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Luck of the Draw by Gail Link


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The Waverly Women Series


Marion Chesney - 2014
    Beaton—including The First Rebellion, Silken Bonds, and The Love Match. The First Rebellion (Book 1): The Earl of Tredair had had his fill of silly misses, and he despaired of finding anyone extraordinary—that is, until he met Miss Fanny Waverley. She and her two sisters had been raised to encourage poor females to stand up against the iniquities of the male sex! The beautiful and farouche Miss Fanny, however, found it hard to think of all men as cruel and lustful beasts—how could she, when now she found herself longing to kiss one of the most hated of his breed! Silken Bonds (Book 2): Frederica chafed at her restricted life as Mrs. Waverly’s adopted daughter, though she did agree with Mrs. Waverly’s philosophy. She knew that until men stopped preferring lisping dimwits over intellectual equals, Frederica would be better off without them. Still, the recent elopement of her sister sparked a fire in Frederica’s well-educated head. So it was that she was ripe for Lord Harry Danger’s charms, and he in turn was smitten from the moment he rescued her from a pack of drunken thugs. Now if he would only treat her as his equal—and stop his incessant flirting! The Love Match (Book 3): By day Felicity championed women’s rights, but by night she dreamed of romance. She was the secret author of a scandalous new novel—the tale of a lady “rake” and her passionate exploits. Yet one titled gentleman grew more and more intrigued with this headstrong young woman, and Felicity would soon learn that real life could be infinitely more interesting (and stranger) than fiction. About the Author M.C. Beaton is the pen name of bestselling novelist Marion Chesney. She is a prolific writer of historical romances and small village mysteries. Born in Scotland, the author began her writing career as a fiction buyer for a Glasgow bookstore and has worked as a theater critic, newspaper reporter, and editor. The author has written under various names, most notably as M.C. Beaton for her Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin series. She has also written under the names Sarah Chester, Helen Crampton, Ann Fairfax, Marion Gibbons, Jennie Tremaine, and Charlotte Ward. The author lived in the United States, but now splits her time between the Cotswolds, England, and Paris, France. About the Series Waverly women pursue their aspirations no matter what the obstacle. They may marry if the cause seems to suit the purpose, or they may flirt until their heart is content—or perhaps until the gentleman who has until then proven to be the most elusive of all is clearly within reach. No matter what the obstacle, none is too big for a Waverly woman. These are books of dreams, lessons, fanciful thoughts, and most of all, tales of girls grown now to women who won’t settle for anything less than their full dreams, impossible as they may seem at the outset.

The Platte River Waltz, The Growler Brigade


Ken Consaul - 2011
    In 1848, only seventeen years old, on the Oregon Trail and suddenly orphaned, Josh begins a journey through the unsettled frontier of a wild continent. Just making first acquaintance with manhood, he quickly finds his future linked to Elizabeth Hampton, a coquette from his old hometown. Together they resolve to venture into an uncertain and dangerous future. Accompanied by Jubilee, an escaped slave, Josh and Elizabeth join a wagon train of Missouri emigrants led by a voyageur scout and a town constable turned captain. The couple commences a lusty exploration of the lands they pass and of each other.The scout is the first to recognize the mettle of Josh Bonner, taking the novitiate under his wing. Others in the party, a missionary couple, an adventurous sawbones, and a clan of farmers, quickly recognize the newcomers as a formidable alliance that drives the expedition across the wild prairie. The land, the weather, and human frailty threaten, but cannot daunt their resolve. Populated with compelling characters, colorful dialog, intriguing subplots, and thrilling encounters; Bonner's Road West explores a period of American history largely passed over by contemporary historical fiction.The Growler Brigade picks up the Bonner tale as the train departs Fort Laramie. Soon they hear of the discovery of gold at Sutter's Creek in California. Josh and Elizabeth abandon going to Oregon and opt for California, along with several other wagons. Delacroix, the scout, lets Josh lead the smaller party over one of the numerous cutoffs on the road to test him. The cutoff behind them, the train splits, with the smaller party bound to seek their fortune in the gold fields.Josh leads the small party through The Great Basin and into the Sierra Madre Mountains just as winter begins to close the passes. Barely making it through the Bonners meet Duncan Shipwash, a mining engineer in search of backers. Together, they find a promising claim in an arroyo and plan for an arduous ordeal as the snows shuts them into the canyons.

CARRIE'S MAIL ORDER HUSBAND


Cia Leah - 2013
    A man willing to put up with her drunken brother, and run the farm. She couldn't stand the abuse from her brother when he was in one of his drunken rages. She had bruises that marred her skin and also her soul. If she didn't find a husband to take things in hand, she'd have to sign over her farm and let her brother sell it to drink and gamble away. She couldn't let that happen. She'd promised her Pa on his death bed. Colt Elders never thought he'd ever marry, but the letters written to his cousin, who sought a mail order bride, about broke his heart. Carrie's letters screamed for help and touched his heart like no other woman ever had. He knew what it was like to deal with a drunken relative, his Pa, and he knew deep in his heart he had to help this woman. If marrying her was the way to do it, then so be it. He didn't think about love, but hoped they could build a life together.

To Love Someone New (Bridgewood Book 1)


Rubie Hall - 2016
    Three years have passed since his death, and Clara finds herself working at the Bridgewood Mercantile, unable to forget the loss of her first love. Though she spends her days caring for the store owner’s young ward and seeing to the shopping needs of her homesteading community, she has resigned herself to quiet, peaceful nights alone. When Gabe Holt rides into town with two children in the back of his covered wagon, Clara is unnerved by the handsome young farmer’s forthright, flirtatious manner. She prefers to watch the antics of her neighbour, Mrs. Booth, trying to secure Gabe as a husband for her daughter Sadie. But Sadie has other plans, and thinks Gabe would be better suited to a hardworking woman like her friend Clara. As Clara becomes the unwitting victim of Sadie’s matchmaking schemes, she begins to develop romantic feelings for Gabe. With friends pushing them together, and children determined to keep them apart, Clara must ultimately decide if she has room enough in her heart for someone new.

Lady Minx and the Marquess: A Steamy Historical Regency Romance Novel


Violet Hamers - 2021
    

Nobody's Darling


Josephine Cox - 1993
    She stifles her love for handsome Johnny, and works as a maid for Jeffrey Banks and his daughter, Cicely. When evil Luke Arnold woos Cicely, she starts making hats. But greedy Luke steals from his father's business, prioposes to Cicely for her father's foundry, orders the Miller father killed, and continues to threaten the lives and livelihood of all the Miller family.

To Defy a Duke


Wendy Soliman - 2013
    Completely indifferent, he leaves his mother to invite all the most suitable candidates to a house party at Winsdale Park, promising to choose one of them as his duchess. Returning home after several days of pre-nuptial carousing, Eli falls from his horse and badly injures his head. His life is saved by a mysterious woman who fascinates and enthrals Eli.Athena Defoe and her young twin sisters are hiding from their past in a tumbledown cottage on Eli’s estate. Athena refuses to place her trust in Eli, but he is equally determined to repay her by protecting her. To do so he must first discover what or whom she is so afraid of. With attention focused on her by the duke’s interest, Athena’s whereabouts becomes known and danger visits her quiet corner of Hampshire.Caught up in the whirl of his mother’s entertainments, Eli must race against time to save the woman he’s fallen in love with, even if she isn’t duchess material…

Sleep In Heavenly Peace Inn


Malinda Martin - 2014
     What could be a better destination for the holidays than a peaceful inn tucked in the picturesque mountains of Vermont? But when a blizzard hits, three couples will be forced to deal not only with the weather but also with the reality of their relationships. Mary Michaels, competent innkeeper is very good at her job. And at hiding her growing attraction for the inn’s handyman, Joe Puletti. Friend of her late husband, Joe is a great catch, but with a five-year old son and complications from her past, Mary is not. Lila Benson needs to reinvent her life. What the quiet, second grade teacher doesn’t need is to run into a face from her past—Dan Hamilton, football star that she helped tutor in high school. And fell hopelessly in love with. Celia and Richard Davis have brought their children Kevin and Jenna for a family vacation. It will be their last since the divorce will be final soon. However, Kevin and Jenna have hopes that a little time together is all their parents need to heal their family. Can these relationships be saved? Anything’s possible at Christmas. Especially with the help of three children, a man with a white beard, the inn’s mysterious manager, and a reindeer.

A Scout for Skyler (Mail-Order Mama, #16)


Heather Blanton - 2021
    On his death bed, he announces he’s sending her off to become the mail-order bride of an army captain. His dying wish is that she make the man a good wife, be happy…and wear a dress once in a while.A recent widower, Captain Skyler Corbett is an arrogant Scotsman who believes women should have babies not opinions. Regardless, the last thing he needs is a wife. His daughter is coming of age, however, and friends argue she needs a woman’s influence.When the headstrong, unrefined and unexpected Priscilla Jones shows up, Corbett is not inclined to marry her. Ever. Priscilla agrees, firing back that the snooty Captain Corbett is no prize, either.It seems this arranged marriage is destined for the ash heap. Embers, though, do have a sneaky way of catching fire…

Missing Montana Groom and the Merchant's Bride: Series Starter 2-in-1 Special (The Elusive Groom)


Terri Grace - 2017
    On arrival in Glendive, Montana, as a mail order bride, she is shocked to discover that Titus, her intended, has disappeared without explanation. Honara’s determined journey to find him takes her on a roller coaster ride of romance, where she finds herself embroiled in more than one love story along the way, before finally completing her own! Each book in the series is a wonderful standalone story, but be warned, once you read one you won’t be able to resist reading all of them! BOOK 1: Missing Montana Groom Honora Carson has found the man of her dreams, and is traveling heart in hand to Glendive, Montana, to his welcoming arms. When she arrives he is gone! No one knows where, but suspicions run high. Despite being told to forget him, that her husband-to-be is an unreliable, irresponsible man, Honora can’t shake the feeling that something is not quite as it seems. So begins a fervent search for clues to his whereabouts. The elusive husband. Will this courageous, trusting bride ever find her beau? Or will Honora’s greatest fear come to pass and her innocent heart crushed and broken by a liar and a scoundrel? BOOK 2: The Merchant's Bride Selina Fuller decides to accept her best friend’s invitation to visit in Glendive, where she expects to find her already married and settled down. Instead she discovers that her friend’s fiancé is missing. Staying to help, her own heart gets torn apart when she falls in love with Malcolm Burns, but he seems to only have eyes for Honora Carson, her best friend. Does Selena dare reveal her true feelings? And will Malcolm recognize her love before it is too late? All the while, the search for Titus Ridge continues. The Elusive Groom series follows the incredible journey of Bride-to-be, Honora Carson, in her search for her missing groom. On arrival in Glendive, Montana, as a mail order bride, she is shocked to discover that Titus, her intended, has disappeared without explanation. Honara’s determined journey to find him takes her on a roller coaster ride of romance, where she finds herself embroiled in more than one love story along the way, before finally completing her own! Each book in the series is a wonderful standalone story, but be warned, once you read one you won’t be able to resist reading all of them!

Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground


Annie Garrett - 1996
    Ten years after leaving her home to seek a career in New York, Tess, a successful celebrity journalist, returns to the Ozarks and to Branson to interview famed country artist Buck Campbell, the orphaned football player and talented singer whom she had loved in her youth.

Nan's Journey


Elaine Littau - 2008
    Set in the 1800s, Nans Journey, follows Nan and her brother, Elmer, as they seek safety and find refuge and hope in the arms of a family of strangersincluding Fred Young, a disgruntled preacher turned mountain man, who reaches out to help, only to find a hope and love renewed in his own heart. In her first novel, author Elaine Littau weaves memorable characters into the vivid background of the wild, unsettled heart of America, presenting readers with the timeless struggle of overcoming adversity, and seeking hope above all through Nans Journey.

The Sheriff's Mail Order Rescue


Amelia Rose
    And with her grandmother’s health declining, Clara is living with the weight of the world on her shoulders – but her grandmother isn’t having any of it.Feisty and tenacious, Eugenia isn’t about to let her granddaughter throw her life away – and so she advertises on Clara’s behalf as a mail-order bride.Clara is furious when she discovers her grandmother’s plot, but as Matt’s response catches her eye, Clara warms to the idea of marrying a sheriff and starting over in a new town.Together, Clara and her grandmother set out for Iron Creek. But the journey is long and hard going – and things only get worse as their wagon train crosses paths with a gang of bandits.Clara can only hope that Matt will come for them before it is too late – but with such a rocky start, what hope will be left for their future together?The Sheriff’s Mail-Order Rescue is a thrilling romance that will charm its way into your heart. Will Matt and Clara find a way to be together? Or is their relationship about to end before it has even begun?

A Wife by Christmas


Callie Hutton - 2011
    Getting her married off is the perfect solution, except everyone he introduces her to doesn’t seem right. In 1906 Guthrie, Oklahoma, History teacher, Ellie Henderson, has been a thorn in High School Principal Max Colbert’s side ever since he took over three months ago. When she’s not flying by his office, late for her class, with books and papers jumbled in her arms, she’s attending Suffragettes meetings against his orders. Because of her family connections, he can’t fire her, but he can certainly find someone to marry her, and keep her busy in the kitchen. And far away from his school. Max soon finds that what seemed like a good idea can turn into disaster when Miss Ellie Henderson is involved. The woman is a master at getting into trouble. With the Christmas season in full swing, he has many opportunities to introduce her to prospective husbands. However, the uncomfortable feeling is growing that no one is worthy of the minx…

The Wild, Unwilling Wife


Barbara Cartland - 1977
    Another crash of lightning reverberated in the room and now, as if she could not help it, she reached out towards Lord Vernham and instantly his arms were around her, holding her close. "You are quite safe," he whispered.She hid her face against his shoulder and he could feel her trembling.In time the rainstorm eased. She moved and instantly Lord Vernham released her."I . . . I must go back to my own room.""There is no hurry."And suddenly he yearned with all his might to make her stay, to hold her in his arms; above all to make this strange and exotic woman his . . . in reality and not only in name.