Avoiding the Mistletoe

Mistletoe, Jingle Bells, and Second Chances #1

by Anne Greene

Desperate widow Olivia accepts a position as a mail-order bride, yet refuses to accept any male’s proposal. Fighting demons of his own, Sheriff Stark sees a second chance for love. This widower vows to win the widow or die trying…and almost does.

Olivia Rose Baker abandons her dying hometown in Massachusetts to become a mail-order bride in male-dominated Seattle, Washington. Her abusive husband died in the Civil War and left Olivia wary of marriage, so she hopes to take a teaching position rather than become a bride.

But the man who purchased her ticket to Seattle insists she fulfill her contract and marry.

Stark Macaulay, former Confederate and now Sheriff of Seattle, is smitten with Olivia. Stark, unlike all the rich men in Seattle, has nothing to offer Olivia but his love. But Olivia hates anything to do with the Confederacy.

Both fight an uphill battle. Both clash with demons from the past. Both struggle with desperate futures. Will these strong-willed people gain a second chance at love?

177 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 19, 2017

About the author

Anne Greene is an award winning author.

Reviews

[Tom Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia Rose Davenport Baker is a six-month widow after her husband dies in the Civil War. Olivia and her sister, Darcy, find an ad in the newspaper for Mail Order Brides going to Seattle, Washington. Olivia doesn’t want to go, but decides to accompany her sister so she won’t be alone. When the 35 mail order brides arrive, they are escorted off the boat by hundreds of men looking for brides. However, the captain of the boat is interested in Darcy and proposes several times. Olivia is not interested in men since her husband mistreated her, and wants a position of schoolmarm. However, Sheriff Stark MacAulay falls for her immediately, but she’ll have nothing to do with him, either. She does get the schoolmarm position and begins teaching. But when a disaster strikes and the school burns down, the sheriff saves her and the children. Now she sees him in a different light.

This was a well-written historical romance, set in a period just after the war, and when women were needed across the country in unsettled territory. It’s the story of how they find romance and adventure. A wonderful read, and I highly recommend it.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avoiding the Mistletoe by Anne Greene takes us to 1865 in Lowell, Massachusetts. Darcy Davenport wants to become one of Asa Mercer’s mail order brides and travel to Seattle, Washington. She refuses to go, though, without her sister, Olivia Rose Baker. Olivia is a widow who did not find marriage agreeable thanks to her abusive husband, but there are few opportunities for them in their hometown. When Darcy points out that teaching positions are available, Olivia reluctantly agrees. On May 28, 1866, the Mercer Maidens (as they are called) arrive to find hundreds of men meeting the ship which only has thirty-four women on board. Sheriff Stark Macaulay is instantly smitten with Olivia when he sees her disembark the ship. Olivia, though, only sees his gray Confederate uniform which reminds her of the soldiers who killed her father and husband at Gettysburg. Within a short amount of time, Olivia is the only woman from the ship who has yet to marry. While she is teaching at the Central School in town, he insists she fulfill her contract. Olivia must pick a man to marry by Christmas or pay back the $300 passage. Or Asa Mercer will pick a husband for her. If Stark is to win Olivia’s hand, he will need to show her that he is nothing like her deceased husband.

Avoiding the Mistletoe is a charming Christian romance. I found it to be well-written with steady pacing. I liked the characters in the story. I thought Olivia was the perfect sister for Darcy. Darcy is flighty and fanciful while Olivia is down-to-earth and cautious. Stark is a widower who came to Seattle for a fresh start. He has dreams for his future and they did not include a new wife until he sets his eyes on Olivia. It was cute how the mistletoe featured in the story. Christian elements included in Avoiding the Mistletoe are the importance of faith, prayer and trust. Second chances are possible if you are willing to open your heart to new possibilities. I enjoyed seeing how Stark and Olivia overcome the past in the hope of having a rewarding future together. Avoiding the Mistletoe is a sweet novella about love, hope and second chances.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A desperate heroine. A wounded hero.

A perfect recipe for a delightful historical romance.

Set in 1865, at the end of the Civil War, Olivia Rose Baker, widow, leaves her dying hometown in Massachusetts with her younger sister, Darcy, to become ‘mail-order-brides’ in the male-dominated, fledgling city of Seattle.

But the cost of their paid passage comes with strings. Once they arrive in Seattle, all the ‘Mercer Girls” must marry these men hungry for wives and help the new city grow.

But Olivia balks at that. She has no interest in marrying again. Ever. Her desire is to find a teaching position in Seattle. But she does want to see her sister married and settled.

Enter ex-Confederate soldier Stark Macaulay, now the sheriff of this struggling northwestern town, who is instantly attracted to Olivia.

But she’s having none of it. She wants nothing to do with him, nor any reminders of the former Confederacy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novella, from start to finish. It was fun to watch Stark try to break through Olivia’s barriers … and equally interesting to see Olivia warding him off, despite her growing attraction to him.

So what does mistletoe have to do with it? I encourage you to get a copy of “Avoiding the Mistletoe’ and find out for yourself. I guarantee you a fun read.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 1865 Lowell, Maine Olivias husband died in the Union army leaving her a widow with no children. She decided to be a school teacher in Seattle, WA . The men of Seattle pay for the bride's to come to marry the men, but Olivia does not want to marry only to teach. She finally gets a teaching position. Feeling responsible for her sister who came out with her she then asks God for wisdom if she should oppose her sisters, marriage to a sea captain. The sheriff is taken with Olivia and before he asked her out to dinner he prays, The past is in your hands, cleanse me from my sins, pain, regret and loss, let me walk with you a new, thank you Lord. The sheriff is a very handsome guy and soon wants to marry Olivia. In the meantime the man who arranged the trip from Maine gave Olivia an ultimatum; get married by Christmas or pay the $300.00 passage and loose your teaching contract. What will she do? It is very interesting to find out.

[Anne Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Greene’s historical Christian romance novella, Avoiding the Mistletoe: Mistletoe, Jingle Belles, and Second Chances, Volume 1, is an intriguing look at post-Civil War New England as seen through the life experiences of Darcy and Olivia. It also captures much of the spirit of adventure felt by those “mail-order” brides who braved ocean voyages and the unknown in search of love and marriage. Greene’s characters are well-defined and engaging, especially the spirited Olivia and her most dedicated suitor, Sheriff Stark Macaulay. Avoiding the Mistletoe is a well-written sweet romance that is suitable for young and new adult readers as well as adults, and it’s highly recommended.

[Cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia, a widow from Massachusetts, travels to Seattle as a mail order bride after the Civil war. She meets the sheriff, who was a Confederate soldier. I felt the title did not fit, as the mistletoe was not mentioned until almost the very end. I encourage those who love a good Christian Christmas love story to read.

[Patricia Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avoiding the Mistletoe was a delight to read. Olivia Baker had just the right amount of backbone to wait for love when so many were pushing her to get married, especially the men who had paid her way out West. I loved watching the romance between Olivia and Stark Macaulay.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

The cover art on this novella is gorgeous, and the story gives readers an interesting look at mail order brides of the 1800s. However, the book focuses more on the physical aspects of love than the friendship or unconditional love. Also, it needs a copy editor and proofreader.

[Caryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful holiday story! It's filled with love and faith. I enjoyed watching Olivia and Stark's overcome their past and discover a future full of hope and promise.

[Anne Rightler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avoiding the Mistletoe is a charming love story by Anne Greene. Post Civil-War setting, the women outnumber the men in the East and the men in Seattle are desperately looking for brides. Darcy convinces her widowed sister, Olivia, that leaving all they know in Massachusetts will be well worth the trip. Olivia has no interest in marrying ever again and sparks fly when she meets Sheriff Stark Macauley who also is not in the market for a spouse. Will they let the past determine the future? Interesting historical tidbits, mail-order bride circumstances, and a tension-filled romance all blend together to bring an intriguing novella to readers. It's a story of love, hope, and second chances. If you like sweet romances, you won't want to miss this one. I received a complimentary book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.