This anthology has three brides who come west to meet husbands who might not always be welcoming.

Rocky Mountain Wedding by Jillian Hart: Ms Hart continues with the travails of the Brooks Brothers of Montana. This story centers on Gabe Brooks who “doth protest too much” about his mother’s meddling in finding her sons brides. Bordering on rude, Gabe distances himself from his mother’s selection for him. Melody Pennington, had been sent for to marry his brother, who, in the interim, has found his own bride. But when a tenuous excuse to marry Melody comes along, Gabe positively jumps at it, only to find the reality of marriage is a lot more than he bargained for in trying to keep his independence.  It’s the characters that make this story such a delight.

Married in Missouri by Carolyn Davidson: In beauty, Elizabeth Collins probably wouldn’t win any contests. She’s large boned, healthy looking, and a hard worker, with a generous and practical disposition which is all that widower Lucas Harrison requires in a wife and mother for his children.  As a reader, you feel like the proverbial fly on a wall as you watch the tentative dance steps this unlikely hero and heroine take to fully fall in love with each other. As they do, each grow in depth and substance. This story was a sweet treat that left me smiling.

Her Alaskan Groom by Kate Bridges: When Sophie Grant arrives in Alaska as a replacement bride for attractive livery owner John Colburne, she is not greeted with open arms. John makes known his disappointment and Sophie is left without a groom. Determined to make her way as a midwife, her trade, Sophie soon learns how valued women are in Alaska. Still, she can’t deny that it is John Colburne, however rude his initial response, who attracts her. In retrospect, John realizes he has made a huge error and must now convince Sophie of his earnestness.  In this short story, Ms Bridges shows her mastery in creating realistic characters, honest emotions and stirring attraction.