Book picks similar to
Desperate Hearts by Alexis Harrington


romance
historical-romance
western
historical

Under the Desert Moon


Marsha Canham - 1992
    Disguised as a prim schoolmarm, she hid more than her alluring beauty. For no one could see her fierce determination, her able sharp-shooting, her survivor's heart. No one except the one man determined to claim her as his own...HIS PAST WAS A SECRET...Christian McBride sought justice for the misguided verdict that wrongly jailed him years before. Traveling westward with his stoic Ute companion, Sun Shadow, the rugged, bold plainsman knew the perils of the West better than his own heart - which was about to fall hostage to the mysterious, raven-haired woman who boarded the stage he was riding - and who, it would turn out, was not at all what she seemed...

Only His


Elizabeth Lowell - 1991
    But she fears this stranger who burns to avenge the wrongs of treacherous men. For Caleb is as wild and unpredictable as the uncivilized land he loves. Yet, though she challenges him at every turn, the spirited southern lady knows this proud, enigmatic loner is her destiny. And no matter what peril awaits, they must face it together -- for Willow has become a fever in Caleb′s blood ... awakening a need so fierce that he would defeat the devil himself to possess her.

Love and Cherish


Dorothy Garlock - 1980
    She meets a man named Sloan Carroll, who proposes to her, but he finds that it will take a little more to win her heart.

The Texan's Wager


Jodi Thomas - 2002
    But still, she can't help thinking that something about this strong, silent farmer could be the key to leaving her troubled past behind...and making a worthy wager with her heart.

Reese


Lori Handeland - 2001
    Mary hires Reese, the mysterious, and reluctant, leader of a band of deadly Confederate veterans, to protect them.Reese is haunted by the war and what he did during it. The only constant in his life are the five men willing to come to his side whenever he calls them.Though Mary prides herself on managing everyone and anything, she can't manage Reese or her feelings for him. Reese doesn't believe he is worthy of loyalty and devotion; he certainly isn't worthy of love. In Rock Creek, with Mary, he learns differently.

Reckless Heart


Madeline Baker - 1985
    Then Shadow and his people went away, and when he returned, it was as a handsome young Cheyenne brave. Hannah, now a beautiful young woman, had never forgotten her childhood friend—but the man who swept her into his powerful arms was no longer a child. He awakened in her a wild, erotic passion she had never known.But war was about to erupt in Dakota Territory, a war that would pit the settlers against the Indians. Both Hannah and Shadow knew they would have to choose between passion and duty, in a conflict that would test to the limit the steadfastness of their love.

Caine's Reckoning


Sarah McCarty - 2007
    Caine Allen is a hardened Texas Ranger, definitely not the marrying kind. But when he rescues a kidnapped woman and returns her to town, the preacher calls in a favor. One Caine's honor won't let him refuse. From the moment he beds Desi, Caine knows turmoil will follow. Desi might have the face of a temptress, but she also has a will of iron and while she needs his protection, she's determined that no man will control her again. They establish an uneasy bond, but it isn't enough for Caine. He wants all Desi has to offer. He wants her screams, her moans, her demands...everything. Yet there's still a bounty on Desi's head, and keeping her sexually satisfied is proving easier than keeping her alive.

Warrior Moon


Sara Orwig - 1995
    When Vanessa stumbles across a wounded Kiowa brave, she knows at first glance that this powerful warrior is a man she will fear, then heal, then love. Lone Wolf’s land was ravished and his people were murdered by outsiders, leaving him with a searing hatred and insatiable appetite for revenge. But the moment he beholds Vanessa, he falls drawn to her captivating beauty and willful spirit. But is his love for her strong enough to snuff out the fire of loathing he harbors for her people?

The Rancher Takes A Bride


Sylvia McDaniel - 2000
    This cunning widow is determined to find wives for her brood of handsome sons.Rose Severin speaks to the dead or at least she pretends to until she can earn enough money to make her way to New York and become a famous actress like her mother. Travis Burnett is resolved to rid the frontier town of imposters like Rose. But Eugenia thinks the fiery Rose is just the woman for her obstinate son. She schemes to keep Rose at the family ranch where Travis soon realizes that the supposed spiritualist is more than just a pretty swindler.

Always You


Jill Gregory - 1996
    Melora tried to keep her distance, but his touch was fire in her blood.  And when they became the targets of a violent ambush, Cal's first reaction was to protect her.  Then she knew she would do anything to save them both...Cal had planned his revenge with meticulous care.  First, take the girl.  Then lure Wyatt Holden to his death.  But he hadn't counted on Melora.  She was a distraction of the most dangerous kind, his enemy's woman, a woman he'd vowed to hate--a captive, who disarmed him with her beauty, igniting a flash-fire passion and a reckless disregard for fate...

The Visions of Ransom Lake


Marcia Lynn McClure - 2002
    And somehow, young Vaden managed to be ever in his way-either by accident or because of her own unique ability to stumble into a quandary.Yet the enigmatic Ransom Lake would involuntarily become Vaden's unwitting tutor. Through him, she would experience joy and passion the like even Vaden had never imagined. Yes, Vaden Valmont stepped innocently, yet irrevocably, into love with the secretive, seemingly callous man-Ransom Lake.But there were other life's lessons Ransom Lake would inadvertently convey to her as well. The darker side of life-despair, guilt, heartache. Would Ransom Lake be the means of Vaden's dreams come true? Or the cause of her complete desolation?

Eden Creek


Lisa Bingham - 1991
    Readers looking for a poignant, charming tale will find their wish fulfilled in EDEN CREEK.”—Romantic Times After a devastating betrayal leaves Ginny Parker broken and alone, she hastily agrees to marry a man she’s never met and start a new life in Eden Creek, Utah. Orrin Ghant only wants a woman to help raise his three daughters, and a companion with whom to share life in the Utah wilderness. But upon the arrival of Ginny, he soon finds his new wife has brought with her more than he could have hoped. As they slowly settle into their new lives together, Orrin never expects to fall so deeply for Ginny’s sweet smile and gentle charm, nor does Ginny expect to find such comfort in Orin’s strong embrace and the tranquility of Eden Creek. But while their marriage of convenience blossoms into true love, secrets from the past loom over them, testing the bounds of their fragile new beginning.

The Texan's Bride


Geralyn Dawson - 1993
    Readers will be laughing with delight one minute and falling in love with the hero the next as they follow the adventures of Katie Starr, a fiery young widow who helps run her father's inn.

Without Words


Ellen O'Connell - 2014
    Rufus should have surrendered. The woman should have kin to help her. But Rufus went down shooting, and the woman has no one. Bret figures by the time he finds a safe place to leave Hassie Petty, he'll earn the five hundred dollar reward several times over. Hassie doesn't mourn Rufus, but the loss of the ten dollars he promised her for supplies is a different matter. The bounty hunter gives her nothing, takes everything, ties the body on one horse and orders her on another. Afraid if she defies him, he'll tie her down tighter than Rufus, Hassie mounts up and follows the icy-eyed killer. Mismatched in every way, the sterling man and petty woman travel the West together, hunting thieves, deserters, and murderers. Wary traveling companions, friends and partners, lovers, Bret and Hassie must decide what they want, what they need, and the price they're willing to pay for love.

Nobody's Darling


Teresa Medeiros - 1998
    Lucky for him, she's a mighty poor shot. Instead of killing him, she hires him to find her runaway brother. He should turn down her offer. He should resist her charms. But he doesn't. Because there comes a time in every man's life when he's got nothing left to lose...but his heart.