"Emotional story, appealling characters in an interesting locale"

Madeline Oxley's birth 22 years ago caused her mother's death. It's a fact her father has never let her forget. After years of watching her beautiful sister, Diana, receive her father's attention and love, she contends with his antipathy. Without warning, a small miracle occurs in Madeline's life. A surprise proposal written to her father from Diana's former suitor, Adam Coates, appears. Madeline became enchanted with Adam when she was a young girl. Finally, she has an escape.

Fifteen years ago, Adam, an English tenant, lost his dreams when his love, Diana, rejected his proposal and married a nobleman. Determined to better his life, Adam marries and immigrates to Nova Scotia, where he becomes a successful farmer. But Adam's circumstances have dramatically changed as he's now a widower and landowner. Upon hearing that Diana is widowed, he sends a letter to her father requesting marriage. His offer is accepted and his fantasy is finally coming true.

At the discovery of her father's cruel manipulation, Madeline again finds herself as the unwanted intruder. Angry and bitter, Adam lashes out at her. Once again, his dreams have been thwarted. Madeline and Adam slowly develop a friendship that starts to intensify. Fate, however, is not kind as the beautiful Diana arrives, ready to wed Adam. Havoc ensues.

This story delivers on all fronts with an interesting locale, appealing characters and intense emotions. Readers will love it.

Reviewed by Suan Wilson
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted March 15, 2003

A wealthy colonial landowner writes home to propose to the sweetheart of his youth, but a mix-up brings her younger sister instead. While they wait for the "right" sister to arrive, they must search deep for the will to resist what quickly becomes a forbidden passion.

Summary

Readers will be swept away to the British Colony of Nova Scotia in 1775, and caught up in the turbulent story of Adam Coates, a wealthy landowner who writes home to England to propose to the sweetheart of his youth. A mix-up brings her younger sister instead -- a child he barely remembers, a child who has blossomed beautifully into womanhood. While they wait for the "right" sister to arrive, they must both search deep for the will to resist what quickly becomes a forbidden passion.