Boardinghouse Betrothals Series by Janet Lee Barton

Some might call it a proposal. Violet Burton knows it's blackmail, and she refuses to give in. She won't marry the unscrupulous banker who holds the mortgage on her Virginia home. Instead, she'll find employment in New York City, earning enough to pay her debts before returning home. Virginia's where she belongs…even if reconnecting with childhood friend Michael Heaton makes her long to stay permanently at his mother's boardinghouse.The freckle-faced girl Michael knew is now a lovely woman... moreSome might call it a proposal. Violet Burton knows it's blackmail, and she refuses to give in. She won't marry the unscrupulous banker who holds the mortgage on her Virginia home. Instead, she'll find employment in New York City, earning enough to pay her debts before returning home. Virginia's where she belongs…even if reconnecting with childhood friend Michael Heaton makes her long to stay permanently at his mother's boardinghouse.The freckle-faced girl Michael knew is now a lovely woman. Helping Violet find her way is a simple act of friendship—at least at first. But soon he'll do anything to keep her safe, and hope she'll see that the home she seeks is one they can share together. less

A Hero from Her Past If Kathleen O'Bryan were capable of trusting any man, it might be someone like Luke Patterson. She never expected to be reunited with the man that rescued her last summer. But when she arrives at Mrs. Heaton's boardinghouse, seeking refuge, it's the handsome writer who greets her at the door. Something about the lovely Irish immigrant stirs Luke's protective instincts. Life in New York's harsh tenements hasn't dimmed Kathleen's tender spirit... moreA Hero from Her Past If Kathleen O'Bryan were capable of trusting any man, it might be someone like Luke Patterson. She never expected to be reunited with the man that rescued her last summer. But when she arrives at Mrs. Heaton's boardinghouse, seeking refuge, it's the handsome writer who greets her at the door. Something about the lovely Irish immigrant stirs Luke's protective instincts. Life in New York's harsh tenements hasn't dimmed Kathleen's tender spirit. Day by day, Luke feels the walls around his heart crumble. But it will take faith on Kathleen's side, too, and the heart's power to recognize a real home at last. less

Love on Assignment Magazine writer Elizabeth Anderson has sparred with newspaper reporter John Talbot for years. Though they cover similar stories, John thinks Elizabeth's writing is trivial, and she finds him too boastful. So when they must work together to investigate New York City's worst tenement houses, they're surprised by the great team they make... moreLove on Assignment Magazine writer Elizabeth Anderson has sparred with newspaper reporter John Talbot for years. Though they cover similar stories, John thinks Elizabeth's writing is trivial, and she finds him too boastful. So when they must work together to investigate New York City's worst tenement houses, they're surprised by the great team they make. Despite their professional rivalry, John and Elizabeth begin to trust each other as they grow from competitors, to friends, to something more. But then John makes a startling discovery that would break the story—and Elizabeth's heart—wide-open. John's always been driven by his career—can he give up one dream for another? Boardinghouse Betrothals: Hearts taking shelter—and forging new beginnings less

Finding her way home   Having fled her privileged upbringing for a failed romance, Rebecca Heaton knows her pride has kept her from returning home. Now at her mother's boardinghouse in New York City, she's determined to forge a new life for herself--and her daughter. She just never expects to find a new love in the process…  Ben Roth has always been compelled to help the downtrodden�including single moms like Rebecca... moreFinding her way home   Having fled her privileged upbringing for a failed romance, Rebecca Heaton knows her pride has kept her from returning home. Now at her mother's boardinghouse in New York City, she's determined to forge a new life for herself--and her daughter. She just never expects to find a new love in the process…  Ben Roth has always been compelled to help the downtrodden�including single moms like Rebecca. But if the past has taught him one thing it's that offering his trust can lead to disappointment. Could these two wounded souls make one another whole…and come together as a forever family?  Boardinghouse Betrothals: Hearts taking shelter�and forging new beginnings less

A Family in Need   With no teaching positions open, Georgia Marshall agrees to become the temporary nanny for the two little girls next door. But she soon becomes enamored of the precocious children and their dashing but distant widowed father. Though she's falling for him, she can't help but think that the nobleman is out of her reach.  After the tragic loss of his wife, Tyler Walker swore he'd never again give his heart away... moreA Family in Need   With no teaching positions open, Georgia Marshall agrees to become the temporary nanny for the two little girls next door. But she soon becomes enamored of the precocious children and their dashing but distant widowed father. Though she's falling for him, she can't help but think that the nobleman is out of her reach.  After the tragic loss of his wife, Tyler Walker swore he'd never again give his heart away. Until his neighbor brightens his home and brings some much-needed stability to his motherless family. But he refuses to allow this arrangement with the pretty teacher to become permanent…no matter how much he wants Georgia by his side—forever. less

Julia Olsen was the first boarder at Heaton House, on her own for the first time, and a bit too independent. She didn’t much like Mrs. Heaton’s rules—no going out by herself after dark unless accompanied by a man. She understood it now, but not before nearly ruining her life by sneaking out to meet her beau. He’d come calling a few times, but Mrs. Heaton didn’t take to him—or so he said. So he insisted Julia sneak out to meet him, and sure he was the man she’d marry, she did... moreJulia Olsen was the first boarder at Heaton House, on her own for the first time, and a bit too independent. She didn’t much like Mrs. Heaton’s rules—no going out by herself after dark unless accompanied by a man. She understood it now, but not before nearly ruining her life by sneaking out to meet her beau. He’d come calling a few times, but Mrs. Heaton didn’t take to him—or so he said. So he insisted Julia sneak out to meet him, and sure he was the man she’d marry, she did. But unknown to her, Mrs. Heaton’s son, Michael, who ran his own detective agency, had the man investigated. Then he followed her one night and confronted the man with the knowledge that he was married and had two children. Julia was more than heartbroken, she was disgusted that she’d fallen for the man’s lies, and mortified that her landlady’s son knew how gullible she was. Then, over the years, she’d watched first one and then another of the boarders fall in love, but because she believed she had a knack for falling for the wrong men, Julia decided never to be so vulnerable again and never to risk having her heart broken again. Josh Tucker moved to Oklahoma with his family and he loves it there, but lately he’s been feeling restless and as if he’s missing something. His mother tells him he needs to find a wife, but good single women are few and far between out west, even if he was looking, which he’s not. He’d been courting a young lady and was ready to ask her father for her hand when he found out she’d been seeing another man—one with more land, more money, and more power than Josh ever hoped to have. And even though she said she loved Josh more, she up and accepted the other man’s proposal. Now he doesn’t feel he can ever trust another woman—in spite of his mother’s wishes for him to marry and give her grandchildren. He felt bad for disappointing her but it was his heart that’d been broken. And he didn’t intend to let it happen again. Still, when his mother expressed a desire to travel to New York City to see the cousin she’d been corresponding to for years, Josh felt the least he could do was grant her wish and take her. But now she’s here in the city, seeing her cousin’s family and her grandchildren, Josh fears his mother will be after him to get married more than ever. And he’ll have to disappoint her all over again. Can two lonely hearts change their minds about falling in love and find a way to rekindle their dreams together? Or will the Lord have to intervene? less