When Plans Go Awry
Book 1 in the Best-laid Plans Series
Where to buy When Plans Go Awry
Description
Meet Olivia, Luke, the town of Washton, and its clever rooster, Bert, in Denise M. Colby’s debut novel, released June 4, 2024.
A guarded schoolmarm. A reluctant rancher. A love neither planned
Olivia Carmichael escapes her past to be the next schoolmarm in the small ranching community of Washton, California. Her plan? Live a quiet spinster life, alone, never to depend on anyone ever again.
Luke Taylor selected a mail-order bride, a necessity to help raise his two younger sisters, and the only way he knew to protect his heart. His plans don’t include being responsible for the beautiful new schoolmarm, who threatens his resolve between his need to stay away and his need to be near to make sure she stays safe.
Along the way, neither feel much in control of their circumstances. Olivia’s carefully laid-out plans are challenged at every turn. Luke’s mail-order bride is not what he expected.
Will Luke and Olivia learn to trust God’s plan for their lives?
With Little House on the Prairie and When Calls the Heart vibes, When Plans Go Awry is perfect for readers who enjoy reading Karen Witemeyer, Jody Hedlund, Mary Connealy, Amanda Cabot, Misty M. Beller, and Jen Turano.
- Guarded Hearts
- Forced Proximity
- Found Family
- Caretaking Hero
- Schoolmarm in a Frontier Town
- Rancher Hero
- Small-Town Romance
Praise for When Plans Go Awry
Denise M. Colby creates such warm personalities who draw you in and keep you invested in their stories. If you love Misty M. Beller and Mary Connealy, you need to be reading Denise M. Colby too!
—ReadingIsMySuperPower.org
This charming debut from Denise M. Colby about a young woman finding her bearings as a rural teacher in 1860’s California kept me smiling through the pages. I especially adored Bert the rooster. If you love sweet historical romances with When Calls the Heart vibes and tender threads of faith, this story is sure to put a smile on your face too.
—Becca Kinzer, author of Dear Henry, Love Edith and Love in Tandem
With a cast of characters sure to steal your heart (including a rooster who steals the show!), When Plans Go Awry beautifully touches that deep need within all of us to be loved and accepted. This deeply layered story also reveals a truth we often forget—that innate desire to trust when life has proven to be untrustworthy.
—Chautona Havig, USA Today bestselling author
Denise M. Colby’s debut novel When Plans Go Awry is delightful. Follow Olivia and Luke as they encounter both poignant and humorous challenges that test their best-laid plans. With its charming characters and captivating setting, you’ll find yourself hooked from page one.
—Kimberly Keagan, historical romance writer
Denise M. Colby has woven a wonderful story about two people who are determined not to fall in love. Denise hooks the reader with vivid descriptions of a growing frontier town, along with a realistic depiction of the life of a one-room schoolteacher. Her characters are both charming and frustrating, and she adds excitement as well as tension throughout the story. I look forward to reading more books from this budding author.
—Marie Wells Coutu, Award-winning author of the Mended Vessels series
Awards
Denise M. Colby’s books on Goodreads
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