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Western Brides Undercover #1
An Agent for Bernadette
A wealthy debutante dodges an arranged marriage by becoming a Pinkerton agent, only to find out her first assignment will involve working undercover with the man she was supposed to marry.
All her life, Bernadette Chambers has been following orders about how to dress, what to say, and who to say it to. However, she draws the line at marrying a man she’s never met, even though it means she’ll be disowned. Desperate for both money and adventure, she signs on as a Pinkerton agent, never dreaming her new partner will be the very man she was trying to avoid.
Park Harrington is a shipping tycoon by day and a Pinkerton agent by night, which leaves no time for courting. When the fiancée he’s never laid eyes on refuses to honor their arranged marriage contract, he despairs of ever finding a suitable wife. Imagine his surprise to hear he'll be serving undercover as her groom on the next case!
SECOND EDITION: This book was previously part of The Pinkerton Matchmaker Series. It has since been revised, re-edited, and recovered to be a part of its own Western Brides Undercover Series.
All her life, Bernadette Chambers has been following orders about how to dress, what to say, and who to say it to. However, she draws the line at marrying a man she’s never met, even though it means she’ll be disowned. Desperate for both money and adventure, she signs on as a Pinkerton agent, never dreaming her new partner will be the very man she was trying to avoid.
Park Harrington is a shipping tycoon by day and a Pinkerton agent by night, which leaves no time for courting. When the fiancée he’s never laid eyes on refuses to honor their arranged marriage contract, he despairs of ever finding a suitable wife. Imagine his surprise to hear he'll be serving undercover as her groom on the next case!
SECOND EDITION: This book was previously part of The Pinkerton Matchmaker Series. It has since been revised, re-edited, and recovered to be a part of its own Western Brides Undercover Series.
132 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2024
213 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Jo Grafford
167 books665 followersJo is an Amazon bestselling author of heartwarming cowboy romantic suspense stories, with a few Texas-sized detours into humor.
Join Cuppa Jo Readers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Cuppa.... Join her newsletter at https://www.JoGrafford.com.
Jo also writes clean western historical romance and cozy mysteries as Jovie Grace.
Join Cuppa Jo Readers at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Cuppa.... Join her newsletter at https://www.JoGrafford.com.
Jo also writes clean western historical romance and cozy mysteries as Jovie Grace.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
December 30, 2019
I think these characters were among my favorites in the Pinkerton series! Bernadette has been promised to a man she's never met since she was born basically. Can you imagine? I know that has happened in other countries for hundreds of years but you don't think it happens in America! Bernadette was the daughter of a wealthy man and he expects her to marry a man that he chose a long time ago to bring together their two families. Bernadette wont stand for it so leaves home and becomes a Pinkerton agent! What gumption - especially at this time period! Then, there's Park, who's already a Pinkerton agent but also a shipping tycoon "by day" and when his next case involves human trafficking, he is "ordered" to get married in name only to another agent to crack the case. Well, isn't it crazy that the agent he has to marry is none other than Bernadette and Park is the man she was supposed to marry in the first place! Boy howdy!!!! What a fun story this is! Love the characters and love the story! Come along for the fun!
January 11, 2026
MY RATING GUIDE: A Satisfied 3.5. Today was a traveling day for me so I wanted something light and easy enough to pick up and put down numerous times during a long & taxing day. An agent for Bernadette was perfect for my needs. Readers who frequently have very little time for reading may rate Bernadette higher.
1=DNF/What was that?; 2=Not for me; 3=Ok; 3.5=I ENJOYED THIS; 4=I really liked; 5=I really loved this! (5 is rare for me).
1874, Boston to Laredo, TX ~
Miss Bernadette Chambers is the daughter of a Bostonian railroad tycoon. She was promised in marriage from birth to the son of a competitor based in Texas and has been tutored and trained all her life to become the perfect wife for her fiancé. On the day Bernadette’s father gives her, her last ‘walking orders’ Bernadette revolts, refusing to marry a man she has never met, packs her bags and runs away. She doesn’t want to get married to the unknown Clark Harrington. She wants adventure. Bernadette responds to an ad in the newspaper requesting applications from women interested in becoming Pinkerton agents and immediately heads west.
Meanwhile, Clark Harrington lives and operates his successful railroad business from an office in a small town in Texas. Unknown to all but a few, Harrington balances his day career with the thrills of a second career as an agent for Pinkerton. When Clark hears the woman he had grown up knowing and wondering about, the woman he had hoped marry very soon had refused to marry him and had become a Pinkerton agent instead, he knows he will do his best to convince her to give him a second chance to court her.
Comments ~
1) AN AGENT FOR BERNADETTE can be read as a Standalone title but there are a number of Pinkerton books that fit rather well together.
2) I enjoy knowing that the stories in this series are based upon the journals and diaries of actual Pinkerton agents and cases they investigated. The women who worked as agents in the late 1800’s would have been independent, self-sufficient, capable, determined young women. Knowing some of these women came from the wealthiest, upper class families is simply remarkable.
3) This was a quick story which I easily completed in a day. It might be enjoyed by readers:
> with limited time
> who seldom have large blocks of reading time in any given day.
> who enjoy Clean fiction.
> easy reading, history based stories.
> who enjoy Historical Westerns.
> young readers.
READER CAUTIONS ~ This is a Clean Western.
PROFANITY - None.
VIOLENCE - ‘Wild West’ action (think Gunsmoke tv series, 1955-1975 & reruns).
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None. Just kisses.
1=DNF/What was that?; 2=Not for me; 3=Ok; 3.5=I ENJOYED THIS; 4=I really liked; 5=I really loved this! (5 is rare for me).
1874, Boston to Laredo, TX ~
Miss Bernadette Chambers is the daughter of a Bostonian railroad tycoon. She was promised in marriage from birth to the son of a competitor based in Texas and has been tutored and trained all her life to become the perfect wife for her fiancé. On the day Bernadette’s father gives her, her last ‘walking orders’ Bernadette revolts, refusing to marry a man she has never met, packs her bags and runs away. She doesn’t want to get married to the unknown Clark Harrington. She wants adventure. Bernadette responds to an ad in the newspaper requesting applications from women interested in becoming Pinkerton agents and immediately heads west.
Meanwhile, Clark Harrington lives and operates his successful railroad business from an office in a small town in Texas. Unknown to all but a few, Harrington balances his day career with the thrills of a second career as an agent for Pinkerton. When Clark hears the woman he had grown up knowing and wondering about, the woman he had hoped marry very soon had refused to marry him and had become a Pinkerton agent instead, he knows he will do his best to convince her to give him a second chance to court her.
Comments ~
1) AN AGENT FOR BERNADETTE can be read as a Standalone title but there are a number of Pinkerton books that fit rather well together.
2) I enjoy knowing that the stories in this series are based upon the journals and diaries of actual Pinkerton agents and cases they investigated. The women who worked as agents in the late 1800’s would have been independent, self-sufficient, capable, determined young women. Knowing some of these women came from the wealthiest, upper class families is simply remarkable.
3) This was a quick story which I easily completed in a day. It might be enjoyed by readers:
> with limited time
> who seldom have large blocks of reading time in any given day.
> who enjoy Clean fiction.
> easy reading, history based stories.
> who enjoy Historical Westerns.
> young readers.
READER CAUTIONS ~ This is a Clean Western.
PROFANITY - None.
VIOLENCE - ‘Wild West’ action (think Gunsmoke tv series, 1955-1975 & reruns).
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None. Just kisses.
August 23, 2023
This is a cute, sugary sweet story of a young woman born to riches who has been promised to a man in marriage since she was born and he was 7 years old.
Bernadette adores her father and willingly obeys him. She is studious, speaks several language, is a dream on the dance floor, plays instruments - and can aim and shoot a pistol with the best of them. However, when he insists she follow through on the promised marriage to a man she's never laid eyes on, she defies her father for the first time.
Seeking adventure and a need, for the first time, to make money, she applies for a job as a detective with the Pinkerton Agency and hops on a train to head west.
And this is where the story gets rather predictable. She is accepted for the job and excels at their training period. They place her undercover as a wife to another undercover agent to try to find out where all the missing Mexican women are being sent to. The odds against what happens are enormous, but I did keep reading, even as I was shaking my head a little bit.
It's a rather short story and the writing is well done, as is the development of the characters and scenery. It felt a little hurried. It's good for a short beach read or for when you don't mind knowing how it will end after reading the first few pages.
Bernadette adores her father and willingly obeys him. She is studious, speaks several language, is a dream on the dance floor, plays instruments - and can aim and shoot a pistol with the best of them. However, when he insists she follow through on the promised marriage to a man she's never laid eyes on, she defies her father for the first time.
Seeking adventure and a need, for the first time, to make money, she applies for a job as a detective with the Pinkerton Agency and hops on a train to head west.
And this is where the story gets rather predictable. She is accepted for the job and excels at their training period. They place her undercover as a wife to another undercover agent to try to find out where all the missing Mexican women are being sent to. The odds against what happens are enormous, but I did keep reading, even as I was shaking my head a little bit.
It's a rather short story and the writing is well done, as is the development of the characters and scenery. It felt a little hurried. It's good for a short beach read or for when you don't mind knowing how it will end after reading the first few pages.
December 22, 2019
I enjoyed this book. The read was fast and entertaining. Bernadette and Park were engaging characters.
Park was wealthy, but didn't have what he felt it took to court a woman and make her happy. He relied on the marriage his parents had arranged. When that fell through he just wasn't sure what to do besides concentrate on his business and his secret Pinkerton job!
Bernadette, the wealthy woman Park had been betrothed to. She was a reluctant bride, and decided to do something about it NOW. Leave and become a Pinkerton agent! How can this be? She knows what she wants and will do what she has to to become a Pinkerton.
Their paths will cross. How will they get through it? You need to read this book... It keeps you turning the pages!
I received an ARC of this book and am choosing to leave an honest review.
Park was wealthy, but didn't have what he felt it took to court a woman and make her happy. He relied on the marriage his parents had arranged. When that fell through he just wasn't sure what to do besides concentrate on his business and his secret Pinkerton job!
Bernadette, the wealthy woman Park had been betrothed to. She was a reluctant bride, and decided to do something about it NOW. Leave and become a Pinkerton agent! How can this be? She knows what she wants and will do what she has to to become a Pinkerton.
Their paths will cross. How will they get through it? You need to read this book... It keeps you turning the pages!
I received an ARC of this book and am choosing to leave an honest review.
April 17, 2023
Bernadette is an heiress in Boston. When she was born, she was betrothed to the son of an shipping baron in CA. As she nears her 21st birthday, her father is reminding her that she is to marry. They will put her on a train to CA to marry. She has 2 older brothers who have not married. She is hurt that her father treats her as "property". She leaves and joins the Pinkerton Ladies. Park Harrington is her betrothed. He has received letters each year about B. He's already fallen in love with her through her dad's letters. He is hurt when she writes to tell him she won't marry him. Then he finds out she is the pinkerton agent that he is assigned the next case with. No one knows that he works with the pinkertons. They have a fake marriage as they work this case. So enjoyed this book!
January 6, 2020
Bernadette is furious when she has to marry the man her parents has her promised to when she was just born. She always has done what was expected but this was the end so she runs from home to become a Pinkerton Agent. Park has no time to court a woman but he doesn’t have to, his marriage is already arranged when he was a little boy. Until he got a letter from his betrothed. But faith brings them together, or in this case a case. Will their marriage be a short term or the start of a HEA?
This is a really entertaining story. I loved the determination of Park to make something from their marriage.
This is a really entertaining story. I loved the determination of Park to make something from their marriage.
March 10, 2022
Her worst nightmare?
Or all her dreams come true?
Bernadette is convinced her father only sees her as possession to give away, does that mean her husband will see her as a possession too? She is convinced all men hold women back and that to have the life she wants she must run....
....but can she run far enough?
I love Park, he is so excited to marry Bernadette, to care for her, to spoil her, to love her and to fall madly in love with the smart, feisty, strong woman she is.
This is one of the best in the series, I loved getting to know these characters and look forward to catching up with some of them in future books. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
Or all her dreams come true?
Bernadette is convinced her father only sees her as possession to give away, does that mean her husband will see her as a possession too? She is convinced all men hold women back and that to have the life she wants she must run....
....but can she run far enough?
I love Park, he is so excited to marry Bernadette, to care for her, to spoil her, to love her and to fall madly in love with the smart, feisty, strong woman she is.
This is one of the best in the series, I loved getting to know these characters and look forward to catching up with some of them in future books. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
May 22, 2024
Bernadette is horrified that her father expects her to marry a man she has never met and whom she's been engaged to since her birth. She decides to escape and become a Pinkerton detective. Little does she know that Park is a Pinkerton undercover agent of some standing. When he hears the name of the newest agent, he insists that he become her partner.
This story has few twists and turns (except for the occupation of the villain). The dialogue flows well but there isn't much of a story; it is a novella. Overall score = G+.
This story has few twists and turns (except for the occupation of the villain). The dialogue flows well but there isn't much of a story; it is a novella. Overall score = G+.
February 6, 2020
An Agent for Bernadette
This was an enjoyable story. Bernadette did not want to marry the man her father had betrothed her to when she was just a small child. She wanted adventure non her life. She left home to become a Lady Pinkerton. After her training, she was going on a job but she had to have a husband to work undercover. Guess who the husband was to be, park, her betrothed. Well, adventure they encountered. Must read.
This was an enjoyable story. Bernadette did not want to marry the man her father had betrothed her to when she was just a small child. She wanted adventure non her life. She left home to become a Lady Pinkerton. After her training, she was going on a job but she had to have a husband to work undercover. Guess who the husband was to be, park, her betrothed. Well, adventure they encountered. Must read.
March 21, 2023
When I started this book I thought "Oh, yes, just another same-ol-same story that I've read many times before. But to my surprise, I found so much more: a story revolving around a canceled arranged marriage, joining the Pinkerton Agency, getting married & working with her husband to solve her first case. But there is so much more that happens to achieve all those things. Such a great story to read in an afternoon. I received a free copy & choose to leave this review.
March 24, 2023
I loved that Park really wanted to marry Bernadette in an arranged marriage. He had read letters about her and followed any mention of her that he could find, and had thereby fallen for her. That was so sweet. Unfortunately, Bernadette did not have the advantage of knowing anything about her promised husband, so she refused the marriage and left home to be able to make her own decisions. This was a great story with love and adventure. This series was very enjoyable!
April 1, 2023
Great intro to the series!
Bernadette decides to run away from an arranged marriage. In need of an income and desiring adventure, she joins the Pinkertons.
The partner she's paired with on her first assignment is none other than the fiancé she's running from.
Park is awesome. He's been anxious to wed Bernadette. He plans on using what little time they have on this case to woo his betrothed.
Bernadette decides to run away from an arranged marriage. In need of an income and desiring adventure, she joins the Pinkertons.
The partner she's paired with on her first assignment is none other than the fiancé she's running from.
Park is awesome. He's been anxious to wed Bernadette. He plans on using what little time they have on this case to woo his betrothed.
December 21, 2019
One of the best of this series
Wow! I really loved this story. Bernadette standing up for herself was tense but touching factor. I want to know what happens to Park and Bernadette - their epilogue. Did she and her Father reconcile? That is what makes a great story, when you become so involved with the characters that you want to know.
Wow! I really loved this story. Bernadette standing up for herself was tense but touching factor. I want to know what happens to Park and Bernadette - their epilogue. Did she and her Father reconcile? That is what makes a great story, when you become so involved with the characters that you want to know.
July 30, 2023
Needed a bit more
I really like Bernadette. Not keen on her tantrum to begin with, but apart from that, she is good. Would've liked to know what Lorelai was upset about. Would have liked a bit more development of the set-up they put a stop to. It was a good read, just needed more depth and development for my taste.
I really like Bernadette. Not keen on her tantrum to begin with, but apart from that, she is good. Would've liked to know what Lorelai was upset about. Would have liked a bit more development of the set-up they put a stop to. It was a good read, just needed more depth and development for my taste.
November 15, 2023
3½ stars
This was a clean, enjoyable, albeit very short, story. The case wrapped up very quickly and their relationship moved quite quickly too. Still, it was a nice story with a happy ending. I do think an epilogue where we got to read about her relationship with her dad being restored would have been good. Imo.
This was a clean, enjoyable, albeit very short, story. The case wrapped up very quickly and their relationship moved quite quickly too. Still, it was a nice story with a happy ending. I do think an epilogue where we got to read about her relationship with her dad being restored would have been good. Imo.
December 1, 2023
it’s incredible an arranged marriage
I’m not sure that this arrangement of my parents and the parents of my intended is really right. This arrangement according to my father will be upheld and I will just have to keep that plan. So I am being sent to my room until I can be more willing, not on my life. I’m leaving….
I’m not sure that this arrangement of my parents and the parents of my intended is really right. This arrangement according to my father will be upheld and I will just have to keep that plan. So I am being sent to my room until I can be more willing, not on my life. I’m leaving….
June 6, 2024
Fun, romantic, and adventurous
Bernadette Chambers runs away from her arranged marriage and Boston socialite life. Answering an ad for a Pinkerton agent, she excels in her classes and is assigned her first job, with a partner she never expected to meet. This little fun romantic adventure is a delightful read.
Bernadette Chambers runs away from her arranged marriage and Boston socialite life. Answering an ad for a Pinkerton agent, she excels in her classes and is assigned her first job, with a partner she never expected to meet. This little fun romantic adventure is a delightful read.
December 26, 2019
This story is a new twist on both arranged marriage and Pinkerton Matchmaker stories. Who knew that all those lessons in social niceties would come in handy working undercover. I found this story to be fun and enjoyed it.
December 31, 2019
bargaining chip
There is always something you use as a bargaining chip to get what you want.
She was running from a pre-arranged marriage.
He was secretly a Pinkerton agent.
Follow along as they work things out.
There is always something you use as a bargaining chip to get what you want.
She was running from a pre-arranged marriage.
He was secretly a Pinkerton agent.
Follow along as they work things out.
January 13, 2020
Not my favorite of the series. The author occasionally lost consistency with her characters which was a tad distracting. She also didn’t stay consistent with the other stories in this series which was puzzling. Otherwise it was a fun story.
April 11, 2023
Bernadette was to be engaged to Park from an early age. Not having it, she runs from her father. Signs up to be a Pinkerton agent. The jokes on her. Who should she get partnered with but Park. A short book. Sure love the books in this series!
April 22, 2023
Nice story
This was a nice storyline. I would have enjoyed more undercover details. The book falls short in being too quick to end. I wish another chapter or two before the wrap up. Then ending was good although predictable.
This was a nice storyline. I would have enjoyed more undercover details. The book falls short in being too quick to end. I wish another chapter or two before the wrap up. Then ending was good although predictable.
May 2, 2023
Really Great Series
A really great read that grabbed me from the beginning. Bernadette is determined to make her own way and enter into the arranged marriage her parents set up for her. Once she meets Park everything changes. I look forward to the next book in the series.
A really great read that grabbed me from the beginning. Bernadette is determined to make her own way and enter into the arranged marriage her parents set up for her. Once she meets Park everything changes. I look forward to the next book in the series.
August 1, 2023
A clean, fun story
An Agent.for.Bernadette is a light read using Pinkerton Agency cases for a foundation. Jovie Grace packs in a little drama, suspense, romance and humor to entertain the reader for an afternoon.
An Agent.for.Bernadette is a light read using Pinkerton Agency cases for a foundation. Jovie Grace packs in a little drama, suspense, romance and humor to entertain the reader for an afternoon.
November 26, 2023
Exciting read
I really enjoyed reading this story about the Pinkerton Agency. Very interesting and likeable characters. The setting was authentic and the storyline was believable. I don't always read historical tales, this one was very exciting.
I really enjoyed reading this story about the Pinkerton Agency. Very interesting and likeable characters. The setting was authentic and the storyline was believable. I don't always read historical tales, this one was very exciting.
June 8, 2024
I loved the characters and idea behind this book. The writing was good…but about 3/4 way through the rest of the book was so hurried i felt as though pages were missing (not possible on a kindle book…). I wish the author had chosen to write it longer and take more time with the last part.
September 29, 2024
What a great 1st book in this magnificent series.
This is an awesome read of Park's and Bernadette's story. It is an amazing read of both strong people and an incredible journey. It is also a page turner read too.
This is an awesome read of Park's and Bernadette's story. It is an amazing read of both strong people and an incredible journey. It is also a page turner read too.
April 8, 2025
Interesting Tail
Really enjoyed this book. It was an interesting tail with moments that made me smile. Travel in the Pullman car was described well. Really like the two main characters.
Really enjoyed this book. It was an interesting tail with moments that made me smile. Travel in the Pullman car was described well. Really like the two main characters.
December 21, 2019
Not long enough!
Very well written. The characters were lovable and while there was action and adventure,the book was finished far too quickly. I could have read for hours more.
Very well written. The characters were lovable and while there was action and adventure,the book was finished far too quickly. I could have read for hours more.
December 26, 2019
Park and Bernadette
Having been betrothed for twenty years since her birth she rebels against the at arranged marriage and her father disowns her. - Babs
Having been betrothed for twenty years since her birth she rebels against the at arranged marriage and her father disowns her. - Babs
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews