What do you think?
Rate this book
Love on the Santa Fe Trail #3
Wagon Train Matchmaker
From an award-winning author with more than one million books sold, a new series of four heartwarming historical romances about life on the Santa Fe trail. Note: each book can be read as a stand-alone.
Mary Mae Clark has learned the hard way not to trust what a man says. Broken promises have made her wary and now she only wants to return to Santa Fe to help her friend Sophia keep her wee son.
Warren Russell has been freighting on the Trail for four years. He likes it that way. No ties. No family. No love. He doesn’t deserve it after his neglect of his wife and small son resulted in their deaths.
But the accidental death of his best friend on the trail leaves Warren as guardian to the man’s ten-year-old niece, Polly. He gratefully accepts Mary Mae’s help with the child but only while they are on the trail. Then he and Polly will move on. Only Polly has other ideas. Matchmaking ideas...
Can Polly match Mary Mae and Warren in time for her to have a family for Christmas?
Mary Mae Clark has learned the hard way not to trust what a man says. Broken promises have made her wary and now she only wants to return to Santa Fe to help her friend Sophia keep her wee son.
Warren Russell has been freighting on the Trail for four years. He likes it that way. No ties. No family. No love. He doesn’t deserve it after his neglect of his wife and small son resulted in their deaths.
But the accidental death of his best friend on the trail leaves Warren as guardian to the man’s ten-year-old niece, Polly. He gratefully accepts Mary Mae’s help with the child but only while they are on the trail. Then he and Polly will move on. Only Polly has other ideas. Matchmaking ideas...
Can Polly match Mary Mae and Warren in time for her to have a family for Christmas?
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2018
1158 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Linda Ford
209 books359 followersLinda Ford grew up devouring books and making up stories in her head—often late at night when she couldn't sleep. But she hadn't planned to write. Instead, she dreamed of running an orphanage. In a way, that dream came true. She married, had four homemade children, adopted ten and lived (at times, endured) the dream.
Writing first took her to non-fiction human-interest articles for newspapers and eventually a non-fiction book about tuberculosis set in the 1930s and 1940s (Touched By The White Plague). But romance had always been her first love and she turned to writing love stories. She is multi-published in the CBA market.
She lives on a small ranch in Alberta, Canada, where she can see the mountains every day. She and her husband continue to enjoy their children and grandchildren.
Writing first took her to non-fiction human-interest articles for newspapers and eventually a non-fiction book about tuberculosis set in the 1930s and 1940s (Touched By The White Plague). But romance had always been her first love and she turned to writing love stories. She is multi-published in the CBA market.
She lives on a small ranch in Alberta, Canada, where she can see the mountains every day. She and her husband continue to enjoy their children and grandchildren.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
October 14, 2018
One of the youngest matchmakers ever and she never gives up.
All Polly wants for Christmas is a family a real one a mom and dad
After she lost her Uncle Sam after an accident on the trail. Sam appointed
His best friend Warren to be guardian. Warren would do anything for his friend.
Warren lost his family and now the Wagon Train is his life. He does not want to marry again. He seems to thing he failed his deceased wife and young son. Warren thinks about this day and night, he still has not forgiven himself. Polly also won’t stop at nothing to match him with Mary Mae whom was scorned by the one man she planned to marry. Mary Mae also dies not want marriage, but when they are in a forced predicament and Warren offers her marriage that will also give her rights to
Polly whom she cares for, will she accept?
I normally don’t read too many historical Christian romances but this one was a good story its all about second chances in life and being able to forgive yourself after dire
circumstances. Two people whom both want nothing to do with love once again find themselves being outsmarted by ten year old going on forty. Lol.
I would read this story again and I do recommend it.
October 25, 2019
I know lots of people loved this and I too have read other books by Linda Ford that I enjoyed. In addition, I hate to badmouth well-intentioned books, especially ones by Goodreads authors, but this one I only finished because I was listening to it on audio while I was working on cleaning out the basement and walking the dog.
