“In a small New York town in the early twentieth century, a beautiful carousel brings two people together as Harte begins her new “Hidden Falls” series with Painted Ponies, a sweet, charming historical romance.”

— John Charles, Booklist, October 2006

A Hidden Falls Romance

Her face forever changed by a tragic fire, Anne Moreland returns to her hometown of Hidden Falls, hoping to resume her old life. But nothing is the same. Her brother is gone; his nemesis is back in town; and the man who meets her train is a stranger, a handsome stranger who carves the most incredible carousel horses. He’s a man who loves beauty and adventure—absolutely the wrong man for a scarred woman who is building a new life for herself in Hidden Falls. No matter how wonderful he is, it would be foolish to dream of a future with Rob.

Rob Ludlow will never settle down, at least not until he’s resolved the mystery from his past. And when he does settle down, no matter how much he might wish otherwise, it will not be with a woman like Anne. She deserves far better than an itinerant craftsman. She deserves a man who can give her all the luxuries she had before the fire. Yet it hurts him deeply to see her being courted by the wealthiest man in town.

Anne and Rob reconcile themselves to the fact that they will only be friends, nothing more. But sometimes Fate has other ideas and love blossoms in the most unexpected places.

A chance encounter with a merry-go-round horse in - of all places - a highway rest area led to Amanda Harte’s incurable case of carousel fever. She’s been planning stories about painted ponies and the people who love them ever since and is delighted to share the first of the Hidden Falls Romances with you.

Amanda is a charter member of Romance Writers of America, co-founder of its New Jersey chapter and an avid traveler. She married her high school sweetheart, who shares her love of travel and who’s driven thousands of miles to help her research her books. They’ve recently fulfilled a long-time dream and are now living in the American West, where they’re continuing to search for antique carousels.

Amanda loves hearing from readers and encourages you to visit her website at www.amandaharte.com.

Painted Ponies is Amanda’s eighth romance novel for AVALON.

Avalon Historical Romances by Amanda Harte:

The Hidden Falls Romance Series
THE GOLDEN THREAD
STARGAZER
DREAM WEAVER
THE BRASS RING
PAINTED PONIES

The War Brides Trilogy
LAUGHING AT THE THUNDER
WHISTLING IN THE DARK
DANCING IN THE RAIN

Avalon Romances by Amanda Harte:
Unwanted Legacies Romance Series
BLUEBONNET SPRING
STRINGS ATTACHED
IMPERFECT TOGETHER

MOONLIGHT MASQUERADE