Lilly: Bride of Illinois: American Mail-Order Brides

Lilly: Bride of Illinois: American Mail-Order Brides Series, Book 21

Written by: Linda K. Hubalek

Narrated by: Linda Velwest

Length: 4 hrs and 59 mins

Series: American Mail-Order Brides, Book 21

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:04-20-16

Publisher: Butterfield Books Inc.

My Reivew

I really enjoyed the story it was all that I thought it would with a lovely pretty clean plot. Lilly sign up for a mail order bride is all excited about starting a new life with a new husband only to get there and find he is not what he should be and she is about to live a life that is her worse nightmare. Never did she ever dream her life would turn in to this. One man out shines them all when he sees her and things do not add up. When they met again she is in a pickle as he finds a way to get her alone to find out if she needs help. This is where things get interesting with them trying to get her a way and all they have to do to get her out and safe.  Even if they get her out will she still be safe?

I didn’t care for Ms. Velwest at times she sounded robotic  with little breaks or something in there that took away from the story.  Something was a little off with Seth voice but I did think the villains she does very nicely.  Lilly’s voice did not sound Swedish I am unsure of what accent it was but it wasn’t Swedish. She knows her book well there were not any high or low places where you could tell she took a break nor where there any background noises. The only issues I really had with her narration were the robotic which did not come across as a smooth listen. There were times I thought now that is how it is done but she went back to the other way. I have listen to some other samples of her narration where this is not the case it is more to do with the fact books she has done. Her normal voice is very pleasant.  I did have a hard time getting through this I felt the narration did take away from the story and that I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it. I do feel if this narrator took her time and worked on making a smooth read with normal talking she would be a wonderful narrator.

I loved the characters, plots and scenes which the author brings to life in your mind. This was a delight with a few passionate scenes but nothing to hot just enough to give the reader the feel that there was something powerful going on.  At first Lilly comes across as naïve not having a clue what her husband to be had planned for her. Once she got away from that you find her a very strong character that has a thing or two to show the man around her. She is a very smart lady knows her way around a horse farm. Seth is a true honorable man who is the hero as he comes in and takes Lilly away giving her a choice at a better life. You will have to read to see if it is with him or if she moves on to greener pastures.  I enjoyed the way they came together getting to know each other along with his parents there were just a dear and kept me smiling. I do not want to give this away so I will just say the author really brings to life how hard it can be for a mail order bride but does it with taste and in a very classy way. This story left me wondering just how many Lilly were there that have answered mail order bride ads only to find themselves in a mess not getting what they agree to and having to live a life as she would have if not for Seth. My wish is for every woman who has or will find themselves in this mess that there will always be a Seth for them.  This was really a wonderful book that I hope you will pick up to read or listen to. Just because I didn’t like the narrator doesn’t mean you won’t. This has a wonderful plot with wonderful characters that you can relate to that are normal everyday people just trying to get by.

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Summary

Lilly: Bride of Illinois is number twenty-one in the unprecedented fifty book American Mail-Order Brides series.

A sweet wholesome romance set in 1890. Lilly Lind was forced to emigrate from Sweden two years ago, due to circumstances beyond her control. She finds a job as a garment maker in the Brown Textile Mill in Lawrence, Massachusetts, finally feeling as though she is settling in her new country. Then a suspicious fire burns the mill, making Lilly seek another way to survive. She answers a mail–order bride ad in the Grooms' Gazette and sets off for Chicago, believing she will be a business owner's wife.

Kansas rancher Seth Reagan travels to the Union Stockyards in Chicago to attend the 1890 American Fat Stock Show, the American Horse Show, and to purchase horseflesh to augment his herd. When arriving at the train station, he overhears a conversation between a young woman and a shady–looking man. Seth becomes concerned for the mail–order bride who is whisked away to a saloon, not to her new husband's home.

When Seth goes to the saloon to check on the young woman, he finds her in trouble and offers to help her escape. While buying horses and arranging their return travel to Kansas, Seth realizes he would like to bring Lilly home with him, too, but she is still being hunted by the saloon owner's thugs.

Lilly's good fortune in meeting Seth makes her want to start a life with this man, but he came to Illinois for horses, not a bride. Would he want her after he learns of her secrets?

Seth Reagan's parents (Pastor and Kaitlyn Reagan) are frequently mentioned in the Brides with Grit series.