A Promise for Christmas

1883

Miss Fiona Carthage has been governess for 10 years to the 4 Huntingdon children, ages 8-15. Now, she is being let go.

Anson Lorentz owns Lorentz Hardware store. The store and the animals he raises keep him very busy. A friend tells him he needs a wife. The man himself has a mail order wife, a happy marriage, and suggests that Anson check into it.

Anson had been a gold miner until he realized the gold was running out so he sold his claim and opened the store. With all the work in the store and at home, he realizes a bride is a good idea. However, he is concerned about marrying and getting along with a stranger. But fate steps in and puts him in touch with Fiona who is also considering the mail order bride route. After some corresponding, she agrees to travel out to Colorado.

When Fiona arrives, she and Anson immediately marry but have some adjustments to make to one another. But it’s not long before he falls in love with his wife. She spontaneous, creative, and not afraid to stand up for herself. Love is what this book is about and the author has written a beautiful, clean story. Well done!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is a sweet clean romance that holds your attention. It is beautifully written and is the perfect book to curl up with. I enjoyed reading Fiona and Anson's story. Thank you .Backlit PR via NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Cute little short story. I enjoyed the authors writing immensely. I have never read any of her other books so I cannot wait to check them out. I will also say thank you to the author and NetGalley for gifting me this ebook. I do wish it was a longer story! I loved all the characters and I would love to have seen a normal size book on how their marriage developed. I would read from this author again. Also for readers, this book is clean and wholesome.

Who can resist the mail order bride? I totally blame Glenn Close and Christopher Walken for my [slight] obsession with this trope.

Fiona is working as a governess when she is suddenly dismissed by her employers. While staying with a friend until she finds a new position, Fiona is convinced to answer the advertisement for a mail order bride. Fiona’s potential husband is Anson, a hardware store owner of German heritage, who is looking for a bride due to his loneliness. There’s nothing horrid about either lead but I must admit Anson’s penny pinching ways did my head in occasionally.

As usual, there is a distinct lack of anything to do with Christmas. The last chapter is dedicated to the holiday and features gift giving, but that’s about it.

There probably could have been more descriptive passages in the book but overall there was nothing particularly offensive about Carroll-Bradd’s writing. The romance is clean with only the slightest hint of religion which shouldn’t worry those with or without faith.

I did feel like the book suffered a little due to its short length. There was so much more detail Carroll-Bradd could have gone into with the plot and characters.

I would definitely pick up something written by Carroll-Bradd again and I wouldn’t rule out picking up another from this series of books either. Recommend A Promise for Christmas if you can pick it up at a reasonable price considering its brevity. 3 1/2 out of 5

I thought this was a sweet romance novella about two strangers who decided to do something completely different and get married without meeting, but only writing letters back and forth. I think the only flaw is how short it is. I know that it is a novella, but I would like to read more about these characters.

An easy to read book in a night. There was a good storyline and characters who kept you interested. The story was about a mail order bride and how she settled into married life with her new husband. I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to be read.

Not my usual sort of read but was lovely and quick!
I didn’t grow to love any of the characters as it was so short but definitely a nice little read for Christmas

Books about mail order brides fascinate me and A Promise for Christmas was no different. Great writing and character dynamics. I received an arc from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

I enjoyed this short mail order bride story with both of the main characters. That are Fiona Carthage and Anson Lorentz. And also the rest of the characters too.

Fiona Carthage job has let go of her and doesn't need her any more. She has been a governess to a wealthy family in Chicago for a long time. She is very surprised by this and must find a way to support herself. Her friend that has aloud her to stay with them until she decides what to do. Also they have told her about become a mail order bride.


Anson Lorentz is a storeowner in Colorado his friend has told him to take a chance to and have a mail order bride. When she arrives she turn his life upside down.


This story was fun to read. It also had a few laughs.

I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinion.