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Montana Brides #1.5

To Catch a Bride

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A Montana Brides Romance
 
Across the vast Montana Territory, dreams have no limits . . . and prayers can be answered in the most unexpected ways.

After the untimely death of her husband, Marilyn Svenson has one option to keep her isolated ranch in Montana Territory: Remarriage. Of the two men in the rough mining town of Helena who fit her criteria for a husband, the charming resale shop owner is her preferred choice. Logically, she proposes.

David Pawlikowski came west to escape past heartbreak. Just when he thinks he’s content, Marilyn shakes up his bachelor life with her innovative spirit and unexpected marriage proposal. As much as David would like to say yes to the beautiful widow, he’s thinks Marilyn would be better off with the town’s dapper new lawyer. But when real danger closes in, only Marilyn can decide whom to keep close to her side forever.

105 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2018

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About the author

Gina Welborn

50 books140 followers
Bestselling author Gina Welborn is a lifetime member of the National Corvette Museum. She is also graduate of the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School at Spring Mountain Motor Resort in Pahrump, Nevada, and she bought fabric (for her mother) at The Quilted Dragon. Should you not be a fan of the premier American Sports Car or of doing sewingy stuff with fabric, know Gina has actual writing credits.

Gina Welborn is the co-author of the new Montana Brides Series (Kensington Publishing). A longtime member of Romance Writers of America, she once served at president of the RWA-FHL chapter. Her manuscripts finaled in numerous contests, including the RWA Golden Heart© and ACFW Genesis. A few of her books are ECPA bestsellers. Gina currently serves on the ACFW Foundation Board, where she helps organize the silent auction which provides scholarships for ACFW members. Find more about her books at www.ginawelborn.com!

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5 stars
21 (30%)
4 stars
27 (39%)
3 stars
14 (20%)
2 stars
6 (8%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Deanne Patterson.
1,902 reviews76 followers
June 19, 2018
I've read all the books in this series. In this one we find newly widowed Marilyn trying to keep a hold of her ranch in rural Montana Territory. Her only options are to marry since the judge won't follow by the rules. Marriage, her options are from two men in this wild mining town better suited to non law abiding citizens and prostitutes. The two honorable men are a shop keeper and a newly minted lawyer. Now here's the fun part she sets her mind on one of the men and proposes to him and while he thinks himself unworthy of her because of his previous wife Marilyn sets out to woo him. A miracle occurs to Marilyn after so many failures and she is determined to keep it right there. Fun, fun, fun. I recommend this novella length western historical romance.
Pub Date 26 Jun 2018
Thank you to Kensington Books for a review copy that I received through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Maureen Timerman.
2,870 reviews474 followers
June 5, 2018
I enjoyed this read, it is quick, and I read it in one sitting, and hated that it ended.
The author presents a story of loss, greed, and new beginnings. Set in the settlement of the Montana Territory and the gold rush. While the land was tamed by man, the roots were put down by woman, and we are show some really strong ones here.
I loved how a pregnant woman had two suitors and how she chose. Hoping for more from this author!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington Books, and was not required to give a positive review.

Profile Image for Ron.
Author 1 book141 followers
March 4, 2022
‘Once she returned home, she’d clean her messes and not let anything distract her. Definitely this time.’

Short, fun, light-weight Christian romance set in 1860s Montana territory. Bridges The Promise Bride and The Kitchen Marriage. Well-conceived series about various women who find themselves in early Montana territory with matrimony as a possibility.

“I bet you’re getting a migraine. Ma has them often.” “You got it.”

Modern vocabulary and attitudes knock the reader out of the story, though they are consistent with current values. How jarring they will depend on whether the reader is interested in historical fiction or Hallmark-type romance.

“Mr. [redacted], you can kiss your bride after she [redacted].”
Profile Image for Heike.
656 reviews39 followers
May 3, 2018
This was a delicious read with an upbeat, strong, honest female protagonist and a super nice yet “manly” male protagonist, both with good reasoning for obstacles on their way to their HEA relationship.

Widowed homesteader needs to either re-marry or leave Montana, however, leaving is not an option if she doesn’t want to abandon all the work she and her late husband put into their ranch. The local repair guy and a new-arrived attorney may be able to help her selling her place and move back east … or should she stay?

This is a novella with about 140 pages (best guess) and the story did fit perfectly into this length – highly recommended.
There are no intimate scenes in this story, but towards the end He is mentioned more frequently, this novella might fall into the Christian genre, however, it was not overpowering.

Narrative: 3rd POV altering between male and female protagonist
Location: 1865 Helena, Montana
Sexual content: none
424 reviews2 followers
June 14, 2022
This sweet historical romance novella was a wonderful read. The characters were believable and easy to get to know. The Helena, Montana gold rush town in the late 1800’s was brought to life by the talented authors.
I enjoyed reading about Marilyn Svenson. Recently widowed and pregnant she is seeking a widows claim on her land which the judge refuses to grant.
Marilyn faces the judge’s ultimatum of marrying or selling her land.
Shopkeeper David Pawlikowski helps Marilyn. He is attracted to her and likes her intellect and scientific inquisitiveness.
Jonas Forsythe is a recent Harvard Law School graduate who had come west to establish his practice and seek a wife.
David and Jonas both want to marry Marilyn and she chooses the one to have her happily ever after with for a satisfying ending.
Profile Image for Debbie.
237 reviews10 followers
January 23, 2019
After reading Come Fly With Me, The Promise Bride and The Kitchen Marriage, I just had to read this book and find out how Ma and Pa Pawlikowski came to be. So this is their story. I really loved this book and was not disappointed by Gina's and Becca's writing style.

David Pawlikowski was dead set against marriage after his first wife died. But, when the widow Marilyn Svenson walked into his store, he was smitten. Marilyn was trying desperately to obtain Head-of-household status on her farm after her husband died, but the judge would not have it, even though she had the legal right to it. After a wasted effort with the judge, Marilyn stopped by David's store to see if he could repair her wagon wheel, because that is what he does. While talking with him outside, Mr. Jonas Forsythe, a new lawyer in town, comes up to them and they tell him what the problem is. He offers to help Marilyn and it would only cost her a dollar. She took him up on it.

Throughout the book, Marilyn tries to decide if she should return home to her parents or get married. Then the choice became between David and Jonas, knowing full well that David has said he will never marry again. Surprises are in store for these people. If you like Christian, clean, historical romance with a bit of comedy, intrigue and a strong heroine, you will love this book. Take a look for yourself and enjoy!
Profile Image for Marti.
2,928 reviews1 follower
May 21, 2018
To Catch a Bride by Gina Welborn and Becca Whitham

To Catch a Bride by Gina Welborn and Becca Whitham is a quick read. The novella is about a strong woman who needs a husband and so she takes the lead in finding a husband. Marilyn Svenson’s husband died suddenly and she is left alone on the Montana prairie. Alone and with no help, she is left with few options. The local judge would not allow her to claim head of household, so she can’t even sell the land. To top it all off, she discovered that she was pregnant. So what does Marilyn decide to do. Get remarried, of course. Of the two men in town that she would choose from, David Pawlikowski is the better choice, only he does not want to get married. He is still traumatized from his prior marriage. Marilyn knows that she is not for everyone, she isn’t a normal wife. She constantly is trying to new things and many people do not understand her. But David does understand her, she just needs to change his mind. To Catch a Bride by Gina Welborn and Becca Whitham was a pretty good read.
Profile Image for Donna.
502 reviews1 follower
June 7, 2018
The Montana Territory is a rugged part of America and Marilyn Svenson must decide if she can get title to her farm after her husband's death. She seeks the help of people in town and figures out that she is pregnant and cannot travel back to her farm on the bumpy wagon ride. She decides to stay in town and also becomes the target for romance from two of the town's most eligible men. I have to say that I loved this story and wished that it was longer. (It is a novella.) Great, sweet, love story about the hard times in the west during the Gold Rush. Well-developed characters and a unique twist to this story had me reading nonstop until the end!

To Catch a Bride by Gina Welborn will be available June 26, 2018 from Zebra, an imprint of Kensington Books. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
Profile Image for Tina .
302 reviews2 followers
June 13, 2018
Marilyn Sevenson is left alone in 1800's Helena, Montana with her husband's untimely death.
She has little choice or rights as a widow. If she wants to keep her homestead, she must remarry.
The town is full of rough and guff men but there are only two men whom she can even see herself married to. When she makes her choice, she proposes but is flatly turned down. Circumstances change for her, putting her life in danger. One man stands out above the other, she can only hope he will not only accept her proposal but protect her too. This is a very sweet romance set in the wild 1800's where there is little law and no rights for women. Marilyn is strong and straightforward for the time, but will that be enough. No bad language, no vulgarity or sexual content. A good read for and teen, her older sister and her mother.... I recommend reading To Catch a Bride.
9,942 reviews120 followers
June 21, 2018
A sweet novella that could have easily been a fully length book. Marilyn is in a pickle- sadly, she's been widowed and she's pregnant and she must marry in order to keep her land. (NB- very happy things have changed!). David isn't certain what to do when she proposes to him. I had not read the earlier books but this was a fine standalone which can be read in a sitting. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For those who like romances set in the West.
697 reviews2 followers
June 26, 2018
This is a heartwarming story about two people who weren't looking for love but, they found it with each other. David decided to never marry again after having a bad marriage that ended with his wife's death. Marilyn had recently lost her husband and then found out that she was pregnant. Brought togethef by circumstance that evolved from friendship to love. This is a wonderful read and I would definitely recommend it.
Profile Image for Yvette.
745 reviews27 followers
July 9, 2018
I was unaware of the Montana Brides series prior to requesting to read a free early e-galley of this novella on NetGalley, but it is definitely now on my reading radar.  If you enjoy Historical Romance with a bit of danger, a bit of romantic conflict, an unconventional heroine and a faith element, then this novella should tick quite a few boxes for you. 3.5 stars.
Profile Image for Bridget.
54 reviews
November 13, 2021
This was my favorite book in the series so far. I feel like it should be the first book. It happens before the first two books. This book helped me with the characters in the series. There are so many people in the town it is hard for me to keep them all straight.
5,536 reviews
July 2, 2018
To Catch a Bride is part of the Montana Brides series. I thought it was a good read and recommend it who enjoy clean stories.
423 reviews5 followers
February 13, 2022
I loved it. He ran until he caught her! Read the book and you'll find out what I mean. Loved the ending too!
22 reviews
May 27, 2023
So predictable and unrealistic. Thought there must be some twist to this, so read on. But, no twist.
Profile Image for Clare O'Beara.
Author 21 books344 followers
August 17, 2018
A lady is widowed and pregnant in 1860s Montana. She has options, but not many. In order to prove out her claim over five years of homesteading, she'll need a husband. That means a miner or someone from town. Life is not simple, especially when odd events occur that make her suspicious about the nature of her husband's death.

This is a fine short romance suitable for teens or adults.
I downloaded an e-ARC from Net Galley and Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.
53 reviews
Read
July 13, 2020
An easy fun romance, written by my friend Becca. Made me curious to learn more about the history of Helena Montana.
Profile Image for Diane.
2,061 reviews17 followers
February 13, 2020
What I like most about reading American historical romance is losing myself in a place and time when the only thing standing between our ancestors and their dreams was their phenomenal courage and steely determination to survive. Recently widowed Marilyn Svenson is not your typical helpless female but in the rough mining town of Helena, Montana she needs to find a husband or risk losing her homestead. I thoroughly enjoyed the way Marilyn went about choosing between the only two men she would consider marrying. This is a smartly written and heartwarming storyline with wonderful characters and and unexpected plot twist that had me holding my breath right up until the happily-ever-after. My only regret is that this book isn’t a full length novel because I never wanted it to end. I read an early copy of this book provided by Zebra Books through NetGalley and all opinions expressed in my voluntary review are completely my own.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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