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Category: Romance/Historical Fiction
Description: THREE COMPLETE NOVELS, ONE MEGABOOK SERIES LOW PRICE! The entire MEADOWLARK Historical Romance trilogy from Bestselling author Carolyn Lampman, including: MEADOWLARK: Becky White is out of options. Destitute, alone, and pregnant, employment in a brothel seems her only chance of survival in the wild west mining town of South Pass City. As she stands on the creek bank contemplating the unthinkable, fate takes a hand. The earth crumbles beneath her feel and pitches her into the raging torrent Unable to fight the high spring run-off, she surrenders to the flood, thinking death might be the best solution after all When Garrick Swenson saves a young woman from drowning, he realizes providence has given him a way to atone for his guilty past. He offers Becky and her baby the protection of his name, with no strings attached. Just as they find themselves wanting a true marriage in every sense of the word the past surfaces to tear them apart. With Garrick facing the hangman's noose and Becky's future uncertain, it appears not even love can conquer all. National Reader's Choice Award Winner. SILVER SPRINGS: Though Alexis and Angelica Brady are identical twins, they are complete opposites. Angel is strong-willed and stubborn where Alexis is meek and easily intimidated. Still, the bond between them is unbreakable, and when Alexis begs for her sister's help in avoiding an arranged marriage, Angel reluctantly agrees to switch places and drive the unwanted suitor away. Disguised as the straitlaced Alexis, Angel is shocked to discover the prospective bridegroom is none other than Ox Bruford, the only male who has ever touched her heart. A man is the last thing Angel wants in her life. Her independence was too hard won to give up for something as frivolous as love, but the more she tries to push Ox away, the more she yearns for his touch. Loving Ox would mean revealing her identity--and her heart. National Reader's Choice Award Winner, Fallen Angel Reviews Recommended Read. WILD HONEY: Her whole life Alaina Ellinson has longed for adventure, but nothing is less likely in her quiet little home town. Then, a long forgotten photograph surfaces and changes everything. Reeling from the shock that the very fabric of her life is a lie, Alaina sets off to find a piece of herself she's never even known existed. When Jared Brady promises to escort Alaina to his sister in Wyoming, he has no idea what he is letting himself in for. From the moment the two meet, the sparks fly. But when circumstances strand the two of them in the mountains running from an army of outlaws, they must put their differences aside and depend on each other to survive. Facing death at every turn strips away their defenses. Unexpected passions flare, and they discover love may be the biggest challenge of all. National Reader's Choice Award Winner, EPPIE AWARD Finalist, Fallen Angel Reviews Recommended Read.
eBook Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press, 2009
eBookwise Release Date: December 2009

6 Reader Ratings:

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Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [1.3 MB]
Words: 305088
Reading time: 871-1220 min.

"Carolyn Lampman is the queen of Trilogies. She is the author of the Cheyenne Trilogy. The Meadowlark Series place in the Wyoming Territory in the year of 1870. Meadowlark Trilogy is a fantastic western romance trilogy. While each story stands well along I recommend reading them in order. I look forward to more books by this author."_Reviewed by Readers Favorite readersfavorite.com/cat-71.htm?review=2672, 5 Stars! "Combine in a large mixing bowl, ingredients that include: the western frontier, gutsy heroines, determined and strong heroes, and unexpected passions, The Meadowlark Trilogy Megabook bakes a perfect recipe for success. A storyline reminiscent of CBS's Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, which was an A++ show, Ms. Lampman satisfies the reader with heart-pounding romance and vivid storylines that pull the reader into the story from the first page. Upon reading the blurb, I jumped at the opportunity to read this novel. Although I initially balked at the page length of the novel, I quickly became immersed in the storylines and fell in loves with the characters. Don't let the page limit scare you. This is a book no one should miss complete with beautiful scenery that will make you feel like you are there with the characters. The Meadowlark Trilogy Megabook stirs satisfying stories, whipped with heart-pounding emotions, tender love, and finally serves a satisfying conclusion. Don't miss out on this great treat! Wonderful job, Ms. Lampman!" Queen Anne's Lace, Long & Short Reviews

A meadowlark's song

Given freely to the wind,

Drifts easily with the breeze

Undisturbed by fence post

Or man's clink and clank

Unlike mine,

An easy song

Which needs not be understood

To feel its enjoyment.

And, this by pen,

A much too complicated

Thank you

For the all-out effort

Of a small yellow-bellied bird.

Louis R. Lampman

Chapter 1

South Pass City, Wyoming Territory, 1870

Becky was out of options and she knew it. With the last of her money gone, it was only a matter of time until hunger drove her down to Beer Garden Gulch in search of a job in one of the saloons. It was stupid to wait any longer hoping for a miracle. Cameron wasn't coming back.

She kicked a small rock into the creek and glanced down the street. There was already music and raucous laughter coming from the saloons. It wasn't even dark out and business was booming. Obviously the owners would be too busy to talk to her now. Morning would surely be better.

With a relieved sigh, Becky sat down on a pile of sluice box tailings. There was no guarantee anybody down there would hire her anyway. No one else in town had. Too young, they said, or not enough experience. She'd heard some of the hurdy gurdy girls were almost as young as she was. Maybe it wouldn't matter that she was tall and gangly with too much hair and not enough chest like her father always said.

Cameron hadn't minded. In fact he'd made her feel beautiful and loved right up until he walked out of her life. Becky's father said Cameron Price played her for a fool, taking what he wanted and never giving her another thought after he rode away. As the months passed and no word came, it began to look as though her father was right.

"Oh, Cameron," she whispered into the twilight, "would it have made any difference if you'd known about your son?"

Her hands moved over her softly rounding stomach. Within a month she wouldn't be able to hide it any more and they wouldn't even let her work in a brothel. Becky's lips twisted, too young to work, but old enough to have a baby.

Maybe her father wasn't far wrong when he called her a stupid little slut. His words and the hard slaps that followed were etched indelibly into her mind. Afterwards he had gone to work his shift in the mine and had never returned.

Becky closed her eyes and tried to conjure some regret for her father's death. There was none. It had been over a month and she still couldn't mourn him.

Her stomach rumbled painfully. Another night without food. She was almost used to it by now. With a deep sigh, Becky opened her eyes and watched the brilliant reds and golds of the sunset fade into cool, concealing darkness as the sun dipped below the hill.

The cold dampness of the ground beneath her began to soak through her skirt, but she ignored the discomfort as she savored the spring evening. The moist pungency of rich soil and the smell of wood smoke covered the other, less pleasant odors of man. Crickets chirped in the nearby grass, and an owl called to its mate over the roar of the swollen creek.

At last, some of the lights began to wink out. It was late and people were staggering home to bed. Though the saloons and bawdy houses would keep going until dawn, there was almost total silence in the city of tents that made up a good portion of South Pass City. It was time to find a place to sleep.

Becky rose from the ground and walked to the edge of the creek. The spring run-off was at its highest. The placer miners had been watching it for days, anticipating the new gold it would wash out of the hills. She looked down at the normally insignificant stream that now roared by with awesome power. An entire tree rolled by, bobbing in the turbulent waters.

Suddenly, the ground crumbled under her feet and she slid down into the icy stream. The water choked off Becky's scream as it closed over her face. Then her head collided with a solid object, and her thoughts sank into blessed darkness as she surrendered to the flood.

"A bottle of Redeye, Sam," Garrick told the bartender, then glanced around at the brightly lit room. As a casino and a brothel, The Green Garter was the best South Pass had to offer, but for some reason, watching the miners gamble away their pitifully small wages irritated him this evening. He'd been one of their number often enough, but tonight it seemed a pathetic waste of time.

With a sigh, Garrick turned back to the bar, slid a few coins across its shiny surface to Sam, and picked up the bottle. As he pulled the cork out with his teeth and poured the deep amber liquid into a glass, he thought how aghast his mother would be to see him doing such a thing. The thought of Minnesota brought the usual pang of homesickness, and he lifted the glass to his lips in irritation. He gulped down the raw whiskey and grimaced as the fiery brew burned its way to his stomach. It tasted worse than usual and did nothing to relieve his loneliness.

"Hello, Swede." A husky feminine voice cut into his thoughts. "Aren't you going to give my dealers a chance to win back some of that money you walked out of here with last night?"

Garrick glanced down at the brassy redhead and smiled. "Not tonight, Angel. I have a feeling the cards wouldn't fall my way."

Angel snorted. "Well, that'd be a first. Never seen anybody with luck like yours." She gave him an appraising look. "What's eatin' you anyway. That scowl would curdle milk."

"Bored I guess. Care for a drink?"

Angel glanced at the bottle in front of him and made a face. "No thanks. Rotgut whiskey isn't my idea of a good time. Don't remember it being yours either."

"Not usually, but we ran short of black powder so I don't have to work tomorrow."

"You planning on getting drunk?"

"I was, but if you won't join me..."

She laughed and patted his arm. "If it's company you want, I may have just the ticket. A new girl came in on the stage today. Calls herself Collette, though she ain't any more French than Sam." Angel nodded toward a sultry dark-haired beauty at the end of the bar. "Be glad to introduce you."

Garrick let his gaze roam over the curvaceous brunette, wondering how he'd managed to miss her before. Almost as if she felt his gaze, Collette glanced up, wet her lips, and smiled seductively.

"Well, what do you think, Swede? Want to see if she can wipe that frown off your face?"

He shrugged. "Might as well." Maybe Collette was what he needed.

"Hello," he said when she sidled up to him.

"Hello yourself." Collette ran her hand up his arm. "I just love big men."

"Well, I let you two get to know each other," Angel said, walking away. "Take good care of Swede, Collette, he's one of my best customers."

"Don't you worry, Miss Angel. I'll take excellent care of this one." Collette let her fingers wander down the massive chest. "Tell me, Swede, are you big all over?"

He let a slow smile cross his face. "Only one way to find out."

Three quarters of an hour later Garrick buttoned his coat against the chill outside and collected his bottle of whiskey. Collette had been all he could wish for, and yet, if anything, he felt worse than he had before.

He went outside and took a deep breath of the crisp mountain air. There was a tang of spring on the breeze tonight, almost like home. Garrick turned his steps toward the creek. Maybe a walk would clear his head and chase away the blue devils that plagued him.

From the corner of his eye he caught a movement far up the bank. Peering through the darkness, he saw the shadowy figure walk toward the edge of the creek, apparently contemplating the rushing water as he was. Whoever it was, he hoped their thoughts were more pleasant than his.

As he watched, Garrick was startled to see the stranger stop on the very edge of the bank.

Didn't they know how dangerous the creek was this time of year? Garrick was beginning to wonder if he should call out a warning when, to his utter horror, the other person went down and was swallowed up by the flood. Shock held him immobilized for a blink of an eye. Then he was shrugging out of his coat and pulling off his boots as he scanned the stream for some sign of the stranger.

At last, he spotted a flash of white up-stream. Quickly judging where the current would carry its burden, he stepped into the frigid water. Garrick's breath seemed to catch in his lungs as the icy wetness struck his legs.

It took all of his strength to withstand the force of the water as it sucked and pulled at him like a living thing. Searching frantically for another glimmer of white, Garrick wished his eyes could pierce the blackness of the water. But he could see nothing as he battled his way to the middle of the stream.

All at once, something hit him, and he went down. Some instinct made him reach out, and his hands encountered the unexpected texture of cloth. As he grabbed the body inside the clothing, he let himself be taken downstream until he had firm hold. By the time his head broke the surface the third time, he had the other person locked against his body with one arm.

Pulling great draughts of air into tortured lungs, he struck out for the edge of the stream. Though Garrick was a strong swimmer, his skills were nearly useless in the rush of water that swept them along.

Instead of fighting the current, he moved with it, working steadily closer to the bank. At last his knee struck solid ground, and he scrambled up the muddy bank where he collapsed on the shore. Panting for air, he lay there for a moment holding the unmoving body of the stranger against his chest, as he fought the blackness that threatened to overwhelm him.

Gradually, Garrick's vision cleared, and he gently rolled his burden to the ground. As he blinked the water out of his eyes, he glanced down at the thin body and long skirt and his eyes widened in surprise. A woman!

He felt for a pulse along the delicate neck. A slight fluttering against his fingers reassured him. Garrick leaned down and put his cheek next to her nose. There was no movement against his skin, no stirring of air. She wasn't breathing.

With a sense of urgency, he turned the woman to her stomach and straddled her hips. Alternately pushing on her upper back and pulling on her elbows, he attempted to force the water from her lungs. Push... Pull...Push...Pull. Garrick kept repeating the motions, over and over, never admitting the possibility that his efforts might be wasted. At long last she choked as the strangling water came rushing from her mouth.

Relief rolled through him. Garrick moved to the side as she coughed and gasped, trying to catch her breath. At last the spasms stopped, and he pulled her into his arms. "It's all right, little one," he murmured as a whimper escaped her lips. "You're safe."

A deep voice like melted honey flowed over Becky. She opened her eyes and looked up into the kind face of an angel. Never had she seen such hair, so pale it seemed to glow in the moonlight. She reached up and tried to touch it.

"Where do you belong?" he asked.

"With angels?" she whispered hopefully, then sank into sweet dark oblivion.