Book picks similar to
A Gambler's Heart by Kay P. Dawson
historical-romance
romance
western
historical
Cowboys & Kisses
Vanessa Vale - 2015
For years, she's been content working on the family ranch, but lately she's wanted more. She's determined to strike out on her own and find freedom from her unorthodox family.Chance Goodman has watched Rose grow up from a spitfire little girl into a fiery woman. He's wanted her for years, waiting patiently until he could make her his. When she leaves the Lenox ranch determined to abandon her former life and to say good-bye to him, he knows now is the time he must act. Letting her go isn't an option.This book was previously published as Rose in the Wildflower Brides series.
To Love a Lady
Cynthia Sterling - 2000
But when the future Earl, Charles Worthington, goes to Texas to oversee land the family has purchased – and stays there – Cecily decides the only thing to do is to track him down. Arriving in Texas with her lady’s maid and all the determination she can muster, Cecily sets out to conquer both the new world and her reluctant fiancé. She captivates her new neighbors and shows Charles that the one thing that’s been missing from his adventurous life is her. Originally published in 2000 under the title Nobility Ranch, To Love a Lady is the first volume in the Titled Texans series about a family of English nobility who set out to tame the American west. With humor, romance and authentic historical detail, To Love a Lady takes readers on a romantic journey to 1880s Texas.
Christy
Vivi Holt - 2016
Without a home to return to, she is stranded in a strange town where she discovers the kindness of a stranger and an opportunity for new love. Brent has lost the love of his life and after years of loneliness he hopes to find a life-long companion through a Mail Order Bride service. When the two strangers meet sparks fly, but misunderstandings threaten to tear them apart. Before Christy and Brent can have their fairy tale ending they will have to learn to trust each other and take a chance on love.*NB. Christy has been revised and extended.
Texas Bride
Joan Johnston - 2012
Now marriage to a stranger is her only hope of finding a home where she and her two younger brothers can escape the brutality of the Chicago orphanage where they live. With any luck, she can even start a family of her own, once the three of them are settled at Jacob Creed’s Texas ranch. But Miranda has one gigantic concern: Her husband-to-be knows nothing about the brothers she’s bringing along. What if he calls off the deal when he discovers the trick she’s played on him?Jake Creed is hanging on to his Texas ranch by his fingernails. His nemesis, Alexander Blackthorne, is determined to ruin him. Jake will never give up, but he’s in desperate trouble. His wife died six months ago in childbirth, along with their stillborn son, and his two-year-old daughter needs a mother. The advertisement Jake wrote never mentioned his daughter—or the fact that he has no intention of consummating his marriage. He’s determined never to subject another wife to the burden of pregnancy. But Jake doesn't count on finding his bride so desirable. He doesn't count on aching with need when she joins him in bed. And he never suspected his bride would have plans of her own to seduce him.
A Broken Betrothal
Rose Pearson - 2020
Can they reconcile their differences?When Lord Pendleton loses his brother, his entire world changes. Inheriting the title of Marquess of Leicestershire, he soon finds himself surrounded by nobles and sought-after by their daughters. He becomes determined to make a name for himself – and not be seen as a rogue like his late brother.Lady Augusta is destined to be married to him in a rigid, business-like agreement. Hating her father at first for not letting her choose her own husband, over time she grows to accept it – but she finds herself thrust aside by Lord Leicestershire’s newfound status. With Lord Leicestershire hounded by ladies and faced with distractions at every turn, will he and Lady Augusta be able to make their coming marriage work? Or will the strife between them be too much to overcome?
The Bad Luck Wedding Dress
Geralyn Dawson - 1996
Just because the Bailey girls had met with one mishap or another after wearing Jenny's loveliest creation, her clientele had begun to stay away in droves. Yet Jenny was still betting she could turn her luck around--by wearing the gown herself at her very own wedding. There's just one hitch: first she has to find a groom...Trace McBride seemed as likely a candidate as any. An attractive widower raising three little girls who were fast becoming three little outlaws, Trace badly needed a woman's loving touch. Jenny wasn't altogether sure she knew how to get a man to propose marriage, but she was willing to take off her spectacles, let down her honey-blond hair, and even give flirtation a try. But when seduction turns into red-hot passion, Jenny will find herself risking everything--even her life--on the chance that she'll be lucky in love.
The Heart Hears: Kansas MacPhersons (MacPherson Brides Book 4)
Mischelle Creager - 2019
He needs to banish his distrust of women. War widow Salina Meier Moffett Dunham doesn’t trust men. Shamefully treated by her father and husband, she is on the run with her children to escape a forced marriage or worse—death. In Ainsley, Kansas, she shortens her name to Lena Meier to hide from the man pursuing her. She finds a position as a clerk in the mercantile with the grouchy storekeeper. But there is something within that grumpy man that her heart hears and draws her. She isn’t sure what that thing is until she discovers a book in the storeroom of the mercantile. Returning from the war, Angus MacPherson takes back the running of his mercantile and keeps his distance from the young women in Ainsley. After a run-in with Lena Meier—literally, his buggy ran into her cart, leaving him injured, he agrees to let her work in his store. After all, his MacPherson family creed is to help and protect all widows and orphans. But this woman, this stranger in town, irritates and interests him as no woman has since Amelia, the woman who betrayed him to marry his rich cousin. Matters get worse when his former fiancé, who is now a wealthy widow, returns to Ainsley and wants Angus as her new husband. Can love weave its way through the heart by things unspoken?
