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Shirley's Desperate Decision
Ever since inheriting her father’s estate, the community had turned against Shirley, calling the money tainted and treating her with open hostility. She no longer felt safe, forced into hiding at a hotel. She had fallen for the gentleman she’d been writing to—and she needed to leave town.
Bradley, unaware of her inheritance, invited her West for a brief courtship and marriage. He seemed honorable, and the chance for a fresh start was too tempting to refuse.
But soon after arriving, Shirley’s trust begins to unravel. One evening, she overhears a conversation between Bradley and another man—one that puts her life in grave danger.
Now she must run again.
Only this time, if she’s caught, she won’t just be hurt—she’ll be killed.
Bradley, unaware of her inheritance, invited her West for a brief courtship and marriage. He seemed honorable, and the chance for a fresh start was too tempting to refuse.
But soon after arriving, Shirley’s trust begins to unravel. One evening, she overhears a conversation between Bradley and another man—one that puts her life in grave danger.
Now she must run again.
Only this time, if she’s caught, she won’t just be hurt—she’ll be killed.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2026
About the author
Lynne Lanning
59 books61 followersLynne Lanning has such an effortless way of evoking emotion from her readers. Her characters are so realistic that the reader can feel their pain during trials and their joy during triumphs. Reviews state: "...it's as if Mrs. Lanning lived through this herself." "Couldn't put it down..." "A real page turner." Lynne enjoys turning history and her love of God into enjoyable, relatable stories with practical life lessons that can benefit people today. Each story tells of true bonds of love and loyalty, mixed with tough times and decisions, with a twist of humor and sometimes devastation...the same is true in life. With a blend of her own family members and heritage along with lots of fiction, it's hard to tell where reality stops and fantasy begins.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 15, 2026
UNCERTAIN, HOPEFUL, AND MORE THAN A LITTLE AFRAID
The Rejected Mail-Order Match series is a multi-author, clean, historical-based series of stories of ‘mail-order matches’ that go awry. Sometimes, mitigating circumstances change—and sometimes, they are blessings in disguise.
The story begins in the South, after the end of the Civil War. Marcel Finn was arrested and standing trial, accused of working against his neighbors, when the truth was, he risked his own life, protected the town, and even managed to bring food to his neighbors. Yet, in turn, they have become bitter and turned on him—but he is found not guilty. His daughter, Shirley, was disappointed at people they considered friends—but for someone to murder her father leaves her shocked and shattered. She had been in correspondence with a man, Norman Murphy, out West. It is determined that it might be safer for her to leave her hometown and travel westward.
Norman is a man who is perceived to be important to the town of Winding Creek. He is in the process of opening a bank and has many other plans for the town. But he is a man with secrets and heinous behavior. He and his father have such an evil empire, and constantly adding to it. Not everything you see is what the real person is.
The story has the good, the bad, and the evil. Norman comes across as a man who cares about her and her welfare, even coming to meet her as she gets off the train. Rather than a two-day stagecoach ride, he has horses and a female along who will provide a proper appearance as they travel to town, cutting off a day's travel. While Norman courts Shirley, he remains the perfect gentleman, treating her well and always making her see him as kind and considerate. He is even cautious when taking her to his ranch, keeping Franny in the house, and giving the illusion of propriety.
Even a snake can be pretty, but poisonous if it strikes. Shirley has mixed emotions; she is impressed with how refined and upstanding Norman is, but it is as if the still small voice of God hasn’t given her the peace that this is right. Seeing some of the shady, rough characters that come to the ranch doesn’t feel right—but one fateful night, overhearing a private conversation, lets her know she must escape.
“Faith without works—A man may say all the right things, but the proof of a living faith is in the hand that opens, the foot that goes, and the back that bends to the burden of a neighbor.” –Rev. Coombs
This was a fascinating, page-turning, heart-stopping tale of good versus evil, right and wrong. Witnessing it unfold, with the life and death danger, and seeing how God worked in the lives of those involved. It was a case of depravity getting its comeuppance. Lives will forever be changed, but in the end, the willingness of those who were ready and able to fight for justice made the difference. And in the end, people will discover that the right person is there for them—maybe they found each other in a roundabout way, but in the end, it all works out for the best.
“Life is not fair. Grow up and deal with it. For once in your life, think about somebody other than yourself.”
NOTE: I read this book with my paid subscription to Kindle Unlimited.
The Rejected Mail-Order Match series is a multi-author, clean, historical-based series of stories of ‘mail-order matches’ that go awry. Sometimes, mitigating circumstances change—and sometimes, they are blessings in disguise.
The story begins in the South, after the end of the Civil War. Marcel Finn was arrested and standing trial, accused of working against his neighbors, when the truth was, he risked his own life, protected the town, and even managed to bring food to his neighbors. Yet, in turn, they have become bitter and turned on him—but he is found not guilty. His daughter, Shirley, was disappointed at people they considered friends—but for someone to murder her father leaves her shocked and shattered. She had been in correspondence with a man, Norman Murphy, out West. It is determined that it might be safer for her to leave her hometown and travel westward.
Norman is a man who is perceived to be important to the town of Winding Creek. He is in the process of opening a bank and has many other plans for the town. But he is a man with secrets and heinous behavior. He and his father have such an evil empire, and constantly adding to it. Not everything you see is what the real person is.
The story has the good, the bad, and the evil. Norman comes across as a man who cares about her and her welfare, even coming to meet her as she gets off the train. Rather than a two-day stagecoach ride, he has horses and a female along who will provide a proper appearance as they travel to town, cutting off a day's travel. While Norman courts Shirley, he remains the perfect gentleman, treating her well and always making her see him as kind and considerate. He is even cautious when taking her to his ranch, keeping Franny in the house, and giving the illusion of propriety.
Even a snake can be pretty, but poisonous if it strikes. Shirley has mixed emotions; she is impressed with how refined and upstanding Norman is, but it is as if the still small voice of God hasn’t given her the peace that this is right. Seeing some of the shady, rough characters that come to the ranch doesn’t feel right—but one fateful night, overhearing a private conversation, lets her know she must escape.
“Faith without works—A man may say all the right things, but the proof of a living faith is in the hand that opens, the foot that goes, and the back that bends to the burden of a neighbor.” –Rev. Coombs
This was a fascinating, page-turning, heart-stopping tale of good versus evil, right and wrong. Witnessing it unfold, with the life and death danger, and seeing how God worked in the lives of those involved. It was a case of depravity getting its comeuppance. Lives will forever be changed, but in the end, the willingness of those who were ready and able to fight for justice made the difference. And in the end, people will discover that the right person is there for them—maybe they found each other in a roundabout way, but in the end, it all works out for the best.
“Life is not fair. Grow up and deal with it. For once in your life, think about somebody other than yourself.”
NOTE: I read this book with my paid subscription to Kindle Unlimited.
July 21, 2026
Life Changes
Shirley’s Desperate Decision was a remarkable story. After losing her Father, Shirley must decide what to do next. She doesn’t trust the people in town to help her, as she knows they don’t trust her. She is advised to leave town, but be weary about her mail order husband. Norman appears wonderful and generous, but is it true. As her wedding gets closer, Shirley finds new information that could change her decision. Let’s follow the story, to see what happens next. You won’t be disappointed.
Shirley’s Desperate Decision was a remarkable story. After losing her Father, Shirley must decide what to do next. She doesn’t trust the people in town to help her, as she knows they don’t trust her. She is advised to leave town, but be weary about her mail order husband. Norman appears wonderful and generous, but is it true. As her wedding gets closer, Shirley finds new information that could change her decision. Let’s follow the story, to see what happens next. You won’t be disappointed.
June 19, 2026
I was totally unprepared for the twists and turns in this story! Wow! From each character, both good and bad, to moments I wondered if my heart would stop, I was totally, and I mean totally, immersed beginning to end. Having read many works by this author, I was taken on an entirely new journey with this book and have to say it’s my new favorite!
July 20, 2026
I enjoyed the book! After Shirley’s father was murdered, she headed west as a mail order bride. Her groom to be was charming at first been then began to feel uneasy. Shirley feared for her life so she ran away. I highly recommend reading this book!
July 13, 2026
Great book
I really enjoyed this book. It was full of suspence and a little romance. I loved the characters. I recommend this book.
I really enjoyed this book. It was full of suspence and a little romance. I loved the characters. I recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews