Contract to Wed

Crawford Family Book 2

By: Holly Bush

Narrated by: Meghan Kelly

1891...Jolene Crawford Crenshaw, heiress and Boston socialite, went from her family home directly to Landonmore upon her marriage, the mansion she shared with her handsome and charismatic husband. She'd never in her life worried in the slightest over anything as crass as the dollars required to maintain that home or the lifestyle she'd been born to. Her extensive yearly wardrobe, the stables and the prime horseflesh within it, even the solid silver forks and knifes that graced her table, were expected and required to maintain the social standing that she'd cultivated over the years. But suddenly she was a widow with little money and just her pride and her secrets to keep her upright.

Max Shelby made his fortune in oil wells and cattle but lost the love of his life the day his wife died, over 10 years ago. Now, his happy, carefree, little girl needs instruction and guidance as she grows into a young lady and his dream of becoming a senator from his adopted state of Texas seems out of reach with few political or social connections. The right wife would solve both problems. As it happens his sister knows of a woman, a recent widow, charming, beautiful and socially astute, but in reduced circumstances, who may want to begin again. Max signed the wedding contract sight unseen.

Will Jolene be able to shed her sorrows, anger and fears to begin anew away from the censure and hidden tragedy that marred her life? Is her new husband, confident, strong and capable Max Shelby, the man, the only man, to see past her masks to find the woman beneath?

©2015 Holly Bush (P)2015 Holly Bush

Second Chance at Life

Would you try another book from Holly Bush and/or Meghan Kelly?

I would like to read another book by Holly Bush. Perhaps hear Jenny's story? Ms. Kelly's voice was a little bit grating (melinda's voice in particular). Other than that, Ms. Kelly did a great job at accents and differentiating characters. She did a superb job of conveying the rigidness of Jolene.

Which character – as performed by Meghan Kelly – was your favorite?

I liked Maximillian.

Any additional comments?

I received a copy of the audiobook via audiobookblast in exchange for an unbiased review.

Book 2 is even better than book 1.

If you could sum up Contract to Wed in three words, what would they be?

Truth instead of Secrets.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Contract to Wed?

When Jolene is nursing Melinda and everyone realized including Jolene how much she loved the child.

What does Meghan Kelly bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Holly Bush gives good discriptions of the area, and dialogue to let you know what it looks like and how things are in Texas.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Meghan Kelly did a great job portraying all the charactors voices, bringing to life each one of them. I cannot find anything wrong with her performance.

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author/narrator/publisher free of charge in exchange for an unbiased review.

Contract to wed

Which scene was your favorite?

Good follow up story, I liked the twist of having a heroine who is not perfect and adoring from the beginning. This book has a little "for adult only" language but it was ok

Rich Widow Marries Without Meeting Oilman

A very rich, formerly super rich, widow marries a Easterner, now Texas oilman, who wants to build a political future in Dallas. Works as stand alone. Author needs more public library app circulation. Author should seek more public library app circulation.

Prickly heiress softens in 1890's Texas

Any additional comments?

Contract to Wed by Holly Bush is a great 2nd book in the Crawford Family trilogy. Primarily set in 1891 Texas, the story begins in Boston right after heiress Jolene Crawford Crenshaw becomes a widow. She soon discovers that her husband left her out of his will leaving her destitute. Rather than marry someone disgusting picked out for her by her mother, she agrees to marry a Texas oil man sight unseen. Max Shelby needs a wife to advance his political ambitions and agrees to the marriage after his Bostonian sister recommends her. Unbeknownst to Jolene, Max also needs help with his carefree 12-year old daughter. Love is obviously not included in the wedding contract between Max and Jolene, but that is exactly what they get by the end of the book.

Contract to Wed is a slow burning romance that grows on you over time. I really enjoyed how the characters didn't immediately profess their love to each other and jump into bed. Rather, the love Max and Jolene share develops out of the deep respect and admiration that the pair experience toward each other over the course of a year. Max is so patient with the prickly Jolene, who is extremely hesitant to love again.

I listened to the Audible version of this story narrated by Meghan Kelly. She did an outstanding job, differentiating between male and female voices and changing the tempo in the performance when warranted. Meghan's narration definitely contributed to my enjoyment of this book. I received a copy of this audio in exchange for an unbiased review.