The Substitute Bride (Heartsong Presents) by Linda S. Glaz

The Substitute Bride (Heartsong Presents) Reviews

• 
  Cheesecake

  .
  A terrible train accident, a woman with amnesia, and the groom who was waiting for her arrival.
  I was stoked. I didn't care if she was or wasn't Rebecca.
  but...
  Jared and Rebecca were such wet blankets for most of the story. I really didn't feel the romance, let alone love. Instead of making the best of things and sharing or getting to know each other, they spent most of the story in their heads whining about the hand life had dealt them.
  Then the author contrives to get Jared hurt, but somehow even though he was so grievously injured, he can still pick her up and carry her etc, etc...
  I was skimming pretty heavily by this point.
  A lot of author saying this is the way the characters are, but contradicting it with their actions.
  Like he's supposed to be so shy with women but I never saw any evidence of it.
  Then at one point well into the story, he suddenly realizes he's in love with her? Why?
  
  bleh.
  
  safety is fine and the story is clean as a whistle.
• 
  LAWonder10

  I love mail order bride stories! I am certain many of them did not turn out well, it still is somewhat of a romantic concept. People actually fell in love through the mail as some do now through the internet. They sometimes actually fall in love with the person and not just the image. Some of the strongest marriages I know were first built on their friendship before they fell in love. Sometimes, as it is now, it was simply to get away from an unhappy home or situation. I am sure many of those were not as happy. Anyway,....
  
  'The Substitute Bride' is a mail order bride story with a different twist. Before she could arrive on the train, it was derailed. Some were killed, some injured and most all were in a state of confusion and shock . They did the best to survive until help came. Rebecca was no exception. She was hauled into a wagon and taken to the next town of the train stop. Her husband to be was worried and anxious awaiting the train that never arrived. Finally a telegram was sent that the passengers would be arriving by wagon and would be put up in the hotel for a week, if needed, at the expense of the railroad. Shortly thereafter, Jared heard the sound of wagon wheels and anxiously waited for the wagons to be unloaded. There was only one young, blond hair, blue eyed woman. He knew it was her! She was beautiful! He anxiously approached her and introduced himself....This is not the reception he expected!
  
  Rebecca was confused and frightened. How could she marry this stranger? Where would she go? What could she do? She was sure she was a disappointment to Jared. She had to make a decision soon. She only had two more days to stay at the hotel. What were her choices?
  
  Second thoughts about mail order romances plagued both individuals. A steady flow of events continued to take place. Would this marriage have a chance of lasting? Would it even be a real marriage?
  
  The cover depicts the story quite well. The characters a developed well. The descriptiveness of background scenes and events were fairly well done , allowing the reader to create the picture in his/her mind.
  
  The only thing that dissuades me from giving this book a five stars rating in this review is I feel it dragged out a little too much. I began to feel "Alright, already! Enough!" It was also predictable and slightly dwindled at the last quarter of the book. It still was a very good tale. I therefore give it a Four and a Half Stars rating.
  
  The author generously sent this book to me for an honest review, of which I have given.
• 
  June

  Jared goes to meet his mail-order-bride only to find that the train derailed and in the process she's lost her memory and wants nothing to do with him. Not knowing what to do or where to go, she finally agrees to marry him since her
  only other option is to go work in the saloon. Giving each other time to figure out what they should do results in their becoming friends and taking care of each other in times of physical trial. Eventually the whole story is figured out and the ending is a nice surprise for all.
• 
  Jeanie

  I didn't understand the title of the book at first, but caught on later to it's meaning. It was a heartwarming story - she had to be SO frightened to not know who she was, where she came from, etc. and to be thrust into an unknown world, to be told she was to be married to a man she'd never met...did nothing to relieve her anxiety. He was such a kindhearted, godly, patient man - giving her time to get back her memories before they made it a marriage in more than name only, WHICH only gave them time to fall in love with each other.
• 
  Rebekah Millet

  This historical suspense was truly hard to put down! The character's situations in life was such a draw on my heart. Add in the emotional struggles, and twists to the story, and this was a page-turner that kept me up the nights I read it.
• 
  Cherie Halstead

  Great book
  
  I enjoyed the storyline and the setting where it took place. I liked the characters to. I would recommend this book.