A Vow for Christmas

Weekenders Romance Watch

Spinster Mail-Order Brides Series Book 7

Author:  Linda Carroll-Bradd
Genre:  Historical romance
Buy: Amazon
 

Blurb:
Against his better judgment, Chad Rutherford advertises for a mail-order bride to take care of his household. As a widower, he’s had his great love and she died, so now he only wants companionship. But vivacious new wife Vika brings light and laugher back into his life until he’s ready to consider more for their relationship. Then a stranger threatens to rip away everything.

Enchanting Excerpt:
Mister Rutherford straightened. “We’d best collect your luggage. Come along, children.” He urged them forward.
 
She was left staring at the back of the three people who looked like a self-contained unit. Did room exist for her in any of their hearts? Shoulders drooping, she trudged behind them, wishing for a strong arm to lean on. On the platform near the freight car rested the trunk holding all her clothes, accessories, and valuables. Next to it were two wooden crates packed with kitchen items, linens, blankets, and her mother’s porcelain tea set. On top of the crates sat the wicker basket holding her beloved pet.
 
The baggage clerk lifted a hand. “Ah, Miss Vika. She’s been whimpering the last few miles.” He lowered the basket to the platform and worked to loosen the rope knot.
 
“Thank you, Mister Frederick, for all your good attention.” She reached into her reticule and pulled out a dime for his tip. Maybe extravagant but the clerk took good care of her Biscuit. Then she leaned down to drop her carpetbag before lifting the lid with one hand and slipping the other into the slim opening to grab Biscuit’s collar. “Calm down. I’m here.” Once she was sure the dog wouldn’t escape, she slid in her other hand to grab the leather leash and clipped it on. With a shove, she flicked back the lid.
 
Biscuit jumped out then shook herself before running her nose along the platform boards.
 
“What in blue blazes is that thing?” Frowning, Mister Rutherford pointed.
 
“She’s my dog, Biscuit.” Vika hurried to the platform edge and let her pet run down the four steps to the dirt to take care of her needs.
 
“You wrote nothing about bringing a pet.” He scoffed and waved a hand in the air. “And a scrawny dog, at that.”
 
After a moment, Biscuit hopped back to the platform then trotted toward the children, tail wagging like a flag in a stiff wind.
 
Her stomach rolled.
 
Both children looked at the dog then glanced at their father’s frown.
 
Would the presence of this surprise pet invalidate their agreement? Tiredness swamped her. “You never wrote that I couldna.” Needing the comfort of a warm being who loved her, she scooped up the dog, hugged Biscuit to her bosom, and kissed her furry head between her pointed ears. “Actually, you never wrote much of anything.”




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Chasing Adventure

Weekenders Romance Watch

Entertainers of the West Series Book 8

Author:  Linda Carroll-Bradd
Genre:  Historical Romance
Buy: Amazon 
 

Blurb:
Dime novelist, Thora Alviss, travels to Montana Territory seeking an ex-US marshal, Harte Renwyck, for an interview, knowing he has knowledge to make her characters better. Harte shies from publicity about his past life, especially about the tragedy related to his last arrest. Thora’s thirst for a good story is stronger than her ability to remain out of danger, and Harte comes to the rescue time and again. Will Thora give up and return east, or will she learn the survival skills she’s been writing about? Can Harte look past his resentment and see the adventurous woman close at hand?

Enchanting Excerpt:
“I admit to being a bit travel weary and the assistance is much appreciated. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Nodding, she walked up the steps.

Lofty praise for being neighborly. When was the last time he’d had such pretty words aimed in his direction? Moving with the speed of Mercury, Harte vaulted the steps and rounded the corner of the depot office. A small mountain of luggage comprised of a portmanteau, two valises, two carpetbags, and a satchel squatted beside a wooden bench. His boots skidded to a stop. Looked like he’d be the one making multiple trips.
 
“Oh, dear.” She let out a sigh. “In New York City, the porter used a push cart, and the quantity didn’t pose such a problem.” She dashed forward and grabbed the satchel, lifting the long strap over her head so it rested on her opposite hip. Then she leaned over and reached for a carpetbag.
 
Not wanting her to strain anything, Harte moved to her side. “I offered, although I didn’t know you had so many pieces. But I’ll manage. Somehow.” For a man accustomed to traveling light, he couldn’t imagine what she packed inside all these cases.
 
Cheeks blushing, she straightened and turned her head, her neck stiff. “Deputy, I am a healthy woman perfectly capable of assisting with the transport of my own belongings.”
 
“Duly noted, miss.” His words came out more clipped than he intended. Years of dealing with criminals had stolen his ability for idle talk. Setting his jaw, Harte hoisted the portmanteau to balance on his left shoulder then stooped to grab the handles of the matching carpetbags. “If you lift the valise, I can stretch my fingers around the handle.” Barely, but for his pride’s sake, he needed to make the offer.
 
Bending over, she lifted both valises. “I’ve got them. Now, if you’ll indicate the direction, we’ll be on our way.”
 
The corner of the leather case dug into his shoulder, and his right hand already ached from the weight. “Head toward the brick building down a ways on the opposite side of the street. The boardinghouse is past the mercantile.” He trudged down the steps, each move jolting his shoulder muscles. The lady’s rigid posture and swishing bustle informed him she still resented his thoughtless remark. Not exactly how he envisioned his morning walk through Sweetwater Springs. Chivalry, my backside.
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Detour Trail

Tantalizing Thursday

Excerpt

 

              Detour Trail

Author: Joy V. Smith
Genre: Mainstream/Historical Western Romance
Buy: Melange Books

Excerpt:

“It wasn’t that I didn’t think about you before,” he said; “I felt good just sitting next to you, and you only cared about me getting better and going back to the wood. I thought about touching you, but I knew I’d scare you, and that would be the end of the porch sitting, and I didn’t want Brock to kill me.”

Oh, maybe he did have a sense of humor after all. And he could cook. She might be one of the few women who’d take that into consideration. “Are you sure?” She didn’t want a man who had to be dragged into marriage like a horse being dragged into the corral to be broken. “You don’t want to take another year or two to make up your mind for certain?”

Detour Trail

Joy V. Smith

Westward bound on the Oregon Trail, Lorena Emerson is alone after her uncle is killed. Ignoring the wagon master's advice to go home, she rounds up others needing help, and they join a later wagon train, but down the trail, they leave that train; she's forging her own path again. And then she rescues Barrett Lee--with Gray Cloud's help. After this man from the wilderness recovers, he and the wolf leave--with a nudge from Lorrie. Will he return? Will these two independent people make room for each other?

Detour Trail

Dreams of Gold

Linda Carroll-Bradd

In 1871, Easterner Ciara Morrissey travels west to honor a sacred promise to her mother and locate her fortune-seeking father. Caretaker to her grandparents and mother until their deaths has created a thirst in Ciara to see the wider world.

Sheriff Quinn Riley hunts the Irish charlatan who swindled half of Bull City, Wyoming’s residents. He’ll stick close to the newly arrived opinionated woman. Within only hours, easterner Ciara Morrissey upsets the townspeople by making inquires about his prime suspect. He’s duty-bound to keep her safe but being near the green-eyed beauty sets off a stampede in his heart.

 

Dreams of Gold

Shyanne's Secret

M.J. Conrad & Jena Galifany

Cole Jackson promised to take care of Shyanne Bennett, to keep her secret. It was a promise he intended to keep—and then her father lynched him. It might take time, but he’d find a way.

Shyanne Bennett loved Cole Jackson, that sassy half-blood. She lost her mind when he died to keep her secret. Cole promised to take care of her but how could he once Harvey Bennett hung him? Maybe her heart might find solace in becoming the wife of his look-alike cousin, Will Marshall. And then again, maybe the heartache will only

begin again.

Shyanne's Secret
Amazon