Bella

Brides of the Oregon Trail #3

by Cynthia Woolf

Bella Devereaux dreamed of being a restaurateur, not a thief. But life had other plans. Forced to compromise her principles to survive, Bella always gives half of her ill-gotten gains to the French émigrés in New Orleans and saves the other half to fulfill her lifelong goal of opening her own French café. A priceless cache of jewels was supposed to be her last job, but the police are on to her, and so is another criminal—Jack Pasquin. He’s more than a thief, he’s a murderer, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to force Bella’s hand—including kill her. Taking the jewels and fleeing to Oregon City as a mail-order bride seems to be her only hope.

Marshal Robert McCauley never forgave himself for being on the job when his first wife passed away. Guilt has kept him from falling in love again, but a mail-order bride seems to be the perfect answer. When Bella arrives, not only is she beautiful and intelligent, but her mysterious ways intrigue him more than he cares to admit. Neither of them wants to admit they have fallen in love, but when Bella’s past catches up to them, Robert will have to choose—once more—between the woman he loves and the duty he serves.

Can Bella save the husband she’d fallen in love with? Or will she become a widow before she becomes a real wife?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Western Romance, Mail Order Brides

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2019

About the author

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

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

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



WEBSITE – http://cynthiawoolf.com

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TITLES AVAILABLE (English unless otherwise stated)

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


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


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


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


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



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


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


ANGEL CREEK CHRISTMAS BRIDES
Adele


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


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


BACHELORS & BABIES
Carter (Book 3)


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


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


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


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


AMERICAN MAIL-ORDER BRIDES
Genevieve, Bride of Nevada


THE SURPRISE BRIDES
Gideon


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


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


DESTINY IN DEADWOOD (Available in German)
Jake
Liam
Zach


MATCHMAK

Reviews

[Elodie’s Reading Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the two previous books in this series, both main couples were kind, fun and loving characters while I’m sad to say I never felt the same connection with the hero and heroine.
First Bella is thief, that she stole to the riches to give to the poorest, I can accept but she kept a part of the money to purchase her own business. Rather wrong for me.
Then she accepts a position as a mail-bride but plans to go away as it is just a way to get closer to her goal.
Sure, she is not a bad person, she helps others and likes To pleases people with her cooking.
Then Robert, I did not understood why he decreed he would not love anymore, it was not really explained. And one bad experience in the past does not shape every one’s in life. Plus the blurb tells about a late wife and I do remember he had one ( well, she had passed away) in the previous book and here he tells he never married.
After he is a nice man, and even if he didn’t told Bella the magic words, his acts spoke for him.
Why I have mixed feeling about this one story.
It was entertaining with actions and plot twists but I did not bounded with the H and h.
3,5 stars.

[Amy Koster · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the Brides of the Oregon Trail series, Bella is a sweet romance filled with love and forgiveness. I love that Bella is a criminal marrying a small-town sheriff. It is a different twist on the mail-order bride stories that I really enjoyed. Robert is a very sweet character. He loves Bella the minute he lays eyes on her. He falls for her hard and just keeps falling.

This book is full of humor and suspense. I really have enjoyed this series and look forward to reading more. The book could be read as a stand alone since several other characters have small or no parts from the past two books. Also, please not, there are adult situations but done with class.

*Please note that I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and I was under no obligation to leave a review.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I really wanted to hit Bella upside the head. This is a good book and I did enjoy it, but Bella just drove me crazy. I know trust is earned but sometimes you just need to have some in someone.
Bella Devereaux was a thief before she became a mail order bride. But before she was a thief, she had a dream of opening a restaurant. See her parents had died and she did what she needed to in order to survive. She didn’t keep everything she stole either. She pasted it on to others in need also. When she did her last job, she was going to lay low and let the police forget about her and then start over. Now she just needed a place to lay low. So, she signed up to be a mail order bride and moved from New Orleans to Oregon. Not knowing she was being followed by Jack Pasquin a very evil man. Jack wanted her stash.

Marshal Robert McCauley has decided that a mail order bride is the way to fins a wife seeing as he doesn’t have to do much to get one. Then Bella arrives and now he is sure this is what he wanted. He doesn’t have to lose Bella, but she is keeping him at arm’s length. He also thinks she is hiding something from him (yes, she is). He is hoping in time she will trust him and open up to him about her secret.
Now that trouble has found Bella and she knows it is for her, she needs to choose to keep her secret or tell her husband Robert about it. As the time passes, they do fall in love, but they both are scared to tell the other. When everything comes to light both Robert and Bella must make chooses. Will Robert choose his duty? Will Bella Choose her restaurant? Will they choose each other? Might someone die?

* I received a free advance review copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review.

[Lori D · Rating 5 out of 5]

From New Orleans, Louisiana to Oregon City, Oregon in a wagon train. The thief and the Marshall! I loved this story of two people who unexpectedly come together through a proxy marriage, with both having a past that may keep them apart in the end.
Bella was fleeing from being caught for stealing some jewels by another thief who wanted them. She fled to Oregon City and was married by proxy to Marshall Robert McCauley before she began her journey.
Robert had decided he had made a mistake and was determined to end the proxy marriage before it started. That is until he laid eyes on Bella as she entered the office. "Turning toward the door, he widened his eyes and all the breath left his lungs. In that instant he knew, without a doubt, he wouldn't give her up after all. She was stunning." What he didn't know that she had plans that don't include him!
Suspense, hidden secrets, surprises and a wonderful romance will lead you to the end of the story with a sigh. Oh yes, love Cynthia Woolf's stories that always entertain and warm my heart!!

[Becky Claxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love these western stories by Ms. Woolf. I always feel like I am back there living. I was happy to see this story is about Robert, the Sheriff that I had met many times in previous books. It is so wild to think that back then they could have a proxy stand in to get married. I can’t imagine what it was like for Bella to be French and the English treat her badly. She may have been a thief, but she gave to her fellow countrymen to help them out. Her dream was to own a French restaurant in San Francisco so she thought marrying someone out west would be an easy way to get closer to California. Plans don’t usually go the way we want and Bella found this out the hard way. I found it ironic she married a lawman! This book has adventure, suspense, and love which is perfect for me. I strongly encourage you to read this book. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book.

[Sherry Westendorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this story, It is heartwarming, exciting, suspenseful, emotional and so much more. She has to be a thief to survive but now another thief is after her and wants to kill her because she stole a bunch of jewels. The law wants her too. The only way to get out of there is to be a mail order bride. So she takes her baggage with her. The one she marries has a

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

STEALING YOUR WAY INTO MY HEART

What an intriguing story with adventure, danger, and romantic suspense. The story is part of the Brides of the Oregon Trail but will read well as a stand-alone. It does have Lydia and Max from book two. What happens when a thief and a lawman enter into marriage by proxy?

The third story will start in New Orleans and travel to Oregon City. Marshall Robert McCauley will marry by proxy Bella Devereaux. It was upfront that this was not a marriage of love. As the time draws near for her to arrive, he is second-guessing the marriage and thinking he will release her from their agreement—that is until he lays eyes on her.

Bella Devereaux dreams of someday opening her own French cuisine restaurant, and has high hopes of it being located in San Francisco. Losing both of her parents, she is on her own and has developed a talent of being an accomplished thief. She doesn’t keep everything for herself and helps others in need. When she is shot at one night, she knows it is time to move on and taking her ill-gotten gains; she will head to Missouri where she will buy into a wagon train, marry by proxy, and hope to make it to San Francisco eventually.

What happens when things start happening after she arrives, when another Lousiana native, Jack Pasquin, starts harassing her for the jewels and money she has? Will she be able to hide it and keep it safe? When Pasquin threatens the life of Robert, will she capitulate to keep him safe? When two New Orlean detectives come looking for the thief, can they convince them it is Jack?

“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

As time goes on, Bella’s dream of a restaurant is slipping away, but her feelings toward her husband grow stronger. How can she go on in a marriage without love? What will happen if they conceive a child before she can leave?

“I’ve fallen in love with you, Robert McCauley, and I’m at a loss as to what to do about it.”

