Esther — Jo Grafford

A handsome fugitive, a fake marriage, and an unexpected attraction...Esther Carmichael's crippled father has always promised she is destined for greater things, though all she's ever known is poverty. When a pastor friend hires them to help organize a big church celebration in Mountain Springs, Idaho, she jumps at the chance to see a bit of the world, never dreaming how much danger they'll face along the way.Finn Wilder is forced to leave behind his wealth and family legacy to go on the run for a crime he didn't commit. The only thing standing between him and arrest is a lovely newcomer to his remote mountain community - one who agrees (at their pastor's shocking request) to pose as his wife and vouch for his innocence.As Esther and Finn work to clear his name, a spark of attraction adds a whole new layer of complication to their lives.ONCE UPON A CHURCH HOUSE is a sweet and inspirational historical western romance series with a dash of magic and time travel.Pastor Zach Shepherd feels called to plant a church in rural Mountain Springs, Idaho, a place his friends warn him is unredeemable. However, he's a firm believer in miracles and scoffs at their dire predictions of his pending failure. He quickly sizes up the renegade collection of mostly male town folk and determines what they need (in addition to salvation) is a woman's touch to straighten them out. Throwing on his matchmaker hat, he prays God will send a few saved and sanctified women his way to get the first marriages rolling. He specifically prays for the kind of women legends are made of - from the Bible days - never dreaming how swiftly or how thoroughly his prayers would be answered!