The Widows of Wildcat Ridge Books

After losing her father and husband in a devastating mine disaster, Priscilla Heartsel faces poverty and eviction. She refuses to abandoning her beloved town, Wildcat Ridge, and doesn't want to remarry, despite a desperate need for money. Meanwhile, Braxton Gamble becomes unwittingly embroiled in a botched bank robbery. In a desperate move to deprive the gang of the stolen loot, he seizes the money and flees, suffering a gunshot wound in the process. Weak and wounded, he stumbles upon what seems to be an abandoned town, and seeks refuge in an empty house, where he loses consciousness. Priscilla returns home to a startling discovery – an injured stranger in her bed. Out of a sense of duty, she nurses the man so he can leave. When she discovers the stolen money, Braxton gladly surrenders it to the local marshal. Danger returns when the bank robbers demand the loot and threaten violence, but somehow, the money has disappeared. This sweet romance weaves a gripping narrative of love, danger, and redemption, where Priscilla and Braxton must defy both ruthless criminals and a shadowy marshal to secure their future and find a love more precious than gold.

A determined rancher. A relentless search for justice. A partnership that could change everything. Blessing “Buster” Odell never expected to inherit the largest ranch in her corner of Utah, but after her father’s death, she’s committed to running the Rafter O and supporting her community. Known for her generosity and strength, Buster stands out in men’s overalls, yet her grace and beauty are undeniable. When she decides to split the proceeds from a major horse sale with the widows of Wildcat Ridge, she earns both admiration—and suspicion. Thad King is on the trail of stolen horses and the ruthless thieves who beat his former employer. His search leads him straight to the Rafter O Ranch, where he’s hired on, determined to uncover the truth. Thad doesn’t want to believe Buster or her late father could be involved, but evidence is scarce and danger is close. As Buster and Thad join forces to find the real culprits, their quest for justice becomes a journey of trust, courage, and unexpected romance. Will they catch the thieves before it’s too late—or will the truth shatter their chance at happiness? Perfect for fans of western historical romance, strong heroine romance, rancher romance, small town western series, mystery romance, Utah frontier romance, and found family romance.

A widow with two small children, Nissa Stillwell is forced out of the mining supervisor's house she had lived in prior to her husband’s death in the mine disaster in Wildcat Ridge, Utah. She quickly learns he had gone heavily into debt to impress his boss, mine owner Mortimer Crane. In order for her and her children to have a home, she leaves what few possessions remain behind and contracts with the Ridge Hotel to do their laundry as most of the rent on a laundry shed and drying yard next to the hotel. With work from the hotel, plus a few other laundry jobs, she is able to make ends meet—barely. Being left with only the furnishings and personal items that make up James Stillwell’s estate, Mortimer Crane goes after Nissa to pay him the rest of what he claims he is owed. She refuses, pointing out in Utah, everything is owned by the husband and only they can enter into contracts. Wives cannot be held responsible for their husbands’ debt. That does not stop Mortimer Crane from threatening her unless she agrees to work off the debts he claims she owes in his Gentlemen Only Salon. Dallin Walsh is a rancher who has been too busy building up his spread in the isolated mountains of western Colorado to look for a wife. He and his two wranglers come to Wildcat Ridge for a big horse auction. Between Crane and three hard cases who ride into town, he comes to Nissa’s defense more than once. Desperate to leave Wildcat Ridge, Nissa asks him to hire her as a housekeeper on his ranch. But, does Dallin want the pretty auburn-haired woman for a housekeeper—or does he have something else in mind? Hal and Buck, the two wranglers, soon find most widows in town are as eager to find husbands to move to Wildcat Ridge so they can keep their homes as they are to sell horses. Hal finds a woman in difficulty he grows closer to every day. Another woman finds Buck who is definitely not interested in a wife. The jobs of all three men are in Colorado. Who will go and who will stay in Wildcat Ridge? Nissa is a sweet romance.

Gwyneth Davies' world turned upside down when the local Indian tribe drops off the body of her dead husband a week after a mine explosion rocked Wildcat Ridge. Unlike the poor ladies who lost their husband during the resulting explosion, Gwyneth is probably the only widow in who is happy her husband, Clint, is dead after suffering at his abusive temper for many years. When Mortimer Crane appears demanding to know the location of a secret still that Clint had hidden deep in the hills, she realizes she has the leverage to finally make her way out of Wildcat Ridge, Utah and have a fresh start. But things quickly change when three orphans and an unidentified man show up on her doorstep. Aedan Murphy came to Wildcat Ridge with one mission only -- to purchase four horses on behalf of his employer. When he is thrown from his horse, the accident steals his memory. He feels drawn to the beautiful recluse and her three young charges. But until he remembers his past, he can't have a future with this ready-made family. Can these two people hurt in totally different ways come together and heal each other? Can Gwyneth overcome her fears and trust herself to fall in love again? Can they find and destroy the still before it causes even more heartache? This is a sweet romance.

Fourth Place Winner in the short historical category of the 2019 IDA contest Will bringing an old friend to town provide the help Dulcina needs or a new kind of trouble? Left widowed following a Utah mining disaster, Dulcina Crass faces running a saloon on her own when her previous contribution was solely as the singer. She struggles to learn the necessary tasks but her heart isn’t in being a saloon keeper. All she ever wanted was to be a famous singer. Will asking Gabriel Magnus, a neighbor from her New Mexico hometown, bring the help she needs or a new kind of trouble? Gabriel Magnus isn’t fulfilled by his role as ranch hand on the family’s New Mexico sheep ranch. What he wants is the chance to prove his boot making skills are good enough to start his own business. When he receives a letter from recent widow Dulcina offering a partnership in the Last Chance Saloon, he recognizes the chance to come to the rescue of the vivacious girl he wanted to court a decade earlier. Upon his arrival, he presents her with a demand--her answer could decide both of their fates. Connected title in the series: Hazelanne

A Villain. A Widow. A Stranger. One Miracle. Josephine Stillwater was normally an upbeat, happy young woman. And why not? She had a wonderful father, a new husband, and things were looking up in the world. Until she lost it all because of a mining accident. Now with a villainous landlord pounding on her door almost daily, she's losing hope. What else can go wrong? How about a half-dead man on her doorstep? Riley Banks craved adventure and an invitation from his friend Charle's out in Utah was just the thing. Imagine his surprise when he arrives and discovers nothing but Charlie's impoverished widow. If that isn't bad enough, he's sick. Real sick. Getting on his feet again will be nothing short of a miracle. But Riley isn't sure who needs one more. Him, or Charlie's widow, Josephine. Find out in this sweet, historical western romance as only Kit Morgan can deliver!

In the small mining town of Wildcat Ridge, the only thing more plentiful than widows is whiskey. But for Thalia Plunkett, rather than the threat of starvation or losing her home it's s man's descent into alcoholism that shatters her heart. Dinky Moon, the town's handsome and charming bachelor, once the pride of Wildcat Ridge, is now the town drunk. Being one of the only men to survive a devastating mine disaster and losing his wife to another man, caused Dinky to turn to the bottle. Now, his addiction has taken over his life and threatens to consume him completely. Unable to stand by and watch the man she loves self-destruct, Thalia makes it her mission to save him. But as she delves deeper into Dinky's situation, she uncovers a dark secret that threatens to tear them apart and endanger their lives. And as a mysterious stranger begins to stalk Thalia, she must race against time to save Dinky and herself before it's too late.

Eleanora Cavender’s life couldn’t get any worse. After losing her husband in a terrible mine explosion, she learns he’d stolen gold from the owner, Mortimer Crane. But the absolute worst was Crane’s blackmail, forcing her to work off her husband’s debt at the Crane Hotel without a salary. She is desperate to save her reputation and find happiness for herself and her young daughter, as well as every other widow in Wildcat Ridge. She knows only one way how... Reed Shannon doesn’t want to help the widow who keeps sending letters to the Miners Association demanding justice against Mortimer Crane. Reed has plans of his own in Washington, D.C. to enhance his career. But when he arrives in Wildcat Ridge, and sees the beautiful widow Eleanora, he knows he can’t leave just yet. Together, they work to out-smart the town’s tyrant and devise a scavenger hunt the widows of Wildcat Ridge will never forget. Sweet romance.

