A Husband for Victoria

Brides of Golden City #1

by Cynthia Woolf

New York Governess Victoria Coleman survives an attack but finds herself in a family way. When her employer finds out, the kind man tells her she is safe there. But his wife has other ideas. Believing her husband is the child’s father, she threatens Victoria. Needing to escape, Victoria becomes a mail-order bride as far away as possible—Golden City in the Colorado Territory.Andrew Mayfield is consumed with guilt over the death of his wife and infant son in childbirth six months ago but knows that his two-year-old daughter needs a mother and he needs to marry to provide her one. He contracts for a mail-order bride.But vengeance is a dish best served cold and the woman determined to see Victoria’s baby dead and therefore Victoria herself, is an iceberg. Refusing to believe her husband or Victoria, Mildred Thomas follows Victoria to Golden City. Will she be able to exact her revenge for a perceived wrong? Or will Andrew be able to protect the woman who might be working her way into his heart?

Genres: Mail Order Brides

132 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2020

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

[Becky Claxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew
I love Ms. Woolf’s western stories about mail order brides. This one was very interesting as the evil person was a woman. Victoria is the nanny for David and Mildred, and loves their daughter. Mildred is an awful person and hates Victoria. She thinks her husband got Victoria pregnant and wants to kill Victoria. David helps her escape, and sends her to his friend that finds mail order brides. I hated what Victoria had to go through as she is such a sweet and loving person. She meets Andrew in Colorado who has a little girl of his own. The two marry, and Andrew says he will only love his first wife. Andrew’s little girl Suse is such a sweetheart and Victoria instantly falls in love with her. Andrew is a nice, loving guy who will do anything for his daughter. When trouble comes their way, Andrew, the ranch hands, and the town help them both out. I strongly encourage you to read the book. I was given a copy of the book and voluntarily wrote a review.

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

SECOND CHANCES

The story is a new series, and this one will start in New York City and the on to Golden City, Colorado. This is a clean historical western mail-order bride story. The life Victoria Coleman has known has not been an easy one. Raised in an orphanage, then became a governess for a wealthy family, she is content with her charge, Margie, but trouble with the mother, Mildred. Her life will take a horrible turn while visiting a friend, she is raped and finds herself with child, and must make a new way in life. With the suggestion of Mr. Thomas, she will be sent to Mrs. Johnson, who will help arrange a marriage for her with a widower with a small child.

The story will have Victoria traveling to Golden City, Colorado, and marriage to Andrew Mayfield. But with this marriage there will be secrets, she doesn’t tell him she is with child. Andrew lost his wife and son during childbirth and knows he needs to marry and someone to help with his daughter. He loved Elise and doesn’t plan to fall in love again, and even makes that known to Victoria.

The story has the good, the bad, and the ugly of people, with plenty of angst, mystery, suspense, and danger. Trouble will come to Golden City, and they are ready for it, but it still has some intense scenes. Will Victoria and Andrew learn how to love each other, or will this remain a marriage of convenience for them? The relationship between Andrew and Victoria develops slowly and like any couple, they have their moments. I like how she is patient with Suse and helps bring happiness to the Mayfield home. The story has an epilog that allows the reader to see five years down the road and has a happily ever after ending.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading books that take me back in time. Cynthia Woolf did a great job of that in this book.

We go back to the 1870’s and start the journey in New York City. Here we meet Victoria Coleman a Governess that was attacked and is now with child. Her employers are divided on how to handle this. Mrs. Thomas is a threat to Victoria and her child as she thinks it is her husbands. Mr. Thomas is worried for Victoria and sends her away to a friend that finds brides for men out west. Victoria is now a mail-order bride on her way to Golden City in the Colorado Territory. She is worried that her husband will not accept her if she tells him about her attack and child, so she keeps that a secret for as long as she can in hopes he will love her.

Andrew Mayfield is a rancher in the Colorado Territory that lost his wife and infant son six months ago. He needs a wife for his two-year-old daughter and turns to a mail-order bride service to find his new wife. He picks Victoria up and goes right to the pastor for marriage, then it is home to start their live together.

However, Mrs. Thomas is not done with Victoria or her baby and still wants them dead. She is willing to travel to Golden City to take care of the “problem”. Mr. Thomas finds out what is wife is planning and sends word to Victoria.

Will word reach Victoria in time? Will Andrew keep her when and if he finds out the truth about her past? Will Andrew keep her safe if he keeps her? Will Mrs. Thomas get what she wants? Will Victoria make it though all of this with her and her child’s lives? Will Victoria and Andrew find the love they both want?

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

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

With her life under threat, Victoria escapes the city and flees to Golden City, Colorado where she becomes the wife of Andrew Mayfield. The grieving widower is upfront about his inability to ever love another woman, but unfortunately, Victoria is a little less than forthcoming about her condition. Therefore, when the truth emerges, Andrew is understandably disappointed at having been hoodwinked, but when he weighs the matter up, he realises that Victoria is the mother his daughter needs and is, in fact, a good, nurturing woman. Andrew is a kind, strong hero, a family man at heart and although disappointed when Victoria tells him about the difficulties she finds herself in, is nevertheless respectful of her and gentle. Victoria is a feisty heroine, willing to pitch her weight in and do whatever is needed, thereby winning the affection of those around her, as is evidenced when trouble comes to Golden City. This mail-order Western romance has some suspense, is generally well written and comes to a fulfilling conclusion. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

A Husband for Victoria is the beginning of Cynthia Woolf’s new series called “The Brides of Golden City.” This story has a lot of Ms. Woolf’s usual mainstays such as mail order brides who move to the Old West during the mid-1800s and independent women.

However, this book also includes another interesting plotline. Ms. Woolf highlights the helplessness of single women against the abuse and lies of men who turn against them in the early1870s.

Victoria is a governess to a young girl. When she becomes pregnant after being attacked by her friend’s husband, her employer’s wife turns on her. She accuses Victoria of seducing her husband. Because of this, Victoria is forced to leave New York and become a mail order bride to someone in Colorado.

Is Victoria’s new husband willing to accept her pregnancy and, eventually, be willing to raise another man’s child? Does her ex-employer’s wife plan to seek revenge on Victoria? You will find out these answers plus discover a nice surprise by the end of the story.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cynthia Woolf has done it again! A Husband for Victoria is the first book of her new Brides of Golden City series and it is an easy-to-read page turner with wonderful characters who are inspirational. Victoria has been Margie's governess since she was born. After being attacked by her friend's husband, she discovers that she's pregnant. Her employer's wife accuses her of having an affair with her husband and will not stand or someone else to take her daughter's inheritance. Fearing for her and her unborn baby's life she flees New York and becomes a mail-ordered bride.
Andrew lost his wife and baby six months ago during labor and needs a mother for his daughter Suse, he agrees to Victoria and she travels to Colorado to become his wife. She decides to keep her pregnancy a secret until he falls in love with her, she thinks this way he won't make her leave.
Does Andrew accepts Victoria and her baby? if she is free from the danger of her ex-employer's wife? You'll have to read A Husband for Victoria to find out. You won't be disappointed.

[Lori D · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of hope and second chances that takes us from New York to Colorado in the 1870's.
Victoria found herself with child after being attacked. Her job as governess was threatened when her employer Mrs Thomas thinks her husband is the father!
Luckily she is able to become a mail order bride and travels to Colorado in hopes her husband will accept her and her child so tries to keep it secret as long as possible.
Her groom Andrew has lost his wife and baby six months ago and needs a wife to take care of his two year old daughter.
But danger comes quickly in the form of her previous employer who is determined to help get rid of her baby. grrr
Two people who have been through so much, can they stay together and will Andrew keep her safe?
Cynthia Woolf always writes stories of the heart and I look forward to each one. Get lost in a time long ago and take the journey of these two who seem fated to be together!

[Donise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ms. Woolf's books she has yet to disappoint me. This book is about a governess who gets attacked by her best friend's husband and winds up pregnant. Unfortunately, the loony lady that she works for thinks the baby is her husband's and will go to any lengths to protect her daughter's inheritance. The husband puts Victoria in touch with a mail order bride service and soon she is on her way to a new life with a new husband. However her new husband to be does not know the entire story. Victoria only has so long to get Andrew and his little girl to accept and love her, before she adds another child into the mix, plus the new family must deal with the loony lady that Victoria used to work for. This all makes for an entertaining read. This book may not be very long, but I guarantee that there is a lot packed into those pages.

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

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Husband for Victoria (Brides of Golden City Book 1) by Cynthia Woolf. Great story to a new series!
Well written and well excuted. The storyline flows seamlessly and effortlessly. The characters are flawed, engaging and believable for the era.
Victoria Coleman and Andrew Mayfield, Andrew's small child, Suse, make a flawed but entertaining couple. Mail order bride, danger, secrets, betrayal, angst, turmoil, a female villain, suspense and love makes A HUSBAND FOR VICTORIA a great Historical Western Romance. The villain, Mildred Thomas, is determined to exact her revenge for a wrong she thinks Victoria.
A intense at times, beautiful love story! I enjoyed the way Ms. Woolf, mixed delicate issues into this story and how she included a small child. Awesome read!

"I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however,  these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review."

Rating: 4 5
Heat rating: Sweet/Clean
Reviewer: AprilR

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mail-order bride stories are some of my most favorite to read, and Ms. Woolf never fails to write a great one! Her characters are very interesting, and the plot is always unexpected. Victoria is a governess who is attacked by her friend's husband and subsequently finds herself pregnant. Her employer is a kind man but his wife is a cruel woman and she believes the baby is his. To protect the young woman, the gentleman helps to arrange for her to become a mail-order bride to a rancher out west who lost his wife and needs a mother for his young daughter. While it seems that the plot may start out as a typical mail-order bride story, the rest is anything but. If you decide to read this book, I promise you will find it to be a most interesting and enjoyable read.

[Phyllis Rundell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cynthia Raye has penned a beautiful mail order bride story of hardship, danger, evil, romance, love and a HEA. This is Victoria and Andrew's story, and the character development is excellent. Victoria, after finding herself pregnant after being attacked by a friend's husband, is forced to flee her job as a governess due to her employer's jealous and wicked wife. She travels West and marries Andrew who has a small child of his own but evil follows her. This is a real page turner and once started, you will want to continue turning those pages to see what happens next. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice quick read. Victoria has been violated and now her employer's wife is after her. The woman thinks that the baby Victoria is carrying his her husband's. He is a very kind man and helps Victoria get away. She goes out west to marry a man she doesn't even know to get away. She is hoping that once he finds out she is having a baby that he will not throw them out of the house. Victoria comes to love Andrew and his daughter and can only hope he will let her stay once he knows the truth. When the wife comes after her, Victoria is forced to tell Andrew her secrets. Will he kick her out? Will he protect her? Will he ever love her?

[Melinda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Husband for Victoria by Cynthia Wool is book 1 of Brides of Golden City. It is set in the 1870's. It is the story of Victoria Coleman as she becomes a mail-order bride with good reason and the story of meeting her future husband and traveling to Golden City. It has romance, mystery, adventure and the problem of a person wanting to harm Victoria.This is the first book of Cynthia Woolf's new series but does well as a stand alone. Cynthia Woolf continues to write books and series that I look forward to and this does not disappoint. Now I have to wait for the next book.

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

[Mary Willard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cynthia Woolf has produced another heart-warning western bride tale, not without trials and drama. Victoria flees her circumstances in New York and heads west, looking for a better life. She endears herself to everyone she meets, hoping for the love of her husband. When troubles from New York come her way, not only the ranch hands but the entire town rally around her and as her husband realizes he could lose her, he also realizes his feelings for her. What I particularly liked about this book was the aftermath in the epilogue. It was really nice to have a glimpse of the happily ever after, not just imagine it.
Well done Cynthia. Look forward to the next Golden bride. David is lonely!

[Stephanie Herron · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read that is well written and has characters that are engaging. Victoria flees to Colorado to be a wife to Andrew and mother to Susannah. Andrew lost his wife in childbirth and needs help raising Suse. Victoria was a governess until she became pregnant and her employers wife, Mildred, became obsessed thinking it was her husband's David's child. David helps Victoria flee. Just as she starts settling into her life there, Mildred finds her. There is a happy ending but how it gets there needs to be found out by the reader

[Sherry Westendorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victoria's employers are polar opposites married to one another. The wife does not believe Victoria's baby is not her husband's. She had something bad happen and that is where the baby came from. She leaves to be a mail order bride and finds a nice man. One who has problems of his own for past happenings. Well her ex nasty female employer follows her to where she goes. She just doesn't believe Victoria. A well written enjoyable, exciting, suspenseful read. I received a review copy and voluntarily review it.

[Vicki Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another winner by Cynthia Woolf and I would highly recommend this clean, "sweet" romance (with a wicked woman). This story is full of feelings with very diverse characters and a storyline that grabbed my attention and kept me reading to the wee hours of the morning. It was interesting to watch how the story played out for each of the main characters, both good and bad. I think that Ms. Woolf went up a notch, IMO, when she created this story.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book and this is my personal and honest opinion.
VICKI FROM WYOMING

[Amanda Marlowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Victoria has to leave her governess post as she was raped and is now pregnant. She goes west as a mail order bride, but hides the fact that she's pregnant from her new husband, Andrew, who lost his wife in childbirth.
Her previous mistress is bent on revenge, because she thinks her husband is the father of Victoria's baby.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

A good suspense novel from Cynthia.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have yet to meet a Cynthia Woolf book I didn’t like and this one is no exception. Victoria and Andrew are two good people brought together by bad circumstances. Victoria’s big lie is understandable but Andrew has a hard time with it. Victoria is fortunate to have two honorable men in her life, her employer, David, and her husband, Andrew. This book is unusual in having a female villain and she earns the description of villain. I enjoyed this book.

[Nethanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victoria needs to run to save her and her unborn child’s life. The best thing to do is become a mail order bride. Andrew lost his wife and needs help for his little daughter Suse . Can Victoria make her husband to love her before her secret comes out? And when the person who wants her dead shows up, can Andrew keep his wife safe?
Entertaining story, very likable characters specially the adorable little Suse.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Husband for Victoria is the first book in Cynthia Woolf’s new series. Victoria is a governess for a little girl in a prominent family in New York. She must escape after being accused by her employer’s wife. The story is well paced and the characters are interesting. The dialogue and scene descriptions made me feel I was there! Victoria got her happily ever after in this sweet historical romance. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading historical romance novels, especially the mail order brides. This story draws you in from the beginning. Victoria is employed as a governess in New York City, but the mother of the child is evil. In trying to get away from her, Victoria chooses to head west as a mail order bride. Excellent story that I didn’t want to put down.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victoria is attacked and becomes pregnant her employers wife believes her husband is the father and Victoria fears for her life and her baby’s. She becomes a mail order bride. This is the very basic beginning to a wonderfully written suspenseful romantic story I just couldn’t put down. I was given this and I voluntarily leave this review.

[David Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free advance review copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review. What a great start to a new series. This was a page turner. Fans of mail order bride books will not be disappointed. Victoria is hunted down by a mad woman, but is forewarned that she is on her way and gets ready to confront her. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging, loveable characters, (well except Mrs. Thomas), who you can’t help but cheer n care for. Victoria n Andrew work together, especially through each of their past life experiences n strengthening n by example for Suse n her future siblings.
I hope David finds a true love in his n Margie’s future to go along with their new home n land!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this author!

I have fallen in love with Cynthia Woolf’s western series. They are believable. So many people have hard knocks in life and just feel sorry for themselves and some keep striving for something better. Victoria finds a better life for herself while be trailed by a crazy woman that wanted her dead. Ready for the next book. Jo

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Victoria is given no options but to go out west to marry a rancher who has a young daughter, when her boss’s wife thinks she is carrying his baby. The situation is nothing like that. Even moving that far does not keep the threat of his wife away from her. In the end Victoria finds herself happily married five years and four kids later

[Charmaine Nouwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Husband for Victoria by Cynthia Woolf is a wonderful read. captivating,sweet and emotional filled with excitement,danger and romance that will captivate you and put you on edge while reading,great book to start the series,well done! I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a feel good story about a lady who after being raped by her best friends husband goes west as a mail order bride to make a new life. It speaks to 2nd chances and finding a good man who not only accepts and loves her child as her on but loves her and gives her the family she’s always wanted.

[Natalie F · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay

I normally really love this author but this wasn’t my favorite. I really like her writing but I wish she would start switching up the storylines. The plots are always similar. I paid to read a book I’ve pretty much read many times before