The Express Bride

Jackie "Jack" Rivers now runs the Pony Express station in place of her late father. She cleans the lodging rooms, cooks all the meals, and manages all of the riders and post. Always fearful that she will be demoted and seen as "less than" because she is a female, she works hard to abolish that idea, proving she belongs just as much as one of the male riders. One afternoon an Elijah Johnson hops off the train at this Utah station on a secret mission himself- to look for the long lost daughter of his employer. All of his clues lead him to this town, yet he can't seem to connect the pieces, and Jack obviously cannot be the heir as she had a father. While all of this is occurring, they are in the midst of a counterfeit scam going on in the territory that needs all of the character's help to solve.



This book had me in its grips right from the very first page! I am always partial to books that are easy to understand and picture right from the first chapter, it makes understanding what is going on so much easier and enjoyable. This story was so fascinating! I haven't read much historical fiction about the Pony Express but it's incredibly stimulating and different than the WWII dramas out now. I also genuinely loved the slow burn of the love story between the main characters. It just makes you want to read faster and faster until you see if they make it or not.


One thing I thoroughly appreciated in this book is how the religious aspect didn't dominate the book. I am religious so I did not have a problem with it, however, some books tend to want to cram it down your throat and doesn’t leave much of a story in its wake. Where all the time they are strictly following God’s order and blah blah. However, in this novel it is subtle and effective, it's there, and it's thoughtful but it's not forced. I sincerely awed in the balance the author had for religion.


I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good historical fiction romance!

A wonderful story of a young lady that is in charge of a Pony Express station in Utah territory at the beginning of the Civil War! Her world is turned upside down, as she learns that everything she thought she knew is challenged! Excellent story but ended much too soon for me! Loved it!

I have been reading the Daughters of the Mayflower series since book one and have enjoyed all of them. The Express Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse did not disappoint!

It is filled with murder, mystery, romance and even a Bible study on Daniel! This book had me from the get-go. And even though this is the ninth book in the series, it can be read as a standalone, so don't despair if you think you have to "catch up" first - you don't. Although I highly recommend all the books in this series.

I loved how the characters grew in their faith, but all their flaws were shown beforehand. The reader has no doubt that no matter how bad you think you are, God is merciful and forgiving to all who seek Him with a repentant heart. Forgiveness is an important theme in this book and makes it all the more touching at the end.

A thrilling story that captivates the imagination and the heart. I highly recommend it!

The book was provided by Barbour Publishing through NetGalley.

What a wonderful book! It is written in such a way that you can see all the scenery and action that is taking place. This is a christian historical romance that is full of action, mystery and suspense. This is the first fiction book I've read about the Pony Express and really enjoyed it. I highly recommend this book. Thank you Barbour Publishing via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own and I've pre-ordered the paperback version. Yes, it's that good!!

When I opened this book I was so excited to learn that this was about the pony express riders and the fair maiden at the express station.
I love stories about the pony express and I can get never get enough of the pony express! Can you imagine what would happen if we the pony express in today's world? Wow!!
I can't imagine riding a horse at breakneck speed across the country just to get the mail in on time.

I was so excited to see another novel to the Daughters of the Mayflower Series. Kimberley Woodhouse did not disappoint. This is a beautifully written Christian historical fiction book, laced with romance. The first few pages of the story are packed with adventure and suspense. Jacqueline Rivers is a very strong female character, living in a man's world doing a man's job. Love, redemption, sacrifice and loyalty are all woven throughout this story. I love reading one of Kimberley's books, I learn so much about history. I found all the details about the Pony Express drivers and there job very exciting. I loved this book and would recommend it. I received a copy from Barbour Books through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I have really enjoyed all of the books in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. They are all different but they are all well written and tied together by ancestry.

In The Express Bride, you are immediately drawn into a woman fleeing an abusive home with her baby. Years later that baby is now Jacqueline Rivers and she runs a station house on the Pony Express. Her mother died when she was a young child and she was raised by her father who just died. He left her the station house which is unusual because she is a woman. When two men arrive at her station house, her world gets turned upside down.

Elijah Johnson is a successful business man who was asked by his employer to find his long lost wife and daughter. When Elijah meets Jacqueline, he is drawn to her. Despite the hurt he has experienced with women in the past, he longs to take a chance with her.

Elijah and Jacqueline are recruited to help the treasury try to find out who has been forging bonds. There is danger involved in this endeavor and soon Elijah and Jacqueline find themselves witnesses to two murders. Elijah also finds the long lost daughter of his employer. The problem is, he has lost his heart to her.

The Express Bride is a great Christian fiction book about seeking and giving God's forgiveness. I really enjoyed it. I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest feedback.

The Express Bride is the 9th book in the Daughters of Mayflower series. Although I have not read all of the stories, the ones that I have read were truly wonderful. In this story, we have a woman on the run from her abusive husband and in order to protect her child, she has no recourse but to flee. The story picks up later of Jacqueline Rivers, know as “Jack” who runs her own station house on the Pony Express. The story also involves Elijah's search for his employer Charles Vines' long-lost daughter.

The story grips you from the start and keeps you intrigued. I found it difficult to put it down as I wanted to find out the outcome in the end. Although there were some slower parts of the story, there were other parts that made up for them. Bother Jack and Elijah were very nice characters to the story and were a delightful couple where you could see how sweet and true their romance evolved. As with the others in the series, there were quite a bit of religious overtones that I did not mind as I do love Christian stories.

I thought the story was very well-written with a bit of mystery, murder, romance and religion…especially one having a heart to forgive. The author did an outstanding job with this one and do recommend reading this book in the series.

I thank the author and Barbour Publishing for allowing me to receive this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

This story pulled me in from the beginning! Jackie has been through both of her parents dying, but is very satisfied with her life. She is the manager of a pony express station and runs a boarding house as well. Little does she know how her life will be turned upside down!
Elijah is a wealthy young man who is on a special quest for his employer/partner. He is to find his long lost daughter. Elijah rents a room at Jackie's boarding house, originally only planning to stay a couple of nights. When both he and Jackie are enlisted in finding the source of forged bonds, he decides to stay longer. As they spend more time together, the two of them feel friendship start to blossom into something more. A stage "accident", witnessing murders, and terrible weather are just a few of the obstacles that they face in the barren land. There was SO much to this book, but I don't want to give any spoilers, so just READ it!! You'll be glad you did!
I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. That in no way influenced my review.

The Express Bride (1July2019)
Kimberly Woodhouse
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Set in the Utah Territory in 1860, this novel was well-written with just enough of a love story and suspense to keep the pages turning. Jackie is an interesting heroine—the manager of a Pony Express station. She’s doing a man’s job in a man’s world—extremely well. Elijah, a successful business manager for a wealthy man, embarks on a quest to find the man’s wife and daughter. Although it is the 9th book in the Mayflower Brides series if can stand alone—so don’t think you need to catch up.

In a surprising twist, this has been my favorite book of the Daughters of the Mayflower series. I say 'surprising' because I'm considerably more interested in other time period than the early to mid-1800s, and wasn't terribly interested in the Pony Express either. However, I learned a lot about the era and the inner-workings of the mail system. The author definitely did a lot of research to create something that feels authentic. The characters are so believable, and the story contains a lot of mystery and intrigue. While I knew how some of it would end by the second chapter, there were still a lot of holes to be plugged along the way. Looking forward to the next installment!

The Express Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse Historical Fiction of the American West in the mid 19th century. In this new story in the Daughters of the Mayflower series there is excitement from the beginning pages. Crimes to be solved, a runaway, romance, secrets and mysteries from long ago. The old old story of sick souls and the redemption offered by God. I loved the real historical details of the Pony Express, never ending action and especially the gospel story throughout this book and series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars

(4 stars) - an Express pleasure to read!

The Pony Express has always fascinated me, so admittedly, I was predisposed to like this story. It was interesting to learn more about how it operated.

While the story is set in the West, there is a fairytale quality to the writing. The characters are certainly well developed & easy to like. The mystery of the counterfeiter drew me in & the suspense kept me there.

There were a few issues that kept me from giving a full 5 star review. It was difficult to believe that a woman with a baby or toddler would have been able to make it on her own for any serious length of time, & especially that she wouldn't be very memorable for that uniqueness, regardless of hair changes. However, what was frustrating was that each of the 2 main characters has a point in the story where I couldn't help wondering at their naivete.

There was also a bit of redundancy in the explication that sometimes made it feel a bit drawn out, but once the action picks up, the momentum increases till the happily-ever-after, & it's well worth the ride.

Clean romance level: sweet kisses
Religion: explicitly Christian themed with Scripture quotes & Bible study scenes

I'm continuing to love the Daughters of the Mayflower Series! The journey through history and stunning covers have won me over.

In the Express Bride, readers are exposed to the Pony Express and what life was like for those that ran stations and rode circuits. This was all fascinating and the author's note at the end added even more detail about this unique (and brief) time in U.S. History.

There were a couple of events in the story line that seemed a bit convenient or forced for the plot. Overall, I enjoyed the story line and the characters.

This was a great story! I’ve read several books in this series now and this was one if the best. It’s filled with great characters, a great story and a great historic backdrop that only adds to the story. Jacqueline, whose father called her Jack, is an extraordinary young woman running a stop for stagecoaches and the Pony Express. The novel begins shortly after the death of her father so she is still trying to get used to her life without him and running things on her own. She is a fierce but heartfelt heroine. She embodies what I would imagine is the pioneer spirit of the women who lived out west in that time. Elijah is a young man who is on a quest for his good friend and mentor. He is trying to track down a young woman and so his path will cross with Jacqueline. Unfortunately there are also villains to be found out west so all is not perfect. As these plots play out you will find yourself hooked!

As always in this series God is at the forefront. The characters will rely quite strongly on their faith. It is a great example of life in simpler times, even if those times were certainly harder. There is also a great redemption tale found in the power of God and the power of forgiveness. I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Express Bride is another excellent edition to the Daughters of the Mayflower series. This time, we’re covering the brief time period involving the Pony Express and the Utah Territory. The romance is sweet and a veeeeery slow burn, almost taking a backseat to the mystery of forged treasury notes. The characters rely heavily on scripture (specifically the book of Daniel), and it acted as a deterrent for me in this story, where it didn’t in the previous books in the series - it took me out of the story briefly.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book brought me such joy reading it. The characters were so wonderful and I feel in love with all of them. I have to say my favorite character was Ann who was deceased in the book but her legacy was so big and touched so many people in this story. This story was phenomenal, showing us God’s love and forgiveness. I cried happy tears as I was reading, this story touched my heart so deeply. The author does such a beautiful job showing how we all sin and how our sins can hurt others so deeply. Kimberly Woodhouse goes on to show the reader that only God can help us to forgive and love as he has. The romance was sweetly done, I loved every facet of this book! Kimberley Woodhouse has made me a fan for life.
Was given a complimentary copy from Net Galley. All opinions are of my own.

The Express Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse

I have enjoyed almost all of the “Daughter's of the Mayflower” books, especially the ones written by Kimberley Woodhouse. She has a unique knack for bringing whatever time period she sets her stories in to life. Maybe it's the extensive research she delves into (and it shows), or maybe it's the way she fleshes her characters out, or perhaps it's the exciting scenery she drops the reader into. Whatever it is, she does it well!!

The Pony Express has been one of the most fascinating industries in history and I can't seem to get enough books to read about it. Living in the 21st century, I can't imagine when mail had to be delivered by horse across county taking a couple of weeks to get there! I really love seeing how it plays out in the riders Woodhouse has chosen in this story. One rider said he had to go 75 miles in one day pushing his horse to go as fast as he can, all while looking out for danger in the form of robbers or savage Indians! I just can't wrap my head around that! I also love Jacqueline—or Jack for short—who runs the station in such an efficient manner, making sure everything runs smoothly. Her late father was station master & taught her all she knows. She has no idea her world is about to come crashing down around her in the form of Elijah Johnson; sent to find his employers long lost daughter. An immediate spark develops between these two but must be tempered while also trying to capture forgers of stolen Indian bonds. Since I don't want to spoil it for other readers, I'll just say this is quite an adventurous story that has so much going for it! It stands out to me as being a favorite of mine. I think one thing that I really liked about it was how the romance developed between “Jack” and Elijah. He never had a good living example of what love between two people really was & she had parents (though both deceased) who loved her unconditionally and showed her what it really meant. They both also had strong faith in the Lord and it showed, Woodhouse didn't skimp on the faith thread and made it feel a natural part of the story. Be sure to read the “Note from the Author” at the end where she talks a little about her research & how she incorporated it into her story, it really is intriguing!

I think if you've enjoyed the other books in this series, you will enjoy this one too! These all can be read as stand-alone and can be read in any order, that's the nice part. Maybe you just might find a “favorite” author or two for yourself!

*I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishers and was under no obligation to leave a review. All opinions are my own. *

The Express Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse is the next book in her “Daughters of the Mayflower” series. The story begins in March 1834 with Anna Vines leaving her abusive husband and traveling west to begin a new life. Would she find it in the barren west? Fast forward to 1860 and Jacquelyn Rivers’ father has passed away and she has taken over the running of the stage and Pony Express stop as well as serving meals and offering overnight accommodations to the travelers. She sent an express mail to the owners signing it Jack as that is the name her father always called her and also because it would be unheard of for a woman to run the station on her own. What will happen when the owners learn that Jack is a woman? I there a connection between Jack and Anna? When a mysterious guest appears, who is working for his employer strange things come to light. As mysteries unfold will faith in God see them all through safely?
This is another hit for Kimberly Woodhouse. I couldn’t put it down once I started reading. The characters are so well described they come alive on the page and you either love or hate them depending on their character. The main characters have a deeply held conviction of their Christian faith and follow God to the best of their ability. Kimberly Woodhouse’s style of writing keeps the reader engaged and there are lots plot twists and surprises along the way to a logical conclusion. I give this book 5 of 5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is among my favorites of the Daughters of the Mayflower series for several reasons. First, I knew very little about the Pony Express and learned so much from the novel. For some reason, I thought the Pony Express existed for many years when, in fact, it only lasted 19 months. Second, Woodhouse has a magical way of making her characters so believable, rich and complex. Finally, the spiritual content is so deep and fulfilling that I finish her books with a renewing of my own faith.

Jackie aka Jack is a wonderful heroine. She's feisty, caring, grounded in faith, and very determined. She has lost both her parents who ran the Stage stop and Pony Express station in Carson Sink, Utah Territory (now Nevada). She is bound and determined she is going to keep it going for the sake of all the Pony Express riders who stayed there and whom she had come to feel were family. Elijah Johnson has come to Carson Sink in search of his boss's heir. His boss has become like a father to him and Elijah is determined to find his missing daughter. Filled with action, adventure, and suspense, this book was riveting from start to finish. I loved the camaraderie between all of the people who made their home at Carson Sink. A wonderful small town feel like I remember growing up. I also liked that Sunday church was important for everyone who was there; and even if they got stopped by an express rider change, they went right back and finished their service.

This entire series has been a delight, and this book definitely shines among them.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Once again Kimberly Woodhouse has impressed me with her research. The Express Bride is based in the time of the Pony Express and Ms Woodhouse wove an engaging story of intrigue and adventure, scattered liberally with tidbits of information about the Express riders. I can imagine this was a challenging book to write as so much is known about the Express, but even yet, Ms Woodhouse was able to surprise me with a few new facts, and came through as expected with a fun, informative story.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I honestly do not have the words to describe how much I love this series! I am a huge historical fiction fan, but I will admit that I fall into the habit of reading books from the same specific time periods. I'm not complaining about this, but I appreciate this series because it takes me to times and places I probably wouldn't have traveled otherwise. Even though the books can each be read as a standalones, the knowledge that the characters are connected through lineage breeds a unique appreciation and respect for the history of our nation.

Although he may have just been a smaller supporting character, I really adored Michael, who was Jackie's adopted little brother. In the story he's 14, but he'd been with her family since he was 7. It was clear just how much he loved Jackie and looked up to her, even when he called her "bossy, bossy" like a pesky little brother. He was a fierce protector of her, and was the kind of side-kick we all wish we could have.

One of the strongest messages in this novel was the power of forgiveness. Not only between people, but between us and God. Has there ever been a person that you looked at and thought they were too far gone or undeserving of God's forgiveness? Or have you ever felt that way about yourself? Charles' story of redemption in this novel is powerful but also a lesson in the knowledge that there is no one too far separated from God that He cannot redeem them and turn their hearts away from evil. It was also heartwarming to see that instead of judging him as unchangeable, the people in his life prayed for him, and what a testimony that was in and of itself!

Another thing I really enjoyed in this story was the witty humor. It was lighthearted and often subtle, but it truly warmed my heart to the characters and their friendships with one another. Personally humor in a relationship is an instant captivator for me. Seeing two people laugh with one another in a kind-spirited way, instantly made me connect with and adore them more deeply.

As I've mentioned in the past, one thing I admire about Kimberley's writing is that her love and respect for history is clearly visible in each of her works. As with any historical fiction piece, I always appreciate reading the author's notes at the end to help separate some of the fact from fiction. Even though the majority of the characters may be completely fictional, Kimberley makes every attempt to recreate the setting and events as respectful to historical accuracy as possible. She is also known to throw in actual historical figures, and I enjoy seeing if I can figure out who some of them are as I'm reading. I love it when a book is able to awaken an interest for me to look deeper into historical events and time periods.

I have read each of the books in this series from the beginning and I look forward to reading more as they release. I honestly can't recommend this series enough!

*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

Jacqueline Rivers lost her mother when she was young. We meet her shortly after her father’s passing, left to do what is considered a man’s job - manage the Stagecoach stop and Pony Express Station on her own. A strong and determined nature, rooted in her faith and belief that she can, Jack is determined to prove that she can continue running things as efficiently as always for the people she feels depend on her.

Elijah Johnson rides into town on a personal mission for his wealthy mentor and employer: find his long lost daughter and heir. His intention was just to pass through Carson Sink as a rest point, but that changes as he and the spirited, strong-willed Jack are recruited by the treasury to investigate where the territory’s forged bonds are coming from.

The investigation proves dangerous and as Jack and Elijah work together, they find themselves having to depend on each other. Jack and Elijah start to know one another better and what started out as sense of duty, develops into a mutual attraction. As friendship cautiously evolves into something more, can they trust their feelings with one another?

I always enjoy Woodhouse’s skillful way with her story lines and plot turns, and as an avid reader of historical fiction I was particularly impressed with this story line based around a Pony Express station managed by a woman, in 1860 Utah.

Once again, she creates lovely characters; authentic with a believable complexity to them. I especially connect with the positiveness of Christian faith as Jack and Elijah learn to turn to God and depend on their belief in His steadfast mercy and love.

The Express Bride is a wonderfully written historical fiction book that engages the reader from its start with adventure, intrigue, sweet romance, and a chance to pause and refresh, if not revive, their own spirituality and faith.

Highly recommend as an any time, feel-good, enjoyable, faith-inspiring read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc., for the read of Kimberley Woodhouse’s, The Express Bride.

The opinions expressed in my reviews are my very own.

This was an absolutely delightful book detailing a mystery with the Pony Express. Family, forgiveness, love, & mystery are all intertwined in this fun historical romance novel. It will keep you guessing until the end. Great read!!!

I believe I’ve read all of the Daughters of the Mayflower series (so far) and this one is one of my favorites. I love when a story teaches me something new, and prior to reading The Express Bride, I knew very little about the Pony Express. And how fascinating! I’d never really thought about how much work went into the Express or the dangers the horse-mounted riders were subjected to. And though I’ve learned that this mail delivery service was highly unprofitable, it certainly was innovative.

Another thing I enjoyed about this story was the slow-building romance. It is off-putting to me when two characters fall for each other too quickly, feeling a little grandiose and unauthentic. Although Jacqueline (Jack) and Elijah’s attraction happens quickly, their friendship grows into something more at a nice stride, and has me rooting for them the entire way.

This story is multifaceted. It’s a mystery, suspense, and historical romance wrapped into one. The pacing works. I wasn’t rushed through the full mystery, but instead, given tidbits of information along the way that kept me turning pages. The story focuses on grace, family, and forgiveness, and reveals a satisfying conclusion.

I look forward to the next (last) book in this series!

Quotes from the book:
The wilderness was a great place to hide.

The word family made Elijah’s chest sting in a way he wasn’t expecting.

Cover Love! This cover art is beautiful and eye-catching, depicting Jacqueline exactly as I pictured her in my mind.

My thoughts on the title: Very fitting.


★★★★★

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse
Publisher: Barbour Books
Series: Daughters of the Mayflower Book #9
Pages: 256
First line (Prologue): With shaking limbs, she climbed into the plush carriage awaiting her, the precious bundle in her arms worth far more than the money, trinkets, and trunks of clothing she left behind.
Source: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

#TheExpressBride
#CoverLoverBookReview

After an arranged marriage prepared by her parents, Anna quickly falls in love with her husband…until things go awry. After being beaten one too many times and scared for the life of her baby, Anna escapes much quicker than planned. In an effort to hide from her husband, she changes her name and identity. She shortly dies after discovering happiness and security in the life she never had prior.

After recently losing her father, Jacqueline “Jack” Rivers finds herself as manager of a Pony Express station and handling the lives of two handfuls of young men. Already being scared of detection by the owners because of her gender, she is then asked to spy for counterfeiters.

Along the way, Elijah Johnson shows up. Tasked with the “impossible” task of finding his employer’s daughter, he quickly finds himself falling in love with Jack. To make things more stressful, his employer is on his deathbed and hoping to apologize to his daughter before it’s too late.

Will Mr. Johnson find his employer’s daughter? Who is she and where has she been? Will Jack be able to continue to manage the station? What dangers lurk ahead? What secrets do others have?

What I enjoyed most about this novel more than others in the series was we see multiple kinds of love from parental to romantic. Instead of the main characters being at fault for their actions, we find one of the supporting characters with this dilemma. And I really enjoyed that because it wasn’t the same story line of the woman helping the man to become a better person after he makes mistakes.

A story of redemption, forgiveness, and love, readers are likely to fall in love with this brave woman and protective gang of young men!

This is a part of the Daughters of the Mayflower series as it follows the family of William Lytton as the years proceed from the Mayflower sailing to the Pony Express days. This has been a great series and I have followed it from the beginning of the series. I don't want to quit reading them as they are very interesting and I love the historical content.

I love when a book takes place in an area where I have either lived or visited as does this one in the Utah territory. Jack,as she is nicknamed, takes good care of her Pony Express stop after the death of her father. She's a woman doing a man's job in a man's world and does a great job at it.

The book has history, genealogy, and romance and western excitement! This is a wonderful addition to the series! The characters are wonderful!

I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

Kimberley Woodhouse is such a wonderful author. I have enjoyed all her books that I have read. The Express Bride is another great book that is part of the Daughter's of the Mayflower collection and the forth one written by Woodhouse. It is full of excitement, danger and romance in the old west. The characters are well developed and we get an interesting look into a part of our history to see how the pony express worked. Jackie is running the station after her father died. Elijah is on a quest looking for his employers heir. They are both asked to give their help to the Government, but not to let anyone know that they are, even each other. Who are the people you can trust? Who are the counterfeiters? Is is a great story and I hope there will be more in this collection.

I received this book from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

I liked the pacing in this book. Although foreshadowing made it easy to guess ahead to some of the outcomes, the story carried on with the world-building and the introduction and development of new characters as they came onto the scene. More "historical fiction" that includes a romance than "historical romance," I enjoyed the details of the Pony Express station operations and the criminal suspense plot that also carried the story forward. I am hoping to see the loose ends from this and the previous volume tied up together in a later book in this series.
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley. I offer my honest opinion in response.

The Express Bride, well worth your time!

Set in the 1860's, we find Anna fleeing her abusive, alcoholic husband. She is filled with heartache, fear and a fierce determination to protect her daughter Jacqueline. Immediately, you are gathered into a tale of mystery as we follow their lives.

The author did a beautiful job portraying the realty many experience and follows up with their lives years later. I loved how she pulled the characters together from across the country and wove a tale of redemption, forgiveness, and the supplication of each person's needs.

The relationships that flow throughout the book are heartwarming and I was most impressed by the character traits she gave each person. Well done! I appreciate a clean historical romance.

The author did a wonderful job describing many of the historical elements of running the famed Pony Express. With ease she described the urgency and pride felt by those who were responsible for riding, delivering and running the stations.

I received a copy from Barbour Books through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

•°o•:*:•. VERY HAPPY .•:*:• o°•
After not enjoying the last book in the series, I was so very pleasantly surprised at how much I did enjoy book no.9 in the “Daughters of the Mayflower”: series. Once I found out it centered around the Pony Express, I decided to accept the invitation to read it.
Some fun facts from the book: Now called the Pony Express, it was the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company (COC&PP). It operated from 04/03/1860 until 10/24/1861 when the telegraph took over. It went from St. Joseph, MO to Sacramento, CA in 10 days.

The story involves one mystery surrounding forged treasury notes and another involving a missing heiress. There are quite a bit of godly men sharing their faith, and our heroine seeking God as well that I enjoyed.
**Kansas City, MO**
Elijah Johnson is entrusted by his friend and business partner, Charles Vines, to find his long lost daughter before he departs from this world. But, she’s been gone for 26 years! It will take a lot of fortitude and brains to ferret out any clues that old; plus some guidance from the good Lord.
**Utah Territory, forty miles from Virginia City**
Meanwhile, in Carson Sink, Jacqueline Rivers has taken over her father’s station following his recent passing. She is manager, hostess, cook, boss, big sister and surrogate mom to “her boys” who ride for and deliver the mail for the COC&PP.
“Every time she watched a rider head out, she prayed until he was out of sight. The number of riders and horses it took to cross the two-thousand-mile trail was extravagant. But to get the news in a week rather than a month or more was huge. It never ceased to amaze her, so every day she found herself praying for these young men who sacrificed so much.”
“Jack” is coming to grips with her loss and new duties when two men show up on the stagecoach seeking her help with two entirely different problems.
Michael, her adopted brother, was a fun character. I appreciated his youth and humor.

Tea References:
“As she looked down at her cup of tea, the image of her mother, so dreamlike and beautiful, still hovered at the edges of her mind. If only she could keep it there and remember more.”
“But being the doting father he was, he usually gave in and ordered her something pretty. She’d never forget the first time she asked him to buy a china tea set. His face had been almost comical.”

Cautionary Note: This book does contain some violence, including wife beating (not in grave detail) and also cold-blooded killing/shooting.

Extra tidbits about the P.E. are listed after the story, including the fact that it was a “huge financial flop”! I also like the Express riders oath shared within the story.

I loved the final sentence which made me laugh out loud.

I was approached by Barbour Publishing and asked to review an eVersion of this book without fee, expectation or compensation. My opinion is my own and offered freely. Please read other reviews for a well-rounded purchasing decision.

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4 stars- This is the latest novel in the “Daughters of the Mayflower” series and tells of the Pony Express in 1860. This is the 4th book in the series written by Kimberley Woodhouse. Of those 4 books this one was my favorite. Jackie Rivers runs the Carson Sink Pony Express station in Utah Territory. Elijah Johnson is traveling on a mission for his business partner and mentor to find his long lost daughter. When he arrives at Jackie’s stop, he is intrigued by her. Could she be the person he has been searching for, both for his boss and for himself?
I enjoyed this story. It was enlightening to read about the history of the Pony Express and how it worked. The fact that mail could travel cross country on horseback in a matter of days is pretty impressive. I also never realized that the Pony Express only existed for about a year. I love learning about history as I read.
I liked both Jackie and Elijah. They were both strong characters that seemed to be a good fit for each other. Jackie was a strong woman with a good head on her shoulders. She kept her Pony Express Family together and I loved the camaraderie that was shared by her and the riders. They truly were like a family. This was a pleasant summer read that is a nice addition to the series.
I received a copy of this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an especially intriguing book to read. I love learning everything I can about the Pony Express. Can you imagine getting your mail from a young man who rode a horse as fast as he could across country? The mail you receive may be old news by the time you receive it. I loved how the author described how fast the horses traveled to the way stations and barely stopped long enough to get a fresh horse, deliver the mail and take off with a fresh pouch filled with mail going to other cities. We all know the saying about how the mail is delivered come rain , hail , sleet or snow. These men lived that everyday.

Jackie is running the station on her own since her father passed away. The town she lives in is barely a town with few buildings and a handful of people. You could tell everyone was close and I loved how they had church every Sunday sitting around a table. Their discussions were lively and everyone came away with a renewed sense of His presence. I would love to be part of this little town and experience all it had to offer.

There are two intriguing mysteries going on in the story that kept me glued to the book. One is about forgery and the other is about a woman and baby who disappeared a long time ago. Two men show up in town to investigate for their employers. One will take on the forgery case while the other will
try to determine if he has finally found the lost child that his employer has been searching for.

Elijah is a wonderful character and intends to help his employer with a special request. Elijah finds himself in a little town where Jackie is. I think he was impressed that she was running the station and had everything under control. There is an abundance of historical facts in the book which I loved reading about. I thought Elijah was an honorable man and I liked how he felt protective of Jackie.

It is a great story about forgiveness, redemption and faith.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

‘Maybe God had brought him here to change him from the inside out.’
Elijah Johnson heads out in search of his partner’s long lost daughter. With little to go on, he travelled and searched, learning more about himself all the time. Carson Sink Station was a Pony Express station as well as a stage stop. Arriving in this far away spot, the decision to settle for a little while is easy to make. Jacqueline (Jack) Rivers is the station master since her father passed away. Would she be able to continue without him or would the company remove her responsibilities?

The author has done a fabulous job of allowing the reader to become immersed in the life of the Pony Express and all that was involved. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about this early method of getting mail across our vast country. The number of riders and horses alone made this an incredible undertaking. Add some mystery with murder, accidents and counterfeit bills and you have a wonderful book you won’t want to put down until you have finished!

A complimentary copy was received from Barbour Publishing with no obligation to review. All impressions and opinions are my own.

The Express Bride is the ninth installment of the Mayflower series, written by Kimberley Woodhouse. I can’t believe we’re at nine already! They are all standalones so you don’t need to read other books in other to enjoy this one.

And can I just mention how GORGEOUS this cover is? It’s my favorite so far. And not only is it my favorite cover, to be honest it’s my favorite book in this series so far. Not that the other books aren’t awesome but you gotta have a favorite, right?

The Express Bride focuses on the pony express, this was an expensive and extensive way to send mail really fast, and one of our main characters, Jackie, takes up her father’s position as a station manager to keep the express running smoothly - while providing for the young boys that deliver mail by horse. Not only does she manage to cook them meals, run a boardjng house and be a surrogate mother to them, she also succesfully manages the station. I have to admit, I’m in awe, a man probably would have done a much worse job lol.

But then a stage car arrives and with it two gentlemen, both having their own investigations and inquiries, and Jackie gets caught up in both their secrets.

Elijah is investigating a sensitive matter for his boss who is also his friend, but he is a little side tracked by this capable woman at the station... and when he gets sucked into other investigations, he might be in for more than he bargained for.

This story is above all, a story about forgiveness. How we are all flawed and things are not as they seem, but the grace of God can turn wrong into something good. This is the aspect I loved the most, the faith of the characters and the interesting bible studies, and it didn’t get preachy or cringy or unrealistic. The characters were all so very much human and I felt for them as they were trying to do the right thing.

The end had me in tears, it was perfect.

I’ve been given an ecopy in exchange for an honest review.

What a cute book- I really enjoyed the story of Jackie and Elijah, and Jackie's long lost father. Jackie and Elijah are both such likable characters and I was so happy for the relationship that they both had with Charles that led to them finding each other. The reuniting of Jackie and her biological father are a reminder that no matter what we've done it's never too late for God's grace and mercy, and he can always make good from the bad.

Forgiveness. Forgive others. Forgive yourself. This is not easy for anyone to do. But Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins. Our sins, not his. We were forgiven by the ultimate sacrifice.

Jackie could have been devastated discovering the truth. But she pulled through by leaning on her True Father- he was there for here for guidance and comfort.

Elijah kept to himself. He worked hard. He didn't have time for a relationship. But God had other plans for him.

This book was a treat to read. I was anxious that Jackie would not be able to get over the uncovered secrets of her parents' past. It could very well make you angry, not able to trust and holding a grudge.

The background story was about the Pony Express. Sure doesn't sound like a job I would want!!!! I enjoyed the adventure but loved how the characters developed and of course, the ending!! I won't give it a away but you need to pick up a copy!

I enjoyed the suspenseful pace of the book and the tangled web of family secrets, budding relationships, and dangerous circumstances. It was difficult to leave the book for long without wondering what clue Elijah or Jackie would find next in their quest to find the truth.
The cast of characters is unforgettable, and one of my favorite parts of the story was the family-like atmosphere of the station house. The young men of the Pony Express fit perfectly with Jackie and her motherly care of the boys. Their easy banter and care for each other made me wish I could sit at their table and try Jackie’s biscuits and gravy!
Jackie is a heroine I adore. Practical. Compassionate. Hard-working. Honest. It was just as easy to visualize her sitting in the parlor keeping company as it was sitting astride a horse and racing across the land to the next express stop.
Elijah is a kind and honest gentleman and his quiet adoration of Jackie is endearing. His consideration of her feelings over his own satisfaction makes him all the more attractive. You will find yourself rooting for him as you get to know him.
Overall, I thought the story was gripping and kept me turning the next page well past my bedtime. I enjoyed watching Jackie and Elijah’s lives intersect by more than chance, and I believe you will enjoy it, too!

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Express Bride took me on a delightful ride through the inner workings of the Pony Express. This is a time period I have not studied as much, and I really enjoyed learning more about the riders and the day to day operations. Jackie loves what she does; she loved her dad even more. Staying on in his place is a way for her to honor him and stay close to him and the only life she has ever known. She trusts the Lord to make her way straight, even though she does attempt to help out along the way. Thankfully, God’s plans are always bigger than what we can hope for or imagine, and she experiences this first hand. The book moved along at an enjoyable pace and kept my attention fixed all the way through. Fans of the Daughters of the Mayflower will not be disappointed by this next installment.
"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

The Express Bride, by Kimberley Woodhouse, is the ninth book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series that is written by a variety of authors. Although there is a thread of continuity in the books through a family tree, each of the books is easily read as stand-alone stories. Ms. Woodhouse has written three other books in the series, The Mayflower Bride (#1), The Patriot Bride (#4), and The Golden Bride (#8). She does a great job of bringing American history to life as she creates interesting and authentic scenes that make the reader feels like they are right there in the middle of the action. The Express Bride tells a story about the Pony Express and how it worked and some of the difficulties that were encountered by those who were involved with it. I enjoyed the family camaraderie between Jack and the Express riders. The sweet romance between Jacqueline and Elijah is engaging and delightful to watch especially as the secrets of the past are revealed and dangers and criminals turn up. The characters are vivid and lovable and their growth and maturity throughout the story is realistic. And with a strong thread of faith in God throughout, the book is also inspirational as the reader can see how God's hand is at work in the lives of the individuals enabling them to forgive and reconcile and even find love when they aren't looking for it. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions are my own.

This was such a marvelous addition to the Daughters of the Mayflower series! I knew very little about how complex the day to day operation of the Pony Express was, so I very much enjoyed the history lesson wrapped into the blossoming romance between Jackie & Elijah. I also loved the deep, abiding friendships & sense of kinship, which I’m sure was so precious in such a remote area. The underlying themes of forgiveness and unconditional love, as well as personal salvation, were woven in so effortlessly. An absolute joy to read!

Another wonderful story in the Mayflower Brides Series! In this book Jaqueline Rivers has recently lost her father and in his stead is running a Pony Express stop and boarding house. She's great at it and loves it, but when a couple men show up at her door step everything she knows comes into question. I enjoyed the characters in this book. They're authentic and quite likeable. The story moves along nicely. It's easy to read and full of interesting history about the Pony Express. I especially loved the spiritual content of this book! Very well done and moving! I really enjoyed it.

I received a complimentary copy of the book through NetGalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was fun clean romance. I thought the main characters were fun and had good chemistry. There was a great message of redemption throughout the book. This book has a very strong but not overbearing Christian element to it. My only frustration is how one of the main plot conflicts is "taken care of" outside of the normal narrative. It could have been an exciting part of the ending if it had been taken care of in front of the reader. But overall very entertaining read!

“With shaking limbs, she climbed into the plush carriage awaiting her, the precious bundle in her arms, worth far more than money.”

Opening line of The Express Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse
Each time I pick up one of the Daughters of the Mayflower series I look forward to learning about a new element of American history whilst getting to know another generation of these delightful characters. The Express Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse is a fantastic addition to the collection focusing on the Pony Express. Once again, I’d never heard of it, and was fascinated to learn about the message and parcel conveyance business which ran from the West coast to the East coast of America.

Our cast of characters includes the wonderful Jack, a woman on the frontier who challenges the gender norms by managing her own station after the death of her father. Her grief is fresh and she comes to terms with the loss through studying scripture and the help of friends.

Elijah, a businessman, enters the station to learn information about his boss’s heir but learns more about living a Christian life in relationship with God in his observance of Jack and her friends.

Amidst this, two mysteries are afoot. Who is the missing heir and money is being stolen through forgeries on the route and both Jack and Elijah end up dangerous wrapped up in these investigations.

Beautifully written and interesting, I enjoyed it from start to finish. For the horse lover, who like me holds their breathe when they are central to the story, no horses are injured in the story – thank you Kimberley. It’s a five out of five on the en-JOY-ment scale and highly recommended.

The Express Bride
by Kimberley Woodhouse
Book 9 in the Daughters of the Mayflower series
Rating:5/5

Let me just say that I lost sleep over this story. I am always so amazed the way an author can completely capture my attention and take me on an amazing journey to the past and make me root for the heroine and boo the villain.

After her father passes away, Jacqueline "Jack" Rivers desperately wants to stay in charge of the Pony Express station that she grew up on. Running the station has its challenges but she enjoys the work and doesn't know where else she'd go. When a government official asks for her help involving counterfeiters, she can't say no - even if it's dangerous. When the handsome Elijah Johnson arrives and also wants her help and company, she too can't say no. Elijah is searching for his boss' daughter with very little clues to go on. He is determined to find out what happened to her and decides to stay at the station before traveling on. Will Jack and Elijah find love in this 1860 story set in the Utah territory?

I loved this story so much. I learned so much about the Pony Express and living in the 1860s. I fell in love with all of the characters that lived at the station. The author brilliantly weaves a story of adventure and mystery into a historical romance. It's fast-paced but you still get to see the characters develop and get to see their faith in action.

Highly recommend this book! Even though the book is part of the Mayflower series, you can read the book by itself and not feel like you're missing something. Just read it!

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

I found The Express Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse to be a very enjoyable read. I’ve been reading each story in this series and loving each one. This one has a greatness all of itself. The plot was well thought out and I just loved it. Not so typical and I found that to be refreshing. The mystery and suspense was really gripping. Love was in the air and just seeing what would come of the discovery of truth. I would recommend you get this one and all the others in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

There's something about Woodhouse's books that make me fall in love with storytelling all over again.
The way she researches everything to perfect detail just so it can be accurate for the readers.
The way she explores her characters and finds their deepest vulnerabilities so we can connect to them.

Mrs. Woodhouse inspires me to do the same.
She's a dedicated author, one whom I'm proud to be reviewing for.

I adored the book from the beginning. Starting with a heart racing escape, I knew this book was bound for adventure.

My assumption was correct.

Criminals and spies and treasure hunts filled this book, but did not cloud the romance and friendships and the faith stories! Rather, they were all ingredients to a special recipe.


Learning about the Pony Express was truly a treat. I have admired the endeavor for awhile and was so excited to learn the Express Bride focused on a woman running a way station.

It was incredible to be able to read about the riders and their experiences, (though I'm sure a few were exaggerated. ;) )


Woodhouse has a way of placing you in the scene--I love her descriptions. Both of people and scenes.

Though at times I felt some story lines could have been expounded upon more. I felt like they were rushed in a hurry to end the book and were resolved too quickly.

But overall the major storyline ran throughout the book and I didn't have any problems with it.

I thoroughly enjoyed Jackie and Elijah's story of redemption; their willingness to find out the past, but move on with the future; and their deep ability to love.

I close this book with a sigh and a thank you to the author for this beautiful story.

I will cherish it always.

-Rebekah

I highly recommend you grab The Express Bride now!

**I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are purely my own.**

Book 9 of the Daughters of the Mayflower series, this one is my favorite. (Each book is a stand alone so feel free to jump in!)

Author Kimberley Woodhouse did a fabulous job with this one, and kept my attention all the way through. I enjoyed learning more about the Pony Express, and how it worked. The characters were well developed and the descriptions of the area made the story come to life.

Unexpected twists and turns, intrigue and secrets abound. Who is Jack? What’s her secret? She doesn’t even know! I really enjoyed seeing the characters grow, and learn to trust God with their secrets and with their relationships. With strong references to faith, and a sweet romance, if you enjoy Christian historical fiction then you’ll love The Express Bride.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

The Express Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse is a fascinating historical novel and part of the Daughters of the Mayflower series. Kimberly Woodhouse is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. What I enjoy so much about this author is her dedication to research and this really comes through in her novels. Each novel is well-researched with interesting facts. This novel was particularly interesting to me with the information about the Pony Express and the use of treasury notes in this time period. I highly recommend this book. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Once again, Barbour Books shows how right the decision to feature a series of books called Daughters of the Mayflower. The Express Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse is the ninth in the series, and is stunningly well-written.

It is 1860 in Utah Territory, the Pony Express is up and running, pun intended.
The Pony Express was rather short-lived but that seems to be the result of more and improved train routes. Following her father’s untimely death, Jacqueline Rivers runs a station in Utah Territory, despite the fact that women were not permitted to serve in that capacity, Jack does quite well and is well liked by the riders.

Signing her name Jack, her father’s nickname for her, allows her to continue in this capacity. When she learns counterfeiters are in the area, she agrees to assist with capturing the culprits, putting herself in harms way.

Elijah Johnson is on the hunt for his employer’s long lost daughter, stops at Jack’s outpost. After learning Jack is running the outpost and that counterfeiters are at hand, he delays moving on, finding himself attracted to the beautiful young woman.

Adventure and secrets abound in The Express Bride, a historical romance I highly recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and am under no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions therein are solely my own, and freely given.

This is a fun story about a female named Jack who took over running her father’s Pony Express station when her father died. The Pony Express powers that be do not know that Jack is a female and she is reluctant to enlighten them. Meanwhile, Elijah Johnson, a traveler from back East arrives in search of a missing person. They both get pulled into an investigation by a government man trying to catch counterfeiters. It is a very involved story with interesting twists and turns. It makes for late nights reading “one more chapter.”

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

This book was received as an ARC from Barbour Publishing, Inc. - Barbour Books in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Our library is vaguely familiar with the Daughters of Mayflower series being fanatics of Christian Fiction and have read a the first few in the series. Also I was particularly peaked at the fact that Jacqueline runs a horse company and our community even if it is only partly in a novel are huge fans of horse stories. Then they sneak in romance with the introduction of Elijah that just seems to be "passing through" in a mission on his own and meets Jacqueline and she is not sure what to think of him and whether or not she can trust him with all the baggage of secrets that she is hiding. Such a addicting book that will not want to make you stop reading.

We will consider adding this title to our Christian Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Another amazing installment in the Daughters of the Mayflower Series! This book is one of my favorites. Fascinating details about the Pony Express and some twists and turns but most of all what an amazing story of God changing lives! Enjoy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

Jacqueline Rivers, better known as Jack, is the new unofficial manager of the Carson Sink Pony Express station in Utah. Unofficial, because she’s inherited the station from her father and the owners of the Express might not take be keen on having a female as a station manager. But she’s determined to keep her father’s business going. She’s a great character—intelligent and hardworking, and not afraid to stand up for herself.

Elijah Johnson visits Carson Sink on a mission for his employer—to find his long-lost daughter. He has almost no clues, not even a name, but Carson Sink is a Pony Express station which at least means he can communicate with his boss. The Express in the title is the Pony Express, which ran from Missouri to California between March 1860 and October 1861 (when the completed telegraph rendered the Pony Express obsolete).

I’ve never read any novels about the Pony Express before. It’s hard to imagine living in a tiny town with only two women, and no shop other than a blacksmith—a necessity for a Pony Express station.

I thought the novel was excellent. It’s the perfect mix of romance and suspense, set against a fascinating historical background. The writing is solid, the plot works well, and the characters are both intriguing and likeable. The Express Bride is part of The Daughters of the Mayflower, a multi-author series set in a range of different time periods. This is the first book I’ve read in the series, and it definitely worked as a standalone novel.

Recommended for fans of Christian historical fiction with a western setting.

Thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

This is a wonderful historical romance!

I absolutely loved Jack Rivers! She has been shaped by the dad who raised her and the life that they have lived running a Pony Express Station and stagecoach stop. She has a firm foundation in Christ and a love for the bible. As her life goes through unexpected changes she finds that she needs every bit of that foundation to help her get through.

I definitely enjoyed seeing how the relationship between Jack and Elijah grows throughout the book. The mystery that is involved about the counterfeiters is interesting and brings just the right amount of danger into their lives.

This story has a strong component of the redemption of Christ. This brings up the need to see beyond the past of a person and move into forgiveness. We all know people that have changed drastically and now need these things from us.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

I have enjoyed the Daughters of the Mayflower Series, and this one is one of my favorites.

In the Express Bride, readers are exposed to the Pony Express and what life was like for those that ran stations and rode circuits. I was surprised to learn the Pony Express didn't run very long! How could I have missed that bit of information? This was all very interesting and the author's note at the end added more detail about this unique time in U.S. History.

I enjoyed this story line and learning about the Pony Express in the Utah Territory. I also enjoyed the cast of characters in the story. Each had a unique personality and purpose. The author did a fantastic job of bringing the story to life.

This was an especially intriguing book to read. I love learning everything I can about the Pony Express. Can you imagine getting your mail from a young man who rode a horse as fast as he could across country? The mail you receive may be old news by the time you receive it. I loved how the author described how fast the horses traveled to the way stations and barely stopped long enough to get a fresh horse, deliver the mail and take off with a fresh pouch filled with mail going to other cities. We all know the saying about how the mail is delivered come rain , hail , sleet or snow. These men lived that everyday.

Jackie is running the station on her own since her father passed away. The town she lives in is barely a town with few buildings and a handful of people. You could tell everyone was close and I loved how they had church every Sunday sitting around a table. Their discussions were lively and everyone came away with a renewed sense of His presence. I would love to be part of this little town and experience all it had to offer.

There are two intriguing mysteries going on in the story that kept me glued to the book. One is about forgery and the other is about a woman and baby who disappeared a long time ago. Two men show up in town to investigate for their employers. One will take on the forgery case while the other will
try to determine if he has finally found the lost child that his employer has been searching for.

Elijah is a wonderful character and intends to help his employer with a special request. Elijah finds himself in a little town where Jackie is. I think he was impressed that she was running the station and had everything under control. There is an abundance of historical facts in the book which I loved reading about. I thought Elijah was an honorable man and I liked how he felt protective of Jackie.

It is a great story about forgiveness, redemption and faith.