Mail Order Mishap

Kansas Brides, Book 1

By: Barbara Goss

Narrated by: Meghan Kelly

Length: 3 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Amber Wakefield travels to Hunter's Grove, Kansas to meet her intended and walks into a very unwelcoming atmosphere. Charles Turner, her intended, seems cool and aloof, and his brother Garrett - downright rude. She wants nothing more than to rush back to Virginia, until Edna Smith, her chaperone, falls ill, and she's forced to stay. She knows Charles harbors a secret, and she isn't sure whether Garrett is her hero or her enemy. When she finally discovers the truth, she wants nothing to do with either of them. One of the Turner brothers vows to win her love. But which one?

©2016 Barbara Goss (P)2017 Barbara Goss

Surprising and at times shocking

Any additional comments?

I really did enjoy this one it has a plot that you really don’t think about when you think of the West and strong young cowboys. I kept thinking wow could it be this and then talk myself out of it. I can’t think of anything worse than planning to marry and having the man you decided on not be interested in you. Many things went through my head and it is pretty easy to work out. It really is an exciting read that really makes the listener think and contemplate over many issues. To say anymore about the plot would really give the whole story away. What I will say it I was surprised in more ways than one.

Ms. Kelly has fast become one of my favorite narrators she brings so much emotion to her voice. Her character voices were delightful from her male to her female ones. You always know who is talking and just what they are feeling. She gives such insight to her characters as they hold you spellbound giving such energy and passion as she keeps you entertained. You can really hear the disappointment, anger and the thrills as she takes you on a night of passion that is shocking but exciting. There are no repeating of words, no background noise and if any breaks were taken I could not tell. A very clean and clear listen that pulls you in as one woman’s heartbreaks when she finds it might not be so easy to have what she dreams of. Her performance is wonderful as she uses her tones to make you see the truth, feel the pain of one women and a man who really want the same things but not sure if they can have it.

Ms. Goss sure has out done herself with the story twisting her way right into your heart. I really doubt you can listen to this and not have your heart break for Amber. The war has not been her friend she has lost so much and is afraid she will never know what it feels like to be a mother, wife and hold her own child. To make her dreams come true she becomes a mail order bride only to find things are not as she has hoped. Two brother holding secrets but only one will love which will it be? I had mixed feeling with Charles and Garrett. Garrett is so cold that is until you see him and the words he gives his brother. Charles shows feeling but is so selfish that you really just want to shake him. Garrett is the night of shining armor but his deeds are many. Both will feel the shame and guilt of one night, one night when they should have known better. Many saying came into my thoughts as I listened to this. Come into my parlor said the spider to the fly. At first if you do not excide try try again. You’re so vain. My mama didn’t raise no fool. Deceit.. fool me one shame on me fool me twice shame on me. It really is a good story that pulls you in trying to work out what each is trying to hide. I found this to be humorous at times with wonderful characters and at other times very shocking lol. It is not a story you will forget very easy.

Mishap? I think not!

This book was a joy to listen to from start to finish. I tend to listen to longer books but Barbara Goss has an amazing way of packing in so much content into a 3 hour story. This book has mystery, romance and faith lessons that hit the heart. The narration is very well done and adds to the enjoyment of this book. I highly recommend!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily provided this review.

Predictable yet Fun – Clean Romance Style

Summary: The American Civil War leaves behind a shortage of men in the South. Wanting a husband and children, Amber Wakefield travels to Hunter’s Grove, Kansas in answer to a mail order bride ad. There, she finds not everything is as it seems.

Additional Comments:
- Romance typically isn’t my genre, but I found this enjoyable.
- It’s totally predictable from the cover right down to the conclusion, yet that does not detract from the fun factor.
- Parts made me laugh out loud. That’s always a plus.
- It’s short enough that it didn’t frustrate me. (A story like this where the two main characters dance around each other being miserable has the potential to get old real quick. But the length of this story was perfect to let the characters get flustered to a point then bring everything to a satisfying conclusion.)
- Adult themes are handled tastefully. I’d consider this a “clean” book.

Conclusion: A nice, light, inspirational romance story.
*I received a free copy of the audiobook. This did not influence me in any way, and I chose to leave a review.

Fantastic

loved this story...I especially liked the narrator and how she managed to make all the characters come alive. The story was thrilling from beginning to end!!

Wonderfully entertaining listening experience!!!!

Where does Mail Order Mishap rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I would rate Mail Order Mishap in the top ten percent of the audiobooks I've listened to in this genre. I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Especially Amber and Garrett. The story was very well written, and it was a good "clean" romance. That is what drew me to this book and this Author from the first.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Yes. I enjoyed this story and being a fan of western historical novels, I was drawn in to the idea of what it might be like to have been a "Mail Order" bride. Many things could go wrong, or right and this book has really increased my interest in the subject. It has me wanting to read more stories like this.

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

This author did a fantastic job of giving this story a different "twist" by the way she portrayed each character. There was a bit of mystery to fit right in with the normal "angst" that Amber was already feeling, meeting her husband to be. This story was written with a perfect mix of "feeling" and compassion for each of the characters, both the loveable and the "not as lovable" ones.

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

The narrator was very good. She was exceptionally easy to understand and kept my interest throughout the book. She brought "life" to each character, and I found her easy to listen to as she read. I never lost interest.

Any additional comments?

I was very privileged to receive an ARC code for this book from the author. She did not ask me to review the book in return for the code, but I truly did enjoy this listening experience. This book was well written and as an avid reader / listener, I feel that I want to let others know how much I enjoyed my listening experience with Mail Order Mishap by Barb Goss. I highly recommend this author and this narrator to anyone who enjoys Sweet Clean Western books. Especially those dealing with the practice of mail order marriages in the Old West of our history. Thank You Barb Goss and Megan Kelly for a delightful experience.

Good Quick Read

Would you consider the audio edition of Mail Order Mishap to be better than the print version?

I did not read the print version. Therefore I have no way to compare them.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mail Order Mishap?

I liked the scene where Charles went to the bride and gave her the paper that his brother made him sign saying he would pay her back all of her money. This showed that although he was not a strongly moral man he did love his brother.

What about Meghan Kelly’s performance did you like?

It could have been a little better with the male characters.

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

I did listen to it in one setting. It was less than 4 hours long.

Any additional comments?

I got this ARC via audiobook boom

4 1/2 Stars

Well this was certainly I story I wasn't expecting in this series, LOL.
Really enjoyable and some very crafty characters to say the least in the book.
Great narrative by Meghan Kelly, I really do enjoy her male narrative very much.

Charles and Garrett Turner Are Brothers...

🎻 Charles and Garrett Turner are brothers in Hunters Grove, Kansas. Charles is attracted to his East Coast intended's dowry. He has no interest in a wife but needs the money for his hotel. Things come to a head when Charles convinces Garrett to agree to an indecent proposal – unbeknownst to Charles', still chaste bride.

Again, some of the scenarios in this book may offend the sensibilities of those who are used to the VERY innocent mail order bride books.

Meghan Kelly fits any role like a custom-made glove. I enjoyed her performance of this "tame" romance just as much as those on the other end of the spectrum.

Overall: a great Mail-Order Bride book with the unique twist.

*I received this book in exchange for my unbiased review. If you have a moment would you vote below on the helpfulness of my review. Consider following me on Audible. Thank you.

fantastic!

I loved this audio! This was a wonderful, inspirational romance. I loved these characters and this story. Narration was perfect - this narrator did an amazing job bringing these characters to life. I highly recommend this audio to anyone who is looking for a well written clean romance. Barbara Goss is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!

**audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review**

Twists and turns

This is very different from other books I've read and loved of Barbara's! The main character is supposed to marry a man who doesn't want her but her fortune! Much of this book is about the lies and deception he lives in but I would have loved to have seen him come to faith and redemption as the characters do so often in most of her books!

His lifestyle is controversial but very common place even from Biblical times! He is not portrayed as a believer but I would have not chosen him or his lifestyle for this book, but then, I'm not the author!

It was still a well written book. I would have either changed him a bit or had him saved and redeemed. Maybe there's still hope for him in book two?!


***UPDATE***
April 20, 2017

I listened to the audio book today. I had hesitated even though I had received a copy a while ago. One, I'm not partial to reading books more than once and Two, I don't think this is her best work. BUT, either I've changed or the book was updated since I read it as an ARC copy! I now give it FIVE stars! I think I got a lot more out of the book this time! I loved the narration and maybe that added to my enjoyment as well! I still have an issue with the intended groom, but the story makes more sense to me now! I felt more of an awareness of the actual grooms growth with God in my second reading that I didn't notice the first time around!! I would recommend this book, especially the audio version!!

Review

This is such a feel good story, old fashioned western romance. I loved how innocent and honest the characters are portrayed even the scoundrels have conciounses that show up in the end. The presenter was really good at portraying the different feelings and attitudes of everyone. I am sure that is not an easy thing to do. Especially having to do both genders I would think that is very taxing. I really enjoyed this production.