"A good read"

In 1895 Kathleen "Kitty" MacKenzie knows it is time to leave her universe, her family's Triple M Ranch after two years of mourning the loss of her beloved husband Ted. Kitty travels to Dallas where she learns from a family member that Jared Fraser needs a governess for his twin daughters Jennifer and Rebecca as he recuperates from injuries sustained in India. Though not confident she can do the job as she lacks experience, Kitty sees it as a way to make money without imposing on anyone. Through her relatives, she obtains the position.

The twins initially try to run her off without success, but they reassess their agenda as they begin to love Kitty like a mother. She returns their feelings, but wonders why Jared remains so aloof towards his darling impish daughters. As Jared and Kitty also fall in love, she concludes that she must help him with his depression, the machinations of his ex-wife, and her belief that father and daughters need each other.

Kitty, Jared, and the siblings are wonderful characters whose interrelationships make for a powerful western romance. On the other hand, the ex-wife is too Machiavellian to be believable as a viable threat. Still, in her latest MACKENZIES: JARED, Ana Leigh provides an amusing yet serious western romantic relationship drama that fans of the series and the sub-genre will find delightful.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted February 26, 2002