In 1881 Chicago, the idea of a female detective is virtually unheard of. But when famed crime buster Allan Pinkerton opens his agency's doors to a handful of women, one intrepid actress with her own troubled past is driven to defy convention and take on a new and dangerous role. . . Since the age of eleven, when her mother was murdered, the life of the theater is all Lilly Long has known. Now twenty-two, she has blossomed into an accomplished Shakespearean actress. But after her innocence--and her savings--are taken from her by a seductive scoundrel, Lilly vows to leave the stage, enter the real world, and save others from a similar fate. Following in the footsteps of the country's first female detective, Lilly persuades Allan Pinkerton to take her on. Lilly's acting skills are a perfect fit for her real-life role as a Pinkerton operative. But her first case is a baptism by fire as she is sent to the small town of Vandalia to solve the mystery of a pastor who disappeared with his family--and the church's funds. When Lilly arrives, she finds the mere mention of the reverend's name provokes enmity or suspicious silence. Shadowed by a second Pinkerton agent with an agenda of his own, Lilly begins to uncover Vandalia's sordid secrets. But she'll have to deliver the performance of a lifetime to survive the final act of this drama.
In 1880s Chicago, Shakespearean actress turned Pinkerton detective Lilly Long must play the part of a soiled dove to find a missing friend . . . As one of a handful of female operatives employed by legendary crime fighter Allan Pinkerton, Lilly draws on her theatrical training to go undercover in situations inaccessible to male detectives—much to the discomfort of her partner, Cade McShane. Their latest case takes them to the rough and rowdy bordellos that line Hell’s Half Acre in Fort Worth, Texas—truly the Wild West. This time the case is deeply personal. Lilly’s friend, Nora Nash, who traveled to Fort Worth as a mail-order bride, has instead been forced into prostitution. After a desperate call for help, Nora has gone missing. To find her, Lilly must revamp herself as a vamp and expose a seamy underworld of unspeakable secrets where anything goes. But she and Cade soon discover firsthand that lives are cheap in Hell’s Half Acre—including their own . . . Praise for Penny Richards and An Untimely Frost “A strong heroine and the intriguing Pinkertons make this historical mystery a cozy way to spend a weekend. Lilly Long’s independence and stubborn spirit will immediately endear her to many readers.” —RT Book Reviews (4 Stars) “Penny Richards has created a fascinating heroine, a great mystery, and an exceptional play on history.” —New York Times bestselling author, Heather Graham
THE TEST OF A MARRIAGE Eva Carmichael was talented, beautiful…the girl everyone believed most likely to succeed. When she left her hometown for a new life, she never expected to one day find herself alone and pregnant, her world in ashes. But the Lord never closes a door without opening a window…. For years the young minister Howard Blake have loved Eva from afar. Now he offered to marry her. But Eva had never imagined herself as a minister's wife. And even if they survived the small-town gossips, could their marriage ever grow into the light of love? Welcome to Love Inspired™—stories that will lift your spirits and gladden your heart. Meet men and women facing the challenges of today's world and learning important lessons about life, faith and love.
Shakespearean actress turned Pinkerton detective Lilly Long and her reluctant partner, Cade McShane, travel to New Orleans to save a young widow from a fate worse than death... 1881, Chicago. Assigned to her second case as a Pinkerton, Lilly still needs to prove herself—both as a novice detective and as a woman in a man’s world. Ordered to once again work with Lilly, Cade needs to redeem himself for conduct unbecoming to a Pinkerton—a grief-driven drunken brawl. As if their forced partnership wasn’t bad enough, the agents must pose as husband and wife servants in the troubled household of a wealthy New Orleans family. An acting challenge if ever there was one... The elderly matriarch of the Fortenot family is convinced her grandson’s former widow has been unjustly committed to an insane asylum by her second husband. She believes the man is attempting to wrest the family fortune away from his new wife. Soon, behind the beautiful façade of the Fortenot mansion, the detectives uncover secrets, betrayal, voodoo curses—and murder. Even as Lilly and Cade chafe against their roles, they must work together to expose the true villain of this tragedy before the hapless widow faces her final curtain call.
The Widow's Second Chance Meg Thomerson needs assistance getting back on her feet--even if it comes from the man who made her a widow. Ace Allen didn't intend to kill her husband, he only wanted to protect the town from the man's rage. Now Ace is keeping Meg's business and farm running while she heals, both physically and emotionally. But is he helping her out of charity--or because of something more? Half Native American, Ace struggles to find his place in the world. He keeps himself isolated from the community, but sweet Meg begins to penetrate his defenses. At first, he simply wanted to make amends to her. Now, if she'll let him, he could become the loving husband she deserves...
PARENTHOOD Little Hannah McShane was her parents' pride and joy, linking two hearts for all eternity. So why did Mummy and Daddy insist on a long-distance marriage living miles apart, sharing only shy, awkward visits, saving all their love for her? True, Hannah was technically another man's child. But Drew McShane had married ranching heiress Kim Campion and given baby Hannah his name. And even a tot could tell that rugged Drew and genteel Kim secretly adored each other. So what would it take to make Mummy and Daddy see the light, admit their love finally live as husband and wife?
A Marriage of Inconvenience! After a storm strands her overnight in Will Slade's cabin, Blythe Granville's reputation is in shambles. The townspeople doubt that she was innocently nursing him back to health after saving his life. Now Blythe must accept Will's proposal: a marriage in name only to save her good name. But the former socialite is determined not to fall for her new husband...even if she's drawn to the gruff stranger who's vowed to stand by her, in sickness and in health. Will never wanted to remarry after his ex–wife betrayed him. But now he finds himself hitched to a city girl who has no idea how to keep a house...but is somehow chiseling her way into his heart. As Blythe melts Will's crusty facade, though, they're discovering that this most unexpected union might just lead to true love.
All Roads Lead to Home Gabe Gentry used to live entirely in pursuit of carefree pleasure. It cost him his relationship with his brother, and with the one woman who believed in him. Now, with newfound faith, he's coming home to Wolf Creek, Arkansas, hoping to find redemption and forgiveness, and maybe even a second chance at love. Physician Rachel Stone never thought she'd lay eyes on Gabe again. After their brief time together, Gabe disappeared, leaving Rachel devastated and secretly pregnant with his son. His return stirs up her bitterness…and her attraction. But Gabe's already burned her once; how can she trust him again, now that her son's heart is on the line, as well?
A Marriage of Necessity Widow Abby Carter hopes to find love again—unlikely with a man like Caleb Gentry, who doesn't even believe in it. Their marriage isn't ideal, but Abby's two young children need security, and Caleb's daughter needs a mother. Perhaps this is one of the Lord's more mysterious answers to Abby's prayers. When Caleb Gentry's wife passed away, he knew he'd need help to raise his baby girl. Abby's loving spirit, strong faith and warm heart make Caleb want to be a better man. It won't be easy. But Caleb's never had things come easy in his life, and making this new family work will be his most important challenge yet.
Rambler's Rest is a historical romance with a touch of saga and suspense. Jon Rambler is a ne'er-do-well disowned by his family for being a constant embarrassment to his father, the baron. Jon is told to go to America and change his name. The wealthy young man soon learns he must stand on his own two feet and is forced to grow up when he wins a plantation in a poker game and inherits four children along with the problems of running a sugar plantation. Add a teen boy who resents him and a heroine who is masquerading as a nun because she thinks she's killed her stepfather, mutual attraction and a gambler's heart and you have the story of Rambler's Rest. Will Jonathan Garrett Rambler come into his own and find his role in life...and a place to call home, a resting place for his wild heart?
Can he be the man she deserves? Wolf Creek Wedding Widow Abby Carter hopes to find love again—unlikely with a man like wealthy farmer Caleb Gentry, who doesn’t even believe in it. Their marriage isn’t ideal, but Abby’s two young children need security, and Caleb’s daughter needs a mother. Perhaps this is one of the Lord’s more mysterious answers to Abby’s prayers! Wolf Creek Homecoming Physician Rachel Stone never thought she’d lay eyes on Gabe Gentry again. After their brief time together, Gabe disappeared, leaving Rachel devastated and secretly pregnant with his son. His return to Wolf Creek stirs up her bitterness…and her attraction. But Gabe’s already burned her once; how can she trust him again now that her son’s heart is on the line, as well?
A Wife for the Sheriff? Schoolteacher Allison Grainger loves educating the children of Wolf Creek, Arkansas. She's nearly at her wit's end, though, when it comes to Sheriff Colt Garrett's two unruly youngsters. But when Allison is forced to work with the prickly lawman, the handsome widower and his children prove to be both charming and the perfect complement to her own life. Colt Garrett is too busy taming the West—and his children—to worry about the concerns of the only schoolteacher in Wolf Creek. That is, until he meets the striking Allison, whose infectious smile warms his heart. Could she be the mother figure his children have always wanted…and the wife he so longs for?
A heartwarming three-in-one of editorially connected novellas in which three couples find love and happiness while attending the same Arkansas wedding. Original.
That Special Woman! A SECRET BABY Nineteen years ago, farm girl Skye Herder was all chaste, forbidden temptation while her older sister was a ripe, willing female. A boy on the brink of manhood, Cash Benedict had to choose . Now, tormented by his memories, compelled by desire, Cash was back. And Skye was a woman grown. Hunting, unforgiving, completely unforgettable, she embodied the beguiling past and the electrifying future. For beside Skye stood a boy on the brink of manhood. A boy enough like Cash to be his son. THAT SPECIAL WOMAN! One long-ago, quicksilver summer would always lead him back to Skye . "Take one Bay Matthews, let her write under her own name of Penny Richards, and the result is romance at its very finest." Melinda Helfer, Romantic Times
A lesson in love Wolf Creek Father by Penny Richards Schoolteacher Allison Grainger loves educating the children of Wolf Creek, Arkansas. She’s nearly at her wit’s end, though, when it comes to Sheriff Colt Garrett’s two unruly youngsters. Colt is too busy taming the West—and his children—to worry about the concerns of the schoolteacher. But Allison’s infectious smile warms his heart. Could she be the mother figure his children have always wanted…and the wife he so longs for? Wooing the Schoolmarm by Dorothy Clark Though Reverend Matthew Calvert adores his niece and nephew, he wants a family of his own, too. The more he sees of pretty schoolteacher Willa Wright, the more he wants that future with her. Yet Willa, so warm to her pupils, is ice-cool toward him. But where there’s a woman like Willa, there’s a man determined to guide her back to love.
Surveying court life and urban life, warfare, religion, and peace, this book provides a comprehensive history of how gender was experienced in early modern Europe. Gender, Power and Privilege in Early Modern Europe shows how definitions of sexuality and gender roles operated and more particularly, how such definitions--and the activities they generated and reflected--articulated concerns inside a given culture. This means that the volume embodies an interdisciplinary approach: literature as well as history, religious studies, economics, and gender studies form the basis of this cultural history of early modern Europe. There are new approaches to understanding famous figures, such as Elizabeth I, James VI and I and his wife Anna of Denmark; Francis I; St. Teresa of Avila. Other chapters investigate topics such as militarism and court culture, and wider groups, such as urban citizens and noble families. The collection also studies ways in which gender and sexual orientation were represented in literature, as well as examinations of the theoretical issues involved in studying history from the angle of gender.
A lesson in love Wolf Creek Father by Penny Richards Schoolteacher Allison Grainger loves educating the children of Wolf Creek, Arkansas. She's nearly at her wit's end, though, when it comes to Sheriff Colt Garrett's two unruly youngsters. Colt is too busy taming the West--and his children--to worry about the concerns of the schoolteacher. But Allison's infectious smile warms his heart. Could she be the mother figure his children have always wanted...and the wife he so longs for? Wooing the Schoolmarm by Dorothy Clark Though Reverend Matthew Calvert adores his niece and nephew, he wants a family of his own, too. The more he sees of pretty schoolteacher Willa Wright, the more he wants that future with her. Yet Willa, so warm to her pupils, is ice-cool toward him. But where there's a woman like Willa, there's a man determined to guide her back to love.
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