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Widows, Brides, and Secret Babies #17
Mail Order Lorena
Trusting the acceptable wrong man led to the ruin of her life and self-respect.
Can trusting the unacceptable right man return to her what was lost?
The man who promised to provide and protect left Lorena Mayfield to do the providing and protecting. She went from being the daughter of a respected Little Rock, Arkansas clergyman and widow of a fallen Confederate officer to living a “fate worse than death.” Is there a way to escape the life in which she finds herself trapped and still protect the only person left to her she dearly loves?
Eustace Cantrell lost his Georgia home, his livelihood, and his family during the American Civil War. To make matters worse, he fought for the losing side. First hired as a low-paid stock tender for the Butterfield Overland Despatch stagecoach company, he now has a chance at managing his own station. His dilemma is, Ellsworth Station in Kansas is a home station. It is to be run by a family, not by a single, hardened combat veteran who feels nothing for anyone, least of all himself.
Lorena needs protection from her late husband’s family so she can reclaim her own. Eustace needs restoration of his soul. Can each of them escape their pasts and together find their future?
Please look for my other two books in the Widows, Brides & Secret Babies series, Mail Order Roslyn (available now) and Mail Order Penelope (available August 14, 2020). Although each story is written as a stand-alone book, the three stories are related. Part or all of them involve the stagecoaches and stations on the Kansas frontier in 1865 through 1867.
Can trusting the unacceptable right man return to her what was lost?
The man who promised to provide and protect left Lorena Mayfield to do the providing and protecting. She went from being the daughter of a respected Little Rock, Arkansas clergyman and widow of a fallen Confederate officer to living a “fate worse than death.” Is there a way to escape the life in which she finds herself trapped and still protect the only person left to her she dearly loves?
Eustace Cantrell lost his Georgia home, his livelihood, and his family during the American Civil War. To make matters worse, he fought for the losing side. First hired as a low-paid stock tender for the Butterfield Overland Despatch stagecoach company, he now has a chance at managing his own station. His dilemma is, Ellsworth Station in Kansas is a home station. It is to be run by a family, not by a single, hardened combat veteran who feels nothing for anyone, least of all himself.
Lorena needs protection from her late husband’s family so she can reclaim her own. Eustace needs restoration of his soul. Can each of them escape their pasts and together find their future?
Please look for my other two books in the Widows, Brides & Secret Babies series, Mail Order Roslyn (available now) and Mail Order Penelope (available August 14, 2020). Although each story is written as a stand-alone book, the three stories are related. Part or all of them involve the stagecoaches and stations on the Kansas frontier in 1865 through 1867.
- GenresRomance
219 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2020
167 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Zina Abbott
82 books126 followersZina Abbott is the pen name used by Robyn Echols for her historical novels. Her novel, Family Secrets, was published by Fire Star Press in October 2014 and her novelette, A Christmas Promise, was published by Prairie Rose Publications in November 2014. The first two novellas in the Eastern Sierra Brides 1884 series, Big Meadows Valentine and A Resurrected Heart, are now available.
The author currently lives with her husband in California near the “Gateway to Yosemite.” She enjoys family history and any kind of history. When she is not piecing together novel plots, she pieces together quilt blocks.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 6, 2020
A story of how hard life can be and the trials faced after the war for many. The opening pages just about broke my heart for Lorena and what she was pushed into by a terrible man.
But her journey also has hope with a man, Eustace that has lost almost everything but finds a chance to begin anew with a chance with the Butterfield Overland Despatch stagecoach company.
Both of these souls need each other. Eustace needs a wife to be able to run the station and Lorena needs rescuing from the terrible family of her late husband.
Can these two come together and make a life? Another great story with historical detail showing the lives of those left after the war and the hardships they sometimes faced.
When I start to read one of Zina's wonderful stories, I know I will be lost in another time and place for many hours and feel contentment when I turn the last page..
But her journey also has hope with a man, Eustace that has lost almost everything but finds a chance to begin anew with a chance with the Butterfield Overland Despatch stagecoach company.
Both of these souls need each other. Eustace needs a wife to be able to run the station and Lorena needs rescuing from the terrible family of her late husband.
Can these two come together and make a life? Another great story with historical detail showing the lives of those left after the war and the hardships they sometimes faced.
When I start to read one of Zina's wonderful stories, I know I will be lost in another time and place for many hours and feel contentment when I turn the last page..
July 7, 2020
Just finished this book. I loved it! I love every book I have read by this Author and I was not disappointed. The attention to detail and the definition of her characters is amazing. The book tells the story not only of Eustace and Lorena, but of the Stage Coach Lines of the west, it depicts women that have been forced into the life of a Soiled Dove and how they deal with the life they have. It tells a story of life after the Civil War and the adjustments those that survived had to make in order to live their lives differently than they had prior to the war.
This book is rich in history and beautifully written.
This book is rich in history and beautifully written.
August 4, 2020
Mail order Lorena
I really enjoyed this story. It really tells of how people had to endure such hardships after the civil war. Husbands were killed, widows with no way to earn money. It was a really hard and sad time. Lorena’s husband died, then she lived with her father in the parishioner’s home. He died then she was supposed to leave there and stay with her sister. Then Timothy arrived at her door and it was the beginning of more heart ache for her. This story well worth reading. Enjoy.
I really enjoyed this story. It really tells of how people had to endure such hardships after the civil war. Husbands were killed, widows with no way to earn money. It was a really hard and sad time. Lorena’s husband died, then she lived with her father in the parishioner’s home. He died then she was supposed to leave there and stay with her sister. Then Timothy arrived at her door and it was the beginning of more heart ache for her. This story well worth reading. Enjoy.
July 3, 2020
This is a heart warming but heart wrenching story with excellent character development. This is Lorena Mayfield and Eustace Campbell's story. The story involves bad choices, widowhood for Lorena as a result of the Civil War, death of her father, suffering, prostitution, escape, a new job for Eustace requiring a family that resulted in him seeking a mail order bride, along with secrets and some surprises. Will the couple ever reach a HEA. Be sure to read this story to find out. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. It is a real page turner so once you start plan to keep reading until you have finished it.
July 4, 2020
This Missouri setting historical romance touches the heart and tells story of a widow suffering at the hands of a despicable man. Zina Abbott's historical stories are based on research and conditions of her setting. Her descriptive details makes the story come alive. Lorena loosing her husband and pastor father, made her vulnerable and maybe being sheltered gullible. Believable characters, descriptive setting, secrets, suffering, twist and turn plot with a satisfying resolution - even if not the Happily Ever After of modern romances.
July 9, 2020
This is an OK mail-order bride romance, with mostly likable characters, but I did have a few issues with it. It gets 2.5 stars from me, rounded up to 3 stars.
First, it was just too short to have enough character development. I wanted more backstory on both Lorena and Eustace.
I had trouble liking Eustace, especially at first. He was angry about how the Confederates lost the Civil War, and how his family home/livelihood was destroyed. While that is understandable, I never got the sense that he understood it was wrong for his family to own slaves -- it seemed he was perfectly OK with that, since it had helped his family for so long. I also had a problem with his willingness to pay for Lorena's "services", even though he already knew that she didn't want to do that kind of work. He did get a lot better as the story went on, and I loved that he saved her from that fate -- but I had a hard time forgetting his behavior from the first of the book.
I liked Lorena, and thought what happened to her was really sad. I did think, though, that she needed to stand up for herself a little more. Seemed to me like she gave in to what happened to her a little too easily. I get that she was afraid for her family, but I still think she should have fought harder against the saloon owner's threats.
This is a clean romance, with nothing but kisses. If you only want to read romances that do not include sex scenes, this one might work for you.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
First, it was just too short to have enough character development. I wanted more backstory on both Lorena and Eustace.
I had trouble liking Eustace, especially at first. He was angry about how the Confederates lost the Civil War, and how his family home/livelihood was destroyed. While that is understandable, I never got the sense that he understood it was wrong for his family to own slaves -- it seemed he was perfectly OK with that, since it had helped his family for so long. I also had a problem with his willingness to pay for Lorena's "services", even though he already knew that she didn't want to do that kind of work. He did get a lot better as the story went on, and I loved that he saved her from that fate -- but I had a hard time forgetting his behavior from the first of the book.
I liked Lorena, and thought what happened to her was really sad. I did think, though, that she needed to stand up for herself a little more. Seemed to me like she gave in to what happened to her a little too easily. I get that she was afraid for her family, but I still think she should have fought harder against the saloon owner's threats.
This is a clean romance, with nothing but kisses. If you only want to read romances that do not include sex scenes, this one might work for you.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
July 11, 2020
Eustace and Lorena
This is a sweet mail order bride of sorts written by Zina Abbott. She has done an exceptional job with the plot and the characters in this story. Things don’t always go as they usually do so your interest is never dropped. She has lots of excitement and adventure for you too. Lorena, a preacher’s daughter, is widowed by the war. She is blackmailed into a life of sin by her evil step brother-in-law. She is widowed again and left to be turned into a would’ve soiled dove and then rescued by Eustace. You will enjoy discovering how Eustace and Lorena find their happily ever after.
This is a sweet mail order bride of sorts written by Zina Abbott. She has done an exceptional job with the plot and the characters in this story. Things don’t always go as they usually do so your interest is never dropped. She has lots of excitement and adventure for you too. Lorena, a preacher’s daughter, is widowed by the war. She is blackmailed into a life of sin by her evil step brother-in-law. She is widowed again and left to be turned into a would’ve soiled dove and then rescued by Eustace. You will enjoy discovering how Eustace and Lorena find their happily ever after.
October 10, 2021
Entertaining enough if you are looking for something simple and predictable. And I was. Lots of abrupt twists and turns, but everything works out in the end, sugar. The more I think about this one, I realize there is a message in the story. You shouldn't be held responsible for bad acts beyond your control no matter how wrapped up in them you seem to be. Lorena had no choice in the bad things that happened to her but she did the best she could, and she maintained her dignity. Eustace was a product of his times and the best possible gentleman he could be. He was a good guy and I think other reviewers have judged him too harshly.
July 23, 2020
Really liked it especially the history tidbits at the end.
Eustice - from Georgia was in civil war, stock tender for the B.O.D.
Lorena- widow , her brother in law took advantage of in many ways.
I enjoyed reading this intriguing story that is well written with charismatic characters. Their story has a satisfying HEA !
Eustice - from Georgia was in civil war, stock tender for the B.O.D.
Lorena- widow , her brother in law took advantage of in many ways.
I enjoyed reading this intriguing story that is well written with charismatic characters. Their story has a satisfying HEA !
September 8, 2020
This was a great story. Eustace is an upstanding gentleman. He is the perfect person to help and then love Lorena. Lorena had the worst luck. Yo loose her husband to the war then her father to his health was bad enough. But to also get put into the situation she did with her brother-in-law was just down right horrible. That time period was not a place for women at all.
February 10, 2022
Good story
I appreciate the research done by Author Zina Abbott to make this fiction work as real as possible. Women were often treated as little more than slaves in the 1800's and we still fight sex trafficking today. Excellent portrayal of the situation fact ng many of the widows from that time period.
I appreciate the research done by Author Zina Abbott to make this fiction work as real as possible. Women were often treated as little more than slaves in the 1800's and we still fight sex trafficking today. Excellent portrayal of the situation fact ng many of the widows from that time period.
July 16, 2020
Involved
This is an extremely involved story following the Civil War of a widow who is abused by her brother in law and left to survive on her own. Through the kindness of three fancy ladies and a Southern gentleman, she is able to make her way.
This is an extremely involved story following the Civil War of a widow who is abused by her brother in law and left to survive on her own. Through the kindness of three fancy ladies and a Southern gentleman, she is able to make her way.
July 16, 2020
Well written
I really enjoyed this book. I love that it referenced characters that had been introduced in a previous book. It was lovely reading about what was happening behind the scenes of the first book
I really enjoyed this book. I love that it referenced characters that had been introduced in a previous book. It was lovely reading about what was happening behind the scenes of the first book
July 23, 2020
Good book.
This book was well written. I really enjoyed the inclusion of the historical facts at the end of the book. The author really put research to use in writing this historical fiction. Worth the read.
This book was well written. I really enjoyed the inclusion of the historical facts at the end of the book. The author really put research to use in writing this historical fiction. Worth the read.
July 29, 2020
Safe the lady
When she seen him she did know him.He was her deceased husband half brother. She wished she had never open the door .Read to find out all the pain he would put her throught.
When she seen him she did know him.He was her deceased husband half brother. She wished she had never open the door .Read to find out all the pain he would put her throught.
August 14, 2020
Excellent reading!
Once again, Zina Abbott skillfully weaves into this book interesting factual history while telling the story of Lorena and Eustace. Sweet tale of a young widow and soldier at the end of Civil War. Very interesting!
Once again, Zina Abbott skillfully weaves into this book interesting factual history while telling the story of Lorena and Eustace. Sweet tale of a young widow and soldier at the end of Civil War. Very interesting!
July 8, 2020
A must read!
A surprisingly strong story! The depth of detail for both the storyline and characters made this one of the best books I've read in awhile.
A surprisingly strong story! The depth of detail for both the storyline and characters made this one of the best books I've read in awhile.
July 19, 2020
A little long, but it was good and also brought a few characters from her prior book in this series. This book got a 4 star rating from me.
February 16, 2021
A great story (despite quite a quantity of tedious detail).
June 19, 2022
Loved the Prequel and this
It was great Inrnertwinning the stories both were favorites of mine in this series! So much detail and creative story lines thank you.
It was great Inrnertwinning the stories both were favorites of mine in this series! So much detail and creative story lines thank you.
July 9, 2020
Wonderful book...loved it.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews