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Laura Hamilton pampered and spoiled daughter of wealthy banker Leland Hamilton finds the trip of a lifetime holds more than just seeing the country, it holds the romance she never thought would come to her.
Set in the West in the late 1880s Laura Hamilton embarks on a trip to paint her landscapes and enjoy the scenery. As she boards the train in Wyoming she notices a tall handsome stranger standing on the platform. The assured smile he gives her makes her blush yet she dares not to smile back. With her ever present chaperone she is escorted into the car and the train proceeds to the next stop.
Sam Duncan also noticed the lovely woman and also knew she was on her way to the Silver Spur ranch the destination that Sam was heading. Though he was a hired gun Sam 's reason for going there were not to hire out his gun. He was out to find out what happened to his friend who was last heard of from there. He decides to stay close to Ms. Hamilton and pose as another bodyguard hired by her father in hopes that he at least could get into the ranch and look for his friend. But even the best plans do have it's draw backs.
Laura seemed to have other ideas and she begins to think more and more of the handsome man and finds every excuse to be with him. Sam also finds it hard to keep the pretense up as he begins to feel the charms and passions of the young woman. When he tells her of what his plan is she agrees to help him and together they set out for the Silver Spur without the entire entourage. What they find and what happens is what makes the story a romance. Two, strong willed individuals can find that passion and love are indeed part of the romance of the West and the readers will see it in this story.
I for one was captured by the character of Laura and found her a woman before her time yet seemed to fir her ideals and convictions in the late 1800s. Sam Duncan starts out as your basic gun for hire yet he too surprises me as I read on.
I found it an excellent book and understand why she has won the RWA Golden Heart Award.
Reviewed by Louise Riveiro - Mitchell
for The Road to Romance
November 20, 2004 |
