Helpful Score: 1
This is a passionate love story of family and friends. The characters are a wonderful blend of personalities that can make you cry and make you laugh. It is an enjoyable, sweet, comfortable read.
I am not a big reader but I found it almost impossible to put down. I just finished the book and I am ordering the rest of the series. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I am not a big reader but I found it almost impossible to put down. I just finished the book and I am ordering the rest of the series. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
For The Roses by Julie Garwood
ISBN: 0-671-87098-X
561 pages
Pocket Books Fiction
Four young boys, members in a street gang, while hiding out in an ally, watch on as someone throws what turns out to be a baby into a dumpster. After rescuing the baby and deciding to turn their lives around they move out west to Blue Belle Montana to get away from their pasts. They raise the baby, who they name Mary Rose, as their sister and with their new identity they in turn become brothers.
Nineteen years later the trouble begins when someone spots the now grown up Mary Rose; who incidentally looks exactly like someone who's child was stolen years ago at the age of 4 months. A lawyer who owes a debt to the father continues the search for the missing child. He shows up in Blue Belle without letting on who he is and is taken in under Mary Rose's care and given a job at their ranch.
Mary Rose has never met a man that has affected her this way. He is stubborn, stands up to her brother Cole who is known as the fastest gunfighter in town, is compassionate, and has a great sense of humor. Even if he does have "spells" every now and then. Little by little she is falling more and more in love with him and he is already in love with her. This poses a problem since he knows she is really Lady Victoria and that he would never be good enough for her.
Finally he tells her brothers his true identity and prepares to leave to tell his employer he has found his long lost daughter. It will be up to them to tell her. At the same time he makes his intentions clear that he is in love with their sister and his intentions are to make her his.
ISBN: 0-671-87098-X
561 pages
Pocket Books Fiction
Four young boys, members in a street gang, while hiding out in an ally, watch on as someone throws what turns out to be a baby into a dumpster. After rescuing the baby and deciding to turn their lives around they move out west to Blue Belle Montana to get away from their pasts. They raise the baby, who they name Mary Rose, as their sister and with their new identity they in turn become brothers.
Nineteen years later the trouble begins when someone spots the now grown up Mary Rose; who incidentally looks exactly like someone who's child was stolen years ago at the age of 4 months. A lawyer who owes a debt to the father continues the search for the missing child. He shows up in Blue Belle without letting on who he is and is taken in under Mary Rose's care and given a job at their ranch.
Mary Rose has never met a man that has affected her this way. He is stubborn, stands up to her brother Cole who is known as the fastest gunfighter in town, is compassionate, and has a great sense of humor. Even if he does have "spells" every now and then. Little by little she is falling more and more in love with him and he is already in love with her. This poses a problem since he knows she is really Lady Victoria and that he would never be good enough for her.
Finally he tells her brothers his true identity and prepares to leave to tell his employer he has found his long lost daughter. It will be up to them to tell her. At the same time he makes his intentions clear that he is in love with their sister and his intentions are to make her his.
Cheryl (Toni) J. (toni) reviewed For the Roses (Claybornes' Brides, Bk 1) on + 351 more book reviews
This book has many great features, one being the letters to Mama Rose at the end of each chapter that give incites into the Clayborne family through the years.
Mary Ann S. (masay2art) -
The beginning of the Clayborne family novels. Very touching, humorous and fun to read.
Interesting quick read!
Harrison Stanford MacDonald arrives in Montana to investigate whether a young woman, known as Mary Rose Clayborne, is his employer's long lost daughter, Lady Victoria.
Four urchins (one an escaped slave) found the infant Mary Rose in a New York City trash heap, and decided to create their own family. Realizing the risks of living in states, the unusual family moves to the Montana Territory where Mary Rose's "brothers" build a home filled with love for her and for Mama Rose, a southern slave who plans to join her "children" when she can.
Mary Rose knows nothing of Harrison's ulterior motives when she offers him a place to stay. Her over- protective brothers would love to place a wall between their sister and the stranger, but the powerful attraction between Mary Rose and Harrison makes that impossible.
There will be moments when you will laugh, others when you'll cry, and still more when the sheer warmth and love captured in this story will enfold you in its powerful embrace.
Four urchins (one an escaped slave) found the infant Mary Rose in a New York City trash heap, and decided to create their own family. Realizing the risks of living in states, the unusual family moves to the Montana Territory where Mary Rose's "brothers" build a home filled with love for her and for Mama Rose, a southern slave who plans to join her "children" when she can.
Mary Rose knows nothing of Harrison's ulterior motives when she offers him a place to stay. Her over- protective brothers would love to place a wall between their sister and the stranger, but the powerful attraction between Mary Rose and Harrison makes that impossible.
There will be moments when you will laugh, others when you'll cry, and still more when the sheer warmth and love captured in this story will enfold you in its powerful embrace.
An unlikely band of "brothers" from a New York City alley find a baby girl and take it upon themselves to protect and raise her. This act becomes their salvation and pass to a new life in the west. After baby Mary Rose is grown, an attractive stranger rides into town and becomes an ingrained part of their lives. Will his presence cause huge changes in thier situation together as a "family"?
Good read.
Good read.
I so enjoyed this family. The brothers had me cracking up laughing because they reminded me of my older brothers. The romance flowed well and was believable. I read this in one sitting. Enjoy!
Great story about the ingenuity, strength and loyalty of children, and romance in the old west. A New York TIMES bestseller!
Sarah W. (loveagoodromance) reviewed For the Roses (Claybornes' Brides, Bk 1) on + 20 more book reviews
This series has to be one of my all time favorites. What a wondeful story of strength, and the courage to love. This family will become part of your own.
This is a good one...Love Julie G. any anything historical she writes. She just has a knack for it
Joan W. (justreadingabook) reviewed For the Roses (Claybornes' Brides, Bk 1) on + 1728 more book reviews
I loved this book, the characters are so real and you wish the story to go on and on. If you like JG this is another wonderful book. A really good read.
Compelling story exploring what truly makes people family, a sweeping romance and thrilling mystery. Another great Julie Garwood novel.
GOOD READ
The Clayborne brothers had once been a mismatched gang of street urchins--until they found an abandoned baby girl in a New York City ally, named her Mary Rose, and headed west to raise her to be a lady.
Kathy L. (2pooped2party) reviewed For the Roses (Claybornes' Brides, Bk 1) on + 27 more book reviews
Book one in a wonderful series!
This is one of my all time favorite romances. It concerns a group of brothers who adopt a little girl in the early days of the American west. The first in a wonderful series.
Missy P. (RiversideDreamer) reviewed For the Roses (Claybornes' Brides, Bk 1) on + 33 more book reviews
This is my favorite romance novel, from my favorite romance author!!!!
Can't recommend it highly enough!!!
Can't recommend it highly enough!!!
It is 1860, and four homeless boys from New York find an abandoned baby girl in the trash. The children form a family and travel out to the frontier of Montana, where they make a living in livestock. Years later, a lawyer turns up looking for the kidnapped daughter of a wealthy lord.
" In Blue Belle, Montana, everyone knew better than to mess with the Claybornes. The brothers had once been a mismatched gang of street urchins. until they found an abandoned baby girl in a New York City alley, named her Mary Rose, and headed west to raise her to be a lady. "
" In Blue Belle, Montana, everyone knew better than to mess with the Claybornes. The brothers had once been a mismatched gang of street urchins. until they found an abandoned baby girl in a New York City alley, named her Mary Rose, and headed west to raise her to be a lady. "
Another great book by this author. Funny and sweet... a book not to be missed.
Robin M. (robinmy) -
Four orphan boys are surviving on the streets of New York City when they find a baby in the trash. Vowing to raise the baby and become a family, the boys travel west. Now Mary Rose Claybourne has grown up, finished school, and come back to her family. But when she meets the new man in town, Harrison MacDonald, and decides to invite him home for supper, she may get more than she bargained for. Mary Rose believes Harrison will never survive in the west. But Harrison is in Montana on a mission, searching for an heiress who was kidnapped as a baby 19 years ago.
Why did I wait so long to read this book? I absolutely adored Mary Rose, Harrison, and each of the four Claybourne brothers. Julie Garwood writes wonderful characters that jump off of the page. I loved how the family loved and supported each other while keeping strangers at arms length. The humor in this book is top notch. And, the letters to Mama Rose were a great way to see how the family survived the early years when the teenage boys were raising a baby. My rating: 5 Stars.
Why did I wait so long to read this book? I absolutely adored Mary Rose, Harrison, and each of the four Claybourne brothers. Julie Garwood writes wonderful characters that jump off of the page. I loved how the family loved and supported each other while keeping strangers at arms length. The humor in this book is top notch. And, the letters to Mama Rose were a great way to see how the family survived the early years when the teenage boys were raising a baby. My rating: 5 Stars.
This is a very sweet story.
Excellent book about Mary Rose in the Claybornes family.
Great read!
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
Excellent story, great series, Garwood is always good, and very enjoyable. Loved this series.
I really enjoyed reading this book.
I loved this book. Julie Garwood is one of my favorite authors.
great read!
Jackie S. (MistyBlue913) reviewed For the Roses (Claybornes' Brides, Bk 1) on + 149 more book reviews
Good book!
I love how the author has a letter to Mama Rose at the end of each chapter.
Funny, touching, exciting...the only thing this book isn't is boring. I loved Mary Rose's world. I couldn't wait to read the next page to see what was going to happen. Julie Garwood is one of my new favorite authors!
[3 stars]
~ SUMMARY (from back cover) ~
In Blue Belle, Montana, everyone knew better than to mess with the Claybornes. The brothers had once been a mismatched gang of street urchins --- until they found an abandoned baby girl in a New York City alley, named her Mary Rose, and headed west to raise her to be a lady. They became a family --- held together by loyalty and love if not by blood --- when suddenly they faced a crisis that threatened to tear them apart . . .
Trouble came to town with one Lord Harrison Stanford MacDonald. Armed with a swagger and six-shooter, he cut a striking figure --- but it soon became apparent to Mary Rose that he was too much of a gentleman to make it in her rough-and-tumble town. She asked her brothers to teach him the basics of frontier survival, which he acquired with ease. And soon he possessed a deep and desperate love for Mary Rose. She returned his affection wholeheartedly . . . until MacDonald revealed a secret that challenged everything she believed about herself, her life, and her newfound love. Now her search for identity and meaning would begin, raising questions that could only be answered if she listened to the truth within her heart . . .
~ MY REVIEW ~
The second half was better than the first half, but this book was still my least favorite Julie Garwood book. Normally, I love her work, but too many things in this book drove me nuts. Eleanor was wholly unnecessary and although Garwood heroine's are always beautiful/smart/innocent/naive/etc., this one was just a little too much for me; they're always somewhat clueless and kind of head-in-the-clouds, but Mary Rose was more than I could handle.
~ "CLAYBORNES' BRIDES" SERIES ~
FOR THE ROSES - Mary Rose (Book 1)
ONE PINK ROSE - Travis (Book 2)
ONE WHITE ROSE - Douglas (Book 3)
ONE RED ROSE - Adam (Book 4)
THE CLAYBORNE BRIDES - anthology of Books 2, 3, and 4
COME THE SPRING - Cole and Daniel (Book 5)
(http://romancebook-heaven.blogspot.com/)
~ SUMMARY (from back cover) ~
In Blue Belle, Montana, everyone knew better than to mess with the Claybornes. The brothers had once been a mismatched gang of street urchins --- until they found an abandoned baby girl in a New York City alley, named her Mary Rose, and headed west to raise her to be a lady. They became a family --- held together by loyalty and love if not by blood --- when suddenly they faced a crisis that threatened to tear them apart . . .
Trouble came to town with one Lord Harrison Stanford MacDonald. Armed with a swagger and six-shooter, he cut a striking figure --- but it soon became apparent to Mary Rose that he was too much of a gentleman to make it in her rough-and-tumble town. She asked her brothers to teach him the basics of frontier survival, which he acquired with ease. And soon he possessed a deep and desperate love for Mary Rose. She returned his affection wholeheartedly . . . until MacDonald revealed a secret that challenged everything she believed about herself, her life, and her newfound love. Now her search for identity and meaning would begin, raising questions that could only be answered if she listened to the truth within her heart . . .
~ MY REVIEW ~
The second half was better than the first half, but this book was still my least favorite Julie Garwood book. Normally, I love her work, but too many things in this book drove me nuts. Eleanor was wholly unnecessary and although Garwood heroine's are always beautiful/smart/innocent/naive/etc., this one was just a little too much for me; they're always somewhat clueless and kind of head-in-the-clouds, but Mary Rose was more than I could handle.
~ "CLAYBORNES' BRIDES" SERIES ~
FOR THE ROSES - Mary Rose (Book 1)
ONE PINK ROSE - Travis (Book 2)
ONE WHITE ROSE - Douglas (Book 3)
ONE RED ROSE - Adam (Book 4)
THE CLAYBORNE BRIDES - anthology of Books 2, 3, and 4
COME THE SPRING - Cole and Daniel (Book 5)
(http://romancebook-heaven.blogspot.com/)
The Clayborne brothers were a rough gang of street urchins -- until they found an abandoned baby girl in a New York City alley, named her Mary Rose, and headed to Blue Belle, Montana, to raise her to be a lady. They became a family -- held together by loyalty and love if not blood -- when suddenly a stranger threatened to tear them apart...Lord Harrison Stanford MacDonald brandished a six-shooter and a swagger, but he soon proved to be a gentleman to the core. The brothers taught him frontier survival, while Mary Rose touched his heart with a deep and desperate passion. But soon, a shattering secret would challenge everything Mary Rose believed about herself, her life, and her newfound love.
In Blue Belle, Montana, everyone knew better than to mess with the Claybornes. The brothers had once been a mismatched gang of street urchins - until they found an abandoned baby girl in a New York City alley, named her Mary Rose, and headed west to raise her to be a lady. They became a family - held together by loyalty and love if not by blood - when suddenly they faced a crisis that threatened to tear them apart...
Trouble came to town with one Lord Harrison Stanford MacDonald. Armed with a swagger and six-shooter, he cut a striking figure - but it soon became apparent to Mary Rose that he was too much of a gentleman to make it in her rough-and-tumble town. She asked her brothers to teach him the basics of frontier survival, which he acquired with ease. And soon he possessed a deep and desperate love for Mary Rose. She returned his affection wholeheartedly ... until MacDonald revealed a secret that challenged everything she believed about herself, her life, and her newfound love. Now her search for identity and meaning would begin, raising questions that could only be answered if she listened to the truth within her heart.
Trouble came to town with one Lord Harrison Stanford MacDonald. Armed with a swagger and six-shooter, he cut a striking figure - but it soon became apparent to Mary Rose that he was too much of a gentleman to make it in her rough-and-tumble town. She asked her brothers to teach him the basics of frontier survival, which he acquired with ease. And soon he possessed a deep and desperate love for Mary Rose. She returned his affection wholeheartedly ... until MacDonald revealed a secret that challenged everything she believed about herself, her life, and her newfound love. Now her search for identity and meaning would begin, raising questions that could only be answered if she listened to the truth within her heart.
Slighly worn around the edges. Good condition. Good read too!
One starr since I have not read this, in good time
