Author ELIZABETH LANE--romantic stories that remind us that real happiness comes from appreciating life and all its adventures, and from loving and being loved by others in return!
Elizabeth Lane was raised in Monroe, Utah, a small town set between forested mountains and red rock desert. The eldest of two sisters, she grew up hiking, fishing and camping with her family. She graduated from the University of Utah with a major in biology/education and minors in Spanish and art. Early on she worked as a teacher and as a proofreader before beginning a 23-year career as an educational software designer. The job included writing children's stories. Many of the children's books she wrote are still in print. In the late 1970s, after selling several children's stories to a magazine, she decided to try a novel. Her first adult book, Mistress of the Morning Star, was published in 1980. After publishing five more novels and ghost-writing two others, she sold a proposal to Harlequin's then-new historical line. Since that time she has written dozens of books for Harlequin. Presently, Elizabeth lives in a suburb of Salt Lake City, Utah. An avid traveler, she has lived in several states, as well as Mexico, Germany, Guatemala and Panama. Her favorite places to visit include Hong Kong, Nepal, Tanzania and Peru. She also loves to hike and dance, and gives back to her community by volunteering as a zoo docent. Elizabeth now writes full time. She has mostly written historical romance, but she has ventured into other arenas as well. Elizabeth recently released two contemporary romances for the Harlequin "Desire" line.
http://www.elizabethlaneauthor.com/
THE BALLAD OF EMMA O'TOOLE by Elizabeth Lane
High stakes marriage...
After shooting a man, the stakes for gambler Logan Devereaux have never been higher. On trial for his life, he's offered a shocking alternate form of restitution: marriage to his victim's pregnant sweetheart!
Beautiful Emma O'Toole has sworn vengeance against him--and when a newspaper man puts her tragic story to song, the whole nation waits to see what she'll do. Their marriage is the riskiest gamble Logan's ever taken. But he'll put everything he's got on the line for a chance at winning Emma's heart.
MY REVIEW:
Author Elizabeth Lane is one of my favorite storytellers, not just because of the heart she puts into her love stories, but also because her adventurer's spirit adds such excitement and flavor to her work. This time, with "The Ballad of Emma O'Toole", there is an added personal touch to the story line. Set in Ms. Lane's home state of Utah, during the great silver mine boom of the late 1800's, the area in which story takes place was actually settled by Ms. Lane's own great-great grandfather. Emma O'Toole is a young woman who has lost her family and has only her sweetheart, Billy John Carter, and a small silver claim to help her dream of a future. When she tells Billy John she is pregnant, he promises to marry her, but a desperate move on his part costs him his life and shatters Emma's hopes for happiness. Billy John works his way into a high-stakes poker game, and when he is caught cheating he pulls a gun and tries to take the money from the table, holding an older man hostage. Gambler Logan Devereaux only means to wound the young fool, but his shot proves fatal. Emma is called to the scene and a dying Billy John makes her promise to get her revenge on the man who killed him. The local newspaper sensationalizes the tragedy, and "The Ballad of Emma O'Toole" becomes the tune heard around the country. Logan is put on trial and convicted of manslaughter, but the judge offers him an unusual sentence: five years in prison, or if Emma agrees, marry her and take care of her and her child. Emma accepts the offer as a means to make good her promise of revenge. However, Logan turns out to be a kind and generous husband, even if he keeps most of his past tightly guarded. Recovering his winnings from the poker game, he uses the cash and mining stock to venture into the silver mining business. Close circumstances and a mutual attraction lead to passion between Emma and Logan, but each of them has their secrets. Can Logan settle down in one place, with one woman, and lead the life of a family man? Can Emma really trust her heart and her future to the man who killed her baby's father? When all the cards are laid on the table, will the hearts be the winning hand? This story is very well-paced, and its elements of suspense make for an exciting and enjoyable historical romance. Recommended for lovers of wonderfully-written western love stories.
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THE SANTANA HEIR by Elizabeth Lane
"I'm Trying to Be Honorable, Grace. I Advise You Not to Push Me."
Grace isn't about to let the child travel overseas without her and accepts the billionaire's offer to act as nanny. Soon they are in a more…comfortable relationship than either had imagined. There is definite passion pulsing between them, but desire without trust is a dangerous mix…
MY REVIEW:
"The Santana Heir", from author Elizabeth Lane, is a compelling, passionate romance with an intriguing and exotic setting. Grace Chandler lost her chance to ever give birth due to injuries she received in a traumatic horseback-riding accident. Her step-sister, Cassidy, had been a beautiful free spirit with a successful modeling career. When Cassidy became pregnant as the result of a brief relationship, doctors also discovered that she was terminally ill with a brain tumor. Cassidy lived long enough to see her son, Zac, brought into the world. Before she died, Cassidy made sure that Grace would raise baby Zac and become his adoptive mother. Almost a year later, Grace and little Zac are happily living in Tucson, AZ when they receive a surprise visitor. Emilio Santana, younger brother of Zac's father, Arturo, has just discovered Zac's existence, and he wants to bring the boy home to the Santana estate in Peru. Grace had been very close to finalizing Zac's adoption, and now her world is thrown into turmoil. Emilio makes it clear that with Grace, or without her, Zac will be raised as a Santana in the home of his ancestors. Grace cannot give up her precious son, and she agrees to the journey so far from all she has known. Emilio had been considered a playboy for most of his life, and his new responsibilities were sadly inherited upon Arturo's unexpected death in an automobile accident. Grace is a natural mother as well as a natural beauty. She is unpretentious and unspoiled. Emilio wants her to stay and help to raise Zac, but will she be the boy's mother or his caretaker? Grace and Emilio are both at a turning point in their lives, and the companionship between them turns to undeniable passion. But is passion enough? Grace can't help but be swayed by Emilio's sensual wooing. He in turn sees that Grace is unlike any other woman he has ever known, and his thoughts turn to a permanent relationship. Could the three of them become a real family? Not everyone is happy that the young Santana heir has come home, and there are powerful secrets looming over the future of the Santana legacy. Author Elizabeth Lane has created a heroine and hero that you will root for, and an adorable little boy whom you will not be able to resist. An adventurous world-traveler herself, Ms. Lane offers vivid imagery of rugged and beautiful Peru, an ancient land rich in history.
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IN HIS BROTHER'S PLACE by Elizabeth Lane
"I want the boy."
For three years, Angie Montoya hid her son from her late fiancé's family until his brother tracked them down. Now Jordan Cooper demands she move to his Santa Fe ranch—the boy's birthright. But how can Angie live with the man who called her a gold digger--the man whose one kiss she's never forgotten?
Racked by guilt since his twin's death, Jordan seeks redemption by raising his nephew. But Angie resurrects a hunger in him that only she can satisfy. Jordan knows he can have her on one condition—that she never learns the truth about him.
MY REVIEW:
I am a longtime fan of author Elizabeth Lane's historical romances, and I was intrigued when I learned she would be venturing into contemporary romance with the Harlequin Desire line. "In His Brother's Place" is the first release, and I am happy to say that her characterizations, sense of time and place, and compelling story lines are just as vivid in a contemporary setting! Jordan Cooper has some deep regrets in his life. His guilt over his twin brother's Justin's death in a plane crash has haunted him for years. So has the way he treated Justin's fiance, Angie Montoya, whom he dismissed as a fortune hunter. What he couldn't dismiss was the one scorching kiss he shared with Angie when she was upset over Justin's drunken flirtation with another woman. Justin had always been the charming, devil-with-no-cares brother, and Jordan had been the quieter, level-headed one. Even though he doubted Angie's real love for his brother, Jordan desired her just the same. Four years after Justin's death, Jordan discovers a secret that will forever change the Cooper family legacy: Angie bore Justin's son. Determined to bring his brother's son into the family fold and see that the boy inherits his rightful legacy, Jordan pays Angie a surprise visit and makes her an offer for her and her son Lucas to live at the Cooper ranch. At first, she refuses, but unexpected circumstances force her to accept Jordan's invitation. Being under the same roof brings their forbidden attraction back to flaming life, and soon their passion cannot be denied. However, Angie also has guilt over Justin's death, and Jordan has a secret of his own that could keep them apart forever. They both love little Lucas, and his happiness comes first, but don't grownups deserve to be happy too? Jordan's mother has never approved of Angie and blames her for the events which led to Justin's death. Can facing the truth and overcoming old hurts lead the way to a lifetime of love and a happy family life? Author Elizabeth Lane always involves you with her characters, and her story lines compel you to see how those characters find resolution. You will adore Lucas and his dog, and you will admire Angie for her strength of character and her devotion as a mother. You will also enjoy seeing Jordan grow as a character as he leaves one lifestyle behind and reaches out for what his heart really wants.
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CHRISTMAS MOON by Elizabeth Lane
"Anything can happen under a Christmas Moon... Pregnant, unwed and down on her luck, history teacher Emma Carlyle is facing the worst Christmas of her life. Needing some research for her master’s thesis on legendary Wyoming lawman J.D. McNulty, she makes a Christmas Eve drive to South Pass City, where J.D. was buried. Heading home, she loses her way in a storm. After her car vanishes, she ends up in 1870, half-frozen and in labor, on the doorstep of a remote mountain cabin. When J.D. himself opens the door with a pistol in one hand and a bottle of whiskey in the other...well, let’s just say that sparks start flying. These two lost souls are clearly meant for each other. But there’s one problem. Emma has studied everything about J.D.--and she knows he has only a few weeks to live. Historical author Elizabeth Lane has penned a sensual time travel romp that will delight the reader from beginning to end."
MY REVIEW:
Have you ever wanted to step back in time and meet a fascinating real-life character from the past? That's exactly what happens to Emma Carlyle in "Christmas Moon", by author Elizabeth Lane. Emma is experiencing the most difficult holiday season of her life. About to give birth to a child resulting from a disastrous love affair, Emma is unmarried and has to decided to give her baby up for adoption. A history teacher working on a thesis for her master's degree, she heads from her home in Lander, Wyoming to nearby South Pass City to get closer to the source of the information she needs. Intrigued by legendary lawman J.D. McNulty, and infatuated by his photo, Emma is using the life and times of McNulty as the subject of her thesis. Tracking down the owner of the town bookstore, Tilly Farson, also a local historian, Emma is delighted by the woman's tales of J.D.'s exploits. When they finally part company, a Christmas Eve blizzard sets in, and soon Emma is lost in the blinding whiteness, eventually running her car off the road. While investigating the damage to her car as it hangs off the edge of a slope, the snow gives way beneath her feet, and she plunges into a canyon, becoming unconscious when her head strikes a rock. Some time later, she awakens and begins to walk for help, finally seeing a light ahead through the snow. She reaches a rough-hewn log cabin, and when the door finally opens, Emma is in for the surprise of her life as she comes face-to-face with a dead ringer for a dead man. Could it really be J.D. McNulty in the very rugged flesh? Has Emma lost her mind, or is she lost in an Old West time warp? Whoever he is, she desperately needs his help as her child is about to be born, and she has no other choice but to let him deliver her baby girl. Tall, tough, and tender-hearted, the man she accepts as J.D. McNulty is both attracted and intrigued by the troubled woman who lands at his doorstep. Man, woman, and child quickly form an emotional bond despite the strangeness of the situation. As Emma and J.D. share patches of their lives and spar verbally with each other, a sensual awareness blooms between them. J.D.'s outward roughness hides a keen intelligence and a loving, passionate nature. The trouble is, Emma knows what happened to J.D. McNulty, and his death in a gambling-hall shooting is a matter of history unless Emma can find a way to cheat Fate. If you love historical western romance and time travel tales, then you will greatly enjoy "Christmas Moon".
WEDDINGS UNDER A WESTERN SKY by Elizabeth Lane, Kate Welsh, and Lisa Plumley
MY REVIEW: The spirit of the Old West is alive and kicking in a historical western romance anthology featuring three touching and entertaining stories from a trio of terrific authors! "Weddings Under a Western Sky" begins with "The Hand-Me-Down Bride" by author Elizabeth Lane. When Arabella Spencer traveled West for her wedding, she expected to have her stagecoach met by her longtime fiance, Charles Middleton. Instead of her sweetheart, she is grudgingly collected by Charles' gruff neighbor, Stewart McIntyre. The trip to Charles' home is unpleasant and eventful, but the biggest surprise awaits when Arabella is unceremoniously dumped at the doorstep. Charles answers the door along with his very pregnant, young new wife! Even more humiliating is the news that Charles' wife is Stewart's sister! Arabella's world is rocked to the very foundation, and she must decide what to do with the rest of her life. A fiery, mutual attraction grows between Stewart and Arabella, but are their differences too great to allow a lasting relationship? As they spend more time together, they discover that each has unexpected and intriguing depths of character. Could it be that those very differences make all the difference as two opposites truly attract? Author Kate Welsh offers "The Bride Who Wore Britches", in which Rhiannon Oliver, who has spent most of her life dressed as boy, longs to give in to her feminine tendencies. Rhia knows just the man she wants to bring out her womanly side--her best friend's older brother Dylan Varga. Since Dylan looks at Rhia like she's a tomboy, and he calls her "Rowdy", she very much wants him to be aware that she is a female. When she dons a beautiful blue dress and becomes the belle of the ball at a local dance, Dylan sees Rhia in a whole new light. However, a ruthless attack on Rhia's homeplace creates circumstances which force them into marriage. Passion flares before hearts can catch up, and the relationship faces many unexpected turns in the trail to true happiness. Rhia and Dylan both have some growing up to do in order to allow their marriage to grow to full bloom. In "Something Borrowed, Something True", author Lisa Plumley proves that where hearts are concerned, the best made plans often go awry. Everett Bannon's well-meaning ranch hands order their boss a "mail-order" bride. Everett just hasn't been the same since he was jilted by his first fiance, and his loyal employees want their boss to be happy. However, Everett plans to send his intended bride back where she came from. His attentions are soon forgotten after he gets one look at the lovely Miss Nellie Trent. After a while, Everett begins to court Nellie, trying to be the man she thinks he wants, not knowing that she is smitten with him just as he really is. Nellie has an agenda of her own. She is actually an undercover reporter bent on exposing mail-order bride operations as fraudulent criminal groups who prey on lonely hearts. A comedy of errors ensues, with Nellie and Everett both acting outside their true character to impress each other. Will coming clean with one another wash away any hope of a real romance, or will the wise and wily ranch hands have known what was best all along? "Weddings Under a Western Sky" is a delicious treat for fans of historical western romance--just like me!
THE LAWMAN'S VOW by Elizabeth Lane
MY REVIEW: "The Lawman's Vow", by Elizabeth Lane, took me on a grand romantic adventure to the beautifully rugged Northern California Coast of the mid-nineteenth century! Flynn O'Rourke is a tough as nails San Francisco lawman determined to bring his sister's murderer to justice. He thinks the killer is Aaron Cragun, a salvage and scrap dealer with a less than stellar reputation, so he sets sail for Cragun's home on the coast. A violent storm wrecks Flynn's boat, and he awakens with no memory of who he is, or why and how he ended up stranded on the beach. He is rescued by a lovely blonde angel and her precocious little brother. Slyvie Cragun names him "Ishmael", and she and her brother Daniel provide him with care and shelter while he struggles to regain his identity. As Sylvie and Daniel await the return of their father, Ishmael gradually regains his strength and begins to make much-needed repairs to the family home, which is actually built from the hull of shipwreck. Sylvie's father is a man of intelligence and imagination, if not high morals, and he has created an amazing place for his family to live. The salvage he gathers from wrecked ships and other sources is sold to provide the family finances, but Sylvie is unaware of her father's other, less savory predilections for obtaining money. Ishmael is drawn to Sylvie's beauty and caring heart, and she is attracted by his strength and inner gentleness. Bits and pieces of memory return as the days go by, and Ishmael is torn by a desire to stay with Sylvie and Daniel, and the need to leave in search of returning to his real life. He has only a few clues, including the sapphire ring he still wears. Sylvie grows increasingly worried as her father does not return as planned, and threatening intruders add to her alarm. Ishmael cares deeply for Sylvie and Daniel, and he would give his life to protect them from all harm. The love between Sylvie and Ishmael becomes a blazing passion, one that the two of them know could end when his memories finally return, but they are caught up in a lover's spell. "The Lawman's Vow" is exciting, richly-detailed, and very romantic--perfect for lovers of great historical romance! Recommended for dreamers and adventurers who may have wished for a handsome hero to wash ashore in need of the giving and receiving of some passionate TLC!
Other books by Elizabeth Lane:
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