The Promise of Jenny Jones

by Maggie Osborne

A desperate mother takes Jenny Jones' place in front of a firing squad in exchange for Jenny's promise to see her daughter safely to California. Though she and the six-year-old Graciela get off to a rocky start, Jenny will do everything in her power to keep her promise, even with the child's cousins in hot pursuit. Then she is mysteriously drawn to the handsome cowboy Ty Sanders, and though neither know it yet, their purpose is the same.

Genres: Historical Romance, Westerns, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Western Romance, Adventure

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 1997

About the author

aka
Margaret St. George

Maggie Osborne is the author of I Do, I Do, I Do and Silver Lining, as well as more than forty contemporary and historical romance novels written as Maggie Osborne and Margaret St. George. She has won numerous awards from Romantic Times, Affaire de Coeur, BookraK, the Colorado Romance Writers, and Coeur du Bois, among others. Osborne won the RITA for long historical from the Romance Writers of America in 1998. Maggie lives in a resort town in the Colorado mountains with her husband, one mule, two horses, one cat, and one dog, all of whom are a lot of aggravation, but she loves them anyway.

Reviews

[Christina ~ Brunette Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Unreserved, Heartfelt, Shiny Stars

"After you give a promise, see, the person you gave it to is out of the deal. It's just you and the promise." - Jenny Jones

Inside a fetid prison on the rugged and dry land along the Mexican border, a young woman, who has nothing left to lose but a frayed dictionary in her pocket, is spending the last hours of her life waiting to be executed. Her name is Jenny Jones and her unflinching honesty is what will have her face the firing squad come dawn. She could have lied, there were no witnesses, she could have said she didn't kill the soldier who tried to rape her, but she didn't. Pleading for self-defence has been useless, as the sham court judging her was convinced no man in his right mind would have forced himself on the likes of Jenny, a mule-skinner, a freight-hauler, a coarse woman with more calluses on her hands than years on her shoulders. But, for all the troubles it has always caused her, this time unwavering honesty might also mean salvation when a second chance at life arrives in the form of another young woman who too has nothing left to lose.

Marguarita Sanders Barrancas is dying of consumption. With only few days in her, maybe hours, and having decided to confide in the reputation of an uncompromising word of honour, she's ready to take Jenny's place in front of the firing squad if only Jenny will promise to safely deliver her daughter Graciela to California and to Robert Sanders, her estranged husband and the child's father. The product of an unwanted and ostracised marriage between feuding families, old Mexican aristocracy Barrancas and new American landowners Sanders, little Graciela will be the heiress of an immense fortune once Marguarita is gone, and a long string of greedy and unscrupulous cousins is ready to kidnap her for ransom at best or to downright kill her to inherit in her stead at worst.
Grasping the last chance to survive, Jenny accepts the deal, easing her struggling conscience by knowing this way she'll at least assuage Marguarita's desperation, and promises to smuggle little six-year-old Graciela to California at all costs... accusing, prissy, pampered, bright, infuriating little six-year-old Graciela...

In the meantime, unbeknownst to both Marguarita and Jenny, Robert has sent his younger brother Ty looking for the child. A tough and dashing cowboy, Ty is soon hot on his niece's trail all the way down to Texas, but he's certainly not prepared to find her escorted by an intense, rough-edge, mouthy and determined woman as prickly as the cacti punctuating the road from El Paso to Chihuahua and a few miles more.
And while these two try to decide whether to keep outwitting each other or join forces, the sweetest and most amiable courtship the Old Wild West has ever witnessed ensues, to our utter delight, along the same line as:

He: "I can't explain this, but I have a powerful hankering for you."
She: "You make a move in my direction, and I'll shoot your butt."

Written back in 1997 but presenting a standard in terms of originality, pace and craft current authors active in this specific sub-genre could still look up to, the story, both poignant and exhilarating, is a charming blend of oh so many entertaining and inspired ingredients I found simply irresistible.
Choosing to emphasise the more romp-ish and humorous sides the Western setting allows, Maggie Osborne deftly weaves a tale that is adventurous on-the-run romance and emotional journey in equal parts: the thrilling spirit and energy expected to be permeating the frontier scenario are evoked, the wonderful characterisations, the flowing prose and the engaging dialogues do the rest, underscoring the protagonists' complete arc. So together with the heat, the dust, the blinding sun, the jingling harnesses, the lonesome starry nights, we get to see the rewarding transformation the leads go through, building the bonds of a lifetime, healing and bettering one another.
And what a sight it was to behold, leaving you just as breathless as the chases, the dangers, the laughter and conveying the book's deeper and heartwarming message about love and acceptance, which gradually sinks in while you're distracted by all the fun and the romance.

The characters might appear typical-fare at a first superficial glance, mind you, the independent hardened woman, the suave deceptively laidback cowboy, the precocious child, but the author's skilful and intelligent storytelling reworks and reshapes them into unique individuals you won't soon forget.
Besides the hero and the heroine, Graciela, fully a third lead in her own right, must be one of the most endearing kids I've ever encountered in fiction and I was anticipating the moments when the narration briefly shifted into her perspective. She's adorably smart and inquisitive, sometimes embarrassingly so, though this maddening handful is always portrayed as a believable six years old. Representing everything Jenny was never permitted to be, Graciela is the apt foil to Jenny's change from embittered loner to embracing person. And their banter, alternatively taut, hilarious, touching, never sappy, is priceless.
Even the secondary characters are carefully chiselled and nuanced, starting from Marguarita, so present in her absence, a silent beacon of admiration and courage in Jenny's solitary thoughts, to Robert and Ty's wise mother and to Robert himself, with his hopeless inertia.
The cousins, if I really wanted to nitpick, I'd say have been sketched like a monochromatic block, a little too cartoonish in their villainous intentions, but after some mulling, I gather the author probably took such route in order to make the indigestible and repulsive idea of some guys willing to harm a child for money fit in a lighthearted context. In other words, to not excessively darken what should remain a sheer, unadulterated comedy.

The romance? Ahh, the romance...
... infused with a hot, unsophisticated, sweet and tender sensuality that so perfectly suits both their frank souls and the impassionate fireworks they're experiencing in spite of themselves. Then again, I did not expect anything less from these two.
Ty is the quintessential cowboy and man of action, gallant to the core, easygoing and cheeky. He knows to be in for all kinds of trouble the instant he sets eyes on this odd woman on a mission he can't help being attracted to. Jenny breaks all the moulds about femininity life has taught him and as the initial pull develops into respect and eventually into love, he woes and teases her, eager to make her step out of the shell she's built around herself, but also understands that he wouldn't have her any other way, wild and unconventional as they come, clinging to her promise and her word as she has always proudly done to rise above her circumstances and relishing every scrap of new knowledge she can glean from her battered dictionary to nurture her rough-diamond intelligence.
Jenny is wary at first and quite confrontational (with often some very funny results), she harbours some notions about men she had to learn the hard way that prevent her from really letting go and bask in what Ty is offering. When she finally realises things can and should be different even for her, she starts to slowly reach out, softening just enough, but always staying true to her untamed self.
And if there ever was a big-hearted fighter deserving her own HEA, that is Jenny.

