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Recently widowed, Laura has no intention of tying herself to any other man. She is finally free of the life she choose after leaving the orphanage. But when evil catches up with her, she is left with no option but to run to Clover Springs. There her friends will provide some protection and safety.
Paul Kelley needs a wife. His Ma agrees with him but the lady she has chosen is not the girl for Paul. He wants a mail order bride, a fresh innocent girl just like the other mail order brides who arrived in town. When Laura arrives with danger hot on her heels, he marries her for her own protection. Now they can live happily ever after
But someone from Laura’s past has other ideas...
Paul Kelley needs a wife. His Ma agrees with him but the lady she has chosen is not the girl for Paul. He wants a mail order bride, a fresh innocent girl just like the other mail order brides who arrived in town. When Laura arrives with danger hot on her heels, he marries her for her own protection. Now they can live happily ever after
But someone from Laura’s past has other ideas...
161 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2016
767 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Wesson
112 books358 followersRachel Wesson was born in Kilkenny, Ireland but considers herself to be from the capital, Dublin as that's where she spent most of her life. Her dad brought Rachel and her two sisters out every Saturday to give their mother a break. He took them to the library and for ice-cream after. It took a long time for her sisters to forgive her for the hours she spent choosing her books!
She grew up driving everyone nuts asking them questions about what they did during the War or what side they were on in the 1916 rising etc. Finally her Granny told her to write her stories down so people would get the pleasure of reading them. In fact what Granny meant was everyone would get some peace while Rachel was busy writing!
When not writing, or annoying relatives, Rachel was reading. Her report cards from school commented on her love of reading especially when she should have been learning. Seems you can't read Great Expectations in Maths. After a doomed love affair and an unpleasant bank raid during which she defended herself with a tea tray, she headed to London for a couple of years. (There is a reason she doesn't write romance!). She never intended staying but a chance meeting with the man of her dreams put paid to any return to Ireland. Having spent most of her career in the City, she decided something was missing. Working in the City is great but it's a young person's dream. Having three children you never see isn't good for anyone. So she packed in the job and started writing. Thanks to her amazing readers, that writing turned into a career far more exciting and rewarding than any other.
Rachel lives in Surrey with her husband and three children, two boys and a girl. When not reading, writing or watching films for "research" purposes, Rachel likes to hang out with her family. She also travels regularly back home - in fact she should have shares in BA and Aerlingus.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 16, 2019
This is book 5 of the Clover Springs Mail Order Brides series. I have read the first five and perhaps maybe some day I will read the others, but I am a bit burned out on the series at this point. I will say that Laura Murphy has more spunk than some of the other heroines.
I do like the idea of repeating characters that tie the stories together. This is always a plus point for me when I am reading a series.
One thing that has bothered me throughout the series is the author uses phrases not necessarily found during the time periods of the books in the series. This one takes place in 1885. "Fact checking" and "lonesome dove," are examples. For the second of these phrases, it had no meaning until the book and movie of the same name. "What does the phrase uva uvam vivendo varia fit mean? The Latin phrase that appears on the Hat Creek Cattle Company sign in "Lonesome Dove" is a garbled corruption, and there's no direct translation. Novelist Larry McMurtry probably intentionally misused the Latin, perhaps to make a point about Augustus McCrae's tenuous understanding of the language. Many scholars have weighed in on the subject over the years, and most agree that the phrase generally means something along the following lines: A grape changes color (i.e.,ripens) when it sees another grape." A quick Google search would suffice to prove the misuse. https://www.proz.com/kudoz/latin-to-e... The author is guilty of using modern terms throughout the books.
The author also switches from the Points of View of the hero and heroine to fill in the gaps in the story by having previously introduced characters tell the reader what is going on in their lives while the hero and heroine are not there. For example, in chapter 7, Mrs. Higgins's sons are leaving for California. In a similar chapter (21), Mary asks Davy to assist Samuel and Aaron with the Homestead Act so Mrs. Higgins's sons will not leave the area. She wants to find them wives, which sets us later stories in the series, but pulls the reader out of the current story. I find this distracting.
I do like the idea of repeating characters that tie the stories together. This is always a plus point for me when I am reading a series.
One thing that has bothered me throughout the series is the author uses phrases not necessarily found during the time periods of the books in the series. This one takes place in 1885. "Fact checking" and "lonesome dove," are examples. For the second of these phrases, it had no meaning until the book and movie of the same name. "What does the phrase uva uvam vivendo varia fit mean? The Latin phrase that appears on the Hat Creek Cattle Company sign in "Lonesome Dove" is a garbled corruption, and there's no direct translation. Novelist Larry McMurtry probably intentionally misused the Latin, perhaps to make a point about Augustus McCrae's tenuous understanding of the language. Many scholars have weighed in on the subject over the years, and most agree that the phrase generally means something along the following lines: A grape changes color (i.e.,ripens) when it sees another grape." A quick Google search would suffice to prove the misuse. https://www.proz.com/kudoz/latin-to-e... The author is guilty of using modern terms throughout the books.
The author also switches from the Points of View of the hero and heroine to fill in the gaps in the story by having previously introduced characters tell the reader what is going on in their lives while the hero and heroine are not there. For example, in chapter 7, Mrs. Higgins's sons are leaving for California. In a similar chapter (21), Mary asks Davy to assist Samuel and Aaron with the Homestead Act so Mrs. Higgins's sons will not leave the area. She wants to find them wives, which sets us later stories in the series, but pulls the reader out of the current story. I find this distracting.
April 30, 2023
My Musings
Wow, this is the best so far. Laura and Paul are perfect for each other. Great character development and world building. I am so glad I found this series in Kindle Unlimited. Happy reading!
Wow, this is the best so far. Laura and Paul are perfect for each other. Great character development and world building. I am so glad I found this series in Kindle Unlimited. Happy reading!
February 20, 2021
Not precisely a mail order bride and
Sorcha and Mary had been Laura's roommates when they were all in the orphanage. With Mary gone to marry Katie's BIL, and Sorcha to marry a man supposedly as a businees agreement, Laura is next in line for the role of servant to the lecherous orohanage benefactor. Instead, she manages to fall in love with a man, and get married...but she begins to think she has gone from the frying pan into the fire. Her husband beats her. He uses her photographic memory to cheat at cards, and one night, they kill him and wound her when the bullet that went through him ends up in her shoulder.
When she wakens in the hospital, Father Molloy is at her side, as he remains when the police question her, then he sees to her getting on the train to Clover Springs with a couple used dresses, a lunch, spare money, and a command to get remarried ASAP.
Paul was shot when he rode out with a posse. A big, gentle, quiet man, hus overbearong mother has already lost her husband to the stress of trying to live with her, pushed her eldest son out of her life, as he ran away and eloped, and they've neither seen nor heard of him since. Now she has promised her younger son as husband to the spinster next door. Both of them are constantly plotting against him. To add insult to injury, she has made sure the farm is in her name, not his, something he discovers later. He dislikes farming and being a cowboy, though he does both well, but loves woodworking and carpentry, and is quite good at it. He works at it after his chores are done, and when he isn't helping out at Davy's ranch for extra money. The long work hours irritate his mother, since she has often invited the spinster over only to discover her son isn't there as expected. His mother has taken to her bed, claiming she can't get about to do much, bit later, this will be belied. He is desoerate to avoid marriage to a woman 10 years his senior, and so he asks Emer, who patched him up when he came in shot, about helping him write a letter to request a mail order bride.
And as it turns oit, his timing couldn't be better, for in hours, Mary will receive a telegram from Father Molloy about Laura's need to remarry safely. Sorcha agrees to meet the train, making a big deal of the fact her husband is away, and her former orphanage roommate is coming for a visit, but he apparently won't be back in time to help the young lady woth her luggage and getting her to Mary's olace. Of course, the quiet spoken, kind man is all too willing to help. When je sees jer c9me off the traon, he is smitten immediately...but, being sensitive, he notices her skittishness around num. Paul reassures her he would not only never harm her, but would defend her from harm. It is when Sorcha tries to hug Laura that they discover she has a newly healing bullet wound and they realize something has gone badly wrong in their former roommate's life. And when Mrs Higgons sees her dostress, she mothers Laura so gently tjat Laura feels soothed. She washes Laura's beautiful red hair, eashes Laura, helpes her our of the tub and dried her off quickly, helping to put a nightgown on her, then brushing her hair out and wrapping it in a cloth for the night. Too tired and upset to eat, Laura is tucked into the bed, and left alone, thanks to Mrs. H.
Davy offers the couple a small house, the one his grandfather built when he was just starting out, once the introduction of Laura to Paul's mother gets nasty and she throws them out. When Laura substitutes for the teacher, who's been called away on an emergency, Paul warns her about the bullies, brats, and how much or how little the parents would support her. In an effort to have the class get over dosdain for the natives, she takes the class on a field trip where Little Beaver shows them how to light a fire the way the Indians do, how to traxk an animal, and how Indians fish. When she brings the class nack, sje is faced woth the biggest bully's bullying mother, Paul's mother, and a toadie of theirs, declaring she had no right to take the cildr3n to play. She explains her idea is to teach kids survival skills, and they're all fine. Paul, who came to pick her up, defends her and makes a few classic responses to his "ailing" mother, who has no children or grankdkids of her own in school.
Not too much later, she and Emer are talkimg in the doc's office when it becomes obvious to Laura that Emer is in early labor, when SHTF, Emer proves she's made of some stern stuff, as does Laura, and Litle Bear turns out to be right - as does Laura. Despite everything, Emer is safely delivered.
At the oprhanage, Laura had siffered things that would predispose anyone to run away in hopes of a better life on their own, and not see the danger until too late. Superstition plays a large part in her treatment at the orphanage, and the low self esteem ot engenders.makes her vulnerable to self doubt and self condemnation. The way this and other parts of Laura's past, including her origins, are skillfully woven.
Sorcha and Mary had been Laura's roommates when they were all in the orphanage. With Mary gone to marry Katie's BIL, and Sorcha to marry a man supposedly as a businees agreement, Laura is next in line for the role of servant to the lecherous orohanage benefactor. Instead, she manages to fall in love with a man, and get married...but she begins to think she has gone from the frying pan into the fire. Her husband beats her. He uses her photographic memory to cheat at cards, and one night, they kill him and wound her when the bullet that went through him ends up in her shoulder.
When she wakens in the hospital, Father Molloy is at her side, as he remains when the police question her, then he sees to her getting on the train to Clover Springs with a couple used dresses, a lunch, spare money, and a command to get remarried ASAP.
Paul was shot when he rode out with a posse. A big, gentle, quiet man, hus overbearong mother has already lost her husband to the stress of trying to live with her, pushed her eldest son out of her life, as he ran away and eloped, and they've neither seen nor heard of him since. Now she has promised her younger son as husband to the spinster next door. Both of them are constantly plotting against him. To add insult to injury, she has made sure the farm is in her name, not his, something he discovers later. He dislikes farming and being a cowboy, though he does both well, but loves woodworking and carpentry, and is quite good at it. He works at it after his chores are done, and when he isn't helping out at Davy's ranch for extra money. The long work hours irritate his mother, since she has often invited the spinster over only to discover her son isn't there as expected. His mother has taken to her bed, claiming she can't get about to do much, bit later, this will be belied. He is desoerate to avoid marriage to a woman 10 years his senior, and so he asks Emer, who patched him up when he came in shot, about helping him write a letter to request a mail order bride.
And as it turns oit, his timing couldn't be better, for in hours, Mary will receive a telegram from Father Molloy about Laura's need to remarry safely. Sorcha agrees to meet the train, making a big deal of the fact her husband is away, and her former orphanage roommate is coming for a visit, but he apparently won't be back in time to help the young lady woth her luggage and getting her to Mary's olace. Of course, the quiet spoken, kind man is all too willing to help. When je sees jer c9me off the traon, he is smitten immediately...but, being sensitive, he notices her skittishness around num. Paul reassures her he would not only never harm her, but would defend her from harm. It is when Sorcha tries to hug Laura that they discover she has a newly healing bullet wound and they realize something has gone badly wrong in their former roommate's life. And when Mrs Higgons sees her dostress, she mothers Laura so gently tjat Laura feels soothed. She washes Laura's beautiful red hair, eashes Laura, helpes her our of the tub and dried her off quickly, helping to put a nightgown on her, then brushing her hair out and wrapping it in a cloth for the night. Too tired and upset to eat, Laura is tucked into the bed, and left alone, thanks to Mrs. H.
Davy offers the couple a small house, the one his grandfather built when he was just starting out, once the introduction of Laura to Paul's mother gets nasty and she throws them out. When Laura substitutes for the teacher, who's been called away on an emergency, Paul warns her about the bullies, brats, and how much or how little the parents would support her. In an effort to have the class get over dosdain for the natives, she takes the class on a field trip where Little Beaver shows them how to light a fire the way the Indians do, how to traxk an animal, and how Indians fish. When she brings the class nack, sje is faced woth the biggest bully's bullying mother, Paul's mother, and a toadie of theirs, declaring she had no right to take the cildr3n to play. She explains her idea is to teach kids survival skills, and they're all fine. Paul, who came to pick her up, defends her and makes a few classic responses to his "ailing" mother, who has no children or grankdkids of her own in school.
Not too much later, she and Emer are talkimg in the doc's office when it becomes obvious to Laura that Emer is in early labor, when SHTF, Emer proves she's made of some stern stuff, as does Laura, and Litle Bear turns out to be right - as does Laura. Despite everything, Emer is safely delivered.
At the oprhanage, Laura had siffered things that would predispose anyone to run away in hopes of a better life on their own, and not see the danger until too late. Superstition plays a large part in her treatment at the orphanage, and the low self esteem ot engenders.makes her vulnerable to self doubt and self condemnation. The way this and other parts of Laura's past, including her origins, are skillfully woven.
March 9, 2018
Laura Murphy was called a witch by some of the nuns at the orphanage, because of her birthmark and red hair. This made her sore on hopes and dreams that the other girls in the orphanage had over becoming mail-order brides. Yet, as her friends created happy homes in Clover Springs with loving husbands, Laura realized she was mistaken.
Laura met her husband Johnny in a Boston shop. She thought he was a gentleman, till the first time he beat her. Johnny ran a gambling house and used Laura's amazing memory to cheat the other players. When a player caught on and shot him dead, Laura had her chance to escape. She was also shot with the bullet that went through her husband, but Father Molloy found her in the hospital and started his campaign to get her to Clover Springs. She needed a husband FAST.
Paul Kelly needed a wife FAST. His mother was trying to match him with the neighboring woman who was a sore gossip and ten years his senior. Once seeing Laura and recognizing her wounded spirit, his heart was captured. Likewise, Laura was drawn to this gentle man.
Tender story of building trust and fighting gossip, plus kidnapping adventure.
Laura met her husband Johnny in a Boston shop. She thought he was a gentleman, till the first time he beat her. Johnny ran a gambling house and used Laura's amazing memory to cheat the other players. When a player caught on and shot him dead, Laura had her chance to escape. She was also shot with the bullet that went through her husband, but Father Molloy found her in the hospital and started his campaign to get her to Clover Springs. She needed a husband FAST.
Paul Kelly needed a wife FAST. His mother was trying to match him with the neighboring woman who was a sore gossip and ten years his senior. Once seeing Laura and recognizing her wounded spirit, his heart was captured. Likewise, Laura was drawn to this gentle man.
Tender story of building trust and fighting gossip, plus kidnapping adventure.
January 23, 2026
Haunted by the past
Laura has made some bad decisions in the past, one of which was marrying a man who turned out to be mean spirited. After her husband is killed, she's sent to Clover Springs and instructed to marry quickly. Unfortunately, due to her trust issues, she's afraid to marry again. That is, until she meets Paul and he is willing to wait for her. She's ashamed of her past life and afraid she'll repeat the same history. Only when she finds out that a bad man who hated her husband is looking for her does she agree to marry again.
