Still Life with Murder


P.B. Ryan - 2003
    Born into dismal poverty, young Nell Sweeney scratches by on her wits and little else until fortune blesses her with a position as nursery governess to the fabulously wealthy Hewitts. But she soon learns that ugly secrets lurk beneath the surface of their gold-plated world.The Hewitts’ eldest son, William, a former Union Army battle surgeon and the black sheep of the family, was reported to have died three years before in a notorious Confederate prison camp. But one snowy February afternoon, his parents learn that he is, in fact, still alive—and in jail for having murdered a man while intoxicated on opium. Infuriated by his son’s deception and convinced of his guilt, August Hewitt forbids his wife from coming to Will’s aid, so she begs Nell to help exonerate him. Nell finds that she must delve into the kind of dark and treacherous underworld she thought she’d left far behind if she is to unearth the truth before the hangman’s noose tightens around William Hewitt’s throat.

The Beauty Bride


Claire Delacroix - 2005
    And he has no choice but to see them all wed in haste.Lady Madeline’s heart is not for sale…especially not to a notorious outlaw like Rhys FitzHenry. Yet Madeline’s hand has been sold, to none other than this battle-weary warrior with a price on his head. A more dutiful maiden might cede to the Laird’s command and meekly accept her fate, but Madeline has never been obedient. She decides to run away, though she never dreams that Rhys will pursue her.She does not expect this taciturn man to woo her with fanciful stories, much less that each of his enthralling tales will reveal a scar upon his shielded soul. She never imagines that a man like Rhys could imperil her own heart while revealing so little of his own feelings. When Rhys’ past threatens his future, Madeline takes a leap of faith. She dares to believe him innocent—and risks her own life to pursue a passion more priceless than the rarest gem.

Jessie's Bride


Susette Williams - 2014
    There might be twice as many men as women in their town, but there are still other ways to go about finding, or competing, for a wife. Jessie begins writing Sarah Engle in hopes that she will become his mail order bride. Even though there are miles between them, he feels connected to her. He sends her money, along with a stage coach ticket, to come see him so that they can be married. Not everyone is happy with their decision to wed. When the preacher said, till death do you part, did he mean literally? Or can a mail order bride and her groom truly have a happily ever after ending? Mail Order Brides series: Jessie’s Bride Montana’s Bride Caleb’s Bride Marshall’s Bride

Texas Bride


Joan Johnston - 2012
    Now marriage to a stranger is her only hope of finding a home where she and her two younger brothers can escape the brutality of the Chicago orphanage where they live. With any luck, she can even start a family of her own, once the three of them are settled at Jacob Creed’s Texas ranch. But Miranda has one gigantic concern: Her husband-to-be knows nothing about the brothers she’s bringing along. What if he calls off the deal when he discovers the trick she’s played on him?Jake Creed is hanging on to his Texas ranch by his fingernails. His nemesis, Alexander Blackthorne, is determined to ruin him. Jake will never give up, but he’s in desperate trouble. His wife died six months ago in childbirth, along with their stillborn son, and his two-year-old daughter needs a mother. The advertisement Jake wrote never mentioned his daughter—or the fact that he has no intention of consummating his marriage. He’s determined never to subject another wife to the burden of pregnancy. But Jake doesn't count on finding his bride so desirable. He doesn't count on aching with need when she joins him in bed. And he never suspected his bride would have plans of her own to seduce him.

Midnight Marriage


Lucinda Brant - 2010
    To his delight, he discovers she is everything he’d hoped for. Unaware they are already married, Deb is content with her independent life. Julian’s challenge is to have her accept him on his merit, even though she has no choice at all. The future of the Roxton dukedom depends upon it.Set in the opulent world of the aristocracy and inspired by real events, Lucinda Brant delivers another lavish 18th-century experience in her trademark style—heart-wrenching drama with a happily ever after.

White Lion's Lady


Tina St. John - 2001
    Yet even as she discovers his treachery, Isabel cannot deny that Griffin lingers in her dreams, awakening the passion in her steadfast heart.Then a twist of fate puts a price on both their heads, embroiling them in a life-and-death chase that will force Griffin to choose between his own freedom and his fierce desire for the woman who would redeem his noble spirit. But to reclaim his lost honor, the White Lion could lose Isabel forever. . . .

Kissing the Enemy


Leighann Dobbs - 2016
    As the plain looking older sister, she's practically invisible at social events. Never mind that she has no experience as a spy or that the codebook rests in the possession of one of the most powerful men in England. Freddie has no choice-she's desperate to save her young sister from the lecherous intentions of their guardian and recovering the book is her only option. Tristan Graylocke has never been able to measure up to his brother, the Duke of Tenwick.  But being second best has its advantages. No one pressures him to get married and produce an heir, leaving him to carouse at will-an activity that lends itself perfectly to the brothers’ secret lives as spies. When an alluring enemy spy shows up at the house party planned specifically for the purposes of passing along a code book, Tristan finds himself drawn under her spell. Freddie seems innocent and inexperienced.  Is her innocence is a clever guise, or is she being coerced by someone? Tristan and Freddie soon find themselves engaged in a seductive game of cat and mouse where each will do what they must for their country, especially if it involves kissing the enemy.

Firefly Hollow


T.L. Haddix - 2014
    In 1960, a tragic death in the family calls young Sarah Browning back from college to her Appalachian homestead. Unable to return to school and finish her degree, she finds herself facing a future that isn’t what she’d planned. Lost and grieving, she wanders onto her reclusive neighbor’s property where she stumbles across the all-too-attractive Owen Campbell, a man hiding secrets she’d only ever thought were legend. Owen Campbell was raised on the folklore of Eastern Kentucky, tales of men and women with magical abilities from shape-shifting to healing powers. Rejected by those he loves because of his own abilities, he isolates himself from the world. When he meets Sarah, he’s faced with the tough decision of whether to let her in or stay hidden away to keep his heart safe.Please note - this book is NOT a typical paranormal romance. No rage-beast shifters or alpha dogs here. It is, however, at its heart a romance, with a few intimate scenes between the hero and heroine, as well as adult situations dealing with tragedy. "Firefly Hollow" is the first book in the Firefly Hollow series. Other titles include "Butterfly Lane," "Dragonfly Creek," "Cattail Ridge," "Cricket Cove," "Stormking Road," "Fern Valley," and "Snapdragon Way."

Orphaned, Betrayed & Cherished by Her Foreign Artist (Orphan Brides of Thornward #1)


Faye Sonja - 2016
    Men fight, gamble to earn money, and treat women as if they were property. But this sort of treatment is all Zelda has ever known.What happens when Zelda discovers that the man she has been sold to is a gambler, a sweet-talker, and that he is no better than the men she knew from the brothel?Zelda has a past that almost broke her.Growing up as an orphan on the streets, all she knows are two things: POVERTY and STRUGGLE!Forced to work in a brothel under the New Orleans gambling den manager Gus, Zelda has almost lost all hope of freedom.When all things seemed so hopeless, one day something good happened- she was set FREE. Well... things are not quite as simple as they seem.Charles seems kind, romantic, and gentle. But Zelda is not used to being treated well. She doesn't trust Charles, and vows to escape...Can Zelda learn to accept love? To believe that Charles could really find her beautiful?What will happen when Charles discovers the truth about Zelda's past? "Take the journey with Zelda and Charles as they begin to scratch surface, and with God's help, find love together..."

A Real Cowboy Never Says No


Stephanie Rowe - 2015
    When a friend calls in a favor, Chase opens his home to a sassy, sexy mom-to-be who needs his protection. But he's not prepared for the sizzling attraction that threatens the shield around his heart.Mira is single, pregnant, and on-the-run. When a distractingly handsome cowboy offers her a marriage of convenience, it's the lifeline she needs. But when she starts to fall for the grumpy bachelor, she realizes that her heart might also be in danger.Can a rugged cowboy who doesn't believe in love fall for a spunky city girl with a baby?If you like sexy cowboys, sassy humor, and heart-melting romance, you'll adore Stephanie Rowe's captivating modern-day marriage-of-convenience story!

Una's Crossroads


Katherine St. Clair - 2015
    The Irish potato famine left their homeland ravaged and their family buried in the ground. Now, on their way to a distant relative in Missouri Una is determined to take care of her younger sister and create a new life. Henry Mackey is an easygoing country boy who has never taken anything too seriously, until he meets Una. When Una sees Henry’s green eyes she is trapped by the thought of him. When Una discovers that Mr. Mackey has been arranged as her husband she can’t believe her good fortune. But a family dinner with her future husband proves that things aren’t always what they seem… Henry Mackey has stolen Una Brady’s heart. Unfortunately, her heart has chosen the wrong brother to fall in love with. As family bonds are stretched to their limit Una must choose between her heart and her familial duty. When McKenna Brady meets her own future husband everything is changed. Horace Boucher is a big man in words and stature. He’s a man with few moral scruples and plenty of money. Exactly the sort of man Una would never let her sister marry. As things reach a boiling point between Horace and the Brady girls, Una is determined to intervene on her sister’s behalf. When Henry helps her to do it, Una’s love for him only grows stronger. Though her mind tells her not to, Una isn’t sure she can hold her heart back any longer. Una Brady’s tactics in throwing off Horace Boucher have turned out to be far more potent than she ever bargained for. Horace is not going to marry McKenna but now if Una doesn’t act McKenna’s reputation could be permanently scarred. Soon, Una realizes that the only way to protect her sister is to throw away her own heart’s desire, which means letting go of Henry Mackey. When the time for action comes down to the wire Una makes her final decision, but a surprising punch makes Una realize that it may not be solely her decision. Scroll back up and grab your copy now!

A Proper Companion


Candice Hern - 1995
    Why, just about anyone would make a more suitable match...even her own paid companion, Emily Townsend! But if her dear, practical-minded Robert were to back out of the betrothal, the tongues of the ton would never stop wagging...At the very least, the dowager decides, she will extract a promise from her grandson to find Emily a husband. But when the handsome, rakish earl comes to know the charms of Emily Townsend, he suddenly regrets his hasty engagement-and is sorely tempted to win her hand for himself.

A Love That Never Tires


Allyson Jeleyne - 2014
    As the daughter of a famous archaeologist, she’s been everywhere and seen everything—except London. When the Talbot-Martin team travels there for her father’s investiture, Linley finally gets her wish. But when the time comes to trade her jodhpurs and work boots for silk gowns and kid gloves, she may be in over her head.Even though she can out-ride, out-shoot, and outsmart any girl in London society, Linley is destined to be the failure of the season. No one she meets cares about ancient pottery or lost Buddhist texts, and fundraising efforts for future expeditions keep coming up short. If the Talbot-Martin team doesn’t find money soon, they will be out of a job, and Linley will lose everything she holds dear.Patrick Wolford, Marquess of Kyre (pronounced 'Keer'), is a man who knows his place. Well-connected and respected, he is everything everyone expects him to be, but beneath his façade, he is as neglected and crumbling as the family estate. Now the strain of keeping up appearances is taking its toll. The smart thing would be to marry the heiress nipping at his heels and be done with it, but when he meets Linley Talbot-Martin, who dares to shake up his seemingly proper world, he must choose between the life he’s always known and one he never dared to dream of.

Mail Order Bride Leah


Rose Jenster - 2015
    Her father lost his business and Leah did not want to spend the rest of her life living with her protective brother. She begins to correspond with a man from Montana who ran an ad for a mail order bride. Could she have found someone who also loves literature and shares so many of her interests? How does Leah handle her brother's negative reactions to the correspondence that now was the focus and light of her life? Can she leave the desperate situation in New York and find that joy that her heart dreams? Or is she destined to live a life without fulfillment? Will Leah find happiness in Montana? What secrets does her love keep to himself that makes him so hard to reach and read? Can Leah help Henry open up his heart? This is a stand-alone story without a cliffhanger and a clean romance.

Stone Devil Duke


K.J. Jackson - 2014
    To protect her family, to protect herself, she is determined to find the men before they find her. The last thing she wanted was an entanglement with a duke that threatens her very survival... Hardened long ago, the last thing the Duke of Dunway wanted was an entanglement with a chit of the ton. But in the flash of a pistol, his fate is altered as he finds himself honor-bound to protect Lady Augustine from, of all things, herself.