The Alamo Bride

The newest addition to the Daughters of the Mayflower series has plenty of action, interesting history and courageous characters. The author does a thorough job of reminding readers of the family's history, connecting back to characters from her previous book in the series, The Pirate Bride. The introduction and historical notes at the end fill in the blanks about the real people and events mentioned in the text, showing her careful research. This made me curious and had me looking up names like Jean LaFitte, Sam Houston, and William Claiborne, and their connections to Andrew Jackson.

“He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust.”
Both Ellis and Clay take great comfort in reading the Book of Psalms, focusing on Psalm 91, Trusting in the Lord for help and comfort, and doing what they believe to be right was an important theme throughout. In a time of war that can be tricky, especially when helping wounded soldiers who appear to be spies or possible enemies. Ellis is brave, and seems to willingly serve others with her knowledge of 'doctoring' using herbs. She seems to carry the burden for her family a lot. It was unclear what Clay was hiding from his past, and didn't seem to matter in the end. The idea of a possible treasure hunt was intriguing.

Readers who enjoy stories based on real historical events, with a clean romance, may like this latest addition to the series. They all easily read as stand alones. The Pirate Bride will fill in more of the backstory alluded to here about Maribel Cordoba.

The Alamo Bride was hard to put down! Well written and exciting, it was full of actual history! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! Throughout the story it was an exciting journey, and the end did not disappoint! I LOVED it!

I absolutely love this book! It is full of history, action, drama and a perfect ending. This is a very well written book that once you start reading it you can't stop. I highly recommend this book. Thank you Barbour Publishing via NetGalley for ARC copy of this wonderful book. This is my honest opinion.

THE ALAMO BRIDE by KATHLEEN Y'BARBO is a historical romance novel which takes place in 1835 at the time of the Alamo. It is an interesting and exciting story with a good Christian message, based largely on the promises of protection in psalm 91.
Ellis Valmont finds a nearly dead soldier in a canoe, pulls him to safety, and, together with her mother, nurses him back to life. Unfortunately Clay Gentry, a soldier with the Greys, has lost his memory. This makes for an exciting story, tied in with the fight between the Texians and the Mexicans for Texas, with Ellis and her family not being sure which side their mysterious lodger is really fighting for. I won't tell you any more as I do not want to spoil the read for you.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Barbour Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you read The Pirate Bride, you will recognize Maribel's descendants in this story. First off Kathleen Y’Barbo is a talented author, who integrates her love for history and detail into a well-written tale of the time of the Alamo. The plot is well-paced and stirring. I appreciated the author’s ability to tell a historical tale with authentic characters and strong themes of faith, family and love.
My favorite quote: “No buts,” Grandfather said. “Trust does not allow for any buts. We pray for their safe return until the Lord shows us proof that was not His will.”
A powerful message of trusting God even when we are unsure of the future and to pray unceasingly.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion.

The latest in the series “The Daughters of the Mayflower”, takes place in 1836 when Texas is fighting for their independence from Mexico. The Alamo is an 18th century Franciscan Mission in San Antonio, Texas where many battles were won and lost.

The New Orleans Grey, were a group of soldiers out of New Orleans that came to help Texas fight for their independence. In one of the beginning scenes Ellis Dumont finds Clay Gentry, a Grey bloodied, unconscious and raging with fever. Ellis' mother is a healer and has been teaching her the art.

This, like all of the other Mayflower bride series is full of history, action, suspense with a little romance included. The Alamo Bride can be read as a stand alone book, but this series is so well done you will not want to miss any of them. For me it adds so much when the authors revisit some of the main characters from previous books. Not so much that they are retelling the whole story. But they tie in all lose ends, just in case you may have forgotten who has descended from whom.

Fans of Christian historical romance will not be disappointed with Kathleen Y'Barbo's new book. This book had me at the heartstrings right from the start. I found it to be a very well written, exciting story. I enjoyed the history so much, I had to further research the Alamo and Texas gaining their independence.

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

I have read and enjoyed each of the previous books in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. The Alamo Bride is a wonderful addition! It takes place, obviously, in Texas and is filled with history, adventure, suspense and romance.

After seeing him be sworn into service to the Grays, Ellis Dumont finds Clay Gentry unconscious, bloody, with a terribly fever in a stolen boat. She knows he couldn't have stolen it because of the timing of his arrival, but wants to help him recover from his bullet wounds and discover if he is friend or foe to the state of Texas.

This story will keep you turning pages and waiting to see what comes next! I am greatly looking forward to the next book in the series...and to see what's next from Kathleen Y'Barbo!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have been reading the Daughter's of the Mayflower series from the beginning, and The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo is the seventh book in this eighteen book series.

Ellis Dumont finds Clay Gentry unconscious and bleeding badly from bullet holes. As the story progresses, we learn more about Clay and his mission, and as he rambles incoherently with a raging fever, Ellis writes down everything that comes out of his mouth. Which leads her to worry about where his loyalties lie - with Mexico or Texas?

Being Canadian, I didn't know much about The Alamo. I didn't know why it was important or what happened there. I did not know that Texas had to fight for its freedom from Mexico which makes this story very intriguing given the times we live in.

I did like that the two main characters seemed to live by the same belief system, trusting that if God allowed something bad to happen, He could then turn it around for their good. Both characters also seemed to cherish the same Scripture verses which made their growing interest for each other (even though Clay couldn't remember who he was) sweet.

While this book is in a series, I have found that it (along with all the other books in the series) can be read as a stand-alone. If you like romance and history, you will enjoy this latest addition to the series.

I really enjoyed reading this book! The setting was one I was not familiar with so it was intriguing to me.
Ellis came from a line of extremely courageous ancestors. Being in a Texas during war time without any men must have been a daily struggle for safety for Ellis and her family. I really liked that she and her mother were herbal healers! I love how Ellis was able to save Clay's life with her herbal treatments. Reading about Clay's unconscious ramblings while he was healing made me feel like I was right there in the story!
It showed great character and dedication for Clay to not follow through with his original mission, but to adopt one that included the well being of Ellis and her family.
All in all, a wonderful historical story with much courage and faith.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley, but this in no way influenced my review.

I have read and enjoyed all of the Daughters of the Mayflower books, and just knew this one would be wonderful too. It did seem to start out a little slower than the other books I had read, but once I got to about 1/3 of the way through, I found myself constantly referring to the first part of the book! It was so engaging, and so many adventurous things happening, that I was racing through to see what would happen next! I truthfully enjoyed the characters that Kathleen Y’Barbo created, and didn’t find there to be any dangling strings throughout the book. Such an incredible time in history to peek into! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, but was under no obligation to post a review.

To be honest, The Alamo is the first historical event in this amazing series, The Daughters of the Mayflower, of which I had preconceived ideas and, as such, I cracked The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo open with hesitation. If I could read with my eyes closed that would have been how I tackled this one. At the same time, I don’t like skipping a book in a series, and thank goodness I don’t, this one is a gem! Sit back and enjoy it with the knowledge that, despite it’s historic setting, the author creates a beautiful story and the ending is a good one!

My knowledge of the Alamo was limited to the disaster and massive loss of life but this book expanded my horizon to the context, the people and complexity of the conflicts. Ellis is headstrong, independent and empathetic. Claiborne is, through his own behaviours, trying to work out who he is and where he stands in the war raging around them. For the most part, the discoveries are made from Ellis’ home through storytelling and reflection.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, five out of five on the en-JOY-ment scale and can’t wait to tuck into the next in the series! If you haven’t started reading this collection, don’t hold back, it’s fabulous!

The Alamo Bride was fantastic! Kathleen Y'Barbo knows how to write adventure filled historical romance that will keep the pages turning! This book was filled with action, danger, and adventure and of course a bit of romance!   I loved it!  The Alamo Bride kept me on the edge of my seat, yet still managed to have plenty of warmth and humor from the characters.  I loved Ellis and Clay!  Ellis had a strong and feisty spirit that worked well with this story and the circumstances and Clay was loyal, driven and had a great sense of humor despite his circumstances.  I loved that this book actually mentioned Ellis's ancestors from The Pirate Bride.  It allowed me as a reader to connect the characters and feel more invested in Ellis, by knowing a bit of her family's past.  The plot itself was intriguing and really kept me anxious and guessing what would happen next!  I would definitely recommend this book to historical fiction fans!  This book was a great addition to The Daughters of the Mayflower series!

I enjoyed this book greatly. I love love this series written by different authors
I loved this book because too, I always learn something new whenever I read a historical novel. I love that Kathleen has written an excerpt on how she has done her research for this novel. Sometimes I enjoy these better than the novel itself.
I've read several books by this author and she does a fantastic job in bringing her characters to life. These were delightful characters that I loved getting to know.
I especially like the cover of the book. It was what drew me the most and also the author's writing style that made me want to read it.
I strongly recommend this to people who want to learn about the Alamo. It's quite the reading experience as if you're really there!!
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. No compensations were received and all opinions are my own

I confess that all I remember from history class regarding this time period was the ending to the story of the soldiers at the Alamo. So I wasn’t sure if I was prepared for heartbreak. Thankfully, the author did a good job weaving a story into this period of history without leaving me despondent at the ending. I liked the book and it was a relaxing read (other than during a scene with some snakes where I shuddered and tensed up.)

I appreciate how this series moves through the history of the USA. I also like that I am introduced to authors I might not have read before. And, most importantly, as I’ve only read two of the series, I am thankful that each book can stand alone. (The rest of the series is on my TBR list.)

I follow the GoodReads rating system. Please note that this means even the 3-star books are ones I liked.
1 star – didn’t like it
2 stars – it was OK
3 stars – liked it
4 stars – really liked it
5 stars – it was amazing; I’ll read it over and over and/or it will impact my daily life.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

An enjoyable read from a time in history when Texas was still fighting for it's independence. I enjoyed getting to know the main characters, Clay, Ellis, and her grandfather. While there are links to some of the famous characters in this time in history, because of the title of this book, I would have liked to hear more about what was going on in the Alamo and have some kind of connection with more of those historical figures. I also felt too much of the book was used in this interim period where Clay has lost his memory only to have a quick mention of major events tacked on at the very end instead incorporating them better into the story. The author does a good job of describing the times in Ellis lives and gives insight into what it was like to remain constantly alert of danger and enemies.

This book was an excellent read. I had a hard time getting into the book to start with, but I'm very glad that I kept reading. I had to keep reading to find out what would happen next. Ellis was a strong independent woman that had a compassionate, loyal heart. I loved how she stood up for what she believed in and kept her head in dire circumstances. Clay was a man of many secrets. His story and character unfolds throughout the book. I enjoyed watching all the characters grow in the book. The action in the story kept me reading just-one-more-chapter. I did feel like the ending was rushed and gave a sense of what's-happening-next versus an awwww feeling, but it was still satisfying. Overall a very good book. I recommend to those that like historical romances with a strong woman character.

I have read several of the books in this series. Some I enjoyed better than others, this was one. I liked the story and the writing style of the author. It was well written and edited and easily kept my attention all the way through. I felt it was a book well worth my time. I would definitely read more of this author's work.

The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo is a historical romance that takes place during the time of the Alamo and is wonderfully Christian-based. It has a powerful message that deals with trusting and believing in God and trusting God when one is unsure of what the future holds.

I found the book hard to put down once I started. It is a well-written novel by this author and was filled with an abundance of history, action, drama with a tremendously lovely ending. Highly recommend the read.

I received a copy of This book by Barbour Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions contained herein are my own.😊

4.5-Stars

This is a wonderful, inspirational romance set against the backdrop of the Texas Revolution. The historical details are accurate, and Y'Barbo's prose is descriptive and flows beautifully. Ellis, the heroine, is a gentle and compassionate soul, beautiful on both inside and out. The hero, Clay, has a mysterious background due to amnesia. This is a trope which I've frequently encountered, and at times it comes off as contrived and rather ridiculous. However, in this case, it was believable and woven into the story seamlessly. One thing I like about ACCURATE Historical Romances is that I usually learn something new. A case in point: dogtrot house. That was a new one on me, and compelled me to read more on the subject. Y'Barbo is a gifted storyteller. I love the Brides of the Mayflower series. I started in the middle of the series but plan to read the first three soon. One of them, "The Pirate Bride", was also written by Y'Barbo.

I've enjoyed all of the Daughters of the Mayflower books so far, and The Alamo Bride was no exception. The action started right away, and kept up throughout the book (which is something that doesn't always happen in historical romance!). I liked both of the main characters and Ellis's family. I wish there would have been more about his family or his memories pertaining to them as he recovered him. Overall, I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next book in the series!

I just finished reading The Alamo Bride by Ms. Y'Barbo and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The plot involved Texas History and was very believable. I love visiting the Alamo in San Antonio and I can honestly say I have never read a book in this genre of Christian fiction that utilized this setting. The battle for Texas Independence involved so many brave people and I loved getting to read about several of those here. The characters were genuine and the plot was well developed. Knowing that so many people risked their lives for the fight for independence made me nervous about which character might be sacrificed in the book! I love the family bond between the Valmont family, especially between Ellis and her grandfather. I am enjoying this historical series! Thank you for letting me read this book to review.

Love this series, loved this book and this author. I was so happy to be able to read this. And the story was so good and I loved the Christian feel to the book. It was hard to put this one down. I loved the trust and whole feel of the story.

I received an ebook copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own,

While The Alamo Bride didn't steal my heart like the author's prior book in the series The Pirate Bride, it was a well written story. I especially enjoyed the way the author painted a picture of the geography. I could easily visualize in my mind the setting.

Ellis is a lovely name and a compelling leading character. She has spunk and stubbornness like her grandmother along with a love for family and Texas.

This series continues to be such a wonderful journey through history.

'You must never be blinded by what you expect. Always allow for the unexpected.'

When Ellis Dumont finds an unconscious man in her family property, she worried he is a spy, but for whom? The American president or the Mexican enemy? Ellis must make a decision with her family away from home. Will she trust true?

Kathleen Y'Barbo has deftly added to the popular Mayflower Bride series as she gives readers an exciting journey back in history. If you're a fan of the series, don't miss this one.

*My thanks to Barbour Publishing for a complimentary copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I really enjoy reading the Daughter's of the Mayflower series. They have all been pretty accurate historically with some romance thrown in. I was surprised the author tied this back to the characters in the Pirate Bride but it was just enough information to add interest without retelling that story. This book is full of colorful characters, some factual, some invented, but they are all well developed and interesting in their own right. One part of the story seemed to end nowhere, but other than that i recommend this book as well as the others in the series. They are all excellent in my opinion as far as the historical research, characters and the stories themselves. I particularly like the Cumberland Bride, (I hope i remembered that title correctly), but i look forward to each new book added.

I received this book as an arc through netgalley and Barbour publishing and i thank them. It is well worth the read in my own opinion.

It's fun to visit all these different historical times through this series. I liked how gallant and gentlemanly Clay was. He still had his inner character even when he had nothing else.

That ending was suspenseful!! I had no idea what to think. I mean, surely Clay was alright, wasn't he? Oh, and the plot twist with Rose I didn't see coming. Very well done.

Kind of cool how both Ellis and Clay had pirates in their family. At first I was thinking that they had a shared ancestor, but apparently Jean Paul is a common pirate name.

A fun, new installment to the Daughters of the Mayflower series.

This is the next book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. I have read all of the books in this series and am loving each one! The books can be read as a stand-alone if you choose. This book focuses during the time period of the 1830’s. In this book, you meet Ellis and Claiborne. Ellis is an independent woman who still lives at home with her parents. Her dad and brother are off to war and she helps her mom run the farm. Her mother is a midwife, but also has knowledge of healing and herbs. She has learned these things from her mom. Claiborne has recently come into Texas as a Gray to help fight in the war. He is out at night and gets shot. Ellis finds him and she helps nurse him back to health. He has a head injury and talks about many things that seems like nonsense, but Ellis wonders who he is really. Together, they embark on discovering his past. I have loved this series and highly recommend each book either as a stand-alone or together! You will not be disappointed!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, this is my own opinion.

Claiborne Gentry walked the streets of New Orleans, La. in 1836 with much on his mind. Mr. Gentry was a man of prominence whose grandfather was the notorious pirate, Jean Lafitte and his uncle, William C.C. Claiborne, the first man to serve as governor of Louisiana. Gov. Claiborne first came to Louisiana to facilitate the transfer of land according to the Louisiana Purchase. Mr. Gentry was also friends with many prominent political figures of the time, including Sam Houston and Andrew Jackson. Claiborne Gentry helped raise money for the benefit of the Texians ( residents of Mexican Texas) who were trying to gain independence from Mexico. He was in New Orleans, in route to deliver the funds in Texas when he was robbed and assaulted. The beautiful, Ellis Dumont finds Mr. Gentry and attempts to nurse him back to health. She then is faced with the important decision between the future of the Texas Republic and her own feelings. I appreciate and relish an author who delves into historical stories and can produce their own story that has a basis on facts with fictional embellishments. I have long appreciated Kathleen Y'Barbo as an author who writes rich historical fiction. I believe that those who are lovers of history and a good Christian story will really enjoy this book.

The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo will be published February 1, 2019 from Barbour Publishing. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

Another very good entry in the series! Not my favorite in the entire series, but I think it had far more to do with the location and time period being different than my "typical" read. The characters were very well developed with great interactions and relationships and the historical details were fantastic (see the author's note about some changes to history). Overall a lovely message in the book and an enjoyable read.

I absolutely adored this novel! The author is brilliant at setting a scene, and masterful at creating a plot that sets the imagination on fire. I so loved the characters, who are human, raw, flawed and wonderful. I was absolutely heart-invested in their lives as I devoured each chapter. Just ridiculously good. A definite recommend.

Dear Kathleen Y'Baro,

I need everything you've ever written!

Love,

Stacie

Kathleen Y'Barbo is back with another wonderful Daughters of the Mayflower book. I loved 'The Pirate Bride', and was excited to read her latest 'The Alamo Bride' that involves descendants of the beloved characters from The Pirate Bride! After Clay Gentry is robbed of the money from important players in American history, intended to help the cause of Texas in the war with Mexico, he joins the New Orlean's Greys in the hopes of finding his Grandfather's hidden treasure. What could possibly go wrong? Come along for another fascinating ride through history with strong and totally likeable characters!

This is another book in The Daughter's of the Mayflower series. I have read some of the books, but not the one previous to this. It didn't really matter but would have made the book a bit more entertaining if I had. I recommend reading them in order.

The characters were quite well developed and easy to understand. The plot was original and had history along with the fiction. It was an advanced reader's copy and not the final edit so there were errors but not a lot. There were not enough to dim the enjoyment I had in reading this book.

I have enjoyed all the books I have read written by Kathleen Y'Barbo and this is the same. I did enjoy it very much.

I asked for a review copy from Netgalley and was granted one. The review is voluntary and my own opinion. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

A beautifully written story! Wonderful characters that draw you into the story with feisty personality and love for their land. The author did a excellent job at tugging at the heart strings of the reader. While the horror of war was downplayed the sacrifice and fear was not. Faith in God and family was a strong attribute to the story . A strong commitment to love and land brought this story to full circle amongst the characters,. This is a story full of emotional strength that will leave readers wanting more.

I absolutely loved this story! The writing is fantastic and made the characters so relatable. With the vivid descriptions, it made me feel like I was a character in this wonderful story. I was a little worried when I got to what seemed to be the end of the story, but I love that the author gave the after story and it was such a wonderful ending.

I recommend this story for history buffs and for those looking for a good, clean read.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This book follows Ellis and Clay as they work together for each others cause. Ellis is looking and hoping to find out if her Dad and Brother are alive. Clay is trying to heal after being caught trying to find his treasure. Ellis takes notes of what Clay is speaking during his induced sleep. After he has healed enough her Grandfather keeps him around to help on the land her Dad owns. They get word her Dad and Brother are alive and make plans to go find them. She and her grandfather accept Clay at his word to go and get her brother who is being held prisoner. He also is trying to remember a mission he is supposed to assist with. Ellis finds herself going with Clay and staying in a mission while he works on finding her brother.. She becomes a healer there while waiting on Clay to return. This book is a great read. I have enjoyed reading The Mayflower Bride books. They each connect and it is nice to see characters remembered in each book.

The Alamo Bride was filled with action, adventures filled with danger, and a little romance! I was totally surprised at who the Alamo Bride was and the ending… loved it! This adventure is filled with the historical background of the Alamo, it certainly kept me turning the pages!

“I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review.” My review is voluntary.

This is such a great series. I love that Kathleen Y'Barbo wrote two books in this series, The Pirate Bride, and this latest installment about a granddaughter of Maribel Cordova (who was the pirate bride), Ellis Valmont. The story has a rich family history and Ellis's life is centered on faith and family. (And, like most of the ladies of this series, she is strong-willed and independently minded).
I always learn something new from books in this series, this one being no exception. The story centers around Clay Gentry who signs up with a military unit, known as the New Orleans Grays, that was sent from New Orleans out to Texas to fight for independence against the Mexicans. It was neat seeing the historical detail and obvious research that went into Clay's story as a New Orleans Gray. They actually sailed in and swore citizenship to Texas as they came off the boats.
The story kept my attention, and despite knowing that there's a happy ending (it is called the Alamo Bride after all) it still kept me guessing as to how things would end up, you still got that heart clenching feeling when something went wrong. I love seeing the characters in the book grow in their faith, and that their faith in God is ultimately what unites them in the end.
This is a wonderful series, I've enjoyed every book and will keep reading!

4 stars- This is the latest installment in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. It picks up with the descendants of the Lytton family now in Texas, nearing the time of the battle at the Alamo. I really enjoyed the main characters Ellis and Clay. They both had strong personalities and were committed to their causes. One thing I really liked about this story was how it tied in so beautifully with the earlier book in the series “The Pirate Bride”. Most of the other books in this series just mention the connection to the Lytton family in a quick sentence or two, but this book made the previous story important to this one. Ellis was very much like her great grandmother Maribel (the main character in “The Pirate Bride”) in both looks and personality and the author did a great job of incorporating that into the story, along with including a lot of Maribel’s mementoes that were passed down to Ellis and her parents. I like that Barbour has some of the authors writing more than one book in the series so there can be some continuity with the characters and their descendants.
It was interesting to learn more about the time during the Alamo and the tension between Mexico and the United States as Texas fought for its independence from Mexico. I am enjoying learning more about American history as I read this series. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I look forward to continuing my journey through history with the descendants of the Lytton family.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

As background, I want to note that while I read Christian fiction fairly regularly, I do not consider myself a genre fan. I am first and foremost a reader of historic fiction and my interest colors my assessment of this story. This is not to say that I discount the novel’s incorporation of faith, just that I might not weight it as heavily as someone who is more invested in the religious aspects of Y’Barbo’s work.

The Alamo Bride marks my first experience with the Daughters of the Mayflower series so I’m not entirely sure how it fits in the grander scheme of things, but I enjoyed the novel well-enough as a standalone and thought the scope of its historic content creatively presented in the experiences of Ellis Valmont and Claiborne "Clay" Gentry.

Historically speaking the book covers the Texas Revolution and includes a wealth of research on the time period. Y’Barbo offers many introductions to key players in the conflict and I love what she did in highlighting the New Orleans Greys. That said, I think the story offers a far wider view than the title suggests and encourage readers to understand these pages chronicle more than a single siege.

As far as the religious elements of the story are concerned, I’d classify the content as moderate to heavy. I did not find Y’Barbo’s themes abrasive by any means, but I’d definitely mention this material as significant when recommending The Alamo Bride to secular readers.

The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo is set 1836 Texas (book seven) in the series Daughters of the Mayflower. February 2019.
I often wish my ancestors, who came to America in the 1600 - 1700’s left diaries of their lives. This book and series allows us to see how they may have lived. In this book Kathleen Y‘Barbo mentions ˋˋ history nerd ´´ if you are one you will enjoy The Alamo Bide and series. Constant action with struggles for Texas independence, romance and life in an untamed territory. The characters share their relationship with the Lord and his intervention in their daily lives. The Alamo Bride storyline is well connected with her earlier book The Pirate Bride. I hope that the authors and Barbour Publishing continue this or a similar historical series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, learn, enjoy and review this book.

The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo is book 7 in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. I've really enjoyed going on this journey through history with this series. All the books can be read as a stand alone but starting with The Mayflower Bride and working my way through history has been an adventure I have loved.

The Alamo Bride is not one of my favorites in the series but it was interesting to learn about different aspects of that time frame. I do wish there had been more of the actual Alamo adventures included. Being a Texan, I'm always ready for a trip through Texas history. I can't wait to see what's in store in The Golden Bride, set during the Gold Rush.

I received this book from the publishers via NetGalley. This is my honest opinion of The Alamo Bride.

The Alamo Bride is the second book in the Daughter's of the Mayflower series written by Kathleen Y'Barbo. She also wrote The Pirate Bride which was an exceptionally fun read and one of my favorites in this series. I have only read one other book by Kathleen Y'Barbo (The Pirate Bride) which set the bar very high and caused The Alamo Bride to have a high standard to measure up to. The Alamo Bride was a good story, but in my estimation, it did not surpass The Pirate Bride.

Ellis Dumont is like many other of the women in her family: stubborn, strong, faithful, courageous and full of an adventurous spirit. Ellis was an apple that did not fall far from the tree. Her great grandmother was Maribel Cordoba, from The Pirate Bride, and I enjoyed the references and connections to Maribel through the trunk of treasures stored in the bedroom. A major theme that runs through this story is trust. Trusting God for our protection and trusting in His love and His promise of salvation. Portions of Psalm 91 were often repeated by the main characters and the promises found there were planted in my heart. I enjoyed reading about this portion in America's history as I had not read much about it before and didn't really know anything beyond the phrase "remember the Alamo". Overall I found this to be a story that flowed nicely, kept my attention and was entertaining and adventurous with lovable characters. If you like clean romance and adventure then you will enjoy this series.


The Alamo Bride will be available for purchase from your local or online book retailer February 1, 2019.

Thank you Barbour Publishing and Net Galley for the free copy of The Alamo Bride. The opinions expressed here are my own.

The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo is the seventh book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series and is full of action and adventure. There is betrayal, buried treasure and romance. After Clay Gentry is deceived and then robbed he joins the New Orleans Greys in hopes of finding hidden treasure in Texas. After being shot he is found by Ellis Valmont who then has to decide if he is a friend or a spy for the Mexicans. Adventure and danger follow as they strive to help Texas towards its independence. I enjoyed this book in the series and learning more about Texas history. And am looking forward to more books in the Daughters of the Mayflower series!

I received this book from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo is the next installment in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. As a lover of history, I really enjoyed this story set in the struggle for Texas independence. Full of research, yet told with adventure and suspense, Y'Barbo leads her readers through the pages with skillful prose and realistic characters. I especially loved the gentle reminders of God's faithfulness and the encouragement to trust even in the midst of desperate darkness.
I think readers will fall in love with the hero and heroine. This is a story to be enjoyed, full of inspiration, compassion, and adventure.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Loved the history mixed in with this great romantic novel. Y'Barbo's characters are so easy to love and you really get to know them in depth. Like other books in this Brides of the Mayflower series, this keeps your reading and interested from start to finish. I loved the main characters, Ellis and Clay and appreciated their clash in personality that came together in such a sweet and believable way. I would recommend this book to any fan of Christian Fiction from teens to adult.

This is the seventh in the series but can be read as a stand-alone. Rich in history, readers will be transported back into the time of the Alamo. The two main characters, Ellis and Clay are both very likeable. I like that Ellis was determined to help Clay even though he may have been the enemy. Readers wanting to learn about history of Texas in a fictionalized way will enjoy reading this story. Recommended!

Making the Impossible choice… After Clay is shot on a secret mission, Ellis slowly nurses him back to health. While he is burning up with fever Ellis writes down his phrases about treasure and meetings. This book focuses mainly on the growing relationship between Ellis and Clay. Ellis worry is whether they should trust Clay. Ellis and Clay might be faced with an impossible choice. I received a free copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. After a slow start, I enjoyed reading this book. Since the book is mainly written about the period leading up to the Alamo, there is limited suspense in the book. Even though I didn't enjoy this book as the previous ones in the series, it was still an interesting read.

" Matters of trust, subterfuge, loyalty, and love muddy the waters as they weigh their contributions to the greater good against their individual desires, hopes, and dreams. " reviewed for Hope By The Book magazine's online bonus content

Kathleen Y'Barbo has done it again! This is the seventh book in this series (not all of them by Miss Y'Barbo), and they just keep getting better. I really don't enjoy romances, but these historical fiction reads with just a splattering of romance keep my attention from beginning to end. From character development to putting the reader right in the middle of the scene this book does it all. Yet, the descriptions are not so wordy I want to skim through them. There's just enough history to keep those of us who don't enjoy romances coming back, but the historical nature isn't overwhelming. The history is the backdrop, nicely woven into the plot. If you'd never heard of General Houston or the Alamo, you might imagine the author created these characters and places. I truly enjoyed "The Alamo Bride" and highly recommend it!

This is the 7th book in the multi-author series. I liked this one (a strong 3 stars). It's the greatest battle for Texas ever, the Alamo. As a Texan who has also sent several years in Louisiana, I'm a sucker for Southern history!
First, you meet Clay, a soldier looking to help the President when his memories fly out of his head after an attack. Enter Ellis, our lovely leading lady (alliteration!). She coaxes Clay back to help and together they single-handedly save the Alamo...no, wait...that's not right. I guess you just have to read it for yourself to see what happens!
There are some edge of the seat moments and a bit of misdirection. Of course, that makes for a nice read. I mean you know it's a HEA (happily ever after) story but getting to the end was worth it.
This book was provided by NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

Ellis Valmont, a headstrong young lady of Spanish and French descent, finds herself nursing a handsome young bilingual soldier back to health. He has been shot before seeing duty in Texas against Santa Ana. As Ellis nurses him, she discovers the soldier may hold very important secrets- but on which side does his loyalty lie?

This novel hit the sweet spot for me with frequent references to Ellis’s great-grandmother, Maribel Cordoba. Maribel’s story was told in The Pirate Bride, a wonderful story, also by Y’Barbo. Every mention of Maribel’s name brought flashbacks of that vicarious adventure and how much I enjoyed it. This, in turn, increased my enjoyment of The Alamo Bride. Still, I think this novel can stand on its own if one hasn’t read Y’Barbo’s previous tome.

I enjoyed seeing the relationship development between Ellis and Clay. Ellis is quite the spitfire (like her great- grandmother, Maribel) when she decides that she wants to do something. We see that same personality trait as Ellis deals with her beloved Grandfather, as well.

I was really impressed with what a frightening time in the Texians’ history this would have been to live. Y’Barbo kept me feeling off-balance right along with her uncertain characters.

Quotes:
“I don’t believe in luck... The Lord takes care of us in His own way. If we manage to have something go our way, we figure it’s because it is His way.”
“In times of war, not all friends were truly friends. And sadly, not all family escaped the title of enemy.”

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinions, for which I am solely responsible. I was not required to leave a positive review.

Another fun book in the Daughters Of the Mayflower series. Ellis and Clay craft an intriguing story set against the backdrop of the Alamo. I am not nearly as familiar with this time period, so the historical details were very helpful to my understanding of the story. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing, Inc. through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Ellis Dumont’s family had moved from New Orleans to Texas and now her home was preparing for war with the Mexicans. Ellis was a healer like her mom and when she found an unconscious man dressed in a New Orleans Grey uniform suffering from gunshot wounds, as well as a head wound, she knew she couldn’t just leave him to die regardless of where his allegiances lay. She discovered that his name was Claiborne (Clay) Gentry. She nursed him back to health and helped him to heal. During his unconscious and feverish state, sometimes he would mutter strange things that didn’t make any sense but she began to write them down. When he finally came to, he couldn’t remember who he was or what his mission was.

Ellis was confused as to who she could trust and while she wanted to trust Clay Gentry she wasn’t sure if he could be trusted. The more time she spent with him, though, the more she saw that he was a good man wanting to protect her and her family and the country that she loved. When Clay’s memory returned, would he be the man Ellis imagined him to be or would be be a traitor to Texas and her heart?

3.5*

I've enjoyed this Daughters of the Mayflower series a lot. I have two that I need to catch up on and am looking forward to them.

Kathleen Y'Barbo wrote a previous book in this series, The Pirate Bride. I thoroughly enjoyed it and her writing style. That was my first time reading a full length novel by this author. I did enjoy reading, The Alamo Bride, but it didn't capture my attention as much as, The Pirate Bride, did. It was fun though that the main character, Ellis, in this book was talked about being similar to her great grandmother, the main character from, The Pirate Bride. That was fun to have that connection again.

For me the story really picked up once Ellis and Clay had their first meeting. It was a good amount into the story. But there was some different setting up that the author had to achieve before they could meet and interact. I loved Ellis as she was trying to help and heal Clay, especially with trying to interpret his delirious ramblings when he was unconscious. I did skim a little bit here and there. Not necessarily because of the story or the writing but with my busy schedule and wanting to see what happened with these characters' story.

The ending was great. It came full circle and I loved the sweet family reunion. There is a strong sense of family throughout this book and I really liked that aspect a lot. If you haven't picked up any of these books yet, you can definitely read any of them as stand alone novels. If you read them in order you will understand the family history that is written about throughout the different novels. The authors do a good job at making sure you can understand the family history and allow these to be stand alone novels. So if you're worried that you won't be able to make sense of who is who, no worries, you can.

Content: Clean. These can be labeled as Historical Christian fiction. The characters think and look to God for guidance yet I didn't feel like it was over the top or preachy. It was a good balance, especially thinking about how people would have thought and been at this time period. There are some moments of peril. Some blood and battles but not overly graphic at all. I would recommend this book for older YA readers and up.

I received a copy from the publisher, Barbour Books, via NetGalley. I also won a kindle copy in a Goodreads giveaway. Yay! All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

Another “Daughter of the Mayflower” series, I have liked this one the best! Written with intelligent dialog, wonderful facts about history that I hadn’t really considered before, and a story line that was captivating, I was hooked from the beginning. I loved Kathleen’s use of scripture throughout the book, how it tied the storyline together and even sparked my desire to look up some of the passages.

Clay has the best of intentions for Texas, but Ellis comes to the rescue and the story is off. A nice romance develops even as the story of the Texians and their history is revealed. I would have loved to see this novel given more writing as I would have enjoyed even more behind it.

The entire “Daughter of the Mayflower” series has been delightful. Thank you to the publishers for believing in these writers and giving us some worthwhile reads. I was happy to read an advance copy from Barbour Publishing and Net Galley – which in no way influenced my five star rating for Kathleen Y’Bardo and The Alamo Bride. Well done!

Obviously, I am a sucker for The Daughters of the Mayflower series (Mayflower, Pirate, Captured, Patriot, Cumberland, and Liberty) and Alamo was absolutely wonderful. A quick read, we meet a fiery, passionate, strong woman named Ellis. In a fun twist of fate, she ends up and saves Clay.

Clay is sweet, calm, and steady and the perfect opposite for Ellis. Their adventure in providing freedom for a free and independent Texas was the perfect blend of action, historical accuracy, and sweet romance. I also appreciate that as the series continues through time, the propriety changes and the authors make sure the voices change too.

In all, if you need a sweet quick romance for a Sunday afternoon read, this is your best bet.

Thank you to NetGalley, Barbour Publishing, and Kathleen Y'Barbo for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is number seven in the Daughters of The Mayflower series. I have read and enjoyed all of them and this book is no exception. All the covers on these books are beautiful and  a promise of what is to come on the inside.....This is a wonderful, inspirational romance set against the backdrop of the Texas Revolution, and of course the Alamo as the title suggest. I loved reading about the young Texas and even some about New Orleans.  Amidst the war and battles there is romance, we even have the hero, Clay Gentry, with a case of amnesia after being attacked. Much of the story is about remembering who he is and why he is in Texas. A young feisty woman, Ellis Durmont, with the aid of her grandpa helps him to heal from the attack and also in remembering.              My thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel. I am please to leave a review.

The breathtaking sixth in the Daughters of the Mayflower multi-author series, The Alamo Bride is exciting and stirring. The historical research into Texas and the era is shared in a way that is fascinating, almost as if one is there. This is a beautifully-written Christian action and romance novel that fits well into the series and can easily be read as a standalone.

Ellis Valmont loves living in Texas, even though she could have enjoyed family wealth in New Orleans. She is happy with her life as a healer, a woman who uses herbs and training to help others who are ill, injured, or ready to give birth. Her ancestry is of Spanish noblemen and French privateers; she is a strong and loving young woman. Her father, Boyd, and older brother Thomas have gone off to fight the war for the freedom of Texas. Ellis, her mother, and her younger brothers are trying to keep the chores done and the land cared for until Papa’s return. Her grandfather lives nearby in Velasco, across the Brazos river from her home in Quintano.

One day Ellis and her younger brothers are out; her brothers find a canoe in the reeds at the river’s edge. The man inside looks severely injured, so she sends her brothers to find their mama to help. He is taken, in the pirogue, to their barn where a bullet is removed and they treat his fever, other gunshot wounds, and head wounds. They don’t know whether he will survive; all they know is that he is wearing the uniform of a New Orleans Grey, troops from Louisiana who will fight against the Mexican army.

As the soldier suffers, unconscious, with fever and pain, he murmurs various bits and pieces of the special mission he is on. Fascinated, Ellis writes down some of the unusual things he says while being unsure of whether he is friend of Texas or an enemy. He claims at one point to be working for President Jackson, but whose side is he really on? Finally, Clay regains consciousness. He remembers almost nothing, not even who he is, only that there is something important he is supposed to do. The primary connection they have when he is awake and recovering is Psalm 91, which Ellis was trying to memorize while she was watching over him, and Clay’s mother used to read to him.

The character definitions are impressive; I like Ellis for choosing to live where she can participate in life rather than relax in luxury. Even when she may be inconvenienced, she will not turn aside someone in need of medical care or ready to deliver a baby. She and Clay made a journey together when looking for her father and brother, and their faith in the Lord and respect for each other improved their friendship. I enjoy seeing the people of faith and prayer, also, including Elli’s grandfather.

This is an impressive novel on many levels – showing people of faith in less than favorable, even tragic wartime circumstances, the extensive history, and the plot and surprising twists. There is so much I have forgotten since those long-ago history classes that I appreciate a quality author weaving her research effortlessly in an appealing novel and as part of a series. I highly recommend The Alamo Bride to those who appreciate Christian historical fiction, learning more about 1800’s Texas, and romance.

From a grateful heart: I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

A Romance During Texas’ Fight for Independence

Clay Gentry is in New Orleans. He has been entrusted with a mission for Andrew Jackson, but somehow he has been betrayed. Hating that he was unable to accomplish his mission he enlists in the New Orleans Grays to get to Texas and try to complete his mission.

Ellis Valmont and her family live in Quintana, Texas. Clay only gets as far as the Valmont property. He’s wounded and when Ellis finds him he’s feverish and out of his mind muttering about his mission. When he wakes up he can’t remember who he is, and with Ellis’ help they try to piece his story together.

Although the era of this novel was filled with action: armies clashing, and, of course, the Alamo, the story has little action. Much of it is taken up with talk between Clay and Ellis trying to solve the puzzle of who he is and what he was doing in Texas. If you like action, this story may not be for you.

However, the novel is well written. Historical detail is usually accurate, although as the author points out in her discussion at the end, she has taken liberties with the time line. If you enjoy history, I highly recommend reading this section.

The characters are well done. Ellis is brave and headstrong wanting to play her part in history. Clay is a more vague character. He doesn’t know who he is and finds out through his conversations and stories with Ellis. I particularly enjoyed Ellis’ grandfather. He made the book memorable.

I received this book from Barbour Books for this review.

The Alamo Bride is the seventh book in The Daughters of the Mayflower series, and the second penned by Kathleen Y'Barbo. It is the story of Ellis Valmont, great granddaughter of Maribel Cordoba from The Pirate Bride. Ellis is the adult daughter, the only girl with three living brothers, of Boyd and Sophia Valmont. She is learning the healing skills of the time from her mother, skills that possibly save her own life as well as the lives of others, including Claiborne “Clay” Gentry. Clay is on a secret mission for President Andrew Jackson, one that might have great influence on the Texas war for independence from Mexico. The circumstances that bring these two together may make their cooperation essential.

As always Y'Barbo's notes enlighten the readers as to the realities of the time period she is writing about. Being a self-described “history nerd” helps to breath life into her characters. This is a wonderful series and Y'Barbo's contributions to it are exceptional. I am grateful to have received a copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to write a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

This is the first book of this series that I have read and I loved it! I now must start with book 1. The Alamo Bride was filled with historical detail and I appreciate the research this author did. Ellis is a strong character and I enjoyed reading of her adventure. Thanks to Barbour Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley exchange for my honest opinion.

Wow, this is my favorite of the series! And not just because I have visited the Alamo on many occasions (as well as Andrew Jackson's home). The writing was excellent, and the story maintained my interest throughout. It was pretty right-on, historically, and I appreciated the review of our history with Mexico. I, especially, liked the tidbits that the author tacked on at the end about her research. This has been a great series!

I enjoyed this historical Story. I liked the slow build in the characters as they grew together. This is the first book I read by this author and am thankful to the publisher and netgalley for the advanced copy to read.

The historical context for this novel was rich and informative, and served to enrich the story with context. The romance between Ellis and Clay was very believable, both in its slow build and in its sweet tenderness.

The Alamo Bride was hard to put down! I absolutely love this book! Well written and a book that once you start reading it, you can't stop! It was full of actual history, suspense, action, and a perfect ending! I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I highly recommend this book.

The Alamo Bride was so much fun to read. I loved how feisty some of the characters were, and I couldn’t wait to get to know them more. It was interesting reading a story where a character lost his memory. I couldn’t imagine having everything important wiped away, and not even knowing your name. Plus on top of that, being shot and having to heal from a near death experience. It would seem like a really bad dream, and one that Clay would gladly wake up from. Sadly it’s not possible, and Ellis seems to want to keep him dreaming. I can’t fault her for not trusting a man she found barely alive in a boat that was not his, especially in times of war. Slowly she must learn to not only trust him, but lean on and follow him as well. It might be the only thing keeping them both alive.

This book took me by surprise several times. It was fun getting to imagine how life was different back then, and how patriotic some people could be. I enjoyed watching Ellis, and seeing her zest for life. When she set her mind to something there was little that could change her mind. I want to be more like her. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. The characters were unique and easy to love, and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to them yet. I received a copy of this book from Barbour Books and was in no way forced to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have really enjoyed this whole series so far. While I tend to read a lot of historical fiction, this series challenges me to also read historical stories outside of my typical time periods and events. While I certainly have my favorites in the series, there aren’t any so far that I’ve really disliked.

Considering the fact that I read this book in one sitting, I certainly found it interesting. I was fairly underwhelmed by a lack of action though. It didn’t have a satisfying conclusion to several pieces of the story and it ended too abruptly. I enjoyed reading about Ellis and Clay and how their relationship developed, and I got a few laughs out of some of their witty humor. I would have liked to see more development behind Clay’s past and his special mission.

So while I have some mixed emotions about this chapter in the series, I’m still glad I read it and can’t wait to see what comes next. I would have liked to see more to the ending, but I enjoyed the rest of the story. I’d easily recommend it to other historical fiction fans.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

I have been thoroughly enjoying the Daughters of the Mayflower series and this one certainly does not disappoint! It is well worth the 4.5 stars that I would give it. Another well researched historical novel that once again taught me more of the history of our great country and those who settled it many years ago. With great detail, we visit a rough land with creatures you would not want to meet as you take a leisurely walk or a nice cool swim. 1836 was a time when men came from near and far to fight for independence from Mexico. Our hero travelled from New Orleans with The Greys to help with the war effort. Many were the predicaments that he and our lovely red-headed heroine found themselves in. Throughout it they both clung to Bible verses that gave them courage to go on.
"He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust" Psalm 91
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley and Barbour Publishing. All impressions and opinions are my own.

This is the second book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series by Kathleen Y'Barbo and I loved this one also. Ellis is a young girl helping her mother take care of the homestead while her father and older brother are off fighting in the war. While out collecting herbs, Ellis and her younger brother find an injured soldier. Clay is in New Orleans gray outfit but while recuperating, he says things that make Ellis think otherwise. Ellis listens while Clay talks in his delirium and writes things down. She does not know what to think about this soldier but finds that there is more to this handsome man than meets the eye. Ellis decides to help Clay and their adventure begins. Another awesome story in the Daughters of the Mayflower series! Cannot wait to read the next one.

One of the things I am thoroughly enjoying about this series in the focus on events in American history I vaguely remember from high school history classes. These authors bring the time, place, turmoil, and people to life. The Alamo Bride is no exception.

A hero who can’t remember his mission and a strong, stubborn woman who can’t decide whether she can trust him. Clay instinctively knew he could trust this green-eyed woman, but it takes a while for him to discover all facets of Ellis Valmont’s personality.

Kathleen Y’Barbo previously gave us my favorite book in the series thus far, so there was a lot to live up to in her second offering, especially considering Ellis Valmont is Maribel’s great granddaughter. While The Pirate Bride remains in the top spot, there is plenty of Maribel’s personality in her descendent. And let me just say, the ending is so worth the journey of Ellis and Clay.

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.

This is a beautiful historical book that is set in Texas with vivid descriptions. The author does an excellent job of taking readers back to 1865. I was excited to see a character from another book in the series make an appearance if only by name in this story. It is nice to see how authors can weave characters throughout a series with no gaps.

Ellis is a fierce and determined woman. When she rescues an unconscious man floating near the river the action really starts in the book. The scene where she goes in the water with snakes had me on the edge of my seat. Her bravery was evident as she never gives up trying to save the man. I don't think a few of her family members were thrilled to see the man and have Ellis take care of him.

Clay was on a secret mission t when he becomes injured. Can you imagine his thoughts when he woke up to see Ellis looking at him? Clay has said some things while having high fever that has Ellis a let nervous. Is Clay trustworthy or is he there to cause harm to her and her family? The story had a bit of intrigue with Clay hiding secrets and Ellis becoming suspicious of him. Who shot Cay that day when Ellis found him? As danger come to Ellis and her family because Clay is there?

I enjoyed the banter between Ellis and Clay and it was fun to read how their relationship developed. There are some really funny moments in the story that will catch readers snickering as they see a different side to Ellis and Clay's relationship. It makes me think maybe they are becoming comfortable with each other. I loved the references of places like the Brazos River since I'm a Texan. It is easy to tell the author has done her homework on historical facts that make the story realistic The ending is filled with action and ties the story up nicely. .Fans of historical books will enjoy this story filled with intrigue, secrets, romance and faith. I encourage readers to read the what the author included at the end of the book. There are interesting historical facts and other tidbits that really enhanced the story.

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

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.

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.)

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.

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!

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.

This was a refreshing look at a period of American history that is often overlooked in romantic fiction. I liked the characters; from the moment I met each one, I was mindful of the sacrifice they made in leaving a life of privilege behind to build a new society. Ellis and Clay were strong in integrity and hard workers, thinking of the good of others; whether family members or strangers, they treated people with respect and kindness. Their growing attraction and hopes for a future together were expressed in period and culturally appropriate ways. I appreciated that the battles took place off stage. The romance level is sweet and the characters don't curse. This is appropriate for romance readers of all ages.
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.)

I loved The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo. I thought it had a lot of twist and turns to keep you wanting to read till the end. The book was a historic novel and it had a lot of history in it even at the end of the book she tells of real life people that she intertwine in the book. I will read more of her books they are most enjoyable.

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.

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.

Another enjoyable book in the series.
I love how through this series I can read about time periods I rarely come upon. The Alamo is one of them.
It was exciting to learn more about the fight.
Something else I love about this series is that historical figures are characters as well.

The settings are always well developed and The Alamo Bride was no exception. Sometimes I think there's a big focus on the romance, but they usually don't hinder my overall enjoyment of the book.

I absolutely love this book! It is full of history, action, drama and a great ending. This is a well written book that once you start reading it you can't stop. I highly recommend this book. It literally has you.following history and all the trials during that time. Couldn’t put it down...

totally love this series!!
This is another wonderful story by Kathleen Y'Barbo! I loved that Ellis, the main character, was the great granddaughter of Maribel Cordoba, the heroine in The Pirate Bride, a previous Kathleen Y'Barbo story in this series. I loved to connect both stories. I have to say, I still like better the Pirate Bride, but The Alamo Bride was also a delightful read that kept me engaged until the end.
The story takes place in Texas, but not during the Alamo famous fight. Ellis is a woman with spanish and french ancestry, and she finds Clay, an injured man, and takes care of him until he gets well. But at first they don't know if he's on Santana's side, a spy for the president, or loyal to Texas. In his illness, he's delirious and murmurs confusing things.
After he recovers consciousness, and Elli gets to know him and trust him, Elli discovers many things are at stake and that Clay must continue his mission if they want the war to end. Can she trust him with her life and go with him in search of his brother and continue the mission he hasn't concluded?
It's a good plot, with great characters. I loved Elli's spunk and coraugeousness. Elli's grandfather was witty and funny, he made me laugh. Clay was a true hero, once he recovers and determines to finish his mission.
I totally recommend this book to lovers of the historical genre. The romance is sweet and clean and you can learn a lot about Texas history. A worthy read!
I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing via Netgalley and this is my honest and unbiased review.

The Alamo Bride (2019) by Kathleen Y’Barbo is the seventh novel in the Daughters of Mayflower series published by Barbour Publishing. This novel comes in all forms including eBook, and is 256 pages in length. With a full-time job and a very lively six-year old, this book took me three days to read. I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Barbour Publishing, via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. I give The Alamo Bride 5 STARS. This novel is a Historical Christian Romance.

There is so much to love about The Alamo Bride. It’s a novel where history comes to life and leaps off the page. The story is so engaging the pages flew. And, the characters are fantastic. I loved every minute of this fun, witty, adventurous story!

Ellis is my favorite character in this book. I very much appreciate how strong-willed, intelligent, and capable she is. It doesn’t feel forced or part of a feminist agenda; rather, it feels natural. Ellis is who she is because God made her that way. It’s so very refreshing to read about an authentically strong woman. I also really love the way Ellis relates to others. She is genuine, honest, and loyal. She loves her family and sees the immense blessing God has given her through her various and unique family members. I especially love her relationship with her grandfather. The way she can run to him when she is troubled. The way he can calm her down and get her to see reason. The way they each value one another. But I also appreciate that her grandfather doesn’t cut Ellis any slack. He tells her how things are, and he keeps her honest about her faith in God. It’s so critical to have a family member or friend like Ellis’s grandfather — a wise adviser who helps guide you along the path God’s set for you.

There are a few timely themes in this novel, but my favorite is the message on trusting God. Trusting someone is really hard. When you trust someone, you have to give up a lot of your control. In this novel, it is Ellis’s grandfather who helps Ellis work though her trust issues. Ellis, like a lot of people (me especially), sometimes has quasi-trust in the Lord. We say we do all the time, and in the good times we definitely do. But when things get scary or hard, we might forget God in order to control things on our own. We are sure we have the right answer. My most favorite moment in the novel occurs when Ellis is freaking out about her dad and brother. To paraphrase the conversation, Grandfather asks Ellis, “Do you trust God?” Ellis says, “Yes, but…” Grandfather tells her that there is no “but” with God. We either trust God completely, or we don’t trust Him at all. This conversation 1000% convicted me! Relinquishing control is SO hard, but SO necessary if we actually believe in God. If we believe in God, we must get out of His way and let Him be God. I love this message, and really needed this reminder.

The Alamo Bride is a thoroughly engrossing, fast-paced story that I highly recommend. If you are looking for a well-researched, beautifully written historical romance with timely themes, then The Alamo Bride is definitely a must read for you.

A story that will tear at the heart-strings. Will young love bloom between a New Orleans Gray, Clay Gentry, and Ellis Valmont, a courageous, stubborn, yet gentle lady, when she wants to be? Or will they be yanked from each others grasp? Can she save him? Or will she have to watch him die from his severe wounds?
Amazing character build, a plot that thickens with each chapter as we learn that this soldier has some secrets even he didn't know he had, along with some awesome details that will take the reader back in time to a war where young soldiers are so badly wounded they usually didn't survive. In this part of the Mayflower series, THE ALAMO BRIDE by Kathleen Y'Barbo, there is one lone soldier we see lying near the river's edge with severe wounds and barely alive. Ellis Valmont sees him and struggles to get him out of the water and with the help of her mother, get him to safety before the snakes can strike. I actually pictured the murky river lapping at his still body while Ellis struggled with his heavy weight, and trying to keep the snakes away, too.
A few days later, will that safety be short lived as Ellis has to drag him yet to safety again from a burning barn? And, in the process, gets her dress caught while trying to escape the raging flames and billowing smoke?
Suspenseful indeed! Great read.

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

I started reading Kathleen Y’Barbo books because of the Daughters of Mayflower series. The Alamo Bride was one of two books she wrote in the series. And it has me completely hooked on her books. They are a good mix of historical fiction and romance. I was not able to put The Alamo Bride down.
While set at the Alamo, the story focuses on Ellis and a man who had to be nursed back to health. It does include a lot of Texas history. While this book is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone. But the entire series is well worth reading.
I received a complimentary copy of TheAlamo Bride from Net Galley with no requirements.

A historical christian romance taking place during 1835 during the Alamo. Ellis, a strong female character is a healer who finds a wounded solider, Clay, on her family's land. She nurses him back to health but is uncertain who he is and if she can trust him. She is not sure which side he is on for the war. What makes matter worst is that Clay lost his memory and does not recall how he was shot.

An adventure packed story that you would enjoy reading. This is the 7th book in the Mayflower series which can be read as a stand alone. The author did an amazing job describing the time period. There are certain story lines that were rushed but overall a good story. If you like historical romance pick this one up.

My favorite thing about The Daughters of the Mayflower Series is that each book brings out a lesser- known part of a well-known time in history. We all know the story of the Alamo, but about the months leading up to that infamous battle? I enjoyed learning about the war for Texas independence as it built up to that part of the story. This is the second book that Mrs. Y’Barbo wrote for this series, and I loved how she brought references to the characters from her first book, The Pirate Bride. It was fun to revisit the strength and character of Maribel Cordoba and see that same strength and stubbornness reflected in her great-grandmother. Very little of the story takes place at the Alamo itself, so I found the title to be a little confusing. I enjoyed the author’s pain-staking attempts to keep the story as historically accurate as possible. The Alamo Bride is a combination of history, romance, suspense, and biblical truth. The banter back and forth between Clay and Ellis brings a bit of humor to the story as well.
Favorite quote: “I don’t believe in luck… The Lord takes care of us in His own way. If we manage to have something go our way, we figure it’s because it is His way.”

This is Ellis & Clairboune's ♥️ Story. This Great Historic Romantic Suspense Novel by Kathleen Y'Barbo, is set in Louisiana & Texas around Texas' battle for Independence. Clairboune's is a spy; but for Mexico or the U.S.? As Ellis works to find out, she can't help but fall in love with him. I Highly Recommend you Read "The Alamo Bride", you'll be as engrssed in it as I was. ♥️📖⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a captivating historical romance!

I love both of the main characters in this book. Ellis fascinated me. She had been trained by her mother as a healer. She was strong and resilient. She was willing to help anyone in need whether they were friend or foe. Clay Gentry is a little more difficult to understand since he has lost his memory. He doesn’t even understand himself and because of that I kept wanting to see him remember and stand up for what was right.

I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that one of the things that connected Ellis and Clay was the fact that they had memorized the same verse of scripture. Many times throughout the book this verse came up and it helped them both stay focused on God and His care for them.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

It’s 1836 and Ellis Dumont finds Claiborne Gray unconscious. Gray has been mumbling strange things and Dumont isn’t sure if the words about treasures or war; if he’s lost his mind or a spy. Dumont does learn that the man does know a thing or two about the war and knows people in the area.

As part of The Daughters of the Mayflower series, I was more than happy to read Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo! Each book in this series is written by a collection of authors and not one is better than another. As a reader, I’m often pleasantly surprised at the historical facts included in the books and the intertwining of an unexpected love story mixed in.

It’s amazing how the women in this series find strong and courageous men who swoon them! Claiborne Gray goes from unconscious to protector between the covers of this romantic storyline. Sometimes I wonder where I went wrong!

Ellis Dumont is unsure who to trust along the way. As the reader, I wasn’t sure who to trust either!! This book had several unexpected events and characters that leaves the reader wondering what’s real and what’s not.

The Alamo Bride was provided complimentary on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I give it five out of five stars because it kept me engaged and it fits in well with The Daughters of the Mayflower series! This a great getaway from the COVID-19 self-quarantine life!!