"three intriguing western romances"

"The Founding Father" by Diana Palmer. Former Georgian farmer turned Texas rancher Big John Jacobs hopes to persuade New York tycoon Terrance Colby to swing a rail past his spread to expedite the moving of cattle. John offers a business marriage to Terrance's unmarriageable daughter Camilla Ellen. He would receive access to her father while she would gain her freedom, but neither expected love to emerge. This is a solid Tall Texan tale starring an honest hero showcased in an intelligent story line though one must question the change in Camilla from rug rat to heroine.

"Wild West Wager" by Judith Stacy. In 1888 Colorado, saloon owner Jack Delaney does the unthinkable when he becomes the first male to enter the Marlow Tea Room. Jack hires the tearoom co-owner Rebecca Merriweather to decorate his new house so that his eastern company will feel at home. Though she thinks he is bringing his fiancé west, they fall in love. This is a fine lighthearted western romance.

"Snow Maiden" by Mary Burton. In Colorado, business mogul Adam Richmond wants the construction of the new organ to fail because that will badly reflect on the new minister, who he wants to keep away from his sister. He offers the builder Russian emigrant Sophia Petrovnova money to leave town, but she refuses though the cash would enable her to go home. Sophia loves Adam, but knows his heart is colder than her homeland's winters though she had hoped to melt it. Fans will enjoy this warm yet simplistic tale of redemption.

All three intriguing western romances bring to life the late nineteenth century through strong lead couples and fine support casts.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted November 24, 2003

Summary

The Founding Father by Diana Palmer
For over a decade, New York Times bestselling author Diana Palmer has won fans' hearts worldwide with her tantalizing Long, Tall Texans tales! Now as a special holiday treat, this treasured storyteller brings you the story of how it all began.

Discover how legends were made when Jacobsville founding father Big John Jacobs weds the daughter of a prosperous railroad tycoon! Will passion blaze when this fortune- seeking Long,Tall Texan brands his sweetly unassuming wife with his soul-searing kisses?

Wild West Wager by Judith Stacy
Rebecca Merriweather comes west to rural Colorado, only to alienate all the eligible men in town! Now the "prim and proper" spinster must sweet-talk a devilishly handsome saloon owner into a most disreputable dalliance. . .

Snow Maiden by Mary Burton
Dashing real estate magnate Adam Richmond is Bah Humbugging his way through the holidays when he is driven to distraction by Russian beauty Sophia Petrovnova. Are Yuletide wedding bells about to ring?