city - even if that city is Cheyenne.
Lewis Carlyle has worked tirelessly for fifteen years to amass a fortune. It was really all a means to an end - a foundation for the remarkable wife and happy family he hoped to have. But in the weeks before Virginia’s arrival, Lewis is besieged with the worst onslaught of bad fortune; Virginia arrives to find herself betrothed to a pauper.
It is a catastrophe of unimaginable magnitude on both sides. What can Lewis do to make amends for the unforgivable situation he has put Virginia in? Is the social hierarchy in Cheyenne as rigid and unforgiving as that of Boston? And most importantly, will it ever be possible for this determined social climber to love a man who has nothing to offer but his heart?
Lewis Carlyle has worked tirelessly for fifteen years to amass a fortune. It was really all a means to an end - a foundation for the remarkable wife and happy family he hoped to have. But in the weeks before Virginia’s arrival, Lewis is besieged with the worst onslaught of bad fortune; Virginia arrives to find herself betrothed to a pauper.
It is a catastrophe of unimaginable magnitude on both sides. What can Lewis do to make amends for the unforgivable situation he has put Virginia in? Is the social hierarchy in Cheyenne as rigid and unforgiving as that of Boston? And most importantly, will it ever be possible for this determined social climber to love a man who has nothing to offer but his heart?
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2015
295 people are currently reading
374 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
December 7, 2016
Virginia Bellamy isn't WASP-y enough for the WASPs of Boston so she agrees to marry Lewis Carlyle, the cream of Wyoming's crop. EXCEPT PLOT TWIST: Lewis catches a bad case of the poor right as Virginia arrives. Will Virginia ever be able to get over the fact that Lewis does manual labor? Will Lewis ever be able to convince Virginia that he's not a dirty hobo bum? Can they live happily ever after WITHOUT MONEY???
1. I tease because it was entertaining but poorly finished.
2. What that means is that I was intrigued by the story of a socialite 'fleeing' to post-Wild West Wyoming to try and define a new world for herself. And Cheyenne should have been a fascinating setting; I liked the secondary characters; I was into it.
3. Except Virginia was kind of horrible: she is a self-involved spoiled monster for 60% of the book and her revelations are so muted and understated and underdeveloped. I wanted some moments of introspection and realization instead of the jelly-handed 'and suddenly she was GREAT' switch we got. She needed to examine her shit and realize her privilege in order to redeem herself and there was none of it in the text.
4. The romance was also underwhelming; Lewis is enamored right off the bad and Virginia spends a million years patting herself on the back for having such a great friend. I'm not saying girls should get the hots right off the bat, but the level of "TAKE THIS SOMEWHERE WITH FEELINGS PLEASE" I had was more than horrifying.
PS ALL I GOT WAS WARM KISSES!!! AND ONE LAME INNUENDO!!! There was even an amazing line about getting Lewis out of the 'den of iniquity' he finds himself stuck in and I was like "OH YES I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE AND I LIKE IT!!!!" except then the book ends with deflating balloon noises because all we get is make-outs on the couch. :(
5. Apparently Amazon is onto me because they keep recommending ALL THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE BOOKS and I cannot say no??? WHAT IS MY DEAL??
1. I tease because it was entertaining but poorly finished.
2. What that means is that I was intrigued by the story of a socialite 'fleeing' to post-Wild West Wyoming to try and define a new world for herself. And Cheyenne should have been a fascinating setting; I liked the secondary characters; I was into it.
3. Except Virginia was kind of horrible: she is a self-involved spoiled monster for 60% of the book and her revelations are so muted and understated and underdeveloped. I wanted some moments of introspection and realization instead of the jelly-handed 'and suddenly she was GREAT' switch we got. She needed to examine her shit and realize her privilege in order to redeem herself and there was none of it in the text.
4. The romance was also underwhelming; Lewis is enamored right off the bad and Virginia spends a million years patting herself on the back for having such a great friend. I'm not saying girls should get the hots right off the bat, but the level of "TAKE THIS SOMEWHERE WITH FEELINGS PLEASE" I had was more than horrifying.
