Wyoming Wild by Sarah M. Eden

 

Wyoming Wild

This story is a Proper Romance, by one of my favorite authors!

Let’s begin with the summary:

Wyoming Territory, 1876

Hearts collide when a sheriff’s daughter asks a hardened US Marshal to join her fight for justice and rid a small town of her corrupt father.

US Marshal John “Hawk” Hawking is one of the most respected lawmen in the West—a fair but firm man of principle and decisive action—so when a telegram arrives from the small town of Sand Creek warning him of a death threat against him, he immediately begins an investigation.

Posing as a farmer, Hawk heads to Sand Creek, a town ruled by a violent and corrupt sheriff who uses his position to menace, exploit, and tax the townspeople to the point of starvation. Only one person is trying to stop him—Liesl, the sheriff’s own daughter. When she meets the self-assured and attractive new farmer, John, she hopes he might help her in her long and lonely fight for justice.

John is completely unfazed by Sheriff Hodges’s attempts at intimidation, and Liesl is quickly swept up by Hawk’s courage and integrity. Just as quickly, Hawk finds himself falling for Liesl’s strength and bravery, as well as her grace and beauty.

When Liesl discovers that John is not who he claims to be, she feels betrayed. Despite her lingering distrust of Hawk, Liesl agrees to work with him to enact a dangerous plan that will put the criminals away forever. Liesl must put her life, and her heart, in the hands of this lawman if she has any hope of saving her family and her town.

And now, my review:

Oh, I loved this story! Such a fun rom com. A perfect balance of humor, romance, and peril.

Our heroine is strong and courageous and wise. Our hero is a great strategist who risks his life to help others.

The story’s opening chapters begin with the hero going under cover. His characterization of John Butler (a farmer, see summary) is so much fun. This was my favorite aspect in the novel because he couldn’t remain in this character. Great tension! I enjoyed how the heroine and hero interacted while he played John. How he had to pretend to be naïve and yet he knew so much more than others thought—a mirror to how the heroine conducted every day of her life. Their chemistry was palpable.

Our heroine is a woman of mercy, reaching out to help others in danger, even though the threat is very close to home. She can be impetuous, and though the hero worries for her, he admires her as well.

I really enjoyed their interactions in these opening chapters—their banter and attraction. The author hooks us right away and keeps us engaged. Themes include mercy, nobility, sacrifice, service, and recognizing we all have different sides to ourselves. Which one will prevail?

The MCs have to outwit their opponent, and the conflict of the corrupt sheriff being the heroine’s own father (see summary) is excellent for providing tension.

Is the hero the gentle, undercover version of himself, John? Or is he the colder version of himself, Marshal Hawk. This inner conflict kept me reading because even Hawk was torn. Great characterization and layering!

Such a good read! This author is masterful at creating excellent wholesome romances, which is why I love her work.

Highly recommended!

Miss Wilton’s Waltz by Josi S. Kilpack

Miss Wilton's Waltz by Josi S. Kilpack

Sequel to The Vicar’s Daughter

I enjoyed the book preceding this one, so it was a pleasure to find its sequel. 

Let’s begin with the summary:

Lenora Wilton has spent her life hiding behind the keys of her beloved pianoforte and the vibrancy of her younger sister, Cassie. But Lenora is ready for a change and travels to Bath to live with her Aunt Gwen and teach music at an all-girls boarding school. She is different in Bath more comfortable with herself and enjoys the freedom and independence of her new life there.

When Lenora meets Aiden Asher, she finds herself attracted to him, but her unexpected feelings become more complicated when she learns that Catherine Lenora s newest and most troublesome student in the school is Mr. Asher's niece. Catherine is a difficult student, and Lenora works hard to make progress with the girl.

When the chemistry between Lenora and Aiden increases, they share a passionate kiss by the River Avon, and Lenora feels it is the beginning of a new forever until she learns that Aiden has withheld an important detail about his life that changes everything.

Lenora closes her heart to him, and Aiden, caught between his obligation and his heart, must do what he can to make amends. And Lenora, after years of hiding from everyone and everything, faces a decision only she can make.

And now, my review:

Our heroine suffers from anxiety, especially in social situations. Unfortunately, during her time, there is little known about how to treat her symptoms. She has found that if she finds three things to see, two things to touch, and one thing to smell she can ground herself in the moment and overcome her anxiety.  

This author is a master storyteller. The romance thread really worked here, keeping me reading. She threw in unexpected elements, which also kept me hooked. 

I enjoyed the time setting and seeing this character find her way after the personal losses she suffered in book one. 

Though these two books may be able to stand alone, I suggest reading The Vicar’s Daughter first. (See my review of The Vicar's Daughter here.)

I recommend this book!