Walnut Bottom Farm, Books 1 and 2

Book One: Brass Lantern Inn

Calla, an artist with a passion for painting old homesteads, suddenly finds herself living on one when her new husband, a talented woodcarver, takes over his father's ranch after his unexpected death. Country life - and her mother-in-law - become smothering for the city girl. She finds a little escape waiting tables and enjoying time at the old tavern with her best friend, real estate agent Alexis Green. Often things get worse before they get better. The girls discover that thoughtlessness and bad judgment can result in searing consequences.

Book Two: Thin Ice

As winter settles in, Calla adjusts to life on Walnut Bottom Ranch. Her best friend, Alexis Green, is engaged to Calla's neighbor, Clayton McBride, an agricultural engineer. Alexis is frustrated, though, as her fiance wants to wait until their wedding night before consummating their love for each other. She plots to tease him a little, drive him crazy with want, so that he will give in take her now! With Calla's help, maybe she can tip the odds in her favor.

In the process of their scheme, the girls discover a clue as to the whereabouts of a thief. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and for a purpose they would rather not explain, makes it difficult for the girls to pass along the desperately needed information.

Pressure mounts between the betrothed as Alexis's mother learns that her daughter is marrying a farmer, that they will live in the middle of nowhere and her in-laws are Mennonite. If Alexis and Clayton actually make it as far as the altar, their mothers may just ruin the wedding. Sometimes only the resolve of unwavering men can take things back in hand and restore harmony at the homestead.