Mail-Order Revenge

by Angela K. Couch

Elizabeth Landvick knows of one man to blame for her family’s loss of fortune and her parents’ deaths. Now, she will stop at nothing to take her revenge and recover their wealth. Even travel across the country to marry the man’s son.

With his focus on his sprawling Arizona ranch, Axel Forsberg has little time for wooing a woman, so when his father finds him a bride from the east, he trusts he won’t regret the convenience. Until horses go missing, barns burn to the ground, a range war begins…and he loses his heart.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Christian Romance, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Historical Romance, Christian

91 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2016

About the author

Fascinated by history and in love with creating fiction, Angela K Couch has been lost in writing novels most of her life. As a passionate believer in Christ, she can't help her faith from permeating the stories she tells. Often her martial arts training, love of horses, and appreciation for good romance sneaks in there as well.

To learn more and to see her latest news, please visit:

Reviews

[Misfit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thankfully this was only a short novella, and also free. The heroine bent on revenge (a trope I normally like) wasn't played out well as she came across as nothing more than a thief and an arsonist. Setting fires in the wilds of Arizona? With animals and people nearby? Sorry, I don't buy it and don't like it. Everyone else seems to love this book.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grab this one because of the cover and tagline. "She'll become his bride... if it means she can finally take her revenge". I love mail order bride stories and like the premise of this one but ultimately it fell flat. The relationship never really developed. Lots of potential, but I disliked the heroine and her actions until the ending. Overall this was way too rushed.

Content: Clean

[R.J. Rodda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Love the cover. This is a straightforward story of a bitter woman who marries a man with the plan of wreaking havoc on him and escaping with the cash his father stole from hers. A pity her new husband Axel is such a decent guy.

This unfolded in a very predictable way. There was not much suspense here or depth - the story revolved around three people, two who are fairly perfect - but overall it is an adequate quick Christian mail order romance read.

[Alysha (For The Love of Christian Fiction) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my word! This was so stinkin’ cute!! 😍

I loved everything about this story! The pacing was great, the characters were wonderful, and I just can’t get over it!

(More gushing to come!)

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

If an entire family's worth of anger rested upon the shoulders of one person, I would hope that they were more calm headed than the average individual. Through thick and thin the female lead of this story held on the everything that was within her power so that she could find the one who's head was going to role.

However, through all the anger and all of the pain, what if she was wrong about everything. What if everything she had ever thought, ever considered, was based on faulty assumptions? By God's grace, all things are possible, and it might just take a move across the country for this to sink in for two damage families.

[Morgan Giesbrecht · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

The concept of mail order brides has long fascinated me. While some of the situations in this story are a bit over dramatic, the themes of bitterness and forgiveness are well handled.

Unfortunately as a short story, some of the events and character development felt a bit rushed.

The romance trope was basically an arranged marriage, but it was clean with a few mentions of desire and some semi-descript kissing.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mail-Order Revenge**** by Angela K. Couch

1882 New York.....Elizabeth Landvik reads a surprising advertisement for a mail-order bride to a rancher in the Arizona territory. Is this the man she suspects...Axel Forsbergs...the man and family responsible for her heartache? If so, she has plans for him and his father—sweet revenge at long last. Axel has no idea who his new bride really is. Would he have married her if he knew?

I enjoyed reading Elizabeth and Axel's story. We see the anger Elizabeth has for the Forsbergs' family and the lengths she is prepared to go to in order to finally get the revenge she has so longed for—even assuming a different name. I like the way the author shows how her heart is wooed by God, His grace and forgiveness with the help of Lars, Axel's father and Axel. I loved the godly, gentle and honorable Axel who works hard to provide for his family. When dangerous things began to happen around the ranch and he learns who is responsible, we can see his puzzlement and the questions he has as well as the hurt. Grief, anger, coming to terms with their actions, failings and regrets, eye-opening truths revealed, honesty, betrayal, grace, forgiveness, redemption, hearts changed, surprises and love make this a fun, heartwarming story.

~I received a PDF copy of this novella from the author, this is my honest review~

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mail Order Revenge
By: Angela K Couch

I really enjoyed Mail Order Revenge . Ms Couch weaves us a story that will grab you at the start and not let go till the end. I caught myself trying to read faster to see what was going to happen on the next page. Elizabeth Landvik can’t believe she is reading an ad in the newspaper from Axel Forsberg advertising for a wife . Elizabeth’s luck has changed . She will have to travel across country to get to Axel Forsberg’s ranch . What will happen when she gets there? There is a lot of action and mysterious things happening around the Forsberg’s ranch.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the author for my honest review.

[Lucette Nel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ms. Couch's writings. And once again, she delivered! If you have limited time, and you're looking for a quick read, with well-developed, realistic characters, a dash of romance, then do yourself a favor and read Mail-Order Revenge!
I can't think of anything bad to say other than the book had to come to an end...

*I received an ARC from the author in exchange of my honest review*

[Melissa Wardwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plans Change when allow your heart to change

This story was quite a journey and one I have enjoyed. I like a good mail-order bride story but this one will forever stand out for me. Thank you, Ms. Couch for such a great story about forgivness, letting go of the past, and finding love.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so cute!! I am pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this novella! I loved the plot, the hero is so sweet and likable, and the pace was absolutely perfect. I can't remember ever reading a new-to-me author's novella that I've liked as much as this one!

[Marguerite Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is packed with schemes to revenge the hurts of the past. Revenge and forgiveness, how long can they both exist side by side?

