Catherine Stanway left the East for Seattle to dispense her much-needed nursing skills. While tending to her patients at the hospital, Drew Wallin, asks for medical care for his ailing mother, as no one is available he departs, forlorn. However Drew’s younger brother has other ideas, hot-headed Levi decides to kill two birds with one stone: he kidnaps Catherine, thus procuring a nurse for their mother and a bride for Drew! Everyone in the family wants to see Drew married but Drew himself. He has too much on his plate already, taking care of 6 people as well as the family business.
WOULD-BE-WILDERNESS WIFE was a very pleasant surprise: often kidnapping tropes are perilous endeavours, but Ms. Scott handles it perfectly and convincingly! Drew is appalled by Levi’s conduct, and insists on seeing Catherine home. Catherine, upon recovering from her shock, has a look at Mrs. Stanway and the medical professional takes over: she will nurse the poor woman to health, especially after being welcomed with open arms by the delightful little Stanway sister, 14-year old Beth. Catherine doesn’t want to get married any more than Drew, but as they progressively get closer, they can’t ignore the fact that maybe married life could be an option.
I loved each and every character in this book: they are very well-rounded, engaging, and genuine. I also very much enjoyed how effectively Regina Scott conveys the authenticity of life on the frontier: the author’s attention to detail, whether regarding food, medicine, everyday family life, as well as dangers of all sorts, wife-hunters not being the least; in Ms. Scott capable hands,1866 America becomes reality.
Ms. Scott has a flowing writing style that makes the book an easy and very pleasurable read. The author weaves quite a bit of suspense into the romance, where several suspenseful plot twists highlight the interaction between the Stanway family members, Catherine as well as other minor characters. Catherine and Drew are quite intriguing characters, respectful and understanding, and need I add, that the romance is absolutely lovely.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.