What do you think?
Rate this book
Oak Grove #1
Mail-Order Brides of Oak Grove: Surprise Bride for the Cowboy / Taming the Runaway Bride
Twin sisters say "I do" in the Wild West!
SURPRISE BRIDE FOR THE COWBOY by Lauri Robinson
Mary McCary never wanted to be a mail-order bride, but falling off the Oak Grove train into Steve Putnam's lap changes everything... Could he be the cowboy to tempt her down the aisle?
TAMING THE RUNAWAY BRIDE by Kathryn Albright
Running from trouble, Maggie McCary signs up to be a mail-order bride. She doesn't intend to actually marry...until she shares one sensational kiss with Jackson Miller!
SURPRISE BRIDE FOR THE COWBOY by Lauri Robinson
Mary McCary never wanted to be a mail-order bride, but falling off the Oak Grove train into Steve Putnam's lap changes everything... Could he be the cowboy to tempt her down the aisle?
TAMING THE RUNAWAY BRIDE by Kathryn Albright
Running from trouble, Maggie McCary signs up to be a mail-order bride. She doesn't intend to actually marry...until she shares one sensational kiss with Jackson Miller!
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 23, 2017
52 people are currently reading
410 people want to read
About the author
Lauri Robinson
174 books127 followersLauri Robinson's chosen genre to write is Western historical, and when asked why, she says, "Because I know I wasn't the only girl who wanted to grow up and marry Little Joe Cartwright."
With a degree in early childhood education, Lauri has spent three decades working in the non-profit field for Head Start, Child Abuse Intervention, the March of Dimes, and United Way. She claims the once upon a time and happily ever after premise of romance novels has always been a form of stress relief. When her husband suggested she write one, she took the challenge and has loved every minute of the journey.
Lauri lives in rural Minnesota, where she and her husband spend every spare moment with their three grown sons and their families, which includes three granddaughters, two stepgrandsons and two granddogs. She volunteers for several organizations, including her local library, and spends most fall weekends filling the freezer with homemade foodstuffs from the bountiful harvest of her husband's green thumb. She's a diehard Elvis fan (yes, she's been to Graceland), and loves to spend Sundays watching NASCAR, either live or on TV. However, she says her favorite weekends are spent in the woods of northern Minnesota on the land homesteaded by her great-grandfather.
Most of her childhood was spent in western Kansas, which is the setting for several of her stories. Lauri is a member of RWA, Northern Lights Writers,and Hearts Through History Romance Writers, as well as several online writing groups. She writes for Harlequin, Mills and Boon and The Wild Rose Press.
For updates on her writing please visit www.laurirobinson.blogspot.com
With a degree in early childhood education, Lauri has spent three decades working in the non-profit field for Head Start, Child Abuse Intervention, the March of Dimes, and United Way. She claims the once upon a time and happily ever after premise of romance novels has always been a form of stress relief. When her husband suggested she write one, she took the challenge and has loved every minute of the journey.
Lauri lives in rural Minnesota, where she and her husband spend every spare moment with their three grown sons and their families, which includes three granddaughters, two stepgrandsons and two granddogs. She volunteers for several organizations, including her local library, and spends most fall weekends filling the freezer with homemade foodstuffs from the bountiful harvest of her husband's green thumb. She's a diehard Elvis fan (yes, she's been to Graceland), and loves to spend Sundays watching NASCAR, either live or on TV. However, she says her favorite weekends are spent in the woods of northern Minnesota on the land homesteaded by her great-grandfather.
Most of her childhood was spent in western Kansas, which is the setting for several of her stories. Lauri is a member of RWA, Northern Lights Writers,and Hearts Through History Romance Writers, as well as several online writing groups. She writes for Harlequin, Mills and Boon and The Wild Rose Press.
For updates on her writing please visit www.laurirobinson.blogspot.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 9, 2017
I was lucky to have won a copy of this great book, Two twin sisters trying to survive by selling Tonic. They get forced into going to oak Grove to be mail order brides or stay in jail and do their time for being caught selling tonic with no permit.No family but the sisters are left. they arrive and the oldest sister by a few minutes decides to leave and find a place to let the current batch of tonic brew so they can sell it and get money and move on. little did they know this town would become home to them. I was so happy to see that both sisters ended up finding love and happiness . both authors wrote very good stories and really captured the scenes of the book. this book will make you believe in love at first sight.
November 3, 2017
SURPRISE BRIDE FOR THE COWBOY by Lauri Robinson
Mary McCary never wanted to be a mail-order bride, but falling off the Oak Grove train into Steve Putnam's lap changes everything... Could he be the cowboy to tempt her down the aisle?
Good book. The story opens with a prologue, showing Mary and Maggie in jail in Ohio. They have been arrested for selling their "tonic" without a permit. They are given a choice of staying in jail or becoming mail-order brides in a small town in Kansas. There really isn't any other logical choice, so they end up on a train bound for Oak Grove, Kansas, with several other potential brides.
Mary has no intention of marrying anyone. The first thing she does when the train arrives in Oak Grove is sneak out a rear door, planning to hide out somewhere until her latest batch of tonic is ready to bottle, and she can sell enough to move on. Things don't go quite as she planned and she ends up hired as a cook on Steve Putnam's ranch for a month.
Steve has no plans ever to marry. He saw what the hard life did to his mother and father and won't put himself through that pain. When his regular cook is injured, Steve needs to find someone to take his place. He's not too happy about hiring Mary at first, but it isn't long before he's glad he did.
I enjoyed the development of Steve and Mary's relationship. Sparks fly between them from the start. Mary needs a place to hide from the bride-hunting men of the town where she can also earn the money she needs to move on. She is feisty and independent, also kind and warm-hearted. Steve is honorable and stubborn. He needs a cook but suspects that Mary is going to be trouble. Over the next thirty days they move from adversaries to friends, to more as they get to know each other. I loved watching them butt heads over her tonic while at the same time they couldn't stop thinking about each other. It was fun to see the way that each got flustered by the other's presence and argued with themselves about what they were feeling. The sparks burned hotter as the time came closer when Mary would have to make a decision. The ending was fun as they were helped along by a rattlesnake and a kick in the pants delivered by the doctor.
TAMING THE RUNAWAY BRIDE by Kathryn Albright
Running from trouble, Maggie McCary signs up to be a mail-order bride. She doesn't intend to actually marry...until she shares one sensational kiss with Jackson Miller!
Maggie and Mary get separated when Maggie wants to stay in town and take advantage of the accommodations being provided for the brides. She has no more intention than Mary does of marrying, but she wants to be comfortable while earning the money to move on. When she realizes that Mary is missing, Maggie worries about her. She also feels bad about their argument but has to trust that her sister will be alright.
Maggie is a bit more sensitive than Mary and feels bad about being portrayed as one of the brides when she has no intention of marrying. She tries very hard to avoid leading on any of the men who pay attention to her. I liked that honorable side of her. She is also determined and clever and finds a way to promote her tonic that also keeps it fairly quiet. The only problem she has is her unexpected fascination with Jackson Miller.
Jackson is the town carpenter. He came to Oak Grove after his fiancée ran off with his best friend and he needed a new start. His brother was the preacher, and Jackson came to help build the church. His brother died before the church was finished, but Jackson promised to stay until it was done. Once it is, he plans to move on. Those plans are upended when he encounters Maggie.
I enjoyed seeing Maggie and Jackson get to know each other. Because neither intends to marry they think they are safe, but Fate has other ideas. Jackson is a bit closed off because of his past, but every time he encounters Maggie her vivacity shines a little more light into the dark corners of his life. There is also an attraction simmering between them, and when Jackson seizes the opportunity to kiss Maggie, the results are life-altering for them both. Neither can deny the effect on their hearts, but there are obstacles. Jackson is not one of the men who paid for a chance at a bride, so he isn't technically eligible to court her. Jackson also makes no secret of his disapproval of her tonic. Mary has the mail-order bride contract hanging over her head and the reason she had to sign it. Things look especially bad when she gets thrown in jail for selling her tonic and trying to evade her contract. The sheriff provided a unique and effective solution to the problem.
I liked the epilogue, which wrapped up the courting period quite nicely. I'm looking forward to reading more stories about Oak Grove's mail-order brides, as only five of the twelve promised have arrived.
Mary McCary never wanted to be a mail-order bride, but falling off the Oak Grove train into Steve Putnam's lap changes everything... Could he be the cowboy to tempt her down the aisle?
Good book. The story opens with a prologue, showing Mary and Maggie in jail in Ohio. They have been arrested for selling their "tonic" without a permit. They are given a choice of staying in jail or becoming mail-order brides in a small town in Kansas. There really isn't any other logical choice, so they end up on a train bound for Oak Grove, Kansas, with several other potential brides.
Mary has no intention of marrying anyone. The first thing she does when the train arrives in Oak Grove is sneak out a rear door, planning to hide out somewhere until her latest batch of tonic is ready to bottle, and she can sell enough to move on. Things don't go quite as she planned and she ends up hired as a cook on Steve Putnam's ranch for a month.
Steve has no plans ever to marry. He saw what the hard life did to his mother and father and won't put himself through that pain. When his regular cook is injured, Steve needs to find someone to take his place. He's not too happy about hiring Mary at first, but it isn't long before he's glad he did.
I enjoyed the development of Steve and Mary's relationship. Sparks fly between them from the start. Mary needs a place to hide from the bride-hunting men of the town where she can also earn the money she needs to move on. She is feisty and independent, also kind and warm-hearted. Steve is honorable and stubborn. He needs a cook but suspects that Mary is going to be trouble. Over the next thirty days they move from adversaries to friends, to more as they get to know each other. I loved watching them butt heads over her tonic while at the same time they couldn't stop thinking about each other. It was fun to see the way that each got flustered by the other's presence and argued with themselves about what they were feeling. The sparks burned hotter as the time came closer when Mary would have to make a decision. The ending was fun as they were helped along by a rattlesnake and a kick in the pants delivered by the doctor.
TAMING THE RUNAWAY BRIDE by Kathryn Albright
Running from trouble, Maggie McCary signs up to be a mail-order bride. She doesn't intend to actually marry...until she shares one sensational kiss with Jackson Miller!
Maggie and Mary get separated when Maggie wants to stay in town and take advantage of the accommodations being provided for the brides. She has no more intention than Mary does of marrying, but she wants to be comfortable while earning the money to move on. When she realizes that Mary is missing, Maggie worries about her. She also feels bad about their argument but has to trust that her sister will be alright.
Maggie is a bit more sensitive than Mary and feels bad about being portrayed as one of the brides when she has no intention of marrying. She tries very hard to avoid leading on any of the men who pay attention to her. I liked that honorable side of her. She is also determined and clever and finds a way to promote her tonic that also keeps it fairly quiet. The only problem she has is her unexpected fascination with Jackson Miller.
Jackson is the town carpenter. He came to Oak Grove after his fiancée ran off with his best friend and he needed a new start. His brother was the preacher, and Jackson came to help build the church. His brother died before the church was finished, but Jackson promised to stay until it was done. Once it is, he plans to move on. Those plans are upended when he encounters Maggie.
I enjoyed seeing Maggie and Jackson get to know each other. Because neither intends to marry they think they are safe, but Fate has other ideas. Jackson is a bit closed off because of his past, but every time he encounters Maggie her vivacity shines a little more light into the dark corners of his life. There is also an attraction simmering between them, and when Jackson seizes the opportunity to kiss Maggie, the results are life-altering for them both. Neither can deny the effect on their hearts, but there are obstacles. Jackson is not one of the men who paid for a chance at a bride, so he isn't technically eligible to court her. Jackson also makes no secret of his disapproval of her tonic. Mary has the mail-order bride contract hanging over her head and the reason she had to sign it. Things look especially bad when she gets thrown in jail for selling her tonic and trying to evade her contract. The sheriff provided a unique and effective solution to the problem.
I liked the epilogue, which wrapped up the courting period quite nicely. I'm looking forward to reading more stories about Oak Grove's mail-order brides, as only five of the twelve promised have arrived.
May 19, 2017
Mary and Maggie McCary have nothing left since their father died. They do have his recipe for heal all tonic. They have to become mail order brides or face jail as they do not have a permit to sell the tonic. The are on the bride train to Oak Grove.
They have other plans then marrying. Mary is in luck and is hired as a cook that is until she learns her new boss is Steve Putnam.
Steve needs a cook or his men won’t get fed as Rex, the regular cook heals. Steve likes Mary and loves her cooking. When the local doctor takes interest in Mary as well things heat up.
Mary is a great character. I loved her spunk and stands her ground. I like they way they came around and interacted with each other.
Maggie gets separated from Mary but that is ok their plan to just pass on through is what keeps her going. Then Jackson has to go and kiss her and things change for both of them. Jackson is done with his promise and is about to leave but what will he do about Maggie and Jail?
Maggie is just as spunky as her sister Mary. These sisters make the reader want to the pages turning and enjoy the read. Talk about a gripping book. These authors know how to get you interested and keep you reading.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
June 7, 2017
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.
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.
August 22, 2017
THINGS OFTEN DON’T WORK OUT LIKE YOU THOUGHT THEY WOULD IN THE BEGINNING
I enjoyed these two stories by two wonderful authors. Twin sisters, Mary and Maggie McCary find themselves in a pickle in their town in Ohio and are arrested, jailed, and forced to sign a contract and take a train to Oak Grove, Kansas as mail-order brides, along with three other women.
These two stories will be about Mary and Maggie, with bits and pieces of the other brides and some of the prospective hope-to-be grooms. There is a great cast of characters, and the stories are clean and come with plenty of antics and angst, and best of all, a happily-ever-after ending. “Things always had a way of working out when they put their minds to it.”
SURPRISE BRIDE FOR THE COWBOY by Lauri Robinson
Mary is the more practical, level-headed, and yes, even the oldest of the twins, even if it is only by mere minutes. While she and Maggie are forced to travel to Kansas as mail-order brides, her intent is to continue on their way and not marry. While she can slip off the train and procure her trunk and bag, Maggie does not. They will become separated, and while Maggie is enjoying the parties, wining, dining and being courted, Mary had managed to find employment at the ranch of Steve Putnam as a cook and housekeeper.
Steve’s family left Georgia after the civil war, destruction of their home, and was just a lad when his parents moved to Kansas. The death of a baby brother, his little sister, and his mother has his father mourning himself to death by drinking. Steve has sworn off marriage and the hardships on families. He has built up the Circle P Ranch, Now, with his cook, Rex, injured, he needs a cook for about a month to take care of his ranch hands.
The plot will have two people, neither looking to marry, but both needing something, her a job and him a cook. The circumstances will give these two a month to become acquainted and develop feelings. Just because you think you don’t want something initially, doesn’t mean you will remain on that path. Extenuation circumstances will have Steve and Mary developing feelings for one another. Will they act on those feelings or stick to their original plans?
TAMING THE RUNAWAY BRIDE by Kathryn Albright
Maggie is a bit flighty, a free spirit, and easy to make friends. The twins had a bit of a riff on the train because of how Maggie befriended the other brides. The plan was for them to get off the train before arriving in Kansas, but that didn’t happen. Now Mary has escaped, and Maggie and the other four brides are at the town hotel, and being courted by the various grooms who have contributed to the Oak Grove Betterment Committee.
Carpenter, Jackson Miller, is a loner. He left Virginia after his fiancé, Christine, and best friend, Paul, eloped. His brother, Ben, pastor of the town’s church encouraged him to come help build the church. Now that Ben has passed away after an accident, and his work finishing the church is almost done, maybe it is time to move on. What Jackson wasn’t counting on were Maggie McCary and her antics.
The plot will have Maggie and Jackson getting to know each other and slowly developing feelings. He tells her she is a lot of trouble, but he feels a pull towards her life a moth to a flame. The problem is, Jackson didn’t contribute to the fund to bring the brides, so he isn’t eligible to participate. Then when he learns that Maggie has been selling the McCary family tonic, he becomes upset.
The tonic is what started this mess for the McCary sisters, and forced their hand to become mail-order brides in Oak Grove. May and Maggie’s plans have been to sell enough tonic to leave town and start over. What happens when those plans land Maggie in jail? Will she be sent back to Ohio to serve the rest of her jail sentence? Will Jackson be able to help his Irish lass or will this be the last straw?
The story takes the reader on an interesting journey of new beginnings. It will allow two sisters time to be apart and learn more about themselves. It will help two men, Steve and Jackson, to bury the past and make plans for a brighter future. Maggie and Mary will both realize it is time to have changes and permanence for their future. Maybe Oak Grove is the perfect place to develop roots and give up the gypsy life and making the family recipe of tonic.
Disclosure: I received an e-copy of this book, and voluntarily am reading and writing an honest review. All thoughts, opinions, and ratings are my own.
I enjoyed these two stories by two wonderful authors. Twin sisters, Mary and Maggie McCary find themselves in a pickle in their town in Ohio and are arrested, jailed, and forced to sign a contract and take a train to Oak Grove, Kansas as mail-order brides, along with three other women.
These two stories will be about Mary and Maggie, with bits and pieces of the other brides and some of the prospective hope-to-be grooms. There is a great cast of characters, and the stories are clean and come with plenty of antics and angst, and best of all, a happily-ever-after ending. “Things always had a way of working out when they put their minds to it.”
SURPRISE BRIDE FOR THE COWBOY by Lauri Robinson
Mary is the more practical, level-headed, and yes, even the oldest of the twins, even if it is only by mere minutes. While she and Maggie are forced to travel to Kansas as mail-order brides, her intent is to continue on their way and not marry. While she can slip off the train and procure her trunk and bag, Maggie does not. They will become separated, and while Maggie is enjoying the parties, wining, dining and being courted, Mary had managed to find employment at the ranch of Steve Putnam as a cook and housekeeper.
Steve’s family left Georgia after the civil war, destruction of their home, and was just a lad when his parents moved to Kansas. The death of a baby brother, his little sister, and his mother has his father mourning himself to death by drinking. Steve has sworn off marriage and the hardships on families. He has built up the Circle P Ranch, Now, with his cook, Rex, injured, he needs a cook for about a month to take care of his ranch hands.
The plot will have two people, neither looking to marry, but both needing something, her a job and him a cook. The circumstances will give these two a month to become acquainted and develop feelings. Just because you think you don’t want something initially, doesn’t mean you will remain on that path. Extenuation circumstances will have Steve and Mary developing feelings for one another. Will they act on those feelings or stick to their original plans?
TAMING THE RUNAWAY BRIDE by Kathryn Albright
Maggie is a bit flighty, a free spirit, and easy to make friends. The twins had a bit of a riff on the train because of how Maggie befriended the other brides. The plan was for them to get off the train before arriving in Kansas, but that didn’t happen. Now Mary has escaped, and Maggie and the other four brides are at the town hotel, and being courted by the various grooms who have contributed to the Oak Grove Betterment Committee.
Carpenter, Jackson Miller, is a loner. He left Virginia after his fiancé, Christine, and best friend, Paul, eloped. His brother, Ben, pastor of the town’s church encouraged him to come help build the church. Now that Ben has passed away after an accident, and his work finishing the church is almost done, maybe it is time to move on. What Jackson wasn’t counting on were Maggie McCary and her antics.
The plot will have Maggie and Jackson getting to know each other and slowly developing feelings. He tells her she is a lot of trouble, but he feels a pull towards her life a moth to a flame. The problem is, Jackson didn’t contribute to the fund to bring the brides, so he isn’t eligible to participate. Then when he learns that Maggie has been selling the McCary family tonic, he becomes upset.
The tonic is what started this mess for the McCary sisters, and forced their hand to become mail-order brides in Oak Grove. May and Maggie’s plans have been to sell enough tonic to leave town and start over. What happens when those plans land Maggie in jail? Will she be sent back to Ohio to serve the rest of her jail sentence? Will Jackson be able to help his Irish lass or will this be the last straw?
The story takes the reader on an interesting journey of new beginnings. It will allow two sisters time to be apart and learn more about themselves. It will help two men, Steve and Jackson, to bury the past and make plans for a brighter future. Maggie and Mary will both realize it is time to have changes and permanence for their future. Maybe Oak Grove is the perfect place to develop roots and give up the gypsy life and making the family recipe of tonic.
Disclosure: I received an e-copy of this book, and voluntarily am reading and writing an honest review. All thoughts, opinions, and ratings are my own.
June 1, 2017
THINGS OFTEN DON’T WORK OUT LIKE YOU THOUGHT THEY WOULD IN THE BEGINNING
I enjoyed these two stories by two wonderful authors. Twin sisters, Mary and Maggie McCary find themselves in a pickle in their town in Ohio and are arrested, jailed, and forced to sign a contract and take a train to Oak Grove, Kansas as mail-order brides, along with three other women.
These two stories will be about Mary and Maggie, with bits and pieces of the other brides and some of the prospective hope-to-be grooms. There is a great cast of characters, and the stories are clean and come with plenty of antics and angst, and best of all, a happily-ever-after ending. “Things always had a way of working out when they put their minds to it.”
SURPRISE BRIDE FOR THE COWBOY by Lauri Robinson
Mary is the more practical, level-headed, and yes, even the oldest of the twins, even if it is only by mere minutes. While she and Maggie are forced to travel to Kansas as mail-order brides, her intent is to continue on their way and not marry. While she can slip off the train and procure her trunk and bag, Maggie does not. They will become separated, and while Maggie is enjoying the parties, wining, dining and being courted, Mary had managed to find employment at the ranch of Steve Putnam as a cook and housekeeper.
Steve’s family left Georgia after the civil war, destruction of their home, and was just a lad when his parents moved to Kansas. The death of a baby brother, his little sister, and his mother has his father mourning himself to death by drinking. Steve has sworn off marriage and the hardships on families. He has built up the Circle P Ranch, Now, with his cook, Rex, injured, he needs a cook for about a month to take care of his ranch hands.
The plot will have two people, neither looking to marry, but both needing something, her a job and him a cook. The circumstances will give these two a month to become acquainted and develop feelings. Just because you think you don’t want something initially, doesn’t mean you will remain on that path. Extenuation circumstances will have Steve and Mary developing feelings for one another. Will they act on those feelings or stick to their original plans?
TAMING THE RUNAWAY BRIDE by Kathryn Albright
Maggie is a bit flighty, a free spirit, and easy to make friends. The twins had a bit of a riff on the train because of how Maggie befriended the other brides. The plan was for them to get off the train before arriving in Kansas, but that didn’t happen. Now Mary has escaped, and Maggie and the other four brides are at the town hotel, and being courted by the various grooms who have contributed to the Oak Grove Betterment Committee.
Carpenter, Jackson Miller, is a loner. He left Virginia after his fiancé, Christine, and best friend, Paul, eloped. His brother, Ben, pastor of the town’s church encouraged him to come help build the church. Now that Ben has passed away after an accident, and his work finishing the church is almost done, maybe it is time to move on. What Jackson wasn’t counting on were Maggie McCary and her antics.
The plot will have Maggie and Jackson getting to know each other and slowly developing feelings. He tells her she is a lot of trouble, but he feels a pull towards her like a moth to a flame. The problem is, Jackson didn’t contribute to the fund to bring the brides, so he isn’t eligible to participate. Then when he learns that Maggie has been selling the McCary family tonic, he becomes upset.
The tonic is what started this mess for the McCary sisters, and forced their hand to become mail-order brides in Oak Grove. May and Maggie’s plans have been to sell enough tonic to leave town and start over. What happens when those plans land Maggie in jail? Will she be sent back to Ohio to serve the rest of her jail sentence? Will Jackson be able to help his Irish lass or will this be the last straw?
The story takes the reader on an interesting journey of new beginnings. It will allow two sisters time to be apart and learn more about themselves. It will help two men, Steve and Jackson, to bury the past and make plans for a brighter future. Maggie and Mary will both realize it is time to have changes and permanence for their future. Maybe Oak Grove is the perfect place to develop roots and give up the gypsy life and making the family recipe of tonic.
I enjoyed these two stories by two wonderful authors. Twin sisters, Mary and Maggie McCary find themselves in a pickle in their town in Ohio and are arrested, jailed, and forced to sign a contract and take a train to Oak Grove, Kansas as mail-order brides, along with three other women.
These two stories will be about Mary and Maggie, with bits and pieces of the other brides and some of the prospective hope-to-be grooms. There is a great cast of characters, and the stories are clean and come with plenty of antics and angst, and best of all, a happily-ever-after ending. “Things always had a way of working out when they put their minds to it.”
SURPRISE BRIDE FOR THE COWBOY by Lauri Robinson
Mary is the more practical, level-headed, and yes, even the oldest of the twins, even if it is only by mere minutes. While she and Maggie are forced to travel to Kansas as mail-order brides, her intent is to continue on their way and not marry. While she can slip off the train and procure her trunk and bag, Maggie does not. They will become separated, and while Maggie is enjoying the parties, wining, dining and being courted, Mary had managed to find employment at the ranch of Steve Putnam as a cook and housekeeper.
Steve’s family left Georgia after the civil war, destruction of their home, and was just a lad when his parents moved to Kansas. The death of a baby brother, his little sister, and his mother has his father mourning himself to death by drinking. Steve has sworn off marriage and the hardships on families. He has built up the Circle P Ranch, Now, with his cook, Rex, injured, he needs a cook for about a month to take care of his ranch hands.
The plot will have two people, neither looking to marry, but both needing something, her a job and him a cook. The circumstances will give these two a month to become acquainted and develop feelings. Just because you think you don’t want something initially, doesn’t mean you will remain on that path. Extenuation circumstances will have Steve and Mary developing feelings for one another. Will they act on those feelings or stick to their original plans?
TAMING THE RUNAWAY BRIDE by Kathryn Albright
Maggie is a bit flighty, a free spirit, and easy to make friends. The twins had a bit of a riff on the train because of how Maggie befriended the other brides. The plan was for them to get off the train before arriving in Kansas, but that didn’t happen. Now Mary has escaped, and Maggie and the other four brides are at the town hotel, and being courted by the various grooms who have contributed to the Oak Grove Betterment Committee.
Carpenter, Jackson Miller, is a loner. He left Virginia after his fiancé, Christine, and best friend, Paul, eloped. His brother, Ben, pastor of the town’s church encouraged him to come help build the church. Now that Ben has passed away after an accident, and his work finishing the church is almost done, maybe it is time to move on. What Jackson wasn’t counting on were Maggie McCary and her antics.
The plot will have Maggie and Jackson getting to know each other and slowly developing feelings. He tells her she is a lot of trouble, but he feels a pull towards her like a moth to a flame. The problem is, Jackson didn’t contribute to the fund to bring the brides, so he isn’t eligible to participate. Then when he learns that Maggie has been selling the McCary family tonic, he becomes upset.
The tonic is what started this mess for the McCary sisters, and forced their hand to become mail-order brides in Oak Grove. May and Maggie’s plans have been to sell enough tonic to leave town and start over. What happens when those plans land Maggie in jail? Will she be sent back to Ohio to serve the rest of her jail sentence? Will Jackson be able to help his Irish lass or will this be the last straw?
The story takes the reader on an interesting journey of new beginnings. It will allow two sisters time to be apart and learn more about themselves. It will help two men, Steve and Jackson, to bury the past and make plans for a brighter future. Maggie and Mary will both realize it is time to have changes and permanence for their future. Maybe Oak Grove is the perfect place to develop roots and give up the gypsy life and making the family recipe of tonic.
May 15, 2017
Surprise Bride for the Cowboy
By Lauri Robinson
Rating 5 stars
Heat 1🔥
Mary McCary and her twin sister have nothing left but each other and their fathers family recipe for heal-all tonic. Since their fathers passing and being ordered to become mail order brides or face jail, without a permit they can't sell the tonic, they of course chose to become brides on the bride train straight to Oak Grove. But the girls have other plans and that doesn't include marriage! Luck is on Mary's side so it seems-she gets hired as a cook until she comes across her new boss Steve Putnam...... she knows she's in trouble!
All Steve Putnam wants is a cook to feed his men until Rex his regular cook heals from his injury. And what does he get? A woman with eyes so blue he forgets his name. Not only is she pretty she cooks the best food he's tasted in a long time. He knows she's special and he can't get her out of his mind, not when the good doctor has his eye on her as a prospective bride he knows he can't let her go. He will fight for what's his!
A very sweet story loved Mary's spunk and the way she wore Steve down. They had some moments when Steve demanded she get rid of her tonic and she made him feel guilty by pointing out his deal of keeping her on for a month.
A well written story with a very flustered cowboy and a heroine who stands her ground and realizes that sometimes it's worth staying instead of running for a chance at happiness.
Taming the Runaway Bride
By Kathryn Albright
Rating 5 stars
Heat 1🔥
Maggie McCary and her twin are running from jail time, ordered to participate on the Bride train heading toward Oak Grove they have no choice but to comply. Maggie is separated from her sister, but has no intention of committing to any particular groom. No point in wasting anyone's time, after all she's just passing through Oak Grove. Until one kiss from Jackson Miller has her changing her mind. The brooding carpenter has her confused and now she's not sure if running is worth it!
Jackson Miller is almost done with the promise he'd made to his brother before he passed. Then Oak Grove will be just a memory, until he meets Maggie McCary and he's not sure of the feelings she invokes in him. It only took one kiss and his heart is hers. But Maggie is bent on leaving and Jackson is not ready to let her leave. It takes the threat that Maggie will be returned to face her time in jail for Jackson to admit that he can't live without her. With Maggie in jail he rushes to her but its up to Maggie to decide if "they" are worth fighting for.
Loved Maggie and Jackson she's the whimsical stubborn and fearless heroine who brightens Jacksons gloomy existence.
Jackson has been burned before and is scared to let his guard down. No matter how hard he tries Maggie found a way and snuck into his heart.
Kathryn Albright writes heartfelt sweet romance that speaks to the heart. Loved Maggie she chose to do the right thing, Jackson is a little rough around the edges but eventually he didn't give up on love.
I received a complimentary copy from the author for my honest opinion.
By Lauri Robinson
Rating 5 stars
Heat 1🔥
Mary McCary and her twin sister have nothing left but each other and their fathers family recipe for heal-all tonic. Since their fathers passing and being ordered to become mail order brides or face jail, without a permit they can't sell the tonic, they of course chose to become brides on the bride train straight to Oak Grove. But the girls have other plans and that doesn't include marriage! Luck is on Mary's side so it seems-she gets hired as a cook until she comes across her new boss Steve Putnam...... she knows she's in trouble!
All Steve Putnam wants is a cook to feed his men until Rex his regular cook heals from his injury. And what does he get? A woman with eyes so blue he forgets his name. Not only is she pretty she cooks the best food he's tasted in a long time. He knows she's special and he can't get her out of his mind, not when the good doctor has his eye on her as a prospective bride he knows he can't let her go. He will fight for what's his!
A very sweet story loved Mary's spunk and the way she wore Steve down. They had some moments when Steve demanded she get rid of her tonic and she made him feel guilty by pointing out his deal of keeping her on for a month.
A well written story with a very flustered cowboy and a heroine who stands her ground and realizes that sometimes it's worth staying instead of running for a chance at happiness.
Taming the Runaway Bride
By Kathryn Albright
Rating 5 stars
Heat 1🔥
Maggie McCary and her twin are running from jail time, ordered to participate on the Bride train heading toward Oak Grove they have no choice but to comply. Maggie is separated from her sister, but has no intention of committing to any particular groom. No point in wasting anyone's time, after all she's just passing through Oak Grove. Until one kiss from Jackson Miller has her changing her mind. The brooding carpenter has her confused and now she's not sure if running is worth it!
Jackson Miller is almost done with the promise he'd made to his brother before he passed. Then Oak Grove will be just a memory, until he meets Maggie McCary and he's not sure of the feelings she invokes in him. It only took one kiss and his heart is hers. But Maggie is bent on leaving and Jackson is not ready to let her leave. It takes the threat that Maggie will be returned to face her time in jail for Jackson to admit that he can't live without her. With Maggie in jail he rushes to her but its up to Maggie to decide if "they" are worth fighting for.
Loved Maggie and Jackson she's the whimsical stubborn and fearless heroine who brightens Jacksons gloomy existence.
Jackson has been burned before and is scared to let his guard down. No matter how hard he tries Maggie found a way and snuck into his heart.
Kathryn Albright writes heartfelt sweet romance that speaks to the heart. Loved Maggie she chose to do the right thing, Jackson is a little rough around the edges but eventually he didn't give up on love.
I received a complimentary copy from the author for my honest opinion.
June 1, 2017
I loved this book - I loved the idea of twin sisters and their adventures. Meet Maggie and Mary - twin sisters who get into trouble for selling "snake juice" and have to go west to become mail order brides. The sisters are spunky and don't like to be told what to do or controlled.
SURPRISE BRIDE FOR THE COWBOY by Lauri Robinson
Mary is the more practical, level-headed, and yes, even the oldest of the twins, even if it is only by mere minutes. While she and Maggie are forced to travel to Kansas as mail-order brides, her intent is to continue on their way and not marry. While she can slip off the train and procure her trunk and bag, Maggie does not. They will become separated, and while Maggie is enjoying the parties, wining, dining and being courted, Mary had managed to find employment at the ranch of Steve Putnam as a cook and housekeeper.
Steve’s family left Georgia after the civil war, destruction of their home, and was just a lad when his parents moved to Kansas. The death of a baby brother, his little sister, and his mother has his father mourning himself to death by drinking. Steve has sworn off marriage and the hardships on families. He has built up the Circle P Ranch, Now, with his cook, Rex, injured, he needs a cook for about a month to take care of his ranch hands.
The plot will have two people, neither looking to marry, but both needing something, her a job and him a cook. The circumstances will give these two a month to become acquainted and develop feelings. Just because you think you don’t want something initially, doesn’t mean you will remain on that path. Extenuation circumstances will have Steve and Mary developing feelings for one another. Will they act on those feelings or stick to their original plans?
TAMING THE RUNAWAY BRIDE by Kathryn Albright
Maggie is a bit flighty, a free spirit, and easy to make friends. The twins had a bit of a riff on the train because of how Maggie befriended the other brides. The plan was for them to get off the train before arriving in Kansas, but that didn’t happen. Now Mary has escaped, and Maggie and the other four brides are at the town hotel, and being courted by the various grooms who have contributed to the Oak Grove Betterment Committee.
Carpenter, Jackson Miller, is a loner. He left Virginia after his fiancé, Christine, and best friend, Paul, eloped. His brother, Ben, pastor of the town’s church encouraged him to come help build the church. Now that Ben has passed away after an accident, and his work finishing the church is almost done, maybe it is time to move on. What Jackson wasn’t counting on were Maggie McCary and her antics.
Both books follow the sisters - along with some of the other brides that are peppered in through out the book. I enjoyed reading the stories. The characters are well written. Both authors have done a great job weaving the stories together.
I was provided an ARC from one of the authors -- all opinions are my own.
SURPRISE BRIDE FOR THE COWBOY by Lauri Robinson
Mary is the more practical, level-headed, and yes, even the oldest of the twins, even if it is only by mere minutes. While she and Maggie are forced to travel to Kansas as mail-order brides, her intent is to continue on their way and not marry. While she can slip off the train and procure her trunk and bag, Maggie does not. They will become separated, and while Maggie is enjoying the parties, wining, dining and being courted, Mary had managed to find employment at the ranch of Steve Putnam as a cook and housekeeper.
Steve’s family left Georgia after the civil war, destruction of their home, and was just a lad when his parents moved to Kansas. The death of a baby brother, his little sister, and his mother has his father mourning himself to death by drinking. Steve has sworn off marriage and the hardships on families. He has built up the Circle P Ranch, Now, with his cook, Rex, injured, he needs a cook for about a month to take care of his ranch hands.
The plot will have two people, neither looking to marry, but both needing something, her a job and him a cook. The circumstances will give these two a month to become acquainted and develop feelings. Just because you think you don’t want something initially, doesn’t mean you will remain on that path. Extenuation circumstances will have Steve and Mary developing feelings for one another. Will they act on those feelings or stick to their original plans?
TAMING THE RUNAWAY BRIDE by Kathryn Albright
Maggie is a bit flighty, a free spirit, and easy to make friends. The twins had a bit of a riff on the train because of how Maggie befriended the other brides. The plan was for them to get off the train before arriving in Kansas, but that didn’t happen. Now Mary has escaped, and Maggie and the other four brides are at the town hotel, and being courted by the various grooms who have contributed to the Oak Grove Betterment Committee.
Carpenter, Jackson Miller, is a loner. He left Virginia after his fiancé, Christine, and best friend, Paul, eloped. His brother, Ben, pastor of the town’s church encouraged him to come help build the church. Now that Ben has passed away after an accident, and his work finishing the church is almost done, maybe it is time to move on. What Jackson wasn’t counting on were Maggie McCary and her antics.
Both books follow the sisters - along with some of the other brides that are peppered in through out the book. I enjoyed reading the stories. The characters are well written. Both authors have done a great job weaving the stories together.
I was provided an ARC from one of the authors -- all opinions are my own.
October 8, 2017
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 Bride
Maggie’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.
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 Bride
Maggie’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.
May 23, 2017
Twins, Mary and Maggie McCary, avoid jail time by agreeing to be mail order brides. Of course, they don’t plan on actually marrying anyone. They’ll just leave before it comes to that.
The book is set up with a prologue, then Mary’s story (by Lauri Robinson), then Maggie’s story (by Kathryn Albright), and then it ends with an epilogue. The twins’ stories start in the very same place, as the train pulls into Oak Grove. From there, their stories take very different paths. I liked having the stories cover the same time period. I enjoyed reading the scenes that overlapped and were in both stories. It was fun to get more insight on what characters were thinking at those times.
Mary and Maggie are both strong women. They are sassy and straightforward and know their own minds. Mary is a little more hard working, and Maggie is a little more fun loving, and both are very kind and have good hearts. And their men…*sigh!* Steve and Jackson are both good, generous, hard working men. They have both had experiences in life that make them keep women at arm’s length. I loved watching them lose their hearts to these twins.
The book is written so well! I smiled all the way through and didn’t want to stop reading. And oh, my! There is some great romance!! I loved the whole thing!
I received a copy of the book, which I voluntarily reviewed. I have given my honest opinion.
The book is set up with a prologue, then Mary’s story (by Lauri Robinson), then Maggie’s story (by Kathryn Albright), and then it ends with an epilogue. The twins’ stories start in the very same place, as the train pulls into Oak Grove. From there, their stories take very different paths. I liked having the stories cover the same time period. I enjoyed reading the scenes that overlapped and were in both stories. It was fun to get more insight on what characters were thinking at those times.
Mary and Maggie are both strong women. They are sassy and straightforward and know their own minds. Mary is a little more hard working, and Maggie is a little more fun loving, and both are very kind and have good hearts. And their men…*sigh!* Steve and Jackson are both good, generous, hard working men. They have both had experiences in life that make them keep women at arm’s length. I loved watching them lose their hearts to these twins.
The book is written so well! I smiled all the way through and didn’t want to stop reading. And oh, my! There is some great romance!! I loved the whole thing!
I received a copy of the book, which I voluntarily reviewed. I have given my honest opinion.
June 5, 2017
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.
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.
March 31, 2019
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.
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.
January 17, 2022
Surprise bride for the cowboy review
3 stars
This one was alright, though I did think the story and romance moved a little too fast. It was briefly mentioned that Steve and Mary spent some time together bonding but I would preferred it to be more detailed than just vague. Because to me, Steve was not fond of Mary at the start but it was very quick for his attitude towards her to change to liking her. The chemistry was alright, can’t say much as we didn’t get to see them interact with each other much. Hence, I found it hard to believe in them falling in love.
The story felt a little flat due to it not having a climax. It went along smoothly, so it felt a little boring, lacking some excitement.
Taming the runaway bride review
3 stars.
This one was a little better than Mary’s books because I liked Jackson more than Steve. But it had the same issue whereas the romance development was too little and short, making their romance unbelievable to me.
3 stars
This one was alright, though I did think the story and romance moved a little too fast. It was briefly mentioned that Steve and Mary spent some time together bonding but I would preferred it to be more detailed than just vague. Because to me, Steve was not fond of Mary at the start but it was very quick for his attitude towards her to change to liking her. The chemistry was alright, can’t say much as we didn’t get to see them interact with each other much. Hence, I found it hard to believe in them falling in love.
The story felt a little flat due to it not having a climax. It went along smoothly, so it felt a little boring, lacking some excitement.
Taming the runaway bride review
3 stars.
This one was a little better than Mary’s books because I liked Jackson more than Steve. But it had the same issue whereas the romance development was too little and short, making their romance unbelievable to me.
May 24, 2017
I enjoyed reading this sweet story of twins, Mary & Maggie McCary. They are given the choice of jail time or become mail order brides to the city of Oak Grove by the sheriff for selling the family tonic without a permit. Mary's story is written by Lauri Robinson. She tells the story of a strong young woman trying to find a place for herself & her sister without marriage. It was fun seeing how she shows her rancher employer, Steve (a burned no marrying man himself) that he can't live without her. Maggie's story (by Kathryn Albright) who doesn't want to marry either; she only wants to get enough money selling the tonic so she & her sister can move on. Read how a handsome carpenter named, Jackson, changes her mind with one kiss. She can catch fish for him with just a song.
Both authors blend these two stories together for a fun read. See how these two young women find love.
Both authors blend these two stories together for a fun read. See how these two young women find love.
May 25, 2017
Everything about this book with two parts was delightful. I agree with another reviewing in that I smiled the entire time I was reading it.
Both Mary and Maggie are just as sweet and adorable as any potential mail order brides can be, even though they felt like they had not agreed to be mail order brides. They are both quirky, sassy and have hearts of gold. I quickly became endeared to each of them.
There were so many fun moments-ink and coffee fights, singing to the fishes, pet baby raccoons and much more. Without really trying, they both manages to captivate and capture the hearts of two confirmed bachelors.
This is truly a feel good book. It provides hours of clean romance with humor and interesting secondary characters.
I highly recommend it!
Both Mary and Maggie are just as sweet and adorable as any potential mail order brides can be, even though they felt like they had not agreed to be mail order brides. They are both quirky, sassy and have hearts of gold. I quickly became endeared to each of them.
There were so many fun moments-ink and coffee fights, singing to the fishes, pet baby raccoons and much more. Without really trying, they both manages to captivate and capture the hearts of two confirmed bachelors.
This is truly a feel good book. It provides hours of clean romance with humor and interesting secondary characters.
I highly recommend it!
June 1, 2017
Twin sisters Mary and Maggie, have been told to leave town or go to jail, after being caught selling their fathers' "tonic" , without a permit. They get separated on the train which leaves us with two stories. Both sisters are wilful and determined to make money from their formula to get out of marrying. Both stories follow similar plotlines, girl meets boy, neither want to marry, but....
The stories are interesting, the men are intriguing and the two sisters are determined in a time when women were expected to marry and raise families, not have their own ideas. I guess these mail-order brides were an early form of online dating, you sign up and hope it will all turn out alright!
Two novellas that are romantic and inoffensive.
I voluntarily agreed to read an advanced copy of this book.
The stories are interesting, the men are intriguing and the two sisters are determined in a time when women were expected to marry and raise families, not have their own ideas. I guess these mail-order brides were an early form of online dating, you sign up and hope it will all turn out alright!
Two novellas that are romantic and inoffensive.
I voluntarily agreed to read an advanced copy of this book.
June 2, 2017
What a page turner! The banter between the characters is just so engaging and fun. Mary and Steve have sparks fly and I loved watching them tip toe around each other. Maggie was hilarious in how she kept popping up in Jackson's life! The twins cracked me up and I loved that I felt the bond between the two. They had such great personalities and hearts of gold. Such a neat way to write both ladies stories and have them entwined. Each story had twists and turns that made it such a bookshelf keeper! I feel I can't even begin to describe parts without giving something away. Beautifully written and I loved the angle of the mail-order-bride part - a neat twist!!
June 3, 2017
Mail-order Brides of Oak Grove
Surprise bride for the Cowboy by Lauri Robinson
Mary and Maggie get on a train for Mail-order brides but just trying to get away. When they get to Oak Grove they go their separate ways. Steve needs a cook and by surprise to him she ends up at his place. Mary makes tonic but has to hide it. This book is a very enjoyable, and funny. Loved it.
Taming the Runaway Bride by Kathryn Albright
This one is about Maggie and she is trying to sell the tonic while Mary is making it. Maggie is also stuck in town, she and Jackson are attracted to each other but he didn't sign up for the mail order bride. Enjoyed the characters of both Mary and Maggie.
Surprise bride for the Cowboy by Lauri Robinson
Mary and Maggie get on a train for Mail-order brides but just trying to get away. When they get to Oak Grove they go their separate ways. Steve needs a cook and by surprise to him she ends up at his place. Mary makes tonic but has to hide it. This book is a very enjoyable, and funny. Loved it.
Taming the Runaway Bride by Kathryn Albright
This one is about Maggie and she is trying to sell the tonic while Mary is making it. Maggie is also stuck in town, she and Jackson are attracted to each other but he didn't sign up for the mail order bride. Enjoyed the characters of both Mary and Maggie.
August 18, 2022
Mary and Maggie are left with nothing but their father’s ‘healing tonic’ when he dies. Having always been a part of his business the twin sisters continue to make and sell the tonic until they are arrested for selling it without a permit. Given the option of jail or becoming mail-order brides they opt for the latter but with no intention of following through when they reach the Kansas town they’re headed to by train.
This is a quick easy read providing a bit of history and a bit of romance.
This is a quick easy read providing a bit of history and a bit of romance.
June 1, 2017
I loved both of these stories.Mary and Maggie just came alive on the pages and i could not wait to see what adventures they had.I will definitely look for more books by these authors and hope for more in the mail order brides series.I received this book free as part of goodreads giveaways.
September 3, 2022
I’m not sure exactly why I couldn’t finish this book. Maybe bc it tried too hard to be cute. I skimmed the 1st story to the end, skipping several chapters but I could not get into the 2nd story at all. Disappointing bc I love the MO bride genre.
May 31, 2017
Full of praise for this clean read that is adorably sweet and a little sassy.
March 25, 2018
Mary’s story (3.5-4 stars) was better than Maggie’s (2.5-3 stars.) Overall, 3 stars for the entire book.
March 27, 2023
So well written
The characters are well developed . it is easy to follow the.plot and delightful! Thank you for complex captivating me.
The characters are well developed . it is easy to follow the.plot and delightful! Thank you for complex captivating me.
July 9, 2023
Twin Mail Order brides - so there were two stories! Well written good suspense, strong stubborn women that had to fight their conscience and not take the easy way out. Marriage or jail - good story.
July 31, 2023
Book 1 is SURPRISE BRIDE FOR THE COWBOY by Lauri Robinson.
Excellent book. I really enjoyed it.
Book 2 is TAMING THE RUNAWAY BRIDE by Kathryn Albright
Fabulous book. I really enjoyed it.
Excellent book. I really enjoyed it.
Book 2 is TAMING THE RUNAWAY BRIDE by Kathryn Albright
Fabulous book. I really enjoyed it.
May 24, 2017
Mary:
This is my first book by Lauri but I loved it! The ending comment by the Dr was perfect and had me laughing out loud! I loved the raccoon and ink incident as well! I'm especially fond of romances when the two start out as enemies or appalled by one another but find true love by being forced to spend time together! This book has all that and more!!
Maggie:
I just love Kathyrn's books! This one was of the same quality I've come to expect of her writing! Neither Maggie or the carpenter were looking for love, but God has the perfect plan for both of them, each other! I loved these stories and hope to read more about the brides of Oak Grove!!
This is my first book by Lauri but I loved it! The ending comment by the Dr was perfect and had me laughing out loud! I loved the raccoon and ink incident as well! I'm especially fond of romances when the two start out as enemies or appalled by one another but find true love by being forced to spend time together! This book has all that and more!!
Maggie:
I just love Kathyrn's books! This one was of the same quality I've come to expect of her writing! Neither Maggie or the carpenter were looking for love, but God has the perfect plan for both of them, each other! I loved these stories and hope to read more about the brides of Oak Grove!!
Read
July 24, 2017Miniseries: Oak Grove
Read
June 2, 2017Miniseries: Oak Grove
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews