GRR Reviews Helen Heals a Hotelier by Linda K Hubalek

Helen answered a mail-order bride ad and was stranded in Clear Creek Kansas with her four little girls when her groom turned out to be a con man. She needed a job fast. // Ethan was in charge of the family hotel in town while his parents are taking a trip. Ethan still hadn't gotten over his fiancee, Sarah, left him at the altar. When Helen needed help, and she clearly knew what she was doing (she helped ran a hotel in Pennsylvania) Ethan hired her as he can definitely use some help as well. Ethan and Helen make a great couple... In business and in life. Imagine his parents' surprise when they returned to find four kids and various changes to the hotel...

Nice, sweet, with enough comedic moments, tense moments, and satisfying moments (like when the crook got caught), with a good pivot (from he saving her to she saving him). And the family of four girls (all different fathers) was one long tale of heartbreaks. Very good touches. The "big ending", however, didn't feel that big. But it's a minor flaw, IMHO. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Elof's Mission by Linda K Hubalek

In the year 1886, Elof, former soldier, has just delivered a grave marker to a Montana cemetery for a friend's father's grave. He plans to join them in Clear Creek, Kansas when he came upon a young woman and a child being evicted. Turns out the young woman, Linnea, was a mail-order bride that arrived and married the man eight days ago, and Jamie, the child, was the son of the dead man from a previous marriage. With nowhere to go, and Elof and Linnea both being Swedish descent, the widow and stepson agreed to accompany Elof to Kansas. Elof wanted to marry Linnea and provide for Jamie, but he has nothing at the moment. Then Jamie's grandparents arrived in Kansas to contest custody...

Sweet, but not much else. 3/5

GRR Reviews Millie Marries a Marshal by Linda K. Hubalek

Millie Marries a Marshal is a definitely above average "mail order bride" historical Western with a proper darkest hour even though the couple just feels a bit too... contemporary, and what's with trying to SAVE the marshal? Hmmm?

Millie Donovan arrived in Clear Creek, Kansas hoping to settle down with her groom, Sam Larson. She was instead met by Marshal Adam Wilerson, with grave news: Sam was killed in an accident before she arrived. Now Millie is in a strange town with no money, and a 2-year old son. When Adam's own family scolded him for leaving a woman and a child alone and homeless, the decision was made for him by his ma: Millie and the kid will be living with Adam as his housekeeper for room and board. Adam soon realized Millie was running from something and admit he may have fallen for her himself. The town solidified around Millie, welcoming her and her wild child into their folds. When someone from Millie's past arrived in town, Millie is determined to protect the town... and her Marshal...

Without spoiling anything, there's the HEA ending after a good resolution. The town does seem a bit nosy, but then, it's a small and friendly town. And the 2-year old is cute and good comic relief when things got a bit depressing. And really, what's with a woman trying to save the Marshal? He's the law? But still, all in all a fun novel.

Category: Historical Western

Primary Plot: Woman arrived in town to find her groom's dead... and the marshal is forced by his family to put her and her son up temporarily

Tropes: single parent, mail order bride, law enforcement, family secrets, protector, woman in peril

Overall Rating:  4/5