Contract to Wed
Crawford Family Book 2
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Narrated by:
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Meghan Kelly
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By:
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Holly Bush
About this listen
1891...Jolene Crawford Crenshaw, heiress and Boston socialite, went from her family home directly to Landonmore upon her marriage, the mansion she shared with her handsome and charismatic husband. She'd never in her life worried in the slightest over anything as crass as the dollars required to maintain that home or the lifestyle she'd been born to. Her extensive yearly wardrobe, the stables and the prime horseflesh within it, even the solid silver forks and knifes that graced her table, were expected and required to maintain the social standing that she'd cultivated over the years. But suddenly she was a widow with little money and just her pride and her secrets to keep her upright.
Max Shelby made his fortune in oil wells and cattle but lost the love of his life the day his wife died, over 10 years ago. Now, his happy, carefree, little girl needs instruction and guidance as she grows into a young lady and his dream of becoming a senator from his adopted state of Texas seems out of reach with few political or social connections. The right wife would solve both problems. As it happens his sister knows of a woman, a recent widow, charming, beautiful and socially astute, but in reduced circumstances, who may want to begin again. Max signed the wedding contract sight unseen.
Will Jolene be able to shed her sorrows, anger and fears to begin anew away from the censure and hidden tragedy that marred her life? Is her new husband, confident, strong and capable Max Shelby, the man, the only man, to see past her masks to find the woman beneath?
©2015 Holly Bush (P)2015 Holly BushListeners also enjoyed...
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Lily Chalmers wanted only two things from life: a farm of her own, and to find the sisters she hadn't seen since they were all little girls heading west on the orphan train. She certainly had no desire for a husband.
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Had to give up on this one
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East London, 1888 - a city apart. A place of shadow and light where thieves, whores, and dreamers mingle, where children play in the cobbled streets by day and a killer stalks at night, where bright hopes meet the darkest truths. Here, by the whispering waters of the Thames, Fiona Finnegan, a worker in a tea factory, hopes to own a shop one day, together with her lifelong love, Joe Bristow, a costermonger's son. With nothing but their faith in each other to spur them on, Fiona and Joe struggle, save, and sacrifice to achieve their dreams.
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Wow. Wow wow wow!
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Sir Merrick Hadrian hunts monsters, both human and supernatural. A Knight of the Order of the Round Table, his use of magick and the technologies of steam power have made him both respected and feared. But his considerable skills are useless in the face of his greatest challenge, guardianship of five unusual children. At a loss, Merrick enlists the aid of a governess....
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light read
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It was whispered all through London Society that Ian Mackenzie was mad, that he’d spent his youth in an asylum, and was not to be trusted - especially with a lady. For the reputation of any woman caught in his presence was instantly ruined. Yet Beth found herself inexorably drawn to the Scottish lord, whose hint of a brogue wrapped around her like silk and whose touch could draw her into a world of ecstasy.
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Perfect
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They call him Lord Lyon, proud, determined - and cursed. He is in need of a bride, but if he falls in love, he dies. His fervent hope is that by marrying - and having a son - without love, perhaps he can break the curse's chains forever. Enter beautiful Thea Martin - a duke's headstrong, errant daughter and society's most brilliant matchmaker. Years ago, she and Lyon were inseparable, until he disappeared from her life without a word. Now she is charged with finding Lyon's bride - a woman he cannot love for a man Thea could love too well.
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Good Story - Wonderful Narrator
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Modern Girls
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Super annoying voiceover
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Excellent!
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Great story but too detailed in sex scenes for me
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For the Roses
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The Clayborne brothers were a rough gang of street urchins - until they found an abandoned baby girl in a New York City alley, named her Mary Rose, and headed to Blue Belle, Montana, to raise her to be a lady. They became a family - held together by loyalty and love, if not blood - when suddenly a stranger threatened to tear them apart.
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Beautiful Story
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The War Between the States may be over for the rest of the country, but not for Kit Weston. Disguised as a boy, she's come to New York City to kill Baron Cain, the man who stands between her and Risen Glory, the South Carolina home she loves. But unknown to Kit, the Yankee war hero is more than her bitterest enemy - he's also her guardian. And he'll be a lot harder to kill than she's figured on....
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Gone with the wind light
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Discouraging the Duke
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Emery Jenson came to Wildwood ten years ago with her parents, hired to be the estate's steward and housekeeper. She has taken on more responsibility as her father's mind grows weak and now runs the ducal country seat. When the new duke shows up, she schemes to hide her father's deficiencies, believing the Duke of Winslow won't remain long.
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Great Read!
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What listeners say about Contract to Wed
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Tiasdolls
- 12-21-15
Second Chance at Life
Would you try another book from Holly Bush and/or Meghan Kelly?
I would like to read another book by Holly Bush. Perhaps hear Jenny's story? Ms. Kelly's voice was a little bit grating (melinda's voice in particular). Other than that, Ms. Kelly did a great job at accents and differentiating characters. She did a superb job of conveying the rigidness of Jolene.
Which character – as performed by Meghan Kelly – was your favorite?
I liked Maximillian.
Any additional comments?
I received a copy of the audiobook via audiobookblast in exchange for an unbiased review.
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- Marla
- 12-14-15
Book 2 is even better than book 1.
If you could sum up Contract to Wed in three words, what would they be?
Truth instead of Secrets.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Contract to Wed?
When Jolene is nursing Melinda and everyone realized including Jolene how much she loved the child.
What does Meghan Kelly bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Holly Bush gives good discriptions of the area, and dialogue to let you know what it looks like and how things are in Texas.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Meghan Kelly did a great job portraying all the charactors voices, bringing to life each one of them. I cannot find anything wrong with her performance.
Any additional comments?
This audiobook was provided by the author/narrator/publisher free of charge in exchange for an unbiased review.
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- jey cee
- 12-21-15
Contract to wed
Which scene was your favorite?
Good follow up story, I liked the twist of having a heroine who is not perfect and adoring from the beginning. This book has a little "for adult only" language but it was ok
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4 people found this helpful
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- BJD
- 07-19-22
Rich Widow Marries Without Meeting Oilman
A very rich, formerly super rich, widow marries a Easterner, now Texas oilman, who wants to build a political future in Dallas. Works as stand alone. Author needs more public library app circulation. Author should seek more public library app circulation.
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- LilMissMolly
- 12-28-15
Prickly heiress softens in 1890's Texas
Any additional comments?
Contract to Wed by Holly Bush is a great 2nd book in the Crawford Family trilogy. Primarily set in 1891 Texas, the story begins in Boston right after heiress Jolene Crawford Crenshaw becomes a widow. She soon discovers that her husband left her out of his will leaving her destitute. Rather than marry someone disgusting picked out for her by her mother, she agrees to marry a Texas oil man sight unseen. Max Shelby needs a wife to advance his political ambitions and agrees to the marriage after his Bostonian sister recommends her. Unbeknownst to Jolene, Max also needs help with his carefree 12-year old daughter. Love is obviously not included in the wedding contract between Max and Jolene, but that is exactly what they get by the end of the book.
Contract to Wed is a slow burning romance that grows on you over time. I really enjoyed how the characters didn't immediately profess their love to each other and jump into bed. Rather, the love Max and Jolene share develops out of the deep respect and admiration that the pair experience toward each other over the course of a year. Max is so patient with the prickly Jolene, who is extremely hesitant to love again.
I listened to the Audible version of this story narrated by Meghan Kelly. She did an outstanding job, differentiating between male and female voices and changing the tempo in the performance when warranted. Meghan's narration definitely contributed to my enjoyment of this book. I received a copy of this audio in exchange for an unbiased review.
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- Ellen Oceanside
- 03-12-20
Good Sequel & Narration
This is about Jolene, Julia’s sister wanting security and getting a husband who wanted to give her a lot more, a good sequel to the first, Good narration and setting of the west. Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
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- April H.
- 01-24-16
Read My rating: 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5
"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."
This is an excellent historical fiction,with romance, adventure, and heartbreak included. I could not stop listening. There were times I was in tears, and others I cheered on the characters. One of the best novels I've listened to recently!!I will look for more from this author!!
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1 person found this helpful
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- Iluv2knit
- 05-26-17
Very good listen
If you could sum up Contract to Wed in three words, what would they be?
Great historical Novel
What did you like best about this story?
It was a really interesting story line. The story was engaging and the characters were likable too. I especially liked that it did not follow a formula as some books do.
What does Meghan Kelly bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
I enjoyed the voices. A good narrator makes the story come alive.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
Western romance with a twist.
Any additional comments?
I am fortunate because I have a job where I can listen to audio books about 8 hours a day, this book was a very pleasant listen.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Remmington
- 03-27-17
Contract to Wed
"Contract to Wed" is.an excellent read! The storyline and characters are done in extrodenary taste. I loved this book! I will recommend this book , of.course.
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- ecocat
- 08-08-16
New Beginning
Contract to Wed is about Jolene Crawford Crenshaw, heiress and Boston socialite. She went from her home Landonmore upon her marriage to nothing when her husband has passed away. The only way for her to survive is to marry again and to leave Boston to begin anew.
Wealthy Texas Rancher, Maximilian Shelby has made his fortune from the oil and cattles. He has shut himself off after his wife has passed away with the exception of his daughter. His daughter is growing up and will need a woman of good breeding to guide his daughter into society and to help him to become Senator of Texas.
As the story continues, readers/listeners are going to discover how damage Jolene is by her manipulator of a mother. The first impression of Jolene is that she is not a likable character with her staff and friends. The only thing that her friends associated with her is that she has money. Jolene is cold and stand-offish with the people around her. When the readers/listeners discovered why Jolene the way she is, they will grow to love Jolene.
Max wasn't expecting to be attracted to Jolene. At first it was a business arrangement but it soon become that Max wanted more from his business contract with Jolene. Max is patient when he discovered that one secret that Jolene has hidden from him. He allowed Jolene to figured out what she wanted.
There are some things that the story has right and some things that the story has incorrectly. To start of with, the monetary of $50 million is so incorrect. If $50 million was what it is back in 1891, it would be worth trillions today. There were no millionaires back in 1891.
The thing that the author has correctly is that man controls the wealth. Women were not allowed accessed to their wealth except through their husband and the allowances set up for them to spend monthly. Women are not allowed to have a bank account unless they have an attorney, father, or their fiance-soon-to-be-husband.
What Jolene's husband did to her upon his death is just deplorable. She was the one who supported his career and made him as someone important. He did that just to spite Jolene after what he did to her when he was alive.
The narrator, Meghan Kelly did an OK job with narrating the story. The only thing I didn't like was that Jolene sounds like Mae West. Jolene is supposed to be a Bostonian not someone from the Wild West. I had to overlooked it as a listener.
I was given this audiobook by the author/narrator/publisher via Audiobook Blast in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated or influence in any way for writing this review.
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1 person found this helpful