PS ALL I GOT WAS WARM KISSES!!! AND ONE LAME INNUENDO!!! There was even an amazing line about getting Lewis out of the 'den of iniquity' he finds himself stuck in and I was like "OH YES I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE AND I LIKE IT!!!!" except then the book ends with deflating balloon noises because all we get is make-outs on the couch. :(
5. Apparently Amazon is onto me because they keep recommending ALL THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE BOOKS and I cannot say no??? WHAT IS MY DEAL??
August 6, 2017
Rating: 3/5
***Minor spoilers***
Virginia always believed she was made for bigger and better things. She comes from a good family in Boston, but so far she hasn't been able to marry up. Believing that she is as far up as she can be in Boston, she takes some advice given to her to become a mail order bride to someone outside of Boston. She agrees to marry a rich man in another city, but unfortunately, right before she arrives, he husband-to-be's money is lost when his bank is robbed. She's now in a city she isn't familiar with, her betrothed has gone from rich to poor, and she can't return home with any pride intact after bragging about what her new social status will be.
This was a short, quick read that takes place in the United States several hundred years ago. I've never read a mail order bride book before, and I honestly thought it was a bit of a joke, but it actually sort of made sense, at least in this time period where people with money didn't always marry for love. While the story wasn't particularly unpredictable or in any way surprising, it was entertaining and easy to read, which kept me going.
In terms of characters, Virginia was pretty annoying. She went through life feeling like the world owed her something, and I hate those types of people. I could sympathize with her a bit since she was stuck in an unfamiliar place, but sometimes you have to make the most out of a bad situation. Lewis was a much better character, and probably my favourite in the novel. He didn't wallow in misery when hard times hit him, unlike Virginia (which was particularly annoying because he had it much worse than her).
Overall, this was a good, quick read that had some flaws but kept you wanting to finish. It had a cute romance, and the ending was to be expected but still satisfying nonetheless. If you're looking for a romance novel that you can breeze through easily, I'd recommend this to you.
***Minor spoilers***
Virginia always believed she was made for bigger and better things. She comes from a good family in Boston, but so far she hasn't been able to marry up. Believing that she is as far up as she can be in Boston, she takes some advice given to her to become a mail order bride to someone outside of Boston. She agrees to marry a rich man in another city, but unfortunately, right before she arrives, he husband-to-be's money is lost when his bank is robbed. She's now in a city she isn't familiar with, her betrothed has gone from rich to poor, and she can't return home with any pride intact after bragging about what her new social status will be.
This was a short, quick read that takes place in the United States several hundred years ago. I've never read a mail order bride book before, and I honestly thought it was a bit of a joke, but it actually sort of made sense, at least in this time period where people with money didn't always marry for love. While the story wasn't particularly unpredictable or in any way surprising, it was entertaining and easy to read, which kept me going.
In terms of characters, Virginia was pretty annoying. She went through life feeling like the world owed her something, and I hate those types of people. I could sympathize with her a bit since she was stuck in an unfamiliar place, but sometimes you have to make the most out of a bad situation. Lewis was a much better character, and probably my favourite in the novel. He didn't wallow in misery when hard times hit him, unlike Virginia (which was particularly annoying because he had it much worse than her).
Overall, this was a good, quick read that had some flaws but kept you wanting to finish. It had a cute romance, and the ending was to be expected but still satisfying nonetheless. If you're looking for a romance novel that you can breeze through easily, I'd recommend this to you.
November 16, 2016
Nice Comfortable Re
Spoiled society woman heads West as a mail order bride when her Dad remarried. She is promised every luxury , but when she arrives her fiance has lost all his fortune to a crooked partner and bank robbers. He releases her from their engagement pays for her room and board while he lives in a shed and tries to find her a rich husband. There are lots of complications and obstacles to their HEA.
Spoiled society woman heads West as a mail order bride when her Dad remarried. She is promised every luxury , but when she arrives her fiance has lost all his fortune to a crooked partner and bank robbers. He releases her from their engagement pays for her room and board while he lives in a shed and tries to find her a rich husband. There are lots of complications and obstacles to their HEA.
November 12, 2016
Love this book
I knew it would end the way it did, but reading how was just delightful. I especially like the very last sentence. I never talk about what happens because I do not want to spoil the author's storey. Once I read her favorite westerns are Little House on the Prairie, and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, I felt a connection to Iris Kelly' stories.