A widow fighting for her family. A wounded bounty hunter on a mission. Can courage and love triumph over danger in the wild West? Garnet Chandler has lost nearly everything—her husband, her in-laws, and the sense of security she once knew. All she has left is her café, her beloved niece and nephew, and an unbreakable determination to protect them. When the children are kidnapped, Garnet will do whatever it takes to bring them home—even if it means trusting a stranger. Bounty hunter Adam Bennett is on his last job, tracking a ruthless killer who’s left a trail of bodies behind. Badly beaten and left for dead, Adam is rescued by Garnet and drawn into her desperate search for the missing children. Together, they must face ruthless criminals, uncertain futures, and the growing bond between them. As danger mounts, Garnet and Adam must join forces to rescue the children and confront the threats that could tear them apart. Can they find justice and forge a new beginning—or will the past steal their chance at happiness? Perfect for readers who love sweet western historical romance, bounty hunter romance, strong heroine stories, small town westerns, found family romance, single mother romance, and romantic suspense westerns.

When a woman who has always done what she was told decides to take matters into her own hands—she just might discover her future waiting... Grace Hill has spent most of her life caring for others. When her beloved little sister is in trouble, Grace defies those who tell her she can’t, and rushes to her aid. Joining the other widows in Wildcat Ridge struggling to survive, she discovers the woman she is—a woman strong enough for a man like Benjamin Sloane. Benjamin Sloane rides shotgun on the Wells Fargo stagecoach line through the rugged Utah Territory. He’s big-hearted, tough and about as civilized as a grizzly bear. But something about a fancy lady from the big city makes him want to clean up his ways and give her his heart.

Rosemary is Book 11 in the Widows of Wildcat Ridge Series. A devastating mine accident has claimed the life of Rosemary Brennan’s husband, Jack, along with nearly all the men of Wildcat Ridge. The mine owner, Mortimer Crane, has given the widows an ultimatum—find husbands or he will evict them from their homes and businesses. Desperate to keep the assay office that Jack had managed, Rosemary heads into the hills in search of an old Spanish mine called The Floriana in the hope she can lay claim to a bonanza of gold. Ex-U.S. Deputy Marshal Miles McGinty arrives in Wildcat Ridge to pay his respects to Brennan’s widow. He and Jack had a history, and Miles is heartsick over the loss of the young man he had come to think of as a brother. When he learns of Rosemary’s problems with the piggish Crane, he will do anything to help her—even offering marriage. But when it becomes clear that Crane knew of Jack’s criminal past and was blackmailing him over it, Miles must decide whether to tell Rosemary the truth, because doing so may drive her away. And to his surprise, Miles has fallen in love with his new wife. A sweet romance set in 1884 Utah Territory.

Widow Claire Reynolds puts up a feisty front and speaks her mind. But when a stranger comes to town her world is turned upside down. How can he see through her into what lies hidden in her heart? Quinn Bates was hired to rid Wildcat Ridge of undesirables. But when the first person on the list is a woman, he has second thoughts. What is it about this spitfire that has his employer so anxious to get rid of her? He's determined to find out. Enjoy this fun, sweet and wholesome book that only Kit Morgan can deliver!

Her heart raced as she looked up at the imposing sign of the Gentlemen Only Salon in Wildcat Ridge. Little did she know, her new job would be the start of a dangerous game of survival. Cadence Biggler and her little sister Regina were left at the mercy of strangers in a strange town, until Mortimer Crane swooped in to save the day. But his generosity came at a price--a job as a maid at his salon. As she settles into her new role, Cady quickly realizes that Crane has his sights set on something more sinister than her labor, and Cady knows she cannot give in. But when Crane takes Regina away and refuses to reveal her whereabouts, Cady is left with no choice but to play along and keep up the charade, hoping to beat him at his own game somehow. Garrick Brant, a traveling photographer searching for his missing sister July, is immediately drawn to Cady. But Mortimer orders his thugs to keep him away. Despite the obstacles, Garrick and Cady's love begins to bloom. But with Crane's grip tightening and their romance forbidden, can they truly be together? And will Garrick be the key to finding Regina and freeing Cady from Crane's clutches? One thing is certain, they will have to fight every step of the way. For fans of historical romance and thrilling suspense, "The Widows of Wildcat Ridge Series" is a must-read.

The daughter of a Georgia plantation owner, Diantha Ames was raised and educated to be a lady. Surviving the Civil War as a child, her family, in a desperate, but ultimately unsuccessful bid to save the property of both her father and her uncle, arranges a marriage between her and her first cousin. Although not a love match, she and Eugene were amiable. However, as information about her husband comes to light after his death in the Gold King Mine disaster that took so many lives in Wildcat Ridge, she is left with her husband’s hotel and postmaster position to fill—and a lot of questions. With Diantha’s former laundress gone, she hires Hilaina Dowd, whose family hails from the mountains of Appalachia, for the job. The young woman who loyally stays with her mother who wishes to live out her life in Wildcat Ridge and be buried next to her husband killed in the mine disaster turns out to be both a friend and a defender. Henry “Hank” Cauley is branded a failure after refusing to be part of his father’s Salt Lake City brick-making business and then losing his stationary and book store business. While working as a common laborer in the family business to pay off his debts and save towards the future, his brother and conniving sister-on-law use their political influence with the territorial congressional representative to bury him away far from Salt Lake City by having him awarded the postmaster position in Wildcat Ridge. Only, when he arrives in town to take over the position starting the first of September, he discovers the postmistress, Diantha, knows nothing about the change. She is not relieved she no longer is obligated to fill this position. Finding himself surrounded by those loyal to the soft-spoken, Southern lady, is he destined to also be a failure in Wildcat Ridge? Buckley “Buck” Kramer, wrangler on the Grassy Fork Ranch in Colorado, has not been totally satisfied with his lot ever since the trip he took to Wildcat Ridge earlier in the summer with his boss and best friend on the ranch. Now he sees the happiness of family life the two men enjoy after they brought back wives. When two trail-worn young brothers stumble onto the ranch looking for a meal and permanent jobs, but are told with winter coming on there is only room for one, Buck insists on leaving in order to keep the brothers together. Is Buck really dissatisfied with his job on the ranch, or is this an excuse to return to Wildcat Ridge and the woman he has not been able to get out of his mind? Diantha, Book 14, is a stand-alone novel. However, you might enjoy it best by reading all the books in the series, The Widows of Wildcat Ridge. Also, my other book in the series, Nissa, Book 3, was written to be a duet with Diantha—a series within a series. You might also enjoy reading Nissa if you have not already done so.

How will a homebody and a wanderer come to live together under the same roof? Hazelanne Pitts dreams of more in life than the responsibilities of raising her five younger siblings to assist a sickly mother. Secretly, she corresponds with a rancher in Wildcat Ridge, Utah Territory, who wants a mail-order bride. When the money for the stagecoach ticket arrives, she sets off to be married. But a week later, a mine explosion claims the life of her new groom. Struggling to tend the ranch chores on her own, she becomes injured and doesn’t know if she can ride to town for help. A pretty sweet-natured passenger, Hazelanne, caught stagecoach shotgun rider Brice MacAndrew’s eye when she traveled to Wildcat Ridge. Hearing she was the mail-order bride of Clay Oliphant, a known drunkard, didn’t sit well. After the mine disaster, Brice goes out to the Oliphant ranch and finds an injured Hazelanne who is on the edge of collapse. The only way he can help is to offer a marriage of convenience. Can the ranch become the haven both are looking for? Connected title in the same series: Dulcina

Love, betrayal, and a quest for revenge. Deuce shattered Ophelia's heart when he vanished without a trace. Now married to unfaithful and neglectful Mortimer Crane, she never imagined the twist of fate that would bring her back to Deuce, now known as Brody Duvall. Their love rekindles, but their happiness is threatened by Mortimer's deadly schemes. As Ophelia fights for her rightful property and her chance at a new life with Brody, they must also fight for their lives against Mortimer's wrath. Will they prevail? Find out in this gripping tale of love and vengeance."