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The Christmas Mirror
While all her childhood friends are getting married and having children, Thelma Taylor can’t seem to find a beau in all of Hartford, Vermont. When she loses her employment and is swamped with frustration, her mother it’s time she started over, somewhere new.
The Mail Order Bride agency in town is the answer. Before a month goes by, she’s engaged to James McCoy, a widower in Colorado with two children. Despite her apprehension, Thelma sets out for her new home, hoping to be happy and settled by Christmas.
But from the moment she steps off the train, she’s taken aback. James insists they marry at once. His two children avoid her and play mean pranks on her. How can she be happy with her new family when she feels like an unwanted outsider?
Thelma knows these things take time. But as tensions mount with her new stepchildren and her relationship with her husband changes by the day, she can’t help but think her goal of “happy and settled by Christmas” will never be reached. Will a secret of her own be the key to it all?
The Mail Order Bride agency in town is the answer. Before a month goes by, she’s engaged to James McCoy, a widower in Colorado with two children. Despite her apprehension, Thelma sets out for her new home, hoping to be happy and settled by Christmas.
But from the moment she steps off the train, she’s taken aback. James insists they marry at once. His two children avoid her and play mean pranks on her. How can she be happy with her new family when she feels like an unwanted outsider?
Thelma knows these things take time. But as tensions mount with her new stepchildren and her relationship with her husband changes by the day, she can’t help but think her goal of “happy and settled by Christmas” will never be reached. Will a secret of her own be the key to it all?
- GenresRomance
Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2022
44 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Susannah Calloway
397 books29 followersSusannah Calloway loves everything Western! And if a delightful romance is thrown into the mix, ahhh!, even better!
Susannah has always been intrigued with the Western movement - prairie days, mail-order brides, the gold rush, frontier life! As a writer, she's excited to combine her love of story with her love of all that is Western.
Presently, Susannah lives in Wyoming with her hubby and their three amazing children. (Her little cowpokes!) The whole family enjoys riding and grooming their four horses! (Belter is Susannah's favorite!)
Susannah has always been intrigued with the Western movement - prairie days, mail-order brides, the gold rush, frontier life! As a writer, she's excited to combine her love of story with her love of all that is Western.
Presently, Susannah lives in Wyoming with her hubby and their three amazing children. (Her little cowpokes!) The whole family enjoys riding and grooming their four horses! (Belter is Susannah's favorite!)
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 24, 2025
Thelma Taylor's life isn't going as she'd hoped. Her friends are getting married, having children and she's just lost her job. She contacts the Mail Order Bride agency and she's paired to James McCoy, but his children don't take to her and go out of their way to be aloof. When they take her golden mirror, that's the last straw because it was a cherished gift from her mother. She knows her husband loves her, but what happens if his children won't accept her. There is a wonderfully sweet and uplifting message in this story and its Christmas setting enhances the joy. The narration by Amelia Mendez is beautifully done. Her dynamic, well-modulated voice brings out the personality and unique attitudes of each character as they come to life.
November 26, 2023
Thelma has watched all her friends get married and have families, yet she doesn’t have anyone special. When she loses her job, she decides to check into the mail order bride program. She responds to a widower James. He has two children who he believes need a mother. She goes filled with hope When she meets James she is ready for love, but shortly after they arrive at his ranch, she discovers that a mom is not what his children want. Sweet Short Christmas story.
November 18, 2025
Mail Order Brides of Mines Place book 3
Thelma met James after traveling from Vermont to Colorado to be a mail order bride, and step mother to his children, but his 14 year old step daughter did everything to make her feel unwelcome. This is a great story of loss, family, and Love. And the best Christmas ever.
Thelma met James after traveling from Vermont to Colorado to be a mail order bride, and step mother to his children, but his 14 year old step daughter did everything to make her feel unwelcome. This is a great story of loss, family, and Love. And the best Christmas ever.
December 1, 2022
Being accepted by your step children
The step children were always pulling pranks on their new step mother making life very difficult.
I was disappointed that she never told her husband about her pregnancy.
The step children were always pulling pranks on their new step mother making life very difficult.
I was disappointed that she never told her husband about her pregnancy.
December 31, 2022
I listened to this one on audio. I thought the narrator did a great job.
This story was good. I liked the idea of her going to a family with children already in the household. At times the kids didn't really like their new stepmother. This I found very realistic.
This story was good. I liked the idea of her going to a family with children already in the household. At times the kids didn't really like their new stepmother. This I found very realistic.
April 24, 2024
nice quick read
This is a nice and quick read for a nice evening with a cup of hot chocolate. It is written by Susannah Calloway in her fine writing. Her writings are such enjoyable to read and hard to put down.
This is a nice and quick read for a nice evening with a cup of hot chocolate. It is written by Susannah Calloway in her fine writing. Her writings are such enjoyable to read and hard to put down.
December 30, 2022
The Christmas Mirror
A good story about a mail order bride that married a widower with two children and the daughter made it very hard to be a family
A good story about a mail order bride that married a widower with two children and the daughter made it very hard to be a family
February 28, 2023
Building a family
There is no quick way to meld four people into an instant family. It takes patience and effort on a daily basis as this delightful story illustrates.
There is no quick way to meld four people into an instant family. It takes patience and effort on a daily basis as this delightful story illustrates.
April 26, 2023
Sweet story. Enjoyed reading
August 6, 2023
great book
This was a great book. I love this author. I highly recommend this book and author. I cannot wait to read the next book by this author.
This was a great book. I love this author. I highly recommend this book and author. I cannot wait to read the next book by this author.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews