Catching Betsy — Amelia Smarts

Eighteen-year-old Betsy Blake yearns for love and romance, but the unattached men of Virginia City are all ill-mannered ranch hands without the gentlemanly qualities she desires. When her friend Susannah finds a husband by writing a mail-order groom advertisement in the paper, Betsy decides to pen her own ad specifying her wish for a well-dressed, mannerly husband from the east, and she excitedly awaits a response from the man of her dreams. Roderick Mason's reputation as an architect in NYC has earned him great success, but he hasn't been as lucky in love. The women of his circle are perfectly lovely, observing every etiquette with practice and ease, but he longs for adventure and a woman who will challenge him. When he reads an ad in the paper requesting a gentleman groom, he decides it's time to abandon life as he knows it and head to the wild west. Roderick and Betsy are immediately smitten, but they soon discover that not everyone in Virginia City is pleased by their match, especially one man who wants Betsy as his own. As Betsy's stalker becomes increasingly threatening, Roderick realizes he will go to great lengths to protect his sweet little country girl, including taking her over his knee for some painful discipline when she misbehaves or puts herself in danger. Will Betsy learn to face her problems and accept Roderick's love and discipline, or will he never succeed at what he desires most-protecting and catching Betsy? Warning: Catching Betsy is a historical western romance containing sexual scenes and domestic discipline, including punishment spanking. If these themes offend you, please don't buy this book.