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Secrets & Charades
Jake Marcum’s busy ranch leaves him no time for courting, and his wounded heart has no place for love. When battlefield nightmares disturb his peace and his tomboy niece, Juliet, needs taming, somehow a mail-order bride seems like a logical solution.
Dr. Evangeline Olson has no idea her niece is writing to a rancher on her behalf, and she sure isn’t interested in abandoning her medical practice for a stranger. But when an inheritance threatens to reveal a long-buried secret, she travels west to become Jake’s wife.
Jake soon realizes Evangeline is more than he bargained for, especially when her arrival causes a stir in the community. As the two try to find their way in a marriage of convenience, their fragile relationship is further tested by cattle rustling and kidnapping. Can their hearts overcome past hurts to create a real marriage?
Dr. Evangeline Olson has no idea her niece is writing to a rancher on her behalf, and she sure isn’t interested in abandoning her medical practice for a stranger. But when an inheritance threatens to reveal a long-buried secret, she travels west to become Jake’s wife.
Jake soon realizes Evangeline is more than he bargained for, especially when her arrival causes a stir in the community. As the two try to find their way in a marriage of convenience, their fragile relationship is further tested by cattle rustling and kidnapping. Can their hearts overcome past hurts to create a real marriage?
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
March 15, 2017
It wasn’t for love that physician Evangeline Olson left her home in Missouri in 1873. There were few options left to keep her fading medical practice alive and she had nothing left to lose by accepting a mail order bride request from a cattle rancher in Texas. But the emotional baggage from her past weighed more heavily on her than the numerous trunks containing her wordly goods.
Rancher Jake Marcum wasn’t seeking love but a mother for his orphaned niece. The bride who arrived on the train from Missouri however, soon captured his affections. But it would take time, patience, and divine intervention to unravel the mysteries that shielded Evangeline’s heart from his ardor.
“Secrets & Charades” by Cindy Ervin Huff is an engaging post Civil War Western that captures a reader’s interest from page 1. Author Huff does an excellent job of weaving complexity into the simple life of the rugged Texas terrain.
A captivating novel of the Old West, “Secrets & Charades” should find itself on the bookshelves beside many long-loved western classics.
Rancher Jake Marcum wasn’t seeking love but a mother for his orphaned niece. The bride who arrived on the train from Missouri however, soon captured his affections. But it would take time, patience, and divine intervention to unravel the mysteries that shielded Evangeline’s heart from his ardor.
“Secrets & Charades” by Cindy Ervin Huff is an engaging post Civil War Western that captures a reader’s interest from page 1. Author Huff does an excellent job of weaving complexity into the simple life of the rugged Texas terrain.
A captivating novel of the Old West, “Secrets & Charades” should find itself on the bookshelves beside many long-loved western classics.
November 6, 2017
I loved writing this novel. The characters became family. Hope you enjoy reading it.
November 9, 2017
I enjoyed this novel. There are some good things here. I think the most solid aspect was the characters. They are fun and well done with solid development.
There’s lots of Christian elements. They are unabashed and strong. Fair warning to anyone who doesn’t like characters praying and talking about Jesus. They do it A LOT.
This is pretty darn squeaky clean. It deals with rape, violence, prostitution, and drug/alcohol use. But its barely descriptive about any of it.
I would say the plot flow is the weak spot here. It’s choppy and hard to follow in some places. I think, generally, there is just too much going on for one novel. It gets convoluted and could really use some simplification.
There was one plot twist I didn’t see coming, though the clues were there. So kudos for that. There’s some definite writing talent here, and I will probably be keeping an eye on this author.
There’s lots of Christian elements. They are unabashed and strong. Fair warning to anyone who doesn’t like characters praying and talking about Jesus. They do it A LOT.
This is pretty darn squeaky clean. It deals with rape, violence, prostitution, and drug/alcohol use. But its barely descriptive about any of it.
I would say the plot flow is the weak spot here. It’s choppy and hard to follow in some places. I think, generally, there is just too much going on for one novel. It gets convoluted and could really use some simplification.
There was one plot twist I didn’t see coming, though the clues were there. So kudos for that. There’s some definite writing talent here, and I will probably be keeping an eye on this author.
