Craftie Ladies - Love Inspired Historical August 2016 Releases

Listed below are the new releases from our talented Love Inspired Historical August authors here at Craftie Ladies of Romance. To purchase these wonderful books, just click on the covers. And to learn more about the authors, click on their names.

A Family for the Rancher

by Louise M. Gouge

From Neighbor to Daddy

Rancher Edmund McKay likes his life simple and quiet—everything feisty neighbor Lula May Barlow is not! But with a cattle rustler on the loose, he's duty-bound to protect the widowed mother, even without her approval. Yet he never expected to enjoy her company. And he certainly never thought her crowded, bustling house would be the first place he'd ever feel at home…

After a harsh childhood, Lula May knows how to stand on her own two feet. She doesn't need Edmund's help—but she's starting to want it, all the same. So are her children, who clearly have matchmaking in mind. And when a threat from the past resurfaces, she realizes all that's at stake…including her chance for a lifetime of love.

This is the second book in the latest Love Inspired Historical continuity series, Lone Star Cowboy League: The Founding Years.

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Make-Believe Beau

by Keli Gwyn
The Courtship Charade

As a draftswoman in a man's world, Jessica Sinclair causes a stir as her new male colleagues vie for her attention. And the company manager has an ultimatum: fake a courtship with her boss, Flynt Kavanaugh…or lose her job. But pretending to be smitten with the handsome engineer unleashes a real, complicated attraction—and could reveal the past she hoped to keep hidden.

Jessica is certainly the best person for the job. But as their make-believe romance escalates, Flynt knows that's not the only reason he wants her on his team. However, with his past shrouded by a shameful secret, Flynt has always focused his ambitions on building a career, not a family. Now he has designs on Jessica's heart, but can they trust each other with the truth?

Craftie Ladies - Love Inspired Historical Lone Star Cowboy League: The Founding Years Continuity Series

July is fast approaching, and that means the new Love Inspired Historical three-book continuity series, Lone Star League: The Founding Years, will be making its debut.

Stand-In Rancher Daddy

Book 1 in the Lone Star League: The Founding Years continuity series
July 2016 release

by Renee Ryan

Suddenly a Father

Rancher CJ Thorn isn't ready to graduate from uncle to brand-new daddy—but he has no choice. After his widowed brother runs off, a pair of adorable twins have no one but CJ…and lovely neighbor Molly Langley. She's helped with the girls for so long that she's almost part of the family. Almost. CJ knows his family isn't good enough for her. Not when his brother's actions have disgraced the Thorn name yet again.

Watching CJ become a devoted father would soften any woman's heart. Yet Molly must remain immune. CJ deserves more than a woman who can't have children. Held back by fear, it'll take a disaster forcing the community together before they're ready to risk a chance on happiness.

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A Family for the Rancher

Book 2 in the Lone Star League: The Founding Years continuity series
August 2016 release

by Craftie Lady Louise M. Gouge

From Neighbor to Daddy

Rancher Edmund McKay likes his life simple and quiet—everything feisty neighbor Lula May Barlow is not! But with a cattle rustler on the loose, he's duty-bound to protect the widowed mother, even without her approval. Yet he never expected to enjoy her company. And he certainly never thought her crowded, bustling house would be the first place he'd ever feel at home…

After a harsh childhood, Lula May knows how to stand on her own two feet. She doesn't need Edmund's help—but she's starting to want it, all the same. So are her children, who clearly have matchmaking in mind. And when a threat from the past resurfaces, she realizes all that's at stake…including her chance for a lifetime of love.

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A Rancher of Convenience

Book 3 in the Lone Star League: The Founding Years continuity series
September 2016 release

by Regina Scott

Fill-In Father…and Husband

Sweet mail-order bride Nancy Bennett can't believe it when her husband is exposed as a cattle rustler—and killed. And when the banker holding the ranch's mortgage questions whether she can run the ranch on her own, the pregnant widow has nowhere to turn. Until steady foreman Hank Snowden proposes marriage…

Racked with grief about his role in Lucas Bennett's death, Hank resolves to do right by the man's wife and child. So it's natural for him to step in as Nancy's newly minted husband. But the marriage of convenience may become more than a mere obligation…if only Hank and his bride can brave the first steps toward elusive true love.

Lone Star Cowboy League Continuity Miniseries

LONE STAR COWBOY LEAGUE:
Bighearted Ranchers in small-town Texas

Welcome to Love Inspired's 2015-2016 Continuity Mini-series!

