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Hope House Brides #7
The Wrangler's Christmas Bride: A Christian Christmas Romance
She's there for the adventure. He's there for the dream. But both might just get more than they bargained for.
Joshua Miller is a wrangler with a dream of starting his own equine sanctuary and training facility.
Tori Hammond is a jilted bride who arrived from Hope House to marry one man only to find his heart already gone to another.
Her sense of adventure drew her to Mud Lake, Colorado, but when she finds herself unexpectedly single and living on a cattle ranch, she struggles to know where she fits. Joshua and a team of cowboys have entered themselves in a chuckwagon competition run by an eccentric and wealthy rancher in the hopes of earning enough money to get his equine sanctuary and training facility up and going. He never expected to bring a woman on a cattle drive, much less one Tori's beauty and spirit, but she may just be the key to their victory. That is, if the elements, illness, and attempted sabotage don't derail the whole competition first.
Joshua Miller is a wrangler with a dream of starting his own equine sanctuary and training facility.
Tori Hammond is a jilted bride who arrived from Hope House to marry one man only to find his heart already gone to another.
Her sense of adventure drew her to Mud Lake, Colorado, but when she finds herself unexpectedly single and living on a cattle ranch, she struggles to know where she fits. Joshua and a team of cowboys have entered themselves in a chuckwagon competition run by an eccentric and wealthy rancher in the hopes of earning enough money to get his equine sanctuary and training facility up and going. He never expected to bring a woman on a cattle drive, much less one Tori's beauty and spirit, but she may just be the key to their victory. That is, if the elements, illness, and attempted sabotage don't derail the whole competition first.
229 pages, Paperback
Published November 25, 2024
87 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 7, 2025
📚THE STORY📚
After a childhood of poverty and scraping by, Tori's rough and tumble personality made her the perfect candidate to become a mail order bride in the West of the 1880s. But when she arrives to find her intended husband already in love with someone else, Tori has to yet again find a way to make it on her own.
Wrangler Joshua has a heart for horses, especially difficult ones. He wants to open a ranch where abused or neglected horses can find a second chance with experienced, caring wranglers like himself. To fund this project, he enters a cattle run race. It means leading cowboys and their herd through a treacherous mountain pass, but it's his best shot at the future he dreams of.
Tori decides her skills and courage make her a good fit to accompany the cattle drive. Though many folks are not sold on the idea of a young woman going on a cattle drive, Joshua sees her potential and brings her along to help on the chuckwagon. Together, they face icy rivers, dangerous competitors, and hard choices - and they start to fall in love!
💕THE ROMANCE💕
Tori and Joshua notice each other from the start, but they both have their own things to focus on. Only as they spend more time together do they realize that their feelings of affection mean that God might be tugging their hearts toward one another.
Joshua is protective of Tori, and the dangers of the trail mean he gets a few fun opportunities to step in an rescue her as only a rugged cowboy hero can. But Tori is no damsel in distress and can hold her own, making her a good partner for Joshua.
🎄CHRISTMAS🎄
The cattle drive takes place just before Christmas, so we see winter conditions affect the cowboys and their herd. Tori reminisces about the Christmases of her childhood, and when they're home safe, the characters celebrate a frontier Christmas together, complete with a few sweet surprises for one another.
✝️FAITH ELEMENTS✝️
Tori and Joshua are both Christian. They pray to God for safety and guidance, and believe that their dreams for life are part of God's way of nudging them toward good things. There is a strong focus on trusting God even through challenging situations, resting in the knowledge that ultimately God has everything in hand.
📝MY THOUGHTS📝
I don't typically read historical romance, but I love Malory Ford and was looking for Christmas reads, so I gave this a chance - and I'm so glad I did! It was so much fun following the adventure of the cattle drive and learning about things like herbal medicine and Native guides from the time period. It's part of a larger series, and the side characters all have their own interesting back stories and angles that make me want to spend more time in the world.
After a childhood of poverty and scraping by, Tori's rough and tumble personality made her the perfect candidate to become a mail order bride in the West of the 1880s. But when she arrives to find her intended husband already in love with someone else, Tori has to yet again find a way to make it on her own.
Wrangler Joshua has a heart for horses, especially difficult ones. He wants to open a ranch where abused or neglected horses can find a second chance with experienced, caring wranglers like himself. To fund this project, he enters a cattle run race. It means leading cowboys and their herd through a treacherous mountain pass, but it's his best shot at the future he dreams of.
Tori decides her skills and courage make her a good fit to accompany the cattle drive. Though many folks are not sold on the idea of a young woman going on a cattle drive, Joshua sees her potential and brings her along to help on the chuckwagon. Together, they face icy rivers, dangerous competitors, and hard choices - and they start to fall in love!
💕THE ROMANCE💕
Tori and Joshua notice each other from the start, but they both have their own things to focus on. Only as they spend more time together do they realize that their feelings of affection mean that God might be tugging their hearts toward one another.
Joshua is protective of Tori, and the dangers of the trail mean he gets a few fun opportunities to step in an rescue her as only a rugged cowboy hero can. But Tori is no damsel in distress and can hold her own, making her a good partner for Joshua.
🎄CHRISTMAS🎄
The cattle drive takes place just before Christmas, so we see winter conditions affect the cowboys and their herd. Tori reminisces about the Christmases of her childhood, and when they're home safe, the characters celebrate a frontier Christmas together, complete with a few sweet surprises for one another.
✝️FAITH ELEMENTS✝️
Tori and Joshua are both Christian. They pray to God for safety and guidance, and believe that their dreams for life are part of God's way of nudging them toward good things. There is a strong focus on trusting God even through challenging situations, resting in the knowledge that ultimately God has everything in hand.
📝MY THOUGHTS📝
I don't typically read historical romance, but I love Malory Ford and was looking for Christmas reads, so I gave this a chance - and I'm so glad I did! It was so much fun following the adventure of the cattle drive and learning about things like herbal medicine and Native guides from the time period. It's part of a larger series, and the side characters all have their own interesting back stories and angles that make me want to spend more time in the world.
December 8, 2024
Tori has had quite the “adventure” since she arrived at Mud Lake. The hints were dropped as to who would snatch her up, back in Mia’s book.
Joshua is a gentle soul, unless a person, or an animal, is in danger. I felt like there could’ve been a lot of chemistry between him and Tori, but at the same time Tori had just been through quite the ordeal, so it was understandable that she was wary at first.
As always, this story if filled with faith, hope and God’s promises.
I hope some day Mallory gives us a little peak into all of the Hope House Brides lives when their children are nearly fully grown and they share their tales of hope and faith with their loved ones!
Thank you for the review copy, Mallory!
Joshua is a gentle soul, unless a person, or an animal, is in danger. I felt like there could’ve been a lot of chemistry between him and Tori, but at the same time Tori had just been through quite the ordeal, so it was understandable that she was wary at first.
As always, this story if filled with faith, hope and God’s promises.
I hope some day Mallory gives us a little peak into all of the Hope House Brides lives when their children are nearly fully grown and they share their tales of hope and faith with their loved ones!
Thank you for the review copy, Mallory!
December 3, 2025
Here is another awesome book by Malory Ford. I love the development of characters as well as the story line. Once again the author does a great job developing two people's relationship with God while developing their relationship to form a foundation of a happily ever-after. How do Tori and Joshua get to their happily ever after?
This is the seventh book in the Hope House series. It is tied to a previous series only by references. You do not need to read the previous books in the series for this one. Each book is a stand alone book, but some characters are more understandable if you have read the entire series. I have read all of the books by this author and look forward to more..
This is the seventh book in the Hope House series. It is tied to a previous series only by references. You do not need to read the previous books in the series for this one. Each book is a stand alone book, but some characters are more understandable if you have read the entire series. I have read all of the books by this author and look forward to more..
December 6, 2025
CATTLE DRIVE COMPETITION 🐎🐂🐂❤
I enjoyed this simple western, filled with faith and gentle romance. As the race ends perfectly at Christmastime, it was a nice addition to my holiday season. Then, as the story wraps up in February, and the character I'd hoped would make an appearance showed up, it brought happy tears to my eyes.
I've never read this author before, but she generously participated in a daily advent giveaway and I am very thankful she did.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
All thoughts and opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.
🎄❤🐎🐂❤🎄
Read 12/5/2025
📚2025 GoodReads Reading Challenge #220
I enjoyed this simple western, filled with faith and gentle romance. As the race ends perfectly at Christmastime, it was a nice addition to my holiday season. Then, as the story wraps up in February, and the character I'd hoped would make an appearance showed up, it brought happy tears to my eyes.
I've never read this author before, but she generously participated in a daily advent giveaway and I am very thankful she did.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
All thoughts and opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.
🎄❤🐎🐂❤🎄
Read 12/5/2025
📚2025 GoodReads Reading Challenge #220
November 18, 2024
This is a sweet and gentle story that chronicles Joshua and Tori’s romance. They had gotten off on the wrong foot through a misunderstanding, but after that was settled, they were good friends. Their feelings grew and working together on the cattle drive helped them see they made for each other. They complement each other’s faith and hold up the other when they are weak.
I enjoyed the story. This series is always uplifting and this one made an excellent addition. I received a complimentary copy and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.
I enjoyed the story. This series is always uplifting and this one made an excellent addition. I received a complimentary copy and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.
December 15, 2024
*happy sigh*, what a beautiful story. It seems this is the end of the series and it was perfect. This had everything I've come to expect from a Ford book, especially the extremely healthy way that couples communicate with each other and how it is common practice to expect respect and kindness.
I could have used more of the Christmas setting, but that just means this would be good to read all year since Christmas wasn't a major part of the story.
I could have used more of the Christmas setting, but that just means this would be good to read all year since Christmas wasn't a major part of the story.
