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Western Prairie Brides #1
A Lantern In the Window
Ever wondered what it might be like to be a mail order bride? Or the groom, already married to a woman he’s never laid eyes on?
On the Canadian prairies in 1886, having a mail order romance wasn’t unusual. Noah Ferguson desperately needed help on his farm. Annie Tompkins knew she couldn’t go on working in Lazenby’s cotton mill. So she’d been a little less than honest in her letters, was that really so terrible? It was unforgivable, Noah fumed. He’d wanted an older widow, and Annie was a young virgin. But even that wasn’t the full extent of her lies.
Problem is, Noah hasn’t exactly been straight with Annie, either, and his secret has the power to break Annie’s heart.
Can even a special Christmas gift make their marriage work?
On the Canadian prairies in 1886, having a mail order romance wasn’t unusual. Noah Ferguson desperately needed help on his farm. Annie Tompkins knew she couldn’t go on working in Lazenby’s cotton mill. So she’d been a little less than honest in her letters, was that really so terrible? It was unforgivable, Noah fumed. He’d wanted an older widow, and Annie was a young virgin. But even that wasn’t the full extent of her lies.
Problem is, Noah hasn’t exactly been straight with Annie, either, and his secret has the power to break Annie’s heart.
Can even a special Christmas gift make their marriage work?
Kindle Edition
First published October 12, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
January 22, 2013
This so could have been a 5 ** read but it was way too short and chopped up. There would be one scene of a day spent with these two characters and then the next the story would skip to a hole other season. It was like the movie version of a really good book, all of the meat in the middle cut out.
Annie (h) knew she needed to get her little sister and herself out of the factory that they worked so she answered a mail order bride offer. Sure she may have been less than honest with her new soon to be husband but she really had no choice and he wouldn't know until she arrived and by then they would already be married.
Noah (H) never wanted to get married again, he loved his late wife and baby son with all of his heart but he needed help on the farm and with his invalid father. So he might have been less than honest with the woman he married by proxy but he didn't think too many woman would be lining up for hard work on a farm and to take care of a cantakerous old man.
Noah plans on never falling in love again, he just needs a help mate and someone to warm his bed at night, Annie wants a marriage in every sense of the word. With theses two wanting and expecting two completely different things this book should have been longer, there could have been so much more angst and then as they start to come together , the author could have and should have taken it much slower instead we got a rushed story and a rushed ending. I feel a little frustrated because I enjoyed the author's voice and there wasn't one unlikable character in the whole story, I just feel a little cheated out of what could have been.
Annie (h) knew she needed to get her little sister and herself out of the factory that they worked so she answered a mail order bride offer. Sure she may have been less than honest with her new soon to be husband but she really had no choice and he wouldn't know until she arrived and by then they would already be married.
Noah (H) never wanted to get married again, he loved his late wife and baby son with all of his heart but he needed help on the farm and with his invalid father. So he might have been less than honest with the woman he married by proxy but he didn't think too many woman would be lining up for hard work on a farm and to take care of a cantakerous old man.
Noah plans on never falling in love again, he just needs a help mate and someone to warm his bed at night, Annie wants a marriage in every sense of the word. With theses two wanting and expecting two completely different things this book should have been longer, there could have been so much more angst and then as they start to come together , the author could have and should have taken it much slower instead we got a rushed story and a rushed ending. I feel a little frustrated because I enjoyed the author's voice and there wasn't one unlikable character in the whole story, I just feel a little cheated out of what could have been.
March 29, 2022
This was a very short story, but very good about life on the prairie. Annie a mail order bride. Noah was in need of a wife. They both have deceived each other. What a wonderful story.
June 6, 2019
Well... that was nice...
Life is rarely this simple. Wouldn't it be nice if old hurts were so easily forgotten? Maybe when life is that hard, very little else matters.
Life is rarely this simple. Wouldn't it be nice if old hurts were so easily forgotten? Maybe when life is that hard, very little else matters.
July 11, 2018
Annie wasn't exactly truthful when she answered a mail order bride ad. Noah requested a bride as he was a widower and needed help. He wasn't quite honest with his ad either. Coming to Noah, with little skills to be a farmers wife, she also failed to mention her deaf sister. Noah's sick father is a force to be reckoned with. Can all of them get along and grow to live together? This is the first book in this series and I enjoyed it!
July 1, 2023
Very rushed, 2.5
May 2, 2024
The story itself was good but I felt like the author could have expanded on the story and characters a bit more. It was like they were rushing to finish and I would have been happy to continue reading.
February 23, 2017
I enjoyed this historical romance and would recommend it anyone who likes a romance a little light on the steam.
The characters are well thought out and it's a great plot. Melanie Hasting did a very nice job with the narration.
I received this audiobook for free from the author or narrator in exchange of an honest review.
The characters are well thought out and it's a great plot. Melanie Hasting did a very nice job with the narration.
I received this audiobook for free from the author or narrator in exchange of an honest review.
September 2, 2014
A lovely, heart-warming, relatively short story (Words: 31,217 approximate).
Annie has a hard life behind her, working in a factory, losing her father and mother and determined to care for her sister Beth. When Beth becomes ill, partly due to the harsh conditions, Annie decides that she has to change the course of their future. Honesty brings her no success as a prospective mail-order bride, so she depicts herself as an older widow with a child.
Noah desperately needs help on his remote farm. He still grieves the loss of his wife and their small child, but his father is bedridden after a stroke and he can't take care of the now cranky old man as he should. He reluctantly decides to marry again as a practical solution for both parties.
He is outraged to discover that Annie is a skinny 20 year-old with a sister in tow. Unable to leave them in the freezing conditions at the station and aware that a search for a more suitable wife would take months, he takes them home with great misgiving.
There begins their story. Noah trapped in the past and unwilling to allow anyone into his heart. Annie has to learn about farming and cooking and most importantly how to cope with the emotional detachment of her husband. Although it is a relatively short story, the characters develop and you care about them. They are both good people and deserve happiness together. Noah's father and Beth become soul mates and find acceptance in each other.
There is humour and sadness, grief, friendship and love. A wonderful story that leaves you wishing for more.
Annie has a hard life behind her, working in a factory, losing her father and mother and determined to care for her sister Beth. When Beth becomes ill, partly due to the harsh conditions, Annie decides that she has to change the course of their future. Honesty brings her no success as a prospective mail-order bride, so she depicts herself as an older widow with a child.
Noah desperately needs help on his remote farm. He still grieves the loss of his wife and their small child, but his father is bedridden after a stroke and he can't take care of the now cranky old man as he should. He reluctantly decides to marry again as a practical solution for both parties.
He is outraged to discover that Annie is a skinny 20 year-old with a sister in tow. Unable to leave them in the freezing conditions at the station and aware that a search for a more suitable wife would take months, he takes them home with great misgiving.
There begins their story. Noah trapped in the past and unwilling to allow anyone into his heart. Annie has to learn about farming and cooking and most importantly how to cope with the emotional detachment of her husband. Although it is a relatively short story, the characters develop and you care about them. They are both good people and deserve happiness together. Noah's father and Beth become soul mates and find acceptance in each other.
There is humour and sadness, grief, friendship and love. A wonderful story that leaves you wishing for more.
January 15, 2015
An Awesome Book!
I really enjoyed reading A Lantern In The Wi Dow: Western Prairie Brides, all about Noah Ferguson is a rancher who has lost his wife and son to typhoid fever and is desperately seeking a mail order bride & Annie Tompkins answered the ad, and by proxy married Noah before leaving Boston. So she's been traveling on the train for over four days with her sister Betsy and is anxious to get to Medicine Hat, to meet her new husband. When she steps off the train in the middle of a blowing blizzard, she see's a man that resembles the image of her new husband. Unfortunately the image Noah is looking for is not what steps off the train! The author wrote a very interesting story, and the characters with out a doubt have brought this story to life. It's about two very different people who desperately need to be loved. One needs a wife because ranching is hard. One needs to be needed and needs to have her sister accepted even though she has a handicap, that she never told her new husband about. Read this story it will make you laugh, cry, sigh, shake your head and even cum a bit! It's a wonderful story about two people who,fall in love despite the grueling existence they live and all the hardships that surround them. I hope you enjoy this story, I can't wait to read the second book in this series.
