Emma

by Kaitlene Dee

Emma Stanford knew there was more to life than the boring and slow pace of Los Oro, California. Somewhere, somehow, she would find the adventure she’d always dreamed of. On their way to rescue her older sister from a wicked husband, her father falls sick on the wagon trail and marries Emma off, just before he dies, to a man she barely knows. Emma’s hopes and dreams sink lower than the sun at dusk.

Thomas Buchanan “Buck” can’t refuse when his friend’s dying wish is that Buck marry his youngest daughter and help rescue her sister. Just what Buck needed, a waylay to his dreams of going from a mercantile owner to becoming a rancher in the San Diego mountain meadows.

Once Emma finds her sister, will Buck and Emma go their separate ways? Or could a covered wagon journey lead them on an adventure of the heart?

Emma is a Christian covered wagon romance and part of the Prairie Roses Collection. All books in the collection are stand alones and can be read in any order. Enjoy the romance of Emma and Buck’s story today.

123 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 22, 2024

About the author

Kaitlene Dee writes heartwarming historical Christian romances. Her other pen name, Tina Dee, writes heartwarming contemporary Christian romance (see Tina’s profile under Tina Dee Books.)

Growing up, Kaitlene Dee loved westerns in the form of TV shows, but when she read her first historical western, she was hooked. She spends her time daydreaming about western romances and the spunky heroines who insist on having their own stories written, and the swoony cowboys who love them. She often rescues stray dogs and can’t wait to give a forever home to her next dog or two…or five. Kaitlene lives on the west coast and enjoys traveling, research, writing, and hanging out with reader friends in her Facebook readers group or with her newsletter readers. She’s an avid coffee drinker—and don’t even think about getting between her and a bear claw pastry.

Follow on FB, BookBub, or Amazon for updates on upcoming releases, or subscribe to her fun newsletter which comes out every Thursday. Currently, she shares a newsletter, FB readers group, and website with her Tina Dee pen name.

Reviews

[Dawn LeGros · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great story on so many levels. So many emotions were within this book from anger, fear, sadness, worry, warmth, friendship, and love. I even got teary eyed a couple times. I can't wait to start her new book. This entire series (all stand alone stories) is full of amazing stories by wonderful authors. Each with their own wonderful style of writing. OUTSTANDING FIVE STAR BOOK!!!

[Rosa Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars hands down
This is a wonderful book if you’re looking for one to escape into a world with charming characters, lovable pets, with a wagon train and God leading the way to connecting everyone together. The characters quickly become your family and your sitting by their fireside taking in their concerns and worries.
Storyline flows really well, once you start reading you’ll not want to put down the book. The characters turn to their Faith and God during their good and bad times reminding us He’s still faithful to us in any situation.
Although part of a series you don’t have to read any of the other books in the series to enjoy this one.

[Lana Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma was a very well written story of a poor girl, who has lost her mother, her dad starts getting drunk all the time, he sends his eldest daughter off to marry a horrible man, then he starts getting letters from that daughter stating that she needs to get away from her terrible husband asap. Guilt-ridden, the father sells Emma’s dog and the only home she’s ever known and joins a wagon train headed to the direction of his daughter, Viola. There are two men going on the wagon train to build up a ranch, Buck, and to preach and doctor, Rogan. During the trip, the father gets ill and asks his friend Buck, to marry Emma, so he will know that she’s taken care of! He agrees and Emma finds herself married to a man who she really is very happy about, but is afraid, that after they rescue her sister, he will want to get an annulment! I LOVE how the author brings all of this intrigue and mystery regarding Viola into Emma’s story! I hope you will get this book for yourself and read all of the gripping, fascinating exploits that take place! You will be clapping your hands in anticipation for the ending! Then, you will want to get Viola!! Def a 5 🌟 book! 💖💙 I received an advance copy to review. This review is my very own!

[Sandra Sorola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this story. Emma comes to terms with her father selling their home and heading to her sisters home to save her from the man he married her off to when he was deep in grief after losing his wife.
But selling her dog was just so unfair! And to the one person Emma loathes more than anyone on earth!!!
Thomas "Buck" Buchanon and his cousin are on their way to San Diego to start the dream of a ranch.
Tragedy befalls the Wagon Train they are traveling with when Emma's Father becomes ill and passes away. Before he dies he insists that Buck and Emma marry. They agree to do so for his sake, and are married just before he passes. This story is their journey to happiness. I know you will enjoy reading Emma and Buck's story.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short, clean, Christian prairie story ticks all the boxes for a quick read with a happy ending …though the reader is left wondering what’s going to happen next for Emma’s sister…but then Viola has her own story !

Buck is a true gentleman, Emma has her struggles due to her circumstances and Potter the dog just about steals the show!!

Lovely to hear of the changed lives of some of the characters through salvation and this is backed up by the way the characters conduct themselves during the story.

Received this as an Advanced Reader Copy from the author and this is my own opinion, given voluntarily.

[Kimberly Bowie · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Emma and her father heading west on a mission to save her sister as part of a wagon train, their father grows sick and dies. However, just prior to dying, he marries Emma to a practical stranger, Thomas "Buck" Buchanan. Despite the rough beginning, Buck and Emma form an alliance with Doc Rogan, a doctor and preacher, to rescue Viola from a worthless husband. Through their trials, Emma and Buck learn to rely on God and each other as they risk everything to get to Viola before tragedy strikes.

I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves Christ, western fiction, and HEA!

I received an ARC from the author; however, the review is my own opinion and done of my own volition.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma lost everything when her father sold their home and her dog and they joined a wagon train. She would both lose more and gain on her journey but how would she cope with all that loss? Could her despair be alleviated? As Doc and Buck join in mealtimes could their support guide her to depend on God for her troubles and solutions? Interesting story of loss, trust, and faith. It ended abruptly with a HEA and felt like a cliffhanger. However, reading the preview of the next book brought sufficient closure to the story.

Received an ARC and this is my honest, unsolicited review.

[Shonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story with great characters. I love Emma and her love for her dog. This story pulled at my heartstrings and kept me entertained, I couldn’t put it down. Of course this is partly due to the way Buck reacts to Emma’s and to Potter. Buck captured my heart! The fact the story is told while on the wagon-train trail is what makes this a fun read. God is woven into the details of the story giving inspiration to the reader as they embark on Emma’s sister, Viola, and her story. I can’t wait to read about Viola’s story! Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma and Buck had never spoken before they joined a wagon train, but her pa invited Buck and his cousin to eat with them at their campfire.

The story was pleasant, and the characters were realistic. The ending is kind of odd. This story's couple gets a start on their Happily Ever After, but we're in the middle of the rescue of Emma's sister.

This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from the author.

[Evelyn Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of God’s redeeming power, showing Himself strong on behalf of Emma as she struggles to stand firm in her faith despite enduring loss, grief and hardship, seeking to love and be loved. Would the promise she made to her father on his sick bed finally bring the fulfillment she craved? Could Buck be a part of that promise? Sweet story, one that will leave the reader eagerly anticipating the next offering from the author!

[PAMpublish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma with her father joins a wagon train to rescue her sister from a bad marriage situation. In the meantime, during the trip on his deathbed, he asks Buck to marry Emma and to assist with the rescue. This book is left somewhat up-in-the-air, but fortunately the beginning of the sequel is included to have a bit more closure in the surprise ending of it. A short, sweet, CF historical novella that makes for a good bedtime read.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buck and Emma

This is an interesting story as the characters travel by wagon train to their new homes. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters. I liked how they learned to respect each other and became friends. I liked how they helped each other and grew together. I enjoyed that they were religious and studied scripture together and prayed together.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Emma and Buck's story. Emma enjoyed her life living on the farm with Pa. She came in one day to find out that they were leaving on a wagon train to go to save her sister Viola. The trail ride did not go as planned. This is a wonderful story of love, loss, forgiveness and new beginnings.

[sheila jo gravely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read!

Such an incredible story. Emma and Buck are drawn to one another and they both have a great deal to offer each other. I enjoyed reading this story full of mystery, danger, faith, and pure romance. Very exciting story and a wonderful addition to this series.

[Debbie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book! I’m looking forward to reading the book about Emma’s sister Viola! I recommend reading this book!

[Linda Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! Great characters and I really liked keeping wagon train stories. Looking forward to the story about Emma’s sister. I received a copy of this book and all opinions are mine.

[Alice Kimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story of trials, hardship, and love...I enjoyed getting to know the characters and their stories. I can't wait to read more about them.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

This was a great book and what a fantastic author. I highly recommend this book and author. I can’t wait to read the next book by this wonderful author.