In post-Civil War America, three women find themselves embarking on unexpected journeys as mail order brides, each facing unique challenges and discovering love in the most surprising ways. Nellie Wallace, a young widow with two children, seeks to escape her cruel in-laws and find stability in San Francisco. Blake Malone, a saloon owner needing a family to secure his business plans, becomes her unlikely match. As Nellie and Blake navigate their new life together, they must confront dangerous threats and unexpected emotions, realizing that the fight for love and family may be their toughest battle yet. Annie Markum risked everything to become a mail order bride, only to find herself a penniless widow with a newborn daughter. Desperate to return to her disapproving father, she takes a job as a saloon cook, despite the stigma. Saloon owner Nick Cartwright, who once loved Annie from afar, now has a second chance. But Annie's dreams for her daughter's future clash with Nick's lifestyle, and they must decide if love is worth the ultimate sacrifice. When Annie discovers her late husband left her a fortune, newfound threats emerge, forcing her to fight for both her freedom and Nick’s safety. Cora Jones thought her future was set when she sailed to San Francisco to marry Harry Belcher. But everything changes when her presumed-dead fiancé, Asa Woods, appears. Caught between two men, Cora decides to let them both court her to make her choice. In a whirlwind of emotions and decisions, Cora must choose between the familiar past and a promising future. Through danger, determination, and the power of love, Nellie, Annie, and Cora each find their place in a changing world, proving that even in the wildest of circumstances, love can find a way.

In post-Civil War America, three courageous women embark on transformative journeys as mail order brides, each finding unexpected love and facing unique challenges in the most surprising ways. Sophia Hayes thought she had her future planned out until her fiancé left her for her more beautiful sister. Determined to start anew, she agrees to become a mail order bride, hoping to find the family she always dreamed of. She marries Captain Robert Langley, a wealthy widower with four young children. Robert needs a wife to care for his family but believes love is not an option. When Sophia's scheming sister arrives to take what she wants, Sophia must fight for the love and family she has finally found. Amelia James has been a star on the New York stage since she was fifteen, but she longs for a life filled with genuine love, not just fame and fortune. Leaving her glamorous life behind, she becomes a mail order bride to wealthy prospector Phillip Dumont in San Francisco. Phillip, who raised his siblings alone after his mother abandoned them, needs a woman's touch for his sister but doesn't trust women with his heart. As Phillip and Amelia navigate their new life, an old enemy threatens their budding love, and Phillip must learn to trust Amelia to save his family. Violet Malone is a carefree beauty with a bright future until a sinister figure seeks to twist her beauty into suffering. Bounty hunter Lionel "Beast" Plantier, hired to kidnap Violet, is scarred and feared by many. However, one soft touch from Violet changes everything. Determined to save her from the true monster, Lionel marries her to protect her. Together, they must face the dangers that come with Violet's beauty and find love in the most unexpected of circumstances. In this trilogy of romance and resilience, Sophia, Amelia, and Violet each discover that even in the wildest circumstances, love can find a way. Through danger, determination, and the power of love, these three women forge new paths in a changing world, proving that sometimes, the heart’s journey is the most unpredictable adventure of all.

The Surprise Brides: One determined mama, four reluctant brothers, four mail order brides. Meet Jamie, Caleb, Gideon and Ethan. As the local preacher, Gideon Fraser often talks about the many virtues of a good marriage, but that doesn't mean he has the slightest inclination of claiming a bride of his own. No, he's been burned before, by greedy women who only want the prestige and money the Fraser family name can provide. When his mother's devious matchmaking results in his unexpected wedding, Gideon looks at the beautiful face of the woman who has sworn to be his and wants nothing to do with her. But Gideon is in danger of losing his heart until he discovers the truth. His new wife lied to him...about everything. Ruby Haller needed a husband and fast. A treacherous man promised her the world, took her virginity, and left her without a father for her unborn child. When her father, the town minister, found out she was expecting a child, he offered her hand in marriage to the meanest man in town. Becoming a mail-order-bride appeared to be a safer choice. But instead of a rancher, she ends up the wife of a stubborn, bull-headed preacher and he's none too pleased when he discovers her duplicity. Worse? The local town beauty, who had been courting him for years, is determined to make her life a living hell. But Angel Springs, Colorado is a small town that can inspire big dreams. It's nearly Christmas, and as these two hearts heal, a holiday miracle just might be within reach.

Three New York Times Bestselling standalone novels in one special box set: Summer Secrets, Golden Lies and Don't Say A Word! Summer Secrets Eight years ago, the three McKenna sisters—Kate, Ashley, and Caroline—had their fifteen minutes of fame. Driven by their ambitious father, they won an around-the-world sailing race as teenagers. But something happened out on the turbulent sea during a fierce storm they could never forget ... Now Tyler Jamison has come to Castleton, a picturesque island off the coast of Washington State, asking questions about the famous McKennas. But even as the sisters close ranks against the tenacious reporter, the past threatens to drown them in its wake. It will take Caroline's willingness to right a wrong, Ashley's struggle to face her greatest fears, and Kate's attempt to embrace life—and love—again to finally calm the winds and stop the rain. "Graced with sympathetic, well-defined characters and an intriguing multi-threaded plot, this is an emotionally involving story ... sure to please Freethy's growing fan base, and like Kristin Hannah's novels, neatly bridges the gap between romance and traditional women's fiction." Library Journal "Freethy skillfully keeps the reader on the hook, and her tantalizing and believable tale has it all—romance, adventure and mystery." Booklist (Starred Review) on Summer Secrets Golden Lies Every family has secrets -- some too intriguing to resist ... some too dangerous to ignore... A novel about three remarkable families—the fifty-year-old promise that once bound them together, the fiery betrayal that tore them apart, and the ancient bronze dragon that could destroy their future. Riley McAllister, Paige Hathaway, and Alyssa Chen come from very different worlds. Tough guy Riley has overcome the hard knocks of a working-class upbringing. Paige struggles to define her place as the heir to a famous antiques emporium. And Alyssa feels trapped by the restrictions of her family's old world attitudes. Now this unlikely trio of strangers must come together to follow an elusive trail through the streets of San Francisco—from glittering Pacific Heights to colorful Chinatown to trendy south of Market. Each will have to make the impossible choice between romantic love and family loyalty, between sheltering lies and revealing truth. Once the door to the past is opened, there's no turning back... "Golden Lies is an absolute treasure, a fabulous, page-turning combination of romance and intrigue. Fans of Nora Roberts and Elizabeth Lowell will love Golden Lies." New York Times Bestselling Author Kristin Hannah "Freethy's smooth prose, spirited storytelling and engaging characters, are sure to send readers on a treasure hunt for the author's backlist books." Publishers Weekly Don't Say A Word Everything she's been told about her past is a lie... Julie De Marco is planning a perfect San Francisco wedding when she comes face-to-face with a famous photograph, the startling image of a little girl behind the iron gate of a foreign orphanage—a girl who looks exactly like her. But Julia isn't an orphan. She isn't adopted. And she's never been out of the country. She knows who she is—or does she? Haunted by uncertainty, Julia sets off on a dangerous search for her true identity—her only clues a swan necklace and an old Russian doll, her only ally daring, sexy photographer Alex Manning. Suddenly nothing is as it seems. The people Julia loved and trusted become suspicious strangers. The relationships she believed in—with her mother, her sister, and her fiancé—are shaken by new revelations. The only person she can trust is Alex, but he has secrets of his own. Each step brings her closer to a mysterious past that began a world away—a past that still has the power to threaten her life ... and change her future forever. "Powerful and absorbing ... Sheer hold-your-breath suspense." – NYT Bestselling Author Karen Robards "An absorbing story of two people determined to unravel the secrets, betrayals, and questions about their past. The story builds to an explosive conclusion that will leave readers eagerly awaiting Barbara Freethy's next book."—NYT Bestselling Author Carla Neggars Don't miss the other box sets in the Summer Reads Series: Summer Reads Box Set, Books 1-3, Volume 1 Summer Reads Box Set, Books 4-6, Volume 2 Summer Reads Box Set, Books 7-9, Volume 3 Summer Reads Box Set, Books 10-13, Volume 4

Funny, sexy and totally unforgettable! Discover the reason top retailers and reviewers have named Kristan Higgins's Blue Heron series among their Best Books of the Year! From the deep blue lakes to the lush, rolling hills to the to-die-for nachos they serve at the only bar in town, the residents of Manningsport, New York, know there's something pretty darn special about their little community tucked away in wine country. It's a place where romance is always in the air, full of first loves and second chances…and there's always a good vintage handy to help get over a broken heart. Jilted-at-the-altar Faith Holland swallows her pride and returns home to her family's Blue Heron Vineyard for a chance to start over, while her sister, Honor, finds herself in a marriage of convenience that might be turning into the real thing. Meantime, Colleen O'Rourke thinks she's safer sticking to matchmaking for her customers, but only until the man who got away comes looking for a drink at her bar. Collected here for the first time are the first three books in the Blue Heron series: The Best Man, The Perfect Match and Waiting On You. Be part of the magic from the very beginning! Look for the next title in the Blue Herron series, Anything for You.

Legendary western author Max Evans has spent his entire life working with cows and horses. These rangeland animals, and other creatures both domestic and wild, play pivotal roles in his stories. This magnificent collection, beautifully illustrated by cowboy artist Keith Walters, showcases twenty-six animal tales penned by Evans during his long and celebrated career. Both fiction and nonfiction, the stories in this collection get us inside the heads and hearts of numerous four-legged critters—dogs, horses, burros, goats, cattle, deer, coyotes, and more. “The Old One,” for example, shows us the world through the eyes of a prairie dog as she watches her latest litter of pups rolling and tumbling around the mound and thinks of all the things she will need to teach them. And in “The One-Eyed Sky,” an aging cow with a new calf and an old coyote with a litter to feed circle each other warily, trying to protect their young, until a rancher intervenes. Not one to shy away from difficult subjects, Evans also delves into the “animal nature” of human beings, as in “The Heart of the Matter,” where two Vietnam vets and friends kill a deer and then turn their rifles on each other. These captivating tales display Evans’s trademark mix of raucous humor and vivid, poetic descriptions of the high plains of West Texas and his beloved Hi-Lo Country in northeastern New Mexico. He reminds his readers of simpler times and more honorable people even as he evokes the merciless environment in which his characters, both animal and human, struggle to survive.

Welcome to Spring Harbor, where love is in the air. A small-town series for fans of sweet romance, this box set features the three Cavanagh brothers and the women who steal their hearts. Book 1: No End To Love - Adam and Ellie's story, a single-dad romance. Book 2: Unplanned Love - Kean and Charlie’s story, an enemies-to-lovers romance. Book 3: Return To Love - Kyle and Lauren’s story, a second-chance romance. All books work as standalones, with a sweet happy ending and no cliffhanger. If you like romances focused on emotions, small-town settings and tight-knit communities, you’ll adore the books in the Love In Spring series.

Join Detective Joe Ezell in 1940s Los Angeles As He Solves Three Murder Mysteries With A Woman of Mysterious Identity, a VA Nurse and an Aspiring Actress BOOK 1: Murder Me Twice - Joe Ezell, GI turned gumshoe, pays the bills by catching philandering husbands for rich dames wanting a divorce. When Faye Marten darkens his door, she doesn't quite fit the bill, but she is willing to pay. A few hours later, Hal Marten, the man Faye hired him to dog, arrives asking for help. The cops believe Hal murdered his now missing wife and Hal wants him to prove his innocence. But the deeper Joe digs, the more convinced he becomes that Faye and Hal aren't who they claim to be. The only question is: can he prove it and solve the murder before another victim is knocked off? BOOK 2: Stairway to Murder - World War II G.I. turned gumshoe, Joe Ezell is hunting a murderer. A Los Angeles VA hospital nurse has been found dead, and RN Mary McBride, the love of Joe's life, is next. Has the Black Dahlia killer struck again or was it one of the VA hospital doctors trying to keep a malpractice case under wraps? There are too many suspects, too few leads, and LAPD Detective Lynch is thwarting Joe's every move. If Joe doesn't succeed, he'll never get the chance to slip a ring on Mary's finger. BOOK 3: Murder on Ice - When aspiring actress Cookie Crumble is found dead in a refrigerator in a vacant apartment, the police immediately suspect the landlord's son whose father hires gumshoe PI Joe Ezell to find the true killer. With a long list of suspects from ardent fans, to jealous lovers, to the mobster who Cookie rebuffed, Joe goes undercover as an actor. Did Cookie's dreams of silver-screen fame lead to her murder? But the closer Joe gets to the truth, the more likely he is to get iced. Publisher Note: The Detective Joe Ezell Mystery Series is a "clean and wholesome" read with no sex or vulgar language and will be enjoyed by readers of cozy mysteries and classic detective "whodunit" mysteries in the spirit of Sam Spade and Humphrey Bogart. While not a true noir or hard-boiled mystery, this series captures the charm of film noir without the drugs, sex or beatings. "This is a wonderful series. The period facts are correct, the plots interesting and the characters believable." ~Lori Biever Launder ". . . charming glimpse of Hollywood in the 1940’s. A relaxing read even with the murder and mayhem." ~Tree House Reader, eBook Discovery Reviewer ". . . a gumshoe you'd like to spend time with . . . a sweet love story and a good mystery with a satisfying ending." ~Pete Croisant, eBook Discovery Reviewer ". . . when at last the clues come together, no-one could have imagined the bizarre outcome. This is a superb whodunit . . ." ~Melanie S., eBook Discovery The Detective Joe Ezell Mystery Series, in order Murder Me Twice Stairway to Murder Murder on Ice Murder on Stilettos Eye for Murder About the Author: Always a passionate lover of books, this New York Times bestselling author first answered a call to write in the 1980s and swiftly embarked on her own mythic journey. MURDER ON STILETTOS, the fourth book in her Joe Ezell Mystery series, written as P. J., is her forty-sixth release. With more than seven million copies in print of her historical, contemporary and futuristic books written under her own name as well as her pseudonyms, Cinnamon Burke, and P. J. Conn, she is as enthusiastic as ever about writing. A native Californian, Phoebe attended the University of Arizona and California State University at Los Angeles where she earned a BA in Art History and an MA in Education. Her books have won Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Awards and a nomination for Storyteller of the Year. Her futuristic, STARFIRE RISING, won a RomCom award as best Futuristic Romance of the year. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Novelists Inc. and Sisters in Crime. She is the proud mother of two grown sons and two adorable grandchildren, who love to have her read to them.

After getting left at the altar, Kenzie Gifford flees to San Francisco to start her life over, determined never to love again. She's made new friends and has a good job in the office of her cousin's chocolate factory. The only thorn in her side is Dr. Micah Fisher, who insists on pursuing her despite her constant rejection. Then the Great 1906 Earthquake strikes the city, and everything changes. The devastation all around her makes Kenzie reevaluate her outlook on life--and possibly even her feelings for Micah. But then her world is rocked again when her ex-fiancé appears, full of apologies and determined to win her back. But Arthur already broke her heart once. Does she dare trust him again? The sudden arrival of a hidden danger will expose the motivations of all involved, but it could cost Kenzie her life--as well as her heart.

The first 3 books of the popular women's fiction series. Women's Saga Fiction about sisters and friends. Coming Home to Hideaway Bay When Lily Ford returns to her lakeside hometown of Hideaway Bay for her grandmother’s funeral, the reunion with her estranged sisters is anything but easy as old wounds surface quickly. Recently widowed and still reeling from the secrets her late husband left behind, Lily finds herself at a crossroad, questioning everything about herself and the people she thought she knew. Hideaway Bay was the childhood summer playground and eventual home of her late grandmother, Junie, and her best friends. Lily’s heart is tugged by the strings of memories, having spent so much of her own childhood along the beaches there with family and friends. Having believed for years that she was content with the fragile peace she’d made with the past, Lily is as surprised as any when she begins to question whether she wants to return to her life in California. Maybe you can go home again. Meet Me at Sunrise Alice, the youngest of three Monroe sisters, still holds out hope that the uneasy relationship with her two sisters can be mended, an improbable wish since they live in different parts of the world. After her grandmother’s funeral, Alice returns home to Chicago and her high-powered career but thoughts of Hideaway Bay and the house her grandmother left to the three sisters are never far from her mind. When it seems that her career comes at too great a price, namely her personal life, Alice heads back to Hideaway Bay to start over again. Moonlight and Promises Always the rebel and the oldest of the Monroe sisters, Isabelle returns to Hideaway Bay for surgery and recuperation. But she’s never stayed in any one place long enough and soon grows restless. She decides to look for the father that abandoned them, threatening the fragile peace the sisters have forged since their grandmother’s death. The Hideaway Bay Series of Books Coming Home to Hideaway Bay Meet Me at Sunrise Moonlight and Promises When We Were Young One Last Thing Before I Go The Chocolatier of Hideaway Bay Now and Forever Hideaway Bay Books 1-3 Hideaway Bay The Complete Collection Books 1-7