I really enjoyed reading A Lantern In The Wi Dow: Western Prairie Brides, all about Noah Ferguson is a rancher who has lost his wife and son to typhoid fever and is desperately seeking a mail order bride & Annie Tompkins answered the ad, and by proxy married Noah before leaving Boston. So she's been traveling on the train for over four days with her sister Betsy and is anxious to get to Medicine Hat, to meet her new husband. When she steps off the train in the middle of a blowing blizzard, she see's a man that resembles the image of her new husband. Unfortunately the image Noah is looking for is not what steps off the train! The author wrote a very interesting story, and the characters with out a doubt have brought this story to life. It's about two very different people who desperately need to be loved. One needs a wife because ranching is hard. One needs to be needed and needs to have her sister accepted even though she has a handicap, that she never told her new husband about. Read this story it will make you laugh, cry, sigh, shake your head and even cum a bit! It's a wonderful story about two people who,fall in love despite the grueling existence they live and all the hardships that surround them. I hope you enjoy this story, I can't wait to read the second book in this series.
October 17, 2013
Synopsis: "Ever wondered what it might be like to be a mail order bride? Or the groom, already married to a woman he’s never laid eyes on?
On the Canadian prairies in 1886, having a mail order romance wasn’t unusual. Noah Ferguson desperately needed help on his farm. Annie Tompkins knew she couldn’t go on working in Lazenby’s cotton mill. So she’d been a little less than honest in her letters, was that really so terrible? It was unforgivable, Noah fumed. He’d wanted an older widow, and Annie was a young virgin. But even that wasn’t the full extent of her lies.
Problem is, Noah hasn’t exactly been straight with Annie, either, and his secret has the power to break Annie’s heart.
Can even a special Christmas gift make their marriage work?"
My Review: This was a lovely short read for the holiday season. I enjoyed the characters, particularly Bets and Zachary. The story is a simple one and kind of predictable but it still keeps you reading. A couple of the elements were a little hard to believe, like being able to survive for 12 hours in a blizzard in Canada. Again with that said it was still a lovely story that can be read in a sitting or two.
On the Canadian prairies in 1886, having a mail order romance wasn’t unusual. Noah Ferguson desperately needed help on his farm. Annie Tompkins knew she couldn’t go on working in Lazenby’s cotton mill. So she’d been a little less than honest in her letters, was that really so terrible? It was unforgivable, Noah fumed. He’d wanted an older widow, and Annie was a young virgin. But even that wasn’t the full extent of her lies.
Problem is, Noah hasn’t exactly been straight with Annie, either, and his secret has the power to break Annie’s heart.
Can even a special Christmas gift make their marriage work?"
My Review: This was a lovely short read for the holiday season. I enjoyed the characters, particularly Bets and Zachary. The story is a simple one and kind of predictable but it still keeps you reading. A couple of the elements were a little hard to believe, like being able to survive for 12 hours in a blizzard in Canada. Again with that said it was still a lovely story that can be read in a sitting or two.
July 31, 2013
Instead of a book this could have been just called an incident. I thought it was going to be interesting at first because it was about a woman who goes to Canada as a mail order bride. Canada seemed a little more interesting than say Colorado or Nevada. It was pretty much over before it began and it was very predictable. You felt early on what would eventually happen and of course it did. The book was too short and then when it was 85% finished it flipped to a preview of his next book so I felt I didn't get my moneys worth.
December 29, 2014
This was an easy read that was set in 1886 Canada about a mail order bride. It was short enough that I read it in one sitting.
The characters were all very likable and well developed. In this book you will find humor, sadness, happiness, grief and love. It's a feel good story with a happy ending.
I would have liked this story to be longer as I wanted to know more about the characters. There is a second book in this series that I plan on reading.
If you are a fan of historical romances, this is heart warming read that I would recommend!
The characters were all very likable and well developed. In this book you will find humor, sadness, happiness, grief and love. It's a feel good story with a happy ending.
I would have liked this story to be longer as I wanted to know more about the characters. There is a second book in this series that I plan on reading.
If you are a fan of historical romances, this is heart warming read that I would recommend!
December 29, 2014
Enjoyable read.
I finished the book today and enjoyed it. It's amazing how people lived long ago. Times were hard but, they Learned and made the best of it. This was my first read of a Bobby Hutchinson book. I will now read the second book in this series. Hop I enjoy it as much.
I finished the book today and enjoyed it. It's amazing how people lived long ago. Times were hard but, they Learned and made the best of it. This was my first read of a Bobby Hutchinson book. I will now read the second book in this series. Hop I enjoy it as much.
February 18, 2013
A poorly executed novella. It plainly told a story in the most boring way possible.
December 22, 2013
2 and 1/2 stars, really--this was a nice story, even if it was a bit predictable. The end, though, was a bit melodramatic for me and not terribly realistic.
July 24, 2014
A good short story. A little choppy with the narrative because of short length. Was a good, quick vacation read.
January 8, 2016
This was an excellent booK, and I really enjoyed reading it. I would highly recommend this booK to any one who wants an excellent read. I looK forward to reading more of this author's worK.
December 24, 2024
A LANTERN IN THE WINDOW is a touching story about life on the Western Canadian Prairie in the late 1880’s. This was my first book by Bobby Hutchinson and I completed it in a day. The characters and their story captured my attention. I didn’t want to go to bed until I finished it.
MY RATING GUIDE: 4 Satisfied Stars.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/fairly good; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I LIKED THIS A LOT; 5= I Loved this; it was great! (I SELDOM give 5 Stars).
Canadian Western Praire, February, 1886 ~
Annie, 22, and her younger sister, Betsy, arrive on a train from Toronto to the frigid Canadian West to meet Annie’s Mail Order husband, Noah Ferguson. Noah is furious when he realizes that Annie is not what she claimed to be in their few letters of acquaintance - an experienced older widow in her mid-30’s. He cannot believe this young chit will be good at any of the things he requires of her. Mainly, he needs a woman who will not quit when things get difficult. Life isn’t easy in the wild, open Prairie.
Comments ~
1) A LANTERN IN THE WINDOW is book 1 in a series of Bobby Hutchinson novels written about the families living on the Canadian Prairie in the late 1800-ea 1900’s. Apparently the author’s mother grew up during this time and shared her stories with the author. These retold memories are a precious piece of history which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. The second book, SILENT NIGHT, SILENT LOVE, features the deaf/mute younger sister in A LANTERN IN THE WINDOW - all grown up. This was my first book by B Hutchinson and I look forward to reading the next.
2) Other reviewers mention typos in these novels. I read the digital version and experienced none of those issues. Perhaps I might have liked more details at certain points of the book (simply because I was so absorbed and didn’t want it to end) but I didn’t feel as if I was left wanting when I reached the the final page. I finished the story with a smile and a sigh.
3) I enjoyed A LANTERN IN THE WINDOW and recommend it to readers who enjoy:
> quick reading Westerns or Historical novels set in the early Frontier days of the Canadian West.
> Clean or mostly Clean novels with a historical setting.
> novels featuring Seasoned characters of integrity and perseverance overcoming difficult obstacles.
> Proximity- Danger trope novels where the 2 MCs join together to accomplish a common goal.
> novels with a sweet, much deserved HEA.
> angst-free novels and novels free of TSTL behaviors.
> reading lighter palate cleanser novels between grittier genres/titles.
READER CAUTIONS ~
PROFANITY - None.
VIOLENCE - None. Weather/conditions and past grief are the main antagonists.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. Brief & candid mention of the couple’s first intimate moments together, very easily skipped if desired.
MY RATING GUIDE: 4 Satisfied Stars.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/fairly good; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I LIKED THIS A LOT; 5= I Loved this; it was great! (I SELDOM give 5 Stars).
Canadian Western Praire, February, 1886 ~
Annie, 22, and her younger sister, Betsy, arrive on a train from Toronto to the frigid Canadian West to meet Annie’s Mail Order husband, Noah Ferguson. Noah is furious when he realizes that Annie is not what she claimed to be in their few letters of acquaintance - an experienced older widow in her mid-30’s. He cannot believe this young chit will be good at any of the things he requires of her. Mainly, he needs a woman who will not quit when things get difficult. Life isn’t easy in the wild, open Prairie.
Comments ~
1) A LANTERN IN THE WINDOW is book 1 in a series of Bobby Hutchinson novels written about the families living on the Canadian Prairie in the late 1800-ea 1900’s. Apparently the author’s mother grew up during this time and shared her stories with the author. These retold memories are a precious piece of history which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. The second book, SILENT NIGHT, SILENT LOVE, features the deaf/mute younger sister in A LANTERN IN THE WINDOW - all grown up. This was my first book by B Hutchinson and I look forward to reading the next.
2) Other reviewers mention typos in these novels. I read the digital version and experienced none of those issues. Perhaps I might have liked more details at certain points of the book (simply because I was so absorbed and didn’t want it to end) but I didn’t feel as if I was left wanting when I reached the the final page. I finished the story with a smile and a sigh.
3) I enjoyed A LANTERN IN THE WINDOW and recommend it to readers who enjoy:
> quick reading Westerns or Historical novels set in the early Frontier days of the Canadian West.
> Clean or mostly Clean novels with a historical setting.
> novels featuring Seasoned characters of integrity and perseverance overcoming difficult obstacles.
> Proximity- Danger trope novels where the 2 MCs join together to accomplish a common goal.
> novels with a sweet, much deserved HEA.
> angst-free novels and novels free of TSTL behaviors.
> reading lighter palate cleanser novels between grittier genres/titles.
READER CAUTIONS ~
PROFANITY - None.
VIOLENCE - None. Weather/conditions and past grief are the main antagonists.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. Brief & candid mention of the couple’s first intimate moments together, very easily skipped if desired.
July 16, 2020
If just for the ending you have to read the book!
Annie is no us mail order bride unfortunately she has told couple dozen lies in order for him to pick her as his mail order bride. The one she says she’s 30 3 AM she has a 14-year-old daughter and she grew up on the farm Well in reality she grew up with a drunk father a seamstress as a mother and her 14-year-old child is a sister because she is only 20. Feeling he has no other choice he brings the two girls home with them. After he and Annie have a talk he learns that Betsy is deaf and she is so relieved to find out who will take care of her and he wants to learn Betsys language sign language. Now everything should go smoothly right? No… He is still harboring affection for his first wife who passed away just hours before their son Jeremy 18 months old also passed away. So he swears off love, but can’t help the attraction he feels for Annie but he convinces his self it is only physically and that’s as far as he’ll let it go. So win AnnieBecomes pregnant he wants nothing to do with that. That is until he realizes the different way he treated his first wife when she was pregnant compared to the way he is treating Annie Will he tell her in time that they are his family and he loves them including the baby or will it be too late.
I almost stopped listening, because I was getting tired of Noah’s obstinate attitude, but the way this author writes books I really couldn’t stop listening LOL! I thought it was really good and the ending was awesome! If you buy this book just to read the last chapter it would be worth it that is the point when I almost cried and I never cry when reading mail order bride books. Ever!
Annie is no us mail order bride unfortunately she has told couple dozen lies in order for him to pick her as his mail order bride. The one she says she’s 30 3 AM she has a 14-year-old daughter and she grew up on the farm Well in reality she grew up with a drunk father a seamstress as a mother and her 14-year-old child is a sister because she is only 20. Feeling he has no other choice he brings the two girls home with them. After he and Annie have a talk he learns that Betsy is deaf and she is so relieved to find out who will take care of her and he wants to learn Betsys language sign language. Now everything should go smoothly right? No… He is still harboring affection for his first wife who passed away just hours before their son Jeremy 18 months old also passed away. So he swears off love, but can’t help the attraction he feels for Annie but he convinces his self it is only physically and that’s as far as he’ll let it go. So win AnnieBecomes pregnant he wants nothing to do with that. That is until he realizes the different way he treated his first wife when she was pregnant compared to the way he is treating Annie Will he tell her in time that they are his family and he loves them including the baby or will it be too late.
I almost stopped listening, because I was getting tired of Noah’s obstinate attitude, but the way this author writes books I really couldn’t stop listening LOL! I thought it was really good and the ending was awesome! If you buy this book just to read the last chapter it would be worth it that is the point when I almost cried and I never cry when reading mail order bride books. Ever!
September 24, 2020
Probably bad timing to have read this immediately after 6 Ellen O’Connell Masterpieces. 😂
OK it certainly wasn’t the worst story ever written but......
Forgettable.
And the mmc, the immature Rancher?? The Beta- Male? Our Hero? 🥴🤨🤔😂
Just NO. Nothing to commend him whatsoever. Not my idea of a hero, but definitely my idea of a creep. If the only thing you’ve got going with your woman is using her for sex, I’m done. Happily this is only 91 pages and ends at 71% with a Sample for another book. Saved me from DNF’ing it.
As for the fmc, young Annie? Aged 20. Lands herself a hulking, morose, whiny, pathetic husband 16 years her senior, who apart from lots of S.E.X., had zero interest in her. Until the last page or two. At least he didn’t make fun of her baking. Oh wait, he did!
I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s cliched to the max, and full of over-used tropes, with nothing new or exciting to add. There’s much not quite plausible here, and use of the term ‘holocaust’ to describe a snowstorm was weird, to say the least. The ending is abrupt, and I’ve included it here for your perusal. It’s syrup. Sickly sweet syrup. And got some ghosts in it. Well it is Christmas. 🤔
“From their vantage point in a corner of the room, an old man and a young woman with a laughing little boy between them smiled angelic smiles and nodded at one another with the satisfaction of a job well done. They alone could clearly see the magnificent golden glow that filled the room, the radiance of intense and lasting love, and at last they knew it was time for them, too, to leave, to go toward the light.”
🙄
OK it certainly wasn’t the worst story ever written but......
Forgettable.
And the mmc, the immature Rancher?? The Beta- Male? Our Hero? 🥴🤨🤔😂
Just NO. Nothing to commend him whatsoever. Not my idea of a hero, but definitely my idea of a creep. If the only thing you’ve got going with your woman is using her for sex, I’m done. Happily this is only 91 pages and ends at 71% with a Sample for another book. Saved me from DNF’ing it.
As for the fmc, young Annie? Aged 20. Lands herself a hulking, morose, whiny, pathetic husband 16 years her senior, who apart from lots of S.E.X., had zero interest in her. Until the last page or two. At least he didn’t make fun of her baking. Oh wait, he did!
I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s cliched to the max, and full of over-used tropes, with nothing new or exciting to add. There’s much not quite plausible here, and use of the term ‘holocaust’ to describe a snowstorm was weird, to say the least. The ending is abrupt, and I’ve included it here for your perusal. It’s syrup. Sickly sweet syrup. And got some ghosts in it. Well it is Christmas. 🤔
“From their vantage point in a corner of the room, an old man and a young woman with a laughing little boy between them smiled angelic smiles and nodded at one another with the satisfaction of a job well done. They alone could clearly see the magnificent golden glow that filled the room, the radiance of intense and lasting love, and at last they knew it was time for them, too, to leave, to go toward the light.”
🙄
February 11, 2019
This story was short and sweet. The one thing I particularly liked that although our heroine, Annie Tompkins, started out by not revealing to our hero, Noah Ferguson, the truth about her situation when she became Noah's mail order bride, she let him know right away when she met him in person, what the truth was and why she didn't reveal everything to him in the first place. So no more secrets from Annie. Noah is not happy about Annie being so young and doesn't know if she will be "able to make it" in this part of the world - western Canada. But, Noah hasn't been completely truthful with Annie either. Upon arriving at her new home, she discovers that Noah's father, whom she was told about but not completely truthfully, is more than just an invalid that Noah needs help with. He has had a stroke and needs a lot of care. This is the main reason that Noah sought out a mail order bride, two years after his wife and 18 month old son passed away. Annie and her sister, Becky, settle in right away and Noah begins to have feelings for Annie. He vows, however, never to have any more children and that is the big problem that lies between them. But as things happen, Annie becomes pregnant and knows that Noah is unhappy about the situation. These two characters have their problems, but how they get to their happily ever after is a sweet story. The books that follow about Becky and the one about Noah and Annie's first child, is one that I will look forward to reading.
February 3, 2022
I somehow can't see myself as a mail order bride-but I can understand why many went with that option back when. Women essentially had no rights and they needed a male-especially if they were widowed and left with children. That wasn't the case this time--Annie and her little sister Betsy became orphans when their Mom died. They worked in a factory where the air was so bad that Betsy was really sick from it. Noah has lost his wife and his son to sickness and he had a farm to run-and a father who had had a stroke to take care of--he needed help desperately! Of course neither of them were honest in their letters to each other and when they finally met--Noah was angry and Annie was scared. They has been married by proxy before she left on the long train ride to a place she had never seen before.
It took a long while for them to even accept each other--but Betsy worked at it. Noah, upon learning that Betsy was deaf learned sign language. Life went on.
That they actually loved each other was apparent to all except Noah until the day he almost lost his life--that's all folks--you will have to read this to find out more and it is certainly worth the read!!
It took a long while for them to even accept each other--but Betsy worked at it. Noah, upon learning that Betsy was deaf learned sign language. Life went on.
That they actually loved each other was apparent to all except Noah until the day he almost lost his life--that's all folks--you will have to read this to find out more and it is certainly worth the read!!
February 8, 2018
"A Lantern in the Window" is a nicely written novella set in pioneering days of the 1880's in Canada. In my opinion the story would have been told so much better if written as a full length novel, with the romance and Annie and Noah's lives explored properly.
Their story flew by really fast, almost as if the author had a word limit or just wanted to get to the end. Months passed quickly with huge time gaps and that was a pity, because as a reader, I wanted to explore their lives in depth. Explore the romance, explore their feelings. The sex scenes were brief, not especially detailed and what there was of them, nicely written, but I couldn't connect with the H/h at all. I enjoyed the scene beside the river and there could have been more moments like that to make the connection stronger between the characters and the reader.
I liked the ending, but once again, it finished way too quickly. I do recommend this novella as it was still a lovely story.
Their story flew by really fast, almost as if the author had a word limit or just wanted to get to the end. Months passed quickly with huge time gaps and that was a pity, because as a reader, I wanted to explore their lives in depth. Explore the romance, explore their feelings. The sex scenes were brief, not especially detailed and what there was of them, nicely written, but I couldn't connect with the H/h at all. I enjoyed the scene beside the river and there could have been more moments like that to make the connection stronger between the characters and the reader.
I liked the ending, but once again, it finished way too quickly. I do recommend this novella as it was still a lovely story.
September 17, 2017
3.5. stars
Entertaining, engaging and enjoyable. Just a good well told story. A mail order bride in the Canadian prairie wilderness. Noah gets a little more than wanted/bargained for when Annie Tompkins answers his ad for a mail order bride.
Romance, death, heartbreak, forgiveness, hope, friendship and more is woven into this story. It carries you through just about every emotion you can imagine. For a short story there is a lot packed into it, none of it feels rushed and it flows smoothly. Great cast of characters. Loved the connection that Betts and Noah's father have. Really liked that Annie was a strong character.
Melanie Hastings did a good job with the narration. Pleasant voice. Clearly spoken. Nice even pace. Good character voices.
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher
Entertaining, engaging and enjoyable. Just a good well told story. A mail order bride in the Canadian prairie wilderness. Noah gets a little more than wanted/bargained for when Annie Tompkins answers his ad for a mail order bride.
Romance, death, heartbreak, forgiveness, hope, friendship and more is woven into this story. It carries you through just about every emotion you can imagine. For a short story there is a lot packed into it, none of it feels rushed and it flows smoothly. Great cast of characters. Loved the connection that Betts and Noah's father have. Really liked that Annie was a strong character.
Melanie Hastings did a good job with the narration. Pleasant voice. Clearly spoken. Nice even pace. Good character voices.
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher
October 21, 2021
I absolutely LOVED this story. The author is new to me but certainly not new to writing.
Set in Canada, the mail order bride arrives by train. Except she has not been honest -- shoot, she outright lied in her letters. But there was a good reason she did. She just had to.
He is tall, dark and handsome and only posted for a mail order bride because he needed a wife. But love her? He will not. Period. Exclamation point! Oh, he hadn't lied but he hadn't told her a fact, a MAJOR fact. And that's a lie by omission.
Add three wonderful characters. Wonderful for the book. You will have to decide on your own about them as they do feel real -- Bets, Zachary and Gladys. Plus a wise landlady who is loving and generous.
Definitely this should be on you Must Read list. Bump it up if you like mail order bride stories or western historical books. Highly recommend!
Set in Canada, the mail order bride arrives by train. Except she has not been honest -- shoot, she outright lied in her letters. But there was a good reason she did. She just had to.
He is tall, dark and handsome and only posted for a mail order bride because he needed a wife. But love her? He will not. Period. Exclamation point! Oh, he hadn't lied but he hadn't told her a fact, a MAJOR fact. And that's a lie by omission.
Add three wonderful characters. Wonderful for the book. You will have to decide on your own about them as they do feel real -- Bets, Zachary and Gladys. Plus a wise landlady who is loving and generous.
Definitely this should be on you Must Read list. Bump it up if you like mail order bride stories or western historical books. Highly recommend!
April 13, 2022
My interest was caught because this book takes place in Canada. A mail order bride is sent out West to the prairies and it is based on stories that the author's mother told her. Maybe it was her Grandmother. I forget.
Noah has lost his wife and son. His father needs constant care. Noah needs to look after the farm.
Their marriage is done by Proxy before Annie leaves Toronto.
When she arrives she is younger than she told Noah. Plus, Betsy is her sister who she brings along.
Annie had told Noah in her letters that she was a widow and had a daughter.
Annie and Betsy's mother died and they could not afford their rent. They were working in a factory, which was literally killing Betsy.
Annie was desperate.
From there starts their married farm life and healing Noah's broken heart.
Enjoyable characters and a lovely story.
Noah has lost his wife and son. His father needs constant care. Noah needs to look after the farm.
Their marriage is done by Proxy before Annie leaves Toronto.
When she arrives she is younger than she told Noah. Plus, Betsy is her sister who she brings along.
Annie had told Noah in her letters that she was a widow and had a daughter.
Annie and Betsy's mother died and they could not afford their rent. They were working in a factory, which was literally killing Betsy.
Annie was desperate.
From there starts their married farm life and healing Noah's broken heart.
Enjoyable characters and a lovely story.
August 3, 2020
Historical mail order bride set in the Canadian prairies. This had a lot of potential, the first initial meeting filled with untruths and needs and then an an honest depiction of the marriage bed, left me invested in the characters, but then the book started to jump ahead with 'month's of time gone in a chapter - where was the details of how Bets and Zachary became friends, where was the details of Annie and her first weeks as a new bride and housewife? I needed these details, it left huge gaps in the story - especially after the detailed beginning with Noah's thoughts and then later, the scene in the barn - it could've been so much more!
The story finishes at 75% with a good introduction of the next book, Bets story.
Overall, an entertaining read, but wished there has been more.
The story finishes at 75% with a good introduction of the next book, Bets story.
Overall, an entertaining read, but wished there has been more.
August 2, 2023
This is a story of awestern mail order bride in 1886, taking place in Canada. Annie answers an ad, sending letters to a gentleman who is a widow. But she must take her sister with her, she is 14 years old and deaf. But the groom does not know this. They married by proxy. So she was already married to the man when she arrived by train. The letters she sent him were not honest. Annie wanted to leave the the factory she and her sister worked at. The place was making her sister very ill. So Annie Tompkins went into a marriage of an older man she knew nothing about. So Noah and Annie had a lot to learn about one another.
It was a short novel, but what follows is a bit of the next book in the series,
It was a short novel, but what follows is a bit of the next book in the series,
February 4, 2018
This is a Canadian historical romance. Noah Ferguson lost his first wife and son to illness. When his father suffers a stroke Noah needs to get help. He decides to apply for a mail order bride. Annie Tompkins writes Noah that she's old enough to marry and has a child. However, when she arrives and meets Noah he can tell that she has lied about her age and having a child. He finds out that Annie is caring for her sister Betsy after the death of her parents. Noah is sworn not to love or have children again. This marriage is just one of necessity for him, or so he wants it that way. Great characters in Noah, Annie and Betsy! Beautifully written historical romance!
May 27, 2023
A mail-order bride who lied about several things in her letters, and a husband who didn’t reveal a major responsibility she would have. The husband is in the throes of deep grief after the death of his first wife and son. He has closed off his heart which results in a cold attitude. The wife is a sweet woman who is only 20 and a virgin. She brought her deaf young sister with her. They rub along for awhile but an awful argument brings tension into the home. The characters are developed even though the book is short. It seemed a bit rushed at the end but overall it was an enjoyable read.
The narrator for the Audible version did a nice job.
The narrator for the Audible version did a nice job.
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