Book picks similar to
Prequel by Kirsten Osbourne
romance
mail-order-bride
historical
historical-romance
Treasures of the North
Tracie Peterson - 2001
Disillusioned by her father's insistence, she forges a daring plan to escape the sinister hand of her intended.Peter Colton sees the Alaskan gold rush as an opportunity to establish his family's fledgling shipping business. An unexpected partnership enables him to pursue those dreams and opens the door to an aquaintance with Grace, who has purchased passage north.Drawn together by need and circumstance, Grace and Peter form a faltering friendship. But when her deserted fiance continues to manipulate her loved ones, can she find peace in the wake of his wrath?
A Vote of Confidence
Robin Lee Hatcher - 2009
For seven years, she's carved out an independent life in the bustling town of Bethlehem Springs, Idaho, teaching piano and writing for the local newspaper. But now she's a single woman running for mayor—and in 1915 this decision is bound to stir up trouble.Morgan McKinley is fed up with the delays that hinder the construction of New Hope Health Spa, a place where both rich and poor can come for rest and healing. New to the area, he has determined that serving as mayor would help him push through his agenda for progress.Gwen and Morgan each want to prove they are the most qualified candidate, not only to voters, but to each other, and so sparks fly as the two campaign. Although Morgan has learned to guard his heart as fiercely as Gwen guards her independence, could they learn to be allies instead of adversaries?This first book in the Sisters of Bethlehem Springs series provides intriguing insights into how women challenged convention and shaped America in the early twentieth century.
The Seduction of Lord Stone
Anna Campbell - 2015
Caroline, Lady Beaumont, arrives in London seeking excitement after ten dreary years of marriage and an even drearier year of mourning. That means conquering society, dancing like there’s no tomorrow, and taking a lover to provide passion without promises. Promises, in this dashing widow’s dictionary, equal prison. So what is an adventurous lady to do when she loses her heart to a notorious rake who, for the first time in his life, wants forever? Devilish Silas Nash, Viscount Stone is in love at last with a beautiful, headstrong widow bent on playing the field. Worse, she’s enlisted his help to set her up with his disreputable best friend. No red-blooded man takes such a challenge lying down, and Silas schemes to seduce his darling into his arms, warm, willing and besotted. But will his passionate plots come undone against a woman determined to act the mistress, but never the wife?
The Bride Lottery (Prosperity's Mail Order Brides #1)
Kristin Holt - 2014
Her parents discover her secret and send her away on the next west-bound train. They insist she deliver the child on the other side of the continent where the disgrace won't harm her father's business empire and the family's social standing. She'll be allowed to return home after the child is adopted by decent people and her corset fits properly once more.SAM'S IN CHARGE OF THE BRIDE LOTTERY, AND THE COMPETITION'S FIERCE.It's too bad the mail order bride agency failed to round up even half their order, 'cause every man on the mountain wants a bride--except Sam Kochler--so he's saddled with enforcing the rules. He received bios of each lady the agency sent, so when Evelyn steps off the train, he's a tad curious and a mite too interested.The tougher the competition becomes, the worse some fellas behave, and it's not long before Sam finds himself courting Evelyn--only to protect her while she makes up her mind. He won't allow himself to fall in love and still doesn't want a wife...or so he keeps telling himself.This full-length (55,000 words, 182 paperback pages) novel is complete with a hard-won happily-ever-after. This book is the first of several more to come in this setting, and drawing from this cast of characters. Look for more titles in this series (Prosperity's Mail Order Brides) to become available in 2015. For more information, visit KristinHolt.com.
Here to Stay
Kristine Raymond - 2013
This story contains sex and violence, including violence against women. May not be suitable for all readers. Not recommended for readers under 18 years of age***"Love doesn't have to be old-fashioned"Read the Hidden Springs series - historical romance with a contemporary twistSam Mackenzie rode into the town of Hidden Springs looking for a place to belong. He takes a job at Ryan’s Ranch and is immediately attracted to the ranch’s pretty, female, owner.Kate Ryan is a woman determined to make it on her own. Chafing at the thought of having to hire help, she nonetheless falls for the handsome stranger who answers her ad.When they meet, sparks fly and they are drawn to each other. But life in 1867 Arizona Territory isn’t easy. When a secret from Kate’s past comes to light, they are each faced with the challenge of making a difficult decision.Will they turn and run or are they here to stay?
Mail Order Millie
Katie Crabapple - 2012
When the ladies at his church raise money for a mail order bride for him, he doesn't argue with them. He needs a caretaker for his family. Millie has a short time to find her own way in the world before she is kicked out of the orphanage where she was raised. George's letter about his requirements for a bride fit in all ways but one. Will her lie keep them apart even after they're married?
Bluebonnet Bride
Colleen Coble - 2014
. . as mail order brides.Escaping a forced engagement, Elli seeks refuge in a faraway marriage, desperately needing her new life with a Texan named Nathan White to be safer than the one she left behind in Finland. And as she glimpses her future husband and his darling niece at the train station, she instantly knows her risk will prove the best decision she's ever made.Until he became the guardian of four-year-old Hannah, Nathan White never took an interest in marriage, arranging a mail order wife to simply love and care for his orphaned niece. That is, he never took an interest until he laid eyes on the beautiful Elli Korpela.After a fairytale ceremony in the gardens of the grandest estate Elli's ever seen, a place called Butterfly Palace, their peaceful beginning takes a disquieting turn as an intruder brutally attacks Elli in the middle of the night. Nathan intervenes, but the devil escapes unidentified, leaving Elli to face two chilling possibilities: either the attack was arranged by strike workers in Nathan's employ or her shadowy past followed her into the present – and across the sea.As the danger mounts, Elli and Nathan must face their enemy together, fighting to stay alive – and fighting to stay man and wife.
The Tame Series Boxset
Cynthia Woolf - 2016
Reconnect with all the family and friends in this Creede, Colorado valley.
Wild Hearts
Susan Mallery - 2009
So they turn the other cheek as he seduces one schoolteacher after another. Until Alethea Harbaugh comes to town.The new teacher brings with her a passion for women's rights that invigorates the ladies of Titanville, and instills fear in the men. Zeke is intent on seducing her, if only to send her running, ruined, from the town so that things can return to normal. But Zeke just might have met his match...in more ways than one!MEET THE MAN WHO STARTED A LEGACY IN WILD HEARTS...AND THEN READ SUSAN MALLERY-S PRESENT-DAY TITAN STORIES, BEGINNING IN MAY 2009 WITH UNDER HER SKIN.
Once She Dreamed
Abbi Glines - 2016
They made their life there. Got married, had kids, lived in the same houses that were always there along the streets that never changed. The whole white picket fence and tree swing might look good on greeting cards but in real life it was boring, at least to Sammy Jo.When Sammy Jo was a little girl she began dreaming of something bigger. Brighter. Something that wasn’t her town. She wanted to see the world and experience it all. Just how she was going to do that she had no idea. Because if her momma had her way, she’d marry one of the boys in town and be spitting out babies and going to church on Sunday with them all lined up in a row.The day Hale Christopher Jude III walked into the bakery she worked at, she knew he was it. That part of life she was missing. He smelled of foreign places and exciting things. He represented all the bright lights she dreamed of and simply put, she hoped he was her way out of this place.What Sammy Jo didn’t realize was things that appear perfect… aren’t. And chasing her dreams could lead to something very different.
The Handfasters
Helen Susan Swift - 2012
The trouble is, while Alison falls deeply in love with Mr Kemp, her aunt wishes her to marry the obnoxious but rich John Forres.Alison takes drastic measures to solve her dilemma, including a long trip through the snow-covered Pentland Hills. But who is the owner of the mysterious footprints outside her cottage, and what secret is Mr. Kemp hiding?
The Rancher
Kelli Ann Morgan - 2012
He'd sworn to protect her. He couldn't do that if she married someone else...COLE REDBOURNE, immersed in guilt over the accident that claimed his best friend, discovers there was nothing accidental about it. When he sets out for Silver Falls, Colorado, to fulfill his friend’s dying wish and to flush out his killer, the last thing he expected was to find hope again disguised as his impromptu bride.
Love's Violet Sunrise
Naomi Rawlings - 2016
The only trouble is--she can't afford one. Hiram Cummings needs money to return to law school, and the fastest way to earn it is by working as a legal clerk for the powerful and rich Rhett Vandergriff. When a desperate immigrant comes to him for help, he finds himself on a mission to prove a man's innocence, risking his job in the process. But all is not as it appears, and Hiram soon learns that not only is his job at risk, but he's also in danger of losing his heart--if he and Mabel don't lose their lives first. Love's Violet Sunrise is a prequel to the bestselling Eagle Harbor Series. It takes place thirty years before the actual series begins and can be read either before or after the rest of the series, or as a standalone. Eagle Harbor Series--Where Love Finds Its Anchor Book 1: Love's Unfading Light (Mac and Tressa) Book 2: Love's Every Whisper (Elijah and Victoria) Short Story: Love's Beginning (Elijah and Victoria) Book 3: Love's Sure Dawn (Gilbert and Rebekah) Book 4: Love's Eternal Breath (Seth and Lindy) Book 5: Love's Winter Hope (Thomas and Jessalyn) Book 6: Love's Bright Tomorrow (Isaac and Aileen--Fall 2017)
One More Round
Alice Clayton - 2020
A gorgeous restored Victorian house in Sausalito, flourishing careers, an eternal spark for each other, and a cat with more attitude than is legal in the state of California. So what’s plaguing the couple of the century? They’ve got everything anyone could wish for, except...a family. After several close calls, Simon and Caroline are coming to terms with the idea that being parents might not be in the cards for them. They’ve been married several years, and they’re realizing it may just be the two of them, forever. Which is okay, right? Caroline’s career has taken an intriguing turn, Simon is working more than ever, they’re fresh from a trip across the pond to see their besties Jillian and Benjamin - things are falling into place, without a baby rattle. But just when you think your life is set, the universe gives you a...twist. Come back in for one more round with Simon and Caroline.
The Baron Without Blame
Katherine Grant - 2021
Even though he was only freeing her skirts from the railing. Even though he doesn’t know her name. The next morning, he faithfully offers for her hand in marriage.Lolly Turner has nothing against Lord Preston. He is handsome, kind, and honorable. Yet she can’t bring herself to marry a man solely because of gossip. When she knows she should say yes, she says no. Instead, they concoct a false engagement: they tell the world they plan to marry, while in reality Lolly will jilt Martin once the scandal has died down.Martin invites Lolly and her family to spend the Easter holiday at his country home to keep up appearances. As he and Lolly spend more time together, they share visions for the future and realize they both hope for a world very different from the one into which they were born. But when Lolly’s father catches wind of their shared politics, he changes his mind about the wedding. Which means it is up to Lolly and Martin to choose: should they do the right thing, or follow their hearts?