Tensions rise in Clover Springs as two communities clash. Mrs. Grey finds herself in the middle of the chaos as her past comes back to haunt her. With Father Molloy and her other friends by her side, she can forgive those who hurt her, but can she forgive herself? Can she open her heart to a life filled with love and kindness or will the chains of the past destroy Clover Springs?
Rachel Wesson was born in Kilkenny, Ireland but considers herself to be from the capital, Dublin as that's where she spent most of her life. Her dad brought Rachel and her two sisters out every Saturday to give their mother a break. He took them to the library and for ice-cream after. It took a long time for her sisters to forgive her for the hours she spent choosing her books! She grew up driving everyone nuts asking them questions about what they did during the War or what side they were on in the 1916 rising etc. Finally her Granny told her to write her stories down so people would get the pleasure of reading them. In fact what Granny meant was everyone would get some peace while Rachel was busy writing! When not writing, or annoying relatives, Rachel was reading. Her report cards from school commented on her love of reading especially when she should have been learning. Seems you can't read Great Expectations in Maths. After a doomed love affair and an unpleasant bank raid during which she defended herself with a tea tray, she headed to London for a couple of years. (There is a reason she doesn't write romance!). She never intended staying but a chance meeting with the man of her dreams put paid to any return to Ireland. Having spent most of her career in the City, she decided something was missing. Working in the City is great but it's a young person's dream. Having three children you never see isn't good for anyone. So she packed in the job and started writing. Thanks to her amazing readers, that writing turned into a career far more exciting and rewarding than any other. Rachel lives in Surrey with her husband and three children, two boys and a girl. When not reading, writing or watching films for "research" purposes, Rachel likes to hang out with her family. She also travels regularly back home - in fact she should have shares in BA and Aerlingus.
Wilma has Zack. There are 3 couples who are NYC transplants who are having a triple ceremony soon. There is a new dress shop in town, a restaurant that is opening soon, a library that's not open pending a librarian being hired, and a hotel going up, and 2 teams of workers: Irishmen from NYC and blacks from Denver. Now, I'm barely old enough to remember the prejudice against the Irish, but it was there in the 1950s, when I was a very young child. People spoke with more approval of what they called "lace curtain Irish," and far less at what they called "pig---t Irish," supposedly the brawling and drinking kind - as though you couldn't find those designations in any ethnicity or race. Some even called the less complimentary term for the Irish by the N-word & added "turned inside out." And yet...the 2 groups, who could have helped each orher by standing united against prejudice against either, instead were often practically at war with one another. Just as it is today, but with different divisions, anyone at the top could benefit from people fighting each other rather than fighting the crooked people at the top. As long as we fight each other, we will alwaus be at the mercy of crooks at the top of the socioeconomic ladder. And as I have told so many people, this is nothing new. But for the people of Clover Springs, more drunks, more fights (with and without firearms), in an area that acceptes both groups and welcomes them, this is inexplicable. First of all, the Irish camp is divided somewhat internally. Seamus is the ringleader of a group of toughs. Dawson, the paymaster, is covering his theft of payroll funds by paying blacks less than Irish, and he hotfoots it out of there when he can no longer control Seamus. As you can see, had the 2 groups banded together, they'd have caught Dawson and discovered who Seamus really was. Instead, Seamus and his group baited the blacks and the non-gang Irish, again, to cover his own crimes and the fact that, had the 2 groups banded together, they could have gotten a huge reward for turning in Seamus and his followers, who, as the Sheriff discovered with a bit of research, were wanted for a wide array of crimes dating back to the Civil War and the years immediately after. But they focused on fighting one another. In between all these encounters and brawls, Mrs. Grey and the sheriff finally admit their feelings for one another. Mrs. Grey shows that, when push comes to shove, she can handle herself quite well, thank you very much. Some of the workers are quite young, including one kidnapped from his home when he was 7 by one of the bad guys. He still tried to protect the women from being raped, and Mrs. Grey arrived in time to prevent mischief. Jane, the little teenager who is mulatto amd kives with Mrs. Grey, is very shaken and discovers Mrs. Grey doesn't want a servant but a friend. And, in the midst of all this, before Mrs. Grey is faced with the dilemma she solves, her niece, granddaghter of her estranged sister, comes to her and begs her protection from her mother wanting her to marry some ancient English lord. She is sure the girl wll be spoiled but is happily surprised to find she is nothing of the sort. Wilma is finding the twins too much of a challnege at her age, esp with an orphanage full to care for. Zack, her husband, is engaged trying to prevent more violence. The twins and Bertram are all holy terrors in their own way. All of Clover Springs is concerned that the delays in work, not just for supplies but because of the tensions between the groups, will be unacceptable to the man who planned the hotel, which would mean 2 groups of men at odds with one another would suddenly be unemployed. But when he comes and learns who was recruited in NYC, and what has happened because of it, he takes the blame, gives the black workers their back pay, and work finally continues apace. Now, it has become apoarent to me that the Clover Springs East series is supposed to be read somewhere between books 10 and 11, because on book 10, Alicia, Aaron, Doc Erin, Mick, and their kids, with Lily there to help with the kids, were planning to go to NYC. The reason all these marriages, new builidngs, and workers are there is all tied in with what happened in NYC, the 3 books that were written about that trip. I think it is appalling that there was no mention of this, no recommendations that the reader might need to read the Clover Springs East series before reading books 11 and 12. I believe this should have been suggested at the end of book 10. Yes, you can, as I did, just read straight through, but you miss the context.
We finally have the story of Mrs. Grey. The Clover Springs Series has been a long-standing favorite from this author as she introduced new people into the new community. We met orphans, ranchers, townspeople, long-ago former slaves and more. Each book is a stand-alone but read as a series, the stories are entertaining and heartfelt. All along, Mrs. Grey has been a “tiger” to those who met her and a helpmate to those who really knew her. As a “veteran” of the Civil War, she had dealt with every horror imaginable and survived. She has long hidden her caring heart and only those she loved could see the grand person that she was. This is her story; this is the life she has made in this new part of the country; this is where she started anew and found a family. I loved this story-line and know the “friends” of this author as well as the new fans will enjoy this book right up to the end. The story brings closure to so many heartaches we felt along the way to life in Clover Springs.
Lorena Grey and Sheriff Braddon are the talk of the town. There's much speculation about their relationship. However, when some outlaws show up on Lorena's property, it brings back the war to her mind and she shoots one of the outlaws, killing him. She's afraid that Sheriff Braddon will find that "unladylike" and decide she's not worthy of his love. When Sheriff Braddon shares his past experience with the war, he becomes very emotional and is afraid that Lorena will think he's less of a man and look upon him as being weak. Can these two people put the war behind them and allow their love to grow? I really enjoyed reading this series. I feel like I really know the characters personally.
I had bought the first five books as a set and really fell in love with Clover Springs and it's residents! I was sad to see it end only to find out that there were seven more books in the series! I've now finished them all and am sad . I feel like I'm saying goodbye to the nicest characters even though their little town faced some problems. If you like nice, historical, clean romances with characters you can become attached to, this is the series for you! You, too, won't want it to end!
Through a couple of chapters, Lizzie was suddenly going to marry Paul - her betrothed’s 14 year old brother. At another point, Charlie Staunton suddenly became Charlie Upton. Why didn’t those wonderful proofreader friends of yours catch this. You know, it’s such a shame in a wonderful series to see that your readers know your characters better than you who is creating them does. Listen to the relevant story over again when you’re new writing is building on something that you aren’t absolutely positive you remember clearly in detail.
Mrs. Gray: Clover Springs Mail order Brides Book 12
The love story of Mrs Gray and the sheriff. Clover Springs is going thought a big changes. The Irish workers and Black workers are in turmoil. The Irish workers are being riled up again the Black workers. The man in changer of payroll is stealing money from the Black workers. Can Sheriff Will keep the peace and win the hand of Mrs Grey? Great story, hope this is not the last book.
Another incredible story by Rachel! I'm so happy to be going back to Clover Springs and visiting my friends, and making new ones! Mrs. Grey is a woman whose strong yet tender, and like most has a few insecurities and skeletons in her closet. You'll have to read this new book to find out who can love such a woman!
Thoroughly enjoyed this series of books by Rachel Wesson. I will always remember Clover Springs and the people who live there. Ms Wesson does a wonderful job of introducing each character and making them come alive for me. I intend to follow Rachel and read all of her books. Very nicely done❣️
I absolutely love the Clover Springs Mail-order bride's books. I wish they would never end. I would like to see some of the characters more in each story. I have forgotten a few of the characters from past stories but so glad that Mrs. Grey has been throughout the series and so glad she has found love.
I have enjoyed all 12 books in this series. Each book was different with a few new characters and mixing with the old characters. This final book, Mrs. Gray, tied everything up. The town of Clover Springs has changed so much since the book about Katie and Mary. A tough and rousting group of new coming workers have changed the quiet, peaceful community and not for the better. You should read this book and find out which group succeeds.
The author has written a very heartwarming and touching story of the life of a prominent and respected lady of Clover Springs. A story full of intriguing and entertaining reading.
Mrs. Grey has been a steadfast leader and innovator for growth in Clover Springs and one of the most endearing after a rocky start. This series has been a great joy to read and I must commend the cover designer.
As the last book, my heart is sad. I have enjoyed each book and looked forward to the next one. She is a wonderful writer who made you feel you was the character each book was about
The entire series was just wonderful! Each a story that was unique and heart wrenching. Tough issues and real life problems we face even today. Stories of hope, friendship, love, and life.
I'm glad Mrs. Grey got her own story, but I got confused. I knew she got married to the dr.. (David), on his deathbed, but I didn't realize she wad married to someone else, and had a son and daughter
As in all her books, Rachel Wesson has again brought to life a character that you will love! Mrs. Grey reminds me of my great grandmother. Both were strong, kind and stood up for their beliefs! Please read these books, you won't be sorry!
Both crusty survivors of the Civil War and protectors of their heart find love. The town of Clover Springs hits a rough patch because of an uprising. - Babs
I really enjoyed this entire series and all of the characters. I would have liked a little more on Annie and a few others but then maybe in the future?
DNF I couldn't connect with story-line or characters in this book. Forced myself to read half of it before giving up. It's boring and at times didn't flow.
Good story about the taciturn nurse turned compassionate. As with all the mail order bride stories, Mrs Grey's day finally comes, but not without much adventure.
A relaxing and enjoyable historical romance novel. Well written, engaging characters and a story line that captured my attention. I can't wait to read the other books in this series!
I have loved every single book in this series. This author is now one of my favorites probably even in the top five. If you like twists and happy endings and clean stories without filthy language and actions you will love this series!!!!