When her betrothed leaves her for another woman, Celina Murray is distraught. Certain that she will never love again, she agrees to a marriage of convenience, arranging to care for two small children of a bachelor guardian. But love is not an option. Carrying his own load of tragedy and rejection, Sheriff Troy Faraday is just as sure that he can never again trust - or love - a woman.

Home again at Planter’s Point, Marcus Tait is a wounded man. He’s long since recovered from the horrific mine accident, but his recovery from the woman who deserted him is far from over. Buried in his work on his cousin’s ranch, he fears he’s destined to become a lonely, bitter old man, one who will never love again. Six months a widow, Jessica Archer finds every day a struggle. It isn’t just the loneliness and grief - it’s trying to raise her five-year-old son in her husband’s childhood home, with her cold, overbearing in-laws blaming her for Seth’s death. 

Beau Dawson never saw eye to eye with his father, so he left home to live with his Uncle James in Texas, years ago. James taught him how to be a bounty hunter, and Beau has been content with his life. When Beau gets word his father has died, he travels back home to Arkansas to see his mother and brother. Upon arrival, he learns of his father’s will, demanding that Beau marry within 90 days of the elder Dawson’s death. He even ordered his attorney to place an advert for a mail order bride for his youngest son.

Sally Johnson is sick of her life - sick of the upper class, sick of the social gatherings, sick of the dirty, bustling city, and truly sick of never feeling as though she is good enough. When the odious son of a failing steel baron announces they are engaged in order to marry into her rich family, Sally is truly fed up. Taking her life in her hands, she runs away and decides to become a mail-order bride.

Lina Sterling loves her family enough to leave them. They’re struggling to scrape out a living on the cruel, unforgiving streets of 19th century Boston, and Lina can’t find a job. The only way she can support her family is to find a rich husband somewhere - and the East is chronically low on men. Her only choice is to head out West on a train in order to marry a man she’s never met. Hotah, a Lakota warrior, still grieves the death of his beloved wife. His mother Wichapi tells him that he needs to take another bride - especially for his baby daughter’s sake.

Two years ago, Quincy Sinclair lost his beloved wife. He walls off his heart, placing his attention solely on his cotton crops and raising his two young children. He counts heavily on his sister’s help, not only with running the home, but in caring for his traumatized children - particularly his son who hasn’t spoken since his mother’s death. When Quincy’s sister announces her betrothal and imminent move across the country, Quincy is frantic. How can he survive without Helena’s help?

Carla has known nothing but the orphanage for all her life. Derided because of the birthmark that covers half of her face, her only friend is Sally. When Sally dies in childbirth, she begs Carla to save her baby’s life. With Baby Marsha wrapped in her arms, Carla runs for their lives, making the long walk to the next town, Carrick Plains. There she finds comfort and help in a way she never expected. Soon she begins to relax, but Sheriff Bud Jeffries is curious about this newcomer.  

Terence Heaton believes he’ll never find love. Not only are women in scarce supply in the frontier town of Little Rock, Arkansas, but all the girls stare at him like he’s something mysterious and dangerous. He loved his Cherokee mother, yet the townsfolk never understood her. Except for his housekeeper Harriet, the women in town have labeled him an outcast.

Reese Tait is a single rancher with two small children and a run-down ranch to care for, and he’s running out of time. Aileen Warrick is a young widow with debts to pay and nowhere to turn. She’s also running out of time. Valerie Tait is the frustrated, lovelorn bride who brings them together.

Gabe Douglass is the sheriff of Rutger Creek, Arkansas, and the father of seven-year-old Eva. The death of his wife signaled the end of his love life. There is no room in his heart for anyone new. But when Eva wants a mommy for her birthday, Gabe’s mother goes behind his back and orders a mail order bride for him.