“Coming Up Roses” by Catherine Anderson (historical, Signet, May 2012, $7.99, 432pp - reprint)

Summary: 
Widow Kate Blakely survived a cruel husband and now struggles to raise her daughter and keep her small farm afloat in 1890, Oregon.  Harboring a deep secret, she keeps new neighbor Zachariah McGovern at length until she must turn to him to help save her daughter.  When he nearly dies as a result, Kate nurses him back to health.  As Zach heals, Kate slowly learns to trust, but she isn’t sure she can trust him with her deepest secret.

“Lucky Penny” by Catherine Anderson (historical, Signet, January 2012, $7.99, 432pp): “Lucky Penny” is another Coulter family historical novel by Catherine Anderson. This book shows exactly how far a woman will go for her child. Brianna and David, the two main characters, are brought together by a fictitious story that Brianna tells to protect her daughter. Over time, she finds out how hard it is to keep the truth hidden.

In 1891, there were very few jobs available for a young mother. Brianna found one taking care of a widow’s son. When this man made advances, she kindly informed him that she was married. A bit later, he wants Brianna to write her husband and ask him to come get her and their child. He is about to remarry and has no use for Brianna’s services anymore. With her back against the wall, Brianna starts sending letters to David Paxton; a man she doesn’t think exists. For six years, Brianna and her daughter, Daphne, continue writing letters to the fictitious David. Over time, Daphne takes the story to heart and wishes that her papa would come to their rescue.