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Salvation for the Wounded Hearts

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Clara had always imagined a blissful future for herself. Her road ahead is forever changed, though, when her beloved husband is killed in a disastrous robbery. As if that wasn’t enough, she will soon have to face another horrible truth: the fact that he was living a double life as a vicious criminal. Grappling with loneliness, as well as the upbringing of her disabled son, she feels completely desolated. Under the pressure of everyone treating her as an outcast, Clara will have to make a bold decision: travel west to become a mail order bride. Will leaving for the unknown help her escape misery?




Andrew never got over the terrible loss of his dearest wife. Spiraling into despair over the last three years, he leads a sheltered life in a ranch in Texas, along with his only son. When his best friend realizes that Andrew has completely given up on himself and his child, he is determined to take matters into his own hands: behind his back, he answers a Mail Order bride ad for a widow with an only son. Will Andrew reject this secretly taken initiative or will he seize this opportunity and finally leave the sorrowful events behind?




With Clara’s arrival in Texas, they will quickly realise they share something common: their hearts are both shattered in million pieces. Will they be able to work through their critical differences and let their trauma go? Or will they never manage to get away from their wounded past?




"Salvation for the Wounded Hearts" is a historical western romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

485 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2020

462 people are currently reading
43 people want to read

About the author

Lorelei Brogan

127 books53 followers
Lorelei Brogan was born and raised in Idaho where she currently lives with her husband.

While sitting in her graduate school apartment, studying Rock science, Lorelei decided to set aside her notes and try her hand at romance.

At the same time, she used to write articles for a local newspaper under a pseudonym, and this made her wonder if she could write something besides news -- about something she really loved. At the age of 40 she managed to make her dream come true.

She has a great family and 4 sons that she adores. She is extremely proud of them, and so are they. They really admire her work, and support her in every step of her life.Her oldest son, who deeply loves her, says Lorelei’s novels make him travel to a different world.

In her spare time, she loves cooking and volunteering at her local elderly care home. She also adores traveling with her husband. Their dream is to travel all over the world, with Asia being at the top of her “bucket list”.

Lorelei loves to connect with her readers!

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5 stars
124 (62%)
4 stars
54 (27%)
3 stars
15 (7%)
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3 (1%)
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3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Heart DeCoupeville.
286 reviews
knots-and-crosses
July 20, 2022
Oh, my goodness. Real books don't have triple-spaced block paragraphs, do they? This was impossible to read on my Kindle.
9,376 reviews140 followers
March 1, 2020
This is a well written historical western romance between two emotionally wounded souls in Andrew and Clara. The author brings a heartfelt story filled with twists and turns and delivers a realistic read dealing with heartbreak and how people handle the handicap. She brings descriptive and detailed scenes and moves the story fluidly. I enjoyed and recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Profile Image for Sheree K.
172 reviews5 followers
March 4, 2020
Healing takes time

Clara had a difficult life. Her son was disabled having one leg shorter than the other and was bullied at school. Her husband paid no attention to the child and liked to drink. She was concerned about him bringing home "extra money"; where did it come from? When she was advised that he had been killed in a botched robbery, she learned he was a bandit and had been for years. She was blamed as being an accomplice. She needed a job but was being shunned. She then answered an ad for a mail order bride.

Andrew had lost his wife in a house fire 2 yrs ago. In his grief he was neglecting his ranch and his son. His bestfriend, Tyler, approached him again about moving on with his life; but Andrew didn't want to hear it. So, Tyler placed an ad in Andrew's name for a bride.

Clara began writing back and forth with "Andrew" and he supposedly sent her train fare to Texas. She was nervous when she arrived but Tyler picked them up and took her to Tyler's cabin. When he returned with Andrew, something was wrong...

Andrew was livid with Tyler for deceiving Clara but he told her he would keep Tyler's word and marry her. Will he be able to let go of his grief to accept Clara? There were secrets kept on both sides. What will happen when they come out?

Clara's brother-in-law had made a promise to his dying brother regarding his son. Will Darius keep his promise and try to find Clara?

This was a very good story that you will enjoy. It would have been even better with editing. Several wrong words used and missing letters or words.There were awkward phrases used twice that detracted from the reading.

There is an extended epilogue that takes place in 6 months to end the story. It would be nice to have a follow up story about Tyler and his new wife. I received an ARC from the author and this is my voluntary review.
435 reviews6 followers
March 8, 2020
Clara’s husband, Mark, was killed committing a crime. The townsfolk shunned her and considered her a criminal too. They were taking their anger about the robberies on both her and her son, Tommy. When even her father doubted her innocence, she felt shattered.

