The Unexpected Wife (Harlequin Historical) [Mass Market Paperback]

Mary Burton (Author)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373293089
• ISBN-13: 978-0373293087
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,577,627 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A Central Virginia native whose family's Richmond roots run as deep as the nation's, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Mary Burton graduated from Virginia's Hollins University and began a career in marketing. After a decade she left her job and began writing. Her first novel, a romance, was published in 2000.

Following that book, Burton wrote sixteen novels and novellas for Harlequin and Silhouette before entering the dark world of multiple murderers and their motives with Senseless, Merciless, Dying Scream, Dead Ringer and I'm Watching You, as well as her novella Christmas Past, which appears in the 2008 New York Times bestselling holiday anthology Silver Bells.

Her commitment to realism has led to eye-opening interviews with law enforcement, to forensic seminars and to the firing range. She is a graduate of the Henrico County Citizens Police Academy and the Richmond FBI Citizen's Academy, and has participated in Sisters in Crime's Forensic University program. Recently, she attended the Writers Police Academy in Jamestown, North Carolina. There she attended seminars on autopsies, undercover work and the motives behind murder.

Mary Burton is an avid baker and an accomplished cook. When not writing, researching or baking, Mary practices yoga, enjoys her miniature dachshunds Buddy and Bella, volunteers at the University of Richmond's Culinary Arts Program, attends professional conferences, and visits with readers and booksellers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars enjoyable late nineteenth century American romance, May 26, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Unexpected Wife (Harlequin Historical) (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1879 Crickhollow, Montana, rancher Matthias Barrington buries his wife and unborn child. His father-in-law stays for a while to help the beleaguered Matthias raise his two young sons, but the winter has taken its toll on the older man, who will leave for his warmer home soon.

In San Francisco, as her younger cousin gets married, orphan Abigail Smith writes yes to Matthias' mail order proposal. However, her aunt and uncle reject her leaving town. Treated more like a servant, Abigail sneaks out for Montana and her new life.

In Montana, Abigail learns that Matthias did not correspond with her as well meaning friends did. Having no other options except crawling, she persuades him to give her the summer working with the boys at the ranch and if at the end of her trial period he still refuses to marry her she will leave. As love begins to flow between the adults and Matthias sees how nurturing Abigail is to his sons, he knows he must ask her to stay as his spouse, but also feels guilty that he is betraying the memory of his beloved first wife.

THE UNEXPECTED WIFE is an enjoyable late nineteenth century American romance. Though Abigail's family especially her cousin is unappreciative, the Montana cast is a caring group. Matthias is a fabulous protagonist struggling to raise his two sons and run a ranch. The Montana mob adds understanding of his character as they prove by their actions how much they respect him and worry about his stress. Abigail is a wonderful intrepid soul who readers will cherish as she makes other cast members and readers appreciate life.

Harriet Klausner

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unexpected Wife, July 4, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Unexpected Wife (Harlequin Historical) (Mass Market Paperback)

I read this while on vacation and couldn't put it down! Abby and Matthias are two characters I will not forget. I like this book because Abby was very strong, straightfoward but loving and gentle.
One of my favorite parts was when Matthias asked could he hire her (Abby)to look after his boys, but she refused because of her burning desire to become his wife.
Matthias is also a very strong person and it is revealed as he goes through alot of emotional pain from the lost of his wife. This book simply warms the heart.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A different take on the mail-order bride, January 30, 2009

By 

L. B. Taylor (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Unexpected Wife (Harlequin Historical) (Mass Market Paperback)

Actually closer to 3.5 stars, this is a pleasant historical romance about redeeming love. Abby Smyth made the mistake of her life eight years before. She'd fallen in love with a young lawyer she met through her uncle. Douglas Edmondson, had a poet's heart and a gift for words that made her knees go weak, but love had not been what he was after. Abby learned of his shallow heart too late and in the end he made a fool out of her.

Matthias Barrington moved to Montana with his one true love and wife, Elise. While giving birth to their third child she and the baby died. Heavy of heart, he thought there was no way he could open his life again to another.

Unaware, several townsfolk decide to play matchmaker and write letters to Abby pretending to be Matthias. "He" asks to marry her and sends her money to come to his homestead. Misunderstandings aside, she slowly breaks the prison that surrounds his heart.