January 1, 2025
I loved Joshua and Tori’s story! Her longing for adventure brings her on a cattle drive with all the cowboys, but I love how most of them accepted her there like she belonged instead of being nasty towards her all the time. This was such a good story and I loved seeing their relationship build and grow stronger as the drive went on. And of course the bad guys got theirs in the end 🙃 I never tire of these stories!
January 12, 2025
I enjoyed the book! Tori came to Mud Lake as a mail order bride. On her way, she was shot during a robbery on the train. She was seriously injured. When she regained consciousness, she found out that her husband to be had fallen in love with someone else. She stepped aside and went to live with a friend. Joshua was a ranch hand at her friend’s ranch. She joined Joshua as the cook on a chuckwagon race. Will the win. I highly recommend reading this book!
January 16, 2025
Joshua and Tori
This is a sweet tale of Joshua and Tori. Joshua is a rancher with a need to have a ranch to harbor and recuperate misused and mistreated horses with a place to train them. Tori came to Mud Lake as a mail order bride. She is wounded on a train bound for Mud Lake and finds her to be groom in love with one of her best friends. She heals a recuperates on the ranch where she falls in love with Joshua. You will love discovering how they find their happily ever after.
This is a sweet tale of Joshua and Tori. Joshua is a rancher with a need to have a ranch to harbor and recuperate misused and mistreated horses with a place to train them. Tori came to Mud Lake as a mail order bride. She is wounded on a train bound for Mud Lake and finds her to be groom in love with one of her best friends. She heals a recuperates on the ranch where she falls in love with Joshua. You will love discovering how they find their happily ever after.
November 19, 2025
I absolutely love this whole series
This last book was like getting a fabulous dessert after a good meal. Joshua and Tori were at odds from the very beginning, but the God entered the picture in a big way. My favorite thing about this series is the characters and the family made through the hardships each one endured. Plus I love family based books. I promise you that you will love this series as much as I do.
This last book was like getting a fabulous dessert after a good meal. Joshua and Tori were at odds from the very beginning, but the God entered the picture in a big way. My favorite thing about this series is the characters and the family made through the hardships each one endured. Plus I love family based books. I promise you that you will love this series as much as I do.
January 5, 2026
A novel on overcoming adversity and learning to lean solely on the Lord. Until we acknowledge He is the one in control who already knows the outcome we will carry unnecessary burdens.
Malory interweaves Tory’s strong faith, despite her many challenges, into her everyday life. She is willing to learn from those around her and has such a sweet character. Joshua is a hothead who learns to allow God His rightful place in his life.
Malory interweaves Tory’s strong faith, despite her many challenges, into her everyday life. She is willing to learn from those around her and has such a sweet character. Joshua is a hothead who learns to allow God His rightful place in his life.
December 19, 2024
Learning to trust
If you have read any of the earlier books in the series, you will know that they are easy to read, sweet historical romances about mail order brides. Tori is a jilted mail order bride with a longing for adventure, which she discovers she can have with the ranch wrangler.
If you have read any of the earlier books in the series, you will know that they are easy to read, sweet historical romances about mail order brides. Tori is a jilted mail order bride with a longing for adventure, which she discovers she can have with the ranch wrangler.
December 6, 2025
Inspiring
This was one powerful story. Leaving everything in Gods hands is extremely difficult and to read about these two struggle with all their decisions was amazing. A heartfelt story that made you think.
This was one powerful story. Leaving everything in Gods hands is extremely difficult and to read about these two struggle with all their decisions was amazing. A heartfelt story that made you think.
December 6, 2025
Excellent Story
I absolutely loved this story. The rich characters, the drama and danger aspects as well as the thrill of the competition and sweet romance It was great to see how their faith and trust kept growing. Ended too quickly One of the best!!
I absolutely loved this story. The rich characters, the drama and danger aspects as well as the thrill of the competition and sweet romance It was great to see how their faith and trust kept growing. Ended too quickly One of the best!!
December 16, 2025
Finding out how much courage you have.
I loved reading this book how much heartache Tori withstands all of her life from a little girl to a grown women. I also liked how she learned to trust Joshua while helping with a cattle drive in the winter time.
I loved reading this book how much heartache Tori withstands all of her life from a little girl to a grown women. I also liked how she learned to trust Joshua while helping with a cattle drive in the winter time.
December 13, 2025
Sweet and exciting!
December 15, 2025
A Christmas bride!
I really liked this story. A train robbery, a cattle drive, mail-order brides becoming a large, happy family! What a special place to become a part of.
I really liked this story. A train robbery, a cattle drive, mail-order brides becoming a large, happy family! What a special place to become a part of.
December 3, 2024
I loved seeing Joshua and Tori banter with each other and finally open their eyes to what is front of them. This romantic read had some suspense and scary moments. Enjoyed seeing characters form previous books in this series. The author had a way of making me feel right there with the characters. I feel the cold water when they crossed the river.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews