This story takes place in the incredibly difficult days and years immediately after the Civil War. Braxton Hale, ex-rebel soldier, and all-around con man finds a way to get his money back (from a welched debt) by marrying the niece of the man who welched on the debt. Skylla St. Clair, her beautiful stepmother Claudine, and Skylla's sister, Kathy Ann have all suffered during the war and are hoping to survive with the farm her uncle has left her (Skylla).
Skylla agrees that Claudine can marry Braxton, but didn't count on falling in love with him. Brax, for his part, wants nothing to do with the beautiful (and very self-serving), Claudine. Even though Skylla was injured in the war, Brax wants her. Skylla was sure no one would want a woman with a gimpy leg. This leads to unrest between the very closely allied women.
There is a constant wave of new and old problems for these people to face. There are Indians, carpetbaggers, and Union soldiers that move into Texas to deal with Reconstruction. It is an interesting story of how people can create a family, even in the most adverse of times, with little to work with.
Skylla agrees that Claudine can marry Braxton, but didn't count on falling in love with him. Brax, for his part, wants nothing to do with the beautiful (and very self-serving), Claudine. Even though Skylla was injured in the war, Brax wants her. Skylla was sure no one would want a woman with a gimpy leg. This leads to unrest between the very closely allied women.
There is a constant wave of new and old problems for these people to face. There are Indians, carpetbaggers, and Union soldiers that move into Texas to deal with Reconstruction. It is an interesting story of how people can create a family, even in the most adverse of times, with little to work with.
Lynda P. (putberg) reviewed Mail-Order Man (Zebra Lovegram Historical Romance) on + 27 more book reviews
Couldn't make it through this book--it just seemed to drag on and on. I didn't like either of the main characters. I am a big fan of historical western romances, but this one is not a keeper.
Set in post civil war Texas, the heroine tries to be true to family ties, the mail order groom just wants a way to get to California, and they have a lot of problems with the Indians who later turn out be good in-laws.