[Linda Matchett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mail-Order Revenge is a quick, feel-good story with enjoyable characters. I enjoyed getting to know Elizabeth and Axel, and I really liked Axel's dad, Lars-an insightful, wise man. The author's use of description was delightful (e.g. sunlight leaked through the window), and the dialogue realistic. I'm not familiar with life on a ranch in the 1880's, so enjoyed learning about it. The feud between Axel and his neighbors, the Coopers, lent some tension to the book, and it seemed like they had a story of their own. I'd also love to see a sequel that tells us how Elizabeth adjusts to life in the West as a rancher's wife.

[Anneliese Dalaba · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very different from any mail-order bride romance I've read before. After reading the description, I wasn't certain I wanted to read the book. Vengeful women are not appealing heroines in my opinion. However, I decided to give the book a chance since it wasn't too long. I'm glad I did. The heroine was believable. I genuinely felt her sorrow and grief, as well as her internal battle. Axel was swoon-worthy and a great hero. It turned out to be a sweet romance.

[A.M. Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great way to spend the afternoon

I was hooked the moment I read the title, and I only hoped I wouldn't regret taking my chances on an author I hadn't heard of...with a novella at that. But I was delighted. The story and characters evolved at a great pace. I was looking for a quick, light read and this for the bill perfectly.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth knows of one man to blame for the lost of family and fortune. Tired of scrapping to have just the basic of life, sees an ad in newspaper. Luck has change, and answers it to marry the son, and to get revenge. With the year 1882 you wonder how she would even think that. Could information be wrong about who did. Short, well written.

[Robyn Echols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revenge

Great story. Elizabeth seeks revenge because of what befell her family based on what her father told her. The author did well describing her feelings and how she went about it. The ending was very touching.

[Glaidene Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Western Romance

I really liked this story of revenge and the changes the heroine had to make too achieve a marriage worth fighting for. I hope you will read this book with enjoyment!!!!!!

[Kathleen Denly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my third book by Angela K Couch. I like her Hearts at War series better, but I did have fun reading this one and would definitely recommend it to fans of historical Christian romance.

The premise is unique, the characters are fun to root for, and the story doesn't slow down.

[KyLee Woodley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a little shorter than what I normally read, but I loved it!

This book was a little shorter than what I normally read, but I loved it! Angela is my new favorite author. I gave it five stars because it made me cry and smile at the same time. 🙂

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was very good. The story was a little far fetched. But it did show redemption and forgiveness.

[Karen Hadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart breaking yet heart warming story.
From revenge to awareness and forgiveness.
Who is behind the sabotages?
Finally accepting the truth will she
stay or go?
Read The Book!

[Beverly Strouth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mail Order Bride

I gave this book a three because I felt it was sweet but lacked in originality. It is clean, wholesome, but unrealistic.

[Janet Cardillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but predictable

The basis of the storyline was clever, but it didn't develop in a satisfying way. It happened much too quickly and. The resulting ending was too predictable.

[Annette C. Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

I was worried at one point that I would get bored but because it was a fast read, I hung in there. Not bad and decent.

[Wanda L. Braud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Enjoyed this book. Worth reading about Elizabeth and Axel’s story and how Elizabeth’s plan of revenge was not as easy as she thought it would be.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
This was pretty good but the end felt a bit rushed
The book was only like 15 chapters

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very predictable. Revenge didn't happen as planned and they lived happily ever after together with his father.

[Trixi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Landvik’s bent on revenge for her family’s financial demise. When the chance she’s dreamed of comes by answering a mail-order bride ad, will it be as sweet as she imagines it? Or will the truth set her free once she finds it?
As soon as she arrives at the ranch, she begins plotting how she will get back at the one man who caused her father such grief. Blinded by anger and unforgiveness, she’ll do whatever it takes to hurt both Axel & Lars. But the more time she spends with them, the more her heart softens. As things start falling into place, is the past as she saw it through the eyes of a child really the truth? Can God crumble all her walls so she can open her heart to love & forgiveness?

Mail-order brides being my favorite stories, I thoroughly enjoyed this! I loved seeing the change in Elizabeth & how God worked things out in her new life. Axel was an honorable man, God fearing, hard-working and gentle. The more time they spend together, the more you can see them falling in love. And Lars was the kind of person anyone would be proud to call father! He’s raised his son right and has regrets to try to make up for as well. I really enjoyed seeing both Lars & Axel rely on the Lord and eventually Elizabeth turn her heart towards Him. A sweet story of forgiveness & romance as it should be! Fans of inspirational historical romance, especially mail-order brides will find this delightful. One that can be read in one sitting, because once I picked it up, I couldn’t stop until the very last page!

**I received a complimentary copy of this by the author in exchange for my honest review which I have provided here. Thank you Angela for the kind of story that makes me smile!**

[Crystal Caudill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first novel I have read by Angela Couch. It was an enjoyable romance and a quick read.

Elizabeth is under the impression that Axel’s father stole money from her father’s business and was the source of the complete ruination of her family and future. All blame lays squarely on his shoulders.

Revenge is the motive of all her actions. She must make them hurt as much as she has and retrieve all the money that is rightfully hers in the process. Her real target is the father, but Axel will do fine as collateral damage. Through a series of disasters, mostly of her creation, she reestablishes her relationship with God and discovers forgiveness. But is it too late to make amends with Axel, the man she has grown to love?

Elizabeth is a character whom you can relate with but makes you want to thunk her on the head and say “You should have had a V-8.” Axel is a man caught in the middle of a feud he didn’t know existed and suffers the consequences. You ache for him and hope for love and reconciliation.

While the book wasn’t what you would call deep or complex, it was an enjoyable read that helped you escape from reality for a few hours. I hope Axel and Elizabeth’s story develop and grow in perhaps future books. There are certainly many areas of growth they both could still experience and difficulties they could face together. They are a good pair and you won’t regret the time you spend reading it.

*I received a free copy for my honest review, which you have read above.*