Mail-Order Brides of Oak Grove: An Anthology

This was a great buy two books for 1.99 from two delightful authors who have intertwined two stories together that complement each other. Two twin sisters whose father has died is more or less run out of town and made to become mail order brides or go to jail. The two stories are built around them and their goal of whether or not to get married.Surprise Bride for the Cowboy Mary has always been the one to take care of issues, dealing with problems and take care of her family. When her father died he left her taking care of his mess and her sister. Her sister is more of a gentler lady more of a wall flower than a doer. Mary is a doer, shaker and doesn’t let any grass grow under her feet. She is not getting married no way no how. As she sneaks off the train she is caught by a very handsome man. He is a little surprise when she lands in his lap. This first meeting doesn’t go so well leaving them both very surprised when they meet up again at Steve’s home with her needing a job.Taming the Runaway BrideMaggie’s sister takes off leaving her behind to take the fallout for her leaving. Maggie is worried about her but is enjoying her life of others taking care of her. At first she comes across as a little spoiled but that really isn’t the case. No she cannot cook very well nor do a lot of other things most women can but she is willing to learn if she must. Life gets interesting as men more or less fall at her feet but she isn’t having any of that. That is until one man gets her attention leaving her waiting to spend time with him.Both stories complement each other neither sister nor Steve or Jackson wants to get married. They put up one heck of a fight but it is a fight they might not win. There is the contract both women signed which isn’t going to be easy getting out of. I think I liked Mary the best she is more of a go getter but Maggie is more sweet and loveable. I liked both Steve and Jackson for different reason. Both has issues with their past that they will have to overcome. What really makes this a delightful read was the humor. I just loved watching these couples try to out to the other butting head and making waves. The doctor is a delight and gives many hours of delightful reading as he goes after Mary trying his best to win her hand. He does have a little surprise that left me with my mouth hung open. I found myself chuckling and even laughing out loud a time or two. There is the cowboy that doesn’t seem to want to leave Maggie’s side which leave her trying to outrun him. I really enjoyed reading these two stories loving how the authors collaborated giving you a highly entertaining read. A clean fun read that really hooks you. The stories are nice and easy and at times fast pace that builds up to a little passion and a lot of fun. I loved how the authors gave a touch of mystery to the story and how fun the characters and the plot was. I look forward to reading more from both authors.

This is a book with two stories by two different authors. Two twins have arrived in Oak Grove as mail order brides. Neither plans to marry.Surprise Bride for the Cowboy is Lauri Robinson's. I have been a Lauri Robinson fan for years and always look forward to her books. I picked this one up and read it straight through. Mary is such a great character. She tries to be very strong and independent. Getting a job cooking on a ranch is part of her escape plan from marriage. She will make enough money and leave town. Of course thing do not work out that way. The ranch owner, Steve Putnam, changes her mind about love and marriage.Taming the Runaway Bride by Kathryn Albright is the second book. This time it is the other twin Maggie who has a change of heart. While Mary sneaked out of town Maggie stayed. She loved having a hotel room with a nice bed and hot baths but like Mary planned to made enough money to leave before she had to wed. Jackson Miller is the one to change her mind. Neither want to marry so of course they fall in love but have a few problems alone the way to their HEA.While both are great stories Surprise Bride for the Cowboy was my favorite.

I hope the author is planning to continue more books on this mail-order bride series. I have the two books already and highly think you will want to also read them for yourself !

Mail Order Brides of Oak Grove is two sweet love stories about twin sisters in the Wild West written by two authors: Surprise Bride for the Cowboy by Lauri Robinson features Mary, the responsible “older” sister, while Taming the Runaway Bride by Kathryn Albright features Maggie, who likes to do as she wants, not as she’s told.Mary and Maggie have recently lost their father, who took them from town to town selling his miraculous tonic. Their lives were interesting but not very stable. With their father gone they have no way to survive except to continue to do what they know – brew up and sell more tonic. Big catch, though, they don’t have a permit to sell the tonic; women aren’t allowed to get a permit. They are arrested and given a choice: stay in jail or go to Oak Grove as mail order brides. They choose Oak Grove, although they have no intention of getting married, now or possibly ever.Once they arrive in Oak Grove the fun begins. Maggie jumps off the train, right into the arms of Steve Putnam, who doesn’t ever intend to get married either. Maggie stays on the train with the other brides but ends up darting around town trying to avoid the persistent hopeful grooms and run smack into Jackson Miller, another dedicated bachelor.Mail Order Brides is a fun book, with pretty, willful women, strong yet innocent and handsome, sexy men and a boisterous group of people, mostly wanting to make Oak Grove a better town. I love historical romance, not only for the happy ever afters but also for the history lessons cleverly woven in. It was interesting to get a glimpse into ranch life and to read about the constraints on women in those times, sent off to marry men they don’t know, start entirely new lives, and without many rights at all. I hope there will be many more books in this series as there are many more brides to get to know.I received a copy of Mail Order Brides from author Kathryn Albright but I was not required to provide a review. All opinions are my own. I loved Mail Order Brides and you will too.

All good.