Strongly recommended to anyone who enjoys Western Romances. An older sparkling gem that hasn't aged a day, in which Maggie Osborne dares you every step of the way to not fall in love with this mismatched trio. An impossible feat for me, I gladly lost on page one.

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of historical westerns, but this book might turn me into one. Yup, it was that good!

As the story opens, Jenny Jones is in jail, accused of killing a man. It was self defense, but no one believed a Mexican soldier, no matter how drunk he was, would try to force himself on a woman like her, rough and used to taking all kinds of unsavory jobs to earn a living. As Jenny is contemplating her impending death, Marguarita Barrancas, a wealthy Mexican woman who's clearly dying from consuption, enters her cell and offers her a deal: she will take Jenny's place in front of the firing squad tomorrow. As Jenny has requested to be wearing a hood when her time comes, the Mexican guards won't notice the exchange until the deed is done and Jenny is long gone. Naturally, Marguarita wants something in return from Jenny: Jenny's promise to take Marguarita's daughter Graciela safely to her (Graciela's) American father in California. The catch is, Graciela will become the sole heir to a large fortune when Marguarita dies and her cousins won't think twice to kill her in order to get their hands on the fortune. Jenny is a loner and hates kids, but Marguarita convinces her to accept the bargain. After all, the Mexican woman is dying anyway and even though Jenny thinks her (Jenny's) life isn't much to talk about, dying so soon isn't appealing. So the next day, Jenny finds herself saddled down with Graciela, a prissy, spoiled and snotty kid who hates her and blames her for the death of her mother.

Unbeknownst to Jenny, Graciela's estranged (and wimpy) father Robert Sanders has finally decided to fetch his wife and child. Not that he's grown cojones and stood up to his father after years of submission. No, no. The old man has just died and now Robert is free to acknowledge his Mexican wife and daughter. Obviously, he still isn't man enough to go get them himself, so he asks him brother Ty to do it. Humph! Can you tell how much I disliked Robert? :(

As expected, Jenny and Ty end up running into each other and, boy, that was fun. They are slightly attracted to each other, but mutual distrust keeps them apart. Only when Graciela's murderous cousins catch up with them and snatch the girl, Jenny and Ty decide to join forces to get her back. Not an easy task, considering they have to fight Graciela's belief that they are wrong and her cousins mean her no harm. Will Jenny be able to fulfill her promise to Marguarita and take Graciela safely to Robert? Will she get over her hankering for Ty? Or will she be heartbroken when all is said and done?

This book Jenny made me laugh and cry - not at the same time, of course. :) I just adored her. She was rough, hard, cussed all the time, drank and some cigars, and could beat the crap out of any man - including Ty - in a fight. She's the most unconventional heroine I've ever met and I didn't think I'd like her at first, but she won me over. The same way she won Ty and Graciela, I couldn't help admiring and loving her in the end.

I also loved Ty. He was equally tough and imperfect, with his prejudice against all things Mexican - including his niece Graciela. He was in Mexico to do a job, to take his sister-in-law (he didn't know she was dead when he accepted his brother's request) and his niece to their new home, and that was it. He didn't care for Graciela at first, but he was a fair man and it didn't take long for him to realize his prejudice was unjustified. If all cowboys are like him, I'm moving to Texas, LOL.

As for Graciela, what can I say? The girl drove me crazy and I fully understood Jenny's frustration and impatience with her. I don't care much for children in my romance books, but I have to say that Graciela was perfect. Not perfect in the sense that she was a little angel who could do no wrong. Quite the contrary. She was like a real child: one moment, you wanted to cuddle her; the next, you wanted to tell her to shut up and stop pestering you. She was smart, but not adult-smart. She spoke and acted like a 6-year-old, and that was refreshing.

I loved, loved, loved this book! It was funny, it was touching, it was... real. Ms. Osborne has pushed all my emotional buttons. Jenny's transformation from loner to caring mother was aptly written. Some authors would be tempted to turn Jenny into an unbelievably mushy, utter feminine woman, but Ms. Osborne avoided that trap and kept her true till the end. Ty's and Graciela's character growth was also very well portrayed and none had sudden epiphanies that turned them into someone else. Excellent writing all the way, Ms. Osborne!

I realize this review has become quite long, but I couldn't help it. I tend to go overboard when I really like something and, as you surely know by now, I more than liked this book. :) Okay, I'll stop now.

[Mo · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 fricking fantastic stars.

I loved Jenny. This is the second book I have read by this author and her leading ladies sure are that ... "leading". No shrinking violets here. Jenny Jones is honest, independent, hardworking, stubborn.

A desperate mother takes Jenny Jones' place in front of a firing squad in exchange for Jenny's promise to see her daughter safely to California. Though she and the six-year-old Graciela get off to a rocky start, Jenny will do everything in her power to keep her promise, even with the child's cousins in hot pursuit. Then she is mysteriously drawn to the handsome cowboy Ty Sanders, and though neither know it yet, their purpose is the same.

“Honesty is all I've got," she said finally, speaking in a low voice. "I don't have family. I don't have beauty, or a man. I don't have money, and I sure as hell don't have a future. All I've got to prop up my pride is my word." Her chin rose. "When Jenny Jones says something, you can bet your last peso that it's true.”

“Anything else, Your Majesty?"
"I didn't say my prayers."
"I'll say them for you. Our father who art in et cetera, bless all the rotten cousins and kill Jenny. Amen.”

Jenny didn't like children. The banter between herself and Graciela is very funny. Jenny loves to cuss. Graciela has been raised as a proper little lady. Chalk and cheese.

“Listen. Just because we got a mutual hankering, doesn't mean we have to act on it. Aside from the hankering, there isn't much about you that I like. So far, you've been a pain in the behind. And I might as well tell you, I've followed through on one hankering and getting shot was more of an enjoyable experience. I didn't like it.”

“Say yes, Jenny. Promise you'll marry me. Promise you'll still be here, driving me crazy and loving me when we're little and old and surrounded by grandchildren. Promise that you'll let me love you until I take my last breath. Promise.”

I got my epilogue ... many years later. Swoon.

[Lisa Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m partial to western romances, and this is one the way they should be written. Jenny is a tall, rawboned, mule-driving - and skinning - redhead who smokes cigars, drinks hard liquor and uses cuss words as part of her daily vernacular. Her word is her bond, the only thing she has left in a 'kangaroo' court, in a dank jail cell, or anywhere else in a cold, cruel world where she has survived alone since she was nine. It is appropriate, at this juncture, to tell you she carries - not a Bible - but a dictionary in her pocket. She is a self-educated woman and she’s always looking up the words people say to her. Sometimes she finds words on her own and wonders how to pronounce them. She daydreams about a word, savors it, and ponders how she’ll one day use it in a sentence.

To Jenny a “promise is a promise,” and she does not lie. All this endears her to me; despite her roughness in interacting with Graciela, the sheltered, pampered, and manipulative six year old she has promised to take from her mother’s Mexican hacienda to her father’s ranch in California. I found myself liking Jenny more and more. For Maggie Osborne has presented us with a very different heroine in this western romance, one I can't help admiring while shaking my head at at the same time. I often found myself gasping at the way she interacted with Graciela, other times laughing outright.

Here came the tears again. Jenny rolled her eyes.
"My mama always kissed me good night..."
"Well, I'll be goddamned. First you ask God to kill me dead, now you're hinting I should kiss you good night?"

Indeed, Graciela detests Jenny, and sees her as the cause of her mother’s death. For those readers who don’t like children in their romance books, hang on to your runaway horse’s mane. Ms. Osborne has written Graciela as a real person, a real child, which is vital to this wonderfully real romance. Truly, this is also Graciela’s book, as well as Ty and Jenny’s, and we get to see all three transformations. Graciela had me when, even though she hated Jenny, she had enough sense to ask herself: "What would Jenny do now?" It is a perfect question to ask when she finds herself trembling, confronted with snakes in an alleyway, in the desert, or in her family.

More related quotes that come further in the story:

"Anything else, Your Majesty?"
"I didn't say my prayers."
"I'll say them for you. Our father who art in et cetera, bless all the rotten cousins and kill Jenny. Amen."

And what of Ty, Graciela’s uncle? Well, he is a hero damn near perfect as written for Jenny. *sigh* From his reasons for his attraction and admiration of Jenny, to his determination to woo her, to his willingness to be honest with her.

I became totally invested in these poignant characters and this pivotal chapter in their lives. None of them had TSTL moments, nor was there a Big Misunderstanding. Never having read MO before, I wasn’t sure I was going to get a HEA. Was Ty going to tell Jenny those three precious little words? It made me cry when I didn’t think it would, and turned the tables around to do the same thing with my laughter. The title of the book had new meaning by its conclusion. Plus, there’s a wonderful epilogue that is perfectly written. God, I love a good epilogue.

[Mei · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit that I’m a sucker for this kind of romance!!!
Maggie Osborne is one of the best (the other is E. O’Connell)!

What is remarkable, and I repeat: REMARKABLE, in this book is the heroine, Jenny!



I don’t think I ever met another heroine like her! She’s big, she’s strong, she’s honorable, she’s the absolute best!

What she isn’t is a lady! She cusses, she wear trousers, she doesn’t wear corsets, she rides astride, she knows how to fight and how to shoot, she smokes and drinks and she doesn’t know what to do with a girl child! Oh, boy!!! I would fall in love with her myself!!!

But she has to deliver the girl, Graciela, to her father in San Francisco. She promised that to the girl’s mother and Jenny never breaks a promise. Her word is all she has!

But she doesn’t know how to manage such a gently breed girl. So their relationship is very difficult: she hates the “useless” and spoilt girl and Graciela hates her crude companion.

During the trip they’re chased by the girl’s cousins who want to kill her to gain her inheritance and by the girl’s uncle, Ty, who wants to bring her to her father too. But when Ty dismiss Jenny and takes Graciela away, Jenny is not some weak woman who just accepts it: she just ambush Ty, takes Graciela e leaves Ty tied as a salamy to contemplate cactuses! LOL

I loved, loved Jenny!!!

Slowly, facing the murderous cousins both Ty and Jenny decide that it’s wiser to join forced than to fight between themselves!

During the trip both Ty and Jenny will learn that being a loner is not such a nice thing. They will grow up and fall in love both with Graciela and with each other!

I adored Jenny! (I know, I know, I’ve already told you that several times!)

But I loved Graciela and Ty too!

Graciela has grown up too during the travels. From a snotty, spoilt girl pretending to be a lady to an intelligent and self-sufficient young girl. Slowly she grows to like and then love Jenny and Ty, where at the beginning she asked God, during the nightly prayers, to kill Jenny!

What a wonderful, hear warming and sometimes heart-wrenching book, full of action, funny moments, tenderness and some hot “hunkering”!!!

[♡Karlyn P♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! A great, fun and at times emotional historical about a down-and-out woman who gets a second chance at life – and finds a perfect love that surprisingly does bring some tears at the end. Saved from the firing squad in Mexico, Jenny switched places with a dying woman in exchange to bring the woman’s 6-year old daughter to the father (Robert) in California. The daughter is an heiress, and according to many greedy relatives she would be better off dead so they could inherit the family fortune. Jenny’s word is gold, and a promise is a promise. The daughter is a handful, and really makes this story come alive. (If you love kids with personality in your romances, this is a must read!) Unknown to Jenny, Robert’s brother Ty is on a mission to help locate Robert's wife and daughter he hasn’t seen in six years. As you can imagine, Jenny and Ty cross paths in Mexico and the sparks start to fly (as do the bullets!).

It’s a fast paced story filled with action, humor and a lot of heart. The relationship between Ty and Jenny evolve into something bone deep, and the heat was steaming off them! I discovered this author last month with ‘Silver Spoon’ and am now glomming her backlist.

[KatLynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! There are no words that haven’t been said before, and I’m sure much more eloquently, that describe the wonderful Jenny Jones and the value she puts behind her promise. Honesty is the core of her fiber and she refuses to tell a lie. She believes that telling a lie would be killing the only thing that’s good in her. She believes her worth is in her word. “If I don’t have my word, I might as well be dead. I’d rather die with honor than live without the only thing that makes me feel like I can face another day.”

This distinguishing characteristic is what brought Marguarita Barrancas Sanders to the filthy, lice infested cell of Jenny Jones. The very rich heiress has a proposition to make and is willing to take Jenny’s place in front of the firing squad in exchange for Jenny’s word that she will take her six year old daughter, Graciela, to California. This is no easy task as upon Marguarita’s death, Graciela will become the rich heiress and her Barrancas greedy relatives will want her dead!

I soon learned there is so much more to Jenny Jones. This woman sure knows how to take care of herself and it is very evident that her way of life was shaped by circumstances and not by choice. Being on her own since age nine, she is self-sufficient and has worked a variety of jobs from dish washer to mule driver and animal skinner! Not only can she hold her own doing men’s work, she packs a mean pistol and a hardy right punch. She dresses like a man, fights like a man, works like a man, and can hold her liquor and loves her cigars. And without a doubt the profanity can flow!

Another important thing about Jenny is that she has never wanted to be a mother. Heck, she doesn’t even like children! And now she finds herself strapped with an uncooperative, prissy, spoiled, sassy mouth six year old who hates her and a slew of male relatives who will stop at nothing until this little one is dead!

As you can imagine Jenny has her hands full. And in the middle of it all enters another problem…one tall, sexy, handsome as sin cowboy, Ty Sanders, Graciela’s uncle from California! …sighs…I have to say now that as the story progressed I soon realized he was perfect for Jenny in every way! He very quickly stole my heart as his thoughts showed that everything about this strange woman fascinated him in a way few other women had. He quickly saw through her layers, and wow did he want more!

As I traveled this journey with Jenny I soon learned that underneath and within is a strikingly beautiful woman who hides her soul pain and her vulnerability in a variety of ways. Her transformation is beautiful. I loved that she carries a dictionary and is always learning new words. She’s smart and a survivor. There’s nothing eloquent or dainty in her and neither is there vanity. The things she endures and the methods she chooses to fulfill the promise are amazing!

Emotionally, this was a roller coaster ride. There are so many laugh out loud moments. My favorite started with the conversation between Jenny and Graciela and the “hair between the legs” question asked by a curious six year old who’d never seen anyone naked before. It became a full blown out laugh later when this same conversation was related to her Uncle Ty in wonder and still disbelief and in the presence of a very embarrassed Jenny. And of course I loved Ty’s reply. The dialog between Jenny and this child and Jenny and Ty is perfectly captivating!

My roller coaster ride also brought me to those tender, precious moments where my heart filled with their pain, their sorrow until the fountain flowed. The pain of losing her mother and the loneliness Graciela experiences as realization comes that she will never see her again touched me to the core. Here, it is brief and yet powerful. And also are the glimpses surrounding the circumstances of Jenny’s life, and though this author doesn’t linger, it is felt.

And then there’s the “hankering” and the “licking all over.” As they are fighting for their lives and making their way to California, I experienced the riveting excitement and the perfect sizzle and sensual moments as Jenny discovers what a true kiss holds and they both discover a night of pure heaven!

I loved every word and every minute invested!

This is my 2nd book by this author and she has an amazing talent! This lady can tell a story and her heroines are not soon forgotten! This is a true western romance at its best!

Thank you to my GR friends Jill and Denise for introducing me to another author who has the magic!

This is a long review for me and I’ve only skimmed the surface and not even written other facets involved in this story. There are so many quotes and lines that grab you and cause you to stop and do a re-read. Here are just a few of my favs:-)

---Graciela still doesn’t believe that her mama’s relatives want her dead. She wants Jenny to let her go back home ---Graciela gazed down…she whispered, “Mama won’t know if you kept your promise…”
“I’ll know!” Jenny glared. “When Jenny Jones gives her word, by God the thing is as good as done! This doesn’t have anything to do with your mother anymore. Here’s how it is, kid. After you give a promise, see, the person you gave it to is out of the deal. It’s just you and the promise. If you keep the promise, then you’re somebody, you did right. But if you fail, then you might as well stick a knife in your gut because you aren’t worth spit. You’re a person with no fricking honor. Now that’s how it is. And that’s why your butt is going to California.”

---- (one of their talks about the hankering:-) “You’re an intimidating woman….I imagine most men would back away from a challenge like you.” (Jenny’s reply) “Most men don’t even see me. Which suits me just fine.”
“If they don’t see you, it’s because you don’t want them to. That’s why you hide yourself under that shapeless poncho and wear an old hat pulled down to your ears….You talk and act like one of the boys so you don’t have to deal with being one of the girls.”

----“If I were to kiss you…” He paused, dropping a lazy lingering glance to her mouth. “Do you know how I’d do it?”
Her heart lurched and knocked against her rib cage. She gripped the edge of the table and squeezed her eyes into a warning squint. “I’m telling you for the last time…shut up.”
He kept his gaze on her mouth, studying her through eyes that seemed to smolder in the depths. “I’d start out slow. Real slow, so’s not to spook you. I’d put my hands on your waist, low, almost on your hips. Then I’d draw you up against me. Let you feel what I was thinking.” A smile touched his lips….”I’d rub against you, slow like, getting the feel of you, letting you get the feel of me. Then, I’d move my hands up your waist, under that poncho, right by your rib cage until I could feel the soft heat of your breasts resting on the tops of my hands…I’d lean over you, and put my mouth down next to yours, but I wouldn’t kiss you yet….I’d breathe you first. I’d sip your breath and hold it inside. Then I’d touch my tongue to your bottom lip….I’d run my tongue around those lips, tracing the shape and size. And then…”

[[~Ami~]♥Sexy Dexy♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

This was a little gem. I liked everything about this book. I love Ty and Jenny, the plot kept me on the edge of my seat, the romance was believable. Some parts of the story did feel a bit unbelievable but it didn't bug me much. This is historical but it had a modern feel to it. I will definitely read more from this author.

[Ira · Rating 5 out of 5]

The funniest American Historical Romance I've ever read so far!:)

Still plenty violent as usual happened in the era but much lighter than the one I usually read for this type of story. The affections which growing between Jenny, Ty and Graciela is delightful to read.

The epilogue? I truly loves it and the conversation Jenny have with Marguarita's star is so sweet:)

I certainly will read more of Ms. Osborne's books.

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

Despite the gritty beginning, this book has a light fun-filled heart.
A rom-com with a bittersweet and heartwarming touch.

Jenny Jones is an amazing and unusual h.
She believes that if you don't have much else, you should at least have honor and keep you word - always. Even if it means facing a firing squad. Because if you lose that too, then you are nothing.
Starting from almost nothing or even worse - an abusive childhood - she makes herself into this gritty and honorable person. Her amazonian physicality only adds to her persona.

As the synopsis tells us, Jenny exchanges places (grudgingly) with a dying upper class Hispanic/Mexican woman who's ready to die in her place so as to give her daughter a chance to escape their ruthless and greedy cousins. After making 'The Promise' of delivering the little girl to her father in California, Jenny runs - into several difficulties and roadblocks as also fisticuffs, but stubbornly holds her own.
The plan needs cooperation from the 8 yo Graciela. Only the haughty little señorita has her own ideas. It's difficult to dislike Graciela despite her airs, her prejudices and her unknowingly abetting of her kidnappers. Her snits, of course, hide a scared and grieving heart. In fact, she's a darling. How their mutual hate and antagonism turns into something quite else is heartwarming.
The bond between Jenny and Graciela (as it emerges) is the USP of the book.

