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The Inventor's Rescue: The Rich Man Takes a Bride, book #1
When love speaks, the heart listens.
Rhoda Coombes has built a fulfilling life working in the Denver Depot District’s library, refusing to let her childhood hearing loss define her. But the last thing she expects is to fall in love with the wealthy, brilliant, but socially awkward, Professor Shane Owen.
Shane Owen, an engineer and inventor, returns to his hometown after the Civil War with good intentions to help his parents and to teach in a Colorado university. When an independent librarian catches his eye years later, he struggles to overcome his inability to connect with her.
As Shane and Rhoda navigate their growing feelings amid a town recovering from disaster, they must learn that love speaks louder than words and that sometimes the greatest inventions aren't mechanical at all. But when good intentions and crossed signals threaten to tear them apart, they'll discover that the soundest foundations are built on understanding, acceptance, and the courage to love someone exactly as they are.
Set in 1880, Denver Depot District, Colorado, this heartwarming historical romance explores the transformative power of love, the strength of community, and the beautiful truth that being "broken" is merely a matter of perspective.
Rhoda Coombes has built a fulfilling life working in the Denver Depot District’s library, refusing to let her childhood hearing loss define her. But the last thing she expects is to fall in love with the wealthy, brilliant, but socially awkward, Professor Shane Owen.
Shane Owen, an engineer and inventor, returns to his hometown after the Civil War with good intentions to help his parents and to teach in a Colorado university. When an independent librarian catches his eye years later, he struggles to overcome his inability to connect with her.
As Shane and Rhoda navigate their growing feelings amid a town recovering from disaster, they must learn that love speaks louder than words and that sometimes the greatest inventions aren't mechanical at all. But when good intentions and crossed signals threaten to tear them apart, they'll discover that the soundest foundations are built on understanding, acceptance, and the courage to love someone exactly as they are.
Set in 1880, Denver Depot District, Colorado, this heartwarming historical romance explores the transformative power of love, the strength of community, and the beautiful truth that being "broken" is merely a matter of perspective.
105 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 25, 2025
52 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Donovan
32 books14 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.
For the Romance author, see Lynn Donovan
For the Romance author, see Lynn Donovan
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 3, 2025
THE INVENTOR AND THE SPINSTER
“Journey west of the Mississippi, where love blooms in unexpected places during America’s Gilded Age. Each standalone story follows a unique hero—from wealthy ranchers to ambitious businessmen—whose personal struggles have kept love at bay. Whether through mail-order brides, matchmakers, or chance encounters, remarkable women see beyond these men’s apparent flaws to discover the hearts of gold beneath. Set against the backdrop of America’s expanding frontier, these clean historical romances celebrate the power of love to heal, transform, and create new beginnings.”
Rhoda Coombes works at the Denver Depot District’s library. She has a hearing loss caused when she was a small child and contracted scarlet fever—but she doesn’t let it rule her life. Yes, she doesn’t always hear someone speaking to her, she can be loud when talking to others, but she has adapted. She is twenty-two now, and not sure that love and marriage will happen for her, even though she has had her mind set on someone.
Professor Shane Owen is an engineering graduate of West Point. Served in the Civil War, has an aversion to loud noises, and detests crowds—all left over from his stint during the war. He teaches at Colorado University and helps his parents at their mercantile. His mind never shuts down, he is an inventor and is always coming up with inventions that make life better for others. He even sees inventions and comes up with better solutions. It isn’t that he thinks he needs to ‘fix’ others, he just wants them to have a better or easier life. His inventions have interfered with him finding a wife, yet there is someone he has noticed.
The story takes place in 1880 in Denver and with the help of matchmaker, Mrs. Gasparini, she believes that Rhoda and Shane are perfect for each other. With the meddling of several ladies, including the mothers of Rhoda and Shane, they devise ways for them to ‘get together.’ But sometimes, things don’t seem to work as they should—Shane gets so wrapped in reading journals and inventing items, that he misses meetings or engagements—especially with Rhoda.
The story has tragedy, division, misunderstandings, and eventually unity. Yes, Shane is a rich man, and Rhoda is a woman getting by—she doesn’t worry about wealth. Actually, Shane would rather help others without them knowing who helped, he doesn’t necessarily flaunt his status. I liked how Rhoda seemed to come up with a viable solution over his meltdown over the noise and crowd—and when he comes up with something to help her—it isn’t that he sees her as broken. In fact, I think they were well suited for one another—maybe she can keep this absentminded professor on track.
Note: The author referred to the ‘miller’ twice for lumber after a fire—"A miller is a person who operates a mill, which is a machine that grinds grains into flour. Millers also produce other products from grains, such as grits, bran, and sprouts.” The correct occupation should be a sawyer—"A sawyer is a person who cuts wood or other materials using a saw. Sawyers can work in the logging industry and construction industry.”
“Journey west of the Mississippi, where love blooms in unexpected places during America’s Gilded Age. Each standalone story follows a unique hero—from wealthy ranchers to ambitious businessmen—whose personal struggles have kept love at bay. Whether through mail-order brides, matchmakers, or chance encounters, remarkable women see beyond these men’s apparent flaws to discover the hearts of gold beneath. Set against the backdrop of America’s expanding frontier, these clean historical romances celebrate the power of love to heal, transform, and create new beginnings.”
Rhoda Coombes works at the Denver Depot District’s library. She has a hearing loss caused when she was a small child and contracted scarlet fever—but she doesn’t let it rule her life. Yes, she doesn’t always hear someone speaking to her, she can be loud when talking to others, but she has adapted. She is twenty-two now, and not sure that love and marriage will happen for her, even though she has had her mind set on someone.
Professor Shane Owen is an engineering graduate of West Point. Served in the Civil War, has an aversion to loud noises, and detests crowds—all left over from his stint during the war. He teaches at Colorado University and helps his parents at their mercantile. His mind never shuts down, he is an inventor and is always coming up with inventions that make life better for others. He even sees inventions and comes up with better solutions. It isn’t that he thinks he needs to ‘fix’ others, he just wants them to have a better or easier life. His inventions have interfered with him finding a wife, yet there is someone he has noticed.
The story takes place in 1880 in Denver and with the help of matchmaker, Mrs. Gasparini, she believes that Rhoda and Shane are perfect for each other. With the meddling of several ladies, including the mothers of Rhoda and Shane, they devise ways for them to ‘get together.’ But sometimes, things don’t seem to work as they should—Shane gets so wrapped in reading journals and inventing items, that he misses meetings or engagements—especially with Rhoda.
The story has tragedy, division, misunderstandings, and eventually unity. Yes, Shane is a rich man, and Rhoda is a woman getting by—she doesn’t worry about wealth. Actually, Shane would rather help others without them knowing who helped, he doesn’t necessarily flaunt his status. I liked how Rhoda seemed to come up with a viable solution over his meltdown over the noise and crowd—and when he comes up with something to help her—it isn’t that he sees her as broken. In fact, I think they were well suited for one another—maybe she can keep this absentminded professor on track.
Note: The author referred to the ‘miller’ twice for lumber after a fire—"A miller is a person who operates a mill, which is a machine that grinds grains into flour. Millers also produce other products from grains, such as grits, bran, and sprouts.” The correct occupation should be a sawyer—"A sawyer is a person who cuts wood or other materials using a saw. Sawyers can work in the logging industry and construction industry.”
February 7, 2025
Rhoda Coombs is a young woman that has captured the eye of Inventor Shane Owen. Shane's parents own the Mercantile in town and he tries to make their workload easier inventing things that will make their life easier. But his parents are kind of stuck in their ways.
Rhoda works in the library and Shane frequents it to read about new inventions and hoping to make them better.
As luck would have it, she literally falls into his arms off a tall ladder while returning books to their shelves.
Getting them to get to know each other takes a bit of extra effort from the town matchmaker and Shane's mother. But they get them together and now their troubles begin! This book will keep you reading until it is finished. I enjoyed the way they work things out and there is definitely a little danger thrown in for excitement and it will bring things between them out in the open. Grab a Copy and enjoy the beginning to a great new series!
Rhoda works in the library and Shane frequents it to read about new inventions and hoping to make them better.
As luck would have it, she literally falls into his arms off a tall ladder while returning books to their shelves.
Getting them to get to know each other takes a bit of extra effort from the town matchmaker and Shane's mother. But they get them together and now their troubles begin! This book will keep you reading until it is finished. I enjoyed the way they work things out and there is definitely a little danger thrown in for excitement and it will bring things between them out in the open. Grab a Copy and enjoy the beginning to a great new series!
February 21, 2025
The Absent Minded Professor
Shane was so sweet and tried so hard to do everything he could to please others. However, he was very easily distracted and would at times forget to meet with his lady friend.
Rhoda had a hearing loss from a childhood disease. She was considered a spinster at age 22. She did, however, enjoy her job at the local library. She loved that Shane was very interested in her, however, he was a “fixer” and sometimes went overboard.
Shane wanted to marry Rhoda, but he kept fumbling his way through the courtship. Will this sweet couple be able to get past all their hurdles?
Shane was so sweet and tried so hard to do everything he could to please others. However, he was very easily distracted and would at times forget to meet with his lady friend.
Rhoda had a hearing loss from a childhood disease. She was considered a spinster at age 22. She did, however, enjoy her job at the local library. She loved that Shane was very interested in her, however, he was a “fixer” and sometimes went overboard.
Shane wanted to marry Rhoda, but he kept fumbling his way through the courtship. Will this sweet couple be able to get past all their hurdles?
February 9, 2025
Sometimes gifts need explanations and understanding. Rhoda is sweet and has overcome a lot in her young life, but my heart went out to Shane. Men are so clueless sometimes and good intentions can be misunderstood. This book contains what I expect from Lynn Donovan, humor, romance, interesting characters and a storyline that will keep you reading. Not sure why, but I never thought about an inventor getting wealthy off his inventions, usually they’re portrayed as fumbling around in their dusty workshops. I enjoyed this book.
February 3, 2025
Spectacular New Series
I knew that I would love this Series! It’s a spectacular start for the Series. Owen and Rhoda have a fantastic relationship with a few bumps along the way. Faith finds its way into their hearts. Highly recommend this book!!
I knew that I would love this Series! It’s a spectacular start for the Series. Owen and Rhoda have a fantastic relationship with a few bumps along the way. Faith finds its way into their hearts. Highly recommend this book!!
February 6, 2025
Fixing
They both had unique characteristics which effected their emotions. He was shy, but tried fixing everything. Her hearing sometimes led her to wrong conclusions. Grab a copy and see what transpires. Great read!
They both had unique characteristics which effected their emotions. He was shy, but tried fixing everything. Her hearing sometimes led her to wrong conclusions. Grab a copy and see what transpires. Great read!
February 11, 2025
Shane and Rhoda
A very good book about two people with personal problems. Shane is good at inventing things to help others. Rhode is kind lady who has trouble hearing. Shane invented something to help her because he loves her. They get married.
A very good book about two people with personal problems. Shane is good at inventing things to help others. Rhode is kind lady who has trouble hearing. Shane invented something to help her because he loves her. They get married.
March 5, 2025
Good book.
I enjoyed how both Shane and Rhoda learned how to give and take before they agreed to marry.
Set in a time where new technologies abound, the old tried and true was often thrown away unnecessarily.
I enjoyed how both Shane and Rhoda learned how to give and take before they agreed to marry.
Set in a time where new technologies abound, the old tried and true was often thrown away unnecessarily.
May 18, 2025
This is a good start of this new series.
The storyline is heartfelt and intrigueing along with interesting and realistic characters that you will hang on until the end
The storyline is heartfelt and intrigueing along with interesting and realistic characters that you will hang on until the end
March 8, 2025
Great new series. Can't wait for the next book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews