Showing results by author "Michael Emmert" in All Categories

In 1947, Ray Petriani flees Texas in the middle of the night with a wife and young family. Desperate for work, he takes a job in California and is sent to inland China on a business venture. A gift exchange with the local potentate provides him with two things he doesn’t want, things he cannot reject, and things he is forced to protect. Those gifts change his life. Through his research of the first item, a gilded antique music box said to have belonged to a Chinese Emperor, only uncovers additional shrouded historical doubts which raise further problems as to its real intent.

Philip York had a perfect life until his wife Judith's death shattered his world. Memories of her imprint every corner of the ranch, making it almost impossible to get through each day. His love of ranching has faded and his rodeo competition has halted. His daughter Beth plots to heal his broken heart by setting him up with a mystery woman at a New Year's Eve party. Her plans go awry and, Phil must make a choice.

Woodrow (Woody) Hancock's uncle offers him two wagers. First, he could make Woody find a wife sooner than he wants, and second, Woody would build the home for unwed pregnant girls they've both dreamed about, and both would happen by the end of next year. But Woody declines the outrageous wagers because he's not ready to get married, nor does he have the funds to build the home. When his uncle dies just after the new year, Woody inherits his uncle's beautiful farm.