Brides of the Oregon Trail Series by Cynthia Woolf

Desperate times call for desperate measures, so when Hannah Granger's little sister takes off for Oregon with a group of mail-order brides to meet her new husband, Hannah has no choice but to follow. She expects her sister to find trouble, and she does. But what Hannah doesn't expect is to fall for the hired gun traveling with the wagon train as they make their way along the treacherous Oregon Trail. The bounty hunter is tall, dark and dangerous, everything she's avoided her entire life... moreDesperate times call for desperate measures, so when Hannah Granger's little sister takes off for Oregon with a group of mail-order brides to meet her new husband, Hannah has no choice but to follow. She expects her sister to find trouble, and she does. But what Hannah doesn't expect is to fall for the hired gun traveling with the wagon train as they make their way along the treacherous Oregon Trail. The bounty hunter is tall, dark and dangerous, everything she's avoided her entire life. But when she begins to suspect criminals are riding just four wagons back, she'll do just about anything to convince him to listen...and to protect her fragile younger sister from the truth about what this trip is costing them both. The only thing bounty hunter Joe Stanton wants is to avoid trouble. He's tagging along on this trip to the Oregon Territory to put a little extra cash in his pocket and take a break from the hunt. The only woman he ever loved broke his heart and his last bounty cost an innocent man his life. Joe's had enough blood, death and betrayal to last a lifetime. So why, then, does he make Hannah's secrets his own? Why does he lie to protect her? And why does the stubborn woman's dogged attempts to help him track down criminals drive him insane with worry. Maybe because he's falling for the red-headed beauty. Maybe because if he doesn't keep her close, they'll both end up dead. less

Lydia Granger thought she left a life of struggle and poverty behind. As a mail-order bride on her way to Oregon City, a secure future is assured. But when the wagon train arrives in Oregon City, she discovers her fiancé is dead and her dream of a safe future is shattered. Moments after her dream is stolen from her, a gift arrives. Her wealthy fiancé left her everything he had... moreLydia Granger thought she left a life of struggle and poverty behind. As a mail-order bride on her way to Oregon City, a secure future is assured. But when the wagon train arrives in Oregon City, she discovers her fiancé is dead and her dream of a safe future is shattered. Moments after her dream is stolen from her, a gift arrives. Her wealthy fiancé left her everything he had. Life for Lydia should be easy, but the truth is much darker and more terrifying than she could imagine, for her fiancé's death was no accident, and the man who took his life wants everything, all the dead man's riches. Detective Max Caldwell lost his wife to a brutal killer, a man who will stop at nothing to take what he wants from the world. He killed in Chicago. He killed in Oregon. It's only a matter of time before he strikes again. Max seeks not only justice, but vengeance for his wife's death and has no qualms about asking the innocent Lydia to help him hunt for her fiancé's murderer. Because Lydia, and her inheritance, are the bait Max will use to lure evil into the light. Too late he realizes Lydia, with her soft heart, beautiful smile, and collection of rescued animals is not only powerful enough to take down a killer, but she just might melt the ice around his heart. less

Bella Devereaux dreamed of being a restaurateur, not a thief. But life had other plans. Forced to compromise her principles to survive, Bella always gives half of her ill-gotten gains to the French émigrés in New Orleans and saves the other half to fulfill her lifelong goal of opening her own French café. A priceless cache of jewels was supposed to be her last job, but the police are on to her, and so is another criminal—Jack Pasquin... moreBella Devereaux dreamed of being a restaurateur, not a thief. But life had other plans. Forced to compromise her principles to survive, Bella always gives half of her ill-gotten gains to the French émigrés in New Orleans and saves the other half to fulfill her lifelong goal of opening her own French café. A priceless cache of jewels was supposed to be her last job, but the police are on to her, and so is another criminal—Jack Pasquin. He’s more than a thief, he’s a murderer, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to force Bella’s hand—including kill her. Taking the jewels and fleeing to Oregon City as a mail-order bride seems to be her only hope. Marshal Robert McCauley never forgave himself for being on the job when his first wife passed away. Guilt has kept him from falling in love again, but a mail-order bride seems to be the perfect answer. When Bella arrives, not only is she beautiful and intelligent, but her mysterious ways intrigue him more than he cares to admit. Neither of them wants to admit they have fallen in love, but when Bella’s past catches up to them, Robert will have to choose—once more—between the woman he loves and the duty he serves. Can Bella save the husband she’d fallen in love with? Or will she become a widow before she becomes a real wife? less

Avoiding love and entanglements has been easy for Hank Barringer since losing his wife and young son to influenza. An outrider on the wagon train, his only job is to keep the mail order brides and passengers safe until they reach their destination. Then he meets Eliza Tanner. She’s different than other women. Seemingly fearless—her feisty manner disrupts his well-ordered idea of how a woman should behave... moreAvoiding love and entanglements has been easy for Hank Barringer since losing his wife and young son to influenza. An outrider on the wagon train, his only job is to keep the mail order brides and passengers safe until they reach their destination. Then he meets Eliza Tanner. She’s different than other women. Seemingly fearless—her feisty manner disrupts his well-ordered idea of how a woman should behave. He doesn’t approve, so why can’t he stop thinking about her? Eliza has secrets and a past that could destroy any chance she has of building a new life. When an opportunity arises to join a wagon train full of mail-order brides headed to Oregon City, she flees from her old life. Little does she know that danger from her past stalks her, or that a killer’s obsession will be strong enough to follow her to the other side of the country. When Eliza’s past catches up with her, she’ll need a real hero…a man who can accept the truth, and love her despite the circumstances of her past. less

Rebecca Taylor traveled the Oregon Trail for one reason, to provide for and protect her younger siblings. Having lost her mother years ago, the care and raising of the younger children fell to her and her brother. Oregon was supposed to be a new beginning, a fresh start. But the house they acquire needs more work than it's worth, and a wealthy and powerful man has taken more than a passing interest in having Rebecca for his wife... moreRebecca Taylor traveled the Oregon Trail for one reason, to provide for and protect her younger siblings. Having lost her mother years ago, the care and raising of the younger children fell to her and her brother. Oregon was supposed to be a new beginning, a fresh start. But the house they acquire needs more work than it's worth, and a wealthy and powerful man has taken more than a passing interest in having Rebecca for his wife. Add to her confusion a simmering attraction to Ian Stanford, the carpenter hired to repair their home, and Rebecca is in way over her head. After losing his wife--in a still unsolved murder--Ian Stanford has been raising his twin boys alone. Work fixing up the Taylor's old home is exactly what he and his boys need, but the enchanting young woman in charge of the household is driving him to distraction. His two boys want a new mother, but the only thing Ian is interested in is catching his dead wife's killer. When a new discovery leads him to a startling truth, everyone is in danger…his boys, the family he's grown to care too much about, and the beautiful Rebecca, who had can't stop thinking about. When the truth about his wife's killer is revealed, he's shocked to discover his first need is not vengeance but to protect his new family. But the stubborn Rebecca isn't the type to sit idly by when her family is in danger. Ian has no choice but to work with Rebecca to lure the killer into a trap. The real trap, he soon discovers, is the one Rebecca placed around his heart. less

Travis MacGregor came to Oregon City to start over. Determined to put his past behind him, he believes a proper wife is all that's missing from the proper life he's always wanted. He has worked hard to establish his formal reputation as an upstanding and no-nonsense lawyer. However, the moment he meets Charlotte Taylor, he can't fight his attraction despite her unconventional, hell-raising ways... moreTravis MacGregor came to Oregon City to start over. Determined to put his past behind him, he believes a proper wife is all that's missing from the proper life he's always wanted. He has worked hard to establish his formal reputation as an upstanding and no-nonsense lawyer. However, the moment he meets Charlotte Taylor, he can't fight his attraction despite her unconventional, hell-raising ways. Charlotte "Charlie" Taylor has been dressing like a man and wearing guns since her father kicked her out of the house when she was seventeen. She is perfectly happy with her life until she meets the insufferable Travis MacGregor. He claims to desire her, but how can she trust the new lawyer in town when he makes it no secret that he needs a proper wife to make his dreams come true. Charlie isn't the "proper" anything, but that doesn't stop her wayward heart from feeling things she never imagined possible. But can he accept her as she is, or does he want her to change? To adapt? To become the proper, dress-wearing hostess of his dreams? And when the villain stalking Charlie comes to town, will the danger bring them together or tear them apart forever? less

Amanda Winters is traveling from Independence, MO by wagon train to her mail-order groom. Though she is warned that he is a mean and brutal man with a quick temper but she is determined to live up to her promise. She was engaged and left at the altar and she will not treat anyone else like that. When she meets her fiancé she tells him she wants to wait to get married until they know each other better. The suggestion does not go over well with her mail-order fiancé... moreAmanda Winters is traveling from Independence, MO by wagon train to her mail-order groom. Though she is warned that he is a mean and brutal man with a quick temper but she is determined to live up to her promise. She was engaged and left at the altar and she will not treat anyone else like that. When she meets her fiancé she tells him she wants to wait to get married until they know each other better. The suggestion does not go over well with her mail-order fiancé. Jamie Kilbride traveled to Independence from Oregon City to collect his mail-order bride. As luck would have it, she’d fallen in love with someone else and broke her contract with Jamie. This bothers him not at all since, as they travel the Oregon Trail together, he falls in love with Amanda. Jamie insists he doesn’t care what people say, but she does. She will not marry him and bring his name down into the muck and mud with hers.But her former fiancé has plans of his own that don’t include her safety. less

When her mother is killed by the crossfire in a gun battle in the city, Emma Rose Murphy has no choice but to accompany her aunt and uncle on their journey to Oregon. The trail is hard and full of hard people, but Emma Rose knows two things for sure. One, she's never going to fall in love and two, she will never be able to trust a man who carries a gun... moreWhen her mother is killed by the crossfire in a gun battle in the city, Emma Rose Murphy has no choice but to accompany her aunt and uncle on their journey to Oregon. The trail is hard and full of hard people, but Emma Rose knows two things for sure. One, she's never going to fall in love and two, she will never be able to trust a man who carries a gun. When the handsome Noah Parker saves her from an unknown attacker in the dead of night, Emma Rose doesn't know whether to kiss him or run for her life.Former Marshal Noah Parker knows all about evil. First a Pinkerton agent, then a deputy marshal, he is on his way to Oregon to start over, to forget the mistakes of his past. When the innocent Emma Rose needs help, he steps in. But his interest leads to scandal and he does what any honorable man would do...he marries her, hoping her acceptance will mend his shattered soul. With a serial killer fixated on Noah's new bride, will the gun-toting former deputy marshal be able to convince Emma Rose to trust him before it's too late? And even if he earns her trust, will her love be strong enough to heal the wounds he carries on his battered heart? less

Wed one of her father’s lecherous old cronies or flee. Those are the only options for Nora Jones. Refusing to be a pawn, she escapes in the night, running for her life. Her freedom.Ben Taylor is no stranger to a fight. An honorable man, he’s still a rough, tough cowboy who gets into plenty of trouble. When caught in a compromising situation, albeit an innocent one, Ben does the first thing that comes to mind – marry the lady in distress... moreWed one of her father’s lecherous old cronies or flee. Those are the only options for Nora Jones. Refusing to be a pawn, she escapes in the night, running for her life. Her freedom.Ben Taylor is no stranger to a fight. An honorable man, he’s still a rough, tough cowboy who gets into plenty of trouble. When caught in a compromising situation, albeit an innocent one, Ben does the first thing that comes to mind – marry the lady in distress.Sparks fly in 1855 in the Willamette Valley in the Oregon Territory as Nora and Ben fall unexpectedly in love, but no one can outrun their past forever. When danger comes calling, will Ben be able to protect Nora, or will they all go down in flames?***Note. This book features Rebecca's brother Ben as the hero. Some of the set up of the book is similar to Rebecca, Book 5 of the series. less

Opal McGinty is a mail-order bride and she has a secret. If her prospective husband finds out he won’t marry her and she must marry.Arthur “Red” Redmond wants a wife. Someone to share his life with but he has conditions he hasn’t told his mail-order bride. Will she still want to marry him if she finds them out?Can these two lonely people come together and find happiness despite their fears?