Templa Melnick

A little woman with a big heart, she can to ride, shoot, love, and pray.

Emma Johnson juggles family, friends, and pioneer chores, all the while dealing with threats to her own life, those she loves, and the safety of the ranch on the western slope of the Colorado Rocky Mountains in the early 1900s. The challenges of living in the shadow of gold fever bring opportunities to use the skills learned from her Indian stepmother, while she prays as if everything depends on the Lord. Families, schools, and churches are moving into Riverbend, where gold assessors, saloons, and brothels have prevailed. Conflicts arise between miners, ranchers, bankers, railroad tycoons, Indians, and lawmen. Emma finds herself involved in the rescue and restoration of three abandoned or abused women. As hope, beauty, and new life blossom, the four women help uncover an evil plot and learn the meaning of forgiveness.

This Historical/Western/Romance novel shows what women encountered in the West, especially in gold-rush boom towns ... and the difference that faith, prayer, and self-sacrifice can make in any hard situation.

Get to know Emma Johnson, her cowboy husband. their seven sons, and Emma's rescued-women friends in Season of Forgiveness, first novel of the new series, Seasons in Riverbend.