Romance Sweet Reads

Friday, July 28, 2023

TRAPPED IN CORAL RIDGE by Author LYNNE LANNING (Christmas Bride Dilemma ~ Book 8)

Welcome back to Romance Sweet Reads. Today we're going to continue our Christmas in July celebration with the next book in a brand-new, eight book, multi-author series. Christmas Bride Dilemma is sure to put you in the mood and, if you're in the middle of a hot summer, we might cool you off a bit, too!

The eighth, and final, book in the series is Trapped in Coral Ridge, by bestselling and award-winning author, Lynne Lanning.

Nina is devastated when her father abandons her and her three younger sisters in a strange town half way across the country during their trip westward. His intentions were to return after striking gold.

Barely able to make ends meet with her and her sister working in the diner, the evil saloon owner notices these pretty, young ladies may need his assistance earning more money.

Just when Nina has a glimmer of hope and her eye on the handsome preacher’s son, David, devastation strikes.

Seeing Nina in such desperation, the saloon owner is sure he has her in his grasp.

Nina prays fervently that her father soon returns and they finish their trip westward. But what about her feelings for David? Their hearts will be broken if she leaves. But how will her and her sisters survive much longer without help, being Trapped in Coral Ridge

Available on Kindle Unlimited

Right after supper, Nina was instructing her sisters on extra duties to prepare themselves for the next day. When she heard a knock on the door, she tensed, dreading the worst, sending the girls to do her bidding.

Her face broke into a wide smile when she opened the door to find David standing there with flowers in his hand. Her heart broke into a dance of its own, threatening to beat loudly enough for the community to hear.

“David, please come in.” She stepped back and motioned him in. “This is such a pleasant surprise.”

As he walked past her, she noticed how nice he looked, clean shaven, dressed in his Sunday best, and smelling good.

He turned back to her and handed her the flowers. “Umm,” he tugged at his collar. “These are for you.”

“Thank you, kind sir. Would you care for some coffee? We just finished supper and the girls are doing the dishes.”

“Umm, maybe later? I was wondering if I could, umm, maybe if you aren’t too tired from working today…” He swallowed hard. “Would you like to take a walk with me?”

Her cheeks reddened to match his. “Yes, I think I would like that. Just let me put these flowers in some water first.”

When she left the room, he was finally able to breathe. He kicked himself silently for being so clumsy with his words again. He couldn’t figure out why at times he was totally comfortable with her and other times a nervous wreck. In fact, every time he had been with her so far had been a jumble of emotions, everything from sadness about circumstances, to tenderness as he watched how caring she was of others. Right now, he wished to see her under normal circumstances, but with Condee lurking around making threats and promises, he knew that wouldn’t happen.

He hoped to get through this ordeal with Condee without having to lose his temper. It usually took a lot to get his temper up, but there was something so special about Nina, he would fight with everything he had to protect her.

Lynne Lanning has such an effortless way of evoking emotion from her readers. Her characters are so realistic that the reader can feel their pain during trials and their joy during triumphs. Reviews state: "...it's as if Mrs. Lanning lived through this herself." "Couldn't put it down..." "A real page turner."

Lynne enjoys turning history and her love of God into enjoyable, relatable stories with practical life lessons that can benefit people today. Each story tells of true bonds of love and loyalty, mixed with tough times and decisions, with a twist of humor and sometimes devastation...the same is true in life. With a blend of her own family members and heritage along with lots of fiction, it's hard to tell where reality stops and fantasy begins.

Lynne's Website ~ Amazon Author Page ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

You can find the entire Christmas Bride Dilemma series

on KINDLE UNLIMITED

~ ~ ~

A special thanks to Cheryl Wright for the use of her tagline graphics to go with our excerpt posts. It was so wonderful to see everyone here today. I hope you've enjoyed our sneak peeks at all eight of the books in this awesome series.

Blessings,

Nancy

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

TRAPPED IN MISTLETOE by Author AURORA KELLY (Christmas Bride Dilemma ~ Book 7)

The seventh book in the series is Trapped in Mistletoe, by bestselling and award-winning author, Aurora Kelly.

Christmas is a time for gifts. He’s here for his inheritance, she’s on her way to safety.

Clara Jones is fleeing an arranged marriage. When she becomes stranded in Mistletoe, Montana, Clara has no choice but to endure it until the next stage arrives in town.

Edward Bishop inherits the Grand Hotel, in a small town he's never heard of. With a mother determined to have him marry, Edward sees Mistletoe as a place to escape her meddling.

When marriage is the last thing either of them wants, how can it be the one thing that saves them both?

Available on Kindle Unlimited

December 1880s Mistletoe, Montana Territory

Clara Jones gripped the carpet bag, nails digging into her palms. Her eyes darted around each person on the street. The couple she’d been travelling with assured her that Mistletoe was a safe town to be stranded in.

It was only supposed to be for one night.

This was not how things should have ended. Not with her scuffing her feet on the dirt path where the stagecoach stopped in an itty bitty town even she’d never heard of. What was she to do now? Her empty hand slid down her side to the hidden pocket and reassuringly touched the weight of the coins stashed there.

No questions had been asked of her this whole trip. Apart from how she was travelling and where her final stop was. All things Clara had been able to answer noncommittally. Nothing a smile wasn’t able to reassure.

The trip hadn’t helped the aches or the bruising she carried with her. If anything, they’d allowed her to disguise her ailments. In the way she walked, sat, and held back from others.

Storm clouds rumbled above her. It matched the turmoil that rolled her stomach into knots, leaving no room to unravel. Clara swiped at the tear that slipped from her eye.

“Miss?” The stagecoach driver’s voice was soft, gentle if you will.

He reminded her very much of the man who should have raised her. With his weathered face staring back at her, Clara could almost be forgiven for thinking she was looking at her father.

“Yes?” Clara stepped back. “Is there a problem?”

“Stagecoaches get robbed all the time out this way.” He lifted his gaze to the darkening sky, wiped his forehead, and took a breath. “With our driver being shot, it seems there aren’t that many willing to drive on to the next town.”

He didn’t mean… “Are you saying I’m stranded?” Her voice wavered. How had that happened? Clara was not one to reveal her fear. But this couldn’t be happening… She wasn’t far enough away yet. Not even close.

“In a fashion, that would be what it is,” he agreed, his hand resting on his hip. “Now, since you were the only one left, the proprietor has agreed to give you a room for half off until the next stage comes through.”

Half off. Deep breath, Clara, this could be worse. “How long will that be?” Might as well just ask the most important question. Her hand itched to touch the weight of the coins again.

“Maybe a week.”

A week, even at half off, was too long. She simply didn’t have enough money for that long.

“I don’t have enough money for a week,” she finally admitted. “Would they let me work for some of the board?”

She wrung her hand around her wrist, the other hand still gripping her carpet bag. Unable to let go, to allow her situation to sink in. If he found her here, that was it. Once he had her in his grasp again, there would be no getting away a second time.

I enjoy writing sweet small town Australian romance and recently have started to write historical romance set in 1800s America - this requires some research which I really enjoy.

My husband refers to it as diet romance since there is no sex on the page.

I live in the Southern Tablelands of NSW Australia with my husband, children and fur babies.

Amazon Author Page ~ BookBub ~ Goodreads

You can find the entire Christmas Bride Dilemma series

on KINDLE UNLIMITED

~ ~ ~

A special thanks to Cheryl Wright for the use of her tagline graphics to go with our excerpt posts. It was so wonderful to see everyone here today. Please come back again on Friday, July 28th, when we'll take a peek at the final book in this awesome series.

Blessings,

Nancy

Friday, July 21, 2023

TRAPPED IN APPLE VALLEY by Author ELISSA STRATI (Christmas Bride Dilemma ~ Book 6)

The sixth book in the series is Trapped in Apple Valley, by bestselling and award-winning author, Elissa Strati.

Can the miracle of Christmas bring together two lonely hearts?

Lovely heiress Grace Wyndam, fleeing an unwanted suitor in San Francisco, boards a train to visit her cousin in New Orleans. Perhaps she'll meet the right man there--someone who will care about her, and not her money.

Marcus Sheldon has had it with high society, false promises, and empty manners. Leaving the family business to his brother, he earns his medical degree, then heads to Apple Valley, where Dr. Sinclair is anxiously awaiting his new partner's arrival. But the train is late and the telegraph signal is down. What has happened?

Available on Kindle Unlimited

A Brief Introduction

Taking advantage of the opportunities in California as people flocked West with Gold Fever, Grace Catherine Wyndham's father had amassed quite a fortune. When his doctor suggested the stogies he insisted on smoking might be related to the hacking cough he had developed, Papa had gone to his attorney to ensure the comfort of his wife and daughter.

The loss of his son to a childhood disease had been heartbreaking; Jasper Francis Wyndham devoted all of his paternal love to his daughter, Grace. He also absolutely adored his sweet Catherine, and had pampered her and spoiled her relentlessly throughout their marriage. She had been just as devoted to him, and was utterly lost when he died.

Equally devastated, Grace, who had been a very successful debutante, was slow to resume her place in society, joining her mother in an extended half mourning. She had truly adored her father and still felt his loss acutely, even as she resumed wearing colors once her new stepfather, Sam, had brought the light back to Catherine’s eyes.

Samuel Bostock, Attorney at Law, the partner who had been handling Papa's affairs, fell madly in love with the distraught widow, but bided his time for a full two years before making it known that his interest lay beyond his guardianship of her and her daughter, who was a considerable heiress in her own right.

He had never married as there was a shortage of appropriate women in San Francisco and he was kept quite busy in his legal practice. Now, a considerable portion of his practice was devoted to managing the Wyndham estate, and he found himself making excuses to confer with Mrs. Wyndham, offering himself as an escort for whenever she wished to attend the opera or go for a ride in the park.

Grace had watched carefully as the relationship grew, and was satisfied with the match for her mother. Samuel Bostock was a very wealthy man in his own right, and had no designs on her mother’s portion. He had also made a point of ensuring Grace was fully knowledgeable of her own fortune and how to manage it.

During the preparations for her mother's wedding, although it was a subdued affair, she began to dream of her own. Most of her friends had already begun families, but Grace had only lately regained her interest in the joys of society, with its balls and teas and outings on horseback or in carriages.

I am an Army brat who has traveled extensively both at home (U.S.) and abroad (much of the world but not as much as I'd like!), seeing places, learning history, and, most importantly, meeting people. With all its travails, life is wonderful, God is good, and I am a Pollyanna. My clean, sweet romances, largely historical, western fiction, cross other genres with abandon as they spice and flavor my work. I am most easily reached, under my own name, on Facebook. (Truly, there is only one!) Hope to hear from you

Amazon Author Page ~ Facebook

You can find the entire Christmas Bride Dilemma series

on KINDLE UNLIMITED

~ ~ ~

A special thanks to Cheryl Wright for the use of her tagline graphics to go with our excerpt posts. It was so wonderful to see everyone here today. Please come back again on Wednesday, July 26th, when we'll take a peek at Book #7 of 8.

Blessings,

Nancy

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

TRAPPED IN WOLF CREEK by Author PATRICIA PACJAC CARROLL (Christmas Bride Dilemma ~ Book 5)

The fifth book in the series is Trapped in Wolf Creek, by bestselling and award-winning author, Patricia PacJac Carroll.

Could she be the answer to his problems or more trouble?

Travis Andrews watched his partner leave for the gold fields of California. Christmas was going to be bleak, and he didn’t do well alone. Storm clouds hurried him to the town of Wolf Creek. Barely escaping a twister and then a snowstorm, he couldn’t help but wonder about the people on the stagecoach. They were overdue, and it didn’t look good for them. Sometimes, the Lord nudged him to do things, and this was one of those. He needed to find those passengers.

Faith Rosner stepped onto the stagecoach going west to visit her Aunt Clara in Wyoming. She didn’t look back. With Papa gone, there was nothing left for her in Bushnell. Nothing she wanted, that is. This Christmas looked to be a sad one. Then things got worse with a terrible storm and blizzard when out of the snowy praire, he came.

Was he the one she’d waited for all her life?

Available on Kindle Unlimited

The mustang responded to Travis’s nudge and galloped to the small group. One woman caught his attention. She wore a brown coat and had brown hair. He focused on her. As he neared them, he wondered if she was the one that he’d been waiting for, and the reason he’d been drawn to help the missing stagecoach passengers.

It might be because he dreaded being alone. It was time he started a family, but the West had a severe shortage of good women. He was almost to the small group when the woman he’d been watching took off her coat and waved it in the air to get his attention. She had it all right.

He grinned until he looked at her. The dress she was wearing was more for a saloon than one a decent woman would wear and bright red, as if she were advertising what she was.

He stopped the mustang a few feet from the group. Travis looked back and shook his head. The ground was uneven, and they didn’t need a broken wagon wheel. “It would be best if you walk to the wagon.”

Miss Red Dress walked up to him. “If Margie could ride with you. She’s so very cold and weak.” The young woman pointed to the other lady.

Travis nodded. “Sure, help her up.” He took the woman’s icy hand and hauled her up behind him. “Can you hold on?”

“Yes, I’ll try.”

The mustang pranced in the snow, causing Travis to hold on to the woman as he went back to the wagon. Travis warned Dave. “She’s cold.”

Dave got up, helped her into the back of the wagon, and put blankets around her. “Looks like we found them just in time.”

Travis glanced at the sky. “I hope so. There’s another woman. I’ll go back and get her too.” He whipped the mustang around and ran back to the small group.

He rode up to Red Dress. “Hop on. That was a nice thing you did, giving the other woman your coat.”

“My name is Faith. Thank you for coming back for me.” She took his hand and was soon behind him. Her arms wrapped around his middle. Warm hands. This woman wasn’t in trouble, but by the look of her dress, she was trouble.

Patricia PacJac Carroll~ I am a writer, Christian first, and blessed beyond my imagination. I live in Texas. Did I say I was blessed? The PacJac is from my initials and my husbands. I wouldn't be able to write if it weren't for him. I love the Lord, adventure, and the open road.

The stories of the western era have always been a favorite of mine. I enjoy writing, and my goal is to write stories readers will enjoy that are about characters you can relate to. The stories will always have a bit of fun and faith sprinkled in.

Patricia's Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Amazon Author Page

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You can find the entire Christmas Bride Dilemma series

on KINDLE UNLIMITED

~ ~ ~

Blessings,

Nancy

Friday, July 14, 2023

TRAPPED IN DEEPWATER by Author SARAH LAMB (Christmas Bride Dilemma ~ Book 4)

The fourth book in the series is Trapped in Deepwater, by bestselling and award-winning author, Sarah Lamb.

Together, they are going to have to save themselves...and the town.

Laura Ashborne is convinced she’s a walking bad luck charm. Trying to make a fresh start, she sets out on a stagecoach to become a schoolteacher. However, the coach she’s on breaks down in the middle of nowhere a few days before Christmas, and she’s forced to spend an entire week in the tiny town of Deepwater.

Reverend Gabriel Sullivan wants to help the beautiful stranded traveler, and he'd determined to show her she's not bad luck. But when his dark past catches up to him, he's put into a dangerous situation, and Laura right along with him.

Can her desperate plan help him? Or will they let their past ruin the future they'd like to have together?

Available on Kindle Unlimited

1872 Somewhere in Missouri

“Bad luck,” the driver of the stagecoach called. Laura looked up from where she’d just been contemplating a doze to make the journey pass by faster. Of course there was bad luck. It followed her everywhere she went. No matter she’d been traveling for nearly a week nonstop, it still caught up to her.

From the worm in her apple and the mold on her bread, to the hole in her shoe and now whatever this was. She’d never be able to escape the curse that wouldn’t leave her alone. Really, she shouldn’t be surprised. She’d had bad luck for as long as she could remember.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, finally finding her voice. As the only passenger on the stagecoach, it was obvious the driver was talking to her.

“Damaged axle,” he told her through the coach window. “And a lame horse. Never had this happen before.”

Laura pressed her lips together and gave a short nod. A traveling bad luck charm, that’s what she was. The poor horse. She hoped it wasn’t suffering too much. “Can we trade her out and fix the coach to keep going?” she asked.

The driver shook his head. “Don’t think so, miss. Not today, anyway. There’s a town ahead called Deepwater, and I think if we go real slow we’ll make it there before nightfall. But I’m not sure how long it will take to get you headed to your destination.”

Taking a deep breath filled with irritation, Laura nodded. It wasn’t the driver’s fault. She shouldn’t get upset. “Do I need to walk?” she asked.

“No, since it’s just you, sit, but don’t move a lot,” came the reply as the driver vanished. She felt the coach sway slightly as he climbed into the driver’s seat. With a shout to the horses, the coach jerked forward, then settled into a crawl.

If she walked, she’d get there faster. There wasn’t really a reason to hurry, though. What would be waiting for her? More bad luck, that’s likely what.

Laura looked through the small window as the landscape creeped by. It was almost Christmas. She was glad. Not for Christmas, because there wouldn’t be anyone to celebrate it with, but because that meant the end of the year. And perhaps the start of one that wasn’t filled with so many terrible things. One could hope, anyway.

Something seemed to press in Laura’s backside and she shifted, then shifted again. The thin cushion under her slid a little. As she moved to put it back in its place, it slid off. A long crack, revealing a compartment of some sort, stared at her.

Laura ran her finger over it. What is this? Extra access to the boot? Everyone knows that anything valuable is kept with the driver at his feet.

It wasn’t difficult to pry up the wood, and overcome with curiosity, Laura raised the lid of the compartment a crack, then a little more. This was the most interesting thing she’d done in days. What could be inside?

Peering into the hidden compartment, her breath caught. Silver bars shone in a fading ray of sunshine.

Swiftly, her heart pounding in fear, she replaced the lid, returned the cushion, and sat stock still. They were carrying silver. Worse than that, it was in her seat. No wonder the driver wanted to keep going. They were a target for highwaymen!

Sarah Lamb is the mother of two boys and wife to a teacher. She spends her days writing and editing books in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.

Amazon Author Page ~ BookBub ~ Facebook

You can find the entire Christmas Bride Dilemma series

on KINDLE UNLIMITED

~ ~ ~

Blessings,

Nancy

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

TRAPPED IN SANTA ROSA by Author NANCY FRASER (Christmas Bride Dilemma ~ Book 3)

The third book in the series is Trapped in Santa Rosa, by bestselling and award-winning author, Nancy Fraser.

When Hannah Wilson is jilted by her fiancé for a younger woman from a wealthy family, she decides to follow her dream and travel west to Seattle, Washington to start a new life. After all, she’s a trained nurse. Surely, she can find work and manage on her own.

Boarding the train in her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland, Hannah sets out, filled with hope for the future. She trusts her faith in the Almighty will protect her on her travels, and help her make the right decisions once she reaches her destination.

When a freak, early October snowstorm derails the train miles from the closest city, the residents of the small town of Santa Rosa, Montana, come to the rescue, including local cattleman, Storm Travers, owner of the Triple T Ranch.

The moment he meets Hannah, Storm’s impressed with the way she pitches in to minister to those who were injured in the crash. When he discovers she’s hiding an injury of her own, he insists she ride with him to his ranch so his housekeeper can take care of her injury. When she balks, he assures her she’ll be safe among his household and ranch staff.

Will she be able to resist this handsome man who arrived atop his silver-gray steed? More importantly, will he become her very own knight in denim armor?

Available on Kindle Unlimited

Also available in Print

Waking up in a Stranger's Bed
Triple T Ranch

Hannah awoke slowly, burrowing into the comfy mattress beneath her, unwilling to open her eyes just yet and greet a new day. As badly as she wanted to forget them, images of the train derailment played across the backs of her eyelids at lightning speed.

Vaguely she remembered arriving at Mister Travers’ ranch... the Triple T, he’d called it. Two women, one middle aged and the other visibly with child. They’d tended the wound above her eye, and rebandaged her finger, using clean and properly measured splints.

She’d been given a nightdress, and shown the way to the facilities. There’d been two other men who’d both cackled with laughter when she’d been relieved to discover there was indoor plumbing.

The man named Storm... the one who’d rescued her... he’d done little more than lean against the wall and stare. It had been most unnerving.

A sound drew her from her thoughts. Raising herself onto her elbows, Hannah opened first one eye, and then the other. Two little girls were standing at the foot of her bed.

“Good morning,” Hannah greeted.

The redhead jabbed the other girl with her elbow. “See, I told you she wasn’t dead.”

The second girl poked back. “She was sleeping like the dead.” Narrowing her brown-eyed gaze in Hannah’s direction, she added, “It’s not morning anymore. Mama and Miss Winnie are setting the table for lunch.”

“We were sent to see if you were awake yet,” the other said. “Or, if you were sleeping away the whole day.”

“I’m awake,” Hannah proclaimed. “And my name is Hannah. What are your names?”

The redhead spoke first. “I’m Bella.” Tipping a nod to her right, she added, “This is my sister Emmy. We’re twins, ‘cept we don’t look alike.”

“Fraternal twins,” Hannah responded.

“Don’t know about that,” Bella said. “Just twins.”

“And I’m older,” Emmy bragged. “By ten minutes.”

“So, what?” Bella countered. “I’m taller.”

“Why don’t you girls go tell your mother I’ll be downstairs in a few minutes? I have to find my clothes and get dressed.”

“Mama said your clothes needed washing. She hung a dress on the back of the door for you to wear,” Bella explained.

Emmy tugged at her sister’s arm. “Come on, let’s go help Miss Winnie and let lazybones get dressed.”

Nancy Fraser a Top 100 best-selling and award-winning author. She is the 2022 winner of the NEST (National Excellence in Story Telling) award for her western historical romance, An Honorable Man for Katarina.

She's also the granddaughter of a Methodist minister known for his fire-and-brimstone approach to his faith. Nancy has brought some of his spirit into her Christian romances. And, her own off-beat sense of humor to her clean & wholesome books.

When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.

Nancy's Sweet Reads ~ Facebook ~ Amazon Author Page ~ BookBub

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You can find the entire Christmas Bride Dilemma series

on KINDLE UNLIMITED

~ ~ ~

Blessings,

Nancy

Thursday, July 6, 2023

TRAPPED IN GRANTVILLE by Author MARGARET TANNER (Christmas Bride Dilemma ~ Book 2)

The second book in the series is Trapped in Grantville, by bestselling and award-winning author, Margaret Tanner.

Will a hasty marriage save Clay from the hangman’s noose?

The train carrying Elly and Clay is forced to stop in Grantville because of a landslide.

When a drifter is murdered by the son of a corrupt rich man, Clay is blamed. Incarcerated in the town jail, things are looking grim for him.

Will Elly’s help, combined with a little Christmas magic, allow him to escape?

If so, can he and Elly find happiness together, or will their lives always be tainted by the evil happenings in Grantville?

Available on Kindle Unlimited

Closing her eyes, Ellie tried to sleep to fill in time. What would Laramie be like? Would she be able to make friends there? What if she didn’t like the owner of the Golden Eagle? Maybe he would be an unsavory individual. Fretting and worrying made her fidget. When she moved, her elbow connected with the arm of the man sitting next to her. “Sorry.”

He grunted something incomprehensible.

“I’ve apologized for disturbing you, and a gentleman would accept my apology.” The words shot out of her mouth before she could stop them.

“What? Oh, sorry. It’s all right, Ma’am, I know it wasn’t intentional. Was it?”

“Of course not. I’m anxious and it makes me fidgety.”

“What’s a pretty gal like you got to be anxious about?”

She laughed. “Sir, don’t tell me you’re handing out compliments now.”

“Yeah, well, I guess I am. Sorry for being so surly, I’m not feeling myself. I’ve been to a funeral.”

“Oh, I am sorry.” Instinctively she touched his gloved hand. “Was it a close family member?”

“Not family, it was an old army friend, but he was closer to me than any brother.”

“You have my sincerest sympathy. I’ll leave you in peace. When I’m nervous my tongue seems to run away with me,” Ellie said.

“What are you nervous about?” he asked.

“Um, I’m going to Laramie to start a new job at the Golden Eagle hotel. Do you know it?”

He shook his head. “Why did you leave your other job?”

“I worked at a small hotel in Denver and …”

“He fired you.”

“Well, not exactly.” Even as she explained what had transpired, Ellie wondered why she bothered; the man certainly wouldn’t be interested in her problems when he had recently lost a close friend.

“Under the circumstances you mentioned, Ma’am, I think you’re worrying for nothing.”

“Don’t keep calling me Ma’am, it makes me feel like I’m about fifty. I’m Eleanor Lewis but my friends call me Ellie.”

He hesitated for a moment. “Howdy, Ellie, I’m Clayton Garrison, but most people call me Clay.”

She smiled. “I’m pleased to meet you, Clay. Aren’t you hot, all wrapped up like that?”

He shrugged. “I’m comfortable.”

His reply was so short she knew he was annoyed. “I haven’t ridden on a train before,” she said trying to put normality back into the conversation. It hadn’t been really friendly before, now it was as cold as the ice flurries slamming against the windows.

“Except for catching the train to get to the funeral, the last one of these I rode in was a hospital train.”

“During the war?”

“Yeah. I don’t know how I survived the trip, to be honest.”

“You must have been young.”

“I put my age up, thinking I was headed for a great adventure. Fool that I was, I soon learned different.”

“I’m sorry. Were you badly wounded?”

“Yeah, I was. Look, Ellie, I don’t like talking about it. If you don’t mind, I want to try and get some sleep. I haven’t had much over the last couple of days.”

Margaret Tanner is an Award winning, Amazon Best Selling author. She writes sweet Historical Western romance now. Having always loved history, she started out writing Australian historical romance then graduated to westerns

She lives in Australia, is married and has three grown up sons and two gorgeous little granddaughters.

Frontier Australia and frontier America, have many similarities, isolated communities, a large single male population and a lack of eligible women. This leads to many interesting plots.

She has always loved Westerns, soaking up all the Western TV shows and movies when she was young. Bonanza was her all-time favorite show. Little Joe Cartwright was her hero. Western Author, Zane Grey was her favorite author.

Facebook Reader's Group ~ Amazon Author Page ~ BookBub ~ Goodreads

You can find the entire Christmas Bride Dilemma series

on KINDLE UNLIMITED

~ ~ ~

Blessings,

Nancy