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Lessie
How can a single unexpected kiss, a forced wedding, and a missing groom lead two strangers to discover how love can heal their wounded hearts?Having to carve out a life on her own as a midwife, the last person Lessie MacKenzie expected to see on her doorstep was her missing husband…the injured Yankee she was forced to marry, who disappeared the next day, and whose kiss still lingered on her lips.Eli MacKenzie wanted only one thing after the Civil War…to establish his medical practice in New Hope, Kansas. His dream turned to despair when he discovered someone sold his property. And that someone appeared to be the woman who haunted his every dream the past two years…and now claimed to be his wife!Brought together by chance and united by their desire to forge a future, will a secret from Lessie’s past threatens to destroy their newfound love?
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 16, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 11, 2019
This book was an emotional story of two lost souls who must find a common ground and try to conquer some difficult times in order to save their marriage.
Jo-Ann Roberts has written an emotional love story with many trials and tribulations, both Lessie and Eli have to conquer, before the finally reach their happy-ever-after.
Jo-Ann Roberts has written an emotional love story with many trials and tribulations, both Lessie and Eli have to conquer, before the finally reach their happy-ever-after.
February 4, 2020
Rating: 4.5/5.0
This is a true historical romance in every sense of the word. Jo-Ann Roberts knows her history and she manages to pull the reader back in time to civil war times with her avid descriptions.
Read full review in the 2020 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.
This is a true historical romance in every sense of the word. Jo-Ann Roberts knows her history and she manages to pull the reader back in time to civil war times with her avid descriptions.
Read full review in the 2020 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.
July 9, 2021
An Independent Woman
She loved him, but she didn't much care for him making decisions without her having a say. This was a great post Civil War romance with two people who faced personal challenges and demons. Great characters and descriptions of setting and conditions. A must read.
She loved him, but she didn't much care for him making decisions without her having a say. This was a great post Civil War romance with two people who faced personal challenges and demons. Great characters and descriptions of setting and conditions. A must read.
July 19, 2022
Would be a five
This was a great first book of a series. The characters were strongly developed enough that I want to return to this little community of New Hope and learn more about what happens next in the lives of those who live there. But it was also strong enough to be good as a stand alone. I enjoyed the storyline and the fact that Mrs Roberts gives her characters real vulnerabilities. I can't give it a 5 though because of the usage of the term y'all in the singular. Fortunately it is not used too often, but every time it was I had to put the book down because it's like nails on a chalkboard to me. As a native southerner I have never heard y'all used to indicate one person. We might say it to one person as in speaking to a friend , "did y'all have a good summer?", but we don't actually mean that one person, we mean the understood plural, " did you and your family have a good summer?"
It is still definitely worth reading and I will be getting the next book in the series.
This was a great first book of a series. The characters were strongly developed enough that I want to return to this little community of New Hope and learn more about what happens next in the lives of those who live there. But it was also strong enough to be good as a stand alone. I enjoyed the storyline and the fact that Mrs Roberts gives her characters real vulnerabilities. I can't give it a 5 though because of the usage of the term y'all in the singular. Fortunately it is not used too often, but every time it was I had to put the book down because it's like nails on a chalkboard to me. As a native southerner I have never heard y'all used to indicate one person. We might say it to one person as in speaking to a friend , "did y'all have a good summer?", but we don't actually mean that one person, we mean the understood plural, " did you and your family have a good summer?"
It is still definitely worth reading and I will be getting the next book in the series.
February 25, 2023
This book is a sweet historical romance set in New Hope, Kansas after the Civil War--1866. It doesn't have foul language or in your face bedroom scenes. It has characters who pray and have faith in God. Lessie MacKenzie was forced to marry Eli when he kissed her and sullied her reputation. She had been caring for his war wounds at the time. He was eventually released from the makeshift hospital and sent home to recover. Meanwhile, Lessie and her half-brother Beau traveled to New Hope where she now farms and is a midwife. Eli has finally returned and has discovered a life he didn't know he had. He begins his medical practice, gets to know the tight knit community, and begins courting his wife. This book tells the tale of what life was like in the late 1800s. I liked the characters and the small town with Pastor Owen Shepherd and his wife Alice Mae, Sheriff Cash Fuller, Maude and Abner Pennington the owners of the mercantile, and Edna Bartlett owner of a boardinghouse. It is easy to imagine New Hope and the things that go on there. This story has secrets, adventures, sickness/death, and love. I enjoyed reading it.
July 30, 2020
A wonderful compelling western historical romance
Ms. Roberts has penned a vivid story of post-Civil War life in Kansas. It has fantastic developed characters with a believable and enjoyable story line of lost love. Eli and Lessie meet and overcome the obstacles of separation, lost memory and doubt to develop romance and true love and an HEA.
The secondary characters contribute to the plot, and it appears that they will be the basis for additional works in the series. With her initial publication, she has become one of my most favorite authors because of her skill with words that paint a vivid picture that the reader can become absorbed in. You should not miss this book. I can’t wait for Ms. Roberts continuing the series. Too bad there aren’t more than 5 stars.
Ms. Roberts has penned a vivid story of post-Civil War life in Kansas. It has fantastic developed characters with a believable and enjoyable story line of lost love. Eli and Lessie meet and overcome the obstacles of separation, lost memory and doubt to develop romance and true love and an HEA.
The secondary characters contribute to the plot, and it appears that they will be the basis for additional works in the series. With her initial publication, she has become one of my most favorite authors because of her skill with words that paint a vivid picture that the reader can become absorbed in. You should not miss this book. I can’t wait for Ms. Roberts continuing the series. Too bad there aren’t more than 5 stars.
July 19, 2022
Sweet story of second chances.
After the War Between the States, Lessie has made a life for herself and her younger brother whom she is raising as her own. When the man she married during the war arrives in town to start his medical practice, he finds out that hist building has been sold. He meets Lessie who tells him he is her husband, but he has no memory of marrying her. They renew their vows and begin to grow together until her past catches up to her. There is danger and heartache, but their love survives.
I bought this series after reading Ainsley in the Love Train series and wanted to know the history of the MacKenzies.
After the War Between the States, Lessie has made a life for herself and her younger brother whom she is raising as her own. When the man she married during the war arrives in town to start his medical practice, he finds out that hist building has been sold. He meets Lessie who tells him he is her husband, but he has no memory of marrying her. They renew their vows and begin to grow together until her past catches up to her. There is danger and heartache, but their love survives.
I bought this series after reading Ainsley in the Love Train series and wanted to know the history of the MacKenzies.
July 16, 2020
An excellent historical.
This was an excellent historical about life after the Civil War. I loved the characters and how the author explained their beginnings it made them so real. I also liked the twists and turn brilliant writing. The villain was off the charts great. This was a captivating tale it was inspirational with just the right amount of drama. Lessie and Eli's story was a joy to read. I highly recommend it. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
This was an excellent historical about life after the Civil War. I loved the characters and how the author explained their beginnings it made them so real. I also liked the twists and turn brilliant writing. The villain was off the charts great. This was a captivating tale it was inspirational with just the right amount of drama. Lessie and Eli's story was a joy to read. I highly recommend it. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
August 6, 2020
Interesting premise but it dragged on too much. I felt that the story could have been better if it was shorter and moved along a bit faster.
Lessie is surprised when her husband shows up at the farm. They were quickly wed during the war but he disappeared the next day. Now, he's found her but he can't remember ever meeting her or marrying her.
I wouldn't really suggest this book as it wasn't super eventful or exciting.
Lessie is surprised when her husband shows up at the farm. They were quickly wed during the war but he disappeared the next day. Now, he's found her but he can't remember ever meeting her or marrying her.
I wouldn't really suggest this book as it wasn't super eventful or exciting.
July 8, 2024
Good Story
This is about a Southern woman who married a Yankee soldier after they were caught kissing by her uncle. He is sent off to a military prison and goes home to recuperate after the Civil War. He is left some property in the town where his wife went after she lost everything. They meet and the story tells of their futures. Very good story that I lost myself in and kept reading until I finished it.
This is about a Southern woman who married a Yankee soldier after they were caught kissing by her uncle. He is sent off to a military prison and goes home to recuperate after the Civil War. He is left some property in the town where his wife went after she lost everything. They meet and the story tells of their futures. Very good story that I lost myself in and kept reading until I finished it.
August 3, 2020
The first book in the Brides of New Hope series a well written story that kept me turning pages. This is Lessie MacKenzie and Eli MacKenzie's second chance when he comes home from war but does not remember marring her. There is suspense, drama, danger, villains, and romance. I want to read the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 31, 2022
Good Western
New Hope is a small town where everyone knows each other and helps their neighbors. Several of the characters experienc d hardship before settling in a town with the name the expressed their hope for a new life. It's a rowdy, action packed, Western story with a sweet romance at the center. A great weekend read.
New Hope is a small town where everyone knows each other and helps their neighbors. Several of the characters experienc d hardship before settling in a town with the name the expressed their hope for a new life. It's a rowdy, action packed, Western story with a sweet romance at the center. A great weekend read.
August 2, 2020
Wonderfully written Civil War story with Lessie and Eli. Loved their story of overcoming the odds to live a life that they only dreamed about even if they had some difficulties to overcome. Loved it!
August 16, 2020
Lessie
Great Malik order bride book that I couldn’t put down until the middle of the night.With so many secrets in this book there is a new one around every corner.
Great Malik order bride book that I couldn’t put down until the middle of the night.With so many secrets in this book there is a new one around every corner.
July 11, 2022
Excellent!
The characters, the plot, the imagery--just every detail in Roberts' storytelling is fantastic! New Hope should be your new series. It will certainly be mine!
The characters, the plot, the imagery--just every detail in Roberts' storytelling is fantastic! New Hope should be your new series. It will certainly be mine!
November 26, 2022
Leslie #1
Tall, blonde, intelligent, midwife! This book will make you cheer for the Lessie main character!
There is sadness, heartache, but lots of love and a romantic husband!
Tall, blonde, intelligent, midwife! This book will make you cheer for the Lessie main character!
There is sadness, heartache, but lots of love and a romantic husband!
January 12, 2020
I found a new author that I already adore. Ms. Robert’s first published book is amazing. She has done her research in the old west of Kansas and her research for all things good and evil that can happen to a wonderful couple being reunited after several years apart.
This is a beautiful inspirational story of love and redemption of long-lost love that only one of them remembers. It is a story of heartbreak and wonder.
This is packed with everything you ever wanted in a historical western romance and is packed with adventure good and bad.
For a first published book, fives stars for this wonderful and stellar new author with so much to give to the writing world. I can’t wait until her next book comes out. I am a big fan already.
This is a beautiful inspirational story of love and redemption of long-lost love that only one of them remembers. It is a story of heartbreak and wonder.
This is packed with everything you ever wanted in a historical western romance and is packed with adventure good and bad.
For a first published book, fives stars for this wonderful and stellar new author with so much to give to the writing world. I can’t wait until her next book comes out. I am a big fan already.
November 12, 2019
A Wonderful New Author and Book #1 in Her First Series!
I'm so glad I took a chance and grabbed this book when I saw it in one of my book groups! I have a TBR list a mile long, but this sounded too good to pass up. And it was! A well written storyline that I thoroughly enjoyed, kept me entertained in between the busyness of my days. Loved the characters, both very well thought out and thought their backstory was very believable. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the story and the romance, along with the very satisfying HEA. I found a wonderful new author to follow and looking forward to her next book. JudyE
I'm so glad I took a chance and grabbed this book when I saw it in one of my book groups! I have a TBR list a mile long, but this sounded too good to pass up. And it was! A well written storyline that I thoroughly enjoyed, kept me entertained in between the busyness of my days. Loved the characters, both very well thought out and thought their backstory was very believable. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the story and the romance, along with the very satisfying HEA. I found a wonderful new author to follow and looking forward to her next book. JudyE
November 3, 2019
What a wonderful story with really good character development with lots of friends and some not so good people. The story is full of misunderstanding, secrets, betrayal, and kidnapping. This is Lessie and Eli's story and they have much to overcome before reaching their HEA. I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.
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November 11, 2019Jo-ann Roberts has hit this debut novel right out of the park! Well-written with believable characters and peppered with realistic historic details that draws you in, I enjoyed Lessie and Eli and their "battle of the wills" as well as their growing love for each other. Looking forward to Roberts second novel! I was given an ARC copy for review; my review is an honest one.
February 13, 2020
Great story
I really enjoyed Lessie's story. She is a very resilient young woman determined to make her mark in the world. It was a great story although I had already figured out the last few scenes before I read them, they were still great! 👍👍👍 I hope Delia and Cash get their own story.
I really enjoyed Lessie's story. She is a very resilient young woman determined to make her mark in the world. It was a great story although I had already figured out the last few scenes before I read them, they were still great! 👍👍👍 I hope Delia and Cash get their own story.
December 12, 2019
Eli and Lessie
This is a very sweet, but exciting and adventurous love story.The author,JoAnn Roberts has put several unique twist and turns into this story. You will enjoy discovering their happily ever after. Enjoy!
This is a very sweet, but exciting and adventurous love story.The author,JoAnn Roberts has put several unique twist and turns into this story. You will enjoy discovering their happily ever after. Enjoy!
January 14, 2020
Lessie, Eli, Delia, Sam
Lessie MacKenzie is a Southern Belle and midwife. Her husband Eli is a Yankee doctor. Who married her under duress, but doesn't remember it.
Characterization and plotting are good.
Lessie MacKenzie is a Southern Belle and midwife. Her husband Eli is a Yankee doctor. Who married her under duress, but doesn't remember it.
Characterization and plotting are good.
January 19, 2020
Compelling romance!
Lessie is a true heroine who carried on in spite of life's challenges. Married but left alone, she carved out a life and is surprised when her husband appears. Here is where the storyline becomes even more engrossing.
Lessie is a true heroine who carried on in spite of life's challenges. Married but left alone, she carved out a life and is surprised when her husband appears. Here is where the storyline becomes even more engrossing.
November 8, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The characters were well developed and the plot flowed. I will be anxiously waiting for Jo-Ann Roberts next book.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews