The Maxwell Family Saga Series by Linda Sealy Knowles

To escape the unthinkable, twenty-year old Rae Rodgers does the impossible; she disappears into the night with only a few meager belongings, even fewer dollars, and her three-year old sister, Hope. Leaving the only home she’d ever known was the hardest thing she had ever done in her twenty years, but she had no choice. She has to get her sister and herself out of the home of her stepfather before it is too late... moreTo escape the unthinkable, twenty-year old Rae Rodgers does the impossible; she disappears into the night with only a few meager belongings, even fewer dollars, and her three-year old sister, Hope. Leaving the only home she’d ever known was the hardest thing she had ever done in her twenty years, but she had no choice. She has to get her sister and herself out of the home of her stepfather before it is too late. With only her strong will and determination, she and Hope travel on a stagecoach as far as her last dollar will take her—Limason, Texas. With the last of her coins depleted and without means to purchase food, she faints at the feet of another passenger, the striking cattle rancher Jesse Maxwell. Jesse takes an immediate liking to the young woman and offers her a job at his ranch. Rae, instantly attracted to Jesse, leads him to believe she is a young widow traveling with her child. But her new life is threatened when she sees posters in town that offer a reward for Hope’s return. Grimly determined, she devises a plan to keep Hope safely concealed, even at the risk of losing her own life. less

Hannah Hopkins is on the journey of a lifetime. As part of a small wagon train heading to California in 1897, she and her father know that their new life will be filled with adventure, new horizons, and hardship. When Hannah is the victim of unwanted advances, she is callously shunned by their traveling companions. Worse, her beloved father, a respected physician, dies along the trail after a brief illness... moreHannah Hopkins is on the journey of a lifetime. As part of a small wagon train heading to California in 1897, she and her father know that their new life will be filled with adventure, new horizons, and hardship. When Hannah is the victim of unwanted advances, she is callously shunned by their traveling companions. Worse, her beloved father, a respected physician, dies along the trail after a brief illness. Heartbroken and afraid, the grieving daughter is forced off the wagon train and abandoned to a nightmare. She finds herself the prisoner of an old couple who rob and abuse her. But one day when her captors tie her to the back of the wagon and leave her unattended in town while running errands, a guardian angel in the form of a five-year-old boy comes to her rescue. In this small town, Hannah meets Dr. Tim O’Riley, who treats her injuries— only to be forced into a marriage of convenience by uncontrollable circumstances. A defiant Hannah vows that she will never allow any man to dominate her again. Her new husband, a good man, only wants to love her and care for her. Tim respects her hesitations and keeps his distance until his new bride is ready. To the eyes of the world, theirs is a marriage made in heaven, but to Hannah it still seems that she has lost her freedom. Can she lower her guard to ever trust again, or will the scars of her past keep her alone and never allow her to have her way? less

The Secret News spread like wildfire throughout the whole county that the most eligible bachelor was getting engaged to his young beautiful, spirited sister. How could a brother and sister get married? Everyone knew that they weren’t blood relatives but they had grown up together since Hope was only a small child of three. They had shared adventures and took part in each other’s struggles as they tried to follow their dreams... moreThe Secret News spread like wildfire throughout the whole county that the most eligible bachelor was getting engaged to his young beautiful, spirited sister. How could a brother and sister get married? Everyone knew that they weren’t blood relatives but they had grown up together since Hope was only a small child of three. They had shared adventures and took part in each other’s struggles as they tried to follow their dreams. Will A young, rugged rancher with coal black hair and crystal blue eyes, he had always been bossy, over-protective, and affectionate at times when it came to Hope, his young shadow and later the one to whom he confided his secrets. Will was ready to settle down, fall in love and start a family. But who would have thought that he would have chosen the spirited young beauty with big brown eyes sparkling with mischief? It was rumored that he had waited for years for his young side-kick, Hope, to grow up. Hope A young beauty with golden hair and big brown eyes, Hope had loved Will all of her life—as a big brother. He was her best friend, protector, enemy, and hero. She had loved him and looked up to him all her life. Will challenged her ever inappropriate behavior for a young lady while she fought him with all the stubbornness that she could command. Why would this feisty, exquisite young woman want to settle down with Will, who was more like a real brother to her than a lover? less

The luck of a gambling hand had changed his fate and now the young cowboy was ready to start a new life. Bud After serving time in the Louisiana State Prison, Bud Downey spent many months winning a small fortune as a gambler. Feeling confident that he had won enough money, he packed up his stake to begin his journey to Limason, Texas—Home... moreThe luck of a gambling hand had changed his fate and now the young cowboy was ready to start a new life. Bud After serving time in the Louisiana State Prison, Bud Downey spent many months winning a small fortune as a gambler. Feeling confident that he had won enough money, he packed up his stake to begin his journey to Limason, Texas—Home. After his last winning hand at the gambling table, a couple of disgruntled cowboys were angry that they had lost all their money to the smooth-talking young man. As Bud traveled near the border of Lafayette, Louisiana, he was ambushed, shot and left for dead in the swampy waters of the bayou. Rosie Rosie Jourdian never dreamed at the young age of eighteen she would have the sole responsible for caring for her two young siblings. With one friend in the world, an old black Creole Voodoo woman, she was abandoned by her mama and left to raise a six week old baby boy and an eleven year old brother. While fishing in the bayou river, she discovered a bloody cowboy in the swampy waters. With Justice’s special herbs and potions, they nursed him back to health. Once well enough to travel, Bud Downey’s luck had ran out. The men who were looking for him discovered his whereabouts and burned down Rosie’s shack leaving her family homeless. With their situation changed could Bud ride away and leave Rosie alone in the Bayou—now homeless? Would this independent young girl go with him and leave the only home she has ever known? less

After two years away from Limason, Texas, Jess Maxwell is eager to get home. Unfortunately, he knows two mean men—who won’t be happy until he’s dead—are trailing him. Mary Beth is home for the summer from nursing school and has known Jess her whole life. Imagine his surprise that, at the age of nineteen, she’s grown into a real beauty. Jess and Mary Beth are reunited, and this time, sparks fly... moreAfter two years away from Limason, Texas, Jess Maxwell is eager to get home. Unfortunately, he knows two mean men—who won’t be happy until he’s dead—are trailing him. Mary Beth is home for the summer from nursing school and has known Jess her whole life. Imagine his surprise that, at the age of nineteen, she’s grown into a real beauty. Jess and Mary Beth are reunited, and this time, sparks fly. Within days of Jess’s return to Limason, the bad men show up and terrorize anyone who gets in their way—including Mary Beth. Jess had planned to court and eventually marry the smart young woman, but the attack leaves her paralyzed with fear, unwilling to trust a man ever again. Is seeking revenge against those who hurt her Jess’s only way to prove his dedication? Is it possible a wise old woman could help Mary Beth trust her feelings of love? With honesty and compassion on his side, Jess might be able to convince Mary Beth of the gentle affection he has had for her—always. less