Book picks similar to
The Secret of Val Verde by Judith Polley


historical-19th-century-romance
open-library
romantic-suspense
suspense

Wild Wyoming Wind


Margery Scott - 2011
    Dedicating his life to bringing criminals to justice, he's on the trail of Tyler Boone, an escaped outlaw and killer.Jake and Maddie lock horns when Jake shows up at Maddie's homestead and announces he's staying until he captures Tyler. But living in close quarters exposes emotions and feelings they had both thought long dead, and brings danger, sorrow and love, forcing them both to question the past, and eventually, to trust in the future.

One White Rose / One Pink Rose


Julie Garwood
    

Slanted


H.L. Wegley - 2019
    When she finds an orphaned girl, Sam, hidden in some bushes along the Rogue River, in an instant, a bond is formed. AJ quickly learns that Sam's and her guardian's lives are in danger from a team of hired killers. But AJ commits to helping eight-year-old Sam. A competitive athlete, AJ Scott isn't one to quit, give up, or do anything halfway, not even when she and Sam end up in a road race with killers in pursuit.When Hunter Jones's cousin dies, he becomes eight-year-old Samantha Wilson's guardian and sets aside any pursuit of personal happiness. Sam becomes his lot in life, and he loves her dearly. But Hunter, a big data analyst, will soon release a research report proving that the largest Internet search engine in the world is being used by its owners to influence American political thought with the intent of controlling elections. He hints at his findings in a radio interview and the news goes viral. Within hours, a team of hired killers attacks Hunter and Sam, intending to eliminate them and steal his research findings. Hunter hides Sam and eludes the killers. But when he returns, Sam is gone. Enraged, Hunter Jones will storm the gates of Hades to get her back, and whoever took her will pay a steep price.Set in Southern Oregon, Seattle, Washington DC, and Eastern Oregon, near Paulina Lake, Slanted is a gritty, high-action, romantic suspense adventure about commitment, sacrifice, love and faith.

United Under the Western Sky


Grace Clemens - 2020
    Just a week after her meeting with the local matchmaker, Annie is on a train riding across the country to meet her future husband, sight unseen. Unfortunately, when she arrives, Annie isn't met by the kind farmer she'd been expecting but by the brooding and rough former bounty hunter, Josiah. Although a bit overwhelmed at first, Annie feels the spark between them and decides to embrace the unknown. But is she truly ready to let go of the life she knew for a love she never thought she'd find?Bounty hunter Josiah Bright has been on the road for as long as he can remember. When he stumbles upon a young, orphaned girl, though, his life will change forever. Determined to find out what happened to the girl's mother, Josiah decides to stay in town for a while, helping the local sheriff get to the bottom of the case. As the days turn to weeks, it seems like he's going to be spending more time in Jackson than he'd originally intended. With a new house, a new job, and a daughter, there's only one thing he is missing; a wife. The empty place in his heart will be filled by the kind and sweet Annie, who will instantly diminish all of his concerns and brighten his days. Can he soften his sharp edges, giving love a chance before it is lost once and for all?Neither Josiah nor Annie are sure that they will warm up to each other at first. However, with a young girl to care for and a house to run, the ice is quickly broken. Both are thrown into a way of life they had never dreamed of, but without even realizing it, they will soon get lost in unique, unexpected emotions. When a new threat appears, will the couple be strong enough to stay true to their new feelings?"United Under the Western Sky" is a historical romance novel of approximately 60,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Mail Order Bride: Her Christmas Joy


Emma Ashwood - 2018
     Tally May Jones needed a life that was more than just helping out at her father's haberdashery store in their dusty small town on the East Coast. She believed she had found it when she saw the advertisement from Jacob Tucker a rancher from Cedar Fields. But life as Mrs Jacob Tucker was not at all as she had dreamed. Yes, he was a handsome man - handsome beyond expectations, but he was cold-hearted and seemed only to want a bride to fill the role of housekeeper in his home. Tally was homesick and lonely. She was thankful for the company of Ellie the daughter of the ranch’s right hand man and Jacob’s friend, Pete. Tally is almost at her wit’s end living the lie that her life out West has become, when she is called upon to help Ellie and Pete. She knows it is wrong to keep secrets from her husband, but she also understands the fear those around her have for her husband. He could be unreasonable and unfathomable. And Tally was kept in the dark as to his secrets, causing her to not understand his hardheartedness. With Christmas fast approaching Jacob turns even more cold, what could be done to thaw his heart? Was it possible for an innocent to break down the walls of grief thrown up by a brave man to shield himself from love and hurt? Could the promise of a newborn heal the wounds etched deep in the soul of a man who had lost all he once loved? Allow the author to lead you through the trials and tribulations of two families brought together by loyalty and love, and see whether love can indeed overcome all hardships.

Brick House


Keith Thomas Walker - 2014
    Korah is not above using her feminine allure to her advantage. And Brick, an ultra-sexy cowboy, will stop at nothing to catapult his company to the forefront of the Texas construction scene. Sparks fly when the powerhouses collide vowing to take all or nothing in the boardroom as well as the bedroom. ●●●●● Excerpt ●●●●● “Anything you tell me to do, I’ll probably do the opposite,” Korah said as she watched him. “Well, in that case don’t go out with me again,” Brick said. “Don’t invite me into your home, and certainly don’t ever come to my home – or my ranch.” He offered his fork with a juicy bite of lobster speared. Rather than lean over the table and allow him to feed her, Korah took the fork from him and fed herself. She returned his utensil as she chewed the delicious morsel. “Is that really your ranch?” she asked, “on your website?” He nodded. “It’s been in the family for years. It’s all mine now.” “And I guess you have horses and cows and stuff?” “No cows,” he said, hypnotizing her with his intense gaze again. “But I do have horses. Would you like to go one day? You wanna ride my horse?” Korah did not miss the innuendo, nor did she back down. “Where is it located?” “Lewisville. I have a ranch hand who lives there full-time. He takes care of things while I’m away.” “What else you got on your ranch?” Korah asked. “Actually, I could show you better than I could tell you,” Brick said. “Are you saying you do wanna ride my horse?” His boldness made Korah’s clit quiver. “I haven’t ridden a horse in years,” she replied. “I’m worried I might fall off.” “You gotta hold the reigns tight,” Brick advised. “You gotta wrap your legs around him and squeeze a little, with your thighs. And if you do fall off, you gotta get right back on, and we’ll take it a little slower.” Korah grinned. “I don’t know what you’re thinking about, but I’m only talking about riding a horse.” “Oh, well here, have some more wine,” Brick said and commenced to fill her glass. Korah couldn’t help but laugh at that. ●●●●● © Keith Thomas Walker

Redemption at Hawk's Landing


Rita Herron - 2017
    But when Sheriff Harrison Hawk informs her that her alcoholic father has been murdered, she reluctantly joins his investigation. The sexy sheriff has long suspected Honey’s father in his sister’s disappearance and vows to solve both mysteries. But keeping his professional distance from the vulnerable blonde proves nearly impossible. He’ll guard her 24/7 until her life is out of danger. But how will she feel if Harrison proves her father was a murderer?

Return to Quail Crossings


Jennifer McMurrain - 2014
    She had dreams of Hollywood stardom, not dirty diapers and pigs. But when Robert Smith, a country boy from head to toe, offers her and her daughter a chance at a normal life, reputation intact, Evalyn can’t help but accept. Little does Robert know, Evalyn is keeping a huge secret. While Evalyn’s family members deal with prejudice in 1940s Texas, fertility, changes of the heart, and even a ghost come back from the dead, Evalyn must fight for her family or lose everything she has grown to love.

Jesse's Find


Penny Estelle - 2014
     He spies something hiding in the tall grass. His temper sizzles at the sight of a horse, dead from exertion, and is ready to string up the cowboy that has done this. What Jesse finds is no cowboy at all, but a woman who has been shot and an infant, both, he fears will not make it to his home alive. Jesse didn’t ask for this, but he knew he couldn’t turn his back on them. What he didn’t know was somebody wanted that woman dead and didn’t care who else had to die to get that job done.

Love, Julie


Christine Bush - 2006
    She was not supposed to slide down drainpipes, play baseball in Central Park, or, worst of all, want to teach. Teaching was for impoverished young relatives, not for the heiress of the Brightingham fortune. When her father suddenly dies, leaving her wicked Uncle Edward as her trustee, she must resist his attempt to force her into a marriage that would bring her misery, no matter what the cost. She decides to leave the world behind. Julietta trades her fashionable dresses and dainty dancing shoes for serviceable travel clothes and sturdy boots. Dying her blond hair brown and donning her glasses, she travels incognito across the country to Grey Eagle, Montana, as Julie Bright, planning to take the position of school teacher, to begin a new life. But the handsome and dedicated young Sheriff, Jack White, takes one look at her and wants to send her packing. She is not what he expected as a teacher for his fledgling town. He knows trouble when he sees it. But for some reason, no matter what his instincts, he cannot make her leave. When the past finally catches up with her, he knows he'd move heaven and earth to keep her safe, and make her stay.

Deadly Cover-Up


Julie Anne Lindsey - 2020
    In order to discover the truth, Violet insists she and Wyatt work together—but trusting him with her and her baby girl’s lives is a different matter. As their investigation heats up, they uncover a scandalous town secret, and a determined killer takes aim at Violet. Now, in a race against time, it’s not always obvious who is friend and who is foe…

Colton's Secret Son


Carla Cassidy - 2017
    Embittered, the loner lawman heads home to Shadow Creek, Texas, a town full of unsettling memories for him. But Knox is floored when he discovers that the woman he loved and lost has a son that looks just like him.  Allison Rafferty thought she was doing the right thing by not telling Knox about young Cody all those years ago. Now the man she still loves insists on getting to know his son. And as a threat looms over Shadow Creek, they'll both discover just how far a Colton will go to protect what's theirs.

A Candle in the Window


Jillian Hart - 2000
    Approx. 100,000 Words. Sensual content.Stranded in a blizzard with a bounty hunter on his trail, Luke McKenna is desperate to find someplace safe for his young daughter. Sure to freeze to death in the Montana wilderness, Luke and his daughter are rescued by the only person within miles.School teacher Molly Lambert knows that letting a handsome, rugged stranger sleep in her house could ruin her reputation and get her fired, but she can't turn away the sweet child and her wounded father. Snowed in with the fugitive, Molly can't help but notice the tenderness he shows his daughter and the soft heart he hides beneath his tough exterior.The cold winter winds can't subdue the heat between Luke and Molly, but Luke knows he can't risk staying in Montana and being caught. He knows he must do the best thing for everyone and leave Molly and his daughter or risk putting them both in danger. But can love light the darkest places and overcome the impossible forces pulling them apart?

A Treasure Brought by Fate


Lorelei Brogan - 2019
    But when her sister dies tragically in a dreadful accident, she has to go west and pick up her nephew, the only survivor. And even though her plan for inexplicable reasons is to avoid being in close contact with him, she will find herself moved by the sheriff asking her to reconsider and let the boy stay with him instead. Soon enough Lyla will become confused by her conflicting emotions, but will she find the courage to face secrets from the past and eventually follow her heart? James, the local sheriff of Wheatberry, has forgotten what happiness means since his wife died in an unexpected manner. But when he suddenly witnesses a horrifying accident, he is quick to run to an orphaned little boy’s aid. All the more, what he would never expect is that he would end up loving and becoming attached to him. When the boy’s aunt - a beautiful troubled woman - arrives in town, he will do his best to convince her to let him raise the child. Will he succeed in changing her mind and finally creating the loving family he never had the chance to make?Just when Lyla and James come closer and start trusting and loving each other more and more, ghosts from their past will arrive to haunt them... Will this dreadful situation tear the couple apart? How much are the heroes willing to sacrifice so as not to give up on each other?

The Seven Sons of Jethro 2-in-1 Special Edition: The Seven Sons of Jethro & The Flight of Love


Terri Grace - 2017
    Each of Jethro’s boys has their own character and stubborn ways, but they are no match for Jethro’s quest to get each of them married off to a good and godly young lady. Jethro enlists the help of one of the marvellous Mrs. Molly White, the proprietor of the Cozy Bridal Agency. To Jethro’s delight, Molly helps him find suitable mail order brides for each of his sons, but she also has a big surprise up her sleeve that will forever change Jethro’s world too! Every story in the 8 book series is a satisfying standalone read, but I am certain that once you are introduced to Jethro’s rambunctious household, you will want to read them all. IN THIS EDITON YOU GET 2 BOOKS IN 1!!! BOOK 1: THE SEVEN SONS OF JETHRO Jethro and Miriam Knerr decide to move their young family west, in the hopes offinding a new freedom. Five years go by and their family has swelled – Miriam and Jethro have been blessed with seven healthy sons. Anthony, the youngest, and his mother both love fishing. Despite Jethro’s warning not to go to the river one day, Miriam takes Anthony. A sudden, torrential rain swells the river in moments and Anthony and Miriam are swept away by the current. Ten more years pass and Jethro remains unmarried and faithful to his one love. But he is concerned that not one of his growing sons has yet found a wife. Taking matters into his own hands he secretly calls upon the services of one Molly White, proprietor of the Cozy Bridal Agency, to find godly wives for each of his boys. With that request, and Molly’s dedication, a family wide romantic adventure begins that leads to more weddings than old Jethro bargained for! BOOK 2: THE FLIGHT OF LOVE - The Story of Alan & Cynthia Cynthia Knowles fears for her young brothers. Ever since their parentǯs death the boys have been led astray by unsavory company. Cynthia seeks the advice of an older friend, Molly White, who has a brilliant idea –head west, away from the gangs and the unemployment and poverty of Philadelphia. Molly encourages Cynthia to accept the invitation of Jethro Knerr, to join one of his sons on their ranch. Alan, the eldest of the Knerr boys, has other ideas. The last thing he wants is the responsibility of a wife. After all, since his mother's death he has felt responsible for his aging father and younger brothers. But his father and siblings know that his stubbornness hides a deep hurt, one that has been dammed and needs to burst. Can Cynthia reach beyond Alan's grief and fear, and allow his huge heart to one again celebrate a bright and hopeful future? Or will his dismissal and rejection of her turn her away forever? The Seven Sons of Jethro is a delightful series that follows the trail of long-suffering father, Jethro's quest to marry each of his sons to a good Christian wife. The Seven Sons of Jethro is a delightful series that follows the trail of long-suffering father, Jethro’s quest to marry each of his sons to a good Christian wife. Each story is a wonderful tale in itself, and can be read as a satisfying standalone, but be warned, once you read one, you won’t be able to resist finding out what became of the other sons and their stories.