"Fine Americana historical romance"

After losing a leg during the Civil War, Caleb Connors heads west. In the Wyoming Territory he breaks his remaining limb. With a chicken pox epidemic devastating the area, only Amanda Myers is available to nurse Caleb back to health, which she does.

However, the nurse falls in love with her patient, but assumes Caleb could never reciprocate those feelings with a fallen woman like she is as she was forced to live in a brothel and while there became addicted to opium. Caleb actually loves his angel of mercy. He helps her fight her addiction, but though he confesses his love she rejects him for his sake until she sees the portrait he painted of her.

The latest "Wind" Americana historical romance (see WIND OF THE WOLF and WINDFALL) provides a deep entertaining look at Wyoming during the end of the Civil war and beginning of the Reconstruction Era. However, unlike the previous tales the violence that existed is ignored as if Lynch Ranch is an oasis that avoids the dangerous marauding and outlawry that plagued the Territory. Still the lead couple is a delightful pairing of two likable individuals mentally devastated by the war and in the case of Caleb physically too. The Cindy Holby nineteenth century sagas are fabulous tales worth chasing after as they are pleasant and vibrant reads.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted July 13, 2005