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Sweet Western Hearts #1
Love Can Wait
When a mail order bride must prove her new husband’s innocence in a murder case, their love is put to the ultimate test!
Emma Jamieson moves to Texas as a mail order bride to secure a better future for herself. Her husband, Dr. Jonathan Newford, seems kind and she is sure he will treat her well.
Their new marriage is put to the ultimate test of trust when a murder shakes up the sleepy Texas town. Emma must question her husband’s involvement with the crime, and she puts her own life in danger when she is determined to prove his innocence.
Can Emma and Jonathan ever find true happiness amongst the chaos surrounding their new life together?
If you love historical western and mail order bride romance books with twists and turns, you will love this sweet and clean romance story.
Authors Note: This is a clean, stand-alone romance. No cheating and no cliffhangers.
Emma Jamieson moves to Texas as a mail order bride to secure a better future for herself. Her husband, Dr. Jonathan Newford, seems kind and she is sure he will treat her well.
Their new marriage is put to the ultimate test of trust when a murder shakes up the sleepy Texas town. Emma must question her husband’s involvement with the crime, and she puts her own life in danger when she is determined to prove his innocence.
Can Emma and Jonathan ever find true happiness amongst the chaos surrounding their new life together?
If you love historical western and mail order bride romance books with twists and turns, you will love this sweet and clean romance story.
Authors Note: This is a clean, stand-alone romance. No cheating and no cliffhangers.
135 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2018
73 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
December 28, 2018
It was a different kind of mail order bride romance. The bride arrives to find no one but the stationmaster there to greet her. It turns out her groom-to-be had to assist at a baby's birth and forgot to send anyone to fetch her.
It seems implausible in today's world, but back when this was set, they had to be married right away in order to share a house for propriety's sake. Though he is anxious to have a wife, the doctor is very patient with his new bride, giving her time to get used to the idea.
Shortly after their marriage, a man is found dead near their home and the death is made to look like the doctor did it. Thankfully the sheriff is smart enough to realize the man he knows (the doctor) is not a killer--even so, the wife feels she must solve the mystery to clear her husband's name.
There's a big twist in the plot to explain who the killer is and why--but I'll make you read the book to find out what it is.
It seems implausible in today's world, but back when this was set, they had to be married right away in order to share a house for propriety's sake. Though he is anxious to have a wife, the doctor is very patient with his new bride, giving her time to get used to the idea.
Shortly after their marriage, a man is found dead near their home and the death is made to look like the doctor did it. Thankfully the sheriff is smart enough to realize the man he knows (the doctor) is not a killer--even so, the wife feels she must solve the mystery to clear her husband's name.
There's a big twist in the plot to explain who the killer is and why--but I'll make you read the book to find out what it is.
July 2, 2018
Emma Jamieson’s mother is remarrying less than a year after her father passed away to a man she doesn’t get along with, so she decides to write to Dr. Jonathan Newford to become his mail order bride. They start off on the wrong foot when she arrives and Jonathan is busy delivering a baby and forgets to arrange for someone to pick up Emma at the train station. Emma is angry, but she comes to see that Jonathan is a kind man, who can’t live by a set schedule since he is caught up in the many demands of the only doctor in a small Texas town. Then someone tries to set him up for murder, their home is vandalized, and the sheriff is attacked. Emma and Jonathan work to discover who is behind all of this and what their motives are. Nice mail order bride romance mystery.
July 3, 2018
This was an interesting read that was difficult to put down. Emma was a strong-willed woman that took her future into her own hands and became a mail-order bride. I loved her tenacity and spunk throughout the story. Jonathan was a tender, patient, loyal man. I enjoyed reading about their relationship as they went through some tough trials. Those trials included murder, assault, and attempted murder. The added suspense makes the relationship more believable in its growth in the book. This was a relatively short book, but I didn't feel let down by the plot. The characters were developed and the plot moved and questions were answered. I recommend to those that love sweet romance and suspense.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 3, 2018
Very well written sweet romance with a murder/suspense plot that had me guessing right up till the end. An easy to read, well plotted book that I couldn't put down.
I particularly liked the characters, Emma was just the right mixture of headstrong yet vulnerable, Jonathan was hardworking and loyal. The dialogue really helped to bring out their character traits and the story.
I do wish that the townsfolk had been fleshed out just a bit more. Some of them seemed potentially quite interesting. Maybe Hill will return to the setting in future books and some of them will get their own story; I'd read that.
Recommended to fans of sweet romance, historical romance, mail order bride romance. Thanks to Booksprout for my copy, I have chosen to review.
I particularly liked the characters, Emma was just the right mixture of headstrong yet vulnerable, Jonathan was hardworking and loyal. The dialogue really helped to bring out their character traits and the story.
I do wish that the townsfolk had been fleshed out just a bit more. Some of them seemed potentially quite interesting. Maybe Hill will return to the setting in future books and some of them will get their own story; I'd read that.
Recommended to fans of sweet romance, historical romance, mail order bride romance. Thanks to Booksprout for my copy, I have chosen to review.
July 4, 2018
The little town of Frankston did not present a good first impression to Emma Jamieson as she stepped off the train, neither did her missing groom-to-be. Despite the bad beginning, Emma agreed to complete her marriage contract, hoping they would move slowly into some aspects of their union.
A stranger’s death and the suspicion of murder almost wrecked their fragile beginning, but their growing love would not give up.
You have done it again, Ruby. You crafted a story with very likable characters, and a plot that keeps the reader in a bit of suspense. And all this was done without foul language or innuendo. It also makes this mom and nana very glad I was born in the twentieth century.
I received an advance reader copy and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
A stranger’s death and the suspicion of murder almost wrecked their fragile beginning, but their growing love would not give up.
You have done it again, Ruby. You crafted a story with very likable characters, and a plot that keeps the reader in a bit of suspense. And all this was done without foul language or innuendo. It also makes this mom and nana very glad I was born in the twentieth century.
I received an advance reader copy and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
July 12, 2018
After her father's death and her mother's sudden remarriage Emma becomes a mail order bride to a Doctor in a small town in Texas. Just as Emma and Jonathan are getting to know each other and are adjusting to being married strange things begin to happen in the quiet peaceful town of Frankston, Texas. First there is a murder which Jonathan is a suspect, followed by vandalism and robbery. As the mystery unfolds Emma and Jonathan must learn to trust and support each other and in doing so their love for each other grows. This is an interesting story with lots of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 3, 2018
If you like good, clean, historical romances this book is for you. I have read several of Ruby Hills books and I am never disappointed. The story is rich with characters that shine and a story line that keeps the interest. This is a warm ‘who did it’ mystery/ romance. Emma is sweet and simply an almost flawless person. She is hard not to love. Jonathan is ever so kind, gentle and understanding. The man every woman dreams of. Grab this book, a glass of you favorite beverage and sit down for a perfectly enjoyable book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 5, 2018
Ruby Hill is a writer who know how to write a story that will keep you interested from the start to the finish.
Love Can Wait does all that and more. This book makes you feel like you are there watching the whole story unfold before your eyes. She also writes a good, clean, historical romance that doesn't have graphic sex scenes that a lot of writers use. With the way she writes you don't need them or want them. I really like the characters in this book they where well thought out and very likable. I would recommend this book to anyone. I received this book for free and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Love Can Wait does all that and more. This book makes you feel like you are there watching the whole story unfold before your eyes. She also writes a good, clean, historical romance that doesn't have graphic sex scenes that a lot of writers use. With the way she writes you don't need them or want them. I really like the characters in this book they where well thought out and very likable. I would recommend this book to anyone. I received this book for free and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
July 13, 2018
Emma becomes a mail-order bride after her mother remarries. She is nervous because the beginning was not very good. However, little by little, she gets to know her husband and see how lucky she is.
Jonathan is the only doctor in the town and he is always on duty. He has no time to pick up her bride from the station. Lucky for him, she is a good woman and understands why he didn’t show up to collect her.
The book is well-written, and the plot is very interesting. I like how they investigate until they find out what’s going on.
A very enjoyable clean romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jonathan is the only doctor in the town and he is always on duty. He has no time to pick up her bride from the station. Lucky for him, she is a good woman and understands why he didn’t show up to collect her.
The book is well-written, and the plot is very interesting. I like how they investigate until they find out what’s going on.
A very enjoyable clean romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 12, 2018
A very touching mail order bride story
This was a very good story about Emma, a mail order bride, and Jonathan, the groom who is a doctor, in a growing community. These two main characters were very well developed and other characters that were introduced throughout the story have me a real sense of real endearing friends that one would want. Overall, I was very impressed with this newest book by Ms. Hill and look forward to reading more of her work. This was definitely a very clean story and appropriate for any ages.
I read an ARC copy of this book. However, this is my voluntary review and my own personal opinions.
Vicki from Wyoming
This was a very good story about Emma, a mail order bride, and Jonathan, the groom who is a doctor, in a growing community. These two main characters were very well developed and other characters that were introduced throughout the story have me a real sense of real endearing friends that one would want. Overall, I was very impressed with this newest book by Ms. Hill and look forward to reading more of her work. This was definitely a very clean story and appropriate for any ages.
I read an ARC copy of this book. However, this is my voluntary review and my own personal opinions.
Vicki from Wyoming
August 5, 2020
Murder!
Emma arrived at the train station, having left only a more telling her mother of her plan to become a mail order bride, anxious to see her new husband to be, but there was no one there after the other passengers and workers cleared the platform. She was tired after the long journey and just wanted to have her wait come to an end. The uncertainty of coming looked larger and larger as her wait extended. Maybe he'd changed his mind!
Little does she know that her life is getting ready to change in many ways, all of them not good. You won't want to miss this spellbinding story with rich characters and a plot that will keep you in the edge of your seat!
Emma arrived at the train station, having left only a more telling her mother of her plan to become a mail order bride, anxious to see her new husband to be, but there was no one there after the other passengers and workers cleared the platform. She was tired after the long journey and just wanted to have her wait come to an end. The uncertainty of coming looked larger and larger as her wait extended. Maybe he'd changed his mind!
Little does she know that her life is getting ready to change in many ways, all of them not good. You won't want to miss this spellbinding story with rich characters and a plot that will keep you in the edge of your seat!
July 3, 2018
Sweet historical western mail order bride romance with unforgettable characters, a good mystery with twists and turns that immediately grabbed my attention and kept me entertained and intrigued from beginning to end. I really liked Emma Jamieson who is a mail order bride and the heartwarming romance she has with Dr. Jonathan Newford. This is a quick read and fans of this genre should put it on their TBR list. I received an advance reader copy of this book from Booksprout and this is my unbiased review. I also purchased a copy for my keeper library.
July 4, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this very clean mail order bride story with great characters, romance and intrigue. She was never close to her mother, but very close to her father. When he died and her mother remarried a man she didn't like, she became a mail order bride and left her mother a note telling her. She married the town doctor and then a man was murdered and it implicated her husband. There were many complications, but the ending was great. I look forward to reading the next book from this author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy from Booksprout.
August 11, 2018
Who and why does someone want Emma dead?
I received this book free as an ARC via Booksprout and this is an honest review. Emma moves to Texas to marry a doctor. He has seemed kind and she is sure that she can be a good wife. Shortly after marrying Jonathan, there is a murder in the town. No one knows who the man was and someone is trying to make it look like Jonathan is guilty. Emma at first wonders if Jonathan did do it but after a few minutes she is sure he had nothing to do with it. She sets out to prove it wasn't Jonathan. It is a romantic suspense and has several surprises and some twist and turns before the HEA. I kept wondering what would happen next, right up to the end -- I didn't want it to end I wanted more of the story. This author writes (3rd book of hers I have read) believable plots and fleshes out the characters so you think they could easily be one of your friends.
I received this book free as an ARC via Booksprout and this is an honest review. Emma moves to Texas to marry a doctor. He has seemed kind and she is sure that she can be a good wife. Shortly after marrying Jonathan, there is a murder in the town. No one knows who the man was and someone is trying to make it look like Jonathan is guilty. Emma at first wonders if Jonathan did do it but after a few minutes she is sure he had nothing to do with it. She sets out to prove it wasn't Jonathan. It is a romantic suspense and has several surprises and some twist and turns before the HEA. I kept wondering what would happen next, right up to the end -- I didn't want it to end I wanted more of the story. This author writes (3rd book of hers I have read) believable plots and fleshes out the characters so you think they could easily be one of your friends.
August 10, 2018
Very well written with great storyline and plot. True to the time period. A very enjoyable story with good family drama and suspense, fear and burgeoning love. Well worth reading as it deals with emotional pain of family, starting again somewhere strange, drama and danger, all of these things bring out a real persons character and this leads to the start of love in this book.
The characters are well described and likeable. A recommendable mail order bride story that had potential to be longer than it is.
The characters are well described and likeable. A recommendable mail order bride story that had potential to be longer than it is.
July 2, 2018
Another well-written story by this Author once I started I was not putting this book down. Emma Jamieson goes to Texas as a mail-order bride to Dr. Jonathan Newford who does not meet her when she gets into town. There is mystery, drama, suspense, drama, murder, vandalism, the Sheriff is attacked, and it also has a surprise. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 3, 2018
Mystery and Romance on the Texas Frontier
This a very good mystery/romance set in the Texas of the old west. The entire book is very believable. The plot is excellent and very well done. There are a few twists to keep things interesting. This is neither your standard mail-order bride story, nor your standard mystery/ romance. This author always produces a fine story. I was given this ARC book for free and this is my honest review.
This a very good mystery/romance set in the Texas of the old west. The entire book is very believable. The plot is excellent and very well done. There are a few twists to keep things interesting. This is neither your standard mail-order bride story, nor your standard mystery/ romance. This author always produces a fine story. I was given this ARC book for free and this is my honest review.
July 5, 2018
Love Can Wait
by Shrtip
Love Can Wait is a good clean well written story. The characters are great. Emma Jamison goes to Texas to meet her mail order husband. Dr. Jonathan Newford was to meet her to get married but didn't show up.There is a lot of drama and excitement and I highly recommend reading this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
by Shrtip
Love Can Wait is a good clean well written story. The characters are great. Emma Jamison goes to Texas to meet her mail order husband. Dr. Jonathan Newford was to meet her to get married but didn't show up.There is a lot of drama and excitement and I highly recommend reading this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 7, 2018
I got so busy reading other books by Ruby Hill that I forgot to send in this review. I loved the characters. This book had an ending that actually surprised me. Usually, I can figure out "whodunit" halfway through a story, but not this time. Very well written.
Though I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review, I rely on reviews when buying books and would not give a less than honest review because of that.
Though I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review, I rely on reviews when buying books and would not give a less than honest review because of that.
August 3, 2018
I enjoyed this book very much. It was about Emma Jamieson who moves to Texas as a mail order bride and marries Dr Jonathan Newford. His home is a little ways from town. Their home and themselves both Dr Jonathan Newford and Emma are targeted by some criminals. At first they don't understand what's going on. But after a murder and some other situations where people were injured and after some investigation they realize who the target is. I really enjoy this author's books.
September 5, 2025
I’ve read a few books that are super quick so I can get through some boring parts at work without needing to be too invested, and to up my book count. Most of them have not only sucked, but were either terribly written, had typos, or both. This was well written, thought out, and edited nicely. I was shocked.
The plot was very mid range when it comes to quality, but I would say a top option for the length and theme
The plot was very mid range when it comes to quality, but I would say a top option for the length and theme
July 2, 2018
This is a well-written book with a mystery as well as a love story. You never know what will happen with a mail order bride. Emma is a sweet, strong girl who finds her husband, Jonathan, to be the town doctor and a good man. This book is an enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 3, 2018
Love Can Wait was a very interesting story. It is a sweet romance of two people getting to know each other slowly. Their marriage is tested when an unknown man is murdered and someone frames the doctor. The characters were well drawn and realistic. There were some well written plot twists that made this an especially interesting story. Once I started it, I read straight through to the end!
October 16, 2019
Very quick read but a sweet story. I did figure out who the culprit was early on but it was still ok. Emma was not a favorite. I don’t know what it was about her that rubbed me the wrong way but I was not a fan of hers. I liked Jonathan just fine. He was kind, caring, considerate, honest, and compassionate. I’m very pleased with the outcome of the story.
February 29, 2020
Great! Liked all the characters, including the secondary characters. I liked the element of mystery included. Although it was a bit predictable in some parts, it was still an enjoyable read. Would recommend this if you are looking for a sweet, clean read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 1, 2018
A very enjoyable story with good family drama and suspense, fear and burgeoning love. Well worth reading as it deals with emotional pain of family, starting anew somewhere strange and danger, all of these things bring out a real persons character and this leads to the start of love in this book.
July 3, 2018
Feeling unwanted after her widowed mother remarries, Emma accepts a mail-order offer of marriage, but all most definitely does NOT go smoothly. Allow a full day for this safe-for-tweens read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 4, 2018
Love Can Wait: Mail Order Bride is a short,sweet and interesting read;great storyline,with likeable characters; well done Ms.Hill!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 6, 2018
This one's a little different. It is more of a mystery than a romance novel. It has a surprise ending and can be intense at times, something different for a mail order bride novel. It is well written and held my interest til I finished the story.
September 27, 2018
Pretty good
Not one for mail order bride stories got this book in error. This is a sweet story of two strangers finding a deep love through some deep trials and troubles. Really enjoyed this story, very well done.
Not one for mail order bride stories got this book in error. This is a sweet story of two strangers finding a deep love through some deep trials and troubles. Really enjoyed this story, very well done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews