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

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

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.

A spunky mail order bride

Ellen is quite the heroine. I like her spunk and determination. Running to find a new life, never hides you from your past. Ellen runs all the way to the states to hide from her past. Nate is alone and is in need of someone to help around the house. But is that all he needs? His sister thinks he needs more, and so does his heart. I love how these two try to deny what is really going on. They have a sweet, clean romance that was so much fun to read.

Charley Ongel narrated this story. Ms. Ongel brought out the spunk Ellen has. Ellen's strength and determination is easily felt as Ms. Ongel brings her character to life. Ms. Ongel is able to narrate Nate with ease. Her male voice is smooth and easy to differentiate. Nate seems to be a person who is keeps to himself. It was easy to figure that out through Ms. Ongel's performance. Ms. Ongel has a soft voice that was perfect for this sweet romance.

Clean Romance!

What a delightful heartwarming story. Ellie traveled all the way from England to find a new life in the United States. Charley Ongel was the perfect choice to narrate it. She can do all of the voices of each character and I can recognize each one without wondering which one is speaking. It adds to the tale.

Short but sweet

Part one, is a short novella but covers a lot of ground. The story is of a young woman that is brave, determined, spunky with stamina, and the man that didn’t know he needed her till she was in front of him.
Charley did a fantastic job narrating this story.

Fantastic story!

I definitely loved this book! It’s a sweet romance. This story might be short but it packs a powerful punch. I definitely recommend this book.
Charley Ongel is a Magnificent narrator that had me mesmerized with the characters. I love her voice. A must listen

Nate and Ellen!

Give me a good old fashioned western romance and I am in my glory. This series has whet my appetite for good, mail order bride and I am thoroughly enjoyed myself with the first book in this series. Nate lives alone on his ranch in New Mexico. After not hearing from him for a while, his sister, Marni decides he needs a wife and sets him up to receive a mail order bride. With an unusual circumstance, Ellen comes to stay with him and their story begins. Seraph has created some wondeful characters in this short story. Nate and Marni are typical siblings, giving us a little banter with underlying love. Ellen is nothing like Nate expects and has a past that may catch up with her. Will they find love?

Narrated by the talented Charly Ongel, you will not want to miss this novella. She brings this story to life with voices the emulate each character perfectly. I am loving her ability to easily switch between male and female voices, and she gives the story a warm feeling.

Sweet story - great narration!

Really liked this sweet love story. Charley Ongel brought the story to life with her melodic storytelling voice.