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A widow with two small children, Nissa Stillwell is forced out of the mining supervisor's house she had lived in prior to her husband’s death in the mine disaster in Wildcat Ridge, Utah. She quickly learns he had gone heavily into debt to impress his boss, mine owner Mortimer Crane. In order for her and her children to have a home, she leaves what few possessions remain behind and contracts with the Ridge Hotel to do their laundry as most of the rent on a laundry shed and drying yard next to the hotel. With work from the hotel, plus a few other laundry jobs, she is able to make ends meet—barely.
Being left with only the furnishings and personal items that make up James Stillwell’s estate, Mortimer Crane goes after Nissa to pay him the rest of what he claims he is owed. She refuses, pointing out in Utah, everything is owned by the husband and only they can enter into contracts. Wives cannot be held responsible for their husbands’ debt. That does not stop Mortimer Crane from threatening her unless she agrees to work off the debts he claims she owes in his Gentlemen Only Salon.
Dallin Walsh is a rancher who has been too busy building up his spread in the isolated mountains of western Colorado to look for a wife. He and his two wranglers come to Wildcat Ridge for a big horse auction. Between Crane and three hard cases who ride into town, he comes to Nissa’s defense more than once. Desperate to leave Wildcat Ridge, Nissa asks him to hire her as a housekeeper on his ranch. But, does Dallin want the pretty auburn-haired woman for a housekeeper—or does he have something else in mind?
Hal and Buck, the two wranglers, soon find most widows in town are as eager to find husbands to move to Wildcat Ridge so they can keep their homes as they are to sell horses. Hal finds a woman in difficulty he grows closer to every day. Another woman finds Buck who is definitely not interested in a wife.
The jobs of all three men are in Colorado. Who will go and who will stay in Wildcat Ridge?
Nissa is a sweet romance.
Being left with only the furnishings and personal items that make up James Stillwell’s estate, Mortimer Crane goes after Nissa to pay him the rest of what he claims he is owed. She refuses, pointing out in Utah, everything is owned by the husband and only they can enter into contracts. Wives cannot be held responsible for their husbands’ debt. That does not stop Mortimer Crane from threatening her unless she agrees to work off the debts he claims she owes in his Gentlemen Only Salon.
Dallin Walsh is a rancher who has been too busy building up his spread in the isolated mountains of western Colorado to look for a wife. He and his two wranglers come to Wildcat Ridge for a big horse auction. Between Crane and three hard cases who ride into town, he comes to Nissa’s defense more than once. Desperate to leave Wildcat Ridge, Nissa asks him to hire her as a housekeeper on his ranch. But, does Dallin want the pretty auburn-haired woman for a housekeeper—or does he have something else in mind?
Hal and Buck, the two wranglers, soon find most widows in town are as eager to find husbands to move to Wildcat Ridge so they can keep their homes as they are to sell horses. Hal finds a woman in difficulty he grows closer to every day. Another woman finds Buck who is definitely not interested in a wife.
The jobs of all three men are in Colorado. Who will go and who will stay in Wildcat Ridge?
Nissa is a sweet romance.
- GenresHistorical Romance
221 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2018
115 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Zina Abbott
84 books124 followersZina Abbott is the pen name used by Robyn Echols for her historical novels. Her novel, Family Secrets, was published by Fire Star Press in October 2014 and her novelette, A Christmas Promise, was published by Prairie Rose Publications in November 2014. The first two novellas in the Eastern Sierra Brides 1884 series, Big Meadows Valentine and A Resurrected Heart, are now available.
The author currently lives with her husband in California near the “Gateway to Yosemite.” She enjoys family history and any kind of history. When she is not piecing together novel plots, she pieces together quilt blocks.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 15, 2018
The Widows of Wildcat Ridge series is a story of a town that has lost many of their men to a mining disaster that actually happened. The problem is that there are so many widows and Nissa Stillwell is one of them. Living in the mine supervisor's house with her two children she is forced to leave by him, Mortimer Crane. He declares they owe him a lot of money and she move out to try to make her way. But Mortimer almost forces her to work at the gentleman's saloon to pay him back.
