Romancing the West — Beth Ciotta

Emily McBride is in a pickle. The preacher's daughter secretly writes scandalous romantic adventures. Unfortunately, someone's threatening to expose her double life. Her small town friends and the man of her dreams will never speak to her again. Worse, she's growing fond of her new friend, a literary poet, who would surely be horrified by her novels.

When the Peacemaker Alliance recruits lawman Seth Wright, he's ready and willing to kick desperado butt for the government agency. His enthusiasm wanes when his first assignment takes him to California to propose marriage to Miss Emily McBride on behalf of his boss, and deliver her back to Arizona Territory. He's a lawman, not a courier. Worse, the woman mistakes him for a dandified poet! Before he sets her straight, she confesses she's mixed up in something tawdry. Wanting to thwart her blackmailer, Seth assumes the fancy pants identity to room in her house without compromising her reputation. His good intentions take a monumental twist when he develops genuine feelings for the passionate book lover. She's not what she seems. More jolting, neither is he.