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Crazy Woman Creek
James Rose rode into the unforgiving darkness of the Wyoming prairie one stormy night and did not return. When the rancher's horse is found tied to a tree on the banks of the icy North-East Creek three days later, his wife Lenora insists that her beloved can't possibly be dead. He is too capable a horseman to slip and fall into a rushing creek. But everyone in the little town of Buffalo believes he drowned.
Not quite everyone. To Deputy Luke Davies, the beautiful widow's account of the events of that night provokes more questions than answers. Why is she so sure her husband did not perish in the wilderness? Why is she vague about the events that happened just before he rode off? What is she hiding? And who has been sneaking onto her property at night to harass her, and why?
Months pass; Rose's body doesn't surface. Lenora learns that the government will presume abandonment and confiscate her homestead if she cannot provide a certificate of death. But that's only a part of her trial by fire. Once Lenora becomes the main suspect in the homicide investigation, the town gossip mill turns from the missing rancher to the very attentive, very eligible young deputy and the lonely rancher's wife. As wild stories of murder and madness circulate around Buffalo, Luke and Lenora realize their growing attraction for one another. But without a body, Luke is frustrated by desire and Lenora is tortured by doubt. Is she truly a widow, or is her angry husband trying to teach her a lesson as some believe?
Inspirational western romance set in Wyoming Territory 1880.
Not quite everyone. To Deputy Luke Davies, the beautiful widow's account of the events of that night provokes more questions than answers. Why is she so sure her husband did not perish in the wilderness? Why is she vague about the events that happened just before he rode off? What is she hiding? And who has been sneaking onto her property at night to harass her, and why?
Months pass; Rose's body doesn't surface. Lenora learns that the government will presume abandonment and confiscate her homestead if she cannot provide a certificate of death. But that's only a part of her trial by fire. Once Lenora becomes the main suspect in the homicide investigation, the town gossip mill turns from the missing rancher to the very attentive, very eligible young deputy and the lonely rancher's wife. As wild stories of murder and madness circulate around Buffalo, Luke and Lenora realize their growing attraction for one another. But without a body, Luke is frustrated by desire and Lenora is tortured by doubt. Is she truly a widow, or is her angry husband trying to teach her a lesson as some believe?
Inspirational western romance set in Wyoming Territory 1880.
399 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2013
16 people are currently reading
388 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Hull Welch
5 books18 followersGinny was born at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, the second of four daughters of Carl and Mary Hull. When Ginny was about eight months old her father was transferred to Ft Eustis, Va.; the family lived nearby in a small brick rambler in Lee Hall. In 1962 Mr. Hull retired from the Army and the family relocated to Santa Clara, Ca. to be near her mother’s clan in San Francisco. The Hulls purchased a new home in the Killarney Farms suburban development of Santa Clara, where Ginny was raised. Her father found work as a mail carrier at the Santa Clara Post Office. Her mother was hired by Santa Clara Unified School District as a secretary. Ginny attended now-closed Emil R. Buchser High School. She majored in English at Santa Clara University, married, and then earned a master's degree in Communications at California State University, Chico, where she also taught a business writing course. While at CSUC in 1982 she sold her first freelance article to a small secretarial career magazine, earning just enough to pay for two steak dinners―but not the champagne or tip.
During the next twenty years she followed her FBI agent husband around the United States, writing freelance articles for various publications and taking on all types of contract editing assignments. She brought four children into the world during that time, two boys and two girls. While her husband was stationed in Birmingham, Ala. she contracted as a weekly freelance foods writer for the Birmingham News. Also in Birmingham she served a short stint (before her husband was transferred again) as associate editor in the crafts division at Oxmoor House, the book publishing arm of Sunset/Southern Living magazine.
In 1991 her husband’s job took the family to the Northern Virginia/DC Metro area, where Ginny made the switch to technical editing and writing but continued to dream of producing something with a larger reach. In 2005 she was inspired to write The Lesson, an inspirational romantic comedy based on her own wacky falling-in-love story. On the night she met her husband he really did follow her home from a Bible study without her knowledge, stunning her by presenting himself at her apartment door.
In 2006 Ginny followed her husband’s government transfer one final time when the family moved to Virginia Beach, Va. There Ginny wrote Crazy Woman Creek. This western romance was inspired by a cross-country car trip in 1999 when she came upon a highway sign marking the bizarrely named creek that stretches over the northeast corner of Wyoming. When Ginny learned that no one really knew the story behind the strange name, she decided to write one. Ginny’s nonfiction book, What to Do When the Blessings Stop – Lessons from Haggai, required several years to write, mostly because Ginny’s time was occupied with child-raising. The same is true of her first nonfiction book, The Hiss from Hell Only Women Hear, which she wrote between 1993 and 1994.
Ginny still lives in Virginia Beach with her husband. Their four children, daughter-in-law, and grandsons live locally. She works full-time as a writer/editor for a worldwide defense contractor. She attends New Life Providence Church in Virginia Beach. She loves to cook, sew, bake, and make machine embroidered gifts for her family.
During the next twenty years she followed her FBI agent husband around the United States, writing freelance articles for various publications and taking on all types of contract editing assignments. She brought four children into the world during that time, two boys and two girls. While her husband was stationed in Birmingham, Ala. she contracted as a weekly freelance foods writer for the Birmingham News. Also in Birmingham she served a short stint (before her husband was transferred again) as associate editor in the crafts division at Oxmoor House, the book publishing arm of Sunset/Southern Living magazine.
In 1991 her husband’s job took the family to the Northern Virginia/DC Metro area, where Ginny made the switch to technical editing and writing but continued to dream of producing something with a larger reach. In 2005 she was inspired to write The Lesson, an inspirational romantic comedy based on her own wacky falling-in-love story. On the night she met her husband he really did follow her home from a Bible study without her knowledge, stunning her by presenting himself at her apartment door.
In 2006 Ginny followed her husband’s government transfer one final time when the family moved to Virginia Beach, Va. There Ginny wrote Crazy Woman Creek. This western romance was inspired by a cross-country car trip in 1999 when she came upon a highway sign marking the bizarrely named creek that stretches over the northeast corner of Wyoming. When Ginny learned that no one really knew the story behind the strange name, she decided to write one. Ginny’s nonfiction book, What to Do When the Blessings Stop – Lessons from Haggai, required several years to write, mostly because Ginny’s time was occupied with child-raising. The same is true of her first nonfiction book, The Hiss from Hell Only Women Hear, which she wrote between 1993 and 1994.
Ginny still lives in Virginia Beach with her husband. Their four children, daughter-in-law, and grandsons live locally. She works full-time as a writer/editor for a worldwide defense contractor. She attends New Life Providence Church in Virginia Beach. She loves to cook, sew, bake, and make machine embroidered gifts for her family.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 23, 2013
Romance with Twists of Intrigue
I don't usually read romance novels. That being said, I was pulled into the story by the many twists and turns in the plot line. I thought, OK boy meets girl, they fall in love, end of story. But in this story the girl was already married to someone else. There were so many difficulties in the way of this romance. Was the husband of Lenora (the girl) dead or alive? Was the deputy (the boy) Luke going to leave the territory? It's hard to have a romance without two people. There were unknown people stalking Lenora at night.
Terrible things happened with an animal on her farm. Like I said, I was pulled into the intrigue of the story. It was an enjoyable read. It was also well written. The last story I read by Virginia Welch (The Lesson) kept me turning pages, unable to put the story down until I finished. I had the same experience with this book. I highly recommend it.
I don't usually read romance novels. That being said, I was pulled into the story by the many twists and turns in the plot line. I thought, OK boy meets girl, they fall in love, end of story. But in this story the girl was already married to someone else. There were so many difficulties in the way of this romance. Was the husband of Lenora (the girl) dead or alive? Was the deputy (the boy) Luke going to leave the territory? It's hard to have a romance without two people. There were unknown people stalking Lenora at night.
Terrible things happened with an animal on her farm. Like I said, I was pulled into the intrigue of the story. It was an enjoyable read. It was also well written. The last story I read by Virginia Welch (The Lesson) kept me turning pages, unable to put the story down until I finished. I had the same experience with this book. I highly recommend it.
October 27, 2017
Good clean read
Not what I expected, didn't know that it was a drama and a love story with a mystery of solving a murder. I was hoping for a better ending , I won't give spoilers.
Not what I expected, didn't know that it was a drama and a love story with a mystery of solving a murder. I was hoping for a better ending , I won't give spoilers.
August 29, 2018
Great read filled with love, deception, and mystery.
Loved it! If you like historical love stories you will love this book. I felt like I was in Wyoming wearing a gown and big ha
Loved it! If you like historical love stories you will love this book. I felt like I was in Wyoming wearing a gown and big ha
May 13, 2020
Slow but good.
The story dragged in some areas and was overly descriptive unnecessarily at times but a solid storyline for the most part.
The story dragged in some areas and was overly descriptive unnecessarily at times but a solid storyline for the most part.
i-give-up
February 13, 2023Nope. The dog just got decapitated. If it’s an important plot point, sorry for the spoiler. DNF at 48%.
May 30, 2013
CRAZY WOMAN CREEK by Virginia Hull Welch is an exciting inspirational Historical Romance/American West/Mystery set in 1880 Wyoming Territory,in the town of Buffalo. Follow, Deputy Luke Davies,and Lenora Rose on a journey of danger,mystery,suspense,faith,and finding love. Lenora's husband, James has gone missing,his body can not be found,so unless a body is found,Lenora will lose her homestead. Enter Deputy Luke,who is determined to find out what happened to James Rose. Lenora is suspect in his disappearance. She is tortured by doubt and someone is trespassing on her property. Lenora is in danger,Luke must solve a possible murder,their attraction is growing and danger lurks in every alley. A fast paced story that is well written with engaging characters and an intriguing plot. Can love blossom between Lenora and Luke,if or when they find her husband? You will have to read "Crazy Woman Creek" to find the answer. If you enjoy mystery,suspense,1880 Wyoming,intrigue with twists and turns and a bit of romance you will enjoy this title. I would recommend this title for not only historical readers,but for readers of Westerns also. Received for an honest review from the author and/or publisher.
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: SWEET
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Review courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: SWEET
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Review courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
April 29, 2013
Virginia Hull Welch has created a wonderful western reading adventure set in 1880 Wyoming. This fine work of fiction combines the mystery of Lenora Rose searching for her lost husband while developing a fondness for Deputy Luke Davies. With a well thought out plot and a precise grasp of English she brings all her characters to life. Thank you Virginia for an enjoyable Sunday read along with your resolution to publish this book. I am confident future readers will find this enjoyable and entertaining. Goodreads has provided me with an additional author for my reading pleasure.
June 4, 2013
CRAZY WOMAN CREEK is a wonderful mixture of adventure, romance and mystery. Virginia Hull Welch has created yet another delightful book to follow her first success, THE LESSON. In her latest novel the characters are so well formed that I felt transported back to the wild west and was personally acquainted with its distinctive characters. An enjoyable book from the first page to the last.
June 6, 2013
...No Spoilers... :-)
Ms. Welch creates a comfortable environment for those of us raised on TV Westerns, adds realistic characters, and takes us through a compelling story.
The vivid descriptions contributed to my engagement and enjoyment.
Unlike many book recently read, I was actually surprised by "who did it" and parts of the closing.
Ms. Welch creates a comfortable environment for those of us raised on TV Westerns, adds realistic characters, and takes us through a compelling story.
The vivid descriptions contributed to my engagement and enjoyment.
Unlike many book recently read, I was actually surprised by "who did it" and parts of the closing.
June 13, 2013
This is a well written historical romance with unique plot twists and great historical details which give the reader a real immersion into the culture of the old west. It also has a believable plot tied to a geographical location that actually exists in the state of Wyoming. Very nicely done!
May 5, 2013
Read my full review of this book here: http://cookscrapcraft.blogspot.com/20...
February 10, 2015
Excellent historical western with vivid details of the time period and accurate accounting of mores, dress and historical events.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews