Josephine: Bride of Louisiana is 18th in the unprecedented 50-book American Mail-Order Brides series. Josephine Depardieu grew up in Massachusetts, fairly privileged and educated, speaking French as well as English, but when her father dies, she finds herself working in a factory in as a seamstress. When the factory burns down, she looks for other options…and sees an ad for a French-speaking mail-order bride. She’s always wanted to know more about her French heritage, and heads down to a plantation in Louisiana to find out more. Pierre Bernard has lived and worked on his father’s plantation on the Mississippi River his whole life, but as a first generation American, hasn’t always been as interested in French culture as his father would like. When his father decides to move back to France and leave Pierre the plantation, he is stunned to find out that this will only happen if he is married—to a French woman. But when Josephine learns that Pierre’s father expected a woman from France, is she up to the task? And how long can Pierre keep his father in the dark?

There was a 'Louisiana Territory' before there was a United States of America - it had existed alongside the 'colonies' as a foreign land, and its major city, New Orleans, had reigned as a 'Xanadu on the Mississippi' for over 100 years before the Territory and its crown jewel were purchased from France... With the Louisiana Purchase, New Orleans arrived into the United States as a glistening, flamboyant, fully-grown enigma of imperialism, with Catholicism an imposed state religion, and newly classified as a slave-state...the populace had been betrayed again. The French citizenry wanted no part of this upstart nation, but were now invaded by opportunists and adventurers from an antiroyalist, Anglo-Saxon-Protestant nation...its wealth, customs, religion and language totally setting it apart from the rest of the country. The city of New Orleans, more than any other portion of the Louisiana Territory, became a 'foreign' outpost on 'American' soil and a target for every exploiter of humanity from the infant union.

Originally published in 1931, Old Families of Louisiana was compiled in response to a demand for a comprehensive series of genealogical records of the foundation families of the state--families whose ancestors settled with Bienville in New Orleans at the time the famous old city was laid out in the crescent bend of the Mississippi River. This book also answers the call for information on those who came to Louisiana when the golden lilies of France, the castellated banner of Spain, the Union Jack of Great Britain, or the flag of fifteen stars and fifteen stripes waved over the land.During the compilation of the original data it became apparent that the present book would be greatly augmented in interest and value by the addition of genealogical records of other prominent foundation families besides the French and Spanish. For this reason, information was included on the English, Scottish, and Irish lineages whose representatives now form an integral part of the present-day population of Louisiana.In the seventy years since its first publication, Old Families of Louisiana has exceeded the original scope intended. In order to set a limit to its range, it was agreed that only those families settling in Louisiana before and up to the time of the beginning of the American domination in 1803 should be included. Old Families of Louisiana traces the genealogy of such traditional Louisiana families as Fortier, Claiborne, Kenner, Percy, Wiltz, Chalmette, Landry, Derbigny, Butler, St. Martin, and Wilkinson.

Michelle: Bride of Mississippi is 20th in the unprecedented 50-book American Mail-Order Brides series. When Michelle Blake's world collapses and her job as a seamstress disappears, she thinks maybe her cousin, Josephine, has a good idea. She follows suit and answers an advertisement to be a mail order bride. She doesn't know much about Mississippi, but is willing to take a chance for a better life in a place where she might be able to use her sewing skills to benefit others. Anthony Chandler's family has lived, loved and worked in Mississippi for generations and have been pillars of the community. With his parents gone, he’s now in charge of their faltering clothing business. And when his twin sister Adelaide dies, leaving him with her young twins, he doesn’t know where to turn for help but the Grooms’ Gazette. Even though Christmas is imminent, he places an advertisement and hopes for the best. As she spends more time in Mississippi with her new family, Michelle realizes that Anthony is unwilling to share his wealth with the needy in their community and when he actually forbids her to help, she believes she understands what kind of man he really is—one she could never love. But when the twins she’s fallen in love with show her their generous hearts, will this Christmas be like no other she’s ever experienced?

"An unusually strong collection of essays ...the scholarship is impeccable."---Gaines M. Foster, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge --

Olivia Hamilton loves everything about New York—her local coffee shop, the walk to work, the skyscrapers. As a young, single CPA working on audits, life is exciting—and longing for her Texas cowboy-boot history fades day by day. Fred Wharton, III, has spent his entire life in Riston, Idaho, working in his family’s business—the Bank of Riston. Going back generations, his bonds run deep with the owners of River’s End Ranch, the Westons. As the keeper of secrets, the return of the parents to the ranch have put him in a pickle. When the Westons need an audit in a hurry and it’s shrouded in secrecy, he sends up an SOS and Olivia comes to the rescue, both professionally and personally. But will his secrets with Mr. and Mrs. Weston keep him from a path to love and a future of his own?

The Archer Family saga continues as Sage finds love…or does it find her? Sage teams up with Tombstone’s Dr. Folsom, where she hopes to learn about being the doctor she’ll never become. Certainly not on the wild west frontier. But her tonics made with generations of guidance are helpful for many Tombstone residents…or are they? Clint Jackson is in medical school in New York when he finds out that his father is perishing in Tombstone. He is quick on his way to say goodbye, only to find that a charming young woman is providing medicines he’s never heard of, against the doctor’s wishes. Sage and Clint hold the tenet “Do No Harm” in their hearts. As they find out how much they have in common, can they figure out what’s happening to Tombstone residents and stop it, before Clint loses his father for good?

Love isn't always where you think you'll find it. Sometimes it's right in front of you. Rosemary Archer is tired of just gathering eggs and milking cows. She wants to follow in her sister Meg's footsteps and explore beyond Archer Ranch. When a new headmaster arrives in Tombstone, a position as a student teacher opens up and seems ideal to Rose—if she can get her father to agree. Meg won him over, so hopefully she can, too. Michael Tate, the new headmaster, is looking forward to the challenge of creating a larger school for the increasing number of children. He is excited about his new role and gets started. When the new school board is elected, Michael learns that there is an added stipulation to his continued employment—he must take a wife. Michael is frantic to keep his position and advertises for a mail order bride, sure that is the only solution. Rose and Michael work closely together as he waits for his mail order bride to arrive. He begins to wonder—is marrying a stranger his only option?

Tarragon Archer loves her job at the post office in Tombstone. All that mail coming and going is exciting, and she makes it a point to make sure she follows all the rules. Well, at least she tries to. When a new postmaster comes to town, she has a different idea about how how things should run, and Tarra doesn’t like it. Will she be able to follow the new rules, or will she teach the new postmaster a thing or two about Tombstone…and love?

Saffron Archer spends most of her days baking, reading and helping her family at Archer Ranch in Tombstone. During a rare trip into town one day, she’s fascinated by a new arrival and his family. Especially his mysterious sister, Carol, who rarely leaves the house and is not allowed to have visitors. Tombstone’s new farrier, Adam Benson, could use some help, but doesn’t want Saffron—or anyone else—meddling, even as he grows fond of her. He’s overly protective of Carol and has come to Tombstone for a fresh start for his family and aims to get it, even if Saffron gets in his way. Adam’s sister, Carol, has plans of her own, though, and is just as stubborn as he is. Can Saffron break through to Adam and help Carol realize her dreams? If she does, it just might cost her Adam.