I’ve read numerous mail order bride stories over the years and often tried to put myself in their places. Deciding to become a one had to be one of the most difficult decisions for a woman of any age to make. Think about it. Even if the lady was in dire straits, had her life threatened, had no other recourse, come hell or high water, it undoubtedly had to be an act of sheer desperation.
I mean, really, if a woman simply needed or wanted a change from her current living arrangement, longed to start a family, detested the town, whatever, why wouldn’t she simply go down the road? Why in heaven’s name would she venture across the vast, treacherous country, exposing herself to probable unknown perils along the way or once there, and better yet, who she would be meeting to spend the rest of her life in what, marital bliss? Most hailed from eastern or southern states and answered the ad from a man anywhere throughout the entire west.
Okay, so you think she possibly lacked money to simply toddle to the next town, or maybe lacked any skill to support herself once there? Or, maybe there weren’t any men to her liking anywhere in sight for her wheedle herself into any of their hearts for matrimony? Endless possibilities that we could discuss forever.
So let’s take a gander at exactly what type of woman fled the scene, and actually took off for an area totally foreign to her, knowing not what awaited her as far as a roof over her head, or the man who would change her life forever.
Three words come to mind. Determined, tenacious, and courageous. Ah, yes there’s so many more we could 
discuss that would portray that woman who ventured out of her realm and pioneered to the unknown, but we’d be here until the end of 2016. So I’ve chosen three that shout that person of the female gender thought to be submissive and inferior to the male species was no thin-skinned, whimpering, milksop.
Determined to leave everyone and everything she’d known behind, determined to withstand inevitable perils she’d face during the long, difficult journey and at her destination, determined to change her ways and start a new life, that was the woman who fled to the Wild West hoping and praying for a new and better life.
Tenacious as a bulldog, once she arrived she persevered, being relentless in her strive to make her role as wife, mother and partner in each walk of life. She’d perform farm chores, work the soil, tend the home, cook and manage the household as she reared her children and stood by her man, yet managed to do community service and lent a hand to needing neighbors.
Courageous doesn’t begin to describe her driving force to withstand the hardships of undeveloped lands, battling the unforgiving rough weather, or enduring the lack of items she took for granted in her previous life.
Yes, the mail order bride though she might lacked the height or muscle to equal a man, stood tall, persevered through thick and thin, remained resolute to do her best and make a good living for all. She had guts, grit and pluck to make her the pioneer woman who set the stage for those who followed.
So please come along with me to meet Morgan in my blurb of A LOVE SO STRONG. Lacking any domestic skills, her antics are sure to give you a good chuckle or two, hopefully more. And boy if she isn’t determined, tenacious and courageous.
A LOVE SO STRONG
Searching for true happiness, as well as escape from a controlling family, Morgan Prescott answers a Brides Wanted ad, and leaves New York City’s High society life for the wilds of Washington Territory. Her spirit and intelligence carries her through the rude awakening—streets of ankle deep mud, life in a one-room cabin, the hazards of cooking—but they lend no help when she loses her heart to the one man she can’t have.
Private investigator Luke Kincaid, a major stockholder in the Union Pacific Railroad, goes undercover as a logging camp foreman to apprehend the saboteurs of the railroad. All he needs is a mock wife to strengthen his act, but once he agrees to Morgan filling the role, he finds himself longing for much more—a love he’s forbidden to accept or give.
Filled with humor, suspense, a heartwarming, poignant sisterly bond with the other woman, and a love between Luke and Morgan that cannot be denied. Written in memory of one special lady and to raise awareness of ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
I hope you’ll take a moment and leave a comment so we can chat. And I’ll be giving away either an ebook (free coupon through Smashword), or a print book of A LOVE SO STRONG including a post-it booklet with my logo to a randomly drawn winner.
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Meet Beverly Wells
For many years, Beverly Wells devoted her life to family and the medical world. As a nurse in homecare and clinics, she also served on the medical reserve corps, a part of Homeland Security, so her reading focused on medical books and journals. That’s until she finally discovered romance novels. Once hooked, she took the plunge and wrote one. Now as an award winning author you’ll find her hammering away another humorous, sensuous (from sweet to spicy) historical romance while incorporating a lesson learned or maybe raising awareness of an important issue. Living in the Finger Lakes Region of NYS with her husband and rescued dog, Jamie, she enjoys volunteering at the local shelter—she loves all animals yet dogs hold a special place in her heart—anything Nascar, flower gardening so she can get her hands good and dirty and cooking for gathered friends and family. She adores her two granddaughters to no end. And of course chocolate—that’s a given.
For more information regarding Bev, visit her at the following links or gmail her at beverlywellsauthor@gmail.com. She’d love to hear from you.
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Author Page: Prairie Rose Publications
They were definitely some brave women to go some place they have never been and to marry a man they don’t know.
Janine, Thanks so much for comment. And yes they were brave and all the other traits I mentioned combined. What a time back in our history. Our foresisters were some kind of women. Warmest wishes.
I have often thought about the mail order bride. It had to be a tough decision. I admire them as they knew not what they were getting.
DebraG, yes it sure had be a well thought out but very tough decision indeed. I can’t imagine, but days gone by were much different today and sometimes staying at home just wasn’t worth stayin’ around. So maybe some women found it easier than what we can imagine. Thanks so much joining me today and I hope you have a wonderful day.
I love mail order bride stories but I wouldn’t want to be one. I’d love to win a copy of this book.
Cathy, Oh, I just love mail order bride stories too–of course I do. The drawing for the book is done randomly and not by me, but I’m wihing you much good luck in the drawing. I think if I faced those dire straights, I’d think twice, long and hard, then go for it. Morgan too, thought about it, but then decided she had no choice but to go and intended to do all she could to make things work. Little did she know how very hopeless the situation could really be, or was it? Thank you so much stopping in to say hi, I’m again wishing you good luck in the drawing and in all you do. Always, Bev
what a interesting post,,i traveling 1200 miles to be with my husband,,from TN to VT.at least i did have the option of flying back if i didnt like it,,im still not crazy about it but i love him,,so here we are,,i do have the luxury of being able to come back and forth,,because now there are grandkids in both places,,but i was born and raised in the south,was in a 30yr abusive marriage and when my kids were both grown and graduated it was time for me to fly away,,but i had to leave town or he would have killed me ,,no doubt,,couldnt have lived in the small southern town with my new husband,,believe me it was hard and like being in a foregin country,,the food,the speech,,the cold and snow,,i cant even imagine being in a place so far away from family and friends and not being able to call,text,or travel back,,glad we live in todays society,,although we are too techy
Vickie, My heart goes out you for all the abuse and all that goes with it that you suffered. I praise you for sticking it out as long as you did until after your children graduated, and commend you on your stealth strength to finally remove yourself from such a nasty situation. You would’ve been awesome back in the days gone by. You fit the description and then more. Congratulations on being a woman we can all admire. By golly, if I don’t have tears in my eyes (heartfelt but happy tears for you too) on this one. I’m so very proud of you. I more than appreciate you stopping by and sharing your personal, moving story. Wishing you much happiness, love and good health always. Bev
Brave and probably desperate. I think it’s probably impossible to put ourselves in their shoes (although I love reading about it). Women had very few options back then and their mindset was so much different than ours. We’re getting closer to that equality that truly would let us be our own person.
catslady, You are so very right. Women had so many restrictions, and limitations. I’m afraid I’d have been out of control if men ordered me around and tried to tie my feathers down. Nope, don’t even go there. It’s so different in today’s world, and women have come so far. Thank goodness. I live in an area (close to Seneca Falls, NY) where women’s sufferage stood strong and made their voices heard. It’s very interesting and so much fun to visit the museums and learn more about the women who made our women’s rights what they are today. Thank you so much for stopping and commenting to share your wonderful thoughts. Have a great day and wishing you the best. Bev
In addition to your three key words for a mail order bride, do you think she would have had to been some sort of survivor by nature, too? Even if she was a timid sort on the surface?
I’ve been reading western romances for only a couple of years (where was I?), but the mail order bride theme is my favorite, hands down. I love that you said you added humor, too, which I also relish in a story.
I’ve read a lot of history about the settling of the country because I love history, and I also traced my family who moved all across the South. I love to travel myself and have often done so on my own, so I think I may have inherited a family gene. (smile) I do know it very likely accounts for my obsession with western romances now–and a wonder for what it took to move across the unknown part of the country at that time, leaving all known behind.
Thank you for telling us about your book and for the chance to win a copy.
Linda, thanks so much for joining me today and making great comments. You must have that family gene. If you venture across our land by yourself, then you would have been perfect back then. I hope you’re lucky enough to the copy of A LOVE SO STRONG. And yes, westerns are delightful and certainly take us to a time of romance and wonder and just so much fun. Oh, yes I always put humor in my stories. It’s good for the soul, ya know? And Morgan has more calamaties than she can handle. And she learns to laugh at herself too. Thanks so much for stopping by. Wishing you the best.
I am not sure if I would have been as brave as all of those women… all of the unknowns…
Colleen. we’ll never know but it sure gives us food for thought and how well we do in today’s world and why. Thanks so much for stopping to say hi. Wishing you the best. Bev
Bev, you know how much I loved this book of yours! A fantastic story–kept me turning the pages one after the other. And I just love Morgan and her “pluck”–she’s a wonderful character, and so is Luke.
I love mail-order bride stories, too, and wonder at what kind of circumstances would force a woman to leave behind all she knew and head off into the “unknown”–especially with the societal constrictions of that day and time.
I always enjoy your books and short stories–you make these characters come to life!
Cheryl
Cheryl, thank you so very much for stopping and taking the time to comment. You are always here and there for me and I more than appreciate all you do. I love mail order brides so much, I’ll most likely have to do another, or two, or…Who knows? And don’t forget, you are the one who makes me and all the other authors @ PRP perfect our work until it sings right on pitch. I couldn’t do it without your encouragement and support and expertise. Thank you.
Just finished a book about a mail order bride fiction of course.
Kim, I hope you enjoyed whatever mail order bride book it was. I just love those stories and enjoy seeing what went wrong along the way and how they solved it. Thanks so much for stopping by and comment. Wishing you well.
Hey, Bev, can’t wait to read your new book! I’ve been a fan since your first novel was published. Mail order brides are certainly a compelling theme…
Thanks so much Ellen for stopping by and I appreciate your praise. I hope you enjoyed the blog. Wishing you much success with all your stories. Love ya,Bev
I love finding new authors I haven’t read from yet! Your books sounds wonderful! I’m so intrigued by mail order brides. Life was so hard for most women then. I can’t imagine the scary feeling one of those ladies would be feeling upon waiting to see their new husband when they got off a stage coach or train. And what of those women who had kiddos? That must have been even harder! Thanks for a chance to enter in your drawing.
Cori, I’m delighted you stopped by and enjoyed the blog. I wish you much luck in winning the giveaway. I’d love for you to read A LOVE SO STRONG. I had so much fun writing it. Morgan ventures across the country to find happiness and it all seems so hopeless and she is so inept at domestic anything, that it makes for a fun time. And of course, we can’t have a romance with an unhappy ending, so I guess you’ll have to read and find out how all of turned out. Wishing you much happy reading. Bev
Hi Beverly (which auto/correct first had as “Be early”!!!!!!) … Congrats on the release! I’ve got it and can’t wait! I love MoB stories… And writing them insures a happy ending! I’ve read (and used it for one of my MoB’s reasons), was the shortage of men after the Civil War. Hugs… Wishing you much success. xo
Hi Tanya, Golly it was so nice of you to stop by and say hi. I too love MoB stories, I relish them in fact. What a great idea about post Civeil War. Never thought about that one. Hope you enjoy A LOVE SO STRONG and have a few laughs, maybe a little cry and all the fun stuff in between. Thanks again for stopping by.Wishing you much success also. I love all your stories, so keep them comin’. Always, Bev
Loved your post, Bev! I can see myself answering an ad for a bride if I were really Really REALLY mad about everyone and everything having to do with my home town. And then, having burned all my bridges, I’d need to turn that feisty spirit into courage, determination, and tenacity . . . or learn some very hard lessons. I agree, there is no end to possible stories for mail order brides! Love your cover, too 🙂
I enjoy reading about mail order brides. However, I think they would have had to have a lot of courage, determination, be adventurous, and a whole lot of other traits. I do not know whether I would have had what it took to be a mail order bride.
Thank you for the great post.
Mary, thank so much for joining me. I think we’d all need much courage to be back then and be a mail order bride. Wishing you the best. Best.
I really enjoy mail order bride stories, but it is something that I don’t think I could have done. I guess it would depend on what was really going on though. I love the cover of your book and would love to read it.
Katie thanks so much for coming to say hi. Will see you tonight at the book signing. Love ya. Bev
Quilt Lady, I so appreciate your visit and comments. I”m glad you like mail order brides, and hope you get to read about Morgan. Always, Bev
Bev, you certainly provided some food for thought in this post. I was never a big fan of mail-order-bride stories…until I wrote one and came face-to-face with everything that must have gone through those women’s minds and hearts. What if a woman reached her destination and didn’t like the bridegroom or he was abusive or wasn’t who/what he said he was? Lord knows that happens today with online dating services, but back then the woman would not have been able to simply turn around and go home.
I commend you on A Love So Strong. It’s a beautiful love story with plenty of action and adventure. I wish you all the success in the world with it. 🙂
Kathleen, I was using my ipad at a book signing to follow up on comments and replied to your welcomed comments–please see my first reply down below the next two comments. Go figure. But I apologize, don’t know how that went down there. So to add to that reply– Thank you for all you do in helping me and the other fairly new authors when ever need assistance. You are more than appreciated, believe me. Always Bev
I think back then, some of the women were seeking an adventure, maybe freedom from family or cultural restrictions. A woman as an adventuress isn’t as common an image but they were there and some led some pretty unusual lives when you read their memoirs.
Seeking a mate from someone who lives a long way away happens today with internet dating sites, Facebook, and used to happen in chatrooms. They do have more information than writing letters and maybe a black and white photograph– if what they are shown is the real person. I’ve met more than a few men and women who took that risk, some from foreign countries. A few got a rude awakening when the person was nothing like what they expected.
Rain, Thank you so much for joining me here today and your welcomed and intersting comments. You’re so very right in that even in today’s world and close network and with pictures, we may have a rude surprise when we meet others. Wishing you much success in all you do and much happiness. Always, Bev
I love this. I’ve often thought of the reasons they would have chosen such a head life in the west. Thank you, Bev
Cindy, you are very welcome and I appreciate you stopping by to say hello. So glad you enjoyed your visit. Wishing you the best always. Bev
Kathleen, thank you for stopping by to say hi. I just love all the upheaval, questions and all that goes with it re: mail order brides. Love it. Thank you so much also for the compliment and glad you liked A LOVE SO STRONG. Love ya, Bev
Mail Order Bride stories are always good ones. Thank you!
Melaine, I have to agree with you. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever read a mail order bride story I didn’t like. So thanks for reminding me. And thanks so much for coming to share this exciting and fun day with me. Wishing you the best in all you do. Always, Bev
I really enjoy reading Mail Order Bride stories. They were everything you said. They actually inspire me. And encourage. They take you to places in your own heart. They were truly amazing women!!!
Daisy, Oh are you a woman after my own heart. I just said this recently and I’ll say it again. I look forward to writing another mail order bride story, if not more. There’s just so much at stake. All the unknowns and maybe unwelcomed surprises, secrets or duplicities, adventures and of course the confrontations, but hopefully humor while the conflicts smack the couple in the face with that they must resolve. Otherwise we wouldn’t have a happy ending. Oh what fun. And yes, those women were towers of power and strength, maybe not physically, but definitley mentally. I love the fact that these kinds of stories inspire and encourage you. Fantastic! I hope if you read A LOVE SO STRONG, you’ll sit back and say the same at the end. Morgan takes us on one heck of journey with all sorts of hills and valleys, trials and delights, while my biggest hope is that you, the reader, will walka away with your heart deeply touched and a big grin on your face. Thanks so much for stopping by and saying hi. Wishing you the best always and keep reading–it’s good for the soul. Bev
Welcome, Beverly. I like your take on mail-order brides. I love stories about them and wonder if I would ever be able to do it. I hope A LOVE SO STRONG is a big success. I am curious about the ALS connection.
We have a bit in common. I grew up a bit north and east of you in the Adirondacks on Lake Champlain. We drove through the Finger Lakes Region last summer, but unfortunately didn’t have time to stop. We will be taking a trip back in the not too distant future. We got involved with the Medical Reserve Corps several years ago. It is an extension of my Red Cross involvement. I am not a medical person, so would be helping in other areas. We have our rescue dogs and gardens. I am not a NASCAR fan, but we now live 35 miles south of Bristol Motor Speedway. You should come down to visit the area. It is similar in many ways to Northern NY. You might enjoy the National Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, TN.
Patricia B, WOW, we do have quite a bit in common. I love living in NYS because of the seasons, spring and fall being my favorite, oh heck I love all the seasons here. And where you rew up is a beautiful area indeed. But the west calls to me all the time, yet haven’t spent much time there–I must do better in the future. I also enjoy visiting the southern states as well. I thrive when I go elsewhere and eat up the scenery as well as all the history. And Nascar, well the season is just going to start shortly and we’re ready. We’ve not ever visited Bristol–came close 2 or 3 times, but the dates or timing just wasn’t right, but we still intent to vist the track there one day. It’s so rewarding to have a rescued dog, they are so loving(I always put a ‘d’ on the rescue as my friends and a nephew have dogs who rescue people and they refer to them as rescue/service dogs.) I get confused with that one. Anyway, I can’t wait to start digging in my flower gardens again, it’s in my blood. I must have been a farmer back when. As far as the Medical Reserve Corps, thank you for being part of it. No m,atter in what aspect volunteers serve, everyone counts who gives their time and effort. It’s a wonderful and extremely needed organization. I am glad I served for so many years, (was one of the first to administer smallpox vaccs.,etc. after 911), but just recently had to back down from trampsing all over and lugging medical supplies, etc. I’m going to let the younger ones do their duty and concentrate on writing more stories. The bones aren’t what they used to be. Thank you so much for saying hi and I thoroughly enjoyed sharing our likenesses. With warmest wishes. Bev
Oh I can’t wait to see how that all works out. Such a different approach to a mail-order bride and I so love to read about strong women and interesting men. I bet as a nurse you’ve seen many sides of men and women to use in your stories. Thanks for visiting!
Whitney, I’m so pleased you’re looking forward to reading Morgan’s story. It’s one I wrote straight from my heart. Hopefylly you’ll be delighted throughout her wild journey with humorous inadequacies, obstacles, ups and downs, secrets, hopelessness, and suspense. Covering a heavy subject like ALS, I tried to not only make it as humorous as possible with Morgan’s antics, but show a bond between her and the other woman that could be no stronger than had they been loving sisters. If it touches your heart, while making you smile at the end, I’ve done my job and that will just tickle me to no end. Thank you so much for stopping and wishing you happy reading and much happiness. Always, Bev
Hi Beverly…..Thanks for coming to hang out with weekend! I’m sorry I didn’t make it over here yesterday. Buried in copy edits that have to be done by Monday. Congratulations on A LOVE SO STRONG! Great, great cover that draws you in. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again. I would not have had the guts to be a mail order bride. That took real courage. But I guess it’s the staying put instead of the going forward that would’ve been the true test. Which is the greater risk.
Wishing you much success, dear friend!
Linda, No apology necessary when you have copy edits due in a day or two. Nope, that comes first, and I’m delighted you took the time to stop in and say hi. I usually run way later getting to some of the others’ sites, but hopefully I finally get there. Thank you so very much for taking that time, it means more than you can imagine. And yes, Livia out did herself with the cover as she she always does. Loons play a big part in this story and the two loons she put on the water made my day. Recently received my print copies for some book signings and lo and behold Livia has two loons among twigs on the back cover She’s amazing. You’re right about venturing out as a mail order bride. I think it would’ve depended on bad your situation was and if there appeared no recourse, maybe more of us would have taken the leap. We’ll never know. Again, thank you so much for stoping by. Wishing you continued success in your writing(fantastic by the way, and in all you do. With warmest wishes, Bev
What a great post. Traveling to the unknown in any circumstances seems frightening, but not surprising that there were women who had the same desire for adventure or to leave current circumstances or just wanted a change and a new life. I often think I couldn’t have made it in a wagon train with my family, much less all alone as a mail order bride. How strong and brave.
Sounds like a great story, and what a pretty cover. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sally, I’m so glad you liked my post. I had so much fun writing it. It appears all who have read it, have sat back to realize exactly how strong-willed and brave our fore sisters were. I wish more women of today would think twice before throwing in the towel on something way less drastic and realize how very lucky today have an easier life. Maybe it doesn’t appear that way to some, but I’ve always believed if disaster or a major problem of any kind strikes, you need to think things through, regroup, redo, whatever and forge ahead, because giving up easily isn’t the answer. Sometimes that’s easier said than done, but you have at least give it all you got. My mom’s name was Sarah but she went by Sally–nice name. Thank you so much for stopping by. I enjoyed your comments. Good luck in the giveaway. Wishing you the best,Bev
Sounds like a great book. Wonderful blog post.
susanlulu@yahoo.com
Susan, I’m so glad you enjoyed the blog, it was fun to write. As far as the story, I wrote it from deep down in my heart as I based the ‘other woman’ on one of my many ALS homecare patients. If you read the book, you’ll see I dedicated this book to Claudia. Not only were mail order brides tough and brave, strong-willed and determined, most of the ALS patients I had the pleasure to care for, along with their family members had the mental strength to hold up the world. Over the years they held me awe and I knew when I started writing, I’d show two brave women in this story. And I’m so happy I did. Thanks so much for saying hi. And if you read A LOVE SO STRONG I hope it touches your heart as well.Always,Bev
Another reason they became mail order brides was because they were DESPERATE either to escape their poverty conditions, running from a dangerous situation, or desperate for someone to love them.
I like reading these kinds of stories.
Joye, first of all let me say I love your name. I have a cousin Joy, but I’d never seen it spelled Joye. Very nice. I might have to use that in a book. Would you mind? Anyway, you are absolutely right. When I wrote that first paragraph I said no matter the reason, she would have had to be in sheer desperation. At that point, I believe she most likely had exhausted all her alternatives and finally decided, yep, gotta get away. And the best recourse would’ve been a mail order bride. By golly, just think if so many hadn’t taken that step, we authors and readers wouldn’t be able to enjoy their perdicaments today. Now that wouldn’t any fun at all. Thank you so much for stopping by to read my blog and comment. With warmest wishes, Bev
A love so strong sounds great ? I love mail order brides books and westerns. Thank you
Linda, So pleased you stopped by for my blog and thanks for the compliment. I so enjoyed writing this story. I believe mail order brides go back to the damsel in distress, yet the mail order bride didn’t wait to be saved, she stood tall, proud and did what she had to do. I love it. If you read A LOVE SO STRONG I hope you feel the various emotions I tried to convey to my readers. Wishing you the best. Bev
Why, I’ve never really considered the WHY’s of a mail order bride but you brought out some interesting points! Gumption would be another good one.
Bev, I remember seeing a film “Heartland” from the late 1970’s with Rip Torn and Conchita Ferrell about a widow who travels to Wyoming to be a housekeeper. That story has stayed with me after all these years. It typifies the spirit of women who left it all to start over. The reasons women chose to come west varies and you described the type who would give it a try excellently. I know you will continue to do well with and other stories. Doris McCraw