Unconventional Series Collection

Unconventional #1-3

by Verna Clay

Collection of three books: Abby: Mail Order Bride; Broken Angel; and Ryder's Salvation Abby: Mail Order Bride Brant Samson has fallen on hard times. His beloved wife died a year earlier of lung fever and now he's desperate to find a mother for his three children. Ten year old Jenny does her best to care for two year old Ty, and fourteen year old Luke works the ranch with his father, losing himself in dime novels to ease the pain of his mother's death. Brant's options are limited since eligible women seldom pass through Two Rivers, much less settle in the small Texas town. In desperation, he places a classified advertisement for a mail order bride. Abigail Mary Vaughn always dreamed of having her own family, but caring for her elderly parents ended that dream. Her parents are now dead and she's faced with the reality of her dismal existence. After reading Mr. Samson's advertisement in the Philadelphia Inquirer, she garners enough courage to respond. Since she is considered an old maid at the age of thirty-eight, she'll more than likely spend the rest of her life in gut-wrenching loneliness unless she does something unconventional. Broken Angel Luke Samson is a successful writer at the youthful age of twenty-five. His life is going along as planned and he has no desire to marry for at least a few years. While dining in a Dallas restaurant, he overhears an intriguing conversation and receives his first look at Angel St. Clair, a woman who will forever change his carefully laid plans. Although she has been blessed with angelic beauty, her heart is shattered. Can Luke restore this broken woman? Angel St. Clair's sole desire is to hire a suitable husband to escort her safely to the bakery she has purchased in San Francisco. To that end, she ran a classified advertisement for a mail order husband. Her life savings has gone into acquiring her business and she hopes to find, if not happiness, at least contentment after suffering a life of tragedy and heartache. Ryder's Salvation Jenny Samson, sister of Luke (book two) and daughter of Brant (book one), is a gifted artist. She has moved from her country home in Texas to attend Jake Ryder's Academy of Art in New York. She has long dreamed of meeting Mr. Ryder, the great artist known as the Painter of Emotions, but when she does, his criticism of her paintings devastates her. Jake Ryder lost his right arm in a carriage accident. It was the final sorrow in a life of sorrow. Now he lives a lonely existence, rarely leaving his estate outside of New York city. The sweet paintings of Jenny Samson incense the artist in him because life is not sweet, nor kind, nor lovely, and he lashes out at the plain country girl during a gallery exhibition of her works. Soon, however, he will discover there is more to Jenny that he anticipated.

369 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 28, 2012

About the author

I love a book that makes me forget everything except what I'm reading. As a preteen, I devoured Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys' Mysteries. When I reached my teens, romance novels became my favorite genre. Many years later, I decided to try my hand at writing and I've been doing so with a passion ever since. I have released over twenty-five romance novels, including a contemporary western series titled "Romance on the Ranch." The initial story, "Dream Kisses," started out as a single novella, but turned into an ongoing saga when secondary characters cried out for their own stories. The series was completed with book 10 and its one of my proudest accomplishments. As for historical romance, I ventured into that genre with a four book series titled "Unconventional," and enjoyed it so much that I wrote another collection titled "Finding Home." After that I returned to contemporary romance with the unlikely setting of a trailer park in the Arizona Desert, and, believe it or not, romance abounds at Desert Princess Trailer and RV Park in the middle of nowhere. There are three books in the "Oasis" series. Of course, I couldn't overlook writing in the paranormal/fantasy genre and released "The Shapeling Trilogy" about shapeshifters. In that series, my shifters travel the world, solve mysteries, and fall in love.

Using the pen name of Colleen Clay, I published a YA novel titled, "Fragile Hearts."

Now that I've been writing for so many years, I can't imagine doing anything else.

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the Best

I loved this storyline. It was written in such a way you wanted to read more about this. Family.
Kuddos to the author!

[Carol Burnside · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading series books and those of the American frontier. This trio of books forms a mini saga and follow the Samson family beginning with a newly married couple in Mail Order Bride, followed by their son's love story in Broken Angel and finally Ryder's Salvation, the daughter's story. In it, the original couple are grandparents.

A deft hand deals with themes of grief, family, forgiveness and trust throughout the series. I would recommend these books to anyone who enjoys romantic tales with the flavor of 1800's America.

[Lidia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm very happy that I came across to this book , a collection of three books by Verna Clay, because I could fulfill my curiosity and interest immediately, in fact I have read all in one breath while my emotions grew for every story till the end when my hearth was full of joy, sadness and hope. Beautiful and caring protagonists, wonderful lands, and one plot rich of thrill.

[Linda Applegate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to be part of the Samson , family.

The author caught the true meaning of family. How each member cares about another member.That each person no matter what is loved and cared for. If only life was so .