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Chance at Love #3
The Accidental Mail Order Bride
Eric Johnson’s real mail order bride shows up later than expected, and she quickly learns he is already married. Now Allie Jones is stuck in a small Colorado town with no way to leave. She must either marry the only suitable bachelor or risk being sold to the saloon’s owner to be one of the soiled doves. Seeing she has no real choice, she agrees to marry the bachelor.
Rumored as being a monster by the people in town, Travis Martin is content to live alone, sheltered in the wooded area of the mountainside. The last thing he expects is a preacher when there’s a knock on the door. With great hesitation, he agrees to the marriage. He can’t confine such a beautiful young lady to the saloon, but he knows the marriage won’t be a happy one for her, not when she could have had someone so much better.
So the best thing he can do is keep his distance and leave her alone. She, however, can't help but be intrigued by her new husband. Is he the ugly beast the people in town claim, or is there something beautiful worth loving just beneath the surface?
Rumored as being a monster by the people in town, Travis Martin is content to live alone, sheltered in the wooded area of the mountainside. The last thing he expects is a preacher when there’s a knock on the door. With great hesitation, he agrees to the marriage. He can’t confine such a beautiful young lady to the saloon, but he knows the marriage won’t be a happy one for her, not when she could have had someone so much better.
So the best thing he can do is keep his distance and leave her alone. She, however, can't help but be intrigued by her new husband. Is he the ugly beast the people in town claim, or is there something beautiful worth loving just beneath the surface?
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2016
377 people are currently reading
420 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Ann Nordin
172 books715 followersWhat's to say? I write a lot. I read often. I sleep little. Once in awhile, I've been known to clean the house. A number of kids live in my house and there's this guy they call dad and I call husband. All in all, it's a pretty good life. :-)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
August 18, 2017
I am really enjoying this series. Ruth Ann Nordin write some very sweet low key reads. The sex is on the sweeter and milder side. So far all the heroes and heroines in this series are virgins learning together. Which I like. I loved Allie and Travis together. Travis was so shy it was cute the way Allie had to come on to him. I am also glad I found out who committed the murder in the last book too. I am looking forward to Carl's book!
September 1, 2016
One of the best historical it has been my privilege to read.
The hero and heroine are just about the most perfect couple.
They are two half of the same whole!
You can just tell this is about more than the physical.
It's all about love!
Learning to finally trust and care for others even when it's almost impossible.
The hero (who is scared from a childhood illness)is in a town full of haters and gossipers. However despite this he is able to give and treat others with the kindness not often found in today's modern hero.
He is always willing to help other and he turns trash into treasure!
Oh and he is tall and strong.
The heroine is amazing! She comes to town to marry a man who was her fiancé only to find he has married another.
What's a girl to do?
Well not bitch or complain about it or even resent the woman who "stole" him. She is understanding and goes right to work to making the best out of a difficult situation.
One in a million here.
Cause even I would be pissed here!!!
I will only say that even if there is only one sex scene in this whole book it's a tender moment of discovery that leaves you breathless!
Well done!
I am so glad I bought this one.
It's a very sweet read and a total keeper even without an epilogue, it's a complete story.
Safety: both virgins, no drama, no pushing or pulling.
The hero and heroine are just about the most perfect couple.
They are two half of the same whole!
You can just tell this is about more than the physical.
It's all about love!
Learning to finally trust and care for others even when it's almost impossible.
The hero (who is scared from a childhood illness)is in a town full of haters and gossipers. However despite this he is able to give and treat others with the kindness not often found in today's modern hero.
He is always willing to help other and he turns trash into treasure!
Oh and he is tall and strong.
The heroine is amazing! She comes to town to marry a man who was her fiancé only to find he has married another.
What's a girl to do?
Well not bitch or complain about it or even resent the woman who "stole" him. She is understanding and goes right to work to making the best out of a difficult situation.
One in a million here.
Cause even I would be pissed here!!!
I will only say that even if there is only one sex scene in this whole book it's a tender moment of discovery that leaves you breathless!
Well done!
I am so glad I bought this one.
It's a very sweet read and a total keeper even without an epilogue, it's a complete story.
Safety: both virgins, no drama, no pushing or pulling.
August 29, 2016
++Spoilers++
Nice comfortable read with a "Beauty & the Beast" type theme.
This can be a stand alone, but I would recommend at least reading the first one in the series in order to get the full backround information on the secondary characters which tie into this one. I have not read the second one because of personal preference (I don't care for the unattractive heroine thing) and I do not feel I missed out on very much due to skipping that one. I may go back and read it one day but not just right now.
Travis, a child when he became inflicted with Vacarilla (? -spelling) and scratched himself so much it scarred him. He was taunted all his life by people for his appearance and therefore has chosen to live in isolation. He has a few friends who accept him as he is, but he still hides his face with his hat and avoids going into town as much as possible.
