Holt's Gamble

Kierin McKendry is indentured to J. Talbot, a ruthless saloon owner, until Clay Holt wins her in a rigged poker game. When Clay tries to collect his winnings, he's attacked by Talbot's men and badly injured.

Clay never expected Keirin to take him to the wagon train on which he was due to leave, or that she would lie about being his wife and nurse him back to health while on the trail.

But, Keirin isn't interested in a man consumed by avenging his wife's murder. She's pursuing her father, who sold her for a ticket to the California gold fields.

However, posing as a married couple, spending night after night together, is fanning Keirin and Clay into a different kind of blinding passion that's blazing the way for Talbot, who will kill to have what's his.

AWARDS:
Best First Historical, Romantic Times

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Renegade Bride

Mariah loves her fiancé, Seth Travers. But when Seth leaves to make his fortune in Montana, ahead of her arrival, she starts thinking for herself.

Finally arriving by steamboat, Mariah learns that Seth has taken ill and sent his best friend, Creed Devereaux, to escort her to Virginia City.

Mariah wants nothing to do with the rough-edged bounty hunter who's just killed a half-breed murderer in front of her. But an unexpected detour sends the pair through dangerous mountains... alone.

Forced together, their loyalties to Seth are put to the test while their path converges with a man who has Creed dead in his sights.

AWARDS:
RITA Nomination, Romance Writers of America

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Renegade's Kiss

When Montana Mountain man, Jesse Winslow, returns unwillingly to the family farm at his mother's request, he finds his parents dead and his old flame, Andrea—who is now his brother's widow—giving birth to his brother's child.

Staying is the last thing Jesse wants to do, so he devises a plan: find a husband for Andrea, sell the farm and turn the money over to the newlyweds.

But Andrea won't co-operate. Staying on the Winslow farm is the only thing she wants... that, and Jesse.

While the pair fights reawakening passion, raiders strike surrounding farms, terrorizing the community. The violence appears random, but Jesse's sure someone is stalking Andrea.

The mountain man knows what must be done, but first he must come to terms with what drove him into isolation, and then decide to become a permanent part of something bigger than himself.

REVIEWS:
"Ms. Ankrum has a gift for characterization and a unique voice that will speak to many readers' hearts."
~Kathe Robin, Romantic Times

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Chase the Fire

During the Battle of the Wilderness, Union Major Chase Whitlaw shoots a Rebel soldier, just as they're both cut down by a terrible explosion. As the Reb lies dying, he begs Whitlaw to return a locket to his wife, Libby, in New Mexico and tell her he loves her.

Chase half-heartedly agrees, until Libby's picture in the locket becomes his touchstone, helping him to survive his injuries.

In New Mexico, Chase finds Libby in desperate straits and offers help instead of truth.

Libby's horse ranch, plagued by unexplained accidents, is failing. Until the arrival of the war-scarred stranger, a neighbor's unwelcome offer of marriage was the only way to save her son's inheritance.

But now, she has Chase. Working side-by-side, their passion becomes undeniable until Chase's truth is revealed.

Now, Libby must decide: forgive or say goodbye forever.

REVIEWS:
"...a splendid tale of strong men, stubborn women, wild horses and a love that heals as it grows." ~Melinda Helfer, Romantic Times

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