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Wilderness Brides #1
Cora's Pride
Cora Miller is fiercely independent and stubborn to a fault. Betrayed more than once by men she thought she could trust, she’s learned to rely only on herself. As the oldest of four siblings, she feels responsible for leading her family safely on the Oregon Trail for a new start.
Nathaniel Wilder is no stranger to the hardships and dangers of the wilderness. Raised with his brothers by a trapper in the remote mountains, he left behind the mistakes he’s made in the past. He’s been called reckless and irresponsible, but won’t hesitate to help someone in need.
A foolhardy mishap puts Nathaniel in the direct path of a stubborn, yet beautiful woman with fire in her eyes. Despite her refusal of help, he is determined to prove she can depend on him. When her pride puts her and her family in peril, Cora accepts that she can’t do it on her own. If misgivings can turn to trust, or even love, both Cora and Nathaniel could come out stronger in the end.
***Content Warning: This book contains mild language, mild violence, kissing, and physical initmacy with minimal description. Heat Level: 2-3 (on a scale of 1-5), PG/PG13.
Nathaniel Wilder is no stranger to the hardships and dangers of the wilderness. Raised with his brothers by a trapper in the remote mountains, he left behind the mistakes he’s made in the past. He’s been called reckless and irresponsible, but won’t hesitate to help someone in need.
A foolhardy mishap puts Nathaniel in the direct path of a stubborn, yet beautiful woman with fire in her eyes. Despite her refusal of help, he is determined to prove she can depend on him. When her pride puts her and her family in peril, Cora accepts that she can’t do it on her own. If misgivings can turn to trust, or even love, both Cora and Nathaniel could come out stronger in the end.
***Content Warning: This book contains mild language, mild violence, kissing, and physical initmacy with minimal description. Heat Level: 2-3 (on a scale of 1-5), PG/PG13.
158 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2016
1448 people are currently reading
587 people want to read
About the author
Peggy L. Henderson
74 books322 followersI never thought I'd be a writer, much less publish a book some day. I always wanted to be a veterinarian. I guess life just had other plans for me. When my husband and I decided to start a family, vet school pretty much went out the window. I used to work with a vet who had three children while going through vet school. To this day, she is my hero.
I live with my husband and two teenage sons in southern California. I have a Welsh pony and a miniature horse (down-sized from a barn of six horses). A crazy Labrador retriever who is a food vacuum, three cats, two parakeets, four bearded dragons (my compromise with my sons when they wanted a snake), and a small flock of chickens complete our menagerie of critters. I can’t imagine my life without my animals. My dream is to live in Montana some day.
Four years ago, I began writing a story that, for whatever reason, was stuck in my head for almost a year. I have been an avid romance reader for a long time, and the idea took hold to - why not? - write my own! What a simple idea, right?
It has been a long and difficult journey from my first sentence to a completed, and hopefully polished, manuscript. Today, I have a completed series of 5 books and a novella in what I called The Yellowstone Romance Series, two books in my new Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series, and I am currently working on the final book in a trilogy set in the Grand Tetons.
I live with my husband and two teenage sons in southern California. I have a Welsh pony and a miniature horse (down-sized from a barn of six horses). A crazy Labrador retriever who is a food vacuum, three cats, two parakeets, four bearded dragons (my compromise with my sons when they wanted a snake), and a small flock of chickens complete our menagerie of critters. I can’t imagine my life without my animals. My dream is to live in Montana some day.
Four years ago, I began writing a story that, for whatever reason, was stuck in my head for almost a year. I have been an avid romance reader for a long time, and the idea took hold to - why not? - write my own! What a simple idea, right?
It has been a long and difficult journey from my first sentence to a completed, and hopefully polished, manuscript. Today, I have a completed series of 5 books and a novella in what I called The Yellowstone Romance Series, two books in my new Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series, and I am currently working on the final book in a trilogy set in the Grand Tetons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
November 25, 2017
I was torn on how many stars to give this. It was a sweet story but I found myself skimming over a couple of spots. The characters didn't seem developed enough.
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March 10, 2019🎁 FREE on iBooks today (3/10/2019)! 🎁
March 17, 2019
Free today on Amazon.
March 28, 2020
Barely worth reading but has a decent idea for a plot. Skimmed a lot.
June 19, 2017
3.5/5.0
April 3, 2016
3.5 out of 5
I love Westerns and it's been a while since I've read one. I need variety to my strictly romance reading. I've read a number of books by Peggy L. Henderson and have found them to be a good fix when jonseing for a Western.
This is a fairly typical one. Cora and her little band of sisters, friend and one baby brother are headed west to Oregon on a wagon train when the man she recently married out of desperation to get a spot on the train, tells her he's heading to California and the gold rush and oh, yes, that marriage? It was a fake on he planned to try and get her money.
Now she's really in trouble as the wagon master tells her there's not a chance he will include a wagon full of single women on the train. Cora is a good Western they heroine. She's brave and stubborn and determined to take care of her family. She beholds Nathaniel with a great deal of distrust but then she's been done wrong by more than one man and has good reason not to trust.
I quite enjoy Nathaniel. He and his three brothers are mountain men through and through as are most of Ms Henderson's heroes. He's on his way back to the mountain with winter supplies when he has troubles with an Indian party who aren't the friendly kind. While he's trying to dodge them, he runs into Cora and her little band. He realizes they need help even though Cora is dead set against it. He has to decide whether to help them or find his supplies and head home. But then there is that attraction he feels for our stubborn hero and since this is a romance you can guess what he decides.
This isn't the best Western I've read but it's a nice good book and since this one is the start of a new series, I expect I will continue with it.
I love Westerns and it's been a while since I've read one. I need variety to my strictly romance reading. I've read a number of books by Peggy L. Henderson and have found them to be a good fix when jonseing for a Western.
This is a fairly typical one. Cora and her little band of sisters, friend and one baby brother are headed west to Oregon on a wagon train when the man she recently married out of desperation to get a spot on the train, tells her he's heading to California and the gold rush and oh, yes, that marriage? It was a fake on he planned to try and get her money.
Now she's really in trouble as the wagon master tells her there's not a chance he will include a wagon full of single women on the train. Cora is a good Western they heroine. She's brave and stubborn and determined to take care of her family. She beholds Nathaniel with a great deal of distrust but then she's been done wrong by more than one man and has good reason not to trust.
I quite enjoy Nathaniel. He and his three brothers are mountain men through and through as are most of Ms Henderson's heroes. He's on his way back to the mountain with winter supplies when he has troubles with an Indian party who aren't the friendly kind. While he's trying to dodge them, he runs into Cora and her little band. He realizes they need help even though Cora is dead set against it. He has to decide whether to help them or find his supplies and head home. But then there is that attraction he feels for our stubborn hero and since this is a romance you can guess what he decides.
This isn't the best Western I've read but it's a nice good book and since this one is the start of a new series, I expect I will continue with it.
January 10, 2020
The story was fun to follow, the writing was well done and all of the characters (there are many) were all likeable, except for this heroine. Cora's problem? Her pride. Man, she was a thorny little thing. I honestly don't know what made the hero keep coming back for more of her "get away from me" comments. But because of the good writing on the author's part, I actually understood why Cora acted that way... but it still got on my nerves at some parts. I can't wait for the next stories featuring Cora's 3 sisters (they were all very likeable characters)
March 18, 2019
Cora Miller is a determined young woman with a family to keep together; after being betrayed by her father and a no good pretend husband she has little respect for men in general. Alone with her three young sisters and one little brother and best friend she is determined to get them to Oregon although no wagon train will take a wagon with single women and children.
Nathaniel Wilder lives in a valley near the Teton Mountains with his three brothers and an old trapper that has helped them grow into responsible men after he found them alone after their parents and baby sister were killed. Nate finds Cora's group in a meadow, with a broken wheel on their wagon and tries to help them but Cora's Pride gets in the way. He finds her pride, stubbornness and determination to be very attractive and continues to follow the wagon until he rescues not only Cora, her little brother but the rest of the group too.
I love a good historical western with a strong hero, threat from evil men and a happy ending too. Cora's Pride offers all three and I look forward to the next book in the series.
Nathaniel Wilder lives in a valley near the Teton Mountains with his three brothers and an old trapper that has helped them grow into responsible men after he found them alone after their parents and baby sister were killed. Nate finds Cora's group in a meadow, with a broken wheel on their wagon and tries to help them but Cora's Pride gets in the way. He finds her pride, stubbornness and determination to be very attractive and continues to follow the wagon until he rescues not only Cora, her little brother but the rest of the group too.
I love a good historical western with a strong hero, threat from evil men and a happy ending too. Cora's Pride offers all three and I look forward to the next book in the series.
April 14, 2016
You did it again, Peggy!
Another wonderful story that I totally enjoyed. I love the way you tell a story. Thank you and I look forward to the next book in this series.
Another wonderful story that I totally enjoyed. I love the way you tell a story. Thank you and I look forward to the next book in this series.
March 15, 2020
Cora’s Pride
Cora, Patrick,Josie and Caroline are all related and have a friend named Anna with them. They are on the Oregon Trail in a covered wagon. Cora was forced to marry Ted, but it wasn’t a real marriage he lied to her about the preacher, it was fake. He only did this so he could steal her money and anything else she had. He takes off and demanded his share of her money but she refuses.
Now the wagon master tells her she has to get married again even though she told him it was a lie. She takes off after the train leaves and followed them until the wheel broke and they went on without her.
Nathaniel lives in the mountain with his brothers and an old tracker. He lost his parents to river bandits as a young boy and that’s when the tracker took him in. He is on his way home when he has problems with the crow Indians who steals his horses, but he steals them back and on his way he stumbles across a wagon full of women and a young boy he knows that the crow will track him and stealing her horse is wrong but he does it to lead tracks away from the family. What he isn’t expecting is one of the women to follow him on her mule to get her horse back.
I enjoyed reading this story very good book
Cora, Patrick,Josie and Caroline are all related and have a friend named Anna with them. They are on the Oregon Trail in a covered wagon. Cora was forced to marry Ted, but it wasn’t a real marriage he lied to her about the preacher, it was fake. He only did this so he could steal her money and anything else she had. He takes off and demanded his share of her money but she refuses.
Now the wagon master tells her she has to get married again even though she told him it was a lie. She takes off after the train leaves and followed them until the wheel broke and they went on without her.
Nathaniel lives in the mountain with his brothers and an old tracker. He lost his parents to river bandits as a young boy and that’s when the tracker took him in. He is on his way home when he has problems with the crow Indians who steals his horses, but he steals them back and on his way he stumbles across a wagon full of women and a young boy he knows that the crow will track him and stealing her horse is wrong but he does it to lead tracks away from the family. What he isn’t expecting is one of the women to follow him on her mule to get her horse back.
I enjoyed reading this story very good book
June 24, 2021
Very enjoyable
When I read reviews I want this list of questions answered so that I can know if a book should be to my liking. Since these questions aren’t usually answered in reviews I figure it’s my job to do so.
Happily Ever After? Yes
Does the hero treat the heroine badly in the beginning? No
Does the heroine treat the hero badly in the beginning? No
If the answers for 2 or 3 are yes, then do they make appropriate amends for their bad behavior?
Is this book Christian? No
Are there sex scenes in this book? Yes
If there is sex, are the sex scenes explicit? No
Is the heroine a virgin? No
Is the heroine sexually assaulted? No but there are a handful of mentions about another character’s assault
Is the hero a virgin? Unknown
Is there non-romantic drama (as in a kidnapping, murder, feud, or other intrigue that isn’t centered on romance)? Yes
Is the end satisfying? Very
Is the book “icky” to modern ideals or sensibilities? (As in, a 15 year old marrying a 30 year old was acceptable in 1815 but might make a modern reader uncomfortable) No
When I read reviews I want this list of questions answered so that I can know if a book should be to my liking. Since these questions aren’t usually answered in reviews I figure it’s my job to do so.
Happily Ever After? Yes
Does the hero treat the heroine badly in the beginning? No
Does the heroine treat the hero badly in the beginning? No
If the answers for 2 or 3 are yes, then do they make appropriate amends for their bad behavior?
Is this book Christian? No
Are there sex scenes in this book? Yes
If there is sex, are the sex scenes explicit? No
Is the heroine a virgin? No
Is the heroine sexually assaulted? No but there are a handful of mentions about another character’s assault
Is the hero a virgin? Unknown
Is there non-romantic drama (as in a kidnapping, murder, feud, or other intrigue that isn’t centered on romance)? Yes
Is the end satisfying? Very
Is the book “icky” to modern ideals or sensibilities? (As in, a 15 year old marrying a 30 year old was acceptable in 1815 but might make a modern reader uncomfortable) No
August 31, 2022
There were many prejudices against unmarried women traveling across the West during earlier times. Cora is responsible for her two sisters, a younger brother, and her best friend, Annie. Because no wagon master would take an unmarried woman on the trip west, Cora married Ted Miller in Independence (the jumping-off spot for westward travel). Unfortunately, by Fort Laramie, Ted decided he'd run off with drinking buddies and go the hunt gold. His decision left Cora and her family in a spot, and the wagon train summarily dumped them. As a parting shot, Ted informed Cora that the 'minister' who married them was no such thing.
Thus, Cora was distrustful of men. Her father had run off with the town's saloon girl years before, and the betrayal eventually led to his wife's early death. So when Cora meets Nathaniel Wilder, she is underwhelmed. Before long, Cora and her family had a broken wheel and were lost. This novella is an exciting portrayal of the many difficulties of moving West in the early 1800s. Some parts were redundant, but this is an entertaining story that moves quickly.
Thus, Cora was distrustful of men. Her father had run off with the town's saloon girl years before, and the betrayal eventually led to his wife's early death. So when Cora meets Nathaniel Wilder, she is underwhelmed. Before long, Cora and her family had a broken wheel and were lost. This novella is an exciting portrayal of the many difficulties of moving West in the early 1800s. Some parts were redundant, but this is an entertaining story that moves quickly.
February 22, 2021
This was a good story with some well-crafted characters. I liked that they weren't portrayed as invincible or perfect, but had some growing to do. I also liked how the characters and their mannerisms and speech fit the setting and time period. There were very few typos and the plot was plausible with excellent pacing.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I read a few vague reviews and took a chance. There's definitely some things in this story I usually choose not to read - a few explitives and a couple of mild bedroom scenes. If that's something that really bothers you, just skip this book. Otherwise, I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical romance that's more heavy on the growth of a relationship between hero and heroine.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I read a few vague reviews and took a chance. There's definitely some things in this story I usually choose not to read - a few explitives and a couple of mild bedroom scenes. If that's something that really bothers you, just skip this book. Otherwise, I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical romance that's more heavy on the growth of a relationship between hero and heroine.
September 1, 2021
Great book about the struggles of women during the move west. Cora and her family of two sisters, a brother, and her best friend are traveling west to start a new life but they are without a man. Cora has always been the one to take care of her family so she continues to do that the best she can. Unfortunately for Cora things are not working out until Nathanial Wilder shows up. He is a mountain man and no plans of taking on a bunch of women to care for but he can't leave them to die.
This book has great characters that are all thought out so they are all unique and interesting. It gives us danger but also sweetness. We get to watch Cora grow up and see that not all men are evil and we see Nate fall in love.
I loved this book and recommend it.
This book has great characters that are all thought out so they are all unique and interesting. It gives us danger but also sweetness. We get to watch Cora grow up and see that not all men are evil and we see Nate fall in love.
I loved this book and recommend it.
September 6, 2021
Trials and Successes in Travel to Oregon!
Cora and her siblings were traveling west to settle in the Oregon Territory. This book is about the problems of a family group trying to travel from the eastern states to the wild west. Cora had problems in the past with men and wanted to make this journey with just her little family group after finding that men wanted to take advantage of her. When she ran into problems, she joined a wagon train and ran into more problems. Everyone seemed to think a young, unmarried woman traveling with her younger siblings had no place on a wagon train. She met a man who offered his assistance, but again the need to marry kept coming up.
Read this book to find out if they settled in Oregon. I enjoyed this book and hope you enjoy it also.
Cora and her siblings were traveling west to settle in the Oregon Territory. This book is about the problems of a family group trying to travel from the eastern states to the wild west. Cora had problems in the past with men and wanted to make this journey with just her little family group after finding that men wanted to take advantage of her. When she ran into problems, she joined a wagon train and ran into more problems. Everyone seemed to think a young, unmarried woman traveling with her younger siblings had no place on a wagon train. She met a man who offered his assistance, but again the need to marry kept coming up.
Read this book to find out if they settled in Oregon. I enjoyed this book and hope you enjoy it also.
March 25, 2025
Pleasant historic diversion
Beginning was a little repetitive. Cora has been hurt by the men she trusted. Her father walked out on his family and she decides to lead her family out west. Forced to take a husband to be on a wagon train. She married Ted, who has left Cora and her family to go to California instead. This is where the book opens. The wagon master says they can only continue if one of her sisters takes a husband she decides they will follow the wagon train but soon are off the trail, where a young man named Nathaniel is running from some Indians. Cora immediately is drawn to and distrust Nathaniel. This stubborn price got a little old but the story of life on a trail is interesting as is the negated role women have.
Beginning was a little repetitive. Cora has been hurt by the men she trusted. Her father walked out on his family and she decides to lead her family out west. Forced to take a husband to be on a wagon train. She married Ted, who has left Cora and her family to go to California instead. This is where the book opens. The wagon master says they can only continue if one of her sisters takes a husband she decides they will follow the wagon train but soon are off the trail, where a young man named Nathaniel is running from some Indians. Cora immediately is drawn to and distrust Nathaniel. This stubborn price got a little old but the story of life on a trail is interesting as is the negated role women have.
July 6, 2020
This well-written western adventure and romance with a lovely cover maintained my attention from beginning-to-end. A group of women, involving the oldest Cora, were heading to Oregon when an arranged marriage fell through mid-way. Left to fend for themselves, a handsome trapper vows to assist them despite Cora's resistance pride. All of them carry baggage which affects relationships, however, need to be overcome to depend on one another for survival. An action story revolving around an underlying romance will sustain your interest for those who enjoy this genre.
September 13, 2017
A thrilling tale of life and trials during times the wagons traveled the western frontier to the Oregon territory. A beautiful story paying tribute to the strong men and women who both traveled the trails and settled in the wilderness land. Loved the storyline, the characters and the beautiful scenic description Ms Henderson is so beloved for. A book, a series and an author you don't want to miss!
March 6, 2018
Just keep reading
I'm the begining I thought the book was moving too slow,but as you move along there is one event after another.
Cora, her two sisters, a young brother, and best friend leave their Ohio farm to travel West to Oregon. They are met with one danger after another. A deceitful husband ,Indians, a stranger she didn't trust. So many turn on the story ,I couldn't st reading. Enjoy
I'm the begining I thought the book was moving too slow,but as you move along there is one event after another.
Cora, her two sisters, a young brother, and best friend leave their Ohio farm to travel West to Oregon. They are met with one danger after another. A deceitful husband ,Indians, a stranger she didn't trust. So many turn on the story ,I couldn't st reading. Enjoy
December 9, 2019
Cora, her two sisters and brother and her best friend Anna are on a wagon train headed for Oregon. She married her husband Ted because he said he would get her family to Oregon. Now he wants to leave and go to California for gold. The last thing he tells her is the mare wasn’t real. She tries to follow the wagon train but gets lost. That’s when Nathaniel finds her group. But he is being followed by Crow Indians. The two strike sparks against each other. It makes for an enjoyable book.
March 31, 2020
Cora Miller has abandonment issues with men, first her father and then the man she wed so she and her family could be on a wagon train to Oregon. Kicked off the train because she has no husband, she plans to follow the train but somehow lost them a few days out of Fort Laramie. Nathaniel Wilder tries to help but she rebuffs his gesture. So how is she to get to Oregon, with her younger sisters and brothers and her best friend, no man to help or pave a way onto a wagon train?
April 8, 2020
The main character was definitely feisty. I liked her grit and determination. The story also showcases how women were treated- you had to be married to go on the wagon trains to Oregon. I can see why you might need men for their strength, but it seems hard to consider they married just so they could move. I liked how she was able to finally accept help and found some good for herself and siblings.
February 22, 2021
Cora’s Pride
Wow! This was an exciting story. Cora, Anna, Josie, and Carolyn, and brother Patrick. Cora’s mother had died. Cora wanted a new life for her sisters , brother, and her best friend Anna. They were wanting to go to Oregon, but no wagon train leader with take them except the older ladies be married? This did present a problem. Enjoy their challenges and their happy results.
Wow! This was an exciting story. Cora, Anna, Josie, and Carolyn, and brother Patrick. Cora’s mother had died. Cora wanted a new life for her sisters , brother, and her best friend Anna. They were wanting to go to Oregon, but no wagon train leader with take them except the older ladies be married? This did present a problem. Enjoy their challenges and their happy results.
March 15, 2022
fool me once shame on you , fool me twice shame on me
A heart warming story of a relocating family of women and a boy who were let down over and over by men. The ladies had to learn to trust men again. The plot was engaging ,the story setting put you right on the Oregon trail. The characters were authentic and made this a very enjoyable reading experience. Ms Henderson is a gifted writer and story teller. I recommend this book for everyone.
A heart warming story of a relocating family of women and a boy who were let down over and over by men. The ladies had to learn to trust men again. The plot was engaging ,the story setting put you right on the Oregon trail. The characters were authentic and made this a very enjoyable reading experience. Ms Henderson is a gifted writer and story teller. I recommend this book for everyone.
March 20, 2022
Backbone and bone-headedness
Cora, her best friend and three younger siblings are trying to get with a wagon train to Oregon. No wagon master will take on two unmarried women and three kids. Cora has to jump through some pretty sexist hoops, and still doesn't get far when Nathaniel crosses paths, and wits, with Cora. It's enemies-to-lovers in Wyoming Territory - a good read for historical western fans.
Cora, her best friend and three younger siblings are trying to get with a wagon train to Oregon. No wagon master will take on two unmarried women and three kids. Cora has to jump through some pretty sexist hoops, and still doesn't get far when Nathaniel crosses paths, and wits, with Cora. It's enemies-to-lovers in Wyoming Territory - a good read for historical western fans.
December 14, 2022
Cora Miller is a stubborn independent woman who is determined to lead her family through the Oregon Trail. Nathaniel Wilder and his three brothers were raised with a trapper living in a valley near the Teton Mountains. Nate and Cora meet when Cora’s wagon’s wheel brakes down and Nate helps them and he continues to help them through the Oregon Trail. I really enjoyed this historical western romance novel.
October 13, 2017
Great story, flows well, hard to put down. Highly recommend.
This author is a great storyteller, I highly recommend her stories. They are hard to put down. I don't think I would have the courage that these women had to travel out west in early days. I enjoyed this story and forward to further stories by this author.
This author is a great storyteller, I highly recommend her stories. They are hard to put down. I don't think I would have the courage that these women had to travel out west in early days. I enjoyed this story and forward to further stories by this author.
March 23, 2018
Another page tuner!
A great start to the series with page turning adventure. While predictable on some aspects, twists abound that kept me reading until I finished the novel at 3am! The writing style is vivid and easy to picture, the characters are well developed, and the story flows well. There's not one bad book by this author.
A great start to the series with page turning adventure. While predictable on some aspects, twists abound that kept me reading until I finished the novel at 3am! The writing style is vivid and easy to picture, the characters are well developed, and the story flows well. There's not one bad book by this author.
March 18, 2019
Strength. & .courage
What a terrific novel exploring the strength and courage of a woman attempting to be a provider and protector of her family despite hardships both physical and personal. Likewise it's the story of a man dealing with his own emotional baggage. How these two deal with their past, present and future was amazing.
What a terrific novel exploring the strength and courage of a woman attempting to be a provider and protector of her family despite hardships both physical and personal. Likewise it's the story of a man dealing with his own emotional baggage. How these two deal with their past, present and future was amazing.
May 29, 2019
This is a excellent start for a new series.
Peggy Henderson has created another series around her majestic mountains. All of us who follow Peggy's books are transported there because of the developed, in-depth storyline and amazing characters. Cora and Nathaniel sizzled across the pages and the drama and intrigue of Ted, kept me turning pages. A fantastic romance.
Peggy Henderson has created another series around her majestic mountains. All of us who follow Peggy's books are transported there because of the developed, in-depth storyline and amazing characters. Cora and Nathaniel sizzled across the pages and the drama and intrigue of Ted, kept me turning pages. A fantastic romance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews