Dex Stanton has never had much time for book learning. He's been too busy helping to provide for his family. Now that he's heading west, Dex is hoping to start a family of his own. However, his attempt to acquire a mail-order bride fails miserably when the lady writes back ridiculing his terrible spelling. Rachel Oliver may be the last person he wants to know what a dunce he is, but she's also the smartest woman in town—and it's clear he needs her help. Rachel Oliver has lingered in town for three years secretly mooning over Dex Stanton, but now she's done. If the fool wants to write to a mail-order bride company, so be it. Once she begins giving Dex lessons, however, Rachel realizes she may not be prepared to give up just yet. As their time together runs short, can two of the most stubborn people in town set aside their pride long enough to find love? Love by the Letter is a companion novella to A Bride for Keeps, Melissa Jagears' full-length debut novel available fall 2013. Includes an extended sneak peek at A Bride for Keeps.

Everett Cline will never humiliate himself by seeking a mail-order bride. Not again. He's already been jilted by three mail-order brides and figures a wife just isn't in his future. However, a well-meaning neighbor hasn't given up on seeing him settled, so she goes behind his back to bring yet another woman to town for him. Julia Lockwood has never been anything more than a pretty pawn for her father or a business acquisition for her former fiancé. A mail-order marriage in faraway Kansas is a last resort, but she'll do anything to leave her life in Massachusetts and the heartbreak she's experienced there. Although Everett doesn't see how a beautiful, cultured woman like Julia could be happy sharing his simple life, he could really use a helpmate on his homestead. Determined to prove she's more than just a pretty face, Julia agrees to a marriage in name only. Faced with the harsh realities of life on the prairie and hesitant to explore the tentative feelings growing between them, can Everett and Julia ever let each other in long enough to fall in love?

Impatient to meet her intended groom and help him grow his general store, mail-order bride Eliza Cantrell sets out on her travels a week early. But her plan goes sadly awry when her train is held up by robbers who steal her dowry, and Axel, her groom-to-be, isn't even in town when she finally arrives. Axel's business partner, William Stanton, has no head for business and would much rather be a doctor. When his friend's mail-order bride arrives in town with no money and no groom in sight, he feels responsible and lets her help around the store—where she quickly proves she's much more adept at business than he ever will be. The sparks that fly between Will and Eliza as they work together in close quarters are hard to ignore, but Eliza is meant for Axel and a future with the store, while Will is biding his time until he can afford medical school. When Axel finally returns, their troubles are far from over, and soon Will and Eliza must decide what they're willing to sacrifice to chase their dreams—or if God has a new dream in store for them both.

Sometimes marriage is a must, not a desire... Marriage is necessary for the nine very different couples of The Convenient Brides Collection, whose dire circumstances are demanding they secure spouses—and soon. Join the convenient brides on their adventures in a variety of times and settings gone by—from a ranch in California…to the rugged mountains of Colorado…to a steamship on the Mississippi…to the dangerous excitement of the Oregon Trail…to high society of New York City. The Substitute Wife by Amanda Barratt One Way to the Altar by Andrea Boeshaar Keeper of My Heart by Mona Hodgson Blinded by Love by Melissa Jagears Bonnets and Bees by Maureen Lang A Groom for Josette by Gabrielle Meyer Wedded to Honor by Jennifer Uhlarik A Bride for Bear by Erica Vetsch Have Cash, Will Marry by Renee Yancy No matter the time or place, the convenient brides proceed with what must be done, taking nuptials out of necessity. . .and never dreaming that God might turn their feeble attempts to secure their futures into true love stories designed for His glory.

Abandoned by his mail-order bride, Silas Jonesy has fought an uphill battle to recover from a pattern of poor choices. Now his prayers for reconciliation have finally come true and his estranged wife has contacted him with her whereabouts. Kate Dawson was supposed to be a mail-order bride, but upon realizing she'd been deceived about her intended groom, she's now settled into life as a schoolteacher. When the mother of a student passes away, Kate assumes she'll take on care of nine-year-old Anthony—until two men suddenly show up in town, both claiming to be the boy's father. Silas can see Anthony loves Kate, so he enlists her help in reaching out to the boy and attempting to prove his paternity to the court. When a common interest in Anthony leads to an interest in each other and Silas and Kate begin to think they can overcome their rocky start, neither is prepared for the secrets and past hurts that have yet to come to light. Can Silas, Kate, and Anthony's wounded souls bind them together, or will all that stands between them leave them lonely forever?

Privileged Marianne Lister is in love with businessman Calvin Hochstetler, but he believes the social divide between them is too great a barrier to overcome. So, Marianne takes a job at a local factory to show her devotion. But when it proves more difficult than she expects, can Marianne keep her commitment and convince Calvin their love can defy the odds?