This story was really emotional but had a lot of twist and turns as she meets Dillin Walsh, a rancher who comes to town with two of his wranglers. Can the two find love and can Nissa get away from Mortimer?
A sweet romance that will warm you heart.
This story was really emotional but had a lot of twist and turns as she meets Dillin Walsh, a rancher who comes to town with two of his wranglers. Can the two find love and can Nissa get away from Mortimer?
A sweet romance that will warm you heart.
February 9, 2020
These women!!
This series is very enjoyable. The only teal.constant is the villian, Morty Ctane. Eww, the name just makes my skin crawl. But the stories are all different enough to be so enjoyable. And I have read them out of order. Take a break and read a well written story with strong characters
This series is very enjoyable. The only teal.constant is the villian, Morty Ctane. Eww, the name just makes my skin crawl. But the stories are all different enough to be so enjoyable. And I have read them out of order. Take a break and read a well written story with strong characters
October 15, 2018
Nissa Stillwell is one of the Widows who lost her Husband with the collapse of the Mine in Wildcat Ridge. She and her two children desperately need a fresh start.
Dallin Walsh arrives in town with his 2 ranch hands to look over the horses the Widows have set to Auction off.
Birdie Templeton, not a widow but the daughter of a former employee of Mortimer Crane, the dastardly Mine and Town Owner.
Hal, one of the two ranch hands accompanying Dallin, sees Birdie and is immediately attracted. He sees the woman behind the facade she has created to freely move under Mortimer's radar.
Dallin and Hal become saviors to these two women and the story heats up with despicable men arriving to cause trouble. Mortimer himself is out to undermine the sale and keep the women from completing their task of survival and resurrecting the town.
This book is a Must Read. You will enjoy it as much as I did! Zina Abbott is an incredible Author!
Dallin Walsh arrives in town with his 2 ranch hands to look over the horses the Widows have set to Auction off.
Birdie Templeton, not a widow but the daughter of a former employee of Mortimer Crane, the dastardly Mine and Town Owner.
Hal, one of the two ranch hands accompanying Dallin, sees Birdie and is immediately attracted. He sees the woman behind the facade she has created to freely move under Mortimer's radar.
Dallin and Hal become saviors to these two women and the story heats up with despicable men arriving to cause trouble. Mortimer himself is out to undermine the sale and keep the women from completing their task of survival and resurrecting the town.
This book is a Must Read. You will enjoy it as much as I did! Zina Abbott is an incredible Author!
October 14, 2018
The Widows of Wildcat Ridge (Utah) series romances are fascinating since the stories are based on an actual mine disaster where 175 miners lost their lives. Zina Abbott includes the actual news article from the Salt Lake City Deseret News on Friday, March 28, 1884 in her book. Nissa Stillwall, a widow with two young children, mirrors the dilemma of making a living of many women during this time period. Zina Abbott includes a threatening town and mine owner Mortimer Crane, a horse auction, three horse thieves, and an abduction. Relatable characters, an emotional twist and turn plot, and a satisfying resolution makes this sweet historical Western a well crafted page turner.
October 21, 2018
Nissa and Dallin
Mortimer Crane still owns most of Wildcat Ridge and is still fishing misery to all he can. He is determined Nissa will work at his salon , house of pleasures and she is determined she will not. She is a washer woman since her husband's death. She meets Dallin when he comes to the town for the horse auction and needs his clothes washed and mended. You will enjoy this book and will get hours of fun while seeing who gets their happily ever after.
Mortimer Crane still owns most of Wildcat Ridge and is still fishing misery to all he can. He is determined Nissa will work at his salon , house of pleasures and she is determined she will not. She is a washer woman since her husband's death. She meets Dallin when he comes to the town for the horse auction and needs his clothes washed and mended. You will enjoy this book and will get hours of fun while seeing who gets their happily ever after.
October 25, 2018
Nissa Book 3!
I just loved this book! This 3rd book in the series had my head spinning with the possibility of 3 couples falling in love. I loved it, following the twists and turns of each couple which eventually led to hard faught happily ever afters. A Sweet book with characters you will love along with one dastardly villain you will dislike. Looking forward to the next one. Zina Abbott, you just became one of my favorite authors. JudyE
I just loved this book! This 3rd book in the series had my head spinning with the possibility of 3 couples falling in love. I loved it, following the twists and turns of each couple which eventually led to hard faught happily ever afters. A Sweet book with characters you will love along with one dastardly villain you will dislike. Looking forward to the next one. Zina Abbott, you just became one of my favorite authors. JudyE
February 7, 2019
Love this series so much!
Wow, I loved Nissa and Dallin & Birdie and Hal's story so much! I think that with each new story that I read of this series I fall more in love with the couple's and the town, although not all the couple's stay in Wildcat Ridge! They still make this series so rich in knowing them and finding out what they go through to get their HEA! Thank you so much Mrs. Abbott for writing such a wonderful story!
Wow, I loved Nissa and Dallin & Birdie and Hal's story so much! I think that with each new story that I read of this series I fall more in love with the couple's and the town, although not all the couple's stay in Wildcat Ridge! They still make this series so rich in knowing them and finding out what they go through to get their HEA! Thank you so much Mrs. Abbott for writing such a wonderful story!
January 18, 2019
What a wonderful story! I especially loved the multiple romances going on! Lots of action in this book, I hope the rest of the series matches the power of this one!
This is another sweet read by Zina Abbott!
I enjoyed this advance copy and this is my choice to write a review!
Zina is a very talented author and I have enjoyed every book of hers I’ve read!
This is another sweet read by Zina Abbott!
I enjoyed this advance copy and this is my choice to write a review!
Zina is a very talented author and I have enjoyed every book of hers I’ve read!
October 30, 2019
Great story and series
This is a multiple author series and this allows us the reader's to find new authors to follow. This series is a creative and entertaining adventure and this books continues on with another great story. I hope everyone starts at book one and continues on to the end. Pages packed with excitement, cruel men, hero's and strong women. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💖💖💖💖💖
This is a multiple author series and this allows us the reader's to find new authors to follow. This series is a creative and entertaining adventure and this books continues on with another great story. I hope everyone starts at book one and continues on to the end. Pages packed with excitement, cruel men, hero's and strong women. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💖💖💖💖💖
November 12, 2018
Very enjoyable!
The story of widowed Nissa and Dallin, a rancher from Colorado was a fun page turning book. I found myself laughing at the interactions of some of the characters! Good plot!
The story of widowed Nissa and Dallin, a rancher from Colorado was a fun page turning book. I found myself laughing at the interactions of some of the characters! Good plot!
September 13, 2019
Great story.
Thank you Zina Abbott, Wonderful book, I enjoyed reading about Nissa and Dallin, It was wild, exciting and little crazy. Dallin and Hal took care of their Ladies. They saved them both.
Thank you Zina Abbott, Wonderful book, I enjoyed reading about Nissa and Dallin, It was wild, exciting and little crazy. Dallin and Hal took care of their Ladies. They saved them both.
October 23, 2018
Beautiful
What a beautiful book, finding a great love after a bad marriage is not easy, and to find he is great and loving with your children is the icing on the cake.
What a beautiful book, finding a great love after a bad marriage is not easy, and to find he is great and loving with your children is the icing on the cake.
October 24, 2018
#3
Thoroughly enjoyed the rough and tumble adventures of this story and the entertaining mishaps and twists that lead to a new beginning and happiness.
Thoroughly enjoyed the rough and tumble adventures of this story and the entertaining mishaps and twists that lead to a new beginning and happiness.
January 1, 2019
The devil chase the ladys
Wow this was a very heart pound story. I truly enjoyed reading it was keep me in the edge of my seat. I know you will.love this book.
Wow this was a very heart pound story. I truly enjoyed reading it was keep me in the edge of my seat. I know you will.love this book.
January 2, 2019
I really love this story
Excellent writing
Womderful twists and turns. Descriptive. I Love the colorful charecters and stories of two women who find love they were not looking for.
Excellent writing
Womderful twists and turns. Descriptive. I Love the colorful charecters and stories of two women who find love they were not looking for.
August 9, 2019
Consistently good reading
I'm very much enjoying all of the Wildcat Ridge books.
Having two of the ladies find happiness just made it better.
I'm very much enjoying all of the Wildcat Ridge books.
Having two of the ladies find happiness just made it better.
November 29, 2019
This is a book from The Widows Of Wildcat Ridge Series. I really like the books in this series as they are westerns and also are written so well. Zina hit a home run with this!
September 19, 2025
TWO NEW BEGINNINGS—AND LEAVING WILDCAT RIDGE
The series revolves around Wildcat Ridge, Utah, where the Gold King Mine was located. This is a historical western, multi-author series about the women left behind and what they must do to keep their homes, their late husband’s businesses, and survive. In March 1884, there was an explosion that altered the lives of those who did not perish in the disaster. One hundred and forty-three men, plus nineteen women and thirteen children, died that fateful day. Now, Mortimer Crane is making threats against those left behind because he owns the town.
“Mortimer Crane owns this town, whether we like it or not. If he chooses to tear down our buildings or move them to his new mine at Clear Creek, there is little we can do to stop him. Mortimer has given us three months to pay the rent and mortgage payments we owe him before he tears down the town. And he will not renew rental leases for any woman running a business in her dead husband’s absence unless she has a new husband managing the business.”
“We can’t avoid the obvious, ladies. We must remarry.”
In May 1884, Nissa Stillwell, widow of James Stillwell and mother to Jamie and Molly, lives off the kitchen of the Ridge Hotel, run by widow Diantha Ames, where Nissa works as a laundress. She vacated the home owned by Mortimer Crane and the Gold King Mine, taking on a few personal possessions that belonged to her and the children. Now, Mortimer Crane is claiming she owes him for her late husband’s debts, and he expects her to work it off at his Gentlemen Only Salon. Nissa learned that their savings went for an investment that they will never see. Her marriage had been arranged by her father before his death, while they lived in Colorado. It was never a marriage of love—and wasn’t even a happy marriage.
Birdie Templeton has reinvented herself, transforming her appearance from that of a plain, dowdy spinster to one that allows her to work as a teller at Crane Bank. She doesn’t want to catch the attention of any man, especially Mortimer Crane, who feels he has the right to force women into his Gentlemen Only Salon. She hopes to soon leave Wildcat Ridge and go to Denver, Colorado, where she has a bank account. Would she be able to be a teller in Denver?
In June 1884, Dallin Walsh and two of his employees, Hal Summers and Buck Kramer, are on a train. They are traveling to Wildcat Ridge after reading about a horse auction in the newspaper. They have also seen the ads for ‘husbands wanted’ to fill the positions of men who died in the mining explosion. They plan to arrive in time to inspect the one hundred horses up for auction and hope to purchase a couple to take back to Grassy Fork Ranch in the western mountains of Colorado, where they reside.
The story is a mystery, with suspense, danger, and surprises, having the good, the bad, and the evil of people. Mortimore Crane is determined to control Wildcat Ridge even with his mine closed. Especially the widows, believing he has the right to dictate their future. How dare the widows take on the jobs held by their late husbands! Like the mayor, marshal, and business owners. Any business that rents or leases from him and has given them an ultimatum: remarry to remain or leave. He is also determined to stop the horse auction and is causing a ruckus by sending in henchmen.
The story is a page-turning tale that continues the series. While Birdie and Nissa wouldn’t be friends, or even acquaintances, Birdie advised Nissa to close the savings account to protect her and her children. Most of the money went to pay off the debts that James had acquired. Nissa rarely even came to town, and James kept her and the children from church and social activities. Two women, both caught in the tragedy, and both just trying to survive. The last thing either woman was looking for was a man to show them attention.
Another fun story in the series. Dallin needs his clothes cleaned, pressed, and even mended, and will seek out the services of Nissa while he is staying at the Ridge Hotel. He even comes to the rescue of her and the children. Hal meets Birdie at the bank when he goes to cash a bank draft, and sees beyond what she wants the world to see. So what will come of the future for these two ladies and gentlemen? Will Dallin have a solution to help Nissa and her children, and what about Hal for Birdie?
The series revolves around Wildcat Ridge, Utah, where the Gold King Mine was located. This is a historical western, multi-author series about the women left behind and what they must do to keep their homes, their late husband’s businesses, and survive. In March 1884, there was an explosion that altered the lives of those who did not perish in the disaster. One hundred and forty-three men, plus nineteen women and thirteen children, died that fateful day. Now, Mortimer Crane is making threats against those left behind because he owns the town.
“Mortimer Crane owns this town, whether we like it or not. If he chooses to tear down our buildings or move them to his new mine at Clear Creek, there is little we can do to stop him. Mortimer has given us three months to pay the rent and mortgage payments we owe him before he tears down the town. And he will not renew rental leases for any woman running a business in her dead husband’s absence unless she has a new husband managing the business.”
“We can’t avoid the obvious, ladies. We must remarry.”
In May 1884, Nissa Stillwell, widow of James Stillwell and mother to Jamie and Molly, lives off the kitchen of the Ridge Hotel, run by widow Diantha Ames, where Nissa works as a laundress. She vacated the home owned by Mortimer Crane and the Gold King Mine, taking on a few personal possessions that belonged to her and the children. Now, Mortimer Crane is claiming she owes him for her late husband’s debts, and he expects her to work it off at his Gentlemen Only Salon. Nissa learned that their savings went for an investment that they will never see. Her marriage had been arranged by her father before his death, while they lived in Colorado. It was never a marriage of love—and wasn’t even a happy marriage.
Birdie Templeton has reinvented herself, transforming her appearance from that of a plain, dowdy spinster to one that allows her to work as a teller at Crane Bank. She doesn’t want to catch the attention of any man, especially Mortimer Crane, who feels he has the right to force women into his Gentlemen Only Salon. She hopes to soon leave Wildcat Ridge and go to Denver, Colorado, where she has a bank account. Would she be able to be a teller in Denver?
In June 1884, Dallin Walsh and two of his employees, Hal Summers and Buck Kramer, are on a train. They are traveling to Wildcat Ridge after reading about a horse auction in the newspaper. They have also seen the ads for ‘husbands wanted’ to fill the positions of men who died in the mining explosion. They plan to arrive in time to inspect the one hundred horses up for auction and hope to purchase a couple to take back to Grassy Fork Ranch in the western mountains of Colorado, where they reside.
The story is a mystery, with suspense, danger, and surprises, having the good, the bad, and the evil of people. Mortimore Crane is determined to control Wildcat Ridge even with his mine closed. Especially the widows, believing he has the right to dictate their future. How dare the widows take on the jobs held by their late husbands! Like the mayor, marshal, and business owners. Any business that rents or leases from him and has given them an ultimatum: remarry to remain or leave. He is also determined to stop the horse auction and is causing a ruckus by sending in henchmen.
The story is a page-turning tale that continues the series. While Birdie and Nissa wouldn’t be friends, or even acquaintances, Birdie advised Nissa to close the savings account to protect her and her children. Most of the money went to pay off the debts that James had acquired. Nissa rarely even came to town, and James kept her and the children from church and social activities. Two women, both caught in the tragedy, and both just trying to survive. The last thing either woman was looking for was a man to show them attention.
Another fun story in the series. Dallin needs his clothes cleaned, pressed, and even mended, and will seek out the services of Nissa while he is staying at the Ridge Hotel. He even comes to the rescue of her and the children. Hal meets Birdie at the bank when he goes to cash a bank draft, and sees beyond what she wants the world to see. So what will come of the future for these two ladies and gentlemen? Will Dallin have a solution to help Nissa and her children, and what about Hal for Birdie?
April 27, 2020
A Happily Ever After For the Young Widow
Nissa was a young widow with two young children-a boy and a girl. Her husband had been killed in a mining accident. Nissa and the children had been thrown out of the home provided for his family as a supervisor. Nissa had beautifully furnished the home. The cause of the mining accident was a lack of proper framing of the tunnels. The supervisor wanted to increase profits, so had workers remove part of the framing and use it as the tunnel was made longer. The accident was catastrophic.
Read this book for a real happily after for Nissa and her children.
Nissa was a young widow with two young children-a boy and a girl. Her husband had been killed in a mining accident. Nissa and the children had been thrown out of the home provided for his family as a supervisor. Nissa had beautifully furnished the home. The cause of the mining accident was a lack of proper framing of the tunnels. The supervisor wanted to increase profits, so had workers remove part of the framing and use it as the tunnel was made longer. The accident was catastrophic.
Read this book for a real happily after for Nissa and her children.
October 12, 2020
The Widows of Wildcat Ridge is a clean romance, based on a real mine disaster in which 175 miners lost their lives. The villain wants to control all the women and make them work in his Salon, which is a house of pleasures for men. The women all are determined to not work for him, and fortune shines on some of them as they decide to hold a horse auction. Several of the men who come for the auction fall in love with some of the women and help them get out of town. Can't wait to read more books in this series.
August 23, 2021
Historical Western Romance
This is a book in a series. I will have to read the first two books 📚 later. Nissan is the story of a widow in Wildcat Ridge. Her husband was killed in a mine disaster. Now she and her children live in the back room of the hotel run by her friend Diantha. Who is also a widow. Nissan runs a laundry business to keep herself and her children fed. They are having a horse auction in town and the moneyis to help the Widow's survive. Nissan is going to receive help from unexpected source. Read and enjoy 😉 I did!!!!
This is a book in a series. I will have to read the first two books 📚 later. Nissan is the story of a widow in Wildcat Ridge. Her husband was killed in a mine disaster. Now she and her children live in the back room of the hotel run by her friend Diantha. Who is also a widow. Nissan runs a laundry business to keep herself and her children fed. They are having a horse auction in town and the moneyis to help the Widow's survive. Nissan is going to receive help from unexpected source. Read and enjoy 😉 I did!!!!
December 11, 2025
2.5/5
This book was okay. The plot was engaging, and I had fewer issues with the character and romance development in this one than the last two in this series. But, this book contained a handful of typos and still felt a little surface level. Also, the title of the book is one of the main characters, but this book actually followed three different romances. The balancing of the three was actually done fairly well, it just made me feel like the title was false advertising.
This is my favorite of the series so far.
This book was okay. The plot was engaging, and I had fewer issues with the character and romance development in this one than the last two in this series. But, this book contained a handful of typos and still felt a little surface level. Also, the title of the book is one of the main characters, but this book actually followed three different romances. The balancing of the three was actually done fairly well, it just made me feel like the title was false advertising.
This is my favorite of the series so far.
June 29, 2020
Very Moving Novel
I enjoyed the plots, the action and details in this book. Although novel is in a series it can stand alone. I’ve read several books in this series and like them all.
I enjoyed the plots, the action and details in this book. Although novel is in a series it can stand alone. I’ve read several books in this series and like them all.
May 24, 2023
exciting
This story was full of western style drama, complete with gunfights, horse thieves, & women standing up for their rights! It’s clean, well written, & has a happy ending! I love how the women in this story helped each other out!
This story was full of western style drama, complete with gunfights, horse thieves, & women standing up for their rights! It’s clean, well written, & has a happy ending! I love how the women in this story helped each other out!
January 16, 2023
Great read!!!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews