Spotlight & Giveaway: The Mail Order Bride’s Secret by Linda Broday

Posted January 30th, 2020 by in Blog, Spotlight / 61 comments

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Linda Broday to HJ!
Spotlight&Giveaway

Hi Linda Broday and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, The Mail Order Bride’s Secret!

 

Please summarize the book for the readers here:

Wanted man Tait Trinity has his hands full already trying to keep his head out of a hangman’s noose when his sister’s three kids show up on his doorstep. The children’s parents have been murdered and they have nowhere else to go. The twin nine-year-old nephews tell him straight out that they don’t like rules and his four-year niece cries at the drop of a hat. His best friends advise him to send for the mail order bride he’s been writing and fast.
Melanie Dunbar arrives, declaring that she doesn’t intend to be a nursemaid, housekeeper, cook, or chief bottle washer. She came to marry him and that’s all—except she’s hiding her real purpose for coming. Melanie has her own agenda unbeknownst to Tait and a clock is ticking. However, she breaks her rule of keeping her heart locked away and her plans soon change.
Evil stalking them make banding together to fight the only possible way to survive. But is it too late and the price too high?
 

Please share favorite quote from the book:

Tait shrugged out of his shirt, unbuckled his gun belt, and removed his boots. Conscious of his attention on her, Melanie undid the buttons of her nightgown and let it puddle to the floor. He sucked in a breath, his heated gaze raking her body. Every nerve ending alive, she turned back the covers and slid between the sheets as naked as a newborn.

 

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

  • The famous Sam Houston’s son, Temple Houston, was appointed and served as district attorney of the newly formed 35th Judicial District, made up of twenty-six counties of the Texas Panhandle. Larger than life, Temple was a flamboyant and gifted attorney and a dead shot with his pistols. I wish I could’ve known him. He added a lot of color to my story. The timeline is off by six months but I took creative license and beg your indulgence.
  • At the time of this series, there were only 4 incorporated towns in the 25,823.89 square mile area so it was the perfect place for outlaws to hide out.
  • To obtain a pardon for crimes, an outlaw would have to hire an attorney who would write a letter to one of the federal judges outlining the reasons why his client’s request should be heard. It wasn’t cheap but most outlaws had some money stashed. Once a pardon was granted, the man had to keep a signed affidavit with the state seal on him at all times because it took a long while for all the wanted posters to be destroyed.

 

If you could have given your characters one piece of advice before the opening pages, what would it be and why?

Stop being so darn stubborn and turn loose of the past. Tait and Melanie couldn’t see the future until they let the past go and opened their hearts to love.

 

If your book was optioned for a movie, what scene would you use for the audition of the main characters and why?

I would choose the scene where mail order bride Melanie Dunbar steps off the stagecoach. Tait is standing there, holding his little niece with his twin nephews next to him. The kids are so full of hope that Melanie will stay and marry their uncle because they can see he’s out of his element and they need someone capable. And Tait is trying not to let hope show on his face. He needs help bad. First impressions are everything and they’re all trying to look their best for her. This scene chokes me up.

Tait Trinity lined up the children in front of the stage lines office and gave each a stern eye and last-minute instructions. “Be polite, no tricks, and act like you have more than a lick of sense.”
His glance then swept to the crowd gathering behind them. “Go home. I don’t need gawkers.”

Unperturbed, Tally smiled, not budging. “No offense, but we want to make sure she’s suitable for the children.”

“Fine.” He pulled a handkerchief from a pocket and wiped a streak of dirt from Becky’s face just as the stagecoach raced through the gap in the canyon. This was it. God help him.

“Don’t forget to smile, Uncle Tait.” Jesse’s sage advice came with a wink.

Joe added his two cents. “And don’t say anything rude even if she’s ugly. We need her bad.”

Becky slipped her small hand inside Tait’s and glanced up. “Mama?”

“No, honey, not your mama. Miss Melanie will be your aunt.” Assuming she stayed. Dear Lord, don’t let her change her mind.

Anguish bubbled in Becky’s large eyes. “Mama.”

Tait picked her up and wiped the silent tears rolling down the girl’s cheeks. “I know, and I’m real sorry, honey. If I could bring your mama back, I’d do it in a heartbeat.” And as soon as Melanie settled in, he’d hunt down the low-down scum who’d killed his sister.

The stage halted, enveloping them in a swirl of dust, and the driver pulled the hand brake. This was it. Tait lowered Becky between her brothers, straightened his blue vest, and adjusted the gold watch chain. He’d brushed his boots, dusted his black Stetson, and shaved. This was the best he could do.

Why did it feel as though he was going to his hanging? What if he didn’t like her? Or she him? So much hinged on this moment.

His chest tightening, he opened the stagecoach door. A woman in a becoming blue bonnet took his hand and stepped down. Long auburn hair tumbled over her shoulders, the loose curls begging for a touch. Her dress, the same shade of blue as the bonnet, showed some wear around the hem and cuffs of her sleeves. Somewhere in the deep recesses of his mind came the thought that wearing frayed clothing seemed rather odd for a dressmaker. But maybe she’d fallen on hard times.

She raised her eyes to meet his, and his breath caught, startled by the mesmerizing color. They weren’t quite blue and not quite green. Kind of turquoise—like an ancient stone revered by the Navajo. Fierce determination, and maybe hope, shone in her gaze.

Tait’s mouth dried. “Miss Melanie?”

Dimples formed in the lady’s cheeks when she smiled. “I take it you’re Mr. Trinity?”

The world became silent and still. Tait stared and tried to swallow but found it impossible. Melanie Dunbar possessed the kind of charm that warmed like summer rays and made him feel all man. A mere second had passed, and he already knew he’d bitten off more than he could chew.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 

What do you want people to take away from reading this book?

That marriage can only last if the couple trusts each other and is honest. Love can’t penetrate subterfuge and secrets.
 

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

 

Giveaway: 1 Paperback copy of The Mail Order Bride’s Secret by Linda Broday

 

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: If a person has a good enouh reason to hold something back from you, would you forgive them?

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 

Book Info:

When the West was wild and man’s law favored the few, these extraordinary women could be found…in the heart of an outlaw.

When three young children show up on outlaw Tait Trinity’s doorstep, he knows he can’t help them—a wanted man has no business raising kids. And yet he can’t bring himself to turn them away. At a loss, he sends for the mail order bride he’d been writing to, hoping the demure dressmaker will be the answer to his prayers.

Melanie Dunbar is nothing like the bride Tait was expecting. She’s rough and tumble…and hiding an ulterior motive. Dangerous men have taken her sister hostage, and if Melanie wants to see her alive, she’ll have to betray her new husband. There’s only one problem—the more time she spends with Tait, the more she comes to care for him. Yet as the noose begins to tighten, Melanie will have to make a terrible choice: save her sister…or the man she loves.

Book Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo |
 
 

Meet the Author:

At a young age, Linda Broday discovered a love for storytelling, history, and anything pertaining to the Old West. After years of writing romance, it’s still tall rugged cowboys that spark her imagination. A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Linda has won many awards, including the prestigious National Readers’ Choice Award and the Texas Gold. She resides in the Texas Panhandle where she’s inspired every day.

Author Website: https://lindabroday.com/
 
 
 

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61 Responses to “Spotlight & Giveaway: The Mail Order Bride’s Secret by Linda Broday”

  1. erahime

    It depends on what they are holding back. And if what they are holding back is reasonable, they can be forgiven.

  3. Tonya Lucas

    Loved this blog and all the questions and answers.
    If a person has my best interest and they are protecting me from something, then yes I could and probably would forgive them.
    Linda is such a phenomenal author, she is my favorite historical author and each book she writes becomes my new favorite.

    • lindabroday

      Hi Tonya Lucas! I’ve carried secrets that I knew could destroy someone if they found out. It’s very difficult to do. And you can’t forget what you know. I hope you’re never put in that position. I’m so happy you like Tait and Melanie’s story.

  5. laurieg72

    My faith teaches me to forgive but I’ve found in real life it’s not always so easy to forgive and to forget. I hope I am a strong enough person to face and to accept the reason they did what they did.

    Every situation is different. I would have to know more details: Did it hurt someone I loved?, Did it hurt me?, Did I think it was a good enough reason? WHY???

    • lindabroday

      Laurie G, you’re right. The details are important and definitely play a part in being able to forgive. Thanks for coming by. I loved seeing you.

    • lindabroday

      Thank you for coming, Natalija. I hope I spelled your name right. You seem the forgiving sort. If you try the book, I hope you enjoy it.

    • lindabroday

      I’m happy you stopped by, Karina Angeles. Holding a grudge can eat you alive. I hope you get a chance to read this book. Melanie has good reason for keeping her secret.

  10. janinecatmom

    Sometimes some things are best left in the past. We all have things that we regret doing in the past and they don’t need to be rehashed.

    • lindabroday

      Janine Cat Mom, thank you so much for coming. I agree with your comment. I’ve held one secret for over 50 years and see no reason to tell. Some things are best left buried.

    • lindabroday

      Hi Debra! It’s great to see on here. Secrets do need to be justified. Melanie Dunbar’s is. She had to buy time for Tait to come to the point he’d listen. Good luck in the drawing.

  14. sejoc1968

    I absolutely loved this book and the entire series. I highly recommend Linda Broday books to anyone that likes Historical Western Romance or just Romance books.

    • lindabroday

      Hi SEIOC1968! I’m so happy you like this Outlaw Mail Order Bride series. I am very proud of the stories I’ve written. Now we’re down to one more and Ridge Steele’s later in the year will be a doozy. Love you, lady.

    • lindabroday

      Thank you very much, Glenda Kinard! I hope you’ll also like Ridge Steele’s later on in the year. He marries a woman who can’t speak.

  22. Amyc

    That would be a tough question. I guess it would depend on what it is and how serious it is. More than likely I would forgive though.

  23. lindabroday

    Thank you so much for hosting me and giving me a chance to talk about my new release The Mail Order Bride’s Secret. I’m so excited to get it to readers. I loved Tait and Melanie and the love they found that changed their lives. I have a fourth in the series coming out later in the year with Ridge Steele who is an ex-preacher.

  31. Linda Herold

    That has happened to me and it caused a separation! So for me it’s a no!

    • lindabroday

      I’m so sorry, Linda Herold. Some secrets there is no forgiving. The destructive kind leave scars. Good luck in the drawing.

  35. eawells

    As long as it wouldn’t affect our relationship I might be able to forgive, but I don’t forgive easily.

  40. lindabroday

    Thanks to everyone who came to leave a comment. Good luck in the drawing. Hope to see you again later in the year when Book #4 comes out. It’s called Once Upon a Mail Order Bride.

  44. Nancy P

    It would depend on what it is, also what may seem like a good reason to them may not be a good reason.