Western Wives Series by J.R. Biery

THE MILCH BRIDE Texas is a harsh land in the 1870’s. Jackson Harper loses his wife in childbirth, but is not willing to lose his son. When the baby sickens, he must find a woman to nurse the boy. Unfortunately, the only woman in the county with milk is Hattie Stoddard, the town slut. Despite the protests of his in-laws and housekeeper, Jackson leaves his wife’s funeral to bring Hattie home. Hattie Stoddard has been a victim of a brutal rape and seen her father beaten and changed forever... moreTHE MILCH BRIDE Texas is a harsh land in the 1870’s. Jackson Harper loses his wife in childbirth, but is not willing to lose his son. When the baby sickens, he must find a woman to nurse the boy. Unfortunately, the only woman in the county with milk is Hattie Stoddard, the town slut. Despite the protests of his in-laws and housekeeper, Jackson leaves his wife’s funeral to bring Hattie home. Hattie Stoddard has been a victim of a brutal rape and seen her father beaten and changed forever. By the time she can ride for help, the men who attacked her have told a different story of what happened and the town refuses to believe her. Pregnant and ostracized, she is determined to save her father and the ranch. Then her father and son die. When Jackson arrives she has nothing left but her shredded pride and the determination not to lose the land. When Jackson tells her she is going with him, she refuses. Finally they strike a bargain, he will pay the taxes and save the ranch if she will nurse and care for his son until J.D. is weaned. But a lot can happen in the milk-year. less

FROM DARKNESS TO GLORY A factory girl is desperate to protect her family. She has to accept offers from terrible men or marry a stranger. After marrying her Montana man, she learns he’s a gun slinger. Lynne McKinney has endured hardship, working three years in a Boston factory to help the family after her father died. But when fever sweeps through the tenements, it claims her mother and threatens the lives of her young sister and brothers... moreFROM DARKNESS TO GLORY A factory girl is desperate to protect her family. She has to accept offers from terrible men or marry a stranger. After marrying her Montana man, she learns he’s a gun slinger. Lynne McKinney has endured hardship, working three years in a Boston factory to help the family after her father died. But when fever sweeps through the tenements, it claims her mother and threatens the lives of her young sister and brothers. She faces the choice of trading her body for money or watching them die. Instead, she chooses to control her destiny and answers an ad to marry a rancher in Montana if he will send the money she needs to hospitalize the children. Phillip Gant has lived by the gun. Ready to put his demons behind him, he has land and a house, but is unwilling to settle for the kind of woman who wants to marry a killer. Desperate, he orders a mail order bride, even sending extra money to ensure she arrives in ten days. He is unprepared for his enchanting young bride or the passionate protectiveness he feels toward her. He struggles to shield her from danger in the harsh Indian territory, fighting off desperate men, marauding Indians, and shadowy figures from their past. Together they must overcome their dark ghosts in order to change their contracted marriage into one of love. less

Valley of Shadows A strong woman, once burned by love, may never trust again. How can a man convince her she needs his love if not his support? In 1876 Boston, life for Bonnie Magee is a struggle as the eldest of eight children in a poor immigrant family. She and her two best friends, Lynne and Claire, have worked in the Mills since turning thirteen. She thought she had found the man of her dreams, but her husband Tarn Micheals betrays and beats her, thus murdering their unborn son... moreValley of Shadows A strong woman, once burned by love, may never trust again. How can a man convince her she needs his love if not his support? In 1876 Boston, life for Bonnie Magee is a struggle as the eldest of eight children in a poor immigrant family. She and her two best friends, Lynne and Claire, have worked in the Mills since turning thirteen. She thought she had found the man of her dreams, but her husband Tarn Micheals betrays and beats her, thus murdering their unborn son. It almost destroys her. Now Bonnie is determined to travel west with Claire to stake her own claim while returning Lynne’s young brothers and sister to her friend. She hopes to homestead in Montana and bring the Magee family together on their own land to enjoy a better life. Then she meets another handsome man. Calum Douglas has been fighting since fifteen, first as a rebel, then as a galvanized Yankee. Sent east to recruit soldiers to fight the Indian War, he meets Bonnie. When her younger brothers enlist, he can only promise her to shear the lambs before letting them go into battle. As the wagon train passes near the training camp, she rushes to see them. Calum has to rescue Bonnie. Later she is kidnapped by Indians, Calum and a handful of men track her down and he saves her again. He knows she is the woman he loves and wants to marry, but Bonnie reminds him she is already a married woman. Callum has fought many battles. Can this brave soldier win one more campaign and convince this stubborn woman she needs him? Bonnie has survived each challenge to emerge stronger and bolder. Can this brave woman dare to love again, and does she want to? less

BRIGHT MORNING STAR Migrating west is hard for everyone, especially women. Most adjust quickly to the hardship, but not all. Claire Wimberley is an adorable blonde, blue-eyed beauty with little in her head, but dreams and a love for the latest fashion. Although she has worked in the mills in Boston, she has been the spoiled only child of a middle class family. Her best friends are poor Irish girls, Lynne and Bonnie, whose families are always struggling... moreBRIGHT MORNING STAR Migrating west is hard for everyone, especially women. Most adjust quickly to the hardship, but not all. Claire Wimberley is an adorable blonde, blue-eyed beauty with little in her head, but dreams and a love for the latest fashion. Although she has worked in the mills in Boston, she has been the spoiled only child of a middle class family. Her best friends are poor Irish girls, Lynne and Bonnie, whose families are always struggling. When first one, then the other, face terrible tragedies, Claire is the first to offer a helping hand and her loving support. Soon she is traveling the Oregon Trail with Lynne’s little sister and brothers and her other best friend, Bonnie. Along the trail, Claire must face the fact that she is in love with a married man despite his bitter wife. She is able to be strong until Bonnie is captured by Indians and Bella, the man’s wife is murdered in another attack. Can a girl who has never worn anything second-hand in her life settle for a second-hand husband? less