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The Front Range #2
Colorado Promise
Book 2 in the Front Range series – A Sweet Historical Western Romance
In this passionate sweet Western Historical Romance, author Charlene Whitman introduces Emma Bradshaw—a high-society young woman from New York, who is forced to move out to the untamed Front Range in Colorado and finds that true love can withstand all the dangers the West can throw at her.
Greeley, Colorado, in 1875 is a town built on a promise . . .
. . . but to Emma it is a desert prison in the middle of a hostile and dusty prairie. Emma had hoped to go to Vassar College, to pursue her dreams of becoming a botanical illustrator. But when her father, struck with “Western fever” moves the family out West, Emma’s dreams are shattered. Her only consolation is that her childhood friend, handsome Randall Turnbull, has moved to Greeley to work for his railroad baron father. Her heart sparked by his comforting presence, she hopes Randall will fall in love with her and marry her.
But promises often turn bitter . . .
. . . as Lucas Rawlings, veterinarian and horse lover, well knows. Lucas has lived on the Front Range for three years at Sarah Banks’s horse ranch, after stumbling down from the Rockies consumed with grief. Since losing his precious wife and baby in childbirth, he doesn’t think his heart can bear ever loving again. But Sarah, a half-Cheyenne with a medicine woman for a grandmother, has a vision showing it’s time Lucas married again. He scoffs until he rescues Emma in a sudden hailstorm and their lives become intricately entwined.
Emma must choose—and fight—for the man she loves, at the risk of all she loves . . .
Emma yearns for the comfort and familiarity of Randall’s company, but Lucas’s easy confidence and gentle ways snag her heart. Facing a new life beset by grasshoppers, drought, and blizzards is hard enough. But when murderous ranchers try to force Sarah off her land, and her brother takes up dangerous company, the lives of her family and the man she’s come to love are threatened. It will take a miracle—and the strength and promises of true love—to come through unscathed in this untamed land.
Colorado Promise is the first full-length novel in the Front Range series—-a rich story full of sweet, heartwarming, and chaste romance. Don't miss Colorado Hope; Wild Secret, Wild Longing; and Colorado Dream, the next stories in this historical western series!
*Best-selling romance author Marylu Tyndall says about this Historical Western
"A fresh new voice in Historical Romance, Charlene Whitman captured me from the beginning with characters I won't soon forget, a sizzling-sweet romance, a love triangle, spiteful villains, heart-throbbing heroes, and a plot full of intrigue that kept me guessing. Ms. Whitman's magnificent research transported me to the Colorado plains and left me longing to join the characters amid the wildflower-dotted fields, rushing rivers, and panoramic Rocky Mountains. Fans of Historical Western Romance will not soon forget Colorado Promise."
*Historical romance author Lillian Gafni says this about sweet Western Colorado
"Ms. Whitman’s writing on the page pleases the senses and the mind. Words roll on the tongue and fill the reader with wonders of the countryside and olden times of living wild on the frontier.
In this passionate sweet Western Historical Romance, author Charlene Whitman introduces Emma Bradshaw—a high-society young woman from New York, who is forced to move out to the untamed Front Range in Colorado and finds that true love can withstand all the dangers the West can throw at her.
Greeley, Colorado, in 1875 is a town built on a promise . . .
. . . but to Emma it is a desert prison in the middle of a hostile and dusty prairie. Emma had hoped to go to Vassar College, to pursue her dreams of becoming a botanical illustrator. But when her father, struck with “Western fever” moves the family out West, Emma’s dreams are shattered. Her only consolation is that her childhood friend, handsome Randall Turnbull, has moved to Greeley to work for his railroad baron father. Her heart sparked by his comforting presence, she hopes Randall will fall in love with her and marry her.
But promises often turn bitter . . .
. . . as Lucas Rawlings, veterinarian and horse lover, well knows. Lucas has lived on the Front Range for three years at Sarah Banks’s horse ranch, after stumbling down from the Rockies consumed with grief. Since losing his precious wife and baby in childbirth, he doesn’t think his heart can bear ever loving again. But Sarah, a half-Cheyenne with a medicine woman for a grandmother, has a vision showing it’s time Lucas married again. He scoffs until he rescues Emma in a sudden hailstorm and their lives become intricately entwined.
Emma must choose—and fight—for the man she loves, at the risk of all she loves . . .
Emma yearns for the comfort and familiarity of Randall’s company, but Lucas’s easy confidence and gentle ways snag her heart. Facing a new life beset by grasshoppers, drought, and blizzards is hard enough. But when murderous ranchers try to force Sarah off her land, and her brother takes up dangerous company, the lives of her family and the man she’s come to love are threatened. It will take a miracle—and the strength and promises of true love—to come through unscathed in this untamed land.
Colorado Promise is the first full-length novel in the Front Range series—-a rich story full of sweet, heartwarming, and chaste romance. Don't miss Colorado Hope; Wild Secret, Wild Longing; and Colorado Dream, the next stories in this historical western series!
*Best-selling romance author Marylu Tyndall says about this Historical Western
"A fresh new voice in Historical Romance, Charlene Whitman captured me from the beginning with characters I won't soon forget, a sizzling-sweet romance, a love triangle, spiteful villains, heart-throbbing heroes, and a plot full of intrigue that kept me guessing. Ms. Whitman's magnificent research transported me to the Colorado plains and left me longing to join the characters amid the wildflower-dotted fields, rushing rivers, and panoramic Rocky Mountains. Fans of Historical Western Romance will not soon forget Colorado Promise."
*Historical romance author Lillian Gafni says this about sweet Western Colorado
"Ms. Whitman’s writing on the page pleases the senses and the mind. Words roll on the tongue and fill the reader with wonders of the countryside and olden times of living wild on the frontier.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 25, 2013
76 people are currently reading
469 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 5, 2013
I didn’t know I could fall in love with Western Romance and so I did. Colorado Promise, a beautifully written story, is a breath of fresh air from the horrors, killing and violent novels we’ve been exposed to. That is why the minute I began reading Colorado Promise I felt a sense of peace descending on me as I read the first chapters. By then I was hooked on the characters, and the plot.
Emma Bradshaw is looking forward to leave home for Vassar College in New York, circa 1875. As a serious botanist and watercolorist describing wild flowers and herbs, Emma hopes someday to write a book detailing the various plants she loves. For a city girl from a well to do family, she has a comfortable life, yet feels restrained by her father’s pressure for proper behavior allowable for a proper lady. Her mother frets all the time about the household, the servants and her charities, and constantly reminds Emma that she has to marry a proper man. The candidate already been picked by her father is none other that her childhood friend Randall Turnbull, heir to the railroad and prearranged by both their fathers. Her arrogant and married brother, Walter, is also pressured into bringing into the world a grandchild for his parents. His wife Lynette has had several miscarriages and Walter fears for his pregnant wife.
But when Emma is called to a family meeting her whole world collapses to find that her entire family, including her, would be moving to the small town of Greeley, Colorado. Her hopes and aspirations to evade her stifling family has suddenly vanished. Without protesting, she must now obey her father and leave her familiar world behind. Along the ride out west is Randall following as an escort for Emma.
The move out west brings all the struggles and tribulations of settling in a new state as opposed to the colors of the big city—as any citybred girl could find. She begins to hate the prairie, the desolation as opposed to New York’s bustling metropolis, and the dust settling on country folks, animals and buildings. The only thing that keeps her motivated is to beg her father to return to New York.
But a stranger that might keep her down on the farm is Lucas Rawlings, a dashing widower with green eyes. When Emma begins to fall in love, a change in her heart and soul begins to take hold. She fall in love with the prairie, “The stark beauty of the endless rolling land, the slowmoving wide river, and the majestic mountains changing color each day invigorated her spirit in a way she’d never experienced before.”
Her dilemma now is whether to marry Randall for convenience and please her parents, or give way to her heart in the arms of the intoxicating Lucas? But an event in the small town of Greeley will change the course of her life forever.
Ms. Whitman’s writing on the page pleases the senses and the mind. Words roll on the tongue and fill the reader with wonders of the countryside and olden times of living wild on the frontier. You can feel and smell the scents of wild grass, the ranch warm fires in the evenings, and cattle mooing in the background. A most enjoyable book that merits five stars!
I was given a copy of this book by the author for a review.
Emma Bradshaw is looking forward to leave home for Vassar College in New York, circa 1875. As a serious botanist and watercolorist describing wild flowers and herbs, Emma hopes someday to write a book detailing the various plants she loves. For a city girl from a well to do family, she has a comfortable life, yet feels restrained by her father’s pressure for proper behavior allowable for a proper lady. Her mother frets all the time about the household, the servants and her charities, and constantly reminds Emma that she has to marry a proper man. The candidate already been picked by her father is none other that her childhood friend Randall Turnbull, heir to the railroad and prearranged by both their fathers. Her arrogant and married brother, Walter, is also pressured into bringing into the world a grandchild for his parents. His wife Lynette has had several miscarriages and Walter fears for his pregnant wife.
But when Emma is called to a family meeting her whole world collapses to find that her entire family, including her, would be moving to the small town of Greeley, Colorado. Her hopes and aspirations to evade her stifling family has suddenly vanished. Without protesting, she must now obey her father and leave her familiar world behind. Along the ride out west is Randall following as an escort for Emma.
The move out west brings all the struggles and tribulations of settling in a new state as opposed to the colors of the big city—as any citybred girl could find. She begins to hate the prairie, the desolation as opposed to New York’s bustling metropolis, and the dust settling on country folks, animals and buildings. The only thing that keeps her motivated is to beg her father to return to New York.
But a stranger that might keep her down on the farm is Lucas Rawlings, a dashing widower with green eyes. When Emma begins to fall in love, a change in her heart and soul begins to take hold. She fall in love with the prairie, “The stark beauty of the endless rolling land, the slowmoving wide river, and the majestic mountains changing color each day invigorated her spirit in a way she’d never experienced before.”
Her dilemma now is whether to marry Randall for convenience and please her parents, or give way to her heart in the arms of the intoxicating Lucas? But an event in the small town of Greeley will change the course of her life forever.
Ms. Whitman’s writing on the page pleases the senses and the mind. Words roll on the tongue and fill the reader with wonders of the countryside and olden times of living wild on the frontier. You can feel and smell the scents of wild grass, the ranch warm fires in the evenings, and cattle mooing in the background. A most enjoyable book that merits five stars!
I was given a copy of this book by the author for a review.
September 22, 2022
Colorado Promise is indeed a sweet western romance that makes you believe that love can conquer it all.
At seventeen, Emma Bradshaw was a typical teenager that only wanted things done her way and was very selfish. But as the story progress and Emma is confronted with a new life away from New York since had some growing up to do, and do it fast. When her father forces her to marry a friend that she didn't love, the story became interesting. This is where she grows up into a beautiful young woman that stands for what she believes in.
Lucas Rawlings had his own demons to overcome and, with the help of Sarah, he had to face his fears and fight for the woman he loved.
Put this against the backdrop of class differences, angry cattle ranchers and the hate for anyone that is not the same skin colour as you and you have a suspenseful plotline mixed with the sweet taste of romance.
At seventeen, Emma Bradshaw was a typical teenager that only wanted things done her way and was very selfish. But as the story progress and Emma is confronted with a new life away from New York since had some growing up to do, and do it fast. When her father forces her to marry a friend that she didn't love, the story became interesting. This is where she grows up into a beautiful young woman that stands for what she believes in.
Lucas Rawlings had his own demons to overcome and, with the help of Sarah, he had to face his fears and fight for the woman he loved.
Put this against the backdrop of class differences, angry cattle ranchers and the hate for anyone that is not the same skin colour as you and you have a suspenseful plotline mixed with the sweet taste of romance.
August 6, 2016
Colorado Promise is the first book in Charlene Whitman’s The Front Range series. This novel is an enthralling historical romance and one I highly recommend! I was quickly swept away to the western frontier by Charlene’s picturesque descriptions of the Colorado landscape. The fascinating characters and engaging storyline were beautifully written and a pleasure to read. I loved Colorado Promise and look forward to more books in this wonderful series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.
February 3, 2018
I enjoyed learning about the past of Greeley/Fort Collins in Colorado (I live in Denver, currently). A bit too much repetitive character self-contemplations that seemed to just go in a loop, over and over again. The story was intriguing, watching some characters evolve (adapt to the Wild West), while other grew to acknowledge their mistakes and wrongful first impressions.
