| Abby McKee and Ethan O’Conner were children, surviving immigrants from Ireland, when he realized he could not keep her safe. He drugged her and put her on the orphan train going west. He thought that she would have a family to love and care for her. He was wrong. They spent the next many years looking for each other for totally different reasons.
Abby learned from her time with Ethan that she could never trust a man and she never did until she met John Cable. She had suffered greatly after her train trip. John had learned that he could not be hired for any decent job if he used his Irish name, O’Conner. They were both sure they would recognize each other when, or if, they ever crossed paths again. Ms. Kim Leady has used her expertise to introduce a plot which was mesmerizing. I totally fell under the spell of her plot and her extensive exploration of their personalities. Seldom have I experienced a group of supporting characters that were so interesting and helped explain the storyline as well as did these. And Abby and Ethan/John were so believable and so attention-grabbing. I fell in love with Abby and hurt with her the way she was portrayed. It was almost as if I, personally, were experiencing her traumatic events. And I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t fall in love with Ethan. From the beginning, when her characters were 10 and 14, Ms. Leady presented us with situations which were poignant and compelling. They both moved around so much and were introduced to so many different circumstances and people that it was never dull. It was not, however, too many people or places to keep up with. Each location and setting just added to the overall enjoyment of the book. I really was honored to review this book and expect it to be a big hit. This book should appeal to every historical reader as well as anyone who enjoys fast-paced settings. I highly recommend this book and believe you will definitely be glad to have read it. I know I am.
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Reviewer: Brenda Talley |