Free to Heal: A Historical Western Marriage of Convenience Novelette Series

Texas Wildflowers, Book 2

By: Susette Williams, Leah Atwood

Narrated by: Allyson Voller

Kane Calloway swore he'd never let anyone close to him again - that way he'd never feel the pain of loss. Living a life of reckless abandonment has brought him face to face with his demons. No more running. Either he gets married or spends time in jail. Neither sentence is appealing, but if he stays out of jail, he can at least help keep two small children from going hungry.

Newly widowed, Faith Masterson is struggling to keep up with chores while tending to her two daughters. Without help, which she can't afford to pay for, she and her daughters will surely starve by winter. After hearing about a new government program for women in her situation, she decides it is worth trying for the sake of her children.

Will two destitute people be able to learn to love again? Or are they doomed to spend a marriage imprisoned by the loss they each encountered in their past?

©2015 Susette Williams (P)2016 Susette Williams

Sweet Romance

I have a weakness for historical western romances, and the premise of this series sounded interesting. I loved the narrator's tone and pacing. She had the perfect voice for this story. While I knew this was a short, quick listen, I did feel the ending was rushed and adding a chapter or two would have fleshed things out a bit more. Still, overall an enjoyable experience.

Good, clean short story

This book is short and to the point. The characters are very likable and I almost wish that it were written into a full novel. Of course, there are more short books in this series so I guess I'll think of them as the next chapters. I can't wait to read the others. These short stories are such fun to listen to when you want something that doesn't take a lot of time.
I was given a copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

great book

"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com."

very well writen and narrated. would definitely listen to more like it

Great clean 2nd chance romance

I received this book in exchange for a honest review.

Great clean romance about 2nd chances and new lives.

Wish it had more detail

If you could sum up Free to Heal: A Historical Western Marriage of Convenience Novelette Series in three words, what would they be?

Needs longer story

What was one of the most memorable moments of Free to Heal: A Historical Western Marriage of Convenience Novelette Series?

The most memorable moment is at the church with the stone from Kane's pocket

What about Allyson Voller’s performance did you like?

Her voice was easy to listen to and understand

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, this was just a short story, but it needed to be a bit longer. there were parts that seemed to just plain be missing.... like they were there but cut out to shorten the book... but they were much needed. There were a few parts that seemed to jump through time and the relationship between Kane and Faith had progressed where i almost didn't recognize i was in the same book.

Any additional comments?

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

Good novelette with a unique concept for plot.

This is a Christian novelette based on the "Freedom Bride" program. Faith has been left widowed with two small children. Kane is in prison for a minor offense. He is offered the chance to get out of prison is he agrees to marry Faith and provide for her and her children, be faithful and stay away from alcohol and tobacco. Kane had previously lost his wife, so they have something in common.They are married the day they meet. Can these two strangers come to actually love each other? Nice story.

Surprising couple!

--I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book of the series that I have listened to, and I love the premise of the storylines. Kane, a convict has been allowed to marry Faith. She is a recent widow with two small girls and is in need of some help with her farm. Kane needs a place to start over after losing his wife in childbirth, and making some poor decisions. This unlikely couple is so wonderful to see grow together and become a family. I love Kane and can see how Faith could not help herself but fall for the man. There are a few obstacles, including town gossip repercussions, but love wins out. I also love the names of all the children..which you will have to read(listen) to the book to find out. It is very inspirational.

Allyson Voller narrates the novella series for this and is wonderful.

A Cozy Western Romance

What other book might you compare Free to Heal: A Historical Western Marriage of Convenience Novelette Series to and why?

Authors Susette Williams and Leah Atwood successfully pack in solid character development and story telling in a short amount of time. Other similar authors would be Julie Pollitt who has also written novelettes (mail-order brides)

What three words best describe Allyson Voller’s voice?

Pleasant, clear

I would have liked there to be more of a difference between the general narrator's voice and the main characters voice. Sometimes, I missed the fact that Faith was actually speaking (I thought it was the narrator). A few times (Sheriff's voice) it sounded like Ms. Voller was yelling the narration in a hallway (echo felling). In general, more variety in voices (using different characteristics of her own voice), would have added to the performance.

Any additional comments?

I received a copy via audiobook boom in exchange for an unbiased review

A beautiful loving coming together

There is a purity in these stories. Heart felt Warming, between a man & a woman. They can hold each others hopes, fears & hurts. They can heal each other. Love the stories. Bless You🕊

A Well-Rounded Short Story

Free to Heal: A Historical Western Marriage of Convenience Novelette Series: Texas Wildflowers, Book 2 by Susette Williams, Leah Atwood
This was a quick listen and a lovely story. It is a different take on the mail order bride’s stories. The plight of women is still difficult when they lose their husbands. Faith has two daughters under the age of five when her husband is killed after falling from his horse. She is part of a small community and her husband’s best friend tries to help but gossip rears it’s ugly head. As sheriff of his town he and several other nearby sheriffs get together to form what is called Freedom Brides. This is a chance for the men in the program to be free and the women they marry to gain a husband to fulfill the roles required. The first six men are chosen carefully and informed of what is required of them and they eagerly sign up. Kane Calloway is the one chosen for Faith because he not only is a good farmer but he lost his wife and daughter to death and although the sheriff wants Faith to wait she knows that if she does not do this immediately not only will she and her daughters go hungry the rest of the town will also. Since the town depends on her farm to supply them with the food that the farm yields.

Kane and Faith get married and he does a good job of doing the farm work as well as making the girls feel like they are part of his life. He and Faith eventually discover that they can have a real marriage. The other events make this a well-rounded story and make you wish that the people who run the prisons had programs that rehabilitated the prisoners rather than making them candidates for more incarceration.
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