Central City Brides Series by Cynthia Woolf

From the day she was born, Rita Baxter's mother encouraged her to follow her heart. Filled with innocent dreams and faith that her hard work training to be a Prima Ballerina on New York's bright stage will lead to fortune and fame, Rita is crushed when she loses her mother and must take a job dancing in a burlesque chorus line to keep a roof over her head. Witnessing a brutal murder is the last straw. The police promise to keep her safe, but Rita has learned to be a realist... moreFrom the day she was born, Rita Baxter's mother encouraged her to follow her heart. Filled with innocent dreams and faith that her hard work training to be a Prima Ballerina on New York's bright stage will lead to fortune and fame, Rita is crushed when she loses her mother and must take a job dancing in a burlesque chorus line to keep a roof over her head. Witnessing a brutal murder is the last straw. The police promise to keep her safe, but Rita has learned to be a realist. Determined to escape the Irish gang that wants her dead and start a new life for herself, Rita heads to Colorado Territory as a mail-order bride. Jack Colton struck gold in his Central City mine, but the dark recesses of the mine mirror the lonely, dark places in his heart. He longs for a wife and family, but the only women in town interested in a hard former soldier like him aren't really interested in him at all. Tired of being pursued for his newfound wealth, Jack decides to take a chance on a mail-order bride from New York. She's supposed to be petite and beautiful, a dancer who will bring color and warmth into his cold life. Sparks fly when they meet, both hopeful for a bright future. But murder is a poison and it followed Rita all the way from New York. Jack thought his killing days were over, but when an assassin arrives to destroy everything Jack will stop at nothing to protect his new wife...no matter the cost. less

Ava Lewis is a jewelry maker. As the only women jeweler where she works or that she knows in the business. Ava opens her door to find her brother who immediately falls unconscious to the floor. When she gets him awake and onto the sofa he tells her he’s dying, wounded by a poisoned blade. He demands that she take his pouch full of jewels and run. The only option she sees is to sign up as a mail-order bride under an assumed name, Jane Smith. Seamus ‘Lucky’ Madigan is a saloon owner... moreAva Lewis is a jewelry maker. As the only women jeweler where she works or that she knows in the business. Ava opens her door to find her brother who immediately falls unconscious to the floor. When she gets him awake and onto the sofa he tells her he’s dying, wounded by a poisoned blade. He demands that she take his pouch full of jewels and run. The only option she sees is to sign up as a mail-order bride under an assumed name, Jane Smith. Seamus ‘Lucky’ Madigan is a saloon owner. He won three different saloons in poker games and now makes a good living from the businesses. He sees how happy his friend and former captain is with his mail-order bride and orders one for himself. He desires a bride who hasn’t known every man in town in an intimate way. Someone he could introduce to his mother, if he had one alive. When the same man who killed her brother comes after Ava it will take all his skill with a knife and as a part of a sniper unit to protect his new bride. less

Erin O’Toole is no stranger to violence. Growing up surrounded by one of the most powerful gangs in New York, Erin learned how to survive. But when her little brother is killed in a gang war, Erin swears she’ll never be part of her father’s world. Desperate to escape the pain of her loss and a future she doesn't want, she risks everything to become a mail-order bride. After years of being on the wrong side of justice, Henry Jacobs has made things right... moreErin O’Toole is no stranger to violence. Growing up surrounded by one of the most powerful gangs in New York, Erin learned how to survive. But when her little brother is killed in a gang war, Erin swears she’ll never be part of her father’s world. Desperate to escape the pain of her loss and a future she doesn't want, she risks everything to become a mail-order bride. After years of being on the wrong side of justice, Henry Jacobs has made things right. Now he is a peaceful blacksmith in Central City in the Colorado Territory and all he wants is a wife and children of his own. One look at Erin, and Henry falls for his feisty new bride. But Henry has secrets that could tear their marriage apart. When a man from Henry’s past threatens his new life, Henry finds he has no choice but to become a man she’ll hate in order to save the woman he loves. less

Lost and alone after her step-father is murdered on the streets of New York, Katie takes her two young siblings and claims them as her own. Pretending to be a widow, she flees to Colorado Territory as a mail-order bride and into the arms of the handsome gunsmith, Robert Wallace. The attraction is instant, but just when things are looking up for her, the past comes calling--and Katie discovers harsh truths about her stepfather that put everything at risk... moreLost and alone after her step-father is murdered on the streets of New York, Katie takes her two young siblings and claims them as her own. Pretending to be a widow, she flees to Colorado Territory as a mail-order bride and into the arms of the handsome gunsmith, Robert Wallace. The attraction is instant, but just when things are looking up for her, the past comes calling--and Katie discovers harsh truths about her stepfather that put everything at risk. Her stepfather had secrets, and they're not done with her yet. Robert Wallace was a skeptic until he watched his friends settle happily with their mail-order brides. When his own seemingly perfect family arrives, he's thrilled. Until he discovers his new bride is surrounded by layer-upon-layer of lies. He's been tricked by a scheming woman before and he won't be taken in by another one, no matter how innocent she seems. No matter how badly he wants her. Katie is determined to keep her new family together, come hell or high water. And no one is going to get in her way. Not the man from New York who followed her to Colorado. Not her past. And not the stubborn, irresistible Scot who is her husband. less