Reviewed by Shirley
Being an indentured servant is no
picnic for the servant, but by being one, freedom can be gained. In
Maebry O'Riley's case, the terms of service were doubled. Seeking a
life for herself and her sister away from her cruel, lecherous
stepfather, she agreed to serve the time for both of them, fourteen
years, to Maureen McPhee, owner of the Rocking M Ranch in Bluebell,
Montana Territory. A crueler, more strict, ungrateful taskmaster
could not have possibly been found. But Maebry had her dreams. Only
she would never act on them. The debt to be paid to give her the
freedom to have them was too great. So she dreamed.
Love blooms under these most impossible
odds. With a future uncertain once Maureen McPhee, the owner of her
indentured contract dies, Maebry tries to keep the walls around her
heart tall and unscaled. Wanting to discourage unwanted attentions
from Lawrence Latimer, Maebry asks Gil Blackburn, the new ranch hand,
to pretend to be her beau. Secretly she wishes it was true, but from
a simple crush true love really does begin to blossom. Only the
remaining years on her contract is a mountain neither of them can
move. Gil wants to buy it from Maureen, but she refuses to sell,
wanting Maebry as unhappy as she is. Maebry refuses to start a life
with Gil under the same tremendous debt that wrecked her parents'
lives. Through it all, true love continues to flourish. Could their
love prevail? Would Maureen's heirs release her or would they simply
move her away from the ranch? Or was her future to be a lonely,
heartbroken spinster?
I loved this sweet, romantic story.
Well developed characters weaved a gentle love story through a well
executed plot. From the first page to the last, I was totally
engrossed in every page. As I turned each page, I felt as if I was
there in their romance, uncertainly, and sacrifice. I empathized and
sympathized with their plight as they struggled to grow their love
and resign themselves to a distant future happily ever after. The
scenery was vividly written and the dialogue was engrossing.
I would recommend to all romance
readers who want a good, clean romantic story faced with seemingly
insurmountable odds. This prequel to The McPhee Clan series was very
well written.
5/5 stars Could love conquer all
their demons?
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