Mail-Order Brides of the West: Kathryn

McCutcheon Family Series, Book 6

By: Caroline Fyffe

Narrated by: Lara Asmundson

Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Kathryn Ford knows one thing for sure; she will not marry the boring, arrogant man her father has arranged for her since the day she was born, simply as a pawn to enrich his vast holdings. When she discovers she's been disowned for her defiance, the pampered socialite takes her destiny in her own hands. Determined to show her father what a capable a woman she is - without his help or interference - she signs up to be a mail-order bride, totally prepared to give up all the luxuries of her previous life. But once thrown into the rigors of a working farm, Kathryn fears she may have made the biggest mistake of her life - and finally met a challenge she can't conquer. Tobit Preece has a problem. His ailing grandpappy has one wish in the world - to bounce a great-grandchild on his knee before he passes on. The senior Preece has deeded his large farm to his grandson, and a grateful Tobit would like nothing better than to fulfill his wish. When Tobit misses out on his chance with Heather Sanford, a mail-order bride in Y Knot, Montana, who suddenly found herself without a groom, he thinks his chance to achieve his grandfather's dream is dead. Then Heather's new husband suggests Tobit send for his own mail-order bride. Or perhaps Heather already knows of a nice young woman personally? Determined to have a child before the spring calves romp in the pastures, Tobit sends for his own mail-order bride. Can two completely unsuitable people marrying for the wrong reasons end up on the right side of happiness? Find out in the next adventure of Mail-Order Brides of the West!

©2014 Caroline Fyffe (P)2014 Caroline Fyffe

Mail-Order Brides of the West: Kathryn

What did you love best about Mail-Order Brides of the West: Kathryn?

Since December 20, 2013, I had been waiting patiently for Kathryn's story to be published.
I read this story in August 2014. At 2:43 am, I had just finished reading Heather after staying up all night. I was left with unanswered questions about Hayden's past and needed answers. Later that morning, I sent Caroline a message and she was kind enough to promise me an answer in her next book. She kept her promise and I was thrilled!

Kathryn's story was so beautifully written. She and Tobit had both been hurt terribly but they didn't allow that to ruin their future together. It is so easy for us to make a loved one pay for someone else's sins. It is a mistake many of us make daily. My Favorite line in this story was "I hope you will forgive him,so his actions won't darken your heart."

I always finish ready Caroline's stories feeling so uplifted.

It was wonderful to be able to listen to one of my favorite stories in audio-book format.

Another great chapter in the Old West...

I received this audio book by Caroline Fyffe in exchange for a honest and unbiased review. Katherine is book 6 of the McCutcheon Family Series. It was so much fun listening to this audio book. Hearing Evie and Heather again as they helped Kathrine in Y Knot upon her arriving (even though Katherine didn't remember them). You have to read the book to find out why... Even hearing letters from Lina was great. I love the Mail-Order Brides of the West books. It is so much fun when I read a book and I know the characters from others books, it's like a welcome home feeling. I adore the Old West books too! I love hearing about how life was back then and how nice and sweet everyone was. If only life could be that way now. This book is just as exciting as all the others in this series! Never a dull moment either.

The author, Caroline Fyffe amazes me with her writing. I love hearing about just a little kiss was a big deal back then. Even way back then, the women had the powers over men. The narrator, Lara Asmundson did a fantastic job once again with all the voices and accents of the characters, sounding almost like she was there! I love Lina voice and Katherine's voice is really nice too. What a great series to listen to / read. I recommend everyone give these books a chance (but the audio books are even better)! Good job ladies!

Kathryn

This is a wonderful book. Loved the interaction between the brides and their husbands. The narrator was really really good!

Oh How I Love THIS SERIES!!

I love the historical Era, I love the stubborn young women(& men)I Love THE STETSON'S & I absolutely Love Caroline Fyffe's Books!! It's been fun listening to a female Narrator read portions of this series!! Lara Did a GREAT JOB!! I LOVE THIS BOOK & CAN'T WAIT FOR MORE!!!

THE ONLY WAY TO GO IS FORWARD

The sixth story is another great addition to not only the McCutcheon series but also the Mail-Order Brides of the West series. The story will have characters that have been in each of the series and some new characters introduced but will read well as a stand-alone story too. Once again, a gentleman from Y Knot in the Montana Territory will be matched with one of Mrs. Seymour’s mail-order brides, this time, it will be Kathryn Ford, formerly of Boston, Massachusetts, and Tobit Preece, formerly of Shelbyville, Tennessee.

Kathryn Ford is upset with her father who has betrothed her to Oscar Scott from the time she was an infant. While growing up with Oscar, she considered him a friend, and more a brother figure, but definitely never a man she wanted to marry. When she refuses to obey her father and marry Oscar, he will cut her out of his will, and so she applied to become a mail-order bride with the St. Louis Bridal Agency. Mrs. Seymour has since found her a suitable match, Tobit Preece, a farmer in Y Knot, Montana. Before she travels to her new life, she will travel from St. Louis back to Boston for a reunion with her family, and then on to her new life in the Montana Territory.

Tobit Preece wants and needs a bride, a wife, a helpmeet for the farm that was his grandfathers, Isaiah Preece, who has deeded it to his grandson. The one thing that Isaiah wants before he dies it to hold a great-grandbaby and Tobit wants to try and make that happen too. When the fiasco of the mail-order bride, Heather, was taking place, Tobit even offered her marriage before she and Hayden worked things out. Tobit writes to Mrs. Seymour and then starts corresponding with Kathryn Ford.

The plot will have Kathryn on her way to Y Knot after her trip to visit her parents one more time. But a mishap, a freak accident will occur where she is standing too close to the stagecoach being loaded, and a travel case will fall hitting her on her head, with the injury will include amnesia. While she will continue the trip to Y Knot, with a doctor on the stage, when she arrives at her destination, she and Tobit can’t legally marry with her unknown memory situation. Then two doctors confer that no one is to try and help her force her memories, they need to come to her naturally. That will leave not only Tobit in a quandary, but also friends and former mail-order brides, Evie and Heather.

The story will have Kathryn, a well-bred lady, learning about farming, animals, and new experiences. She doesn’t remember coming from a life of luxury, servants, and wealth. It will have Evie and Heather wanting to help and also being protective of Kathryn, but also know they can’t push issues and hinder her recovery. It doesn’t help that Isaiah is less than pleasant and goes out of his way to say hurtful things and makes her feel bad, to the point she can’t stay at the Preece farm, and goes to Evie’s house and then onto the Klinker’s house.

“Can’t move forward much if you’re stuck in the past.”

What happens when Oscar Scott learns of Kathryn’s accident and amnesia? He knows of not only his father’s plans but also of Franklin Munson Ford’s plans for them to marry and merge their families, making them even stronger with the bond. He isn’t above traveling to Y Knot and trying to convince her that she had changed her mind about marrying a poor dirt farmer and giving up a life of luxury. Will he be able to interfere and convince Kathryn she planned to return to Boston and marry him and that they are engaged? Will Tobit, Evie, and Heather fight to protect Kathryn from his nefarious plans?

“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.”

I have enjoyed the entire series

I started the series in Sweetwater Springs and I haven't stopped. Every time I read one of the books, I feel like I'm a part of the town. I like that I get to catch up with the other brides

I have also enjoyed that it is the same narrator. Lara does an excellent job with each book.

Fyffe Writes Real Characters

I enjoyed Caroline Fyffe's Kathryn and Tobit. With a plot of memory lost and love found, Fyffe creates another mail order bride in a series that lets you continue to love the characters you've loved and add two more. Fyffe's pg13 book has a clear satisfying ending and does' t try to trick you into the next book, but invites you in a unique way as Kathryn share a few words. My only problem with this book is narrator. Lara Asmundson has a nice reading voice but low skills as a narrator. Her male voices are weak to non-existing . I like this series.

Another outstanding read Love this series

What did you love best about Mail-Order Brides of the West: Kathryn?

A wonderful clean read with soul from the heart

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

Yes the narrator takes you way to a listen you are so into that you do not want to put it down.

Any additional comments?

I have totally enjoy this series so much whether you listen to it or read it this is one series that will touch your heart,and will leave a smile on your face. This is another wonderful addition to the mail-order bride series. If you have followed along from book one you know you are in for a treat as these brides come together getting to know each other with love and support as they make their way to Montana to come face to face with a man they never have met. Each book in this series is better than the last, each one will stay with you long after you put the book down leaving you waiting for the next in the series to come out. Kathryn is going through some trying times with her father wanting her to marry a man he has chosen. He is a controlling man it will be his way or no way. She is having none of that which leaves her almost penniless as she makes her way to a new land and a new life. Things do not go just as they are planned which bring the man her father picked for her back into her life. It gets a little complicate as the author takes you back in time where life was simpler, where you work hard for the land and your home.

Kathryn had an easy life at home never having to work or help around the house. With her father pushing her on a man she doesn't even like she said enough is enough. When she signs up for the mail-order bride her father disinherits her as she makes her way to her new life. Things happen which leaves her wondering what her life really is, when the man her father pick comes running as he finding out a few things she is torn between what she knows is real and the lies that are told. She finally makes a stand but has she chosen right or will this just leave her alone to find her own way.

Tobit hasn't had an easy life once he found his grandfather they become each others worlds. With the grandfather giving his land to Tobit with one request to have a great grandchild before he dies. Tobit doesn't have to many choices for a bride with a little push from Evie he decides to find his own mail-order bride. Things should be easy but he finds they are not when something happens to Kathryn he finds he is bidding his time until everything is cleared up. His grandfather isn't making life to easy which leaves things up in the air. If that isn't bad enough a man comes to town saying Kathryn belongs to him. He is determined that she will be his now to talk the lady into it won't be easy.

As always Lara Asmundson does a wonderful job with the narration. I love how she does her voices never leaving you guessing who is talking or what they are feeling. She brings so much to this story as she takes you back in time bring you together with many characters you have come to love from the start of this series. There are no background noises and no breaks taken that one can tell. All you have is a wonderful clear audio with wonderful characters that you will come to love. I know when I see this narrators name it is going to be a wonderful treat and can't wait to turn on my speakers to be taken away to another place and time. Ms. Asmundson voice is a pleasure to listen to with her even but strong tones. Her male and female voices are wonderful. How she can remember from one book to the next just which character has what voice I will never know. If you haven't listen to her narration you are missing a treat. I recommend you take time to listen to her you won't be sorry.

Ms. Fyffe gives you another well written story with wonderful character which you can relate to. She puts feeling into her stories as she brings her characters to life leaving you with a smile. She gives you a wonderful clean read with just the right about of passion leaving you no doubt just what each character is feeling. Even my husband got into this audio, when I work around the home I listen to it on my speakers. When he comes in I move to ear plugs, I thought he was walking through the house when he did not I went to cut it off. He said you don't have to do that it doesn't bother me. He sat and listened with me for a little while. The next day he asked me how my book ended when I said I had not finished it yet that it was about 6 hours long he was disappointed. Tonight when I finished it I had to give him the run down. Ms. Fyffe congratulations you might have turn my husband into a romance read!

This author is always one that feels me with pleasure and makes me smile even gives me a few chuckles. Her audios are ones I never want to shut off and her book I never want to put down. I cannot wait for the next one to come out. If you are looking for a wonderful written story with delightful characters I highly recommend you pick up one of her books. You will find wonderful clean fun with a little heart bending to make it interesting and a story that will reach your soul.

Relaxing to listen to

What made the experience of listening to Mail-Order Brides of the West: Kathryn the most enjoyable?

They are clean storys With a good moral. No sex scenes or foul Language.

GREAT STORY.... FANTASTIC LISTENING EXPERIENCE!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

YES, I would definitely recommend this book to a friend. It is a good, wholesome story, with lots of interesting characters..

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mail-Order Brides of the West: Kathryn?

When Tobits father came to Kathryn and apoligized for his horrible treatment of her. It brought tears to my eyes!!

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

Lara Asmundson brought the characters to life!! Her voice changes to give each character their own special personality. It brought them "TO LIFE" for me.

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

I was so touched by the ending of this book. One always likes a "HAPPY ENDING" but when it can move you to tears, it is exceptional!! When Kathryn asked Tobits father to "give" her away, did that for me...

Any additional comments?

This was my first experience with reading about Mail Order Brides, but IT WON'T BE MY LAST!!!! I loved how the story was so well written, and how it made me feel like I was right there, in that time period, experiencing "LIFE IN THE WEST" during that time period. I really "FELT" moved by the story, as a whole, and It LEFT ME WANTING TO READ MORE ABOUT THESE MAIL ORDER BRIDES!!! GREAT JOB Caroline Fyffe!! I CAN'T WIT FOR MORE BRIDES!!!