Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Blog Tour Tuesday: MAIL ORDER BRIDE- A TIMELESS ROMANCE ANTHOLOGY




I'm pleased to present Mail Order Bride: A Timeless Romance Anthology. Six short novellas by six award-winning and bestselling authors. Six Mail Order Brides. Six proper (clean) Romances. Six happily-ever-afters.

TODAY, February 9th, is release day for this title, book #16 in the Amazon #1 Bestselling Series in the Clean Romance Book Category. Each "clean"/wholesome/"sweet"/proper romance runs 15K words or less (about 50 pages)--a short novella set in the Old West, each involving a mail order bride.


INVITATION: Please join our Facebook Party, meet all six authors, mingle, have fun, take home books and other prizes. To RSVP and 'attend' this virtual gathering, see the event page here.


In celebration of this anthology's release day, I'm giving away one free Kindle Edition of this title to one lucky winner! In order to qualify (and so your name can be in the drawing), all you need do is comment, below this blog post. In your comment, I'd love to hear one reason why you like Mail Order Bride romances (because if you don't like them, why enter the drawing?).

The drawing closes tonight (2-9-16) at midnight PST. The winner will be announced, in the comments following THIS blog post, on Wednesday, February 10th, by 9 AM PST. So make sure you keep reading and leave a comment at the end. This is a delightful set sure to touch readers' hearts.

Note: the winner must be willing to privately communicate his/her email address to Kristin Holt via email so the prize may be gifted through Amazon.com.

(If YOU win and already own this title, the $4.99 e-gift will be easily substituted on Amazon for anything else...so don't hesitate. Pick up this title! It's sure to please selective readers who enjoy sweet/wholesome western historical romance.)


A bit about each of the six novellas:

Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Mail Order Bride Collection. Six historical romance novellas set in the Old West.

WRITTEN IN HER HEART, a charming novella by Stacy Henrie, Georgeanna is getting desperate. She can’t fund her favorite orphanage unless she marries and secures the rest of her inheritance left by her father. But her father’s financial planner, Clay, can't understand why she's not content with her current situation. Georgie determines to send out a notice as a mail order bride to attract suitors who won’t know her financial situation. Little does she know, Clay takes up the pen and sends her letters of his own under an assumed name. After years of working for Georgie’s father, Clay realizes he isn’t ready to watch her marry another, not when his heart is already claimed by her.

In Kristin Holt’s delightful novella WANTED: MIDWIFE BRIDE Dr. Naomi Thornton thinks she has it all: a beautiful house, a loving husband, and a fulfilling career. But when everything she holds dear is ripped away, Naomi has no choice but to start over. What will she find in the wild and untamed Wyoming Territory? Dr. Joe Chandler has waited years for a wife with the knowledge, skills, and tender heart he yearns for in a medical colleague and lifetime companion. When a midwife arrives with more expertise and secrets than he counted on, Joe quickly discovers there’s more to love and marriage than a simple mail order contract.

In THE SOUND OF HOME, a captivating novella by Annette Lyon, Marilyn is given the choice of either marrying the despicable Victor or being charged with a murder she didn’t commit. Refusing to believe that either is her fate, she finds a third option: she answers a mail order bride advertisement and boards a train to Wyoming to wed a man named Harry. Moments after her arrival, she learns that Harry isn’t who he seemed to be, and the advertisement turns out to be a giant mistake. Harry’s brother Thomas agrees to let her stay until she can figure out what to do next—after all, she simply cannot return to New York—but Marilyn quickly finds herself developing feelings for Thomas.

In Sarah M. Eden’s endearing novella FOR BETTER OR WORSE Gerald Smith, on the advice of his well-meaning neighbors, has decided it’s time to change his lonely existence. Mary Hill, on the advice of her empty pocketbook and non-existent roof over her head, has decided it’s time to secure herself a future. A mail-order marriage, they both realize, is no guarantee of happiness, but it is a risk they are willing to take. However, coming face to face on the train platform, the hapless couple discovers an unexpected truth: marriage to a perfect stranger is sometimes far preferable to the prospect of a lifetime with someone you used to know.

Heather B. Moore’s sweet novella AN INCONVENIENT BRIDE sees Carmela traveling from Boston to Colorado, eager to meet the man she’s been corresponding with and will soon marry. Her brother’s new marriage leaves little room for Carmela in her old life. Upon arrival in Leadville, she faces a rude awakening, and the only one who can understand her predicament is her fiance’s brother, Samuel. But Samuel can’t possibly help her out of an awkward situation, can he? It would be better for all if she returns immediately to Boston and pretends she never traveled to Colorado in the first place.

THE PRICE OF SILVER, an engaging novella by Siân Ann Bessey, Katie leaves New York for Idaho to marry Jake, a man she’s written to a couple of times. But when she steps off the train, his brother Caleb is there to greet her. Jake has gone to take a mining job he couldn’t pass up. Caleb takes Katie back to the family ranch to wait for Jake’s return. The more Caleb gets to know Katie, the more he envies his brother, but he can’t let his heart overrule his head unless Jake changes his mind about his intended bride.


This Mail Order Bride Collection is the 16th book within the A Timeless Romance Anthology series, published by Mirror Press. This title will be available at $4.99 across all major eBook retailers. Because ARC (advance review copies) were distributed by the authors to various reviewers in trade for honest reviews, Goodreads has 19 ratings and 17 reviews at the time of this blog post's writing. The average rating is currently 4.74 [where 4 stars means "I really liked it" and 5 stars translates to "It was amazing"].

My sincere thanks to all readers who post reviews and share their thoughts and insights with others. Book reviews are so valuable!

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo, Oyster
(links will be updated as they become live and purchases may be made at that eBook retailer)
At present, this title is available in eBook only.




Please stop in at www.KristinHolt.com for frequent fresh articles (blog posts) about all things nineteenth century with special focus on the Victorian American West.

My current series of articles are about the TRUTH (& historical accuracy/inaccuracy) behind the popular Mail Order Bride-Trope in Romance Fiction:


 *** BEFORE YOU GO ***
Please remember to enter the drawing for a FREE (my gift to the winner) eBook
(kindle edition) of Mail Order Bride: A Timeless Romance Collection. All you need do is COMMENT, below, with a few words about what you enjoy most about Mail Order Bride stories. The drawing will CLOSE at midnight (2-9-16, PST) occur tomorrow morning (2-10-16) and posted prior to 9 AM PST. The winner will be notified in the same comments, so check back! You'll want to know if you won. (You might benefit from checking the "notify me" box to facilitate learning if you've won.) The winner must be willing to provide his/her email address by email to Kristin Holt in order to receive the kindle edition prize via email.

Copyright © 2016 Kristin Holt, LC

52 comments:

  1. I enjoy reading Mail Order Bride books because they are about women and men who stepped out in faith for a new life. I like the adventures and adjustments that happen in the characters lives.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Missy--
      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts about mail order bride stories. I like them for the same reasons! It must have taken an incredible amount of faith and confidence to make such a huge change.
      thank you--
      Kristin

      Delete
  2. I ,ove mail order Brides because the Bride is looking for an escape from her previous life to some extent and the man doesn't ever meet/get what he expects. Sometimes they work out but usually there is another man that is happy to take over.

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    Replies
    1. Oh, so true, Leslie! I'm smiling-- so many surprises stepped off the stage/train to meet the groom. =) And I love reading about reasons authors dream up for why the bride would leave "home" and set off for a better life.
      Thanks for stopping by!
      Kristin

      Delete
  3. I love mail order bride novels because the heroine never knows who she will meet or what her new living situation will be.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Louise! I appreciate you stopping by and sharing your thoughts. <3 ~Kristin

      Delete
  4. I love mail order bride novels because the heroine never knows who she will meet or what her new living situation will be.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. [This appears to be an accidental duplication of Louise's comments, above, but I don't dare delete for fear it will remove both posts.]

      Delete
  5. I love the mail order bride stories because they show how strong these women actually were; to adventure across the country, not knowing what they would find at the other end, is courage of the first order. How strong they had to be in spirit and physically. The journey was harder than I had ever imagined and the dangers were everywhere. Add the uncertainty waiting at the end of the journey. Was the man waiting, cruel, self centered, lazy, would he even be waiting for her. I do not think I could have done what these women had the courage to do. They possessed a courage of spirit I do not think we have today. Compared to those women, we are soft.

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    1. Hi Vera Book Reviews and Stuff--
      How I agree! I think the strength in the nineteenth century women (particularly in those who chose to become mail order brides) is why I'm so drawn to the era and the niche within historical romance... as a reader and as a writer. It's fascinating how much has changed from then 'til now. Women can own property, stand up for themselves, so many things women couldn't then... but we're also so much softer in so many ways--it's true!
      Thanks for sharing your insights and observations. I appreciate you stopping by!
      ~Kristin

      Delete
  6. I have a total fascination with mail-order bride books, they are my #1 favorite genre and I even have my baby sister hooked on them. I love historical based books and most Mail-Order Bride stories have the young woman leaving the east and traveling westward to the UNKNOWN to make a life. To think of leaving everyone you know and going to marry a stranger (a few letters exchanged) and making a life in a rugged land. These women helped settle the west.

    As a genealogist, I have never encountered one of my relatives actually become a mail-order bride. The closest is my paternal grandparents who met on a Saturday, her grandparents kicked her out for going to the fair with him on Sunday, he took her home to his parents and then they married on Monday and only knew each other 3 days, were married over 50 years and learned to love each other.

    Kathy Heare Watts

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kathy!
      Thank you so much for stopping by. I completely adore the story of your grandparents and their meeting, marriage, and lengthy love story. What a beautiful tale! Knowing about family that came before us is so valuable, and like you, I'm fascinated with my progenitors' love stories. One set of my great-grandparents had an arranged marriage in Europe and were blissfully happy... through poverty, immigration to the United States, loss of children to childhood illnesses, and so much more.
      Thank you for sharing your reasons for adoring MOB stories. I couldn't agree more!
      Cheers--
      Kristin

      Delete
  7. I love Mail Order Brides Because I love to read about how these brave woman left there home for parts unknown and to marriage a complete stranger and put there lives in there hands and learning to live and work together.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Christine!
      Isn't it fun to vicariously experience the unknown, the excitement, travel, even the worry? Mail order brides were certainly resilient and tough. =)
      Thanks for stopping by!
      Kristin Holt

      Delete
  8. I don't read all mail order bride stories, only those that are well written and seeing who authored this book, I know these stories will qualify. I love books that show me what love was like in the nineteenth century, how real love never changes and we can all hope to find a very special love of our own.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Charlene--
      I'm honored to be included with five incredibly talented and proven authors in this anthology set. They're award-winning and multi-published authors with a record of quality work. =)
      I think there is something pretty special about nineteenth century love: commitment that lasts, determination to survive and triumph over all odds, and the truth that no matter the decade, love is love.
      Thanks so much for stopping by--
      Kristin Holt

      Delete
  9. I love anthologies like this. Stories, short reads, on a similiar subject are perfect for anytime of the year Wishing each a success. Kristin, all the best, and no need to enter me. I'm just happy these stories are our there for your fans and the new ones your going to get. Doris/Angela

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Doris/Angela, for sharing your good wishes, cheering me and my fellow authors on. I love anthologies too. Especially 15K shorts like this (or so) as I can read one per hour (bedtime stories!) and find introductions to authors I've not yet read.
      Many thanks,
      Kristin

      Delete
  10. I like these stories because I want to see how the author finishes the story! Did they fall in love or was it hate at first sight.. did it work out or did she marry his brother??? so many ways to go :) And so many in this book! !

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    Replies
    1. Hi Deanna!
      Thank you for stopping by, reading about the Mail Order Bride Collection: A Timeless Romance Anthology, and sharing your interest and passion for the genre. =) I'm chuckling because I've asked the very same questions! It is fun to see the variance from one author's work to another.
      Cheers--
      Kristin

      Delete
  11. I enjoy reading Mail order brides stories, because you never know what will happen. These women, for whatever reason, choose to start a new life weather it be to escape a bad situation, or for a new adventure. To me, I feel they are braver than me to go far from home to marry someone they just met.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Dawn--
      Thanks for paying me a visit on Sweet Americana Sweethearts, and sharing your reasons for admiring women of the old days who became mail order brides. I can only imagine the strength it must have taken. =)
      Thank you!
      Kristin Holt

      Delete
  12. Looking forward to to reading this collection. Love these old fashioned romances with good old fashioned values!

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    Replies
    1. Hi April--
      Thank you so much for stopping by Sweet Americana Sweethearts. You'll be so pleased with this compilation. Truly sweet, wholesome, "proper" romances with old fashioned values in characters' behavior and language, book content, story premises, and more. When I read the whole set I was in awe--and so appreciative--of the same elements in the other authors' work.
      Cheers!
      Kristin Holt

      Delete
  13. I have enjoyed all the Timeless Anthologies, so even though I haven't read much about mail order brides before, I'm know I will love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jamie,
      thank you! You're very right-- the Timeless Romance Anthologies have remained very consistent in quality, value, and always include many of the best in the niches represented. I do hope your exposure to these Mail Order Bride stories will be a good experience.
      Best,
      Kristin Holt

      Delete
  14. Hi Kristin,
    I enjoy MOB romance for the hope that the brides have. They are often from unfortunate situations and this is a last resort. They look to this as an answer and often have to pull up their boot strings and be strong.

    Although they are fiction, these stories remind women to be strong, to have hope and to control your destiny. What a great message! I am very much looking forward to reading these!!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Amy--
      So good to see you here at Sweet Americana Sweethearts. Thank you so much for visiting and leaving a comment.
      I agree-- fiction often reflects the wishes and sentiments of real people, and as readers, the themes feed our desires to be strong, hold onto hope, take chances, control one's own destiny, have faith (as applicable), and maximize one's own happiness.
      Cheers!
      Kristin

      Delete
  15. Hi Kristin, thanks for reminding me of this second opportunity. I love many things about the mail order bride's books. For one thing, I love the real history many wonderful authors like yourself put into each book after painstaking research. Since I write TV scripts; and historical scripts are my favorite, I know how difficult it is to find such details that are effortlessly woven into great plots with interesting characters. I just discovered this amazing blog of yours where you post quite a bit about your research. I think you are genius in finding such details. I know that I have trouble finding the details that I often want or need. I don't think I know how to use the computer well enough to know certain tricks to finding out more about the details of whatever I am researching. I also often find many details that contradict themselves in certain areas of research. I think it is due to the subject. For example, I am reasearching a particular Native American chief of an important tribe. There's quite a bit on him, but much of it is contradictory. I finally found out that the chief in question didn't know about certain aspects of his early life such as where and what year he was born, so he often gave two different stories about his birth in two different places and years. I am also looking for specific information about how wounds were traeated and how much they knew about surgical techniques in the small communities in Texas and other Western states and territories right after the Civil War. I thought this would be an easy topic to research, but it really hasn't been very easy to get nitty gritty details. I love the history of the entire Western Movement and Cowboy Era, however, I know that sometimes it becomes necessary to move dates of some rather major well-known historical events, etc. in order to include them in the time line of my story. I think most historical authors have that same problem. I would love to read about your opinions in your blog concerning these things. Most of all,I love mail order bride books because I love reading the circumstances of each woman who feels this is their only choice, which it is most of the time back then, and I really feel for the predicaments they are in. I feel the hope that they have in their futures turning out well, and I admire their courage born out of desperation to go forward into such unknown and dangerous situations. Plus, while I do love gritty realism, I also adore a wonderful romance and happy ending.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Connie!
      What a pleasure to have you stop in today-- thank you! I appreciate, very much, your kind compliments about my own blog (http://www.kristinholt.com/archives/category/articles). I'm so glad you find the content there of help and useful in your own research. I personally love to dig in, see what information is available online, in real paper books, in personal interviews (I'm lucky to have a living grandmother age 95), and more. You're so right that often information contradicts itself.
      I'm glad to see your feelings/observations/awareness about mail order bride books (and history) and the reasons why these women (at least in fiction) are so admirable. Like you, I love romance as I'm guaranteed (eventually) a happy ending. I've had enough realism in real life; I need resounding joy. =)
      Warm regards,
      Kristin Holt

      Delete
  16. BTW, your book sounds so interesting because it is about a Doctor who wants a woman who has knowledge of medicine but ends up with a "midwife" who knows way more than he ever imagined. I'd love to know where you found some of your reaseach about the medicine if that time. I think my story in Texas which includes a brother and sister who are not doctors, but grew up with a father who is a famous surgeon from which they learned a great deal from is set in the the days after the Civil War in 1867.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Connie--
      I'd be happy to share my research sources. Please-- do email me through my website. You'll find my contact page on www.KristinHolt.com. Let's start a dialog about how and where I searched for the medical information. Some of it comes simply from my life as a Registered Nurse in Labor and Delivery.
      Hugs,
      Kristin

      Delete
  17. BTW, your book sounds so interesting because it is about a Doctor who wants a woman who has knowledge of medicine but ends up with a "midwife" who knows way more than he ever imagined. I'd love to know where you found some of your reaseach about the medicine if that time. I think my story in Texas which includes a brother and sister who are not doctors, but grew up with a father who is a famous surgeon from which they learned a great deal from is set in the the days after the Civil War in 1867.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. [I believe this is a duplicate of Connie's previous message-- I hesitate to delete it for fear it will delete the one I responded to, also.]

      Delete
  18. Hi Kristin, thanks for reminding me of this second opportunity. I love many things about the mail order bride's books. For one thing, I love the real history many wonderful authors like yourself put into each book after painstaking research. Since I write TV scripts; and historical scripts are my favorite, I know how difficult it is to find such details that are effortlessly woven into great plots with interesting characters. I just discovered this amazing blog of yours where you post quite a bit about your research. I think you are genius in finding such details. I know that I have trouble finding the details that I often want or need. I don't think I know how to use the computer well enough to know certain tricks to finding out more about the details of whatever I am researching. I also often find many details that contradict themselves in certain areas of research. I think it is due to the subject. For example, I am reasearching a particular Native American chief of an important tribe. There's quite a bit on him, but much of it is contradictory. I finally found out that the chief in question didn't know about certain aspects of his early life such as where and what year he was born, so he often gave two different stories about his birth in two different places and years. I am also looking for specific information about how wounds were traeated and how much they knew about surgical techniques in the small communities in Texas and other Western states and territories right after the Civil War. I thought this would be an easy topic to research, but it really hasn't been very easy to get nitty gritty details. I love the history of the entire Western Movement and Cowboy Era, however, I know that sometimes it becomes necessary to move dates of some rather major well-known historical events, etc. in order to include them in the time line of my story. I think most historical authors have that same problem. I would love to read about your opinions in your blog concerning these things. Most of all,I love mail order bride books because I love reading the circumstances of each woman who feels this is their only choice, which it is most of the time back then, and I really feel for the predicaments they are in. I feel the hope that they have in their futures turning out well, and I admire their courage born out of desperation to go forward into such unknown and dangerous situations. Plus, while I do love gritty realism, I also adore a wonderful romance and happy ending.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. [I believe this is also a duplicate of Connie's message responded to above... I hesitate to delete it for fear I'll delete the one we intend to stay.]

      Delete
  19. I love the Mail Order Bride books because I've always been interested in the subject. I love the fact that those women had the faith and the courage to take the chance on making their life better and interesting. How much faith would you really have to have to take that chance to put your trust in a man that you have never seen or know how you will be treated. I love the books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Maxine--
      You're so right. Women in the era were at such mercy to the men in their lives (fathers, brothers, guardians, husbands)... and to hand everything over to a man they didn't really know had to be a huge act of faith.
      Thank you for stopping by!
      Kristin Holt

      Delete
  20. They are sweet, sassy, and clean.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rebecca--
      Thank you for visiting Sweet Americana Sweethearts and contributing to the conversation. You're very right! Most are sweet, sassy, and clean. This set certainly is!
      Cheers--
      Kristin

      Delete
  21. I've never read Mail Order Bride novels, but I will be because I read all of the Timeless Romance Anthologies and this one looks really entertaining!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lynette--
      Fans of the Timeless Romance Anthologies series should be very pleased. This niche within Western Historical Romance has a significant following...so beware. =) You might become a fan.=)
      Warm regards,
      Kristin

      Delete
  22. I love to read the Mail Order Bride books because it is a great escape into a time that is fascinating to me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sue!
      Tickled to see you here! Thanks for stopping by and giving voice to what I wholeheartedly agree MOB (mail order bride) books to be... an escape! It's wonderful to live for a few hours in a time in the past, imagining life and adventures and experiences we don't have today. Shouldn't reading fiction always be an escape?
      Best,
      Kristin

      Delete
  23. I love to read the Mail Order Bride books because it is a great escape into a time that is fascinating to me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. [As this appears to be a duplicate to Sue's first post, I'd delete it...but fear I'll end up removing her first post which we want to stay.]

      Delete
  24. I love reading the Mail Order Bride books because they're written by my favorite authors. One of which said (rough quote) the best part about a marriage of convienance is that all that is left is for them to fall in love. Which is true, or not, of mail order brides.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Debra--
    Well said! Whoever's quite that is, they nailed it. Isn't there something just 'right' about a husband falling in love with his wife? And a wife falling for her husband? It's out of the ordinary anymore for love to come after marriage, and reading about it can be a fond adventure.
    Cheers!
    Kristin

    ReplyDelete
  26. :::::ANNOUNCING THE WINNER OF THE DRAWING:::::
    I counted 19 unique entries, all posted during the 12 AM to 12 PM window on 2-9-16 as outlined in the blog post. I numbered each person's name and used a random number generator to pick a number, #1 through #19... and am please to announce the winner is.......
    ::::::::::Kathy Heare Watts:::::::::::
    Kathy, please email me: Kristin (at) KristinHolt (dot) com so I'll have your email address to gift you a copy through Amazon.com (your email addy is all they require in order to be able to deliver your book. If you prefer a Nook edition, please say so in your email to me.
    Congratulations, Kathy!
    Thank you, so very much, EVERYONE, for your interest, your support of this new anthology, and your genuine feedback about WHY you like Mail Order Bride books so much.
    TODAY you have the opportunity (TWICE MORE!) to win a gift copy of this $4.99 anthology. (2-10-16) A facebook party from 1 to 3 PM (Mountain Time Zone) here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2086866408218626/ It starts in about six hours from my posting. I hope you'll join us, whether you're interested in this book title as a prize or are interested in visiting with the authors of the anthology OR perhaps you're interested in the many other books by these authors that will be given as prizes. Hope to see YOU there!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you very much. I am so excited and I have shared the amazon buy link on my Facebook wall. I am on the phone telling my sister all about it.

      Delete