A Rancher's Surrender
Michelle Beattie - 2011
It is no longer available under that title. Denied entrance into vet school because of her gender, fiery and determined Jillian Matthews trained at her father's side and then headed west to Montana Territory after answering an ad using only her father's initials and last name. She is convinced that her skills will override local ranchers prejudice. She's wrong and handsome Wade Parker, the one who hired her, is the first to make his displeasure public. But Jillian refuses to back down and sets out to win Wade's approval. Soon that's not all she hopes to win. Widower Wade Parker is furious the new vet he helped hire is a woman. The fact that she's beautiful, smart and wakes parts of him that he thought dead burns even more. Feeling tricked, Wade is determined to send her back east but when the town turns on Jillian and her enemies become dangerous, he steps up to be her protector. And that's not the only role Jillian has him contemplating.
Time to Save a Cowboy (Western Time Travel Romance, #1)
Niki Mitchell - 2018
Dusty Mann is determined to buy his own ranch. He doesn’t need a modern, straightforward woman to barrel into his life or knock his plans off track But Mia steals his heart—and then claims she’s from the future.
Wanted!
Vicki Lewis Thompson - 2010
After escaping the engagement from hell, she's dying to break loose and live a little. And seducing a shirtless, sweaty cowhand looks like just the place to start.Nick Chance isn't exactly a cowhand but, hey, he'll be whatever the lady wants! Only he soon realizes that this is more than just a quick roll in the hay. There's something about Dominique that calls to him, something about her that completes him.There's only one problem. Dominique wants a fling, not another relationship.Little does she guess how easily she'll be persuaded to take a Chance -- again and again and again!
Colorado Dreams
Zoe Matthews - 2015
They each choose a job that they are interested in, and along the way, they each find love and romance. Sierra has been a widow for two years. She has been busy raising her twin daughters on the family ranch when her father is killed. As their family attorney reads her father’s will, she learns that each member will receive a large inheritance, but there is a catch. All six of them must reside on the ranch for a period of six months, together, in order to receive it. Logan, also a widower, has been hired to help with the horses and he brings along his own little family. Can Sierra and Logan learn to create a new family of their own and find love for each other along the way?
True Blue Cowboy
Debra Holt - 2020
He’d fallen early and hard, but because her heart had belonged to his careless and indifferent brother, Chance had been permanently friend-zoned since Josie was a teen. Now Josie’s running her failing ranch all alone, and it’s time for Chance to step up and keep a promise he made to her dying mother – marry Josie and combine their ranches. Josie Monroe doesn’t want help or need to be saved by anyone – especially her wealthy ranching neighbor and forever thorn in her paw, Chance Braxton. The serious, way-too-handsome cowboy has starred in too many of her fantasies, but he still sees her as a heart-broken girl. She’s a woman now, and she’s determined to prove everyone wrong: She can save her ranch and rebuild her father’s legacy…alone. When Chance proposes, Josie’s problems are just beginning. So why does her pulse kick up every time he rides by and tips his Stetson?
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?
Tougher Than The Rest
Shirleen Davies - 2013
A widower, and single father, he is focused on building the MacLaren ranch into the largest and most successful in northern Arizona. He is serious about two things—his responsibility to the family and his future marriage to a goal of a wealthy, well-connected widow who will secure his place in the territory’s destiny.Katherine is determined to live the life she’s dreamed about. With a job waiting for her in the growing town of Los Angeles, California, the young teacher from Philadelphia begins a journey across the United States with only a couple of trunks and her spinster companion. Life is perfect for this adventurous, beautiful young woman, until an accident throws her into the arms of the one man who can destroy it all.Fighting his growing attraction and strong desire for the beautiful stranger, Niall is more determined than ever to push emotions aside to focus on his goals of wealth and political gain. But looking into the clear, blue eyes of the woman who could ruin everything, Niall discovers he will have to harden his heart and be tougher than he’s ever been in his life…Tougher than the Rest.
Shameless
Lexy Timms - 2018
He has no shame. Dylan Hill is a born and bred country boy from Kansas. He’s never had much use for big cities or fast living. He definitely feels like a fish out of water when he hits New York City, looking for his childhood sweetheart. But it seems Maisy Dee Fowler has made quite a few changes since she left home, starting with her name. Somehow this sweet country girl has become Morvared—model for the sexiest underwear line in the country. Forget college. She’s on her way up and has no time to screw anyone who isn’t going to further her career. The snow is driving down as Dylan leaves the apartment of his lady love, wanting to erase the images of his naked sweetheart in the arms of another man. He finds himself in Times Square. And it’s just his luck his cheating girlfriend is on every billboard. In all her glory. Hard as nails agency executive Bailey O’Brien can’t take her eyes off what has got to be the sweetest male perfection she’s ever laid eyes on: Dylan, standing in the falling snow with his head tilted back, wearing a denim jacket and jeans, a cowboy hat clutched in one hand. Acting on impulse she slams out of her cab into the blizzard, snaps a picture, and tells him he should be a model. More specifically, HER male model. Dylan thinks the fiery redhead is crazy. But there’s something appealing in what she’s offering. What if there’s a way to beat one spoiled little supermodel at her own game? Revenge is only a contract away—and how hard could it be to pose for a few pictures? Impulsively he signs, having no idea that he’s just given himself, body, and soul, to a woman he barely knows. MODEL MAYHEM SERIES Shameless Modesty Imperfection