Out of Print--Limited Availability.
Select delivery location
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Julianne MacLean
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Mail Order Prairie Bride Paperback – April 15, 2016

by Julianne MacLean (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 2,363 ratings
See all formats and editions
Dodge City Brides: USA Today bestselling author Julianne MacLean delivers three breathtaking and passionate full-length novels featuring rugged, alpha-male heroes of the West, all sworn to protect the women they love… A loveless marriage of convenience on the Kansas prairie turns out to be far more than she bargained for… HE’S PART OF THE WEST Brigs Brigman has been burned once before, and the last thing he needs is a beautiful wife who will spend hours in front of the mirror, primping herself. He knows how hard the prairie can be on a woman, and all he wants is a stalwart bride who won’t complain about hauling water from the creek…. SHE’S A CITY GIRL WITH NO IDEA WHAT SHE’S IN FOR… All Sarah MacFarland wants is to escape her fearful life in Boston and start fresh with a new identity. Answering an advertisement for a mail order bride on an isolated Kansas farm seems like the perfect solution, until she meets her soon-to-be husband—a ruggedly handsome, strapping farmer who is inexplicably guarded…yet fiercely protective, and so incredibly virile, he leaves her breathless on their wedding night. But is it possible that two tormented souls can find happiness, when all they know is betrayal, and when trust is the only way out of a tumultuous past that simply won’t stay buried? The Compete Trilogy: MAIL ORDER PRAIRIE BRIDE – Dodge City Brides – Book 1 TEMPTING THE MARSHAL – Dodge City Brides – Book 2 TAKEN BY THE COWBOY – Dodge City Brides – Book 3 “You can always count on Julianne MacLean to deliver ravishing romance that will keep you turning pages until the wee hours of the morning.” —Teresa Medeiros “Julianne MacLean’s writing is smart, thrilling, and sizzles with sensuality.” —Elizabeth Hoyt “She is just an all-around wonderful writer, and I look forward to reading everything she writes.” —Romance Junkies
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    Dodge City Brides
  2. Print length
    322 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    April 15, 2016
  5. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.81 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1927675391
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1927675397
  8. See all details
Next page
All the Little Raindrops: A Novel
"All the Little Raindrops: A Novel" by Mia Sheridan for $10.39
The chilling story of the abduction of two teenagers, their escape, and the dark secrets that, years later, bring them back to the scene of the crime. | Learn more

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Julianne MacLean's writing is smart,thrilling, and sizzles with sensuality." --Elizabeth Hoyt
 
"She is just an all-around wonderfulwriter, and I look forward to reading everything she writes." --Romance Junkies
 
"MacLean's compelling writing turns thissimple, classic love story into a richly emotional romance, and by combiningengaging characters with a unique, vividly detailed setting, she has created anexceptional tale for readers who hunger for something a bit different in theirhistorical romances." -  BOOKLIST
 
"Vivid and perceptive, Julianne MacLean is a powerfulstoryteller."--bestselling author Pamela Morsi
 "...an exceptionallyuplifting romance guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of any reader!"--OldBook Barn Gazette

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Julianne MacLean Publishing Inc.; 1st edition (April 15, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 322 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1927675391
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1927675397
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.81 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 2,363 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Julianne MacLean

Julianne MacLean

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Julianne MacLean is a USA Today bestselling author of more than forty novels, including the contemporary women’s fiction Color of Heaven Series. Readers have described her books as "breathtaking," “soulful” and "uplifting." MacLean is a four-time RITA finalist and has won numerous awards. Her novels have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been published in over a dozen languages.

MacLean has a degree in English literature from the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a degree in business administration from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. She loves to travel and has lived in New Zealand, Canada, and England. MacLean currently resides on the east coast of Canada in a lakeside home with her husband and daughter. She invites readers to visit her website at JulianneMacLean.com for more information about her books and writing life, and to subscribe to her mailing list for all the latest news.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
2,363 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Jane Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars Mail Order Prairie Bride ~ Dodge City Brides Series ~ Book 1
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2016
Verified Purchase
Sarah MacFarland travels from Boston to the prairie of Kansas seeking a new life and a fresh start to find her dream of a loving husband and having a family. Arthur Briggs Brigman is in need of a wife and runs an advertisement for a wife to live with him on his homestead and become his helper, companion and to start a family. This sets up the situation that puts them together in Mail Order Prairie Bride.

Sarah comes with secrets that bring trouble to the young romance that is developing and Briggs has his secrets too that add to their difficulties finding happiness. The problem involves a complicated legal problem, a violent and dangerous ex, a locust storm and a brother that is willing to help solve all the problems when Sarah and Briggs finally begin to communicate and trust each other.

This is great historical romance with a strong man and woman braving starting a life together on the Western frontier of Kansas in a shod hut.
Helpful
 Report
Kate
4.0 out of 5 stars Good old-fashioned read
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is a classic-style romance novel, with full, rich characters and a very relationship-centric storyline. It’s nice to get cozy with a good old-fashioned romance novel like this. I’m enjoying the story and the historic American West setting.

The characters are good except one thing. Briggs is deeply insecure and possessive of Sarah, and although a little bit of that is ok, every time anything happens where he could doubt her intentions (despite her having repeatedly and consistently proven her commitment through her actions) he does. He goes right into insecure mode and it’s a bit of a turn off. Other than that, it’s a great story.
Helpful
 Report
Diana R
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice reading
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2016
Verified Purchase
I received this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for an honest review. I enjoy this reading this book about a mail order bride because it was kind of different from others. She was not a naive young woman looking for the partner to provide but she was looking to escape from her past. I won't spoil it read it. The guy was already biased in his opinion due to a past experience. They both have secrets. At certain pont I was like "what is wrong with that guy" and the answer was he is a guy from his time. I couldn't stop reading it. I reccomend it.
Helpful
 Report
Mainer
3.0 out of 5 stars Okay but...
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2022
Verified Purchase
Sarah is running away from a situation in Boston and decides a mail-order bride is the solution to her problems. Her new husband, Briggs, just wanted someone who would work on his farm and provide children to inherit the land. Sarah is much more than he expected and not exactly what he wanted.
Still, they're working things out until Sarah's past catches up with her.
I was enjoying the story up until this part, but then it just made Sarah seem too silly. I finished the story (it's an easy read) but I lost some of my enthusiasm.
Helpful
 Report
Bonnie K
4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Glimpse of Early Farm Life
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is the first book in the Dodge City Series, actually the author’s first book. It’s well written with complex characters and a good storyline. It moves a bit slowly in my opinion. The main characters are frustrating, especially the man. He’s distrustful and often downright rude. The female has been deceptive and afraid to tell anyone the truth. It’s a complicated story with a happy ending.
The Audible narrator does a very nice job reading the audio version.
Helpful
 Report
CranberryLyme
5.0 out of 5 stars A good not-so clean bride story
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2020
Verified Purchase
I liked the plot, it was unique. Both of the main characters were complex. Both were hiding secrets about their past, making the relationship waver between icy cold to steamy. When all the cards are on the table, can their marriage survive? Ultimately, there are two possible outcomes, cling together and cherish the good things, or desert each other. Is all the trouble stronger than their feelings? Read to uncover!
Helpful
 Report
Susan1
5.0 out of 5 stars "Necessity and Survival Come First"
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2016
Verified Purchase
Life was incredibly difficult on the prairies of Kansas in 1875. The author, Julianne MacLean, takes us back to a time of "starter houses" being made of mud and underground. The houses are called "dugouts" with the roof a mere bump in the treeless prairie. Arthur "Briggs" Brigman is one of the farmers with a dugout. When one romance didn't work out leaving him bitter and hurting, he decides he needs a mail order bride to help him on the farm and with the cooking and cleaning, of course. He doesn't want her to be attractive because he never wants to fall in love again. When he sees his bride is gorgeous, he almost changes his mind about the wedding.

Briggs is not very nice to his new bride; and Sarah starts the relationship by lying to Briggs often. She is determined to be a good wife and helper, and just prays he never finds out about her past. Lots of twists to this story. It appears like they will never learn to trust and love each other.

The traumas and difficulties of living on the plains of Kansas are well described; also, the emotions of Sarah and Briggs are so overwhelming to them both, we get a strong understanding of their lives.
9 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Red
5.0 out of 5 stars A sod house for a setting
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2020
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed this story not only because I liked the characters, but because there was a slight edge of gritiness and truth to it. The main male character had a few faults and lived in a sod dwelling, dark and damp, worked hard and expected nothing less from Sarah. His softer side does shine through though now and then during the story as he sees how she strives to help, but he is not the 'capable hero' you see in other western romances which was a good change.
The main theme running through the book is lack of trust. Sarah has secrets ( obviously) or there would be no story. But by but they come out and each time they do Arthur's trust dips and sways.
Report
bc
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on October 23, 2016
Verified Purchase
Good story and well written. Cudos to Julianne MacLean for another winner!
Report
Tazzii
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting.
Reviewed in Australia on October 21, 2016
Verified Purchase
A very enjoyable read! easy to follow and strong characters. I was debating between 4 or 5 stars and ended up deciding on 5 because this is a mail order bride book is different to others I have read. If you like romance, a little mystery, betrayal and trust I would recommend this book.
I submit reviews based on the story not editing or spelling just if I liked the story or not.
Report
Cathy
4.0 out of 5 stars Mail order Prairie Bride
Reviewed in Canada on January 31, 2020
Verified Purchase
An okay read. Read this story before. Story came back to me while I was reading. For a second reading, it was okay.
Report
Miss Annalyce Okeefe
4.0 out of 5 stars A sweet and well paced romance
Reviewed in Australia on December 31, 2021
Verified Purchase
This story was easy to read and very satisfying. The unique antagonist was refreshing.
It could have been fleshed out more into a longer story but I’m not at all disappointed with what was presented.
Report