THE COMPLETE ARIZONA HEARTS SERIES

Arizona Hearts is a series of 8 books based on 2 families written from the views of strong women and dangerous men when the “natural ” flow of things is interrupted. Each women brings her own resources and skills to unexpected encounters that grows into a romance. Often, will a lot of blood, sweat and tears in between.
Strong women
The O’ Brian’s, are center around Tucson and south eastern Arizona as population increases. Old money, new money and racial tension always with a HEA.
The Taggerts start with family connections in Tucson’s barrios, with the adventuring ” couples” traversing the wide and exciting landscape of “turn of the century” Arizona. East meets West and both are “civilized” by common bonds.
In a Rain Trueax book the women are as powerful and important to the outcome as the men. AND, The Men are Grateful. Such is the story as observed by an Ol’ Desert rat that has traversed the West for 55 years with Ms. Trueax.
Check out the modern books by Rain Trueax following the same ‘western ethos’ in suburban settings of the Tucson Barrios with mystical elements and the Northwestern series that blends the rural with the urban rhythms. Following Rain’s life experiences. Nothing is EVER what it seems to be. Enjoy. I know you will not regret reading these.
OUTLAW LOVE – Book 1
Put these two combustible personalities together on Sam’s ranch, both with a bent toward the outlaw way, in a place where life rests on the edge and a marriage begun for all the wrong reasons, and you are reading “Outlaw Way” Rain’s fast moving introduction to Arizona Hearts western historical romance series.
A heavy gun belt hung on his hip, slung low. It identified him as clearly as her plain cotton dress and tightly bound hair identified her. He was a gunfighter; she was a spinster.
Buy now to start your journey through a fictional version of Arizona history.
Setting Tucson, 1883 Wells Fargo office: “You should come inside.” “It’s not cooler.” “Abigail, ladies do not stand on boardwalks.” Martin’s eyes reflected nervousness as he glanced down the street and back at her. “I must insist you come into the office.” “No.” “No?” She turned her gaze to the street where she noticed for the first time, men coming out of the Pedrales Bar. If she hadn’t known that to go into the office now would make Martin believe he had won, when she saw several of the men mount their horses and wheel them up the street, she might have ducked inside. Their route would take them past her. A tall man, garbed in black, strode from the cantina, cast a laughing comment behind him, and gave a quick running leap to vault into his saddle. The whole movement had been like that of a big cat. She found her attention held by the grace of the man’s seat on a large black horse that showed its spirit by rearing up, then settling down under a sure hand on the reins. In seconds, the man had wheeled his horse and was heading toward her at a fast canter. Abigail pressed herself against the wall. She could not explain the mix of emotions– repulsion and fascination– in equal parts. She didn’t turn her gaze away even when she saw his head turn toward her. He wouldn’t see her, wouldn’t notice a mousy woman like her even if he had, but she felt a surprising apprehension. Startled, she saw him pull his horse to an abrupt halt in front of her. Good Lord. His black shirt was open almost to his waist and she saw through the opening a bare chest. My lord. She should look away, but she couldn’t tear her eyes from him. He took his hat from his head, ran a muscular forearm across his forehead as he turned and looked straight at her. No gentleman would have done such a thing; he would’ve pretended not to see her. Their gazes met and then to her shock, he looked her up and down, giving her a clear view of an angular face. Beneath his bold stroke of a mustache and heavy beard, she could not tell if he was smiling. She sensed for one wild moment that he was considering coming toward her, saying something, but he settled his hat onto his head and kicked his horse into a gallop, leaving a cloud of dust and hundreds of tiny dust devils in his wake. She watched until the desert haze swallowed every sign that they had passed. Only then did she go into the office. “It’s about time,” Martin snapped, his expression disapproving. “Didn’t it occur to you men such as those could snatch a woman, carry her off into the desert, and she’d never be seen or heard from again?” Abigail laughed with genuine amusement. “I think they could do better than me if that was their desire.” He ignored her logic. “Who would have to save you if you were kidnapped?” She realized then that he must have seen the men coming from the bar, and it explained his own quick retreat. She sighed. “Martin, are you reading dime novels again?” “Tucson is a dangerous place.“
Try it. You will not be disappointed.
Edited and reformatted from the original 2013: “Arizona Sunset”. Heat level: 4 of 5
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FATED LOVE – Book 2

It will take Christmas, family and ‘Fate’ for these star-crossed lovers to find their own happily ever after.
Priscilla Wesley(Cilla) has all a young woman could want, as she seeks answers to life from mysticism. She’s made a few mistakes along that line, ending up with Martin Matthews on her doorstep. Wishes can run amok. She has decided to remain a spinster– especially since the only man who really attracts her wears a gun.
Marshal Cord O’Brian faces many problems. One is staying away from the lovely but spoiled Miss Wesley. She’s bad news for him. Cord has never trusted the outlaw, Sam Ryker, (from Book 1) who Priscilla’s friend Abby married (ran off with). There might be a reason for that, a reason neither man wants to accept.
However, when Cord’s estranged, nine-year old daughter arrives in Tucson, his problems hit a whole new level.
She can not abide guns and he lives by the gun. What can go wrong?
If you like suspense, action and the courting game (spicy romance), you will love ‘Priscilla’s Choice’ – Arizona Hearts Book 2
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FORBIDDEN LOVE – Book 3

She was too young and now, he’s seen too much.The Rough Rider and the heiress. A Murder mystery and a kidnapped boy send them on a quest.Grace O’Brian returns to Tucson with no idea what she will do with her new degree nor her sudden wealth. As she steps from the train, the man of her dreams is waiting for her. Will he ever see her as more than the daughter of his friend? Rafe Cordova has been through years of hell with his marriage exploding and his son taken from him. For a Yaqui, family is the center of their lives, and the woman he has loved for years is beyond his reach. As bad as things seemed for him with the Rough Riders in Cuba, they are about to get worse, as he’s accused of murder and his son is missing.Rafe and Grace have much to learn about family, healing and loyalty. Follow this hero and heroine on their journey to love and their true identities.If you like character driven novels via Justine Davis or Roberta Gellis . Try the western version by Rain TrueaxPreviously released as “Arizona Dawn”.Heat level: ♥♥♥♥
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ROSE’S GIFT – Book 4

A birth, a death, and a wedding– all in the Christmas season. Life is a spiral. Seasons come and go, but when they return, it’s to a new place.A sixty year old widow, Rose has her life set out in a comfortable way– bridge, tea with friends, family dropping by, and a nice little home. She went through a depression when she lost her husband four years earlier but has come to terms with life as it must be—or so she thought, until a man comes along to challenge her assumptions.Ollie, nearly sixty, has been cowboy, rustler, and ranch foreman. When he saw something he wanted, he has come to Tucson to claim it. Knowing more about cattle and horses than women, he sets out to woo Rose by showing her the kind of man he is.Is it too late? Can she give up her comforts? This man won’t be satisfied with living in the city as she has. She will have to change more than adding a man to her bed… He has made it clear what kind of marriage he intends it to be. Is she up to that? Accepting his proposal could upset his friends and hers. A new life? A new home? A wedding? A happily ever after?Or is it all too late? An O’ Brian extended family story.21,000 words, A nice, respectable romantic story
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ECHOES FROM THE PAST – Book 5

The Power of Love. It can’t be stopped Determined and used to getting what she wants, Holly Jacobs is on a quest to unlock the past. Deadly as it might be. Holly has the looks, the wealth and an education. She has come to Tucson to be with her sister hoping to find answers to her vivid dreams. She is going to experience more than she ever expected. With the life Vince Taggert had led, there were many ways he could end up dead; and he wasn’t about to worry about some naive city slicker’s dreams. Although, he did know that she was the dangerous kind of woman for him– the kind you marry and he wasn’t the marrying kind. If her dreams were correct. They had no reason to be together except, maybe a few past lives where the passion was sizzling, and he always ended up dead. Some families, like the outlaw Taggert family, drag a lot of unruly energy with them wherever they go. What happens when two such energies collide? In the Mazatzal Wilderness mysteries, legends, danger and love await for those who survive the challenges. Book Five of the Arizona Hearts Series, some familiar characters, and a whole new set of ‘bad boys’, young and old. 103,523 words Heat level: ♥♥♥♥.
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LANDS OF FIRE – Book 6

A moving romance set in a fast growing frontier oasis. With the coming of the train and links to California and the east coast, Tucson is mixture of grit and culture. Living in Rose’s Cottage provides a wellspring of inspiration for Lily Jacobs’ art. It also helped her avoid a man in Chicago, who was threatening with his unwelcome attentions. After years of doing her father’s bidding, Lily is now a woman of means, free to choose her own path. When famous painter, Patrick Jamison arrives in Tucson, Lily is eager to take lessons and improve her work. But, she isn’t looking for love.
Slow from birth, Jesse Taggert lives on the desert as he trains horses and works for a large ranch. Jesse knows animals and finds the further he is from people, the better—especially beautiful woman, but how can he refuse his brother’s request that he teach his sister-in-law, Lily, how to ride the horse he has trained? Once these two meet, sparks fly. A woman like Lily would never want a man like Jesse, someone who can’t even read. If that hasn’t been enough reason to avoid her, the dangers his father is bringing onto him will be. Lily isn’t listening. She sees things in Jesse he does not see in himself. Some loves are worth fighting to hold onto. Lands of Fire is a love story not only of two people but also of the desert. Danger walks with this land, but the passion it stirs can make it all worthwhile—if one survives. 85,058 words. Heat level #4
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DESTINY’S CALL – Book 7

She created a fictional outlaw hero — or so she thought. 1905, San Francisco, English Literature professor, Wilhelmina Agatha Tremaine Butler heads to Arizona’s White Mountains to write a novel she can respect more than the dime novels that paid her way through school. She wrote as, Will Tremaine, to protect her reputation from the disdain she is sure would be her lot if her colleagues knew she has been writing potboilers. In the wilderness, she is confident that she can write a novel worthy of respect. Asked by his worried sister-in-law, Holly, to check on her college friend, Cole Taggert assumes her friend is an over educated, naive, idiot to head into the wilderness. Cole has used his ability with a gun to keep the peace, attempting to escape the reputation of his outlaw family. He isn’t helped by the dime novels that have become so popular with a Taggert, outlaw hero. Worst, his own family like the books. If he can just find that Will Tremaine, he’ll give him a lesson in using other-people’s name. When Cole arrives at Willy’s rented cabin, he sees her swimming in the lake. Her life isn’t the only one about to get redirected. Sometimes when destiny calls, we don’t hear it; but we can’t avoid the path it sets us on. For Willy, it will involve unexpected action, adopting strays (man and beast), physical attraction to a man and a land– plus a journal that reveals dangerous secrets. Love must find a way when someone with evil intent wants to end any chance for a happily ever after. Originally released as ‘Bound for the Hills’. 111,200 words.
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FREDERICA’S OUTLAW – Book 8

A simple, “May I help you, Ma’am” can change a man’s life forever.
She came to Tucson to find her daughter. Christmas and an old outlaw are going to give her a lot more than she expected.
1905– Frederica Windsor steps off the train in Tucson, Arizona and enters a world, unlike any she’d ever known—where the Old West has yet to be tamed. She has come to find why her daughter mysteriously left Boston. She does not expect she is about to launch herself into an adventure with a man who seems to have come from the pages of one of the dime novels she’s been reading. Jeremiah Taggert finds this Bostonian lady temptingly beautiful but has no intention of taking it further. He had lived a reckless, outlaw life before recognizing that world was gone forever, and those who denied it were going to be strung up, shot or in a prison cell. With his three sons settled in Tucson, he wants to be close enough to help in their lives, as a way to make up for the years he’d not been much of a father. Together Jeremiah and Frederica are about to find something they felt had passed them by. The problem will be surviving an enemy with a long reach. Leaving Tucson and heading south toward the border and the Circle O ranch, the flavor and beauty of the desert become part of their story as it takes them to a family Christmas, with danger on its way. Novella. No sex Originally released as Sonoran Christmas and Frederica’s Heart until it found its most fitting title– Frederica’s Outlaw.