What a cute book- I really enjoyed the story of Jackie and Elijah, and Jackie's long lost father. Jackie and Elijah are both such likable characters and I was so happy for the relationship that they both had with Charles that led to them finding each other. The reuniting of Jackie and her biological father are a reminder that no matter what we've done it's never too late for God's grace and mercy, and he can always make good from the bad.

The Express Bride is a well written inspirational romance. I have always been intrigued by stories about the pony express and this book didn’t disappoint.. I recommend to fans of historical romance. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my digital arc. This is my unbiased review.

Lovers of historical fiction will enjoy delving in to this Daughters of the Mayflower series. Yes, these books compose a series, but each installment can be read as a standalone, so feel free to jump in at any time! This latest book, The Express Bride, is an excellent contribution to the set, taking place during the Pony Express period of American history. Featuring our heroine – owner of a Pony Express station – and hero – a man on a mission to find his boss’s long lost family – readers will be immersed in the adventure, intrigue, and twists along the way. Full of rich history, an entertaining story, a bevy of colorful characters, and a message of forgiveness, this novel will take you for a ride full of promise.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

My Reviews:

Genre: Historical, western, fiction, Pony Express, romance, and just pure wonderful!

My Rating: 5 stars, I'd give 10 if I could!

My Recommendation: 13/16 up for slight violence.

My Favorite Character: Jack, Jackie, Jacqueline, no matter the name she's a lady and one you'll love with every word of the book. Her determination to do right and follow fulfill her father's work was beautiful.

My Verse for Jack is Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (King James Version.)

My Thoughts: Ah, *sighs happily* this is so sweet and sad all in one. The travel that starts off The Express Bride, the mysteries were interesting; one of which I had figure in the first few chapters and the other that kept me guessing, and the romance was sweet and the relationship cute. The family that wasn't family through blood but love, all of it makes this one to read!

Warnings: Slight violence and mentions of abuse.

Posting on my blog soon!

The Express Bride is the ninth installment of the Mayflower series, written by Kimberley Woodhouse. I can’t believe we’re at nine already! They are all standalones so you don’t need to read other books in other to enjoy this one.

And can I just mention how GORGEOUS this cover is? It’s my favorite so far. And not only is it my favorite cover, to be honest it’s my favorite book in this series so far. Not that the other books aren’t awesome but you gotta have a favorite, right?

The Express Bride focuses on the pony express, this was an expensive and extensive way to send mail really fast, and one of our main characters, Jackie, takes up her father’s position as a station manager to keep the express running smoothly - while providing for the young boys that deliver mail by horse. Not only does she manage to cook them meals, run a boardjng house and be a surrogate mother to them, she also succesfully manages the station. I have to admit, I’m in awe, a man probably would have done a much worse job lol.

But then a stage car arrives and with it two gentlemen, both having their own investigations and inquiries, and Jackie gets caught up in both their secrets.

Elijah is investigating a sensitive matter for his boss who is also his friend, but he is a little side tracked by this capable woman at the station... and when he gets sucked into other investigations, he might be in for more than he bargained for.

This story is above all, a story about forgiveness. How we are all flawed and things are not as they seem, but the grace of God can turn wrong into something good. This is the aspect I loved the most, the faith of the characters and the interesting bible studies, and it didn’t get preachy or cringy or unrealistic. The characters were all so very much human and I felt for them as they were trying to do the right thing.

The end had me in tears, it was perfect.

I’ve been given an ecopy in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars- This is the latest novel in the “Daughters of the Mayflower” series and tells of the Pony Express in 1860. This is the 4th book in the series written by Kimberley Woodhouse. Of those 4 books this one was my favorite. Jackie Rivers runs the Carson Sink Pony Express station in Utah Territory. Elijah Johnson is traveling on a mission for his business partner and mentor to find his long lost daughter. When he arrives at Jackie’s stop, he is intrigued by her. Could she be the person he has been searching for, both for his boss and for himself?
I enjoyed this story. It was enlightening to read about the history of the Pony Express and how it worked. The fact that mail could travel cross country on horseback in a matter of days is pretty impressive. I also never realized that the Pony Express only existed for about a year. I love learning about history as I read.
I liked both Jackie and Elijah. They were both strong characters that seemed to be a good fit for each other. Jackie was a strong woman with a good head on her shoulders. She kept her Pony Express Family together and I loved the camaraderie that was shared by her and the riders. They truly were like a family. This was a pleasant summer read that is a nice addition to the series.
I received a copy of this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an especially intriguing book to read. I love learning everything I can about the Pony Express. Can you imagine getting your mail from a young man who rode a horse as fast as he could across country? The mail you receive may be old news by the time you receive it. I loved how the author described how fast the horses traveled to the way stations and barely stopped long enough to get a fresh horse, deliver the mail and take off with a fresh pouch filled with mail going to other cities. We all know the saying about how the mail is delivered come rain , hail , sleet or snow. These men lived that everyday.

Jackie is running the station on her own since her father passed away. The town she lives in is barely a town with few buildings and a handful of people. You could tell everyone was close and I loved how they had church every Sunday sitting around a table. Their discussions were lively and everyone came away with a renewed sense of His presence. I would love to be part of this little town and experience all it had to offer.

There are two intriguing mysteries going on in the story that kept me glued to the book. One is about forgery and the other is about a woman and baby who disappeared a long time ago. Two men show up in town to investigate for their employers. One will take on the forgery case while the other will
try to determine if he has finally found the lost child that his employer has been searching for.

Elijah is a wonderful character and intends to help his employer with a special request. Elijah finds himself in a little town where Jackie is. I think he was impressed that she was running the station and had everything under control. There is an abundance of historical facts in the book which I loved reading about. I thought Elijah was an honorable man and I liked how he felt protective of Jackie.

It is a great story about forgiveness, redemption and faith.

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

I am a huge fan of the Daughters of the Mayflower series, the books penned by Ms. Woodhouse have been my favorite so far but The Express Bride exceeded my expectations. I have always found The Pony Express fascinating and the author certainly added to my fascination.in her latest novel.
Jack (Jacqueline) Rivers, with spunk and determination manages the Pony Express station in the Utah territory after her father's death. I loved her courage, strong convictions, and the connections she had with the riders who stay there and became like family to her. Elijah Johnson passes through in search of his boss's heir but after meeting Jack, he is no hurry to leave the station which is a good thing since another passenger staying there is trying to find forged bonds and asks him and Jack for their help.

I was fully engaged in this well written novel. If anyone is looking for a novel with suspense, action, faith, forgiveness ,wonderful characters and one that is clearly researched, then The Express Bride is a book I highly recommend. Although this is the 9th book in the series, all of the books can be read as a standalone but the entire series has been fantastic so you may want to each book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley and was under no obligation to write a review. All opinions are my own.

4.5 Stars

The Express Bride is book nine in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. If you’re only just hearing about the series, first, where have you been? And second, know that you can read these books in any order. They are tied together by the lineage of the women, but each book stands on its own.
Kimberley Woodhouse delves into a lesser known (and short) area of American history in this book. If you haven’t guessed by the title and description, it’s set at a Pony Express home station.

Woodhouse’s descriptions of the station and the riders coming in and out, the small family they’ve formed out in the middle of the wilderness, along with the mystery of the treasury bonds and the suspense of when she will discover the truth of her parentage made this another favorite of mine in the series.

The characters are well developed and immediately become friends to the readers. Plus, Woodhouse doesn’t shy away from saturating this book with some spiritual truths. Fascinating and educational while romantic and entertaining, The Express Bride is a book you won’t regret diving into.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

‘Maybe God had brought him here to change him from the inside out.’
Elijah Johnson heads out in search of his partner’s long lost daughter. With little to go on, he travelled and searched, learning more about himself all the time. Carson Sink Station was a Pony Express station as well as a stage stop. Arriving in this far away spot, the decision to settle for a little while is easy to make. Jacqueline (Jack) Rivers is the station master since her father passed away. Would she be able to continue without him or would the company remove her responsibilities?

The author has done a fabulous job of allowing the reader to become immersed in the life of the Pony Express and all that was involved. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about this early method of getting mail across our vast country. The number of riders and horses alone made this an incredible undertaking. Add some mystery with murder, accidents and counterfeit bills and you have a wonderful book you won’t want to put down until you have finished!

A complimentary copy was received from Barbour Publishing with no obligation to review. All impressions and opinions are my own.

The Express Bride, well worth your time!

Set in the 1860's, we find Anna fleeing her abusive, alcoholic husband. She is filled with heartache, fear and a fierce determination to protect her daughter Jacqueline. Immediately, you are gathered into a tale of mystery as we follow their lives.

The author did a beautiful job portraying the realty many experience and follows up with their lives years later. I loved how she pulled the characters together from across the country and wove a tale of redemption, forgiveness, and the supplication of each person's needs.

The relationships that flow throughout the book are heartwarming and I was most impressed by the character traits she gave each person. Well done! I appreciate a clean historical romance.

The author did a wonderful job describing many of the historical elements of running the famed Pony Express. With ease she described the urgency and pride felt by those who were responsible for riding, delivering and running the stations.

I received a copy from Barbour Books through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

•°o•:*:•. VERY HAPPY .•:*:• o°•
After not enjoying the last book in the series, I was so very pleasantly surprised at how much I did enjoy book no.9 in the “Daughters of the Mayflower”: series. Once I found out it centered around the Pony Express, I decided to accept the invitation to read it.
Some fun facts from the book: Now called the Pony Express, it was the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company (COC&PP). It operated from 04/03/1860 until 10/24/1861 when the telegraph took over. It went from St. Joseph, MO to Sacramento, CA in 10 days.

The story involves one mystery surrounding forged treasury notes and another involving a missing heiress. There are quite a bit of godly men sharing their faith, and our heroine seeking God as well that I enjoyed.
**Kansas City, MO**
Elijah Johnson is entrusted by his friend and business partner, Charles Vines, to find his long lost daughter before he departs from this world. But, she’s been gone for 26 years! It will take a lot of fortitude and brains to ferret out any clues that old; plus some guidance from the good Lord.
**Utah Territory, forty miles from Virginia City**
Meanwhile, in Carson Sink, Jacqueline Rivers has taken over her father’s station following his recent passing. She is manager, hostess, cook, boss, big sister and surrogate mom to “her boys” who ride for and deliver the mail for the COC&PP.
“Every time she watched a rider head out, she prayed until he was out of sight. The number of riders and horses it took to cross the two-thousand-mile trail was extravagant. But to get the news in a week rather than a month or more was huge. It never ceased to amaze her, so every day she found herself praying for these young men who sacrificed so much.”
“Jack” is coming to grips with her loss and new duties when two men show up on the stagecoach seeking her help with two entirely different problems.
Michael, her adopted brother, was a fun character. I appreciated his youth and humor.

Tea References:
“As she looked down at her cup of tea, the image of her mother, so dreamlike and beautiful, still hovered at the edges of her mind. If only she could keep it there and remember more.”
“But being the doting father he was, he usually gave in and ordered her something pretty. She’d never forget the first time she asked him to buy a china tea set. His face had been almost comical.”

Cautionary Note: This book does contain some violence, including wife beating (not in grave detail) and also cold-blooded killing/shooting.

Extra tidbits about the P.E. are listed after the story, including the fact that it was a “huge financial flop”! I also like the Express riders oath shared within the story.

I loved the final sentence which made me laugh out loud.

I was approached by Barbour Publishing and asked to review an eVersion of this book without fee, expectation or compensation. My opinion is my own and offered freely. Please read other reviews for a well-rounded purchasing decision.

{Reviews posted at Amazon, B&N, CBD, GoodReads, GooglePlayBooks, Pinterest, IG, FB & My blog}

The Express Bride
By Kimberley Woodhouse
The Daughters of the Mayflower series continues as it follows Jacqueline “Jack” in 1860 somewhere in the Utah territory.
After the recent death of her father Jack decides to do the only thing she knows, continue to run the Pony Express station. Jack anxiously awaits a response from the COC & PP informing her that she can continue management of the station, however as the express requires continual care, she assumes responsibility. This is her home and the riders of the express are now her family. Although concerned of the COC & PP’s response Jack continues to mange the station and when two visitors come both looking for her help Jack takes on another task with stride. The arrival of Mr. Johnson and Mr. Crowell is no stress the danger they bring to her life and heart will change everything.
I have been enjoying this series and patiently waiting as each new book joins this series. I especially enjoy watching the history and development as each generation unfolds in their story. Time changes many things, but love is still the same. This book was exciting, suspenseful and pulled me in as it reminded me of redemption and forgiveness. It was easy to read and enjoy.
Here is one of my favorite quotes from this book: “You know, I’ve told my beautiful bride many times over the years that she has tried my patience. Do you know how she responds?” “How?” “She says, ‘Dear, it’s my job to help you become more Christ like.’”
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)
The Golden Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1849 San Francisco (April 2019)
The Express Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1860 Utah territory (July 2019)
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion which I’ve shared here. For more book reviews visit: https://simplyannehere.wordpress.com

Barbour has a great concept with The Daughters of the Mayflower series. Covering some of America’s most auspicious historical events, the characters all descend from two Mayflower passengers, and yet each story stands alone so that they can be read in any order. Add to that the wholesome Christian perspective and you have a compelling series that addresses true periods of history from a fictional viewpoint. Having read each book as it releases, I have enjoyed every one of them, but some have left a deeper impression than others.

Kimberley Woodhouse’s “The Express Bride”, The Daughters of the Mayflower book nine, ranks among my favorite installations in this series. To begin with, it focuses on a brief but fascinating interval in American history, one that I have always found rather enthralling. Upon reading the author’s note at the end, I was surprised to learn that the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company, better known as the Pony Express, actually failed financially during its short-lived run. The brevity of its existence makes it all the more interesting to me, and I was quickly drawn into the tale.

“The Express Bride” offers a glimpse into the routine and way of life of a combined express and stagecoach station in 1860. Located in the isolated wilderness of what was then the Utah Territory, the Carson Sink station serves as a tiny town unto itself. More remarkably, a young woman named Jacqueline “Jackie” Rivers runs the station and takes care of the riders who live there. As she adjusts to life without her recently-departed father, she finds herself embroiled in helping James Crowell root out a counterfeiting operation while also assisting a man named Elijah Johnson in the search for his employer’s heir.

Several aspects of this story appeal to me. The main characters are endearing, and the residents of the Carson Sink station have an easy camaraderie that adds depth to the narrative. Jackie is tender-hearted but also has admirable strength of character as she shoulders many responsibilities while still dealing with her grief. With a prominent Christian element, this story highlights the virtues of forgiveness and loving one another, and I appreciated that the author points out that two of the characters had been unequally yoked because one had not truly accepted Jesus into his heart. Not being much of a fan of romantic angst, I also enjoyed the fact that intrigue and discoveries dominate much of the narrative, with the romantic thread serving as an overall small portion of the book. Containing an inspirational message throughout, historical details about the unique Pony Express venture, and mysterious happenings, I highly recommend “The Express Bride” as a stirring western adventure.

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

Romance, clean; Christian faith elements; some violence, so PG-13
Jacqueline and Elijah's story intermingled with Charles and Anna's was heartfelt, honest read, with interesting details and lovely romantic moments, along with lots of dramatic tension. The setting at a Pony Express station, with interesting side characters, secrets and intrigue and told from alternating points of view made for an engaging and fun read. I loved the historical setting, the redemption and forgiveness themes, and the unfolding of all the secrets and hidden elements in this story along with the honest, sincere, and lovely romance made for a great escape read! Told from alternating points of view, we got to see how the different pieces of the secrets and story-line came together as it was gradually uncovered and realized. The faith elements incorporated naturally into the story, made for a perfect read for me. Honest characters, lovely romantic fall, dramatic tension, historical setting and background, along with a wonderful HEA made for a fun read. My favorite read that I have read of this series so far.

Jacqueline Rivers lost her mother when she was young. We meet her shortly after her father’s passing, left to do what is considered a man’s job - manage the Stagecoach stop and Pony Express Station on her own. A strong and determined nature, rooted in her faith and belief that she can, Jack is determined to prove that she can continue running things as efficiently as always for the people she feels depend on her.

Elijah Johnson rides into town on a personal mission for his wealthy mentor and employer: find his long lost daughter and heir. His intention was just to pass through Carson Sink as a rest point, but that changes as he and the spirited, strong-willed Jack are recruited by the treasury to investigate where the territory’s forged bonds are coming from.

The investigation proves dangerous and as Jack and Elijah work together, they find themselves having to depend on each other. Jack and Elijah start to know one another better and what started out as sense of duty, develops into a mutual attraction. As friendship cautiously evolves into something more, can they trust their feelings with one another?

I always enjoy Woodhouse’s skillful way with her story lines and plot turns, and as an avid reader of historical fiction I was particularly impressed with this story line based around a Pony Express station managed by a woman, in 1860 Utah.

Once again, she creates lovely characters; authentic with a believable complexity to them. I especially connect with the positiveness of Christian faith as Jack and Elijah learn to turn to God and depend on their belief in His steadfast mercy and love.

The Express Bride is a wonderfully written historical fiction book that engages the reader from its start with adventure, intrigue, sweet romance, and a chance to pause and refresh, if not revive, their own spirituality and faith.

Highly recommend as an any time, feel-good, enjoyable, faith-inspiring read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc., for the read of Kimberley Woodhouse’s, The Express Bride.

The opinions expressed in my reviews are my very own.

This was an absolutely delightful book detailing a mystery with the Pony Express. Family, forgiveness, love, & mystery are all intertwined in this fun historical romance novel. It will keep you guessing until the end. Great read!!!

I believe I’ve read all of the Daughters of the Mayflower series (so far) and this one is one of my favorites. I love when a story teaches me something new, and prior to reading The Express Bride, I knew very little about the Pony Express. And how fascinating! I’d never really thought about how much work went into the Express or the dangers the horse-mounted riders were subjected to. And though I’ve learned that this mail delivery service was highly unprofitable, it certainly was innovative.

Another thing I enjoyed about this story was the slow-building romance. It is off-putting to me when two characters fall for each other too quickly, feeling a little grandiose and unauthentic. Although Jacqueline (Jack) and Elijah’s attraction happens quickly, their friendship grows into something more at a nice stride, and has me rooting for them the entire way.

This story is multifaceted. It’s a mystery, suspense, and historical romance wrapped into one. The pacing works. I wasn’t rushed through the full mystery, but instead, given tidbits of information along the way that kept me turning pages. The story focuses on grace, family, and forgiveness, and reveals a satisfying conclusion.

I look forward to the next (last) book in this series!

Quotes from the book:
The wilderness was a great place to hide.

The word family made Elijah’s chest sting in a way he wasn’t expecting.

Cover Love! This cover art is beautiful and eye-catching, depicting Jacqueline exactly as I pictured her in my mind.

My thoughts on the title: Very fitting.


★★★★★

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse
Publisher: Barbour Books
Series: Daughters of the Mayflower Book #9
Pages: 256
First line (Prologue): With shaking limbs, she climbed into the plush carriage awaiting her, the precious bundle in her arms worth far more than the money, trinkets, and trunks of clothing she left behind.
Source: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

#TheExpressBride
#CoverLoverBookReview

After an arranged marriage prepared by her parents, Anna quickly falls in love with her husband…until things go awry. After being beaten one too many times and scared for the life of her baby, Anna escapes much quicker than planned. In an effort to hide from her husband, she changes her name and identity. She shortly dies after discovering happiness and security in the life she never had prior.

After recently losing her father, Jacqueline “Jack” Rivers finds herself as manager of a Pony Express station and handling the lives of two handfuls of young men. Already being scared of detection by the owners because of her gender, she is then asked to spy for counterfeiters.

Along the way, Elijah Johnson shows up. Tasked with the “impossible” task of finding his employer’s daughter, he quickly finds himself falling in love with Jack. To make things more stressful, his employer is on his deathbed and hoping to apologize to his daughter before it’s too late.

Will Mr. Johnson find his employer’s daughter? Who is she and where has she been? Will Jack be able to continue to manage the station? What dangers lurk ahead? What secrets do others have?

What I enjoyed most about this novel more than others in the series was we see multiple kinds of love from parental to romantic. Instead of the main characters being at fault for their actions, we find one of the supporting characters with this dilemma. And I really enjoyed that because it wasn’t the same story line of the woman helping the man to become a better person after he makes mistakes.

A story of redemption, forgiveness, and love, readers are likely to fall in love with this brave woman and protective gang of young men!

The story starts with a mother taking her infant daughter and fleeing her drunken, abusive husband. Many years later, this man, Charles Vine, has sobered up and turned his life around. His health is beginning to fail, so he tasks his assistant, Elijah, with finding his long lost daughter.

Jaqueline “Jack” Rivers is running a Pony Express station herself after her stepfather’s death. She may have lead officials to believe she’s a man. Elijah and another gentleman arrive by coach, and soon he and Jackie are working together to solve a mystery involving countering and murder.

This is a clean, Christian romance. I felt the story was slow in places, but overall a decent read. There wasn’t really a connection with Mayflower Brides.

* I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.