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Boom Town Brides #2
Mail Order Mommy: A Single Dad Inspirational Historical Romance
A Mother by Christmas
Nursing a broken heart, Amanda Porter had answered a frontier mail-order bride ad placed by Garrett Decker's children--only to find the groom-to-be didn't want a wife. The widowed bachelor she hoped to marry does need a housekeeper, though, and taking the job is Amanda's only option. But his adorable children are determined she'll be their mother by Christmas...
His wife's betrayal and tragic death demolished Garrett's life. Now he can't even look at another woman, let alone marry Amanda, who resembles his first love. Even if she does make his house feel like a home, filling it again with laughter and his children's smiles. But with his daughter convinced Amanda is the perfect mother, will Garrett realize she's also his perfect match?
Nursing a broken heart, Amanda Porter had answered a frontier mail-order bride ad placed by Garrett Decker's children--only to find the groom-to-be didn't want a wife. The widowed bachelor she hoped to marry does need a housekeeper, though, and taking the job is Amanda's only option. But his adorable children are determined she'll be their mother by Christmas...
His wife's betrayal and tragic death demolished Garrett's life. Now he can't even look at another woman, let alone marry Amanda, who resembles his first love. Even if she does make his house feel like a home, filling it again with laughter and his children's smiles. But with his daughter convinced Amanda is the perfect mother, will Garrett realize she's also his perfect match?
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2016
54 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
About the author
Christine Johnson
19 books146 followersChristine Johnson grew up in small-town Michigan, where tales rise taller than old-growth forest. God blessed her with a love of story, which led to publication with Love Inspired Historical and Revell. When not at the computer keyboard, she loves to quilt and explore God’s majestic creation.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 9, 2019
3 stars.
Although this is part of a series, you don’t need to read these in any particular order. They are companion novels and each focus on different main characters, although you’ll probably get more background information on the characters and storyline if you read them in order.
I was a little disappointed that it didn’t feel very “Christmasy”. Other than the nativity play that the children were putting together at school and the talk of snow and cold weather, there really weren’t many mentions of the holiday season. I was quite disappointed because I specifically chose this for the Christmas season, it was one I could’ve just read anytime. Overall I wasn’t too sure about this story, it was engaging and I liked it was fast paced. But there was just something about it that left me wanting a little more from it. The ending was tied up extremely quickly, too quickly for me. I didn’t particularly like the characters, I didn’t connect with any of them and some of them really got on my nerves. (Main characters included.) For me this was an average book, not the best book I’ve ever read but it wasn’t to worst either, it was somewhere in between. Probably not one I’d pick up to read again.
Although this is part of a series, you don’t need to read these in any particular order. They are companion novels and each focus on different main characters, although you’ll probably get more background information on the characters and storyline if you read them in order.
I was a little disappointed that it didn’t feel very “Christmasy”. Other than the nativity play that the children were putting together at school and the talk of snow and cold weather, there really weren’t many mentions of the holiday season. I was quite disappointed because I specifically chose this for the Christmas season, it was one I could’ve just read anytime. Overall I wasn’t too sure about this story, it was engaging and I liked it was fast paced. But there was just something about it that left me wanting a little more from it. The ending was tied up extremely quickly, too quickly for me. I didn’t particularly like the characters, I didn’t connect with any of them and some of them really got on my nerves. (Main characters included.) For me this was an average book, not the best book I’ve ever read but it wasn’t to worst either, it was somewhere in between. Probably not one I’d pick up to read again.
November 23, 2016
2.5 stars
It was a cute story and I liked the characters. Garrett really irritated me and I felt many of the misunderstandings were not realistic.
It was a cute story and I liked the characters. Garrett really irritated me and I felt many of the misunderstandings were not realistic.
July 13, 2019
Next up is Mail Order Mommy where we meet and focus on beautiful and sweet Amanda Porter and grumpy widower Garret Decker. Amanda is initially apprehensive about the mail-order bride advertisement but is reluctantly convinced by best friend, Pearl Lawson. She worries she will be jilted again ever since her ex-fiancé left her for her adoptive sister. At least she has Pearl and she does adore Garrett's children, even though her attraction to him is one sided. But Garrett's permanent negativity isn't truly directed at Amanda; he is still mourning the death of his wife and nursing a broken heart over her secrets. He's convinced he can raise the children on his own with the help of Roland and his brother's new wife but Roland insists they'll want to start a life of their own. Garrett has to hire someone and with Amanda as the only agreeable option he takes her on. Will this widower be able to love again? Or can Amanda get a handle on being nanny and put her feelings aside? And will either of them be able to overcome the secrets of their pasts and secure a happy future?
Mail Order Mommy was an emotional read with both lead characters harboring secrets that ate at them and the reader. Amanda is sweet, naive and just trying to do her best with the situation she has landed in. She's been left scarred once by a man then put all of her hopes on Garrett before he announced he had no interest in a wife. Meanwhile Garrett's also been scarred and seems to be reliving it every time he looks at Amanda - who looks exactly like Eva. He continues to torment himself with Eva's past transgressions while ignoring what's to be done in front of him. There is a lot of emotional tension between both characters and within their own heads, which left a bit to be desired. Again, Christine Johnson does an excellent job stringing the two people together and creating family moments involving the children. However, she still had the odd fixation in the form of Garrett's stubbornness. He just can't seem to stop blaming Amanda at every turn. I wanted to shield her from it and say "girl, he is not worth it!" He, eventually, gets his act together (of course) but all that drama brought us to only a three out of five stars.
Mail Order Mommy was an emotional read with both lead characters harboring secrets that ate at them and the reader. Amanda is sweet, naive and just trying to do her best with the situation she has landed in. She's been left scarred once by a man then put all of her hopes on Garrett before he announced he had no interest in a wife. Meanwhile Garrett's also been scarred and seems to be reliving it every time he looks at Amanda - who looks exactly like Eva. He continues to torment himself with Eva's past transgressions while ignoring what's to be done in front of him. There is a lot of emotional tension between both characters and within their own heads, which left a bit to be desired. Again, Christine Johnson does an excellent job stringing the two people together and creating family moments involving the children. However, she still had the odd fixation in the form of Garrett's stubbornness. He just can't seem to stop blaming Amanda at every turn. I wanted to shield her from it and say "girl, he is not worth it!" He, eventually, gets his act together (of course) but all that drama brought us to only a three out of five stars.
December 2, 2016
Mail Order Mommy a Boom Town Brides series by Christine Johnson. It takes place in 1870. Amanda Porter answered an ad for a mail order bride. She goes to the new town along with three other women answering the same ad. Garrett Decker's isn't looking for a wife. His two children with the help of a friend placed the ad. Garrett hires Amanda to run the house and take care of his children. Amanda doesn't know how to cook, but a friend shows her how to cook. Amanda gets a letter from her ex's mother-in-law and it's not a nice letter. Garrett happens to see the letter. He isn't nice to Amanda. A lot goes on in this book. A good read.
November 15, 2016
Love Mail Order Brides
These were brave woman that traveled across country sometimes to marry men they had never met. Some to get away from abusive situations and some a chance to start over and maybe fine true love. That is what happened with Amanda and Garrett.
These were brave woman that traveled across country sometimes to marry men they had never met. Some to get away from abusive situations and some a chance to start over and maybe fine true love. That is what happened with Amanda and Garrett.
December 31, 2023
Sometimes I felt like this would only rate a 2 1/2 but there are no half stars. The plot is cute: woman answers an ad for a wife/mother. When she arrives, the man is taken by surprise as he did not place the ad.
After the opening, the story progresses awkwardly and with character stupidity, in my opinion. Flutters and heart palpitations and misunderstandings over crinkled brows, that type of thing. It is just not a romance novel that made me cheer for either character.
It is the end of the year. I indulge in Christmas romances. Maybe I am tired of them on this 6th day of Christmastide, but truly, this book seems to lack any depth.
After the opening, the story progresses awkwardly and with character stupidity, in my opinion. Flutters and heart palpitations and misunderstandings over crinkled brows, that type of thing. It is just not a romance novel that made me cheer for either character.
It is the end of the year. I indulge in Christmas romances. Maybe I am tired of them on this 6th day of Christmastide, but truly, this book seems to lack any depth.
December 9, 2017
I enjoyed the book. Getting to know these two Amanda & Garrett. Amanda showed true love when no love was shown at times. Great story!
December 21, 2017
Amanda, an orphan, is taken in by a foster family. But she isn't treated like family. She's just another servant working in their home. When the son makes inappropriate moves on her and blames her for his advances she flees with a friend as a mail order bride. But upon her arrival she realizes that the children of the man wrote the advertisement and Garrett has no intention of getting married again. His wife was not faithful and upon her death Garrett vowed to remain a widow. But Amanda falls in love with his children and he needs a nanny and a housekeeper.
I've read the first book in this series and really enjoyed it. So I was excited to see what happened next. This book was part sweet and part frustrating. I wanted to give the main male character a good swat upside the head for being so stubborn. But that just means the author did a great job of creating a likeable character that had flaws. Because in the end, the reader and the main female character forgive him. The author does a great job with the characters. They all stand out and the secondary characters play a big part in the plot as well. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I've read the first book in this series and really enjoyed it. So I was excited to see what happened next. This book was part sweet and part frustrating. I wanted to give the main male character a good swat upside the head for being so stubborn. But that just means the author did a great job of creating a likeable character that had flaws. Because in the end, the reader and the main female character forgive him. The author does a great job with the characters. They all stand out and the secondary characters play a big part in the plot as well. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
January 1, 2017
Ok guys, I will admit the cover sold me on this when I was browsing in the book isle at the store. I thought the little girl gazing up at the heroine was so cute plus I was in the mood for something wintery and Christmasy at the time.
Amanda was very likeable from the beginning, she was kind and friendly towards everyone. She answers a mail order bride ad placed by the hero Garrett in hopes of fleeing her old life and to start anew. What she doesn't know is that she isn't the only one hoping to marry Garrett or that it was his children that really placed the ad, not him. Garrett doesn't want a wife, yet lone one that favors his deceased wife whom was on rocky terms with due to her unfaithfulness and having to have the best of things. Not wanting a wife, but he does need a housekeeper, he comes to the terms of asking Amanda to help him care for his children while he is at work. Already quite font of his children, she accepts. After being in Amanda's presence, he becomes flummoxed on what to say to her as he sometimes is tongue tied in her presence plus he is often comparing her to his late wife to himself, which he finds out they may favor each other in looks, but their personalities are different. They go through a few squabbles near midway till the end of the book - mostly misunderstandings and preformed judgements (Garrett on Amanda), but in the end, everything works out as all romances usually do - Garrett warms up to the thought of having Amanda around permanently, making him grovel to her and then asking her to marry him. So in the end, Sadie and Isaac got what they first sought out to do, a mail order mommy.
While this story was cute and warming, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading, I don't think I'd give it a second read as I feel like I've already experienced everything there is to this story.
Read more book reviews at Swoon Worthy Romances.
Amanda was very likeable from the beginning, she was kind and friendly towards everyone. She answers a mail order bride ad placed by the hero Garrett in hopes of fleeing her old life and to start anew. What she doesn't know is that she isn't the only one hoping to marry Garrett or that it was his children that really placed the ad, not him. Garrett doesn't want a wife, yet lone one that favors his deceased wife whom was on rocky terms with due to her unfaithfulness and having to have the best of things. Not wanting a wife, but he does need a housekeeper, he comes to the terms of asking Amanda to help him care for his children while he is at work. Already quite font of his children, she accepts. After being in Amanda's presence, he becomes flummoxed on what to say to her as he sometimes is tongue tied in her presence plus he is often comparing her to his late wife to himself, which he finds out they may favor each other in looks, but their personalities are different. They go through a few squabbles near midway till the end of the book - mostly misunderstandings and preformed judgements (Garrett on Amanda), but in the end, everything works out as all romances usually do - Garrett warms up to the thought of having Amanda around permanently, making him grovel to her and then asking her to marry him. So in the end, Sadie and Isaac got what they first sought out to do, a mail order mommy.
While this story was cute and warming, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading, I don't think I'd give it a second read as I feel like I've already experienced everything there is to this story.
Read more book reviews at Swoon Worthy Romances.
June 23, 2018
I picked this book up on a whim since I LOVE mail-order-bride stories. The premise is similar to a book I'm writing so I'd hoped, in the very least, it would be inspiring/educational. Nope. Wasn't inspired. I often had a hard time putting myself in a scene—found it hard to know what was going on. The two main characters were really wishy-washy. And no offense to dudes out there but, c'mon...no guy is THAT observant. Please. The point of view often changes without warning. And it's as if they can read each others' minds and use the exact same words verbatim in describing/interpreting one another. The story could use more descriptive cues like what time of the year it is or where the character is physically located during a scene.
December 17, 2016
I liked it well enough but I wish there had been more. More eventful plot points, more characterization, more detail, more backstory, just....more. Maybe it was because I had read "Comanche Moon" right before this one and I was expected another epic romance like that one was but nonetheless "Mail Order Mommy" was a pleasant read. There were perfect points for more eventful things to happen and I kept waiting for them to happen but they never did and that was disappointing. Overall, a good read but not an epic romance.
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January 2, 2017Miniseries: Boom Town Brides
I loved this story. The children were well portrayed. The way love sneaked in and helped Garrett overcome his grief was perfectly paced. Highly recommend. ~ Kim
I loved this story. The children were well portrayed. The way love sneaked in and helped Garrett overcome his grief was perfectly paced. Highly recommend. ~ Kim
December 30, 2016
What a disappointment! The mail order bride was such a unique historical situation, but no attention was given to it in this book plus, the guy was a complete control freak, every time he rejected her I thought "you dodged a bullet". Probably not going to explore more books by this author!
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November 16, 2016Miniseries: Boom Town Brides
November 17, 2016
cute story
July 17, 2017
A typical story of how once hurt twice gun shy. A broken heart is a delicate thing, but through faith and with a lot of patience, it is something that can be healed.
April 21, 2017
Historical romance set in the now ghost town of Singapore, Michigan in 1870. Excellent research and weaving of details with intriguing characters and a twist and turn plot.
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December 5, 2017I need to stop reading these books my MIL gives me because I hate most of them. In this case, the guy is a macho douche canoe, and she deserves better 🤷🏻♀️
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews