Janet Quinn has penned an excellent love story. It’s filled with humor and great details of Wyoming small town and ranch life in the nineteenth century. The characters seem to be lovingly built with the kind of strength that helps them survive. Sarah’s great grandparents, Rachel and Henry are quite a couple. Joshua is a man of the times, shaken by Sarah’s unusual ways, language and lack of skills in all the things women of the day were raised to do. No matter how much she shocks him, he comes back for more. Tom and Cookie who work on the ranch add flavor and humor to the tale in their own way. Mrs. Westall, Rachel’s best friend, is multi-talented and adds much to the story. The villains are nasty and seem to keep coming back to harass Sarah, no matter what.

There’s great dialogue involved in telling this tale. The verbal battles between Joshua and Sarah are priceless. Henry starts out as an ornery man but marriage seems to agree with him! The scenarios when Sarah is talking to the stained glass window with Christ’s image on it can be funny, sad, strengthening depending on the outcome and reasons for her visits to the church.

I enjoy the way this story and the characters evolve. It moves quickly and keeps my interest throughout with a lot of action. The love story seems to wax and wane as the two fight their attraction. But, like all the best books, the author keeps us guessing. We’re never quite sure what Joshua and Sarah will do but trust Janet Quinn to make sure it works out for the best.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Dee Dailey
June 26, 2008