BEFORE THE MAIL-ORDER BRIDES OF THE WEST SERIES, BEFORE WILD MONTANA SKY, COMES THE PREQUEL TO THE MONTANA SKY SERIES, sweet historical western romance by NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author Debra Holland set in 1882. Plain and timid, debutante Pamela Burke-Smythe is a wallflower at the high society Boston balls she attends, overlooked by possible suitors. One-by-one, her friends become engaged, and Pamela resigns herself as to life as a spinster. When rancher John Carter becomes guardian to his orphaned godson, Nick, nothing he does seems to help the grieving, angry boy. At his wit’s end, he believes that a wife might help draw Nick out, and lonely himself, John’s been thinking along the matrimonial lines for a while anyway. But small Sweetwater Springs, Montana, has no suitable candidates. He decides to visit his great-aunt Hester in Boston and bring back a wife who is kind and compassionate, can be a mother figure to Nick, and who can adapt to the hard life on the ranch. Hester plays matchmaker for John, introducing him to Pamela. John responds to Pamela’s kind heart and believes he’s found the ideal woman. But Pamela never thought to marry a stranger and leave Boston, and her family and friends are against the idea. She musters all her meager courage to defy her loved ones and seize her only chance at marriage. After a whirlwind courtship, the couple marries and travels west. Pamela discovers a run-down ranch house, a bunch of unruly cowboys, a sullen boy, and a different way of life. Can their new marriage survive the challenge? Montana Sky Series in chronological order: 1882 Beneath Montana's Sky 1886 Mail-Order Brides of the West: Trudy Mail-Order Brides of the West: Lina Mail-Order Brides of the West: Darcy Mail-Order Brides of the West: Prudence Mail-Order Brides of the West: Bertha 1890s Grace: Bride of Montana Wild Montana Sky Starry Montana Sky Stormy Montana Sky Montana Sky Christmas A Valentine's Choice Irish Blessing (2016) Painted Montana Sky Glorious Montana Sky Healing Montana Sky Sweetwater Springs Christmas Sweetwater Springs Scrooge Mystic Montana Sky (June 2016) 2015 Angel in Paradise

When her brother announces his marriage, Elizabeth Hamilton suddenly becomes unwanted and unwelcome in the only home she’s ever known. To escape the new mistress of the house, Elizabeth accepts the invitation of her best friend to journey to Montana. The dirt streets and wooden storefronts of Sweetwater Springs and the hardships of ranch living are worlds away from the refinements of Gilded Age Boston, yet Elizabeth is filled with new hope—and buoyed by a wealthy banker’s attentions. Yet it’s cowboy Nick Sanders who slowly awakens her heart and helps her recognize her strengths. And when a deadly influenza epidemic strikes, Elizabeth will fight for those she loves—and the life she’s ready to claim. A USA Today bestseller and winner of Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award, Wild Montana Sky is historical romance at its best—a warm, uplifting story of new love and second chances.

Since her husband’s death, Samantha Sawyers Rodriguez and her son have been little more than prisoners on her father-in-law’s estate in 1890s Argentina. Now, thanks to her late uncle, she has an inheritance—a Montana ranch that she plans to transform into a sanctuary for orphaned boys while raising her family’s miniature horses. Not everyone in Sweetwater Springs, however, is happy about her arrival. Samantha’s neighbor, Wyatt Thompson, insists she has no idea what she’s taking on—with the ranch or with the neglected boys she’s adopted. Though she can’t deny her attraction to Wyatt, Samantha intends to succeed on her own terms. But when a string of fires turns the locals against her boys, she and Wyatt see all they have to lose—and gain—in this wild and beautiful country.

Schoolteacher Harriet Stanton has always believed in happily ever after. Only, the one she thinks she wants forever with is newly married…just not to her. But when a mysterious stranger rescues Harriet from an accident, she discovers heroes can be found in the most unlikely places… Newspaper reporter Anthony “Ant” Gordon is a man on a mission. He’s determined to find the man who murdered his sister and kidnapped his young nephew, David. The one thing that almost stops him in his tracks? Saving lovely Harriet from a dangerous encounter. Harriet insists on repaying Ant by helping David recover from his ordeal. And David’s not the only one enchanted by the patient teacher…Ant has resolved to keep his eyes firmly focused on his business—and firmly off the woman hired to help his nephew. But now, with their lives suddenly on the line, they must decide whether to risk their hearts too. In New York Times bestseller Stormy Montana Sky, Debra Holland returns to the beloved small town of Sweetwater Springs, where love can heal the most wounded of hearts.

These holiday stories are about various kinds of Christmas love—the romance between a man and a woman, the devotion of a husband to his wife's memory, and the love of a child for her goose. You'll read about familiar characters from Sweetwater Springs and come to know new ones—many of whom you'll see again in future Montana Sky Series books and novellas.

A Montana Sky Series SHORT NOVELLA by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Debra Holland 1895 Bridget O’Donnell left Ireland, dragging along her reluctant twin sister Alana, to create a better life in the new world. The sisters travel to Sweetwater Springs, Montana, intending to live with their uncle’s family. Upon arrival, their plans are derailed by news of their aunt’s illness. James Whitson, a cowboy on the Thompson ranch, is in town to drop off a letter at the train station. When he meets the twins, he’s immediately smitten with Bridget. Hearing their dilemma, he offers to drive the sisters to the ranch to stay with their cousin who’s married one of the other cowboys. Also visiting the ranch is horse breeder Patrick Gallagher. Bridget is attracted to Patrick, for his dark, handsome looks and magnificent black stallion, but is also drawn to down-to-earth James for his kindness and understanding. Valentine’s Day is coming, and soon Bridget will have to choose between her two suitors. A Valentine’s Choice is one of a trio of short novellas featuring the three O’Donnell sisters. Look for Irish Blessing and Easter Reunion coming in March and April. Montana Sky Series in Chronological Order: 1880s Beneath Montana’s Sky Mail-Order Brides of the West: Trudy Mail-Order Brides of the West: Lina Mail-Order Brides of the West: Darcy 1890s Wild Montana Sky Starry Montana Sky Stormy Montana Sky Montana Sky Christmas A Valentine’s Choice Painted Montana Sky Glorious Montana Sky Sweetwater Springs Scrooge Sweetwater Springs Christmas

A Montana Sky Series NOVELLA by Debra Holland, NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Healer Alana O’Donnell travels to her uncle’s home on the prairie outside of Sweetwater Springs to nurse her ailing aunt, leaving her twin Bridget behind at the Thompson ranch. After Bridget rejected his marriage proposal, horse rancher Patrick O’Brian visits Alana, thinking one twin would probably be as good as the other. But Alana’s already in love with another man. After a second rejection, Patrick retreats. An attack by outlaws leads to a second chance at love. But only if they can overcome the hurts of the past and open their hearts again. This book comes after A Valentine's Choice, Bridget O'Donnell's story. MONTANA SKY SERIES IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER: Sweet historical Western Romance 1882 Beneath Montana’s Sky 1886 Mail-Order Brides of the West: Trudy Mail-Order Brides of the West: Lina Mail-Order Brides of the West: Darcy Mail-Order Brides of the West: Prudence Mail-Order Brides of the West: Bertha 1890s Grace: Bride of Montana Wild Montana Sky Starry Montana Sky Stormy Montana Sky Montana Sky Christmas A Valentine’s Choice Irish Blessing Painted Montana Sky Glorious Montana Sky A Rolling Stone ( Healing Montana Sky Sweetwater Springs Scrooge Sweetwater Springs Christmas Mystic Montana Sky 2015 Angel in Paradise

In Painted Montana Sky, a NOVELLA from the acclaimed Montana Sky Series, USA Today bestselling author Debra Holland brings together two people who have turned their backs on love and relationships. In 1894, Lily Maxwell, aspiring painter, travels to Sweetwater Springs, Montana, with her precious cocker spaniel to work on an artistic project that could launch her career. For years, Lily has denied herself happiness because of her equestrian accident that left her with a damaged hip, a limp, and a sense of unworthiness. Her inability to bear children has kept her from giving her heart to anyone. After rancher Tyler Dunn’s wife abandoned him and their son, he wants nothing to do with women. But this new girl in town, with her lovely violet eyes and her wonderful talent, stirs feelings in Tyler. After Tyler rescues Lily’s dog from being swept away by the river, Lily develops a friendship with him, the people on his ranch, and his young son, Oliver. Yet the two of them dare not give in to their feelings for each other. Can these lonely souls find their hearts’ desires under the majestic Montana Sky?

After spending nine years as a missionary in Africa and losing his wife to illness, Joshua Norton is exhausted, emotionally and physically. He returns home to the frontier Montana town of Sweetwater Springs with his estranged nine-year-old son in tow, hoping to rebuild his relationship with the boy. Meanwhile, New Orleans resident Delia Fortier plots to escape the terrible fate her mother has planned for her: becoming the mistress of a cruel, powerful politician. The mixed-race secret daughter of a wealthy Creole businessman, Delia boldly seeks help from her father’s family. Although the rest of the family spurns her, her father is delighted to learn of Delia’s existence and offers her an opportunity: travel west with him, pretending to be his legitimate daughter. When Joshua and Delia meet, their intense attraction is undeniable. But will Delia’s secret stand in the way of their love? Or will prejudice destroy their future…and their lives? A stirring, sweeping frontier romance, Glorious Montana Sky is the fourth title in the bestselling series that has enchanted readers.

A Montana Sky Series SHORT STORY by New York Times Bestselling Author Debra Holland In 1895, everyone in Sweetwater Springs is preparing for Christmas—everyone except Elias Masters, a miserly hermit. Then Elias meets the young grandson of his former betrothed, Marian Williams, and everything changes for him. Can Elias reemerge into civilization, overcome the mistakes of his past, and win back Marian's love? Sweetwater Springs Scrooge takes place at the same time as Sweetwater Springs Christmas: A Montana Sky Series Short Story Collection. The Montana Sky Series in Chronological Order: 1880s Beneath Montana's Sky Mail-Order Brides of the West: Trudy Mail-Order Brides of the West: Lina Mail-Order Brides of the West: Darcy 1890s Wild Montana Sky Starry Montana Sky Stormy Montana Sky Montana Sky Christmas Glorious Montana Sky Sweetwater Springs Scrooge Sweetwater Springs Christmas

After a grizzly bear kills Antonia Valleau’s trapper husband, she packs her few worldly possessions, leaves her home in the mountains of Montana, and treks to nearby Sweetwater Springs, seeking work to provide for her two young sons. Reeling from the loss of his wife during childbirth, Erik Muth must find a nursing mother for his newborn daughter to survive. For their children’s sake, Erik and Antonia wed, starting a new life together on his farm on the prairie. But it’s no easy union. Antonia misunderstands Erik’s quiet personality. He finds her independence disconcerting. Both hide secrets that challenge their growing intimacy. When Indians steal livestock from farms around Sweetwater Springs to feed their starving tribe, the outraged townsfolk demand retaliation. Erik and Antonia must work together to prevent a massacre. Will a marriage forged in loss blossom into love?

A caravan driven at breakneck speed through the hills of Montana is the least of Magdalena Baxter’s concerns. Evicted from their home, and due to soon give birth, the Gypsy woman is forced to follow her husband, Oswald, a drunk and abusive miner who hopes to find work in a neighboring town. Despite calling Sweetwater Springs home, wealthy banker Caleb Livingston clings to his elitist East Coast ways. While this may have brought him prestige, he’s missed out on romance at every turn. When Caleb’s buggy collides with the Baxters’ caravan, Oswald is instantly killed and Maggie goes into labor. Caleb manages to keep his guilt and terror at bay long enough to make her comfortable and deliver her baby, a harrowing and ultimately endearing experience. Can Maggie—now stranded with her newborn child—learn to trust again? Will Caleb overcome his sense of obligation and highbrow conceit to open his heart to lasting love?

Singing Montana Sky: Book Two of the Maxwell Sisters Trilogy By Debra Holland, NY Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Beautiful, wealthy, and sophisticated, opera star Sophia Maxwell is living the life of her dreams. As the Songbird of Chicago, she’s lauded for her pure, rich voice and has a constant circle of admirers vying for her jaded attention. Then she loses her voice during a performance. Her doctor warns her to rest her larynx, or she’ll never sing again. Devastated, Sophia retreats to the frontier town of Sweetwater Springs to stay with her sister. She’s determined to recover and once again take the stage by storm. An injury to logger Kael Kelley forces him to return to his parents’ home outside of Sweetwater Springs until he can heal enough to return to the logging camp he manages. He’s impatient to recover and concerned about his men, who’ve been left to work under the incompetent overseer who was responsible for his accident. When Sophia and Kael meet, they have an immediate attraction. The handsome logger is as different from Sophia’s sophisticated suitors as can be. She decides a summer flirtation is the perfect way to enliven her boring convalescence. Then the unthinkable happens, and the Songbird of Chicago falls in love. MONTANA SKY SERIES IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER: Sweet historical Western Romance 1892 Beneath Montana’s Sky 1886 Mail-Order Brides of the West: Trudy Mail-Order Brides of the West: Lina Mail-Order Brides of the West: Darcy Mail-Order Brides of the West: Prudence Mail-Order Brides of the West: Bertha 1890s Grace: Bride of Montana Wild Montana Sky Starry Montana Sky Stormy Montana Sky Montana Sky Christmas A Valentine’s Choice Irish Blessing Painted Montana Sky Glorious Montana Sky A Rolling Stone (preorder) Healing Montana Sky Sweetwater Springs Scrooge Sweetwater Springs Christmas Mystic Montana Sky Singing Montana Sky (August 2017) 2015 Angel in Paradise

Jilted seamstress Constance Taylor travels to Sweetwater Springs to live with her estranged father, the livery stable owner. She plans to open a dressmaking shop and bring sophisticated clothing styles to the uncouth frontier town. Angus Cameron is a young doctor, who’s bitter and discouraged from his work with upper class Londoners and the wretched poor in the East End slums. He arrives in Sweetwater Springs to share the medical practice of his brother, the town doctor. Although Constance and Angus don’t want to live in Sweetwater Springs, both are determined to change the town in ways they think are important. They clash over her fashionable creations, which Angus knows are unhealthy, and Constance refuses to change. They deny their attraction to each other until Constance falls ill from the arsenic used in her favorite purple and green fabrics, and Angus must fight to save the life of the woman he’s come to love.

MONTANA SKY JUSTICE Book Nine in the Montana Sky Series K.C. Granger is the sheriff of Sweetwater Springs. Since she was five, K.C. has dressed like a man and been treated as such. She’s efficient at her job and has garnered the respect of the inhabitants of Sweetwater Springs. Red Charlie is a Blackfoot Indian and the blacksmith of Sweetwater Springs. He’s silently battled the prejudice against him by doing his job in a competent manner and handling slurs with dignity. When reports of Indian thievery begin, K.C. enlists Red Charlie as her deputy, even traveling with him to the nearest reservation and taking needed supplies for the starving people. The two of them settle into a comfortable working relationship. K.C. doesn’t know what to do with the womanly emotions of love she grows to feel for her deputy, and Red Charlie believes a relationship with an Indian will only bring trouble to the woman he admires. Then a marauding gang takes over the town, and danger threatens everything they love.

As a young woman, Rose Collier gave her heart to Andre Bellaire, her brother's best friend. In spite of their attraction and for reasons unknown to Rose, Andre distanced himself from her. As the years passed, she remained a spinster, making a monotonous, although worthwhile life, by working at the library and keeping house for her brother. Then Marty dies, leaving her practically destitute. Andre Bellaire is living what he calls his third life—the first being his childhood and youth as part of a wealthy Creole family in New Orleans, his lonely middle years as a successful manufacturer in New York, and his later years as a philanthropist in the small town of Sweetwater Springs, Montana. In spite of a weak heart, he's savoring life, living with his newfound daughter and her family, while designing a library, a park, and helping to fund a new church. Then his comfortable routine is disrupted by a letter from his best friend Marty saying he’s dying and asking Andre to take care of his sister—the woman he once loved. Andre offers Rose the job of librarian in Sweetwater Springs and a room in his home. Not wanting to deter Rose from accepting the job, he doesn’t relate the library is only land and architectural plans, and the physical structure has yet to be built. Although Rose is shocked to find the job isn’t what she expected, the challenges of her new life prove stimulating. Still she guards her heart against Andre, not wanting the devastating hurt that would come from loving him and once again being rejected. Even if Andre could change Rose’s mind about a relationship, he holds back. The former barriers to their love no longer matter. But new ones do—at least for him. Can love bloom again in the winter of their lives?

Edith Livingston Grayson can hardly wait to shake the dust of Sweetwater Springs, Montana from her silk skirts. Finally her exile to the small prairie town is over. She is returning home to Boston with her son Ben. Home to society. Home to educated, upper-class people. Home to the ocean. She can’t wait to attend cultured entertainments, shop in exclusive stores, sail in the harbor, and use indoor plumbing—well, her brother’s home in Sweetwater Springs had indoor plumbing—but most of the town did not! But Edith’s triumphant return is not at all what she dreamed. She finds Boston society isn’t the same. Or rather, she isn’t the same. For she’s left a piece of her heart in Sweetwater Springs. Yet, her son’s family is in Boston, and Ben will inherit their business. The kind of cultured, sophisticated men she’s interested in are in Boston. Indoor plumbing is in Boston—or at least the part of the city she frequents. Worst of all, Edith can’t help thinking of the rugged rancher she left behind—exactly the kind of man she doesn’t want, even if he does make her laugh. Cai Driscoll is bold, unpretentious, and firmly planted in the land of Montana. Edith resolves to put Cai out of her heart and find happiness beyond Montana’s sky. She almost succeeds, until her rancher comes to Boston and challenges everything she believes is important. Beyond Montana Sky by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Debra Holland is historical romance at its best—a warm, uplifting story of new love and second chances. The Montana Sky Series in Chronological order: 1882 Beneath Montana’s Sky 1886 Mail-Order Brides of the West: Trudy Mail-Order Brides of the West: Lina Mail-Order Brides of the West: Darcy Mail-Order Brides of the West: Prudence Mail-Order Brides of the West: Bertha 1890s Grace: Bride of Montana Wild Montana Sky Starry Montana Sky Stormy Montana Sky Montana Sky Christmas Painted Montana Sky A Valentine’s Choice Irish Blessing A Rolling Stone Glorious Montana Sky Healing Montana Sky Sweetwater Springs Scrooge Sweetwater Springs Christmas Mystic Montana Sky Singing Montana Sky My Girl Bright Montana Sky Montana Sky Justice A Late-Blooming Rose 2015 Angel in Paradise