Once Upon a Mail Order Bride by Linda Broday – a Review

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Description:
When the West was wild and man’s law favored the few, these extraordinary women could be found…in the heart of an outlaw.

Accused of crimes he didn’t commit, ex-preacher Ridge Steele is forced to give up everything he knew and make his home with outlaws. Desperate for someone to confide in, he strikes up correspondence with mail-order bride Adeline Jancy, finding in her the open heart he’s been searching for. Upon her arrival, Ridge discovers Addie only communicates through the written word, but he knows a little of what trauma can do to a person and vows to stand by her side.

Addie is eager to start a new life with the kind ex-preacher and the little boy she’s stolen away from her father–a zealot priest of a terrorized flock. As her small family settles into life at Hope’s Crossing, she even begins to find the voice, and confidence, she’d lost so long ago.

But danger is not far behind, and her father will not be denied. While Addie desperately fights the man who destroyed her childhood, a determined Ridge races to the rescue. The star-crossed lovers will need more than prayers to survive this final challenge…and find their way back to each other again.

Review:

Once Upon a Mail Order Bride by Linda Broday is the 4^th and final book in her wonderful Outlaw Mail Order Brides series. I love this series, as Broday never fails to make us fall in love the couples in this western historical romance.   Refresher: The story takes place in Hope’s Crossing, which is a town run by outlaws, who have started a clean slate on their lives, with building a family and changing their lives for the better.

Ridge Steele, is an ex preacher, and because of the crime he did not commit, is one of the original outlaws who has built Hope Crossings. Ridge has been writing letters to a mail order bride, and is waiting impatiently for her arrival to marry him. 

Adeline (Addie) Jancy, has recently gotten out of a three-year prison term, and with the help of Luke and his wife, they manage get her away from men who are determined to kidnap her and bring her back to her evil father; who was the one who had her imprisoned.  Addie was in solitary confinement all those years, and she cannot speak due to the trauma; only using the written word to express herself.

When she meets Ridge, she finds him kind and patient, helping her take her time to learn how to speak again.  They immediately get married, and start their life together. Addie despite her inability to talk, wins over all the townsfolks, especially with her cooking.  In a short time, she learns more about the hardship Ridge has gone through and begins to fall hard for him, as he does with her.

They both have major issues; Ridge always on the lookout for those looking for him, even if he is innocent; and Addie running from her fanatical deranged father, who plans to kill her.  Both Addie and Ridge were great together, both strong, protective and loyal, and it was such a pleasure to watch them become closer.  When Ridge is in danger, with someone ready to attack him, Addie yells out a warning, bringing back her voice. 

What follows is an exciting story line, with nonstop action, heart stopping dangerous situations and a sweet romance between two people with flawed pasts that will catch up with them.  Things do get desperate when Addie’s nightmare comes true, and Ridge do anything to find her and fight to save her, also bringing forth her mother, who was also under the father’s evil control.  

Ridge and Addie were so good together, and you couldn’t help loving them, as they were the best couple yet. I loved how they had young Bodie stay with them, and he being loyal to them.  It was great to see all the main characters from the previous books. Since this is the final book, I must say Broday did such a great job bringing us this outlaw town, with fantastic couples and secondary characters, as well as giving us beautiful heartwarming romances, with some dangerous elements.

Linda Broday once again gives us another wonderful addition to this fabulous western historical series.  Once Upon a Mail Order Bride was a perfect conclusion to this series.  If you enjoy western historical romances, I suggest you read this series, and Linda Broday’s writing is superb.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher