Of Rags and Riches Romance Collection

Union Pacific Princess by Jennifer Uhlarik Dakota Territory October 1867 Step back in time to Dakota Territory where the railroad is just being laid. Danger is all around. For Dara and Gage they are thrust together because of that danger. Dara Forsythe joins her father in the rugged country. As she arrives from Boston, she's immediately thrust into danger. Gage rescues her, not once but twice. Love immediately sweeps these two off their feet! It doesn't matter that one is rich and one is poor, love is what matters!

~~~ The Right Pitch by Susanne Dietze Philadelphia, Pennsylvania June 1876 Batter up to this sweet romance between Winnie and Beck Emerson. Baseball has always been a man's sport, during this time, women were just starting to enter the field of baseball. Winnie leads the team of Liberty Belles, training them for the big game day. they're They are playing for the Independence Day charity for the Children's Hospital. Winnie is sweet as butter but underneath she isn't like a normal society lady. She's out there getting dirty and having fun! Beck Emerson owns his company. He was wounded in the war, he doesn't have use of one his arms. He was jilted by love which makes him hesitant to love again. Once he meets Winnie all that changes! Winnie and Beck have a lot in common, so, it isn't no surprise when it's a homerun when love sweeps in. Baseball gives me fond memories of my dad. He was an umpire for many years. All of kids, would go with them to the ball diamonds and watch him umpire. My dad passed away last May.

~~~ A Gift in Secret by Kathleen Y’Barbo New Orleans, Louisiana March 1871 Sam Austen III and May Bolen are thrust together after her father passed away. According to his will there were conditions to be met. One of those is for them to get married! Sam and May discover more than grudges or a lack of familial love - they both discover truth and forgiveness. Along with a love that can last a lifetime! A great quote from this book: “Hurt is skin deep, but bitter goes straight to the bone.”

~~~ For Richer or Poorer by Natalie Monk Newark, New Jersey April 1885 Elle is from Poland she wants to snag a rich husband in order to get her family to America. Woody takes care of the street children. He wants to open an orphanage. Woody literally runs over Ella because of a distracting dog, and well the rest is history for these two lovebirds! A great story of survival and reconciliation. A great quote from this book: “Faith is trust in action.”

~~~ A House of Secrets by Michelle Griep St. Paul, Minnesota 1890 Engaged couple Amanda and Joseph are fighting to help the less fortunate of St. Paul. Amanda is a determined young lady who wants to open a school for the poor children. Joseph is the city attorney and determined to shut down a brothel. This story is full of excitement and mystery. With a bad guy thrown in the loop! Joseph and Amanda are the ideal couple, righting a city's wrongs to make it a better place.

~~~ Win, Place, or Draw by Erica Vetcsh Hudson River Valley, New York June 1899 Pony up to this delightful romance between Beryl and Gard. Beryl is a young woman who loves her horse Lacey. She's not your typical societal lady who conforms to the norms. Her mother has been eligible gentleman on her for a while but they don't suit her. Gard is working as a horse trainer for the summer in order to buy a stud horse for his farm. Marriage and romance are the last thing on his mind. When Beryl and Gard meet, horses are not the only thing they have in common. And marriage seems to be riding in the future.

~~~ The Fisherman’s Nymph by Jaime Jo Wright Flambeau River, Wisconsin 1899 Abby and her father live in the woods of Wisconsin. They own an adventure seeking business to keep a living. Charles Farrington III comes to their place for some relaxation and peace, and to prove himself. After several mishaps - Charles seems to find himself in those woods. Abby and Charles find each other in the midst of all the turmoil.

~~ The Gardener’s Daughter by Anne Love Bay View, Michigan 1895 Maggie Abbott is a simple gardener’s daughter, she works as a library assistant. Maggie is a sweet woman of faith. Her days are filled with working and taking care of her father. Wesley Hill is a professor who approaches Maggie to help him tell stories to his students. He's a man of means but an orphan. His uncle and aunt raised after the deaths of his parents. As Maggie and Wesley hit the books, their love story unfolds.

~~~ A Tale of Two Hearts by Gabrielle Meyer Little Falls, Minnesota May 20, 1899 It's is a slow race to the finish line for Lucy Taylor and Eli Boyer. But once they discover love is stirring between them, it's a sweet and satisfying ending to the story. Elijah Boyer has created a race car in the Dreyar. He has high hopes in winning the race. And nothing will stop him. Lucy Taylor once lived a life of privilege but after her father's death, they lost all their money. Lucy had to go into service. Being the oldest is the oldest she brings in the money. She does what needs to be done to help her family, including entering the all-male competition for surgery money so her sister can walk again.