February 27, 2019
Cindy is a fresh, new voice in Christian Historical Romance. Her setting resonates with the type of vibrancy that comes from an author who did her research. Her characters are real and charming. Her story is engrossing. Stellar!
March 24, 2017
Great clean book full of suspense and love
"Secrets and Charades" is a book with words of love and forgiveness. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. The setting is the early west on the American frontier of a cattle ranch. Characters are varied. Enclosed is a story of the hardships that confront a ranch owner who is striving to provide for his niece. He is a civil war survivor with PTSD who runs a cattle ranch with many employees and is expecting a mail order bride to help raise his orphaned niece. She found out that her relative has been writing this rancher for a year without her knowledge. Now he has asked her to come and marry him. She is an educated woman who also is a doctor. She served in the civil war also but has a secret from her past that haunts her. The story reflects redemption, forgiveness, God's faith, prayers and love. Thrown in are episodes of kidnapping, con artist, murder, brothel, past regrets, discrimination and suspense. It is great to read how spiritual faith is portrayed in dealing with all of the problems encountered by this couple before they can obtain HEA.
"Secrets and Charades" is a book with words of love and forgiveness. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. The setting is the early west on the American frontier of a cattle ranch. Characters are varied. Enclosed is a story of the hardships that confront a ranch owner who is striving to provide for his niece. He is a civil war survivor with PTSD who runs a cattle ranch with many employees and is expecting a mail order bride to help raise his orphaned niece. She found out that her relative has been writing this rancher for a year without her knowledge. Now he has asked her to come and marry him. She is an educated woman who also is a doctor. She served in the civil war also but has a secret from her past that haunts her. The story reflects redemption, forgiveness, God's faith, prayers and love. Thrown in are episodes of kidnapping, con artist, murder, brothel, past regrets, discrimination and suspense. It is great to read how spiritual faith is portrayed in dealing with all of the problems encountered by this couple before they can obtain HEA.
September 9, 2017
A easy read of a mail-order bride with a twist. AS so many of them are, they have some of the same elements. However, this one had a couple of twists and turns that I found interesting.
Cattle Rustling, women dressed up as men and other content that you would assume to find in a western style mail order bride story are all present and accounted for. A secret female doctor was a new twist, as well as a few other things that I will not spoil for you.
If you like mail order bride stories, you will likely enjoy this one.
Cattle Rustling, women dressed up as men and other content that you would assume to find in a western style mail order bride story are all present and accounted for. A secret female doctor was a new twist, as well as a few other things that I will not spoil for you.
If you like mail order bride stories, you will likely enjoy this one.
July 20, 2017
This was a new to me author. The book was quite good. I enjoyed it very much. The plot was good, the characters believable with great secondary characters. It was well written also, with a firmly built foundation. I look forward to more from this author.
September 4, 2017
Secrets & Charades by Cindy Ervin Huff
Location: Majority of the book was set in Charleton, TX
Timeframe: 1873
Main Characters:
Evangeline Olson, 28 year old doctor (single)
Jake Marcum, cattle rancher and guardian to his niece, Juliet
Selena, cook
Thomas Farley, Ranch owner close by/bad guy
Normally I'm not into mail-order-bride stories anymore, but this one caught my attention because of all the 5-star ratings, and that the "bride" was a doctor... sounded like she might be a strong character. And in fact she was. It really started out great, but didn't stay that way, in my estimation.
Synopsis:
Like I said, the book started off great, but toward the end things seemed to change. The story became choppy. Many things that could have been elaborated on were rushed through, and left me reading back over them to see if I missed something. Too many things happened with not enough detail, and it was an unsatisfying read.
I feel bad, because so many people seemed to love this book, and it wasn't horrible, just not well written in the last third. I think if the author went back over everything from about the time Jake and Thomas Farley rode to a grotto he conveniently remembered, and rewrote it with more detail, it would be a really good story. Brevity through crucial story lines is just not a good idea.
On a plus side, lots of faith issues were brought into the story. I loved that it was a praying ranch, and that the Lord was honored!
Location: Majority of the book was set in Charleton, TX
Timeframe: 1873
Main Characters:
Evangeline Olson, 28 year old doctor (single)
Jake Marcum, cattle rancher and guardian to his niece, Juliet
Selena, cook
Thomas Farley, Ranch owner close by/bad guy
Normally I'm not into mail-order-bride stories anymore, but this one caught my attention because of all the 5-star ratings, and that the "bride" was a doctor... sounded like she might be a strong character. And in fact she was. It really started out great, but didn't stay that way, in my estimation.
Synopsis:
Like I said, the book started off great, but toward the end things seemed to change. The story became choppy. Many things that could have been elaborated on were rushed through, and left me reading back over them to see if I missed something. Too many things happened with not enough detail, and it was an unsatisfying read.
I feel bad, because so many people seemed to love this book, and it wasn't horrible, just not well written in the last third. I think if the author went back over everything from about the time Jake and Thomas Farley rode to a grotto he conveniently remembered, and rewrote it with more detail, it would be a really good story. Brevity through crucial story lines is just not a good idea.
On a plus side, lots of faith issues were brought into the story. I loved that it was a praying ranch, and that the Lord was honored!
May 10, 2018
Mail Order brides to me always come with a strong woman and a wonderful man and the two always end up falling in love. Cindy Ervin Huff has taken this premise and given personalities to the characters with a fresh new perspective. Evangeline, a free thinking, progressive woman comes to marry Jake. With secrets in her past, she is hesitant to be completely open with him but does her best to help run his ranch. She is a doctor by trade, something unheard of for the time, is nice to the servants and especially falls in love with Jake's niece. There is trouble on the ranch, and as they work together to find the answers, life becomes more intimate. But will Jake accept her when he finds out what she is hiding? So much goes into this story, but the standout for me is Evie. Her character is wonderful. Even though she comes from a different class of people, she treats all as she would like to be treated. She doesn't feel the need to be like everyone else, and is here to help all. With a strong Christian basis, this story is a beautiful read showing the true merits of this new to me author.
Meghan Kelly is perfect for this book. Her ability to bring characters to life is incredible, giving them each distinctive voices and personalities.
Meghan Kelly is perfect for this book. Her ability to bring characters to life is incredible, giving them each distinctive voices and personalities.
March 27, 2019
I almost gave this book 3 stars. I liked the story in the beginning but half way through it I lost interest and skimmed through the rest. It is a clean, fairly well written, Christian, mail order bride novel. The mail order bride in this story is a doctor of medicine which is a nice change from other similar stories I have read. It has a few unexpected twists in the story line and it is worth reading. I think that I may not have been in the right frame of mind for this book. I will try reading it again some other time.
October 8, 2019
Too much going on in this book. There were a couple mysteries and untold secrets and it felt a bit too much. I didn't like the feeling from this book. Nothing was really bad in it but the secret from her past didn't sit well with me.
December 18, 2023
Terrible
This book was so bad. I just had no interest in any of the
characters. Would never read this author again
This book was so bad. I just had no interest in any of the
characters. Would never read this author again
September 11, 2022
There was a book by this author I was interested in, then I discovered I had gotten this one free recently. This was a new author to me, and it appears she only has a few books published....and does not even have an author page on Amazon.....but I liked the book. It had a great plot characters and, and even some suspense. I feel it is a 5-star review, and am interested in reading her other books.
August 14, 2017
A great story!!! Lot of threads, so not just about two people, but those around them, went from mystery, surprise, heart touching, touched by what was happening, and a stand alone story, no loose ends, not cliff hangers.. Clean in every way. Hard to put down, when I had other things to do. Listened at times until wee hours of morning, rather than sleep.
August 2, 2017
Phenomenal
This was an amazing, touch it, and very inspirational book. I highly recommend for people to read this book and I look forwards to new books.
This was an amazing, touch it, and very inspirational book. I highly recommend for people to read this book and I look forwards to new books.
April 7, 2018
This book was a good read!
I enjoyed reading a marriage of convenience story. I felt there was too many characters and things involved that I was not totally convinced that Evangeline and Jack had fallen in love with each other by the end.
I wanted more to happen between them. I felt the cattle rustling and the kidnapping took over almost the whole half of the story that I was more focus on that as well as in Farley's identity.
I did love Evangeline's character how she was nice to everyone and showed kindness to all the women around her, I also loved using a women doctor and placing her into the household domestic sphere I think the author could have worked more in that by showing how hard it was for her to get used to her new life.
This was a great story, I did love the secondary characters, but I felt this story was more about the people around them, while the main characters were sidelined.
Ratings: 3.5 / 5.0
I enjoyed reading a marriage of convenience story. I felt there was too many characters and things involved that I was not totally convinced that Evangeline and Jack had fallen in love with each other by the end.
I wanted more to happen between them. I felt the cattle rustling and the kidnapping took over almost the whole half of the story that I was more focus on that as well as in Farley's identity.
I did love Evangeline's character how she was nice to everyone and showed kindness to all the women around her, I also loved using a women doctor and placing her into the household domestic sphere I think the author could have worked more in that by showing how hard it was for her to get used to her new life.
This was a great story, I did love the secondary characters, but I felt this story was more about the people around them, while the main characters were sidelined.
Ratings: 3.5 / 5.0
July 20, 2017
Excellent writer!
Wonderful story of God's plan for our lives! Evangeline bravely seeks God's will as she supports and helps those in need.
Wonderful story of God's plan for our lives! Evangeline bravely seeks God's will as she supports and helps those in need.
July 16, 2017
Good historical
I love mail order bride stories but some are just plain boring and others suck you in and do not spit you back out until the end. That's how this story went. There is adventure, action, romance, suspense and just all around goodness. I enjoyed this story very much and recommend to those who like clean mail order bride historical.
I love mail order bride stories but some are just plain boring and others suck you in and do not spit you back out until the end. That's how this story went. There is adventure, action, romance, suspense and just all around goodness. I enjoyed this story very much and recommend to those who like clean mail order bride historical.
August 16, 2017
Great
This was a great historical western book about a mail order bride with a contemporary flair. It was a great read with romance, mystery and compassion. A few things were left hanging but not enough to distract from the story.
This was a great historical western book about a mail order bride with a contemporary flair. It was a great read with romance, mystery and compassion. A few things were left hanging but not enough to distract from the story.
July 15, 2017
Wonderful
They both needed new starts. She is a mail order bride and owns a ranch and ius raising his niece. They have to find their ways.
They both needed new starts. She is a mail order bride and owns a ranch and ius raising his niece. They have to find their ways.
June 16, 2017
I enjoyed Cindy Ervin Huff’s characters so much, that I didn’t want to see the last page! Each chapter of Secrets and Charades revealed more of Huff’s characters. I could almost taste Evangeline’s cake, smell the mustiness of the old soddy, and feel the silky coat of Sage, her faithful horse.
I loved the way Huff added Biblical wisdom to her book. Evangeline says, “She realized she’d painted her future with the same black brush of her past.”
Which one of us hasn’t done the same at some point in our lives?
Evangeline and Jake will inspire a teenager looking for a romance and adventure novel; a young wife seeking answers on how to make her husband happy; a mother searching for renewed hope with children from a previous marriage; and a grandmother longing to be useful in someone else’s household.
Lust, greed, and deceit are thwarted with patience, love, and forgiveness. Pick up a copy of Secrets and Charades today and take a trip back to yesteryear and witness a man’s Christ-like love for his wife!
I loved the way Huff added Biblical wisdom to her book. Evangeline says, “She realized she’d painted her future with the same black brush of her past.”
Which one of us hasn’t done the same at some point in our lives?
Evangeline and Jake will inspire a teenager looking for a romance and adventure novel; a young wife seeking answers on how to make her husband happy; a mother searching for renewed hope with children from a previous marriage; and a grandmother longing to be useful in someone else’s household.
Lust, greed, and deceit are thwarted with patience, love, and forgiveness. Pick up a copy of Secrets and Charades today and take a trip back to yesteryear and witness a man’s Christ-like love for his wife!
August 23, 2017
Excellent Plot with Mystery, romance, forgiveness and faith!
A truly delightful book with so many facets to the plot. It includes women's rights and struggles for equality and safety, crimes and criminals, love and trust and interwoven through it all is the Christian faith and trust in God and His love, forgiveness and provision for His children. There wax plenty of action and adventure also. It was clean, wholesome and thoroughly enjoyable. I will definitely read more from this author. Bravo Ms Huff!
A truly delightful book with so many facets to the plot. It includes women's rights and struggles for equality and safety, crimes and criminals, love and trust and interwoven through it all is the Christian faith and trust in God and His love, forgiveness and provision for His children. There wax plenty of action and adventure also. It was clean, wholesome and thoroughly enjoyable. I will definitely read more from this author. Bravo Ms Huff!
December 9, 2017
Cindy Ervin Huff’s Secrets and Charades is an engaging, sweet historical romance with a strong Christian message. Huff’s vast knowledge of post-civil War Texas is noteworthy. Rancher, Jake Marcum sends for a mail-order bride, Doctor Evangeline Olson. Again, Huff has a finger on the pulse of the time period and the struggles a female doctor would have faced in 1873. The multifaceted plot keeps the reader turning pages, and plot twists set a quick pace. Secrets and Charades is well-written and entertaining.
February 8, 2018
Lost a star because....
A good story and strong characters. Provided a back story of the living wounded veterans of the Civil War and of the effects of their experiences on their psyche. Showed me that society's prejudices pertaining to gender and ethnic groups have not changed much. This book lost a star because it still needs another round of editing. The Spanish also in need of editing...plenty of errors, too that have nothing to do with the regional version of Mexican dialect.
A good story and strong characters. Provided a back story of the living wounded veterans of the Civil War and of the effects of their experiences on their psyche. Showed me that society's prejudices pertaining to gender and ethnic groups have not changed much. This book lost a star because it still needs another round of editing. The Spanish also in need of editing...plenty of errors, too that have nothing to do with the regional version of Mexican dialect.
March 16, 2017
Delightful story with colorful characters and enough action to keep the reader turning the pages.
Evangeline Olsen is a strong woman, a lady doctor with a painful past. Jake Marcum wants a wife to help him raise his niece. The two come together with a bit of help from some friends and family, but can they stay together when the going get rough? When the secrets are revealed?
No spoiler, you'll have to read it to find out!
Evangeline Olsen is a strong woman, a lady doctor with a painful past. Jake Marcum wants a wife to help him raise his niece. The two come together with a bit of help from some friends and family, but can they stay together when the going get rough? When the secrets are revealed?
No spoiler, you'll have to read it to find out!
January 21, 2018
A Wester Romance that’s a winner
I read this book on an e-reader. There would be times that several weeks would pass before I picked it up again. Despite the reading gaps, every time I had no trouble picking up the story where I left it. For me, that meant the writing was top quality. Engaging characters and their growth. A plot that kept building. A deep reverence for God that never becomes preachy. This is one enjoyable book.
I read this book on an e-reader. There would be times that several weeks would pass before I picked it up again. Despite the reading gaps, every time I had no trouble picking up the story where I left it. For me, that meant the writing was top quality. Engaging characters and their growth. A plot that kept building. A deep reverence for God that never becomes preachy. This is one enjoyable book.
October 13, 2017
Many Revelations
Evangeline arrived to meet her groom to be and they got married. They made a long home to his beautiful ranch and from there the adventures begin. Because they both loved the Lord and believed in much prayer God brought them through many trials. A great story.
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Evangeline arrived to meet her groom to be and they got married. They made a long home to his beautiful ranch and from there the adventures begin. Because they both loved the Lord and believed in much prayer God brought them through many trials. A great story.
.
November 8, 2017
Clean Christian historical novel
I loved the story and was easily connected to the characters. There was a lot of drama about living in the west, but the major characters loved the Lord and served him. I hate having a end to their lives but want to say I recommend the book and the author and I am grateful that you allowed the Lord first place.
I loved the story and was easily connected to the characters. There was a lot of drama about living in the west, but the major characters loved the Lord and served him. I hate having a end to their lives but want to say I recommend the book and the author and I am grateful that you allowed the Lord first place.
February 6, 2018
I don't typically read westerns, but I was intrigued by this story. It's a mail-order-bride tale with a slightly different spin. The story has well-developed characters an is full of romance. It also has plenty of twists to keep the reader engaged. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author.
September 20, 2017
It was one of the better books on Kindle Unlimited. At least it took more than 1/2 hr to read. Was different than most Mail Order Bride offerings. I would highly recommend. You won't be disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews