Woo Hoo! Welcome to another book birthday celebration! Today is release day for MAIL-ORDER BEATRICE in the Widows, Brides, and Secret Babies series, book 10. This is such a fun series and readers appear to love reading the books.
We’ve talked about the reason for so many mail-order brides from the East going West to meet their groom. In some instances they’ve corresponded for months to insure they are suited in basic goals. In the instance of Beatrice, she doesn’t have the luxury of time. She needs to find a place for herself and her infant son immediately.
When the opportunity presents itself, she seizes the chance. Soon she is on her way from Atlanta to Texas. I love the area of Texas to which she travels, the hill country between Bandera and Medina on the Medina River. Years ago, our family spent several days at the Mayan Dude Ranch near Bandera. I fell in love with the area.
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| The Medina River |
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| Lost Maples State Natural Area formerly used by rustlers and Comancheros |
Here is the blurb summary for MAIL-ORDER BEATRICE:
Beatrice “Attie” Kendall has to escape from home with her six-week-old son. With the help of her kind brother, she goes to Atlanta where she consults a matchmaker. After the hard life Attie’s been dealt for her twenty years, she’ll finally have a good home with nice people and a friend nearby. In fact, her husband and their home seem too good to be true. Does she dare trust that her life has really changed?
Tate Merritt isn’t ready to get married but he gives in to his grandfather’s coercing. Grandpa raised him and Tate tries to please the older man. Tate doesn’t know what to think about this mail-order bride. She isn’t at all the wife he imagined—plus, she showed up with a baby! The child’s a cute little thing but Tate isn’t sure how he feels about her surprising him. How can he trust a woman who keeps altering her story?
Life presents obstacles to further complicate Attie and Tate’s marriage. They’ll have to work together to solve their problems and protect their family. Can they trust one another enough to make this marriage work?
The Amazon buy link is https://www.amazon.com/Beatrice-Widows-Brides-Secret-Babies-ebook/dp/B08711J8TJ/
The Universal Amazon link is https://mybook./to/Attie
MAIL-ORDER BEATRICE is available in ebook and print and is free in KU.
Here’s an excerpt of when they meet:
Tate’s misgivings grew as the stage came closer. By the time the vehicle stopped in front of them, he was ready to turn tail and run for home. He’d given his word, though, and he never broke his word. That meant he’d stand here and look halfway pleased his bride had arrived—if she had.
First person off the stage was a pretty brunette. She turned back and took a basket from inside the stage and held it while a beautiful blonde stepped out. The blonde took the basket and hugged the brunette.
Reg walked up to the brunette. “You must be Hannah. I’m Reggie.” They walked off to where his parents stood.
Grandpa nudged him. “Son, are you nailed to the boardwalk?”
He came out of his reverie and walked to the blonde. She was a pretty woman and had a real sweet expression on her face.
“I’m Tate Merritt. Are you Beatrice Bishop?”
“I am. My friends call me Attie, but whichever you please is fine.”
“Shall I take the basket?”
“If you don’t mind.” She handed it to him and removed the cloth she had covering the basket.
He glanced at the contents then stared. “It… It’s a baby. I didn’t know you were bringing a baby. Is this kid yours?”
Her chin came up. “His name is Wade. I’m a widow, you see, and Wade is my son.”
Grandpa had strolled over and peered at the basket’s contents. “Well, I’ll be if that isn’t a cute little sprout. Wade you say? Looks like a fine boy.”
Her face radiated such joy her beauty increased. “He is a very good boy. I’m fortunate to have him.”
She looked at Tate. “I didn’t have a chance to let you know I was bringing him but the matchmaker said from what your minister wrote that she was sure you’d not mind. Your preacher mentioned what a kind and loving family yours was.”
Grandpa stood there grinning like a fool which certainly was no help.
“You’re here so I suppose we’ll manage. We’re due at the church now. I’ll load your luggage if you’ll show me which is yours.”
Grandpa reached for the basket. “I’ll take charge of my great-grandson.”
Muttering under his breath, Tate escorted his used bride to the pile of luggage the stage driver had set on the boardwalk.
Attie reached for a carpetbag. “This and that small trunk there. The brown one.”
“That’s all?”
“It is.” She raised her chin again—defiantly, he thought, but he supposed it could have been the difference in their height.
He gauged her size and judged her to be about six or seven inches over five feet. Her eyes were the brightest blue he’d ever seen. In addition to being wrinkled from the trip, her dress was plain and frayed at the cuffs and the hem.
Reg and his father loaded a large trunk and valise onto their wagon.
Reg laughed. “Funny our mail-order brides being friends, isn’t it? Guess you’re going to the church next so we’ll see you there.”
“You know Mr. Spencer?” His used bride touched his arm and appeared excited. “Why, that’s wonderful. Hannah and I are good friends. I hope we can visit them sometimes.”
He hefted a trunk and a heavy carpetbag. “Sure I know him. Guess I know about everyone in this county and the next. There aren’t that many of us.”
She kept step with him. “I get the feeling you’re not happy about the baby and me being a widow instead of never wed. I can understand that but I hope you won’t send me back.”
He stopped and looked at her. “Attie, I’m not sending you back. I can’t help being a little upset because I didn’t know you had a baby or that you were a widow.”
He started walking again. “I had this picture in my head. Give me a little time to get my mind changed around to the real you.”
He dang sure would have chosen someone else if he’d had a choice. Instead of a virgin, he had a used bride with some other man’s baby. If that didn’t beat all, he didn’t know what would.
Of course Tate softens up during the story. He’s a good man and Beatrice is a good woman, as they demonstrate. But, Beatrice will only be pushed so far and then she’ll retaliate. Watch out, world!
I hope you’ll read and enjoy MAIL-ORDER BEATRICE. You’ll find it a quick read, sweet, and fun. Of course you're guaranteed a happy ending. That's one of the joys of reading romance.
Many of you have mentioned you enjoy jigsaw puzzles, so here's one of MAIL-ORDER BEATRICE's cover.
Many of you have mentioned you enjoy jigsaw puzzles, so here's one of MAIL-ORDER BEATRICE's cover.
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