First of all, for the love of Pete, TALK TO EACH OTHER. The majority of the book reads like a repetitive chronicle of a couple of middle schoolers' thoughts on whether they could possibly be in love with each other - or not - or maybe - or not - wait, maybe!
And don't get me even started on why a bunch of rough, tough wagon freighters (who must be separated from the rest of the wagon train immigrants because of their manners) would insist or care that a young woman's reputation would be ruined by spending the night outside in a blizzard with a young man [really?]. Never mind that they were accompanied by a ten-year-old child.
Also, consider that the ten-year-old child is made to talk and act like a six-year-old except where the author decides she should impart adult words of wisdom out of the blue. Finally, if you read this because you like Christian fiction, be aware that while the book is obviously missing violence, bad language, and sex, God is treated as little more than a plot device.
Some suspension of disbelief I can deal with; it is after all fiction. Plot holes the size of the Grand Canyon just because the author wants something to happen are another matter.
Pass on this one.
First of all, for the love of Pete, TALK TO EACH OTHER. The majority of the book reads like a repetitive chronicle of a couple of middle schoolers' thoughts on whether they could possibly be in love with each other - or not - or maybe - or not - wait, maybe!
And don't get me even started on why a bunch of rough, tough wagon freighters (who must be separated from the rest of the wagon train immigrants because of their manners) would insist or care that a young woman's reputation would be ruined by spending the night outside in a blizzard with a young man [really?]. Never mind that they were accompanied by a ten-year-old child.
Also, consider that the ten-year-old child is made to talk and act like a six-year-old except where the author decides she should impart adult words of wisdom out of the blue. Finally, if you read this because you like Christian fiction, be aware that while the book is obviously missing violence, bad language, and sex, God is treated as little more than a plot device.
Some suspension of disbelief I can deal with; it is after all fiction. Plot holes the size of the Grand Canyon just because the author wants something to happen are another matter.
Pass on this one.
April 21, 2025
Living in two people’s minds forever!
I’m done after book three. I just can’t keep living in these couples’ minds and their hang ups. They can’t seem to manage or resolve their hang ups for 200 to 300 pages. You hear their mind working on their problems over, and over, and over. Annoying. Does Linda Ford ever write a book where the people are not so mentally challenged? This is as bad as living in a soap opera where no one has the tools to over come the problems of their life. You hear over and over “I won’t get married at least a hundred times by each character. The author can tell good stories and can draw you into the character. They are all mentally challenged,however, and don’t over come them until the last ten pages of the book! Ugh!
I’m done after book three. I just can’t keep living in these couples’ minds and their hang ups. They can’t seem to manage or resolve their hang ups for 200 to 300 pages. You hear their mind working on their problems over, and over, and over. Annoying. Does Linda Ford ever write a book where the people are not so mentally challenged? This is as bad as living in a soap opera where no one has the tools to over come the problems of their life. You hear over and over “I won’t get married at least a hundred times by each character. The author can tell good stories and can draw you into the character. They are all mentally challenged,however, and don’t over come them until the last ten pages of the book! Ugh!
November 10, 2020
Communication can be very important
Warren and MaryMae are both not going to ever marry. Polly a young girl is traveling with her Uncle Sam on this wagon train journey to Fort Bent to wait out winter. This story is full of adventure and some times terrible adventure. During one of the crossings one of the Traders wagon tipped and buried Sam.They finally get to Sam who is dying from internal injuries. Sam is Warren's best friend, Sam asks Warren to promise to care for Polly. This is a very important part of this story.
I really enjoyed the well written characters.
You really would enjoy this story, well worth your time.
Warren and MaryMae are both not going to ever marry. Polly a young girl is traveling with her Uncle Sam on this wagon train journey to Fort Bent to wait out winter. This story is full of adventure and some times terrible adventure. During one of the crossings one of the Traders wagon tipped and buried Sam.They finally get to Sam who is dying from internal injuries. Sam is Warren's best friend, Sam asks Warren to promise to care for Polly. This is a very important part of this story.
I really enjoyed the well written characters.
You really would enjoy this story, well worth your time.
February 23, 2021
Good - with a recurring flaw
Linda Ford has an excellent command of language, dialogue, and character development. In general I enjoy her books. She is a good storyteller, except for one recurring issue.
Her books 📚 use way too many words! The same words, phrases, ideas are repeated time after time. It’s as if she has to have a certain number of words to sell the story as a book.
She does a good job 👍🏻 of blending the characters and stories of previous books 📖 in the series. She matches people well, almost as if she used a dating app to see who fits together. If she just would say it all with less repetition.
Linda Ford has an excellent command of language, dialogue, and character development. In general I enjoy her books. She is a good storyteller, except for one recurring issue.
Her books 📚 use way too many words! The same words, phrases, ideas are repeated time after time. It’s as if she has to have a certain number of words to sell the story as a book.
She does a good job 👍🏻 of blending the characters and stories of previous books 📖 in the series. She matches people well, almost as if she used a dating app to see who fits together. If she just would say it all with less repetition.
July 10, 2019
LOVE these books!
This is Book 3 and each book has been one of those books you don’t want to put down. A throw back to the past when times were rough and both men and women were tough. The AMAZING Author, Linda Ford writes in a way that makes you live each minute along with each character. She brings such life to her stories that you think you are riding right beside them on their wagons. Thank you Linda Ford for your wonderful books that you allow us to go along with these people on their life’s journey.
This is Book 3 and each book has been one of those books you don’t want to put down. A throw back to the past when times were rough and both men and women were tough. The AMAZING Author, Linda Ford writes in a way that makes you live each minute along with each character. She brings such life to her stories that you think you are riding right beside them on their wagons. Thank you Linda Ford for your wonderful books that you allow us to go along with these people on their life’s journey.
June 29, 2019
I love this series
How can two stubborn people possibly give a little girl what she so dearly wants? She's tried everything she can think of to get them together. What more can she do to make her dreams come true? She's definitely not one to give up. Polly's shenanigans will keep you reading just to see what happens next. I feel like I know each of these characters personally and can't wait to start the next book.
How can two stubborn people possibly give a little girl what she so dearly wants? She's tried everything she can think of to get them together. What more can she do to make her dreams come true? She's definitely not one to give up. Polly's shenanigans will keep you reading just to see what happens next. I feel like I know each of these characters personally and can't wait to start the next book.
November 26, 2019
The saga of the wagon train continues. Mary Mae takes over caring for Polly when Sam (her uncle) dies when a wagon lands on him trying to cross a river. But there is a catch - Warren promised his best friend that he would care for Polly. Polly tries to play matchmaker to get Mary Mae to marry Warren, but Mary Mae doesn't think she needs a man in her life. Love blossoms along the route to Fort Bent though and they become a family.
June 16, 2020
Wagon Train matchmaker and
Good book at the end, kinda lost my interest in the middle. I seem to get aggravated when they look into each other's eyes with intent love but she thinks he don't love her it was indigestion,(or something) and he thought she forgot to take the biscuits out of the oven. I like it when it does not drag the love scene on and on. Let them first n d their love, then give me a story in there too. J O
Good book at the end, kinda lost my interest in the middle. I seem to get aggravated when they look into each other's eyes with intent love but she thinks he don't love her it was indigestion,(or something) and he thought she forgot to take the biscuits out of the oven. I like it when it does not drag the love scene on and on. Let them first n d their love, then give me a story in there too. J O
September 1, 2020
Going to go with 3.5 stars. Polly’s crazed matchmaking was just too much. She put people in danger and was really an annoying pain. The death that happened early in the book so the author could make these characters an insta family really aggravated me. The story could have been good and fulfilling without it. Have been enjoying this series so far, and I was happy with the love story outcome, I just didn’t like the way we got there.
September 9, 2022
I would have to give this book a 3.5 score. I almost lost interest in the middle of the book, but did finish it. Linda Ford is a great writer and I especially enjoy the life lessons and Christian aspect to the story-line. i think my biggest problem was I found too many things unbelievable. A ten year old girl would no be able to get her way with a wagon train of adults. I though Molly and Warren's relationship left a little to be desired.
July 28, 2023
Heartbreak For Polly
This story centers around one little girl who has already lost so much. As she travels with her uncle Sam who is her guardian since losing her parents.
Along the way she finds friends aplenty. The daily live on a wagon train can be one long lonely trip. Things happen as expected along the many miles.
Then tragedy struck Polly. In the end her dreams are met.
This story centers around one little girl who has already lost so much. As she travels with her uncle Sam who is her guardian since losing her parents.
Along the way she finds friends aplenty. The daily live on a wagon train can be one long lonely trip. Things happen as expected along the many miles.
Then tragedy struck Polly. In the end her dreams are met.
July 23, 2024
An interesting story about a single woman and a single man that meet while traveling west. Mary is going west to help her friend. Warren has been freighting this trail for 4 years. There is an accidental death of Warrens best friend who asks him to take care of, be guardian to his 10 year old niece. Mary offers to help. The 10 year old thinks they should get married so she can have a mother and father.
March 21, 2019
Warren and Mary Mae
Warren and Mary Mae both vowed to never to never marry due to past hurts and betrayals. Death takes Sam and leaves young Polly alone. Sam's dying words begged Warren to take Polly and provide and look after her. He and Mary Mae agree to do that but refuse to marry. Will Lilly ever have her forever home and the love of two parents?
Warren and Mary Mae both vowed to never to never marry due to past hurts and betrayals. Death takes Sam and leaves young Polly alone. Sam's dying words begged Warren to take Polly and provide and look after her. He and Mary Mae agree to do that but refuse to marry. Will Lilly ever have her forever home and the love of two parents?
April 9, 2019
The journey continues
Am loving this series. Just when all the single women found spouses another comes along to continue the series. I just bought the last book in the series to read today and I think I'm gonna like Sophie/Greta as much as the other characters. Can't wait to see where everybody ends up in this final book.
Am loving this series. Just when all the single women found spouses another comes along to continue the series. I just bought the last book in the series to read today and I think I'm gonna like Sophie/Greta as much as the other characters. Can't wait to see where everybody ends up in this final book.
January 11, 2020
This could have been a good book.
The story was okay but the lack of editing really detracted. There were words in the wrong place in the sentence, the wrong tense of the word in places and the wrong word in places. The lack of editing distracted from the story and made it frustrating to read.
The story was okay but the lack of editing really detracted. There were words in the wrong place in the sentence, the wrong tense of the word in places and the wrong word in places. The lack of editing distracted from the story and made it frustrating to read.
December 3, 2020
Wonderful standalone clean western romance with wonderful characters. Mary Mae Clark accompanies her sister on their trip to Sante Fe on the trail. Warren Russell travels the trail often as a trader. Neither wants to marry. Warren is wrestling with things from his past and Mary Mae has some revelations about the men in her life. Absolutely loved Warren and Mary's story.
May 8, 2021
Wagon Train Matchmaker
Great story about traveling in the wagon train. Mary Mae and Warren were put in a situation where the others on the train thought that they should marry. Mary Mae had been compromised because they stayed the night together. Many things happened on their trip, you will enjoy this one.
Great story about traveling in the wagon train. Mary Mae and Warren were put in a situation where the others on the train thought that they should marry. Mary Mae had been compromised because they stayed the night together. Many things happened on their trip, you will enjoy this one.
July 2, 2021
Tear jerker
Honestly I was sobbing most of the book. Life is hard, Heath is harder for those left behind. Still the book was amazingly done and still so full of faith and unbelievable trials of the trail. Happy with where everyone ended but even happier there is still another book after this one.
Honestly I was sobbing most of the book. Life is hard, Heath is harder for those left behind. Still the book was amazingly done and still so full of faith and unbelievable trials of the trail. Happy with where everyone ended but even happier there is still another book after this one.
January 25, 2023
Listened to the audiobook of this, and I loved the narration!! Polly had me in stitches! I thought she was hilarious & vulnerable too! I liked how the whole gang interacted, & how Mary Mae & Warren got together! I never imagined myself reading a Christian Historical, but I enjoyed the wagon trail storyline!
February 25, 2023
Wagon Train Matchmaker:Love on the Santa Fe Trail
Another great book in the Wagon Train Romance Series.Mary Mae keeps going on the trail with all the others.She has one of the men driving her wagon.She is with Polly and Sam a lot too but there is an accident and things change.Polly tries to be the Matchmaker the rest of the trip.Couldn’t put this book down it was so good.
Another great book in the Wagon Train Romance Series.Mary Mae keeps going on the trail with all the others.She has one of the men driving her wagon.She is with Polly and Sam a lot too but there is an accident and things change.Polly tries to be the Matchmaker the rest of the trip.Couldn’t put this book down it was so good.
May 8, 2023
The love and determination of one little girl.
Who knew how the loss of her uncle and a promise of her uncle's friend could cause so much pain. Two stubborn people who had been hurt by previous loved ones, must come together to fulfill a promise of a home for a little girl. Obstacles arise.
Who knew how the loss of her uncle and a promise of her uncle's friend could cause so much pain. Two stubborn people who had been hurt by previous loved ones, must come together to fulfill a promise of a home for a little girl. Obstacles arise.
Read
September 5, 2024Another Adventure in the Santa Fe Trail
There are dangers awaiting the Santa Fe Trail Wagon Train. Bad weather, hungry wolves and loss of life plague those who travel the trail.
Can love find it's way to create a family for one little girl by Christmas? Can those on the trail even survive until Christmas?
There are dangers awaiting the Santa Fe Trail Wagon Train. Bad weather, hungry wolves and loss of life plague those who travel the trail.
Can love find it's way to create a family for one little girl by Christmas? Can those on the trail even survive until Christmas?
October 2, 2018
Absolutely loving this series
I am enjoying the series so far and plan on finishing it. This particular story, to me, is about a spoiled little girl wanting to get her way. While I can understand her reasons, I found her actions questionable.
I am enjoying the series so far and plan on finishing it. This particular story, to me, is about a spoiled little girl wanting to get her way. While I can understand her reasons, I found her actions questionable.
October 12, 2018
Trust is Love
Wonderfully written! The characters are true to life, even sharing with us their thoughts, fears and dreams. The story is full of changes, fears, but mostly trusting in God to bring them safely to their destination. A very capturing book!
Wonderfully written! The characters are true to life, even sharing with us their thoughts, fears and dreams. The story is full of changes, fears, but mostly trusting in God to bring them safely to their destination. A very capturing book!
April 12, 2019
Wagon Train Matchmaker
A wonderful Christian story of learning to have faith and trust in God. A good love story set in the era of the pioneers crossing the plains and the risks and trials they faced in their journey West.
A wonderful Christian story of learning to have faith and trust in God. A good love story set in the era of the pioneers crossing the plains and the risks and trials they faced in their journey West.
May 12, 2019
Westward ho
It has been enjoyable reading the books in this series. Where one ends the next one begins. I'm reminded of all the sacrifices made by those who traveled West to create new lives for themselves sometimes at great personal sacrifice and cost.
It has been enjoyable reading the books in this series. Where one ends the next one begins. I'm reminded of all the sacrifices made by those who traveled West to create new lives for themselves sometimes at great personal sacrifice and cost.
November 26, 2019
Good story
I love this series and am looking forward to the next book. However, the number of typos is increasing. Also, the use of the phrase "rocked her head back and forth" is beginning to grate on my nerves.
I love this series and am looking forward to the next book. However, the number of typos is increasing. Also, the use of the phrase "rocked her head back and forth" is beginning to grate on my nerves.
January 29, 2020
The Best
This book was to my mind the best of the three first books. I enjoyed the characters and their stories. I felt as I was there and knew them all, sharing adventures. I love stories about wagon trains.
This book was to my mind the best of the three first books. I enjoyed the characters and their stories. I felt as I was there and knew them all, sharing adventures. I love stories about wagon trains.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews