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Chasing Clovers

by Kat Flannery (Goodreads Author)

3.5 of 5 stars 3.50 · rating details · 132 ratings · 36 reviews

Mail order bride, Livy Green, is desperate to escape the memories of her past. John Taylor will never love another woman again, but his children need a mother. Will they learn to trust each other, or will their pasts interfere?

Longing to escape the awful memories and the saloon she once sang in, Livy Green lies about her past so she can be a wife to John Taylor and mother...more

Kindle Edition, 176 pages

Published October 9th 2011 by Imajin Books

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Nov 11, 2012 Angela Blackburn rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really liked this story. I liked the element of faith and that both the characters were healing from grief. It was a sweet story that I very much enjoyed.

*Update* I didn't have much time when I first was writing this review so now I'd like to go into a little more detail. I really, for some reason, felt like I could relate to Livy/Angel. I'm not a mother and I haven't lost a child but I think that losing someone when there is nothing you can do to change their illness is something a lot of us...more

1 like · like · see review

Nov 25, 2011 Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle-books

I love almost anything set in the 1800"s and I love a good romance and this happens to be both things that I love wrapped up in a good story.

This is the first book by Flannery that I have read and I really enjoyed it.

The characters were great, Olivia was feisty and broken and flawed and I just really enjoyed watching her character grow and her broken heart mend. I love how strong and courageous she was.

And John was a great character too, also broken but determined to do what was best for his fam...more

1 like · like · see review

Dec 05, 2012 Suzanne rated it 5 of 5 stars

I hate to give top rating to a book with crude sexual remarks and scenes in addition with some profanity, but this was truly a well-written book with a great story. Of course I cannot share it with my family and friends because of embarrassment. It was so good I could barely put it down. It is a shame good writers cannot see their talents and literary abilities is great enough they do not have to muddy the story up with sexual explicitness or outward profanity.
This is a tender story of a woman b...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 21, 2012 Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Adult Women

Recommended to Emily by: ebook on Amazon

Shelves: chick-lit, historical-romance, romance, western-romance

I found this book on Amazon and downloaded a free e-book version.

It was a great little historical romance. I enjoyed the premise and the characters.

Kat Flannery is a very talented writer. You can tell she really did her research when writing Chasing Clovers. It's full of historical knowledge. This is the first "mail-order bride" that I've read.

I felt really bad for Livy. It seemed that she was constantly getting hurt. I kept cringing each time she got hurt. I liked that John was always there to...more

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Apr 26, 2012 Cherna rated it 2 of 5 stars

The story had potential, but I find the writing was lacking.

In the first half of the book I was distracted by the writing. It had bad internal dialog, was repetitive and filled with mhm.. inconsistencies (for lack of a better word). For example, the hero is angry and walks away, then a few minutes later he is looking at the landscape and smiling because of its beauty.

The heroine was totally unlikable at first. And I got the feeling it was intended for her to be that way and then evolve into a '...more

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Mar 14, 2012 Nicky rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: wrong-name, widower-widow, where-s-the-ending, unlikeable-heroine, raped, lost-a-child, farmer-rancher, abusive-childhood

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Im still trying to figure out if I liked this book or not.. It took me a real long time to warm up to this heroine. It was 50+ percent in this story and she still hadnt warmed up to the H's little girl.. Eventually when she did I still felt like she loved the little boy more.. This book also was just too short.. I wanted to read more.. I felt like John had a whole lot more talking to do before she should have accepted it. I wanted to know what they built, how much longer did they wait to marry?...more

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Dec 10, 2011 Nancy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Chasing Clovers is such a good story that I keep scratching my head with wonder as to why the author was subjected to many rejection letters from different publishing firms before Imajin Books had seen its potential and had it published.

Chasing Clovers started off with Livy Green and John Taylor meeting for the first time after corresponding to each other several times. They both have ulterior motives for entering a loveless marriage. For Livy, she was in desperate need to escape her dreadful a...more

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Dec 19, 2011 Linda Bsss rated it 5 of 5 stars

Livy Green Answered A Mail Order Bride Ad From John Taylor, She Needed A Fresh Start From Her Shady Past. While She Lived In A Saloon, Her Mother Never Thought A Wit About Her As She Let Drunken Cowboys Grope Her. When Her Mother Died She Had No Where To Go And Unlike Her Mother She Sang For The Cowboys Until Boyd Beat And Raped Her. She Feared He'd Return To Take Her Again She Knew She Had To Get Out Of Town Fast!

John Taylor Needed A Wife To Take Care Of Ben And Emily And He Converse With Livy...more

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Feb 01, 2013 Ruth Hill rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-reads, e-books, historical, romance

This book was one that sat on my e-reader for a while, and I forgot about it. I got so busy and was only recently reminded about it. And all I can say is that I had no idea what I was missing! This is a short book, but within a very short time of beginning it, I knew this was my kind of book! It is a historical romance with a twist, and I honestly am hooked on this author! In fact, I was shocked to discover that Kat Flannery is a debut author, and this is her first book! Wow!

This is a short book...more

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Apr 07, 2012 Chandra rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 19th-century, historical, western, kindle

AUTHOR: CHASING CLOVERS is Kat’s first published novel. This is a historical romance.

SETTING: 19th century Western which takes place on a large ranch.

CENTRAL FEMALE CHARACTER: She spent days and nights mourning for her baby that she would never see again. Needing a place to go, she answered an ad to be a wife and mother and to keep house for a widower even though she had no life skills.
CENTRAL MALE CHARACTER: He ran a large ranch. His wife died and left him with a son and daughter. He needed so...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Elise Marion rated it 4 of 5 stars

Chasing Clovers is a strongly penned read, very emotional. It gets at the heart of the reader and had me gripped from the start. I love books about people running from their pasts because, as we all know, you can run but your past will always catch you. I enjoy seeing characters come to this realization as the things they try to run from catch up to them.

I don't read a lot of Westerns, but I don't know why. I like reading about the simplicity of Ranch life, especially during simpler times such...more Chasing Clovers is a strongly penned read, very emotional. It gets at the heart of the reader and had me gripped from the start. I love books about people running from their pasts because, as we all know, you can run but your past will always catch you. I enjoy seeing characters come to this realization as the things they try to run from catch up to them.

I don't read a lot of Westerns, but I don't know why. I like reading about the simplicity of Ranch life, especially during simpler times such as portrayed in this book. And of course a work-roughened cowboy doesn't hurt either!

Before I go any further, I want to address some other reviews of this book I read criticizing the fact that the character, the hero, profess faith in God but use foul language and make bad decisions. Firstly, this is by no means an Inspirational or Christian romance. Yes, the hero John has a strong faith in God. He has leaned on God to help him move past the death of his first wife. I found this to be the most attractive aspect of his personality. Instead of shaking his fist at the sky and cursing his bad luck, John thanks God for what he still has....his health, his ranch, friends, beautiful children. Shouldn't we all be so optimistic? So what if John says a few curse words or lets his temper get the best of him? People who believe in God are not perfect people...in fact, it is their imperfection that causes them to rely on God. This is one of the reasons why, despite being a Christian woman myself, I do not read a lot of Christian romances, because I get sick of lily white characters with their piousness. It's unrealistic. People are flawed. It is because these characters are flawed that I identified with them and wanted to see them end up together.

Now, on to the rest of the review. My favorite characters in the book were John, Ezekiel the cook, and John's children. What a sweet little family our heroine, Olivia, has a chance of becoming a part of. My heart ached for John and his kids after the death of their wife and mother and I wanted them to find happiness.

I will say that Olivia took some time to grow on me. On the one hand, the issue of her sexual abuse and the death of her daughter made her a sympathetic character. Losing a child is every mother's worse nightmare, and Olivia is barely hanging on after she loses her baby girl. However, I found her treatment of John's daughter to be a bit over the top. Upon coming into John's home, she treats the girl bad (but not the son) just because she's a girl. I wasn't fond of how Olivia used her pain to lash out at a little girl who was mourning the loss of her mother. I found it to be a bit immature on her part to not be able to see past her own pain and understand this little girl was hurting just as badly as she was. However, she redeemed herself toward the end with actions I won't give away for fear of spoiling the story. Let's say that by the end she'd more than made up for it and I was able to like her more as a character.

Aside from that, I also had a hard time understanding some of the characters' actions in relation to their circumstances and/or portrayed personalities. For one thing, Olivia continues to go on and on about how she doesn't need anybody, yet she has answered this ad to become a mail order bride because she has nothing else. In her thoughts we are reminded of her past rape and the fact that she's terrified of men and the thought of having to have sex with John. Then why get married? At some point it had to occur to her that a husband was going to want intimacy from her. Then there's John, who brings this woman into his home and then proceeds to question whether or not he can 'betray' his dead first wife by marrying her. Then why even send for her? It just annoyed me, mainly because I felt there was too much internal dialog. The characters were in their own heads too much, and the same emotions were being rehashed over and over, which lessened their impact. I couldn't feel as bad for them when I was annoyed for having to read the same thought patterns over and over again. I also felt John's reaction to Olivia coming out with the truth about her past to be horrible. He was diminished as a hero in my eyes when he starts with the name calling and accusations. It just seemed so out of character, as if the author forced it in order to make his actions fit the turn of the story. I get why he had to react...so that things would pan out the way they were, but it didn't feel right and made me sick to my stomach to see John act in such a way.

Aside from those things, I very much enjoyed this story and I liked the ending. I liked that it didn't wrap up too prettily and the characters had time for reflection before getting back together in the end. At the end of the day, Chasing Clovers was a truly romantic and enjoyable story, one that does not contain consummated sexual scenes for those who prefer not to read those. I did appreciate the subtle sensuality of kisses shared by John and Olivia. Their chemistry was real and endearing. Kat Flannery's debut novel is a success as far as I'm concerned and I'm looking forward to seeing what else she's got up her sleeve in the future. I think she's off to a smashing start!

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Feb 19, 2012 Carly Fall rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm not one for western romances, but I do have to say I enjoyed this book. It is a well written fast read. What starts out as two people needing the other for different reasons, turns into a sweet romance. The characters were strong, and yet deeply hurt by past circumstances in each of their lives. The author also kept everything very real. Livy and John don't immediately fall head over heals for each other, but it takes time for them to really notice each other. The kids don't accept her right...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 11, 2013 Miss Pippi the Librarian added it

Olivia "Livy" Green answered an ad to be a mail order bride. She wanted a new start from her career as singer, Angel Green. John Taylor wanted a wife to care for his two children. He didn't care if his second marriage was not a love match. Both are struggling to find their way through their new relationship. John tries to manage his ranch with suspicious happenings, while Olivia tries to overcome her panic attacks from the past.

Flannery sprinkles faith and choice words throughout her novel. The...more

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Oct 18, 2012 εїз♫ Brenda ♫εїз rated it 5 of 5 stars

I didn't think I would get into this story.But I was so wrong! Loved it!

Livy is a mail order bride with a past that is tragic and haunting.It seems to follow her to the ranch ,were she is to become the bride of John.John needs a mother for his two young children after the death of his wife three years ago.Livy can't cook,she can't sew,she has no idea how to be a wife and mother.She has a hard time getting close to the kids.
In time she learns to cook and as she grows closer to the kids and Jo...more

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Mar 13, 2012 Germaine rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone

Shelves: better-than-average

I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters are well drawn and their actions are believable. The story setting is the hero's ranch in Alberta, and his foreman and ranch hands are interesting supporting characters. I was a little disappointed that we didn't get more of a feeling that this was Canada, not the United States. Both the hero and the heroine come with tragic pasts which they overcome for the requisite happy ending. Be aware, though, that part of the heroine's past is a rape, and...more

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Mar 14, 2012 Allison rated it 2 of 5 stars

I wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't. For one thing I hated the main character for most of the book. Yes, okay, some bad stuff had happened to her, but sheesh, she is a total witch for the first 60% of the book and cries every other paragraph. Also, John, her husband-to-be is not well fleshed out and I didn't really like him either. The only people I liked in the book were the kids! If it wasn't for them this book would've gotten one star. Also, I found the back story of Livy unbeliev...more

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Dec 26, 2012 Brenda Casto rated it 4 of 5 stars

John Taylor's wife Becky died three years ago while giving birth to his daughter Emily. He knows that he needs to find a mother for not only Emily but his son Ben as well, so he puts an ad in the paper for a mail order bride. Livy (Angel) Green hasn't had an easy life,and fear of someone as well as the fact that she wants a fresh start propels her to answer John's ad. Thing is she had to tell a few lies in order to fill the bill for what he was looking for. What will happen if John finds out abo...more

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Mar 05, 2013 liirogue rated it 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this. I like the risk the author took with the main character - Livy isn't very likeable for the first half of the book. She has a short temper, lies, and treats the daughter of the John, the man she is supposed to marry, badly. I also liked how you saw her and John change and struggle as the story progresses. The ending just didn't quite work though. The author spent all of this time slowly building things up and then just rushes to a conclusion in a few short pages and I don't...more

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Feb 09, 2013 Megan rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 100-books-in-2012, 2012-rrrc-s-books-i-read-for-a-chal, read-in-2012, review-books, the-challenge-factory-s-120-books-i, tlc-2012-series-r-us-challenge

I really thought I was going to enjoy this book, but unfortunately I was very disappointed in it. Livy was bearable, but John came across as a self-centered jerk. There was also a LOT of cursing in the book, so much in fact, that I lost count!

The book also goes into very detailed descriptions about how the characters feel towards one another. Boyd's carnal urges, what he wants to do to Livy and how she affects him. Will stating that he doesn't think he can ever love another woman, and then he ki...more

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Jan 06, 2012 Inga rated it 5 of 5 stars

My review:

Chasing Clovers by Kat Flannery is a good historical western romance novel and I enjoyed reading it a lot. The story was good, characters well-written and it was easy to read. When I started reading it, I was fascinated, because I had not much knowledge about mail order brides in the past. I did not have to be disappointed; I thoroughly got a very good reading experience.

Regarding the plot:

John has lost his wife and needs a mother for his to children and decides to order a bride throu...more

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Apr 05, 2012 Sherri *The Lady Hillindale* rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Diana Palmer masochists

Shelves: 2012, american-historical, ebook, eye-roller, freebie, heroine-is-an-dumbass, kindle, marriage-of-convenience, ntm-author, western-romance

Borderline wallbanger for me. The heroine was an absolute nutjob. I cannot fathom why she acted the way she did - just didn't make sense to me. The hero wasn't much better. This almost reads like a Diana Palmer, only not as good. *rolls eyes*

1.25 stars because, believe it or not, I liked the kids. And that's saying something if you know me.

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Dec 10, 2012 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: finished

Kat pens "Chasing Clovers" in a well written plot with strong, loveable and believable characters. A captivating fast paced read fill with suspense that you will have a hard time putting down. An easy read for all suspenseful western romance fans.

This review is based on a complimentary copy which was provided for an honest review.

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Jul 22, 2012 Crystal rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really liked the mail order bride book. I would like to think maybe I would've done it if I was born back then. Who knows. I do know that it had to be pretty scary to go somewhere and live with someone that you knew nothing about.

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Mar 13, 2012 Dee rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: freebies, historical, romance

Two-haiku review:

She comes to his ranch
To be mother to his kids
Weighed down by her past

Not believable
Inconsistencies, errors
Too easy ending

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Mar 23, 2012 Amanda The Book Slayer rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, 2012-challenge-books-read

3.5 Stars I liked this book a lot. I did end up crying through most of the book. The story line was good if a little predictable.

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Jan 19, 2013 Emily rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: mail-order-bride

I just did not see the romance develop between the H &h. I really felt nothing between them. To me they seemed like strangers.

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May 15, 2012 Kathleen Crowell rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

Kind of ridiculous. Can't stand when everything big happens in a week. For some reason I liked John, but Livy was annoying.

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Jan 02, 2013 Beckey rated it 3 of 5 stars

A woman with elusive & troubling past become mail order bride. Western historical romance... Interesting good read

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Apr 26, 2012 Maria rated it 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this book. I liked the fact that it wasnt your typical romance novel. It was refreshing to read. Good book

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Jan 18, 2013 Doreen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Quick read.. cute love story about the life of a mail-order bride back in the 1800's.

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About Kat Flannery

Kat Flannery has had her writing published in numerous periodicals. She’s received her diploma for Creative, Freelance, and Business Writing. She is co-owner of Prairie Dog Publishing, where she devotes her spare time as head of Marketing and Communications. CHASING CLOVERS is Kat’s first published novel, and she is currently hard at work on her next.

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