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Alternate cover edition of ASIN B081LJZNVF

Owen Chapman has dreams as big as the Nebraska sky. What happens when a body turns up on the Chapman ranch and the dead man’s bride comes calling demanding answers?

Owen Chapman’s plans of starting his own horse ranch are finally coming true. With his brothers as his business partners, he knows there is no way to fail. What he didn’t expect was a southern belle to arrive and resurrect a ten-year feud that he thought was finally in the past.

Elenore ‘Ellie’ Brooks longs for marriage, children, adventure and a life out West. When her plans change, she answers an advertisement for a mail order bride. But when she arrives in Flat River, Nebraska nothing is as she imagined and she finds herself pushed off on a local family until she can return home. What she didn’t count on was the broody oldest brother and the way he made her question her choices in life.

Can Ellie convince Owen not to send her back home on the next stage leaving town? Will Owen be able to let her go when the dead man's brother comes calling, hoping for Ellie’s hand in marriage?

This is book one of a brand new western series from the creator of the Pinkerton Matchmaker. It follows the lives and loves of the Chapman family on the rugged Nebraska Plains during 1872. There are five books in this series. Although there are no cliffhangers in the individual books, they should be read in order for the most enjoyment.

209 pages, ebook

Published May 18, 2020

476 people are currently reading
107 people want to read

About the author

Christine Sterling

117 books268 followers
USA TODAY bestselling author Christine Sterling loves immersing her readers in the small towns she’s created. Her inspirational stories feature humor, redemption, and romance, with themes of friendship, forgiveness, and fighting for the love you want.

She’s the author of over eighty romances, including the reader favorites, First Families of Flat River, and The Flat River Matchmaker series. She loves to create tight-knit families with strong family values, and you’ll often find that her characters cross over in many of her stories. Her readers describe her characters as old friends and her settings as places they would love to visit.

An empty nester, she lives with her husband and a menagerie of animals on a Pennsylvania farm. When she’s not writing, she can be found drinking tea, being judged by her cat, eating snacks, or napping.

Sign up for her newsletter and get a free book at www. flatrivernebraska. com

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5 stars
422 (64%)
4 stars
164 (24%)
3 stars
57 (8%)
2 stars
12 (1%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
Profile Image for Lori D.
4,079 reviews130 followers
September 24, 2020
A wonderful journey trying to find happiness. Ellie broke off her engagement when she realizes her betrothed is not what he seemed. She answers an ad from a man in Nebraska to become his mail order bride and after many correspondence she agrees to come and marry Frank. What she finds when she gets there is that something has happened to Frank and she is rescued by Owen Chapman, whose family is an enemy of Frank's. The Chapmans are a wonderful close family and Ellie is strongly attracted to Owen but he seems to push her away at every chance. But hidden truths come to light and it seems there may be hope after all. I always know when I begin a story by Christine Sterling that it will speak to my heart and with the narration of Derek Dysart, who did an amazing job, it was perfect.. I cannot wait to hear more in the series and hope the next brother's story comes out in audible soon!!
Profile Image for Shelley.
384 reviews4 followers
August 14, 2021
Incomplete. Not really a cliffhanger, but have to read book 2 for couple’s ending.

I really enjoyed this story and was really into it, waiting for the couple to get together when the story stopped, end of book. It made me feel that the book was incomplete. It didn’t end in a cliffhanger, it just stopped. It made me feel disappointed. Kind of forced into buying book two to see how Ellie and Owen’s story ends. Funny thing is though, about halfway through book I had already decided I would like to read the next book in the series. Now, after finishing the book, I wonder if each book in series is going to stop before the couple gets together. Also makes me wonder if next book in series is going to be half of Owen&Ellie’s story and half of the next brothers story? Why not just finish the story. So that’s why it’s rated only 3 stars rather than what to me would’ve been a 5 star rating to me. I NOW feel, possibly not wanting to read the next book in the series for fear that their story won’t have an ending either.
As far as the story of Owen&Ellie went, I really enjoyed it. Loved the description told in the story. I didn’t really love the characters but understood them. Ellie was from a completely different culture. Was brought up well to do and a city girl. But she grew up with no real affection. Whereas Owen lived a rancher’s rough life on the Nebraska frontier. He’s rough around the edges. But the rough edges surround a soft heart.
Story would’ve been nice if it ended up with them happily ever after. I’d highly recommend this book if you like a clean, western romance. But beware that you should plan on buying book 2 if you really want and ending to your story. I wouldn’t really call this book a “cliffhanger”, just a book with no ending.
2,123 reviews37 followers
September 3, 2020
Ellie always dreamed of leaving Atlanta and being a wife and mother. But marrying Arlo is not that dream. He is mean and a brute. She decides to call off the wedding and figure out what to do with her life now. Her best friend Polly, tells her about the Mail Order Bride ads in the newspaper. This is her ticket out of town. So the search is on for the right man for her. She responds to Frank in Nebraska and they correspond for over a year, when he proposes and she accepts. Off she goes, her bags packed and her future is just a train ride away. When she gets to the station, Frank is not there, she asks around and is told he is probably running late. When it is getting later, she goes to see the Sheriff. She is taken to his ranch and sees the man from town. Finds out his name is Owen and has bad news for the family. They found Frank dead on their property. Ellie faints away. When she comes to, his Mother blames her for her sons death. This only makes things worse. Since she has no where else to go, Owen takes Ellie back to his ranch and mother, until she can go home. None of this seems possible to Ellie, her dreams are dead also. So Ellie tries to make the best of everything and to decide what's next for her. She doesn't want to go home. Owen is seeing things in a new light also. Maybe dreams can come true. Great narration and story.
Profile Image for Janalyn, the blind reviewer.
4,611 reviews140 followers
April 13, 2021
A great read by Christine Sterling!

I bought the whisper sync audio and e-books on Amazon and I must say I loved the name and thought the story was pure gold. Although it seems as if they have found the most perfect family in the west, it’s also a family that has been through tragedy and has more to go through. With their ex best friends is neighbors a dead son a return kidnapped daughter and now Eleanor Brooks the son of their ex best friends betrothed. The only problem is he was found dead in the river on the Chapman property. When she goes to his mothers home to find her betrothed that is when Owen shows up with the Marshall to tell them about their dearly departed brother. The mother just wants Eleanor “the harlot“ to leave her property as if that wasn’t enough now she finds out her fiancé is dead and Owen Who sees she is unwanted, feels like he has no choice but to bring her home and this is when the adventure begins. As I said I loved the narration and the plot I thought both were great. If you love mail order bride stories or western romances then get this book you will not be sorry.
Profile Image for Kim .
1,155 reviews19 followers
August 2, 2020
This is a fairly typical mail order bride gone wrong story, but it is written quite well.

Owen and his family have a very large cattle ranch but Owen and a couple of his brothers want to also raise and break wild horses. None of them are interested, at this time, in finding wives.

Oh, interesting side note, Marianne, from the Pinkerton series, is their sister. And Penelope is also their sister, one of the Pinkerton brides.

Eleanor "Ellie" has been wanting a change for a long time. Her mother and step father going to Europe gives her the chance to find her own life out West. She's been writing to Frank for more than a year and he asked her to marry him. Frank just happens to be a member of the rival family of the Chapman's. When Ellie arrives in town she learns that her fiance is dead and his family want nothing to do with her. Owen, coming to their ranch for something, takes her home with him until she can get a stage back to her home. But Ellie doesn't want to go home.

This is a clean read!
Profile Image for Linda.
Author 58 books649 followers
August 1, 2020
Another winner from Christine Sterling whose books always have intriguing plots and interesting characters. Owen is a true hero, coming to the rescue of a woman he’s only just met. Handsome, focused, and determined, he’s also a bit vulnerable where ladies are concerned. He’s the glue that holds his family together, and is so busy trying to help others, he often lets his own needs go unmet. All of the characters in the story are well-developed, and I can’t wait to read about the rest of the siblings. Poor Ellie is between the proverbial rock and a hard place, having to make several decisions where she has to pick the lesser of two evils. I appreciated her gumption, and even though she has a gentle personality, she’s not a pushover. She’d been dealt some difficult blows, yet manages to remain resilient through the tough times. The mystery surrounding her prospective groom’s death kept me guessing to the identity of the culprit. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Amy.
498 reviews7 followers
July 22, 2022
I enjoyed Owen and Ellie's story. I can't think of how scary it would be to show up in a totally new place to find out that the one you are planning to marry doesn't show up. So there are no hotels in this new town and you have no place to go. This handsome stranger takes you to his family ranch where you are welcome with open arms thankfully. Ellie was able to adopt and come to live her new home.
I liked getting to know Owen and seeing the softer side of him.
I felt like the story was just getting really good and things were progressing then the story was done but it was not really done. You have to buy the next book to get the ending of Owen and Ellie's story
I was very disappointed in how it just ended but I did enjoy the story and would be interested in reading about the other family members. But hope all the books are not like this ending.
910 reviews5 followers
July 6, 2020
Ellie's Story

Two days before her wedding, a conversation with Ellie's husband to be makes her break the engagement. His frightening words were just the final step in his increasingly disrespectful treatment of her. A year later, her best friend talks Ellie into browsing the ads for mail order brides. Finding one that interests her, she begins a correspondence with a rancher in Nebraska.
You won't want to miss this well written and plotted book. Deep characters with relatable strengths and weaknesses make you feel a kinship with each of them. You won't want to miss this book!
Profile Image for Michelle Fritz PA.
1,357 reviews98 followers
September 15, 2020
This was so entertaining and such a joy! I wasn't sure just how this story would progress. But the journey was filled with surprises and new beginnings. I liked Owen and both of these families. It's so unfortunate how the two families fell out, but it sure makes for an excellent plot point! Ellie was sweet and I so wanted her to reach her happy ending. I liked her adventurous spirit. Together she and Owen are adorable and the way in which he expressed his feelings left me with all the feels! He's the perfect male lead. I can't wait to experience the rest of this series because I've just got to know how the sibling's stories come about.
90 reviews1 follower
June 14, 2020
Owen is the incredible beginning of a new series. Owen Chapman is the oldest of a large family of cattle ranchers. His dream is to raise horses. He meets Ellie when she arrives at the Hartman's ranch as a mail order bride for Frank Hartman. Owen has gone there with the sheriff to inform them of a tragedy that has befallen their family. The Hartman's and the Chapman's had been friends once, but something mysterious happened in the past to make them bitter enemies. Intriguing hints that draw you in to this story and will keep you coming back to read the rest of the series. Well written.
759 reviews7 followers
June 17, 2020
This story is powerful. It gives Drama, a little danger and love... Not just love between Owen and Ellie, as it develops, but love of family and love of the land and all it produces.
The characters are well written. The story pulls you in right from the start and keeps you reading. You will not be disappointed. Christine Sterling is an amazing storyteller and her
books are some of my favorites.
1,187 reviews
June 17, 2020
Owen's story

Beautifully written, Owens story comes to life through the death of a rival. Elenor has arrived in Nebraska to marry Frank. Her story in and of itself is sad. Two families share a difficult past, and two mothers have experienced loss. Will Owen and Ellie make a difference? I highly recommend this first novel in this series and look forward to reading the rest of the Chapman's stories.
Profile Image for Rose.
382 reviews
September 15, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are well developed and the plot moves along well and keeps you intrigued. Owen comes to Ellie's rescue before realizing it may bring trouble to his own heart. This was just a good wholesome read/listen and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

I felt like the narration was done well.

I received a free copy of this audiobook and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
841 reviews7 followers
August 10, 2021
A Sweet Mail Order Bride Story

This book is a sweet mail order bride story, but the twist is that the prospective groom dies before his mail order bride arrives. Read this book to learn the story of Owen's family and also the story of a rival family nearby. Will love develop even though the original groom is no longer alive? Read this sweet, quick read to find out.

I enjoyed this quick read and hope you will also.
Profile Image for Meredith Resce.
Author 38 books70 followers
September 20, 2022
I enjoyed this western Christian romance novel. It used the predictable mail-order bride trope, which I enjoy. The characters were easy enough to connect with, but could have had more development to form a deeper connection with the families, and the feud that separated them. A nice easy read, and probably worth considering others in the series.
I was given a copy of this novel to review, and the opinions are all my own.
Profile Image for Rita Liziet Pedro.
376 reviews8 followers
November 26, 2022
Romance de época me prende! Esse foi mais um da autora que me cativou. Ellie desmanchou seu noivado e a amiga Polly a fez escrever uma carta para se casar por correspondência. Mal chegou a conhecer o pretendente quando chegou a cidade dele,ele tinha morrido. Ficou na casa dos Chapman. E Owen passou a olhá-la. Um romance gostoso de ler e continua…para o nosso desespero rsrs e alegria ao mesmo tempo!
4,572 reviews31 followers
August 25, 2023
Book 3 of my binge read, there are worse things to happen to a mail order bride than having your intended groom die right before you arrive. There could be his family not accepting your arrival and ordering you off their land. It would have been worse if Owen Chapman, as unpleasant as he’d been, hadn’t been there to take her home to his mama. Now there couldn’t have been more difference between the Chapman and Hartman family and Marmee (Ingrid) Chapman greeted her with open arms. This book brings you romance, humor, ongoing mysteries, swoony (and sullen) cowboys and family values. I enjoyed Owen and Elenor/Ellie’s story. On to Oliver and Willow’s story.
Profile Image for Diane Jewell.
492 reviews21 followers
April 8, 2024
God's will

Not His Mail Order Bride by Christine Sterling ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What a great story one I was excited to read. I love reading about mail order brides but this was the first one that went wrong. After a year writing back and forth Frank sent E!lie money to go west to be his bride, butttttttttt, that didn't happen. Hope you pick up your copy today and read all about their story. You will be sad and happy as its Gods will.
2,225 reviews12 followers
April 14, 2025
Not His Mail Order Bride

I enjoyed reading about Ellie and Owen. Elenore, or Ellie as she is called, left Atlanta as a mail order bride. She was to marry a man in Flat River. When she arrives she finds the man had died and his family did not want her around. Owen takes her to his parent’s home to recover from her trip and her loss. His family welcomes her. If you like short and sweet historical fiction, I would recommend you read their story.
11 reviews
June 19, 2020
Couldn't put it down

Even watching my grandbabies, 2 & 5, I couldn't help but be engrossed in the story. My house needed a lot of cleaning afterwards, but well worth it. I have already pre ordered the next book. My emotions were all over the place, well written, & engaging!!!!! Loved it!!!!
Profile Image for Sharon.
2,770 reviews7 followers
July 25, 2020
A great introduction to the series

Owen- oldest brother who is starting horse farm
Ellie- ended an engagement in Alanta comes out to Nebraska to find her m.o.b groom is dead.
I enjoyed reading this intriguing story that is well written with charismatic characters . Their story is continuing through the series.
Profile Image for Cindy.
2,283 reviews84 followers
September 11, 2020
There was a lot of background information that needed to be covered to understand the story situation, but those parts made a story into a catalog of details. It just seemed to sap the story a bit. I enjoyed the narration! He had great cadence and his female characters actually sounded like women.
Overall I enjoyed the story!
Profile Image for Mary.
940 reviews10 followers
August 11, 2021
Mail Order Bride for Franklin

Ellie broke off her engagement to Arlo after finding him unfaithful. So she decided to try writing in answer to an ad for a mail-order bride. She found and like the letters that she exchanged with Franklin. Her adventure started when he sent the means for her to travel out to Nebraska.
Profile Image for Linda Elliott.
1,566 reviews9 followers
August 12, 2021
A book with great feelings

I enjoyed this book it starts with heartache And broken hearts and lead you into An ending that is absolutely sweetest can be. The characters seem flawed but lovable and well rounded. The plot is very simple, but sometimes the simplest plots are the best. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to my friends and people I meet.
516 reviews
July 10, 2023
A sweet, clean romance about an Atlanta woman who corresponds with a rancher near Flat River, Nebraska. After a year, he sends the money for tickets to travel to him. She is surprised that he doesn't meet her stage. About that time, his body is discovered.
Despite a rocky start, it is a happy story. R dad her tribulations and happy ending, with more to follow.
Profile Image for Michaela | Reading in the Heartland.
3,683 reviews69 followers
August 10, 2023
A mail order bride heads out west after many months of mail correspondence with her intended. Tragedy and family feuds await her. Hardworking men and ranching ventures. Many characters with interwoven nuances. I haven’t read too many of this trope but I enjoyed this one. I also enjoyed the touches of suspense in this clean, historical romance.
131 reviews
February 7, 2024
NOT HIS MAIL ORDER BRIDE

Actually the story was not boring, and it was interesting, but to end like that was plain disappointing. I could not believe how it ended. I am not sure I want to be left in the cliffs hanging like this. But to see what happen in the story, I will need to read my ext
4 reviews
March 10, 2024
Short and rushed

This author is amazing. However, this book seemed rushed and was at least 100 pages too short. It had more potential if the author had delved deeper into the storyline. Without spoiling the story it seemed to go from hot to cold within the matter of one to two pages.
Profile Image for MaryEllen.
2,896 reviews29 followers
May 18, 2024
Ellie and Owen don't have a good first meeting, nor a good second meeting, either. But he does, reluctantly, come to her rescue.
They get to know each other a bit and hide that they like each other, but it's noticed. I loved that reveal!

Some of the characters were harsh at first, but their sweet side eventually shows.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews

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