Paper Roses

Written by Amanda Cabot

Narrated by Barbara McCulloh

Her future stretched out like the clear blue Texas sky. But a storm is coming.

Leaving the past behind in Philadelphia, mail-order bride Sarah Dobbs arrives in San Antonio ready to greet her groom—a man she has never met but whose letters, her paper roses, have won her heart from afar. But there is a problem—
Austin Canfield is dead, and Sarah cannot go back East.

As Sarah tries to reconcile herself to a future that is drastically changed, Austin’s brother Clay wants nothing more than to shake the Texas dust from his boots, but first he must find his brother’s killer. And then there’s Sarah.

Something is blooming out in the vast Texas landscape that neither Clay nor Sarah is ready to admit, and the promise of redemption blows like a gentle breeze through the prairie grasses.

Book 1 of the Texas Dreams series, Paper Roses will sweep you away with a tale of love, loss, and tantalizing possibilities.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781705043196

Amanda Cabot

Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of A Stolen Heart, A Borrowed Dream, and A Tender Hope, as well as the Texas Crossroads, Texas Dreams, and Westward Winds series. Her books have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Awards, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers' Best. She lives in Wyoming. For more information, visit www.amandacabot.com.

Reviews for Paper Roses

[sandralb-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have to be honest, when I first read this book I gave it a 3. I had to go back and re-read it after reading the second and third books in this series. I have no idea why I gave it such low marks because I now love Amanda's style of writing. I like that it is clean, and wholesome and a romance western. She captured me right from the start. I also like that she has a nice life lesson hidden in her stories.

[aharey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a sweet story about finding love again. I really connected with the characters and felt the writing really captured the time period. I will definitely read more by this author.

[oldriverbooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Her future stretched out like the clear blue Texas sky.

But a storm is coming.

Leaving the past behind in Philadelphia, mail-order bride Sarah Dobbs arrives in San Antonio ready to greet her groom—a man she has never met but whose letters, her paper roses, have won her heart from afar. But there is a problem—Austin Canfield is dead, and Sarah cannot go back East.

As Sarah tries to reconcile herself to a future that is drastically changed, Austin's brother Clay wants nothing more than to shake the Texas dust from his boots, but first he must find his brother's killer. And then there's Sarah.

Something is blooming out in the vast Texas landscape that neither Clay nor Sarah is ready to admit, and the promise of redemption blows like a gentle breeze through the prairie grasses.

I totally enjoyed reading this first book in the series and look forward to reading the next.

[wndy2011 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Sarah had lived a life full of love, heartache and pain. She was the caregiver to her orphaned two year old sister Thea, a mail order bride to a man she had never met, and a disbeliever of a God who she felt had left her at hell's doorstep. When she arrived in Texas to meet with her future husband, Austin, she was met with the news of his untimely demise, told to her by his brother Clay. Of course, Sarah was distraught, but then became even more upset to learn that Clay had not only lost his only brother, but his wife and unborn child to food poisening and his father was an invalid. Sarah only thought her life was rough. So she decided to stay on with the Canfields and try to make her life there. Eventually, after bringing the German and French residents together in order to provide their children a better education, Sarah and Clay realized that God knew what he was doing all along by putting the obstacles in their path that led them to each other.Enjoyed this book very much. All the characters were well thought out and had singular plots of their own that did not interfere with the main storyline. Anxious to read more in this series.

[wearylibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am not a big fan of westerns but I really enjoyed this book! I found myself picking it up when I should be doing other things and reading a lot longer than I planned. The characters were real and interesting. Sarah has arrived in Texas as a mail order bride only to find that her fiancée has been murdered. Knowing she and her little sister can't go back to Philadelphia, Sarah decides to make Ladreville her new home, much to the chagrin of her fiancée's brother.

[chandra9of9red · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

AUTHOR: Amanda Cabot is a Historical, Inspirational, Romance fiction author. She has a fantastic command of being able to describe people, scenery and situations. You do not have to use your imagination very much to be brought into her story.GENRE: Historical fiction, Romance, Inspirational romance, WesternSETTING: San Antonio Texas 1856CENTRAL FEMALE CHARACTER: She is determined regardless of the situation. She encourages others and looks after needs. A resourceful woman but where was God when she needed Him the most.CENTRAL MALE CHARACTER: He is also determined. A rancher he is not but a doctor is where his heart lies. He has had much taken away from him recently. He no longer has use for God. He can do it all on his own.SYNOPSIS: After tragedy strikes, she moves her little sister from Philadelphia to San Antonia as a mail order bride. She knows from the letters that she has been receiving that this man will make a wonderful husband. Upon her arrival in Texas, she finds that tragedy has struck again. The man that picks her up and takes her to the Bar C ranch wants nothing more than to find out who killed his brother so that he can get back to his medical practice. This is a story of mystery, secrets and about two people that have shut God out.WHAT I LIKED: The way the main female character is committed to her very curious little sister. I loved how the main male character continuously got sucked in deeper and deeper which slowly took him away from his ultimate goal. With all of the strange occurrences, you knew there was a dark presence lurking somewhere right around the corner. But God never closes the door. He just waits for you to figure it out.WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: The main female character really went over the top in her protectiveness of her sister. Became a bit annoying. The book moved just a little itty bit to slow which is why 4/5 stars.

[bmthornton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good story of forgiveness vs. anger and hate. Storyline dragged in the middle--I believe the author could have instilled more interest if she had included more action/false leads concerning the murderer's and thief's identities. Will look forward to reading the 2nd book of the series.

[grandy_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In 1856 Sarah Dobbs travels with her two year old sister from Philadelphia to Ladreville, Texas, to marry Austin Canfield. From the standpoint of being a mail-order bride Sarah was very fortunate indeed. Her prospective bridegroom was willing to accept Sarah in spite of her having the complete care of her sister Thea and a physical handicap. Sarah thought herself very lucky indeed until Clay Canfield arrived and told her that his brother could not marry her because Austin had been murdered. From that point on the story was a roller coaster of interesting turns of even, a very good read and enjoyed reading about the early settlement of our country.

[judyg54 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Paper Roses - once you read this story the title will seem very appropriate! Sarah Dobbs is leaving her past behind her in Philadelphia and arriving in Texas with her 2 years old sister, to meet and marry Austin Canfield, a man she has only met through letters. Upon her arrival she finds Austin's brother, Clay waiting to take her to the ranch, where he gives her the news that Austin has been killed. Sarah can't go back, so she must find her future there is Texas. Sarah plans to stay, but Clay can't wait to leave, once he finds his brother's killer. There is so much going on in this story. For me it started out as a nice enjoyable read, but ended up being so much more that that. There was such a good message of seeing God's hand in everything, of redemption and forgiveness and of love. This was a story that I really didn't have figured out until the end (which is always a plus for me). There was a mystery to solve, a town to unite and broken hearts that needed to heal. I thought this author did a very good job with this story and was pleasantly surprised how much I liked the story the more I read. I am definately looking foward to reading books 2 and 3 in this series.

[cherryblossommj_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In the author's letter to readers, Amanda Cabotstates that she had referred to this book as the mail-order-bride-meets-Cyrano-de-Bergerac book. After reading it, I find it to be that and so much more. I initially requested this book and through confusion received it months later and it was on my back burner, but when I realized I could have the opportunity to read the sequel Scattered Petals and I had enjoyed starting this one I snatched it back up. I enjoyed getting back into the characters liv ...more In the author's letter to readers, Amanda Cabotstates that she had referred to this book as the mail-order-bride-meets-Cyrano-de-Bergerac book. After reading it, I find it to be that and so much more. I initially requested this book and through confusion received it months later and it was on my back burner, but when I realized I could have the opportunity to read the sequel Scattered Petals and I had enjoyed starting this one I snatched it back up. I enjoyed getting back into the characters lives and now I am eager for the sequel.Paper Roses is my first introduction to author Amanda Cabot, but after reading this one I definitely do not plan for it to be my last. This story of Paper Roses has the best title (and I am certain that Scattered Petals will be just as appropriate). Bringing together the elements of faith, forgiveness, vengeance, murder and madness as well as trust and child-like intuitiveness this story finds it's way into your heart and holds on. The characters are real and their plights are difficult. The mystery is woven through out and the clues kept quiet. Romance is palpable, but confusion as it is in real life.Through out the story I could not guess what would come next, but my interest was peeked and the pages kept turning. I highly recommend this read as I am sure will recommend the entire series.*Thanks to Revell Books for providing a copy for review.*