The story is a roller coaster ride of emotions, mystery, suspense, deceit, and lies. It will have two people that are falling in love but afraid to admit to their feelings—and leaving their partner uncertain. It is fun learning about all the recipes that Bella brings with her, passed down from her mother and grandmother—part of a legacy they instilled in her. While this story does not expound on intimate details within the marital relationship, it is a steamy romance of a married couple.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Bella is the third book in Cynthia Woolf’s “Brides of the Oregon Trail” series. I am greatly enjoying this series because there are very few Romance Westerns that take place on this famous trail.

Bella, the heroine in this book, begins the book as a cat burglar. She is climbing into the homes of the English people stealing jewelry and money. Like Robin Hood, she gives most of her “ill-gotten gains” to the French émigrés. The rest she keeps for herself so she can fulfill her life-long dream to open a French restaurant in San Francisco.

Unfortunately, someone sees her and begins to shoot at her. Now, Bella is afraid she will get caught, so she decides to leave New Orleans. She decides to become a proxy mail order bride. This means that Bella will marry her groom-to-be, Robert McCauley, by proxy. After she marries him, she travels by wagon train to Oregon City where she will meet her new husband.

Even though Bella realizes she likes Robert, she still hopes to fulfill her dream and move to San Francisco where she can build her French restaurant. Of course, that makes it difficult for Bella who is basically a thief. However, this is first and foremost the love story between Bella and Robert who is the marshal of the city they live in.

Nonetheless, a good part of this novel is filled with suspense as Bella and Robert attempt to catch a villain who has followed her to Oregon City on the same wagon train. This man knows who Bella is, and plans to steal her money and turn her in.

There are also two policemen visiting from New Orleans looking for the person who stole large amounts of money and jewelry. They want to take the thief back to Orleans to face charges.

Unfortunately, besides these men, there are other complications that Ms Woolf skillfully adds to the story to make it more and more difficult for Bella to reach her dream. I cannot say more without giving out any spoilers. However, there is an interesting turn-of-events that happens close to the end of the book.

[Donise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella is a thief who becomes a wife by proxy to a man in Oregon in order to evade the police in New Orleans and have a place to lay low until she can continue on to San Francisco. Robert is marshal in the town of Oregon City and Bella's husband by proxy. Upon meeting, both are surprised by the attraction that develops between them, but Robert swears that he can never love Bella and Bella really wants to open a restaurant in San Francisco. Once most of Bella's grubstake is stolen, she resigns herself to staying in Oregon City and gives into her growing feelings for Robert. When two policemen from New Orleans show up to find the thief, Bella must come clean to Robert and confide in him the fact that part of her stash was stolen by the man who tried to break in to their home shortly after her arrival. Robert and Bella must then help the police arrest the man while keeping Bella out of it only things do not turn out that cleanly. I encourage you to read the book and find out if Robert and Bella can find their HEA and also if justice is served to those who deserve it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Chanel · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me is always something so charming about a Mail-Order Bride theme. This one has a spin to it, as the Bride, Bella Devereaux, is a thief. She was the “Robinhood” of New Orleans. She stole from the rich and gave to the poor, although she did keep enough of the money and jewels so she could fulfill her dream of opening a French restaurant someday.
Bella takes a detour from her dream and becomes a Mail- Order bride for a Marshall in Oregon. Marshall Robert McCauley has no idea he married a thief. Their love story is sweet, with some added drama, passion, and even a little suspense.
One of my book Pet peeves is when an author can’t keep her own story straight. In Chapter 4, Robert enters the Mercantile to catch the tail end of a conversation between his wife and Jack Pasquin. Robert even talks with Jack. Then in Chapter 5, Bella retells about her run in with Pasquin in the store. Then Robert comments the following- “I didn’t know you’d had a run-in with Pasquin again. Why didn’t you tell me?” She didn’t need tell him, as he was there.
I will say after reading this book, I most certainly have a craving for French food!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella married Sheriff Robert McCauley by proxy after
she barely escaped being shot for robbing the English
she thought they would all be at the The New Years Eve Ball in New Orleans. Bella gave most of the money and jewelry to the French emigre’s. Her people were treated horribly by the English. But she had a dream of a French restaurant in San Francisco so she kept some of the money and jewels for herself. Bella bought her passage to Oregon on a wagon train for mail order brides heading west. When Bella met her new husband and he kissed her, she had to be careful because her husband was very handsome and she had never been kissed like that..she almost melted he kissed so good, she never felt like that before. This is the Very Basic Beginning and I just loved this book!! Romantic suspenseful thriller mystery you just can’t put down. I was given this arc and I voluntarily leave this review.

[SKM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert is the marshal of Oregon City, Bella is a thief from New Orleans, together they are the perfect couple.

Both have a past that they have to overcome and both have secrets that they bring into their marriage. This story has mystery, love, passion, adventure, and visits from past characters which makes it a quick, fun, and very enjoyable read.

Cynthia Woolf is a writer that grabs your attention and keeps it not only through one book, but the entire series. One thing I love is that you can read her books in the series as a series or as a standalone book. This allows for people who haven't read previous books to read new books as they are published.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a romance that has mystery built in. It was a great read that I was able to finish in less than three hours.

I received an ARC from the author via Bookfunnel for an honest review.

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thief and the lawman, who could have dreamed that such a match would be possible. Having to escape her home after being discovered stealing, Bella is married by proxy to lawman Marshall Robert McCauley. Robert isn't at all sure that he intends going through with the marriage, but after seeing Bella, knows that he cannot turn his back on her. However, things are not as they at first seem and discovering that his wife is actually a thief is a shock to him. It takes Bella being put at risk for Robert to consider what is really important to him. The story is suspenseful and romantic and comes to a happy conclusion. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Pamela Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this historical western story from beginning to end with great characters and an engaging plot with action, danger, lies, secrets, and so much more. I loved the instant attraction, undeniable chemistry and heartwarming romance between Bella Deveraux, a thief from New Orleans, who dreams of being a restauranteur in San Francisco and becomes the mail-order bride of Marshal Robert McCauley of Oregon City, Oregon Territory. Ms. Woolf has given us another winner and anyone who enjoys a well-crafted historical western romance should plan to read Bella, book three in the Brides of the Oregon Trail series. I received an advance reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. I liked it so much, I purchased a copy to read again later.

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thief marries the marshal. After almost getting caught, Bella decides it is time to retire from being a theif. She wants to open a restaurant in San Francisco, but she is poor and the only way for her to get the money to do that is to steal from the rich. She also gives part of the money to other poor families. She marries a man by proxy before leaving for Oregon, where she will lay low until she can get to San Francisco. What she didn't expect was Robert and he didn't expect to be so attracted to Bella either. He has sworn he would never love again, but Bella makes him have doubts about that. When a man follows Bella to Oregon, Robert has to protect her. Will he keep her or let her go on to San Francisco?

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent western that is a romantic suspense story. Bella left New Orleans for a better life out west. She married a man by proxy prior to the six month long wagon train. Unfortunately Bella has secrets that have followed her. Her husband Robert is also the Marshal. He chose a wife by proxy to avoid courtships. Robert has decisions to make even tho he cares for his wife. The characters are fantastic and Bella’s reasoning for being a thief made some sense. I received a complementary copy of this book and chose to write a review. Ms. Woolf definitely draws the reader into the story and I look forward to reading future books by her.

[Sherry Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to get an advance copy of this book. I read it in one day. It keeps you on the edge wondering how it is all going to play out. I was captured hook, line and sinker up until the very end, where by the way there are still surprises! Bella starts out with an interesting occupation and it continues to twist and turn the whole book. I was happy see how second chances can often turn out remarkedly good for people. The characters each have unique personalities, including the criminals. Good job, Cynthia.

[Vicki or Dennis Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been an enjoyable series for me. Even though Bella is new to the series, we see and hear about characters from the earlier 2 books. In addition she marries Robert, who has also been in earlier books. Bella is a fantastic "cook" (though I think chef would be a more appropriate term). I could almost taste her meals! A definite mystery awaits the reader in this book along with a few pleasant surprises! A definite 5 for this newest book in this series.
I received an ARC copy of this book. This is my voluntary, honest and completely personal review.
VICKI FROM WYOMING

[Jeanne Mead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belle, a beautiful thief who is more of a female Robin Hood that gives most of her spoils to help the poor in her home of New Orleans becomes a proxy bride when she is shot at during her last job.
Robert, a marshal in New Oregon wants a bride but not love due to a previous broken heart.
When a stranger shows up and threatens Bella if she doesn't hand over what he claims she took, should she confess or run?
Suspenseful, surprising and sweetly romantic - keeps you on your toes!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.

[Sarah B White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella-From Top Thief in New Orleans to Wife of Sheriff in Oregon City.

Bella had the distinction of being the top jewel thief in New Orleans. She joined wagon train of mostly mail order brides. After all the surprises she arrived in Oregon. There she met the sheriff and is deputy and all the results of the little town. She soon learned that she had been followed by a thief who wanted her I'm gotten gains and two New Orleans police detectives.

Read this book to learn all about Bella's life in Oregon.

[Zena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreams can come true!
I loved this story about a young lady who steals from the rich, keeps half so that she can open her own restaurant and gives the other half to charity. Things get hot for Bella so she leaves to become a mail order bride for a Marshal, Robert McCauley.
But someone wants her stash and is willing to do whatever he must to get it.
It was lovely to watch as Bella and Robert fell in love and how protective he is of her.
This story has such a beautiful ending and I enjoyed every second of it.

[Jill · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was really hard to root for this couple. I honestly just couldn’t wait for story to end hoping the next couple would be more likable and actually good people. He was a good person kind of (I was uncomfortable with his pushing so hard for intimacy when she had already said she needed some time and while he may not have forced her to do anything he was very pushy about it) till he told Belle he would help keep her secret and he lies outright to the people arresting the other thief. Kind of a corrupt law enforcement officer.

[Amanda Marlowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can Bella live the life she wants, can Robert forgive her for being a thief? Bella has to get out of town fast before she's caught. She signs on as a mail order bride but goes one step further and gets married by proxy. Arriving in Oregon she's surprised by the fact that her husband is young, handsome and the Marshall!
It was great to catch up with Lydia and Max from the previous book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Phyllis Rundell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author has again written a story that grabs the reader's interest and does not let go until the last word is read. This is the story of Bella, a former New Orleans criminal, who becomes a proxy mail order bride to escape her criminal lifestyle, and travels with a wagon train to Oregon, When she arrives in Oregon, her groom is the town marshall. The story is a tale of deceit, mystery. suspense, a bad guy or two, romance and a HEA. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

[David Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free advance review copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review. Bella leaves New Orleans as a proxy bride. Little does she know that she is married to the marshal of Oregon City. Oh no, a thief marrying a marshal, can this marriage work out? Oh yes, they overcome all the problems, while running into a lot of different problems along the way. This is a great book that is a page turner. You won't want to put this down.

[Nethanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella has a secret when she got married to Robert, the marshal of Oregon City. She’s a thief who will hide and then leave to open a restaurant in San Francisco. But everything goes a little different when someone is after her stolen Juwelen and money. Then the adventure really starts. What will their future be?
This is a really great story, love, adventure and friendship, it has it all. Be sure to start with the first book in this series.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books about mail order brides and the Old West, and this book by Cynthia Woolf did not disappoint! The characters are very well-developed and the plot is intriguing. There were enough twists in the plot to keep me interested and guessing what would happen next. Reading about Bella's culinary delights made me wish I could have tasted what she was cooking, not just read about them! I hope to read more books by this author in the future.

[Melinda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella by Cynthia Woolf is book 3 of Brides of the Oregon Trail. It is a story of a thief that reforms and a Marshall and a proxy marriage. There is adventure, small town life and danger with romance. Cynthia Woolf pens an interesting story using tow charters that are opposites in many ways. It is well written and a wonderful way to pass some time visiting Oregon City. I look forward to the nexxt visit to Oregon City .

[Sydnee Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great adventure. Bella is a character with many complex sides to her. She has a giving, caring and nurturing soul. She also has a dream that she wants to hold on to. Then you add in Robert and her dreams gets cloudy edges to it. They have an I interesting road to travel but they do it together. This was another wonderful couple for this series of books.

[Mary Willard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bella was a lovely continuation of the saga of the mail order brides trekking into the wild frontier of Oregon looking for a better life. We get to find out how Lydia and Max are doing (from book 2) and what is happening in their life and also solve the mystery of why Bella wanted to leave her old life behind. A heartwarming story.