The Shadow Series (Goss)

Ivy Jeffries falls hopelessly in love with Jonas Armstrong, a man who has forced himself into a somewhat reclusive lifestyle owing to his sordid past. Ivy is elated when he finally lets his guard down and kisses her. She thinks they are now moving forward into a relationship, until he tells her it meant nothing to him. How could a kiss like they shared mean nothing to him, when it meant the world to her?

Love! Julia Croft never thought she would actually fall in love with the man she set out to mislead. Surely he would forgive her if he knew the truth. Could he be so cold-hearted as to not see what her brother meant to her? Would he see that it was a matter of life and death that brought her to this deceitfulness?

Rose has loved Quinn since she first set eyes on him at age fifteen. A tragedy causes him to spiral out of control and use saloon women and drinking to forget. She knows she can save him by tricking him into marrying her. Misfortune leaves Quinn grieving. He turns away from family, friends, and good, clean Christian living. Rose's trick works, but there would be consequences to pay because Quinn refuses to consummate the marriage.

Violet Jeffries meets Gavin McKenzie and she becomes confused and unsure of her love for her fiancé, Miles Croft. She breaks the betrothal and then discovers that Gavin has a hidden agenda. Miles comes to her rescue twice, but keeps his distance from her. Violet realizes her mistake - too late. She's lost the most loving and devoted man, and she fights to get him back. Miles Croft loved Violet with all this heart. He vows to never give his heart away again.

Anna finds herself in Abilene without money, or a place to go. Lucy hires Anna to clean her "boarding house," which Anna discovers later is not what it seems. She has only one other option when Lucy offers her a job working upstairs - accepting Billy's offer.

Peggy Iverson fears working at the camp with Gavin McKenzie, but she agrees to it since he convinces her he is a new man. Gavin is counseled by Reverend Billy Croft, and learns some truths that change his life. He hates that Peggy fears him, and he sets out to show her he is reborn in Christ. One thing leads to another at camp, and he ends up asking Peggy if he can court her in order to convince Violet to forgive and forget, but he falls in love with Peggy in the process. Violet gives him an impossible ultimatum, instead. Which offer will he chose?

Zoe and Alf make each other promises before parting for separate colleges. Can they keep those promises? Zoe is forced into a world she doesn’t understand, and a college far from home and her beloved family. Alf meets Sarah at school, but is forced to honor his promise to Zoe and keeps Sarah at bay, even though he’s attracted to her. Lucas Wright, the perfect gentleman, paves the way for Zoe at college, and while she feels something for Lucas, she holds the space in her heart for Alf.