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*thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for this free book in exchange for an honest review*

I didn’t like this one. Didn’t even read it. It made me sad to see that the author chose to refer to the Mexican people who were fighting to be free as the enemy. I was so very saddened by this one.

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enjoy this series. Each book is written by a different author. Some books I like better than others. This is one I like a bit less.

I might have enjoyed it more my mind wasn't trying to make connections to the previous books. But since I have read the other books I was busy trying to make connections.

It is a book full of history though, and it's a part of history I don't know much about so it was interesting in that regard.

But something for me didn't hold my attention like it wanted it to.


A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley.com. All opinions are my own.

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I am so enamoured with this series by Barbour Publishing! Each book in the series has captured my love of historical romance; the attention to historical detail and character development by each of the authors is stunning.

The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo is equal to the task of capturing my imagination with the intrepid Ellis Dumont. When Ellis finds a seriously injured man, she and her mother nurse the man back to health. So serious were his injuries, the unconscious stranger muttered the same phrases over and over again; intrigued Ellis wrote them down in the back of her prayer book.

1836 is a tumultuous period in Louisiana and Texas, rumors of a major skirmish building up near the Alamo has many on edge. The stranger seems to know things, secret things, that lead Ellis to be extra cautious around him, especially when he regains conscious. Ellis is alone on the farm with her mother and younger brothers; her father and older brother have joined up for the cause.

Somehow Ellis needs to figure out if the stranger, who, though his memory is a bit scattered, claims his name is Clay, is a trustworthy man or if he is one of the enemy. Clay feels compelled to travel to Mission San Jose, even though he cannot remember why. And Ellis Dumont must decide whether she will trust him enough to travel with him.

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This is the first time I’ve read a novel by Kathleen Y’Barbo, and the second book I’ve read in the Mayflower Brides series. Even though it is book number seven in the series, The Alamo Bride can be read as a stand-alone title without missing anything from the previous books.

The author does a wonderful job at painting scenes and recreating the geography of Texas and Mexico at this point in history. She builds strong characters and believable story lines, with a mix of intrigue throughout the pages.

The pacing is a bit slow to my liking but still, the author does a job well done.

I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

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I wish I could remember more about Texas history because as I read The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo, I kept trying to recall exactly what was happening during the time that the book was set in. However, without remembering the historical details, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author did a fantastic job of keeping the book moving and didn’t load the me down with long history lessons. Yet she included so many historical details that after I finished the book, I felt I had a much better understanding of the Texas Revolutionary War. It felt like the perfect balance of history and fiction. Her characters felt believable. Ellis was spunky and stubborn but also compassionate. Clay was brave and heroic but also weak with his amnesia and gun wounds. They seemed perfect for each other. This book was an spectacular story that I really enjoyed.

So, if you are looking for a fictional story with real historical details about Texas history, remember The Alamo Bride . It is full of romance, and intrigue all based upon an important time in Texas and United States history.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Unfortunately, this book did not catch my attention as much as The Pirate Bride by the same author. I liked both main characters, but Ellis' grandmother -the Pirate Bride- I just liked more.

Still, the writing style and especially the descriptions of the landscape were very good.

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This reminded me of Pearl Harbor because you had a girl who was a healer and a guy who was in the military (insert googly eyes here). This is probably one of my favorites in the series so far. Ellis was very humble and kind. Clay was very protective. But, probably my favorite character in both protagonists is that they were fiercely loyal. My dream was to marry a Southern gentleman adorned in a military uniform, so this was exactly the kind of book I wanted. 

"He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust"
-Psalm 91:4

Having never read a novel set during the Alamo (which I previously had no interest in), this historical story caught my attention. The novel was well-written, descriptive, and intriguing.

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The Alamo Bride is the seventh book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series and the second one written by Kathleen Y'Barbo. The tie-in to these historical novels is that the characters in each book are from the same family tree and the books are standalone stories written by different authors. And this author writes a great story set in Texas during the mid-1800s, during the time when Texas was beginning its fight for freedom from Mexico! I love learning and being reminded of the history of the United States and the author has done her research and makes the history come alive. I felt as if I was right there in the midst of the scenes. There is action with snakes, fires and more, mysteries, and romance enough to keep the pages turning quickly. Ellis is a feisty young woman who, along with her family, is trying to keep the home fires burning while her father and brother have gone to war. She has some impossible choices to make in the story, would she be able to make them? Who was this injured man she has agreed to care for and whose side is he on? Could she trust him? Clay has an important mission in Texas but has been injured and cannot even remember who he is, let alone his mission. Would he ever remember in time? These two main characters and others as well have depth and reality, and their emotions, strengths, and foibles resonate well with readers. I loved this story and am looking forward to the rest of the books in this series. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions are my own.

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This was the first of Kathleen Y'Barbo's books I've read, but it certainly won't be the last! I really liked both of the main characters and enjoyed the romance slowly budding between them. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline, although I did feel that there were a few loose ends left. I absolutely adored the ending! This is a must read for those who love historical fiction.


(I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)

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In 1836 Ellis Dumont finds a man in New Orleans unconscious on Dumont property. As his fevers rage, the man mutters strange things about treasures and war. Has Claiborne Gentry lost his mind or is he a spy for the American president—or worse, for the Mexican enemy that threatens their very lives.? With the men of her family away, Ellis must stand courageous. Who she can trust? Will she put her selfish wants ahead of the future of the republic? Will she travel with Clay to Mission San Jose to help end the war? Will Ellis Lose All at the Alamo? I love this series of History, Adventure, Romance, and Ancestry

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The Alamo Bride was a wonderful addition to the Daughters of Mayflower series. The historical elements were accurate and I enjoyed the fiction that was woven into the history. Recommended!

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An enjoyable, if fluffy, read.
Not something I'd recommend to someone wanting to learn about the Alamo, or even someone who ponders the believability of plot lines but a fun read to relax with.

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The Alamo Bride
by Kathleen Y’Barbo

Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Barbour Books

Christian , Romance

Pub Date 01 Feb 2019

I am reviewing a copy of The Alamo Bride Through Barbour Books and Netgalley:

In 1836 Ellis Dumont finds a man in New Orleans Grey unconscious on Dumont property. The man talks about strange things about treasure and war in his feverish state. Claiborne Gentry has either lost his mind or he’s a spy for the American president or worse yet a spy for the Mexican enemy that threatens their lives.

With the men of her family away Ellis must be brave and decide who is trustworthy. Will Ellis put her selfish wants ahead of the future of the republic or travel with Clay to mission Santa Jose to help end the war?

I give The Alamo Bride five out of five stars!

Happy Reading

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In Kathleen Y’Barbo's latest novel, "The Alamo Bride," she created an intriguing story taking place during the Texas Revolution. This novel is the 7th book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. However, the series does not need to be read in order, and each book is more like a stand alone novel. Each book focuses on different descendants of a family from the Mayflower throughout the generations. There is a family tree included in the book which is helpful in seeing how the various descendants were related.

This was an enjoyable story. Some parts of the book were a little slow paced, but once the action started, it quickly captured my attention. I also learned a lot of facts about the Alamo and the fight for Texas’ independence that I didn't previously know. I wish readers could have learned more in-depth details about Clay’s background in the story and seen more of the development of Ellis and Clay’s relationship. Fans of the Daughters of the Mayflower series will enjoy this newest edition to the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

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The next installment of The Daughters of the Mayflower continues with the time leading up to the fateful Battle of the Alamo. Ellis Valmont can trace her roots back to the Mayflower, but little does she know that she is involved in history making of her own. With her father and older brother off to help Texas fight for its freedom from Mexico, Ellis and her mother are making do the best that they can running the ranch when a very wounded man washes up on shore of their property.

Clay Gentry has been sent on a mission. As basically a secret agent working for the President of the US, he has a very important mission to take care of. He did not foresee the bullets flying his way or the amnesia that has muddled his thinking. Ellis and Clay both must learn to trust each other, even knowing that Clay could very well be a spy working for the enemy. Thank goodness love prevails in this action adventure story that is a nice addition to this series.

I like these two characters together. If ever there was a couple more opposite in character, I have not yet read about them. If you are looking for more of a subterfuge adventure story with a bit of romance, this book delivers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

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Since Kathleen Y’Barbo wrote “The Pirate Bride”, book 2 in The Daughters of the Mayflower series, it is also fitting that she penned “The Alamo Bride”, as there are direct connections between some of the characters. Although I mention this in most of my reviews for this series, it is worth echoing; each book in this series contains a solid plotline that allows it to stand on its own, yet with some mention of previous characters, and the series never feels formulaic. Each contains a romance, but there is a fresh diversity with each new time period and couple. Part of this is no doubt due to having different authors, and the challenge of maintaining the overarching theme of faith and adventure is always met. Readers can start with any book in the series, but for the best experience, I would recommend reading them in order. Doing so also offers a nice chronological timeline of America’s pivotal historical events.

Prior to reading this novel, I must admit that I had little knowledge about the Texas Revolution and the Alamo. Nor have I read many books about the Southwest. Thus “The Alamo Bride” was both enlightening and entertaining. The New Orleans Greys were new to me as well, and it was interesting to learn about their involvement in the conflict. Clay Gentry’s role in the novel surprised me, and Ellis Valmont always brought a smile to my face with her feistiness and devotion to her family and the cause. Jean Paul Valmont provided an appealing character because of the difficult decisions he had to make as a patriarch and businessman. The danger of everyday life during this time period was startling, but Y’Barbo does a nice job of presenting the humanity of both the Texian and Mexican sides. As a crucial element of the plot, the head injury was a fascinating and unique touch, adding an extra layer of intrigue. This novel delivers faith, conflict, humor, and love while exploring an often-overlooked piece of our nation’s history.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

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I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of The Alamo Bride.
I really enjoyed this novel. With a slow build romance, it belongs perfectly in the Mayflower series. (Though there were a few moments when I thought I might have missed something...) This another great historical read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kathleen Y'Barbo for the ARC!

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You will spend time with the Texians as they battle for freedom from Mexico! Ellis Valmont is a brave young woman who has learned about healing from her mother and is determined to stay and defend her home. Ellis finds Clay Gentry who has been shot and nurses him back to health but Clay does not remember his past due to a head injury. Both Ellis and Clay are great leading characters. You will enjoy this seventh book in The Daughters of the Mayflower series. Each can be read as a stand alone. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and from NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a review.

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I inhaled this story like a hungry book dragon! I enjoyed the lively banter between the characters, the mystery of hidden treasure, and the rich historical details that all gave this story a life of its own. My only disappointment was that because I read it so fast, it was over too soon. But I just couldn’t put it down!

Ellis is a lot like her grandmother, Maribel. She is independent, feisty, and often leaps into a situation before she looks. Ellis is also a skilled healer and her sensitivity and heart for others shine through, often to her own jeopardy.

Claiborne Gentry has an important mission to accomplish, but a run-in with a couple of trigger happy foe’s leads to lost memory. If only he could remember what it is he is supposed to be doing before the time runs out on his mission.

This newest addition to The Daughter’s of the Mayflower collection is a page-turning adventure that you won’t want to miss! The story easily stands on its own, however, the other stories in this collection are just as fabulous! Be sure to snag your copy of The Alamo Bride today.

(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)

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I read a lot of historical fiction, mostly about World War I or II, so I was pleasantly surprised to pick up a book about the Alamo. Author Kathleen Y'Barbo does an excellent job with her research to create a truly enjoyable read.

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I am not required to leave a positive review.
From Amazon:
Will Ellis Lose All at the Alamo?

Ellis Dumont finds a man in New Orleans Grey unconscious on Dumont property in 1836. As his fevers rage, the man mutters strange things about treasures and war. Either Claiborne Gentry has lost his mind or he’s a spy for the American president—or worse, for the Mexican enemy that threatens their very lives. With the men of her family away, Ellis must stand courageous and decide who she can trust. Will she put her selfish wants ahead of the future of the republic or travel with Clay to Mission San Jose to help end the war?

Join the adventure as the Daughters of the Mayflower series continues with The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo.

More in the Daughters of the Mayflower series:
The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1620 Atlantic Ocean (February 2018)
The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1725 New Orleans (April 2018)
The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep – set 1760 during the French and Indian War (June 2018)
The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1774 Philadelphia (August 2018)
The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear – set 1794 on the Wilderness Road (October 2018)
The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall – set 1814 Baltimore (December 2018)
The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1836 Texas (February 2019)

This is my first time reading a book by Kathleen Y'Barbo and now that I see there are others, I know I will be digging into these books very soon. While each book in the series helps you understand the characters more deeply, I can attest that you can read these novels individually and still enjoy the story.

The Alamo Bride takes place during the war for the Independence of Texas. I haven't read much about this part of history, other than what the textbooks share, so I was eager to read more about this time. Even though the majority of the book is spent away from the Alamo, I loved reading what the locals were feeling and thinking about while the war took place in their country.

For me, the relationship between Ellis and her mother was one that most of us cling to, one of mutual trust and loyalty. I loved how Ellis' mother was teaching Ellis the medicinal craft of her family. I loved reading about the patches of the forest where they dug for herbs. Y'Barbo builds strong female characters and she uses their strengths to help them with their struggles.

Y'Barbo knows how to create relationships between people. Ellis and her grandfather, Ellis and her mother and Ellis and Clay are well developed and I enjoy having a peek into how the author builds those relations through conversation.

The author makes me feel like I was right in the Alamo during the moments before the siege. I felt the anxiety of the people in the church and Ellis when she believes her life was in danger. The pressure was real and I found myself reading quickly to find what was happening, just to find out that I was going to have to keep reading to find out the truth. Great plot design!

I also loved that the family had a quote that they all believed in and shared: "I don't believe in luck..the Lord takes care of us in His own way. If something goes our way, we figure it's because it is His way.

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