Book Review: Hearts West by Chris Enss
Fans of Western Historical Romance, particularly Mail Order Bride-themed romances will find this nonfiction volume by Chris Enss an enlightening and entertaining read.
Victorian Era: the American West
Queen Victoria reigned from age 18 to age 81; June 1837 until her death in 1901. Anything that falls within this time, whether those English-speaking countries were her subjects or not, is referred to as the Victorian Era. The United States definitely had a Victorian Era–and the sheer quantity of significant historical occurrences, inventions, developments, social happenings–is astounding. This overview sheds light on this favored backdrop (Victorian Era American West) for fiction.
How Much Research Does it Take?
READERS ASK: how much research does it take to produce an historical romance?
MY ANSWER: it depends on many aspects.
It depends on how much the author already knows about the setting, the era, the political climate, well-known (at least to those versed in history) events that coincide with the book’s time line.
Mail Order Brides in the 19th Century American West
Fans of Mail-Order Bride Romances adore reading about courageous women who left home, headed west, and risked everything for a brighter future. We admire brave men who sent for a bride with no more courtship than letters could provide. We enjoy the conflict, hurdles, and challenges the characters face before earning their happy ending.
Did any of this stuff happen in real history?
Yes.
Did real life mail-order bride arrangements become love-matches?
Sometimes.
A Peek Inside GIDEON’S SECONDHAND BRIDE
A Peek Inside Gideon’s Secondhand Bride shares most of a scene from within the novella. This scene, wherein John Gideon teaches his mail-order bride of convenience to shoot his rifle. This interaction occurs near the middle of the book, so it’s not visible in Amazon’s “look inside” feature.
