Western Fire Series by Kate Wingo

When a gang of villainous rebel bushwhackers raids her Kansas farm, Mercy Hibbert bravely stands her ground. On the verge of meeting an untimely end, she is shocked when one of the marauders, a dangerously handsome Southerner named Spencer McCabe, comes to her rescue. That is until she learns the conditions of the rescue: if she complies with his demands, she lives. If she doesn’t. . . moreWhen a gang of villainous rebel bushwhackers raids her Kansas farm, Mercy Hibbert bravely stands her ground. On the verge of meeting an untimely end, she is shocked when one of the marauders, a dangerously handsome Southerner named Spencer McCabe, comes to her rescue. That is until she learns the conditions of the rescue: if she complies with his demands, she lives. If she doesn’t. . . . Hell-bent on revenge, Spencer isn’t about to let anyone stop him from hunting the northern jayhawker who killed his father and two brothers. Realizing that Mercy is the perfect bait for capturing his prey, he forcibly takes her to the bushwhacker stronghold. But as Spencer and Mercy make their way across the Missouri frontier, danger and treachery follow in their wake; even as an explosive passion ignites between them. In a land ravaged by war, where honor has lost all meaning, it takes a brave man to put down his gun, and a courageous woman to forgive her enemy. A boldly sensual western, Fire on the Prairie is full of sweeping action, vibrant historical detail and complex, richly-drawn characters; and it is the first book in a multi-generational family saga that spans the breadth of the untamed western frontier. less

In the aftermath of the Civil War, Benjamin Strong, a rugged Union veteran who is still haunted by those four years of horrific bloodshed, weds Lydia McCabe, a headstrong southern widow. No sooner are their marital vows exchanged than Ben discovers that his new wife still holds a torch for her first husband. The damning discovery instantly sours their relationship, and is the reason why the bride and groom’s marriage remains unconsummated... moreIn the aftermath of the Civil War, Benjamin Strong, a rugged Union veteran who is still haunted by those four years of horrific bloodshed, weds Lydia McCabe, a headstrong southern widow. No sooner are their marital vows exchanged than Ben discovers that his new wife still holds a torch for her first husband. The damning discovery instantly sours their relationship, and is the reason why the bride and groom’s marriage remains unconsummated. As the newlyweds embark on an arduous overland journey to Texas to claim Lydia’s inheritance – a ten-thousand acre cattle ranch – the trip quickly turns perilous when they are first accosted by the infamous James Gang; and must later fight off a fierce band of Comanche Indians. Eventually, Ben and Lydia’s tumultuous disputes give way to an unfettered desire. And that, in turn, incites the first fragile stirrings of love. But this new love is soon put to the ultimate test when Ben and Lydia become embroiled with a treacherous southern renegade intent on smuggling the lost Confederate treasury into Mexico. A boldly sensual marriage-of-convenience story, Fire on the Plains is full of breathtaking adventure, vibrant historical detail and richly-drawn, unforgettable characters; and is the second book in a multi-generational family saga that spans the breadth of the untamed western fronier. less