In Niagara of the 1960s, a mysterious proxy bride arrives from Italy to marry a candy shop owner with crime connections, only to fall in love with her proxy husband's teenaged son. Part fairy tale, part gritty realism, The Proxy Bride explores the underbelly of a southern Ontario community steeped in gambling, smuggling and pornography. Terri Favro's The Proxy Bride is a brilliantly constructed tale of innocence versus wickedness.

In 1939, Giacinta sets sail from Italy to Australia. Decades later, a granddaughter discovers the true story of her family... A stunningly crafted novel of family, secrets and facing adversity, perfect for readers of Victoria Purman. Imagine marrying someone you've never met ... When Sofie comes to stay with her grandmother in Stanthorpe, she knows little of Nonna Gia's past. In the heat of that 1984 summer, the two clash over Gia's strict Italian ways and superstitions, her chilli-laden spaghetti and the evasive silence surrounding Sofie's father, who died before she was born. Then Sofie learns Gia had an arranged marriage. From there, the past begins to reveal why no-one will talk of her father. As Nonna Gia cooks, furtively adding a little more chilli each time, she also begins feeding Sofie her stories. How she came to Australia on a 'bride ship', among many proxy brides, knowing little about the husbands they had married from afar. Most arriving to find someone much different than described. Then, as World War II takes over the nation, and in the face of the growing animosity towards Italians that sees their husbands interned, Gia and her friends are left alone. Impoverished. Desperate. To keep their farms going, their only hope is banding together, along with Edie, a reclusive artist on the neighbouring farm and two Women's Land Army workers. But the venture is made near-impossible by the hatred towards the women held by the local publican and an illicit love between Gia and an Australian, Keith. The summer burns on and the truth that unfolds is nothing like what Sofie expected ... The author of Mezza Italiana brings to life a unique point of migrant women's untold experience, in a resonant novel of family, food and love. Includes 12 traditional recipes. PRAISE: 'Zoe has crafted a beautiful coming-of-age story as Sofie learns of her nonna's secret past' - Australian Country 'An authentic and heartfelt read that examines the connections we make when faced with hardship ... It's an inspiring look at women coming together to form their own community.' - Better Reading 'With tradition, culture, superstition, identity and community paving the way in this novel's moving journey, Zoe Boccabella has composed a pensive read ... illuminating.' - Mrs B's Book Reviews 'A deeply engrossing and authentic story, with such passionate realism you must keep reading.' - Jackie French

Saying I Do was more than they bargained for. Carly James values loyalty and friendship above all. So when her best friend calls asking her to be a proxy bride, she says, 'yes.' How hard can it be to say 'I do' so that her best friend can be with the one she loves? Only, Carly never counted on the feelings that began to swirl around with the proxy groom. Damien Nichols likes life lined up from A to Z, but when his best friend calls in a favor, disorder begins to reign. Instead of taking a quick flight to the proxy wedding, he has to take a road trip with the proxy bride. Carly's free-spirit attitude bumps heads with his meticulous approach to life. As Damien discovers the woman underneath the carefree façade, his emotions become involved. *previously published in A Spring of Weddings collection

Mail-order bride Edwina Ladoux is grateful for the three-month courtship period she agreed to with Declan Brodie and his four rambunctious children, but experiences a change of heart when Declan's first wife suddenly returns.

A promise to their dying father that was why Mhairi Quinlin wanted to strangle the life out of her selfish younger twin sisters. Waist length cold black hair with violet eyes, Mhairi had had her fair share of suitors, but she hid an awful secret. It was the reason she vowed never to marry. She wanted to run away to escape the twin's hairbrained scheme, but her sisters had planned well. Her proxy husband was arriving on the afternoon train. No welcome awaited Connor Smythe, but how would this stranger respond to her failure to welcome him with open arms? Australian born, Connor Smythe stood six-foot-six. He was broad-shouldered and lean-hipped. A leather strap tied back hair, the color of freshly threshed wheat shot through with streaks of gold, at the base of his stout neck. Sinewy muscle rippled with latent power beneath the contour of black cotton pants and long-sleeved black shirt. His green eyes were icy cold. Grown men had fled in the face of Connor Smythe's anger. Connor came to Arkansas for land. But when his eyes roamed over skin the color of pink rose petals, beautifully shaped lips pursed in a pout, and violet tear-filled eyes peeking from under the brim of a silly hat, the word wife rang through his mind. Fate had placed Mhairi Quinlin in Connor's life. He had nothing to lose and everything to gain--a farm, a family, and a means to practice his trade. Mhairi knew she faced the fight of her life. Her dream of marrying for love had died long ago. Although this strange arrangement appeared to be acceptable to her sisters and Connor, it mattered not. She would accept no man as husband.

Zoe grew up in Brisbane in the 70s and 80s trying to be like everyone else, but never quite shaking the feeling of being half and half - half Australian, half mezza italiana. Zoe then travels to Italy and stays in the house that has belonged to her family for centuries.

Can one wounded heart heal another?Esther Thompson longs for a husband and a home, but at nearing thirty, and plain as they come, she knows her chances of having either are slim. Until the loss of her position as a governess forces her into becoming a mail order bride.After losing his beloved wife, Jeremiah Price is left with a broken heart, five children and a farm to take care of. Desperate for a new wife to ease his workload, and after three successive brides balk at the prospect of such a large family, he insists on a proxy marriage for his fourth. Whatever happens, he needs this one to stay. When Esther and Jeremiah finally meet, neither is what the other is hoping for. But they could turn out to be just what the other needs. This is a sweet historical romance, the first in a multi-author project releasing every two weeks. Each book is a stand-alone HEA romance. Here is the release order for The Proxy Bride Series: A Bride for Jeremiah by Christine SterlingA Bride for Clay by Marianne SpitzerA Bride for Nathan by Barbara GossA Bride for Abel by Cyndi RayeA Bride for Finn by Linda EllenA Bride for Carter by Wendy May AndrewsA Bride for Charles by H. L. RobertsA Bride for Sterling by Parker J. ColeA Bride for Henry by P. Creeden

The first book in New York Times bestselling author Catherine Coulter's beloved Bride series. Douglas Sherbrooke, Earl of Northcliffe, marries the wrong woman-only to find himself haunted by a bride of an entirely different kind.

Now a Netflix Mandarin original drama! From the New York Times bestselling author of The Night Tiger, a Reese’s Book Club pick Yangsze Choo’s stunning debut, The Ghost Bride, is a startlingly original novel infused with Chinese folklore, romantic intrigue, and unexpected supernatural twists. Li Lan, the daughter of a respectable Chinese family in colonial Malaysia, hopes for a favorable marriage, but her father has lost his fortune, and she has few suitors. Instead, the wealthy Lim family urges her to become a “ghost bride” for their son, who has recently died under mysterious circumstances. Rarely practiced, a traditional ghost marriage is used to placate a restless spirit. Such a union would guarantee Li Lan a home for the rest of her days, but at what price? Night after night, Li Lan is drawn into the shadowy parallel world of the Chinese afterlife, where she must uncover the Lim family’s darkest secrets—and the truth about her own family. Reminiscent of Lisa See’s Peony in Love and Amy Tan’s The Bonesetter’s Daughter, The Ghost Bride is a wondrous coming-of-age story and from a remarkable new voice in fiction.