Verna Clay

Brant Samson has fallen on hard times with the death of his beloved wife a year earlier from lung fever. Left with three children, he's desperate to find a mother for them. Ten year old Jenny does her best to care for two year old Ty, and fourteen year old Luke works the ranch with his father, losing himself in dime novels to ease the pain of his mother's passing. Brant's options are limited since eligible women seldom pass through Two Rivers, much less settle in the small Texas town. In desperation, he places a classified advertisement for a mail order bride. Marrying a woman he'll come to know through a newspaper advertisement scares the bejesus out of him, but at this point, he's out of options. Abigail Mary Vaughn always dreamed of having her own family, but caring for her elderly parents, as well as working as a teacher to help with finances, ended that dream. Her parents are now dead and she's faced with the reality of her lonely existence. After reading Mr. Samson's advertisement in the Philadelphia Inquirer, she garners enough courage to respond. Since she is considered an old maid at the age of thirty-eight, she'll more than likely spend the rest of her life wondering "what if" unless she does something unconventional.

Mail Order Bride

Abby

Dr. Thomas Matthews lost his wife to a mysterious illness and now his daughter is showing the same symptoms. He is desperate to find a cure. In an unexpected turn of events, he overhears two outlaws discussing a woman known as the Healing Woman of the Red Rocks. She supposedly has an uncanny ability to heal. Thomas gains the confidence of the outlaws and they give him directions to a place known as the "red rocks" in Arizona Territory.Tana Raven Sees makes her home in a valley surrounded by red monoliths. Although others claim she lives alone, she is never alone. Not only do the forest animals come to her when they are injured or ill, but she is often visited in dreams by her deceased grandmother, Frannie. For years, Frannie has been foretelling of a man who will seek her out...and make her cry. After waiting so long, she decides her grandmother is mistaken. That is, until the day he arrives with his daughter.

Healing Woman of the Red Rocks

Oasis Series (Romance in the Grand Canyon State): Stranded in Oasis; Branded in Oasis; Crashed in Oasis At first, Maximilian Rutherford III is stunned, and then he's angry. Six months living in the Arizona desert isn't his lifestyle. However, the mandate issued by Max I, his grandfather, is clear--manage a trailer and RV Park or lose his inheritance. Max III, hotshot corporate exec has managed billion dollar companies, but now he's supposed to oversee a trailer park! Pilar Armstrong loves her home in the small community of Oasis located in beautiful Arizona. Sunrises and sunsets make for the beginnings and endings of perfect days. When the new park manager arrives she recognizes in him the same ambition as in her ex-husband and determines to avoid him at all costs. Her resolve fails, however, when he makes changes that affect her beloved neighbors. Maybe it's time to set "Ruthless Rutherford" straight. Will Max and Pilar, opposite in every way, find that forever kind of love? The journey to that answer is endearing, funny, and surprising for both of them.

Stranded in Oasis: Book 1 in Oasis Series

Jazmine yearns for an assignment in the human realm. To that end, she attends Fairies-in-Training School in Flitter Town. After three classes, she has yet to be selected for assignment. Sadly, she knows she will soon be returned to her clan, the Fragrant Flowers, to resume her duties as a jasmyster. It's not that she doesn't love her job of keeping her namesakes fragrant, but a human assignment has always been her dream. Unexpectedly, Boss-at-the-Top selects her for a very important task. Ryan Lucas is grieving the loss of his wife and unable to connect emotionally with his eight year old son. Both their hearts have holes the size of the universe in them. During a short drive from his home in Bend, Oregon to his office in Sunriver, he almost crashes into a woman following deer across the highway. He can't believe anyone would be so reckless. He screeches to the side of the road and jumps out of his car to lecture her. Her beautiful uptilted eyes keep distracting him. They're not quite blue and not quite lavender. Young Jake Lucas just wants his dad to spend time with him. He desperately misses his mother because she's dead. And although his father is very much alive, he spends more time at his office than with Jake. Since his father ignores him, Jake turns his attention toward his new neighbor. After he sees her spying on him, he decides to spy on her. Snagging his dad's binoculars and hiding in his tree house, he watches her through her dining room window. Maybe she's with the FBI or CIA? Actually, she's pretty boring until he witnesses something impossible. Then he wonders if she's a witch, which makes him wonder if she's a good witch or a bad one.

Jazmine

Oasis Series (Romance in the Grand Canyon State): Stranded in Oasis; Branded in Oasis; Crashed in Oasis Kade Blackwell has met his match in Skylar (Skye) Rutherford. Skye is a successful photographer and Kade is, well...he could be the next supermodel if Skye has her way. Kade owns the local garage in the tiny desert town of Oasis in Arizona and his passion is customizing motorcycles. He has no inclination to become a supermodel, until he suddenly finds himself in need of funds for his grandmother.

Branded in Oasis: Book 2 in Oasis Series

Finding Home Series: Cry of the West: Hallie Rescue on the Rio: Lilah Missouri Challenge, Daisy Daisy Smithson and Tim Wells met in Missouri when they were both eight years old and became fast friends. However, the night before Tim departed for Oregon with his newly widowed mother, Daisy dreamed they would one day marry. After she told him her dream, he couldn't get away fast enough. Now, seventeen years later, he is returning to Missouri to appease the constant tug in is spirit. His intent is to visit the farm he was raised on to try and put the ghosts of his past to rest. Little does he realize he's about to discover a love that most people only dream of. Trent Garrett reconciled with his brother, Rush Garrett, five years earlier for sins he committed with his brother's first wife, but the past still haunts him. Although attracted to Arizona Cayson, a squatter on his land, he makes no effort to deepen their relationship. The arrival of Tim and Daisy Wells only serves to enhance the loneliness he always feels. Unknown to him, fate is about to come knocking with a wake-up call. This book can be read as a standalone.

Missouri Challenge: Daisy: Book 3 in Finding Home Series

WELCOME TO SOMEWHERE, OREGON Nestled in a cove on Oregon's coastline, the town of Somewhere is charming, picturesque, inhabited by townsfolk who love their community—and teeming with mystery. You are invited to join the heroes and heroines of Somewhere as they solve mysteries, discover romance, experience inexplicable phenomena, and fight injustice—just the usual stuff! SOMEWHERE TO FALL IN LOVE Is there somewhere that the edges of reality and fantasy overlap? (A Beauty and the Beast Tale) Saul Flanahan, a physically challenged young man, has lived an off-grid, solitary life with his parents and enjoyed their tales about mermen and mermaids inhabiting the oceans. As a child he believed their stories, but now in his mid-twenties, he indulges their whimsical proclivities because of his love for them. However, when a beautiful young woman "supposedly" washes ashore and claims to be the Princess of the Pacific, he is sure that his parents have hired a consummate actress. As to their motive, he hasn't a clue. Raymond Johnson, III, decides to expand his non-profit veteran's organization headquartered in Portland, Oregon, to the charming and friendly coastal town of Somewhere, the birthplace of his deceased grandfather. While dining at Mama Pink's, the most popular eatery in town, he meets a cute, but clumsy waitress named Suzy, who trips and dumps his order in his lap. Rather than berate her, however, he hires her as his personal assistant. When Raymond meets Suzy's grandmother, he is confronted by a mystery involving his grandfather. Soon Raymond and Suzy are trying to piece together the senior Raymond's reason for leaving Somewhere in 1950.

SOMEWHERE to Fall in Love

CHRISTMAS KISSES Although born into wealth and privilege, Cecelia Brightman has never found the forever-after kind of happiness she seeks. She has devoted her life to helping others through charity work, but now, at the age of forty-two, she can no longer continue on the same path. Much to the chagrin of her parents and friends, she leaves the trappings of wealth to follow her heart to the small town of Paxtonville in Colorado to be near her brother and his large family. Connor MacKenzie is carrying baggage from a previous sorrow that almost destroyed him. However, Cecelia Brightman, the new owner of the local coffeehouse, is rocking his lonely world. SOMEWHERE TO SPEND CHRISTMAS Is there Somewhere that Christmas wishes come true? When the bus Sunny Fairbanks is traveling on stops for a layover in the small seaside town of Somewhere, she decides to walk on the beach at sunrise—and falls in love with the area. Her decision as to whether to remain in Somewhere for a few days, or continue northward, is unexpectedly made for her when she steps on a shard of glass. A young man jogging along the shoreline comes to her aid and she is forced to do something she hates—accept help. Vicky Patterson continues to be amazed that her brother was able to send her a message from beyond the grave through her friends Faith Bennison and Baxter Hope. And that message has set her free from a lifetime of guilt. In fact, she's so free, that she takes on the task of heading up a group of protesters against Wainwright Resorts, the corporation that wants to purchase a portion of the town's public beach and build a world class resort that will, of course, destroy the quaintness of her community. She's angry with Michael Wainwright, III, and intent on stopping his plans. Gabby Hope, a widow, and owner of Hope Bed & Breakfast, wants to get Leo Constanzo, a widower, out of her system, so she proposes something utterly inappropriate and is shocked when he agrees. Belinda Hope, who died decades earlier, kept a diary that revealed the happenings behind her daughter's disappearance, and then her own, years later. Now that she's ready to step into the light of eternity, she needs to get a message to someone on the other side about where the diary is hidden.

Christmas Kisses, SOMEWHERE to Spend Christmas

Two Christmas Stories

For over two thousand cycles of the sun, Roth Beowolf has completed missions as a Shapeling Protector. The successful completion of his current assignment will usher him into the rank of Shapeling Master. The Thirteen co-Princes have sent him to act as bodyguard to Rainey Childress, spoiled heiress and brilliant scientist. This decisive mission is turning into possibly his worst.

Roth: Protector

Romance on the Ranch Series: Dream Kisses; Honey Kisses; Baby Kisses; Candy Kisses; Christmas Kisses; Rock Star Kisses; Forever Kisses; Forgotten Kisses; Angel Kisses; The Last Kiss Toby Tanner has everything--loving family, career, looks, money, friends--but something changed when his twin brother married. No longer satisfied with superficial relationships he wants to connect with a woman in ways other than physical, like his brother has. When Toby meets Dovie Juniper, he falls for her fast and hard, but his easy manner with women is wasted on her. He's going to have to work for this relationship. Dovie hasn't lived a perfect life like handsome cowboy, Toby. In fact, she has major physical challenges that have kept men away from her. However, her greatest challenge will be opening her heart to a man who loves her unconditionally.

Forever Kisses: Book 7 of Romance on the Ranch Series

PAST: Tana Raven Sees makes her home in a valley surrounded by red monoliths. Although others claim she lives alone, she is never alone. Not only do the forest animals come to her when they are injured or ill, but she is often visited in dreams by her deceased grandmother, Frannie. For years, Frannie has been foretelling of a man who will seek her out...and make her cry. After waiting so long, she decides her grandmother is mistaken. That is, until the day he arrives with his daughter. PRESENT: After enduring a media-frenzied divorce covered by the tabloids, country singer Sunny Sundance is ordered by her doctor to rest. During her sabbatical, she even considers retiring at the height of an illustrious career. When her attorney calls about a journal and tintype photo dating back to the 1800s he received from a man who claims the artifacts belonged to Sunny's ancestors, she is intrigued, but not convinced. After reading the journal, however, she knows beyond any doubt that the claims are true. Since her career is on hold, she drives incognito to the Village of Oak Creek, a small community located near the beautiful city of Sedona in Arizona, with the intent of buying back her family's homestead. Little does she realize she is about to begin an amazing journey into an unbelievable family legacy. FUTURE: A solar flare has destroyed the surface of the earth and driven its inhabitants underground. Unknown to Dr. Violet Morningstar, she holds the key to the future. However, she has contracted a deadly virus and must be placed in cryogenics. Awakened hundreds of years in the future she is astounded to find civilization, although technologically advanced, is still underground. The only bright spot in her life is remembering visions from a dream while in cryogenics. Is it possible that her dream holds the key to terraforming the earth?

Red Rocks Collection (Past, Present, Future)

HISTORICAL ROMANCE NOVELETTE Violet Hailey, unwed mother of six year old Priscilla, longs to begin life anew after selling her family farm to the Railroad Commission. To that end, under the guise of being a widow, she travels to Independence, Missouri to join up with a wagon train bound for New Mexico Territory, via the Santa Fe Trail. However, a few days into her journey, she realizes she has been duped in the purchase of her wagon when it breaks down and cannot be repaired. Major Mendez, the wagon master, insists that unusual circumstances call for unusual choices, and forces her into a decision--either forego the dictates of society by sharing the wagon of an unmarried man or depart the train in the next town. The sad state of her finances, and her determination to reach Santa Fe, compel her to continue onward with a man she considers uncouth and rude. Theodore Johansson, TJ for short, isn't averse to helping the widow and her daughter; it's just that her distaste for their situation exacerbates his own frustration when she proves to be doggedly stubborn.

Historical Romance Novelette

Violet's Vindication

Romance on the Ranch Series: Dream Kisses; Honey Kisses; Baby Kisses; Candy Kisses; Christmas Kisses; Rock Star Kisses; Forever Kisses; Forgotten Kisses; Angel Kisses; The Last Kiss Although born into wealth and privilege, Cecelia Brightman has never found the forever-after kind of happiness she seeks. She has devoted her life to helping others through charity work, but now, at the age of forty-two, she can no longer continue along the same path. Much to the chagrin of her parents, she leaves the trappings of wealth to follow her heart to the small town of Paxtonville in Colorado to be near her brother and his large family. As for the hero of Christmas Kisses, he is new to the series and carrying baggage from a previous sorrow that almost destroyed him. However, I have a feeling Cecelia may be the perfect answer for Connor MacKenzie. Can be read as a standalone.

Christmas Kisses: Book 5 of Romance on the Ranch Series

Finding Home Series: Cry of the West: Hallie Rescue on the Rio: Lilah Missouri Challenge: Daisy Recently widowed Hallie Wells is facing hard times. The sudden demise of her husband after selling their farm and just about everything they owned to travel west on the Oregon Trail, has left her stranded with an eight year old son. Dare she ask Cooper Jerome, recently returned from the War of the States, if he would put his life on hold for, say, five months to drive her wagon; and that doesn't include his return trip. At this point, she's out of options. Cooper Jerome's life has been anything but easy. Guilt from his part in the War of the States and failures from his life before the war, plague is conscience. When Mrs. Wells asks him to drive her oxen to Oregon, his first inclination is to decline. However, one look at her boy, who reminds him of another boy, pulls on his heart string until his only option is to help the widow make the several months crossing. Will this journey becomes his catalyst for change?

Cry of the West: Hallie: Book 1 in Finding Home Series

Finding Home Series: Cry of the West: Hallie Rescue on the Rio: Lilah Missouri Challenge: Daisy Rush Garrett has been hired by his friends, Cooper and Hallie Jerome (book one), to find Hallie's sister, Lilah, and persuade her to return to Oregon with him. The sisters parted ways twenty years earlier and Hallie longs to be reunited with her only sibling. Lilah Parker yearns for her family, but in her infrequent letters to her sister Hallie, she has lied about her occupation. Her sister believes her to be a seamstress, when, in truth, she is a wealthy man's mistress. Lilah's shame and fear that she will be disowned by her loved ones causes her to reject Rush's offer of escort to Oregon. However, fate has other plans for these mismatched lovers as they travel from New Orleans to the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Oh, and along the way, Lilah gets kidnapped by bandits. The book can be read as a standalone.

Rescue on the Rio: Lilah: Book 2 in Finding Home Series

WELCOME TO SOMEWHERE, OREGON Nestled in a cove on Oregon's coastline, the town of Somewhere is charming, picturesque, inhabited by townsfolk who love their community—and teeming with mystery. You are invited to join the heroes and heroines of Somewhere as they solve mysteries, discover romance, experience inexplicable phenomena, and fight injustice—just the usual stuff! SOMEWHERE TO BEGIN AGAIN Is there somewhere that past and present collide? Sandy Gutierrez doesn't know if she's in the midst of a lucid dream or perhaps a nightmare. As owner of the popular boutique Bathing Suits Galore in Somewhere, Oregon, she unexpectedly finds her orderly life shifted unimaginably when a handsome tourist enters her shop. Of one thing Quince Calloway is sure—he has lived before. During childhood his beloved parents not only encouraged his remembrances, but his mother documented them. After her death, he rediscovers her journals and is faced with a decision: follow the clues in the journals or dismiss them and return to his job as a police detective? He decides to follow the clues that lead to a quaint and colorful coastal Oregon town. Unwittingly, a charming shopkeeper is thrust into his quest for answers.

SOMEWHERE to Begin Again

Romance on the Ranch Series (Books 1 - 3): Dream Kisses; Honey Kisses; Baby Kisses Dream Kisses Dream Kisses kicks off the series when Sarah Carter, pen name, Mims Murphy, meets Sage Tanner at Imaginings Publishing while he's posing for the cover of her soon-to-be-released romance novel. After being bulldozed into a coffee break with him by her publisher, an embarrassing incident upsets Sarah and she walks out. Of course, fate has a wonderful way of intervening in matters of the heart. After deciding her book needs realism, she signs up for "dude" lessons at Lazy M Dude Ranch. Imagine her chagrin when she discovers the owner of the ranch is none other than Mr. Tanner himself! Yup. Honey Kisses Ann Hackstetter first met Jackson Martinez while vacationing at Lazy M Dude Ranch with her husband and teenage son. Part of the "dude" package included a night of fun at Boot Bustin' Barn. Ann suspects that Sage Tanner, owner of Lazy M, bribed Jackson to dance with her as a way of making her inattentive husband jealous. Little did she realize the dance would awaken emotions long suppressed. Of course, she has no outlet for those emotions. Now, five years later, she's a widow--a destitute widow. Over the years her son's friendship with Sage's daughter has blossomed and now they're getting married. Wedding responsibilities have temporarily taken Ann's mind off her desperate situation. At the reception, Jackson asks her to dance and reawakens those emotions. He makes her feel twenty-one, instead of forty-one. Baby Kisses Tooty Townsend bore a child at the age of sixteen. Now, four years later, she has her hands full raising Harris and trying to make a living. Reclusive author, Maxwell Henry, is looking to hire a personal assistant while he's in Colorado finishing up his latest suspense thriller. Sarah Tanner, stepmother to Tooty's best friend, Julie, and a friend of Miles, recommended her to the author. Unfortunately, Harris climbed onto the guy's lap at Julie and Jacob's wedding reception and asked for a ride in his wheelchair. Then he asked him to marry his mommy and become his daddy! Tooty needs a job and she's swallowing her pride to apply for this one.

Romance on the Ranch Collection (Dream Kisses, Honey Kisses, Baby Kisses)

Romance on the Ranch Series: Dream Kisses; Honey Kisses; Baby Kisses; Candy Kisses; Christmas Kisses; Rock Star Kisses; Forever Kisses; Forgotten Kisses; Angel Kisses; The Last Kiss Ann Hackstetter first met Jackson Martinez while vacationing at Lazy M Dude Ranch with her husband and teenage son. Part of the Dude Ranch Package was a night of fun at Boot Bustin' Barn. Ann suspected that Sage Tanner, owner of Lazy M, bribed Jackson to ask her to dance as a way of making her inattentive husband jealous. On a whim, she danced with him. Little did she realize that he would awaken emotions long suppressed. Of course, she ignored those emotions. Now, five years later, she's a widow--a destitute widow. Over the years, her son's friendship with Sage's daughter, Julie, blossomed, and now they're getting married. Wedding responsibilities have temporarily taken Ann's mind off her desperate situation. At the reception, Jackson asks her to dance, once again awakening those emotions. He makes her feel twenty-one, instead of forty-one. Jackson Martinez has an easy way with women. However, timid Annie sets his blood to boiling. She's older, has a grown son, and probably has an aversion to men after being married to a jerk. When Sage reveals Annie's sad state of economic affairs and says she's looking for a job, Jackson knows his heart is in trouble when he offers her a position running his household. Little does he know, or anyone else for that matter, that Annie has a secret. Can be read as a standalone.

Honey Kisses: Book 2 of Romance on the Ranch Series

Romance on the Ranch Series: Dream Kisses; Honey Kisses; Baby Kisses; Candy Kisses; Christmas Kisses; Rock Star Kisses; Forever Kisses; Forgotten Kisses; Angel Kisses; The Last Kiss Since childhood Angel Martinez has loved Harris Brightman, the son of her parents' friends. But now, as a grown woman, she must make a decision to go for what she wants or continue pleasing others. Her entire life has been one of accomplishment and praise. She was always at the top of her class and now has a Master's Degree in Business Administration, with many lucrative employment opportunities. Often, she's been admired for her beauty and even turned down modeling offers. Yet, with everything she has going for her, she's miserable. Her heart's desire is to be a homemaker like her mother and create a beautiful haven for her own family. After a heart-to-heart talk with her best friend she makes a decision that takes her out of her comfort zone. She decides to confront Harris--now a well known rodeo champion--with her feelings to see if they have a chance. However, life can be quirky and the best laid plans often go awry.

Verna Clay

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