A revolutionary new series...

In January of 2017 I had a dream which woke me up and made me go "Wow, that would make a great romance!" (this is not uncommon). This time however, I knew it would make a wonderful multi-author series, so I reached out to eleven other authors I knew and respected. The result was ten months' worth of work, and an unprecedented series: twelve books that take place at the same time in the same place, by twelve different authors...over the twelve days of Christmas. My book was #5 (read about it below), but first I'll introduce you to the series:
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 begins...
The Twelve Days of Christmas Mail-Order Brides, written by twelve bestselling authors, put a new twist on an old song, with a sweet touch of historical romance.


The Gold Ring (the Fifth Day)

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On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me.... 

Pearl knows she’ll only ever be a soiled dove. Her chance to be anything more was snatched away long ago, and the bitterness has eaten at her for years. What keeps her looking to the future is the opportunity to take care of and protect the other working girls at La Maison des Chats… Well that, and one particular customer who holds her heart, even if he would never consider a life with someone like her. 

On Christmas Eve, a dozen new brides arrive in Noelle and are forced to take up residence in La Maison. Pearl is happy to be able to offer comfort and support, because the poor things need her help…even if their very presence is a sharp reminder that she can never be one of them. 

But when the Reverend’s scheme to get the brides married off falls through on only the second day of Christmas, it looks like the town will never be stable enough to entice the railroad spur they all desperately need. So Pearl agrees to a deception that will not only save the town, but bring her what she desperately wants: a marriage—even a pretend one—with the man she loves. 

Little do they know just how dangerous this deception will turn out to be…