What do you think?
Isabella Bride of Ohio, American Mail Order Bride
Becoming a mail-order bride can be a dangerous thing for a woman to do.
Isabella, newly arrived in America from Sweden, first loses her parents and then her job at the factory after it burns down. Nothing in America seems to last but she hopes her mail-order bride marriage to the wealthy Donald Jenks will.
Donald’s letters from Yellow Springs Ohio describe Isabella’s dream home, away from the city and he sounds as if he would be the perfect husband.
But as her grandmother always said, trouble comes in threes, and there is danger standing between her and her happy ever after.
Tom, a Pinkerton agent, who is on the case of disappearing women, is traveling on the same train as Isabella when she is selected by white slavers to be the next female victim to be abducted. Will he save her in time?
Will Isabella reach Ohio safely, marry Donald and have the happy ever after she has always dreamed of?
And is Donald the man Isabella is meant to marry? Why would such a handsome and successful businessman have to send away for a mail-order bride when he could have his pick of the young ladies near Yellow Springs?
Isabella, newly arrived in America from Sweden, first loses her parents and then her job at the factory after it burns down. Nothing in America seems to last but she hopes her mail-order bride marriage to the wealthy Donald Jenks will.
Donald’s letters from Yellow Springs Ohio describe Isabella’s dream home, away from the city and he sounds as if he would be the perfect husband.
But as her grandmother always said, trouble comes in threes, and there is danger standing between her and her happy ever after.
Tom, a Pinkerton agent, who is on the case of disappearing women, is traveling on the same train as Isabella when she is selected by white slavers to be the next female victim to be abducted. Will he save her in time?
Will Isabella reach Ohio safely, marry Donald and have the happy ever after she has always dreamed of?
And is Donald the man Isabella is meant to marry? Why would such a handsome and successful businessman have to send away for a mail-order bride when he could have his pick of the young ladies near Yellow Springs?
230 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2022
About the author
Debra Parmley
46 books1,295 followersDebra Parmley is a best-selling, award-winning, multi-genre author of over 38 books, specializing in military romantic suspense and contemporary western romance set in Montana and Wyoming.
Known for her authentic portrayal of veteran heroes, she is the author of Montana Delta Rodeo Cowboy: Bodyguard Protector, and popular titles in the Brotherhood Protectors World, including Montana SEAL Protector, Montana Delta Rescue, and Montana Marine.
Her new Green Brotherhood SEAL Team XII series is set in Virginia Beach, VA, where she lived for a season.
Drawing from her life as an adventurous traveler and the wife of an Air Force veteran, Debra crafts high-stakes stories of danger and redemption from her current home in North Carolina in the summer months.
In the winter, she and her husband, who live full-time in a motorhome, become snowbirds living in Florida.
Whether writing gritty suspense, or romantasy, in her new Reenactment Realm series, or fairytales as Debra Bishop, her work is guided by the core belief that “Every day we are alive is a beautiful day.”
CONNECT WITH DEBRA:
➜ WEBSITE: https://debraparmley.com/
➜NEWSLETTER sign up: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...
➜ DEBRA's VIP READER GROUP ON DISCORD: by invitation only - contact Debra
➜ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/debraparmley/
➜ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@authordebrapa...
➜ PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/debraparmley/
➜ BEAUTIFUL DAY TRAVELER BLOG: https://beautifuldaytraveler.wordpres...
➜ BEAUTIFUL DAY YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC27h...
Known for her authentic portrayal of veteran heroes, she is the author of Montana Delta Rodeo Cowboy: Bodyguard Protector, and popular titles in the Brotherhood Protectors World, including Montana SEAL Protector, Montana Delta Rescue, and Montana Marine.
Her new Green Brotherhood SEAL Team XII series is set in Virginia Beach, VA, where she lived for a season.
Drawing from her life as an adventurous traveler and the wife of an Air Force veteran, Debra crafts high-stakes stories of danger and redemption from her current home in North Carolina in the summer months.
In the winter, she and her husband, who live full-time in a motorhome, become snowbirds living in Florida.
Whether writing gritty suspense, or romantasy, in her new Reenactment Realm series, or fairytales as Debra Bishop, her work is guided by the core belief that “Every day we are alive is a beautiful day.”
CONNECT WITH DEBRA:
➜ WEBSITE: https://debraparmley.com/
➜NEWSLETTER sign up: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...
➜ DEBRA's VIP READER GROUP ON DISCORD: by invitation only - contact Debra
➜ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/debraparmley/
➜ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@authordebrapa...
➜ PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/debraparmley/
➜ BEAUTIFUL DAY TRAVELER BLOG: https://beautifuldaytraveler.wordpres...
➜ BEAUTIFUL DAY YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC27h...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 20, 2022
3.5 Stars
Isabella Bride of Ohio (American Mail-Order Brides #17) by Debra Parmley is an historical romance- a bit of a romantic suspense with drama, danger, and adventure.
After the death of her parents, Isabella has tried to make ends meet- but it hasn’t been easy, and luck certainly seems to be against her. She is left with little choice but to apply to be a mail-order bride. So she sets off on her long journey to secure her future. But along the way her safety is threatened when she becomes the target of a kidnapping plot. What happens? You will really need to read all the intriguing details for yourself.
While I did enjoy the story, I would have liked to have read a longer version, as I felt that the character development, chemistry, and connections needed more time to develop and ‘grow’. I think with a little more length, this story could be elevated to an even higher level.
Looking forward to seeing what Ms. Parmley does next…
Happy Reading!
Thank you, Debra Parmley!
Isabella Bride of Ohio (American Mail-Order Brides #17) by Debra Parmley is an historical romance- a bit of a romantic suspense with drama, danger, and adventure.
After the death of her parents, Isabella has tried to make ends meet- but it hasn’t been easy, and luck certainly seems to be against her. She is left with little choice but to apply to be a mail-order bride. So she sets off on her long journey to secure her future. But along the way her safety is threatened when she becomes the target of a kidnapping plot. What happens? You will really need to read all the intriguing details for yourself.
While I did enjoy the story, I would have liked to have read a longer version, as I felt that the character development, chemistry, and connections needed more time to develop and ‘grow’. I think with a little more length, this story could be elevated to an even higher level.
Looking forward to seeing what Ms. Parmley does next…
Happy Reading!
Thank you, Debra Parmley!
March 9, 2024
This book is part of a multi-author series, with a bride for every state. Some of those books are no longer available, but most are.
In this book, we meet Isabella Britta Stolt. She feels that nothing in America lasts. Her parents died before they ever left Ellis Island. Instead of remaining in New York she traveled for a job opportunity to Lowell, Massachusetts. She was working in a factory, sewing and trying to stay out of the sights of one Mr. Brown. He leered at her and made her very uncomfortable. One particular day will always stand out, as Mr. Brown was called to the office by Roberta McDaniel the manager. After meeting with her, he left the building and shortly thereafter a fire broke out. A fire the workers nearly didn't escape.
After the fire it's Roberta who directs them to the matchmaker to become mail order brides. Isabella and her friends, Lilly and Hope decide to write to men to see if they might be compatible. Their friend Tabitha decides to go to her cousin's instead of trying for a marriage.
Isabella is taken with one particular ad, Mr. Donald Jenks, an accountant, and he has a country house near Yellow Springs, Ohio. She begins correspondence with him. In the meantime, she begins a temporary position as a housemaid with some nanny duties. The letters go well, and Isabella is pleased and shocked when he sends a large sum of money for her to travel to meet him. He also says he will finance her return to Sweden if they don't suit.
She travels by train and that is quite the experience. From the start a man Ernest Tomlin, asks far too personal questions and makes her uncomfortable. He even followed her to dining car and tried to instigate himself as her companion. She leaves the table and cautiously approaches the bar at the back of the dining car. She orders a glass of wine, that is far different than what she's used to. She made a face as she sipped it. She turns at the sound of a soft chuckles to see a man seated nearby. He introduces himself as Tom and she cautiously introduces herself as Isabella from Sweden. He welcomes her to American and then leaves.
Getting some air at the next station stop, she almost gets snatched by two men. She's saved by Tom and another man named Bill. She's surprised to see it was that one of the men was Ernest Tomlin. The other man got away. She gets her bible and father's letter back but her purse with all her money is gone, fortunately her tickets are in her skirt pocket so she's able to continue her journey. Tom promises to return the money should they recover it, and she gives him Mr. Jenks address.
Once she arrives, things go forward rapidly and even with some of the doubts she's having, Isabella marries Donald Jenks. The wedding night was not what she was told to expect and there was none of the gentleness she's seen from Donald previously.
It's a couple of days later and Donald is berating their cook over the roast he felt was dry, when there's a knock at the door.
By now it's apparent Donald isn't everything he proclaimed to be. Isabella is unhappy and it seems to be getting worse. She just doesn't know what to do about it.
There are quite a few twists as this tale unfolds and a few surprises as well. It's a very emotional read, with danger, close calls and romance too.
I think I'll find Isabella's friend's Holly and Lilly's journeys.
In this book, we meet Isabella Britta Stolt. She feels that nothing in America lasts. Her parents died before they ever left Ellis Island. Instead of remaining in New York she traveled for a job opportunity to Lowell, Massachusetts. She was working in a factory, sewing and trying to stay out of the sights of one Mr. Brown. He leered at her and made her very uncomfortable. One particular day will always stand out, as Mr. Brown was called to the office by Roberta McDaniel the manager. After meeting with her, he left the building and shortly thereafter a fire broke out. A fire the workers nearly didn't escape.
After the fire it's Roberta who directs them to the matchmaker to become mail order brides. Isabella and her friends, Lilly and Hope decide to write to men to see if they might be compatible. Their friend Tabitha decides to go to her cousin's instead of trying for a marriage.
Isabella is taken with one particular ad, Mr. Donald Jenks, an accountant, and he has a country house near Yellow Springs, Ohio. She begins correspondence with him. In the meantime, she begins a temporary position as a housemaid with some nanny duties. The letters go well, and Isabella is pleased and shocked when he sends a large sum of money for her to travel to meet him. He also says he will finance her return to Sweden if they don't suit.
She travels by train and that is quite the experience. From the start a man Ernest Tomlin, asks far too personal questions and makes her uncomfortable. He even followed her to dining car and tried to instigate himself as her companion. She leaves the table and cautiously approaches the bar at the back of the dining car. She orders a glass of wine, that is far different than what she's used to. She made a face as she sipped it. She turns at the sound of a soft chuckles to see a man seated nearby. He introduces himself as Tom and she cautiously introduces herself as Isabella from Sweden. He welcomes her to American and then leaves.
Getting some air at the next station stop, she almost gets snatched by two men. She's saved by Tom and another man named Bill. She's surprised to see it was that one of the men was Ernest Tomlin. The other man got away. She gets her bible and father's letter back but her purse with all her money is gone, fortunately her tickets are in her skirt pocket so she's able to continue her journey. Tom promises to return the money should they recover it, and she gives him Mr. Jenks address.
Once she arrives, things go forward rapidly and even with some of the doubts she's having, Isabella marries Donald Jenks. The wedding night was not what she was told to expect and there was none of the gentleness she's seen from Donald previously.
It's a couple of days later and Donald is berating their cook over the roast he felt was dry, when there's a knock at the door.
By now it's apparent Donald isn't everything he proclaimed to be. Isabella is unhappy and it seems to be getting worse. She just doesn't know what to do about it.
There are quite a few twists as this tale unfolds and a few surprises as well. It's a very emotional read, with danger, close calls and romance too.
I think I'll find Isabella's friend's Holly and Lilly's journeys.
February 10, 2023
sabella Bride of Ohio (American Mail-Order Brides Series Book 17) by Debra Parmley
Isabella lives with 3 other women and they work at the mill til one night it burns to the ground. I am familiar with the location and have mills nearby that are still used, not as their original purpose.
They find out about a newspaper where men have asked for women to be their brides with just a bit about themselves. Over the next weeks they write to one another and she also gets a job tending to young children.
When Donald has written to her and sent money to visit with her in Ohio she heads there and there are men on the train that want to cause trouble as they travel by themselves.
Tomlin and his partner want her to plan to kidnap her at the next stop. This sounds SO scary for me as she's very naive. Like her background and hearing what she is looking forward to in Ohio with Donald.
A man, Tom steps in to rescue her and she's back on her way to Ohio to get married. Things seem to be going moving forward and she almost says no to getting married. Hate to hear how she's treated over time but things happen in 3s like her grandmother always told her.
Trouble, problems happen in 3's and til the third thing happens she didn't piece them all together. Twists and turns that I could not have imagined happening, whoa!
I had forgotten about Pinkerton' in this era!
action, adventure, travel, romance, mystery, money and so much more make up this exc read!
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Isabella lives with 3 other women and they work at the mill til one night it burns to the ground. I am familiar with the location and have mills nearby that are still used, not as their original purpose.
They find out about a newspaper where men have asked for women to be their brides with just a bit about themselves. Over the next weeks they write to one another and she also gets a job tending to young children.
When Donald has written to her and sent money to visit with her in Ohio she heads there and there are men on the train that want to cause trouble as they travel by themselves.
Tomlin and his partner want her to plan to kidnap her at the next stop. This sounds SO scary for me as she's very naive. Like her background and hearing what she is looking forward to in Ohio with Donald.
A man, Tom steps in to rescue her and she's back on her way to Ohio to get married. Things seem to be going moving forward and she almost says no to getting married. Hate to hear how she's treated over time but things happen in 3s like her grandmother always told her.
Trouble, problems happen in 3's and til the third thing happens she didn't piece them all together. Twists and turns that I could not have imagined happening, whoa!
I had forgotten about Pinkerton' in this era!
action, adventure, travel, romance, mystery, money and so much more make up this exc read!
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
March 27, 2023
Surprises and danger
Isabella's story was different from any of the others. It was very sweet, and a little surprising, how she and Donald seemed to fall in love before they even met. After several encounters with danger and some shocking twists, Isabella does indeed find true love and happiness in Ohio.
Isabella's story was different from any of the others. It was very sweet, and a little surprising, how she and Donald seemed to fall in love before they even met. After several encounters with danger and some shocking twists, Isabella does indeed find true love and happiness in Ohio.
July 6, 2022
What a fun story! Historical romance is one of my favorite genres and this book fit right in! I do with the length had been a little longer as there wasn’t as much growth in character development and parts of the story felt rushed but it was a quick easy read perfect for summer vacation!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews