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Return to Cowboy Creek #2
His Substitute Mail-Order Bride
Stand-In Wife
Russ Halloway’s mail-order bride never boarded the bride train! In her place is recently widowed Anna Darby Linford, sister of the last woman to jilt Russ. He’s surprised to see Anna again—and stunned when he discovers she’s pregnant. Marrying Anna seems the right thing to do...especially since love continues to evade him.
Anna hopes Russ will help her find employment—becoming a wife again never even crossed her mind. Yet as she struggles to start over in the small town, Anna forges a genuine connection with Russ. When secrets from her past threaten Russ’s future in politics, can they protect their family in the making?
Russ Halloway’s mail-order bride never boarded the bride train! In her place is recently widowed Anna Darby Linford, sister of the last woman to jilt Russ. He’s surprised to see Anna again—and stunned when he discovers she’s pregnant. Marrying Anna seems the right thing to do...especially since love continues to evade him.
Anna hopes Russ will help her find employment—becoming a wife again never even crossed her mind. Yet as she struggles to start over in the small town, Anna forges a genuine connection with Russ. When secrets from her past threaten Russ’s future in politics, can they protect their family in the making?
281 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2018
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88 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 15, 2018
Anna struggles with feelings of worthlessness and undeserving of love. Especially after a scandal that tilted her life upside down and a late husband who didn't appreciate her! She's only looking to start over and find her own place in the world. Russ too feels unloved after not one, but two women refuse to marry him. Throwing himself into helping the town he calls home, he's resigned to bachelorhood. God certainly has other plans for these two after they meet again years later!
I like how both Anna and Russ can understand each other when it comes to love struggles. And how Russ goes out of his way to help Anna get settled in a new town and befriends her. Through his gentle care and looking out for her, she begins to see that not every man is like her late husband. Though it takes a lot of convincing! Russ gave up the idea of being a husband and father after being jilted twice, but his dreams start to surface the more he gets to know Anna. He knows she doesn't see herself as he does...sweet and with the capacity to love much. I like the ways he tries to show her and tells her at every opportunity he can. There's a lot to work through for these two, but it proves that God can build the foundation of a loving relationship and make dreams come true! This story has so many more layers of course and lots of side characters to add to it. I read this in almost one sitting, if it wouldn't have been for the fact I needed my sleep too! Sherri Shackelford has a way with words that draw you into her stories and make you smile at the end.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book with no obligation to write a review. All opinions are my own.*
I like how both Anna and Russ can understand each other when it comes to love struggles. And how Russ goes out of his way to help Anna get settled in a new town and befriends her. Through his gentle care and looking out for her, she begins to see that not every man is like her late husband. Though it takes a lot of convincing! Russ gave up the idea of being a husband and father after being jilted twice, but his dreams start to surface the more he gets to know Anna. He knows she doesn't see herself as he does...sweet and with the capacity to love much. I like the ways he tries to show her and tells her at every opportunity he can. There's a lot to work through for these two, but it proves that God can build the foundation of a loving relationship and make dreams come true! This story has so many more layers of course and lots of side characters to add to it. I read this in almost one sitting, if it wouldn't have been for the fact I needed my sleep too! Sherri Shackelford has a way with words that draw you into her stories and make you smile at the end.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book with no obligation to write a review. All opinions are my own.*
April 15, 2018
I have loved visiting Cowboy Creek so much over several books and will genuinely miss it! These characters have become so real to me! I especially enjoy characters from previous books popping in and out of current books! That's the best part of books that center around a town or community. Cowboy Creek is just such a place. I'm sad that these books are coming to an end. In this book, we see how a past can come back to haunt us, even though we are hundreds of miles out on the Western frontier! Russ Halloway really wants to have a wife and family. He's tried to "order" a wife on the bride train but discovers she never got on the train! In her place is a recently widowed, Anna Darby Linford (from back East, no less) who just happens to be the sister of the last gal that jilted him! What a coincidence! He's very surprised to find out she's pregnant, even when Anna herself doesn't know! Anna just thinks she's ill :) Anna never wants to be a wife again...the first time was bad enough! She is hoping Russ will help her find employment but as they work together, they forge a bond. I really liked the two of them together and was so happy they ended up together. Anna was a sweet lady and she had been beat down by life. She needed someone to be kind to her and Russ was just the man to do so. Russ needed someone to love him also and Anna was just such a woman! They fit together perfectly! You need to finish all this series and read this book!
October 26, 2025
2.5, rounding down because it was so repetitive. I swear Russ and Anna circled the “omitting information that leads to misunderstanding” drain for far too long.
Also, I think if I read one more of these types of books I will crash out. (And yes, I’ve been willingly searching and reading them at a horrifically fast speed)
Homegirl didn’t find out she was pregnant until 70% into the book. Where is the fun in this story? 😭 and then it call all mystery/crime solving, setting up for the next brother’s story. Not for me.
Also, I think if I read one more of these types of books I will crash out. (And yes, I’ve been willingly searching and reading them at a horrifically fast speed)
Homegirl didn’t find out she was pregnant until 70% into the book. Where is the fun in this story? 😭 and then it call all mystery/crime solving, setting up for the next brother’s story. Not for me.
June 5, 2018
Another great story in the series. I am sad that we will no longer be visiting this little town. I hope to be able to find more books by Sherri as I have enjoyed all that I have read. Sad that Harlequin didn't see how much book lovers loved these books.
April 21, 2018
In, the second book in the Return to Cowboy Creek series, His Substitute Mail-Order Bride by Sherri Shackelford we find suspense, secrets, friendship and love.
Mail-order bride, Susannah changed her mind about marrying Russ and gave her ticket to Anna so Anna could start a new life away from the scandal around her husband’s death. Missing the train in Morgan’s Creek she was riding with the man that delivered eggs in Cowboy Creek. Going out to meet his mail-order bride, Russ comes across an apparent robbery of a wagon. There he finds Anna the sister of the last woman who he was to marry instead of his bride. Anna was surprised to see Russ since she never expected to see him (or hoped she never would) after he broke up with her sister.
This book will keep your interest from beginning to end and anticipating the next adventure.
Mail-order bride, Susannah changed her mind about marrying Russ and gave her ticket to Anna so Anna could start a new life away from the scandal around her husband’s death. Missing the train in Morgan’s Creek she was riding with the man that delivered eggs in Cowboy Creek. Going out to meet his mail-order bride, Russ comes across an apparent robbery of a wagon. There he finds Anna the sister of the last woman who he was to marry instead of his bride. Anna was surprised to see Russ since she never expected to see him (or hoped she never would) after he broke up with her sister.
This book will keep your interest from beginning to end and anticipating the next adventure.
April 27, 2018
5 STARS!
The things I can count on with this author: A crafty, thrilling and/or emotional beginning; admirable and swoon-worthy heroes; independently strong and bright heroines; a community of friends and family that willingly support one another; and most often a clever marriage of convenience. Even with the similitudes, each of her stories are an incredibly unique experience as a reader. Because of all that, I look forward to each and every new story and the sweet contentment that I feel when I finish one. His Substitute Mail-Order Bride was just as I described above and I devoured it in two sittings. There is a bit of a mystery thread that weaves through each book in the Return to Cowboy Creed series, but in no way does it deter from reading this one as a standalone. If you're familiar with the Cowboy Creek and now this series, you will recognize characters from previous stories. It's always amazing and enjoyable how separate authors can collectively entwine their characters to create a seamless series of stories. For that reason, I urge readers to enjoy each one and how they delightfully come together. (This is my voluntary and unbiased review of an advanced copy of His Substitute Mail-Order Bride.)
May 1, 2018
His Substitute Mail-Order Bride
By Sherri Shackelford
This is the second book to Return to Cowboy Creek and I loved this one as much as I loved Sherri’s stories in Cowboy Creek.
This has all the makings of a really good story with lots of secrets, problems like a hold up which begins this story so you are hooked right from the start.
Old friends meeting again after many years when there were just children in school and now seeing each other as adults.
Messy problems that could lead to an arrest for something someone didn’t do. So many other things that happen and of course friendships and revisiting previous characters in Cowboy Creek. Buddy romance which just might go astray. It is a really good story and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical western romances.
I received this as an ARC and I am no way committed to leave this review but I do so because I wanted to. If you really like or love a story you should always leave a review so others know they might like to read that story.
By Sherri Shackelford
This is the second book to Return to Cowboy Creek and I loved this one as much as I loved Sherri’s stories in Cowboy Creek.
This has all the makings of a really good story with lots of secrets, problems like a hold up which begins this story so you are hooked right from the start.
Old friends meeting again after many years when there were just children in school and now seeing each other as adults.
Messy problems that could lead to an arrest for something someone didn’t do. So many other things that happen and of course friendships and revisiting previous characters in Cowboy Creek. Buddy romance which just might go astray. It is a really good story and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical western romances.
I received this as an ARC and I am no way committed to leave this review but I do so because I wanted to. If you really like or love a story you should always leave a review so others know they might like to read that story.
May 8, 2018
This is the second book to Return to Cowboy Creek and I loved this one as much as I loved Sherri’s stories in Cowboy Creek.
This has all the makings of a really good story with lots of secrets, problems like a hold up which begins this story so you are hooked right from the start.
Old friends meeting again after many years when there were just children in school and now seeing each other as adults.
Messy problems that could lead to an arrest for something someone didn’t do. So many other things that happen and of course friendships and revisiting previous characters in Cowboy Creek. Budding romance which just might go astray. It is a really good story and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical western romances.
I received this as an ARC and I am no way committed to leave this review but I do so because I wanted to. If you really like or love a story you should always leave a review so others know they might like to read that story.
This has all the makings of a really good story with lots of secrets, problems like a hold up which begins this story so you are hooked right from the start.
Old friends meeting again after many years when there were just children in school and now seeing each other as adults.
Messy problems that could lead to an arrest for something someone didn’t do. So many other things that happen and of course friendships and revisiting previous characters in Cowboy Creek. Budding romance which just might go astray. It is a really good story and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical western romances.
I received this as an ARC and I am no way committed to leave this review but I do so because I wanted to. If you really like or love a story you should always leave a review so others know they might like to read that story.
May 12, 2018
I immediately liked Anna, the heroine. This is a delightful read.
Philadelphia society turns on her after she’s identified as a suspect in her philandering husband’s murder. On the run from scandal, she seeks anonymity in Cowboy Creek. Unfortunately, she runs into Russ, who is well known to her family.
Russ, equally endearing and believable, has been passed over twice for another man. Despite his own reticence to pursue a relationship, he can’t help but fall for caring and courageous Anna. However, her secret fears build a wall between them he doesn’t understand.
This story of learning to love and trust again, with an added bit of murder mystery, kept me turning the pages. Read in two sittings.
The author provided an advance reader copy, though no review was requested or required.
Philadelphia society turns on her after she’s identified as a suspect in her philandering husband’s murder. On the run from scandal, she seeks anonymity in Cowboy Creek. Unfortunately, she runs into Russ, who is well known to her family.
Russ, equally endearing and believable, has been passed over twice for another man. Despite his own reticence to pursue a relationship, he can’t help but fall for caring and courageous Anna. However, her secret fears build a wall between them he doesn’t understand.
This story of learning to love and trust again, with an added bit of murder mystery, kept me turning the pages. Read in two sittings.
The author provided an advance reader copy, though no review was requested or required.
August 19, 2023
The second Halloway brother gets a book. Russell is a lawyer in the small town looking at being the mayor. His bride who he has been writing with (he thinks) is on the train. But then it turns out she hasn't come and in her place is someone he knew from the past, Anna. She is given the message that his bride won't be coming and it is a bit like history is repeating itself. Russell was once engaged to Anna's older sister Charlotte. Well Anna is determined never to marry and to take care of herself. Russell wants to help her and maybe marry her. Anna ends up being pregnant and doesn't know how she will support herself and her child. (She also has a secret from her past that revolves around her first husband). Anyway we all know they end up together and marry then fall in love. :D
April 28, 2018
I liked it but it took awhile to get to the point. It’s frustrating to me when the events listed on the back of the book take most of the book to unfold because that’s not the kind of story you are anticipating. For example, a large portion of the story was over before Anna and Russ were married while the back of the book made it sound like they would get married right away. The story I anticipated and the story that actually occurred were quite different so although I liked it, I was relatively disappointed.
June 16, 2018
I started this book and was half in when I realized that it was part of a trilogy, and I hadn't read book one. I finished the book, and will read the first book to catch up on what I missed.
Russell Hallway is expecting a mail order bride. When she isn't on the train, he rides out to meet her and bring her home. Instead he finds Anna Darby Linford. Someone he knows from his past. What is the widow Linford doing in his small town? And where is his mail order bride?
Sherri Shackelford doesn't disappoint, as she gives the reader an and venture on the way to love.
Russell Hallway is expecting a mail order bride. When she isn't on the train, he rides out to meet her and bring her home. Instead he finds Anna Darby Linford. Someone he knows from his past. What is the widow Linford doing in his small town? And where is his mail order bride?
Sherri Shackelford doesn't disappoint, as she gives the reader an and venture on the way to love.
July 11, 2018
I really enjoyed this story. I loved meeting Russ Halloway and Anna Linford. The two had met before. This is more of a story about starting over and second chances. They had both been hurt before in different ways but it had left scars. I love the way Sherri weaves the story. She makes you curious to see what is happening next to turn the page to find out. I've enjoyed reading about Russ and Anna so that I want to find out more about his brothers. I will also be looking for more stories about Cowboy Creek. I also have enjoyed reading Sheri's story and will be looking for more of her books.
September 22, 2022
It was nothing spectacular but a satisfactory read. Story line was Ok but tended to be repetitious I will continue to read the rest of the series. I was able to find the entire series at the library. Not sure I would have paid 5.00 for each book though.
January 5, 2024
Great Read!
The story line moved at a decent pace. It was a good, clean read as far as romance over sex. I'm not sure if the writer explained who set Touches the Clouds barn on fire.
The story line moved at a decent pace. It was a good, clean read as far as romance over sex. I'm not sure if the writer explained who set Touches the Clouds barn on fire.
February 8, 2019
A sweet romance.
September 15, 2022
Good read
Running away from a painful situation and finding someone from your past, that now is so kind and protective give Anna hope.
Running away from a painful situation and finding someone from your past, that now is so kind and protective give Anna hope.
May 8, 2024
Awesome book. I really enjoyed it
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May 1, 2018Miniseries: Return to Cowboy Creek
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May 28, 2018Miniseries: Return to Cowboy Creek
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews