The Dove: The Second Day

The Dove: The Second Day (The 12 Days of Christmas Mail-Order Brides #2)

by Shanna Hatfield

I remember signing The Twelve days of Christmas at a very young age it has always been one of my favorites. I love how each author had incorporated the song to go with it in a style that really brings it to life. The Dove is a sweet little baby who is just adorable with a mother who has lived a very hard life. She has had very little to call her own but need to take care of her daughter. Meeting up with a lady who is taking women to become mail order brides she is talked in to going along. This is a big step for her, she is scared and alone with nowhere else to turn. She is just hoping for a man who will be nice to them both which is something she has never had.   Her story just broke my heart.

Culver doesn’t want a wife but goes along with the rest of the man to help make this place into a town. He isn’t expecting much, most likely will have someone who is trying to get away and homely. That is ok with him he doesn’t need anyone taking his attention away from his business. He never would have guessed one lady would stand out and take his heart in her hand. Kezia takes his breath away from the first time he has set eyes on her. She has a secret he doesn’t know about when this comes out he is left rethinking this marriage deal. If she hiding something this big what else is she hiding, can she be trusted.

A sweet romance where two people need to learn to overcome issues, learn to trust as they try to find away to build a life together.  A very touching story of survival dealing with the hand you have been given as so many mail order brides had to. It’s a very unique plot that really pulls you in with humor, laughter and a little sorrow. I can’t think of anyone who deserves to find happiness more than Kezia who has had none. A touching story full of love, kindness as two people get to know each other. I loved how Culver falls in love with little Dove, how he talked with her, showed her things they both stole my heart. Love the characters, the plot and the ending which makes you misty eyed. The author really knows how to pull her readers in giving them an emotional touching read. I thought the gifts he made were a very touching wonderful addition to the stories plot. Just totally a pleasure to read and get taken back in time feeling like you are part of the story. The romance was very touching. The ending so sweet, I can’t wait to read more in this series it looks to be a delightful fun series and with wonderful Christmas stories that will put you in the mood for a delightful holiday that is so full of love, sharing and caring.

Buy Link

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Dove-Second-Christmas-Mail-Order-Brides-ebook/dp/B077LC4SY8/ref=sr_1_9?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1512301820&sr=1-9&keywords=%28The+12+Days+of+Christmas+Mail-Order+Brides

Summary

Bewitched, beguiled, and in over his head. . .

The marvelous, mysterious woman is his bride-to-be?

Culver Daniels spent years cultivating a peaceful, orderly existence with his blacksmith shop and livery business. Then the pastor of Noelle landed upon a crazy scheme to save the town by sending for a bunch of mail-order brides. Despite his determination to remain single, Culver finds himself among those agreeing to wed. The moment he meets the beautiful gypsy woman he’s promised to marry, he realizes life will never be the same.

Widow Kezia Mirga has no desire to marry again. Yet, for the sake of her most cherished treasure, she decides to wed a man in a remote Colorado mining town. She arrives to find nothing as she expected, the town in a state of turmoil, and her intended far more handsome and charming than she imagined. Dare she dream of a future with the burly blacksmith, or should she escape back to Denver before she loses her heart?

Will true love triumph over secrets and surprises in this sweet and wholesome holiday romance?

The Dove is second in a series of 12 novellas.

˃˃˃ Meet the inhabitants of Noelle, Colorado, the little town at the heart of this historical series.

His gaze traveled from Mrs. Boonesbury to the woman behind her. “And your name, Miss?”

A slight blush dusted the woman’s cheeks with pink as she lifted chocolate-colored eyes to his. Culver had always been quite partial to chocolate. He could quickly grow accustomed to staring into eyes that held such mesmerizing flecks of amber light among their glossy depths.

When she didn’t respond, he took a step closer, but Mrs. Boonesbury subtly shifted to block him from the stunning woman.

Culver moved to the right and so did the gypsy’s self-appointed guard. He shifted to the left, as did Mrs. Boonesbury. A few more steps back and forth and Culver decided the old woman was not only a fair dancer, but also the most irritating person he’d encountered in a long while. He couldn’t fathom a single reason why she’d prevent him from getting any closer to the gypsy woman, but she undoubtedly planned to do so.

Defeated, at least temporarily, Culver looked again to the dark-haired woman. “Miss? What’s your name? Who are you to marry?”

“You, Mr. Daniels,” she said in a soft, alluring voice that melted Culver’s insides and turned his brain to mush. “I’m Kezia Mirga, but my friends call me Zee.”

“You’re even more beautiful than I dreamed, Miss Mirga,” Culver said, shocked to discover his tongue joined the rebellion his heart and feet had already staged against his good sense.

Harriet's Destiny

Harriet's Destiny

Faith Creek Brides, Book 6

By: Karla Gracey

Narrated by: Alan Taylor

Series: Faith Creek Brides, Book 6

Length: 1 hr and 32 mins

Unabridged

Release date: 10-04-17

Language: English

Publisher: KG Publishing House

A story of one sister who is willing to stand up to those that try to control their lives making a stand and saying NO when her uncle tries to marry her sister off. She is willing to give up the easy care free life to keep her sister happy. Harriet isn’t ugly by any means but compare to her sister she is no comparison. Her sister is everything most men would want. She is use to getting her way and isn’t a very nice person always putting herself first and her sister last which is the opposite of what Harriet is. To get her sister out of marrying a man old enough to be her father they answer a mail order bride ad.

Mr. Taylors narration was great his voice just sound like the wild west. It is very pleasant to listen to, with wonderful character voices giving them real emotions you get lost in. You never are in doubt just who is talking or what they are feeling. I found both his female and male voices to be a delight from the strong male to the soft female you could really feel the pain, sorrow, and happiness he gives them. I heard no background noise or any places where the volume changes. If any breaks where taken I could not tell. His voice is strong and clear giving you a delightful listen. His performance is outstanding from the emotion to his voices he really make the story come alive. He is a very talented narrator that pulls the listener in giving a very vivid listen that you can picture the scenes in your mind.

I really didn’t care for Harriet sister she is very demanding and only thinks about herself and what she wants not caring what her sister has to give up for her. She agrees to marry Brandon but on meeting him thinks he is a bore and hopes he finds someone else. Harriet would give anything to be married to Brandon but is not welling to hurt her sister. Brandon has his own thoughts on her sister and just what he wants. This is very short sweet read with no filler, it is interesting but moves a little fast as most short stories do.

Buy Links

Audible

https://www.audible.com/pd/Teens/Harriets-Destiny-Audiobook/B0763Q2RS7

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Mail-Order-Bride-Historical-Inspirational-ebook/dp/B06XQLVD5Y/ref=cm_cr_if_orig_subj?_encoding=UTF8&linkCode=xm2&tag=audiblecom0f-20

B&N

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mail-order-bride-harriets-destiny-karla-gracey/1125996142?ean=2940154295984

Summary

Clean and wholesome historical western inspirational romance.
Harriet Kirk has spent a lifetime being overlooked. Though she adores her sister, Annalise, who is beautiful and urbane, confident and accomplished in every situation, Harriet is tired of always being compared unfavorably to her. Clever and quick, practical and sensible, Harriet has always felt like an ugly duckling, but it has never stopped her from wanting the happily ever after that her sister always seemed destined for. But an unusual twist in their fates has them taking their destiny into their own hands, but will it end in happiness for Harriet, or for Annalise?
Brandon Willis has never wanted for anything, but he has always been determined to serve his community. He loves his work, driving the stage coach across the state, and assisting his great friend, Sheriff John Kimball, as one of the town's deputy sheriffs. But he is starting to notice the loneliness that marks his days. But will he ever put himself first long enough to find a woman to love, or will his desire to help be his undoing?

The Reluctant Bride

The Reluctant Bride

Brides Along the Chisholm Trail, Book 1

By: Maxine Douglas

Narrated by: Evelyn Grace

Length: 3 hrs and 39 mins

Unabridged

Release date: 11-15-17

Language: English

Publisher: Maxine Douglas

I thought this was a good story with a good plot however the narration does take away from it.  One has to wonder how many times something like this did happen back then. I have no trouble believing that someone became a mail order bride to outrun their past or to overcome issues. For me this would have been the best way to start over with a new life and a new name. I do not think that records or not many were kept back then on births and such.  Here the author gives you a story of one woman agreeing to become a bride sight unseen and another woman who saw something she was not suppose to. She took the first women’s place before her boss could have her arrested for his crimes. There is nothing worse than running scared going to a place that is wild and untamed to a man you know nothing about.  I really enjoyed the story.

When listening to the sample the narration sound good but once you download it and start listening there are issues.  The character voices both male and female are really good however some sound robotic.  You know who is talking and for the most part what they are feeling. I did see a difference from listening through the radio to ear phones to speakers. The home speakers I have were the best. I did have to lower the volume on my kindle to make it not sound like the narrator was in a box. This is not a smooth or clear audio, there are volumes and tone changes throughout. The volume changes I think are when the character was thinking and maybe the narrator pulled away from the microphone.  I do not know how other narrators do this but there is no volume change when they do it. There is some kind of echo or something throughout. I did become use to it for the most part and didn’t notice it so much later on. At some points there were changes in the volume of tone and I am unsure as to why. The narrator does do a good job on the emotions I had no trouble feeling what they were going through. From what I can see this is the first narration this narrator has done. I feel with sometime and help from other narrators she will overcome the issues I have found.  I would like to listen to more of her work as she learns and grows.

I really enjoyed the story but feel I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it. At times I felt the story moved a little fast. I did enjoy the buildup of the romance and how Abby worked at winning her new stepdaughters but I thought it was a little fast for her to be calling her mother. She sure did move her affection from the women she wanted as her mother to her new one. I really liked the mystery behind both Abby and Logan and how they found out about things each are hiding. I thought Logan daughter was something else she is so full of her self and doesn’t mind telling things the way they are. There is a lot going on and the author uses no fillers at all giving a believable story that is enjoyable.

Buy Links

Audible
https://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/The-Reluctant-Bride-Audiobook/B077G7PFL7

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Reluctant-Bride-Brides-Along-Chisholm-ebook/dp/B01M3R8TKO/ref=cm_cr_if_orig_subj?_encoding=UTF8&linkCode=xm2&tag=audiblecom0f-20

Summary

Roseanne Duncan witnesses her employer push his sickly wife down the staircase. Fearing she’ll have to testify against a prominent man in town, she answers an ad for a mail-order bride in Dodge City. Believing this is a way for her to escape the possible danger of her employer, she travels to Dodge City and marries under the name of Abigail Johnson.
Logan Granger is a Pinkerton detective, assigned to the Dodge City area as an undercover bartender. When his mail-order bride, “Abby", steps off the train, she doesn’t fit the description of a matronly woman who has agreed to his marriage contract of no emotional attachments. There’s no time to reconsider, the preacher is waiting to marry them.
Rose hadn’t expected the handsome man waiting for her to be a bartender with a six shooter on his hip and a badge on his chest. Logan hadn’t expected his soon-to-be wife to be young, beautiful, and a runaway murder witness.

The Second Wife

The Second Wife

The Second Wife Series, Book 1

By: Kishan Paul

Narrated by: Shiromi Arserio

Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins

Unabridged

Release date: 11-21-17

Language: English

Publisher: Tantor Audio

I read this book back in 2015 when it was first released, my thoughts on it hasn’t changed much at all. I will be redoing my review to incorporate my thoughts on the audio. I do have to add that this story is so different from the writing I am used to from this author it really delivers quite a push in so many ways. As the book takes off you will be going on an adventure with many twist and turns that will hold you on the edge making you want to cry, hold your breath and do a little cursing of your own. It is a wild ride of deceit, abuse, anger, hurt, pain, lose and adduction that will stay with you long after you put the audio/book down. I have only had one other audio affect me in the same way it too was just like The Second Wife both hold you spellbound giving you a listen you can’t put down.

I have never listened to any of Ms. Arserio’s work but was very delighted to find that I own a few of the books she narrator and can get the audio at a discount. What Ms. Arserio brings to the table is a delightful audio that holds you as spellbound as the author does. Her voice blends very well in this story really bring it to life making you feel you right in the room watching it happen and taking the fallout just as Alisha/Sarah is. There were not any background noises, no repeating of wording, if any breaks were taken I could not tell. I loved her accents that really make the story more believable. Her character voices are very smooth, interesting and really great. Her male voices really fit the characters as well as her female ones. You have no trouble knowing who is talking and just what they are feeling. I found myself pulling back as Ally went through her trials trying to hold on to anything that will help her get through to the next day. Have no doubts that this narrator really bring this story to life making it come alive in your mind. There are no words to tell you just how much her narration affected me making me feel just as if I was there looking in as the evil man takes his pleasure on a women he had no right to hold. I am totally blown away with her performance.

What the author brings to the table is an outstanding read of survival, getting even, taking back your life, facing your fears as you face your past which you have lost and learning to start over again when you do not know which way to turn. In my first review I said I can’t even image what Ally went through but after listening to the audio I felt every rape, hit etc she did. Not many things brings me to tears but as I write this I have tears in my eyes. I really didn’t know how much it affected me until I try to put in words my thoughts. What this audio does is put you in another’s person shoes living day to day in a country you do not knowing the language not having any friends to talk to, having people hate you for no other reason than you being there, you only a doctor  you’re not sure of and a husband who isn't your husband that does cruel unspeakable things to you but at the same time believing you are there for his pleasure and you are happy about it, that your all lives are wonderful. Than to be taken, raped and beaten over and over again for little or no reason is just more than your mind can handle. Day after day watching an evil man using whatever he can to keep you in control letting him do what he wants, not trying to escape for fear of what he will do the ones you love.

Alisha is a sweet wonderful caring lady that gives so much of herself to everyone. She has/had a wonderful husband who adores her. A loving family that bring a smile to her face with their love. She has the best and everything any women could want until the day she walked outside and someone took her to a new country, killed people in front of her and became her worse nightmare. She prays for someone to come get her and take her home. She prays for the love of her life until the day she sees a picture and knows her life is over. She has nowhere to go, no one to love and no reason to live until the day she built her new family from those around her that are going through the same things she is. Will this nightmare ever end? Will she ever find a way out and a place to call hers?

David remembers it like it was yesterday even through it has been two years since the love of his life came up missing. He has turned over every stone, she is nowhere but in his dreams. Those wonderful dreams at night when he is asleep she comes to him he reaches out and touches her only to wake and find she is gone. After two long painful years he has found someone who can make him smile again. If she could only make him forget.....until the day a man came to him and said your wife is alive and is the second wife of another man. He leaves no stone unturned as he finds away to get to her and bring her home but will it be too late?

What made this such an outstanding listen/read for me is the plot and the writing style of this author and the way the narrator delivers each scene in her almost cold tones it makes chills rundown you spine. The audio adds so much really grabbing your attention and not letting it go until the last page. You will not want this story to end you will want to know what happens next, do they make it, will they be able to bring their selves out of the darkest time in their life or will the darkness pull them under?

This is a very believable plot with some wonderful caring characters. Some you will love and others you will want to kill yourself. If I could have gotten in the story I would have gladly have taken a few out. I was begging for the knife, a gun to be handed to me to just give me a few minutes with the ones that had taken her and changed that sweet smiling girl into a very cold person whose smiles never reaches her eyes, a person who bends to their will, giving others control. I promise she would be smiling from not only her eyes but her soul when I was done.

What I really like about this story is the author gives you all the fact without throwing them in your face. You know what happen and you know it is terrible but you do not read all the details. You can feel the pain of the victim as she is rape and beaten but it is told in a way that your mind can handle it. There are so many victims all because of one man who thinks he is better than anyone else that he deserves to have what he wants when he wants it. No one said no to him if they do he kills them or takes them. No one has been able to stop him. Alisha believes she can and will die trying, she has nothing to lose and nothing to live for. He must die, his evil must be stopped. There is many more beside her that have paid his price. She vows no more will die, no one will do anything against their will because of him, he will not take another and putting them through what he did her.

David isn't walking away he will make this man pay for what he has not only done to him but his wife, the women he adores, the love of his life. He will not leave Pakistani without her, no man will ever hurt his beloved Ally again, and those who have will pay dearly at his own hands. Now it becomes a fight to the death who will live and who will die.

This is one book I could not put down it held my interest like no other one has in awhile. There were times my mouth fell open my hand covered it. There were times I was close to tears as the author took me through the pages of hurt and pain. Many times I thought let me in a room with him and I will happily take him out. It has been a long time since a story has touched me so deep that I felt it all the way to my soul. I love the fact that it is told in a way that shouldn't trip any wires in your brain if you have been abused. It is a story you can relate to without having to read word for word what was done. This is one audio/book that will never get old it will always hold you spellbound as it did when you first read/listened to it. It is one you will want to listen to again and again. I think most who read this will not be able to walk away without being touched in some way. I know this review does not to justice to this book there are no words to say just how much it affected me, or what my feel are as you are taken to another place and another time living through your worst nightmare. I highly recommend you pick up The Second Wife and give it a read. I honestly can’t wait for the next book to come out in audio taking off where this one left off. It is a spellbound read as much as this one was.

Buy Links

Audible

https://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/The-Second-Wife-Audiobook/B0774Y2M9T

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Second-Wife-Book-ebook/dp/B0144W7QEW/ref=cm_cr_if_orig_subj?_encoding=UTF8&linkCode=xm2&tag=audiblecom0f-20

Summary

Twenty-eight-year-old psychologist Alisha Dimarchi is abducted by an obsessed client and imprisoned in his Pakistani compound for over two years. Forced to change her name and live as his second wife, her life is filled with trauma and heartbreak. Thrust into a world of violence and oppression, Ally must fight not only to keep herself alive, but to protect the lives of the people she now considers family. At night, she retreats into her memories of the only man she has ever loved - a man she believes no longer loves her.
Thirty-four-year-old handsome surgeon David Dimarchi has spent the last two years mourning the disappearance of his wife. After a painful and isolated existence, he begins the process of healing. It is then he is visited by a stranger, who informs him that Ally is very much alive and needs his help. In a desperate attempt to save her, David enlists the help of a mercenary. Together they find themselves in the center of more than just a rescue mission. Will he be able to reach her in time, and, if he does, will she still want him?