The Cowboy's Second Chance 

As president of the Lone Star Cowboy League, rancher Carson Thorn is committed to serving his community of Little Horn. But when high school sweetheart Ruby Donovan returns, his steadfast pledge is tested. Ruby left town twelve years ago—stealing money from his father and breaking Carson's heart in her wake. Now she's asking for his trust—just as her brother becomes Carson's prime suspect in the rash of recent ranch thefts. Carson is torn. His town is depending on him for justice, but one look in Ruby's eyes has him questioning everything he thought he knew—about truth, about love and about the wisdom of second chances…

A Season for Healing 

As Little Horn, Texas, prepares for Thanksgiving, Dr. Tyler Grainger tries to count his blessings. Returning to his family's ranch brings bittersweet memories of the sister he lost. But one thing he canbe grateful for is Eva Brooks, who's just become the nanny for her cousin's baby. Tyler is glad to offer advice, but when his late sister's f horse is stolen, Eva's the one who helps him cope. Tyler's past heartache urges him to ride off into the sunset—alone. Yet the holiday season offers hope that the good doctor may have finally found a woman to heal his heart.

From Leigh Bale:

Writing is usually a solitary job.  But writing "A Doctor for the Nanny," which is the 2nd book in the Lone Star Cowboy League series, it was delightful because I got to bounce ideas off of several of my fellow authors who were also writing books in this fun series.  When something wasn't going well, we could chat and find ways to make it work.  It was like having a "brain bank" to make each story within the series more effective.  I thoroughly enjoyed this series. 

A Christmas to Remember 

In Little Horn, Texas, Amelia Klondike is known as the Queen of Christmas. Her generosity and sheer joy during the holidays is contagious—to everyone except Finn Brannigan. The attractive, wounded stranger doesn't know who he is or where he came from—and he isn't feeling merry at all. It isn't long before Amelia, her grandfather and their adorable dog begin to warm Finn's heart. But when Finn's memory starts to return, his past as a Texas Ranger—the one thing that might cause Amelia to withdraw from him—is revealed. And he worries that he may lose his chance for one perfect Western Christmas with the woman he can't bear to forget…

From Allie Pleiter:

The most exciting thing about working on A RANGER FOR THE HOLIDAYS was the chance to finally use my amnesia experience in a book.  In 2010 I developed a case of Transient Global Amnesia, which meant that I lost a portion of my memory and my ability to process new information for about 4 days.  It was a temporary phenomena—brought on by the stress of my son’s cancer at the time—but we are both absolutely fine now.  I like to think I was able to use the fear and disorientation of my experience to make Finn’s full-scale amnesia come truly alive for readers.

A Cowboy's Homecoming 

Since his return to Little Horn, Texas, former special ops soldier Grady Stillwater has felt lost. Stillwater Ranch needs his attention—and so does his brother's abandoned baby. But the injuries Grady sustained in Afghanistan have skewered his confidence. Physical therapist Chloe Miner offers hope and guidance—and a balm for the cowboy's wounded heart. Little does he know that Chloe is hiding a life-altering secret of her own. The sweet girl he remembers from high school has a baby on the way, and she may need Grady every bit as much as he does her…

His Unexpected Valentines 

Clint Daniels knows he is nobody's sweetheart. The rugged mountain guide has lived most of his life alone, and with his heartbreaking past, he can't imagine a domestic future with anyone. Especially not a warm and graceful widow like Olivia Barlow. But when her three towheaded little boys approach him at the Lone Star Cowboy League's annual Valentine's dance, he finds it impossible to turn them away. Clint isn't prepared to be a father, but these boys draw out his paternal side. And somehow, vulnerable Olivia and her children begin to make the cowboy suspect their wary hearts might actually be a perfect match…

From Deb Kastner:

It was an absolute delight working with the other five ladies in the Lone Star Cowboy League continuity. My favorite part was the process of world-building with the others, based on the original story conceived by editor Shana Asaro. It was great having the opportunity to sling around ideas and to have other authors around when I got stuck on a plot point. I truly enjoyed writing A DADDY FOR HER TRIPLETS and hope readers will enjoy the whole series.

The Cowboy's Unexpected Family 

Awakening from a months-long coma, Ben Stillwater is met with a big surprise: the footloose bachelor cowboy is a father! Ben tries to adjust to life with baby Cody and decides what the child really needs is a mom. Sheriff Lucy Benson does not seem a likely candidate—she already has her hands full closing in on the thieves who have been targeting the ranches of Little Horn, Texas. But the closer Ben gets to Lucy—and the closer they get to solving the mystery—the more it seems the free-spirited rancher and the determined officer could be the perfect match.

From Margaret Daley:

I've taken part in a lot of continuity series but usually it is a Love Inspired Suspense series. This is my third for Love Inspired and I had a great experience working with the other authors. They were so willing to share and help each other. They worked as a team to make the best continuity series.

I loved the story I was given with a female sheriff and a rancher with a baby. I read all the other books before I turned in my story to make sure it addressed and tied up the loose threads. I had the last book in the Lone Star Cowboy Series. I had the fun of wrapping it up at the end and giving the readers a glimpse at all the couples in the previous books.

We hope you've enjoyed a peek into the books and the authors, and we encourage you to pick up all six books in the series!