A Father in the Making Busy Texas farmer Quinn Tucker is used to raising crops, not children. So when four nieces and nephews are left in his care, it's not long before he realizes they need a mother. But his search for a wife leads to the least likely woman for illiterate Quinn—schoolmarm Helen McKenna. City girl Helen has been told she'll never have children—and, it seems, a husband. So she jumps at the chance to be a mother to Quinn's little family. Though he is far from her image of an ideal husband, maybe a marriage in name will blossom into something more… Bachelor List Matches: A hand-picked bride for every bachelor in small-town Texas

A ready-made family The Texan's Inherited Family by Noelle Marchand Busy Texas farmer Quinn Tucker is used to raising crops, not children. So when four nieces and nephews are left in his care, it's not long before he realizes they need a mother. But his search for a wife leads to the least likely woman for illiterate Quinn—schoolmarm Helen McKenna. Could a marriage in name only blossom into something more? A Home for His Family by Jan Drexler Nate Colby came to the Dakota Territory to start over, not to look for a wife. He'll raise his orphaned nieces and nephew without schoolteacher Sarah MacFarland's help. Sarah deserves better than a man who only brings trouble to those around him. Yet helping this ready-made family set up their ranch only makes Sarah long to be a part of it—whatever the risk.

SECOND CHANCE REUNION It's been five years since Adelaide Harper broke Chris Johansen's heart—and their long-distance engagement. But when she steps off a train in Peppin, Texas, and strolls back into Chris's life, he can't help but panic. Because to avoid his parents' plan to arrange a marriage for him, he's let his family believe he and Adelaide are still engaged. Adelaide is facing her own troubles with a matchmaking mama and a parade of aggravating suitors. So pretending to let Chris court her could help them both. And after five years, there's no need to worry that the time together will reignite their long-buried love…is there? Bachelor List Matches: A handpicked bride for every bachelor in small-town Texas

The Groom Apprentice Courtship lessons are all Isabelle Bradley can offer when one of her sister's former suitors suddenly comes calling. Unwilling to be someone's backup choice, Isabelle will help the clumsy--yet handsome--blacksmith find and woo his true match. But it certainly won't be her. Rhett Granger's awkwardness around women may be a joke to most of the town, but Rhett isn't laughing. How can he find love when Isabelle, the only woman who doesn't turn him into a tongue-tied fool, won't accept his courtship? Perhaps her "lessons" can give them both the chance to learn about the surprises love can bring... Bachelor List Matches: A hand-picked bride for every bachelor in small-town Texas.

The complex issues of race and politics in nineteenth-century Texas may be nowhere more dramatically embodied than in three generations of the family of Norris Wright Cuney, mulatto labor and political leader. Douglas Hales explores the birthright Cuney received from his white plantation-owner father, Philip Cuney, and the way his heritage played out in the life of his daughter Maud Cuney-Hare. This intergenerational study casts light on the experience of race in the South before Emancipation, after Reconstruction, and in the diaspora that eventually led cultural leaders of African American heritage into the cities of the North.Most Texas history books name Norris Wright Cuney as one of the most influential African American politicians in nineteenth-century Texas, but they tell little about him beyond his elected positions. In The Cuneys, Douglas Hales not only fills in the details of Cuney?s life and contributions but places him in the context of his family?s generations.A politically active plantation owner and slaveholder in Austin County, Philip Cuney participated in the annexation of Texas to the United States and supported the role of slavery and cotton in the developing economy of the new state. Wealthy and powerful, he fathered eight slave children whom he later freed and saw educated. Hales explores how and why Cuney differed from other planters of his time and place.He then turns to the better-known Norris Wright Cuney to study how the black elite worked for political and economic opportunity in the reactionary period that followed Reconstruction in the South. Cuney led the Texas Republican Party in those turbulent years and, through his position as collection of customs at Galveston, distributed federal patronage to both white and black Texans. As the most powerful African American in Texas, and arguably in the entire South, Cuney became the focal point of white hostility, from both Democrats and members of the "Lily White" faction of his own party. His effective leadership won not only continued office for him but also a position of power within the Republican Party for Texas blacks at a time when the party of Lincoln repudiated African Americans in many other Southern states. From his position on the Galveston City Council, Cuney worked tirelessly for African American education and challenged the domination of white labor within the growing unions.Norris Wright Cuney?s daughter, Maud, who was graced with a prestigious education, pursued a successful career in the arts as a concert pianist, musicologist, and playwright. A friend of W. E. B. Du Bois, she became actively involved in the racial uplift movement of the early twentieth century. Hales illuminates her role in the intellectual and political "awakening" of black America that culminated in the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. He adroitly explores her decision against "passing" as white and her commitment to uplift.Through these three members of a single mixed-race family, Douglas Hales gives insight into the issues, challenges, and strengths of individuals. His work adds an important chapter to the history of Texas and of African Americans more broadly.

Love Inspired Historical brings you four new titles at a great value, available now! Enjoy these historical romances of adventure and faith. RECLAIMING HIS PAST Smoky Mountain Matches Karen Kirst When Jessica O'Malley discovers a wounded stranger with amnesia in her barn, she nurses him back to health. But she isn't sure if she can trust him, especially since nobody knows who he is…or what he was doing on her property. THE TEXAN'S ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT Bachelor List Matches Noelle Marchand Determined to thwart their parents' matchmaking schemes, former sweethearts Chris Johansen and Adelaide Harper pretend to be engaged. But can they stop their make-believe courtship from developing into something real? THE EXPRESS RIDER'S LADY Stacy Henrie Intent on attending her sister's wedding, Delsie Radford hires Pony Express rider Myles Patton to escort her from Missouri to California. Will they arrive on time to reunite the sisters—and possibly find love along the way? A PRACTICAL PARTNERSHIP Lily George Marriage was never part of the plan for Hannah Siddons or John Reed. But when John convinces Hannah to help him prepare his sister for her debut, sparks begin to fly—and they must decide whether to follow their hearts.

Marriage by mistake! The Unexpected Bride by Debra Ullrick For Rainelle Devonwood, any dangers she may face in Idaho Territory are preferable to staying with her abusive brother. So even when Rainee learns she’s a mistakenly ordered bride, she won’t let Haydon Bowen drive her away. She’s up to the challenge of life on the difficult, demanding frontier…and the greater challenge of opening Haydon’s heart. Unlawfully Wedded Bride by Noelle Marchand Kate O’Brien has been married, by proxy, to a man she’s never met, thanks to her young siblings’ meddling! Kate offers her “groom,” Nathan Rutledge, room and board at her farm until the annulment is granted. But Kate needs his help more than she will admit. It could be a fresh start for both—if Nathan can convince Kate to take a chance on love…