"Fascinating romance with great character development."

Eleanor Miller is a captive in her own home, since the death of her husband, Devin. Certain that they're on the brink of striking it rich, and worried that the world will rush in and steal their wealth, Devin's family intends to keep Eleanor and her gold shares from leaving their private little town secreted away in the hills. From the men's awkward attempts at courting her, it's obvious that one of them intends to marry her in order to keep the so- called estate in the family. Eleanor is determined to escape and has tried on several occasions, but each time she's been caught and returned to the little cabin.

Nearly crazy with loneliness and her need to get away, it looks as if Eleanor's prayers have been answered. A man, half-beaten to death, literally falls into her arms. After taking him in and doing her best to nurse him back to health, she realizes he's just what she needs to see that her next attempt at escape is a success. With freedom finally within her grasp, Eleanor suddenly realizes that although she has little now, when she leaves she'll have even less and no prospects. Although she has saved this handsome stranger's life, she has no claim on him. She just wishes she did.

Jedediah Blackstone is on a mission to save his family's farm, a farm handed down to his brother at their father's death. The loan is being called by an unscrupulous neighbor in the hopes of gaining the property by default, but through a winning hand of cards, Jedediah has come into enough money to pay off the loan. All he has to do is get there in time and without the neighbor finding out that help is on the way. While staying away from the main roads, Jedediah innocently trespasses upon the property of the Millers. He is severely beaten, his horse and boots stolen, then left to die. Jedediah awakens in a small cabin, the home of a young woman who is dirt poor and nearly starving. Add to that, she not only talks to herself but answers herself as well. Is she crazy? It doesn't take him long to realize she's not and that he'll do everything he can to protect her, then free her. But if she's free, he may lose her - and he's not sure he could live with that.

A nice opening hook is the perfect launch into a good, solid read that's difficult to put down once started. There's great character development as the hero and heroine battle the odds, first separately, then with a common goal. Just when you're sure everything's going to work out, the author throws in a little twist at the end to keep readers guessing. Definitely a winner.

Reviewed by Margaret Ohmes
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted July 14, 2003