Some of the most exciting historical romance novels are set in the American West. You can always count on adventure, intrigue, strong-willed characters, and multi-faceted plots. Add in breathtaking scenery, artful imagery, the challenge of free open spaces, the battle against nature and you have the beginnings of captivating drama. Great looking men decked out in simple western garb or slick city suits pursue spunky heroines, some beautiful and proper, other not so comely nor refined. Galloping horses, the great outdoors, moonlight liasions-all mix together to take us to our not so distant historical past. Here are some novels set in the American West that I've read, enjoyed and recommend.
 MAIL ORDER BRIDE, Sandra Donovan
Seth Braden was puzzled when his partner, Cooper Maxwell, offered him something to keep him warm on cold winter nights. His anticipation is high as they await the arrival of the surprise on the next stagecoach. When the coach pulls into town, neither Seth nor Coop notices the "young lad" who emerges from the stage coach, until she introduces herself as Camille Sinclair, Seth's mail order bride. Camille has traveled thousands of miles to wed a stranger, bringing with her hopes of finding her long lost brother. Seth explodes at the outrageous trick that well meaning Cooper played on him and balks at the arranged marriage. Undaunted by Seth's rejection, spirited Camille gets a job, establishes a fraternal relationship with Cooper, and secretly yearns for Seth's love. When they join together to enjoy a heated interlude of mind-shattering passion, neither accepts the feelings the capture their hearts. After an unscrupulous lecher attacks Camille, Seth rescues her and insists that they marry to ensure her safety. Although their nights are filled riding the stormy crests of love, the days bring unexpected perils and heartbreaking confusion. Seth and Camille tug at your heartstrings as they struggle to put bitter disappointments aside and wounding rejection behind them. Reluctantly, this sensitive couple opens their hearts to the healing power of love. The author weaves an exciting blend of comedy, adventure, and romance that will make you smile, sigh, and cry. Get set to enjoy every titillating minute.
WANTING YOU, Nan Ryan
Captured by the Apache as a child, rescued by an Arizona Ranger and sequestered in a remote Nogales convent for five years, a beautiful, spirited woman discovers that she may be the long-lost Regent heiress, Anna Regent Wright. When she arrives at the family's palatail estate in Regentville, she is readily accepted as the missing granddaughter. However, Brit Caruth, step-grandson and heir apparant, believes that Anna is an imposter and vows to expose her. Unprepared for the overwhelming desire Anna arouses within him, Brit is determined to possess her. As Anna enjoys her new found status, she fights her attraction to Brit and resists his advances. As the heat creates havoc for the crops and cattle, Brit and Anna sizzle in a devastatng heat of another kind. This is a sensual novel of temptation and surrender where adversaries may be destined to become lovers. Nan Ryan captivates you with this steamy romance and holds your interest until the last shred of truth emerges.
TRUE LOVE, Millie Criswell
Dime novelist Emily Jean Bartlett leaves New York to make a name for herself by writing the life story of reclusive Wild West Show performer Jess Murdock. She travels to True Love, Montana to pursue her dream and is promptly robbed by bandits before she gets to town. Penniless, she seeks Murdock's ranch and finds him gone on a cattle drive. After convincing the housekeeper that she is a cousin from New York, Emily weaves her way into the hearts of the housekeeper, ranch foreman, and Murdock's young son Zach. When Jess returns he believes that Emily is part of a trap laid by his wife to get custody of his son. He also bluntly refuses to let Emily write about his life. There's an extremely funny scene where virgin Emily tries to seduce worldly Jess. You'll enjoy this journey to true love and the twists and turns along the way. It's a marvelous historical romance!
FLOWERS OF THE WEST TRILOGY
WILD HEATHER, Millie Criswell
The first book of the "Flowers of the West" trilogy begins with Heather Martin, who, following her father's deathbed edict, journeys to San Francisco to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an illustrator. But Heather is faced with male prejudice and is forced to take employment as governess to newspaper magnate Brandon Montgomery's two solemn children. The irrepressible farm girl turns their elegant Nob Hill mansion topsy-turvy with her exhuberance and entrances her divorced, embittered employer. The battle of wills between Heather and Brandon is lost to the sweet surrender of love.
SWEET LAUREL, Millie Criswell
Sweet Laurel Martin steals your heart in the second of the "Flowers of the West" trilogy. She attempts to become an opera singer in the bawdy town of 1880's Denver. Her voice has been compared to a tree frog's and she winds up in the arms of saloon owner and gambler Chance Rafferty. The fun begins when Laurel joins the temperance union. You'll enjoy this funny, touching romance. It's wonderful!
PRIM ROSE, Millie Criswell
Last but not least is the story of Rose Elizabeth, youngest of the Martin Sisters, who refuses to travel to Boston to attend Mrs. Caffrey's School for Young Lasies, and instead remains on the family farm in Kansas. She is awaiting the arrival of the new buyer, Alexander Warrick, the Duke of Moreland. But rose Elizabeth has no intention of turning over her beloved wheat farm to a foreigner and she flatly refuses to vacate the premises. She turns Alexander's well-ordered existence into a life of chaos. Zesty characters, full of humor, and a fitting close to the "Flowers of the West" trilogy.
THE LAWMAN TRILOGY
DESPARATE, Millie Criswell
DESPARATE is the first book in "The Lawman Trilogy" and features Rafe Bodine, an ex-texas Ranger and the second oldest of three Bodine brothers of Misery, Texas. Rafe tries to leave his violent past behind him and settle down with his childhood sweetheart. But when his family is brutally murdered, his dreams are shattered and he begins his mission of revenge. Emmaline St. Joseph is a headstrong philanthropist who needs Rafe's help. When Rafe reluctantly agrees to assist Emmaline and her orphan charges, they both discover how to survive in the wilderness and trust their lives to one another. Along the way, they discover a desire that transforms their world. This book is full of humor, heartwarming moments, and lovable characters.
DANGEROUS, Millie Criswell
Texas Ranger Ethan Bodine and horticulturist Wilhemina Granville are both after Rafe Bodine, a man with a considerable bounty on his head. Ethan want to find his brother and Wilhemina wants the bounty money to save her family home. As they search for the futive, they find a love that blossoms in even the most dangerous circumstances. The book is funny, witty, and sexy, a dynamite combination.
DEFIANT, Millie Criswell
In the last book of The Lawman Trilogy, rugged attorney Travis Bodine faces the greatest challenge of his career defending his brother Rafe against murder charges. to make matters more difficult, he finds his ex-fiance,attorney Hannah Louise Barkley, has been hired by his sister-in-law to join him on the case. The two stubborn lawyers must find a way to work together, to ignore the overwhelming passion still simmering between them, and to save Rafe's life. Millie Criswell keep you laughing as she weaves a sensitive love story. It's throughly entertaining.
Millie Criswell lives in Virginia with her husband of 30 years. They have two grown children, both lawyers, and one neurotic Boston terrier, Jessie. Visit Millie's web site:
http://www.tlt.com/authors/mcriswell.htm.
SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS
ROSE, Leigh Greenwood
Elizabeth Rose Thornton hires on to work for George Washington Randolph, oldest of seven brothers. Little did Rose know that she must care for George, but also for his five rowdy brothers. What's a girl to do when she's lost her heart?
FERN, Leigh Greenwood
Fern Sproull, a pants wearing tomboy, is waiting for justice in the murder of her cousin. She believes William Henry Harrison Randolph, better know as "Hen", is the murderer. The lawyer who came to defend him is his brother, James Madison Randolph. Fern finds herself attracted to "Madison" and the battle is waged until love and justice conquer all.
VIOLET, Leigh Greenwood
Violet Goodwin, a Yankee teacher, meets one-armed, bitter ex-Confederate soldier Thomas Jefferson Randolph. Jeff is a rich banker who winds up quarantined with Violet and several of her students. Their battle of wills makes lively reading in this tender, touching love story. Violet and Jeff learn to put the scars of the Civil War behind them and let love led the way to future happiness. Beautiful tale of beauty taming the beast, with Violet teaching Jeff to open his heart to the miracle of love.
DAISY, Leigh Greenwood
Daisy Singleton is rescued after someone attempts to murder her. John Tyler Randolph cares for her while she recovers from her injuries and protects her from the dark forces who want to see her dead. Daisy comes to appreciate being a woman and blossoms under the warmth of Tyler's love. After their marriage, Daisy and Tyler share a business interest in developing hotels and gain wealth and fortune.
LAURELL, Leigh Greenwood
Laurell Simpson Blackthorne, an abused widow with a young son needs protection from her in-laws who want to take her son away from her. Sheriff William Henry Harrison "Hen" Randolph takes on the job, marries Laurell, and adopts her son. Hen shows Laurell how to release the demons of the past and open her heart to true love. It's touching and tender romantic drama.
LILY, Leigh Greenwood
Lily Sterling runs away from home and an arranged marriage. She visits her distant cousin, spoiled handsome gambler Zachary Taylor Randolph, youngest of the Randolph brothers. Zac wants to avoid traveling down the path to wedded bliss as did his six brothers. Lily not only gets into his hair and turns his life upside down, but she winds up capturing his well-guarded heart.
IRIS, Leigh Greenwood
Iris Richmond takes on the missing Randolph brother, James Monroe Randolph. Monty left his brothers after they returned home from the Civil War. He journeyed through the west fighting the memory of the horrors he encountered when he and his twin "Hen" were left to defend the family' property and care for their mother. Iris bring him love, peace, and restores his embittered soul.
MISCELLEANEOUS
 TEXAS DESTINY, Lorraine Heath
Miss Amelia Carson, mail order bride had never met Dallas Leigh, the Texan she promised to marry. The tall cowboy at the station was Houston, Dallas’s brother, sent to escort her on the rugged three-week trek to the ranch where Dallas waited. Houston Leigh had survived the war that scarred him inside and out, and he was little competition for his handsome brother. But from the moment he met Amelia, he knew she possessed the courage this wild land needed and that he would fight any man-except his brother- for her heart. Now he and Amelia were riding down dangerous trails, sleeping under the stars, and, God help them, they were falling in love.
TEXAS GLORY, Lorraine Heath
Cordelia McQueen was a virtual prisoner in her father’s house. Until everything changed when she was shamelessly traded for land and water rights, and thrust into an unfamiliar world as the bride of Dallas Leigh. Dallas had given his life to the land and wanted a son to inherit his legacy. Was this woman who would walk beside him more than a lovely stranger and would she carve a rich future with all the promise of love?
TEXAS SPLENDOR, Lorraine Heath
The saga of the Leigh family continues. After spending five long years in a Texas penitentiary, Austin Leigh is free to return home, only to find his sweetheart is now married. Despondent and alone, Austin sets out to clear his name of the crime he didn't commit. En route to the state capitol, he meets a young girl and her dog, the survivors of a mysterious tragedy. Together, the young couple will find redemption, forgiveness, and a true love greater than either could have imagined.
A ROGUE IN TEXAS, Lorraine Heath
Grayson Rhodes, bastard son of a Duke, left London to earn his fortune. When he arrives in Fortune, Texas, he learns that he will be working in the cotton fields of widowed mother of three, Abigail Westland. From the moment he first saw Abbie, Grayson was determined to use his arms to work the farm by day and to soothe her through the night in his strong embrace. Abbie, with her fiery determination, was different from the fragile beauties he'd know. He found an honest passion in her that captured his heart.The novel's mixture of clashing cultures and the horrors of the Civil War gives the reader a heart-wrenching view of an upper-class snob and an American woman rooted to the land. It's a tender, poignant journey of a beautiful couple who find love in spite of major handicaps from their past.
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