Laura has made some bad decisions in the past, one of which was marrying a man who turned out to be mean spirited. After her husband is killed, she's sent to Clover Springs and instructed to marry quickly. Unfortunately, due to her trust issues, she's afraid to marry again. That is, until she meets Paul and he is willing to wait for her. She's ashamed of her past life and afraid she'll repeat the same history. Only when she finds out that a bad man who hated her husband is looking for her does she agree to marry again.
April 6, 2018
Exciting and lots of twists and turns.
Laura never had it easy growing up. Hard to believe a mother superior and a handful of nuns can be so twisted that they are cruel to God's children. Having to leave the orphanage and meeting a man with no morals was bad for Laura. But thankfully karma happened. Very thrilling story. Well thought out. Could not put it down.
Laura never had it easy growing up. Hard to believe a mother superior and a handful of nuns can be so twisted that they are cruel to God's children. Having to leave the orphanage and meeting a man with no morals was bad for Laura. But thankfully karma happened. Very thrilling story. Well thought out. Could not put it down.
January 25, 2020
Read this as the last in the five story collection. Loved the description of her husband to be. Again another fun adventure. Will continue this author if given the chance because I really enjoyed all 5 stories.
December 11, 2020
Laura
Laura grew up in the orphanage with Katie and sorcha but she had a hard life when she left the orphanage and needed to get away father molloy helped her to get to clover springs a worthy read 5 stars
Laura grew up in the orphanage with Katie and sorcha but she had a hard life when she left the orphanage and needed to get away father molloy helped her to get to clover springs a worthy read 5 stars
March 23, 2021
Tracking love?
Laura had a bad start in life but once again Clover Springs have welcomes a different type of mail order bride. Love really made her life stronger and fuller. A kidnapping brings everything to a fabulous ending.
Laura had a bad start in life but once again Clover Springs have welcomes a different type of mail order bride. Love really made her life stronger and fuller. A kidnapping brings everything to a fabulous ending.
February 2, 2023
Another one in this series that goes a different direction and doesn’t repeat any of the others. I like this book’s ending. It was very exciting and kept me reading and guessing how it would turn next. A must read, everybody ……
June 26, 2017
A beautiful story
Rachel Wesson has a pretty good grasp of our little inanities, our abilities to overcome even horrid wrongs and the way friends strengthen friends.
Rachel Wesson has a pretty good grasp of our little inanities, our abilities to overcome even horrid wrongs and the way friends strengthen friends.
February 14, 2019
This book was different in that it felt one-sided. Mostly about her not them. But I like how the lives of the other books are still active characters. Ok book overall.
August 13, 2021
Good series
Each book in this series has a unique story and involves the previous characters as well. Stories of friendships and love.
Each book in this series has a unique story and involves the previous characters as well. Stories of friendships and love.
August 24, 2021
Great series !!’
March 23, 2022
Keeps getting better!
This series is proving to be so engrossing that I am looking for the next book as soon as finished with the current. Paul and Laura's story is a must read!
This series is proving to be so engrossing that I am looking for the next book as soon as finished with the current. Paul and Laura's story is a must read!
December 16, 2022
The end. All those older orphan children who were approaching 18 years old are. They are all together but Laura and Laura doesn’t want to open up to them again. Why
November 3, 2023
Very easy read with captivating plots.
May 16, 2024
Good story and series
Good story and series. It's worth reading this book and all of this series. Good author. Binge read everything. Enjoy 🌻
Good story and series. It's worth reading this book and all of this series. Good author. Binge read everything. Enjoy 🌻
May 29, 2024
friends
Friends are so important and when times are tough that’s what happened here. Another great addition to the clover springs mail order bride series
Friends are so important and when times are tough that’s what happened here. Another great addition to the clover springs mail order bride series
June 15, 2024
A bride that comes with challenges.
I like these stories because they bring women together with some one kind and willing to accept them despite their previous experiences.
I like these stories because they bring women together with some one kind and willing to accept them despite their previous experiences.
July 28, 2024
Love these easy to read stories . Another great adventure and story plot.
September 3, 2024
Laura
I love this series of books. I'm glad Laura and Paul found each other, and love each other, despite all the things they went through
I love this series of books. I'm glad Laura and Paul found each other, and love each other, despite all the things they went through
Want to read
February 21, 2025O
July 9, 2016
Another visit to Clover Springs, with a story that will activate almost all of your emotions. Laura is not your typical heroine and Paul needs to cut the apron strings-which he does with a flair. Laura has to be one of my favorite heroines. Mistakes made, yes, but she owned them and made the decision to be the best person she could, no matter what the obstacle. Paul did still have a bit of "growin up" to do, but when he did, he was such a perfect hero.
The author also expanded the role of Little Beaver-a secondary character that I hope will eventually have his own HEA in Clover Springs.
A great, uplifting, smile on your face when you reach the end of the book kind of read.
(I received a copy from the author for a review.)
The author also expanded the role of Little Beaver-a secondary character that I hope will eventually have his own HEA in Clover Springs.
A great, uplifting, smile on your face when you reach the end of the book kind of read.
(I received a copy from the author for a review.)
July 10, 2016
This is another wonderful story in the Clover Springs series. Laura and Paul are not the usual romance get married couple. This story will bring out the emotions in you that these two have to go through in their lives. Will they be able to love each other and be free to show their love?
You do get to visit with old friends and that makes this series special.
I was given this book for an honest review and I love it and highly recommend it along with the other books in this series for great reading.
Start with book one and read your way through them all. The stories are wonderful and take you to a place you will know and love in each story.
You do get to visit with old friends and that makes this series special.
I was given this book for an honest review and I love it and highly recommend it along with the other books in this series for great reading.
Start with book one and read your way through them all. The stories are wonderful and take you to a place you will know and love in each story.
December 18, 2018
Laura: Clover Springs Book Five by Rachel Wesson
I was given an advanced copy of Laura in exchange for a true review!
Wow! Another winner by Rachel Wesson! This story of Laura is heartbreaking! How we get into bad situations and how evil seems to permeate our lives, BUT, true love triumphs! Good wins over evil! Poor Laura has been through so much in her young life but like every good romance, this had a happy ever after! Looking forward to the next book by Rachel whether in this series or a new one! I can’t get enough of this new writer!
I was given an advanced copy of Laura in exchange for a true review!
Wow! Another winner by Rachel Wesson! This story of Laura is heartbreaking! How we get into bad situations and how evil seems to permeate our lives, BUT, true love triumphs! Good wins over evil! Poor Laura has been through so much in her young life but like every good romance, this had a happy ever after! Looking forward to the next book by Rachel whether in this series or a new one! I can’t get enough of this new writer!
July 13, 2016
Exciting read
Rachel Wesson has written another winner! Laura, one of the girls from the orphanage, has grown up and after a rather sad detour is headed to Clover Springs. She will meet Paul and in spite of his mother they will start off on a new life together. All of the characters are so real you feel transported to the old West. This will also serve as a reminder to all the mothers-in-law out there to please support your sons and their choices!!
Rachel Wesson has written another winner! Laura, one of the girls from the orphanage, has grown up and after a rather sad detour is headed to Clover Springs. She will meet Paul and in spite of his mother they will start off on a new life together. All of the characters are so real you feel transported to the old West. This will also serve as a reminder to all the mothers-in-law out there to please support your sons and their choices!!
August 2, 2016
Cute novella. I like series where you can get to know the characters and see how they've progressed in the next book. The plots were fairly similar.
The novella was interesting and the characters from the previous books in the series were evident without repeating what had already occurred.
The novella was interesting and the characters from the previous books in the series were evident without repeating what had already occurred.
July 10, 2016
A way with words
Another wonderful creation made especially for sharing. Rachel Wesson can spin a story to make you cry and laugh all within a few short chapters. Love all of these characters!
Another wonderful creation made especially for sharing. Rachel Wesson can spin a story to make you cry and laugh all within a few short chapters. Love all of these characters!
July 10, 2016
Memory
It's time for a bride and Paul wants one. Laura is in trouble and Father Malloy needs her to get out of town immediately. Where should she go? Clover Springs of course. You love the trials of this match. Enjoy!
It's time for a bride and Paul wants one. Laura is in trouble and Father Malloy needs her to get out of town immediately. Where should she go? Clover Springs of course. You love the trials of this match. Enjoy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews