Sacred Salvation by Casia Pickering

 

 

Father Sebastian has found a home in St. Augusta College.

But when that home is threatened by a student, questions arise in his own beliefs.

Sacred Salvation

Part of Sins of the Sacred

by Casia Pickering

Genre: Dark Priest Romance

St. Augusta College is known for weaving the Arts with Theology. Within its iron gates lies a prestigious education that can drive a person mad.

Father Sebastian Hardwicke is new to the position. Not once has his religious fervor been tested until he is sent to the cathedral on St. Augusta's campus. The school is not what he expected. Hymns and prayers echo within the cathedral, and the faculty are pious and helpful. Even the students held a reverence he had only experienced in seminary. On the outside, it is perfect.

But a mask is still a mask, no matter how enticing.

Emilia Trent has two goals in life: to convey true emotion into her art and to quiet the voices. But the voices have gotten louder, screaming and demanding that she keep painting. There is no freedom in her expression. With the new priest coming to campus, her urges grow to a point where she no longer knows who she is. There is an almost paranormal force growing inside her.

There is only one person capable of holding the demon at bay- Father Sebastian Hardwicke. But will he choose to face the evil head-on or fall into the deep embrace of temptation?

Part of Sins of the Sacred, a dark priest romance shared world series featuring eleven amazing authors.

 

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“I don't think there is a demon inside you,” Sebastian sighed, “that wasn't my intention-”

 

“My father died when I was starting high school,” Emilia said. "He used to drive freight trucks at night. During one night, a nasty storm happened, and, well, it crashed. He was in the hospital for weeks until we couldn't keep him on life support.”

 

“I'm so sorry,” Sebastian said. He looked off into the distance, as if heweres lost in his own thoughts.

 

Emilia shrugged. “I've had depression ever since. My painting helps with it and so did a therapist when I had one, but it isn't because of my depression that I struggle.”

 

“What is?” Sebastian asked.

 

Emilia thought quietly. She glanced at Sebastian. Without the white collar pinned into his polo shirt, he'd look like any other well-dressed man. It was that and the type of shirt that seemed out of place with his jeans and glasses that he was constantly pushing back up the bridge of his nose. She wondered what made him choose the life he chose.

 

Was he a believer, or was it pushed onto him by people around him? She remembered an argument she had with her mother about maybe joining the military to help pay for college. That was before the art contest and scholarship that got her into St. Augusta. As much as she stressed about being at the school, she wouldn't change her choices if she had the chance. But her knowledge about Father Arthur, Sister Rebecca, and Miranda would be for Sebastian. It may not be her responsibility, but it was something Emilia didn't want on her conscience.

 

“I'd rather not talk about it,” she finally decided, shaking her head, “no offense, but I doubt you'd take my life experiences into consideration if I told you.”

 

“What do you mean?” Sebastian's eyes furrowed in confusion.

 

“Imagine being abused or having a bad relationship with a friend or something,” Emilia said, “can you do that?”

 

Sebastian’s expression went still. It was as if he were seeing something from his past. A pang of guilt hit Emilia’s chest. If she had known he might’ve experienced something like what she was suggesting, she might not have said that.

 

“Okay,” Sebastian whispered, “go on.”

 

Emilia nodded. “Let’s say you told someone about that experience, but that person you told didn’t believe you because the person who abused you or the friend who was awful hasn’t shown that side of themselves to that person. Can you imagine how that feels?”

 

“I can.” Sebastian’s voice was raspy and hard. He worked his jaw and rolled his head from side to side.

 

A squirrel jumped from headstone to headstone as birds twittered. His cheeks were bulging from the collection of nuts. The leaves rustled as another autumn breeze brushed past. Emilia looked around at the quiet beauty of it all.

 

Even the voices weren’t around. Emilia looked around, this time paying attention to every small detail. There was no fog or shadows. The only brightness that held her attention, aside from the slowly dying sun, was Sebastian. It was as if the cemetery was an oasis away from whatever plagued the campus. 

 

“That’s why I’m not ready to say anything,” Emilia said. "I don’t know if you’d believe me or not, but it’s not worth saying if we end up arguing.”

 

About the Sins of the Sacred series

The Sins of the Sacred dark romance shared world series brings together standalone stories by multiple authors, each exploring the collision of faith and forbidden desire within religious settings. From medieval abbeys and dissolution-era monasteries to modern churches and theological colleges, priests, nuns, exorcists, and other religious figures face temptations that challenge their sacred vows. The series spans various time periods, incorporating paranormal elements including demon possession, angelic intervention, and exorcism that intensify conflicts between duty and desire.

With diverse pairings including M/F, MM, F/F/F, and MFM configurations, each book delivers explicit romantic content while exploring themes of religious trauma, repression, and the struggle between devotion and forbidden longing. The series features omegaverse dynamics, second chance romance, and enemies-to-lovers tropes alongside darker explorations of possession, crisis of faith, and the psychological impact of religious structures. Designed for readers seeking taboo romance that examines the tension between sacred vows and human desire in emotionally complex narratives.

 

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Even though she claims she can write anything, the biography remains to be Casia’s arch-nemesis. Despite this, Casia has used her Writing degree to craft stories in over ten anthologies, maintained a book blog for more than a decade, and has begun to write novels. A multi-genre author, Casia Pickering, is incapable of keeping to one thing. Every story has a piece of her personality that she treasures and shares with her readers. She currently lives in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia with her biggest supporter and helper, her son, affectionately known as Bug. Previous works are under the name, Casia Courtier.

 

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Three Reasons Readers Love the Men of Stone Mountain Cowboys

 When my mom, Caroline Clemmons, started writing the Men of Stone Mountain, Texas series, she set out to create stories where courageous women and rugged cowboys face real danger, make hard choices, and still find their way to hope. Across Brazos Bride, High Stakes Bride, Bluebonnet Bride, Winter Bride, Tabitha’s Journey, Stone Mountain Reunion, and Stone Mountain Christmas, readers keep coming back for the same three things: heartfelt marriage‑of‑convenience romances, protective heroes who respect their heroines, and a small‑town Texas setting that feels like home. 

Here are three reasons those cowboys—and their stories—have become fan favorites. 

1. Marriage‑of‑convenience done with heart 

Marriage‑of‑convenience is a beloved Western romance trope, but in the Men of Stone Mountain series it’s never just a convenient plot device. The “paper” marriages Caroline writes always come with real stakes: danger, legal threats, financial ruin, or reputations that hang by a thread. 

In Brazos Bride, heiress Hope Montoya knows someone is trying to poison her and believes her father and mother were murdered. With her uncle controlling her estate until she turns twenty‑five, she realizes she may not live that long if she stays under his thumb. Her solution is both desperate and brave—marry a man she can trust, even if the marriage starts out as a strictly practical arrangement. 

Micah Stone has loved Hope from afar, but he’s been wrongfully accused of her father’s murder and turned into an outcast. His ranch is suffering from drought, his reputation is damaged, and he has no reason to expect a future with the woman he cares about. When Hope proposes a marriage in name only, in exchange for land and badly needed cash, Micah agrees even though pride and pain make it difficult. 

That partnership becomes the emotional core of Brazos Bride. As they race to uncover who is targeting Hope and why, the two of them must learn to trust each other—not just as legal allies, but as people who share vulnerabilities and dreams. Readers aren’t just watching a contract unfold; they’re watching a couple build a real marriage in slow, careful steps. 

High Stakes Bride picks up the trope and adds a different twist. Mary Alice Price is on the run from stepbrothers and dangerous men who plan to trade her away to settle a gambling debt. Fleeing into the Texas countryside, she keeps encountering misfortune until she’s rescued by Zach Stone, a rancher with no plans to wed. Their connection starts with survival and necessity, not a sweet courtship, which raises the stakes again when feelings grow. 

Across the series, marriage‑of‑convenience isn’t about bypassing emotional work—it’s exactly the pressure that forces characters to confront their fears and past hurts. Readers love seeing couples who begin with legal necessity slowly grow into genuine partners as they share danger, grief, and everyday life in Stone Mountain. 

2. Protective heroes who respect their heroines 

The cowboys of Stone Mountain are absolutely protective, but they are not overbearing or dismissive of the women they love. Caroline’s heroes step in against physical danger—poisoners, would‑be kidnappers, ruthless relatives, outlaws—but they also learn to respect their heroines’ decisions, talents, and independence. 

Micah Stone in Brazos Bride is a good example. He doesn’t just see Hope as a fragile heiress to be shielded; he understands that she’s determined to take charge of her life and discover the truth behind the attacks. When Hope proposes their marriage of necessity, Micah argues and worries, but ultimately he listens and treats her plan seriously instead of dismissing it as foolish. Throughout the story, he protects her from real danger while gradually accepting her as a partner in unmasking the villains. 

In High Stakes Bride, Zach Stone rescues Mary Alice from a perilous situation, but he doesn’t simply lock her away for “her own good.” He sees her grit and resourcefulness, recognizes the risk she’s taken in running from her stepbrothers, and respects the fact that she isn’t waiting to be saved—she’s actively fighting for her own future. His protective instincts are balanced with an awareness that Mary Alice is capable and deserves a say in how they build their lives together. 

Winter Bride adds another layer with a sheriff determined to protect a courageous woman on the run. The hero’s duty to his town and his commitment to keeping people safe never erase the heroine’s voice. As danger and grief threaten to freeze everything around them, the sheriff must figure out how to defend her without smothering her or making decisions for her. 

Across the series, readers see heroes making choices that show genuine respect: 

• Listening when heroines share fears or suspicions instead of brushing them aside. 
• Trusting heroines with critical information and involving them in plans to confront threats. 
• Recognizing skills—whether it’s managing finances, running a household, or surviving in rough country—and treating those skills as essential. 

The balance of strength and respect is a big part of why readers connect with these cowboys. They’re not perfect, but they grow over the course of each story, learning how to protect without controlling and how to love without erasing the woman at the center of their lives. 

3. A small‑town Texas setting that feels like home 

The third reason readers love the Men of Stone Mountain series is the setting itself. Stone Mountain, Texas, isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a living, breathing small town that affects every choice the characters make. 

Set in the Texas frontier, Stone Mountain is surrounded by hills, ranch land, and a countryside that can be both beautiful and unforgiving. The town has its saloon, church, homes, and outlying ranches, but it also has something less tangible: memory. People remember past scandals, accusations, and family dramas, and gossip spreads quickly. 

For someone like Micah Stone, wrongfully accused of murder, that small‑town memory becomes a heavy burden. Even after years, neighbors still whisper, and his attempts to live quietly on his ranch are pinned to a reputation he never earned. Hope’s decision to marry him challenges the town’s assumptions and forces people to reconsider what they think they know. That kind of community tension gives the story extra depth—love isn’t happening in a vacuum, it’s happening in front of people who aren’t sure they approve. 

In High Stakes Bride, Mary Alice’s arrival in Stone Mountain brings another outsider into a town that already has strong opinions about the Stone family. Her past, her stepbrothers, and the dangers chasing her don’t stay hidden for long. As she and Zach build their relationship, they aren’t just dealing with private fears; they’re living in a town where every choice is visible. 

Stone Mountain Christmas offers a holiday lens on the same place. Winter makes travel and survival harder, and scarcity makes every act of kindness more meaningful. When families come together for the season, readers see how much Stone Mountain has become a true home—a place where past wounds are remembered but also healed, where traditions grow, and where love feels especially bright against the darker days. 

Readers talk often about the sense of community in the series: 

• Family loyalty and found family woven through the books. 
• Deep friendships and neighbors who step in when danger strikes. 
• Shared spaces—church, ranch house kitchens, streets—where key emotional moments happen. 

Because Caroline roots the stories so strongly in the Texas frontier, the challenges feel real: droughts, rough terrain, long distances between ranches, and the constant possibility of violence. At the same time, Stone Mountain offers warmth, support, and a sense of belonging that many readers say reminds them of the small towns they know in real life. 

From my perspective as her daughter, I see how much of my mom’s love for Texas shows up in these details: the way the land shapes people, the way communities pull together, and the way second chances often happen in the most ordinary places—a porch, a kitchen table, or a dusty street at sunset. 

Ebba's Enchantment by Sonja Gunter

 

 

Chef, Ebba Mignon, is also a witch, or so says her half-sisters 

and has 45 days to find her soulmate and acquire her powers.

Ebba’s Enchantment

The Witch DNA Trilogy Book 3

by Sonja Gunter

Genre: Fantasy Romance, Romantasy, Urban Fantasy 

Spices. Succulent Cuisine. Potioneer.

The clock is ticking.

Ebba Mignon, a naturally gifted chef and owner of The Mignon’s Place, never envisioned partaking in the witchery craft or having half-sisters, Opaline, and Narda. But here she was with only 45 days to find her soulmate/future husband and her witch talents to reveal themselves to her.

How was she expected to accomplish this burden in order to defeat Alyaaluladonati, the ancient one, from killing the three of them?

Neal James, writer for the Best Places to Eat in MN, schedules an interview with Ebba Mignon, in the small town of Onamia. He isn’t prepared for the deep affection he experiences for her or to admire her culinary art skills when they meet.

Believing in the supernatural takes Neal and Ebba on a journey that neither thought possible, transforming their passion into the right ingredients to last a lifetime.

 

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Ebba took the chance to glance at him. He had sunglasses on, which hid his eyes. Would they be blue? To go with his brown hair? Realizing he was waiting for a

reply, she sighed. “My booth is the one with all the people lined up in front of it. Over there to the right.” She pointed in the direction they were walking.

 “Wow. What are you serving?”

 “The same thing I’ve done for the last two years.Subs.”

 The man stopped suddenly. “Subs? That’s it?”

 “Yes. I have only two things on my menu. One is a chopped Italian sub. I bake bread in the shape of a fish and add chopped-up prosciutto, pepperoni, and salami, along with lettuce, onion, tomato, and provolone cheese. I have my own special Italian vinaigrette dressing that I add to it too. The second item is my bestseller, a dill pickle sub.”

 They continued walking toward her booth.

 “A dill pickle sub? Never heard of that or had one before. What is it?”

 “Glad you asked. I use sliced dill pickles that I order from a local Amish woman. The key is to use a small layer of mayonnaise on the pickles. This seals in any leftover juices from the pickle. Then I layer on turkey and prosciutto with cheddar cheese, a tomato, and a lettuce leaf.”

 “Ebba! Hurry up. We need those plates.”

 She waved to Narda, who was signaling to her. “Oh my. We better hurry. The line has gotten very long.” With hurried steps, she directed the man carrying the bin to the back of the booth.

 “It’s about time. Did you see all the people waiting?”

 Ebba looked at Narda. “Be glad we have plates. I almost dropped the bin. This man saved it—and me—from falling.”

 “Where do you want this?”

 She and Narda looked at the man in unison.

 “Oh, sorry. Just set it down there.” Narda pointed to an empty spot on the table. Once he set it down, she opened it and took out a stack of plates. “Thanks for saving my sis. I’ll take these up front and let Opaline know you’ve returned.”

 Ignoring Narda’s sarcastic reply, she turned to the man.

 “Thanks again—”

 “Neal, I’ve been looking for you. I see you’ve met Ms. Mignon. I was setting up the equipment before she left.”

 What the heck? This man, who helped her, was the one and only Mr. James? She’d literally run into him. He’d sent her pulse raging, and she’d had sexual thoughts about

him. His first name was Neal. Could he be the one? Her soulmate?

No, she didn’t have time for this. It was just a coincidence his name started with the letter N. “You’re . . . My goodness, you must think I’m the worst person ever.”

 “I don’t. I didn’t know you were the person I’d come here to meet. Let’s forget about why I’m here. How can Seth and I help you with the crowd of people waiting for food? What can we do?”

 “Do? You want to work?” She hesitated, her mind still reeling.

 “Yes, it looks like two more sets of hands would be helpful.”

 “If . . . you’re sure. I could use your help. First, you both have to wash your hands and put on the plastic gloves. The dill pickle subs are almost gone. And I need to make another batch of ingredients for the chopped subs.”

 “Yes, ma’am,” the two men said.

 Ebba smiled and watched them do the safety protocol procedures for serving food, as she did the same. Taking out the three meats, cheese, and tomatoes from the coolers, she placed them onto the cutting board. Her nerves at Mr. James’s arrival and his offering to help had her doubting herself. The pendant throbbed against her skin.

 “Ready to help. What can we do?”

 His deep, rich voice was sexier in person than on the phone.

 Stop! It was time to concentrate. She had customers to serve. “Okay. Once I have the chopped salad ready, I need you to fill the fish-shaped bread with three scoops. You can start by opening and laying out the bread on the flat pan. While you’re doing that, it will allow me time to whip up some of the dill subs after I finish with the chopped Italian mixture.”

 Within a few minutes, she had chopped the ingredients and added the vinaigrette. She slid the bowl over to the two men.

 “Ebba, we need more subs,” Opaline said.

 Looking up, she saw her sister standing in front of her.

 When had she come over? “Mr. James and his cameraman are just finishing with the next tray of them.”

 “Mr. James?”

 She gave Opaline a look that said, ‘Don’t ask questions.’ “Yes. I ran into him, and he was kind enough to help. I’m working on the dill subs, and then I’ll do up another batch of the chopped Italian subs again.”

 “Narda said he was a looker. I’ve been working on a spell to help you find—”

 “Dear sister, this is not the time or place. Please take the tray of subs up to the front.”

 “Of course. Sorry, but we will talk about it tonight.”

 And just like that, her sister took the tray of finished subs and left. Out of the corners of her eyes, she saw Neal and the cameraman engaged in a conversation. Opaline was right. The three of them were going to have a lot to talk about later. Even now, just hearing his soft voice was rendering her pulse to pound erratically.

 Again, the thought crossed her mind that Neal might be the one that fate had chosen for her. Suddenly, she realized he was staring at her. He smiled, and she nearly crumbled to the ground. With as much control as Ebba could gather within herself, she returned his smile. Was he interested in her?

 

Narda’s Truth

The Witch DNA #2

Angel numbers & scents unearth a truth that has been hidden for years.

 

Reach for the Soap, owner, Narda Hunt, has been receiving signs in the form of numbers telling her she needs to find her half-sisters, Opaline and Ebba. An imminent threat is about to force them to combine their witch powers to survive.

 

One set of angel numbers brings Narda closer to Owin Waters, whom fate has determined is her soulmate. Their special connection sends them to another realm where Narda meets her deceased mother. She reveals the truth behind the special powers that Narda and her sisters possess.

 

With this knowledge, Narda brings to light the evil that is waiting for her and her sisters on their twenty-fifth birthday.

 

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“I’m usually not this forward on a first date—or any date, as a matter of fact—but I would like it very much if you kissed me.”

Owin gathered her closely against his body. “As a gentleman, your wish is my command.”

His sweet and teasing reply didn’t allow her time to respond as his lips touched hers. Then his mouth covered hers, and she opened her lips. Their tongues touched, and shivers of uncontrolled desire racked her body.

She wanted the moment to never end. It did, however, when the sound of a car horn tore them apart. They eyed each other and laughed. It was as if they were teenagers being caught doing something they shouldn’t have been doing.

“Wow. That was some kiss. Did you hear horns too?”

Narda laughed harder. “I think it was more of a beep. I see we have arrived at my new store location. Shall we go in?”

“I’m game if you are. The front window is great for lookers.”

She dug into her purse to withdraw a set of keys and opened the front door. Once inside, she flicked on the lights. Owin followed her inside. Light flooded the open area.

 

Opaline’s Discovery

The Witch DNA Trilogy Book 1

Love. Magic. Danger.

Could these three words articulate distinct spiritual essences to fuse together?

Bookstore owner, Opaline Lunn, facilitates a Speed Dating Event, in hopes of finding her soulmate. She meets attendee Detective Eamon Dayan, who wasn’t looking for love, but sparks fly at their first kiss.

Together they unearth Opaline’s powers which lead to the discovery that she has two sisters, and someone called The Ancient One who wants to kill them.

Unraveling a myriad of mysteries, with Opaline’s newfound ability to do spells, the soulmates must find her sisters by her twenty-fifth birthday to be able to confront the evil force and save all of them.

 

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Now she was waiting for her fourth and final date.

  Eamon.

  Goodness, anticipation is everything.

  She couldn’t believe he wanted to go out with her on a real date. Most guys found her too intellectual. It wasn’t her fault she owned a bookstore and loved to read.  History, fiction, romance, fantasy, sci-fi—it didn’t matter.  Everything was interesting to her. No genre was off limits.

  The buzzer sounded, and she waited for Eamon. He arrived and took his seat. He didn’t say anything. She didn’t either. They sat for a moment, looking at each other, his blue eyes to her green eyes.

  Abruptly, the air surrounding her turned hot, but it wasn’t the kind of hot that made you sweat. It was the kind of sexual intensity that could consume a person, only to let go once it had been satisfied. Opaline fought the urge to fan herself.

  Like a foggy night, the room around the two of them became hazy. Eamon reached across the table and touched her cheek. Her body had a will of its own, and she leaned into his hand, closed her eyes, and waited for him to kiss her.

  “Opaline? Opaline, are you all right?”

  “Wha-what?”

  The room was clear again when she opened her eyes.

 Eamon hadn’t kissed her. She had imagined the kiss. He hadn’t reached out to her. But he was now. He didn’t touch her cheek. like she had envisioned. Instead, he was touching her hand. Until he wasn’t.

  Goodness sakes alive.

  “Sorry. I guess the excitement of the night has gotten to me,” she said, recovering. “Did you ask me something?”

  “No problem. I asked what you like to eat. If we’re going to go out on a date, I’ll have to find a restaurant because I don’t cook.”

  “I haven’t technically agreed to go out with you.” She laughed nervously.

  “I’m not going to let you say no.”

  “Oh, is that how it’s going to be?” Opaline reached across the table and took his hand. “I guess I don’t have a choice, then. Yes, I would like to go out with you.”

  “Great. Does tomorrow night work for you?”

  “You do work fast,” she said, lowering her voice, which came out in a low silvery tone.

  “Only when I need to.”

  She knew he was implying other things, and she smiled again, wishing he had kissed her.

  The buzzer ended their date, and Opaline stood. Most of the other attendees had finished their dates too. “I hate to rush things, but I need to wrap things up for the event.”

  “If you would like, I can help you with the cleanup,” Eamon said.

  “That’s so thoughtful, and here I was thinking you only liked to give the orders.”

  She saw by the way his head tilted to the side that her reply had caught him off guard. He looked like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, and he was having a hard time coming up with a comeback. He mustn’t be used to word games like her customers at the bookstore were.  They usually gave it right back to her. Eamon, on the other hand, was still at a loss for words.

  “Yes, I’d love your help. I have to stick around until everyone leaves. I’ll make an announcement to let them know what time we have to be out of here. Then I can—no, we—can start.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll round up my sister to pitch in too,” he said.

  Opaline heard him chuckle and wondered if he had offered his sister’s help without her knowledge.

I was born and raised in the cold and beautiful Minnesota, but I escaped to Illinois for seventeen years to raise my two boys, and now I call Florida home. My husband Andy, who’s always been my hero, has put up with my late night computer typing and endless stacks of papers with my stories on them. We have one furry friend as family: Chip, a sixteen year old ragdoll cat.

Life has been full of ups and downs, but I’ve made it through the hard times. I love to travel and go to Disney World to trade pins.  I’ve been a bowler for many years, and you can catch me writing my next novel at the lanes.

I encourage you to check out my web site, www.sonjagunter.com for more info and don’t be surprised if I let my Norwegian heritage come through in my stories.

Go Vikings! You betcha!

 

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Meet the First Two Brides of the Bride Brigade

 When my mom, Caroline Clemmons, first told me she was dreaming up a series about seven women heading to a small Texas town called Tarnation in search of second chances, I knew readers were going to fall in love with these heroines. Each woman steps into the unknown, leaving behind real pain and choosing hope anyway, which is one of the things Mom does best in her Western romance novels. 

The Bride Brigade series opens with Josephine and Angeline, two young women whose lives could easily have broken them. Instead, they board a journey toward friendship, love, and a town that’s more home than anything they’ve ever known. If you’ve been curious about these first two brides—or you’re deciding which Bride Brigade book to start with—this spotlight on Josephine and Angeline is for you. 

Josephine: The young woman who runs toward hope 

Josephine Nailor’s story starts in a place far too many women recognize: an oppressive home ruled by fathers who make all the decisions and leave their daughters no room to breathe. Josephine and her best friend Ophelia live under that kind of control, where even dreaming of a different future feels dangerous. 

Everything changes when Josephine sees a newspaper advertisement that offers an escape route. It’s not a guarantee of happily-ever-after—just a chance to leave behind a stifling hometown for a new life first in Richmond and ultimately in Tarnation, Texas. Josephine doesn’t hesitate. She grabs the opportunity and, crucially, she brings Ophelia with her. 

That decision tells you almost everything you need to know about Josephine. She’s brave, but she’s not reckless. She’s loyal, and she understands that survival is easier when you don’t go it alone. The escape itself could have been its own book—a desperate journey, two young women risking everything—but for Josephine it’s the first step into the world of the Bride Brigade. 

In Richmond, Josephine meets Lydia Harrison, the wealthy, kind-hearted widow who quietly becomes the architect of all seven women’s second chances. Lydia gathers the group, offers them safety, and introduces them to the bachelors who might become their husbands and partners. For Josephine, that bachelor is Michael Buchanan. 

Michael Buchanan: A different kind of man 

Michael Buchanan is mayor of Tarnation and owner of the local mercantile, which means he carries responsibility on his shoulders every single day. On paper, he looks like the kind of man Josephine should fear: a powerful figure in a community, in charge of money and decisions, and very visible in public life. But Michael turns out to be the opposite of the men Josephine fled. 

He’s steady, decent, and quietly protective without trying to control her. As you read, you see Josephine learning the difference between authority used to dominate and authority used to serve. That emotional shift—from flinching at every command to trusting a man who listens to her—drives the heart of her story. 

Josephine’s journey is really about trust. She must decide whether to believe that Tarnation can be different from the home she left, whether friendship with the other Bride Brigade women is safe, and whether Michael’s steady care is something she can lean into. Watching her test those boundaries and slowly relax into a life she hasn’t dared to picture makes her story deeply satisfying. 

For readers who love: 

• Found families and close female friendships. 

• Heroines escaping controlling environments. 

• Respectful, quietly strong heroes. 

Josephine’s book is a perfect entry point into the Bride Brigade. 

Angeline: A second chance no one expected 

If Josephine’s story begins with flight from oppression, Angeline Chandler’s story begins with devastation. She has survived a brutal attack, been disowned by her own family, and is left alone and destitute at a time when a woman without support has very few options. Angeline is also carrying another man’s child, which makes her prospects in respectable society almost nonexistent. 

It’s hard to imagine a lower starting point for a romance heroine, and that’s precisely what makes Angeline’s journey so powerful. When Lydia Harrison offers Angeline a place among the Bride Brigade—a ticket to Tarnation and a potential future—Angeline is not stepping into a fresh, clean slate. She brings her trauma and her pregnancy with her, along with the crushing weight of judgment from the world she’s leaving behind. 

In Tarnation, Angeline’s path doesn’t immediately lead to marriage. Instead, she becomes a nanny, which is where she meets Grady McIntyre. 

Grady McIntyre: A minister searching for hope 

Grady McIntyre is the town’s minister, a widower raising his young son after his wife’s death. His life is shaped by faith, responsibility, and the expectations of a congregation that looks to him for guidance. When the woman who has been helping him with his toddler can no longer continue, Grady needs practical help as well as emotional stability. 

Angeline is suggested as a nanny, and Grady seizes the chance to hire her. Their attraction is immediate, but Angeline is convinced that a minister deserves a “virtuous” woman, not someone with her past. That internal conflict—between the love she’s beginning to feel and the shame she’s carried with her—defines much of her emotional journey. 

Grady’s role is not just as a romantic hero but as a man of faith who must decide what grace truly looks like. Loving Angeline means facing gossip, prejudice, and threats to his ministry. The stakes are high: if he chooses her, he risks his reputation; if he rejects her, he betrays the compassion at the core of his beliefs. 

Angeline and Grady’s story shows what happens when two people decide that love and family are worth fighting for, even when the community doesn’t understand. When danger eventually strikes, they have to stand together to protect their child and the future they’re building. It’s a romance, but it’s also a story about resilience, dignity, and what it means to be seen as more than your worst day. 

What makes these two stories unique in the Bride Brigade 

Both Josephine and Angeline step into the Bride Brigade from places of deep hurt, but the nature of their pain—and their paths to healing—are very different. That’s part of why starting the series with these two books gives you such a rich view of what Mom is doing with Tarnation and its brides. 

Josephine represents the woman who chooses escape and trusts her instincts enough to run. Her story leans into friendship, courage, and learning to trust a good man after surviving bad ones. You feel the thrill of adventure and the warmth of community as she settles into a town where people care about her well-being. 

Angeline, on the other hand, represents the woman whose worst experiences have already happened and whose future seems impossibly small. Her story asks whether someone who’s been rejected and labeled can still find love, spiritual support, and family. The emotional weight is different: there’s less emphasis on escape and more on rebuilding. 

From my perspective as Caroline’s daughter, one of the most moving threads in both books is how Lydia Harrison weaves these lives together. She’s not the heroine of any single Bride Brigade story, but she’s the quiet force of kindness and opportunity behind all of them. Without Lydia: 

• Josephine might never have had a safe destination for her escape. 

• Angeline might never have had a way out of poverty and judgment. 

The Bride Brigade only exists because one woman chose to use her resources to help other women, and that’s a theme that resonates across the entire series. 

Where to start with the Bride Brigade 

If you’re new to the Bride Brigade world, starting with Josephine gives you the clearest introduction to the series’ premise: seven women brought to Tarnation by Lydia, all looking for safety and love. You’ll see how Josephine’s friendship with Ophelia and her romance with Michael set the tone for the blend of heart, humor, and frontier grit that defines the books. 

If you’re drawn to stories about redemption, faith, and love that refuses to bow to gossip, Angeline may be the book that speaks most strongly to you. Her journey with Grady is tender, brave, and full of moments where both characters have to choose each other again in the face of opposition. 

Either way, meeting the first two brides of the Bride Brigade opens the door to a series about seven women, seven second chances, and one unforgettable Texas town. As you read, I hope you’ll see what I see whenever Mom talks about Tarnation: a place where courage is rewarded, love is hard-won, and women’s stories are front and center.