Love in the Bargain by Lucette Nel

 

Love in the Bargain

by Lucette Nel

Book Blurb: 

Driven to rekindle her relationship with her ailing grandfather, Amelia Scott returns to her childhood home. However, her unyielding grandfather is determined to control her future and poses an ultimatum. Marry and inherit the iconic Scott Hotel or return to New York penniless. Amelia is determined to stay, and formulates a plan to ensure proprietorship of her last connection to family. But love is not a part of the deal. She can’t risk another man having control of her. 

 

Ex-convict, now town carpenter, Micah Kelly struggles to raise his deceased sister’s children. When Amelia proposes marriage without love as the answer to both of their problems, he knows better than to say yes. While partnering with his childhood friend may yield an answer to his monetary challenges, he cannot agree to a marriage in name only. His heart is already involved, and that always leads to trouble. 

 

Circumstances put them together, and while they struggle within their new marriage, outside forces are determined to snatch the Scott Hotel from them. Even if it means killing them.  

 

Excerpt: 

He scrubbed his face and released a soft whistle. Amelia Scott as his wife. Might be better than no wife. Pearl and Oliver would have a woman’s touch in their lives, a lady’s, no less. Something that people constantly tossed in his face. 

He shoved his hands through his hair. So much for slicking it back this morning. 

“Maybe I should talk with your grandfather?” A laughable suggestion. What could Micah possibly say to the man to change his mind? ‘Don’t force your granddaughter to return to New York’ would hardly be adequate. 

“No! He would stuff me into the next train heading back to New York.” Amelia traced the trio of pearl buttons at her cuff as she straightened. “I didn’t think you’d find the idea so dreadful.” 

“I’m surprised. A man doesn’t expect a proposal from a woman.” One corner of his mouth quirked up as her cheeks turned red. “I always imagined I’d be the one doing the proposing.” 

She shot to her feet as if the seat scalded her backside. “This isn’t a proposal.” Her voice quivered. “It’s an arrangement.” 

“An arrangement, eh? You might want to butter me up some. How about you propose your arrangement on one knee?” A gentleman wouldn’t torment her, good thing he never claimed to be one. 

She met his gaze. Her jaw remained rigid. 

Author Bio: 

Lucette Nel is a coffee addicted work-in-progress daughter of the Lord Almighty. She's a mommy to a rambunctious boy and sweet toddler girl and wife to her best friend and real-life hero. Along with a spoiled Pug, a pampered cat, they make their home in Gauteng, the smallest of nine provinces in South Africa. 

You can find out more about her and her books by vising her website Lucette Nel and to stay up to date with news about her writing, sign up for her newsletter. 

JESSE IS HERE FOR YOU!

By Caroline Clemmons

Woo Hoo! JESSE IS HERE! 

That’s right, join me in celebrating the release of JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE. This is a sweet, clean historical western romance set primarily in a small town, available in ebook and in print, and enrolled in Kindle Unlimited. 

The url is https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BD64JC1D?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Swoonworthy Jesse Cameron emigrated from Scotland. He’s now the Harrigan County Sheriff in Harrigan Springs, Texas. He’s respected and well-liked for his firm but fair approach to the law. He’s a strong believer in the law and in justice. After several years in Texas, he’s ready to settle down with wife to go in the house he just bought.

Rosalin Arnold

Rosalin Arnold was naïve when she left the orphanage at sixteen. She was deceived into becoming trapped as a pickpocket for the past three years for a man she believes personifies evil. Those who’ve tried to escape him are harshly punished or killed when caught—and they’re always caught. She hatches a plan to escape escalating danger, bringing her best friend and a small boy with her. But can they escape a man who has tentacles nationwide?

What will Jesse think of her when she confides in him? He’s too honorable to desert her, but will she lose his trust and any chance of his love? What will happen when her nemesis finds her and her friends?

JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDR BRIDE is Book 2 in the Texas Hill Country Mail Order Bride Series.  

Here’s an Excerpt when Jesse and the posse return home from a manhunt that caused him to miss Rosalin ‘s arrival:

He hurried up to his front door and stopped short. Did he knock? This was his house, but he didn’t want to scare her.

While he deliberated, the door opened and a wee lad stared up at him. The boy scrutinized his badge, then his face. “You must be Sheriff Jesse Cameron.”

He stepped inside and took off his hat. “That’s right. You must be Rosalin’s nephew.”

“Yes, sir. I’m Henry Bernard. Did you get the bad guys?”

“We did.” He hit at his leg with his hat as he looked around the parlor. Furniture had been moved and decorations added. Odd feeling, being treated like a guest in his own home. “Um, is your aunt here?”

“I am.” She swished into the room and smiled at him. “I hope you don’t mind that we’ve stayed here in your absence.”

His tongue tangled and he couldn’t form a sentence. While he gaped at the prettiest woman he’d ever met, the boy took his hat from him and hung it on the hat tree.

She gestured to the kitchen. “Mrs. Pickard brought over a pie this morning. She thought you’d be back today.”

He managed to say, “I… I better wash up. Dinnae usually look like this. Had a rough few days.” He washed up at the kitchen sink, wondering if that was all right. Wait—this was his house.

 

I hope you’ll read JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE and will enjoy it. 

Hint: If you haven’t yet read Book 1 in the series, it’s not too late to get it also.

Stay safe and keep reading.

 

 

Changing Seasons Trilogy by Nessa Nichols

Changing Seasons Trilogy 

by Nessa Nichols

Amazon

Book Blurbs:

 

In the Autumn Air: Book1  

As the dead leaves were shedding from the trees, they were not the only part of nature in transition. Leaving behind that which once brought them life, Amelia Cavanaugh was leaving a life that once brought her joy, peace, and comfort. Heading out to Deer Creek State Park deep in the Colorado mountains, she was returning to a cabin where she knew love once lived. The love of her grandparents and, most recently, her grandmother. Upon her passing, Amelia inherited this cabin full of memories and for Amelia hope for a new future. The past required Amelia to leave everything behind. To her parents, it was drastic and unsettling. To her sister, it was concerning but to Amelia. It was freedom. She can bring her musical talent to life in the cabin and find love again in the middle of nowhere. The park ranger soon comes to take care of a bit more than just the state park. Having befriended Amelia’s grandmother and tending to many needs she had, Elias Flores became a friend and blessing to her grandmother. He never imagined Amelia would awaken his heart as well, but she does. In an attempt to give Amelia true freedom, Elias mistakenly causes quite a stir with a little folded piece of paper. 

Winter’s Chill: Book 2 
 
Winter sets in, and the cabin becomes quite a different setting. Amelia was used to visiting her grandmother in the summer but never imagined what cold was like in the Colorado mountains. Learning new things, such as wood chopping and gathering supplies, became necessary. Due to the unexpected prior twist with Elias, the winter weather was fitting for their chilly divide. Only through a near catastrophe can they come to terms, rekindle their friendship, and hopefully much more. Even in the tundra, things warm up before a well-tended fire within the cabin. 

The New Leaves of Spring: Book 3 
 
As the snow melted into blankets of green laced with flowers across the landscape, the winter freeze also moved away from Amelia and Elias forever. Understanding became vital in their ability to move through this particular Spring’s challenges. Her parents come to visit, bringing a surprise that requires her to come face to face with her past and end the pain, doubt, and regret once and for all. Mom finally figures out that maybe she does not know best, and Amelia learns that standing on her own two well-equipped feet is her best and only way to have a future worth living. Elias continues to be her cheerleader and protector. Sometimes the seasons of life seem impossible to get through, but in the end, the Spring always comes full of hope and a future. 

 

Excerpt: 

Amelia sighed, “You know what? You’re welcome to it. With how my day is going, it might be best to avoid learning fire starting on the internet for now. I’d hate to burn down the entire forest.”  

Elias chuckled and paused. “Hold on, just so were clear. It is a campfire we’re talking about? You weren’t thinking of burning down the cabin for the insurance money or anything? 

She laughed in return. “Yes, it’s a campfire. I could never do that to my grandmother’s house.” 

 

Author Bio:  

Nessa Nichols grew up in a small town in Texas. After receiving her master’s degree in English from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. She spent many years living in San Antonio, Texas, with her wonderful husband raising their two children. They spent many weekends enjoying the Texas Hill Country. From floating the Frio to shopping the creative artisan markets and especially the seasonal celebrations such as the Czhilispiel in Flatonia and the Watermelon Thump in Luling. Her husband’s work took them on another adventure as they now reside in “Sunny” Florida and have adopted two rambunctious Golden Retrievers. They now find themselves between the coastline and The Everglades enjoying life-growing experiences around every turn. When she’s not writing, Nessa is an avid reader with a vast collection of books she began collecting as a child. Writing, reading, and photography have been in her blood since birth. Her favorite place to find inspiration has always been walking on the beach. You will usually find her barefoot with her toes in the sand hearing to everything while listening to nothing as the wind off the waves sweeps the sand. Nessa loves to write especially love stories, clean and wholesome ones leaving the details to the imagination of the readers while filling them full of adventure. https://nessanichols.com/ 

 

Holly Bough Cottage by Cindy Gunderson

 

Holly Bough Cottage 

by Cindy Gunderson

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CGGVWTY

Blurb: 

The last thing Liv was planning to do on December 9th was move back to her home town after finalizing a divorce. Facing the possibility of spending Christmas alone—or even worse, at her over-eager parent’s—she booked a two-week stay at the first affordable, well-rated winter retreat she could find: Holly Bough Cottage in the Colorado Rockies. With her interior design business slowing down over the holidays, Liv can practically smell the pine trees and warm apple cider, but most importantly? She won’t have to face anyone for at least fourteen days. 
 
Jonah wasn’t planning on being anywhere but home for Christmas, but when the owners of the Cottages posted on a community board that their handyman injured himself, he decided to pull them a solid. It didn’t hurt that they were offering a free stay and double the daily rate he usually made as a middle-school science teacher. 
 
When Liv discovers that the man who came to replace her thermostat is staying in the next cottage over, she finds herself looking for opportunities to sit on the porch while answering emails. Even if it is thirty below. 
 
Jonah, battling ghosts of his own, can’t help but walk the long way to the office in the hopes of catching a moment with her. With Liv's heart still raw from past wounds and Jonah hiding a past life that could ruin any budding relationship, their initial attraction doesn't seem to stand a chance. 
 
Will their unexpected meeting during the most magical of times be enough to open their hearts to loving and trusting again? If you adore cozy Christmas memories, down-to-earth characters, and sweet romance, you'll love Gunderson's heartwarming holiday tale. Buy now to embrace the holiday magic today! 

 

Excerpt: 

When he said ‘a minute,’ he wasn’t kidding. Before she could even pull her food from the paper bag, fill a glass with water, and settle in at the kitchen table to take her first bite, a knock sounded at the door, and she rushed to open it. Twisting the handle, she pulled it toward her and sucked in a breath. It was him—the rugged guy from the grocery store. 

“Can I come in?” he asked, and Liv noticed his hair was damp. It glistened in the porch light, and was most likely beginning to freeze in the cold air. 

“Yes, of course. Sorry,” Liv said, tripping over herself as she moved out of his way. 

Author Bio 

 

Cindy Gunderson is best known for her award-winning and best-selling series, the Tier Trilogy. She has written nine full-length novels, as well as an art appreciation series for children under the pen name Cindy Prince.  

When she is not writing in a quiet corner of her local Anythink Library, you can find her planning homeschooling lessons, recording audiobooks, or happily digging in her garden.  

Cindy grew up in Airdrie, AB, Canada, but has lived most of her adult life between California and Colorado. She currently resides in the Denver metro area with her four children and handsome husband, Scott. Cindy holds a B.S. in Psychology from Brigham Young University.  

Cindy's first novel Tier 1 was awarded First Place in Science Fiction at the 2021 CIPPA EVVY Awards and awarded the Wishing Shelf Red Ribbon Award in 2019. Her novel Yes, And was awarded Third Place in Audiobooks at the 2021 CIPPA EVVY Awards.