"enchanting debut"

A very sweet and gentle read that will enchant the reader.

Elizabeth Edwards is an old-fashioned lass. When her fiancé is off to join the RAF, he gives her the old timeworn give-yourself-to-me-so-I-carry-the-memory-with-me routine. Despite her emotions, Elizabeth holds true to her convictions and refuses. Later, she learns she has a wee bit more moral fiber than her fiancé. Though she didn't sleep with him, another did. To complicate matters, that woman now carries his child. Being a lass of principal she cannot kill him, so she cuts connections with the jerk, only the heel won't leave her alone and keeps trying to see her. During this period, she begins a correspondence with a gentleman, Graham Ballard, from the states, in search for a mail order bride. She is intrigued by the man's thoughts, his way of expressing himself, so she travels - runs - to Nebraska to find him, hoping he will let her stay.

Ballard doesn't believe in love anymore, and with good reason. His first wife ran off, leaving Graham to find out the only thing she wanted was his money. It hardens him. Ballard doesn't mind so much at this point, good riddance to bad baggage, as they say, only he is left alone to raise his two children. He knows he needs a mother for them, but he is not so thrilled at the wife part, already having been hurt.

Elizabeth's unexpected arrival at his farm upsets his quite life. Soon she is fitting into Ballard's life and his children's, but he fears she will run from him just as his wife did.

However, trouble is brewing in paradise when Elizabeth learns her ex-fiancé has actually stooped to hiring someone to kidnap her and drag her back to England.

Christa Fairchild gives a very moving story of betrayal, hurt, hope and how people reach beyond their pain to find a life worth fighting for. A wonderful debut book from an author with great promise.

Reviewed by DeborahAnne MacGillivray
Posted July 2, 2006