Bachelors and Babies Series by Linda Carroll-Bradd, Charlene Raddon

No bachelor could be prepared for what happens to the Givens brothers one stormy night in 1876. Finding a pregnant woman on their road, they take her in. Before they can learn anything about her, she gives birth to triplets and disappears. Luckily, the doctor supplies a much-needed wet-nurse— Cynara, a recent widow who lost her baby. Her sad eyes and gentle acceptance awaken something in Barclay's staid soul. But she's not ready for a new man in her life... moreNo bachelor could be prepared for what happens to the Givens brothers one stormy night in 1876. Finding a pregnant woman on their road, they take her in. Before they can learn anything about her, she gives birth to triplets and disappears. Luckily, the doctor supplies a much-needed wet-nurse— Cynara, a recent widow who lost her baby. Her sad eyes and gentle acceptance awaken something in Barclay's staid soul. But she's not ready for a new man in her life. She'll stay at the ranch and tend the babies, but that's all. Meanwhile, where is the babies' real mother? Who and where is the father? And what will become of these helpless infants? less

A strange woman in town - A suspicious bachelor - An abandoned baby in a basket. Dallas Mason has sworn off women after a disastrous engagement. But then a baby shows up in his barn and a suspicious woman appears in Mill Ridge on the exact same day. He confronts the stranger, causing a chain of events that spirals out of control. The next thing he knows he is married and raising a baby. Scarlett Wiley has secrets she'd rather keep to herself... moreA strange woman in town - A suspicious bachelor - An abandoned baby in a basket. Dallas Mason has sworn off women after a disastrous engagement. But then a baby shows up in his barn and a suspicious woman appears in Mill Ridge on the exact same day. He confronts the stranger, causing a chain of events that spirals out of control. The next thing he knows he is married and raising a baby. Scarlett Wiley has secrets she'd rather keep to herself. Determined to escape from a world she hates, she's told that Mill Ridge is a good place to 'disappear.' Except the moment she gets to town, she is accused of abandoning a baby. When Scarlett inadvertently claims the child as her own, she winds up with an instant family that she has no clue what to do with. How will Scarlett tell her new husband the truth? Can she chance letting her past catch up with her or will he toss her out like an old shoe when he learns the whole story? less

WINNER of short historical category of 2020 IDA contestA year ago, lawyer Grayson Wainwright's brother was killed due to faulty metal bridge braces. When Grayson files a wrongful death case against a company accused of supplying shoddy materials to the Transcontinental Railroad, he relishes his chance to achieve justice. Grayson’s two witnesses intimately know the accused, Leary Riddock--one is his wife, Loraine, and the other is his secretary, Catalina del Mar... moreWINNER of short historical category of 2020 IDA contestA year ago, lawyer Grayson Wainwright's brother was killed due to faulty metal bridge braces. When Grayson files a wrongful death case against a company accused of supplying shoddy materials to the Transcontinental Railroad, he relishes his chance to achieve justice. Grayson’s two witnesses intimately know the accused, Leary Riddock--one is his wife, Loraine, and the other is his secretary, Catalina del Mar. Catalina and her husband, Joaquin, moved west from Omaha, working at various jobs for the Union Pacific. But when their infant son died, Joaquin abandoned her in Cheyenne, and Catalina was forced to support herself. She became a bookkeeper in Riddock’s construction company and soon learned her boss was not a legitimate businessman. As soon as the facts are revealed about Leary’s embezzlement, she agrees to serve as a key witness. Then Loraine is killed right before she is scheduled to testify, and threats prove Catalina is next. Now with an orphaned infant on his hands, Grayson must move heaven and earth to protect his beautiful remaining witness…and his heart. less

After five years leading the Lord’s flock in King’s Ford, Nebraska, The Reverend James Hathaway is used to the demands on his time. But nothing could prepare him to find a baby in a basket on his front step. He always expected to marry before becoming a father. Then a young widow agrees to help him learn to care for the child and he wonders if he hasn’t found his future. Widow Esther Travers is still reeling over the loss of her newborn baby girl when she’s asked to help care for another baby... moreAfter five years leading the Lord’s flock in King’s Ford, Nebraska, The Reverend James Hathaway is used to the demands on his time. But nothing could prepare him to find a baby in a basket on his front step. He always expected to marry before becoming a father. Then a young widow agrees to help him learn to care for the child and he wonders if he hasn’t found his future. Widow Esther Travers is still reeling over the loss of her newborn baby girl when she’s asked to help care for another baby. Vowing to get the little one off to a good start, she doesn’t plan to fall for the very handsome preacher, too. less

He's focused on the future...The past is all she knows.Together they're forced to face today. His months in Salisbury prison taught Union Captain Tanner Bell to detest a southern drawl, and Widow Cranford's exaggerated Dixie twang has him gritting his teeth. His plans for a ranch are threatened when his orphaned newborn niece is delivered to him, and he desperately needs her help... moreHe's focused on the future...The past is all she knows.Together they're forced to face today. His months in Salisbury prison taught Union Captain Tanner Bell to detest a southern drawl, and Widow Cranford's exaggerated Dixie twang has him gritting his teeth. His plans for a ranch are threatened when his orphaned newborn niece is delivered to him, and he desperately needs her help.Raylene Cranford survived a Georgia winter living on acorns and scrawny rabbits before traveling sixteen-hundred miles to carve out a life in Colorado. She lost everything--except her dignity and hope. Her feminine Southern graces are her armor, but maintaining appearances could cost her love.Can a Southern belle and a Union soldier change deeply-ingrained misconceptions about themselves for the sake of a child? less

Texas Ranger, Brady Forester, has come home to Sugar Springs, Texas. He needs to rest and recover from a gunshot wound and high on his list of priorities is to rework his parent's homestead, get back in touch with his former love, and find the man who shot him in the back. The last thing he had counted on was finding a baby on his front step. Molly Butters' life has spiraled out of her control... moreTexas Ranger, Brady Forester, has come home to Sugar Springs, Texas. He needs to rest and recover from a gunshot wound and high on his list of priorities is to rework his parent's homestead, get back in touch with his former love, and find the man who shot him in the back. The last thing he had counted on was finding a baby on his front step. Molly Butters' life has spiraled out of her control. Taking care of her father, since his accident, is a full time job plus she continually fights off the advances of the ranch foreman. When she sees Brady Forester at the local barn raising, she wonders if the man she's loved, since the age of four years, will step in and save this damsel in distress. less