Gentry and the Mail Order Bride by Caroline Clemmons

Gentry and the Mail Order Bride

by Caroline Clemmons

Amazon Buy Link

I am hard at work on book seven of this series.  While each book stands alone, it is more fun to read them in order.  Gentry is in Kindle Unlimited or you can buy it.  Once you start the series you will find they are like potato chips -- you can't read just one!

 Book Blurb:

Nothing much riles Gentry McRae. He works hard on the ranch he co-owns with his best friend, and is content with his life. He’s proud of all they’ve accomplished in the ten years since the war. That is, until his partner dies and leaves his half of the ranch to his mail-order bride—and wills the bride to Gentry. “Now just a doggone minute, I don’t plan to marry for years!” But, a single woman can’t reside on a ranch where four men live without ruining her reputation. What’s a good man to do, except marry the woman when she arrives?

Heidi Roth has been spurned for being too plainspoken and too tall. In addition, her sister constantly makes fun of her for those reasons. That’s why—with many doubts—she’s willing to travel for months from Bavaria to Texas to marry a man who once lived in her town. When she arrives, she learns her prospective groom is dead, but left her his share of a ranch. She has serious doubts, but agrees to wed Gentry to protect her reputation. Sure enough, from the next day, one event after the other happens to complicate her life—yet she is happy. Until she sees the will and learns they are not equal partners as Gentry had led her to believe.

Sometimes the perfect match is the one you didn’t expect.

Stone Mountain Christmas by Caroline Clemmons

Stone Mountain Christmas

by Caroline Clemmons

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Feeling in the Christmas spirit?  Want to read a sweet story of good over evil at Christmas?  Try this one:

Book Blurb:

Christmas has been Celia Dubois’s favorite time of year as long as she can remember. When she moves back with her parents a year after the death of her husband, the young widow is appalled at the town’s lack of Christmas spirit. Two months earlier, banditos had burned the church and crushed the townspeople. Celia vows to return holiday joy to the town. Perhaps doing so might help mend her aching heart. Will Celia’s plan work magic on the town?

Rancher Eduardo Montoya knows Celia is the woman for him. She enchants him with her winning smile and vivacious nature. When her father warns Eduardo away from Celia, Eduardo is both angry and frustrated. After he stops a robbery in the mercantile, will Celia’s parents change their minds about him? Can handsome Eduardo heal Celia’s sorrow?

Excerpt:

Radford Crossing, Texas, November 1874 

Eduardo Montoya focused on the beautiful redhead who swept the walk in front of Sturdivant’s Mercantile across the street. He turned to speak to his friend. “She is a vision, is she not?” 

Micah Stone, his cousin’s husband, asked, “Have you met her or spoken to her?” 

Eduardo’s gaze returned to Celia Dubois. He refused to let anyone shatter his dreams. “See how graceful she is even when performing a menial chore? When we are wed, she will not have to be concerned with such things.” 

Sounding incredulous, Micah said, “I repeat, have you even met or spoken to her?” 

Eduardo had no doubt his friend believed he had taken leave of his senses. He wasn’t so sure he hadn’t, but he placed a hand over his heart. “In good time, my friend. All in good time.”  

Micah clapped him on the shoulder. “Come on, Romeo. We’ve finished our business with Joel. Hope’s expecting us for lunch. You can daydream about the pretty widow on our way home.” 

“I suppose we must go.” He exhaled, reluctantly willing to leave town but unwilling to let anyone derail his plans.  

Micah untied his horse from the hitching rail in front of his brother’s law office and mounted. “Have to say this is the first time I’ve known you to be shy about flirting with a woman.”  

Determination steeled Eduardo’s resolve as he swung onto his gelding. “Never before has a woman been so important to me. You will see. One day, she will become my wife.” 

The two rode toward Micah’s ranch. 

From where she stood on the walk, Celia had known the men watched her. One was the youngest Stone brother. Identifying him was easy because the three Stone men looked so much alike.  

But she hadn’t yet met the handsome man dressed as a Spanish Don. He fit the description she’d been privy to of Eduardo Montoya, one of the wealthiest men in this part of Texas. At least, that’s what she’d overheard while helping in her parents’ store.  

He certainly cut a dashing figure in his black clothes trimmed with silver buttons. She wondered if he was entitled to dress like Spanish nobility or if he merely played a part. The silver on his saddle flashed in the sunlight and she questioned the safety of such a display.  

One thing she’d noticed in her few days in town and working in her father’s mercantile, she heard tidbits of local gossip whether intentionally or not. She wondered what the gossips had to say about her. Probably best she didn’t know. Most people she’d met were friendly but there were a few prunes eager to criticize everyone.  

Wasn’t that true everywhere? Yet she thought an unusual pall lay over Radford Crossing. The town definitely needed a large dose of cheer. As a matter of fact, she wouldn’t mind a measure for herself. With a sigh, she went back inside the store. 

Later that afternoon, ringing of the bell over the door alerted her to a customer and she turned from straightening shelves. 

With a gasp of pleasure, she walked toward the newcomer. “Hello, Rosalyn. How can I help you?” 

Rosalyn Stone glided to greet her wearing a gorgeous blue dress and matching bonnet. They exchanged a hug. 

Her friend smiled. “I came to see how you’re settling in.” 

She fought to keep sorrow from her voice. “Pretty well. I’m sure you remember adjusting to a new environment from when you and Lucy moved here.” 

Rosalyn raised her eyebrows. “Although I left New Orleans when I married, this is very different from there, isn’t it?” 

She forced a smile. “Like another world.” 

“And going from a New Orleans debutante and a member of high society to working in a mercantile—even a nice one like your father’s—requires a giant change in lifestyle.” 

“So far, the transition isn’t as hard as you might think.” Before she could add more, the bell over the door jingled again and two middle-aged women entered. 

Rosalyn leaned near. “Oh, dear, no privacy with those two here. Why don’t you slip over to our house tomorrow and we’ll have tea and a nice chat?” 

“I’d love to. Would three be convenient?” 

“Perfect. I’ll see you then.” With a smile and a wave, Rosalyn departed. 

Taking a deep breath, Celia addressed the customers, “May I help you find something?” 

Author Bio:

Through a crazy twist of fate, Caroline Clemmons was not born on a Texas ranch. To make up for this tragic error, she writes about handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains from a small office her family calls her pink cave. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas cowboy country where they ride herd on their rescued cats and dogs. The books she creates there have made her an Amazon bestselling author and won several awards. 

Subscribe to Caroline’s newsletter to receive a FREE novella of HAPPY IS THE BRIDE, a humorous historical wedding disaster that ends happily—but you knew it would, didn’t you? Subscribe here: http://carolineclemmons.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0a24664c906875718d975ad7b&id=7c2e488a51

She loves to hear from readers at caroline@carolineclemmons.com 

Find her on her blog at http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com, website at www.carolineclemmons.com, Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CarolineClemmonsRomances, Twitter at @CarolinClemmons (no E in Caroline), Goodreads, and Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/CaroClemmons.

 

JOSEPHINE ON SALE FOR 99¢

By Caroline Clemmons

To celebrate new covers for my popular Bride Brigade Series, JOSEPHINE, book one, is now 99¢ at Amazon! 

Here’s the url:

https://www.amazon.com/Josephine-Bride-Brigade-Book-1-ebook/dp/B015M4FJUY

Everyone deserves a makeover once in a while, even a fictional heroine. So, Charlene Raddon at Silver Sage Book Covers created beautiful new covers for the seven ladies of the Bride Brigade. I hope you’ll agree the covers are irresistible. If you haven’t read this acclaimed sweet historical western series, here’s your opportunity to read the first book at a bargain price.

The remaining six books are only $2.99 in ebook, and are also in print and are FREE through Kindle Unlimited. I set the paperback at the lowest price allowed by Amazon. Now, Amazon has put two on sale, Prudence and Cassandra.

The bachelors of Tarnation, Texas threaten to leave unless marriageable women come to town. Wealthy widow Lydia Harrison and her friend Sophia Gaston go to Richmond, Virginia, where Lydia was raised. Lydia interviews young women who respond to her newspaper notice, but not everyone is accepted. The seven girls travel to Tarnation and live with her until they find a husband. She gives receptions, dances, and dinners so the women can meet the suitable bachelors she has invited to participate. Each story is different, but most of the characters get at least a mention in the other books. Here are the books and summaries:

Book 1, JOSEPHINE Josephine Nailor has good reasons not to trust men, especially those who hold an office. She isn’t even certain she wants to marry, but takes a job assisting the owner of the mercantile.

The series url is https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Bride+Brigade+Series&crid=OXLUQD1NBB60

 

Book 2, ANGELINE Angeline Chandler was the victim of a lecher forcing her, who abandoned her when he learned she was pregnant. Instead of sympathizing with her, her parents evicted her from their lives. After Lydia literally saves her, Angeline goes to work taking care of the recently widowed minister's toddler son.

Book 3, CASSANDRA Cassandra Bradford was once wealthy, but circumstances changed and she endured the humiliation of working as a servant in her former home. She keeps the pain a secret, but  vows she will marry a wealthy man or remain single. *Amazon has put this paperback on sale for $3.81, and I don’t know why they have done so or why the price is such an odd number. They practically own the world, so they can do as they wish. I have to admit I do most of my shopping with them.

Book 4, OPHELIA Ophelia Shipp is the most spiritual and sweetest of the seven girls. She has difficulty letting go of her overzealous father’s teaching—after she heals from the last beating he gave her before she left home.

Book 5, RACHEL Rachel Ross has been betrayed and framed for something she did not do. Her family asks her to leave because her presence is an embarrassment. She finds a job with former Pinkerton Agent turned freighter.

Book 6, LORRAINE Lorraine writes stories and sells them under a pseudonym. She longs to find a man who will admire her writing ability and also her. In Tarnation, she finds a job assisting the newspaper owner. But he believes only men can write “real” news.

Book 7, PRUDENCE Prudence Lynch left her home after her grandmother died. Folks there labeled her a witch—except when they needed her folk healing to help them or her midwife skills to deliver a baby. She plans to continue her folk healing and midwifery, hopefully with more acceptance. She and Lydia are kidnapped. *Amazon has put this paperback on sale for $4.87, surprise to me.

 

There you have a very brief summary. If you’ve already read these books, please tell me who your favorite heroine was. Who was your favorite hero?

 

In the meantime, please don’t forget to read GENTRY AND THE MAIL ORDERBRIDE  Rancher Gentry McRae marries a woman his late partner willed to him. https://www.amazon.com/Gentry-Texas-Country-Order-Brides-ebook/dp/B0B6YN6QHK

and JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE. Sheriff Jesse Cameron marries a woman on the run. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BD64JC1D?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Right now, I’m writing the book about Quinn McRae, Gentry’s younger brother.

Stay safe and keep reading!