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American Mail-Order Brides #22
Anna: Bride of Alabama
Bride of Alabama is a 'sweet' romance that is book 22 in the unprecedented 50-book American Mail-Order Brides series.After a warehouse fire changes her life, Anna Davis makes a desperate decision. Along with the other single women she worked alongside, she places her fate into the hands of a random stranger she found in a mail-order bride catalog, the Grooms’ Gazette. But little does she know, the man she thought placed the ad has no idea he promised to marry her.Gabriel Montgomery has more problems than any one man needs. A neglected cotton plantation, a home in desperate need of repair, and Julia, his twelve-year-old daughter who is more mature than she needs to be. Her antics try his patience on a daily basis but nothing prepares him for her latest scheme. When Anna shows up at his door with an infectious smile and a promise to love, honor and cherish him, he knows Julia is behind this latest development. He has no desire to marry again, even if the sweet-natured Anna is proving to be exactly the kind of woman he needs. He just has to convince Julia that she doesn’t need a new mother and himself that he doesn’t want a new wife. A task that proves almost impossible, especially when Anna reminds him that every day should be savored like it's your last.
118 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2015
93 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Lily Graison
48 books458 followersLily Graison is a USA TODAY bestselling author of historical western romances. She also writes a variety of genres under the name L. R. Grasion. Most all of her stories lean heavily to the spicy side with strong female leads and heroes who tend to always get what they want. On occasion, she can be found penning ‘sweet’ romances with chaste kisses and wholesome values. Ever a romantic, she believes in love at first sight and has a tendency to fall for bad-boy romance heroes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 28, 2017
Such a sweet romance. Shy but brave Anna and Strong but broken hearted Gabriel *Swoon*. If you're a romantic then this book is for you. I only wish it was longer. I wanted more time with these characters.
October 24, 2018
Another enjoyable read - the second one I've read in this series but way too short and the ending is too abrupt. Gabriel and Anna have chemistry when they are both on the same train to Alabama not realizing how their paths would cross or how their lives would become intertwined. Takes place on a rundown plantation that has seen better days.
His daughter, Julia, was wise beyond her years and a schemer to boot. The elderly servants have all their best interests at heart.
Ms. Graison is a new to me author. I look forward to reading more of her books.
His daughter, Julia, was wise beyond her years and a schemer to boot. The elderly servants have all their best interests at heart.
Ms. Graison is a new to me author. I look forward to reading more of her books.
November 1, 2016
This started out strong, but the end was way too rushed. The hero was simply horrible to the heroine, and it took ONE sentence of apology and she was all, "Yes, I'll marry you." The beginning of the story deserved a better ending.
I was sort of surprised by the number of errors/typos, also. So many it popped me out of the story. This book needed a proofreader in the worst way.
I really liked the set-up at the beginning, and the story/writing was strong at the beginning.
I was sort of surprised by the number of errors/typos, also. So many it popped me out of the story. This book needed a proofreader in the worst way.
I really liked the set-up at the beginning, and the story/writing was strong at the beginning.
June 27, 2017
Cute twist and undeniable chemistry!
After losing everything, Anna Davis decides to become a mail-order bride in order to achieve her goals in life. She encounters a twist after she arrives at her destination, and the adventure keeps you on your toes after that.
I loved this book, the characters are well-written, and I couldn't put the book down after I started it! Great addition to the series!
After losing everything, Anna Davis decides to become a mail-order bride in order to achieve her goals in life. She encounters a twist after she arrives at her destination, and the adventure keeps you on your toes after that.
I loved this book, the characters are well-written, and I couldn't put the book down after I started it! Great addition to the series!
October 15, 2018
Good Story
This is the 22nd story in the American Mail Order Brides series. The heroine was caught in the Brown Textile Factory fire and much more time has elapsed than most of the other stories. Since the story is a novella there were interesting starts of storylines that were left dangling. But the story itself is interesting.
This is the 22nd story in the American Mail Order Brides series. The heroine was caught in the Brown Textile Factory fire and much more time has elapsed than most of the other stories. Since the story is a novella there were interesting starts of storylines that were left dangling. But the story itself is interesting.
April 1, 2023
Love at first sight?
When Anna spots an incredibly handsome man with kind eyes and is immediately drawn to him, she can only hope her husband to be is as attractive as the mystery man on the train. When she finds out he is her intended, but he doesn't know it, will they last or will she find a new groom?
When Anna spots an incredibly handsome man with kind eyes and is immediately drawn to him, she can only hope her husband to be is as attractive as the mystery man on the train. When she finds out he is her intended, but he doesn't know it, will they last or will she find a new groom?
August 12, 2018
Nice!
This series is clean and delightful. This book is well written and the storyline and characters are wonderful. On to the next one! Try Lily's other books, especially the Willow Creek series... Very enjoyable
This series is clean and delightful. This book is well written and the storyline and characters are wonderful. On to the next one! Try Lily's other books, especially the Willow Creek series... Very enjoyable
May 26, 2018
Another winner!
I have loved every one of the American Mail Order Brides books that I have read so far and this one is no exception!
I have loved every one of the American Mail Order Brides books that I have read so far and this one is no exception!
June 15, 2022
Loved this story!
This was a very good storyline! I loved that a 12 year old set her dad up! Her dress sounded so beautiful too!
This was a very good storyline! I loved that a 12 year old set her dad up! Her dress sounded so beautiful too!
March 15, 2023
Enjoyed reading this book. A great story with a happy ending. Would recommend.
April 28, 2023
This one was just okay. The story line was a bit weak and undeveloped.
February 28, 2017
Good story...
I enjoyed this story, the author has done a good job of telling her story. The story of a Mail order bride is a great example of the history behind the settling of early life in America.
I enjoyed this story, the author has done a good job of telling her story. The story of a Mail order bride is a great example of the history behind the settling of early life in America.
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 23, 2016
Anna: Bride of Alabama (America Mail-Order Bride #22)
By: Lily Graison
4/5 stars
After the warehouse fire, Anna had no other option but to become a mail-order bride like most of her friends and co-workers. She answers an ad and heads to meet her new groom. Only, he doesn’t know she is coming or why.
Gabriel has not wanted a wife since his first wife lied to him and abandoned him & their daughter for a wealthy man. Gabriel works his cotton plantation along with his hired hands. But his house, both inside and out, are in desperate need of repair, cleaning and updating. And his belovedly spoiled 12-year old daughter feels the need of having a mother.
Gabriel thinks his daughter just needs a companion and decides to hire Anna on as a governess. He’s not courted any women in the area because he’s not wanted anyone to be able to do to him what his wife did, so he doesn’t want to open up to Anna either. Gabriel is an eligible bachelor who does have at least one woman who is constantly sniffing around.
Gabriel and Anna become more aware of each other and eventually start wanting more than the employer/employee relationship, but it takes some working things around to get that.
By: Lily Graison
4/5 stars
After the warehouse fire, Anna had no other option but to become a mail-order bride like most of her friends and co-workers. She answers an ad and heads to meet her new groom. Only, he doesn’t know she is coming or why.
Gabriel has not wanted a wife since his first wife lied to him and abandoned him & their daughter for a wealthy man. Gabriel works his cotton plantation along with his hired hands. But his house, both inside and out, are in desperate need of repair, cleaning and updating. And his belovedly spoiled 12-year old daughter feels the need of having a mother.
Gabriel thinks his daughter just needs a companion and decides to hire Anna on as a governess. He’s not courted any women in the area because he’s not wanted anyone to be able to do to him what his wife did, so he doesn’t want to open up to Anna either. Gabriel is an eligible bachelor who does have at least one woman who is constantly sniffing around.
Gabriel and Anna become more aware of each other and eventually start wanting more than the employer/employee relationship, but it takes some working things around to get that.
January 17, 2016
"Anna: Bride of Alabama" is a short, sweet romantic tale of a woman who answers an ad for a mail order bride only to learn that her intended groom wasn't the one who placed the ad, his daughter did.
This story drew me in from the start and keep me engaged throughout. I was able to finish this story very quickly. I've always been intrigued by the mail order bride story line as it's really one big gamble that the groom on the other end is a decent fellow. Thankfully our hero, Gabriel, was a gentleman. The sparks were definitely there between Gabriel and Anna though he was determined to keep her at arms length.
There was an "incident" later on in the story that caused tension between Anna and Gabriel. While Gabriel was certainly contrite, I feel it was resolved too easily and wrapped up a bit too nicely considering. All in all however, I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more of the American Mail-Order Brides series.
Review copy received from the author in exchange for my honest review.
This story drew me in from the start and keep me engaged throughout. I was able to finish this story very quickly. I've always been intrigued by the mail order bride story line as it's really one big gamble that the groom on the other end is a decent fellow. Thankfully our hero, Gabriel, was a gentleman. The sparks were definitely there between Gabriel and Anna though he was determined to keep her at arms length.
There was an "incident" later on in the story that caused tension between Anna and Gabriel. While Gabriel was certainly contrite, I feel it was resolved too easily and wrapped up a bit too nicely considering. All in all however, I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more of the American Mail-Order Brides series.
Review copy received from the author in exchange for my honest review.
December 11, 2015
Mail-Order Mother
When twelve year old Julia sends away for a mail order bride for her father, he is quite surprised, and a little hesitant. Gabriel Montgomery's heart was broken when his wife left him for another man. He's not ready to trust again. When he meets Anna and recognizes her as the beautiful woman who intrigued him on the train, he doesn't know how long he will be able to resist.
The romance was cute, but a little rushed for me. I wanted more resolution at the end. I loved The daughter, Julia though, and the way she could wrap everyone around her finger. It made me curious about what kind of woman she would grow up to be.
Content: mild language (d...), mild innuendo (talk of mistresses)
When twelve year old Julia sends away for a mail order bride for her father, he is quite surprised, and a little hesitant. Gabriel Montgomery's heart was broken when his wife left him for another man. He's not ready to trust again. When he meets Anna and recognizes her as the beautiful woman who intrigued him on the train, he doesn't know how long he will be able to resist.
The romance was cute, but a little rushed for me. I wanted more resolution at the end. I loved The daughter, Julia though, and the way she could wrap everyone around her finger. It made me curious about what kind of woman she would grow up to be.
Content: mild language (d...), mild innuendo (talk of mistresses)
April 21, 2019
Another fantastic book by Lily Graison.
Anna wants a family of her own and somewhere she can call home. So looking for a husband in the Groom's Gazette for husband was the right thing to do. So would travel miles to find the right man.
Gabriel had a daughter Julia and a plantation, that was enough to keep him busy. He didn't need a new wife to complicate things. His daughter didn't agree, she wanted a new mother and someone for her day to love.
Could Anna find the man she has been dreaming of? Would Julia get the mother she wanted? Or would Gabriel destroy it all?
I love Lily Graison books and I would recommend them.
Anna wants a family of her own and somewhere she can call home. So looking for a husband in the Groom's Gazette for husband was the right thing to do. So would travel miles to find the right man.
Gabriel had a daughter Julia and a plantation, that was enough to keep him busy. He didn't need a new wife to complicate things. His daughter didn't agree, she wanted a new mother and someone for her day to love.
Could Anna find the man she has been dreaming of? Would Julia get the mother she wanted? Or would Gabriel destroy it all?
I love Lily Graison books and I would recommend them.
December 28, 2015
Even though it's a short story I really liked it. Julia was my absolute favorite because she acted like a kid, but also was like an adult at times and didn't really seem spoiled to me because she wasn't just thinking about herself. Anna and Gabriel were perfect for each other because they seemed in sync with each other somehow. I was shocked by what happened at the party and the stuff about his first and would have loved to have gotten to know the characters better with a longer book. I needed more about his first wife to full understand everything, but it was still a great book.
January 12, 2016
I had higher hopes for a Lily Graison book. The story was a little rushed and some things mentioned, seemed unresolved. I have read all of this series up to this book and there are a few books with bad editing. The most notable instance in this book was "Anna stepped threw the doorway". After the story the author did explain that, as part of the muliti-author series participation, "stories were limited in word count to no more than 45,000 words". I liked the characters though, so I will try another Lily Graison story without those limits.
January 1, 2016
Great Story
Anna answered an as to be a mail lederhosen Gabriel. She didn't know he didn't write it and had no interest in marriage. The first time was a disaster and he had no interest in going through that heartbreak again. Anna is sad but stays on as the governess for his daughter. She holds out hope that he will change his mind. You'll have to read the story to find out what happens.
Anna answered an as to be a mail lederhosen Gabriel. She didn't know he didn't write it and had no interest in marriage. The first time was a disaster and he had no interest in going through that heartbreak again. Anna is sad but stays on as the governess for his daughter. She holds out hope that he will change his mind. You'll have to read the story to find out what happens.
February 14, 2016
For the most part I am enjoying this series of short, sweet romances. However, the word limit of 45,000 words has made some stories feel rushed and half-finished or incomplete. I felt this way with the last two sections of this book...there was this wonderful climax but the resolution felt flat, almost like an afterthought. I think this author is rather talented and I'm sorry that a pre-determined word count pushed her to end the story before it was really finished.
January 17, 2016
Wonderful mail order bride plot, loved it!
I loved Anna, Enjoyed the suspense and the sweet love that bloomed. The plot kept me turning the pages while the element of surprise was weaved in skillfully.
I loved Anna, Enjoyed the suspense and the sweet love that bloomed. The plot kept me turning the pages while the element of surprise was weaved in skillfully.
February 2, 2016
I liked a great deal of the story. However, there were several misspellings and grammar mistakes. I felt as if the author wrote it in a hurry just to be done with it and rushed. Some of it could have been fleshed out even with the word count issue.
May 31, 2016
Very enjoyable story. Could have been fleshed out a little more. But I did enjoy this book. Glad I took a chance and grabbed it was worth my time reading. Will be checking more of her other books out
December 11, 2015
Great read!!!
This is the first book I've read by Lily Graison and I loved it, another book from this series I can add to my favorites!!!
This is the first book I've read by Lily Graison and I loved it, another book from this series I can add to my favorites!!!
December 31, 2015
Love Gabriel and Ana
I loved this story it might be a little short but it packs a punch when it comes to characters . What a great premise for a story.
I loved this story it might be a little short but it packs a punch when it comes to characters . What a great premise for a story.
January 9, 2016
Cute
I liked the relationships and the tension in this story! I could envision the pond and the river as beautiful places.-Barbie
I liked the relationships and the tension in this story! I could envision the pond and the river as beautiful places.-Barbie
January 15, 2016
just an okay story! The beginning was a little weird and even weirder the way they met!
January 17, 2016
Beautiful story
Once there was a sad young woman and she found a great chance, all started by a mischief making daughter!
Once there was a sad young woman and she found a great chance, all started by a mischief making daughter!
February 9, 2016
Quick read
Good plot. Bad editing. Too many typos. Otherwise, one of the best, plot wise in the American Mail Order bride series.
Good plot. Bad editing. Too many typos. Otherwise, one of the best, plot wise in the American Mail Order bride series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews