Ever wondered what it might be like to be a mail order bride? Or the groom, already married to a woman he's never laid eyes on? On the Canadian prairies in 1886, having a mail order romance wasn't unusual. Noah Ferguson desperately needed help on his farm. Annie Tompkins knew she couldn't go on working in Lazenby's cotton mill. So she'd been a little less than honest in her letters, was that really so terrible?

Francine Rivers is one of America's favorite romance writers and a bestselling inspirational author. Her many heartfelt novels have won awards and the adoration of fans accross the country. In Redeeming Love, she retells the Biblical story of Hosea, setting it in the 1850s, amidst California's gold country.

A captivating woman with blue eyes and big dreams, Emily was engaged to a man whose touch left her aching for something more. Tom, the handsome new man in town, was her father's rival in business, and challenged her heart's destiny with a single, stolen kiss. Whenever they met, sparks flew. Until she showed him how tender she could be, and he showed her how true passion could feel. Until they both realized the importance of taking vows with someone you really, truly love.

When Luke McCutcheon finds Faith Brown about to give birth in her rickety wagon, his first instincts are to ride for help. Instead, he stays and delivers a beautiful baby girl. Unable to leave the pretty young widow and her little son and newborn unprotected in the Montana wilderness, he brings them along on his family's cattle drive, to the absolute delight of the other friendly cowboys.

Three stories that share the adventures of first love and second chances. "A Perfect Secret" - Rose Bender’s betrothed, Luke Lantz, is safe and dependable - maybe a little too much so. Or so she thinks until she sees him in the woods one night and discovers a secret he’s been keeping. "Christmas Cradles" - When Anna Stolis takes over for her aunt, the local midwife, Christmas night heats up with multiple deliveries.... "A Marriage of the Heart" - Since her mother’s death, Abigail Kauffman has lived alone....

Plain and timid, debutante Pamela Burke-Smythe is a wallflower at the high-society Boston balls she attends, overlooked by possible suitors. One by one her friends become engaged, and Pamela resigns herself as to life as a spinster.

Bridget O'Donnell left Ireland, dragging along her reluctant twin sister, Alana, to create a better life in the new world. The sisters travel to Sweetwater Springs, Montana, intending to live with their uncle's family. Upon arrival, their plans are derailed by news of their aunt's illness. James Whitson, a cowboy on the Thompson ranch, is in town to drop off a letter at the train station. When he meets the twins, he's immediately smitten with Bridget.

Six award-winning authors have contributed brand new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Winter Collection. A collection unlike any other, listeners will love this compilation of six sweet historical romance novellas, set in varying eras, yet all with one thing in common: Romance.

When Todd travels to Virginia to bring his widowed mother to his Texas farm, illness alters his plan. Maggie makes a living by selling soaps and perfumes, using old family recipes. Marriage is the farthest thing from her mind—until Todd shows up on her porch, seeking help for his ailing mother. Maggie’s heart skips a beat. And when the handsome Texan proposes to her, life suddenly begins to change for the dark-haired beauty.

The well-educated daughter of a lawyer, Trudy Bauer arrives at the St. Louis based Mail-Order Brides of the West agency full of excitement for an adventure of a lifetime. She befriends the agency's maid, Evie Davenport, and the two form a strong and lasting friendship. They vow to stay in contact through letters when Evie takes hold of her destiny and arranges a marriage on the sly. Each brave young woman is ready to face whatever an unknown groom and life in Montana can throw her way.

When a woman has to choose between death and marriage to a total stranger, she must be in a dire predicament.... And for Jolie McKibben, about to pay by hanging for a terrible crime she didn't commit, salvation by marriage couldn't come a moment too soon. Housekeeping for Daniel Beckham, a widower who invoked the town's wedding ordinance to rescue Jolie from the gallows, is better than the alternative...but understanding the silent stranger who is now her husband might just about kill her.

Lily Young longs to find her lost sister or will die trying. Heedless of any danger, she searches logging camps and towns, posing as a photographer’s assistant. And then she arrives in Harrison, Michigan - and into the sights of Connell McCormick. Connell is determined to increase the fortune of his lumber-baron father and figures as long as he’s living an upright life, that’s what matters. But when Lily arrives in town she upends his world, forcing him to confront the truth that dangerous men have gained too much power while good men turn a blind eye. Vexing but persuasive, Lily soon secures Connell’s help, drawing them ever closer to each other. Will standing for what’s right cost them both everything?

Grace Riley is on the run - from her past and from her fears. The victim of a violent rape at the hands of a rich politician's son, she must "disappear" to escape his constant attempts to recapture her. Moving from cattle drive to cattle drive as a cook, she avoids her tormentor for nearly 20 years. When she discovers that the brother she gave up for adoption after their mother died in childbirth was orphaned at an early age, she is frantic to verify that he's safe. She tracks him to a cattle ranch in Montana.

Cale Landry: When the man from Wolf Creek leaves his secluded mountain refuge to seek revenge on the thief who robbed him, he never expected he’d end up taking home the wily old bandit’s gorgeous and spirited daughter, Raven. But Cale will never get back what he lost, until he learns to trust in love. Conn Benton: Conn Benton is shocked at the suggestion he should marry a Winthrop - especially that tall, redheaded Emaline - to end the feud between their families. He might marry her and bed her, but he has no intention of loving her.

The Lady: After her father's accidental death, it was up to young Fancy Cranson to keep her small family together. But to survive in the pristine woodlands of the Pacific Northwest, she had to use her brains or her body. With no other choice, Fancy vowed she'd work herself to the bone before selling herself to any timberman – even one as handsome, virile, and arrogant as Chance Dawson.

Serena MacGregor had been looking for a little independence and some much-needed adventure, but Justin Blade was not what she had in mind. The stakes were high, and Justin was betting on changing Serena's mind about him. But when this fiery heiress upped the ante on the cool Comanche gambler, steamy didn't begin to describe the results....

Three stories that share the adventures of first love and second chances. "A Perfect Secret" - Rose Bender’s betrothed, Luke Lantz, is safe and dependable - maybe a little too much so. Or so she thinks until she sees him in the woods one night and discovers a secret he’s been keeping. "Christmas Cradles" - When Anna Stolis takes over for her aunt, the local midwife, Christmas night heats up with multiple deliveries.... "A Marriage of the Heart" - Since her mother’s death, Abigail Kauffman has lived alone....

When Bridget McQuarry comes to settle in Primrose Creek, she has nothing to lose; her husband, Mitch, was killed in the Civil War, and she has lost her family farm to ruinous Reconstruction taxes. With her baby son and a sister to care for, Bridget vows to make a new start out West. But when Mitch's best friend reappears in her life, he sparks a forbidden passion she thought was forever buried.

When a woman has to choose between death and marriage to a total stranger, she must be in a dire predicament.... And for Jolie McKibben, about to pay by hanging for a terrible crime she didn't commit, salvation by marriage couldn't come a moment too soon. Housekeeping for Daniel Beckham, a widower who invoked the town's wedding ordinance to rescue Jolie from the gallows, is better than the alternative...but understanding the silent stranger who is now her husband might just about kill her.

The Lady: After her father's accidental death, it was up to young Fancy Cranson to keep her small family together. But to survive in the pristine woodlands of the Pacific Northwest, she had to use her brains or her body. With no other choice, Fancy vowed she'd work herself to the bone before selling herself to any timberman – even one as handsome, virile, and arrogant as Chance Dawson.

Jesse Morgan is a man hiding from the pain of his past, a man who has vowed never to give his heart again. Keeper of a remote lighthouse along a rocky and dangerous coast, he has locked himself away from everything but his bitter memories. A beautiful stranger washes ashore, the sole survivor of a shipwreck. Penniless and pregnant, Mary Dare is a woman who carries painful memories of her own.

Twenty-six-year-old Katie Macauley has placed all her hope in Hope Springs, a small town in the 1870 Wyoming Territory. But if she wants to return home to Ireland to make amends with her estranged family, she’ll need to convince the influential Joseph Archer to hold true to his word and keep her on his payroll as his housekeeper - despite her Irish roots. When Joseph agrees to keep Katie on ash is housekeeper, the feud erupts anew, and Katie becomes the reluctant figurehead for the Irish townsfolk.

From Emma Cane, Jennifer Ryan, and Katie Lane come three wildly romantic holiday stories featuring snowstorms, proposals, a sleigh ride...and, yes, cowboys.

Patience Cavanaugh has lost hope in romance. The man she yearned to marry is dead, and her dreams are gone with him. Now she is consumed with restoring a dilapidated boardinghouse in order to support herself. Despite Patience's desire for solitude, Jedediah Jones, the local marshal with a reputation for hanging criminals, becomes an ever-looming part of her life.

It was whispered all through London Society that Ian Mackenzie was mad, that he’d spent his youth in an asylum, and was not to be trusted - especially with a lady. For the reputation of any woman caught in his presence was instantly ruined. Yet Beth found herself inexorably drawn to the Scottish lord, whose hint of a brogue wrapped around her like silk and whose touch could draw her into a world of ecstasy.

When Ruth Neufeld's husband and father-in-law are killed working for a relief organization overseas, she travels to Wisconsin with her young daughters and mother-in-law, Mabel, to bury her husband. She hopes the Mennonite community will be a quiet place to grieve and piece together next steps.

Wealthy and arrogant, Gabriel Penhallow knows it's time to fulfill his dynastic duty. All he must do is follow "The Penhallow way" - find a biddable bride, produce an heir and a spare, and then live separate lives. It's worked so well for generations, certainly one kiss with the delectable Livia Stuart isn't going to change things. Society dictates he marry her, and one chit is as good as another as long as she's from a decent family.

Her pious father’s murder leaves Faith Montague orphaned and lost on the dangerous road to London , only to be rescued by a notorious highwayman. Morgan de Lacy, a lawless rake with the bearing of a nobleman, treats her finer than those who should have loved and protected her. Recognizing a fine gem when he sees one, de Lacy sets about seducing his orphaned companion. His caresses incite passion…his fiery kisses tantalize, and Faith is in peril of losing herself to temptation.

Being safe means staying away from men. But Delilah's decision is threatened when she meets Paul Chance. The handsome rancher makes no demands, treats her with respect, and always keeps his word. Paul's deep abiding love of God is a thorn in the flesh to Delilah. God didn't answer her mother's prayers to free Delilah's father from the power of gambling. Then He took away both her mother and father. How can she trust a God who would allow such things? Will the past continue to cause Delilah to keep people and God at a distance, or will she finally decide to take a chance on love?

The 1757 New York frontier is home to the Oneida tribe and to British colonists, yet their feet rarely walk the same paths. On the day Fort William Henry falls, Major Reginald Aubrey is beside himself with grief. His son, born that day, has died in the arms of his sleeping wife.