Noelle, Colorado – Christmas, 1876. A wanted woman’s flight, a man in pursuit of honesty, not stolen gold…and only nine days left to save the town. Available on Amazon. 

BOOK BLURB:

Many years have passed since Bernadette Bellamy fled the Cariboo Gold Rush and her reputation as the sister of a French-Canadian gang of thieves. Armed with only an honest talent for sewing and a willingness to lead a solitary life on the run, she stays one step ahead of everyone seeking her brothers’ last—and now lost—heist. Until a craving to settle down makes her reinvent herself as Birdie Bell, a dress shop owner. The arrival of an old foe combined with her desire to hold onto her treasure trove of fabrics has Birdie joining a wagonload of brides bound for a remote town.

After losing his leg and his wife, Jack Peregrine buries his pain under a mountain-high pile of work. He only agrees to sign up for a mail-order bride to save the town of Noelle, keep his freighting business, and care for his absentminded grandfather. But Jack’s request for a sturdy bride who won’t crumble under his burdens brings him a woman as tiny as she is troubled. Can two mismatched people band together to become the perfect match?

BOOK EXCERPT:

A crowd of women filled La Maison’s front hall. One of them was Jack’s bride, Birdie Bell. A hard-working woman who’d started her own dressmaking business in Denver. A mature woman of thirty. A strong woman who wouldn’t break under life’s hardships.

Maybe his luck would change today. With time Miss Bell might come to respect or maybe even enjoy his company. He needed this marriage to last.

He should’ve looked for his grandfather first, but he couldn’t stop his gaze from scanning the women in search of his bride. Even wild-swept from the storm and huddled together shivering from the cold, the women were a fine-looking bunch. How had Mrs. Walters managed that?

A raven-haired, pale-skinned woman standing slightly apart from the rest snared his attention. Her beauty would’ve been enough to hold any man spellbound but her tiny size turned him rigid with concern. A woman so small wouldn’t last long in a town like Noelle.

His worry turned to anger. Whoever had asked her to come here should be horsewhipped!

A faint smile curved her mouth as if she was amused by the prospect of being housed in a location as scandalous as La Maison. He must be dreaming. She shouldn’t be here and she couldn’t be amused.

She surveyed the room, studying everything and everyone—until she saw him. Then she stared at him the way he felt he must be staring at her, as if mesmerized.

“I’ve come for a bride,” a voice proclaimed loudly, a familiar voice that made him cringe. “Which one of you is the future Mrs. Peregrine?”

The woman spun to face the speaker—his Grandpa Gus.

A wave of gasps and tittering laughter swept the crowd. Several of the women glanced at the tiny woman who’d captivated him. She was now staring at Gus with wide eyes.

Her gaze darted to him. When she caught him still staring at her, her expression turned blank and devoid of emotion. She straightened her shoulders, strode straight up to Gus, and said in a lyrical voice with a seductively foreign accent, “I am the bride you seek, Mr. Peregrine. My name is Birdie Bell.”

A surge of euphoria followed quickly by alarm made him stagger and lean heavily against the nearest wall. This tiny Frenchwoman couldn’t be Miss Bell. He’d asked for a strong woman. This one wouldn’t be able to hold up under his workload, the rough town, or the surrounding wilderness. She’d abandon Noelle and him.

Could he blame her if she did?

If she didn’t, she might die here.

“No!” His voice shot out louder than Gus’ a moment ago.

Complete silence descended around him. The chance to make a good impression was long gone.

The Calling Birds is the 4th book in the 12 Days of Christmas Mail-Order Brides series.

SERIES BLURB: 

Twelve men. Twelve brides. Twelve days to save a town.

Christmas, 1876: Noelle, Colorado is in danger of becoming a ghost town if the railroad decides to bypass the mountaintop mining community. Determined to prove their town is thriving, twelve men commit to ordering brides before the railroad’s deadline six days into the New Year.

Each of the twelve women has her own reason for signing up to become a mail-order bride. But after they arrive in the uncivilized settlement, they aren’t so sure they’ve made the right decision. Neither are the grooms.

Will the marriages happen in time to save Noelle? The countdown starts on Christmas Day.

SERIES AUTHORS:

The 12 Days of Christmas Mail-Order Brides, written by twelve bestselling authors, put a new twist on an old song in this heartwarming historical romance series with stories ranging from sweet to sensual.

The Partridge by Kit Morgan – A clever man’s plan becomes a matchmaking disaster…and the countdown begins to save the town of Noelle. Releasing Dec 1.

The Dove by Shanna Hatfield – A bewitching gypsy and a beguiled blacksmith tangle over a hidden treasure…with only eleven days left to save the town. Releasing Dec 2.

The Hens by Merry Farmer – A wandering woman finds exactly who she was looking for, but not who she was expecting…with only ten days left to save the town. Releasing Dec 3.

The Calling Birds by Jacqui Nelson – A wanted woman’s flight, a man in pursuit of honesty not stolen gold…and only nine days left to save the town. Releasing Dec 4.

The Gold Ring by Caroline Lee – A dangerous masquerade and a twist of fate put Noelle’s future at risk…with only eight days left to save the town. Releasing Dec 5.

The Goose by Peggy L. Henderson – A woman on the run, a man who doesn’t want to be caught—it’s one wild goose chase…with only seven days left to save the town. Releasing Dec 6.

The Swan by Piper Huguley – A beautiful woman with secrets comes to Noelle to confront a powerful person with the truth…and only six days left to save the town. Releasing Dec 7.

The Maid by Rachel Wesson – A convicted murderer, a young maid on the run…and five days left to save the town. Releasing Dec 8.

The Dancing Lady by Mimi Milan – A desirous diner owner and a disguised dancer waltz their way to love… with only four days left to save the town. Releasing Dec 9.

The Lord by Danica Favorite – An assayer and a ladies maid, each living a lie. Will the truth ruin everything…with only three days left to save the town. Releasing Dec 10.

The Piper by Amanda McIntyre – A determined matchmaker, a stubborn mountain man…and only two days left to save the town. Releasing Dec 11.

The Drum by E.E. Burke – A bad luck bride, an exploding disaster…can Noelle be saved in just one day? Releasing Dec 12.

For all twelve authors’ bios, click HERE.