Mail Order Mystery

Brides of Seattle #1

by Cynthia Woolf

Civil war devastated the country and left Rachel Sawyer stranded in a dead-end job as a seamstress with no prospects for marriage. Men are thin on the ground in Massachusetts, so Rachel and her best friend travel west, to Seattle, with the handsome Talbot brothers. Jason Talbot, the eldest brother and wealthy owner of a lumber company, is so far beyond her reach that falling in love with him is the most non-sensical thing she could do. So, of course, she does. But after one sensual midnight encounter, Jason pushes her away.Jason Talbot and his brothers are desperate to keep their lumberjack crews happy. And if that means traveling across the country to escort a hundred women to Seattle as mail-order brides, that's what he'll do. The brides are for other men. After losing his wife ten years ago, he's not interested in risking another devastating blow to his heart. When Rachel catches his eye, his head and his heart are at war, and he's not sure which side will win.But when a thief springs up in their midst, and Rachel's determination to solve the mystery leads to murder, Jason realizes he'll do anything, not just to protect her from a killer, but to win her heart.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Westerns, History, Mystery, Mail Order Brides, Historical

293 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2017

About the author

Cynthia Woolf is the USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author of eighty-five works of romance fiction. Comprising sixty-six historical western romances, ten contemporary romance novels, two contemporary romance novellas, one historical western romance novella, and six sci-fi space opera romances, which she calls westerns in space. Along with these books, she has also published twelve boxed sets of her books and two short stories.

Cynthia loves writing and reading romance. Her first western romance, Tame A Wild Heart, was inspired by the story her mother told her of meeting Cynthia's father on a ranch in Creede, Colorado. Although Tame A Wild Heart takes place in Creede, that is the only similarity between the stories. Her father was a cowboy, not a bounty hunter, and her mother was a nursemaid (called a nanny now), not the ranch owner.

Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband, Jim, and her great critique partners for saving her sanity and allowing her to explore her creativity.



WEBSITE – http://cynthiawoolf.com

NEWSLETTER – https://www.subscribepage.com/k1p2m1

If you enjoyed my book you can find out about the newest ones through the Bookbub New Release Alert. All you have to do is follow me on Bookbub. You can do that here: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cynth...

You can also follow me on these social media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CynthiaWoolf

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CynthiaWoolf

TITLES AVAILABLE (English unless otherwise stated)

COLORADO BILLIONAIRES (sweet contemporary novels)
THE CEO
THE RANCHER
THE MAVERICK
THE TYCOON
THE ARTIST (coming soon)
THE QUARTERBACK (coming soon)


MONTANA BILLIONAIRES SERIES (contemporary sweet western novels)
Her Secret Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Mysterious Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Royal Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Christmas Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Bachelor Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Wild Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)
Her Elusive Cowboy Billionaire
Her Disguised Cowboy Billionaire


CHRISTMAS AT THE MISTLETOE INN (contemporary novella)
Cooking Up Christmas


THE BRIDES OF THE KLONDIKE
The Gold Rush Bride (Available in German)
The Gold Mountain Bride


THE PRESCOTT BRIDES (Available in German)
A Bride for Ross
A Bride for Frank
A Bride for Tucker
A Bride for Clay
A Bride for Brodie



THE HEART WISH MAIL-ORDER BRIDES SERIES
Heart of Stone
Heart of Shadow


MARSHALS MAIL ORDER BRIDES
The Carson City Bride (Available in German)
The Virginia City Bride (Available in German)
The Silver City Bride
The Eureka City Bride


ANGEL CREEK CHRISTMAS BRIDES
Adele


BRIDES OF GOLDEN CITY
A Husband for Victoria
A Husband for Cordelia
A Husband for Adeline


BRIDES OF THE OREGON TRAIL (Available in German)
Hannah
Lydia
Bella
Eliza
Rebecca
Charlotte
Amanda
Emma Rose
Nora
Opal


BACHELORS & BABIES
Carter (Book 3)


BRIDES OF SEATTLE (Available in German)
Mail Order Mystery
Mail Order Mayhem
Mail Order Mix-Up
Mail Order Moonlight
Mail Order Melody


CENTRAL CITY BRIDES (Available in German)
The Dancing Bride
The Sapphire Bride
The Irish Bride
The Pretender Bride


HOMESTEAD CANYON SERIES
Thorpe’s Mail-Order Bride
Kissed by a Stranger
A Family for Christmas


HOPE’S CROSSING
The Hunter Bride
The Replacement Bride
The Stolen Bride
The Unexpected Bride


AMERICAN MAIL-ORDER BRIDES
Genevieve, Bride of Nevada


THE SURPRISE BRIDES
Gideon


THE BRIDES OF SAN FRANCISCO
Nellie (Available in German)
Annie (Available in German)
Cora (Available in German)
Sophia (Available in German)
Amelia (Available in German)
Violet


THE BRIDES OF TOMBSTONE (Available in German)
Mail Order Outlaw
Mail Order Doctor
Mail Order Baron


DESTINY IN DEADWOOD (Available in German)
Jake
Liam
Zach


MATCHMAK

Reviews

[Susannah Carleton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Writing is substandard, and the editing and copy-editing—if there was any of either—are worse.

In less than a chapter, a church changed from Presbyterian to Lutheran and back to Presbyterian. A number of sentences/paragraphs are missing word and/or phrases, and the punctuation is lacking (badly).

The main characters and the premise are interesting, but the big misunderstanding goes on for far too long, then suddenly disappears.

[Chele · Rating 3 out of 5]

***3.5 stars

[Lori D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical romances set in America have become one of my favorite reads. Stir in a few mail order brides and it really gets interesting because they never know what they will really find! The potential bride in this story, Rachel Sawyer feels like she is almost a spinster. After losing her love to war, she feels she will never have happiness. With her best friend Lucy, they decide to take a chance and be mail order brides, having to travel from the east all the way to Seattle on the west coast. Traveling with the Talbot brothers who advertised for the brides for their men at their logging camp, Rachel comes in contact with Jason Talbot. Determined to not remarry because he lost he wife in childbirth, he tries to resist his attraction to Rachel. The journey begins on their trip out west and then a mystery begins when some jewelry becomes missing. This is a story of reaching for something new, hopes of finding love and finding the truth. Lots of action and romance with a cast of characters. Looking forward to the next books in this series and know you will too once you turn the last page!

[Tonya VanWinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable story

There is really nothing wrong with the story, but I'm sorry to say that I found myself getting rather bored with it. I love MOB books, this one and I just didn't click 100%.

[Ligaro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nota:5
Es una historia que podría dar muchísimo más de sí, pero está contada de una manera muy superficial. Me apetecía mucho una historia sobre las mujeres que recorrieron medio país para encontrar un marido, pero se ha quedado muy justo.

[Ed Burke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh

Premise was interesting but males were awkwardly depicted, intimate scenes were also anemic and boring. Keep practicing but I wouldn't recommend.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn’t recommend it generally speaking, but I’ve read worse. It probably just isn’t my cup of tea.

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

PUTTING THE PAST BEHIND AND FINDING HAPPINESS WITH THE PRESENT

What a great start to a new series by Ms. Cynthia Woolf. In order to keep the men in Seattle, Washington area happy, it is decided that they need to bring in brides from back East or risk losing their help. The five Talbot brothers own their own logging company and have a married younger sister that lives in Bedford, Massachusetts. They will send a letter and advertisement to recruit one hundred mail-order brides. Three of the five brothers will bring a ship, interview the women, and sail back to Washington territory. Jason Talbot will lead up the trip to find brides to bring back to the men of Seattle. While the men pay, it will be the women who have the right to chose whether or not a marriage is suitable.

Jason Talbot is a widower with a nearly ten-year-old son, Billy. He had his chance at happiness, but when his wife, Cassie, died after giving birth, he promised he would never remarry. His goal is to keep the lumberjacks and other men in town happy. Meeting and having an instant chemistry with one of the potential brides was not part of his plan, and it will be something he is determined to fight against.

Rachel Sawyer is twenty-eight years old, and by standards, that is considered a spinster. She had been in love with Ezra who had studied to be a doctor and weeks before they were to marry he will insist she wait until he returns from the war, but he never will. She has bitterness at what she was cheated out of and agreeing to become a mail-order bride, along with her best friend Lucy, for a chance at love and happiness.

The plot will have Rachel falling in love with Jason and him refusing to accept he should marry again. When he acquiesces to the idea of having a marriage with Rachel, he wants the pleasures of marriage, but not the declaration of love. Can they have a happy marriage without love? Rachel knows she has fallen in love with Jason and wanted to believe he will fall in love with her, but is she fooling herself?

Rachel, along with Lucy, will be caught up in a mystery of missing jewelry from the various brides, stolen right out of their trunks. Rachel is determined to solve the crime and recover the jewelry, including a piece belonging to her late grandmother. The case takes on life and death with the brutal murder of one of the brides and the kidnapping of another. Will they be able to solve the case before anyone else is harmed? Life is too short to live with regrets and unhappiness, and Rachel is ready to leave Jason and hope for a better future. Will he let her go, or will he realize what he would miss?

The story has past memories, regrets, bitterness, mystery, suspense, danger, kidnapping, murder, theft, heartache, and new beginnings. There is a large cast of characters, plenty of angst and action and a steamy romance. I look forward to seeing where the next book will take the reader.

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming story with a mystery to be solved, Mail Order Mystery takes one on a journey of discovery as the ladies of Massachusetts leave their desolate lives to travel across the continent to Seattle as mail order brides. Jason Talbot promises the lumberjacks working for him that he will find 100 women willing to come to Seattle to be courted and won over to marriage. Not many believe that he will succeed but he fortunately has a sister who assists in the process. Rachel's fiancé chose going to war over marrying her, and with the dearth of men in Massachusetts, her chances of having a family of her own are slim to none. When Jason stands up at the initial meeting with the willing brides, Rachel is struck by his good looks and commanding air. Although Jason is similarly attracted to her, he is stuck in the past and still mourns the wife who died giving birth to his son. However, in Rachel he finds a woman that is his equal although she may be far too independent when it comes to solving crimes. When the discovery of thefts arises, an unpleasant situation develops leaving Rachel and her friends exposed and vulnerable. Jason finds that he has become far more protective of Rachel than he thought possible and finally comes to a place where he has to make a choice about their future. Jason is a leader in his community, and Rachel naturally takes over leadership of the new brides arriving in the district. Between them they match each other in every way, except for the fact that Rachel loves Jason, but he has sworn to stay true to his deceased wife. The story is well written with a few typos that don't interfere with the story line. The story is a standalone with a happy ending and the characters are believable. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am just starting to read books by Cynthia Wolf. I am ready to read more. I have enjoyed many mail order books in the past. I really enjoyed this one and it has a neat twist to it.
The time is just after the civil war and the eastern states have a shortage of men to marry. While the western territories are starting to grow and have a shortage of women to marry.
Jason and his brothers own a lumber company and are in the Seattle territory. They don’t want to lose the men that work for them and are willing to bring women to the town. They send word to their sister back east to help find them so when they get there they can load up and head home. Their sister puts an ad out for mail order brides and organize a meeting time and place for the women and her brothers. Rachel is one of the woman singing up for this. She is worried but sets her eye on Jason.
They leave to go to Seattle as it will be a long trip Rachel plans to get to know Jason better. As they get to know each other Jason starts to worry about getting to close to Rachel. He has already been married once and lost his wife in child birth. He is not sure he can love again.
When they get to Seattle the women find their jewelry has been stolen. Rachel takes on the task of finding the thief. As she gets closer to the truth Jason starts to worry about her safety and finds he will do anything to protect her.
Can Jason keep Rachel? Can Rachel win Jason’s heart?
* Free copy of book provided by author for an honest review.

[Maria Dariotis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seattle 1864 and the men of the lumberjack mill run by the Talbot brothers are looking for mail order brides. Jason and his brothers have promised to bring back 100 women from Massachusetts. But only for his men possibly his brothers but not for him. He buried his heart along with his wife Cassie when she died in childbirth. When he meets Rachel Sawyer he’s instantly smitten with her.
Rachel Sawyer is finally looking forward to starting a new chapter in her life.
Her fiancé went to war and never came back with her friend Lucy they take the plunge for a new life a husband and family. When certain pieces of jewelry go missing from the women Rachel is certain she can solve the mystery, even though she’s lost her heart to Jason. Finding the thief seems easier than fighting a dead woman for Jason’s love. When danger strikes Jason realizes that he can’t lose the woman that has his heart from the beginning.

A wonderful well written western with a dose of mysterious intrigue, keep you turning the page in this Who dun it romantic mystery. I truly enjoyed Jason and Rachel’s romance she was not going to wait anymore she saw Jason and pursued him Jason just needed a push in the right direction, the secondary characters Adam and Karen Martell were interesting as well. Can’t wait to read their story. Loved this tremendously, highly recommend.

I was gifted a copy from the author for my voluntary unbiased opinion.

[Kelly Tyree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mail Order Mystery (Brides of Seattle Book 1) is a book about starting over and how love can overcome all of our obstacles. It features romance but has some mystery and action mixed in to keep you completely engaged.

Jason Talbot is the owner of a lumber company in Seattle. His workers want brides so he decides to try and bring 100 brides to his town so that his workers and family can have a chance at marriage. Jason however is not interested in marriage. He is a widow and has a son that he is raising. He feels as though it would be disloyal to his widow to marry again.

Rachel Sawyer decides to become one of the brides to travel to Seattle. She and Jason find they are attracted to one another. They share kisses on their journey to Seattle but Jason pushes her away so that he can make sure his heart does not become involved. Once in Seattle, Jason finds he cannot stay away from Rachel. After he spends some time alone, he decides to marry Rachel but still guards his heart from her. Rachel, Jason, and his son become a family. Rachel loves Jason and wants him to love her, once he sees Rachel's life threatened he realizes how much he cares for her.

This is a great book about overcoming obstacles and letting love dictate the future. It is tender yet has some edge to it which I love. Well written and flows nicely. Supporting characters are great too and add to the story.

[Melinda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mail Order Mystery by Cynthia Woolf is the first book of her new series, Brides of Settle. Ms. Cynthia Woolf writes historical romances using mail order brides as her starting point. This series is a little different as she has added a mystery to the story which works well. The mystery adds to the story. it is set in 1864 and deals with the issue of a shortage of men I the east and a logging company in Settle where the workers are threatening to leave because there are no women to have as wives. The Talbot brothers (five brothers) decide to have 200 mail -order brides come from the area of Massachusetts where their younger married sister lives and helps organize things. Jason, the oldest brother, and two of the other brothers go to bring the brides to settle. Jason had no plan to marry again but things do not go as planned which is life. The mystery which includes a theft and a murder makes the story interesting. I found it interesting about the lop-sided area of where the people were but this is during the American Civil War time period. This story does not disappoint as it flows well and makes you want to know what is going to happen next. It is a good foundation for the series. Looking forward to the next book to see who gets married and paired up and what mystery will happen.

I was gifted a copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes place in Seattle, Washington Territory in the year 1864. Only men live in this town, and, after ten years, they are all ready to find wives and begin their families. Jason Talbot and his four brothers own the Talbot Logging company, and their employees have threatened to leave if Jason doesn’t bring women to the town.

Jason asks his sister, Suzanne, who lives in Massachusetts, to place an article in the newspaper looking for 100 women to move to Seattle. Jason and his brother, Drew personally travel the trip to pick up the brides.

This is the first book in a new series called “Brides of Seattle.” Even though most of Cynthia Woolf’s books have a little mystery in it, in this novel, Ms Woolf expands the mystery so that it is a major part of the plot.

The women discover that someone is stealing their valuables. Rachel and her friend Lucy take it upon themselves to hunt for the thief since the sheriff is out of time.

I enjoyed this book because it is a little different from Ms. Woolf’s other “Mail Order Bride” books. In this one, 100 girls come to Seattle so they can meet the men naturally and become acquainted. I also found that the expansion of the mystery adds some extra action to this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this title and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Becky Claxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason Talbot and his brothers owned a logging company in Seattle around 1864. The men of the town who worked for the Talbot’s wanted women they could marry. Another man had gone East to find 100 women to bring back and only brought back10. Jason sent his sister a letter asking her to put an ad for women to come out to Seattle for marriage. Then he and three of his brothers went to Massachusetts to bring the women back. Jason met Rachel Sawyer who was one of the woman along with her best friend Lucy Davidson. Jason’s wife died during childbirth and he said he was never falling in love and marrying again. But he was very attracted to Rachel and Rachel to him. Rachel loved to solve mysteries, or at least try. When the women arrived in Seattle most of the women had at least one piece of jewelers stolen out of their bags. Rachel was determined to solve the mystery of who stole the jewelry.

I love western stories and this has been one of my favorites that I have read in awhile. The love story here was so sweet and I loved how Rachel and Jason handled his son Billy concerning their romance. Solving the mystery of the stolen jewelry was also exciting. I strongly encourage you to read the book. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book.

[Amy Koster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to hear that Cynthia Woolf had a new series coming out. Her books are sweet and fun. This one was no exception! I am not usually one for a mystery, but this particular story left me left me wanting to know more. I could not put it down. I love the setting in the 1800’s in the small logging town of Seattle. Times were tough and women were scarce. So what do you do when 200 men want a wife?
I loved the characters. I felt that Rachel is a strong woman who knows what she wants in her life. She is a go-getter and enjoys a good mystery; even if it means putting herself at risk. Jason is a man of loss and sorrow. He does what he can to make others around him happy but his heart just isn’t open for love. As the story unfolded I found their love story purely enjoyable. I feel they had their ups and downs but like real life needed to learn the importance of communication and trust.
I highly recommend this read to anyone who loves a fantastic mail order bride book or just a great romance. It is a quick read with a great mystery involved. There is some adult situations in the story but they are done with taste and class. A delight to read!
*I received a copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Patty Nobles · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Mail Order Mystery” is Cynthia Woolf’s latest book in her Brides of Seattle series and it is a fast-paced edge of your seat mystery. In 1864 Seattle, Jason Talbot is the owner of Talbot Lumber and he finds himself in a bit of a quandary because his workers want wives or they are planning on leaving his company to find them. Jason along with his brothers set off on a mission to Massachusetts to bring back 100 wives to the lumberjacks of Seattle. Rachel Sawyer along with her close friend Lucy Davison see the announcement for mail-order brides and both realize that they have no desire to remain in Massachusetts, so they sign up for the grand adventure. The long boat ride gives Rachel and Jason time to get to know each other and when they dock in Seattle, Rachel realizes that she wants more, but Jason is still grieving the loss of his first wife with no room in his heart for love. Shortly after arriving in Seattle the brides discover that valuable items are missing from their trunks, so Rachel makes it her mission to solve the mystery all the while wearing down Jason’s defenses. I was given an advanced copy of this book, and all of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Dawn Herrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book it was fun and exciting, Cynthia Woolf is a great storyteller. Her writing is extremely engaging, it just made you want to keep reading. The characters were very interesting and quite fun, they kept you on your toes. This was a great story it was a bit mysterious, suspenkseful and quite heartwarming. A wonderfully written book with some really great characters. Jason Talbot has come up with an idea that could make the men who work for him happy, he plans on bringing 100 hundred potential brides to Seattle. Having his sister help, she puts a notice in ths paper for any women who are looking for husbands and are willing to make a long journey. Rachel Sawyer see an advertisement Brides Wanted willing to travel to Seattle. Rachel along with her good friend Lucy decide to sign to be mail order brides. These two are in for some real adventures. This was a fun and quite interesting story. I really thought this was a real page turner with so much excitement and some action and definitely love.
I highly recommend this great book. I voluntary reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Rebecca Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new city for 100 new brides. The stories are set in the logging town of Seattle, Washington before boards were set down as a way to avoid the muddy streets. Jason Talbot and his brothers have brought 100 women from the East by ship to chose husbands from among the men in their logging business. Rachel Sawyer, an amateur detective, has already set her cap for the handsome logger. But a theft of many of the women's jewelry is discovered upon arrival in Seattle and Rachel plans on discovering who the thief is.
This is another great series by a wonderful author. The story is a clean Romance and makes a great afternoon read. And with 99 women left, and several handsome brothers too, there is much to look forward to in future books.
I received an advanced copy of this book for my honest review. The opinions expressed are my own. Please don't discount my review because it is honest. I don't have to fudge the rating to truly reflect the quality of the book, especially given the quality of the author.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story about Rachel and Jason falling in love in Seattle back when it was a small logging town.
Jason and his brothers own a logging company. Their men want brides so they decide to bring in 100 women from the northeast as mail order brides. Jason has no intention of ever marrying again himself since he had his one true love already and she died in childbirth 10 years ago. Rachel lost the man she intended to marry in the war so she decides that becoming a mail order bride with her best friend and traveling to Seattle would be good for her. During the trip Rachel falls hopelessly in love with Jason. He enjoys his time with Rachel but knows he can never love anyone else since his dead wife was his one true love.
The rest of the book deals with Jason realizing that maybe there is room in his heart to love another and Rachel on a quest to solve a mystery.
The characters are well developed and the plot is interesting but predictable. If you enjoy Cynthia Woolf’s other mail order bride series, you are sure to enjoy this one as well.

[M. Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Logging camp needs women! The ad was placed in all surrounding cities.

Seattle needed women as it was just a logging town really. Jason and his brothers, as owners, knew they had to bring women who were interested in getting married to Seattle or their male workforce threatened to leave and find work where they could marry and start a family.

Jason had lost his wife when his son had been born ten years ago and he was not interested in marrying again. His four brothers however, were very interested so they had a sister who had ads put in newspapers for them and soon had 100 women ready to move.

This book is definitely an HEA and and charming as you would expect. Of course Jason was a hunky lumberjack who changed his mind about marriage and then there was was a jewelry thief and the woman Jason was interested in fancied herself a detective which kept him busy.

All in all, a charming clean romance that I enjoyed reading. An easy read and once started, I quickly finished....on to the next!

[Anna Marie Leffew · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Mail-Order Mystery** by Cynthia Woolf
Book 1 of 5

This captivating clean romance captured my heart from the very first page. Bursting with suspense and intrigue, it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. Set in the small shanty town of Seattle, Washington, the story unfolds as Jason recognizes his workers' need for companionship and turns to his sister in Massachusetts for help in recruiting 100 women as mail-order brides. Among these hopefuls is Rachel, who is fiercely determined to win Jason's heart. However, Rachel faces a daunting challenge: Jason is still entangled in the memories of his late wife, who tragically passed away a decade ago.

This book is an absolute page-turner, masterfully exploring whether Jason can finally release the grip of his past and open himself up to the possibility of love again. Will Rachel be able to ignite the spark that draws him in, or will she remain just out of reach? Immerse yourself in this compelling tale to uncover the fate of their entwined hearts.

If you are looking for a feel good story, I highly recommend reading this book.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason and his 4 brothers have a logging business
In Seattle. Their men need and want wives, they will have to
Leave logging camp and go somewhere else to find work and
Wives. So, the three brothers Jason, Adam and Drew go to New Bedford, Massachusetts where their sister lives. And where
Most of the men where killed during the war, leaving lots of women without any means of getting a husband. Jason was married 10 years ago and his wife died in childbirth after giving him a son-Billy. Jason can't love again, or so he says.....this is a wonderfully written story with strong and stubborn women who are willing to travel by ship for three months to get to Seattle. I loved this book. Rachel one of the brides always wanted to be a detective, well she gets her chance, but at what cost. Great story, a very good afternoon read.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

The workers of Seattle are threatening to leave since there are no women for them to marry. Jason Talbot agrees to go east and bring back 100 mail order brides. On the ship to Seattle someone stole Jewelry from the women’s luggage. Rachel Sawyer is the main character of this book. Rachel wants to play detective and solve the mystery of who stole the jewelry. Jason’s first wife died in childbirth 9 years ago and Jason doesn’t feel he should fall in love again. He marries Rachel, but it takes time for him to admit to himself and Rachel that he’s fallen in love with her. I thought the author did a great job of dealing with emotions of 9 year old having a new mother enter the family. I thought there could have been more written about Rachel’s detective work, but I liked how the mystery ended. Overall, I enjoyed reading the book.

[Lisa Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suppose this book should be less than a four, but certainly not a three.
The story is a bit predictable, but I can live with that, because during the pandemic I read to escape reality.
There were issues for me that a better editor might have pointed out.
First, the author introduces 32 different characters within the first three chapters. I made myself a list in order to keep everyone straight.
Then there is the issue of the time line of the story. For example, the hero and heroine are married for six weeks on May 5, which is a date used in the story. Two weeks after they return home from their "honeymoon" is May 25.
The murder happened on Thursday, May 11.
I am sorry to say it became quite confusing. Keep in mind, I keep a notation on each book I read because I do not wish to repeat myself.

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am going to like this series. I can't wait to read the next stories. Jason and his brothers were going to bring 100 women to town to marry the men who worked for them. With the help of their sister, they were able to do that. Among them is one woman that Jason can't seem to resist. He vowed that he would never love another woman when his wife died during childbirth. Rachel wouldn't give up. She knew right away that Jason was the right man for her. Rachel also liked to solve mysteries and stumbled upon one when they arrived in Seattle. Jason doesn't want her involved, but Rachel will not be put on the sidelines. Rachel thought she would be content to just be with Jason, but realized that she needed to have is love as well. Will he ever give it to her?

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the initial setting and premise for the story. It felt very promising for the romance and the chemistry but unfortunately it did not hit home in the end. After the initial spark I did not end up liking the romance between the main characters. I turned to dislike the main hero and thought he was kind of mean to the heroine by giving her false hope. I liked the surrounding cast, and the mystery was a fun add to the main romance story but since I did not feel the hero deserved the heroine I did not like the book so much. Maybe if the hero’s action were better explained I would have liked the book better. I would say it was a descent read and if you think the premise sounds interesting you should give it chance.

[Pamela Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful introduction to the Brides of Seattle series with memorable characters and beautifully written story of getting 100 mail order brides to the logging town of Seattle, Washington Territory from New Bedford, Massachusetts where most men are off fighting the Civil War. I was completely captivated from the first page to the last and was turning the pages as quickly as I could to see what would happen next. I really liked the instant attraction and sweet romance between Jason Talbot and Rachel Sawyer. I look forward to reading more about the Brides of Seattle from this talented author. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

[Sandra Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderful.

Jason, his son Billy and Jason's brothers were owners of a lumber company in Seattle. There were plenty of men to work, but they weren't happy because of the lack of women.

Jason pulls together a plan to get 100 mail order brides from war torn Massachusetts and ship them to Seattle. The voyage was long. There was some romance, secret rendezvous,mystery, danger during the voyage.

Once back on dry land, there is a thief that needs to be caught, but at what price?

Will love win out, or will some of the brides return to Massachusetts?

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful Storyl

After the Civil War, the five handsome Talbot Brothers went to Seattle, Washington and started a lumber company. The company grew, about 100 lumberjacks that wanted wives. So the Talbots Boys decided to bring in good decent girls into Seattle, Washington to become wives.

The Talbot Boys had a sister living in Massachusetts, she helped get the girls and got them to sign in and ready to travel. There were strict rules that they had to obey while on the way to Seattle and after they arrived. This was a big task for the men and woman.

The first story in the series is a mystery, a thief sprang up in their mist, Rachael one of the girls is determined to solve the mystery. Then the this leads to a murder, Jason Talbot helps Rachel and they fall in love. Jason will do anything to protect her from the killer and to win her heart. This was a well written story by a wonderful author. I enjoyed reading this book.