Contract to Wed

Crawford Family Book 2

By: Holly Bush

Narrated by: Meghan Kelly

Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

1891...Jolene Crawford Crenshaw, heiress and Boston socialite, went from her family home directly to Landonmore upon her marriage, the mansion she shared with her handsome and charismatic husband. She'd never in her life worried in the slightest over anything as crass as the dollars required to maintain that home or the lifestyle she'd been born to. Her extensive yearly wardrobe, the stables and the prime horseflesh within it, even the solid silver forks and knifes that graced her table, were expected and required to maintain the social standing that she'd cultivated over the years. But suddenly she was a widow with little money and just her pride and her secrets to keep her upright.

Max Shelby made his fortune in oil wells and cattle but lost the love of his life the day his wife died, over 10 years ago. Now, his happy, carefree, little girl needs instruction and guidance as she grows into a young lady and his dream of becoming a senator from his adopted state of Texas seems out of reach with few political or social connections. The right wife would solve both problems. As it happens his sister knows of a woman, a recent widow, charming, beautiful and socially astute, but in reduced circumstances, who may want to begin again. Max signed the wedding contract sight unseen.

Will Jolene be able to shed her sorrows, anger and fears to begin anew away from the censure and hidden tragedy that marred her life? Is her new husband, confident, strong and capable Max Shelby, the man, the only man, to see past her masks to find the woman beneath?

©2015 Holly Bush (P)2015 Holly Bush

Second Chance at Life

Would you try another book from Holly Bush and/or Meghan Kelly?

I would like to read another book by Holly Bush. Perhaps hear Jenny's story? Ms. Kelly's voice was a little bit grating (melinda's voice in particular). Other than that, Ms. Kelly did a great job at accents and differentiating characters. She did a superb job of conveying the rigidness of Jolene.

Which character – as performed by Meghan Kelly – was your favorite?

I liked Maximillian.

Any additional comments?

I received a copy of the audiobook via audiobookblast in exchange for an unbiased review.

Book 2 is even better than book 1.

If you could sum up Contract to Wed in three words, what would they be?

Truth instead of Secrets.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Contract to Wed?

When Jolene is nursing Melinda and everyone realized including Jolene how much she loved the child.

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

Holly Bush gives good discriptions of the area, and dialogue to let you know what it looks like and how things are in Texas.

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

Meghan Kelly did a great job portraying all the charactors voices, bringing to life each one of them. I cannot find anything wrong with her performance.

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author/narrator/publisher free of charge in exchange for an unbiased review.

Contract to wed

Which scene was your favorite?

Good follow up story, I liked the twist of having a heroine who is not perfect and adoring from the beginning. This book has a little "for adult only" language but it was ok

Rich Widow Marries Without Meeting Oilman

A very rich, formerly super rich, widow marries a Easterner, now Texas oilman, who wants to build a political future in Dallas. Works as stand alone. Author needs more public library app circulation. Author should seek more public library app circulation.

Prickly heiress softens in 1890's Texas

Any additional comments?

Contract to Wed by Holly Bush is a great 2nd book in the Crawford Family trilogy. Primarily set in 1891 Texas, the story begins in Boston right after heiress Jolene Crawford Crenshaw becomes a widow. She soon discovers that her husband left her out of his will leaving her destitute. Rather than marry someone disgusting picked out for her by her mother, she agrees to marry a Texas oil man sight unseen. Max Shelby needs a wife to advance his political ambitions and agrees to the marriage after his Bostonian sister recommends her. Unbeknownst to Jolene, Max also needs help with his carefree 12-year old daughter. Love is obviously not included in the wedding contract between Max and Jolene, but that is exactly what they get by the end of the book.

Contract to Wed is a slow burning romance that grows on you over time. I really enjoyed how the characters didn't immediately profess their love to each other and jump into bed. Rather, the love Max and Jolene share develops out of the deep respect and admiration that the pair experience toward each other over the course of a year. Max is so patient with the prickly Jolene, who is extremely hesitant to love again.

I listened to the Audible version of this story narrated by Meghan Kelly. She did an outstanding job, differentiating between male and female voices and changing the tempo in the performance when warranted. Meghan's narration definitely contributed to my enjoyment of this book. I received a copy of this audio in exchange for an unbiased review.

Good Sequel & Narration

This is about Jolene, Julia’s sister wanting security and getting a husband who wanted to give her a lot more, a good sequel to the first, Good narration and setting of the west. Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

Read My rating: 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

This is an excellent historical fiction,with romance, adventure, and heartbreak included. I could not stop listening. There were times I was in tears, and others I cheered on the characters. One of the best novels I've listened to recently!!I will look for more from this author!!

Very good listen

If you could sum up Contract to Wed in three words, what would they be?

Great historical Novel

What did you like best about this story?

It was a really interesting story line. The story was engaging and the characters were likable too. I especially liked that it did not follow a formula as some books do.

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

I enjoyed the voices. A good narrator makes the story come alive.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Western romance with a twist.

Any additional comments?

I am fortunate because I have a job where I can listen to audio books about 8 hours a day, this book was a very pleasant listen.

Contract to Wed

"Contract to Wed" is.an excellent read! The storyline and characters are done in extrodenary taste. I loved this book! I will recommend this book , of.course.

New Beginning

Contract to Wed is about Jolene Crawford Crenshaw, heiress and Boston socialite. She went from her home Landonmore upon her marriage to nothing when her husband has passed away. The only way for her to survive is to marry again and to leave Boston to begin anew.

Wealthy Texas Rancher, Maximilian Shelby has made his fortune from the oil and cattles. He has shut himself off after his wife has passed away with the exception of his daughter. His daughter is growing up and will need a woman of good breeding to guide his daughter into society and to help him to become Senator of Texas.

As the story continues, readers/listeners are going to discover how damage Jolene is by her manipulator of a mother. The first impression of Jolene is that she is not a likable character with her staff and friends. The only thing that her friends associated with her is that she has money. Jolene is cold and stand-offish with the people around her. When the readers/listeners discovered why Jolene the way she is, they will grow to love Jolene.

Max wasn't expecting to be attracted to Jolene. At first it was a business arrangement but it soon become that Max wanted more from his business contract with Jolene. Max is patient when he discovered that one secret that Jolene has hidden from him. He allowed Jolene to figured out what she wanted.

There are some things that the story has right and some things that the story has incorrectly. To start of with, the monetary of $50 million is so incorrect. If $50 million was what it is back in 1891, it would be worth trillions today. There were no millionaires back in 1891.

The thing that the author has correctly is that man controls the wealth. Women were not allowed accessed to their wealth except through their husband and the allowances set up for them to spend monthly. Women are not allowed to have a bank account unless they have an attorney, father, or their fiance-soon-to-be-husband.

What Jolene's husband did to her upon his death is just deplorable. She was the one who supported his career and made him as someone important. He did that just to spite Jolene after what he did to her when he was alive.

The narrator, Meghan Kelly did an OK job with narrating the story. The only thing I didn't like was that Jolene sounds like Mae West. Jolene is supposed to be a Bostonian not someone from the Wild West. I had to overlooked it as a listener.

I was given this audiobook by the author/narrator/publisher via Audiobook Blast in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated or influence in any way for writing this review.