Book picks similar to
The Marshal's Destiny by C.H. Admirand
western
sequential
tbr-later
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Mail Order Regrets
Julianna Blake - 2013
When she arrives and discovers that her husband-to-be has a reputation for lies and violent behavior, her pride won’t allow her to believe it—she will not return to Boston, and endure the whispers of her gossiping socialite peers! Handsome widower Clay Porter is sick of everyone trying to match him up. He doesn’t want marriage and family—not anymore. All he cares about is making extra money on the side to save up to buy his own shop. When he is hired to transport a snobbish beauty to the far-distant Croft Ranch, he realizes she is completely in the dark about her fiancé’s character. Is Clay willing to risk his own dreams—and even his life—to persuade stubborn Madeline that she's making a mistake? [Note: Mail Order Regrets is a sweet historical romance novel of 76,344 words, but is not a Christian/inspirational romance. There is no religious theme, and while there are also no sex scenes, there kissing scenes, and some allusions to sexual tension.] Excerpt: The sky was obscured by the clouds, and the last bit of light was fading as Clay guided the sleigh off the main road and down a long trail to a small cabin nestled in the foothills. “We’ll rest here a while before we go on?” Madeline asked, pulling down the furs and blankets from her face. He brought the horses to a stop in front of the door. "No. We’re not going to make it tonight. We’ll have to stay here.” “You can’t mean that.” She clutched the furs to her bosom. “You said we’d take shelter—not sleep here!” He hopped out and started unhitching the horses. “I do. It’s another two hours to my sister’s place, and the visibility is only getting worse. There’s nowhere decent between here and my sister’s house to take shelter. This is it. We’re lucky I found it—I almost missed the turn-off.” “But—but—” she stammered, “there’s no one else here.” “And we’re lucky for that. There are only accommodations for two here. Assuming someone hasn’t made off with one of the two chairs that were here last time, that is.” “You are not funny, Mr. Porter.” She stood up in the sleigh and stomped her foot. “I insist you take me to a proper place to stay.” The horses whinnied and stomped in place, jostling the sleigh. Madeline slipped fell back into her seat with a hard thump. The driver took the horses by their bridles and spoke in soothing tones until they quieted. Then he stalked back to the sleigh. “If you insist on throwing a childish fit,” he snarled, “please do it outside the sleigh, before you provoke my horses into bolting, simply because you are indulging in a tantrum over not having a soft, fancy place to lay your head tonight.” She swallowed her rage at being spoken to with such disrespect, only because she realized he was right—she could have caused a dreadful accident. “I’m sorry. I am. But it has nothing to do with a fancy place to lay my head. That—” she pointed at the ramshackle habitation, “is a very small cabin which, according to you, can only sleep two. Two! There is no one here to act as chaperone.
Gabriella
Brenda Hiatt - 1992
. . but won a treasure. Due to a lost wager, the Duke of Ravenham is obliged to bring a pretty little nobody from the country into fashion among the high-sticklers of London Society. Ravenham would never refuse a debt of honor, no matter how unorthodox, so he overlooks Miss Gordon's vulgar relations to do what is necessary, escorting the unsophisticated chit to balls, etc. But what he expects to be an irksome duty turns out to be something quite different as he falls under the spell of his protege's innocent charm. When he lost that wager, he definitely never counted on losing his heart as well! First impressions can be deceiving. Miss Gabriella Gordon only came to London at her mother's and sister's insistence, for she'd much rather assist in running her father's veterinary practice than attempt to fit into fashionable society. No sooner has she arrived in London than the exalted (and exceedingly handsome) Duke of Ravenham comes to call. The reason is less than flattering, however: due to a lost wager, the Duke is forced to bring Gabriella into fashion, a "favor" she would certainly refuse if her family would let her. But the more time she spends in the dashing Duke's company, the more conflicted she feels-- particularly when she discovers they have more in common than she ever dared dream. A sparkling traditional Regency romance from bestselling author Brenda Hiatt.
The Lawman
Lily Graison - 2011
That is until a single slap to a man’s face starts a barroom brawl that lands her in the last place she expected to be.Town Marshal Morgan Avery wants nothing more than to wash away the trail-dust and sleep for a week, preferably with a soft, willing woman by his side. Instead, he gets Abigail Thornton – all one hundred pounds of her thrust at him seconds before a fist connects with his face. Breaking up the fight takes more effort than he wants to admit and when the last man falls he finds Abigail still standing and not looking the least bit contrite.Throwing her into the town jail for the night would salve his wounded pride and then he will let her go. Or that was the plan. When morning comes he finds himself oddly reluctant to do so. Miss Thornton is hiding something and he aims to find out what, even if he has to bed her to do so. But will one night in her bed be enough?
Millie
AnneMarie Brear - 2019
Millie tries to help, but Jeremy grows more distant and befriends a homeless, wounded ex-soldier, Monty, who has secrets...As Millie’s distrust of Monty grows, a rift is created between her and Jeremy and when he leaves to receive hospital treatment, she is left feeling abandoned. When her family is dealt a terrible loss, it is Millie who must be the strongest. However, just when she feels things couldn’t become worse, she suffers her own heartbreaking tragedy.Grieving and alone, Millie wonders if her marriage can ever be mended, but she can’t give up without a fight.Will a new home for her and Jeremy in a foreign country be the answer, or will the events of the past destroy everything she wished for?
Tempt Me at Midnight
Lauren Royal - 2014
But when the man she's loved since her girlhood returns from a long spell abroad, she quite suddenly finds herself hoping the fine lord her brother has picked for her won't propose. She decides that if he does, she'll quite improperly turn him down—that is, until the man of her hopes and dreams informs her he has no intention of marrying her.The last time Tristan Nesbitt saw Alexandra, he was a common man with no hope of ever wedding the daughter of a marquess. Seven years later, he's now Lord Hawkridge, which should make him eminently suitable for the woman who long ago captured his heart. But a dreadful scandal has tarnished his name in England—a scandal so horrid that marrying Alexandra would ruin not only her flawless reputation but her whole family. For Alexandra's own good, he must fight his relentless desires and stay far away…
Sweet Surrender
Evelyn MacQuaid - 2015
As the eldest daughter of Lord Henry Tarrington, Olivia must honour her father’s arrangement with the powerful Mercers, which will erase his burgeoning debt and ensure her sisters marry according to their choosing. Torn between her growing desire for a dangerous man and another who’d give her the life she’s accustomed to, she has to make a choice. But to find the freedom she desperately yearns for, she must first unlock her heart. “Sweet Surrender” is a stand-alone mail order bride themed sweet, western romance and the first book in the Mercers of Montana Series.
Colt
Kate Bridges - 2018
Don’t miss these steamy love stories! Alaska and the Yukon, 1898 MEET COLT, the strong and silent Mountie who’s forced to escort the beautiful, brainy and talkative Elizabeth through the northern wilderness. Mountie Colt Hunter is on a dangerous undercover mission with his team of Mounties, traveling to Alaska and the Yukon, and the last thing he wants is the delicate Elizabeth Langley joining them. Frustrated at being forced to escort her, Colt orders Elizabeth to go in disguise too—as his make-believe sister. He wants Elizabeth to understand that she needs to follow his orders and step in line with his men. How else will they survive the dangers? And how will Colt survive the emotional battle dueling inside his heart, between duty and passion, every time he looks at her? Elizabeth thinks that pretending to be his sister is ridiculous. But she can fake it as well as he can. She’s not the delicate city woman that Colt believes. Elizabeth is a hardworking doctor, trying to make it to the Yukon in search of answers to a troubling family secret and to meet with her grandfather. When they get to the Klondike, she’ll finally be free of Colt’s bossy attitude, free of his close proximity and free of the way he makes her heart race…. Originally published as Klondike Doctor. All of the books in this romance series are stand-alone novels. Don’t miss any of the ALASKA COWBOYS and MOUNTIES! Book 1: COLT Book 2: LUKE Book 3: DYLAN Book 4: WESTON Book 5: QUINN Book 6: BRANT Book 7: HARRISON Book 8: JAMES Book 9: JOHNBook 10: WYATT
Her Reluctant Rancher
Anne Marie Novark - 2008
Now the old man is dead and Trev returns to Stone Creek for one reason and one reason only--to sell the Rocking C Ranch. Maybe then he can put his past behind him and move on.Beth Evans once confused lust for love and vows never to let it happen again. The bookmobile driver is trying to raise funds to build a new library. The late Hank Callahan bequeathed a million dollars for the project, but he attached one stipulation: Do not let his grandson sell the ranch.EXCERPT:He leaned across the desk. "You know, we haven't discussed the kiss the other night."She scooted the chair back. "There's nothing to discuss." He stood and slowly came around the desk, reached for her hand and pulled her to her feet. "I want to kiss you again.""That's probably not a good idea." Oh, lord. She was playing with fire and if she wasn't careful, she was going to get burned. Bad."Probably not. I know you said we'd never kiss again. But don't you want to kiss me? Can't you feel the pull between us?""Yes . . . No!" She jerked her hand free and started backing away.He followed, closing in on her until she bumped against the library table. "Just one kiss, Beth. One kiss can't hurt."Before she could react, before she could reply, Trevor wrapped his arms around her, covered her mouth with his and God help her, she was a goner.
Lady Gone Bad
Sabine Starr - 2012
Lady has never met a cowboy she couldn't entice, or a lawman she couldn't outrun. But when Lady tangles with a sexy U.S. Marshall, she's tempted to stick around long enough to watch him lay down the law - in her bed. U. S. Marshall Rafe Morgan wants to lock up Lady Gone Bad for good - and he won't let his attraction to her slow him down. But when his attempt to bring Lady to justice goes awry, Rafe is nearly hanged - and by dawn, his face is plastered next to hers on every "Wanted" poster in Texas. Now on the run together, Rafe and Lady find themselves in very close quarters - and even more compromising positions. As Lady surrenders to Rafe's touch, she slowly begins to reveal all her secrets - including her real name. Maybe "Lady Gone Bad" isn't beyond redemption after all. Either way, Rafe is in for one wild ride...
Ruby McBride
Freda Lightfoot - 2002
The grand opening of the Manchester Ship Canal is set to be a day of unfettered festivity for Ruby and her younger sister and brother. Even Queen Victoria will be in attendance.But the glories of the ceremony fade into insignificance when their dying mother delivers them to the imposing oak doors of Ignatius House. Abandoned in the not-so-tender care of the nuns, the siblings are soon separated.So when the Board of Guardians force Ruby into a marriage that sends her to a new home upon the Salford waterways, she makes only one vow: to reunite her family whatever the cost.
This is an enthralling story of romance and rebellion perfect for fans of Rosie Goodwin and Dilly Court.
Praise for Ruby McBride ‘An inspiring novel about accepting change and bravely facing the future’ Bangor Chronicle‘Compelling and heart-wrenching’ Hull Daily Mail‘The kind of character-driven saga that delights the Catherine Cookson and Josephine Cox audience’ Peterborough Evening Telegraph‘This book deals with gritty, real-life situations and shows how the heroine’s strength of character triumphs through adversity’ 5* Reader review
Masks of Desire
Fenna Edgewood - 2021
Her childhood sweetheart, Henry Gardner, is handsome, kind, and passionately in love with her. Or so she believes, until one day she is told everything she knows about Henry is a lie. In an instant, their long-time engagement is broken and Caroline's world is shattered.Henry Gardner has been told that the girl he's loved all his life has cruelly betrayed him. But no matter what she may have done, his love for her will not dim. The only problem? She's about to marry someone else.
Less than twenty-four hours until he’ll lose her for good...
Stealing an earl's bride on the eve of her wedding might be an insurmountable challenge for some men, but Henry is determined to make sure Caroline knows that forever is a promise he means to keep. Even if doing so comes at a perilous price.
One boy. One girl. One future they must fight for together.
Her one true love may have returned, but after all he's put her through, Caroline has no intention of falling back into his arms. But when she stumbles onto a terrible family secret, Caroline must make a leap of faith and put her heart in the hands of the one man she swore she'd never trust again.
Book Details
Please Note: Masks of Desire was previously released as a free short story of five-thousand words. This fifty-thousand-word-plus novel contains many revisions as well as new revelations and insights for readers of the Gardner Girls series. It may be read as a prequel or a final sequel to the series.
Lead Me Into Temptation
Devon McKay - 2017
The last thing she wants is to get married, especially to a stranger twice her age. However, agreeing to be a mail-order bride had been her only option and it paid the steep passage to San Francisco so she could locate her father. She’d find him too, if only her betrothed’s son would stay out of her way. Garrett Sutherlin is on a mission. Delivering the striking, ebony haired beauty to his father’s doorstep not only paid off his debt, the effort would grant him freedom from the man’s condescending hold. As far as he’s concerned, Miss Webster made her own bed. Unfortunately, his father will be the one to lie beside her.
The Reluctant Duke's Dilemma
Trisha Messmer - 2020
She longed to be free. Pressured by forces beyond their control, will they give in to forbidden desire?England, 1823. After establishing a successful practice in America, Dr. Harry Radcliffe swore he wouldn’t set foot on British soil again. But when he’s named the Duke of Ashton after his callous brother’s sudden death, he begrudgingly returns to the pretentious world he detests. And his pledge to his dying mother to find a wife is thrown into chaos when he meets his stunning sister-in-law.Margaret Radcliffe finally escaped her abusive marriage. Yet her late husband’s final cruel act left her penniless, with her only option to remarry... the one thing she vowed she’d never do again. But the new duke’s startlingly familiar features awaken yearnings she thought long-forgotten, dangling the heartbreaking whisper of a passion impossible to fulfill.Although convinced the accusations that she murdered her husband are only salacious gossip, Harry's real torment comes when he wishes for a union that would make them outcasts. But even when they finally submit to their simmering attraction, Margaret’s dream of happily-ever-after may be derailed by society’s schemes.Can a scandalous affair turn into a lifetime of love?The Reluctant Duke's Dilemma is the suspenseful first book in The Hope Clinic Regency romance series. If you like swoon-worthy heroes, uplifting humor, and heroines beating the odds, then you’ll adore Trisha Messmer’s tale of tortured hearts.
Wild Angel
Miriam Minger - 1994
and the last thing he needed was a troublesome woman. Yet this fierce Irish warrior took a deathbed oath to protect a chieftain's rebellious daughter.Triona was a hellion of a woman...who would let no man rule her. Raised in the ways of a warrior, she defied Ronan's every command. So he planned to marry her off, to be rid of the wild lass forever. But in the heat of battle—enflamed by her passionate spirit—Ronan decided he wanted this beautiful, impossible woman for himself!
Sand Creek Serenade
Jennifer Uhlarik - 2019
One brave who will stop at nothing to save his people. Each willing to die for their beliefs and love for one another. Will their sacrifice be enough?As a female medical doctor in 1864, Sadie Hoppner is no stranger to tragedy and loss. While she grapples with the difficulties of practicing medicine at a Colorado outpost, she learns that finding acceptance and respect proves especially difficult at Fort Lyon.Cheyenne brave Five Kills wants peace between his people and the American Army. But a chance encounter with their female doctor ignites memories from his upbringing among the whites … along with a growing fondness for the one person who seems to understand him and his people.As two cultures collide with differing beliefs of right and wrong, of what constitutes justice and savagery, blood spills on the Great Plains. When the inevitable war reaches Fort Lyon, the young couple's fledgling love is put to the test.Written for the General Market (G) (I): This story contains mild violence appropriate to depict battle scenes or other war-themed situations. This story does not contain strong language or explicit sexual content. May also contain some content of an inspirational nature.