Tuesday, April 18, 2023

About the Book

Book: Mail-Order Bride Substitute

Author: Linda Ford

Genre: Historical Western Romance

Release date: March 29, 2023

Olivia comes from a rich family, but it hasn’t protected her from malicious rumors. A marriage of convenience as a mail-order bride to Riley Shannon is exactly what she needs for a fresh start. Especially when he makes it clear he wants no romance. Something she is in complete agreement with. She’ll go in place of her friend, Sylvia, who has changed her mind about the arrangement she made with Riley.

Riley has bitter memories of loving a rich woman who doesn’t care to embrace ranch life. He has no intention of repeating that lesson. When Olivia steps from the train, offering to be his substitute bride, his answer is a resounding ‘no thanks.’ But Olivia isn’t about to take no for an answer and makes her way to the ranch, determined to prove she is the answer to his prayers.

What will it take for these two to overcome the barriers to their love?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Linda Ford is a multi-published author who makes her home in rural Alberta, Canada where she is near enough to the Rockies to see them every day. She didn’t always want to be an author. In fact, she dreamed of running an orphanage. In a way, her dream came true. She married a rancher. They had four children then adopted ten, an experience which has given her much fodder for the happy-ever-after stories she writes. Growing up on the prairie and learning to notice the small details it hides has given her an appreciation for watching God at work in His creation. Her upbringing also included being taught to trust God in everything and through everything—a theme that resonates in her stories.

Mail-Order Bride Substitute is her 100th title.

More from Linda

For the most part, I write westerns. Historical western romances to be exact. Now I’m not a cowgirl. I don’t even ride horseback. (Shh. Don’t tell anyone.) So, you might well ask, what qualifies me to write stories of this era and these kinds of people?

Well, I could list a number of reasons. 1) I had a father who liked to visit museums and tell stories about settling the west. Not only that, but for a few summers when I was very young, my mother and my siblings accompanied him to live in a…well, the best way to describe it is to say it was a cabin on wheels with nothing inside but a few cupboards and rough bunk beds. You could say I experienced pioneer life firsthand albeit it through the eyes of a child 2) As a child, I read anything I could get my hands on, including Zane Grey. I fell in love with his heroes, his heroines and his settings. 3) I dated and married a man who lives to watch westerns. And as a good date and later, a good wife, I spent many hours watching them. 4). I still love those larger-than-life heroes (aka cowboys) and the stubborn but kind heroines.

Mail-Order Bride Substitute is the third in a 5-book (and counting) series of Montana Mail-Order Brides. I like creating families and have done exactly that in this series. There are four brothers—the Shannons–and then their friends who see how successful their marriages are and decide to try this mail-order bride business for themselves.

I tend to create strong families and this series is no exception. Mrs. Shannon was a kind, guiding mother. Mr. Shannon was tough as old leather yet fair. Their sons do their best to honor them. I also prefer settings that include mountains which is why I have set this series in beautiful western Montana.

I love these stories. Or maybe it’s the cowboys and the brides who gather their courage around them to travel west to marry—and yes, tame—these young men.

Incidentally, this is my 100th book to be published.

MY REVIEW

I love reading books from this author because I am able to picture the time period easily with her vivid details. She brings the story to life with words that flow across the pages and helps readers relate to the characters with ease. I have read several marriage of convenience stories lately but this one really spoke to me. I loved how it was emotional and was not the typical couple gets married and suddenly they are in love story.

This story has depth and is realistic because it shows two people who struggle with their feelings and don’t rush into marriage right away. As you read the story you will find that Olivia was not who Riley had invited to become his bride. What Olivia does is decide to prove that she was meant to be at the ranch all along. Her determination and faith see her through difficult moments. Trying to convince Riley that she will not leave is a big task but I loved how her word was something you can count on. Her grace and quiet spirit is refreshing and I liked that she didn’t try to push the issue of marriage.

Riley is not happy when he discovers that the woman he thought was coming to marry him, sends a substitute instead. I think perhaps he was a little upset and wasn’t sure Olivia would last a day at the ranch. Riley is a hard worker and is very respectful of Olivia. There are some funny moments in the story when Olivia tries to cook eggs. Obviously she is not a cook which puts doubt in Riley’s mind that he can marry her. He learns a valuable lesson about judging someone by where they come from.

With a beautiful backdrop of the old west, we are transported back to the days where hard work happened from sunup to sundown. The women cooked, cleaned and made sure their family was cared for. Riley and Olivia both need to trust each other and allow God to show them that they were not brought together by accident. I enjoyed how their relationship was not rushed but allowed to slowly blossom as they began to share their past. It is a sweet story that illustrates how love can happen if you open your heart and allow the past to not define you.

I want to congratulate the author on her 100th published book. It is an honor to read books by an author who shares faith through stories that bring us closer to God.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.