Lazarus County Mail Order Brides, Part One: She Has to Stop Running Sometime

A Clean Western Historical Romance

By: Amber Seraph

Narrated by: Charley Ongel

Length: 1 hr and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

Ellen has to stop running sometime. She's fled her past all the way across the Atlantic and has given up hope of having the kind of romance she dreamed of as a girl. Bruised, inside and out, she'll be happy just to find a family for whom she can keep house. 

Nate Harper has been in Lazarus County, NM, for years. His younger sister knows how lonely he is and has been seeking a bride for him back East. He's embarrassed, but his heart wells up with kindness when he reads about Ellen's hopes for a new life and invites her to his home as a housekeeper. 

Neither want to admit to their attraction, and Ellen can't shake the feeling that no man will ever love her with her dark past.

©2018 Prickly Pear Books (P)2018 Prickly Pear Books

Interesting story

Nate's sister puts an ad for a mail order bride for him. He knows nothing about this. He gets a ton of mail and a visit from his sister, that's his first clue what is going on. He makes his sister write all the women back apologizing for what she has done. One woman Ellen who would be more than happy to just keep his house for him writes back again saying just that. Something about her first letter and her second catch Nate's attention so he sends her the ticket to come be his housekeeper. And well its a romance book you can figure out what happens from there.

Great part one

A great way to start a series.... very interesting to see how women made it out west....good storyline good characters... I'm going to finish all the series

Extremely wholesome

Total honesty: I received the whole series from the author, or rather from a colleague of the author, because of my enjoyment of other works. While this is not in my "wheelhouse," I will attempt to do justice to the work.

The overarching premise is of a woman desperately seeking a new start after a difficult past and a man who, at first, is satisfied with his current life. Through a bit of family drama, the two come together, a backstory is given, and a romance ensues.

Frankly, I would call this a "prequel to romance" as there is only ever a hint of emotion other expressing admiration based on appearances. But I suppose that is what makes it a "clean" romance.

If this is your style, you will have nothing about which to complain. Well-written/performed, and VERY clean.

Nate & Ellen

Audible review.

Charley Ongel sounds a lot like Ruby Rivers. She's an ok narrator but has an annoying tempo from time to time and often mispronounced words.

I really enjoyed the story of Nate & Ellen though. Well done Amber Seraph. JP

1st listene 07-08-20
2nd listen 01-11-22

Loved it

Loved it, awesome audio delivery, amazing character change in voice delivery, kept my attention all the way to the end

Sweet story.

This was a clean, sweet romance. I enjoyed the characters, Ellie, Nate and Marcy. It shows that you can overcome your past and find true love.

Received this as a free book and this is my honest opinion.

Sweet Mail Order Bride story

This was a sweet story of a young widow who answers an ad for a wife, with a few twists and turns along the way. It was short and sweet.

a short story

I enjoyed this short story book. The narrator did a great job with the story. She brought the story to life for me. Ellen has fled her home in England. Before she leaves England she finds a newpaper ad for a mail order bride. But when she finds out that Nate Harper doesn't want a bride she decided to write him asking to be his housekeeper instead.

I received a complimentary copy to listen to from the author.This is my honest unbiased opinion.

Fun to get lost in

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Love the mail order angle won't give I away fun story I enjoyed it very much

An enjoyable short read

I will not summarize this story because it was already given in the description of this book and I do not want to give any of the plot away. The purpose of this review is to give potential readers information to make an informed decision about reading/listening to this book.

What engaged me in this story:

• The opening caught my attention as Harper and the town tried to find water during a drought.
• I like a mail order bride mix up.
• I thought Ellen's past was very interesting.
• A clean read, no swearing or sex.
• The narrator had a pleasant voice, but her male voices were similar. She did a better job with the female voices.

This is a very short story. At the end of the story, I wanted to know more about Ellen and Nate.

Lazarus County Mail Order Brides

I loved the story. Ellen sounds like such a strong and brave character - traveling across the Atlantic with her only belongings in a single bag. I really want things to go well for her.

Part one

Strong woman doing what she has to do to save herself by traveling across the world to escape a bad situation brought on by her deceased husband. Narration was great, I recommend this quick listen. HEA.

🎧Audiobook obsession