December 31, 2019
Wonderful story!
A sweet tale of coming to a new place and adapting to a new life. Almost like the early emigrants coming to America! Strange to think the West was such a new adventure! Loved the characters! Some of them were familiar, but not sure if the timeline of Eli and his Irish bride. Great read!
A sweet tale of coming to a new place and adapting to a new life. Almost like the early emigrants coming to America! Strange to think the West was such a new adventure! Loved the characters! Some of them were familiar, but not sure if the timeline of Eli and his Irish bride. Great read!
June 28, 2017
COLORADO PROMISE By Charlene Whitman is fast moving storyline that comes alive as if readers are watching a movie. Readers will embrace the well-developed characters and enjoy the well researched historical storyline. The entire FRONT RANGE SERIES is a must read.
July 10, 2018
Good story line., although too much "filler" (thought angst of main characters). Need serious editing for wrong name used in parts and grammatical errors.
December 6, 2018
nice story
February 17, 2017
This passionate sweet chaste historical western romance is Book One in the Front Range series. Emma Bradshaw is a high-society young woman from New York who is forced to give up her dream of going to Vassar College to become a botanical illustrator when her father moves the family West. Emma thinks that Greeley, Colorado, is a desert prison in the middle of the hostile and dusty prairie. Her childhood friend, handsome Randall Turnbull, has moved to Greeley to work for his railroad baron father. She hopes Randall will fall in love with her and marry her. Lucas Rawlings, veterinarian and horse lover, has lived on the Front Range for three years after stumbling down from the Rockies consumed with grief from losing his precious wife and baby in childbirth. He doesn’t think his heart can ever love again until he rescues Emma in a sudden hailstorm and their lives become intricately entwined. Can she find true love and overcome the dangers of the untamed Front Range? Will Emma choose the comfort and familiarity of Randall’s company or Lucas’s easy confidence and gentle ways. She faces a new life of grasshoppers, drought, blizzards, and murderous ranchers trying to force Sarah off her land. Then when her brother takes up dangerous company, the lives of her family and the man she’s come to love are threatened. Will she have the strength to overcome in this untamed land?
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255
July 11, 2016
4 and 1/2 Stars - Inspirational Love Story with a Colorado Horse Doc and an Eastern Lady
Emaline (“Emma”) Bradshaw dreams of attending Vassar and being a botanical illustrator, but her parents have other plans. They have heard of the new settlement of Greeley in the Colorado Territory where the evils of New York can be left behind. A group of their friends have already built homes there and they are eager to join them, so in 1875, Emma and her family take the train to Colorado.
Along the way, Emma reconnects with a childhood friend, Randall, who she finds suddenly an attractive man. Like her, he is from the East and is sophisticated and educated, and they enjoy each other’s company. When Emma takes a fall off her horse and is rescued by Lucas Rawlings, the local veterinarian, she finds the handsome widower alluring, but she cannot imagine herself with the cowboy. Two suitors, each very different.
This is a story of change and choices, of resisting the plans of others to pursue your own dreams, your own life. While Lucas knows what he wants, he must face the ghosts of his past to have it. He still carries great pain from the loss of the first wife who died in childbirth. Emma, on the other hand, is too often manipulated into doing what her parents and others want instead of having the courage to defy them to pursue her own dreams. I loved Lucas (what woman wouldn’t?), but at times I wanted to shake Emma when she caved to her parents’ manipulations and said nothing. She was too concerned about what everyone else wanted for her.
Whitman takes a leisurely pace (400+ pages) to show us the West as it was a decade after the Civil War with tensions over Indians somewhat dissipated but prejudice still very much alive. We meet a town full of interesting characters, some wonderful and some not so, as one might expect. Whitman does a great job of fleshing them out and bringing life to a small Colorado town.
The story has an inspirational bent, too, particularly as regards the faith of the hero in the second half.
One could have wanted a faster pace, but still it’s a great tale and a wonderful love story, well worth the read.
Emaline (“Emma”) Bradshaw dreams of attending Vassar and being a botanical illustrator, but her parents have other plans. They have heard of the new settlement of Greeley in the Colorado Territory where the evils of New York can be left behind. A group of their friends have already built homes there and they are eager to join them, so in 1875, Emma and her family take the train to Colorado.
Along the way, Emma reconnects with a childhood friend, Randall, who she finds suddenly an attractive man. Like her, he is from the East and is sophisticated and educated, and they enjoy each other’s company. When Emma takes a fall off her horse and is rescued by Lucas Rawlings, the local veterinarian, she finds the handsome widower alluring, but she cannot imagine herself with the cowboy. Two suitors, each very different.
This is a story of change and choices, of resisting the plans of others to pursue your own dreams, your own life. While Lucas knows what he wants, he must face the ghosts of his past to have it. He still carries great pain from the loss of the first wife who died in childbirth. Emma, on the other hand, is too often manipulated into doing what her parents and others want instead of having the courage to defy them to pursue her own dreams. I loved Lucas (what woman wouldn’t?), but at times I wanted to shake Emma when she caved to her parents’ manipulations and said nothing. She was too concerned about what everyone else wanted for her.
Whitman takes a leisurely pace (400+ pages) to show us the West as it was a decade after the Civil War with tensions over Indians somewhat dissipated but prejudice still very much alive. We meet a town full of interesting characters, some wonderful and some not so, as one might expect. Whitman does a great job of fleshing them out and bringing life to a small Colorado town.
The story has an inspirational bent, too, particularly as regards the faith of the hero in the second half.
One could have wanted a faster pace, but still it’s a great tale and a wonderful love story, well worth the read.
January 7, 2017
FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS
Emma grew up in a privileged home in New York. She had everything materially that she could possibly want. There was one thing she didn't have though. She didn't have the right to make her own decisions, no matter how simple they seemed.
She was interested in botany and was scheduled to attend college in the fall when her father dropped the bombshell that he'd informed the school she wouldn't be attending; they were moving West. All of them.
She's temporarily heartened when she meets up with an old childhood friend as they were boarding the train and found out he was going West with them. Randall was the best friend she ever had, and she knew as long as he was with her, she'd be OK. But did that mean she wanted to marry him? Did she even have a choice? She was about to find out.
The West was unfamiliar territory to her family, as it was for most people who headed out there back then. Some realized they weren't cut out o handle it. Others were able to adapt. Their lives had to change and they had to be willing to accept those changes. Would she be able to?
Lucas didn't think so when he first met her, thrown from her horse in the mud along the river, but there was a lot more to Emma than what he saw, and a lot more to Lucas than Emma realized. Circumstances kept throwing them together when her parents were doing everything they could to keep her away from him, but what's meant to be will be, no matter what we think about it in the end.
I love Westerns. I love Louis L'Amour and authors like that, but I love these too. Faith in God and love for one's family were the only things you had when nothing else mattered. This book shows it all. You see the danger and the hardships these people faced, but you also see their determination and love for each other. I'm getting ready to start the next book in the series and I'm sure I'll like that one just as well.
Emma grew up in a privileged home in New York. She had everything materially that she could possibly want. There was one thing she didn't have though. She didn't have the right to make her own decisions, no matter how simple they seemed.
She was interested in botany and was scheduled to attend college in the fall when her father dropped the bombshell that he'd informed the school she wouldn't be attending; they were moving West. All of them.
She's temporarily heartened when she meets up with an old childhood friend as they were boarding the train and found out he was going West with them. Randall was the best friend she ever had, and she knew as long as he was with her, she'd be OK. But did that mean she wanted to marry him? Did she even have a choice? She was about to find out.
The West was unfamiliar territory to her family, as it was for most people who headed out there back then. Some realized they weren't cut out o handle it. Others were able to adapt. Their lives had to change and they had to be willing to accept those changes. Would she be able to?
Lucas didn't think so when he first met her, thrown from her horse in the mud along the river, but there was a lot more to Emma than what he saw, and a lot more to Lucas than Emma realized. Circumstances kept throwing them together when her parents were doing everything they could to keep her away from him, but what's meant to be will be, no matter what we think about it in the end.
I love Westerns. I love Louis L'Amour and authors like that, but I love these too. Faith in God and love for one's family were the only things you had when nothing else mattered. This book shows it all. You see the danger and the hardships these people faced, but you also see their determination and love for each other. I'm getting ready to start the next book in the series and I'm sure I'll like that one just as well.
November 4, 2013
With her debut novel "Colorado Promise," the first of the Front Range series, Charlene Whitman is sure to become a favorite among fans of historical romantic fiction. Well-drawn characters, a solid plot and just the right mix of action and romance makes this story set in Greeley, Colorado a page-turner. Readers that enjoy tales of strong men with a touch of compassion and women who know their own minds will love this inspirational story about life near the Rocky Mountains in the late 1800s.
While it isn't clear from the ending of "Colorado Promise" if Emma and Lucas' story will continue in future books in the Front Range series or if readers will be introduced to other characters entirely, it doesn't really matter. Whatever story is told in future books in the series, they will be worth reading. Charlene Whitman is an author to watch for future interesting Christian fiction.
Read more of this review at Examiner!
http://www.examiner.com/review/charle...
While it isn't clear from the ending of "Colorado Promise" if Emma and Lucas' story will continue in future books in the Front Range series or if readers will be introduced to other characters entirely, it doesn't really matter. Whatever story is told in future books in the series, they will be worth reading. Charlene Whitman is an author to watch for future interesting Christian fiction.
Read more of this review at Examiner!
http://www.examiner.com/review/charle...
March 4, 2016
Historical Western Romance is not a genre I usually read but I did enjoy Colorado Promise for several reasons. First it is about the history of the Greeley/Fort Collins, Colorado area where I grew up. I learned some things about Greeley's early years such as it had a temperance law (no alcohol) and citizens had to go to Evans if they wanted to drink. Colorado Promise had what I consider a typical romance storyline - nothing wrong with that as I got what I expected. My only complaint is very small and doesn't appear until the last few pages when everyone looks "east" toward the mountains. Hopefully this typo can be corrected, at least in the e-book. Greeley IS east of the mountains so in order to look toward them a person would be looking to the "west." But as that is the only hiccough in this delightful read I would recommend it for those who enjoy the romance genre. There is plenty of history worked in unobtrusively and the story flows.
February 9, 2014
Great start to the series...
Colorado Promise is a sweet western historical romance centered around Emma and Lucas. Emma relocates with her family from New York to Colorado. She struggles with the change in lifestyle and the strict rules set forth by her family. She longs to be free and live her life as she chooses. Enter Lucas, the charming, good looking, cowboy who knows just what Emma needs. Although he has his own struggles to overcome, he is drawn to Emma in a way that frees him from his past and wills him to move on with his life.
The story between the two characters, as well as the supporting characters, was good and normal of those times. There were times when I felt there was too much filler or descriptions to where I skipped forward a few paragraphs just to get back to the meat of the story. All in all, though, it was a good story and I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
Colorado Promise is a sweet western historical romance centered around Emma and Lucas. Emma relocates with her family from New York to Colorado. She struggles with the change in lifestyle and the strict rules set forth by her family. She longs to be free and live her life as she chooses. Enter Lucas, the charming, good looking, cowboy who knows just what Emma needs. Although he has his own struggles to overcome, he is drawn to Emma in a way that frees him from his past and wills him to move on with his life.
The story between the two characters, as well as the supporting characters, was good and normal of those times. There were times when I felt there was too much filler or descriptions to where I skipped forward a few paragraphs just to get back to the meat of the story. All in all, though, it was a good story and I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
November 14, 2013
I’m not a huge historical western romance fan, but I know a lot of readers are. The writing, plot, and character-development were good. The heroine was a bit weepy for my repressed mentality, but the wounded, intelligent cowboy? Delicious. And the chaste clinches fairly steamed. Could I put in an order for more of those, please? I am a fan of happy endings, which Colorado Promised and delivered.
Every dog thinks he’s going to be the K-9 who melts my heart, but I haven’t met that dog yet. Nor is this the historical western romance to melt my contemporary heart. But I highly recommend the book to those of you who have a soft spot for petticoats, adventure, and the wild west of yesteryear. 4.5 Stars
July 27, 2016
Great story lacked sufficient editing
This is the story of 18 year old Emma Bradshaw who was forcibly moved with her family to Greeley, Colorado from New York City in 1875. Raised as a proper young lady, she struggles with the raw frontier until she meets Lucas, a man 10 years her senior, who encourages her to follow her dreams. The storyline and plot twists keep the reader engaged to the end. However, the editing is seriously lacking. The phrases "blew out a breath" and "sucked in a breath" are repeated over and over, to the point that one wonders why so much emphasis is given to breathing. Again, I enjoyed the story, but spent quite a bit of time re-reading here and there due to the serious lack of editing.
This is the story of 18 year old Emma Bradshaw who was forcibly moved with her family to Greeley, Colorado from New York City in 1875. Raised as a proper young lady, she struggles with the raw frontier until she meets Lucas, a man 10 years her senior, who encourages her to follow her dreams. The storyline and plot twists keep the reader engaged to the end. However, the editing is seriously lacking. The phrases "blew out a breath" and "sucked in a breath" are repeated over and over, to the point that one wonders why so much emphasis is given to breathing. Again, I enjoyed the story, but spent quite a bit of time re-reading here and there due to the serious lack of editing.
January 1, 2014
I received this book from the give away page on good reads and I have to say it is a really great Western Romance! It is well written and will keep you interested the whole way through. It is also full of interesting Historical facts from the Era and the town depicted in the book! The characters are well written and I felt as though I was right there with them. Its not over saturated with sexual satire and yet you will still fall in love with it. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good Western or Historical Romance.
December 19, 2013
I usually pass on historical fiction but I am glad I read this one. It was enlightening to read how a New York City high society family made the adjustment to living in Greeley, Colorado Territory. Emma is a feisty young woman who finds her true self in the wild frontier. Of course, the handsome widower veterinarian, Lucas, is essential to the process. There is plenty of action in the novel but great descriptions of the land too. Great historical fiction. I look forward to the next in the series. See my full review at http://bit.ly/1klWU3t.
May 24, 2014
Emma Bradshaw has her life planned out--college at Vassar and publishing her botanical illustrations in a book but her over barring parents have other plans--a move to Colorado Territory. Her life and her heart will never be the same. Colorado Promise by Charlene Whitman captures the true romance of the Front Range and keeps her readers enthralled with Emma as she is drawn into the arms of the man she loves.
June 20, 2016
A delightful story about a young lady from New York falling in love with and in Colorado. Carlene brings to life the early developmental history of Greeley, Colorado. Emma's Surprise was the fact that something she thought she would hate ended up being so special to her. Colorado Promise, as stated, is a sweet historical fiction romance, and one I'm sure you will enjoy.
February 11, 2015
Colorado Promise
I was very pleased with this book. The characters were so real and brought a lot of character to the story. I never thought about what people went through coming to the Colorado area. Thanks for a Good read.
I was very pleased with this book. The characters were so real and brought a lot of character to the story. I never thought about what people went through coming to the Colorado area. Thanks for a Good read.
November 3, 2015
What a lovely story!
It is a nice change to read a love story that is sweet and pure...there are hints of passion without the heavy, sometimes overtly crude sex scenes.
I'll definitely buy a Charlene Whitman book again
It is a nice change to read a love story that is sweet and pure...there are hints of passion without the heavy, sometimes overtly crude sex scenes.
I'll definitely buy a Charlene Whitman book again
July 13, 2016
New characters show a little about the historical beginning of Greeley, Colorado.
Some of the plains are a descriptive value of how the West was after the war.
A little bit of History, a little bit of fun...
Some of the plains are a descriptive value of how the West was after the war.
A little bit of History, a little bit of fun...
September 3, 2016
This was a quick and entertaining read. A family from new York is adjusting to life in the frontier city of Greeley, Colorado. The struggles of adjustment are believeable. The Indian/white relationship is probably very accurate.
The early settlers had many things to learn and adapt.
The early settlers had many things to learn and adapt.
February 29, 2016
Very sweet clean romance book
Very sweet book!!! Loved reading this book!!! Can't wait to read more books by Charlene Whitman. Loved reading this book!!
Very sweet book!!! Loved reading this book!!! Can't wait to read more books by Charlene Whitman. Loved reading this book!!
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