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83rd out of 532 books
—
549 voters
Paper Roses (Texas Dreams #1)
by
Amanda Cabot (Goodreads Author)
The future stretches out in front of Sarah Dobbs like the pure blue Texas sky. Leaving the past behind in Philadelphia, mail-order bride Sarah arrives in San Antonio ready to greet her groom, Austin Canfield, a man she has never met but whose letters have won her heart from afar. But there is one problem--he has died. And Sarah cannot go back East.
As Sarah tries to reconc...more
As Sarah tries to reconc...more
Paperback, 378 pages
Published
January 1st 2009
by Fleming H. Revell Company
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I really loved this story. I started reading it without having any preconceived ideas, all I knew was she was a mail ordered bride. The story takes you through so many layers of healing. Sarah has many secrets that are miring her in feelings of anger that she continues to hold on to. Austin, her intended fiancée has been corresponding with her for months. When she finally makes the trip he is not there to claim his bride. This is when things go terribly wrong. His brother Clay, arrives late bear...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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I loved this book because of three factors: Sarah , Education and also Faith.
Sarah comes off as a person who is not willing to give up and when things seem to go wrong, she is not afraid to admit that they are and she worries about them too. She struck me as dumb, for applying to be a mail-order bride, but I did some research and figured that this happened in the West, and it still happens with nowadays most brides coming from Russia or Chile or South America.
I was taken by her desire to teach t...more
Sarah comes off as a person who is not willing to give up and when things seem to go wrong, she is not afraid to admit that they are and she worries about them too. She struck me as dumb, for applying to be a mail-order bride, but I did some research and figured that this happened in the West, and it still happens with nowadays most brides coming from Russia or Chile or South America.
I was taken by her desire to teach t...more
AUTHOR: Amanda Cabot is a Historical, Inspirational, Romance fiction author. She has a fantastic command of being able to describe people, scenery and situations. You do not have to use your imagination very much to be brought into her story.
GENRE: Historical fiction, Romance, Inspirational romance, Western
SETTING: San Antonio Texas 1856
CENTRAL FEMALE CHARACTER: She is determined regardless of the situation. She encourages others and looks after needs. A resourceful woman but where was God when...more
GENRE: Historical fiction, Romance, Inspirational romance, Western
SETTING: San Antonio Texas 1856
CENTRAL FEMALE CHARACTER: She is determined regardless of the situation. She encourages others and looks after needs. A resourceful woman but where was God when...more
It's not that I didn't like the book, though it certainly wasn't necessarily a favorite, either. There were many aspects I enjoyed, in fact--including the romance between Sarah and Clay, the historical setting in the Texas frontier, and the mix of mystery and historical, Christian fiction.
As is typically the case, there were aspects to the Christian fiction that did not resonate with me, but on the positive side Cabot did not dwell on these as some authors of Christian fiction do. I did not find...more
As is typically the case, there were aspects to the Christian fiction that did not resonate with me, but on the positive side Cabot did not dwell on these as some authors of Christian fiction do. I did not find...more
Another book I wish I had more stars available to chose from. Three seems mean but four to me means I really, really enjoyed it .
I did enjoy most of the book but a few parts did not quite ring true. As another reviewer said a 180 degree turn of engrained attitudes and beliefs seemed too sudden. Other than that I thought most of the characters were well portrayed and the storyline interesting. I always enjoy stories that open my eyes to ways of life that are different from those I am familiar wi...more
I did enjoy most of the book but a few parts did not quite ring true. As another reviewer said a 180 degree turn of engrained attitudes and beliefs seemed too sudden. Other than that I thought most of the characters were well portrayed and the storyline interesting. I always enjoy stories that open my eyes to ways of life that are different from those I am familiar wi...more
After suffering a horrible tragedy in Pennsylvania, Sarah decides it would be best for both her and her little sister to start a new life in Texas, so Sarah agrees to be a mail-order bride. Excited to meet the man who sent her such wonderful letters -- her paper roses -- Sarah meets only disappointed when her fiance's brother Clay shows up to greet her instead. Austin, her betrothed, is dead, shot by an unknown assailant, and the future looks very bleak indeed.
Like so many of these western roman...more
Like so many of these western roman...more
Free Kindle download. I'm kind of between a 3 and a 4 on this one. For the most part, I really liked the book — the characters, the story, etc. The faith part of a book in this genre is usually what pulls me back from really, really liking the book, but I think that's less about the faith and more about how it's presented in the book.
How the heroine got her faith back was good — it was slow and steady and believable. How quickly she forgave her dead father after a sermon, however, wasn't quite a...more
How the heroine got her faith back was good — it was slow and steady and believable. How quickly she forgave her dead father after a sermon, however, wasn't quite a...more
I really liked this book! I always like the going west, mail order bride type storys and this book doesn't disappoint. She goes south after reading wonderful stories of love to meet her groom and finds that his brother picks her up and her groom has died. What a disapointment. It is the west and you don't just turn around and go home it takes a very long time to take those trips. She calls her letters her Paper Rosees and in the end she finally falls for......well you need to read the book. It i...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Paper Roses was a free Kindle book, and it was a bit of a relief after the last two free Kindle books I read. This was a clean, Christian romance with a mystery.
Sarah is a mail order bride who arrives in Texas only to find that her fiance, Austin, has been murdered. She had fallen in love with Austin through letters he wrote to her (which she named paper roses), and although she's very sad about his death, she is determined to stay and make a new life for herself.
Austin's brother Clay can't wait...more
Sarah is a mail order bride who arrives in Texas only to find that her fiance, Austin, has been murdered. She had fallen in love with Austin through letters he wrote to her (which she named paper roses), and although she's very sad about his death, she is determined to stay and make a new life for herself.
Austin's brother Clay can't wait...more
This book ultimately was a disappointment. I really liked the first half or so. I liked that Clay was struggling with his desire for revenge and Sarah was struggling with her anger and resentment towards her father. Clay's storyline was wrapped up okay, not great, but I didn't expect anything else. But what I really hated was that Sarah figured that she was a much, much worse sinner than her father just because she was so angry at him (understandably) for what he did. It's like, I don't believe...more
This historical romance takes place in pre-Civil War Texas. Sarah Dobbs is a mail order bride from Philadelphia, arriving in Ladreville, Texas, to meet the man she has only known through letters, only to find out that he has been murdered. But Sarah is determined to stay in Ladreville and make a life for herself and her little sister Thea. Sarah has her reasons why she cannot go back to Philadelphia.
She stays with her late fiance's family; his brother Clay and Clay's father Robert. Clay is on a...more
She stays with her late fiance's family; his brother Clay and Clay's father Robert. Clay is on a...more
Sarah Dobbs is forced to flee home with her sister Thea after her parents' deaths and is supposed to meet her fiance in Texas. She didn't expect much as mail-oder-bride, but she found herself falling in love with her betrothed, Austin Canefield.
However, instead of being met by her betrothed she meets his brother Clay who's come to tell her that Austin's been murdered.
Unable to head back home, she is forced to find a way to provide for her sister and herself.
Clay is determined to find his brothe...more
However, instead of being met by her betrothed she meets his brother Clay who's come to tell her that Austin's been murdered.
Unable to head back home, she is forced to find a way to provide for her sister and herself.
Clay is determined to find his brothe...more
Paper Roses by Amanda Cabot is a Christian historical romance, but it has wonderful elements of mystery and suspense sprinkled in, as well as a few other subplots. There were times that I felt like there may have been too much going on in just one installment, but I must say, Amanda Cabot did a wonderful job of meshing everything together.
The Christian values portion makes this story into one that I am thankful to have read. It reminds us that although our heartaches can be devastating, God wil...more
The Christian values portion makes this story into one that I am thankful to have read. It reminds us that although our heartaches can be devastating, God wil...more
I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting a lot out of this book. It was free on my Kindle so I thought the book would be lame.