I knew it would end the way it did, but reading how was just delightful. I especially like the very last sentence. I never talk about what happens because I do not want to spoil the author's storey. Once I read her favorite westerns are Little House on the Prairie, and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, I felt a connection to Iris Kelly' stories.
May 14, 2016
Love and riches
I loved this story of the mail order bride. At first I didn't like our bride as she seemed only interested in material things. Does love concur?
I loved this story of the mail order bride. At first I didn't like our bride as she seemed only interested in material things. Does love concur?
January 18, 2019
Virginia is a young woman living in Boston. She is from a second tier family. She will never be a part of the crème de la crème of Boston society. She has turned down proposals from 4 young men because they are not from the right families.
I was not a fan of Virginia. She was about as shallow as a mud puddle.
She decides that moving to Cheyenne and marrying a wealthy man who is of the correct status will be the right thing for her to do.
Unfortunately, when Virginia arrives she finds that Mr Carlyle's partner embezzled all his money and the bank where he had his savings was robbed. He has become basically penniless. All his close friends turn their backs on him and refuse to offer him any support.
But, he is an honorable man. He makes every effort to support Virginia. He even arranges for her to meet wealthy men in a town where beautiful women are rare. He wants what is the best for Virginia, even if it is breaking his heart.
Virginia meets the best people in town. She is admired for her beauty, her manners and her mind. She also is being welcomed into the lives of others in town. There is a difference in acceptance by the “best” people in town and the regular people who live normal lives. Although Virginia has never actually associated with regular people who work for a living, she is beginning to see the world with new eyes.
All this time, Mr Carlyle is loving Virginia from afar.
Eventually, Virginia realizes that being one of the richest people, means different things to different people.
This is a truly lovely story.
The plot is simplistic, but it moves quickly from one event to the next. Virginia's journey is a very educational one.
Virginia is an interesting character who learns slowly, but she is honest and honorable and that helps her see the true values in life.
Mr. Lewis Carlyle is a wonderful hero. He is every young girl's dream of a knight in shining armor.
I liked this book very much and I plan to read other books by Ms. Kelly.
I was not a fan of Virginia. She was about as shallow as a mud puddle.
She decides that moving to Cheyenne and marrying a wealthy man who is of the correct status will be the right thing for her to do.
Unfortunately, when Virginia arrives she finds that Mr Carlyle's partner embezzled all his money and the bank where he had his savings was robbed. He has become basically penniless. All his close friends turn their backs on him and refuse to offer him any support.
But, he is an honorable man. He makes every effort to support Virginia. He even arranges for her to meet wealthy men in a town where beautiful women are rare. He wants what is the best for Virginia, even if it is breaking his heart.
Virginia meets the best people in town. She is admired for her beauty, her manners and her mind. She also is being welcomed into the lives of others in town. There is a difference in acceptance by the “best” people in town and the regular people who live normal lives. Although Virginia has never actually associated with regular people who work for a living, she is beginning to see the world with new eyes.
All this time, Mr Carlyle is loving Virginia from afar.
Eventually, Virginia realizes that being one of the richest people, means different things to different people.
This is a truly lovely story.
The plot is simplistic, but it moves quickly from one event to the next. Virginia's journey is a very educational one.
Virginia is an interesting character who learns slowly, but she is honest and honorable and that helps her see the true values in life.
Mr. Lewis Carlyle is a wonderful hero. He is every young girl's dream of a knight in shining armor.
I liked this book very much and I plan to read other books by Ms. Kelly.
October 22, 2025
Virginia’s wake up moment
Virginia, coming from a wealthy family was facing spinsterhood as she rejected every suiter. She then decided to become a mail order bride to a wealthy man out west.
Lewis had been a very influential, wealthy man. He was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his bride. However, in the midst of her travel, he had completely lost his entire fortune. When Virginia arrived, he had to let her know what happened. She, being a spoiled socialite, was extremely upset but didn’t want to go back to Boston. Lewis promised to find her a wealthy man to basically take his place. Virginia was happy about it at first, but after awhile, she started noticing how selfish her fiancé was and how noble Lewis still was, and that her heart belonged to Lewis all along.
Very sweet and happy epilogue.
Virginia, coming from a wealthy family was facing spinsterhood as she rejected every suiter. She then decided to become a mail order bride to a wealthy man out west.
Lewis had been a very influential, wealthy man. He was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his bride. However, in the midst of her travel, he had completely lost his entire fortune. When Virginia arrived, he had to let her know what happened. She, being a spoiled socialite, was extremely upset but didn’t want to go back to Boston. Lewis promised to find her a wealthy man to basically take his place. Virginia was happy about it at first, but after awhile, she started noticing how selfish her fiancé was and how noble Lewis still was, and that her heart belonged to Lewis all along.
Very sweet and happy epilogue.
May 24, 2017
The education of Virginia
Inspiring. Loving. Truly enjoyable. Humbling. Virginia wanted to be important. In her eyes, importance meant being of the upper class or upper society. She left Boston, to marry a wealthy and very important member of the elite in Cheyenne, Wyoming. When everything is lost, can Virginia marry someone else? Are riches and status quo the most important thing in life?
Inspiring. Loving. Truly enjoyable. Humbling. Virginia wanted to be important. In her eyes, importance meant being of the upper class or upper society. She left Boston, to marry a wealthy and very important member of the elite in Cheyenne, Wyoming. When everything is lost, can Virginia marry someone else? Are riches and status quo the most important thing in life?
January 6, 2019
Plot good, development not so good
I liked the plot and the writing was pretty good. I just felt like the characters weren't developed fully. There wasn't enough dialogue between Virginia and Lewis for me to feel their attachment to each other. I also felt like important points in the plot were just passed over, leaving too much to the imagination. Overall, the plot is good but the attempt left much to hope for.
I liked the plot and the writing was pretty good. I just felt like the characters weren't developed fully. There wasn't enough dialogue between Virginia and Lewis for me to feel their attachment to each other. I also felt like important points in the plot were just passed over, leaving too much to the imagination. Overall, the plot is good but the attempt left much to hope for.
August 24, 2020
The Cheyenne Mail Order Bride Dreams of a Rich Life
This was a good story about Virginia, who was from Boston. Came west hoping to be a rich mail order bride. She met Mr. Baldwin who was rich and treated her well, but her heart just wasn’t into him. She met Mr.Carlyle who she was very fond of, but he was not rich. He was a smart man and knew business. I encourage you to read this story to find out things worked out for the two of them.
This was a good story about Virginia, who was from Boston. Came west hoping to be a rich mail order bride. She met Mr. Baldwin who was rich and treated her well, but her heart just wasn’t into him. She met Mr.Carlyle who she was very fond of, but he was not rich. He was a smart man and knew business. I encourage you to read this story to find out things worked out for the two of them.
March 26, 2018
Virginia wants to marry the top of society. She wants to be someone and live in luxury. Her father is rich but not accepted in the in crowd. She decides to answer a mail order bride ad of a man looking for a wife to fulfill that very dream. However by the time she arrives in Wyoming he has lost all his money by being robbed. Now what?
July 14, 2019
Borderline heartbreak!!!
How dare someone throw a twist like that into this book. I was invested in this story as being a cut and dry story, knowing exactly what was going to happen. Well, I was fooled. Quick and very delightful read. Enjoyable writing style as well great vocabulary of words. Highly recommended to read.
How dare someone throw a twist like that into this book. I was invested in this story as being a cut and dry story, knowing exactly what was going to happen. Well, I was fooled. Quick and very delightful read. Enjoyable writing style as well great vocabulary of words. Highly recommended to read.
April 6, 2017
Surprisingly Good
I really liked it. At first, I wasn't so sure, I hate clueless heroines, but she pulled it off. Let the character grow organically into an interesting character. I'll be looking into other books in the series. Anyway a recommend lite read.
I really liked it. At first, I wasn't so sure, I hate clueless heroines, but she pulled it off. Let the character grow organically into an interesting character. I'll be looking into other books in the series. Anyway a recommend lite read.
August 4, 2017
Enjoyed
Fast moving story and fun. I enjoy reading about historical and western historical romances. The challenges they faced being a woman, makes me appreciate the modern conveniences of today. Although it would be nice to enjoy some of the romance from earlier times.
Fast moving story and fun. I enjoy reading about historical and western historical romances. The challenges they faced being a woman, makes me appreciate the modern conveniences of today. Although it would be nice to enjoy some of the romance from earlier times.
August 19, 2017
Effects of kindness
It is hard to see the change from a grabbing ambitious girl to the caring one she became. Her friend was such a good person, it taught her the proper values unwittingly.
It is hard to see the change from a grabbing ambitious girl to the caring one she became. Her friend was such a good person, it taught her the proper values unwittingly.
August 29, 2017
I love mail order bride series. They always involve someone who needs to get a new life desperately and finds that life but also finds it has struggles they never knew existed and that it is worth the pain to make it work. And they are clean fiction and the storylines are wonderful easy reads.
October 24, 2017
The Cheyenne Mail Order Bride Dreams of a Rich Life (Brides of Cheyenne 1) - G
Violence: none
Language: nothing offensive
Sex: no sex, some kisses with no detail
Delightful! There's an awesome moral to the story, too. Truly romantic and sweet.
Violence: none
Language: nothing offensive
Sex: no sex, some kisses with no detail
Delightful! There's an awesome moral to the story, too. Truly romantic and sweet.
April 7, 2018
Loved it!
Great story of a new awakening for a society bride. I loved her development as a caring friend and the realization that there’s much more to life than leading Cheyenne society.
Great story of a new awakening for a society bride. I loved her development as a caring friend and the realization that there’s much more to life than leading Cheyenne society.
August 19, 2018
Wonderful Light Afternoon Read
Thank you Ms Kelly for this delightful cast of characters. The warmth of the story and characters as a they find their way through life’s changes will give us all food for thought. Their strength and kindness are rewarded!
Thank you Ms Kelly for this delightful cast of characters. The warmth of the story and characters as a they find their way through life’s changes will give us all food for thought. Their strength and kindness are rewarded!
October 10, 2018
Cute story with a sweet romance as well as quick and light read. Next book sounds sweet too. I enjoy a light romance every now and then. A nice break from my usual sci-fi/urban fantasy/paranormal genres that I typically read.
November 1, 2018
I really enjoyed this book with some great characters and loved that Virginia discovered adults could still have fun when she attended her first hoedown! I am anxious to read more books in this series. (Karen's review)
June 4, 2019
Wonderful
Another wonderful story. Once I started I could not stop. The true riches to poor in material things but poor to riches in meaningful things. Ms. Kelly did a great job on writing this story.
Another wonderful story. Once I started I could not stop. The true riches to poor in material things but poor to riches in meaningful things. Ms. Kelly did a great job on writing this story.
June 21, 2019
Cheyenne mail order bride
This was a sweet western mail order bride. But you got intertwined in the lives of Lewis and Virginia. This had a different twist but was " a good snuggle up with a book " read.
This was a sweet western mail order bride. But you got intertwined in the lives of Lewis and Virginia. This had a different twist but was " a good snuggle up with a book " read.
June 17, 2020
It was good. My real rating would be a 31/2. Rich girl going west to be a societal mail order bride arrives to find her perfect husband has been swindled out of his fortune. She comes to realize over time he is still the perfect husband.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2016
An uplifting novel
The Cheyenne Mail Order Bride Dreams of a Rich Life is a welcome change from all the mysteries I like to read. It is a very uplifting story with a happy ending.
The Cheyenne Mail Order Bride Dreams of a Rich Life is a welcome change from all the mysteries I like to read. It is a very uplifting story with a happy ending.
February 11, 2017
I admit I got a bit teary.
Wonderful characters abound, plenty of high drama and not to mention romance. Thoroughly enjoyable to read, and very heart warming.
Wonderful characters abound, plenty of high drama and not to mention romance. Thoroughly enjoyable to read, and very heart warming.
February 17, 2017
Nice sweet romance. The heroine goes through a 180 turn in her outlook on life in general. No alpha mail, no disast3ers except a financial setback at the outset. Fun read.
May 16, 2017
Nice short romance
I love to read the short mail order bride stories. This one is heart warming and sweet. Exactly what I like.
I love to read the short mail order bride stories. This one is heart warming and sweet. Exactly what I like.
May 29, 2017
A very enjoyable read. A good book to sit down with on a long weekend and have a great read. Looking forward to reading more in this series.
January 28, 2018
A sweet read about learning people matter, not things.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews