$3.99 with 64 percent savings
Print List Price: $10.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Cynthia Woolf
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Mail Order Mystery: a sensual mail-order bride historical western romance (Brides of Seattle Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Cynthia Woolf (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 1,705 ratings
Civil war devastated the country and left Rachel Sawyer stranded in a dead-end job as a seamstress with no prospects for marriage. Men are thin on the ground in Massachusetts, so Rachel and her best friend travel west, to Seattle, with the handsome Talbot brothers.

Jason Talbot, the eldest brother and wealthy owner of a lumber company, is so far beyond her reach that falling in love with him is the most non-sensical thing she could do. So, of course, she does. But after one sensual midnight encounter, Jason pushes her away.Jason Talbot and his brothers are desperate to keep their lumberjack crews happy. And if that means traveling across the country to escort a hundred women to Seattle as mail-order brides, that's what he'll do. The brides are for other men. After losing his wife ten years ago, he's not interested in risking another devastating blow to his heart. When Rachel catches his eye, his head and his heart are at war, and he's not sure which side will win.

But when a thief springs up in their midst, and Rachel's determination to solve the mystery leads to murder, Jason realizes he'll do anything, not just to protect her from a killer, but to win her heart.
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 1 of 5
    Brides of Seattle
  2. Print length
    293 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    December 5, 2017
  6. File size
    4.5 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 5 books in this series.

Customers also bought or read

Page 1 of 1Start over
Previous page
Next page
Loading...

Editorial Reviews

Review

REVIEWED BY: LINDA TONIS
MEMBER OF THE PARANORMAL ROMANCE REVIEW TEAM
Jason Talbot and his brothers own and run a logging company but their men and some of the men in town are beginning to feel that they will never get a wife since Seattle is a small town and women are not plentiful. Jason has decided that he will get help from his sister in New Bedford, Massachusetts and advertise for mail-order brides. He intends to bring back one hundred prespective brides and hopefully not lose his men to other places. Since the Civil War there has been a shortage of men and he is successful in his attempt.

Rachel Sawyer and her friend Lucy Davison see the advertisement and immediately agree to sign up. At a meeting of the future brides Rachel is taken with Jason and it appears he feels the same. A three month trip by boat puts them in close proximity to one another and before long they are meeting at night and kissing, unfortunately Jason lets her know that it could go no further since he promised his wife on her death bed he would never marry again. Ten years ago he lost his wife in child birth and now he and his brothers have been raising his son Billy, there is no room for anyone else in his life.

Rachel can't help the fact that she has fallen in love with Jason and in spite of the fact that he always seeks her out he is still unwilling to make a commitment. Rachel is fighting a ghost and soon realizes that she has to let go. When the women arrive in Seattle they discover that some of their jewelry is missing and always wanting to be a detective Rachel decides to find the guilty party. Now she has something to take up her time since she sees no future with Jason.

I don't want to give anything away but I will say that I love reading about the eighteen hundreds and am so grateful that I wasn't living in that time period. It is fun to read about it but living it is a whole other story. Imagine having to travel by boat for three months from Massachusetts to Washington. The story has a mystery, great characters and two people, one a woman in love and the other a man who believes he can never love again. I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens with Rachel and Jason.

I can't wait for more in this series or for that matter any of Ms. Woolf's series.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B077YBS7KR
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Firehouse Publishing
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 5, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 293 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1947075337
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 5 ‏ : ‎ Brides of Seattle
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 1,705 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Cynthia Woolf

Cynthia Woolf

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Cynthia Woolf is the USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author of eighty-four novels and novellas consisting of sixty-seven historical western romances, eleven contemporary romances and six sci-fi, space opera romances, which she calls westerns in space. Along with these books, she has twelve boxed sets of her books. Her eighty-fifth novel, THE MAVERICK, will be published on April 24, 2025.

Cynthia loves writing and reading romance. Her first western romance, Tame A Wild Heart, was inspired by the story her mother told her of meeting Cynthia's father on a ranch in Creede, Colorado. Although Tame A Wild Heart takes place in Creede, that is the only similarity between the stories. Her father was a real cowboy, not a bounty hunter, and her mother was a nursemaid (called a nanny now), not the ranch owner.

Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband Jim and her great critique partners for saving her sanity and allowing her to explore her creativity.

TITLES AVAILABLE

(English unless otherwise stated)

(Newest to Oldest)

COLORADO BRIDES

THE CEO

THE RANCHER

THE MAVERICK

THE BRIDES OF THE KLONDIKE

The Gold Rush Bride (Available in German)

The Gold Mountain Bride

CHRISTMAS AT THE MISTLETOE INN

Cooking Up Christmas

THE PRESCOTT BRIDES (Available in German)

A Bride for Ross

A Bride for Frank

A Bride for Tucker

A Bride for Clay

A Bride for Brodie

MONTANA BILLIONAIRES SERIES (contemporary sweet westerns)

Her Secret Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)

Her Mysterious Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)

Her Royal Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)

Her Christmas Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)

Her Bachelor Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)

Her Wild Cowboy Billionaire (Available in German)

Her Elusive Cowboy Billionaire

Her Disguised Cowboy Billionaire

THE HEART WISH MAIL ORDER BRIDES SERIES

Heart of Stone

Heart of Shadow

MARSHAL’S MAIL ORDER BRIDES

The Carson City Bride (Available in German)

The Virginia City Bride (Available in German)

The Silver City Bride

The Eureka City Bride

ANGEL CREEK CHRISTMAS BRIDES

Adele

BRIDES OF GOLDEN CITY

A Husband for Victoria

A Husband for Cordelia

A Husband for Adeline

BRIDES OF THE OREGON TRAIL (Available in German)

Hannah

Lydia

Bella

Eliza

Rebecca

Charlotte

Amanda

Emma Rose

Nora

Opal

BACHELORS & BABIES

Carter (Book 3)

BRIDES OF SEATTLE (Available in German)

Mail Order Mystery

Mail Order Mayhem

Mail Order Mix-Up

Mail Order Moonlight

Mail Order Melody

CENTRAL CITY BRIDES (Available in German)

The Dancing Bride

The Sapphire Bride

The Irish Bride

The Pretender Bride

HOMESTEAD CANYON SERIES

Thorpe’s Mail-Order Bride

Kissed by a Stranger

A Family for Christmas

HOPE’S CROSSING

The Hunter Bride

The Replacement Bride

The Stolen Bride

The Unexpected Bride

AMERICAN MAIL-ORDER BRIDES

Genevieve, Bride of Nevada

THE SURPRISE BRIDES

Gideon

THE BRIDES OF SAN FRANCISCO

Nellie (Available in German)

Annie (Available in German)

Cora (Available in German)

Sophia (Available in German)

Amelia (Available in German)

Violet

THE BRIDES OF TOMBSTONE (Available in German)

Mail Order Outlaw

Mail Order Doctor

Mail Order Baron

DESTINY IN DEADWOOD (Available in German)

Jake

Liam

Zach

MATCHMAKER & CO

Capital Bride (Available in German)

Heiress Bride (Available in German)

Fiery Bride (Available in German)

Colorado Bride (Available in German)

Troubled Bride

TAME SERIES

Tame a Wild Heart (Available in German)

Tame a Wild Wind (Available in German)

Tame a Wild Bride (Available in German)

Tame a Honeymoon Heart

BOXED SETS

Destiny in Deadwood: The Complete Series

Tame: The Complete Series

Brides of the Oregon Trail – Collection One

Brides of the Oregon Trail – Collection Two

Brides of the Oregon Trail – Collection Three

The Marshals Mail Order Brides – Books 1-3

Matchmaker & Co: The Complete Series

Montana Billionaires, Two Story Collection, Books 1-2

Montana Billionaires, Two Story Collection, Books 3-4

Montana Billionaires, Two Story Collection, Books 5-6

SCI-FI ROMANCE

CENTAURI SERIES

Centauri Dawn

Centauri Twilight

Centauri Midnight

THE SWORDS OF GREGARA SERIES

Jenala

Riza

Honora

BOXSETS

Centauri: The Complete Series

Swords and Blasters

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,705 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers enjoy this historical romance for its fun mix of romance and mystery, and find it well-written and easy to read. The book features excellent characters and charming storytelling, with one customer noting it's suitable for both young adults and older readers. Customers appreciate the portrayal of capable women in the story. The pacing receives mixed reactions, with some loving the setting while others find it predictable.

Select to learn more

StorylineReadabilityFamily bondingCharacter developmentCharmGenderPacingEnjoyment
45 customers mention "Storyline"42 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of this historical romance, describing it as a suspense-filled tale with beautiful love themes.

"An exciting and romantic historical story! I live in Seattle so this was a fun book to read...." Read more

"...This book is an absolute page-turner, masterfully exploring whether Jason can finally release the grip of his past and open himself up to the..." Read more

"...I was very impressed with this story and hope the next one is about Drew and Lucy. I hope he can help her recover...." Read more

"...I loved the characters who are well-developed and relatable...." Read more

43 customers mention "Readability"39 positive4 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and well-written, with several mentioning it's a fun weekend read.

"...into mail order brides and even though this was fiction, it was great to read. 👍❤..." Read more

"...I can recommend it as light, escapist reading and a pleasant diversion, if that is what you are looking for." Read more

"...This book is an absolute page-turner, masterfully exploring whether Jason can finally release the grip of his past and open himself up to the..." Read more

"...I hope he can help her recover. Please get this wonderful book and read it for yourself to find out everything that happens in Seattle...." Read more

6 customers mention "Family bonding"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the family bonding elements in the book, with one mentioning it's suitable for young adults and older readers, while another notes it's appropriate for pre-teens.

"This is a nice story, probably ok for an older teenager. There is lots of kissing and marital sex that is implied mostly...." Read more

"...I would recommend this story to young adults and older. I look forward to reading the next installment of the story.👍..." Read more

"...There is romance a little mystery and and learning to be a family. Have read several of her books and recommend them" Read more

"Beautiful story about love and family and friends. A lovely message about lost love and found love. Strong and capable women." Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers praise the characters in the book.

"...I loved the characters who are well-developed and relatable...." Read more

"...The storyline is excellent, and so are all of the many good characters. I really liked all of the brothers...." Read more

"The author did an excellent job with this book.The characters were excellent and the location was ideal.Can't wait to read the next in the series." Read more

"...Woolf gem...romance, suspense, heart-tugging writing...luscious, real men to make your heart thump. I never tire of this author." Read more

3 customers mention "Charm"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book charming.

"...This book is definitely an HEA and and charming as you would expect...." Read more

"A bit predictable but cute nonetheless. Classic mail order bride that falls in love and gets a great family with some twists along the way." Read more

"Charming. A fun mix of romance and mystery!..." Read more

3 customers mention "Gender"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the portrayal of women in the book, with one review noting that they are not portrayed as helpless damsels, and another mentioning that the logging camp needs women.

"...well; a fast, easy read; a few humorous spots; the women were not 'helpless damsels'. Thus, four stars." Read more

"...A lovely message about lost love and found love. Strong and capable women." Read more

"Logging camp needs women! The ad was placed in all surrounding cities...." Read more

7 customers mention "Pacing"4 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some loving the setting while others find it confusing.

"I really enjoyed this tale. Intrigue, romance and wonderful setting. I really believe I was born in the wrong century...." Read more

"There are so many inconsistencies. Jason and his first wife got a kitten right after they got married...." Read more

"Great tale of growth and vision being made physical. Love the setting and rough surroundings being made into comfortable living." Read more

"A bit predictable but cute nonetheless. Classic mail order bride that falls in love and gets a great family with some twists along the way." Read more

4 customers mention "Enjoyment"0 positive4 negative

Customers find the book difficult to enjoy.

"...I can't even finish the book. This is horrible. The writer speaks of making love or having sex as relations...this is part of our relations!..." Read more

"...The way the author wrote this story made it very hard to enjoy. I read every day and this is probably the only negative review I have ever written." Read more

"...males were awkwardly depicted, intimate scenes were also anemic and boring. Keep practicing but I wouldn't recommend." Read more

"awful..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    An exciting and romantic historical story! I live in Seattle so this was a fun book to read. I knew of Asa Mercer's true foray into mail order brides and even though this was fiction, it was great to read. 👍❤
    Helpful
     Report
  • CABG115
    4.0 out of 5 stars An Enjoyable read; Mostly a romance
    Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Many current fictional mysteries have a little bit of romance within their pages as part of the story plot. This is the opposite. This is a romance which digresses a bit to solve a mystery. The mystery is a minor plot line, but it also helps set up the plot for the second volume in the series (which I have NOT read). I found the writing to be engaging and what i believe to be realistic for the historical period. The book does push into R rated territory, but that happens after the nuptials, when the mystery unfolds and is solved. I enjoyed reading this book and sped through it. I can recommend it as light, escapist reading and a pleasant diversion, if that is what you are looking for.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Anna Marie Leffew
    5.0 out of 5 stars Profound impact!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    **Mail-Order Mystery** by Cynthia Woolf
    Book 1 of 5

    This captivating clean romance captured my heart from the very first page. Bursting with suspense and intrigue, it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. Set in the small shanty town of Seattle, Washington, the story unfolds as Jason recognizes his workers' need for companionship and turns to his sister in Massachusetts for help in recruiting 100 women as mail-order brides. Among these hopefuls is Rachel, who is fiercely determined to win Jason's heart. However, Rachel faces a daunting challenge: Jason is still entangled in the memories of his late wife, who tragically passed away a decade ago.

    This book is an absolute page-turner, masterfully exploring whether Jason can finally release the grip of his past and open himself up to the possibility of love again. Will Rachel be able to ignite the spark that draws him in, or will she remain just out of reach? Immerse yourself in this compelling tale to uncover the fate of their entwined hearts.

    If you are looking for a feel good story, I highly recommend reading this book.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Cinderella 7
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tremendous Love Story!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    It was so nice watching Rachel and Jason falling in love right from them seeing each other among the 100 mail order brides in the church his sister arranged to meet them.

    Then to watch it grow while on the ship for the three months it took to reach Seattle. Read what happened on the ship. Then see how they were drawn together shortly after arriving in Seattle.

    Rachel and her best friend were trying to figure out who was involved in the theft of the brides jewelry. It turns horribly bad when one of the women is murdered and another one is kidnapped.

    Will Jason ever admit he is in love with Rachel or will he continue to morn his late wife who died ten years ago? Do they have a chance at real love or will Rachel have to walk away?

    I was very impressed with this story and hope the next one is about Drew and Lucy. I hope he can help her recover.

    Please get this wonderful book and read it for yourself to find out everything that happens in Seattle. I highly recommend this book and I just know you will like it too just as much as I have.
    39 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Karen Talley
    3.0 out of 5 stars 2 1/2 Stars rounded up to 3
    Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I like mail order bride books so I was looking forward to this one. I really wanted to like it more than I did, but... I really couldn't get into the characters at all. The heroine's determination to "be a detective" and solve mysteries was a little on the juvenile side. The dialogue wasn't the best and someone really needed to do some proofreading before this was published. I honestly thought it was a good effort for a beginning writer and then I saw that the author was "award winning" and "best-selling" with over 25 books in print. I was honestly surprised by this. I won't be reading any more of this series.

    I would rate the sex scenes as PG-13
    5 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Bonnie K
    4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
    Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2023
    Format: Audible AudiobookVerified Purchase
    Ms. Woolf has created a story that stayed with me long after I finished it, which was in one sitting. I loved the characters who are well-developed and relatable. Jason stole my heart from the onset and Rachel was not only courageous but the loving heart he needed to finally put his grief behind him.
    The Audible narrator did a nice job, although I didn’t particularly care for most of her male voices.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Logging camp needs women! The ad was placed in all surrounding cities.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Seattle needed women as it was just a logging town really. Jason and his brothers, as owners, knew they had to bring women who were interested in getting married to Seattle or their male workforce threatened to leave and find work where they could marry and start a family.

    Jason had lost his wife when his son had been born ten years ago and he was not interested in marrying again. His four brothers however, were very interested so they had a sister who had ads put in newspapers for them and soon had 100 women ready to move.

    This book is definitely an HEA and and charming as you would expect. Of course Jason was a hunky lumberjack who changed his mind about marriage and then there was was a jewelry thief and the woman Jason was interested in fancied herself a detective which kept him busy.

    All in all, a charming clean romance that I enjoyed reading. An easy read and once started, I quickly finished....on to the next!
    Helpful
     Report
  • Cindy Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brides for lumberjacks in the far Northwest is full of romance, suspense, and great reading.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Cynthia Woolf hits another home run with the first story of her Brides of Seattle series. The Talbot brothers bring 100 women to Seattle, Washington Territory, after the Civil War has taken so many men's lives back East. The sea voyage to Seattle goes relatively smoothly, but upon getting the women to the dormitories set up for them by the area's single men, the women discover that their jewelry is missing from their trunks. Rachel feels that she can solve this mystery, even though her efforts before this in her hometown of New Bedford, Massachusetts, never worked out. Rachel gets Lucy to keep an eye on a suspected woman among the brides and a sailor she is sneaking out to see. What happens leads to love for Rachel, and hope for Lucy to find a love for herself in another story in this series. I love Cynthia Woolf novels as she weaves a wonderful tale, and makes her characters so real to me.
    16 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Linda Gilmore
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 12, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This was a start of a series where 5 brothers travel hundreds of miles to recruit 100 Mail Order Brides for the Lumberjacks in their business camp. This story is how Jason, the oldest brother fell in love with one of the brides. Can't wait to read the other 4 books in the series. Well worth reading. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
    Report
  • Kindle Customersandra
    5.0 out of 5 stars Favorite series
    Reviewed in Canada on March 11, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I got this book because ..having read other books by Virginia Wolfe.. I knew this one would be an excellent read. It was so good I immediately bought the other 4 in the series
    Report
  • LB1966
    5.0 out of 5 stars Really great read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 30, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    My first book by CYNTHIA WOOLF but won't be the last.
    Very well crafted book, really interesting storyline which held my interest from start to finish. Loved the interaction between characters who were diverse in type but fitted together like a jigsaw puzzle. LOOKING FORWARD TO BOOK 2 hint hint.
    Report
  • Vickie Emms
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great story
    Reviewed in Canada on January 3, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A warm and wonderful story of a strong mail order bride that knew what she wanted and went for it. She had to fight hard to win the true love of her husband who was caught up in the memory of his dead wife.
    Report
  • Canadianshopper
    3.0 out of 5 stars boring
    Reviewed in Canada on July 16, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    sorry , i found this a bit boring
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report