A Wedding Date Is Set, But Is Love in the Bargain?
Across history marriage has often been used as a means to gain money, social status, and security, as well as basic companionship, domesticity, and family. Vows could be said out of convenience or coercion, but could love really come in the bargain?
In this exclusive collection of nine historical romances, readers will discover the true conquering power of love.
Joie De Vivre by Lynette Sowell -- Edouard LeBlanc's Cajun parents have chosen Josee Broussard to be his wife, but a battle scarred soldier is not what the young woman dreamt of for a husband. Can they both let go of life's disappointments to see the treasure God has handed them?
Button Strong Bride by Cathy Marie Hake -- Suddenly orphaned along the Oregon Trail, Charity Davis is ordered to combine wagons with widowed father Ethan Cole. Only as a team can they hope to finish the journey. But can a rich young woman and a poor carpenter fall into step and become equally yoked?
The Wedding Wagon by Cathy Marie Hake -- Falling in love through letters, Bethany Handley agrees to meet and marry Joshua Rogers in Independence, Missouri, and accompany him across the Oregon Trail. But can the young couple discard old expectations that weigh them down and find simple joys to share?
From Halter to Altar by Cathy Marie Hake -- When James Collingswood of Dakota Territory sent an order back East for multiple horse bridles, somehow he receives the four Craig sisters instead, who are expecting to be mail-order brides. Can he get these women hitched without being lassoed himself?
From Carriage to Marriage by Janelle Burnham Schneider -- Shy, pregnant, and recently widowed, Corrine Craig followed her sisters west to start a new life as a mail-order bride. Rancher Luke Collingswood is interested in marrying the young widow, but is she too lost in her grief to see his gentle side?
From Pride to Bride by JoAnne A. Grote -- Without an immediate prospect for marriage, Bess Craig decides to make over the town of Lickwind by establishing a church, reforming the brothel women, and straightening up the saloon keeper, Gideon Rikers. But will her interfering be too much for any man to handle?
From Alarming to Charming by Pamela Kaye Tracy -- Tomboy Bertie Craig never bothered with feminine wiles until she becomes the last mail-order bride to find a husband and decides to attract the attention of Thomas Hardin. But with new wealth and a checkered past, will Thomas bring Bertie more trouble than she bargained for?
A Vow Unbroken by Amy Rognlie -- Vowing to never love again, Abby Cantrell travels to Colorado to marry a stranger in name only. But she failed to let her fiance know that she was recently widowed and now with child. With such a rocky start, will she learn to love again?
Finishing Touches by Kelly Eileen Hake -- Riverboat captain Gregory Royce built a beautiful new house for his bride, but then Libby Collier's sister jilts the groom. Their father needs the marriage to secure his finances and calls upon Libby to keep the marriage bargain. But can she fill the void in Captain Royce's broken heart?
Author Biography:
JoAnn lives on the Minnesota prairie which is a setting for many of her stories. Once a full-time CPA, JoAnn now spends most of her time researching and writing. JoAnn has published historical nonfiction books for children and several novels with Barbour Publishing in the Heartsong Presents line as well as the American Adventure and Sisters in Time series for children. Several of her novellas are included in CBA bestselling anthologies by Barbour Publishing. JoAnn's love of history developed when she worked at an historical restoration in North Carolina for five years. She enjoys researching and weaving her fictional characters' lives into historical backgrounds and events. JoAnn believes that readers can receive a message of salvation and encouragement from well-crafted fiction. She captures and addresses the deeper meaning between life and faith.
Cathy Marie Hake is a Southern California native. She met her two loves at church: Jesus and her husband, Christopher. An RN, she loved working in oncology as well as teaching Lamaze. Health issues forced her to retire, but God opened new possibilities with writing. Since their children have moved out and are married, Cathy and Chris dote on dogs they rescue from a local shelter. A sentimental pack rat, Cathy enjoys scrapbooking and collecting antiques. "I'm easily distracted during prayer, so I devote certain tasks and chores to specific requests or persons so I can keep faithful in my prayer life." Since her first book in 2000, she's been on multiple bestseller and readers' favorite lists.
Kelly Eileen Hake received her first writing contract at the tender age of seventeen and arranged to wait three months until she was able to legally sign it. Since that first contract a decade ago, she's fulfilled twenty contracts ranging from short stories to novels. In her spare time, she's attained her BA in English literature and composition, earned her credential to teach English in secondary schools, and went on to complete her MA in writing popular fiction.
Writing for Barbour combines two of Kelly's great loves--history and reading. A CBA bestselling author and member of American Christian Fiction Writers, she's been privileged to earn numerous Heartsong Presents Reader's Choice Awards and is known for her witty, heartwarming historical romances.
Amy Rognlie is an author and teacher, who, like the characters in her book, has traveled many unfamiliar and unexpected paths in the course of her life. She has seen God's faithfulness every step of the way, and wants her readers to know that no matter what circumstances look like, God is good. Amy and her family live in Central Texas, where she teaches language arts and Latin, writes Bible studies and Sunday School curriculum, and is involved in ministry in her local church and community.
Janelle Burnham Schneider has published six novels with Heartsong Presents. After thirteen years as a Canadian military family, she and her loved ones are now settled in Manitoba, Canada, near the geographic center of North America. In addition to being an author, wife, and mother, she has also worked as an administrative assistant, catalog delivery person, school bus driver, and Starbucks barista. Pamela Tracy started writing at a very young age (a series of romances, all with David Cassidy as the hero. Sometimes Bobby Sherman would interfere). Then, while earning a BA in Journalism at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, she picked up the pen again (only this time, it was an electric typewriter on which she wrote a very bad fiction novel). First published in 1999 by Barbour Publishing, she is a USA Today bestselling author who has published more than thirty-five books in multiple sweet, inspiration, and devotional genres. She's a Carol Award winner (from American Christian Fictions Writers) as well as Rita finalist (from Romance Writers of America).
Lynette Sowell is an award-winning author with New England roots, but she makes her home in Central Texas with her husband and a herd of five cats. When she's not writing, she edits medical reports and chases down stories for the local newspaper.
