Mail-Order Brides of the West, Book 4: Prudence

By: Debra Holland

Narrated by: Lara Asmundson

Length: 6 hrs

Publisher's Summary

Shrewish Prudence Crawford is the last woman left at the Mail-Order Brides of the West Agency, because she's rejected every match offered to her as not good enough. One-by-one, she's watched her fellow brides leave for their new lives and has heard tales of their happiness, and she wants that for herself - but not just any man. She will only take a husband who offers wealth and status.

Michael Morgan struck it rich in mining, or at least richer than anyone else in the tiny town of Morgan's Crossing, Montana. He's built himself the nicest house in town, which isn't saying much when there are only 10 homes in the whole place. He's elected himself mayor of the population of 61 inhabitants and keeps his kingdom under tight control. When he hears stories of the mail-order brides arriving in nearby Sweetwater Springs, he decided to send for a wife, even if he has to exaggerate a mite to attract one.

A wealthy mine owner who's the mayor of a town named after him and has a mansion sounds perfect to Prudence, even if the place is too close to the other mail-order brides whom she dislikes. But when Michael and his circumstances are not what Prudence dreamed, tempers flare and the fighting begins.

Can Michael tame the shrew, or are they destined to have a miserable marriage?

©2015 Debra Holland (P)2015 Debra Holland

Well, Debra, you did it!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mail-Order Brides of the West, Book 4: Prudence?

I loved the whole book!

What about Lara Asmundson’s performance did you like?

I loved the way Lara performed Prudence! She captured the snooty, arrogant, selfish Pru as well as the unsure, nice and fun Pru. As Prudence started changing, Lara still kept the "spunk" in her. I loved that.

Any additional comments?

Arrogant, selfish, whiney woman meets egotistical, lying, lonely man makes for an explosive yet fun story! But it is not all claws and flying fur. As Prudence and Michael mature individually, they also grow closer to one another and that leads to a love that spills out to others.

In Debra's other books, Prudence was the one character I loved to dislike and hoped to get her come-uppens. As I was reading her story, however, Prudence's back story and the way Debra wrote her character caused me to really feel for her. By the end of the book, I was cheering for this once arrogant brat turned feisty wife. I hope to see Michael and Prudence in further books! You did it, Debra, you made me really love Prudence (and Michael)!


This copy of this book was given to me for evaluation. Thank you for the honor.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A delightful listen

Any additional comments?

As always with an audio of Ms. Holland’s is an outstanding listen one that captures your attention taking you to another place and time. This was a very entertaining I have been looking forward to reading for a long time. Prudence for a long time has been hateful, mean and downright a prude. I believe her family named her well. All the other mail-order-brides have been wonderfully sweet, caring and loving. Some down on their luck other just wanting to make a new start. I have to say my heart went out to her when I learned why she is the way she is. She has had a tough life just another to show money doesn’t bring you happiness or love.

Michael who is well to do and wants the prefect wife decides maybe he will get his self one. Going into Sweet Water Spring he runs into the past mail order brides. To say they weren’t impressed by him is saying it lightly. They decide there is only one wife he needs to fit him to a T. They are both just the same and they feel he needs to be taken down a peg or two. The tell him to ask for Prudence’s hand which he does. Once Prudence hits the town nothing will be the same for either of them. She thinks she will be living in the style she has always had until her parents died. What she finds puts her on a tailspin.

It is always a delight to listen to a book that Lara Asmundson has narrated. She has always been able to bring the story to life for me. Her different character voices are outstanding as she pulls you and takes you away. There are no background noises only a wonderfully clear wonderful voice that is a pleasure to listen to. You have no trouble knowing who is talking her male voices are as wonderful as her female ones. Her tones let you know what each character emotions are as she pulls you in giving you a story you cannot put down.


This is a very well written story which makes you smile, at times will leaving you laughing or smiling. The author also made me feel sorry for Prudence which I didn’t think would ever happen. I didn’t expect Prudence to be so giving and nice. I really thought they would meet head on and fight it out. There was some but not what I expected. This was still a wonderful listen and well worth the money as are all of this authors audios. I always have trouble waiting for the next one. I love this series so much.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Wonderful!

This is a great story and it has a great lesson that we all can learn from. The narration was well done and it complimented a well written tale of hurt to the heart. Love always conquers all.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Mail-Order Brides of the West - Book 4: Prudence

I was shocked that Darcy, Trudy and Lina did such a mean-spirited thing to Pru. I was definitely not a fan of Prudence but even I knew there had to be a reason for her cruel behavior. Marriage in that time period was a serious business since women had no rights. No matter how much they disliked her, their meddling was just wrong and could have turned out much worse than it did. I am glad for their sakes that Darcy and Lina were able to see the error of their ways and at least apologize.

Pru really surprised me in this book. Her finer qualities were brought to light and I found myself really liking her flaws and all. When she fought the abusive bully with her parasol, I cheered. When she requested that the baby be named after her beloved sister instead of herself, I was touched. When she broke down in tears I cried right along with her. When she was willing to apologize to those that she hurt, I was proud of her.

I am glad that both Pru and Michael were able to see the error of their ways and work at bettering themselves. Like most of us they are both a work in progress.

I can hardly wait for Mail-Order Brides of the West: Bertha: A Montana Sky Novella (Montana Sky Series) which is due to be published in February 2016.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The 4th of the series

This is the 4th book of the series and Im still loving it; the stories are just so sweet and clean, Im in love with the audible romance package.
I truly recommend you to listen to this series, they are sweet and entertaining and happy.
#tagsgiving #sweepstakes #audible #listeningatwork #mybooks

Shrew, Shrew, Shrew

Prudence is the last of the litter and the reader can easily see why in this short book about mail order brides. She is mean and nasty. No man would want her, but Michael Morgan draws the short straw. They're made for each other, he's egotistical and a cheap skate. The story evolves and she gets nastier and nastier. Then, when the reader is sure that it's over, all goes well...it's a chick book and that's what they do.

Mail Order Brides of the West, Book4: Prudence

Would you consider the audio edition of Mail-Order Brides of the West, Book 4: Prudence to be better than the print version?

I would have given this 5 stars:but when compared to the book there is a chapter missing.The missing chapter is the one where all the characters are having supper with the Barretts and the Walkers and Michael is paraphrasing The Taming of the Shrew.

What did you like best about this story?

The part where Prudence chases the husband out of the cabin and hits him over the head with her parasol, so she and Mrs. Tisdale can deliver Portia's baby. When Prudence falls in the pig pen. When Prudence finally realizes she has friends and Michael is in love with her.

What about Lara Asmundson’s performance did you like?

I like her voice, one of the reasons I have all of the "Mail Order Brides of the West".

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It took me two sittings.

Shrew Tamed

I am so glad to hear Prudence's story of self-reflection, self-discovery, and her ultimate redemption. I am now a Pru fan!

Debra melted my heart with this one!!!

Any additional comments?

Debra melted my heart with this one. Having read all of the previous books in this series I did not see how I could ever root for Prudence finding love when she is just so mean spirited. As the story started out I continued to be appalled by her behavior and treatment of others but then a strange thing happened! I started to see what molded her into the prickly person she became. I began to understand and feel for her! Can you believe it?! I sure couldn’t! What I found is that from every prickly stem there really is a beautiful rose waiting to bloom. I thrilled at her growth as a person and how she became appreciative of the smaller things in life like a simple compliment. I loved her story and my only complaint is that I want more, I did not want it to end and feel there is so much more to her story. Thank goodness Debra always gives us little glimpses of everyone’s lives in her other stories!

Another wonderful old western...

I just adore reading these old westerns. This story "Prudence" is set back in the late 1800s. I enjoy hearing of ways the women made things happen. I love meeting characters again from past books too. Imagine living back in a time with no electric or plumbing. It's a place I like to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.

These novels are set from Mail order Brides of the West. Back in this time, it was acceptable to order a wife. The stories are clean and fun and left me with a comfort and love for the community feelings. Back then, strangers actually cared for one another and would give you the shirt off their back!

In this story, I love how Prudence has learned and made a total 180 of her life for love.

The author, Debra Holland did a wonderful job on this story. Great plot, well written monologues too. I love how all these stories are based in either Sweetwater, Montana or Yknot, Montana so all the brides can remain friends and family! The narrator, Lara Asmundson does a great delivery in this book (as she always does). I love her accents and multiple voices. I also love how from one book to the next, the voices are always the same for each well known character. Great job ladies!

1 of 2 people found this review helpful