LEFT AT THE ALTAR

When Meg Lockwood’s fiancé abandons her at the altar, he dashes her hopes for healing the family feud that split their Old West town—and things become even more complicated when her father sues the groom, bringing a handsome East Coast lawyer into her life.

The Farrells and the Lockwoods have issues, which means the town of Two-Time, Texas, has issues, since Mr. Farrell and Mr. Lockwood are the local jewelers, and their animosity means the town is divided into two time zones—Lockwood time and Farrell time. No one knows why the two men detest each other, but it’s had a divisive and confusing effect on their neighbors. Lockwood’s middle daughter has agreed to marry Farrell’s son, her lifelong friend, under the condition that the two men bury the hatchet, but when Tommy balks at the last minute, Meg’s father sues him for breach of promise. She doesn’t approve of the lawsuit, but her father won’t drop it, and most of the town's condemnation comes down on her rather than on him. Even more problematic, the lawyer who takes Tommy’s case is Grant Garrison, the compelling East Coast attorney who’s recently moved to town. Despite being adversaries, Meg and Grant often find themselves thrown together and realize they share both values and an attraction. However, as the lawsuit progresses and the town becomes increasingly hostile, Meg begins to question Grant’s intentions, until a tragic event forces everyone to re-evaluate their beliefs and attitudes. This chaste (kisses only) historical romance has a unique hook, a quirky Old West town chock full of interesting characters, and some unexpected twists that make the story refreshingly original.

A sweet, touching love story that revisits a fascinating and overlooked aspect of history: the confounding way time was kept and how it could cause more problems than it solved.