His Bewildering Bride

The Brides of Paradise Ranch - Spicy Version, Book 3

By: Merry Farmer

Narrated by: Caroline McLaughlin

Length: 4 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Seamstress Wendy Weatherford is overjoyed when she is offered the chance to be a mail-order bride for one of the men of Paradise Ranch. When she arrives in Haskell, Wyoming, her intended groom takes one look at her and refuses to go through with the wedding. He wasn't expecting his bride to be a former slave. Abandoned at the altar and alone on the frontier, Wendy doesn't know where to turn.

Until rescue comes in an unlikely form.

Travis Montrose has plans to start a new job and eventually own his own ranch, not to marry his brother's rejected bride. But he can't stand by and watch the exotic and beautiful Wendy suffer, particularly not when she proves to be a woman of strength and substance. Their unconventional union stirs up trouble from the start, even as it stirs passions.

When Wendy is given an opportunity to compete for the chance to own her own dress shop, Travis will stop at nothing to help her win against a crooked competitor, even if it means sacrificing his future.

©2016 Meredith Farmer (P)2017 Meredith Farmer

The Battle of the Bustles

This is the STEAMY version of the story so if you'd rather leave the doors and curtains closed, then just skip one chapter (you'll know when you get to it), BUT I must say this one is better written than many. Or get the SWEET version: [[ASIN:B01B73JSPQ Wendy: The Bewildering Bride (The Brides of Paradise Ranch - Sweet Version Book 3)]]. With that out of the way, we can get to this interesting portrayal of post Civil War attitudes as contrasted between the overpopulated east and underpopulated west with regard to both race and gender. (And, if you find the narrative compelling, be sure to listen to the author's afterword discussing same.)

So we have an excellent plot from author Merry Farmer with drama, tension, humor and romance which is beautifully narrated [AUDIO] with excellent characterizations by Caroline McLaughlin (you'll love Wendy's southern drawl!)--it all adds up to several hours of delicious entertainment!

Spicy Historical Romance is Correct! 🐎

The Bride's of Paradise Ranch: Spicy Version Book 3

Wendy Weatherford is a mail-order bride arriving at her groom's hometown in Wyoming. Her groom sets eyes upon her and realizes that she is black. He was not expecting that and tells her that the marriage is off.

Enter Travis Montrose, he witnessed the whole thing (Travis's brother is the one who 'ordered' the mail-order bride) and steps in and offers to marry Wendy. They are both very shy about physical contact which leaves the reader wondering if they will ever consummate their marriage.

Wendy has her eyes set on opening a studio for her seamstress skills. She is very good and makes dresses that are the latest fashion, as well as fixing anything else.

A spoiled daughter of the town father announces that she wants to open a dress shop. So they decide to have a competition in which the winner will receive the honor of being the town seamstress as well as help in opening the only dress shop in town.

I enjoyed this book a lot. While some things are predictable, a lot of this book was original and unconventional. Some examples are; a mail order brides who is black, she has the talent that allows her to provide an income and the timidity of her husband.

Overall 4 stars
story 4 stars for originality
Narration 4 stars a solid performance by a new to me voice performer
🐎

*I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review. I invite you to peruse my reviews and consider following me on Audible. Lastly, if you found my review helpful would you select – yes – below. Thank you!

Very entertaining and enjoyable

In the time of mail order brides you were taking a risk as to just who was going to arrive on the train and who would be waiting. Sometimes it worked out and sometimes it didn't. Fortunately when Wendy Weatherford she steps off the train and is rejected by her intended husband a man of honor steps forward to take his place his brother Travis. What happens next is one very enjoyable story.

Bottom line it's a really good story that is well written, has great characters, an interesting storyline and a little steamy romance all woven into a very entertaining story. Even though it deals with prejudices that freed slaves had to deal with, it stays a more on the lighter side of these issues. Nothing physically harmful happens to the main characters. It's more along the lines of spiteful, undermining and intentionally trying to hurt/harm someone's chances of becoming successful.

Loved Wendy's character. She was a strong, confident and independent woman. She wasn't going to let anyone stand in her way. Travis was a sweetheart from the start. Even though this is a shorter story I really like that the relationship between Travis and Wendy wasn't rushed.

Caroline McLaughlin did great job with the narration. Pleasant voice that is easy to listen to for long periods of times. Clearly spoken with a nice even pace. Good character voices. Both male and female. Just a slight change in tone was enough to distinguish the male characters. She was able to bring the characters, their emotions and the story to life. Very enjoyable.

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

great!

I really enjoyed this interracial historical romance. There was conflict and drama but also a really sweet romance. My only little complaint is that I wanted Travis to stand up for Wendy more - to be more defensive and protective of her. Other than that, I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more by this author.


**a copy of this audiobook was provided in exchange for an honest review**

Mail-Order Brides of the West

Mail-Order Brides of the West

Listed as "Spicy", for there is a "Clean" version by a similar name for those that don't want any kind of lusty thoughts or feelings in their reading. Historical Romance that is book 3 of the Brides of Paradise Ranch Series. It is my first of this series as I have not read any of the others.
Yet!

♥ Story ♥
Mr. Haskell wants to encourage growth in the town he practically owns and is named after him, Haskell Wyoming. He has offered the men of Paradise Ranch a parcel of land and a home if they settle down and start a family. There is a shortage of brides available so a service to find them has been established.

Wendy Weatherford is a freed slave and a seamstress. She is happy to be one of these mail-order brides but when she arrives, her intended, Cody Montrose, is not happy that her ethnicity was not disclosed ahead of time. Of course the train has already left by this time leaving Miss Weatherford stranded. Cody's brother, Travis Montrose, steps up and saves the day and takes his brother's place as the groom.

Shortly after a challenge is leveled that pits Wendy's skill as a seamstress against that of a Twat Waffle whose father is supposed to be Travis's new boss. Needless to say that the apple didn’t fall very far from the entitled tree with that one. As the race to win a dress shop heats up, things get plum crazy.

There is a note at the end of the book about the timeline of things that happen in the book in relation to the rights of slaves. It answered the question I had while I listened. If you are not opposed to potential spoilers, it may help to read that first.

♥ Author ♥
This is my first read by Merry Farmer. She has done her research and is happy to share it which is helpful in explaining some of the aspects of a historical romance. She does a good job at writing about people that would have been considered less than by society at the time history she writes about. I like the characters in this story and would definitely want to read the rest of the series.

♥ Narrator(s) ♥
There are many people that need voicing in this story and Caroline McLaughlin does it well. When there are too many of the same gender speaking in the same scene, it does get a bit muddled but this doesn’t happen very often.

The ebook can be found through your local library. It may need to be recommended through the overdrive system.

Ebook obtained through Kindle Unlimited
Audiobook obtained for free at my request and I am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review
More Reviews @ GoodReads Id: AudiobookRomance

Great historical romance

Loved this story! Fantastic characters and a time period and situation that isn't often featured in historical romance. Sweet and steamy. Fantastic narrator! I received a free review copy of this audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

Very Well Developed Story

This story cast a light on a tragedy of our American society that has yet to be corrected. Judging people by the color of their skin. This story explored the problems faced by people of color as they try to live meaningful, productive lives and the things they have to encounter because of small minded people.The love story is woven in between these events and it is a good one. I believe that by listening to this story you will get a sense of what true Christian values are all about. Also, how just plain old common decency, love, and common sense play an important role in making a civilized society civilized. Well done. I got this ARC via audiobook boom.

Didn't care for it

The story was really really far-fetched, in my opinion and it was not written well. Narrator did okay. I probably won't read anymore by this author, especially in this particular series.