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Maligned Marion

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Maligned and Ostracized.

Widowed, pregnant and now homeless, helping a dying woman has cost Marion dearly.

Even so, she must keep her promise to take little Polly to her estranged uncle.

Quin Riley is shocked when Marion lands on his doorstep with his little niece. He doesn’t doubt Polly is his sister’s child, but how can he look after her on his own?

More importantly, men are chasing his niece because she is the only witness to a crime, and he will have to fight to keep them at bay.

Would a marriage of convenience with Marion solve their problems, or only exacerbate them if they were to fall in love with each other?

118 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2026

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About the author

Margaret Tanner

227 books88 followers
Margaret Tanner is an award winning, best selling author.

As well as writing historical novels set in frontier Australia she has discovered a love for writing Western Romance.
Her novella, Edwina of Connecticut is one of the 50 novels in the American Mail Order Bride series. Christmas Cowboy is in the Western Christmas Anthology, Silver Belles And Stetsons.

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She has had numerous short stories published over the years, but writing Historical romance novels is her passion.

Her favourite historical period is the 1st World War. Not only has she painstakingly researched this era, but was fortunate enough to make a poignant pilgrimage to the battlefields of Gallipoli (in Turkey), France and Belgium.

She is married with three grown up sons, and two gorgeous grand-daughters. Margaret lives in Australia. She has recently retired from work, and hopes to concentrate on her writing.

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5 stars
39 (75%)
4 stars
9 (17%)
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3 (5%)
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Profile Image for Kathy Heare Watts.
7,097 reviews175 followers
March 7, 2026
NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED

The story is a clean, historical western in which life and death shape the future. The story begins in the 1870’s in Nelson, Nevada. Recently widowed and pregnant Marion Luxford was taking care of the animals in the barn when she came upon a small girl and a badly beaten woman. She quickly learns that Tina was beaten by two men and left for dead, and they assumed Polly would die too. It was a mother’s love that pushed her forward, away from the area, and eventually to the barn. Tina begs Marion that, if anything happens to her, she will please take Polly to her brother.

“Don’t worry about me. Polly Meredith Riley. My brother is Quin Riley. He owns a way station near Tomahawk Creek.”

The story has the good, the bad, and the evil in people. When Marion and Polly go into town to see the doctor, his wife has a meeting. It seems as if some nosey-busybody listened in on the conversation and stirred up trouble. Now, even Marion is being attacked and ridiculed. After Tina’s death, Marion and Polly must leave Nelson and find Quin Riley.

Another page-turning tale in this series. I loved the care and compassion Marion shows to Tina and Polly, even when doing so costs her what she has—the home and land. Dealing with a surly Quin Riley won’t be easy, but she cares about Polly and won’t just leave her with him, if it will be a bad situation. Could a marriage of convenience be the answer to protect Polly? What about the report of gunslingers asking about Quin Riley? When Quin recovers from the shock of the situation, the loss of Tina, and the danger Polly and Marion are in, he is determined to protect them with his life. At least they all realize the love between them is the most powerful gift and a chance for a happy future.

NOTE: I read this book with my paid subscription to Kindle Unlimited.
Profile Image for Marie.
5,596 reviews54 followers
March 3, 2026
Can love solve all problems?

Marion is such a lovely character with a huge heart, she has a feisty side that emerges when she stands up in defense of others, but generally she is kind and thoughtful.
Quin, however, is very surly and grumpy, he has allowed the actions of one woman to overshadow all his interactions and he prefers the solitude of his outpost. His peace is shattered when Marion and Polly arrive on his doorstep and it's heartwarming to see Polly wrap him around her little finger as she quickly works her way into his heart. Seeing him rattled by Marion is entertaining, he doesn't know if he wants to argue with her, banish her or...kiss her! Their banter is fun as they verbally joust their way into a future together and a love neither saw coming.
A delightful read on Kindle Unlimited.
Profile Image for Nancie Blume.
876 reviews16 followers
March 6, 2026
Quin and Marion

Marion's life has gone from bad to worse: she's lost her husband, she's expecting, and she's just been evicted - all because she helped a dying woman. Now, she's taking care of the woman's little girl, Polly, and hauling her off to her uncle, Quin Riley. Quin's shocked to find Marion and Polly on his doorstep, but he's even more shocked to discover that Polly's got some very bad people after her - and he's the only one who can protect her. A marriage of convenience might just be the ticket... or it might just be a train wreck waiting to happen. This is a great story by Margaret Tanner and I highly recommend it to everyone wanting a clean, sweet historical romance!
1,586 reviews3 followers
March 3, 2026
Pregnant Western Widows Book 5

Well Miss Margaret Tanner outdone herself with this book. I sopped it up like a biscuit. It was definetly worth the wait. Marion was a widow when she heard a child crying in her barn. The little girl Polly was sitting with her Mother who had been beaten terribly. Marion took Polly to her Uncle Quin after her Mother passed and then their life began.
Profile Image for Judy.
1,847 reviews13 followers
March 5, 2026
Polly’s new family

Marion found a severely wounded woman and her little girl in her barn one morning. She did what she could to care for Tina, but in the end, she passed away. Marion is a pregnant widow and now has a child to care for. In the meantime, the bad men who tried to kill Tina were still out there.

Will Marion and Polly find refuge with a woman hating man named Quin?

Sweet story.
2,227 reviews37 followers
May 15, 2026
Helping the Injured

Marion hears a noise and can’t believe what she finds in her barn in the book Maligned Marion. Marion must help the injured woman and little girl, but at what cost to herself and her unborn child. Marion can only help as it is written in the Bible. Now she must continue to save Polly and bring her to her uncle. This will prove to be another trial for her. This story will touch your heart and root for the underdog.
Profile Image for Patsy.
134 reviews2 followers
March 8, 2026
Maligned Marion (Pregnant Western Widows Book 5). (Pregnant Western Widows)

Quinn and Marion's story is a story that tugs on the heart strings. A story of a caring woman and a man who wants nothing to do with women. How this couple comes to love each other is a heart tugging story. Margaret Tanners stories always leaves you emotional.
684 reviews7 followers
March 4, 2026
I enjoyed the book! Marion promised a dying woman that she would take her daughter Polly to her brother. Polly’s uncle was surprised but immediately knew Polly was his niece. This an easy read. I highly recommend reading this book!
Profile Image for Anita Rohn.
2,007 reviews9 followers
March 5, 2026
Marion

She had a rough life and a needy little girl entered her life and she made the choice to take care of her and find her uncle. Together they became a family surviving th heir pasts and making a future.
Profile Image for Judy Esposito.
1,007 reviews15 followers
April 2, 2026
Maligned Marion (Pregnant Western Widows

Another wonderful book by Margaret Tanner. I enjoyed the storyline along with the characters of Marion, Quinn and Polly. Always a sweet ending with Margaret's books. JudyE
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews