Mail-Order Station Master: Healing Husbands

by Lynne Lanning

Returning home after two years of college, Pauline found Mr. Epperly, the richest, meanest man in the territory, had become a dangerous tyrant, leaving her neighbors homeless and penniless.
Now he was threatening her family…
His son had loved Pauline since childhood. He promised her family safety if she married him. But he was a despicable man, just like his father.
With her father seriously injured, and evil deeds continuing, Pauline considered his offer…only for their safety. But her father stood firm against it.
If Pauline was married, Phil would stop pursuing her…
She needed a husband.
They needed help to run the stage station and fight against the Epperly’s…

They needed a Mail-Order Station Master.

278 pages, Paperback

Published February 27, 2025

About the author

Lynne Lanning has such an effortless way of evoking emotion from her readers. Her characters are so realistic that the reader can feel their pain during trials and their joy during triumphs. Reviews state: "...it's as if Mrs. Lanning lived through this herself." "Couldn't put it down..." "A real page turner." Lynne enjoys turning history and her love of God into enjoyable, relatable stories with practical life lessons that can benefit people today. Each story tells of true bonds of love and loyalty, mixed with tough times and decisions, with a twist of humor and sometimes devastation...the same is true in life. With a blend of her own family members and heritage along with lots of fiction, it's hard to tell where reality stops and fantasy begins.

Reviews

[Penny Miller]

I recently finished reading "Mail-Order Station Master," and I can't help but rave about this captivating story! The plot follows Pauline, who returns home after two years of college only to find her community oppressed by the tyrannical Mr. Epperly. The tension is palpable as she navigates her conflicting emotions about marrying his son for the sake of her family's safety.

What truly sets this book apart is Pauline's strength and determination to stand up against injustice, despite the dire circumstances. The character development is exceptional; you genuinely feel for her and her family's plight. The dynamics between the characters, especially Pauline and the Epperly family, add depth and intrigue to the narrative.

The way the author weaves themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the fight for what is right makes "Mail-Order Station Master" not just a romance, but a powerful story of resilience. It's a perfect blend of emotional moments and thrilling conflict, keeping me engaged from start to finish!

If you're looking for a compelling read that showcases a strong female lead battling against adversity, I highly recommend giving this book a try. You won’t regret it!

[Kristin Carmack]

This is a fantastic story! Always asking God about what He wants for you is the theme. The story involves a young lady with big dreams, a stagecoach station, a horrible ruthless family, a young businessman and a depressed and desperate town. This is a book that is very hard to put down and well worth reading!
I was gifted this book by the author and this is my personal review.

[Donna]

Mail Order Station Master is the a powerful story of Faith, Knowledge and Family. Pauline has just returned home from school, after being away for two years. She has so much to look forward to and a future that she wants to build on. The Epperly's are still causing trouble for the town and it's getting worse. By chance she meets Jasper, who has his own future building plans. Their plans will start to merge as one, professionally and personally. Both Pauline and Jasper have a strong business education and will put it to great use. Wonderful characters.
I was given an ARC of this book by the author for an honest review.

[Kathy Heare Watts]

TRUSTING GOD FOR THE FUTURE

The story is part of the Healing Husbands series, written by various authors, and each story can be read as a stand-alone and in any order. These are clean, Western historical tales that show that mitigating circumstances will result in couples seeking a mail-order spouse. It was fun to see this series return with more wonderful tales of happily ever after stories!

Pauline Renfrow will return from spending two years back east at a business school. She has missed her father, Glenn, and his helper, Jack, at the Stage Station. But coming home proves that issues with the Epperlys haven’t changed. Phil Epperly still thinks he can coerce Pauline into marrying him—going as far as threatening everyone to stay away or else. The Epperlys have controlled the town and people to get their way. When things get so bad, it will be Glenn suggests that Pauline pray about the situation and place an ad looking for a husband.

“Strong, brave, hard-working, Christian man, business-minded, willing to relocate near Great Flats, Colorado, with a strong sense of faith, loyalty, and family. Employment and personal references required.”

Jasper Simmerson has visited Colorado with the intention of seeing the land and buying up a large portion for a railroad station and to start a small town. He likes what he sees and makes a substantial purchase. When Jedidiah Epperly finds out, he is furious. Jasper will return back East and begin to plan the next stages of the new town. He also finds an ad seeking a husband in the newspaper and is intrigued, especially since it is where he will be in Colorado. He prays about it and writes to answer the ad.

I loved the story from beginning to end. Even in the early part of Jasper's going to Colorado, he will meet Pauline when he comes to her aid. The letter writing begins with hopes and dreams for the future. What a surprise for the Renfrows to learn it was Jasper who bought the land in question and his plans for the future.

It was so sweet seeing how both Jasper and Pauline prayed, seeking God’s guidance in their lives—before they met and afterwards. The story does have the good, the bad, and the ugly of people—but it also shows that eventually good wins over evil, and those who have caused havoc on a town and its people will get their comeuppance. It was fun watching the letter courtship and then in person of Jasper and Pauline, and how like-minded they are. I especially liked that he saw her as more than wife material, but a business partner too. Yes, the story does give the reader the coveted happily ever after ending.

[Norma]

I loved this book. It has romance, suspense, and is so sweet. Pauline has returned home to Great Falls, Colorado after 2 years away at college back east. Her father, Glenn, owns and runs a stage coach station just a few miles from Great Falls. Pauline has come home with dreams of expanding their property and starting a new town that includes a railroad water stop. Jasper is from back east and is feeling restless. He wants to go out west and investigate life out there. An acquaintance of his father's come to visit them looking for investors in railroad water stops out west. Jasper is excited and his father, Le, decides to send Jasper out to the area near Great Lakes, Colorado to check it out for a new town. While there Jasper buys a huge lot of land and starts mapping his town. He also saves a pretty woman (Pauline) who was being bullied by a man, Phil, who's father is a controlling cattle baron that everyone is afraid of. After setting a few things in motion, Jasperheads back east to plan his town. Pauline is still being threatened by Phil and herfather advises hero send away for a mail-order groom. Jasper end up being one of the men that replies and the man that Pauline decides to correspnd with. Neither one realizes they have already seen each other before. The author has written a great story that shows how our faith in God can help us through anything. The story does have a HEA ending but the author goes a few chapters beyond the HEA and even gives us an epilogue for 4 years later. I highly recommend this sweet, clean, mail-order groom romance.

[Carolyn Bryant]

Mail-Order Station Master is an unputdownable, heartwarming historical romance read. I was immersed in the story from the very beginning to the very satisfying ending. The story tugged at my emotions along the way and even evoked a few tears here and there. The fast-paced, well-written plot features Pauline Renfrow, a strong, kindhearted heroine, and Jasper Simmerson, an honorable, protective hero, who are perfect for each other romantically and as business partners. All the characters, main and supporting, are well-developed and memorable even the villainous Epperly family who cause tremendous misfortune to the citizens of Great Flats, Colorado. I enjoyed the way that Jasper and Pauline’s romantic relationship develops through their mail-order correspondence and their chemistry when they are together. I appreciate the strong faith thread focusing on finding and doing God’s will and trusting in His timing. I think it is Ms. Lanning’s best book yet and worthy of your reading time!
I received a copy of this book from the author with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Diane Jewell]

Mail-Order Station Master by Lynne Lanning ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A great addition to the Healing Husbands series by multiple authors. All stand alone books

Pauline comes home after 2 years in college with a business degree. She is met by Phil a bully who's in love with her and decides he will do whatever it takes for her to be his wife.
Many "accidents" start happing to her family, friends and the town.
Pauline's father tells her the only way to fix this problem is to find a husband and get married. She finally decides to place an ad for a Mail Order husband. She starts a friendship with Jasper, which they discover they both have a desire to fulfill their dreams about having a career in business.

Will Pauline give into Phil's demands of marriage or will she lose everything she has or will she fall in love with Jasper. Can Pauline be accepted by Jasper's mother if they court.

You will have to get your copy today and find out what Pauline will do. Clear your day because once you start read you will not want to stop. Lynne will take you on a rollercoaster, so hang on.

[Evelyn Foreman]

A heart gripping, soul inspiring read! Coming from two entirely different worlds, Jasper, a city boy and Pauline, a small town girl, both business savvy, each searching to fill that void no longer satisfied by the everyday obligations of life, both took a chance on placing the ad that would hopefully be the answer. But with the evil Phil Epperly vying for Pauline’s affections, going as far as to threaten harm and destruction if she didn’t comply, what would it take to rid not just Pauline but the entire town of his wicked reign and that of his father? This is one book impossible to put aside and just get back to at some point. It is a “must read now” story, casting aside any and all interruptions until those final words, The End!

[Jody]

The very first chapter had me laughing over an unpredictable scene and the story just got even better! I was engaged the whole time and loved the inspirational messages throughout and the building of community. Of course there were struggles but facing them with the Lord’s help and a few good men, made it a great read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book however the review is my honest opinion of it.

[Michele Kerlin]

Pauline is a strong woman before her time. She spent the last two years at school and comes home to begin a great future. She has decided to she ants to establish a train station in her hometown. Her father and others think it’s too much but she is determined. She put her faith and prayer to make a difference.

[Margie]

With this book we get more than a mail order romance, we get danger, and justice. Bullies have always been around, but the Epperly family takes it to a whole new level. An advertisement for a station master/possible groom gets Pauline a bunch more, an educated gentleman with money, more than power than the Epperlys. It was fun to sit back and watch it all unfold.

[Ami Jacobs]

This was a sweet, clean western style romance. It had lots of action and adventure, a happy ending, and Christian references to God. It did feel a bit simplistic, which is why I only gave it 3 stars, but it was still a nice quick read.

[Johnna]

This book is about a strong. educated woman of faith who stands up for what is moral and right,

[Debbie Thompson]

I enjoyed the book - I recommend reading it!

[Shonda]

Love this story!

[Donna]

great book

This was absolutely a great book and by a great author. I highly recommend this book and author. I can’t wait to read the next book by this wonderful author.

[Debra Reeves]

I enjoyed Pauline and Jasper's story.

[Lana]

As an arc team member, I so adored this sweet, yet sometimes intense story, of Pauline, a young lady who has gotten her business degree and can’t wait to get home and start using her knowledge! To her dismay, Phil has not found a new interest to occupy his mind. Phil’s father has become a horrible person, bullying all of the people in their little community, going so far as to burn down homes when people didn’t do what he wanted them to do. Then, Pauline’s father falls from a ladder and almost dies. Pauline knows she has to get some help. They decide that she has no choice but to seek a mail order husband. God has already gone ahead of her and put a strong desire in Jasper to go west and build a town for the railroad to go through. When he sees Pauline’s ad, he can’t get her out of his head. There is so much action and excitement in this book. This is definitely a story of faith, hope, and love! ❤️