Green Valley Series by Jane Shoup

Saint or Sinner?   Miss Emeline Wright risked everything to escape the monster who stole her innocence, her dignity, her pride. Now no one in her little home town nestled in the West Virginia hills must ever know what she was forced to do while a captive in the city... moreSaint or Sinner?   Miss Emeline Wright risked everything to escape the monster who stole her innocence, her dignity, her pride. Now no one in her little home town nestled in the West Virginia hills must ever know what she was forced to do while a captive in the city. Her only chance is to make a go of her uncle’s failing farm, but how can a woman alone, in rough country, survive?   With unfailing courage and an open heart, Em wins over the townspeople who’ve judged her so harshly, taking in a motley crew of misfits who show up, one by one, to lend a hand. But it’s the quiet strength and unfailing love of a single man that will show her how to trust again as they  build a  home to last forever…   DOWN IN THE VALLEY less

Are some people born to lose? Tommy Medlin, a grown man who is still called Pretty Boy, a nickname he loathes, is as handsome as he is shy. All his life, he’s been told he is slow, and he’s long since accepted that it’s true. His lot in life is to keep his head down, work hard, collect his pay and save some of it. It’s not much of a life, but it’s the only one afforded him. Emeline Wright fears she’s cursed, with good reason... moreAre some people born to lose? Tommy Medlin, a grown man who is still called Pretty Boy, a nickname he loathes, is as handsome as he is shy. All his life, he’s been told he is slow, and he’s long since accepted that it’s true. His lot in life is to keep his head down, work hard, collect his pay and save some of it. It’s not much of a life, but it’s the only one afforded him. Emeline Wright fears she’s cursed, with good reason. Orphaned as a girl, some of the family she’s sent to live with made her life a living hell. She eagerly left to attend college but, there, she falls prey to the powerful Sonny Peterson. Em, risks life and limb to escape him and return home to Green Valley, Virginia -- the place she wanted so badly to get away from. Her only choice now is to make a go of her uncle’s failing farm. But can a woman alone survive in rough country?When Tommy, with his quiet strength and unflagging honor, steps in to help her, a powerful bond is created. Through his constancy, Em begins to trust again. But the country is still wild and dangerous and more than one predator stalks ever closer… '…a touching, emotional read. Readers will not be immune to Shoup’s storytelling talent or her gift of creating three-dimensional characters.’ – RT Book Reviews‘Shoup moves assuredly through trauma, family discord, and romantic misunderstandings to capture lovely bits of Americana and a bygone way of life.’ – Publishers Weekly‘. . . wonderfully written. Well-paced and easy to read…but be careful, it’ll suck you in and you won’t want to leave it until you’re finished.’ -eCataRomance Reviews less