Mail-Order Mama

Series · 12

books · 2021

By Allyson Carter, Annee Jones, Regina Walker, and more

Books in series

A Quilter for Quint

2021

Daydreamer Melisande Avenelle wishes all the social engagements her mother insists on would just disappear so she can focus on her quilt making. Where some artists see images in dabs of paints, Melisande imagines landscapes made from the fabric of the dresses worn at a tea party. After her refusal of the third man put forth by famed matchmaker Madame Treszka, she’s informed she must choose from three groom candidates arranged by her mother. Thinking Texas can’t be as bad as Newport, Rhode Island, for social engagements, Melisande pens her response and boards a westbound train. Widower Quinton Aznar has a six-year-old son who wants a mama. Since his late wife’s passing four years ago, Quint divides his days between breaking horses for the Army and parenting his son with no time for courting. His mother manages the household and tends to her youngest grandchild, although she would love to move to Galveston to live with her sister. The telegram announcing the arrival of his mail-order bride—a woman his mother corresponded with—on the next stagecoach is a shock. Quint drives the wagon into town, intending to pay for her return ticket. The beautiful, but disheveled, woman who disembarks the stage is too dazed to trust traveling on her own. What has his mother arranged for his life?

A Pianist for Preacher

2021

Melody Franklin’s future appears bleak after her father dies in the Civil War. He leaves no inheritance or home for his unmarried daughter, so when Melody sees an advertisement for a mail-order bride who can play the piano for church services, she believes it is a sign from God. She takes the stagecoach from Missouri to the Colorado silver mining area, where she expects to marry the minister and serve the local congregation with him. But when Preacher Todd answers her knock on the door, he proclaims his innocence in placing an ad for a bride, sending letters of encouragement, paying for her fare west, and asking her to marry him. Melody must rethink her future. Now, she’s stranded in Colorado with the same problems she had in Missouri, no home, no husband, no vocation, and no money. Should she stay in this western state or devise a plan to return to familiar surroundings?

A Bluestocking for Brad

2021

Emerald Templeton was so desperate to escape an unwanted marriage that she stowed away in a rail freight wagon heading west. Mrs. Turner, owner of an orphanage and a mail order bride agency, sent her to wed a widowed rancher with three young children. But nothing was as she had been promised. Bradley Malone was alone. He might own a prosperous ranch, have three children, a sister who cared for them, a good friend who only wanted the best for him, and numerous employees who liked and respected him, but he was alone. Since the death of his wife he thought of little else. The arrival of a mail-order bride and a mother for his children, was not his idea, and not something he had required. Everyone else thought it was a wonderful idea. How was he ever going to deal with it?

A Cook for Caleb

2021

Caleb is so lost in grief that he is unaware his children are barely managing to feed themselves and handle basic chores. How can he carry on without the woman he's loved since they were children themselves? Pearl's comfortable life was turned upside down with the death of her beloved husband. She has three children depending on her and cannot afford the mortgage. Her best friend Mattie shows her the listing in the newspaper: "Looking for a Spinster or Widow of good character who can cook and keep house and be a good mother to the children. Your children would be welcome, too." Have her prayers been answered?

A Lawyer for Linton

2021

Samantha Robertson recently graduated from law school. Aware that legal opportunities are limited for women, she knows entering into a business partnership with an established attorney is her best option for opening doors in the male-dominated profession. She is thrilled when she comes across an advertisement from an attorney seeking a partner. Linton Merrill has a growing law practice in Sonora, California. A widower with two young daughters to raise, he needs help. He needs a new wife. Due to the shortage of suitable women available, he places advertisements in various newspapers throughout the country. Hoping to attract a woman of intelligence to encourage his daughters to grow and excel, he draws on his legal training and uses a play on words in his advertisements. After days spent on a train followed by a bumpy stagecoach ride to her destination, imagine Sam’s surprise when she meets her prospective partner and discovers the nature of the legal business in which he wishes her to engage.

A Doctor For Doug

2021

Elizabeth Huff answers the ad for a mother and wife needed out west. An escape after seeing so much death working in field hospitals during the Civil War. She wasn't expecting a stubborn man. A man who lost his leg during the war. Along with a town in need of a doctor and children a mother. Can she fight her way through Doug's hard heart and earn her place in both? Doug Baker doesn't need the complication of a woman in his life. His children feel different. No one wants half of a man. Except Elizabeth won't take no for an answer, and neither will his children. Can he thaw his heart to fall in love and help her to win over the town?

#10

A Healer for Heath

2021

She’s running away; he’s trying to find her! Hailey Pruitt’s whole life has been dedicated to healing the sick alongside her father. She's an unparalleled beauty and is kind without reservation, but that doesn't mean she’s willing to accept the unwanted advancements of the local sheriff. After her father dies from a chronic illness, Hailey no longer has the buffer she needs to keep the sheriff at bay. The shady lawman will use any means necessary to entrap her into marrying him, even going as far as accusing her of a crime she didn't commit. Convinced it's her only means of escape, Hailey decides to flee to a small town in Texas in answer to a mail-order bride ad. But little does she know, the man she is traveling toward has no idea she's coming. Not only that, he's a bounty hunter who’s been hired to track her down and bring her back to the very person she's trying to escape.

#12

An Au Pair for Austin

2021

Juilette Bouchard thought she was getting married to the man she'd been corresponding with. However, his Aunt was the true sender of the Mail Order Bride advertisements.

#13

A Maid for Mason

2021

Mary Ann grew up the daughter of a housemaid and a stablehand. Her coming of age was marked more by starting work alongside her mother than an lavish party. The young woman of the house where she works is full of wild ideas and tries to drag Mary Ann into all of her schemes. One such scheme finds Mary Ann exchanging letters with a man settling in the west, which lets her imagine something other than the life of a housemaid for the first time ever. Widowed at a young age, Mason has been left to care for his son and land alone. They have enough to get by, but it's hard to work the land, run the cows, and keep a toddling boy out of trouble. His sister and her husband help where they can, and they keep offering to take his son for a time, but Mason can’t bear the thought of letting the boy go live with them. Love is the last thing on his mind as he tries to figure out how to keep moving forward. Hannah, Mason's sister, doesn't think her brother should be trying to do everything alone. He won't listen to her pleas to do something to find a wife, so she takes matters into her own hands. Can two people, tricked by a sister with good intentions, find love on the frontier?

#14

A Cowgirl for Curtis

2021

Jessica is running from the law, and Curtis, from life. Becoming a mail-order bride to an ailing rancher in Wyoming seems like one way to inherit a home for Jessica Carrington and provide an escape from the posse on her trail. However, she didn’t expect to fall in love as a part of the bargain. Both Jessica and Curtis unknowingly fall prey to Danny’s desperate act of securing a mail-order mama, setting a tail-spin of events into motion that will fuse the new family’s past, present, and future. Download Jessica, Curtis, and Danny’s adventure today—a historical, heartwarming romance that will have you cheering for a happily-ever-after ending.

#16

A Scout for Skyler

2021

Huntin’, Fishin’, and Fightin’ was all she’d ever known. An only child, Priscilla Jones has never done anything but follow behind her pa and learn the ways of the outdoors. On his death bed, he announces he’s sending her off to become the mail-order bride of an army captain. His dying wish is that she make the man a good wife, be happy…and wear a dress once in a while. A recent widower, Captain Skyler Corbett is an arrogant Scotsman who believes women should have babies not opinions. Regardless, the last thing he needs is a wife. His daughter is coming of age, however, and friends argue she needs a woman’s influence. When the headstrong, unrefined and unexpected Priscilla Jones shows up, Corbett is not inclined to marry her. Ever. Priscilla agrees, firing back that the snooty Captain Corbett is no prize, either. It seems this arranged marriage is destined for the ash heap. Embers, though, do have a sneaky way of catching fire…

#18

A Caregiver for Cash

2021

A widowed controlling father….a blind but rebellious daughter….can caregiver Eliza Abraham help this family before tragedy occurs? 1890, Illinois. When she sees an advertisement in the Springfield Tribune for an upstanding, single Christian woman between 18 and 25 years of age for matrimony, housekeeping, and motherhood, Eliza Abraham jumps at the chance for a life she would never otherwise have. Being an only child, and a poor orphan at that, Eliza longs for a family of her own. When she arrives by stagecoach in Laramie, Wyoming, she discovers that widowed coal miner Cash Jacobs has no intention of marriage whatsoever, despite the best-laid plans of his meddling mother and 10-year-old blind, headstrong daughter Rosemary. Cash agrees, however, that his child could benefit from a caregiver and since Eliza has experience as a nanny, he offers to hire her for the position. Eliza quickly discovers that Cash’s controlling ways have estranged his young daughter’s affections and begins to wonder which member of the Jacobs family really needs a caregiver?

Authors

Allyson Carter

Author · 3 books

Allyson is a best-selling author who writes in the romantic suspense, romance, and suspense genres, sometimes a sweet and historical romance creeps up as well. In her books, readers will find emotionally stirring storylines, as well as a compelling mixture of suspense mixed in. Even in her sweet romances, there's a burn and sizzle. She resides in Indiana with her family, When not spending time with her family, you can find her knitting, and watching perhaps a few way too many suspense, true crime, and reality television shows.

Annee Jones

Author · 16 books

Author Annee Jones loves to write all things romance, fantasy, cozy mystery, & more. She is passionate about writing stories where dreams come true and love wins in the end! Animal friends, elements of suspense, and appendices with fun facts manage to appear in all her works regardless of genre. Professionally, Annee works as a disability counselor where she helps her clients navigate through complex medical and legal systems while rediscovering their wholeness in Spirit. Subscribe to Annee’s newsletter to stay up to date on new releases, sneak peeks, author parties, and exclusive giveaways: https://www.anneejones.com/newsletter Find Annee’s books here: Annee’s website: https://www.anneejones.com/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B08KSFSHX1 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/authorannee... Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/annee... Want to join Annee’s private Facebook reader group, Annee's Angels? Request your spot now: https://www.facebook.com/groups/annee... You can also connect with Annee on her FB author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAnneeJ...

Regina Walker

Author · 6 books

Regina Walker, the spirited author with a passion for penning captivating tales, finds her inspiration in the enchanting fusion of Jesus and horses. As she roams the great outdoors, her heart sings in harmony with nature's melodies, as the Holy Spirit whispers secrets to fuel her vibrant storytelling. With an unwavering devotion to her craft, Regina fearlessly confronts life's toughest trials through the journeys of her compelling characters. Guided by her unwavering faith, she fearlessly weaves narratives that illuminate the path to redemption and resilience. Hailing from the picturesque landscapes of Colorado, Regina embarked on a transformative journey, eventually finding solace amidst the vast plains of Oklahoma. When not engrossed in the art of storytelling, she shares cozy moments with her hard-working husband, unraveling the mysteries of crime shows from the comfort of their couch. The rhythmic gallop of horses echoes through Regina's veins, infusing her words with the untamed spirit of these majestic creatures. Whether she's lost in the realm of imagination or immersed in the day-to-day adventures of their small hobby farm, her dedication to nurturing her children and tending to her equine companions paints a vivid backdrop to her extraordinary life. Embrace Regina Walker's words as they transport you to worlds where faith intertwines with every aspect of life, reminding us all that even amidst life's storms, there is always a glimmer of hope.

As a child, Linda was often found lying on her bed reading about characters having exciting adventures in places far away. Upon reaching a landmark birthday, she decided to write one of those romances she loved so much. Easier said than done. Perseverance paid out and twelve years later, she received her first call from a publisher and a confession story was published. Now Linda writes heartwarming contemporary and historical stories with a touch of humor, and many have a tie to her previous home of Texas. Linda enjoys writing from her cabin in the mountains among the cedar and pines with her husband of 34 years and their two much-loved dogs.

Heather Blanton

Author · 20 books

“Heather Blanton is blessed with a natural storytelling ability, an ‘old soul’ wisdom, and wide expansive heart. Her characters are vividly drawn, and in the western settings where life can be hard, over quickly, and seemingly without meaning, she reveals Larger Hands holding everyone and everything together.” MARK RICHARD, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, AMC’S HELL ON WHEELS, and PEN/ERNEST HEMINGWAY AWARD WINNER I write Christian Historical Western Romance. Yes, that often entails the use of firearms in a threatening manner. Sometimes there are fistfights. There may even be politically incorrect but historically accurate language. But also, there is always an inspirational message and strong allusions (at least) to the gospel. A former journalist, I am an avid researcher and endeavor to skillfully weave truth in among fictional story lines. I love exploring the American West, especially ghost towns and museums. I have walked parts of the Oregon Trail, ridden horses through the Rockies, climbed to the top of Independence Rock, and even held an outlaw's note in my hand. I grew up in the mountains of Western North Carolina on a steady diet of Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and John Wayne Westerns. My most fond childhood memory is of sitting next to my daddy, munching on popcorn, and watching Lucas McCain unload that Winchester! My daddy also taught me to shoot and, trust me, I can sew buttons on with my rifle. I can be reached several different ways: http://ladiesindefiancé.com/ https://www.facebook.com/authorheathe... https://twitter.com/heatherfblanton https://www.pinterest.com/heatherfbla... I am a proud member of Western Writers of America. My novels are all Christian Western Romance because this is the genre that lets me write about strong, pioneer women and men who struggle to find God and then live out their faith in real ways. Like good old fashioned Westerns, there is always justice, a moral message, American values, lots of high adventure, unexpected plot twists, and more than a touch of suspense. Of course, romance is always a strong element in my stories because it is such a beautiful gift from God and a perfect reflection of how he loves us: sacrificially and lavishly. My stories aren’t preachy or cheesy, but I hope they are inspirational, heart-warming, realistic, illuminating, and glorifying to God.

Kandice E. Geddes

Author · 2 books

Kandice Geddes was born and raised beside the red hills of St. George, Utah. She discovered her love of writing as a small child and began creating stories about mermaids falling for dashing princes. Thank you, Disney. And it only continued from there. She graduated from Southern Utah University with a track scholarship in Elementary Education and taught 1st Grade for four years. While living in northern Colorado, she rediscovered her love of writing, especially within the world of sweet romance, and has been pursuing it ever since. Some of her other loves are: reading, drawing, sugar cookies, watching Disney movies (shocker I know), and spending time with her swoony husband and two highly spirited boys.

Marlene Bierworth lives in Ontario, Canada and her goal is to inspire her readers to "Dream Big Dreams and Live Big Lives. She seasons her stories to include action, adventure, romance and emotional conflicts, with the meat of the tale touching on current issues that concern families. When the story is told, the book ends, whether it is a short story or a full length novel. Included on her list are books for 'Teens' and the 'young at heart', intended to inspire readers to put feet to their dreams. Marlene has written adventures, romance, suspense, historical western and mysteries for both teens and adults. You can find a complete list of titles at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00J9RM116 Life's experiences feed Marlene's imagination and from them evolve characters and adventures that will keep the reader turning the pages. Fiction is her favorite genre but non-fiction continually tugs at her heart strings when there is a truth to be told or encouragement to give. She has published Book 1 in an ongoing series on the "ABC'S of MARRIAGE" complete with tips and worksheets for study and reflective purposes, for private study between couples or for groups. Successful marriages are her passion and she loves to interact with others to promote healthy marriages. "Life is an adventure waiting to be told" and it is Marlene's goal to "help book lovers experience it to the fullest." Join her fan base and stay informed. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/11180... BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/marle... She is also on Facebook Marlene Bierworth and Twitter (@MBierworth, Pinterest, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Angela Lain

Author · 3 books

My name is Angela and I live in the countryside in Norfolk, UK, with my husband (who is an engineer and always busy) and my horse. My two children have left home, but I help my daughter with her horses and her whippets. I tend both house and garden rather reluctantly and I write and read. For years I had woven stories in my head, when travelling and watching the world go by, when lying in bed trying to sleep, or just when I was transported by a place or an event. I finally started to put the stories on paper while I sat through several endless nights when my young daughter was ill. The result was several handwritten manuscripts, hard labour over a typewriter and eventually a single romance novel accepted and published back in 1990. Then I gave up, too much family life and a business to run. Finally both children have left home and I am less busy, and now the revolution has happened. Computers. The internet. Self-publishing. I felt able to inflict my creations on the world once again. I write both historical and contemporary romance, although I personally prefer the historical; I enjoy the research. The stories are not erotica, but they are (as one of my lovely reviewers said) a little bit naughty. I don’t leave at the bedroom door. My stories are plot driven, they might get it on, but sex is part of the characters’ lives, not the main purpose. I like a bit of adventure, excitement and danger. My characters have been involved on the Oregon trail, in Indian raids in the west, and in the Crimean war. They have been variously stranded in snow storms, caught in tornadoes and kidnapped by ruffians (one of the young ladies, that is, the heroes are too tough). One thing they always get is their happy ending. I don’t like a book without a happy ending, so I really cannot write one.

Zina Abbott

Author · 17 books

Zina Abbott is the pen name used by Robyn Echols for her historical novels. Her novel, Family Secrets, was published by Fire Star Press in October 2014 and her novelette, A Christmas Promise, was published by Prairie Rose Publications in November 2014. The first two novellas in the Eastern Sierra Brides 1884 series, Big Meadows Valentine and A Resurrected Heart, are now available. The author currently lives with her husband in California near the “Gateway to Yosemite.” She enjoys family history and any kind of history. When she is not piecing together novel plots, she pieces together quilt blocks.