Brides of Blessings Series by Mimi Milan, Brides of Blessings

"This place is too dangerous for a face like yours.""I feel as if I've heard those words before." It's been several years since Araceli Arroyo left behind the burning ruins of her family's hacienda in New Mexico for a new start in California. Despite the time that's passed and all the loss she's suffered, the painful memory of war is like fresh paint on a blank canvas. Perhaps that's why the prints she creates always hold a touch of sadness... more"This place is too dangerous for a face like yours.""I feel as if I've heard those words before." It's been several years since Araceli Arroyo left behind the burning ruins of her family's hacienda in New Mexico for a new start in California. Despite the time that's passed and all the loss she's suffered, the painful memory of war is like fresh paint on a blank canvas. Perhaps that's why the prints she creates always hold a touch of sadness. However, she's determined to produce something new - a masterpiece that will inspire the folks in the growing town of Blessings. Could the new hire at her father's sawmill help her do that... or will the secrets he carries destroy them both? From Texas to New Mexico, problems stick to Miguel Santiago like stink on old fish. Hoping to shed his old life, he's thankful for a friend's invitation to start anew in a place where he can be anyone - literally. Operating under the alias of Michael St. James, his fair looks and country twang allow him to pass as any other American cowboy in search of California's promise of golden opportunities. Could the family he's always wanted also be part of the prospect... or will the woman of his dreams discard him like her dried jars of paint when his past is revealed? A story of desire and deception, dismay and deliverance, hearts burn as bright as the summer sun setting on the golden California coastline in this classic western. less

To swindle a swindler is Jake's idea of the ultimate revenge. His nemesis conned away his brother's miner hat blueprints. In turn, Jake plans to woo his enemy's bookish niece and then convince her to buy enough shares in Jake's railroad ponzi scheme to bankrupt his nemesis's miner's hat business. Jake's Trojan horse is a four-pound carnival trick dog. Maxine Sweeten is a math whiz at keeping her uncle’s accounts on Pasley Miner's Hats and dabbling in the stock market... moreTo swindle a swindler is Jake's idea of the ultimate revenge. His nemesis conned away his brother's miner hat blueprints. In turn, Jake plans to woo his enemy's bookish niece and then convince her to buy enough shares in Jake's railroad ponzi scheme to bankrupt his nemesis's miner's hat business. Jake's Trojan horse is a four-pound carnival trick dog. Maxine Sweeten is a math whiz at keeping her uncle’s accounts on Pasley Miner's Hats and dabbling in the stock market. She loves all God's creatures. When Jake brings Maxine the supposedly lame-legged terrier, she can't help but soften toward the rugged stranger with his own emotional wounds that shadow his eyes. Once she realizes Jake is out to ruin both her and her uncle, she's determined to discover why. His reasons open up a whole new bundle of trouble. What's more, she must find a way to heal not only creatures from the forest, but Jake's wild heart. less

"Healing the heart can be the hardest medicine to make." Known as "Snowy Owl" amongst her people, Kela Tukumu is less interested in taking a husband than she is in becoming the first medicine woman of her Miwok tribe. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that she is rather fierce to behold--taller and stronger than all the other women, and even many of the men.. more"Healing the heart can be the hardest medicine to make." Known as "Snowy Owl" amongst her people, Kela Tukumu is less interested in taking a husband than she is in becoming the first medicine woman of her Miwok tribe. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that she is rather fierce to behold--taller and stronger than all the other women, and even many of the men... or maybe it is simply due to the terrible tragedy she heard all her life--the one that took away her grieving mother before Kela had the chance to even know her. Regardless of the reason, Kela is determined to stay the course. With the influx of new settlers in the territory, her people have suffered much. She has decided it is her responsibility to help them heal. However, doing so may require an alliance with the local town doctor in ways she never imagined. If Jonathan Edwards could turn back the hands of time, he would have never left his medical practice back east. His wife warned him it would be their undoing and, sure enough, it was. Now he has his wife's blood on his hands, as well as the responsibility of raising their two small children alone. Worse, the town's mayor has charged him with yet another undertaking--unite the townsfolk with the local Miwok tribe. Yet, how can he possibly do so when the very real likelihood exists that it was one of their men who murdered his wife? The last thing he wishes is to betray her memory... an increasingly difficult task when the Miwok's shaman turns out to be the most capable woman he's ever known. Will sharing their knowledge with one another open a way to healing, or only produce more hurt for both them and their peoples? less

Despite her father being of noble blood, Mariposa Sanchez Tanaka has lived her whole life with the stigma of being a servant’s daughter. With grim marriage prospects, she has devoted her life to studying the ways of the Kunoichi. Of course, there is only so much one can learn from a tattered piece of paper found in a sack of rice flour. Still, she is determined to live a life with purpose—which becomes clear only after a precious heirloom goes missing... moreDespite her father being of noble blood, Mariposa Sanchez Tanaka has lived her whole life with the stigma of being a servant’s daughter. With grim marriage prospects, she has devoted her life to studying the ways of the Kunoichi. Of course, there is only so much one can learn from a tattered piece of paper found in a sack of rice flour. Still, she is determined to live a life with purpose—which becomes clear only after a precious heirloom goes missing. Determined to find it, she follows clues leading her to the town of Blessings… and to a man who will help her learn what true strength is. Once destined for great things, Shen Wu settled into small town life with the hope of escaping his past. Resigned to live a life of quiet anonymity, he’s worked his way from the position of a lowly blacksmith’s apprentice to the owner of a lauded smitty. Life is perfect—or so he thinks until a foreigner posing as a geisha tries to steal his father’s sword. Unable to resist, he can’t help but get caught up in her cause and enjoys the opportunity of being a sensei once more. However, master becomes student when he realizes he’s not the only one with a thing or two left to learn about life, legends... and maybe even love. A Brides of Blessings adventure, the secret of the dragon claw necklace is finally revealed in the last installment of this three part saga. less