 | THE ROSE OF SHARON Wildflowers of Texas Series Book 6 Historical Western Romance Libby Truman was once a fool for love, and she vowed never again to be so ridiculous. Time has passed, and she’s now forty-two, a pillar of society, and in complete control of her life. But when someone begins leaving the striking blossoms of the Rose of Sharon for her, her heart begins to yearn. Brannon Welch, forty-five, successful businessman, respected member of the town, is in love. But not with his wife. With Libby. He’s tired of hiding his feelings. And now that his wife has deserted him, he’s found the courage to give romance another try. But vengeance comes for Libby, and Brannon must do whatever it takes to save her. Even if it means his own life. PURCHASE THE ROSE OF SHARON |
THE ROSE OF SHARON
He loved her.
He had to stop lying to himself, stop pretending.
He loved her.
Libby Truman.
Libby Mae Truman.
At the thought of her name, his heart swelled to almost bursting.
He allowed her angelic form to materialize in his mind’s eye, and his pulse began to race.
Letting out a slow breath, he rose from the chair behind his desk. He drifted closer to the second-story windows of his office and looked out at the sunset.
The red was blending into orange. West Texas had its beauty, and it never failed to amaze him. The rawness of the land, the untamed nature, had appealed to his soul, and despite what his wife had wanted, he’d settled here to build his legacy.
And that’s when it had all gone bad.
Penelope hadn’t wanted to live in Brownwood. She’d wanted Austin. Or Houston.
He’d put his foot down.
That had been his mistake, but he’d tried to make up for it. He’d worked his fingers to the bone, had created three companies, had amassed enough wealth to give her whatever she wanted.
Whatever she wanted, though, was never enough.
He hadn’t known that the strawberry-blonde curls, the sparkling hazel eyes, the sweet smile had hidden a selfish, manipulative viper.
After ten years of trying, he’d given up. He’d fallen out of love, which made having a marriage impossible. Not that Penelope had cared or noticed. She’d thrown all her efforts, time, love, and care into their son, Anson.
Who was now in prison. For murder.
As it always did, the memory of his child being arrested, tried, sentenced, and taken away made his heart crack. It was a wonder the organ still worked.
He thought about his life, catalogued his mistakes and regrets. Hanging his head, he slipped his hands into his pockets, pushing his gray suitcoat back.
There was only one bright spot in his world.
Libby Truman.
Blonde-headed, blue-eyed, petite.
Generous. Hard-working. Highly intelligent.
Fiercely independent.
They’d operated side-by-side over the years, both helping with various social functions. He’d sat on the Town Council multiple times, and she’d been the leader of many events that had needed the council’s approval. They also attended the same church, where she was very active, and had consistently inspired him to be the best he could be.
She was the epitome of womanhood.
And yet, she’d never married. He didn’t even know if she’d ever been courted.
The man who might turn her head would be the best of men.
And he was not.
Yes, he was a good businessman, and he had reasons to believe he was a good boss and a good Christian. But he’d failed as a husband and father, the two most important roles.
He lifted his head and gazed once again at the setting sun.
And thought of her.
Libby.
He loved her.
Brannon Welch loved Libby Truman.
He would hold the truth inside, though. He would never act on his feelings.
He had a wife. She’d deserted him, had moved back to Dallas, but he had one.
And Libby had principles. She never went back on them.
He smiled softly.
My God, how I love her.
He loved her.
He had to stop lying to himself, stop pretending.
He loved her.
Libby Truman.
Libby Mae Truman.
At the thought of her name, his heart swelled to almost bursting.
He allowed her angelic form to materialize in his mind’s eye, and his pulse began to race.
Letting out a slow breath, he rose from the chair behind his desk. He drifted closer to the second-story windows of his office and looked out at the sunset.
The red was blending into orange. West Texas had its beauty, and it never failed to amaze him. The rawness of the land, the untamed nature, had appealed to his soul, and despite what his wife had wanted, he’d settled here to build his legacy.
And that’s when it had all gone bad.
Penelope hadn’t wanted to live in Brownwood. She’d wanted Austin. Or Houston.
He’d put his foot down.
That had been his mistake, but he’d tried to make up for it. He’d worked his fingers to the bone, had created three companies, had amassed enough wealth to give her whatever she wanted.
Whatever she wanted, though, was never enough.
He hadn’t known that the strawberry-blonde curls, the sparkling hazel eyes, the sweet smile had hidden a selfish, manipulative viper.
After ten years of trying, he’d given up. He’d fallen out of love, which made having a marriage impossible. Not that Penelope had cared or noticed. She’d thrown all her efforts, time, love, and care into their son, Anson.
Who was now in prison. For murder.
As it always did, the memory of his child being arrested, tried, sentenced, and taken away made his heart crack. It was a wonder the organ still worked.
He thought about his life, catalogued his mistakes and regrets. Hanging his head, he slipped his hands into his pockets, pushing his gray suitcoat back.
There was only one bright spot in his world.
Libby Truman.
Blonde-headed, blue-eyed, petite.
Generous. Hard-working. Highly intelligent.
Fiercely independent.
They’d operated side-by-side over the years, both helping with various social functions. He’d sat on the Town Council multiple times, and she’d been the leader of many events that had needed the council’s approval. They also attended the same church, where she was very active, and had consistently inspired him to be the best he could be.
She was the epitome of womanhood.
And yet, she’d never married. He didn’t even know if she’d ever been courted.
The man who might turn her head would be the best of men.
And he was not.
Yes, he was a good businessman, and he had reasons to believe he was a good boss and a good Christian. But he’d failed as a husband and father, the two most important roles.
He lifted his head and gazed once again at the setting sun.
And thought of her.
Libby.
He loved her.
Brannon Welch loved Libby Truman.
He would hold the truth inside, though. He would never act on his feelings.
He had a wife. She’d deserted him, had moved back to Dallas, but he had one.
And Libby had principles. She never went back on them.
He smiled softly.
My God, how I love her.
REVIEWS FOR THE ROSE OF SHARON
"Set against the dusty charm of Brownwood, Texas in 1883, this western romance delivers a tender, mature love story wrapped in danger, longing, and second chances. Libby Truman, a woman who has rebuilt her life with dignity and restraint, becomes an unexpectedly compelling heroine as mysterious Rose of Sharon blossoms begin to stir feelings she thought she’d buried forever.
Brannon Welch is equally captivating—a respected businessman whose quiet devotion to Libby feels both forbidden and deeply human. His emotional journey, especially after his wife’s abandonment, gives the story a grounded, heartfelt tension. Their connection grows with a slow-burn sweetness that feels earned, not rushed.
Just when romance begins to bloom, the novel pivots into high-stakes suspense. The threat that rises against Libby injects urgency and grit into the narrative, pushing Brannon into the role of protector in a way that feels both classic and emotionally resonant. The blend of romance and frontier danger keeps the pages turning.
Overall, this story shines because it centers on characters who have lived, lost, and learned—and who dare to reach for love anyway. It’s a warm, mature western romance with just enough peril to keep your heart thumping."
-- Amazon Reviewer
Brannon Welch is equally captivating—a respected businessman whose quiet devotion to Libby feels both forbidden and deeply human. His emotional journey, especially after his wife’s abandonment, gives the story a grounded, heartfelt tension. Their connection grows with a slow-burn sweetness that feels earned, not rushed.
Just when romance begins to bloom, the novel pivots into high-stakes suspense. The threat that rises against Libby injects urgency and grit into the narrative, pushing Brannon into the role of protector in a way that feels both classic and emotionally resonant. The blend of romance and frontier danger keeps the pages turning.
Overall, this story shines because it centers on characters who have lived, lost, and learned—and who dare to reach for love anyway. It’s a warm, mature western romance with just enough peril to keep your heart thumping."
-- Amazon Reviewer
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