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Nebraska Legacy #1
Mail Order Husband
VOTED FAVORITE HISTORICAL BOOK AND FAVORITE HISTORICAL COVER IN 2002 As a widow, struggling to raise two boys and keep her Nebraska farm operating, Lena Walker knows the pang of loneliness. None of the nearby men meet her expectations, so she decides to advertise for a husband in newspapers back East. After all, she figures, men find wives that way. In Philadelphia, Gabe Hunters has spent his life buried in books, believing every question can be answered from the printed page - especially of the Bible. When he sees Lena's advertisement for a husband and father, he senses God pulling him to a place he's never before seen and work he has never done. Lena is confident that God doesn't make mistakes - but Gabe isn't at all what she expected. How can she ever learn to love this man?
176 pages, Paperback
First published December 19, 2001
9 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
DiAnn Mills
126 books1,990 followersDiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who invites her readers to step into stories where suspense meets adventure and romance warms the heart. Known for crafting unforgettable characters tangled in unpredictable plots, DiAnn believes every breath we take unfolds a story waiting to be told—so why not make it thrilling?
Her novels have consistently landed on bestseller lists including CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly, and have won prestigious awards such as the Christy, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol awards.
DiAnn is a founding board member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Conference Advisor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers. She actively participates in Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, International Thriller Writers, Outliers Writing University, and The Christian Pen. DiAnn passionately invests in helping fellow authors succeed through mentoring, book coaching, and editing. She travels nationwide speaking and teaching engaging writing workshops.
A proud coffee snob who roasts her own beans, DiAnn also enjoys diving into good books, experimenting in the kitchen, and unabashedly spoiling her grandchildren—whom she insists are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband make their home under the sunny skies of Houston, Texas.
Connect with DiAnn online for behind-the-scenes glimpses, writing tips, and lively discussions on any of the following social media platforms:
Website: https://diannmills.com/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/diann...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diannmills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diannmillsa...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannmills/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/diannmills/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/diannmills
X: https://twitter.com/diannmills
Her novels have consistently landed on bestseller lists including CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly, and have won prestigious awards such as the Christy, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol awards.
DiAnn is a founding board member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Conference Advisor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers. She actively participates in Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, International Thriller Writers, Outliers Writing University, and The Christian Pen. DiAnn passionately invests in helping fellow authors succeed through mentoring, book coaching, and editing. She travels nationwide speaking and teaching engaging writing workshops.
A proud coffee snob who roasts her own beans, DiAnn also enjoys diving into good books, experimenting in the kitchen, and unabashedly spoiling her grandchildren—whom she insists are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband make their home under the sunny skies of Houston, Texas.
Connect with DiAnn online for behind-the-scenes glimpses, writing tips, and lively discussions on any of the following social media platforms:
Website: https://diannmills.com/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/diann...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diannmills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diannmillsa...
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannmills/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/diannmills/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/diannmills
X: https://twitter.com/diannmills
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 11, 2015
“Mail Order Husband” was written by DiAnn Mills. It takes place in central Nebraska in 1880. I read of lot of “mail-order bride” novels and thought this might just be a lot of fun to read.
Lena Walker has two young sons and is trying to run her farm by herself after her husband passed away. She has done pretty well, but knows that she will need help. She rejects a few offers of marriage from the pitiful pool of eligible bachelors or widowers she has received. She decides to advertise for a husband.
Philadelphia resident Gabriel Hunters reads the advertisement and begins to hope that he might find a new life for himself. Gabriel has never courted a woman and never knew his father. He wonders if he might be the right man to serve as a father to two young sons. He doesn’t know anything about farming. His main interest is his books. However, he does have a very positive attitude that he could learn what he needs to know. He answers the ad and makes the long journey to Nebraska to become a mail-order husband.
I really enjoyed reading this book. At first the meeting between Lena and Gabriel was almost painful to read about. I had a great sympathy for Gabriel and also for Lena who had expected someone completely different. Gabriel is not in the best of shape, slightly paunchy, with the soft hands of someone not used to manual labor. He is also an intellectual whose language is hard for people to understand since there education has not progressed as much as his has. I very much enjoyed reading how Gabriel and Lena come together to form a new family. I think you would like this book as it is a refreshingly different sort of novel.
I downloaded a free Kindle copy of this book on Amazon.com. I am posting my honest review of the book.
You can find this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-dJ.
Lena Walker has two young sons and is trying to run her farm by herself after her husband passed away. She has done pretty well, but knows that she will need help. She rejects a few offers of marriage from the pitiful pool of eligible bachelors or widowers she has received. She decides to advertise for a husband.
Philadelphia resident Gabriel Hunters reads the advertisement and begins to hope that he might find a new life for himself. Gabriel has never courted a woman and never knew his father. He wonders if he might be the right man to serve as a father to two young sons. He doesn’t know anything about farming. His main interest is his books. However, he does have a very positive attitude that he could learn what he needs to know. He answers the ad and makes the long journey to Nebraska to become a mail-order husband.
I really enjoyed reading this book. At first the meeting between Lena and Gabriel was almost painful to read about. I had a great sympathy for Gabriel and also for Lena who had expected someone completely different. Gabriel is not in the best of shape, slightly paunchy, with the soft hands of someone not used to manual labor. He is also an intellectual whose language is hard for people to understand since there education has not progressed as much as his has. I very much enjoyed reading how Gabriel and Lena come together to form a new family. I think you would like this book as it is a refreshingly different sort of novel.
I downloaded a free Kindle copy of this book on Amazon.com. I am posting my honest review of the book.
You can find this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-dJ.
March 5, 2021
One of the absolutely best Christian romance stories ever written, in my opinion -and, at last, a hero that isn't a steroid-packed specimen at first sight! The mystical transforming power of God's love and our faith-filled, practical walk with Him is beautifully depicted in the lives of many in this amazing story. I couldn't love it more.
January 16, 2018
Wonderful book!😉
November 6, 2019
A great story
A sweet story that includes happiness and heartache, the truth of God’s Word and how these people relied on it in the good times as well as the bad.
A sweet story that includes happiness and heartache, the truth of God’s Word and how these people relied on it in the good times as well as the bad.
January 31, 2024
Cute story! Closed door, sweet romance.
July 14, 2015
In a neat switch on the "mail-order bride" theme, Ms Mills has succeeded in fulfilling its promise. When the tubby hubby respondant steps into the story, his limitations as the prospective head of a hard-scrabble farming family far exceed any potential. But - just as hard, back-breaking, sweat equity build a farm's potential, so it also tones the tubby hubby into a strong hearted, willling and exemplary father figure. His background makes him appreciate his blessings and though his wife and step-sons find themselves teaching him even the smallest farming basics, he carries no foolish pride. He accepts, heeds, learns, and becomes.
Meanwhile, they learn to respect and treasure this man's integrity and chutzpah.
Meanwhile, they learn to respect and treasure this man's integrity and chutzpah.
March 26, 2019
Lena, a widow, 2 sons, and farm land in Nebraska. The prospect around for a husband or anyone to help was nil or others wanted someone for their kids. If men can ask for a bride then so can she, with God’s help a husband. A man in Philadelphia his meager life, was within his books, could he go beyond, God was definitely pulling him. After meeting Gabe. she wonders even more his hand are soft, his words he uses in speaking are unknown, as he is also unknown to animals or farming the land. When she asks him, with God’s help and all his book learning, he shall be able too. So different, yet the desire to make a commitment to be a family is a strong motive for them.
A different idea, and very enjoyable to read.
A different idea, and very enjoyable to read.
January 14, 2014
relaxing simple love story that came to fruition. Lena admitted to a temper that she needed to overcome. Gabe had to overcome his circumstances of birth parents and environment in which he lived in the city. That still influenced how he thought of himself at 36yrs age. Gabe really did speak n show his love even though books was where he got his knowledge from but he was given a chance with Caleb b Simon his step sons. Sharing about his mother was hard for Gabriel but Lena needed to know or else the secret may have hurt trust. (Biblical Hosea story written for today)
May 22, 2016
I thought it was too melodramatic. Someone was always spilling tears or saying something endearing in a very inorganic way. Also, I cringed every single time they made a reference to the hero's "corpulent" body :/ (their word, not mine)... It was worth the read, but not the greatest.
November 28, 2013
i loved this book! perfect example that you can learn new things an be successful. one I could read again
March 17, 2014
I enjoyed this book. The Christian Faith content was good.
December 19, 2014
Mail Order Husband
This book was such a delight to read. The story had everything. There was loneliness, death, love, marriage and above all God our wonderful Lord and Saviour.
This book was such a delight to read. The story had everything. There was loneliness, death, love, marriage and above all God our wonderful Lord and Saviour.
February 18, 2015
A pleasant story with a somewhat unlikely hero. I liked the story and it felt very genuine, but the Christian was a little too preachy for me.
May 1, 2016
Leana & Gabrail
Read
October 8, 2016Greatly enjoyed this simple story about finding love and family.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews