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Boulder Brides #1
The Teacher's Bride
Young and ambitious, Greta arrives ready to be a bride, but Mr. Marston isn’t so sure about this arrangement. Will he finally cave-in…just in time for a Christmas wedding?
Greta Samuelson was only fourteen the year Kansas bled, but by the time the Civil War had ended, she was a woman of steel. The war had left only broken pieces of men for single women to comb through, so there wasn’t much for her in Atchison, Kansas. She longs to go west where her brother is.
When the wagon train driver arrives in town, he’s got a letter he wants her to see. It’s from a schoolteacher announcing his desire for a wife, primarily asking for a woman of good composure, strong sensibilities and sufficient education to assist him. Greta has not had a great deal of formal education, but she has a good writing hand, and sends back a letter saying she is interested.
When Marston first meets Greta, he is disappointed. He had expected a mature, scholarly woman, not a mere slip of a twenty-year-old girl. Greta, however, sets out to prove she is a woman to contend with, even for a thirty-two-year-old teacher. She rolls up her sleeves and takes on the Wild West with as much fortitude as she had shown while living through the Civil War.
But can she win Marston’s heart in time to be a Christmas bride? Or will he decide she is too young for him…
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Enjoy this clean historical western romance short story! I have plans to turn it into a series to keep you happily reading. Also included are 3 bonus stories! Don’t miss out on this one…it’s one of my best written stories yet!
Greta Samuelson was only fourteen the year Kansas bled, but by the time the Civil War had ended, she was a woman of steel. The war had left only broken pieces of men for single women to comb through, so there wasn’t much for her in Atchison, Kansas. She longs to go west where her brother is.
When the wagon train driver arrives in town, he’s got a letter he wants her to see. It’s from a schoolteacher announcing his desire for a wife, primarily asking for a woman of good composure, strong sensibilities and sufficient education to assist him. Greta has not had a great deal of formal education, but she has a good writing hand, and sends back a letter saying she is interested.
When Marston first meets Greta, he is disappointed. He had expected a mature, scholarly woman, not a mere slip of a twenty-year-old girl. Greta, however, sets out to prove she is a woman to contend with, even for a thirty-two-year-old teacher. She rolls up her sleeves and takes on the Wild West with as much fortitude as she had shown while living through the Civil War.
But can she win Marston’s heart in time to be a Christmas bride? Or will he decide she is too young for him…
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Enjoy this clean historical western romance short story! I have plans to turn it into a series to keep you happily reading. Also included are 3 bonus stories! Don’t miss out on this one…it’s one of my best written stories yet!
68 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2017
442 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 18, 2018
I really liked this book. I find the subject of Mail Order Brides totally interesting and the social history that lead to the colonization of the west is fascinating. I like all forms of history, and the story of the Teachers Bride unfolded beautifully. I definitely read a lot of books by Natalie Dean.
April 5, 2019
I liked the short story for the most part. I would have liked it more if I didn’t feel so cheated. 25% of the book belongs to the short story and the rest is previews of other books. Not impressed. Anyways... my frustrations aside, it was a decent story. The characters weren’t all that relatable but it was still a somewhat enjoyable read.
October 24, 2017
Cle@n and sweet
Short and hurried endings, many so similar as to be the same story with a new name for the main characters
Short and hurried endings, many so similar as to be the same story with a new name for the main characters
January 24, 2018
Okay
I did like the main character. She was sweet and full of life. The story felt incomplete in regards to the School children. While she reached through to help one, I kept waiting for her to reach the two boys in the back, but that got dropped. I thought she’d bring change to the harsh and legalistic school (that’s the impression I felt rather than it being fully described) but not really. It just seemed like both teachers were more performance oriented than heart oriented, and neglected the two boys in the back. It was also strange that she lived in his house, even if it was the guest room. The characters with high and mighty standards didn’t think this was improper? I also didn’t like the big age difference. The man did seem to soften a bit, but could have used more. I did like Hannah and her spirit and the depth she brought to the story.
I did like the main character. She was sweet and full of life. The story felt incomplete in regards to the School children. While she reached through to help one, I kept waiting for her to reach the two boys in the back, but that got dropped. I thought she’d bring change to the harsh and legalistic school (that’s the impression I felt rather than it being fully described) but not really. It just seemed like both teachers were more performance oriented than heart oriented, and neglected the two boys in the back. It was also strange that she lived in his house, even if it was the guest room. The characters with high and mighty standards didn’t think this was improper? I also didn’t like the big age difference. The man did seem to soften a bit, but could have used more. I did like Hannah and her spirit and the depth she brought to the story.
December 15, 2018
Short stories...a collection.
I enjoyed these short stories for the most part. The first book was probably the best. I did find it hard to understand how the teacher decided she was too young for him, especially since he wanted a family. One letter was all it took for him to offer to marry. One look at her was all it took for him to decide he could not marry her.
The next set of stories was not as interesting. Book 2 referred to book 1, & although the characters did not know each other, they mentioned the main characters. Book 3 mentioned characters from both books 1 & 2. Book 3 story line seemed weak, but I guess an inheritance of that amount back then seemed like a lot of money. All books definitely need better editing. All 3 books seemed to have sentences that were the same.
I enjoyed these short stories for the most part. The first book was probably the best. I did find it hard to understand how the teacher decided she was too young for him, especially since he wanted a family. One letter was all it took for him to offer to marry. One look at her was all it took for him to decide he could not marry her.
The next set of stories was not as interesting. Book 2 referred to book 1, & although the characters did not know each other, they mentioned the main characters. Book 3 mentioned characters from both books 1 & 2. Book 3 story line seemed weak, but I guess an inheritance of that amount back then seemed like a lot of money. All books definitely need better editing. All 3 books seemed to have sentences that were the same.
October 5, 2025
This is the first book in the Boulder Brides series by Natalie Dean and Eveline Hart. Set in post–Civil War America, Greta Samuelson is a strong-willed young woman from Kansas who heads west in search of a husband and a new life. She responds to a letter from Mr. Marston, a schoolteacher in Boulder, Colorado, who’s looking for a bride with good composure and education. When Greta arrives, Marston is surprised to find a spirited twenty-year old instead of a mature scholarly woman. Greta tackles the frontier life and slowly begins to win Marston’s heart. This sweet uplifting tale of resilience, love, and second chances in the rugged American West us a great read. I really enjoyed this wonderful short-story western historical romance novella.
October 13, 2025
This is the first book in the Boulder Brides series by Natalie Dean and Eveline Hart. Set in post–Civil War America, Greta Samuelson is a strong-willed young woman from Kansas who heads west in search of a husband and a new life. She responds to a letter from Mr. Marston, a schoolteacher in Boulder, Colorado, who’s looking for a bride with good composure and education. When Greta arrives, Marston is surprised to find a spirited twenty-year old instead of a mature scholarly woman. Greta tackles the frontier life and slowly begins to win Marston’s heart. This sweet uplifting tale of resilience, love, and second chances in the rugged American West us a great read. I really enjoyed this wonderful short-story western historical romance novella.
January 3, 2020
Greta lived in Kansas but wanted to follow her brother who had moved west. She took a coach with 3 other ladies and answered an add from Marston, the local teacher. He was looking for a wife to help him with the school and give him a family. When he saw her and how young she was, he quickly turned her down. She had to wait for the wagon train to come though to continue on to her brother's house. So what happens? Does she continue on to her brothers? Go back to Kansas? or stay and fall in love? Read it to find out. I really enjoyed this one.
February 2, 2018
The,Teacher's Bride
A.nice collection of stories. All.of the women were desperate to leave their current unpleasant circumstances and start over in a bare,place. None expected to find love with their new,husbands. Luckily all the men were not only kind but readily forgave the,mail order brides for not being completely honest in the beginning. I would give it 4 stars as the end results were so predictable.
A.nice collection of stories. All.of the women were desperate to leave their current unpleasant circumstances and start over in a bare,place. None expected to find love with their new,husbands. Luckily all the men were not only kind but readily forgave the,mail order brides for not being completely honest in the beginning. I would give it 4 stars as the end results were so predictable.
October 21, 2017
Choosing to love
This is a lovely story set in time of change after the civil war. A teacher seeks a helpmate, and expects his mail order bride to be mature, sturdy, not necessarily attractive. She arrives , bright, beautiful, and a decade younger than him. Totally unsuitable, until she decides to leave.
This is a lovely story set in time of change after the civil war. A teacher seeks a helpmate, and expects his mail order bride to be mature, sturdy, not necessarily attractive. She arrives , bright, beautiful, and a decade younger than him. Totally unsuitable, until she decides to leave.
October 25, 2017
This is a 2.5 * short story. There are a number of partial stories and a couple other short stories. Now that I am finished I see that the same story line is used over and over with slight differences. I read other authors who recycle story lines but there has to be some depth to the story and these do not have that.
January 20, 2018
Cute, short story. I generally don’t like mail-order bride stories, but I enjoyed this one, mostly because they actually decided to NOT get married and got to know each other. I enjoyed that.
4 1/2 stars because the editing/writing of the book made it sometimes confusing whose point of view was being portrayed.
4 1/2 stars because the editing/writing of the book made it sometimes confusing whose point of view was being portrayed.
September 30, 2018
The novella constitutes just over a quarter of the e-book. This is a romance with a distinct difference. The male is not a dashingly handsome tall, wide-shouldered, narrow-hipped hunk and the woman though pretty is not bewitchingly beautiful. Indeed he is a stern, straight-laced schoolmaster and she is of Wesleyan Missionary Stock. Ordinary people, it seems can find true love.
November 22, 2017
Western brides
3 short stories of brides going west to escape trouble. With new husbands to support them, can they feel safe or will they put them into danger also? Each is a stand alone but they all take place in the same small town.
3 short stories of brides going west to escape trouble. With new husbands to support them, can they feel safe or will they put them into danger also? Each is a stand alone but they all take place in the same small town.
January 28, 2018
Mail order brides are tough
I enjoyed this book - this version had bonus stories as well. All the stories were very clean, which was enjoyable. Characters were well written and all authors showed knowledge of frontier life. Fully recommend
I enjoyed this book - this version had bonus stories as well. All the stories were very clean, which was enjoyable. Characters were well written and all authors showed knowledge of frontier life. Fully recommend
January 31, 2018
Great ending
The best ending to a very fun to read plot. I loved the teaching point of view that was used. The characters were likeable and I would read more about them in future books.
The best ending to a very fun to read plot. I loved the teaching point of view that was used. The characters were likeable and I would read more about them in future books.
May 13, 2018
The story was good
I enjoyed the story and the characters but it was only about a quarter of the book. The rest was excerpts from other stories. I stopped reading after a few pages of this because it felt like a big commercial.
I enjoyed the story and the characters but it was only about a quarter of the book. The rest was excerpts from other stories. I stopped reading after a few pages of this because it felt like a big commercial.
July 21, 2018
Not for me. I had to force myself to finish this book. I normally read a couple a day , it took forever to finish. It dragged and I shelved it several times before I finally finished the read. I will not recommend to anyone.
October 20, 2017
Courage & Trust
Great read. Always trust God’s plan to work out regardless how bleak the situation seems. Clara learned this after dealing with life’s tragedy alone.
Great read. Always trust God’s plan to work out regardless how bleak the situation seems. Clara learned this after dealing with life’s tragedy alone.
October 20, 2017
Good read.
A quick easy read. Enjoyed the sweet tribute to the early independent nature of women and the men who nurtured it.
A quick easy read. Enjoyed the sweet tribute to the early independent nature of women and the men who nurtured it.
November 2, 2017
The Teacher's Bride
Sweet romance story. Short but well written. Characters are believable. Looking forward to seeing further books in the series. .
Sweet romance story. Short but well written. Characters are believable. Looking forward to seeing further books in the series. .
November 13, 2017
Sweet stories
Each of the stories in this collection was a sweet love story written with well portrayed characters. The short stories made for delightful reading.
Each of the stories in this collection was a sweet love story written with well portrayed characters. The short stories made for delightful reading.
January 17, 2018
Boulder brides
A wonderful wholesome story. A great read! If you love a good story with kind characters, this book is for you.
A wonderful wholesome story. A great read! If you love a good story with kind characters, this book is for you.
February 25, 2018
Interesting read
Not only do you get the book on front but 2 other bonus books within. All are mail order bride. Interesting read.
Not only do you get the book on front but 2 other bonus books within. All are mail order bride. Interesting read.
February 28, 2018
Great book. Short but everything was covered
March 3, 2018
I was so disappointed in this book. I guess I just had gotten used to Linda Bridey’s work so this fell flat. I didn’t like the story at all but the bonus books were actually pretty good reads.
March 27, 2018
Live in the west
Every good stories and easy read. It shows how married couples really had to depend on one another in good times and bad times.
Every good stories and easy read. It shows how married couples really had to depend on one another in good times and bad times.
April 16, 2018
Nice story, but it didn't grab my attention or keep it and didn't leave me wanting more of the same.
May 14, 2018
Kindle-Free-Ereader News. A shallow story
May 20, 2018
Very good
This was a very good story that I enjoyed very much. . . . . . . . . .
This was a very good story that I enjoyed very much. . . . . . . . . .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews