Historical
Brides of the West
By Chrissy Dionne
Jun 15, 2008 - 4:03:54 AM

Mail Order Brides have long been a staple of American historical romance novels.  There’s something wonderfully hopeful and scary about these women’s undertaking that continues to awe readers and these three authors capture the emotions involved beautifully.

SATIN AND SNAKESKIN by Michele Ann Young
Tess Dalton isn’t really interested in getting married.  What she needed was a way to reach San Antonio so she could find Albert but having her perspective bridegroom reject her upon their initial meeting still hurt.  

Jake Redmond knows just how hard life on a Texas cattle ranch can be.  He has no doubt that someone as fragile looking as Tess wouldn’t be able to handle her share of the workload.  He’s convinced that rejecting her is for the best.  

The next stagecoach available to take her to San Antonio won’t come through the area for four days so having her stay at his ranch seems like the only viable option in the meantime.  He just hadn’t expected for her to turn out to have the fortitude to be everything he could have wanted in a wife.
http://www.micheleannyoung.com


GRAY WOLF’S BRIDE by Kimberly Ivey
Evangeline Braddock Payne is desperate to pack up her young son and disappear from the life she’s endured with her now deceased husband. Soon after her ex’s death, Evangeline began receiving threatening letters so she donated his estate to charity and immediately placed an ad in the A Bride for All mail order catalog.  

Gray Wolf McKenna can’t believe it when he sees Evangeline’s picture in the catalog.  He’d last seen her ten years earlier just before her father attempted to have him murdered.  He’d like to believe that he no longer cares for her.  His response to her ad and offer of marriage is simply an act of revenge.

Evangeline accepts an offer of marriage from a man in Gonzales, Texas named Adam Smith.  The last thing she expects is to arrive to discover that Adam is Gray Wolf.  It’s a reunion that should have brought tears of joy but instead Gray’s resentment and anger stand between them.  If he thought he had a lot to resent before how will he react when he realizes that Mac, Evangeline’s son, is also his son.
http://hometown.aol.com/kimberlyivey2/


THE CHANCES ARE BRIDE by Billie Warren Chai
Annabelle Yeager traveled to Shiloh Springs, Texas as a mail order bride full of hopes of the life she’ll make with the man she’s been corresponding with, Mr. Barry Woods.  Unfortunately that life isn’t going to happen because Barry’s been murdered.

It falls to Sheriff Josh Morrow to tell Miss Yeager about Mr. Woods untimely demise.  Josh is stunned to learn of the string of lies that Barry told his potential bride.  His feelings for Annabelle go far beyond simply ensuring her comfort until she leaves, he’s falling in love with her.

At first Josh thought only to ensure that Annabelle is safe and comfortable until the stagecoach comes back through town but Annabelle’s plans change when she learns that Barry left her all his worldly possessions - including The Chances Are Saloon and Social Club.  The town that once welcomed her is now snubbing her and the one person she can count on is Josh - and it’s a good thing because it looks like Barry’s killer isn’t finished yet!
http://writerbilliechai.tripod.com/index.htm


If you’re a fan of western tales full of spunky women, rough and rowdy cowboys, and loves that defy odds then BRIDES OF THE WEST is for you.  These authors have created stories that hold your interest throughout the entire book and each tale holds surprise elements that make it a simply delightful read.