What do you think?
Rate this book
Mail Order Brides of Spring Water #1
Tattered Hearts
A war-hardened southern belle. A caring Civil War captain. Can they overcome reconstruction and his cruel mother to find a loving marriage?
Texas, 1867. Georgie O’Rourke left Tennessee after the Civil War took everything from her. But when she answers a mail order bride ad, she never thought her arrival would surprise her new husband. It was the handsome captain’s mother who sent in the ad, and the mentally unstable matriarch may also take Georgie to her breaking point…
Captain Parker Eastman’s responsibilities haven’t ended after the Confederate Army surrendered. While he agrees to marry Georgie and welcome her into his ranch, he feels he has no choice but to leave her with his mother so he can stop land grabbers on the range. But over a month away may do more damage to his new wife than he ever anticipated…
With Georgie at the mercy of Mother Eastman, she questions whether she’ll survive the war’s aftermath. When Parker returns home, can he somehow regain his wife's trust to reclaim a marriage of admiration and love?
Tattered Hearts is the first book in the Mail Order Brides of Spring Water series of historical western romance novels. If you like suspenseful but sweet relationships, Civil War heroes, and twists you won’t see coming, then you’ll love Kathleen Ball’s tale of frontier affection.
Texas, 1867. Georgie O’Rourke left Tennessee after the Civil War took everything from her. But when she answers a mail order bride ad, she never thought her arrival would surprise her new husband. It was the handsome captain’s mother who sent in the ad, and the mentally unstable matriarch may also take Georgie to her breaking point…
Captain Parker Eastman’s responsibilities haven’t ended after the Confederate Army surrendered. While he agrees to marry Georgie and welcome her into his ranch, he feels he has no choice but to leave her with his mother so he can stop land grabbers on the range. But over a month away may do more damage to his new wife than he ever anticipated…
With Georgie at the mercy of Mother Eastman, she questions whether she’ll survive the war’s aftermath. When Parker returns home, can he somehow regain his wife's trust to reclaim a marriage of admiration and love?
Tattered Hearts is the first book in the Mail Order Brides of Spring Water series of historical western romance novels. If you like suspenseful but sweet relationships, Civil War heroes, and twists you won’t see coming, then you’ll love Kathleen Ball’s tale of frontier affection.
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2018
1188 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Ball
123 books681 followersUSA Today Best Selling Author of
Contemporary Western Romance and Sweet Historical Western Romance.
Writing is my bliss and I try to write every day. I started with two publishers who I learned a lot from. Now I self publish. I like the control it gives me over release dates and book covers.
Sign up for my newsletter
https://www.kathleenballromance.com
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/kathleenball...
Feel free to friend me!!
Contemporary Western Romance and Sweet Historical Western Romance.
Writing is my bliss and I try to write every day. I started with two publishers who I learned a lot from. Now I self publish. I like the control it gives me over release dates and book covers.
Sign up for my newsletter
https://www.kathleenballromance.com
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/kathleenball...
Feel free to friend me!!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
September 9, 2020
Good Idea
The setup was unique, but the execution didn't work for me. I gave up at 65%. At the beginning, there were parts that were very engaging; but it needed a lot of editing. There was one chapter where the exact same paragraph was repeated in two pages. The painful backgrounds of both the H and h explained the challenges to make their relationship work, but it flipped back and forth too quickly. One minute the hero didn't want his bride, the next he loved her. He made foolish mistakes too. I definitely think there was a way to allow the crazy mother to hurt the new wife, but the way it was written made the hero seem fully aware and selfishly careless. The developments needed more time and nuances.
The setup was unique, but the execution didn't work for me. I gave up at 65%. At the beginning, there were parts that were very engaging; but it needed a lot of editing. There was one chapter where the exact same paragraph was repeated in two pages. The painful backgrounds of both the H and h explained the challenges to make their relationship work, but it flipped back and forth too quickly. One minute the hero didn't want his bride, the next he loved her. He made foolish mistakes too. I definitely think there was a way to allow the crazy mother to hurt the new wife, but the way it was written made the hero seem fully aware and selfishly careless. The developments needed more time and nuances.
June 24, 2020
I was excited for this book for it was set in an era of history that has always intrigued me but as I began to read it I was sorely disappointed at the violence perpetrated upon the heroine and the so called hero allowed it to go on for such a long while. His mother was horribly mean even to the point of beating the young girl her son had married when it was the mother that had sent for the girl. The young girl does forgive the guy in the end which lets be honest is rather unrealistic for the girl had been beaten so severely she loses a child. One must really read this book with a very open mind for it was rather difficult at times to read due to all the girl endured and how the guy allowed it to happen. I am not going to say it was unreadable for some may find the fact that the girl overcame so much and forgave and did end up happy but it was not for this reader
April 7, 2021
Sheesh...SPOILERS
I don't even know exactly what to say. This so called romance has one of the worst heroes I have ever read about. He is absolutely useless from beginning to end. No, not just useless. He is actively dangerous to the heroine in his complete neglect. He doesn't tell her....stress the point that his mother is violent and crazy? Who does that? Leaves her with two soldiers, one being the one that leered at her? Is constantly thinking, "I should have ______," but never learns from his mistakes. There is no romance, and he is more concerned about himself than the heroine in many instances. The heroine has more instances of self pity as the book goes along and doesn't really hold the hero accountable for his.... any and everything, and it's a lot. I hated it.
I don't even know exactly what to say. This so called romance has one of the worst heroes I have ever read about. He is absolutely useless from beginning to end. No, not just useless. He is actively dangerous to the heroine in his complete neglect. He doesn't tell her....stress the point that his mother is violent and crazy? Who does that? Leaves her with two soldiers, one being the one that leered at her? Is constantly thinking, "I should have ______," but never learns from his mistakes. There is no romance, and he is more concerned about himself than the heroine in many instances. The heroine has more instances of self pity as the book goes along and doesn't really hold the hero accountable for his.... any and everything, and it's a lot. I hated it.
January 5, 2020
Tattered Hearts
A wonderful story about the Wild West. Hardship, twist and turns, humor, strife and love all have their place in this story of 2 people who was meant to be together. Throughout all their struggles and bad luck, they never lost fath. A lovely inspirational western story.
A wonderful story about the Wild West. Hardship, twist and turns, humor, strife and love all have their place in this story of 2 people who was meant to be together. Throughout all their struggles and bad luck, they never lost fath. A lovely inspirational western story.
April 2, 2021
Good story but sad
This was a great plot and characters, but oh my, what a horrible life the main character has! I could scarcely bear to read it! Know there is a HEA coming! But it is a long hard journey! Like this author, but this is a sad story!
This was a great plot and characters, but oh my, what a horrible life the main character has! I could scarcely bear to read it! Know there is a HEA coming! But it is a long hard journey! Like this author, but this is a sad story!
September 8, 2018
Georgie
A very good book to read. I felt like I was there with Georgie through all her suffering, I wanted to kill Taggart and Millicent. But it felt like Parker was dumb at times.
A very good book to read. I felt like I was there with Georgie through all her suffering, I wanted to kill Taggart and Millicent. But it felt like Parker was dumb at times.
July 16, 2024
MAKE DO IS WHAT I LIKE TO SAY
The story takes place after the Civil War had ended. Georgia ‘Georgie’ O’Rourke of Tennessee is the only family member left after the Yankees came and destroyed her family and burnt down their plantation home. She has survived, along with former family slaves, staying hidden. Now, she is burdened with unrealistic taxes levied on the land. Finding an ad for a mail-order bride, she answers it and joins a wagon train working for the Wilson family for passage, where she will meet up with her intended, Parker Eastman.
Parker isn’t happy with his mother, Millicent, when she insists he travel a week away to meet up with a wagon train and pick up a friend, Georgia O’Rouke. What a shock for each of them to learn of a deception. Parker knows nothing about Georgie, or the marriage plans.
The story is an emotional tale, not only for Georgie and what she has endured, but for what Parker experienced in war, losing his brother and father in battles, and the mental state of his mother. He will marry Georgie but is already contemplating an annulment. The one thing that neither Parker nor Georgie expected, was to admire one another and start to develop feelings. Admitting love, consummating the marriage should have been special—but then Parker leaves Georgie asleep in their marriage bed, with his unstable mother and one of his former soldiers Taggart.
I had mixed emotions reading this story. It is heartbreaking what all Georgie endured during the war and even afterward, and for her to trust Parker, because it was a big step to trust a man, and he abandoned her. Then for every cruel deed done to Georgie by his mother and Taggart was obscene and insane, nearly costing her very life. What kind of man leaves a wife for six weeks while he is out checking his property?
“They were stronger together than apart.”
The story is life and death danger, somewhat of a romance, and life and times after the end of the war—especially of how people that were either Southern or fought for the Confederacy were treated. In the end, Parker and Georgie find happiness—but many lives are lost along the journey.
The story takes place after the Civil War had ended. Georgia ‘Georgie’ O’Rourke of Tennessee is the only family member left after the Yankees came and destroyed her family and burnt down their plantation home. She has survived, along with former family slaves, staying hidden. Now, she is burdened with unrealistic taxes levied on the land. Finding an ad for a mail-order bride, she answers it and joins a wagon train working for the Wilson family for passage, where she will meet up with her intended, Parker Eastman.
Parker isn’t happy with his mother, Millicent, when she insists he travel a week away to meet up with a wagon train and pick up a friend, Georgia O’Rouke. What a shock for each of them to learn of a deception. Parker knows nothing about Georgie, or the marriage plans.
The story is an emotional tale, not only for Georgie and what she has endured, but for what Parker experienced in war, losing his brother and father in battles, and the mental state of his mother. He will marry Georgie but is already contemplating an annulment. The one thing that neither Parker nor Georgie expected, was to admire one another and start to develop feelings. Admitting love, consummating the marriage should have been special—but then Parker leaves Georgie asleep in their marriage bed, with his unstable mother and one of his former soldiers Taggart.
I had mixed emotions reading this story. It is heartbreaking what all Georgie endured during the war and even afterward, and for her to trust Parker, because it was a big step to trust a man, and he abandoned her. Then for every cruel deed done to Georgie by his mother and Taggart was obscene and insane, nearly costing her very life. What kind of man leaves a wife for six weeks while he is out checking his property?
“They were stronger together than apart.”
The story is life and death danger, somewhat of a romance, and life and times after the end of the war—especially of how people that were either Southern or fought for the Confederacy were treated. In the end, Parker and Georgie find happiness—but many lives are lost along the journey.
September 19, 2019
A Touching Book About Post-Civil War Life
Georgie O'Rourke was a child of the Old South, complete with cotton fields and slaves. The book begins with some details about her life after most of her plantation had been ravaged by northern troops-- her plantation had been burned as were most of the slave quarters. She and the remaining slaves worked together to get enough food together for everyone and keep clothes, even though ragged, on everyone. George had heard of mail order bride and wrote to a ranch owner in Texas and applied for the position. After being accepted, she prepared to leave for Texas.
George left Tennessee to join her mail-order husband. She had no idea that the rancher ones nothing about a wife coming. His mother had sent the initial notice and the acceptance to Georgie. Unfortunately, this future mother-in-law was mentally unstable. Captain Parker Eastman still had duties and was often gone. In fact, he had to leave right after Georgie arrived for duty. They married quickly and he got a friend to stay with Georgie and his mother. Also, he unfortunately did not realize that his mother was mentally unstable. He also got a friend from the Union Army to come stay with Georgie and his mother for protection. He knew his mother liked to use a riding crop on her servants but had no idea that she would use it on his new bride. He returned a few weeks later and found his bride covered with infected slashes over her entire body and learned that she had a miscarriage due to the abuse.
Things started improving when he realized that his mother needed to be confined to her locked room with meals provided through a slot in the locked door.
Parker was able to show his love for Georgie and they remained together.
Georgie O'Rourke was a child of the Old South, complete with cotton fields and slaves. The book begins with some details about her life after most of her plantation had been ravaged by northern troops-- her plantation had been burned as were most of the slave quarters. She and the remaining slaves worked together to get enough food together for everyone and keep clothes, even though ragged, on everyone. George had heard of mail order bride and wrote to a ranch owner in Texas and applied for the position. After being accepted, she prepared to leave for Texas.
George left Tennessee to join her mail-order husband. She had no idea that the rancher ones nothing about a wife coming. His mother had sent the initial notice and the acceptance to Georgie. Unfortunately, this future mother-in-law was mentally unstable. Captain Parker Eastman still had duties and was often gone. In fact, he had to leave right after Georgie arrived for duty. They married quickly and he got a friend to stay with Georgie and his mother. Also, he unfortunately did not realize that his mother was mentally unstable. He also got a friend from the Union Army to come stay with Georgie and his mother for protection. He knew his mother liked to use a riding crop on her servants but had no idea that she would use it on his new bride. He returned a few weeks later and found his bride covered with infected slashes over her entire body and learned that she had a miscarriage due to the abuse.
Things started improving when he realized that his mother needed to be confined to her locked room with meals provided through a slot in the locked door.
Parker was able to show his love for Georgie and they remained together.
February 27, 2019
So annoying to constantly read the same information over and over - I only needed to be told once the h and H's background and feelings about the war and slavery. h is so wonderful, so kind to the freed slaves, so understanding and coping with all that has come her way with strength. She then has a PTSD breakdown which is about the most believable and realistic thing in this novel.
H leaves h, she is beaten and whipped by his mum and his trusted employee (and she manages to loose a baby as a result) - all over the course of 6 weeks. She never tries to leave, she just hates the H as he obviously knew what was going to happen and did nothing. H returns, is all sorry as he didn't realise it would be 'that bad' (but he did know it would be bad), h still hates him and struggles to forgive and to get back her mental resilience.
A lot of what I read as whining about the horrors of the way without any specifics, h runs away but returns to H as she gets lost, random snippets of how bad the Union soldiers are treating the Confederate soldiers in a texas town after the war (she hangs a confederate flag outside her window, really - what would you expect). Author tries to make it clear that the h and H are confederate sympathisers but are against slavery even though they both owned slaves.
All in all, I struggled to flick my way through this and wish I had downloaded other choices to my e-reader before boarding a plane for 2 hours.
H leaves h, she is beaten and whipped by his mum and his trusted employee (and she manages to loose a baby as a result) - all over the course of 6 weeks. She never tries to leave, she just hates the H as he obviously knew what was going to happen and did nothing. H returns, is all sorry as he didn't realise it would be 'that bad' (but he did know it would be bad), h still hates him and struggles to forgive and to get back her mental resilience.
A lot of what I read as whining about the horrors of the way without any specifics, h runs away but returns to H as she gets lost, random snippets of how bad the Union soldiers are treating the Confederate soldiers in a texas town after the war (she hangs a confederate flag outside her window, really - what would you expect). Author tries to make it clear that the h and H are confederate sympathisers but are against slavery even though they both owned slaves.
All in all, I struggled to flick my way through this and wish I had downloaded other choices to my e-reader before boarding a plane for 2 hours.
October 28, 2019
My review today is on the Historical Western Romance, Tattered Hearts. This is book one in the Mail Order Brides of Spring Series. This an excellent read. I know you are going to love it. The book is full of twists and turns, it's well written, and you'll love the characters.
Georgie O'Rourke has lost everything during and after the war between the states. She finds a ad for a mail order bride. She writes to the man and then goes to Texas to meet him. When he arrives to pick her up she finds he doesn't know anything about the marriage. His mother has been writing the letters. He marries her any way but when they get to the ranch his mother throws a fit. She is not what his mother wanted for him. Georgie has fallen for the man. He must leave and is gone for several weeks. During this time Georgie finds out that the mother is mentally ill and is badly abused.
Parker Eastman is sent to pick up a woman that is to be his mother's companion only to learn through a letter that he is suppose to marry the girl. He marries her and they travel across Texas alone. He comes to really care for her but when they arrive at the ranch his mother blows up. He must work so is gone for several week only to find his unborn child is gone and his wife is almost dead.
A crazy journey of abuse, mistrust, and lies. God has a plan for these two a plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too, a good plan and not for evil. Give Him your heart and watch Him move in your life.
Georgie O'Rourke has lost everything during and after the war between the states. She finds a ad for a mail order bride. She writes to the man and then goes to Texas to meet him. When he arrives to pick her up she finds he doesn't know anything about the marriage. His mother has been writing the letters. He marries her any way but when they get to the ranch his mother throws a fit. She is not what his mother wanted for him. Georgie has fallen for the man. He must leave and is gone for several weeks. During this time Georgie finds out that the mother is mentally ill and is badly abused.
Parker Eastman is sent to pick up a woman that is to be his mother's companion only to learn through a letter that he is suppose to marry the girl. He marries her and they travel across Texas alone. He comes to really care for her but when they arrive at the ranch his mother blows up. He must work so is gone for several week only to find his unborn child is gone and his wife is almost dead.
A crazy journey of abuse, mistrust, and lies. God has a plan for these two a plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too, a good plan and not for evil. Give Him your heart and watch Him move in your life.
Read
November 2, 2019Perfect Title
>> It is not long after the Civil War and the Nation is still struggling to rebuild itself. Some ppl are still dislocated, separated from family, homeless, etc. People are in despair and struggling to survive and take care of their families.
>> A young woman (Goergie O'Rouke) from Tennessee answers a mail order bride from from a man (war-hardened Captain Parker Eastman) in Texas. Unbeknownst to her, Captain Eastman didn't place or will even write the ad - his ruthless mother did. Now the young man didn't know his mother (Mrs Eastman) had pulled such a stunt. However, he agrees to meet the young woman any way. A short while later they marry. Once they return home Parker has to briefly leave on errand, leaving his young bride to deal with his mother who feels Georgie isn't good enough for her son and does ⚡ (SPOILER ALERT) ⚡ everything she can think of to make Goergie's life unbearable in hopes she will either die or leave.
>> This was a quick, but enjoyable read. Download it and read it in your lunchbreak or at the doctors/dentists office while you. Maybe it will distract you from the signs s of the drill. I know it would work for me. I look forward to reading more books, stories by this author.
>> It is not long after the Civil War and the Nation is still struggling to rebuild itself. Some ppl are still dislocated, separated from family, homeless, etc. People are in despair and struggling to survive and take care of their families.
>> A young woman (Goergie O'Rouke) from Tennessee answers a mail order bride from from a man (war-hardened Captain Parker Eastman) in Texas. Unbeknownst to her, Captain Eastman didn't place or will even write the ad - his ruthless mother did. Now the young man didn't know his mother (Mrs Eastman) had pulled such a stunt. However, he agrees to meet the young woman any way. A short while later they marry. Once they return home Parker has to briefly leave on errand, leaving his young bride to deal with his mother who feels Georgie isn't good enough for her son and does ⚡ (SPOILER ALERT) ⚡ everything she can think of to make Goergie's life unbearable in hopes she will either die or leave.
>> This was a quick, but enjoyable read. Download it and read it in your lunchbreak or at the doctors/dentists office while you. Maybe it will distract you from the signs s of the drill. I know it would work for me. I look forward to reading more books, stories by this author.
May 6, 2019
Georgia grew up and was one of the affluent families in Tennessee until the Civil War came along. She lost all her family and decided to become a mail order bride.
Parker knew he was picking up his mom’s friend Georgia but had no clue he was to marry her. Duty bond he does and there are strong feelings between Georgie and himself.
Parker can’t stay around all the time to protect Georgie from his crazed mother. So he has one of his old soldiers help to keep watch. While away poor Georgie has to go through one of the worst experiences she had to go though since the Civil War. Can Parker help her, save her and sill keep their marriage going?
Georgie was a strong character to like and really enjoy reading. Parker was some what a pushover when it came to his mom and needed a back bone a few times.
My version of the book had a couple of repeated paragraphs that should have been caught several typos etc. that did get to me after a while even though I liked the story
Parker knew he was picking up his mom’s friend Georgia but had no clue he was to marry her. Duty bond he does and there are strong feelings between Georgie and himself.
Parker can’t stay around all the time to protect Georgie from his crazed mother. So he has one of his old soldiers help to keep watch. While away poor Georgie has to go through one of the worst experiences she had to go though since the Civil War. Can Parker help her, save her and sill keep their marriage going?
Georgie was a strong character to like and really enjoy reading. Parker was some what a pushover when it came to his mom and needed a back bone a few times.
My version of the book had a couple of repeated paragraphs that should have been caught several typos etc. that did get to me after a while even though I liked the story
September 15, 2019
Georgie and Parker Find Happiness
Georgia aka Georgie, was the younger daughter of a very large plantation in Tennessee. That was before the war. She'd lost her parents & sister and home and just about everything else but her purity. Times were very hard. She read an ad for a mail order bride an answered it. She felt she clicked with the man. Parker was a former Confederate officer who lost a lot also. His father, brother, and his mother's sanity. She told him that Georgie was coming by wagon and to go pick her up and everything would be better. When he met up with the wagon train, everyone including Georgie thought he was to marry her. His mother had sent a letter exposing what she did & he decided to accept it. They married and headed for home. There are a lot more interesting things that happen, but you need to read the book to find out. It is a good book about love and forgiveness and God's love. I hope you will read it. It's good!
Georgia aka Georgie, was the younger daughter of a very large plantation in Tennessee. That was before the war. She'd lost her parents & sister and home and just about everything else but her purity. Times were very hard. She read an ad for a mail order bride an answered it. She felt she clicked with the man. Parker was a former Confederate officer who lost a lot also. His father, brother, and his mother's sanity. She told him that Georgie was coming by wagon and to go pick her up and everything would be better. When he met up with the wagon train, everyone including Georgie thought he was to marry her. His mother had sent a letter exposing what she did & he decided to accept it. They married and headed for home. There are a lot more interesting things that happen, but you need to read the book to find out. It is a good book about love and forgiveness and God's love. I hope you will read it. It's good!
February 8, 2019
A very enjoyable Read. The setting is TX and a man's mother writes an add in the paper advertizing for a wife for him. Even when he goes to pick her up from the wagon train she is with he has no clue she is to be his wife. She is war torn and in a thread bare dress and has flour from head to toe when he first sees her and he is not impressed. His mother has kept her wealthy ways from the south and he can't imagine her being friends with this girl decked out in flour and tattered rags. The story develops from there to love but it takes them awhile to get their act together. there is much going on on the side of the main story including a mother gone mad, remains of soldiers and their deeds, protecting the wife and the ranch, Oh, did I fail to mention he marry's her? the wagon master demanded it before she left the train for his 3-7 day journey home. You will just have to read it....
October 23, 2019
** I am reviewing the auidio copy of this book.**
This was a good story.
It was nice to get to know Georgie, by reading her story.
I read book 6 before this one, and liked it so much, I decided to get the whole series.
I really enjoyed the way Georgie’s character was Portrayed. I loved her spirit.
I also like the fact, that the author does not shy away from the hard issues and portraying evil people.
the characters are flawed, just like us. They are not perfect Christians who never do anything wrong, but seem to make mistakes and lose and find their faith just like we do.
I am wondering what has happened to Sandra though.
She seems so different in book 1 to book 6.
Perhaps that will be explained in later books.
the narration was great! Perfect for this story.
Would recommend this book.
This was a good story.
It was nice to get to know Georgie, by reading her story.
I read book 6 before this one, and liked it so much, I decided to get the whole series.
I really enjoyed the way Georgie’s character was Portrayed. I loved her spirit.
I also like the fact, that the author does not shy away from the hard issues and portraying evil people.
the characters are flawed, just like us. They are not perfect Christians who never do anything wrong, but seem to make mistakes and lose and find their faith just like we do.
I am wondering what has happened to Sandra though.
She seems so different in book 1 to book 6.
Perhaps that will be explained in later books.
the narration was great! Perfect for this story.
Would recommend this book.
September 12, 2018
Don't mess with a southern girl
This was a very interesting and enjoyable book. Georgia was from a one affluent family in Tennessee. She answered an ad for a mail order bride a while after the end of the Civil War. Theirs is really a love match but her new life is worse than she had experienced at the hands of either the Yankees or the Confederate soldiers either during or after the war. Can Parker ever convince her that he truly loves her or will her pain and grief be more than they can overcome? I loved these characters and there is so much more to this story than a mail order romance!
This was a very interesting and enjoyable book. Georgia was from a one affluent family in Tennessee. She answered an ad for a mail order bride a while after the end of the Civil War. Theirs is really a love match but her new life is worse than she had experienced at the hands of either the Yankees or the Confederate soldiers either during or after the war. Can Parker ever convince her that he truly loves her or will her pain and grief be more than they can overcome? I loved these characters and there is so much more to this story than a mail order romance!
April 1, 2019
Okay, I will admit this story was not my "cup of tea." I realize there is a market for this type of tale, but I am not the right audience. I do not turn up my nose at women who must struggle to make it in a man's world, which historicals typically contain. However, the amount of physical abuse inflicted upon the heroine was just too much for me to find merit in the story.
I simply like my stories with a little less violence. That being said, I wish the author success in her career. I realize it is difficult to put oneself out there for people to judge, and I do not mean to sound harsh in my assessment.
I simply like my stories with a little less violence. That being said, I wish the author success in her career. I realize it is difficult to put oneself out there for people to judge, and I do not mean to sound harsh in my assessment.
no-way-jose
April 8, 2021I like my romances to focus on a budding romances, not so much violent drama.
Way too violent of a storyline for me (the heroine suffers physical abuse from her mother-in-law).
I did not make it very far into this story, but from what I read made me question if it was a good fit for me. I didn't connect to how the author had the conversations btwn the H/h, they seemed very unrealistic to me. After one too many eye rolls, I decided to hop on to Goodreads and see what other peoples comments were, and learned about the abuse that will eventually take place in the story. So I stopped right there, not for me!
Way too violent of a storyline for me (the heroine suffers physical abuse from her mother-in-law).
I did not make it very far into this story, but from what I read made me question if it was a good fit for me. I didn't connect to how the author had the conversations btwn the H/h, they seemed very unrealistic to me. After one too many eye rolls, I decided to hop on to Goodreads and see what other peoples comments were, and learned about the abuse that will eventually take place in the story. So I stopped right there, not for me!
May 20, 2021
Tattered Hearts
This story was so amazing, really a page turner. Georgie was part of a wagon train going to Oregon. Parker came across the wagon train and asked for Georgia. She was brought to him, and he told her let’s go. My mother sent me after you. The wagon master stepped and said you are not taking her anywhere unless you are married. Georgie knew he as her intended, she had been writing to him. He didn’t know this. She showed him a letter, and he said that is my mother’s hand writing. Still they were married and they started to his home. There is so much more to this Tory. It’s really hard to believe, just read this one of the best.
This story was so amazing, really a page turner. Georgie was part of a wagon train going to Oregon. Parker came across the wagon train and asked for Georgia. She was brought to him, and he told her let’s go. My mother sent me after you. The wagon master stepped and said you are not taking her anywhere unless you are married. Georgie knew he as her intended, she had been writing to him. He didn’t know this. She showed him a letter, and he said that is my mother’s hand writing. Still they were married and they started to his home. There is so much more to this Tory. It’s really hard to believe, just read this one of the best.
September 11, 2018
Tattered Hearts Book 1
Wow, this is a well written and heart touching book. I liked the character development, especially Parker's. Each one played their part well, you either liked them or disliked. I enjoyed the storyline although there were a few pages that were hard to get through. Georgie and Parker were very fun characters and my favorite heroines are always the strong and feisty ones. Thankfully, Georgie was. I enjoyed following this wonderful romance to its HEA. It's a great beginning to the series. Ordering book 2. JudyE
Wow, this is a well written and heart touching book. I liked the character development, especially Parker's. Each one played their part well, you either liked them or disliked. I enjoyed the storyline although there were a few pages that were hard to get through. Georgie and Parker were very fun characters and my favorite heroines are always the strong and feisty ones. Thankfully, Georgie was. I enjoyed following this wonderful romance to its HEA. It's a great beginning to the series. Ordering book 2. JudyE
April 19, 2019
Too steamy
Perhaps I'm a prude, but I got this book as a Christian romance. It was way too descriptive. I don't need to be thinking about how people feel when they look at naked spouses. Marital relationships are great, & from the Lord, but I don't need to be thinking about other people in their bedrooms. That crosses the line. Also while there were a few verses thrown in, there was no evidence of a Christian life. If I wanted to read a steamy Western, this would have fit the description. As a Christian Western it didn't seem to fit the description.
Perhaps I'm a prude, but I got this book as a Christian romance. It was way too descriptive. I don't need to be thinking about how people feel when they look at naked spouses. Marital relationships are great, & from the Lord, but I don't need to be thinking about other people in their bedrooms. That crosses the line. Also while there were a few verses thrown in, there was no evidence of a Christian life. If I wanted to read a steamy Western, this would have fit the description. As a Christian Western it didn't seem to fit the description.
May 11, 2019
Even tattered hearts can heal
An amazing read set in post Civil War Texas. The trials and hardships during the war did not end after the war. Parts of this story are bleak, but reflect well the reality of the times. Through it all, there remains hope and eventually a future filled with love and forgiveness. My ancestors fought on both sides of the war, sometimes against brothers and fathers. The war death of one of my husband's ancestors changed the course of his young son's life, eventually leading to our finding each other.
An amazing read set in post Civil War Texas. The trials and hardships during the war did not end after the war. Parts of this story are bleak, but reflect well the reality of the times. Through it all, there remains hope and eventually a future filled with love and forgiveness. My ancestors fought on both sides of the war, sometimes against brothers and fathers. The war death of one of my husband's ancestors changed the course of his young son's life, eventually leading to our finding each other.
September 11, 2018
This is one book I couldn't put down
I love a story that has me drawn in to the book and I can't stop reading. A war torn land and people at the end of the civil war. A mother puts an ad on the newspaper for a mail order bride.. The son picks up the lady from a wagon train ,thinking she is his mother's friend. From there it is exciting and tragic at the same. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I love a story that has me drawn in to the book and I can't stop reading. A war torn land and people at the end of the civil war. A mother puts an ad on the newspaper for a mail order bride.. The son picks up the lady from a wagon train ,thinking she is his mother's friend. From there it is exciting and tragic at the same. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
September 12, 2018
Tattered zHearts
Georgia and Parker Eastman were to be a match by her being his mail order bride. Only be doesn't know it yet. Seems his mother ordered her for him. This is a love story that doesn't seem to able to find its way to love and success. There are lots of surprises, twists and turns. With some suspense and a murder too. I guarantee you will love this book because I sure did.
Georgia and Parker Eastman were to be a match by her being his mail order bride. Only be doesn't know it yet. Seems his mother ordered her for him. This is a love story that doesn't seem to able to find its way to love and success. There are lots of surprises, twists and turns. With some suspense and a murder too. I guarantee you will love this book because I sure did.
December 16, 2018
Because I loved the book Cinder's Bride, I didn't hesitate to get Tattered Hearts by this author. This book is a great story of a Mail Order Bride that finds happiness. Georgie is the last of her family after the Civil War and with the plantation all but gone, she frees the slaves, leaves her home and seeks happiness in Texas. I loved the story of her struggles, finding her way west and staying alive once she gets there.
March 18, 2022
Sweet Historical Romance
Fair warning, this is a very unusual romance. The Civil War has destroyed so many people's lives, but strong and sweet Georgie has both the best and the worst in store for her life, in her future husband's home. A place that should have brought comfort becomes a living hell, and while healing does come, it's a long time coming.
The narration was perfect, with the exception of one technical blip in the recording.
Fair warning, this is a very unusual romance. The Civil War has destroyed so many people's lives, but strong and sweet Georgie has both the best and the worst in store for her life, in her future husband's home. A place that should have brought comfort becomes a living hell, and while healing does come, it's a long time coming.
The narration was perfect, with the exception of one technical blip in the recording.
September 13, 2018
Amazing read
I loved this story. A action packed on the edge of your seat read. I love strong female characters and no one is stronger than Georgie. Her strength and Parker's patience make for a wonderful adventure. This story had it all war, family violence, strong friendships and everlasting love. I highly recommend you read this story and all titles by Kathleen Ball
I loved this story. A action packed on the edge of your seat read. I love strong female characters and no one is stronger than Georgie. Her strength and Parker's patience make for a wonderful adventure. This story had it all war, family violence, strong friendships and everlasting love. I highly recommend you read this story and all titles by Kathleen Ball
January 8, 2019
5 stars
5 Stars for this adventurous story! From Tennessee to Texas the Civil War reeked havoc on so many families! Georgie thought she was was leaving the horrors at home to have a better life, but never counted on an insane mother in law! Her strength of character and God saw her through. A wonderful story!
5 Stars for this adventurous story! From Tennessee to Texas the Civil War reeked havoc on so many families! Georgie thought she was was leaving the horrors at home to have a better life, but never counted on an insane mother in law! Her strength of character and God saw her through. A wonderful story!
February 5, 2019
An excellent sweet Civil War era romance. There are some violence scenes due to the time era which makes the book reality based. A mother writes to an important family in Tennessee hoping to find a sophisticated debutant for his wife. Life is not as it once was, after the war and everyone has suffered.
February 28, 2019
Tattered Hearts
Very good story! I didn’t want to put it down! A lot of different ideas ! This author is very good? I definitely will be getting more of her stories! Georgie is not the average southern belle! You must read it to understand! don’t miss it one of the best mail order bride stories I have read.!
Very good story! I didn’t want to put it down! A lot of different ideas ! This author is very good? I definitely will be getting more of her stories! Georgie is not the average southern belle! You must read it to understand! don’t miss it one of the best mail order bride stories I have read.!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews