Mail Order Bride: Katie

Orphan Brides Go West #3

by Vivi Holt

Newly pregnant, Katie’s husband is killed in a construction accident in downtown Boston. Having lost her parents as a girl, she has to rely on her own skills to make her way. When she loses her job as well, she doesn’t know where to turn for help.

Swedish immigrant, Kristoff, owns a thriving business in California after the boom of the gold mines brought so many new settlers to the area. Even with all of his success, he longs for a companion to share his life with. After revealing his desires in a correspondence with his cousin back east, she tells him about Katie’s predicament. Before long Katie heads west to marry him, convinced it is the only way to take care of the baby growing inside of her.

Afraid to tell Kristoff about the baby, Katie tries desperately to keep her condition a secret. What will Kristoff do when he discovers she has been hiding the truth? Can their fledgling love overcome an omission this big?

This book is a sweet, clean, western, historical, romance novella. It is a complete story, but it is also part of the Orphan Brides Go West series. Be sure to read them all - in any order!

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Westerns, Historical Fiction, Mail Order Brides, Fiction

180 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2016

About the author

Vivi Holt writes inspirational romance. Of her books, readers say:

"The plot kept me enthralled and the pages turning"
"I cried and laughed"
"What an awesome ending. Can't wait for more!!"

Vivi lives in beautiful Brisbane, Australia with her husband and three young children. Growing up on a farm she learned to love the country life and now she writes about it in her books. History has always fascinated her as well, so writing historical romance seemed a natural progression. She loves horse-riding, hiking, and reading.

Her goal is to write touching, emotional and sweet romances stories that captivate the reader and transport them to another place and time.

Follow Vivi on:
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/viviholt.aut...)
Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivi_holt)
Contact her at vivi@viviholt.com

Reviews

[Stephanie (Between the Coverz) · Rating 5 out of 5]

No matter how hard you try in the end your conscious can catch up to you. I liked how the story showed the hardships of a pregnancy to be true to what woman can experience. After the bumpy train and wagon ride, any woman would be sick especially being pregnant. This gave the story some believable moments to it.

Throughout the story there was background history and details which helps you to connect with the characters. I felt for the hardships the characters had to go through and was joyful when they had good times together and started to let their feelings show for each other. I read the first two books in the series and feel the author gets better with each book that she writes. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

*Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for a honest review*

[Ester · Rating 4 out of 5]

A store owner in California needs a wife, he cousin tells him about a young widow that lost her husband. Upon thinking about the lady he asked her to marry him. She went to marry him knowing he didn't know her secret that she was hiding from him. When would she tell him her secret before or after the marriage. This is a good book and I most people would like to read it.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kristoff is a business owner in Sacramento and lonely and wants a wife, but women are scares when he is looking for a Christian woman with good morals in frontier 1880's. His cousin Hannah back in Boston has the perfect answer for him finding a bride.

Katie is a young pregnant widow in need of security for herself and her unborn child after her husband was killed in a construction accident. She takes a chance and travels to Sacramento and find Kristoff not just charming and good looking but confident, stable and a very nice man; he is just what she wants in a husband.

I liked that this was a clean western and that trust and a deep relationship could be found by mature adults.

[Heather C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was an exciting reading experience that I dove into on a whim. I knew nothing about this author or series and had not read anything mail order bride related before; so I essentially started this with no expectations. I haven’t historically read a lot of romances, but that is quickly starting to change. This is a sweet romance, so there are a couple chaste kissing scenes (with their desire for more…), but there is no dancing between the sheets here. You could feel the passion and interest in both of the characters, but everything is kept in check because of various plot points that I’m not going to spoil here.

Although this is novella length, it had the feel of a full length novel. The plotting did not feel rushed, as some romances (even full length romances) can tend toward. There were complete character arcs and real time spent with relationship development. I actually cared for everyone involved in this story, even the periphery characters, they were all fully fleshed out. The story moved right along and I did not want to put it down – I just wanted to reach the end of the story and ultimately want to pick up the previous two (and the upcoming too). This is the third book in the series, but they do not need to be read in any particular order and I don’t know that they are really interrelated, besides being based on brides that are orphans and head west. This was not what I consider a typical mail order bride novel, based on what that term brings to mind. It was more of an arrangement through a third party friend, rather than through a service of some kind.

Another element that I really liked was the choice of settings – Boston and Sacramento, California. These are not common locations and they were fleshed out enough to be unique locations, not just stamped. It made the story feel fresh.

This review was previously posted at The Maiden's Court blog and the book was received in exchange for an honest review.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such pain and headache to have the love of your life with the future open before you to find out you are pregnant and that your husbands died all in the same day, on top of that you lose your job. To know you have no way to take care of yourself, pay your bills and take care of a baby with no job in sight. Your best friend talks you into marrying her cousin who lives far away knowing you can’t tell him about the baby. You are a lone in the world as you move all the way across the country to marry a man you never met. This all in the first few pages why you are still dealing with your lose. I wonder how many of us would do this, what if the only thing left is to entertain men in a sexual way. When the last one is added yep I would be on the first train to anyone who was willing to take me on. I could relate to Katie and all she went through along with why she felt or thought the way she did. There are misunderstandings, hurt and sorrow before Katie can find a place to call home.

This is a very sweet clean read filled with what if or does he/she still want me. There is confusion on both sides each trying to read each other’s actions and usually coming up with the wrong answer. This is a short read you can read at one setting. The author writes a great story with a wonderful plot which will break your heart. You really do not know who to cheer for at the start you only know your heart is breaking for Katie and all she has lost. I did feel the story was hurried and pushed a little but the author does fit in a lot in a short time. Both Katie and Kristoff will steal your heart why you would like to shake them for not just saying what is on their mind. I really enjoyed this short read of Katie and Kristoff story it is a very touching read.

[Cindy Caron · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story, telling the tale of how a woman who experiences the loss of her husband due to a work related accident on the same day she discovers she is pregnant, has been given a new hope of happiness thanks to her best friend and neighbor. Katie is floating in despair after loosing her husband Nicholas so soon after being married. To make matters worse, she suspects she is expecting a child, and wasn't even able to tell Nicholas. As long as she's working, she should be able to take care of herself and her child, but fate has a nasty streak, and on her first day back to work after the funeral, she discovers that she no longer has a job, as her employers are moving. Thank goodness for best friends, as Hannah comes to her rescue when things get worse than she thought possible. When Hannah receives a letter from her cousin in California telling her how lonely he is, she starts to think that perhaps two of the most important people in her life would be perfect for each other. Will they be able to find love and make a life together? Will Kristoff be able to accept Katie and her unborn child? Such a heart warming story, you won't want to miss it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mail Order Bride: Katie ( Orphan Brides Go West Book-3 )
By: Vivi Holt

Mail Order Bride Katie is book three in Orphan Brides Go West Series. I have not read book one and two , but I did not have any problems with the story or the characters. I love a sweet, clean, western historical romance, and that is what Vivi Holt weaves us. This is my first to read by author Vivi Holt , but hopefully it will not be my last. Katie’s husband was killed in an accident in Boston and she lost her job too. I felt sorry for Katie. She was told about ladies going west for husbands. Kristoff owns a very good business in California, but he is lonely. What happens if a lady makes this trip out west and then one of them decides they do not want to get married? Kathi is keeping a secret, what will happen if her secret is found out?
I was given a copy of this book by the author for my honest review, which I have given.

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

LETTING GO AND LEARNING TO TRUST
I enjoyed this emotional second chance western romance. Katie Pearson goes from the overwhelming excitement of learning she and her newly husband, Nicolas, are going to have a baby to total anguish and despair of being told he has been killed in a work-related accident. With the help of a dear teacher friend and neighbor, Hannah, she is offered the chance to become a mail-order bride to Hannah’s cousin, Kristoff Petersen. The plot kept me enthralled and the pages turning as Katie struggles with the pregnancy, keeping secrets, uncertainty, and the fear of rejection. Kristoff feels that Katie is the answer to prayers about his loneliness, but he senses she is keeping something from him. What will happen when the secret is revealed? Will Kristoff reject Katie or will he embrace the situation and make a life with her? Disclosure: I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions, and ratings are my own.

[Carol Mcgrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie, A very good story.

Katie is planning on telling her husband, Nick, that she is pregnant, only to find out when she gets home t that he died that day as a result of a construction accident. Her friend, Hannah, is there to comfort her through the hard day's that follow. Just when Katie is prepared to tell her employer that she's pregnant her employer tells her they are moving to New York and she will not be joining them. What is she to do. She can't afford the rent so Hannah tells her to move in with her. Hannah has a relatively lives in Sacramento and she contacts him telling him about Katie but does not mean that she's pregnant. Kristoff contacts Katie and asks her to marry him. She goes to Sacramento but never tells him she's p pregnant. It's their wedding day. Do they get married or does he leave her? A delightful book which I believe you will enjoy.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story will have you rejoicing as the characters connect with one another and show their feelings, but you'll also have emotions of sadness as they endure hardship and struggles. In the end, honesty is always the best policy and you can't hide something forever, nor can you keep a secret even if you want to hide it or not let others know. The trials Katie goes through are tremendous, which is a reason I connected so well to the story.

Having not read the other two books in this series, I found it an enjoyable read and I would recommend it. I would like to read more from this author.

Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion, which I have provided.

[Bhriv · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mail Order Bride: Katie, written by Vivi Holt, is book 3 of the Orphan Brides Go West series. This is the first book I've read by this author.
I found the book to be very much like other Mail Order Bride books...honesty is a challenge is many of the cases as the brides or the grooms didn't want to be completely honest with one another because they wanted the security of marriage. This book didn't disappoint me in that aspect.
If you're looking for a deeply spiritual book, this one is not, although it promotes good morals and is a clean read. Characters are lacking a lot of depth, but I think the author did a fine job but has room to grow. I'm not sure I will read more of this series, but I would be willing to read other books by this author in the future.

[Sanderella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Katie is a young woman who lives in Boston with her husband. She has lost so much in her young life, her parents died in an accident. Katie has just found out that she is pregnant and can't wait to tell her husband. But, before she can tell him, he's killed in a construction accident. Poor Katie!! What is she going to do now?? It seems as tho all of the cards are stacked against her. Will becoming a mail order bride be her only salvation?? Should she tell the prospective groom that she is with child or wait until they say "I do"~~ read this sweet story and find out what becomes of Katie.

[Dusty Summerford (Reviews by Reds) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by Vivi Holt but it definitely won't be my last. I love a good historical read, one that makes you feel like you are in that time period. This story does exactly that. I could picture everything perfectly.

Katie lives in Boston with her husband. Tragedy strikes and she finds herself pregnant and a widow. She then finds out she has lost her job as a maid because her employers are moving. Thankfully her best friend Hanna takes her in.
Hanna has a cousin, Kristoff, in California that she feels is perfect for Katie. So Katie becomes a mail order bride in a way.

This was a very sweet romance. I enjoyed it very much.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this historical fiction book. It helps today to remember what people went through so many years ago. We have so many modern appliances and food is so easy to get. Even with little money compared to what these people went through.

I like this story about Katie and the tragedy she went through. Her spirit was so strong, even though she was scared. I wanted to see more and more how she was going to handle the situations she was in.
She knew she had a child on the way and her sweet spirit saved her when she was totally honest. This book is a delightful read. Would like to read more of her books...

[Dot Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light "Surface" Read With Little Depth

Although there was a tale to be found in this book, the story lacked depth and the characters felt flat. I didn't notice in the description for the book that it was a Christian book or I probably wouldn't have read it in the first place. Regardless, I doubt I will read any more books in this series. For these reasons, I gave this book a 3 star rating, which to me means it's a so-so book that I won't read again, but it's not the worst book I've ever read.

I will say, however, that the first few chapters of a new series by this author were included and I found it rather interesting, so I may try another of Ms. Holt's books.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC in return for an honest review. Vivi Holt brings us the 3rd bride of the Orphan Brides Go West. Katie has earlier lost her parents. Now she has just lost her husband, just found out that she is pregnant, and just lost her job. What will she do now? She decides to become a mail order bride to Kristoff in CA. She also decides to not tell Kristoff about the baby until after they are married. I could not quit reading. Vivi Holt does a good job of holding us in suspense about what will happen to these two lonely people.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

A historical romance like this is very telling in showing how much women's roles in society have changed. Katie finds herself pregnant and widowed all in the same day. Still, she thinks she might make it work, until she loses her job as a maid. Thankfully, she has a friend who helps her out--but later, it seems the best option for Katie is to travel west to marry the cousin of her friend!

The conflict then comes from Katie not telling her soon-to-be-husband about her pregnancy and the perceptions of the other's behavior.

The characters are well done.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Katie's husband is killed on a construction job the same day she realizes that she is pregnant. Her job disappears when her employer moves to another town. Her landlord has offered her a job entertaining gentlemen. She is frightened and alone with no income. Her friend offers her a place to stay for a while. Then her cousin in SAN Francisco writes that he would like a wife so she suggests her friend Katie.

[Reader43 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie faces an uncertain and dangerous future

Katie has few prospects after learning she is pregnant, widowed, and unemployed, all within 24 hours. She makes a brave decision, to write a letter in response to a request for a bride. Few women who answered these ads had other choices. Vivi Holt writes with understanding and care of the plight of these women. Love the care and handling of their stories.

[Sandy Mckenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first mail order bride book I have read and I am hooked. Katies loses her husband, is pregnant and moves out west to marry a store owner (her best friend's cousin). I really enjoyed reading this, it was a short read and quite relaxing. It was however very predictable. A few secrets, and fear of what will happen when those secrets are found out. But a good read, and I will read the rest of the series.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice story...

This is a story of sorrow over the loss of a husband, joy in the discovery of pregnancy and stressful heartache of looking for a way to live in safety. Katie thanks her friends and God for a new life far from Boston. It's a nice story to be enjoyed by anyone of any age.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trust.

I enjoyed Katie Pearson 's story. After Nickolas' death, Katie faced an uncertain future. Taking a chance by agreeing to marrying a man she didn't know, Katie found that being honest was the only way to ensure her future and that of her unborn child. Truly a wonderful story.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story of widowed Katie moving west to make a family with her friend Hannah's cousin Kristoff. Katie's husband Nickolas died in a construction accident in Boston and Katie has no where to go. Her friend Hannah takes her in and then sends a letter to her cousin to see if he would make it a match. Katie is worried that her pregnancy will interfere.

[Mark Mcdaniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I so wanted to like this book!

I wanted to like this book I really did, but, unfortunately it suffers from the problems that are endemic to most of this genre. The plot is so thin as to be non-existent, and the characters are uninteresting. This is not to say that the book is a total loss,. The book is clean which will appeal to mothers with young children!

[Rachelle Komrowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I truly felt for her. I cried and laughed. I felt the emotions that was meant vivi did absolutely amazing getting the emotions across. What an awesome ending. Can't wait for more!!

[Mary Longoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mail Order brides: Katie

Good read, clean interesting twists and turns. Relaxing story, love friendships, characters and loyalty. Recommend for all ages. Grab a cup of tea, guick read.

[Glaidene Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Western Romance

5 star's for Viv Holt's book Katie. I really liked this story and I hope you will enjoy readers it too!!!!!!!

[Tonya VanWinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honesty is the best policy

I enjoyed this sweet story. I'm thankful characters and real people both have fears without them stories would be far too short!

[Cassey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me. But for those who like love happens quickly tales.

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short sweet western romance novella, Katie Pearson is pregnant alone in Boston in 1870. Her husband, Nickolas died in an accident at work, the same day she found out she was going to have a baby. Will Kistroff lives in California, owns a business but needs a companion to share his life and love with. Katie's friend, Hannah in Boston was his cousin and she got them to write to each other. After a couple of letters Kristroff send her a one-way train ticket, and wants to marry her as soon as she could get there.

Katie kept the baby a secret thinking Kistroff would not want to be with her and a baby but she needs a home. After a long train ride from Boston to Sacramento, California she arrived but had a hard time telling him about the baby. This was a clean, interesting and entertaining story. I enjoyed this western mail order bride novella. Enjoy.