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Missouri Bride
From the #1 Kindle Bestselling Author in Victorian and Western Romance! WED TO A STRANGER! In 1873 St. Louis, Amy Harris and her younger sister Hannah lead desperate lives, terrorized by their cruel, mentally unstable mother. When a powerful, handsome gentleman comes calling, an instant attraction develops between Amy and newcomer Matt Kendall. Amy soon sees the prosperous farmer as the answer to her prayers. Agreeing to a marriage of convenience, Amy weds Matt and moves with him to his farm in the Missouri Ozarks. Only then does Amy realize the enormity of her hasty decision. She finds herself wed to a mysterious stranger, a man whose barely repressed violence simmers just beneath the surface of their marriage. Much as she desires her masterful bridegroom, Matt’s passions frighten Amy, and the secrets haunting him leave her baffled and in turmoil. Yet Amy soon finds herself willingly in Matt’s bed and overwhelmed by their intense and addictive lovemaking. She discovers her husband’s demons are rooted in the Civil War, “Bloody Kansas,” and the outlaw gangs that evolved from Quantrill’s Raiders. Yet past has also become prelude as the feared James and Younger Gangs ravage the region once again. Desperately in love with Matt, Amy feels terribly torn. Does Matt want to avenge the rekindled lawlessness, or is he a part of it? Can their love be saved, or will it be consumed by the fires of age-old vendettas and hatreds? Missouri Bride is a passionate and sweeping Western Frontier Romance of approximately 138,000 words. Author Eugenia Riley is the renowned, bestselling author of dozens of historical, contemporary and time-travel romances, including the classics A TRYST IN TIME and BUSHWHACKED BRIDE. She has numerous romances available in Kindle. EDITORIAL Four and a Half Stars!! "A beautiful tender love story. The manner in which Matt woos and wins Amy will melt every reader's heart, leaving a very warm feeling." --Romantic Times
- GenresHistorical Romance
404 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 28, 2016
101 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Eugenia Riley
78 books100 followersEugenia Riley is the award-winning, bestselling author of dozens of historical, contemporary and time-travel romances, including A TRYST IN TIME, TEMPEST IN TIME, and TIMESWEPT BRIDE. She is a #1 Bestselling Author of Time Travel Romance at Amazon and Kindle. She has written for publishers including Avon, Bantam, Warner, Harlequin and Dorchester.
Eugenia is delighted to announce the launching of Eugenia Riley Classics, a new imprint featuring all of your favorite Eugenia Riley historical, contemporary, and time-travel romances, finally available again in Kindle, NOOK, Kobo and at iBooks! Eugenia's currently available e-book list includes: WANTED ACROSS TIME; BUSHWHACKED BRIDE; BUSHWHACKED GROOM; PHANTOM IN TIME; EMBERS OF TIME; A CHRISTMAS IN TIME; LOVERS AND OTHER LUNATICS; TIMESWEPT BRIDE; TIMESWEPT BABY; THE PHANTOM OF THE BATHTUB ; TEMPEST IN TIME; and TWO HEARTS IN TIME.
Eugenia's latest release, WANTED ACROSS TIME, is an April 2013 release in Kindle, NOOK, Kobo, and at iBooks. WANTED ACROSS TIME is a wild and sexy romp back in time to the Wild West, in the tradition of BUSHWHACKED BRIDE and BUSHWHACKED GROOM.
Eugenia is especially acclaimed for her nine time travel romance novels. Her first two, A TRYST IN TIME and TEMPEST IN TIME, were Waldenbooks romance bestsellers in mass-market paperback; both titles sold out of print three times. Three of her time-travels placed on the Ingram's romance list; and EMBERS OF TIME was a top ten bestseller in time-travel at Borders. Eight of Eugenia's time-travels have earned 5 star ratings or better at Heartland Critiques, and all have won numerous high ratings and rave reviews in publications such as Romantic Times, Rendezvous, and The Literary Times. Reviewer Harriet Klausner calls Eugenia "the empress of time-travel romance." She has received thousands of fan letters on her novels, from locations all over the world.
Eugenia is the winner of the HOLT Medallion for WALTZ IN TIME. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas, a former English teacher and editor of TOUCHSTONE Literary Quarterly. She lives in Texas with her husband; they have two grown daughters and two grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 25, 2016
Excellent Read!! This story is a Western Frontier romance.
The setting is St Louis, Missouri in 1873. The story begins
at the Harris home. Amy and Hannah, her younger sister
live there with their alcoholic mother. Their father returned
from the war only to be driven away by his wife. He
abandoned the child and has not be heard from in years.
Amy is engaged to a peddler who travels around selling
his wares. He also gambles heavily. Three times he has
promised Amy to marry her but never shows up.
Matt Kendall, one of her father’s war buddies who is now
a prosperous farmer comes to visit the father. He decides
upon meeting Amy that she would make the perfect wife.
She is smitten and agrees. They are married then are off
to the farm in the Missouri Ozarks.
Will their marriage work out with Amy being so naïve?
Will Amy be able to handle the chores of a farm wife in
the wilderness? What will happen to Hannah now that
she is left alone with her mother? What will happen when
Amy’s former fiancé finds her married? Will Amy’s father
ever return?
This is a fast paced, well written story. There are a lot of
unexpected twists. The characters are all well defined and
well developed. The flavor of each character mixes
together to make a good read.
Description is deftly woven into the story. You will feel
as if you are part of each character lives.
The author deals with many social issues: child abuse,
alcoholism, abandonment, post war stress, gambling,
broken promises x3, personal adjustments, train robberies,
An exploding bank robbery, notorious outlaws ( Jesse
James and his gang ), kidnapping, suspense and so much
more. There is also a powerful message of forgiveness,
faith, trust, friendship and love.
Thank you to the author for this eBook. My opinion is my own.
The setting is St Louis, Missouri in 1873. The story begins
at the Harris home. Amy and Hannah, her younger sister
live there with their alcoholic mother. Their father returned
from the war only to be driven away by his wife. He
abandoned the child and has not be heard from in years.
Amy is engaged to a peddler who travels around selling
his wares. He also gambles heavily. Three times he has
promised Amy to marry her but never shows up.
Matt Kendall, one of her father’s war buddies who is now
a prosperous farmer comes to visit the father. He decides
upon meeting Amy that she would make the perfect wife.
She is smitten and agrees. They are married then are off
to the farm in the Missouri Ozarks.
Will their marriage work out with Amy being so naïve?
Will Amy be able to handle the chores of a farm wife in
the wilderness? What will happen to Hannah now that
she is left alone with her mother? What will happen when
Amy’s former fiancé finds her married? Will Amy’s father
ever return?
This is a fast paced, well written story. There are a lot of
unexpected twists. The characters are all well defined and
well developed. The flavor of each character mixes
together to make a good read.
Description is deftly woven into the story. You will feel
as if you are part of each character lives.
The author deals with many social issues: child abuse,
alcoholism, abandonment, post war stress, gambling,
broken promises x3, personal adjustments, train robberies,
An exploding bank robbery, notorious outlaws ( Jesse
James and his gang ), kidnapping, suspense and so much
more. There is also a powerful message of forgiveness,
faith, trust, friendship and love.
Thank you to the author for this eBook. My opinion is my own.
September 29, 2016
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This historical romance takes place in 1873 and begins several years after two young girls were abandoned by their father with a mother who leaves much to be desired. Amy Harris has been waiting some time for her beau to come through and marry her but with him still missing and a new rather intriguing man suddenly on her doorstep eager to marry her she hastily marries and moves to his home hoping for a better life. At eighteen she is not really sure what being a farmer’s wife or even what a being a wife might entail so is thankful that Matt Kendall has promised to “give her time”.
Matt is rather distant and opinionated while Amy is saucy and outspoken. Their time is not easy together and it takes a LONG time for them to actually start getting along. There is someone from the past that shows up, her sister’s situation to think about, train and bank robberies taking place, new neighbors to get to know and a whole lot more going on before everyone ends up with their happy ending.
This was an okay book with plenty of story to read although I found it difficult to believe that Matt would wait as long as he did or that the two together could or would behave as they did in many places in this story. It was entertaining and solid and typical of books of this genre.
This historical romance takes place in 1873 and begins several years after two young girls were abandoned by their father with a mother who leaves much to be desired. Amy Harris has been waiting some time for her beau to come through and marry her but with him still missing and a new rather intriguing man suddenly on her doorstep eager to marry her she hastily marries and moves to his home hoping for a better life. At eighteen she is not really sure what being a farmer’s wife or even what a being a wife might entail so is thankful that Matt Kendall has promised to “give her time”.
Matt is rather distant and opinionated while Amy is saucy and outspoken. Their time is not easy together and it takes a LONG time for them to actually start getting along. There is someone from the past that shows up, her sister’s situation to think about, train and bank robberies taking place, new neighbors to get to know and a whole lot more going on before everyone ends up with their happy ending.
This was an okay book with plenty of story to read although I found it difficult to believe that Matt would wait as long as he did or that the two together could or would behave as they did in many places in this story. It was entertaining and solid and typical of books of this genre.
October 7, 2016
I really liked Eugenia Riley's "Missouri Bride," it was a heart-warming story that was sweet and passionate. Amy's life hasn't been easy since her father never came back from the Civil War. She has a younger sister and a crazy, drunken mother. She is kind of engaged to marry Lacy, but this is the third time he stood her up and didn't come back to town when he promised he would to marry her.
Enter Matt, he was a younger friend of her father's before and during the war and stopped by to see her father on his way to Virginia. He didn't know Amy's father had never come back from the war and doesn't know if he is alive or dead. He sees Amy and instantly decides he wants her, he thinks she will make an excellent farmer's wife out in the country.
Amy gets a little more than she bargained for when marrying a stranger. She isn't quite ready to be Matt's wife in every way - she doesn't think she knows him well enough. Matt doesn't share a lot with her, he doesn't talk about the war or her father and his relationship with him. Amy also worries about her younger sister back home.
Amy and Matt do have a lot of chemistry, but there was something missing for me. The author told the reader that Matt was mysterious, but I didn't feel it. It didn't take away from the story too much, but I wanted to know more of his thoughts.
There is passion in the story, which is well done and a little steamy, the story drags a bit in the middle before it picks up again. Recommended read, I enjoyed it and I think other readers who like western historical romances would too.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Enter Matt, he was a younger friend of her father's before and during the war and stopped by to see her father on his way to Virginia. He didn't know Amy's father had never come back from the war and doesn't know if he is alive or dead. He sees Amy and instantly decides he wants her, he thinks she will make an excellent farmer's wife out in the country.
Amy gets a little more than she bargained for when marrying a stranger. She isn't quite ready to be Matt's wife in every way - she doesn't think she knows him well enough. Matt doesn't share a lot with her, he doesn't talk about the war or her father and his relationship with him. Amy also worries about her younger sister back home.
Amy and Matt do have a lot of chemistry, but there was something missing for me. The author told the reader that Matt was mysterious, but I didn't feel it. It didn't take away from the story too much, but I wanted to know more of his thoughts.
There is passion in the story, which is well done and a little steamy, the story drags a bit in the middle before it picks up again. Recommended read, I enjoyed it and I think other readers who like western historical romances would too.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
September 13, 2016
This book won't be everyone's cup of tea. This is really important because some people won't get where the story is going or anything and will absolutely hate it. While I didn't love the book, I respected how the author was staying pretty close to real life in this setting while still spinning a romance story. I did find it enjoyable and did find I liked the struggle and realness.
The reality is, life for women in this area and time wasn't all peaches and cream. The story showed that with the heroines desperate feelings and marrying a man she just met in order to leave her mother and live somewhere else. Granted, the two were attracted to one another so at least her husband wasn't hideous, hold or anything of that kind. Also, for the most part, she lucked out with a decent man who wouldn't abuse her and would love her.
The story is gritty, real and not for someone who expects fluff.
The reality is, life for women in this area and time wasn't all peaches and cream. The story showed that with the heroines desperate feelings and marrying a man she just met in order to leave her mother and live somewhere else. Granted, the two were attracted to one another so at least her husband wasn't hideous, hold or anything of that kind. Also, for the most part, she lucked out with a decent man who wouldn't abuse her and would love her.
The story is gritty, real and not for someone who expects fluff.
May 7, 2017
In this story you have a young woman who has taken care of her sister all her life. She hopes for a better future but the person she trusts is nowhere. I guess you can say he towing with her like you would a cat and a piece of string. Now do to pure fate in walks someone who could change everything for her. Will she have the courage to go for a better future? What about her sister leaving her was so hard to do? For the most part this is a story about the journey of Amy and Matt and all the ups and downs. Yes there is a truly bad guy in the mix but also what turns out to be a wonderful surprise for the sisters. You cannot help falling in love with the characters it is a book I highly recommend. I am part of this author advance reading group and I am volunteering it to leave an honest review as a thank you for letting me read her stories.
May 12, 2017
Amy Harris and her younger sister are living in fear from there unstable Mother they never know when she will go crazy but just one day this stranger comes a calling he was handsome good nature and stimulating he asks her to marry him Agreeing to a marriage of convenience, so she goes and when she is with him things go a little crazy he has problems from the war and soon she finds him dominating in the bedroom but she is scared of it at first but then welcomes him in bed but things happen the out laws called Quantrill’s Raiders come and start destroying everything what will happens so hot and sexy read exciting too. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. Michelle
October 8, 2018
Missouri Bride
The love story of Amy and Matt. When Amy met Matt it was love at first sight. When Amy abusive mother saw that Matt like Amy ,she begin to play to get Matt to marry Amy. One it was so she was giving money for Amy but she refuse to let her second daughter go with them, even though she hated her. Can Amy rescue her sister?
Matt and Amy marriage is not going well. They are fighting a lot and they have not consummate their marriage and now he is tell her she will not leave the farm until she keep her word. Can two very price people make their marry work? Great story.
The love story of Amy and Matt. When Amy met Matt it was love at first sight. When Amy abusive mother saw that Matt like Amy ,she begin to play to get Matt to marry Amy. One it was so she was giving money for Amy but she refuse to let her second daughter go with them, even though she hated her. Can Amy rescue her sister?
Matt and Amy marriage is not going well. They are fighting a lot and they have not consummate their marriage and now he is tell her she will not leave the farm until she keep her word. Can two very price people make their marry work? Great story.
May 8, 2017
This is an entertaining story that tells of the trials and tribulations of a newly wed couple, Amy and Matt. They have many misunderstandings mainly due to pride and lack of discussion. There are interesting secondary characters in the shape of their neighbours and Amy's sweet younger sister. It includes plenty of action in the storyline that will keep you reading until the last page. I received a free copy which I voluntarily reviewed. This is my honest review.
June 11, 2017
I received a free book and voluntarily chose to review it. This book is more than just a story about a new bride and her husband. She has an attitude that could be called very strong willed (aka stubborn). She will need this to get safely through her story. You may need some tissues. There were several places that I used tissues.
June 30, 2017
Matt and Amy are such a good couple if they would just be quiet and let their hearts speak for them. I'm really not one to read books that have any kind of war theme to them so I was so happy that I was able to get into this book and enjoy it without having that part damper my read. The bond Amy had with her sister was so great I just loved it. I think that was the best part for me.
November 3, 2019
Matt and amy
Well written so much going on in this story with Matt and his past demons and in securities Amy learning and finally accepting and understanding Matt but they had their HEA would highly recommend great story line
Well written so much going on in this story with Matt and his past demons and in securities Amy learning and finally accepting and understanding Matt but they had their HEA would highly recommend great story line
June 21, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A marriage of convenience by two damaged people with hurts so deep, it's amazing they could overcome them.
June 29, 2017
Great read! I enjoyed it.
May 2, 2018
Missouri Bride
I loved this story, I recommend everyone to read this book, I look forward to reading more of her books.Kattie.
I loved this story, I recommend everyone to read this book, I look forward to reading more of her books.Kattie.
September 23, 2018
Amy
This book puts you right there with the characters. I enjoyed reading this book very much, and I love a book that has lots of pages.
This book puts you right there with the characters. I enjoyed reading this book very much, and I love a book that has lots of pages.
February 16, 2021
Missouri Bride
When Matt came looking for an old friend he found a bride instead. Amy found farm work very hard but the hardest was to read her husband.
When Matt came looking for an old friend he found a bride instead. Amy found farm work very hard but the hardest was to read her husband.
July 3, 2016
I loved reading this story. It has been awhile since I read a historical romance that was set near the 1800’s which held my attention so well. Most of the books of this time period I have read lately I haven’t even reviewed because I just don’t know what to write because there isn’t enough “meat” to the story. I didn’t find that with Eugenia Riley’s, Missouri Bride
Missouri Bride follows the Civil War by about 10 years so we are ensconced in a story that brings the heartache, emotional and mental traumas of the destruction that war brings. Matt Kendall and Amy Harris both suffered tragedy during the war and each survived but not without lasting impressions that cause problems in forming relationships. Matt, at 17, watched his uncle and father killed and then joined the Confederate Army seeing death and desolation, but in an added twist he joins with Quantrill’s Raiders where he is exposed to much more cruelty and brutality. His life is spared through the influence of Abel Harris, Amy’s father.
Amy last seen her father while he was on leave from the war and what she witnessed between her father and her mother has left her with the wrong impression of marriage and the relationship between a husband and wife. Her father leaves and never comes back but Amy is left wishing he did. Amy’s mother is cruel and mentally unstable leaving Amy and her younger sister, Hannah, living in abuse and fear. Their only hope lies in two men….their father and his return and Lacy Garrett, Amy’s fiancé.
Matt Kendall, believes his life is set for a particular course but takes a side trip back to St. Louis to see his friend Abel Harris. He is surprised by the news he hasn’t been around in years and feels compelled to help Amy and Hannah. Matt and Amy decide to marry but both are unsure how to trust and open themselves to each other to make their marriage work. Through several trials they begin to forge a bond, when Lacy Garrett comes to town. This love triangle is filled with anger, revenge, love, loyalty and sacrifice. When the dust settles, the question is who is Amy going to choose?
This is definitely a story filled with layers of dynamics to keep the readers interest. There is war and the changes that result in both people and places; there is young love; lawlessness; domestic abuse; child abuse; mental instability and finally there is the happy ending for the characters.
I highly recommend this historical romance and believe it will capture your interest. I received this ARC copy in exchange for my review.
Missouri Bride follows the Civil War by about 10 years so we are ensconced in a story that brings the heartache, emotional and mental traumas of the destruction that war brings. Matt Kendall and Amy Harris both suffered tragedy during the war and each survived but not without lasting impressions that cause problems in forming relationships. Matt, at 17, watched his uncle and father killed and then joined the Confederate Army seeing death and desolation, but in an added twist he joins with Quantrill’s Raiders where he is exposed to much more cruelty and brutality. His life is spared through the influence of Abel Harris, Amy’s father.
Amy last seen her father while he was on leave from the war and what she witnessed between her father and her mother has left her with the wrong impression of marriage and the relationship between a husband and wife. Her father leaves and never comes back but Amy is left wishing he did. Amy’s mother is cruel and mentally unstable leaving Amy and her younger sister, Hannah, living in abuse and fear. Their only hope lies in two men….their father and his return and Lacy Garrett, Amy’s fiancé.
Matt Kendall, believes his life is set for a particular course but takes a side trip back to St. Louis to see his friend Abel Harris. He is surprised by the news he hasn’t been around in years and feels compelled to help Amy and Hannah. Matt and Amy decide to marry but both are unsure how to trust and open themselves to each other to make their marriage work. Through several trials they begin to forge a bond, when Lacy Garrett comes to town. This love triangle is filled with anger, revenge, love, loyalty and sacrifice. When the dust settles, the question is who is Amy going to choose?
This is definitely a story filled with layers of dynamics to keep the readers interest. There is war and the changes that result in both people and places; there is young love; lawlessness; domestic abuse; child abuse; mental instability and finally there is the happy ending for the characters.
I highly recommend this historical romance and believe it will capture your interest. I received this ARC copy in exchange for my review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2016
First let me qualify my rating and review by staying that I did not finish this book. My opinion very quickly went from "oh, how sweet! " to "kill it with fire".
It started off well enough- a young lady has done the best she can raising her sister, protecting her from her abusive mother after being abandoned by her father. She hopes to marry and escape her life. Lo and behold, a charming man steps in and pays her mom to let her marry. Too bad her baby sister can't come, but she's got to look out for herself, right?
Get charming stranger of a husband has zero people skills, often struggles with wanting to rape his wife (let's be honest here, that IS what he's talking himself out of) because she isn't jumping in the bed immediately. When he's angry with her he insinuates she's a whore for marrying him so quickly. And he treats her awfully in front of the neighbors.
But after one or two kindnesses, she realizes she's falling in love with her husband, though I, as the reader, haven't shifted from seeing him as a stupid man patting himself on the back for not forcing himself on his wife.
I stopped about there. This book simply bled with contempt for women being Ok with abuse if you fall in love along the way. Ew and no thanks.
It started off well enough- a young lady has done the best she can raising her sister, protecting her from her abusive mother after being abandoned by her father. She hopes to marry and escape her life. Lo and behold, a charming man steps in and pays her mom to let her marry. Too bad her baby sister can't come, but she's got to look out for herself, right?
Get charming stranger of a husband has zero people skills, often struggles with wanting to rape his wife (let's be honest here, that IS what he's talking himself out of) because she isn't jumping in the bed immediately. When he's angry with her he insinuates she's a whore for marrying him so quickly. And he treats her awfully in front of the neighbors.
But after one or two kindnesses, she realizes she's falling in love with her husband, though I, as the reader, haven't shifted from seeing him as a stupid man patting himself on the back for not forcing himself on his wife.
I stopped about there. This book simply bled with contempt for women being Ok with abuse if you fall in love along the way. Ew and no thanks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2023
In th sample of Missouri Bride Amy Harris is visited by Matt Kendall at her home with her mentally disturbed mother and little sister Hannah. He asks and she accepts to become his bride on his farm. This sets the plot fir the rest of Amy and Matt's story. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the story.
June 10, 2016
A very nice story to spend a weekend reading. A very good mix of characters to fit the story. A lot of ups and downs in this long sweet story. I enjoyed it and recommend it. I was given an AR.C in exchange for an honest review
October 14, 2016
An interesting historical read. The characters have faced a lot in their pasts, Amy decides to marry Matt to escape her mother. Matt was in the civil war and has demos as well. This is a drama filled fast paced read. I liked the story as well as the characters.
October 3, 2016
a nice read perfect for a lazy weekend will read more by this author
May 1, 2017
I enjoyed this story. Sometimes the characters aggravated me, but that was just part of the enjoyment. Kept me interested until the end. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews