Unconventional Series by Verna Clay

"2014 Historical Romance Gold Medal Winner Readers' Favorite Book Contest" Brant Samson has fallen on hard times with the death of his beloved wife a year earlier from lung fever. Left with three children, he's desperate to find a mother for them. Ten year old Jenny does her best to care for two year old Ty, and fourteen year old Luke works the ranch with his father, losing himself in dime novels to ease the pain of his mother's passing... more"2014 Historical Romance Gold Medal Winner Readers' Favorite Book Contest" Brant Samson has fallen on hard times with the death of his beloved wife a year earlier from lung fever. Left with three children, he's desperate to find a mother for them. Ten year old Jenny does her best to care for two year old Ty, and fourteen year old Luke works the ranch with his father, losing himself in dime novels to ease the pain of his mother's passing. Brant's options are limited since eligible women seldom pass through Two Rivers, much less settle in the small Texas town. In desperation, he places a classified advertisement for a mail order bride. Marrying a woman he'll come to know through a newspaper advertisement scares the bejesus out of him, but at this point, he's out of options. Abigail Mary Vaughn always dreamed of having her own family, but caring for her elderly parents, as well as working as a teacher to help with finances, ended that dream. Her parents are now dead and she's faced with the reality of her lonely existence. After reading Mr. Samson's advertisement in the Philadelphia Inquirer, she garners enough courage to respond. Since she is considered an old maid at the age of thirty-eight, she'll more than likely spend the rest of her life wondering "what if" unless she does something unconventional. Sensual love scenes. less

Luke Samson is a successful writer at the youthful age of twenty-five. He has a wonderful life and no desire to marry for at least a few years. While dining in a Dallas restaurant, he overhears an intriguing conversation and receives his first look at Angel St. Clair, a woman who will forever change his carefully laid plans. Although she has been blessed with angelic beauty, her heart is shattered. Can Luke not only mend, but completely restore this broken woman? Angel St... moreLuke Samson is a successful writer at the youthful age of twenty-five. He has a wonderful life and no desire to marry for at least a few years. While dining in a Dallas restaurant, he overhears an intriguing conversation and receives his first look at Angel St. Clair, a woman who will forever change his carefully laid plans. Although she has been blessed with angelic beauty, her heart is shattered. Can Luke not only mend, but completely restore this broken woman? Angel St. Clair's sole desire is to hire a suitable husband to escort her safely to the bakery she has purchased in San Francisco. To that end, she ran a classified advertisement for a mail order husband. Her life savings has gone into acquiring her business and she hopes to find, if not happiness, at least contentment after suffering a life of tragedy and heartache. less

Jenny Samson, sister of Luke and daughter of Brant introduced in the first book in the series (Abby: Mail Order Bride) is a gifted artist. She has moved from her country home in Texas to attend Jake Ryder's Academy of Art in New York. She has long dreamed of meeting Mr. Ryder, the great artist known as the Painter of Emotions, and when she does, his criticism of her paintings devastates her. Jake Ryder lost his right arm in a carriage accident. It was the final sorrow in a life of sorrow... moreJenny Samson, sister of Luke and daughter of Brant introduced in the first book in the series (Abby: Mail Order Bride) is a gifted artist. She has moved from her country home in Texas to attend Jake Ryder's Academy of Art in New York. She has long dreamed of meeting Mr. Ryder, the great artist known as the Painter of Emotions, and when she does, his criticism of her paintings devastates her. Jake Ryder lost his right arm in a carriage accident. It was the final sorrow in a life of sorrow. Now he lives a lonely existence, rarely leaving his estate. The sweet paintings of Jenny Samson incense the artist in him because life is not sweet, nor kind, nor lovely, and he lashes out at the plain country girl during a gallery exhibition of her works. Soon, however, he will discover there is more to Jenny than he ever anticipated. less

Order of books in the Unconventional Series: Abby: Mail Order Bride; Broken Angel; Ryder's Salvation; Joy's Return Joy Abigail Ryder has a dream to travel and paint the West, just as her father Jake Ryder did when he was her age. Being the year 1920, societal restrictions are not as cumbersome as they once were a decade or two earlier, but still, is she ready to travel as an unchaperoned female westward for an extended period of time... moreOrder of books in the Unconventional Series: Abby: Mail Order Bride; Broken Angel; Ryder's Salvation; Joy's Return Joy Abigail Ryder has a dream to travel and paint the West, just as her father Jake Ryder did when he was her age. Being the year 1920, societal restrictions are not as cumbersome as they once were a decade or two earlier, but still, is she ready to travel as an unchaperoned female westward for an extended period of time. Her sweet grandmother Abby is the one who finally convinces her to follow her heart. Dr. Walker Flemming's wife died in a horse accident a year earlier and his daughter hasn't spoken a word since. When he meets a young woman in the general store who says that his five year old talked to her...he is stunned! However, his aunt, having previously encountered the woman on a train, denigrates her character. Walker doesn't know whom to believe. Should he take a chance and ask the young lady to give his daughter art lessons, hoping his baby will speak again? That is, if she even did so in the first place. less