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Polly's Unlikely Hero
If only this unlikely duo can cast off the shackles of their past, they might achieve their happily ever after.
Ex-army officer, Declan Ellis, lives a reclusive existence after a woman ruined his life.
Polly Jackson is banished from a wagon train for helping a dying woman.
Having shunned women for years, Declan is not happy when Polly arrives at his ranch to deliver some tragic news.
Desperate to not be left an old maid, Polly wants to find herself a husband and have a family.
Declan has plenty of love to bestow upon any children he might have, but needs a woman to provide them for him.
A marriage between Declan and Polly would solve both their problems. Are they prepared to take the risk?
Ex-army officer, Declan Ellis, lives a reclusive existence after a woman ruined his life.
Polly Jackson is banished from a wagon train for helping a dying woman.
Having shunned women for years, Declan is not happy when Polly arrives at his ranch to deliver some tragic news.
Desperate to not be left an old maid, Polly wants to find herself a husband and have a family.
Declan has plenty of love to bestow upon any children he might have, but needs a woman to provide them for him.
A marriage between Declan and Polly would solve both their problems. Are they prepared to take the risk?
104 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2025
29 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
About the author
Margaret Tanner
226 books88 followersMargaret Tanner is an award winning, best selling author.
As well as writing historical novels set in frontier Australia she has discovered a love for writing Western Romance.
Her novella, Edwina of Connecticut is one of the 50 novels in the American Mail Order Bride series. Christmas Cowboy is in the Western Christmas Anthology, Silver Belles And Stetsons.
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She has had numerous short stories published over the years, but writing Historical romance novels is her passion.
Her favourite historical period is the 1st World War. Not only has she painstakingly researched this era, but was fortunate enough to make a poignant pilgrimage to the battlefields of Gallipoli (in Turkey), France and Belgium.
She is married with three grown up sons, and two gorgeous grand-daughters. Margaret lives in Australia. She has recently retired from work, and hopes to concentrate on her writing.
As well as writing historical novels set in frontier Australia she has discovered a love for writing Western Romance.
Her novella, Edwina of Connecticut is one of the 50 novels in the American Mail Order Bride series. Christmas Cowboy is in the Western Christmas Anthology, Silver Belles And Stetsons.
.
She has had numerous short stories published over the years, but writing Historical romance novels is her passion.
Her favourite historical period is the 1st World War. Not only has she painstakingly researched this era, but was fortunate enough to make a poignant pilgrimage to the battlefields of Gallipoli (in Turkey), France and Belgium.
She is married with three grown up sons, and two gorgeous grand-daughters. Margaret lives in Australia. She has recently retired from work, and hopes to concentrate on her writing.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 22, 2025
LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY
“A Western Series about ordinary men who do extraordinary deeds to win the hand of the women they love. Each of these stories is standalone.”
The story begins in 1870 after the wagon train led by Mr. and Mrs. Christy left Santa Fe, New Mexico, and headed to Denver, Colorado. The Christys have allowed Polly Jackson to join them, working for a small wage and helping with the necessary duties. She needed to leave Santa Fe after her last employer’s son had tried to accost her several times and had ruined her reputation.
Former Military Officer, Declan Ellis, is a bitter man after his wife, Olivia, caused such a scandal, sleeping with other men, and then stealing money. His life had been his military career, and she had tarnished it beyond repair. They move to his ranch, where she runs off with a rancher from Texas. It has taken him years to pay off a loan he had to acquire because of Olivia. He is a bitter shell of a man who never wants another thing to do with women as long as he lives.
The story’s plot will have the Christy wagon train come upon an area where there is a lone wagon. Polly is instructed by Mrs. Christy to go investigate, and when she tells them there is a sick woman inside the wagon, they refuse to allow her to return to the wagon train—abandoning her and the woman inside the wagon. Polly will spend days tending to the woman who treats her as if she were a servant. She learns about the woman, Olivia, and that she is heading to where her husband lives in Colorado. Despite the care given, Olivia succumbs to her illness, and Polly must bury her, then drive to Colorado to deliver the family Bible to the rightful heir.
What happens when Polly arrives and is told to leave? Will she be allowed a short rest for herself and the horses? How will two people who both have been treated so poorly be able to move forward in the world? Both had hoped to someday have children, and at twenty-five, Polly had never had a relationship, much less the prospects of a husband and children. Will Declan and Polly be the answer to their future? In all fairness, not all men or women are evil—there are so many good, honest people in the world—and fate may have brought them together.
“A Western Series about ordinary men who do extraordinary deeds to win the hand of the women they love. Each of these stories is standalone.”
The story begins in 1870 after the wagon train led by Mr. and Mrs. Christy left Santa Fe, New Mexico, and headed to Denver, Colorado. The Christys have allowed Polly Jackson to join them, working for a small wage and helping with the necessary duties. She needed to leave Santa Fe after her last employer’s son had tried to accost her several times and had ruined her reputation.
Former Military Officer, Declan Ellis, is a bitter man after his wife, Olivia, caused such a scandal, sleeping with other men, and then stealing money. His life had been his military career, and she had tarnished it beyond repair. They move to his ranch, where she runs off with a rancher from Texas. It has taken him years to pay off a loan he had to acquire because of Olivia. He is a bitter shell of a man who never wants another thing to do with women as long as he lives.
The story’s plot will have the Christy wagon train come upon an area where there is a lone wagon. Polly is instructed by Mrs. Christy to go investigate, and when she tells them there is a sick woman inside the wagon, they refuse to allow her to return to the wagon train—abandoning her and the woman inside the wagon. Polly will spend days tending to the woman who treats her as if she were a servant. She learns about the woman, Olivia, and that she is heading to where her husband lives in Colorado. Despite the care given, Olivia succumbs to her illness, and Polly must bury her, then drive to Colorado to deliver the family Bible to the rightful heir.
What happens when Polly arrives and is told to leave? Will she be allowed a short rest for herself and the horses? How will two people who both have been treated so poorly be able to move forward in the world? Both had hoped to someday have children, and at twenty-five, Polly had never had a relationship, much less the prospects of a husband and children. Will Declan and Polly be the answer to their future? In all fairness, not all men or women are evil—there are so many good, honest people in the world—and fate may have brought them together.
July 2, 2025
From a shaky beginning...
...a strong and powerful love emerges.
You cannot help but like Polly, she is exceedingly patient, warm, thoughtful and has a huge heart, a heart that frequently makes her life difficult as it trusts people it shouldn't.
Declan is more difficult, he is a shell of the man he was, he definitely has a broken spirit, but whilst he can be abrupt, he isn't actually cruel. He is however redeemable, deep down he doesn't want to be as bitter and wary as he is, he just doesn't know how to be anything else and still protect his shattered heart and spirit. And that is what draws you to him.
I really like Polly and Declan together, they both have trust issues, but they do feel a comfort with each other too. A comfort that fast becomes love and after a rocky start and a terrifyingly close call it's love they can no longer deny, a love they embrace. A sweet romance of redemption and second chances which I read on Kindle Unlimited.
...a strong and powerful love emerges.
You cannot help but like Polly, she is exceedingly patient, warm, thoughtful and has a huge heart, a heart that frequently makes her life difficult as it trusts people it shouldn't.
Declan is more difficult, he is a shell of the man he was, he definitely has a broken spirit, but whilst he can be abrupt, he isn't actually cruel. He is however redeemable, deep down he doesn't want to be as bitter and wary as he is, he just doesn't know how to be anything else and still protect his shattered heart and spirit. And that is what draws you to him.
I really like Polly and Declan together, they both have trust issues, but they do feel a comfort with each other too. A comfort that fast becomes love and after a rocky start and a terrifyingly close call it's love they can no longer deny, a love they embrace. A sweet romance of redemption and second chances which I read on Kindle Unlimited.
July 4, 2025
Lonely Hearts Find Love
Polly’s Unlikely Hero was a perfect story. Polly takes a job with a wagon train. She needs to get to Denver, to start a new life. On the way, she befriends a woman, but soon realizes she is sick and selfish at the same time. Making her way, up the mountain, she finally reaches her destination, Declan’s house. He was the husband of the selfish woman. Declan and Polly both realize that they are both lonely and together they could have the family they both want. Could love find its way into both of their lonely hearts. Wonderful story.
Polly’s Unlikely Hero was a perfect story. Polly takes a job with a wagon train. She needs to get to Denver, to start a new life. On the way, she befriends a woman, but soon realizes she is sick and selfish at the same time. Making her way, up the mountain, she finally reaches her destination, Declan’s house. He was the husband of the selfish woman. Declan and Polly both realize that they are both lonely and together they could have the family they both want. Could love find its way into both of their lonely hearts. Wonderful story.
January 10, 2026
Unlikely Heroes book 2
A very good book. I really enjoyed this story of Polly who was found wondering in the wilderness at the age of 4. She was found by a couple running a store for the natives. When they both passed she was hired by a wagon train to help with chores and driving the wagon. She was then left alone with a sick women Olivia, abandoned in a wagon alone, she helped the woman but the woman died. She went to Olivia,s husbands ranch, Declan was very reclusive. But, he allowed her to spend the night. Sometimes we find unlikely heroes when we need them most.
A very good book. I really enjoyed this story of Polly who was found wondering in the wilderness at the age of 4. She was found by a couple running a store for the natives. When they both passed she was hired by a wagon train to help with chores and driving the wagon. She was then left alone with a sick women Olivia, abandoned in a wagon alone, she helped the woman but the woman died. She went to Olivia,s husbands ranch, Declan was very reclusive. But, he allowed her to spend the night. Sometimes we find unlikely heroes when we need them most.
July 6, 2025
Lilly's Unlikely Hero (Unlikely Heroes Book 2)
Polly has been left behind by the wagon train she was in because she helped a sick woman. Polly makes a trip up the mountains to let the woman's husband know his wife is dead. Declan is a bitter man who wants nothing to do with women. The story that follows will keep you up late reading it. Margaret Tan always delivers a pave turning story.
Polly has been left behind by the wagon train she was in because she helped a sick woman. Polly makes a trip up the mountains to let the woman's husband know his wife is dead. Declan is a bitter man who wants nothing to do with women. The story that follows will keep you up late reading it. Margaret Tan always delivers a pave turning story.
July 2, 2025
I enjoyed the book! Polly was abandoned by a wagon train after she helped a dying woman. Declan was bitter about women after his wife left him and a staggering amount of debt. Polly brought news of his wife’s death and also returned a family heirloom his wife had stolen. This a clean wholesome book that is an easy read. I highly recommend reading this book!
July 3, 2025
Great story!
Declan had turned into a bitter, angry man who kept himself separate from others. His wife, Olivia, had shredded his heart with her many liaisons with other men.
Polly was an orphan with no siblings. She found herself caring for a selfish, but sickly Olivia, who was supposedly on her way back to Declan.
Sweet and lovely epilogue.
Declan had turned into a bitter, angry man who kept himself separate from others. His wife, Olivia, had shredded his heart with her many liaisons with other men.
Polly was an orphan with no siblings. She found herself caring for a selfish, but sickly Olivia, who was supposedly on her way back to Declan.
Sweet and lovely epilogue.
July 4, 2025
Unlikely Heroes (Book 2)
Polly was with a wagon train going to Denver, Colorado. On the journey they saw a wagon alone. Polly went to look in the wagon and found a sick woman inside. The wagon people refused to take the woman with them and left Polly behind. Here the story begins. Read more here. Enjoy the story I did!!!!!!❤️
Polly was with a wagon train going to Denver, Colorado. On the journey they saw a wagon alone. Polly went to look in the wagon and found a sick woman inside. The wagon people refused to take the woman with them and left Polly behind. Here the story begins. Read more here. Enjoy the story I did!!!!!!❤️
August 8, 2025
good read
Best one of her books I’ve brought so far. Move right along quickly or just enough mystery and love for my likes
Best one of her books I’ve brought so far. Move right along quickly or just enough mystery and love for my likes
August 18, 2025
Polly's Unlikely Hero (Unlikely Heroes Book 1)
Another wonderful book by one of my favorite authors. I enjoyed reading it all in one day, I couldn't put it down. Recommend. JudyE.
Another wonderful book by one of my favorite authors. I enjoyed reading it all in one day, I couldn't put it down. Recommend. JudyE.
March 31, 2026
great book
This was a great book and by a great author. I highly recommend this book and author. I can’t wait to read the next book by this wonderful author.
This was a great book and by a great author. I highly recommend this book and author. I can’t wait to read the next book by this wonderful author.
October 13, 2025
Another wonderful story by Margaret Tanner
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews