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When a mail-order bride decides to make her husband fall in love with her… Jameson Ford’s dream is to turn the remote mountain community of El Vaquero into the biggest cattle town in Texas. When he submits an application for a mail-order bride, he’s not looking for love. To him, acquiring a wife is simply one of his duties for pioneering a town.

An impoverished debutante and former life of the party, Penelope Copeland carves out a new life as a working-class girl in post-war Atlanta — that is, until a gang of pickpockets forces her to flee town as a mail-order bride.

She takes one look at her unsmiling groom at the altar and decides that two things need to happen to make their marriage work. Number one, make him laugh. Number two, make him fall in love with her. How hard can it be for a southern belle to lasso the heart of a stubborn cowboy?

Buy Cowboy for Penelope and be swept away by this clean and wholesome cowboy romance today!

MAIL ORDER BRIDES ON THE RUN
Read the whole trilogy!
Cowboy for Annabelle
Cowboy for Penelope
Cowboy for Eliza Jane

160 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2022

249 people are currently reading
45 people want to read

About the author

Jovie Grace

54 books72 followers
Jovie Grace is an Amazon bestselling author of sweet historical romance full of faith, hope, love, and cowboys. Readers can connect with her at Cuppa Jo Readers on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Cuppa....

She also writes sweet romantic thrillers as Jo Grafford. To join her New Release Email List, visit www.JoGrafford.com.

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5 stars
380 (70%)
4 stars
119 (22%)
3 stars
37 (6%)
2 stars
3 (<1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
1,775 reviews33 followers
October 6, 2022
I've always enjoyed the mail-order bride trope! It's fun to see how the two characters deal with each other and how they finally fall in love! Penelope needs to leave behind her troubles in Atlanta, especially her poverty. Jameson is the oldest brother in the family and needs a wife to settle down but that doesn't mean he's real excited about it. Penelope is cheerful, optimistic and funny. Jameson - is not! He's a somber fellow! I loved seeing the change in him as Penelope worked her magic on him! As troubles on the ranch come their way, the whole family will pull together and find out who is causing them. A great story and of course, great characters!
Profile Image for Shonda.
Author 10 books48 followers
October 10, 2022
This is such a great book. Beautiful characters that draw you into their world. Well written, the story pulls you in immediately and keeps you fully engaged.
I'm looking forward to the next book!
Profile Image for Kathy Heare Watts.
6,995 reviews175 followers
June 30, 2023
HELPING YOU DO YOUR DUTY AS A PIONEER

The story is the second in the series, Mail-Order Brides on the Run which are clean historical western stories. The story begins in Atlanta, Georgia after the Civil War has ended. So many young women are left to fend for themselves, losing their families and all their possessions. A small group of women have banded together, staying together in a boarding house, and working jobs to survive. Penelope Copeland lost her father in the war and then his drunkard of a brother claimed he was the rightful heir to the Copeland home. When Penelope refused to marry one of his lecherous friends, he kicks her out and that is how she ended up with Annabelle and her friends. Penelope has been warning citizens to avoid going through the park and to take extra care with their belongings because of the number of pickpockets robbing people. Now, those pickpockets are threatening her for their losses. It is time for her to contact the Western Moon Agency and she makes a request to go to El Vaquero, Texas as a mail-order bride, so she will be close to her friend, Annabelle.

“I, Penelope Copeland, agree to wed Jameson Ford of Ford Ranch in El Vaquero, Texas. Farmer and rancher. Age 27.”

“Land sakes, but my future husband has a serious-sounding name!”

No matter how bad things have been, Penelope has tried to keep a positive attitude. But when she arrives by train, it was only moments prior that she alerted the Marshall to the ruse taking place. How has she traveled this far with several pick-pocketers on the same train? Has she brought danger and crime to this small town in Texas? What will her soon-to-be husband be like? When he is so serious, will his answers to why he is marrying give satisfaction to Penelope about her decision to move to Texas?

Penelope: May I be perfectly honest with you, Mr. Ford?
Jameson: I would prefer your honesty, yes.
Penelope: I signed a mail-order bride contract to escape the clutches of the same pickpockets who stowed away on my train.
Jameson: May I be perfectly honest with you in return, Miss Copeland? I consider it my duty to protect you now.
Penelope: Even before we wed?
Jameson: Indeed, Miss Copeland. The moment you signed our marriage contract, you secured my protection.

Jameson: You mentioned that your reasons for wanting to start a family are different from mine.
Penelope: I just want a family, I suppose. The war took everything from me and left me alone in this world.
Jameson: I am sorry for your loss. Be assured you’re not alone any longer. You have me now.
Penelope: Thank you.
Jameson: I’m not good with words, but I will protect you and provide for you.
Penelope: I disagree. To an impoverished southern girl, those are some mighty comforting words to hear.

The story has mystery, suspense, danger, and eventually a clean romance. I liked Jameson and Penelope together and this story has a second sweet romance in the works. But trouble is coming to Texas from Atlanta and it places the Ford family and their employees in jeopardy. Their livelihood and safety are threatened. How far will the nefarious plans extend? Will this affect the marriage and future of Jameson and Penelope?

“There was nothing in the world—absolutely nothing—more beautiful than a woman with a backbone.”
585 reviews
October 24, 2022
Cowboy for Penelope does not let you down! Penelope Copeland is a mail order bride sent to Texas to marry Jameson Ford. She is the second mail order bride being sent to the town of El Vaquero. The first was Annabelle who married Ethan Vasquez. They both lived with some other girls that the war had taken everything away from and now they were living in a boarding house in Atlanta trying to make enough to buy food and pay rent. These are some of Atlanta's once social debutantes. They are not too good to wash clothes and mend clothes for others to stay alive.

Penelope has a good heart. She lives across from the park and she has watched the pick pockets steal from people cutting through the park. Now she makes it her duty to warn everybody so that they cannot be a victim. The pick pockets has threatened Penelope and one has especially kept saying she was his to punish. She thought the mail order bride offer would protect her from these pick pockets. But on the train she hears a ruckus and sees the Marshall is taking one of the pick pockets she saw in Atlanta out as being a stow away. Maybe her problem is just following her.

If you love stories of a couple falling in love over time and suspense and adventure around each turn then this story is for you. I received an advanced copy of this book for my review. I give it 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟.
2,541 reviews41 followers
October 8, 2022
The second book in this series is filled with romance, humor, and suspense. Penelope Copeland answered an ad as a mail order bride in the same town as her good friend Annabelle. Her arrival was tense as pickpockets from Atlanta had followed her. They were after revenge for her attempts to warn people of the threat of pickpockets, or they were until she faced them down with her pistols. One of the boys seemed familiar; was it his Copeland blue eyes? Could he be an unknown family member? When she meets her husband to be, Jameson Ford, there is an attraction between them, one that she didn’t expect. As the oldest son, Jameson has worked hard to make the ranch a success and Penelope has brightened his life with her optimism and love. When her uncle arrives intending to take her back to Atlanta, she knows he is up to something, but what? Jameson has no plans to allow her to leave and will make sure that her uncle pays the price for his threats. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation, from the author, for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)
776 reviews
October 14, 2022
Cowboy for Penelope a mail order bride was worth the wait.
Really enjoyed Penelooecand Jameson's story.Jameson is marrying for duty Penelope wants to marry for love.They both go through the mail order bride root wanting and expecting different things.
Jameson tells Penelope he is marrying for duty and she vows to win his heart.
When her enemies follow her from Atlanta to Texas Jameson vows to protect her from them.
When they cause trouble for her new husband and family Penelope feels guilty for bringing trouble to their door.
Jameson is falling in love with Penelope and does not want to see her unhappy and tells her they will get through it all together and he will continue to protect her.
Really enjoyed their sweet love story with lots of banter,plenty of laughs,emotions,family loyalty,twists surprises and a happily ever after.
Thank you Jovie for another fabulous read cannot wait for the next book in the series🥰

Profile Image for Sonya Wasden.
1,077 reviews13 followers
December 10, 2022
Penelope Copeland needed to get out of Atlanta, Georgia, so she signed up to be a mail-order bride just like her friend Annabelle before her had done. In fact, she had made the request to go to the same town as Annabelle. When she arrived in the small Texas town, she found out that trouble had followed her from Georgia. Her new husband, Jameson Ford, had vowed to protect her, though.

This was a fast-paced, wild ride with lots of swoon-worthy moments and a sweet romance with a happy ending. This is the second book in the Mail Order Brides on the Run series by this author. I can't wait to read the next one. This story has a two-for-the-price-of-one romances.

The story is clean and wholesome with some suspenseful moments. I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
Profile Image for Adpa.
510 reviews2 followers
October 7, 2022
A young lady from Atlanta who has lost everything due to the Civil War decides to become a Mail-Order Bride--to leave behind young pickpockets and thieves she sees every day. However, 3 follow her on the train to Texas to exact revenge.

Turns out her best friend from Atlanta is in the same town she has arrived in! There are lots of adjustments to a change of life style on so many levels, a few twists in the story, a few dangers, a few surprises, but a happy ending.

I love this book. It is the second in the series but is a standalone, no cliff hangers. It was hard to put down! I highly recommend it.

I was provided an advanced copy of the book by the author. This review is my honest opinion.
48 reviews1 follower
October 10, 2022
Penelope Copeland isn't just getting married to Jameson Ford, a man she's never seen, she's also on a mission to make sure her friend is happily married.

Penelope is an exuberant, courageous young woman, and even though she's lost her family and almost every possession since the War began, she still has her faith in God. Jameson is quiet and mindful of his obligations as the oldest son in the family, especially since his dad died.

This book has surprises, suspense, romance and quite a bit of humor. It's clean, inspirational, and can be read as a standalone book, but it's really hard to just read one of Jovie's books. You'll want to read them all.

I received a free copy and this review is my honest opinion, freely given.
181 reviews1 follower
October 11, 2022
Penelope is a poor debutante in Atlanta after the war. Her uncle takes over her home and when she refuses to marry his friend he kicks her out. She gets a room with her friends who have become improvised also. When she gets in trouble with a group of pickpockets who are after her she decides to follow the example of her friend Annabelle and become a mail order bride. She requests and receives a possible groom in the same town as Annabelle. But on the train she discovered that some of the pickpockets followed her.
Her groom agrees to wed her but trouble follows them to their new home in several ways.
They suffer hard times right away with both offering the other a way out of the marriage.
Will they work together to make it trough?
Profile Image for Roberta aka Bobbie.
307 reviews
October 15, 2022
Cowboy for Penelope tells of Penelope's run-in with a band of pick-pockets in Atlanta, Georgia. Because of this she signs up to be a mail-order bride as long as she is sent to El Vaquero, Texas where her friend Annabelle had been sent. Although Annabelle and Penelope are friends each book is a stand-alone story.

Penelope marries Jameson with the goal of making him smile and laugh. She later realizes she wants him to love her. Does she get her happy-ever-after?

I recommend this faith-filled and inspirational story for anyone that likes to read clean romance as well as learn a little about what the settlers went through in settling the West.

I was given an ARC of this book from the author but this review is my honest opinion, given voluntarily.
1,041 reviews4 followers
October 6, 2022
This is another book about a mail-order bride. Penelope was a debutante before the war. Her parents died, and her uncle moved in and squandered the money away. When she refused to marry the man he wanted her to marry, he threw her out of the house. She and some of her friends had to take in laundry in order to eat.

Then a cowboy from Texas wanted her to travel out there to marry him. What would be their reaction to each other? How would she feel about where she would be living? These questions will be answered in the story. There is a lot of action and adventure in this book.

I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion.
308 reviews4 followers
October 5, 2022
This is a clean historical romance with a great storyline. The mail order bride trope is fascinating. Who were these men and women who engaged in this endeavor? Jameson and Penelope each have their reasons, which seem to be common ones: lack of females and poverty. Nevertheless, this author manages to put a slightly different twist to the story. Penelope is a feisty lady from the beginning, confusing Jameson to no end. It’s a nice clean romance with the expected happily ever after. I received an advanced copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
751 reviews4 followers
October 8, 2022
Life changes

Jameson has a hand picked bride coming just he isnt aware who picked her. He just knows its time to marry. Penelope ,ex debutant, has had a year of real life and is looking for a solution and escape. Real life put her in danger of the street rats and missing her best friend. Will seeking a groom in her best friends new town bring happiness or more danger? Will being a MOB be the solution to all her problems? This entertaining story has all the answers. Grab a copy and see!!!
1,466 reviews23 followers
October 9, 2022
I have loved reading all books by this author, because I can visualize what is going on in the stories by her descriptive writing. Her characters are always interesting also. I highly recommend this book about a mail order bride, Penelope, from Atlanta who is marrying a rancher, Jameson, in Texas. It was hard putting this book down after starting it. This whole series is a pleasure to read, and I look forward to the rest of the books in this Mail Order Brides on the Run series. I received an ARC and this is my voluntary and honest review.
1,027 reviews12 followers
October 17, 2022
This is a sweet and fun heartwarming story and is Book #2 in the Mail Order Brides on the Run Series. It the story of Jameson and Penelope on the Ford Ranch, and the character development is excellent. It is an action packed story full off evil people which include villains, pickpockets, and a mean uncle, as well as danger and romance. Will Penelope be successful in getting her husband to love her as they work together on the ranch? Be sure and grab a copy of this great story; I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Profile Image for Angieleigh.
992 reviews123 followers
September 9, 2025
I absolutely LOVE mail order bride stories, along with pioneer/western romances. There's just something about them that tugs at my heartstrings!

I absolutely adore Penelope and Jameson's love story. Like Annabelle before her, Penelope brings danger with her in the form of a mysterious street rat and some of his friends.

I am so hoping that in the next book, which looks to be last in this series, that all four girls that are left in Atlanta make their way to El Vaquero to meet more of the Ford brothers and that the friends will be reunited!
230 reviews6 followers
October 5, 2022
I loved Cowboy for Penelope!! But I knew from the early descriptions that I would! From the first chapter to the last, the author had my full attention. Penelope is so feisty and can take care of herself, but she discovers that she likes the fact that Jameson will be there to take care of her. The interactions between Jameson and Penelope were very entertaining. I enjoyed getting to know the family better, as well.
Profile Image for Bonny Rambarran.
1,521 reviews21 followers
October 7, 2022
A mail order bride - who unknowingly brings pick pockets along
When she gets to where she is going she REALLY likes him. But knowing that she has brought a thief along really bothers her. But they work on their relationship — and then the barn burns down!!!! This book — danger, love, more danger . . . .terrific book. LOVED IT!!! I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own.
Profile Image for Sharon S.
1,009 reviews7 followers
October 7, 2022
A great addition to the series.
Penelope is a mail order bride heading west to married a stranger. On the way she prevents a robbery on the train. One of the robbers who gets away has eyes that are just like all her deceased family.
Jameson is the rancher Penelope is to marry. Her goal is to make him smile and then laugh since he doesn’t usually smile.
How will the robber from her past affect her new marriage?
*I received this book for free for my unbiased review
43 reviews
October 8, 2022
I really enjoyed this story. The characters were wonderful and the plot was great. This was a fast paced story with a lot of romance and fun. The hero, Jameson Ford, orders a mail order bride who is an impoverished debutante from Atlanta. This story occurs several years after the Civil War. Jameson lives in El Vaquero, Texas and seeks a bride to help him run his ranch. There are villains, pick pockets, evil uncles and lots of action. This is a very enjoyable story.
6 reviews
June 17, 2024
Mail order Brides Book 2

So far I Have enjoyed Mail Order Brides and I will keep reading the series, I find them very interesting and not too long and drawn out . so you can count on me to keep reading your series. Extending more then the 3 I thought was the end of this series. So thank you for . only thing I stay up too late to finished each book.enjoying them too much to finish a story the next day. So walking around a little tired but pleased.with the story line!
Profile Image for Bev Walkling.
1,472 reviews50 followers
November 8, 2024
Trouble has a way of following this mail-order bride

This is the first book I've read in the series but hopefully won't be the last. It was a quick, easy read, more of a novella than a full fledged novel. I liked the main characters though and it was easy to root for the Ford family in their trials. The book has a strong element of Christian faith without being preachy. The cover also caught my attention.
831 reviews3 followers
October 4, 2022
Penelope signed to be a mail order bride to get away from her troubles in Atlanta. A surprise awaits her on the train. She prayed for a husband with a sense of humor but was met by a somber groom. How they both dealt with the trouble that followed was heartwarming. Full of wonderful characters, twists and turns, and a bit of romance, loved this book.

Received ARC and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Mary Jane McLeod.
2,954 reviews6 followers
October 7, 2022
Really Great Series

I'm so enjoying this series and getting to know all the characters on Ford Ranch. I loved Jameson and Penelope's story. This story is full of intrigue as well as romance. These two got married for different reasons but soon found love. I anxiously await the next book in the series.
1,842 reviews12 followers
October 8, 2022
I really enjoyed this story. It was such an enjoyable read. Penelope is a pistol standing up against the pickpockets in Atlanta. Then she goes west but the face of one of the pickpockets follows her. For what purpose? That is the mystery & what made this story fun for me. You should also enjoy the read. I received a free copy. This is my voluntary review.
Profile Image for Dotty.
774 reviews
November 1, 2022
Lives are changed forever

Unknown to Jameson his mother has hand picked his mail order bride.
Penelope has gone from having it all to having nothing. Now she has a dream of having a home and family. There is someone who wants to stop her, but can he?
I loved the story can't wait to read the next one in the series.
2,399 reviews13 followers
July 22, 2024
Cowboy for Penelope

This was an exciting story about Penelope. She had been. Southern Belle in Georgia. She and her friends fell on hard times. All family had been lost in the war or died. These’re living in one room and doing odd jobs to survive. Deciding to be mail order brides in Texas. Penelope was the Second Lady to travel Texas
187 reviews1 follower
February 14, 2025
Not as good as the 1st.

This book was shorter. The danger was kind of lame. I love a happy ending though. I guess I just feel like there should be more. There were a lot of things left unexplained...I felt. Some characters were barely fleshed out. Will I continue to read the series? Of course!
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