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The Blizzard Brides #3

A Groom for Celia

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Celia Thornton would give anything to start over after the blizzard ends her loveless marriage.

Jack Wendler needs to leave New York immediately after one too many business deals left his investors penniless.

Figuring marriage in remote western Nebraska must be better than the reckoning he's facing in New York, Jack pens a response to a marriage advertisement. When he arrives with a bag of letters--including his own--answering the widows of Last Chance's advertisement for husbands, he's quickly taken with Celia's shy beauty and agrees to marry her on the spot.

Even though she comes with a farm he doesn't have the slightest clue how to run.

Even though he fears breaking Celia's fragile heart.

And even though the business partner he crossed in New York could be on his way to Last Chance at any moment.

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First published October 27, 2020

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Cat Cahill

77 books66 followers

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5 stars
268 (62%)
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106 (24%)
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45 (10%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
759 reviews7 followers
October 27, 2020
The aftermath of the Blizzard rapidly turned into the unthinkable once the Women of Last Chance, Nebraska realized their Husbands were not returning. To add to their misery, they were told by the Minister that if they did not remarry ASAP that they would have to leave the town!
Celia Thornton and her sister were two of these Women. This is Celia's story. Her Husband perished and she must start new on their farm with a cow, a calf and one horse to do the job of two. She needs a husband so she takes some of the many letters they receive after placing an ad in the matrimonial times for Husbands to come to Last Chance to change their lives.
Jack Wendler needs to relocate as quickly as possible. He is smooth but has a heart, which he doesn't even realize yet! Will he find more than he needs when he travels to Last Chance to find his last chance? The combustion between these two is there, hiding in the shadows.
This book has everything you want for a sweet clean romance. Feelings, danger, a lot of drama and so much more. This Author writes from her heart and you can see it immediately. Don't miss this book and the many more to come in this multi Author series!
3,931 reviews21 followers
April 7, 2023
This series of stories is based on an actual event in American history. In the first few chapters, the author explains the bizarre weather in Midwest that year. However, it was precipitated by poor crops the previous summer. When the men went out hunting (to gather food for the expected hard winter), they were caught in a sudden blinding blizzard that killed them. When a second group of men went out to find them, they died too. Thus, many widows left with farms (and the livestock that survived) needed help to tend their properties. This was the basis for this series; women sought husbands to help them survive.

The contrast between Celia and Hope Thornton's situation added much to the understanding of the dire situation in Nebraska. Hope was happily married and was devastated by the loss of her husband. Celina's husband Ned was a cold fish who used his wife for housekeeping and little else. She is looking forward, with trepidation (she could get another Ned), to a new husband. The town's minister was forcing the women to find new husbands immediately; thus, they sent an to the national matrimonial newspaper.

At the outset, Jack Wendler seems a poor choice for a husband. He was a failed businessman who had to leave New York City quickly. He only understood that he'd take over a farm once he arrived at Celia's property (after the marriage). Jack was a city boy who was a great talker. His expertise was in talking investors into supplying money for his projects.

This is a different story, and the differences between the sisters added to the interest.
Profile Image for Kaye.
7,177 reviews69 followers
October 28, 2020
⚖️⚖️ONE HEARTFELT ADVENTURE⚖️⚖️
Wonderful! Cat showcases her immense talents, composing this beautifully compelling piece of perfection, serving up some harsh circumstances, ruthless lessons and tough decisions, grabbing your attention from start to finish, binding this delight together flawlessly. Toss in captivating drama riveting intrigue, daring secrets, damaging deception, mounting danger swirling suspense and intense situations ensue in epic proportions, blowing this baby into the eye of the storm, thrusting it into a tailspin with an astonishing culmination. Mayhem and mishaps run rampant, observing the intimidating struggles and challenging triumphs, traversing the dramatic twists and intricate turns, scattered limitations and crushed boundaries are heightened and expanded, exposing the soaring ups and agonizing downs, blasting this baby to life brilliantly. The characters, banter, dialogue, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, adding depth and diversity, transforming into outstanding personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and graphic descriptions creating an elaborate backdrop that feels as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Remarkable job Cat, thanks for sharing this amazing thrill with us.
73 reviews
October 30, 2020
I continue to be impressed with the creative ways Cat tells stories of mail order marriages that turn into such beautiful love stories! In this story Celia is living in a secluded town that has had almost the entire male population die in a freak blizzard. Their wives have shown such incredible strength to step in to take over all of their late husband's responsibilities as well as their own, all while dealing with their own grief. Celia has been trying to keep her farm afloat but knows she will need help. When Jack not only answered her response for a husband, but actually showed up in town delivering his own letter you could already see they had a connection. He was running from a life that had hit some pretty hard dead ends but it was so neat to see the real person underneath the man he had been before develop in the way he was with Celia and toward all the people from town he came into contact with. Where he knew nothing about farming he certainly struggled to learn! I enjoyed the way Cat showed them falling in love throughout the course of the book. Towards the end it was exciting to see the tremendous strength of all of the women in the town brought out in such a huge way! It was a story you won't want to miss! I am looking forward to reading the stories of some of the other women in this town.
Profile Image for Cyndi.
424 reviews9 followers
October 31, 2020
I enjoyed this book very much. The story takes place in Last Chance Nebraska, when all the men in town and the surrounding area perished in a freak blizzard. Cecelia feels no great sorrow about the loss of her husband but she hides her feelings so she won't feel guilty. Meanwhile her sister Faith is deeply depressed about losing her husband but she is the only one in town that knows how to work the telegraph so she must keep going. Not only had the blizzard taken away the men but the town was not prepared for winter to hit so soon and trouble abounds for the women and children. Celia is the first to marry a man she doesn't know because she is the one that came up with the wacky idea. Celia is a beautiful woman who is very shy so how will her plan work out? You have to read and find out as I don't want to ruin it for you. I love the concept for this series and look forward to reading more of it. I have read many of Ms. Cahill's books and they have never disappointed. She always has some suspense in her historical romance which makes the story even better. Go ahead and order, you won't be disappointed!
I received a free download of this book from the publisher. This review is my own honest opinion.
Profile Image for Janalyn, the blind reviewer.
4,606 reviews143 followers
November 18, 2020
This book really redeemed the whole series or at least made up for a groom for Claire. Celia picks a letter based on handwriting and before she knows it she’s married to Jack a man who is forced to leave New York due to bad investments of other peoples money and gangsters want to kill him because of it and although he is and always has been a mover and a shaker Celia makes him want to put down roots and stay with her forever, but he knows once she finds out about his situation she will not want him or at least that’s what he thinks. Like all MOD books she does find out and she is forgiving and they start paying his investors back, but saying the gangster from New York will not take partial payments and he is came to last chance to exact revenge. I loved this book so much, although I find all mail order bride books in with a very happy ending that is one of the reasons I love them. Life is sad enough. I can’t say how much I highly recommend this book I have never heard of KatKayhill, But I will definitely be looking for more per booked. This was a perfect historical Western. They did have a few things in the book that people didn’t say back then and a couple of inconsistencies but when a book is good it makes up for all that.
490 reviews1 follower
October 26, 2020
Along with all the widows from Last Chance, Celia is awaiting a response to her ad for a husband. When she gets her letter and learns Jack is already in town, they are quickly married and start their life together on the farm…
I found it remarkable that Celia was able to see her husband’s death as a chance to have a better and happier life. She did not allow the guilt, and probably peer pressure as well, to dampen her positive outlook on life. Even though Jack showed up unexpectedly, which made his arrival suspicious, it was clear from the start that he had a kind heart. He really used this opportunity to become a better man or maybe even the man he could have been all along. This plot filled with people’s dreams chattered, trying to rebuild a life after tragedy struck, is full of hope, courage, love, and thankfulness. Exactly the kind of story I love reading to have a great date with my book ☺.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
1,027 reviews11 followers
October 27, 2020
The author has penned a sweet and heartwarming story with wonderful characters. This is Celia Thornton and Jack Wendler's story. Celia lost her first husband in a blizzard when he left on a hunting trip with the other men of Last Chance. None of them returned. The pastor announces to the widows that they must either remarry quickly or leave town. Jack makes his way to Last Chance in an escape from his investment business that had failed. He meets Celia, is taken with her, and even though Celia has her reservations, they marry the same day. However, there was a problem. Celia has a farm and Jack knows nothing about farming. The couple struggle along, Celia teaches Jack about farming and Jack teaches her about love and respect, something she did not have from her first husband. Will the couple arrive at a HEA? Be sure to read this story that is full of emotions, drama, danger and romance. It is a real page turner, and I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.7k reviews359 followers
October 28, 2020
Celia’s husband died in a terrible blizzard when he and the other men from Last Chance went on a hunting trip. None of the men came back. Celia has to quickly start her life over on her small farm with only a few animals. Most important, she needs a husband.

Jack Wendler needs to get out of town quickly. When he sees the ads about the women in Last Chance needing husbands, he decides to travel there. He and Celia are soon attracted to each other and want to get married. Can they make this work? With no experience at all, can he learn to run even a small farm like Celia’s? Will Jack's past become an issue that threatens them?

I enjoyed this story very much. The book is well-written, the characters are likable, and there is just enough suspense to keep the reader invested in the outcome. Grab your copy and see how Celia and Jack try to resolve their problems together. Does it work out for them?
944 reviews9 followers
October 26, 2020
I enjoyed this western romance. Celia is hoping her new mail order groom will provide her with a second chance at love and marriage. But mostly she needs help with her run down farm since her husband died in a blizzard. Jack is a business man with too many failed investments to count and several investors on his trail to make him pay up the loss. He knows nothing about farming but takes a chance on fleeing to Last Chance, Nebraska, and a mail order bride. Will the two ever get along? What about the angry investors trailing Jack? I enjoyed how community gathered together, especially the group of ladies in the surprise ending! A standalone clean romance with a HEA. I've not read the first two books in this series and now I must!
Profile Image for Holly Bleggi.
1,349 reviews25 followers
October 28, 2020
This was a really interesting book. I didn’t know anything about the blizzard that hit Nebraska and killed so many people. That was a piece of history that I didn’t know. I loved how the romance between Jack and Celia developed. I liked how Jack grew into a better person by working on the farm and from being with Celia. I liked how the town stood by its own when trouble came from Jack. I thought this was a cute story and I learned something from reading it. It makes me want to read the other books in the series and to learn more about this time period in US history.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Linda.
124 reviews1 follower
November 3, 2020
A Groom for Celia - Jack and Celia

I love the book! Cat Cahill is a great author, she brings a story to life with her exciting plots and amazing characters! Jack was on the run and needed a new life somewhere he hoped he wouldn't be found. Jack wrote a letter to be a mail order husband, but he couldn't wait for an answer so he left on the first train... Celia was not unhappy about losing her husband in the blizzard like most of the other wives. She didn't have a love marriage and he didn't treat her that good, so she really was hoping she would find a good man this time... I recommend this book and and the whole series. You will find adventure, danger, romance and an enjoyable plot.
79 reviews1 follower
October 27, 2020
An unlikely match

Smooth talking Jack Wendler, running from a business deal gone bad, answers a matrimonial ad to escape thugs in New York. Going to Last Chance, Nebraska was the best idea he had yet, but was it good for Celia? After a bad first marriage, would this one be any better? Would Jack's hidden past come to haunt them or will Celia's lack of self confidence keep them from acknowledging their feelings? Can Jack actually survive on a farm when manual labor is so foreign to him. The blizzard has brought so many obstacles to overcome, but will true love finally win out?
647 reviews5 followers
October 28, 2020
Another great book from author Cat Cahill! When I started reading this book, I really thought I was going to dislike Jack. I wanted to, even. He was too slick. But then, as I became more enthralled with the story, I saw the purpose and watched him change. He and Celia were perfect for each other and, in spite of the hiccups in their journey, it was well worth the wait. I have never read a book by Ms. Cahill that did not keep me turning pages from beginning to end, with no interruption, and this one was no different.

I received a free copy of this book and am leaving a review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.
697 reviews1 follower
November 10, 2020
In 1878 2 September Blizzards kill most of the men in Last Chance, Nebraska. The surviving women of Last Chance place an add in the Matrimonial Times advertising for husbands and the response is overwhelming.

Jack is from New York and must leave town in a hurry. He sees the add in the Matrimonial Times and arrives there in Last Chance and Celia picked him out as a husband. Celia has a farm and needs a husband to help her work the farm. Jack knows nothing about farm work, will he learn quickly enough to help Celia and will they find an attraction to each other and a HEA? This is a great book by Cat Cahill. I received an ARC and this is my honest and voluntary review.
2,615 reviews16 followers
December 22, 2020
Jack and Celia

This is a sweet mail order groom story and it’s a doozy. The story is written by Cat Cahill and she has done a great job with the plot and the characters. You will be entertained wit lots of adventure and excitement. Jack is a bit of a scoundrel and is fleeing New York from folks he owes money to. Most realize they had gambled on a project that failed and lost them money, but man felt cheated and sent his collectors to take out payment one way or another. Jack see an advertisement in the mail order section of the newspaper and heads to Nebraska to find a bride and also to hide out. You will enjoy discovering how Jack and Celia find their happily ever after.
Profile Image for Judy.
1,792 reviews12 followers
February 28, 2021
Celia and Jack 💞

Sweet story of Celia Thornton, one of the blizzard brides. Her deceased husband, Ned, was not a good husband. He wasn’t cruel, he was just “there”. So after he passed, she realized she was not grieving. When it came time to choose a husband, she prayed for an attentive and loving man.

Jack is a bit of a scoundrel. An investor, but lacking skills. He has to flee his flat in NYC or risk bodily harm. He finds the ad for the blizzard brides, and starts the trip to Nebraska.

He and Celia are quite taken with each other, but Jack is holding back too many secrets. There is danger on the horizon and Celia doesn’t realize it.
519 reviews7 followers
December 26, 2021
This is the 3rd book in the "Blizzard Brides series. In this book, we get to once again visit the town of Last Chance, Nebraska and the women who survived the sudden blizzard that had killed their husbands & livestock. In this one, we get to hear Celia Thornton's tale.

I enjoyed reading about what happened to Celia after she'd lost her husband to the storm and was left with a farm and no husband to help her keep it going. She chooses a letter from Jack Wendler, a businessman from New York, to hopefully become her husband and help her run the farm. He might not have started out as seeming to be what she needs in a husband, but watching the interplay between the two of them, as well as with others in the town leads to a surprising twist that I think the reader will love.

If you like mail order bride stories, with or without a twist, I think you'll enjoy not only this book, but very likely the rest of this series as well. It's a quick but very fun read.
496 reviews10 followers
October 30, 2020
Rating:  4.5 stars

My thoughts about this book:

• This western romance had some action and mystery, which added another dimension to this book.

• There were some twists and turns to this plot making it  unpredictable and I liked that.

• The pacing of this story was very good. It was neither too fast nor too slow and it had a smooth, coherent flow. I liked the writing style of this author.

• This was a clean read and I appreciated that.

I was given a free copy of this book by the author.  My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own.
4,572 reviews31 followers
November 8, 2020
This was a combination of two of my favorite things, a visit to Last Chance and a book by Cat Cahill. Jack, aka John Preston Wendler, and Celia Thornton, aka Cecelia Thornton, were two unlikely matchups. Celia needed a husband to help with her farm following the death of her husband in the blizzard that killed most of the men in town. Jack is a New York City hustler, not really dishonest, just not lucky. This book was fun to read as Jack adapts to farm and small town life. Cat Cahill never disappoints.
2,222 reviews12 followers
July 17, 2025
A Groom for Celia

This is another delightful book in the Blizzard Brides series. Celia Thornton is ready to start over after losing her husband to the blizzard. She feels guilty that she doesn’t mourn her husband’s loss like the other women do. Jack Wendler needs to leave New York fast so when he sees the ad wanting husbands in Last Chance, he writes a letter and heads that way. His wife needs a farmer but he doesn’t know the first thing about farming and he has people after him. Will this marriage survive?
Profile Image for Shonda.
Author 10 books47 followers
October 21, 2020
Such wonderful characters! A superb read, I love this series and was so excited to read this title by Cat Cahill. This story kept me glued to the pages, such a fun and exciting plot. A sweet clean romance that grows into a close friendship to a deep love. This is such a feel good story with community that loves and protects its own. I didn’t want this story to end and I’m super excited for Cat’s next book!
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
9,375 reviews140 followers
October 25, 2020
Another great historical western by Cat Cahill. She does a wonderful job painting her scenes ,taking you back to the day with realistic characters and story line.She brings drama ,suspense and romance as she weaves a clean romance that had me glued to the pages reading. It's well written ,moves quickly and smoothly and is an enjoyable read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
558 reviews2 followers
October 28, 2020
I enjoyed reading this book! It is about a lady that looses her husband during a blizzard and advertising for another one. A man from New York needs to get out of town before some guys beat him up so he sends a letter to a lady but gets there at the same time as the letter. They get married and are learning to love each other when two guys from New York show up. Get the book! It's good! I recommend this book to anyone who loves romance books!
Profile Image for Nancy H.
3,121 reviews
November 4, 2020
This is a quick, good, romantic read, with a twist. In this story, the women of a new small town in Nebraska order male-order grooms for themselves, after most of the men in their town were killed during a blizzard. When the male MC gets in trouble in New York, he decides that answering this ad may just save his life. When he gets there, though, he is surprised by what is expected of him and even more surprised by the hidden depths he finds within himself.
Profile Image for Teresa Bertolio.
638 reviews9 followers
November 8, 2020
I loved this story of second chances. After 2 major snowstorms kill most of the men in town, the women send out for mail order grooms. Jack is running from some bad business deals in New York. He comes out west. Celia needs someone to help run her farm, and she wants love this time around. Even though Jack doesn't know how to farm, will he be willing to marry Celia and learn? Find out in this fantastic mail order groom story:) Happy Reading!
321 reviews2 followers
November 22, 2020
Celia and Jack

I enjoyed reading Celia Thornton and Jack Wendler's story very much. I have enjoyed reading the Blizzard Brides series about the women in search of a husband after all the men in town died in a freak blizzard. Celia has a farm and needs to find a husband to take care of the farm. She picks Jack's letter and married him right away. Too bad Jack has no knowledge on how to take care of a farm!
Profile Image for Theresa.
316 reviews
November 22, 2023
Sweet

Jack makes some bad business investments in New York and escapes before a couple of henchmen can get to him. He read that there are a number of widows in Nebraska and decides to write a letter. As soon as he sees Celia, he's besotted and they marry immediately. This story is very sweet and I enjoyed how the women in town stick together and protect each other since there are very few men in town.
356 reviews
October 28, 2020
Great!!

This story was so good! Celia, who had been in a loveless marriage had to find a new husband or go back East. Jack needed to leave New York fast . Last Chance was a perfect place for him to go. The trials that the two had to overcome were funny, and sweet. Loved the ending!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews

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