Allison was supposed to be Erics mail order bride, but she was delayed on her trip and Eric married someone else thinking it was her (this story is in book 2). When Allison arrives and discovers this, Eric (the towns sherrif) suggests she marry Travis, the only eligible bachelor around (aside from Carl Richie who most people hate). Being basically destitute, her choice is to either marry Travis or work in the saloon as a prostitute, the only job available. Obviously she chooses Travis.
The story was very nice. There was not a whole lot of conflict and I felt the romance a bit lacking. Allison and Travis don't spend much time together for most of the book cause he's hiding from her all the time, and this really affected the love build up IMHO.
The pace was nice and steady and I did not skim. I loved all the characters and my heart really went out to Carl. I can't wait to see his story.
My only other criticism is there was a little too much usage of "I don't know how to respond to that" or "he didn't know how to respond to that" or "she didn't know what to say." It didn't bother me a whole lot, but it was noticable and I get a little OCD sometimes and see stuff most would overlook so don't take this part to heart.
Lastly, I wish there was a little more spice in the way of loving scenes. We only get one and I was a little disappointed. I wanted more kissing and touching, and was expecting Allison to tenderly explore his scars. Oh well.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to those who are looking for a nice comfort read. I love this author and will continue to read her books.
Safety:
There are no forseeable triggers at all in this book. There is one sex scene (I wish there were more) nicely done nothing crazy.
Nice comfortable read with a "Beauty & the Beast" type theme.
This can be a stand alone, but I would recommend at least reading the first one in the series in order to get the full backround information on the secondary characters which tie into this one. I have not read the second one because of personal preference (I don't care for the unattractive heroine thing) and I do not feel I missed out on very much due to skipping that one. I may go back and read it one day but not just right now.
Travis, a child when he became inflicted with Vacarilla (? -spelling) and scratched himself so much it scarred him. He was taunted all his life by people for his appearance and therefore has chosen to live in isolation. He has a few friends who accept him as he is, but he still hides his face with his hat and avoids going into town as much as possible.
Allison was supposed to be Erics mail order bride, but she was delayed on her trip and Eric married someone else thinking it was her (this story is in book 2). When Allison arrives and discovers this, Eric (the towns sherrif) suggests she marry Travis, the only eligible bachelor around (aside from Carl Richie who most people hate). Being basically destitute, her choice is to either marry Travis or work in the saloon as a prostitute, the only job available. Obviously she chooses Travis.
The story was very nice. There was not a whole lot of conflict and I felt the romance a bit lacking. Allison and Travis don't spend much time together for most of the book cause he's hiding from her all the time, and this really affected the love build up IMHO.
The pace was nice and steady and I did not skim. I loved all the characters and my heart really went out to Carl. I can't wait to see his story.
My only other criticism is there was a little too much usage of "I don't know how to respond to that" or "he didn't know how to respond to that" or "she didn't know what to say." It didn't bother me a whole lot, but it was noticable and I get a little OCD sometimes and see stuff most would overlook so don't take this part to heart.
Lastly, I wish there was a little more spice in the way of loving scenes. We only get one and I was a little disappointed. I wanted more kissing and touching, and was expecting Allison to tenderly explore his scars. Oh well.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to those who are looking for a nice comfort read. I love this author and will continue to read her books.
Safety:
There are no forseeable triggers at all in this book. There is one sex scene (I wish there were more) nicely done nothing crazy.
March 15, 2025
Re-read rating: 5 / 5
Maybe it's because I'm becoming more and more of a softy as I age (says the woman who's still under 30), but I don't understand why I didn't just give this a five star rating from the get go.
Well, that's fixed, now!
Rating: 4.1 / 5
Much as I love Beauty and the Beast retellings (or anything that's similar to that, anyway), I have to admit the same thing that many other readers and reviewers have said:
Travis and Allie, while a great match, just don't interact with one another as much as we'd like.
This is more in the first half of the book than the second half, but it's still an entire half to get through of Travis outright being scared of having Allie on his property (never mind being married to her), and thinking up elaborate and rather ridiculous ways of avoiding her. Heck, he even insisted that they get married through a door so that she never even sees him, so...
...Yeah, there's that.
But, what I did like about this setup, for all its slight ridiculousness, was that this forced Allie to take on what's rather unusual for heroines in historical fiction: initiative. Whether it's initiating conversation, spending time together, or physical contact (and yes that means leading the way to the bedroom as well), she does it, and it was refreshing to see a heroine who could. Granted, there are many historical fiction heroines who take initiative after their first time, but in the case of this book, since Travis is so shy, Allie has to overcome her own maiden shyness in order to get anything going.
It was a new perspective to read through, and I enjoyed it.
Also, we have the continuing murder mystery crime from the last novel that finally gets solved as well, and I additionally appreciated the new outlook on Carl Ritchie as a character. When he's first introduced in The Convenient Mail Order Bride, we obviously see him through the perspective of Abe, and therefore think of him as the asshole-y bad guy, who just cares about money and nothing else. In my view, he was also a secondary character--just someone that's not important enough to get his own story, especially when he's already married, even if it is unhappily.
Ahem, but, through reading this series in order (which I recommend, by the way, though I suppose that, like most historical fiction romances, it can be read as a standalone if someone doesn't character about more than one romantic pairing), we're gradually exposed to more of Carl as a character, until we really feel sympathy for the poor guy and what a horrible time he's had of it being married to his wife. It really builds up to wanting to see him have a happy ending in his own story, and I guess that's why the author chose to have it be the fourth one of this series rather than, say, the second. We need to first open up to Carl before we're ready to hear his side of things and root for him.
And, that being said, that will be exactly what I will set about doing.
Maybe it's because I'm becoming more and more of a softy as I age (says the woman who's still under 30), but I don't understand why I didn't just give this a five star rating from the get go.
Well, that's fixed, now!
Rating: 4.1 / 5
Much as I love Beauty and the Beast retellings (or anything that's similar to that, anyway), I have to admit the same thing that many other readers and reviewers have said:
Travis and Allie, while a great match, just don't interact with one another as much as we'd like.
This is more in the first half of the book than the second half, but it's still an entire half to get through of Travis outright being scared of having Allie on his property (never mind being married to her), and thinking up elaborate and rather ridiculous ways of avoiding her. Heck, he even insisted that they get married through a door so that she never even sees him, so...
...Yeah, there's that.
But, what I did like about this setup, for all its slight ridiculousness, was that this forced Allie to take on what's rather unusual for heroines in historical fiction: initiative. Whether it's initiating conversation, spending time together, or physical contact (and yes that means leading the way to the bedroom as well), she does it, and it was refreshing to see a heroine who could. Granted, there are many historical fiction heroines who take initiative after their first time, but in the case of this book, since Travis is so shy, Allie has to overcome her own maiden shyness in order to get anything going.
It was a new perspective to read through, and I enjoyed it.
Also, we have the continuing murder mystery crime from the last novel that finally gets solved as well, and I additionally appreciated the new outlook on Carl Ritchie as a character. When he's first introduced in The Convenient Mail Order Bride, we obviously see him through the perspective of Abe, and therefore think of him as the asshole-y bad guy, who just cares about money and nothing else. In my view, he was also a secondary character--just someone that's not important enough to get his own story, especially when he's already married, even if it is unhappily.
Ahem, but, through reading this series in order (which I recommend, by the way, though I suppose that, like most historical fiction romances, it can be read as a standalone if someone doesn't character about more than one romantic pairing), we're gradually exposed to more of Carl as a character, until we really feel sympathy for the poor guy and what a horrible time he's had of it being married to his wife. It really builds up to wanting to see him have a happy ending in his own story, and I guess that's why the author chose to have it be the fourth one of this series rather than, say, the second. We need to first open up to Carl before we're ready to hear his side of things and root for him.
And, that being said, that will be exactly what I will set about doing.
September 28, 2017
Shy, reclusive Travis and Allie the lady with no other choice.
Like the blurb says, Eric, who was originally Allie's intended (by mail order) accidentally married the wrong woman and now Allie has arrived with nowhere to go. Eric basically tells her while still on the train station platform that her choices are to marry the reclusive freak on the edge of town or go work as a 'saloon girl'.
After that Allie marries Travis (the hermit), a matter of hours after getting off the train, with a door between them. So she has yet to see his face. All she knows is that Eric says he's a good guy... like Eric's word is good for anything??
She knows he's a very big man and has some scars. She hears rumours that he's a monster. Weeks pass with her in the main cottage and him in his workshop and always a door in between.
But they start to communicate through notes that they write each other.
Travis was very sweet and kind hearted. Allie's character was a little flatter, but she was nice. Can't really say much else except that she is so pretty that it makes Travis even more shy than he would normally have been.
I started to wonder how they would ever get together, but when it happens it was nicely crafted twist in the plot. It didn't feel forced despite how far their progress in a short time, after so many weeks at a kind of standstill.
There's a side mystery about the murder of a woman from town, who was married to the man who stars in the book following this one.
I do like how this author doesn't make her villains inhumanly evil. They are people who have chosen unwisely and done wrong.
So a sweet little read overall with a lovely ending and a wonderful epilogue
my only stickler was the MCs from the previous book and how the author sees nothing wrong in how Eric behaved.
Way to live up to your responsibilities asshole! Why can't they take her in for a day or two?? I mean it's the least he could do, seriously! So it would be awkward. It's not fair to victimize Allie because of your own idiocy. I figure Allie's way better off with Travis!
i can tell you right now, i am never reading their story!
Like the blurb says, Eric, who was originally Allie's intended (by mail order) accidentally married the wrong woman and now Allie has arrived with nowhere to go. Eric basically tells her while still on the train station platform that her choices are to marry the reclusive freak on the edge of town or go work as a 'saloon girl'.
After that Allie marries Travis (the hermit), a matter of hours after getting off the train, with a door between them. So she has yet to see his face. All she knows is that Eric says he's a good guy... like Eric's word is good for anything??
She knows he's a very big man and has some scars. She hears rumours that he's a monster. Weeks pass with her in the main cottage and him in his workshop and always a door in between.
But they start to communicate through notes that they write each other.
Travis was very sweet and kind hearted. Allie's character was a little flatter, but she was nice. Can't really say much else except that she is so pretty that it makes Travis even more shy than he would normally have been.
I started to wonder how they would ever get together, but when it happens it was nicely crafted twist in the plot. It didn't feel forced despite how far their progress in a short time, after so many weeks at a kind of standstill.
There's a side mystery about the murder of a woman from town, who was married to the man who stars in the book following this one.
I do like how this author doesn't make her villains inhumanly evil. They are people who have chosen unwisely and done wrong.
So a sweet little read overall with a lovely ending and a wonderful epilogue
my only stickler was the MCs from the previous book and how the author sees nothing wrong in how Eric behaved.
Way to live up to your responsibilities asshole! Why can't they take her in for a day or two?? I mean it's the least he could do, seriously! So it would be awkward. It's not fair to victimize Allie because of your own idiocy. I figure Allie's way better off with Travis!
i can tell you right now, i am never reading their story!
May 5, 2024
Mad About Series Challenge 2024 HRBC. Kobo+. #3 Chance at Love Series.
MC's h Allie from Tennessee & H Travis Martin 6'6" (scars from Chickenpox)
She is a mail-order bride whom arrived too late for her intended. He married another mail-order bride actually not his intended. He finds her a shy reclusive bachelor who is afraid of women. They are married by the judge but he stays hidden on the barn. His bride doesn't see his face until a stranger comes to the house a few weeks after they are wed. There is a murder mystery to solve. This story is like a Gunsmoke episode from the 60's.
I gave this 3 ⭐ stars.
MC's h Allie from Tennessee & H Travis Martin 6'6" (scars from Chickenpox)
She is a mail-order bride whom arrived too late for her intended. He married another mail-order bride actually not his intended. He finds her a shy reclusive bachelor who is afraid of women. They are married by the judge but he stays hidden on the barn. His bride doesn't see his face until a stranger comes to the house a few weeks after they are wed. There is a murder mystery to solve. This story is like a Gunsmoke episode from the 60's.
I gave this 3 ⭐ stars.
September 18, 2016
I was generous with my stars.
It wasn't awful but it was a little clunky and the sex scene completely unbelievable for two virgins when it could have been sweet.
It wasn't awful but it was a little clunky and the sex scene completely unbelievable for two virgins when it could have been sweet.
January 7, 2023
awww sweetest shy hero 🥺🥺 they were so cute together 😭
there was a killer plot from first two books but it was easy to understand what was happening so i enjoyed the book 🫂
there was a killer plot from first two books but it was easy to understand what was happening so i enjoyed the book 🫂
March 16, 2025
This was far too cute! Travis was such a sweetie, he’s my favourite sort of MMC. Allie was also a nice FMC, I really felt for her considering the circumstances and loved how accepting she was of Travis.
This was short, sweet and did what it said on the tin. I’m pleased!
This was short, sweet and did what it said on the tin. I’m pleased!
July 28, 2018
This was actually a really sweet story with a lot of potential. I liked the characters and the plot itself, but I felt like the author could have done a bit more to really make this a 5* book. It takes such a long time for them to actually meet and talk to each other and suddenly I felt like the pacing was so fast and both of them were in love, although I wasn't really sure how and when it happened.
Still a nice read with cute characters :)
Still a nice read with cute characters :)
April 4, 2017
This was good and I decided to read it for three main reasons:
1) This is a historical romance set in the United States (My first one in America)
2) The hero is shy / awkward
3) Arranged marriage (sort of but yeah)
Surprisingly for me the romance took a back seat, because I was more interested in the plot of the story and what was going on with some side characters. Mainly Carl's story grabbed my attention, so I thought I was reading the next book.
I read this book, but I firmly believe you can read these books in any order you want, I started with this one and then I read the next one, and if I wanted I could pick the others but I'm just Not really into them.
So back to the protagonists of this story. Allie was a nice character, I liked her and the reason she came back late to town was interesting. Travis is extremely shy and I understood why. But there were some times when I just wanted him to get over it. In total disclosure... I did skimmed the sex scene (something I usually don't do with shy heroes) For me it took so long and I was not in the mood for it.
1) This is a historical romance set in the United States (My first one in America)
2) The hero is shy / awkward
3) Arranged marriage (sort of but yeah)
Surprisingly for me the romance took a back seat, because I was more interested in the plot of the story and what was going on with some side characters. Mainly Carl's story grabbed my attention, so I thought I was reading the next book.
I read this book, but I firmly believe you can read these books in any order you want, I started with this one and then I read the next one, and if I wanted I could pick the others but I'm just Not really into them.
So back to the protagonists of this story. Allie was a nice character, I liked her and the reason she came back late to town was interesting. Travis is extremely shy and I understood why. But there were some times when I just wanted him to get over it. In total disclosure... I did skimmed the sex scene (something I usually don't do with shy heroes) For me it took so long and I was not in the mood for it.
April 27, 2020
A cute story with enjoyable characters, but I was hoping for so much more. I first read about Travis from the first book in this series, that he was a big giant that had scars on his face, so in fear and embarrassment he would hide from females. Literally run and hide. So I was curious to see this version of Beauty and the Beast. It was like a Little House on the Prairie story with a little consummation of marriage scene on the side. I felt confused over the hero because at times, he was being described at so socially awkward, that he wouldn't know how to socialize and speak with visitors. Then other times he was chasing a female thru the woods and carried her with a broken ankle to his wagon to help her, but he did not show signs of being awkward and shy in this whole scene. So I just didn't feel he was true to character thru out the whole book. As for the hero in the next book... I'm not convinced I want to read his story. In Book 1 he is a jerk, troublemaker. In this Book 3 he is a scared, hiding in his cabin crybaby and keeps talking about how he needs a virgin bride so that she won't realize how awful in bed he is..... Not a very manly man macho guy.
June 5, 2019
Me ha gustado mucho esta historia, un hombre marcado por las cicatrices y los rumores de la gente, lo hacen vivir lejos del pueblo y ser un hombre aislado que solo se habla con pocas personas que lo tratan como un igual y que debe casarse con una novia por correo, sin siquiera ser el causante de que ella llegará a ese lugar pero evitando, con ese matrimonio, que ella termine trabajando en el salón. Hay amistad, intrigas, amor y descubrimientos de que nunca se conoce completamente a la persona que tenemos al lado.
November 5, 2021
I really enjoyed this - outside of what I usually read, but getting into westerns and cowboys. Have already purchased next in series. This story was entertaining and really cute. I loved it. 4☆
March 27, 2022
3.75 stars
this was a cute and light read, and was really short too. the leads are ADORABLE :(((
this was a cute and light read, and was really short too. the leads are ADORABLE :(((
dnf
June 28, 2023DNF for now. It doesn't focus on the main couple as much as I'd enjoy.
February 15, 2019
I also posted this review on my personal blog: http://angelamariahart.com/angelas-bl...
My Review
This book is the third in a series, but it could be read as a standalone. (I read this one first, before moving onto the other books.)
TRAAAVVVISSS! My heart. He is such a sweetie. He is a new book boyfriend for sure. What a cutie! Travis is a large man (over six feet tall) with scars, so he withdrew from society feeling as though people judged and feared him. Living at the edge of town, he takes solace in his solitude. He has no desire to be around other people. He doesn't even think he deserves a wife.
Allie arrives in town expecting to be the mail-order bride for the town doctor, Eric. Except he's already married. SHOCK! Now Allie's options are to either marry local recluse (Travis) who is the only single man left in town or become a fallen dove and work at the local saloon. Talk about two opposite options. WHAT? Allie cannot go back home because her family is already poor with too many mouths to feed. Marriage was (and still is) her only way out. Thank you historical sexism. Allie *needs* to get married. Eric's solution is to marry her off to Travis.
When it comes to awkward weddings, this one might win. Forget all those "speak now or forever hold your peace" story moments. Travis is so shy that he stands behind a closed door and says his vows through the door to the priest and Allie. Our hero and heroine don't actually come face-to-face with one another until about the forty-five percent mark (according to my Kindle). He marries her without saying anything to her except their vows. They then live on the land with one another without being with one another. Travis and Allie only spend the night together when a townswoman is forced to stay over at their home and Allie recommends they share the room so that the woman doesn't start gossiping about the pair. When the woman arrives on the property, Allie and Travis tend to her together. This is the first time they meet in person. Up until this point, Travis avoids Allie and lives out in the barn. After being made to feel inadequate (due to his scars), Travis truly believes that a beautiful woman like Allie (who is traditionally pretty, blonde hair, blue eyes, and "perfect skin" <- his words) deserves more than him. My reader heart broke for him.
Allie doesn't care about Travis's scars in the least. Travis takes care of her and provides her with food, a place to stay, and leaves notes for her. He respects her (even from afar). When the pair do come face-to-face, she doesn't even blink at his scars. I already liked Allie from her first-page introduction. She has a kind disposition and instantly went to work trying to fix up the house to show her appreciation towards Travis. When she made Travis feel whole, I loved her. Together these two were perfect.
I'm not usually the biggest fan of the mail-order bride trope (I've read quite a few of them so maybe I have high standards at this point), but this one had more than enough twists to keep me entertained. The unique characters, completely different opening of needing to marry the only bachelor left in town, and overall sweet tone made this a quick and fun romantic read. Two thumbs up.
My Review
This book is the third in a series, but it could be read as a standalone. (I read this one first, before moving onto the other books.)
TRAAAVVVISSS! My heart. He is such a sweetie. He is a new book boyfriend for sure. What a cutie! Travis is a large man (over six feet tall) with scars, so he withdrew from society feeling as though people judged and feared him. Living at the edge of town, he takes solace in his solitude. He has no desire to be around other people. He doesn't even think he deserves a wife.
Allie arrives in town expecting to be the mail-order bride for the town doctor, Eric. Except he's already married. SHOCK! Now Allie's options are to either marry local recluse (Travis) who is the only single man left in town or become a fallen dove and work at the local saloon. Talk about two opposite options. WHAT? Allie cannot go back home because her family is already poor with too many mouths to feed. Marriage was (and still is) her only way out. Thank you historical sexism. Allie *needs* to get married. Eric's solution is to marry her off to Travis.
When it comes to awkward weddings, this one might win. Forget all those "speak now or forever hold your peace" story moments. Travis is so shy that he stands behind a closed door and says his vows through the door to the priest and Allie. Our hero and heroine don't actually come face-to-face with one another until about the forty-five percent mark (according to my Kindle). He marries her without saying anything to her except their vows. They then live on the land with one another without being with one another. Travis and Allie only spend the night together when a townswoman is forced to stay over at their home and Allie recommends they share the room so that the woman doesn't start gossiping about the pair. When the woman arrives on the property, Allie and Travis tend to her together. This is the first time they meet in person. Up until this point, Travis avoids Allie and lives out in the barn. After being made to feel inadequate (due to his scars), Travis truly believes that a beautiful woman like Allie (who is traditionally pretty, blonde hair, blue eyes, and "perfect skin" <- his words) deserves more than him. My reader heart broke for him.
Allie doesn't care about Travis's scars in the least. Travis takes care of her and provides her with food, a place to stay, and leaves notes for her. He respects her (even from afar). When the pair do come face-to-face, she doesn't even blink at his scars. I already liked Allie from her first-page introduction. She has a kind disposition and instantly went to work trying to fix up the house to show her appreciation towards Travis. When she made Travis feel whole, I loved her. Together these two were perfect.
I'm not usually the biggest fan of the mail-order bride trope (I've read quite a few of them so maybe I have high standards at this point), but this one had more than enough twists to keep me entertained. The unique characters, completely different opening of needing to marry the only bachelor left in town, and overall sweet tone made this a quick and fun romantic read. Two thumbs up.
February 28, 2018
“The Accidental Mail Order Bride” by Ruth Ann Nordin was sort of a “Beauty and the Beast” story set in the west. Allison Jones comes to Colorado thinking she will be married to the man she has corresponded with. However, it seems that she is a couple of weeks late and her intended has already married someone else. Since Allison has nowhere to go and no job, it’s either be married to woman-shy Travis, a self-proclaimed hermit, or become a “hostess” in the saloon.
Even though she knows this may be a big mistake, she accepts the marriage. Her consternation increased when she has to marry in front of the judge while her husband hides behind the door. In fact, she doesn’t catch a glimpse of him for quite a few weeks. Travis is scared for her to find out how he looks because of scars received in a childhood illness. Can his kindnesses to her and others persuade her to look beyond his looks and see the real person within? And can Allison’s continued work ethic and personality bring Travis out of his shell enough to make this marriage a reality?
Even though the theme is a little trite, I thought the approach that the author gave the story saved it.
You can find this review on my blog at https://wp.me/p2pjIt-uf. Other reviews can be found at http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com.
Even though she knows this may be a big mistake, she accepts the marriage. Her consternation increased when she has to marry in front of the judge while her husband hides behind the door. In fact, she doesn’t catch a glimpse of him for quite a few weeks. Travis is scared for her to find out how he looks because of scars received in a childhood illness. Can his kindnesses to her and others persuade her to look beyond his looks and see the real person within? And can Allison’s continued work ethic and personality bring Travis out of his shell enough to make this marriage a reality?
Even though the theme is a little trite, I thought the approach that the author gave the story saved it.
You can find this review on my blog at https://wp.me/p2pjIt-uf. Other reviews can be found at http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com.
February 10, 2018
This series is quickly becoming one of my favorite, as Ms. Nordin brings us back to an era that formed North America into what it is today, when strong women took a leap of faith and ventured into the "wild west frontier" to marry men unknown to them other than a missive or two, if they were lucky. Due to unforeseen circumstances, and a conscience that demanded to be followed, Allie finds herself getting off the stagecoach in the right town, but a month late, only to find that the man she was supposed to marry, has already married another. With no other options open to her, she finds herself agreeing to marry another, even though his reputation is frightening. But she is soon to learn, that the gossip monglers are often wrong, and that it is extremely important to form your own opinions, for you just might be in for a pleasant surprise. Travis is so shy, thanks to a difficult childhood full of bullies, that he refuses to show his face, especially to women, and even more so to the ones who are beautiful. Even though he is coerced into marrying the woman Eric was supposed to marry, will he live to regret it for the rest of his days? Or will he learn to love despite himself?
A beautiful story that is definitely worth the read. Love this series!
A beautiful story that is definitely worth the read. Love this series!
February 10, 2018
E-Reader. Mail Order Bride
Allie Jordan arrives in Colorado (8/1868) to get married to the Sheriff Eric Johnson only to find out he married another woman. He married Caroline who he thought was Allie. She got off at the wrong town.
Eric and his wife suggest she marry Travis Marsh, who is a loner and lives outside of town. Some people say he looks like a beast. He has scars but he's not a beast, just truly shy.
The only other choice would be to work as a soiled dove, no way.
She decides to marry Travis. The only one available to marry them is the town Judge. Travis will only marry Allie if he can stand behind his outer building door, left partially open so he can repeat his vows. Eric & Caroline are their witnesses.
There so much more to this story you need to read this book.
Will Allie get Travis to love her as much she learns to love him?
Enjoy.
Allie Jordan arrives in Colorado (8/1868) to get married to the Sheriff Eric Johnson only to find out he married another woman. He married Caroline who he thought was Allie. She got off at the wrong town.
Eric and his wife suggest she marry Travis Marsh, who is a loner and lives outside of town. Some people say he looks like a beast. He has scars but he's not a beast, just truly shy.
The only other choice would be to work as a soiled dove, no way.
She decides to marry Travis. The only one available to marry them is the town Judge. Travis will only marry Allie if he can stand behind his outer building door, left partially open so he can repeat his vows. Eric & Caroline are their witnesses.
There so much more to this story you need to read this book.
Will Allie get Travis to love her as much she learns to love him?
Enjoy.
January 9, 2018
I absolutely love these characters. This small Colorado town has needed a change for awhile. The judgmental, gossiping needed to stop. Sheriff Eric Johnson is seeing to that. When he accidentally marries the wrong mail order bride things start to change in the small town. One day when Allie Jones, the mail order bride he was supposed to marry shows up he must find her someone to marry before the saloon owner puts her to work. The only town bachelor is Travis Martin, a big stature of a man who is shy around women. It takes some convincing but Travis agrees to marry Allie to save her from a life of a soiled dove at the saloon. This was another amazing story that continues the saga of this small Colorado town !
November 4, 2023
Definitely recommend!!
As always, I love this author's books!! Really well written and cute!
I live this trope where the H is insecure or shy, but would do anything for the h!
I don't think I've ever read a book with a H as shy as this one was. He was so so insecure about his looks, my heart completely melted for him!
So cute I can't get over it ! And the h was perfect for him! I really liked her :)
Themes (might be some mild SPOILERS)
Beta H (very devoted to the h and very resourceful)
Kind h
Sex - Yes (one or two scenes... I'm not sure)
Virgin - yes both of them
Slow burn
Angst - yes ! There is a mystery going one that you really want to see resolved, but not a lot of angst going one for the main couple
As always, I love this author's books!! Really well written and cute!
I live this trope where the H is insecure or shy, but would do anything for the h!
I don't think I've ever read a book with a H as shy as this one was. He was so so insecure about his looks, my heart completely melted for him!
So cute I can't get over it ! And the h was perfect for him! I really liked her :)
Themes (might be some mild SPOILERS)
Beta H (very devoted to the h and very resourceful)
Kind h
Sex - Yes (one or two scenes... I'm not sure)
Virgin - yes both of them
Slow burn
Angst - yes ! There is a mystery going one that you really want to see resolved, but not a lot of angst going one for the main couple
January 29, 2018
Mail Order Bride to this town don't seem to get what they were expecting
Imagine arriving in town to be greeted by your future husband and is wife. There is only one other man in town who could be a prospective husband but he's a recluse and rumored to have three eyes. But not only are the mail order brides surprised by their prospective husbands but this town has a gossip and rumor mill that is unsurpassed. Interesting plots in this story and not your typical mail order bride tale.
Imagine arriving in town to be greeted by your future husband and is wife. There is only one other man in town who could be a prospective husband but he's a recluse and rumored to have three eyes. But not only are the mail order brides surprised by their prospective husbands but this town has a gossip and rumor mill that is unsurpassed. Interesting plots in this story and not your typical mail order bride tale.
May 2, 2018
Scars and gossip
Thinking she changed her mind due to a delay in arriving Allie discovered her husband to be had married another.
Left with few options and single men she was encouraged to marry Travis Martin.
Travis did not go around people much due to scars on his face from a childhood illness. Marrying Allie was the last thing he wanted but if he did not she had no other options but working in the saloon.
Time, patience and the desire for something more brings these two together.
This is a clean romance and well worth reading if you enjoy mail order bride stories.
Thinking she changed her mind due to a delay in arriving Allie discovered her husband to be had married another.
Left with few options and single men she was encouraged to marry Travis Martin.
Travis did not go around people much due to scars on his face from a childhood illness. Marrying Allie was the last thing he wanted but if he did not she had no other options but working in the saloon.
Time, patience and the desire for something more brings these two together.
This is a clean romance and well worth reading if you enjoy mail order bride stories.
January 30, 2018
Beauty and the Gentle Beast
What an unusual mail order bride story, and what a good one! A bride delayed finds her groom already married, and is coaxed into marrying the only other eligible man around, but he never thought marriage could be for him. Throw in a murder mystery, a town full of gossips, and a sheriff trying to sort everything out while keeping the peace, and here is a tender love story I could not put down.
What an unusual mail order bride story, and what a good one! A bride delayed finds her groom already married, and is coaxed into marrying the only other eligible man around, but he never thought marriage could be for him. Throw in a murder mystery, a town full of gossips, and a sheriff trying to sort everything out while keeping the peace, and here is a tender love story I could not put down.
July 26, 2019
If I had a checklist of things a book can have to make me happy this book would check them all. A little bit of beauty and the beast, a little of found family, a little murder, the relationship is wholesome, and it made me aww outloud. While an arranged ish marriage flows nicely into a a strong relationship without some added drama nonsense to prove they were meant to be like so many other romances do. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
November 12, 2024
this book was awful - the writing style was strange and so …. simple ? it was so devoid of style that it felt like a chat gpt translation or something just not at all compelling to read. the characters are also so …. ???? basic i had no clue to our fmc’s background, or the mmc’s background other than he was bullied for his scars ? the whole romance is just ? happens over a single day ? and they’re in love ????? i dont even know why i kept reading
May 21, 2025
I Wish There was More
I really enjoyed reading the third book after reading the first two in the series. My only complaint was that there wasn’t much focus on Travis and Allie’s relationship or story. It felt rushed. There wasn’t much focus on them but more into the murder, Carl, and Eric. I was kind of disappointed because I had been excited to read about Travis since he was one of my favorite characters after Eric.
I really enjoyed reading the third book after reading the first two in the series. My only complaint was that there wasn’t much focus on Travis and Allie’s relationship or story. It felt rushed. There wasn’t much focus on them but more into the murder, Carl, and Eric. I was kind of disappointed because I had been excited to read about Travis since he was one of my favorite characters after Eric.
February 1, 2018
Western MOB Romance
I liked this book!!!!! I can't remember if I've read a book by Ruth Ann Nordin before. I will read her stories in future. This story unites a mail order bride with someone not looking for a wife. The reasons why are the best parts of the story. I enjoyed this book and I hope you will too!!!!!!
I liked this book!!!!! I can't remember if I've read a book by Ruth Ann Nordin before. I will read her stories in future. This story unites a mail order bride with someone not looking for a wife. The reasons why are the best parts of the story. I enjoyed this book and I hope you will too!!!!!!
December 30, 2018
Love can be found anywhere
This is a well written interesting story. A mail order bride arrives to find her intended married to someone else because he’s just received her letter that she would be late arriving and why. The story from that point is so interesting you will find it difficult to put down.
This is a well written interesting story. A mail order bride arrives to find her intended married to someone else because he’s just received her letter that she would be late arriving and why. The story from that point is so interesting you will find it difficult to put down.
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