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The Brides of Paradise Ranch #6
His Remarkable Bride
(Please note that this is the spicy version of
Elspeth: The Remarkable Bride
)
Everybody in Haskell, Wyoming knows that railroad stationmaster Athos Strong, widower and father of eight rambunctious children, needs a new bride. Even Athos knows it, but being a single father and a responsible stationmaster doesn’t leave him time for romance. It barely leaves him time to remember the hopes and dreams of his younger self. Once, he dreamed of being a hero, a valiant musketeer, like his namesake, but then life took over. He sends away to Hurst Home for a mail-order bride, not expecting anything more than a friend to help him raise his brood. The last thing he expects is love…
Elspeth Leonard was once a rising star of the British nobility, until she was seduced into following a wealthy American across the sea. Betrayed, abandoned, and disowned by her family, she has spent the last six years struggling to keep her dignity as a third-rate governess and tutor. Finding Hurst Home was her saving grace. So when she was offered the chance to go west as a bride for a man with eight children, she took it, expecting nothing more than a stable home…
But between the lively and mischievous Strong children and the conniving and revenge-seeking Bonneville family, Elspeth has no idea what she’s stepping into. When the children are taken away after allegations of neglect leveled against Athos by the Bonnevilles, Elspeth must step up to help Athos fight to keep his family together. What was supposed to be a mutually-beneficial, platonic marriage becomes something much more as both Athos and Elspeth come to see the heroism in the person they’ve married…
The greatest heroes are sometimes found in the most ordinary hearts…
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Steam Level = VERY HOT
If you would like to read this story without any “scenes,” check out Elspeth: The Remarkable Bride .
Everybody in Haskell, Wyoming knows that railroad stationmaster Athos Strong, widower and father of eight rambunctious children, needs a new bride. Even Athos knows it, but being a single father and a responsible stationmaster doesn’t leave him time for romance. It barely leaves him time to remember the hopes and dreams of his younger self. Once, he dreamed of being a hero, a valiant musketeer, like his namesake, but then life took over. He sends away to Hurst Home for a mail-order bride, not expecting anything more than a friend to help him raise his brood. The last thing he expects is love…
Elspeth Leonard was once a rising star of the British nobility, until she was seduced into following a wealthy American across the sea. Betrayed, abandoned, and disowned by her family, she has spent the last six years struggling to keep her dignity as a third-rate governess and tutor. Finding Hurst Home was her saving grace. So when she was offered the chance to go west as a bride for a man with eight children, she took it, expecting nothing more than a stable home…
But between the lively and mischievous Strong children and the conniving and revenge-seeking Bonneville family, Elspeth has no idea what she’s stepping into. When the children are taken away after allegations of neglect leveled against Athos by the Bonnevilles, Elspeth must step up to help Athos fight to keep his family together. What was supposed to be a mutually-beneficial, platonic marriage becomes something much more as both Athos and Elspeth come to see the heroism in the person they’ve married…
The greatest heroes are sometimes found in the most ordinary hearts…
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Steam Level = VERY HOT
If you would like to read this story without any “scenes,” check out Elspeth: The Remarkable Bride .
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 22, 2016
259 people are currently reading
1006 people want to read
About the author
Merry Farmer
304 books1,146 followersUSA Today Bestselling author Merry Farmer lives in suburban Philadelphia with her two cats, Justine and Peter. She has been writing since she was ten years old and realized she didn't have to wait for the teacher to assign a creative writing project to write something. It was the best day of her life. Her books have reached the top of Amazon's charts, and have been named finalists for several prestigious awards, including the RONE Award for indie romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 5, 2016
4.5/5.0
Absolutely delightful! Such a sweet story about what it means to love and be a part of a truly loving family. It keeps one turning pages and sighing repeatedly. Then, as the last page is turned, one realizes they have not only been entertained, they have been uplifted.
Absolutely delightful! Such a sweet story about what it means to love and be a part of a truly loving family. It keeps one turning pages and sighing repeatedly. Then, as the last page is turned, one realizes they have not only been entertained, they have been uplifted.
September 17, 2016
ADORABLEEEZZZZZZZZ omg
October 16, 2022
Meh. At least the one or two sex scenes weren't bad.
September 5, 2016
We have been seeing Athos Strong since the first Brides of Paradise Ranch book. He's the station manager that no one really pays any mind to, but boy does he have a story to tell. Elspeth is also someone we heard of in Wendy's book. And now she's finally getting her own story.
Athos reminds me kind of like Michael from "Our Little Secrets". He's unassuming and easily over-looked but he has a passion in him that burns white hot. And when she calls this spicy, she's not kidding, the scenes in this are spicier than some of her other BoPR books. But how can it not be when Athos is the hero. Like he said, eight children can't conceive themselves... ;)
Ms. Farmer writes such delightful characters, I fall in love with all of them and I want to gather them all around me and have a good time at the potluck lunches after church and then the baseball game. So, would I recommend this book? I would, I also hope you love Athos as much as I do.
Athos reminds me kind of like Michael from "Our Little Secrets". He's unassuming and easily over-looked but he has a passion in him that burns white hot. And when she calls this spicy, she's not kidding, the scenes in this are spicier than some of her other BoPR books. But how can it not be when Athos is the hero. Like he said, eight children can't conceive themselves... ;)
Ms. Farmer writes such delightful characters, I fall in love with all of them and I want to gather them all around me and have a good time at the potluck lunches after church and then the baseball game. So, would I recommend this book? I would, I also hope you love Athos as much as I do.
April 20, 2021
Fantastic story involving children
MY RATING SYSTEM
5 stars--WOW
4 stars--would read again
3 stars--was good, won't read again
2 stars--read it, but didn't enjoy it
1 star--didn't finish, it was so awful
Do I need to read books before this one: no
Cliffhanger: no
SUMMARY
Athos has 8 children, ages 4-16. His wife died 3 years ago, and he is swamped with work and home. At a church function, his children manage to knock the Bonneville sisters into the food table, get snakes in their dresses, then set the tent afire with a firework. He relents, sends for a mail order bride from the Hurst Home.
Elspeth arrives, is overwhelmed by the children, and then sees Athos publicly showing affection for them. She's reassured. They get married immediately. She's again overwhelmed by chaos in the home. The next day, a woman from some society to care for abused children comes to take the children away from a negligent home.
EVALUATION
It takes parents to raise children, and a village to support the parents.
The plot is the primary focus of this story, so we don't see much character development in the couple, partly because the story takes place over a week. We don't get much of their histories or how they were shaped by them, just hints to extrapolate from. For instance, we know Elspeth is the daughter of a marquis; we have to guess how she learned to dress and do her hair herself, how to clean and cook and launder. Athos has been beaten down by life for 17 years, and suddenly sees himself as a musketeer again? Both characters needed more depth. However, the children are delightfully drawn, the situation is dire enough, and the town has new money and old biddies. It's a fun plot.
RECOMMENDATION
A light read, especially fun for those of us with lots of children!
FAVORITE QUOTES
Athos smiled at his daughter, at all of his children, with such kindness and affection. Anyone who showed that much consideration for children must be a gentleman, and she was not afraid to marry a gentleman.
Raising children is more than just cooking meals and scrubbing faces. It’s being there to give hugs, listening to problems, and sharing a few words of advice and support when needed.
Tidying was a hopeless operation, though. Perhaps if he had an extra set of hands, like the strange drawing of a Hindu god that he’d once seen.
[Elspeth screams Athos's name] Was someone injured? Was the house on fire? Had one of his children caused a riot?
Without children under her feet she was able to think and plan. Without children everything around her seemed pale and lifeless.
True men prefer to forget about the time they spent at war and only those who didn’t live up to their duty go around bragging about it.
A hero should always show as much nobility of character to the less sought-after girls as to the popular ones, because every woman has the heart of a heroine beating inside of her.
“How can you forget [you're a man]?” “Children. Responsibility. Age. The cares of the world. Loss.”
“There’s nothing like a beautiful, loving wife to make a man feel like a king.” “Or a musketeer.”
“You see, your honor. I may not be perfect, but without my children and my wife, I’m nothing at all. The house might not always stay clean. The children may stumble or act out from time to time. We might not be able to keep quiet when we all get excited. But these children are my life, my heart. And I…well, I’d like to think that I’m important to them as well.”
True heroes were the ones who were open enough to experience all of those emotions and to let the world see it as well. Love was never a bad idea.
POSSIBLE TRIGGERS (SPOILERS)
Sex: multiple scenes, masturbating
Language: 0 F words, 2 Lord's name in vain, 0 S words
Violence: punches
MY RATING SYSTEM
5 stars--WOW
4 stars--would read again
3 stars--was good, won't read again
2 stars--read it, but didn't enjoy it
1 star--didn't finish, it was so awful
Do I need to read books before this one: no
Cliffhanger: no
SUMMARY
Athos has 8 children, ages 4-16. His wife died 3 years ago, and he is swamped with work and home. At a church function, his children manage to knock the Bonneville sisters into the food table, get snakes in their dresses, then set the tent afire with a firework. He relents, sends for a mail order bride from the Hurst Home.
Elspeth arrives, is overwhelmed by the children, and then sees Athos publicly showing affection for them. She's reassured. They get married immediately. She's again overwhelmed by chaos in the home. The next day, a woman from some society to care for abused children comes to take the children away from a negligent home.
EVALUATION
It takes parents to raise children, and a village to support the parents.
The plot is the primary focus of this story, so we don't see much character development in the couple, partly because the story takes place over a week. We don't get much of their histories or how they were shaped by them, just hints to extrapolate from. For instance, we know Elspeth is the daughter of a marquis; we have to guess how she learned to dress and do her hair herself, how to clean and cook and launder. Athos has been beaten down by life for 17 years, and suddenly sees himself as a musketeer again? Both characters needed more depth. However, the children are delightfully drawn, the situation is dire enough, and the town has new money and old biddies. It's a fun plot.
RECOMMENDATION
A light read, especially fun for those of us with lots of children!
FAVORITE QUOTES
Athos smiled at his daughter, at all of his children, with such kindness and affection. Anyone who showed that much consideration for children must be a gentleman, and she was not afraid to marry a gentleman.
Raising children is more than just cooking meals and scrubbing faces. It’s being there to give hugs, listening to problems, and sharing a few words of advice and support when needed.
Tidying was a hopeless operation, though. Perhaps if he had an extra set of hands, like the strange drawing of a Hindu god that he’d once seen.
[Elspeth screams Athos's name] Was someone injured? Was the house on fire? Had one of his children caused a riot?
Without children under her feet she was able to think and plan. Without children everything around her seemed pale and lifeless.
True men prefer to forget about the time they spent at war and only those who didn’t live up to their duty go around bragging about it.
A hero should always show as much nobility of character to the less sought-after girls as to the popular ones, because every woman has the heart of a heroine beating inside of her.
“How can you forget [you're a man]?” “Children. Responsibility. Age. The cares of the world. Loss.”
“There’s nothing like a beautiful, loving wife to make a man feel like a king.” “Or a musketeer.”
“You see, your honor. I may not be perfect, but without my children and my wife, I’m nothing at all. The house might not always stay clean. The children may stumble or act out from time to time. We might not be able to keep quiet when we all get excited. But these children are my life, my heart. And I…well, I’d like to think that I’m important to them as well.”
True heroes were the ones who were open enough to experience all of those emotions and to let the world see it as well. Love was never a bad idea.
POSSIBLE TRIGGERS (SPOILERS)
Sex: multiple scenes, masturbating
Language: 0 F words, 2 Lord's name in vain, 0 S words
Violence: punches
June 22, 2020
This is a sweet mail-order bride romance, with a likeable couple. It is a very light, quick read, great if you don't have time for a longer novel. My main complaint is that I don't think Elspeth would have adapted so quickly to Athos' large family. She would have needed more time to get used to the chaos so many children can cause. I won't give any spoilers, but I also don't think it would have been so easy to resolve the problem with his children being taken from him.
This book includes lots of characters (many from another series). Because so many of the characters had their own stories in the Hot on the Trail series, I would recommend reading that series before starting this one, then reading this series in order. You can read this book without that, but you will miss out on many important details of all the characters' lives. In this book, in particular, you will miss out on some of Athos' history -- mostly about how bad he needs a wife to help him with his loneliness and all his children.
The description says this is the spicy version of the story, but it really isn't very spicy. There are some sex scenes, but they are not really explicit -- and they are between a married couple. But if you want to read books with no sex scenes at all, only kissing, then you should stick with the sweeter version of this book.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
This book includes lots of characters (many from another series). Because so many of the characters had their own stories in the Hot on the Trail series, I would recommend reading that series before starting this one, then reading this series in order. You can read this book without that, but you will miss out on many important details of all the characters' lives. In this book, in particular, you will miss out on some of Athos' history -- mostly about how bad he needs a wife to help him with his loneliness and all his children.
The description says this is the spicy version of the story, but it really isn't very spicy. There are some sex scenes, but they are not really explicit -- and they are between a married couple. But if you want to read books with no sex scenes at all, only kissing, then you should stick with the sweeter version of this book.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
April 13, 2020
There were bits and pieces of this book I did enjoy, but overall, I did not really enjoy the book. I finished it for the sole purpose of finishing the book (it's an unwritten rule I have for myself that I rarely break no matter how little I like what I'm reading). I found the storyline to be too far-fetched to be remotely believable for this genre (historical fiction is my personal fave - especially western settings) and the dialogue was a little on the cheesy side for my taste. It could have been great, but I found it lacking overall and not a great read.
February 16, 2019
Good story
I enjoyed reading this story of the mail order marriage between Elsbeth and Athos Strong. Argos has 8 children who are, of course, loud and rambunctious as a whole, tho they are a close-knit bunch who love their father dearly. That love is tested when the children are removed & Argos is accused of being an unfit father. The short time the children are gone from home proves to be an unexpected blessing for Athos & Elsbeth & their new marriage.
I enjoyed reading this story of the mail order marriage between Elsbeth and Athos Strong. Argos has 8 children who are, of course, loud and rambunctious as a whole, tho they are a close-knit bunch who love their father dearly. That love is tested when the children are removed & Argos is accused of being an unfit father. The short time the children are gone from home proves to be an unexpected blessing for Athos & Elsbeth & their new marriage.
March 24, 2020
According to me the title HIS REMARKABLE BRIDE is not suitable because I haven't seen any remarkable thing done by heroine. No doubt she was caring and supported hero but what else. Everything was either done by hero or by his kids. Therefore, all 3 stars are for hero and his children.
April 8, 2020
I loved this book! Such a good story line!
This book was sweet, romantic, sexy, great characters, everything you could ask for in a book! Lindsay was the perfect wife for Athios! With 8 children she better be! I just wish it had been longer! I hated to see it end!
This book was sweet, romantic, sexy, great characters, everything you could ask for in a book! Lindsay was the perfect wife for Athios! With 8 children she better be! I just wish it had been longer! I hated to see it end!
July 3, 2023
A Fantastic, Entertaining, Funny & Romantic Story.
This Story was Absolutely Wonderful. Athos & Elspeth are such Wonderful Characters. The children in this Story had me giggling til the end.
I am looking forward to reading Hnoria & Solomon's Story next in this series.
This Story was Absolutely Wonderful. Athos & Elspeth are such Wonderful Characters. The children in this Story had me giggling til the end.
I am looking forward to reading Hnoria & Solomon's Story next in this series.
March 26, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book!
July 11, 2017
This was a good book, but it looks like I started in the middle with #6.
August 2, 2017
“Athos, you are the most wonderful, heroic man I’ve ever met.”
I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!! THE FAMILY IN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!! THE FAMILY IN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 18, 2018
Dramatic
This book definitely pulls you in and at times makes you see red. I've known some petty and vindictive people, but I haven't personally known anyone who went this far.
This book definitely pulls you in and at times makes you see red. I've known some petty and vindictive people, but I haven't personally known anyone who went this far.
April 10, 2020
Funny, fast moving and romantic love story.
April 11, 2020
Light and fun
It was a good quick read. I enjoyed it and look forward to others in the series. Check it out.
It was a good quick read. I enjoyed it and look forward to others in the series. Check it out.
April 16, 2020
Found this book on Bookbub on sale and really enjoyed it!! Don't hesitate to buy this book!!
Read
May 12, 2020Altos and elspeth
Well written and very unique story altos and Elspeth were great characters and a good match as all the children were would highly recommend
Well written and very unique story altos and Elspeth were great characters and a good match as all the children were would highly recommend
May 11, 2022
Great book.. recommend.
October 8, 2024
Eight children!
What a crazy family Elspeth finds her self in the middle of! But with eight kids, there is always trouble! Fun read!
What a crazy family Elspeth finds her self in the middle of! But with eight kids, there is always trouble! Fun read!
December 7, 2017
I can't get enough of Merry Farmer's wonderful series, The Brides of Paradise Ranch! This was my 5th visit to Haskell, Wyoming, an extraordinary western town created by Merry Farmer and populated by many unforgettable characters. This story spotlights Athos Strong, the town's railroad station manager, his 8 rowdy children, and Elspeth Leonard, his mail-order bride. I fell in love with Athos and his unruly but lovable offspring, especially little 4yr old Thomas. Ms. Farmer has managed to fully illustrate and define the personality of each Strong sibling and the immediacy of her writing makes readers feel completely in the moment as we experience every prank, every hug, every tear, and every "I love you, Papa". Things seem to be looking up for Athos and his children with the addition of Elspeth to their lives, but a threat to their happiness is soon revealed. Based on a perceived insult to their delusions of grandeur and entitlement, the despicable Rex Bonneville and his 3 harpy daughters are determined to devastate the Strong family by removing the children with trumped up accusations of abuse and neglect. The sequence of events following this vicious move by the Bonnevilles kept me enthralled with this story to the very end. This is a truly not-to-be-missed historical western romance that will find a permanent place on every reader's favorites shelf.
July 21, 2016
My favorite so far.
I've got to say I fell in love with Athos right from the beginning. The children were hilarious and of course Espeth arrived and completed a beautiful written book. This is my favorite book from this series so far, " I died three times today"! Mrs Farmer outdid herself with this book.
I've got to say I fell in love with Athos right from the beginning. The children were hilarious and of course Espeth arrived and completed a beautiful written book. This is my favorite book from this series so far, " I died three times today"! Mrs Farmer outdid herself with this book.
November 18, 2016
4.5/5.0
Right from the beginning the reader is introduced to the antics of the Strong children and it is chaos and mischief from then on, with entertaining and colorful situations one after another.
Read full review in the 2016 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Right from the beginning the reader is introduced to the antics of the Strong children and it is chaos and mischief from then on, with entertaining and colorful situations one after another.
Read full review in the 2016 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
November 29, 2016
This book was great. I loved the flow of the story. The way Elspeth was towards the kids and to the evil sisters. Parts of this book had me extremely angry, happy, laughing out loud, and I was smiling ! Did I mention I loved the heroines name? I loved the hero's name as well. I had never heard it before except reading this series.
June 25, 2016
Oh my word!
I just finished the spicy version of this story. It was wonderful! I love the characters and the kids...oh my!
If you are looking for a great book to read, get this one! You won't be sorry.
I just finished the spicy version of this story. It was wonderful! I love the characters and the kids...oh my!
If you are looking for a great book to read, get this one! You won't be sorry.
June 27, 2016
Historical Western Romance
Loved reading this book, it was such fun. I laughed out loud , I was sad in some parts, but it all came out joyous in the end. I look forward to reading the next book in this series!!!!!
Loved reading this book, it was such fun. I laughed out loud , I was sad in some parts, but it all came out joyous in the end. I look forward to reading the next book in this series!!!!!
June 27, 2016
Wonderful
Once again I am not surprised that I loved this book, I enjoy this series, Merry Farmer is one of my favorite authors, I know that Every time I start a book with her name anywhere near it, I will enjoy it. Thank you.
Once again I am not surprised that I loved this book, I enjoy this series, Merry Farmer is one of my favorite authors, I know that Every time I start a book with her name anywhere near it, I will enjoy it. Thank you.
August 17, 2016
Loved it
Elspeth is another good read in the brides of paradise ranch series. Just warmed my heart all over seeing the love Athos had for his kids. Reading about these two falling in love was remarkable. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
Elspeth is another good read in the brides of paradise ranch series. Just warmed my heart all over seeing the love Athos had for his kids. Reading about these two falling in love was remarkable. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
July 4, 2016
This was a great, quick read that made me smile, cry a little, and laugh. Recommended for readers who love books with rambunctious kids, mature heroes, and sexy-sweet love scenes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews