Westward Hearts Series by Blythe Carver

When Melissa married John Carter because her family couldn’t afford to feed her, she had no idea of the cruelty of the man. John Carter beats her mercilessly and makes her life a living hell. After seeing an ad in the paper for paid passage westward, she answers the ad in the hopes to use the ticket to escape John Carter. She gets on a coach from Boston, heading west, with no money, and needing a roof over her head... moreWhen Melissa married John Carter because her family couldn’t afford to feed her, she had no idea of the cruelty of the man. John Carter beats her mercilessly and makes her life a living hell. After seeing an ad in the paper for paid passage westward, she answers the ad in the hopes to use the ticket to escape John Carter. She gets on a coach from Boston, heading west, with no money, and needing a roof over her head. Not just for herself, but for the baby she’s carrying, a baby she has to save from John Carter’s cruelty. Expecting a baby has changed the stakes for Melissa. She must provide a safe and loving home for the child. Time if of the essence if she is to marry in time to convince her new husband that the baby she’ll give birth to is his. A stagecoach robbery is a deterrent she did not count on, nor need. When the robbers learn her husband is a wealthy rancher, she’s taken hostage, costing her precious time in a plan that hinges on timeliness. She hates the leader of the highwaymen. Hates him with a passion and is beyond angry that the time is ticking while he negotiates her ransom. Jed Cunningham’s a highwayman, certainly, but one with honor. And a heart, it seems. He can’t stand the idea of sending the stunning feisty Melissa Carter to marry a rich rancher. She’s precisely the kind of woman who needs to be loved. But she doesn’t seem to see that. less

Upper crust classy saloon girl crossed with shrew’s temper and sass. Just what a rancher ordered. Actually, no. Rancher Mark Furnish is in a bind. His ranch is losing money, the banks have turned him down, and his wealthy grandfather back east is refusing to fund the venture anymore unless Mark has a wife. The mail order bride that was supposed to be his has now become his foreman’s wife. Time’s tight and Mark doesn’t have a second to waste... moreUpper crust classy saloon girl crossed with shrew’s temper and sass. Just what a rancher ordered. Actually, no. Rancher Mark Furnish is in a bind. His ranch is losing money, the banks have turned him down, and his wealthy grandfather back east is refusing to fund the venture anymore unless Mark has a wife. The mail order bride that was supposed to be his has now become his foreman’s wife. Time’s tight and Mark doesn’t have a second to waste. As if that’s not bad enough, he doesn’t even want to be married to begin with. The mail order bride thing didn’t work out so well for this sexy cowboy rancher. Who says the second time will be a success? He steps into the saloon for a couple of shots of cure-all and instead discovers a saloon girl that’s more like a fiery temple virgin. She refuses all the men’s efforts at flirtation and offers to go upstairs for a tryst. This woman’s got upper crust class and a shrew’s temper. Maybe he shouldn’t have tried to help her. Maybe he wouldn’t have been kicked out of the saloon and she wouldn’t have been fired. Now she’s his responsibility. This new turn of events is giving his ideas. Why can’t he get the words fake wife out of his mind? less

A foreman set in his ways and a hardheaded journalist with a mind of her own can’t abide by the conditions set forth in her father’s will. But they also can’t abide with the notion of being in the same country, much less the same ranch. Foreman Lewis Sutton’s been like a son to Richard Reed. Except he’s not his son. So when Richard dies and Lewis has to contact his estranged daughters to come claim the ranch that Lewis loves, he’s left with a bitter taste in his mouth... moreA foreman set in his ways and a hardheaded journalist with a mind of her own can’t abide by the conditions set forth in her father’s will. But they also can’t abide with the notion of being in the same country, much less the same ranch. Foreman Lewis Sutton’s been like a son to Richard Reed. Except he’s not his son. So when Richard dies and Lewis has to contact his estranged daughters to come claim the ranch that Lewis loves, he’s left with a bitter taste in his mouth. Sure that the estranged princesses from the east coast will send a lawyer to sell the property, Lewis finds himself in the unenviable position of knowing he’ll lose the only home he’s ever known. Molly Reed’s got a good life in Baltimore. She’s just taken a position that she’s been pursuing for what seems like forever. A journalist spot. She’s been trying to get that job for so long, and she’s written her heart out to get it. She can’t even use her own name. She can’t even conduct interviews. She’s had to ask her friend Cory Weston to go to the interviews and ask the questions she comes up with while she plays secretary and takes notes. Cory’s in love with her, so he’d agree to just about anything. She tells Cory she’ll be back, and she has to go settle some affairs at her father’s ranch. She doesn’t know the conditions yet. Little do either Molly or Lewis know, the conditions of the will are that Richard’s daughters must live on the ranch for a year before doing anything with it. Then there are more conditions, but the lawyer won’t tell anyone what those are until the year is up. less

Kidnapped and held for ransom, Holly Reed escapes and makes a run for it. Half Indian, half Scottish, Roan MacIntosh’s just another mountain man. One who wants to be left alone. He doesn’t want company, especially not some yappy female he saves from a blizzard. He also doesn’t need anyone. Until he’s got new set of unexpected visitors. And now, Holly Reed, the one who needed saving is the one to do the saving.

Cate Reed has one ambition. One dream. One goal. A theater in Carson City. How can they not have one? So uncivilized. This dream of hers goes against the grain of her sisters, and it seems, of most polite society. Polite society be damned, Cate Reed’s going to get her theater, come hell or high water. Or a man who has a bargain. Cate Reed’s made a deal with a devil. A devilishly handsome stranger named Landon Jenkins. Landon Jenkins needs an actress to perform the role of a lifetime... moreCate Reed has one ambition. One dream. One goal. A theater in Carson City. How can they not have one? So uncivilized. This dream of hers goes against the grain of her sisters, and it seems, of most polite society. Polite society be damned, Cate Reed’s going to get her theater, come hell or high water. Or a man who has a bargain. Cate Reed’s made a deal with a devil. A devilishly handsome stranger named Landon Jenkins. Landon Jenkins needs an actress to perform the role of a lifetime. Is Cate that actress? And will she get what she wants or what she needs? less