Wabash River Series by Dorothy Garlock

From top ranking historical romance writer, Dorothy Garlock, comes the first novel in a new trilogy. This is the romantic saga of a courageous widow who forges the Illinois frontier to make a new life. The author is an expert on the pioneer era, and she uses actual diaries and letters from that time to authenticate her stories.

The million-copy bestselling author of Wind of Promise and Annie Lash continues her breathtaking Wabash River Trilogy with this second exciting novel set in Arkansas in 1819. Amy Deverell joins Rain Tallman as he blazes new trails across the American frontier--and across her heart.

Only her defiant pride kept her from begging for his love... Behind her proper schoolmarm ways, sunny blond, Mercy, was the same sassy spitfire she had been as a child. An orphan raised by the Quill family with her foster brother Danny, she had always had a quick temper and often needed the loving protection of her big brother. Now she was a woman—and running to Danny again... moreOnly her defiant pride kept her from begging for his love... Behind her proper schoolmarm ways, sunny blond, Mercy, was the same sassy spitfire she had been as a child. An orphan raised by the Quill family with her foster brother Danny, she had always had a quick temper and often needed the loving protection of her big brother. Now she was a woman—and running to Danny again. Two Kentucky bounders had ridden into town with a stunning secret about Mercy's past, one that could separate Mercy and Daniel forever. Surrounded by danger, she would recognize her desperate hunger to have Danny claim her, not as a sister, but as his wife. She knew he would stand by her against a town's cruel whispers and fight against an enemy who wanted her dead. But if she dared to declare her love, would he respond with his dependable brotherly kindness—and break her heart? less

Addie Hyde spent four years waiting to see if the high-spirited husband she had married in haste would come back after the South lost the war. Yet Kirby Hyde was never among the Confederates in rags and tatters straggling through Arkansas. Addie always had spunk, but now she also had a young son, two foster children she cherished, and trouble. Deserters and drifters were making Addie's isolated farmhouse a dangerous place for a pretty woman without a man—until John Tallman showed up in town... moreAddie Hyde spent four years waiting to see if the high-spirited husband she had married in haste would come back after the South lost the war. Yet Kirby Hyde was never among the Confederates in rags and tatters straggling through Arkansas. Addie always had spunk, but now she also had a young son, two foster children she cherished, and trouble. Deserters and drifters were making Addie's isolated farmhouse a dangerous place for a pretty woman without a man—until John Tallman showed up in town. He asked about Addie, he watched for her, and suddenly he was using his guns and fists to protect her. His kindness showed Addie not to fear him. Her heart soon told her more. John Tallman had a shadow about him that even love might not chase away. And although yesteryear was gone, it could take all a woman's caring, and all her courage, to make tomorrow theirs. less