Not that the romance is bad.
The h/H bond is easy to come by compared to Jenny/Graciela's.
This odd duo clash and then gel naturally into a believable couple.
Ty, the H is a 'Gringo' cowboy from California. He's Graciela's uncle and has come to 'retrieve' her. He comes upon them as Jenny is grappling with, actually pummeling the hell out of 'the' Mexican cousins, and he too jumps into the fray. They separate as he doesn't know yet that the girl is the niece he came looking for. What follows is a run-for-your-life-and-chase through Mexico towards the Texan border. (Also, Jenny is an El Paso native.)
And their mutual attraction or 'hankering' as they call it, is funny as it's sweet --
“ A tall, strong-boned woman wasn't to every man's taste, but he responded powerfully to the challenge she presented. "And I admire your style. Hell, who can explain a hankering. You aren't like any woman I ever met.""

Some touches like Jenny's determination to learn new words from her pocket dictionary, and Graciela asking God every night to punish/kill Jenny - right in front of her - and then asking Jenny to give her a goodnight kiss are a brilliant touch.

The Sanders-Barrancas family feud and the greedy Mexican cousins enliven things a lot for the story.
The doomed love story of Marguarita and Robert is heart-wrenching but as Jenny scathingly says it (as it is) that “Robert chose his inheritance instead of Marguarita and the kid.”

[Laurie (barksbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't think you'd like a heroine who smokes cigars, cusses like there's no tomorrow, and can whip the hero's butt in a fight? Then you probably haven't read this book yet! Breaking all kinds of stereotypes the author creates an untraditional heroine you can't help but admire, laugh with and cry for.

Jenny Jones, accused of killing a man in self defense, is awaiting death by a firing squad when she is approached by a rich dying woman who offers to take her place. Naturally, there is a catch. Jenny must promise to deliver the woman's daughter safely into the arms of her Father in California. Jenny is a loner who thinks kids are barely half human but decides her life, as pitiful as it may be, is worth the aggravation.

Jenny not only finds herself saddled down with a snot nosed, prissy kid who prays for her death each night but hot on her trail are the kids' money grubbing cousin's who are bent on killing little Graciela so they can grab her inheritance. To make matters worse Jenny is also being followed by Ty Sanders, a real sexy dude, who appears to want Graciela for his own perverted reasons.

Ty, unbeknownst to Jenny, is also on the same mission. He is Graciela's uncle and has been sent by his brother to retrieve her. He'll do everything he can to save his niece from the hands of the obviously insane Miss Jenny Jones. Still, as nutty as he finds her he can't help being attracted to her. She fascinates him and this scares him more than Graciela's murderous cousins.

Eventually these two hard headed, tough as nail people realize they need to stop beating the crap out of each other and join forces if they intend to bring Graciela home safely.

The three spend time together and struggle to keep themselves alive but will they be strong enough to protect their hearts from breaking when they're forced to say goodbye at the end of the trip?

THE PROMISE OF JENNY JONES is often times hilarious and extremely touching. Author Osborne handled Jenny's gradual transformation from loner to big hearted woman so beautifully I had tears in my eyes throughout a major part of the book. I also liked the little girl Graciela's transformation from a stuck-up little brat to a sensitive and loving little girl. And, of course, Ty was also a terrific hero whose first mistake is assuming he is going to tame Jenny! The character growth in this story is just amazing. Because the character's are so well drawn and actually get to know each other before they jump into bed the love story between this unlikely couple is completely believable and the sexual tension intense.

The grittiness, humor, realism and emotion of this story are just a few of the things that make it so special. Maggie Osborne knows which buttons to push to melt this reader's heart. Very highly recommended

[MomToKippy · Rating 2 out of 5]

As I read this I kept saying to myself this would make a good movie. Books that make me think that have an interesting scenario, move along quickly (stuff happens), have colorful characters and are visually interesting. This does all that. However, the writing is mediocre and there is quite a bit of implausibility and nonsense along the way. When the hero can only describe his feelings for the heroine repeatedly as "she has great breasts" either the character is very shallow or the author has little imagination or both. He does get a little more eloquent (as does the author) as things move along though.

I often asked myself, why am I reading this?? I think I went past the point of no return so I had to finish it. This tends toward being a slapstick western that switches randomly to seriousness. So many incredible coincidences abound. It was truly a mixed bag for me. I was either laughing out loud, rolling my eyes, saying "isn't that sweet" and sometimes I think I had a tear in my eye. (shhh)

If I am making no sense it is because this book didn't make all that much either but was somewhat entertaining. If you like a humorous historical romantic western that is a bit cheesy at times you may have fun with this. It earns about 2.5 stars from me.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 delighted stars for this historical novel, set in the Wild West, especially Mexico and California. Unique plot! Unique romance, too. Personally, I love credible kids in the plot, but some readers don't, so be warned: the little señorita plays a major role throughout the book. I'm not sure if this was a love story between Jenny and Ty, or between Jenny and the six-year-old child she promised to see safely home, Graciela. But either way, it's a winner on both counts! I laughed out loud repeatedly, and felt warmed by the bond that developed between Graciela and Jenny, and even Ty. The romance between Ty and Jenny was straightforward, no games, sizzling hot and very sweet. Dulcet!

Loved seeing little Graciela learn to cope with reality far away from her pampered lifestyle at her Mexican hacienda. Enjoyed watching her character develop. Credible. Poignant.

No time to write more now, but thanks to all my friends who recommended this one over the years. Why did I wait?? Guess I'm hardheaded like Jenny, a frickin' mule! (But wait, that kind of cussin's been banned in this book, in favor of "dulcet" delights in the dictionary.)

Contents include one or two sex scenes, some swearing and religious profanity, and some bloody murder. Lots of survival scenes in Mexico, too.

Sweet epilogue!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

You've got promise Jenny Jones...

Loved this! Absolutely delightful. I'm looking forward to reading more from Maggie Osborne.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

5++ Stars!! I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK!!

One of the most amazing books I've ever read. I loved it all! Fantastic characters; a tough as nails heroine, a larger than life hero, and little girl that will steal your heart. There's action, adventure, romance and undying love that you feel deep in your soul. It's one of those books where you remember everything and when you think about it...you smile. It lived up to the hype and all the great reviews and is a book that I'll be reading again and again. A top notch read!

[Donna (Currently Busy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a few books by Maggie Osborne and enjoyed most of them. This is one I've been wanting to read for a while now. When I found it on sale through Kindle for $1.99, I pulled the trigger. Ms. Osborne has a way with creating tough female main characters that capture a reader's interest and holds it until the last page. (At least with me anyway.) A good example of this is Low Down from "Silver Lining." In fact, she's the character that came to mind when Jenny Jones is first introduced in this book. Both women had similar poor childhoods and are very rough around the edges.

As the synopsis states, Marguarita Barrancas Sanders offers to trade places with Jenny Jones who is scheduled to be killed by a firing squad in Mexico. Jenny prides herself on not ever lying to people and always keeping her promises. It's the not lying part that has landed her in jail for killing men who attempted to rob her of the merchandise she was carrying during one of her jobs. She told the truth about what happened. Marguarita is a young mother who is ill and knows she doesn't have much time left. She asks Jenny to take her six year old daughter to California to live with her biological father, Robert Sanders, and in exchange will take Jenny's place in front of the firing squad. Reluctantly, Jenny agrees and promises to guard Graciela with her life. Even though she doesn't like children.

What Jenny (and Marguarita) don't know and the reader learns early in the book, is that Robert's younger brother Ty Sanders is also traveling in Mexico with the goal of bringing both Marguarita and Graciela back to California. There's bad blood between both the Sanders and Barrancas families. It involves prejudice on both sides and the details are ultimately revealed to the reader. So Ty is completely unaware of Jenny's situation and vice versa. But they do encounter each other without knowing it. The following is from the first time Ty sees Jenny (with Graciela) at a train station in Mexico:

"Usually Ty wasn't drawn to tall, big-boned women who looked like they could do everything a man could do and maybe do it better. But this woman caught his attention. He guessed she was at least five feet ten or eleven, but she didn't hunch or try to pretend she was a foot shorter. She didn't affect breathless airs better left to little women, and she wasn't foolish enough to mimic daintiness. She carried herself as if height were an advantage, not the disaster women usually considered it. She moved like a real person, not like someone sandwiched between metal stays. And she looked around her with an expression that dared anyone to challenge her or get in her way."

When they do ultimately discover each other's motive, Ty underestimates Jenny's street smarts. He takes Graciela from Jenny but she's wise to Ty's strategy. And Jenny captures Graciela right back. All while trying to evade the Barrancas villainous cousins wanting to kidnap Graciela for greedy reasons. Ty and Jenny ultimately end up working together and respecting each other's strengths. Ty sees not only a strong woman in Jenny, but also a person with skills equal to his own.

It's an exciting story that is emotional, humorous, and romantic. It kept me on my toes and turning the pages. The banter between Jenny, Ty, and Graciela had both comedic and serious turns. That little girl was six years old going on 30 the way she talked and acted.

If you like historical western fiction that has gun fights, exploding trains, and romance, then you might enjoy this this book.

🪁 - 4 star rating.
🪁 - Square #54 - Choice of book from Best of GR Romances list for 1996-1999.
🪁 - 24/100
🪁 - FMC used lots of foul language but attempted to curtail it after MMC pointed out she was setting a bad example for the child. ("Fricking" was used 70 times, forms of "damn" 99 times, and "hell" 104 times.)
🪁 - Intimacy scenes tastefully written.

[Sandra Hoover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny Jones is a swearin', cigar smokin', mule skinnin', hard-nosed woman who can hold her own in a fight with the meanest cowboy south of the border. She came up tough & alone and while she swears like a sailor and fights like a man, she's learned to hide her emotions behind a cold facade. Jenny is no lady & glad of it, but her word is sacred. She's sitting in a Mexican prison preparing to face a firing squad the next morning when a real lady - a senorita with breeding, class, and wealth enters her cell asking Jenny for a promise in exchange for her life. Marquarita Sanders offers to take Jenny's place at dawn in front of the firing squad if Jenny promises on her life to get her daughter, heiress Graciela, to safety with her father in California. There are extenuating circumstances, but those are for the reader to learn as the story unfolds. Jenny accepts the deal, the switch is made, and Jenny heads toward California with 6 year old Graciela.

What ensues is an emotional, hilarious journey of unexpected discoveries, revelations, and heartfelt moments for both Jenny & Graciela. I'm not sure when I last laughed so much while reading a book. Hard-nosed, gun-totin' Jenny has never been around children, most especially not one of high breeding who's had servants cater to her every whim since the day she was born. Jenny is completely flabbergasted at the demands of this arrogant 6 year old girl - who does she think she is? Graciela has never been around anyone like Jenny - most certainly not anyone who cusses, spits, and dares deny her demands. The woman wears pants, for goodness sakes! And so, each night when Graciela says her prayers in front of Jenny, she never fails to ask God to bless all her family and . . . strike Jenny dead. If that's not possible, could He at least cause her painful, bodily harm? Amen. lol The interchanges between these two characters are hilarious! And for all you romance fans, don't worry - a big, strong, handsome, rugged unconventional cowboy named Ty comes riding into the picture, and the sexual chemistry threatens to set the countryside on fire.

The Promise of Jenny Jones is my first book by Maggie Osbourne, but I've already marked more of her work to read. Her writing is sharp with detailed plot lines and characterizations - very witty, natural, and emotional. I quickly fell in love with these characters, got lost in the storyline, and had a very hard time putting this book down until I finished it. It's a fantastic read for fans of historical western romance or just fans of romance with a side dose of humor. A sexy heroic cowboy + a feisty reluctant heroine + a precocious child = one honest, heartfelt, and oh-so-deliciously sexy read! Highly recommended!
4.5 Laugh Out Loud Stars!
*Reviewed at: Cross My Heart Reviews

[Sometime · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been dying to read this book again and my library finally got a digital copy. It's still as good as I remembered. Some of my love for this book might be sentimental, but I really enjoyed this story. and I really loved the double meaning behind the book's title. The story is about Jenny and the promise that she made, but it's also about Jenny and what an amazing person she is, so full of potential and promise.

Jenny sits in a Mexican jail about to be executed when she is given the chance to live if she will promise to take a young girl to her father in California. Jenny was kicked out of her home at 10 years old and has had to fend for herself ever since. To Jenny, a promise is a sacred bond and she will never ever never back out of a promise made.

Much of the book is Jenny trying to get Graciela to California all while being pursued by the girl's cousins who want her dead so they can inherit her fortune. The romance enters when Graciela's uncle Ty is also trying to find her and bring her home. Eventually, they work together, but they encounter lots of trouble along the way. Ty has never met a woman like Jenny and he is instantly smitten. There were parts of the romance that bothered me Ty isn't the marrying kind and neither is Jenny. But she's had sex and didn't like it, plus she doesn't want to get pregnant so she tells him no, no, and no again. He just keeps pushing and pushing, trying to seduce her until she's so turned on that she gives in. It did bother me that he wouldn't take no for an answer, but this book was published in 1997 so it's dated in its attitudes. There were also far too many mentions of Ty's sexual past. No details, just repeated thoughts of "Jenny's not like the women I'm used to." and "Ty thought fondly of the older married woman who taught him how to please a woman in bed" GAG! Today, we'd consider that rape as Ty was only 16 at the time. Again, 1997. but I overlooked those things and fell in love with Ty, Jenny, and little Graciela and their story.

Safety: Neither virgins. h has had sex one time before and it did not do anything for her. Ty is experienced, considering he started out at 16 and is 30s now, he's been around the block a few times, but he lives on an isolated ranch so not a manwhore. No OM/OW drama, except for Ty's constant thoughts of all the women in his past (no details) but enough already. No cheating. The H/h agree to no-strings sex, but we all know where that's headed.

Some violence- characters are shot and stabbed, choked. Violence against children.

ORIGINAL REVIEW from 8 years ago:
Loved this book. Funny romantic and charming. I laughed out loud many times reading this one. Will definitely read this one again!

[Zumbagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Promise of Jenny Jones is the first book I've read by Maggie Osborne - and it's a winner!! Not usually a great fan of westerns, this one roped me in (tee hee) and I fell head over heels for the heroine, Jenny Jones, the little girl in the story, Graciela, and the cowboy hero, Ty. This is an unlikely trio - all at odds with each other at different times. It's often humorous hearing the altercations between Jenny and Graciela and Jenny and Ty. With so many problems and obstacles, I wasn't sure how a romance was going to happen - but it sure does! Because the H and h are always together in their journey, we see how the relationship develops between them, romantically and otherwise, as well as how their relationship with Graciela takes root. How are two people, both very independent and not wanting to get involved raising a child, going to handle caring for a 6-year-old girl, while being chased by greedy, blood-thirsty relatives trying to kidnap and kill said girl? Hmmm...

Something I particularly loved: watching Jenny and Ty learn to love and protect Graciela. People who have never had their own child see things very differently than parents. So as this journey progresses, from Mexico to California, these two basically become parents to Graciela - sometimes disagreeing on the best parenting methods - but essentially becoming focused and in sync with each other about how to deal with Graciela. Graciela was a rip and I loved her to pieces. All that they went through really pulled on my heartstrings and I was worried they wouldn't get their HEA. It was a bittersweet ending, but the epilogue was amazing, one of the best ever. It really made me think about how life goes by too fast.

I also loved how Jenny had a star she spoke to and named after Graciela's mother, Marguarita. Everything she said was so beautiful. I cried and felt so sad that Marguarita didn't get to see her little girl grow up and be there with her. But I felt so happy and proud to see how well Graciela did grow up.

This is a quirky, sweet, funny and beautiful story that illustrates how different families are - some have a mother and father, others don't, but they still are a family, just a little different. Highly recommend it:)

[Alejandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡Madre mía, qué libro más bonito! ¡Y cómo me alegro de haberle dado la oportunidad a esta escritora! Mi Reto Rita no podría haber terminado mejor. 😍😭
Merece mucho la pena conocer esta historia. Maravillosa tanto a nivel trama, ritmo y acción, como lo que respecta a los personajes. ¡Y esos diálogos, que me han encantado!
Jenny tiene unas agallas tremendas, a Ty me lo comería a besos y Graciela es adorable.
No puedo olvidarme de Marguarita. Las conversaciones que Jenny mantenía con ella me han parecido sublimes.
Y bueno, que el final me ha arrancado alguna lagrimilla, pero de felicidad.
Precioso.

[Hollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally..............a 5 star read

This book was off the charts fucking amazing!!!!! I'm not usually a fan of historical/western romance, but this one never felt anything but modern and realistic. The character depth was solid. The story was heartwarming, action packed, and just incredible from the beginning to the end. The romance was developed. Hell, all the relationships in this book were developed and felt genuine. I fell in love with each and every single character. I cannot recommend this book enough. And the epilogue..................absolute perfection. Such a refreshing book that I am certain I will re-read at a later date.

[Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good rags to riches type story... swoony hero, tough as nails heroine, and some swashbuckling, western action. throw in a stubborn six year old and you've got an engaging and colorful story.
I've never read MO before, but I will definitely check out her other stuff. I actually think I've got Silver Lining on my Kindle.
also, the epilogue was fantastic. Years into the future and high on the sweet, swoony romance.

[Sruthi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny Jones was fricking amazing. This story is more about Graciela and JJ than about JJ and Ty. Though I would have liked to know Ty better, I am not entirely disappointed with the package.

This marks my first Maggie Osborne, I am sure looking forward to more books.

[Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm in the minority here, but meh...

[Katrina Passick Lumsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars? Me, giving a romance book four stars? I know!

I've read a lot of books in my time, and I can honestly say that Maggie Osborne has one of the greatest gifts for pacing I've ever seen. Things progress exactly as they should, and the sexual tension between the love interests is dragged out just long enough for one to feel the slight tinge of frustration before being granted satisfaction. Usually in romance fiction you get one of two things; the couple fall into bed far too early and end up madly in love with each other before you've even gotten into the story, or the tension is strung out far too long, with the couple only coming together sometime within the last quarter of the book, and by then you just don't care anymore because you're so fed up with them both being unrealistically stubborn. Maggie Osborne somehow manages to strike that "just right" place in between. We get sexual tension, we get longing, but it's not dragged out to the point of making us angry. To top it off, her stories are engaging, her characters likeable, well-thought-out, and multi-dimensional, and even her somewhat sappy HEA endings are tolerable. I think this is mostly due to the fact that she doesn't spend the entire book drowning you in sap first.

I love Jenny Jones. I love her resilience, her self-sufficiency, and her independence. I love that she's a tough woman who isn't portrayed as heartless. Osborne masterfully crafted a strong, yet vulnerable woman.

Ty Sanderson? Oh, hello. Hottest cowboy ever. I'm not even that big into cowboys, and I'd let Ty Sanderson hogtie me and throw me over the back of his horse any day.

All in all, an enjoyable, fun read with lots of romance and action. Now I'm trying to get my hands on every Maggie Osborne book I can.

[Jess the Romanceaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm such a sucker for stories (especially historicals) about tomboy females who finally get a chance at love.

I'll be the first to admit, I don't like children in romance. They're either vomit-inducingly cute and perfect, or way too mature for their ages. That said, I adored Graciela. She was spoiled, annoying, smart-mouthed and manipulative. In other words, she was six lol It was nice seeing her mature throughout the story, and I loved her interactions with Jenny (especially since Jenny hated children)

The romance was fun, with tons of UST.. Who knew just kissing could be that hot?? *fans self*

It was also funny at times, and I admit I snickered at the fact they kept referring to their attraction as "having a hankering" lol

The ending was a bit predictable (but no less fun), and the epilogue was simply beautiful.

4 1/2 Stars

[Miranda Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, right up front I'm going to admit I will not be able to convey my utter, absolute delight with this wonderful book. Ms. Osborne grabbed me by the throat and yanked me into this story from the opening scenes.

There is only one thing tragically wrong with this book: it’s not an ebook readily available for anyone who loves extraordinary, intelligent storytelling and lively, unique and achingly funny characters. This is just flat-out magnificent. MAGNIFICENT. I nabbed a OOP paperback on amazon because Jill here on Goodreads said it was among her favorites of all time. I must agree.

Wow. And I don't read American HRs, western HRs, or anything. The muscles at the corners of my jaw ached I smiled and cackled and grinned and gritted my teeth in turns so much.

Jenny Jones grew up in hardscrabble circumstances, and as a result, she has become as tough and resourceful as the men she deals with and competes against in all manner of thankless jobs. She’s had to make her own way, with fists up and wits about her. Unfortunately, that toughness has earned her an appointment with a firing squad. (She's killed a Mexican soldier attempting to rape her. Although there were no witnesses, she told the truth in court. Why? She will not lie or break her word. Ever.)

A well-born Mexican aristocrat dying of consumption and desperate to ensure her child’s safety, offers Jenny a life-saving deal which Jenny accepts very reluctantly (her reasons for reluctance were the first spit-take for me. Wonderful.) This Mexican aristo offers to take her place before the guns, if Jenny will bring her only child, a six-year old daughter, safely to her American father in California, and if he can't or won't accept his child, Jenny must raise her herself.

This dying mother knows her child is next in line to inherit her grandfather’s estate upon her death and there are those in the extended family who would kill the kid to claim the inheritance.

Jenny knows almost nothing about children -- and what little she does know, doesn’t endear them to her. And this one lives up to Jenny’s worst fears. Graciela is Jenny’s feminine, pampered, prissy polar opposite. The friction and mutual antagonism is priceless. (My second series of spit takes occurred while the two negotiate their differences.) Worse, she blames Jenny for her mother's death and is convinced her scheming, greedy relatives love her, a dangerous misjudgment.

What I loved to death: 1) the little girl is a tiny, prissy pain-in-the-ass, yet she teaches Jenny how to care for another, and reveals Jenny's own nurturing instincts; 2) and Jenny’s resourcefulness so impresses the little girl, that she learns how to handle herself and escape her privileged upbringing to become a capable, clever girl who has admirable inner strength.

Of course, there’s a big, handsome hunk who will defend a woman like Jenny, even if she can punch the lights out of an attacker all by herself. By chance, he is on his way to Mexico to find Garciela and her mother and bring them to her husband, his brother, after years of separation.

What I envy to the point of sickness: the author manages to balance all the conundrums of this story, the frictions, the well-drawn and contrary personalities, and never ever slides into cliche. I loved and understood everyone, even when they were annoying as hell.

Overall, the story is intricately plotted, the premise is reasonable and compelling and, though my summary gives none of the depth or details of the situation, I was caught up in it immediately. It was very carefully considered, plausible and felt like history of the borderlands. Excellent. There’s gender conflicts, cultural biases, and gobsmackingly great, deep, living, breathing people who say what they think and mean what they say. Jenny, Garciela and Ty (Garciela’s American Hunk-le) deal with the hands dealt them with intelligence, courage and honor. And in one great scene, a handkerchief stuffed in a mouth (Third spit-take). The author has a wonderful, sense of humor that made me love the H/h more and more as I got to know them.

This is just a flat out great, great, GREAT read. That's three greats and 5 stars, easy-peasy.

[Pattrycia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in the mood for something angsty & emotional, so I decided to pick this up. This story is about Jenny Jones, a strong & tough woman who thinks she had nothing to offer the world except for her words. She placed such a high value of her words & she would never break a promise. As a child, she was unloved and thrown out of her house at the age of 9. She had to do hard works like skinning a mule for example in order to survive in the big bad cruel world.

Jenny was sentenced to death for a killing a soldier in defense. But a woman named Marguarita came & offered to take her place if Jenny would take her 6-year-old daughter Graciela back to her dad. It was like given a second chance at life which Jenny took reluctantly. She didn't like children & had no clue how to raise one. The promise she made to Marguarita involved taking Graciela to her father & should the father had died, Jenny had to raise her herself. Not one to go back on her promise, she tried like hell to protect Graciela from her vicious & greedy cousins who wanted to kill her for her inheritance. Amidst one of the fights, she was helped by a ringo cowboy which later turned out to be Graciela's uncle, Ty Sanders.

Most of the stories was about their journey from Mexico to San Fransisco where Robert, Marguarita's husband lived. Graciela who grew up in her mother loving arms knew nothing about the world. She was a prim little lady with servants always ready at her back. I like seeing how Graciela transformed from a bratty child to a strong & independent one. She learned a lot of things pertinent to her survival from Jenny. She even said that she wanted to be like Jenny & not like her mother.

Jenny had to suffer from a gunshot to her arm & later a knife wound to the stomach in her attempt to protect Graciela. Oh Jenny, the things you went through for that child you hated. Throughout the journey, Jenny & Graciela grew close together & started to love each other. Romance also blossomed in Jenny's heart as Ty and Jenny got a 'hankering' for each other. They didn't act on it for quite some time until Jenny finally gave in to the attraction when Ty kissed her. I remembered one scene was particularly funny when they had to go for a fight & Ty ended up with an erection cause Jenny pressed her bosom to his body.

I was annoyed by Robert's actions who was kinda indifferent to her daughter. Jenny went through hell to get her safely to his arms & when they got there, he decided to leave for Mexico cause he wanted to find his deceased wife. Luckily Graciela has Jenny & Ty who would gladly take the role as her loving parents.

I realized that Jenny's character is much like Low Down's character in Silver Lining. They are both tough & used to doing rough work. They are not aware of inner & outer beauty that they actually possess. Luckily Ty is smart enough to see past all that tough appearance that she always put on. I really like how the writer ended the story, although I wouldn't complain if she put a lil more hot love scenes. I am really glad the author didn't let Ty die, it might make the story even more emotional, but a sad ending is a big NO for me

This book is a solid 4.5 stars for me. But if I have to compare this to Silver Lining, this book is easily second best.

[Nefise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure if I can express my feeling about the book. I guess I'm not exaggerating if I say it's one of the best book I've ever read.

Plot and story progressing was so successful and unique! There is not overly drama or not emotionless manner of telling. Jenny Jones, heroine, is very successful character, it's kind of her journey. I felt that as if author tried to say, if a person truly being honest and honorable, one day he'll receive his reward. Jenny Jones's story is one of hopeful fiction, all of us want in real life.

Gracelia and Ty were another great characters in the book. It was full of joy to read their slowly building trust and relationship. I smiled, I laughed, I felt sad, love and all other emotions with these three wonderful protagonists. Briefly, I can empathized with them throughout the story.

With this book, I've started to think, American History/Western has become my favorite genre. They are more realist, touching and hopeful.

I want to thank you Ms. Osborne for creating such a good story.

[Kimberly Carrington-Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ay, qué libro más maravilloso, me ha encantado. En la reseña os contaré