Satin and Snakeskin told the story of a woman who left London to meet her mail order husband in Gonzales, Texas. With one look at the skinny Tess, Jake Redmond knew she would never survive on his rugged ranch. She looked like she couldn’t take care of herself and he needed her to cook, clean, and take care of two little boys.

Gray Wolf’s Bride introduced Gray Wolf McKinnon who, after seeing a picture of a certain widowed mother of one son, Evangeline Braddock Payne, used his “white” name to send for her. It had been ten years since she left him....

The Chances Are Bride presented a bride-to-be with a deceased groom. Sheriff Josh Miller had the task of telling Ms. Annabelle Yeager that he had buried her intended, Barry Woods, the day before. He did, however, leave her with his saloon and brothel.

These authors each offered great stories which were fast, easy reads. The stories were diverse, interesting and the mail order bride service was approached through three different sets of eyes. This portrayal­women struggling to meet men who will allow them to fulfill the dream of being a wife and mother­is a fun look at the custom and is never boring to me. I love these three couples and the diverse storylines. The plots are different so none of them appear to be ‘cookie-cutter.’

Whatever your favorite type duo, you will find something to like here. We get to confront prejudice with half-breed Indians, as well as women owning businesses. There is one murder and several attempts, to be solved. Combine those scenarios with a ranch owner who has been devastated by his brother’s death and his sister-in-law’s desertion of her boys, and you have the premise of Brides of the West. I liked the book and recommend it to all.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Brenda Talley
March 10, 2008