Wild Western Hearts

Series · 4 books · 1990-1993

By Barbara Ankrum

Books in series

Holt's Gamble

1990

Kierin McKendry is indentured to J. Talbot, a ruthless saloon owner, until Clay Holt wins her in a rigged poker game. When Clay tries to collect his winnings, he's attacked by Talbot's men and badly injured. Clay never expected Keirin to take him to the wagon train on which he was due to leave, or that she would lie about being his wife and nurse him back to health while on the trail. But, Keirin isn't interested in a man consumed by avenging his wife's murder. She's pursuing her father, who sold her for a ticket to the California gold fields. However, posing as a married couple, spending night after night together, is fanning Keirin and Clay into a different kind of blinding passion that's blazing the way for Talbot, who will kill to have what's his.

Renegade Bride

1992

Mariah loves her fiancé, Seth Travers. But when Seth leaves to make his fortune in Montana, ahead of her arrival, she starts thinking for herself. Finally arriving by steamboat, Mariah learns that Seth has taken ill and sent his best friend, Creed Devereaux, to escort her to Virginia City. Mariah wants nothing to do with the rough-edged bounty hunter who's just killed a half-breed murderer in front of her. But an unexpected detour sends the pair through dangerous mountains... alone. Forced together, their loyalties to Seth are put to the test while their path converges with a man who has Creed dead in his sights. RITA Nomination, Romance Writers of America "An action-packed, sensual love story, brimming with danger and peopled with an unforgettable mismatched couple who overcome all odds to find true happiness." ~Harriet Klausner, Romantic Times WILD WESTERN HEARTS, in series order Holt's Gamble Renegade Bride Renegade's Kiss Chase the Fire ABOUT BARBARA Bestselling author Barbara Ankrum was a successful commercial actress until her love of romance novels led to a publishing contract. Years later, she still believes in happy endings and feels very lucky to do what she loves, with her husband, two cats and one scruffy, unrepentant dog at her side.

Renegade's Kiss

1993

SHE COULDN'T LET HIM GO Widowed and alone as the Civil War raged around her, ebony-haired Andrea Winslow was relieved when Jesse Winslow, her brother-in-law-and first love—arrived at Willow Banks farm. But when he told her be intended to sell the farm and head back to Montana, she trembled with fury. Andrea was determined to make a go of the farm, or die trying. But how could she stay mad at Jesse when his kiss made her shudder with desire and his touch melted her heart in ecstasy? Somehow, she'd find a way to keep the farm and Jesse too...starting tonight! HE COULDN'T LEAVE HER BEHIND Corn! Acre upon acre of the darned stuff! Jesse Winslow couldn't stand farming; that's why he'd left six years before and headed for Montana. And he'd head right back there, as soon as he could unload the family farm and find a husband for his brother's poor little widow. But when be looked into Andrea's violet eyes, tantalizing memories came flooding back until all Jesse wanted was to bold her in his arms and stroke her creamy curves until she begged for mercy, then claim her in passion's ultimate embrace....over and over again!

Chase the Fire

1991

During the Battle of the Wilderness, Union Major Chase Whitlaw shoots a Rebel soldier, just as they're both cut down by a terrible explosion. As the Reb lies dying, he begs Whitlaw to return a locket to his wife, Libby, in New Mexico and tell her he loves her. Chase half-heartedly agrees, until Libby's picture in the locket becomes his touchstone, helping him to survive his injuries. In New Mexico, Chase finds Libby in desperate straits and offers help instead of truth. Libby's horse ranch, plagued by unexplained accidents, is failing. Until the arrival of the war-scarred stranger, a neighbor's unwelcome offer of marriage was the only way to save her son's inheritance. But now, she has Chase. Working side-by-side, their passion becomes undeniable until Chase's truth is revealed. Now, Libby must decide: forgive or say goodbye forever.

Author

Barbara Ankrum

Author · 19 books

Barbara Ankrum grew up in Upstate New York, training to be a ballerina, but secretly dreaming of being an actress. Her first fangirl crush on Haley Mills led her to practice her British accent on unsuspecting store clerks, and she dreamed of co-starring in the remake of THE MOONSPINNERS. Because she was also a compulsive reader, she discovered that the film was based on a book by the fabulous Mary Stewart, which led to Barbara's lifelong obsession with romantic fiction. Since Haley Mills was, sadly, not in the market for a co-star, Barbara pursued a degree in English Literature from the University of Tennessee. And when that degree, predictably, led to unemployment, she pulled up her socks and moved to Hollywood where she built a career as a successful commercial actress while raising two amazing (now grown) children with her sweet husband. Writing romance came naturally from all that reading and the down time between auditions. Once she sold her first book, she said farewell to Hollywood-Land and never looked back. In between writing novels, she got her MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard and optioned a few screenplays. But her first love is, and always will be, romance. Barbara's emotional, character driven, adventurous historicals (Wild Western Hearts series), her sexy, romantic suspense for Harlequin and her funny, heartwarming contemporaries for Tule Publishing, offer a little something for everyone. (Haley? Are you listening?) Twice nominated for Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA Award, her books have won numerous other writing awards. Today, she lives in Southern California with her husband, two rescue cats and a scruffy, adorable rescue dog. Please visit her on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Barbara.ankr... Website: www.barbaraankrum.com Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/BarbaraAnkrum