Rugged lumberjack and sawmill owner, Sam Maynard, enjoys a happy-go-lucky life in the 1870’s small town of Brownville, Nebraska. Seeking out a wife of his own is the farthest thing from his mind until he sees his brother, Finn, so blissfully happy with his new proxy bride, and it sparks a desire within his own soul to find a mate. The girl he might have been able to love, sadly, is already promised to someone else, so he turns down the same avenue his brother had taken—the matrimonial advertisements. After multiple replies fail to generate any interest, however, he is about to chuck the whole idea... Tired of living in an apartment all alone, Beth Ann Gilmore looks forward to having her own hearth, home, husband, and children, but when she finds herself unexpectedly jilted by Stanley, her longtime beau, all her dreams go up in smoke. Refusing to rest on her laurels, she ponders the fact that her best friend, Charise, found happiness through mail-order-bride notices—so why couldn’t she? For good measure, she visits a local marriage broker as well. Soon, however, circumstances take a drastic turn and in fear for her life, she wires her friends in Nebraska for help. The return telegram contains a shocking idea. Can she go through with it? Should she? Could a man she only met once be her salvation...in more ways than one? Beth knows it’s a gamble, but faced with no other choice, it’s a chance she can’t afford to pass up. This is a clean, inspirational romance. The story contains themes of real life, but is suitable for all ages, as it contains no illicit sex or profanity. REVIEWS: I enjoyed reading this captivating story that is fantastically written with charismatic characters. Mr. Hinkle was an excellent addition and LE combined the 2 stories beautifully. (Bride for Finn bk 5) The author also used real historical facts and intertwined them into this fictional story. I find it humorous that Elvira annoying behavior "helped" the villain repent so to speak. Their story has a dramatic ending and an amazingly sweet HEA. ~ Sharon, Goodreads. I was so invested in these characters from the beginning of the book. That tells me that the book is well written and well thought out. I found myself wanting to read faster and faster. I loved it. I cannot wait for another. ~ ReadingWench, Goodreads. Lovely romantic story that sees Sam and Beth Ann reconnect (I was hoping they would after meeting them in a previous book). Lots of adventure and romance with a nasty villain causing trouble too. Great read. ~ Miriam, Goodreads. Adventure abounds from the moment you turn the page! Linda Ellen submerges us into the bustling city of 1870’s Louisville, through the eyes of Beth Ann. Penny-farthings, streets jostling with trolleys, and a frantic dash to the train station, are all richly written to tantalize your imagination. But with a seedy marriage broker on her heels, and a hasty proxy marriage to kind-hearted lumberjack, Sam, the rustic town of Brownville welcomes us back. I absolutely loved revisiting the town and it’s sundry characters. Not to mention following our couple through their whirlwind courtship as they discover their deeply defining love for one another, and the near unstoppable force bent on tearing them apart. From it’s charming sawmill nestled by the surging Minnow Creek, to the breathtaking expanse of Lover’s Vista, and back to Finn’s barbershop carved out of the former Lone Tree Saloon, Linda Ellen has written a world you won’t want leave in A Bride for Sam. ~Venessa Vargas, Editor and Author This story is full of suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat! All the characters are well written and the storyline flows seamlessly. Love the relationship between Sam and Beth Ann but also the updates on the characters from the previous story.