Andrew’s wife, Clara, had died, leaving him to raise his son, Kevin, alone. He was in the fire that took her. He withdrew from his son and the townsfolk.
Andrew’s friend, Tyler, sent for a mail-order bride for Andrew. Clara, having no other options, journeyed out to wed Andrew. Two wounded hearts, just trying to get through the days and weeks ahead.

Darius, Mark’s outlaw brother, kidnapped Tommy, to fulfill his brother’s wish for Darius to raise him.

Herein lies the tale. A child is missing. What will a grieving mother and a new stepfather do? Will they self-destruct if they cannot recover the child? Will they all learn to love one another?

Read the book and find out where the story goes from here.

An ARC copy.
Profile Image for Kaye.
7,177 reviews71 followers
February 29, 2020
ONE IMPRESSIVE ADVENTURE!!!
Thrilling! Lorelei unleashes this brilliant approach for one action packed hard hitting, pulse racing, heart pounding, adrenaline pumping, page flipping delight, revving up the escapades and wreaking havoc, blasting this baby into a hissy with a life altering culmination. Add drama, turmoil, betrayal, mounting suspense and unexpected situations along with a boatload of secrets while dodging anarchy, you have one mind-blowing adventure. Twixt and twinned and intermingled, along with a slew of astonishing twists and shocking turns, rolling with the current and breaking waves. The characters are complex and realistic with qualities and traits that transform into outstanding personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions, as to give you a full understanding and realism that balance and blend smoothly. Remarkable job Lorelei, thanks for sharing this bad boy with us.
Profile Image for Cindy C..
1,142 reviews14 followers
March 3, 2020
Salvation for the Wounded Hearts is one of those books that you can't put down from start to finish! Lorelei Brogan weaves a story that will hold you spellbound, with a magnificent cast of characters who are believable  and easy to relate to, who will steal your heart. After the death of Andrew's wife, he doesn't want to let another into his heart. Andrew's best friend decides to take matters into his own hands and sends for a Mail Order bride and her son. Clara just lost her husband and finds out he was an outlaw is looking for a new life. When Andrew meets Clara he is anything but pleased but decides to honor the offer to marry Clara that his friend has committed him to. It's a sweet romance with drama, turmoil, heartache and letting the past go and catching up to a villain before it's to late. This story has a way of grabbing you the first few pages and then you can't put the book down until the end.
4,720 reviews41 followers
March 9, 2020
Excellent writing.
Being a mail-order bride would be bad enough but to be a widow of a criminal and the mother of a disabled child would be a hard road to journey. Would her future husband accept her child what about her past? Then there is another problem the man you are going to Texas to marry has no idea because a friend is setting it up. Where I can understand the friend just trying to help but there are more than just his friend involved. This is Clara's life now married but not really wanted. This book shows how hard it is to have a blended family it is very clear the emotions that each character is feeling. Then you add in the touch of danger and you have a very good book. I enjoyed the tale it made me sad and hopeful at the same time excellent writing. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Teresa Bertolio.
638 reviews9 followers
March 11, 2020
Beautiful Western Mail Order Bride

What would you do if your husband died leaving you a young widow with a 5 yr old son? Clara has to decide. On the day her husband dies she finds out he was a criminal. Is she safe? Will the townsfolk retaliate and hurt her and her son? Should she head to Texas ti become a mail order bride? Tyler thinks his best friend Andrew needs a new wife. He places an add for a mail order bride for Andrew. Tyler feels Kevin needs a mother as well as Andrew needs a wife. Will he be able to find someone? Find out what happens in this fantastic mail order bride book. Wonderful characters and a story that brings you right there alongside them in the beautiful Texas Frontier. I highly recommend this story filled with love, forgiveness, compassion, and second chances. Happy Reading!
668 reviews
October 16, 2020
Clara and Andrew

Tyler is worried about his best friend. Andrew has not been the same ever since the fire that took his wife Laura, but he knows that their son Kevin needs a father and a mother. He broaches the subject with Andrew only to be told he isn't ready as he suspected he would say. So Tyler being such a good friend decides to advertise for a mail order bride! Clara is in a pickle. Her husband Mark, she has just been told, by the Sheriff, is dead. To make matters even worse, he tells her he was a criminal and shot while trying to hold up the bank! What will she do now? How will she be able to care for her son? How will the town receive them? What happens when Clara shows up with her son Tommy to be Andrew's bride? So much happens you just have to read this great story by Lorelei Brogan to find out!
Profile Image for Dotty.
768 reviews
April 17, 2022
Clara has a disables son and unbeknown to her a husband who is a criminal. Her husband is killed in a bank robbery. The town starts to shun her. She has no way to support her because everyone thinks she knew what her husband had been doing. Its bad even when your own parents questions your honesty. She decides to become a mail order bride.
Andrew has a son and his wife had died a couple of years earlier in a fire. Tyler felt he needed a wife to pull him back to life and help him be the father his son needs and wants. Tyler places a mail order bride ad which Clara answers. Tyler sends her the money to come out west. When she arrives he then tells Andrew what he has done and that she expects Andrew to marry her.
Can Andrew marry her and become the man he once was? Can he come to care for Clara and her son? Grab the book it's a wonderful book.
353 reviews2 followers
March 8, 2020
Format: Kindle Edition
Salvation for the wounded heart
Oh, my this book was an adventure.
I was hooked from the first page.

There is so much happens, in this book.
Double life living dead husband, and a disabled child to raise, leave Clara desperate to find a solution.
What other life is there for a alone woman of the time.
An offer of a mail order bride future, seems the only solution.

Andrew is a man, who is still grieving for the loss of his wife, left with a child to raise.
will he love the woman that arrives in his life..
This book opened many topics from that time.
The characters are realistic and believable.
It really is a good read.

I will be reading more books by this author.
One person found this
5,415 reviews67 followers
March 8, 2020
Salvation for the Wounded Hearts A Historical Western Romance Book

Lorelei has written another great story about love healing broken hearts and forgiveness of others and self .The plot is good and the characters are very realistic.Clara is a new widow that finds out her husband is dead in the process of a robbery so she becomes a mail order bride with her son and Andrew a man that list his wife to a fire that left him with a son and a limp This couple has some times that they survive and they find love with each other and become a happy living family.The extended epilogue is very good and this is a great enjoyable story
1,463 reviews23 followers
March 25, 2020
Wonderful story of growing into love

I received an ARC of this book from the author, Lorelei Brogan, and this is my voluntary and honest review. I loved this book. It is a wonderful story of Clara and Andrew growing into love over time after they were married. Both their spouses died untimely and tragic deaths and their marriage of convenience gave each of their sons stability and the chance at a real family. I enjoyed the exciting drama of Clara ' s son, Tommy, being kidnapped and the chase of finding and returning the boy to his home. I love books with a HEA and this one doesn't disappoint. I highly recommend this book.
2,621 reviews16 followers
April 10, 2020
Andrew and Clara

This is a sad, yet sweet and loving mail order bride story written by Lorelei Brogan. She has done and excellent job with the plot w the characters. Andrew lost his wife in a terrible fire. It left him with a crippled leg and terrible sorrow and guilt. Clara has discovered her husband was a thief. when he and several other men robbed their local bank and caused his death. With little other choice she and her crippled son go to Texas as a mail order bride for Andrew. His good friend, Tyler send for Clara not telling Andrew. The fireworks, the tears and anger fly upon Clara's arrival. You will enjoy discovering Andrew and Clara's happily ever after.
Profile Image for Sherry Westendorf.
4,603 reviews22 followers
March 5, 2020
To have a son to raise and then when your husband is killed finding out he isn't who you thought. And if that isn't bad enough the town acts like it is your fault. It changes you and caused so much hurt. To start over you become a mail order bride. He lost his wife which changed him and caused him so much hurt too. Only he didn't write for MAIL order bride his friend did. Can these two come together and heal and find the love they are seeking? I received a review copy and voluntarily review it.
484 reviews1 follower
March 15, 2020
Great Read

This was an exciting book from the beginning. The young widow Clara’s husband was killed during a robbery. He was not good to her & their cripple son. The town thought she was a part of her husband’s crime so she had to leave & go west. She met Andrew who was also living a life of despair after losing his wife in a fire. He was not paying his young son enough attention.Andrew’s best friend sent for a mail-order-bride for Andrew. They go through heart ache & her son’s kidnapping which began a new life for them. Every page is exciting. Recommend it highly.
Profile Image for Tracy Sylvester.
1,022 reviews9 followers
March 31, 2020
Clara's life isn't the easiest. She works hard from sun up to sun down on her small farm that she shares with her husband and young son who suffers a disability. Clara's world falls apart when she finds her husband had been killed and she was told he was a bank robber. The town becomes unbearable to live in and people started to shun her. The only thing she feels she can do is head to Texas and meet Andrew through a mail order bride advertisement. You'll enjoy this feel good story about healing hearts and overcoming adversity.
457 reviews1 follower
June 5, 2020
There is a 2nd chance at happiness

Clara was a wonderful loving mother to Tommy. Mark was no longer the man he acted like when they wed. When he is involved in a crime and gets killed she is shunned by her whole town even though she was innocent. An ad about a rancher needing a wife is in the want ads she decides to give it a try. Taking her son out of a town of heartache they move to Texas to start over. This book is hard to put down. Action packed and a lot of changes for a new family. Loved it
299 reviews
August 31, 2020
Very Emotional Story

Clara's husband was killed robbing a bank in their town. Even though she knew nothing of his criminal activities, she and her disabled son, Tommy, became outcasts. Andrew had lost his beloved wife in a fire, and had become disabled himself. In his grief he had withdrawn from society and his son, Kevin. Andrew's friend, Tyler, decided that Andrew needed a wife Ann mother for Kevin. So he sent for Clara as a mail-order bride for Andrew. A heart wrenching story of how they dealt with their pasts and found forgiveness. A wonderful read.
1,932 reviews5 followers
November 25, 2020
Salvation for the Wounded Hearts

Andrew was a young farmer who lost his wife and left him with their young son Kevin. Clara a young woman who lost her husband in a shootout with the sheriff and he left her with their young son who was born with one leg shorter than the other. Clara answers an ad for a mail order bride and answers it and meets Andrew who did not know he was getting a bride. This was an interesting story on helplessness and how two people over come all the difficulties they had to end up as one happy family. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
4,589 reviews31 followers
February 29, 2020
I always enjoy a book by Lorelei Brogan. Her characters are well done and the story line keeps you reading. In this day of blended families this is a good study of how they can be inspiring and loving. She also touches on the issue of handicaps and how they feel they about them as well has how either society sees them or how they think society sees them. This is a wonderful story of love and acceptance.
1,363 reviews8 followers
March 11, 2020
Quite a wonderful mail order bride romance. Still do not like the extended epilogues since I have to leave my Kindle & download online. As a matter of convenience, why not write one whole story instead of a novel + an epilogue? Surely the novel could be pared down of unnecessary storyline & maintain a 80,000 word goal. Seems to me this is not a normal way to write novels. Just my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Sydnee Walsh.
1,290 reviews32 followers
August 23, 2020
This book was heartfelt. Clara and her son Tommy have a rough home life. Tommy was born with a disability and his father hates it. Andrew has the same disability but he saldo has lost the love of his life. His relationship with his son Kevin is suffering from this deep fog of grief he is in. They have a few bumps to get through but they do. The things that come out of Tommy is just unbelievable for a boy of such a young age.
436 reviews6 followers
March 8, 2020
Mail order bride

Bad things do happen to good people. It was heartbreaking to see how circumstances brought two wonderful people to their knees. It was amazing though how the exact circumstances and a little bit of meddling from a most dear friend could change the course of the lives of two broken souls, which eventually led to happiness.
50 reviews
August 13, 2021
Good Historical Western Romance

Andrew and Clara lost their respective spouses in different circumstances. They both needed to move on with their lives. They both have sons who needed a family. With a little help from Andrew’s friend, Tyler, Clara and Andrew found each other and built a life together.
If you want a simple, sweet, romantic story, this book is a good choice.
7 reviews
July 8, 2024
The book was okay, but I found the writing immature. There was way to much emphasis put on Tommy's and Andrew's legs. There were a lot of errors in spelling, grammer, and even in keeping the names straight. Even Druis was not a believable outlaw.
Profile Image for Jamie Williams.
14 reviews
April 25, 2020
Chances

Second chances are rare but when one presents itself you have gold and make it a good one! I very much enjoyed this book.
265 reviews1 follower
July 30, 2020
Another Masterpiece from Brogan

This is a great story with wonderful characters and lots of action and adventures. The Extended Epilogue still left me wanting more!
63 reviews
August 17, 2020
This was an excellent book. The overcoming of obstacles was encouraging. Tommy’s character was very refreshing.
Profile Image for Glaidene Ramsey.
1,213 reviews1 follower
October 16, 2020
Historical Western Romance

This book was read in the early 2000's
I must have enjoyed the story because I rated it highly. Read and rate it for yourself!!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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