Luckily, I was wrong because this book was seriously good! It followed a woman who was betrothed to a man, who came from Philadelphia to Texas to marry him with her 2-year-old sister (her parents had died earlier) only to find out the man was dead. The man's brother came to tell her this news and she went to live with him and his father for the time being. The man, Clay, has re...more
Luckily, I was wrong because this book was seriously good! It followed a woman who was betrothed to a man, who came from Philadelphia to Texas to marry him with her 2-year-old sister (her parents had died earlier) only to find out the man was dead. The man's brother came to tell her this news and she went to live with him and his father for the time being. The man, Clay, has re...more
If you’re looking for inspiration, love, a need to forgive, and/or a need to ask for forgiveness, this is a great book for you. Calbot will have you reminded that God has a purpose for everything no matter the situation and that with faith in him you’ll make it through. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 3:14) As I’ve said before, I believe books come across our paths at different times of our life to remind or soothe of something we are in need of. Reading thi...more
Sarah Dobbs has her life mapped out. She and her young sister have travelled to the small town in Texas to become a mail order bride to Austin Canfield. Although she has never met him, she has fallen head over heels in love from his 'paper roses' the letters she has received from him over the last few months.
Her life is thrown into total confusion when she is met at the depot, not by her intended but by his brother, Clay. Clay informs her that his brother has been murdered and he will pay to he...more
Her life is thrown into total confusion when she is met at the depot, not by her intended but by his brother, Clay. Clay informs her that his brother has been murdered and he will pay to he...more
Her future stretched out like the clear blue Texas sky.
But a storm is coming.
Leaving the past behind in Philadelphia, mail-order bride Sarah Dobbs arrives in San Antonio ready to greet her groom—a man she has never met but whose letters, her paper roses, have won her heart from afar. But there is a problem—Austin Canfield is dead, and Sarah cannot go back East.
As Sarah tries to reconcile herself to a future that is drastically changed, Austin's brother Clay wants nothing more than to shake the T...more
But a storm is coming.
Leaving the past behind in Philadelphia, mail-order bride Sarah Dobbs arrives in San Antonio ready to greet her groom—a man she has never met but whose letters, her paper roses, have won her heart from afar. But there is a problem—Austin Canfield is dead, and Sarah cannot go back East.
As Sarah tries to reconcile herself to a future that is drastically changed, Austin's brother Clay wants nothing more than to shake the T...more
A woman suffering from life’s circumstances answers the letters of a man searching for a bride. A man trying to find his brother’s killer will stop at nothing to learn the truth and bring him to justice. Sarah has suffered more than any woman her age should. Now, clutching the love letters of the man she plans to marry and her young sister in toe, she moves to a town where prejudice, hatred, love and forgiveness resides, she just has to learn which ones she is going to except.
Paper Roses is such...more
Paper Roses is such...more
This is the first book from this Author that I have had the opportunity to read. The book itself has everything, as a reader, that I personally look for. A bit of Romance and a bit of Mystery. As a Christian, I appreciate the way God and His word was intertwined throughout the story without dragging it down or making it boring. I also didn't feel like I was at Sunday School. The setting of the book is unique, with the perfect amount of detail. I fell in love with Sarah, Clay, and Thea along with...more
I got this book as a free book on my Nook, not expecting at all to like it. I just wanted something to read. It takes place in the pioneer west of Texas -- not my usual style of book by far. However, I ended up falling in love with this story and the characters of Sarah and Clay. If you enjoy Christian fiction I would definitely recommend this book. If not, you may it find a bit preachy, but I would still encourage you to give it a try. It's a sweet love story with a mystery thrown in as well. T...more
At first I was not all that interested in this one. It was a free ebook from Kobo, and I thought I 'd give it a try, but I wasn't expecting much. Turns out, it was a pretty good read once I gave it a chance.
I liked Sarah's pluckiness, Thea's sheer joy in life, and Clay's strength. I loved the story of this Texan town home to equal parts French and German immigrants from Alsace, who despite being thousands of miles from the Old Country, they can't give up their long held prejudices... but as we a...more
I liked Sarah's pluckiness, Thea's sheer joy in life, and Clay's strength. I loved the story of this Texan town home to equal parts French and German immigrants from Alsace, who despite being thousands of miles from the Old Country, they can't give up their long held prejudices... but as we a...more
This was an okay story, I had actually just read another one exactly like this. The whole going to marry one guy because of his lovey-dovey letters, only to find out his was his brother/friend that actually wrote them. Same ole', same ole'. There wasn't really anything new about this one.
At the beginning of the story, Sarah is recalling how her parents were excited about going on a tour of Europe, 'so eager to hold their first grandchild.' What did that part mean? About the grandchild?
I get Sa...more
At the beginning of the story, Sarah is recalling how her parents were excited about going on a tour of Europe, 'so eager to hold their first grandchild.' What did that part mean? About the grandchild?
I get Sa...more
This is such a sweet story. From the start, I fell in love with the main character, Sarah, and her sister, as well as Clay and his father. The idea of a mail-order bride was unique as a plot, as was the fate of Sarah's parents. It was not your typical "handsome guy will fall in love with the lonely girl" novel to me. The author took her time developing the relationship, and though you knew the outcome somewhat, you did not know how it would come about.
The author weaves the truth of the Scripture...more
The author weaves the truth of the Scripture...more
Paper Roses centers around Sarah, who is left alone to raise her young sister Thea after her parents die tragically. Sarah decides to become a mail order bride and falls in love with her fiance, Austin, when he writes her love letters, her "paper roses." But when Sarah arrives in Texas, she finds her fiance dead. She decides to remain in Texas with Austin's brother, a widower, makes friends, and starts a school. She begins to fall in love with Austin's brother, Clay. However, the mystery of Aust...more
I have a huge soft spot for Christian western romance books. This one hits all the usual notes of this genre but there were some interesting details to these characters. Fleeing a family tragedy and scandal back east, Sarah Dobbs arrives in Texas as a mail-order bride, only to find that her groom was murdered a few weeks before her arrival. His brother Clay is trying to care for their aging father, sprawling ranch and return to medical practice back east. No major surprises here but there were a...more
The storyline and events were interesting, and this had the potential to be a really great story. I thought the characters were very two-dimensional, and not really developed. The personal story between characters is so essential to a romance novel, and I just didn't feel it here. I also thought it was painfully trite. Things happened, and suddenly the characters realize they are in love! Then they realize all the bad things that happened are okay, because they were part of God's plan to bring t...more
This is a really good book. It is a christian historical romance set in 1850s Texas. It is the story of a mail order bride who arrives to find the man she was going to marry has been killed. She makes a new life there by becoming the schoolteacher. In the course of various adventures she eventually falls in love with her intended husbands brother.
The characters in this book are really likable. Most of them that is. There are a few bad guys just like in real life which makes it more realistic of...more
The characters in this book are really likable. Most of them that is. There are a few bad guys just like in real life which makes it more realistic of...more
Hmmmm...so disappointed. I really wanted to like this book, because the book description sounded like something right up my alley. I'm always on the lookout for new authors in this genre that I actually like. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll read more from this author. The first part of the book was flat, and the characters were very two dimensional. There were several instances where the characters had revelations about each other ("clearly Sarah was spunky..." or "clearly she would make a goo...more
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With both parents avid readers, it's no surprise that Amanda Cabot learned to read at an early age. From there it was only a small step to deciding to become a writer. Of course, deciding and becoming are two different things, as she soon discovered. Fortunately for the world, her first attempts at fiction were not published, but she did meet her goal of selling a novel by her thirtieth birthday....more
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Jun 10, 2012 08:42pm