The Promised Land Series by Carolyn Brown

Willow Gail Dulan didn't like Rafe Pierce when he read her father's will. She sure didn't like him when he tried to talk Hank Gibson out of letting her and her four newly-found sisters travel to California with the wagon train of mail-order brides. Rafe was totally against the idea of Jake Dulan's daughters going with the train. He would like nothing better than to leave Willow for the rattlesnakes and Indians. The feeling is mutual. They lock horns and refuse to budge... moreWillow Gail Dulan didn't like Rafe Pierce when he read her father's will. She sure didn't like him when he tried to talk Hank Gibson out of letting her and her four newly-found sisters travel to California with the wagon train of mail-order brides. Rafe was totally against the idea of Jake Dulan's daughters going with the train. He would like nothing better than to leave Willow for the rattlesnakes and Indians. The feeling is mutual. They lock horns and refuse to budge. Both have a scarred heart from previous experiences, and a temper, so the fireworks explode every time they're in each other's presence, which is often since Rafe drew the short straw and has to bring up the rear of the train...right where the Dulan girls' wagon is located. Willow and Rafe both realize that out there, beyond the sunsets they both love, lies the Promised Land. It's not a place or destination, but a spirit and a journey which draws them into the peace of its bosom to rock away the cares of life. But will they ever admit they need each other to reach that Promised Land? less

Velvet is about to breathe her last and doesn't even know it when Patrick O'Leary lays her on the bed in a very strange house. When she does awake from a fever-induced coma, she finds herself in a cabin with Dr. Hoyt Baxter, who's hateful, mean and spiteful and doesn't care if she lives or dies, so long as she's out of his house and his life as soon as possible. Which is exactly what Velvet wants, but she has to have the strength to walk out the door before she can actually do it... moreVelvet is about to breathe her last and doesn't even know it when Patrick O'Leary lays her on the bed in a very strange house. When she does awake from a fever-induced coma, she finds herself in a cabin with Dr. Hoyt Baxter, who's hateful, mean and spiteful and doesn't care if she lives or dies, so long as she's out of his house and his life as soon as possible. Which is exactly what Velvet wants, but she has to have the strength to walk out the door before she can actually do it. Hoyt had stopped practicing medicine a year before, vowing he'd never be a doctor again, but when it came right down to the wire, he did bring Velvet Jane Dulan back to life, a choice he would live to regret for many weeks. She interfered with his self-imposed hermitship. She shook the rut he'd been living in all the way to the roots. He just wanted her to be gone, but every plan he made to get rid of her backfired, and he found himself stuck with the unwanted woman. Until finally he realized that he did want her to stay. However, it was too late. Or was it? less

Gypsy Rose Dulan just knew there was a secret hidden in the stars. She just didn't expect to fall sleep while searching for that secret. And she sure didn't expect to be awakened by a rude, overbearing, short Irishman by the name of Tavish O'Leary. That he called her a squaw was contemptible enough, but to have to withstand his barbs for more than a month was more than she figured she could endure. Meanwhile, Tavish had been waiting for a prophecy from a gypsy named Paqui to come true... moreGypsy Rose Dulan just knew there was a secret hidden in the stars. She just didn't expect to fall sleep while searching for that secret. And she sure didn't expect to be awakened by a rude, overbearing, short Irishman by the name of Tavish O'Leary. That he called her a squaw was contemptible enough, but to have to withstand his barbs for more than a month was more than she figured she could endure. Meanwhile, Tavish had been waiting for a prophecy from a gypsy named Paqui to come true. He'd been told that when it was time for him to choose a wife, a pretty young woman with eyes the color of a robin's egg would come into his life, but the gypsy had failed to mention that the woman with those eyes would be holding the sharp, hot blade of a knife against his throat the first time they met. During their harsh, dangerous journey, Tavish and Gypsy discover the secret written in the stars. But can they hear their hearts' desires when they don't want to listen? less

Garnet Diana Dulan swung open the doors of the Silver Dollar Saloon, sucked up a lunch full of cigar smoke, and listened intently to the sounds of men playing poker and the scrape of boots across the wooden floor; she felt right at home. After just minutes inside the doors of the saloon she knew she'd made the right decision to leave her sisters and the wagon train of brides heading to California. Quickly she negotiates a job with the owner to play piano in the bar for room and board... moreGarnet Diana Dulan swung open the doors of the Silver Dollar Saloon, sucked up a lunch full of cigar smoke, and listened intently to the sounds of men playing poker and the scrape of boots across the wooden floor; she felt right at home. After just minutes inside the doors of the saloon she knew she'd made the right decision to leave her sisters and the wagon train of brides heading to California. Quickly she negotiates a job with the owner to play piano in the bar for room and board. Garnet is happy with her new arrangement and starts to settle into her new routine, that is until she runs into Sheriff Gabe Walker. Sheriff Walker is convinced that this unusual, blue-eyed beauty is not the kind of woman he needs taking up residence in his clean town, and he won't rest until he runs her back to where she came from. But Garnet is a sassy Southern woman who speaks her mind and won't listen to a word he says. In fact, Gabe is certain that he can see lightening streak across her blue eyes in brilliant, jagged lines when she's angry. The two lock horns on more than one occasion, but when her life is threatened and she is wrongfully accused of murder and robbery, it is Gabe who saves her from lynching. Considering all the damage already between them, it will take a miracle for either of these two to put aside their stubbornness and admit their love. less

Augusta "Gussie" Dulan is the only Dulan sister to make it all the way to California on the wagon train for brides. Each of her four sisters has taken off along the trail to marry up with a man they fell in love with and now Gussie is hoping to find a man to love here at the end of the trail. Dressing in her fabulous red satin dancing dress, complete with black lace and feathered headdress, Gussie lines up with the other potential brides to see whom it is that they will marry... moreAugusta "Gussie" Dulan is the only Dulan sister to make it all the way to California on the wagon train for brides. Each of her four sisters has taken off along the trail to marry up with a man they fell in love with and now Gussie is hoping to find a man to love here at the end of the trail. Dressing in her fabulous red satin dancing dress, complete with black lace and feathered headdress, Gussie lines up with the other potential brides to see whom it is that they will marry. Gideon Jefferson, the town preacher, takes one look at Gussie and is horrified at her saloon girl outfit, but things turn even worse when his number is called and he "wins" Gussie's hand in marriage. Gussie is less that pleased to be stuck with this wretched, assuming man. Neither wants to be married, so they make a pact that she will be on the first wagon train out after the winter. In the meantime, Gussie will come home with him and tend to his four young daughters and run his unruly house. It seems like a good arrangement. But Gussie is much more than Gideon could have imagined. She not only keeps the house immaculate, the table filled with delicious food, the girls clean and happy, she has the women of the town following her example and turning Gideon's and the rest of the men's lives upside down. Neither Gussie nor Gideon will admit they actually have feelings for one another. It takes a lot of courage, four little girls, and a whole town to bring them both to their senses. less