A Match for Marshall

The Matchmaker: Agatha Returns #7

by Janice Cole Hopkins

Marshall Walker has built his successful ranch over years of hard work. He hasn’t had time to seek a wife. But when his brother dies, leaving him the custody of two nieces, he decides now is the time – after all, he’s thirty-one years old. So, he contacts a noted matchmaking service to speed the process since the girls are on their way, and he needs a wife as soon as possible.

Callie Jones grew up on a farm and knows the toil it takes to eke out a living. When her parents suggest that she leave home to allow more food and clothing for her eight younger siblings, she decides to become a mail-order bride, but she’s determined to marry a man who lives in town. She wants nothing more to do with farms or ranches, but the matchmaker makes a mistake.

Genres: Westerns, Romance

139 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2023

About the author

Janice Cole Hopkins grew up in rural Wilkes County, North Carolina, with an Appalachian heritage. She loved stories and learned to read when she was five. She graduated from Appalachian State University with degrees in history and reading, and she also taught school, wrote and published in magazines, and dreamed of someday publishing a historical novel. Janice has always attended church and has done short and long term mission work. All the profits from her books go to a scholarship fund for missionary children. Sown in Dark Soil is a stand alone novel and is the second book in her Appalachian Roots series.

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Reviews

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

He is everything Callie thought she didn't want

Marshall disproves everything Callie thought she knew, he is kind, patient, thoughtful and successful - something she thought was impossible as a Rancher. But his calm and patient ways prove to Callie that she is safe with him and he slowly wins her heart. Whilst she is wary, over time she is woman enough to admit she was wrong and maybe judgemental too, which you have to respect her for.
I really like Marshall, whilst he is disappointed with Callie's thoughts and views, he doesn't try and pressure her or force her, he calmly asks for her to meet his nieces and for her to give him time to show her the truth of his situation. A very unique man for the times who it is difficult to resist...as Callie finds out!
A lovely tale of romance and hope which I read on Kindle Unlimited.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book Callie travels to Texas as a male order bride thanks to the match maker Agatha she recently suffered an accident and thanks to her granddaughters haphazard way of hooking couples up and having it work Agatha is doing the same technique so despite the fact Kayla wanted a man who lived in the city she sent her to meet Marshall, a Ranch owner. He’s recently gained custody of his two nieces now that they’ve Lost their parents and have recently arrived from Tennessee he need someone to care for them and this is where the MOD comes in. The only problem is Kaly is indignant she isn’t marrying a man who doesn’t live in town she does however agree to 10 to the young girls as a way of making money until she decides what to do. Marshall on the other hand experiences Insta love but decides to play it cool and try to persuade the beautiful Callie to marry him eventually he will have to go out of town and this is win a beautiful overly friendly woman named Valerie comes to see Marshall unfortunately or fortunately Marshall has went to Tennessee to get the girls inheritance which is a bunch of horses. Valerie tries to take advantage of the situation and tells Kaly to tell her boy to bring in her luggage and she will stay there and wait for Marshall but Kaly is no shrinking violet and tells her in no uncertain terms that she has to get back on her wagon and bring her self to town and not to come back. This is when she realizes she started having feelings for Marshall and asked for his two nieces she has been in love with them since they met it isn’t long after they start spending time together that they realize someone wants to harm them and although at first they think it is Valerie it will take a tragic incident not only to bring them even closer but to prove how much they each love this little family they have. I want to say Janice Cole Hopkins is an author whose books I always listen to on audio because the people she gets to narrate her books I thought were top notch. So I don’t know if they got complacent and just think this job is a shoo-in and they don’t have to try anymore but I noticed Doug sounded whiny and made Marshall an any other man he did narration for sound like a cartoon character. As far as EJ Lavery is concerned for the character of Valerie she said in a very southern voice do I detect a southern accent and in the exact same voice the girl replies yes. I have listen to whole Siri‘s with these narrators and they used to have a great character distinction and I thought they were really good and when Doug just read the text of the book it sounded fine my question is is there no one that cares about these narrators that had a lesson and love these people enough to say no do not release the song audio… I always wondered that I mean doubt they let their friends listen or at least a coworker or someone? I hope they either get back to the great now Raiders they once were because I read the last half of the book on kindle you cannot set a romantic tone whoop characters who sound like their on a cartoon. I am not joking or trying to be mean I’m being really serious I really used to love these narrators but in this book not so much. I do recommend this book because a Janice Cole Hopkins is one of the best historical romance authors whose books I absolutely love she’s such a great writer I even read her contemporary romance books and I just feel like this kind of narration is beneath her but I do recommend A Match For Marshall it was a great story please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Match for Marshall
The Matchmaker-Agatha Returns, Book 7
By: Janice Cole Hopkins
Narrated by: Douglas Birk, EJ Lavery

Marshall is a bachelor and owns a ranch. Not looking to get married, he unexpectedly gets custody of his two nieces. Knowing he needs help, he begins looking for a mail order bride. Callie, the oldest of nine children, now needs to find a new home and take care of herself to give her family a little advantage for the younger children. She finds Marshall as a mail order bride, but upon meeting him is a little hesitant to pull the trigger and marry the man. She does not want the life her mother, poor, raising kids and working a ranch. Can these two make it? I truly enjoyed this quick listen. It's refreshing to hear how these two begin to work through their differences, understand what is expected and possibly find their happily ever after. Loved the kids too! It's a wonderful listen!

Douglas Birk and EJ Lavery are our story tellers and they are fabulous. Bringing all the characters to life and make a small town community feel. I enjoyed their voices and found them soothing and believable. Another fantastic listen by Janice Cole Hopkins!

[Elissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

And Then There's Vanessa!

Ms. Hopkins' writing is imbued with the love of God, and it shines through on every page of this exciting narrative--and the narration is brilliant, bringing to life the characters and their struggles.

The oldest of ten children, Callie is asked to find her own way in life so that the limited resources of the farm can feed the younger children. Her best friend alights on the idea of using a famous matchmaker to ensure the best possible outcome. That matchmaker is Agatha, who has not fully recovered from her apoplexy, and no longer has the capacity to apply her meticulous screening to her applicants' requests, but nonetheless seeks out happiness for them.

After having survived childhood on a hardscrabble farm, Callie has no intention of ever marrying a farmer or a rancher. And that's exactly with whom she's been matched! And then there's Vanessa... An exciting story!

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story of love and family. To take in his nieces showed Marshall's true character and love of family. He needed a wife to help him care for them as he also had a ranch to take care of. In comes the matchmaker that was common in this timeframe. Callie detested life on a farm... her family barely made a living farming and she had to leave home because of it. She decided to become a mail order bride, but made it clear, no farmer/rancher is to be her intended. OOPS... the matchmaker makes a mistake. Once Callie realizes that Marshall is a rancher, she determines not to go thru with the marriage. However, she falls in love with 2 sweet little girls. Will Callie and Marshall be able to make a life together and provide a home for the girls, you will just have to read it to find out for yourself.

The narration was well done. I did enjoy both male and female narrators playing their part.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Callie is forced to leave her home, she has no idea where to go or what to do. Then her friend points her in the direction of being a mail order pride and she decides that is her best option. She contacts the matchmaker, Agatha, and quickly heads west to marry Marshall. Of course, it doesn't turn out exactly as Callie or Marshall had planned, but God had His plan for them. The story of that plan unfolds and makes for an inspirational read as God brings love and contentment from some difficult circumstances. He brings them through adventure and danger to a place where they are ready to make a family.

The narrator for the men's voices is not my favorite, but okay. The narrator for the women's voices is very good and I enjoyed how she brought the women to life.

I requested this audiobook from the author and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

[BrendaLee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great audiobook that I enjoyed very much. The narrator’s voice was pleasant and brought each character to life.
I loved the romance between Marshall and Callie especially because the author kept it clean. There was a truth that Callie needed to learn. Sometimes our way of thinking is not always good or right. I’m glad Marshall was a patient man. There was never a dull moment and I loved the nieces and what they brought to the book. If you enjoy mail-order bride books you will enjoy the matchmaking books.
I received this audiobook from the author but was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Left to care for his two young nieces after the deaths of their parents a man uses a matchmaker to find him a mail order wife to help with the child rearing duties, but things don't turn out exactly as he anticipates. A farm life isn't what she wants. Can a handsome cattle rancher and two young girls change her mind?
A heartwarming read.

[Lea & Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marshall and Callie

This is a delightful story. The meeting is less than smooth, the courtship has challenges and Callie questions her expectations. This writer has put together a story that grabbed my interest throughout the whole story.

[Vernon Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute Story

Liked how the heroine in spite of all the odds ended up marrying the man of her dreams. Also enjoyed the little girls role in this story. Children tend to be such a blessing if we let them be for our lives

[Debbie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book! There some unexpected moments in the book! Marshall’s two nieces were two of my favorite characters. I recommend reading this book!

[Viola · Rating 5 out of 5]

very nicely done

This book was very nicely done. From start to finish. Nice book all the way around. Well written by Janice Cole Hopkins.

[ReadingWench · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this one on audio. I really liked this book. I thought it was wonderfully written and I loved the story.

[Loretta Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very story of love in the West.

The author has written a story of how a man is able to find love and a family by writing to a match maker. A story you will enjoy reading.

[Rhonda Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was full of suspense and if course love. I'm glad Marshall got his happily ever after. I recommend this book.

[Pamela Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story!

A Match for Marshall is an enjoyable book!
Very good story line wonderful characters!
I found it to be a quick, relaxing book to read.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

This was a great book. I love this author. I highly recommend this book and author. I can’t wait to read the next book by this wonderful author.

[Dolores Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. Next I am reading a match for Cord to continue the storyline.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marshall - has a large successful ranch and now 2 nieces since his brother died
Callie- oldest of 10 at the age of 23 was told to leave the farm start her own destiny.
I enjoyed reading this interesting story with a wonderful hea.
KU

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook of this story. Narrator was good. Marshall has made a success of his ranch, but when his brother and his wife both died, Marshall is given custody of his two nieces. He needs a wife to help him raise the girls. He sends an urgent request to the matchmaker. Callie has grown up on a farm, with her eight other siblings. Living day to day to feed everyone is a struggle. Now that she is older her parents tell her it is time for her to leave. She decides that she can become a wife, to someone other than a rancher or a farmer. This is exactly what she tells the Matchmaker Agatha. Agatha decides that since the two letters come in at the same time, that this would be a perfect match. Things don't happen that way when Marshall and Callie meet the first time. Only time will tell soon enough if they are a good match. I was given a copy of this book by the author for an honest review.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian Historical Romance

This was an adorable story! Those two sweet girls captured my heart right away!
It was funny when the matchmaker explained her new methods! I'm not sure if that's part where all the books in the series align, since I haven't read but a few yet, but I would have choked if I had been eating at the time!
I also loved the sweet widow who became like a grandmother to the girls and an addition to their new family!
I liked having two narrators for this book. Having a female do the women's characters and the male take on the men's voices added a lot to the story. Like I was listening to a movie.