Color of the Wind

The Women's West #2

by Elizabeth Grayson

Let the acclaimed Elizabeth Grayson touch your heart as only she can...with a poignant, passionate story of a woman's sacred promise and a man's search for himself amid the dangerous splendor of the West.

A deathbed request...

To honor the promise she gave her dying stepsister, Ardith Merritt must take her niece and nephews to their father--a continent away from her comfortable life as a children's book illustrator. But the perilous journey will bring her face-to-face with her darkest fears...and the man who betrayed her so many years ago.

A chance for redemption...

Exiled to a ranch in Wyoming by his aristocratic British family, Baird Northcross is a failure, a scoundrel, a cad--a man with no future. Until the rugged beauty of the land, the unexpected satisfaction of hard work, and the presence of a woman like no other awaken him to the possibility of happiness...if only he can keep from destroying this last, precious chance to win her love.

Genres: Historical, Historical Romance, Westerns, Romance, Second Chance, Slow Burn, Family Drama

432 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 4, 1999

About the author

Elizabeth Grayson fell in love with historical novels in the third grade. Her teacher read THE GOLD LACE COAT, by Helen Fuller Orton, to her class in preparation for their trip to Fort Niagara—and Elizabeth was hooked. She’s been reading and writing historical novels ever since.

aka Elizabeth Kary
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
and Karen Witmer
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Reviews

[Preeti ♥︎ Her Bookshelves · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*
A good, highly-rated book with a no punches pulled story about a 'dumped-by-H-for-her-sister' h that now opens 16 years later in 1880s America. A book that left me antsy because it fell short of my expectations and standards for this trope.

**Spoilers**The H was the h’s fiancé at one time. He was 24 and she, 19 during this arranged engagement. Then the H exchanged one flirtatious glance with the h’s glittering and vivacious younger (barely 17 y.o.) sister, and honor and commitment went out the window - and off to Gretna Green it is, after a night spent at a hotel.
Now, 16 years later, we learn that the h has made a solitary life for herself as a children’s book’s writer and illustrator in Boston when her sister arrives in America, with her three children (love the names - China, Durban and Khyber) to be with her undependable husband, who’s been exiled to Wyoming by his Uncle, an earl, to run a ranch as a remittance man. Only the ow/sister dies on arrival but not before wresting a promise from our h to deliver the kids to their father. A task the reluctant h certainly doesn’t feel up to. I have mixed feelings about all this happening off-pages.
So, the h/H will meet again, for the first time after the big betrayal.

I like how the h begins as irate and bitter, and quite unaffectionate towards the children. Seems quite honest and understandable for a woman who was hurt so shamelessly by her sister and fiancé. And she gives the same vibe to the H on meeting him. But it’s difficult to accept he H’s cool and ungracious reception of her. Still a louse. And immature and self-serving with it.
Still, this makes for an angsty read teeming as it is with unresolved emotions and conflicts.

Ardith. Dour, bitter Ardith. How could anyone have changed so much? Once he'd admired her as a plain but touchingly eager girl; now she'd become a woman as dry and brittle as stale bread.
For the first third of the book, the H resents the h and doesn’t even treat her as a human or woman with feelings or even someone he needs to grovel to. Her plainness is listed for us versus her now dead sister’s shining beauty. Grand passion that couldn’t have been ignored is alluded to.
“Of course I loved her," he admitted, wishing his voice weren't so raw, that his regrets weren't so evident. "Ariel was my grand passion, and I was hers. I thought you understood that.”

Then his feelings change (as does he!) but in a confused, jumbled up way. Even he’s not sure what he wants or is grasping for.
He’s a supremely selfish, lazy and snobbish man to begin with, with guilt and his own worthlessness eating him up. Guilt on his role in the death of a cousin in Burma and then guilt of failing his dead wife. Guilt or shame at his (and the sister’s) shocking treatment of the h comes late and little. That was disappointing for me as a reader.

So, after this great, thorny beginning things went a little limp. I had to search for the story and emotions that are too far and in between the everyday routine of ranching, horse training, cattle rearing, meeting new friends and old enemies and indulging in fisticuffs and gunfights with rustlers; and painting and writing letters to the om on the h’s part.
A very slow burn, in other words. Yes, he’s newly widowed so the author gives them a decent time but the h who came just to deliver the kids remains on for almost a year?!

Also, I wouldn’t expect an intrepid and lifelong adventurer/world-traveler like him to be so narrow minded and snobbish as he begins in the book. Things do not match. And, then, just few months of the wild west make him a better person - the man he was meant to be? And the h contributes by just being there? Ummm, a bit far-fetched.
Still, speaking of character growth, I’d say it’s believable as character growths go - in the page count way as the book hammers it in, unrelentingly. Only the time span of few months’ vs a whole life of forty years of selfish behavior left me fidgety and unable to concur.

Another sore point for me is the H's acceptability of the h only because of her virtues. And how the H parrots on the way she’s changed. I’d prefer it if it’s depicted that she was alway a strong and sensible person - as she was! Of course, a 35-year-old woman would be more assertive than a 19 year-old.
Now, we are told that he’s attracted to her strong, sensible persona. I felt severely dissatisfied by this.
how strong and stubborn she'd become ..
It made him realize how bright and fine she had become, how gentle and funny and caring.
All mild and ho hum-ish. It felt so much a connection of convenience - for both - than a real love story. He needed her - for her outdoorsy 'skills' and for his kids.
Love is not about convenience.
And certainly, doesn’t come with so many qualifications and self-convincing.

His grovel or rather his apology - is also a by-product of his new fangled maturity. He wasn’t apologetic or guilt-ridden when she arrived. So, it made me wonder if he ever spared a thought for the serious, quiet girl he dumped so unceremoniously. And when he knew that his actions had led her to flee to America in shame and disgrace.

The ow/sister was a shallow and a very manipulative woman. The h knows that but it’s never brought out in the open. Maybe the author preferred to leave the dead in peace but the sister’s self-serving actions were even now affecting her kids in the present - especially the older son. So I feel it should have been brought to the H's notice, if not the children.
The villain showed promise and I was expecting big fireworks as were alluded to and revelations (about the sister) but nada.
I feel disappointed on another score - the h’s father. He’s never cared to contact his older daughter in these years. Even now, he writes and sends gifts to his grandkids but never a letter for the h. Too harsh, and unresolved.

My favorite bit is in the epilogue when the H's holding their newborn while the h mingles with the patrons of the art gallery. The only time when the h seems to have scored over her sister.
“That's a pretty little girl. What's her name?"
Baird smiled again, this time with a father's pride. "Cheyenne.”
"I hear that your children are all named for where you were when they were born. Were you in Cheyenne when the stork brought this one?"
"No, ma'am," he answered quietly. "It's where I was when she was conceived."
He waited, smiling politely.
"Well!" she huffed and spun away.
"Alienating my patrons, are you, dear?" Ardith asked, appearing at his elbow.
(The older kids were named for places he was at when he heard about their births, you see.)

In all, I wanted a tighter read, a more emotional and angsty treatment with the past tackled head on.

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 3 out of 5]

At 39 years of age, Baird Northcross had nothing to show for himself except his three children. Selfish, flighty and just plain no-good, he never had to account for his actions. Until now.

From his home in England to the back-country of Wyoming, he was what was referred to as a 'remittance man': an emigrant supported with monies from his paternal home. He was the family's black sheep; his uncle, the Earl of Northam, was disgusted with his wastrel life. Because of one-too-many disgraces, Baird was forced to travel to western America to prove himself.

Probably one of Baird's worst blemishes was his jilting of Ardith Merritt: his deceased wife's half-sister. He left her at the altar to run away with Ariel to Gretna Green. He never considered the humiliation Ardith suffered nor tried to offer recompense when Ardith left for Boston to start a new life.

Baird was a habitual wanderer and because of this he was rarely home. Eventually, his marriage suffered. Several years passed and, little be known to him, Ariel started to correspond with Ardith. By now, Ardith was a woman in her own rights. She wrote and illustrated children's books. More time elapsed, when Ardith discovered her sister at her doorstep with her three children. Ariel was not well but before she died she made Ardith promise to deliver their children to their father.

Initially, Ardith and Ariel's children suffered a wide range of emotions. Their anxiety was realistically portrayed and their struggles took place in different forms. And, for a good part of the story, Baird was an unlikable character. He didn't know what to do with his daughter and two sons. He didn't need any more responsibilities. He didn't want Ardith resurrecting a past he had forgotten long ago.

Ardith stayed on longer than anticipated to assist with the children. She dropped enough hints about good parenting to Baird. Then they become nudges and pushes. Perceptions changed, emotions shifted and Baird finally 'grew up'. Ardith found that living in her protected world in Boston was no longer what she wanted.

Of the four stories that I have read in this series, some characters were re-introduced from SO WIDE THE SKY towards the end of this book. I was happy to see what had happened to them. There is also some mild suspense but it was very predictable. All in all, I thought the story could have been condensed.

[Jac K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this; the writing was excellent. I think whether you love it will depend on what you’re looking for. If you want a solid historical/late 1800’s western with a slow burn love story where the writing is so descriptive that you can “feel” the setting…. this is for you! If you care more about the actual relationship, and are looking for a passionate, angsty second-chance romance with loads of feels from the couple dissecting/discussing past hurts… you’ll probably be disappointed. I fell somewhere in-between.

Ardith and Baird were engaged when he took off with her sister the day before their wedding 16-years earlier. Humiliated, Ardith left London for America to live with her uncle. The book opens with said sister extracting a deathbed promise that Ardith will accompany their three children from Boston to Wyoming where Baird is.

I’ll admit, “sibling seconds” isn’t my favorite trope. Typically, I prefer for the H to regret his decision, and hate the tricky witch while pining away for the h dying inside with remorse and regret. Bad news is this isn’t the case. He loved the fiancé stealing twit, and never thought of the h… The good news is that the writing is so good that I let it go.

I really only had a couple issues. The biggest being that past hurts are never really fleshed out. She starts out angry and bitter, but doesn’t share her feelings. He internally feels some shame eventually, but never grovels, and barely says sorry. I liked that the recently widowed Baird didn’t just jump into things with Ardith, but I wanted more angst. I also didn’t really need all the day to day (horse training, steer finding, ledger writing) details. I started to get bored, and skimmed. (ergo the 3 stars)

Bottom Line- Good, but not great for me. I wanted more discussion of the betrayal, but it was probably more authentic for the time. There’s a lot of cowboy fluff that started to drag, and a side mystery which is pretty easy to solve. I needed more emotion, and fewer pages.

[Sandee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional engagement and character growth is what this book is about. Ardith is a closed-off spinster who makes a death bed promise to her sister. Baird is a self-absorbed absentee father. This story is about their challenges, their fears and their joys. We feel along with them as they grow into the people they should be. Family, friends, the old west, tragedy and triumph complete the story. I received this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure I was going to like the character of Baird Northcross as he seemed selfish and arrogant but as the story progressed he changed into a likeable character. His sister in law, Ardith, was a strong woman who was instrumental in helping Baird face up to his responsibilities as a father. This was an enjoyable read, maybe a little too slow in places, but it certainly seemed to capture the essence of the West. There were a number of different elements in the story, some linked to the past and some in the present. I received a copy from eBooks Discovery and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Mas]

I give up! Even with all the skimming I keep doing this story has not improved at the 50%. So boring. The romance in this book is shining by its absence. It is all about the ranch, and the west, and the kids. At the 50% mark, the hero is still in love with the dead sister that he abandoned the heroine for.

There heroine is just blah. There are plenty of mentions of how unattractive she is. I mean, not even cute. She does not even get a second glance anywhere she goes. To top this off, she has the charming personality of Angela from the Office.

I am out.

[kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoilers Spoilers Spoilers

One of those books that Lorraine Heath does better. Englishmen playing at being cowboys. The hero is a wimp. Sorry can't see him him pitching hay, breaking horses better then the local bronc buster or saving the heroine from a mountain lion. Oh, that's right he didn't save her she saved herself. Good shot Ardith.

The heroine is very nice. Practically perfect. Except she can't get over the fact her sister was the pretty one. Granted her sister ran off with her groom on her wedding day. But sis was only 16 and she should take some solace from the fact that the hero was a lousy husband and worse father. She does supposedly forgive her sister but the resentment keeps rising to the surface. At around the 50% mark she's angry with the dead sister because the middle son (his mom's favorite) doesn't like dear old dad. Whatever the mother son relationship I'm sure he was capable of recognizing that his father was never home and more then a little negligent. So don't blame sis.

Frankly I've had it with the heroine making excuses for this turd. If she had half a brain she'd head back east to the other guy who's interested in her. He's smarter. He's a better family man. He appreciates her. He makes his own money. The hero is an irresponsible 40 year old remittance man sent to Wyoming to try and make him grow up. Good luck with that. But I'm pretty sure the selfish all about me hero will win her in the end. So I'm dnf at 55%. It's still early enough for me to try and find book where the hero is likable and the H/h actually have some chemistry.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this in a box of books slated for the dumpster after a yard sale in my neighborhood, and I'm thankful I saved this unexpected treasure. The story is set in the Wyoming Territory in the 1880s and involves Ardith, a "plain" woman who was jilted for her sister years ago, and Baird, the man who jilted her and is now struggling to keep his cattle together and to prove himself. Ardith has brought her niece and nephews to their father after her sister's death, and everyone is trying to find their places in this new setting.

The piece that really made this story for me was the clear character development that showed how Ardith and Baird were both changing and becoming the best versions of their selves because of their interactions. I can't recall another romance that I've read recently that has done that as well as this one. Seeing Ardith's letters to her publisher also added an interesting way of seeing how she was seeing the changing situation.

[Nelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was not an easy ride...

The heroine, Ardith, was betrothed to the hero, Baird, 16 years ago. The night of their betrothal party he met her sister Ariel and sparks flew I guess...
For 3 weeks those 2 assholes being sneaking around, falling in love, kissing and meeting in an hotel apparently. She was 16 or 17 and he was 24.
Then the night before the wedding, they decided to run to Gretna Green, and how poor Ardith gets the news? The morning of the wedding she received a letter from the loser announcing he married Ariel.
Instead of telling her before or breaking the engagement before, no they just decided to humiliate her.

And of course, her father who loved his beautiful Ariel, welcomed the couple back with open arms so Ardith has no choice to run to America to her uncle in hope to start anew..


Now 16 years later, Baird was exiled to America. He has 3 kids with Ariel and she was travelling with them to meet her husband when she died. And of course, big sis Ardith made her a promise: to deliver the kids to their father.

I was anticipating the reunion and seriously, the author didn't disappoint with Baird depicted as a max jerk! I don't think he thanked her for bringing the child to him. Instead, his first reaction was ''sour, bitter Ardith''. And he had the nerves to not understand why she would be like this! Excuse me sir you jilted her and never apologized!!

Anyway, the story is basically Ardith standing up for the kids she comes to love, because Baird doesn't know how to adult! That's right, he doesn't know how to be a father, he was a coward and always blaming himself and relying on her. But this being a romance, she would change him and turn him into a better man. The redemption was well done, by the end of the book you can feel the maturity in Baird.

There are other characters, including an other man Ardith left in Concord. I loved how she kept throwing his name in Baird's face lool, I like that the author didn't just made him realize he loved her and then she would go to him. Nope, Gavin was there between them lol!

I didn't like the way that boy behaved, Durban. I know he is a kid and all, but someone should have slapped him at least once. And I didn't like the way Baird fell in love with Ardith. It was like more like he fell in love with her presence in his house lool, he was like ''what am I going to do without her''.
The epilogue was nice, of course I wish we had more of the romance between them.


Still a great book! Couldn't put it down, emotional ride for sure!

[Sep · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ardith promised her dying sister to take her children (her sister's children) out west to join their father. Her brother-in-law Baird's last chance as far as his snooty English family is concerned is managing a cattle ranch and making it pay. He has no real relationship with his kids, and when she realizes that, Ardith decides to stay until he gets one.

Things are complicated because when Baird decided to elope with Ardith's sister, Ardith is the one he left standing at the altar.

This book is actually pretty deep for a romance. Baird is not a perfect hero and needs to grow up A LOT. Ardith needs to figure out what she wants to do with her life besides hide out after the humiliation of Baird's betrayal.

[Maria Dariotis · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! An emotional read about second chances, family and sacrifices. Sometimes growth takes time and it takes a MAN to admit to passed mistakes.
I truly enjoyed this and couldn’t put it down!

I received a complimentary copy from ebook Discovery. This is my honest unbiased opinion.

[Lorena Helfers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine story about inside feelings

Two things I love is art and deep descriptions of the unspoiled earth. The story was longer than some but filled with interesting dynamics. The romance was long time coming but was luscious and not graphic. I loved how a woman can make a man see a different way of thinking about life. Aren't we great!!

[Frances Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story

I am astonished at the depth and complexity of these stories and how I've not come across this author before. Again redemption is a strong feature in the book. How she manages to redeemed Norcross the hero is impressive .lovely to catch up with the Jalbert family

[Cc · Rating 3 out of 5]

3

Eh, writer didn't pull this one off. It really leaves the reader cold, unfortunately.

[Mary23nm · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is an appearance of Cassie and Hunter from Book 1 in the story, but can still be read as a stand-alone.

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and beautifully descriptive, the author once again paints a picture with words that made me feel as if I was part of the story. One could only feel for Ardith as she has to keep her promise the take her dead sister's children to their father in Wyoming, especially since he is the man that jilted her at the altar. Ardith discovers that she has more depth and character than she even thought, as the landscape and the three children in her charge bring about changes in her life and her artistic endeavours. Baird is bitter and angry as much with himself as with his uncle, who has exiled him to Wyoming where the task set before him is doomed to failure. However, Baird doesn't take Ardith into account as he tries to get to grips with life on a ranch where his status is of no consequence and his past doesn't matter. Reconnecting with his children and dealing with circumstances that seem beyond his control, he has to depend on Ardith, both to assist him with his children and for encouragement. The interface with Cassie and Hunter Jalbert from So Wide the Sky brought tears to my eyes as Ardith's artistic talent brings healing to Cassie as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book where the main characters are flawed human beings trying to make the best of the situation they find themselves in. Although this book is part of a series and characters from the previous book appear in this one too, it is a standalone and comes to a victorious close. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ardith Merritt takes her niece and nephews from Boston to Wyoming to their father because their mother (Her sister Ariel) has passed away. We see her trials and errors as she realizes as a "Spinster" she does not have any skills towards raising children. She does however have a good mind and writes Childrens books. Her Brother in law Baird Northcross was sent from England to wyoming to make up for his wild ways by running a Ranch. The land calls to both Ardith and Baird in ways neither thought was possible. Baird comes to realize that he actually wants to be good at something and make a profit for the ranch. Baird has traveled so much he has no idea how to raise children. So they both are learning together how to take care of a family. They all go through trials at the ranch and in the West.
One of the things I liked in this book was that both of the main characters changed from who they were at the beginning to more lovable characters. Ardith only had a few flaws that I felt that she over came. I think the west was good for her character. Most of the characters were likeable. The descriptions when Ardith was painting made me imagine what they were seeing.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own.

[Martha B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Emotional Panorama in Vivid Color

Set in the vast free ranges of nineteenth century Wyoming, forgiveness is the theme of Color of the Wind by Elizabeth Grayson. Not just forgiving those who committed the wrong, but forgiving ones self, which is often more difficult.

Firstly, I liked the story. I liked the mental picture Ms. Grayson painted, not only of the raw and rugged setting of the cattle ranching, but of each character within this compelling story.

Secondly, I liked the characters, both the leading and the secondary. Each one possessed a unique personality and each was well shaded and highlighted. I especially enjoyed the cameo appearances of characters from the first book in the series, So Wide the Sky.

Lastly, I really liked the epilogue. It insured that the ending was satisfying and smile-worthy.

Content alert:
This book contains religious expletives (this author's extensive vocabulary proves that she is capable of writing without using them), and descriptive sexual scenes.

I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.

[Joan Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Western second chance romance

This was a wonderful Western second chance romance with a brave heroine and a hero just waiting to be redeemed. At first, I wasn't sure if I was ever going to like Baird as I felt he had done such hurt to Ardith by abandoning her the day before their marriage to willingly run off with her half sister to Gretna Green. Ardith was not considered beautiful and she was a tall woman while her half sister was extremely beautiful so the fact that Baird saw only what was on the surface made me not like him in the beginning. I felt that I could relate to Ardith and understood the hurt Baird had caused her. Baird changed after Ardith and his children arrived at the ranch and he became a better man and father because of Ardith's influence. As Ardith came to forgive him and she saw the changes in him , so did I. The mystery of the missing cattle was interesting and though I figured out who was behind it, I found it added to the story and liked how it all played out. I truly enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a much deeper and rich story than I expected for a western romance. Good interplay of characters. Ardith Merritt’s sister has died living three children who need to be chaperoned on a trip west from Boston to their father in Wyoming territory. As much as she does not want to have anything to to do with their father, Baird, who left her at the altar to run off with her sister, she does feel obligated to her promise to her sister. With this trip, the west opens up whole new horizons to Ardith, that she could never have imagined.

[Toyenlon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ardith headed for the west with her late sister's three kids to deliver them to their father due to the death bed promise she made her. Despite being filled with anger and past hurt because she was left at the altar by the same man and her sister years ago, she proceeded on the journey...
Baird had been exiled to the west due to his past failures and shortcomings. But it turned out to be a place that called out to him, but will he be able to discover himself and accomplish his task? "I received this book from eBook discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review".

[Ed Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good writing, great reading

This is only the second book I've read by this author who is a singular mix of D. Holland, C. Fyffe and Louis L'Amour. The characters are well rounded yet flawed, the situations are not standard MOB fare, the backgrounds are well researched and the flow and editing are outstanding. Well done. Oh, and she can write accurately about men...that's a gold star right there!

[Renita Andries ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the past few months I've noticed that I've only wanted to read western romance and then I came across the opportunity to read this book and I couldn't be more happy with my decision to accept. It was a remarkably well written book. Loved the characters and the story line. Definitely recommend reading this book if your looking for a great western romance to read.

I received this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.

[K.h.bb · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't get past the point that what the so called hero did to heroine and ran with her sister without any remorse whatsoever, he wasn't even after a chance to make it up to her cause honestly he didn't give a damn to her and couldn't even recognise her afterwards, so to speack, he wasn't asking for redemption and he didn't deserve any, that's why I stop reading the book, I'm ok with second chances but only where the participants deserve it

[Betty Lambert · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok. It just lacked a lot of oomph and passion. Story line was good but Ms. Grayson could have added a lot more ambition to some of the characters. It was the kind of book where you just knew where it was headed and what the ending would be even before you got halfway through. Just not my kind of reading.

[Nonie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so I kinda love the dead wife trope, even better: the jitled bride trope.

However, this one was a let down. I wished the author put more attention on the whole abandoned-you-one-day-before-the-wedding-for-your-sister and made the hero (Baird) put in to words his feelings and all that.

3 stars.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple story, but entertaining reading. I liked the setting in Wyoming on a ranch in the late 1800's with some stories of horse breaking, cattle rustling, and interesting relationships with a father getting to know his children.

[Nellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Western romance

Several steamy scenes, and a few cuss words. I liked the characters, and the storyline flowed nicely. I think the steam was not really called for. Could have EASILY been clean, and made it a more believable story.

[Tiffany H · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my kind of hero. He jilts the heroine for her beautiful sister, whom he was passionately in love with, which we hear about in great detail. Then he gets the heroine as well after the beauty dies. Ick.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional growth is the lesson here. Ms. Grayson did a good jov on all counts. I still couldn’t like Baird though. I received this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.