Secretly Expecting

by Felicity Monroe

Jessie Perkins has a secret. One that no one can know about.

If her past catches up with her, she will be ruined. Reputations will be tarnished.

The only option she has left is to start a new life out West as a mail order bride. Her seductive charm takes her to the open plains of Wyoming where she meets a ranch owner, the man she hopes will one day become her husband… but she has to act fast.

Jessie has a plan and everything will turn out alright. It has to.

Her life as well as the life of her secret; an unborn child conceived from one regretful night, depends entirely on Jessie making all the right decisions.

Benjamin Hardy. Charming. Rugged. A rough around the edges cowboy.

A gentleman with a tough exterior and a mysterious air about him. To Benjamin, honor is paramount. It’s time to settle down. Start a family. Find a wholesome wife.

But what meets Benjamin out West is more than he could have ever imagined. The second Benjamin lays eyes on Jessie, he wants her. Deeply. Passionately.

Lust becomes love.

This is everything Jessie could have ever wanted. The man of her dreams. The perfect life. But the guilt of her secret is too much to bear. As ghosts from her past begin to resurface, their quiet idyllic life slowly begins to a spiral into a storm of chaos.

Will her plan ultimately destroy any chance of happiness she has?
Can Benjamin find forgiveness for the woman he now loves?

...........................
This book contains some sexual content and is intended for mature audiences.

Genres: Historical Romance, Westerns

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 28, 2019

About the author

Felicity is your everyday fun loving, workaholic mom who loves to read and immerse herself into her own world of books.

She currently lives in Oregon with her two beautiful children and childhood sweetheart husband. Although she resides in the city, she was born and raised in a small town in Wyoming.

Having grown up on her family ranch, riding horses and swinging from trees, her fascination for the Wild West comes from her intriguing upbringing and her obsession with cowboys!

Felicity loves writing about steamy emotional encounters and falling helplessly in love with alpha male cowboys. She likes to base her characters in the 1800's western setting as well as the contemporary era.

She also loves to connect with her readers so be sure to follow her to keep up to date with upcoming releases!

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/18/2020)! 🎁

[Donise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, Western romance with a twist. This book is the story of Jessie, a mail order bride and Benjamin, a small town Wyoming farmer. It starts with Jessie trying to make a new life for herself after her parents have died and left her with nothing but a bunch of debt. Jessie is also looking for a new beginning after something terrible occurs. Benjamin's ad and the ensuing letter writing between them seems to offer Jessie the answer that she is looking for, so she hops on a train and heads West. Upon meeting, Jessie and Benjamin become friends and then in the course of taking care of the ranch chores, they finally succumb to their feelings for each other and become lovers. Unfortunately, all is not bright in their near future, as a threat from Jessie's past shows up in town and threatens all that Jessie now holds dear. You will need to read the book to learn if the threat is neutralized and to see if Jessie and Benjamin get their HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Davina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author did a very good job with the story. By the description that she gives you get the impression that Jessie got raped without her having to say it right out. The story had a natural flow. The story was not rushed and the author allowed you to feel the character emotions. I like the fact that Benjamin didn't rush into sex with Jessie. He took his time and got to know her.

I didn't like that Jessie planned to pin the baby on Benjamin without his knowledge or as they say in Jamaica "give him a jacket". However, I loved the approach that he took when he started talking to her about Calvin's visit and he didn't lash out at her. Even though he got upset he took some time to think about the situation, calm down and tried to see things from her perspective.

There were no unanswered questions at the end. You know what happened to everyone, including Calvin's wife even though she wasn't one of the main characters. I'm so happy that so got herself a new man.

All in all, this was a great story. The author is fantastic and I would highly recommend that everyone reads the book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[HEATHER · Rating 4 out of 5]

They fought for their love and won.
by sewsummore
Jessie left Boston to become a mail order bride . Alone in the world after the death of her parents, she fell into the hands of a evil and dangerous man who stole her virtue and left he pregnant. Benjamin was a rancher in search of a wife and when Jessie answered his advertisement for a mail order bride, it ushered in a new beginning for them both. This story had an eventual happy ending but not before a lot of drama and heartbreak. Evil men can do terrible things and go on to do more if they are lot stopped. Jessie's tormentor followed her but thanks to Benjamin she was saved. I liked his character a lot, he was a man who stood by his convictions, his love for Jessie was strong and pure, risking his life to save her. Jessie was a woman determined to raise the child of a man she hated, her willingness to fight for their love was heartwarming.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed this book.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessie leaves home to become a mail order bride for Benjamin a rancher. Leaving the past behind, she is Secretly Expecting and thus the story unfolds as she heads out west. It's a great book that has a lot of ups and downs, just like real life; including the past catching up with Jessie. However, in true romance fashion, always a happy ending. The story is well written and the characters are well developed that makes the book an enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessie's pregnant, and with her parents dead, she has no other ties to Boston. To escape their remaining debts, she decides to become a mail-order bride. With a secret. A big secret. She corresponds with Benjamin, and travels to Wyoming to meet him. He treats her more like a ranch hand, until she finally finds her voice. And holy cow - he made his move! When her past catches up with her, Benjamin is caught in the middle. There are some unexpected twists and turns in the plot, and I love them all. This was an easy book to read, keeping my attention as I read in one sitting. I'll look to more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy Munoz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining romance set in the Old West, and involves a mail order bride and the cowboy she travels out west to marry. With a solid plot and engaging characters, as well as a bit of intrigue and suspense, the story moved along at a decent pace. My only critique is that the story itself was mostly narrative - there was not a lot of actual conversation or actual action between the characters - and at times I found the narrative to be rather boring. I prefer an action driven story rather than a narrative driven story, but that is just my personal preference. Having said that, this was a decent read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maria771 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Jessie and Benjamin. This is a first time author for me and I adored this book. It is written wonderfully and I could not stop reading. The characters are real and very relatable. This book is full of drama and suspense and action. It makes for a fast and easy read. I will definitely read this author again. Recommended.

I received this book as an Arc and I am reviewing it voluntarily.

[Pam Pettigrew Whorwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story with plenty of action and romance! Very entertaining story. Plenty of surprises through out the story to keep the reader engaged till the very end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christina Luberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of what secrets and fear can do to you. Jessie lost her parents and now has to pay their debts. She has done all she could, but a man has offered her help, but it turns out he is evil. She has decided to be a mail order bride. She meets Benjamin who is more than she expects, but her secret could ruin it. What will happen if he finds out the truth? What will she do if her past comes to haunt her? Can Benjamin accept her lie? What happens if push comes to shove?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shifty Bugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book it was great the story was well written and the characters were interesting. What a different mail order bride Jessie lost her parents and she had a bad relationship. Benjamin is a Cowboy that advertisers for a mailorder brind. Jessie has a big secret, but it is to big to hide.
Thank you for allowing me to review this book it was great.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Terry Babb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title gives it away!
A well written & enjoyable mail-order bride story, although some parts seemed a tad drawn out. Nevertheless it was interesting with anxiety, attraction & action unfolding chapter after chapter. Could the hero forgive the heroine for keeping a secret from him & would they be able to find their happy ever after? I received an arc & this is my honest & voluntary review.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesse was pregnant before she went west . She waited too long to tell Benjamin but it didn’t matter he loved her so much. I was surprised when Calvin Briggs showed up. Spoiling everything. Of course he wanted Jesse.

[Colleen Sasser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting mail order bride story. Jesse had quite a secret she was planning to keep from Benjamin, but secrets are so hard to keep. Her past caught up with her and then her secret was out. Benjamin was already in love with her so everything turned out to the good. The story had great characters and was entertaining throughout. It had a happy ever after ending.

[Katrina Kitchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable mail-order bride story. Full of passion, drama and action.The characters were engaging, likeable, and well developed. I highly recommend you read it for yourself you won't regret it.

[Joanne Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am voluntarily writing this review for this book I received through Booksprouts arc.

Part 1 Sweet Escape. Jessie/Benjamin

Jessie knew she was pregnant before she got the letter to move west. Boston was her home but not anymore since everything went to hell. Taking the train to Wyoming was a long trip and she kept to herself. Jessie felt that Benjamin treated her more like a ranch hand instead of taking her for his wife. Jessie let him know how she felt. Finally Jessie and Benjamin finally get together. Jessie goes into town and runs into some nasty woman who told her what makes her special. Then tells her someone was at the house looking for her.

Part 2 The Ghost Returns

Calvin Briggs shows up at Benjamin ranch telling him he is Jessie’s husband coming to get her. Benjamin finds out she had been lying to him she told him the whole story and the result was the baby. Benjamin was beside himself and she apologized so many times. Jessie knew she was not going back to Boston with Calvin Briggs. Back in her bedroom she is making plans to leave early the next morning not knowing where she was going. Benjamin was being cold but she expected it. Calvin comes by an threatens Benjamin and Jessie things are getting out of hand

Part 3 Fight for Tomorrow

Calvin tried to kill Benjamin and when Jessie heard the gun go off she thought she lost Benjamin. Calvin is determined to have Jessie with him. Twists, turns, lies and attempted murder makes this a good interesting read

[Lucia Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It contains several unexpected twists and is not your typical mail order bride tale. Benjamin and Jessie have to overcome many obstacles, the secret baby not the least of things. I highly recommend picking up this one.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lynn Stifle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful mail-order bride story. The storyline is captivating and flawlessly written. The characters were engaging, likeable, and well developed. The story is full of drama, action, romance, and a definite page turner. I highly recommend you read it for yourself you won't regret it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrertly Expecting is a wonderful book. I have recommended this book to friends and family members. It keeps you interested and reading, not wanting to put book down.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read the blurb for this book, I expected to enjoy it. I figured I would give a shot to this author who was new to me. What I did not expect was to be so captivated by the romance, adventure, drama and love that Ms. Monroe wrote into her story. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mail order bride story. This one is a page turner. Felicity Monroe is definitely a name I will be looking forward to seeing in my library again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable mail-order bride story. Full of passion, drama and action. Jessie and Benjamin made a sweet and strong couple even though she deceived him at first. A nasty villain in Calvin Briggs makes this story gripping.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was not what i was expected, but I still enjoyed it.....

The cover art was misleading. I was expecting a modern mail order bride romance. I was quickly remedied of that notion. With that said much of what happens makes more sense.

Secretly Expecting was a historical romance separated in to three distinct part each with a layer added to make the story more. Jessie was young, sweet, and all alone in the world. She strikes up a friendship with a prospective husband, but something happens that almost takes her fresh start away from her.

Benjamin Hardy was a rancher in need of a wife. He found what he was looking foe in Jessie from Boston. He just did not expect to fall in love and have that love threatened.


This was a friendship built, tested, tried, and put in danger.

[Minx · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author divided this book into 3 parts. At the beginning of each part she went on for several pages recapping the previous part, like I hadn't just read it? Her lack of original vocabulary throughout the book was very annoying. Also, the man orders a mail order bride, why did it take the entire book before he actually married her? Then we weren't invited to the wedding or birth, the author just gave them a bare mention in the epilogue. How many times does a crazy man threaten a rancher in the wild west and not get shot? This was a chore to read, I'm glad it was free

[Suzanne Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a mail order bride she was everything that Benjamin had dreamed of. Only the beautiful Jessie has some secrets. She is pregnant and hiding from an evil man. They have an instant attraction and their desired is palatable.

This is one hot, steamy western historical romance with amazing characters and a dangerous storyline. The main characters are well crafted and you instantly want them to be able to build a life of happiness together. The evil character creates great hurdles for them. They go through an emotional rollercoaster that takes you along for the ride. It is wonderful how the author wove together the romance, danger, sexually explicit scenes and suspense into a storyline that keeps you glued until the end. It is a great romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jayne Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s just one thing after another with this story. Jessie becomes a mail order bride and moves west to escape a ruined life. However, her trouble follows her. Benjamin, a real standup guy, hopes that his new bride will bring him a true partner in all ways. Neither of them suspected the drama and trauma their union would bring. This is a fast paced story that gets the adrenaline going and keeps the reader engaged.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some people don’t know when to give up.

Calvin Briggs was offered to help Jessie Parker with settling her parents debt. Calvin forced Jessie one day resulting in her being pregnant. Jessie knew she couldn’t stay in Boston where Calvin was a powerful person. Luckily she saw an ad for a Mail Order Bride for someone in Wyoming. Jessie thought this would be a perfect solution. To recreate herself and raise her child. After a few days of being in Wyoming with Benjamin Hardy, Calvin Briggs shows up to disrupt her new beginning.

[Bonnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seemed like a cross between the old west and a soap opera

I've read countless mail order brides books. They didn't live with the fellow until after they were wed. The author always said be was sneering, hissing etc. to her. The in correctness of the grammar used was atrocious. In several places the author must have been looking up words in a thesaurus. The cover isn't even properly done. I didn't enjoy the book.. I was able to figure the ending out beforehand.

[Alice S · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting book

A very interesting book Jessie having had a rough time in Boston decided to travel out to Wyoming as a mail order bride. Her groom to be Benjamin was an interesting gentleman. The couple had a lot of crazy things thrown at them during the time that they were together. The arrival of a man from Jessie past really put them in the spot light as well as danger. I don't want to give any spoilers, so I will leave you to read an enjoyable book for yourselves.

[Elizabeth Policky · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very strange use of language

Surprisingly, based on the information supplied about the author, it reads like the author does not know English well, and used a thesaurus multiple times in each sentence. Frequently there are very odd phrases, sneer is used incorrectly often, and the adjectives and adverbs are often inappropriately chosen. Pronouns are also used incorrectly! It's hard to enjoy reading this story.

[casvec · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story grabbed me from the start. Jessie struggles to escape her past, unfortunately follows her. Benjamin is just looking for someone to love and be his partner.

This quick story has twist and turns that you do not see coming.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.