Doctor's Snowflake Bride

by Lacy Williams

Minnie Bannister’s mail-order bride journey takes an unexpected twist when she encounters a charming stranger instead of her intended husband.

Bound by his doctor’s oath to help those in need, Jed Dawson cannot ignore the plight of the beautiful Minnie stranded during a raging blizzard. Minnie is the missing link that will help him bond with his preteen son, who is still mourning his late mother.

With Christmas just around the corner, Minnie and Jed discover that sometimes the greatest gifts come in the most unexpected packages, and that love can be found even when it seems like everything is working against them. Will they have the courage to embrace the love that has blossomed between them, or will they let their chance at happiness slip away?

Read this heartwarming Christian historical romance from the author of wagon train novels A TRAIL SO LONESOME and WILD HEART’S HAVEN.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Christmas, Historical, Historical Romance, Christian Fiction, Audiobook

98 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2024

About the author

Lacy Williams wishes her writing career was more like what you see on Hallmark movies: dreamy brainstorming from a French chateau or a few minutes at the computer in a million-dollar New York City penthouse. In reality, she’s up before the sun, putting words on the page before her kids wake up for the day. Those early-morning and late-night writing sessions add up, and Lacy has published fifty books in almost a decade, first with a big five publisher and then as an indie author. When she needs to refill the well, you can find Lacy birdwatching, gardening, biking with the kiddos, or walking the dog. Find tons of bonus scenes and reader extras by becoming a VIP reader at www.lacywilliams.net/vip .

Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Lacy Williams book and I loved it!

Williams took me to Cooper’s Hollow, a tiny Wyoming town, introduced me to people with broken hearts who were searching for a Christmas miracle, and showed me that sometimes the greatest gifts come in the most unexpected packages.

Wilhelmina ‘Minnie’ Bannister left an orphanage, where she’d spent the majority of her life, with a marriage proposal in hand from a man she’d never met. When this mail-order bride arrives late one night during a snowstorm just days before Christmas and discovers that her fiance, Adam Black, hasn’t come to pick her up, she’s lonely, cold and anxious.

Dr. Jed Dawson has come to pick up a nurse to help him in his practice, only to discover that she hasn’t arrived.

Serendipity?

What do we do when life doesn’t turn out as expected? We make our own happiness. Right? Lemonade, folks. Make lemonade.

Williams examines what it’s like to be overlooked, how we can bolster the courage to make our own Christmas miracles and leaves us with a message about not letting fear dictate our choices.

This was a quick, sweet read that left me inspired - the perfect novel for this busy season.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read

Short and sweet romance about a mail order bride. I guess you could say it was a second chance followed with a hea.

[Dianne Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by Lacy Williams and I loved It! A mail-order bride finds herself stranded in the middle of a snow storm, alone in a new town but, through strength, determination and a kind heart will she find the only thing she has ever wanted in her life, a family of her own? This is a story of courage, hope and love. I highly recommend this book!

[Joyce Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Minnie gets off the train in Wyoming and expects to meet her intended husband. It's the middle of a snow storm. When she is the last one standing, a stranger appears and she assumes it is her intended. Instead it is the town doctor, Dr. Jed Dawson. He is there to meet his new nurse.

When they realize that it's a case of mistaken identity, Jed tells her that he'll take her to the parsonage. Her fiancé lives outside of town and won't be able to make it in until the snow stops. On the way, they stop by Jed's house to pick up his son. Jed is a widower. As they continue on in the snowstorm to the parsonage, a building collapses. They all work to rescue the families trapped inside.

Minnie grew up in an orphanage. At 14, she had to leave. She found work, but always struggled. A mail order bride seemed the best way to find a home. As she helps with the injured people, she finds a home and community with the townspeople.

Such a sweet book. I love the way that Minnie relates to Jed's 12 year old son, Jamie. Despite her growing up without anyone, Minnie is a sweetheart. And, then her fiancé shows up.....

[Caroline Reichardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely story about a doctor and a mail order bride. When Minnie’s husband to be and the doctor’s nurse wasn’t there the doctor took Minnie to his house before he took her to the preacher for help. When the catastrophe happened the doctor and Minnie went to the site to se who needed medical attention. It was Minnie who crawled in under the collapsed roof to find the person moaning. Minnie needed help so the doctor and another man managed to get in to help her. They took all the injured people to the church so the doctor could work on them. He took Ellie to his clinic as she as seriously injured. Minnie helped Jed by watching over her while he slept a while. Minnie assisted Jed with the surgery to stop the bleeding. Jamie, doctor’s son, was really taken by Minnie. When Minnie’s intended came to get her Jen sis y know what to do. Jamie told him to go stop the marriage and to marry her himself. I loved the ending of this story as it was happily ever after. I received a free copy of this book. I am leaving this review myself. I would recommend this book to anyone. It is written so well.

[RM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short romance. 3 stars.

Pretty short story.

I think the timeline just made me feel like it was rushed. Like half-way through the book, I realized the events leading to Ellie Jane and her family moving to a relative's house for her post op recovery was only within a week of Minnie arriving in town.

I think I would've liked the story better if such an important detail as the first wife, Veronica's, death was explored and how it affected the family before Minnie inserted herself in the family's dynamics. I was almost 50% of the book when Veronica was mentioned and that was abruptly cut as other stuff happened. I think her existence was integral before Minnie came along... Considering what Jamie would've felt those days having to see a busybody father who didn't have time for him after losing his mom... it probably had an influence on how the father-son relationship came to be before Minnie plopped into that town. Also Minnie not giving a thought whether the Doc had a wife had me confused for a moment, but the author probably thought we'd just brush it off naturally lol.

Anyway, rambling done. A good, short read.

[Brandi | RB Momma Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

hopeful, inspiring, lighthearted, reflective, slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

This was a very short and sweet, clean, Christmas-time, romance. It had a few fun tropes: a misunderstood yet loveable son, a widowed father, a mail-order bride, a case of mistaken identity, and a snowstorm causing forced proximity.

I enjoyed all the characters in this very well-narrated (2-hour) audiobook. I would have enjoyed this story to have been a full-length novel, giving more time to get to know the characters and allowing them to develop even deeper relationships. Minnie connected with Jamie right away and fit into his hurting heart so wonderfully. She was the glue needed for Jed and Jamie to learn to understand one another again. This was a sweet HEA story.

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, clean, Christian MOB romance

This was such a sweet story. Minnie had come out West as a mail-order bride, but her intended husband, Adam Black, couldn't get to town to meet her because of snowstorms. While waiting at the station in a snowstorm, she met Jed, the town doctor who was at the train station to meet the nurse he hired, who was a no-show. He was taking Minnie to the minister's house when there was a building collapse due to all the snow they'd had. Minnie ended up helping him get to one of the victims. He invited Minnie to stay at his clinic to help tend to the woman who had been badly injured. In the process, Minnie, Jed, and Jed'sson, Jamie, got to spending together. After about 3 days, the snow let's up enough that Adam Black shows up to collect his bride. You need to read this sweet story. I loved it.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short & sweet

Minnie has agreed to be a mail order bride to Adam Black. Only she finds herself snowed in and suddenly assistant to the doctor, Jed. Just as he is about to escort her to the pastor's house, the heavy snow causes a collapse of two store and the families that operate the stores are trapped in the wreckage. Minnie crawls into the abyss and rescues a couple of people. Soon the doctor realizes Minnie means a lot to him. Then Adam Black shows up demanding that they marry immediately. She refuses, he leaves, Jed comes in and asks her to marry him. The book is only 75-80 pages, so my review is almost as long (joking). It's worth reading and I love Lacy Williams' writing.

[Louis D.Gargarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and Sweet

Just love the mail-order bride stories. The story line is very believable for those mail-order brides. They can be blindsided by untruthful love letters. After arriving in Cooper's Hollow, Minnie promised to meet a man and become his bride. Lucky for her it had snowed so much he wasn't able to meet her upon her arrival. Doctor Jed Dawson approached her thinking she was the nurse he sent for, Miss Plum. After being corrected by Minnie, Dr Jed was curious about why she was going to marry Adam Black. No one that she had met had anything good to say about Mr. Black. Read this enjoyable clean read to find out about Minnie and her strength and courage to make the right choices for a happily ever after.
MG

[Mary Ann Speel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by a great author. I recommend it to everyone. You can’t help but love the characters, the doctor and his son and the unexpected arrival of the heroine a mail order bride who is there for another man. She arrives in a blizzard and ends up helping the doctor and some of the residents when a roof collapsed trapping a family in their home. She helps find them and then helps the doctor care for them. The town falls in love with her along with the doctor and his son. The man who she came to marry lied in his letters and when he comes she refuses to marry him. In the end she marries the doctor much to the joy of his son who also has fallen in love with her.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Minnie Bannister first arrives in Cooper’s Hollow as a mail-order bride, Dr. Jed Dawson mistakes her for the new nurse that he has hired. After quickly discovering the mix-up, Jed decides to take Minnie to the Pastor’s house where she can wait for her intended husband, Adam. However, the snow has caused a local disaster and they are put to work. After talking to locals, Minnie is having doubts about marrying Adam. Minnie comes to have a connection with Jed’s son, who lets Jed know that he’s not happy about the current living situation. Can Jed make things right with Minnie before she leaves and weds Adam?

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novella about Minnie, a young woman who grew up in an orphanage and agreed to go west as a mail order bride after corresponding with Adam Black. When she arrives on the stage in a snowstorm, Adam is not there to meet her but the town doctor, Jed Dawson is there expecting a nurse to arrive. He can't very well leave Minnie out in the snow so she is a guest of Jed and his son Jamie and she is soon drawn in to help after a disaster occurs. None of the townspeople she meets think Minnie should marry Adam Black since he doesn't have a good reputation. As Minnie's feelings for Jed grow, will she go through with the marriage?

[Joan Arning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minnie Bannister goes out west in answer to an ad for a mail order bride. When the prospective groom is late arriving to pick her up, Minnie assists the local doctor, Jed Dawson with patients and with his preteen son! I loved how Minnie pitched in to help wherever needed. The groom finally arrives, he is not what Minnie expected and is in a hurry to have the wedding and get back to his ranch. Will Jed keep quiet or open his heart to Minnie before it is too late? I enjoyed Doctor's Snowflake Bride and recommend it to others. I received a complimentary audio book from Lacy Williams. This is my honest opinion.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Doctor’s Snowflake Bride’ was heartfelt. Its plot was filled with a new adventure, getting married, an unfortunate bad accident involving snow, helping the doctor, honor, running interference between the doctor and his son, developing feelings, wanting to be chosen, meeting the man she was supposed to marry, and falling in love. Moreover, Minnie and Jed, the protagonists, were ideally suited for each other and gushed with chemistry. Additionally, I liked the author’s vivid details including imagery and just-the-right word choices that created a moving tone. Overall, I liked the poignant long short story.

[Shelly Fabian · Rating 4 out of 5]

“ "You might not have a lot of book learning," Mrs. Owens said, "but many of us are the same. You've got a kind heart and a strong work ethic. But most of all, you're a child of God."”

“ She was a Daughter of the King. Adopted into the only family that mattered. God's family.”

“ "Either we marry tonight, or we don't marry at all." His lip curled as if he thought fear would choose for her. A man who would use words against her, twist them, make ultimatums and threats before they were even wed? There was no choice. She tucked her trembling hands against her stomach. "I'm sorry. I can't marry you."”

“ I realized I couldn't let fear dictate my choices.”

[Valri Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mail-order bride arrives in town only to find her groom hasn't shown up, but the town doctor needs her to help with an immediate medical emergency, so she dives in to do so. Rumor is that her groom isn't the best of men! Perhaps those sparks she feels with the doctor are her future instead! Jed and Minnie were great characters. I enjoyed how they found love even though it was unexpected. I also enjoyed how Minnie connected with Jed's son. Being a preteen, he has some issues with his dad but Minnie managing to connect with him, and Jed is so grateful! He soon feels a connection himself!

[Psusan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read Doctor's Snowflake Bride by Lacy Williams in the anthology titled, Christmas Bells & Wedding Vows. It is a wonderful historical fiction romance case of mistaken identity at first. The bride-to-be arriving by train is mistaken for a helper for the town doctor. It turns out that this is exactly the help needed. This was a favorite of mine in this anthology with an overworked doctor, his son and a bride-to-be arriving in their town. Now it can be enjoyed on its own. You will love Doctor's Snowflake Bride just as I did.

[SHARON HALL · Rating 5 out of 5]

A BOOK FUNNEL APP FREE E-BOOK. I STARTED READING THIS E-BOOK ON 12/12/2024.

DOCTOR'S SNOWFLAKE BRIDE SHORT STORY - LACY WILLIAMS = 86 PAGES

THIS WAS A VERY HEARTWARMING SHORT STORY. I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE MAIN CHARACTER IMMEDIATELY. I LOVED THIS SHORT STORY. THIS SMALL TOWN REALLY TOO CARE OF EACH OTHER. YOU COULD FEEL THE LOVE EVERYWHERE. THE EXCEPTION WAS ONLY ONE MAN THAT THE WHOLE TOWN DISPISED, AND HE SO DESERVED WHAT HE GOT IN THE END. SO DID THE MAIN CHARACTER, THANKFULLY. I WAS SO RUTING FOR HER. I FINISHED READING THIS E-BOOK ON 12/15/2024.

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Minnie Bannister is a mail order bride but when she arrives the only person to meet her is Jed Dawson, the local doctor, who was to meet his new nurse. When he finds out she is not his nurse, he agrees to help her find a place to stay since the man she was to meet couldn’t get there due to a snow storm. Then because of the storm, the roof on a nearby building collapses trapping people inside. She ends up helping rescue and treat the victims gaining Jed’s growing respect and the love of his young son. A touching story about faith, love, and making wise decisions.

[Marilyn Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

She was to be a bride, a mail order bride. An orphan now too old to be there, she was turned out. So she boarded the train to meet a man she did not know. It was a tiny town and he did not meet her. But the Dr who was expecting a nurse, who did not show, was taking her to the parson. The snow was so deep, it made travel difficult. Then when a home collapsed on its owners, everything changed. She suddenly needed to help get the people out from the rubble. That’s how she came to help strangers in need, even the doctors own son. A lovely story

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

heart-warming and beautiful

Such a lovely, clean novella (just 8 chapters). But though it’s short, Ms. Williams’ story creates the warmest of feelings: characters, goodness, and a simple but satisfying plot make it a 5 star read in my books.
I like how a desire to be loved is shown, and how true kindness is on display. Plus a confusion, miscommunication, and close proximity add their charm.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story - but good book. Only 8 chapters. Mini was a mail order bride. Can't imagine doing that. Adam is her intended but with the snow he is not able to meet her at the train depot. Jedd thinks she is his new nurse and through a mishap in town they are thrown together to work on the people who are hurt from the cave-in. Short story but things fall into place quickly when Mini has been by Jedd's side taking care of him and his son. Can you love someone in less than a week?

[BlueJeansAndTeacups · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very sweet historical, Western romance.
Jed and Minnie are unexpectedly thrown together during harsh, winter circumstances. Two strangers working together for the good of the town and drawn to one another; a wonderful example of God turning things to good for those who are called according to His purpose.
I received this free eBook when signing up for the author's newsletter. It's an easy 99 pages.
I've only read a few of her novels. I am a new fan!

[PAMpublish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short, sweet, clean historical western involves an orphaned mail-order bride, who because of a snowstorm is mistaken by a handsome widower doctor seeking a nurse in a small Wyoming town. Coming to know him since her intended was snowed in, plans changed. A lovely cover, singular plot but good bedtime read for all ages.

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lacy Williams’ The Doctor’s Snowflake Bride has a mail order bride mistaken for a new nurse coming to help an overworked doctor. The mail ordering groom is snowed in, giving time for said bride and doctor to get to know each other. Lots of well done plot twists help the process along. Watch out for kids and cats.

[Flo Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love from caring

Minnie had travelled a long way to meet the man she was supposed to marry. There has been a heavy snow fall and he was unable to get into town. Meanwhile Minnie meets the local doctor. While taking shelter from the snow they see two houses cave in due to the snow. Minnie then helps Jet take care of the injured people and the two fall in love.

[Karen Brasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doctor’s Snowflake Bride

This is a short novelette that tells the story of Minnie Brewster who shows up in town to marry one man only to fall for the town Doctor when her betrothed is late coming for her. Doctor Jed Dawson is a widower with a preteen son that seems to connect with Minnie. What happens when Minnie’s betrothed finally appears?

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet step back into history where town members were friends and family. Minnie spent her life wanting to belong and be chosen she felt that the minute she met Jed. Jed realised a second chance at love was possible. “Reborn with another chance of happiness” “a little flame coming to life deep inside her”

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet romance novella. I really liked Minnie and her helpful nature. She is kind and giving. Jed is a little rough around the edges with a really good heart. They meet by accident but are just what the other needs at a trying time in the little town. I really like Minnie's relationship with Jed's son, Joshua as well. A quick read that is perfect for a busy person.