"Fabulous historical featuring Canadian Mounties"

With her parents deceased and her brother missing, Sarah O'Neill has no one to call family. So, when an mail order bride ad appears in her paper she answers. After several letters she finds that she has been chosen as a mail order bride by John Calloway. He is a commissioned police officer and Chief Sugeon of the North West Mounted Police. The fact that John lived in Calgary attracted her to his ad. It was rumored her brother had last been seen in that area.

Returning to his officer's quarters, John is shocked find a woman in his bedroom and even more stunned to find that she is his mail order bride! He wasn't even in the market for marriage and he has strong feelings about what type of woman would answer this type of ad. After talking with Sarah he suspects that his men are behind this fiasco and when he confronts them he finds this to be true. They wanted to see him happy and not alone anymore so they took it upon themselves to pose as John in the the letters.

John's problem now was what to do about Sarah as he certainly wasn't going to marry her. He offered to send her back but since she had nothing to go back to, she refused. Secretly, she had hoped to find her brother but didn't want to tell John because Keenan had been in trouble with the law and she was afraid of what she would find.

Sarah settles in a boarding house and has a situation where she is caught in a compromising position with John. Of course, it isn't what it looks like but it damages her reputation, none the less. John is a man with a deep sense of duty and obligation and Sarah knew that but, she couldn't deny their attaction and hoped that their companionship would eventually turn into love.

As they settle into their fragile married life it isn't quite liked what they had hoped. Aside from the physical attaction there is no talk of love and Sarah still harbors her secret of finding Keenan. Threats of a gang, miscommunication and other issues suface that will challege their feelings. Both strong individuals, they will have to make choices that will bring to light the depth of their feelings.

The characters were very well defined and combined with a heartwarming love story. I enjoyed THE SURGEON very much.The story flows so well and captures you from the start. I am pleased to find that this is Kate Bridges' first of several stories centering around the Canadian Mounted Police. Ms. Bridges is always a pleasure to read.

Reviewed by Tami Sutton
Posted November 11, 2003