For as long as Patty Dixon can remember, she’s been in love with Greg Wilson. The problem? He doesn’t want to marry her. In fact, he doesn’t want to marry anyone. And all of her attempts to get his attention haven’t worked. Except, there’s one thing she hasn’t tried. In a daring move, she stages a situation where he must rescue her. Her ploy works, and she finally has the chance to show him that having a wife is just what he needs. But Greg is proving to be harder to impress than she thought and all her fancy meals, beautiful dresses, and seductive maneuvers haven’t worked. Is there any way she can secure her place in his life or has she just lost her gamble?
When Joe Otto accepted the job to lead a wagon train to California, the last thing he expected was to be asked to marry Mr. Heller’s daughter. Still pining over the one that got away, he’s not sure he has it in him to open his heart to another woman. Mr. Heller assures him the arrangement will only be temporary. Once Joe delivers her to her aunt and uncle in California, he can annul the marriage. Joe can use the money, and besides, it’s only a temporary arrangement. She won’t be his wife for the rest of his life. Reassured by this logic, he agrees to the marriage contract. Michelle Heller knows the only way she’s going on the wagon train is if she has a husband, so she readily accepts the deal her father makes with Joe. What she doesn’t expect, however, is that her new husband is the most attractive young man she’s ever seen. Over and over, she has to remind herself their marriage isn’t real. It’s only borne of necessity. But as the days pass on the trail, it’s harder to remember their marriage is only on paper, and it seems the two are at odds as to what they want this marriage to be. After Joe watched the woman of his dreams start a life with someone else, he vowed he would never open himself up to being hurt again. Can Michelle break through his wall, or will she have to annul the marriage once she reaches California?
Erin Larson has a problem that's been following her since she was a child: Alex Matthews. For a reason she can't explain, Alex has convinced himself that they will end up getting married. But she'd rather go through town in nothing but her chemise and petticoats before that happens. With her two older sisters married, it's her turn to find a husband. As long as Alex is lingering around, she's not going to find the man of her dreams. What she needs is to find another young lady for Alex to turn his attention to. Then, and only then, will she be free. Alex goes along with this little matchmaking scheme, knowing full well that if he plays his cards right, he'll finally succeed in convincing Erin that they're a perfect match. *This is a cute romantic comedy.
Sometimes the right person comes at the worst possible time… Having suffered through the horrors of the Civil War, ex-doctor Thayne Jackson believes he’s the worst possible candidate for marriage. He has chosen, instead, to live a quiet and peaceful life raising his orphaned niece. But when a beautiful young woman with a two-year-old boy shows up injured in his barn, everything changes. Abby Gray has one mission: to get Lloyd back to his father. She must not get distracted by the fact that Thayne is kind and honorable, and she must certainly not dwell on her growing attraction toward him. Once she’s healed, she has to leave. She can’t stay at this ranch and make a life with him and his niece. There’s no “ifs, ands, or buts” about it. Except there’s a ten-year-old matchmaker in their midst who is determined to get the two of them together. And she’ll come up with an assortment of creative ways to do it.
Katie Jackson is all grown up, and it’s time for her to find a husband. Though the young men have been coming by the orphanage where she is working, none of them catches her fancy. They all seem like they need to do a lot more growing up before they’re ready for the responsibilities of a wife and children. They’re all more like little brothers than serious prospects for marriage. If only they were more like Jeremiah Barlow who happens to be running the orphanage. He’s perfect. Mature, kind, and gentle. Best of all, she’s attracted to him in a way she’s never been attracted to anyone before. It’s not long before Jeremiah becomes aware of Katie’s interest in him. And worse, he’s just as interested in her. But it would never work. He’s twice her age. His best days are behind him. Katie, however, is not one to give up. When she wants something badly enough, she’ll move heaven and earth to get it. And Jeremiah is on her list.
Valentine Silverton has enjoyed comfort and luxury his entire life. Then, all at once, the family fortune vanishes, and he’s a pauper. The only recourse he has is to find a wealthy heiress. But he doesn’t want to just find just any wealthy heiress. He wants to find one he can fall in love with. Since there are no suitable prospects in his area, he takes his friend’s advice and becomes a mail-order husband. Nelly Larson grew up on a farm, and she loves everything about it. She loves the life so much, in fact, that she got her own homestead. The last thing she wants is to be strapped to one of the men in town who think her place is in the kitchen. She’s going to keep her independence, and keeping her independence will require her to avoid marriage at all costs. Nelly’s sisters, however, can’t believe Nelly will truly be happy if she doesn’t get married. Romance, after all, is one of life’s most wonderful experiences. When they come upon Valentine’s ad, they know he’ll be perfect for her. So they take matters into their own hands and answer his ad on Nelly’s behalf. Valentine thinks Nelly is the one answering his ad, and at once, he’s intrigued by her. He has no idea what a homestead is, but he assumes that a young woman who owns land and runs her own business must have lots of money. Excited, he runs off to Omaha to marry her. The day comes when the two meet, and it’s at that time they realize they’ve been set up. Since Valentine has no money, he can’t leave Omaha. He has to marry Nelly. Even if she doesn’t have much, she has a place to live and food to eat. In exchange for marriage, he promises Nelly he won’t hinder her independence. Thankfully, she agrees to marry him. But Valentine kind of likes Nelly, and he’s determined to show her that some things are worth giving up total independence for…and love just happens to be one of them.
Tom and Jessica Larson’s four daughters are all grown up. The oldest is finally married. That means the other three are next. Jim Griffin is in trouble. The moment he arrives in Omaha looking for a place to stay, Patricia and Erin Larson have decided he will marry one of them. And the longer he’s a guest in their home, the louder those wedding bells are ringing! Their father isn’t as excited by the prospect of an upcoming marriage as they are, and he does everything he can to discourage Jim from getting too close to them. Meanwhile, their mother has other plans and is more than happy to look for ways to get him to spend time with each of them. This cute and sweet romantic comedy takes a look an overwhelmed bachelor who is at the mercy of two sisters who are determined to get a husband.
What happens after the happy ending? Usually, once the characters have their happy ending, there’s no more to say to their story. With Dave and Mary Larson, however, Eye of the Beholder was just the beginning. To Have and To Hold was the continuation. Forever Yours will offer the conclusion to their romance. Up to now, Dave has always been a pillar of strength, and time after time, he’s helped Mary overcome her insecurities. But even the strong have moments of weakness… After falling off a horse, Dave is unable to do the things he’s used to. He has to sit around and watch while everyone does things he used to take for granted. Worse, his older brother turns into a celebrity in town when the newspaper takes a sudden interest in him. When Dave thinks of what he has, it doesn’t seem like he’s accomplished much of anything at all. What, exactly, is the value of a husband and a father? And how can a wife help her husband when he doubts himself? This book features Richard, Tom, Sally, Jenny, and Joel and their families.
Kate Tanner is getting more than she bargained for in this "woman disguised as a man" romance. Fleeing from her parents' killers, she disguises herself as Billy Ingram and leaves the big city Virginia life to work on a remote farm out in the middle of nowhere, North Dakota where the handsome, but aloof, Chad Walker hires her as a farmhand. Between trying to prove that she can handle the more demanding farm chores and trying to fit in with the other farmhands, she has her work cut out for her. Then, one morning, Chad discovers she's a woman, so she quickly makes up the excuse that "Billy's" sister, Kate, decided to come by for a visit. That's when things really get interesting. Lacy Montgomery is in love with "Billy" and nothing disgusts the woman. The farmhands are in love with Kate. She's in love with Chad who may or may not love her back. Her brother, the real Billy, shows up and she's forced to don on another female disguise to ward off Lacy altogether. Among the laughter and constant costume changes, Kate might discover that the most unlikely place for love is the perfect place after all.
Helena, Melissa, and Chloe have started arranging marriages, but not all will go smoothly on the way to a happily ever after… Regan Alger, the Lady of Cantrell, is bored with her life. Yes, she’s been more fortunate than most. She was once married to a wonderful gentleman, and this love resulted in her young son—a boy she loves more than anything. But even a son can’t fill the void in her life. She misses having a husband, both in and out of bed, so when she happens to come across a gentleman at a ball who ignites her passion, she decides he’ll be her next husband. And she’s not the least bit shy about letting him know it. Just as determined as Regan is to have Mr. Malcolm Jasper for a husband, he’s equally determined to end up with anyone but her. If he marries her, his life will be one of chaos and scandal. He’s sure of it. After all, she’s much too outspoken and flirtatious. So he jumps at the chance for an arranged marriage, thinking once he secures a reputable and quiet bride, Regan will leave him alone. Little does he know, though, his sister and her two friends know Regan wants to marry him, and they are more than happy to help Regan get what she wants. Regan’s risk pays off. She manages to secure him as her husband. Will the gamble pay off? Or has she just doomed them both?
