Title: Mail Order Husband Author: Lauri Robinson Publisher: Wild Rose Press Genre: Western Publication date: April 2007 ISBN: 1-60154-062-0 Pages: 250  Series: Heat Level:     Rating:

Penny Jordan is a young beautiful woman in the pits of desperation. Her father has died and left her running a Dakota Territory cattle ranch. Being strong willed, Penny has the knowledge and faith to keep the ranch going strong, if someone would stop killing her calves and destroying her fences. Penny sends her life-long friend Candace a telegram, caving in to Candace’s suggestion of a mail order husband.

Penny and her Aunt Mary Alice go to the small town of Elm Creek to pick up her new husband. They are surprised to find the bubbly Candace waiting for them with Penny’s opium imbibed man. It seems that the only way to get Jace to come was to drug him. Candace feels that this is the only way for Jace to move from his grief stricken life to happiness. After recovering from his opium stupor Jace agrees to help Penny until she is safe and they are able to get to the bottom of her thief in the night.

This agreement paves the way with hope for Penny and Jace’s happiness, trust and love. Anything is possible when the whole family works towards a common goal. Love comes from every direction and may strike when it's least expected. Will Jace return to his home in Philadelphia or is he already home? Is Penny willing to let him go to be happy or tell him how she really feels?

Lauri Robinson has turned the tables on mail order forever. Mail Order Husband is a jovial story about making decisions that are out of necessity rather then desire. I love the determination and relentless strength of Lauri Robinson’s characters Penny and Jace. Cowboy hats off to facing obstacles and still finding friendship and love. I really enjoyed Mail Order Husband and recommend reading it because I believe that you will too!