Gabe Evans is a man of his word with strong convictions and steadfast loyalty. As the sheriff of Splendor, Montana, the ex-Union Colonel and oldest of four boys from an affluent family, Gabe understands the meaning of responsibility. The last thing he wants is another commitment—especially of the female variety.
Until he meets Lena Campanel...
Lena’s past is one she intends to keep buried. Overcoming a childhood of setbacks and obstacles, she and her friend, Nick, have succeeded in creating a life of financial success and devout loyalty to one another.
When an unexpected death leaves Gabe the sole heir of a considerable estate, partnering with Nick and Lena is a lucrative decision…forcing Gabe and Lena to work together. As their desire grows, Lena refuses to let down her guard, vowing to keep her past hidden—even from a perfect man like Gabe.
But secrets never stay buried…
When revealed, Gabe realizes Lena’s secrets are deeper than he ever imagined. For a man of his character, deception and lies of omission aren’t negotiable. Will he be able to forgive the deceit? Or is the damage too great to ever repair?
Shirleen Davies grew up in Southern California. She attended Oregon State University, and has degrees from San Diego State University and the University of Maryland. During the day she provides consulting services to small and mid-sized businesses. But her real passion is writing emotionally charged stories of flawed people who find redemption through love and acceptance. She now lives with her husband in a beautiful town in northern Arizona.
It's always a pleasure to read a well written book, and Shirleen Davies writes very well. She's created a small town in post-Civil War Montana, and populated it with a diverse and interesting group of people. I've become invested in all of them. Also, to me, the pacing of a story is very important. It should be fast enough to keep me interested and not bog down, but slow enough to develop the characters and romantic relationship. Davies gets that balance just right. She also has several plots going in addition to the romance. She juggles those adroitly, without taking any stage time away from the romance. These additional plots make the story far more multi-dimensional.
I've have now read 4 books in this series. I gave the first two book 4 stars. However, I gave the third book 3 stars, and this book 3.5 stars. Why? They are all equally well-written in the ways that I described. However, the romances all took the same course. In the first three books, the heroes each had reasons why they couldn't or didn't want to settle down with the heroines. So the romance consisted of the heroes doing an approach/avoidance act towards the heroine. And in many cases they just acted like jerks. It was fine in the first book, but started to grate in the second book. By the third book I wished Davies had found a different way to present a conflict in the romance. This was getting old very fast. In fact, in book three, Sunrise Ridge, the hero's best friend baits Noah, the hero, because he'd "grown tired of watching him sulk around, acting as if his decision to stop seeing Abby [the heroine] made sense." That's exactly how I felt.
In this, the fourth book, the heroine is the one with the approach/avoidance issues. She at least has some good reasons for thinking that the hero may reject her once he finds out her secrets, but by this time I was tired of the pattern. Also, while her reasons for keeping secrets were understandable, I felt that she held on to her secrets for too long.
I will continue to read the rest of this series, and Ms. Davies' other books, because she's a very accomplished writer. However, I'm hoping that the nature of the romantic conflict and challenges change with the next few books.
Gabe is the sheriff of the town of Splendor. He keeps his private life private. If he wants a woman, he goes to the next town to have his time with Dolly. She's a call girl at one of the saloons. The day that Nick, the owner of the Dixie saloon,partner comes to town, Gabe has eyes only for her. It was love at first sight for him. Lena is afraid to get to close with Gabe. She likes him as a friend but she has a big secret. She doesn't know how he will handle it. She is falling more and more for him. But this secret could pull them apart. Her ex Willie comes to town and threatens her with exposure. He is an evil man who changed her life seven years ago. He took her virginity and stole her jewelry and her and Nick's cash. Then he left town. Her cousin Isabelle and Lena's son, Jackson, arrived on the stage. She didn't know that they were coming to Splendor. But Isabelle husband had just recently died. Lena was so happy to see Jackson. She hated being separated from him. Now that Willie Caryle knew that his son and Lena were in town, he would force her into marrying him. She said no, and she was hoping that Gabe would intervene. Great story of these two people who love each other, but can they get through all these obstacles? Love Shirleen Davies characters and how she brings them together
Gabe Evans is an ex Union Colonel from an affluent New York family. He is the oldest of four boys and expected by his father to go back to his duties as an eldest son, but Gabe's experience in the war have effected him and he needs a change. He goes to Splendor, Montana and takes the job of Sheriff determined to make a difference there. During this time he learns of his Uncles death and his inheriting the entire estate. Lena Campanel is a women that grew up in Saloons and was best friends with Cash whose mother worked there. Cash began investing money and bringing Lena along until they both owned and opened a new Saloon in Splendor, Montana. Gabe was attracted to Lena at first glance. He set his sights on her and chased her until he caught her. With his inheritance he went in with Cash and Lena and together they built a hotel. After that they started building houses to sell or rent and eventually bought the remaining Saloon. They invested in the Boardinghouse and expanded it and the restaurant. Lena had a son she had a friend raising and decided she wanted him with her. They joined her in Splendor making all of them happy. She worried about Gabe's acceptance, but he was open minded and accepted him as his own.
This was a story about a young woman who came with her partner to a small town in the west to open another saloon and there she found the love of her life and her son who she had kept a secret because of his outlaw father. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
I’m going to admit to binge reading this series. I read some of them as they first came out but I missed quite a few so started over with Book one and will complete the series. I love visiting Redemption Mountain. The author outdid herself with this one. We focus on the brewing attraction/romance between salon owner/businesswoman, Lena Campanel, and Sheriff Gabe Evans, the problems of the fast growing town, and more than a few surprises and twists. I can’t wait to start Book 5.
This was a terrific story which I enjoyed very much. The suspense and intrigue was outstanding. I think Shielded Davies is a great writer of love stories. I would recommend this book to anyone.
Gabe Evans: Sheriff of Splendor, Montana - Former Union soldier - Comes from a wealthy background - Dedicated - Reliable - Trustworthy - Dislikes deception and secrets (although he may have a few of his own) - Has loved Lena from afar for quite some time
Magdalena (Lena) Campanel: Works at the Dixie - Does not come from wealth - Had her share of unfortunate incidents - Has been Nick's business partner for years - Major trust issues - Harbors some secrets - Her admiration for Gabe evolves into deeper feelings.
Dixie Moon is mostly Gabe and Lena's story, and yes, it is a romance, but that's not all. In Dixie Moon you find romance, suspense, humor, sadness, action, forgiveness, twists and turns, and so much more, all of which Shirleen Davies blends together to create a real page turner that is difficult to put down once you get started. Suffice it to say that when you pick up a Shirleen Davies book, you are in for a real treat and one that does not disappoint. I really don't want to add any more details than those included in the book description, because I don't want to accidentally give away any spoilers. However, I will say this. The author has an eye for detail, and it's evident that she has researched the time period. She takes the details and historical information and entwines them together flawlessly, which adds so much more depth without overpowering or taking away from the main story line. The author also keeps the main characters in the forefront while blending in the secondary characters making the reader come away feeling as if he/she were right there in Splendor, as an active player in the story. All of that combined is what makes Dixie Moon a totally awesome read.
*******This is a contemporary romance, not an inspirational romance. It is part of a series, however, it can be read as a standalone. *****I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and viewpoints are my own.
Magdalena (Lena) Campanel has a past she has tried her best to keep hidden. Being partners and best friends with Nick. He has kept her going. Running the saloon in Splendor Montana, they both feel it is a good place to settle down in and make a home. Gabe Evans is the town sheriff. He has been attracted to Lena. He isn't looking for a commitment and does his best to avoid stepping over the line with her. Now the draw is to great and he finds himself unable to stay away. Except he knows she has a secret and she isn't trusting him with it. How can you build a relationship with out honesty. When Lena's past becomes her present she knows she made a mistake not trusting Gabe.
This is the 4th book in the Redemption Mountain series. Each book can be read as a stand-alone. You are drawn into the life of the characters and the town. Drawn back in time. Makes for a book you can't put down. The emotions and feelings are well conveyed and as things between Gabe and Lena heat up you can't help falling in love with them. Cheering them on and hoping they can work through everything to get their hea. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book and I love this series about a growing town in Montana and it's early residents. The people are warm and welcoming and this community is growing with each book. It's a warm and wonderful series with excitement blended in.
Gabe Evans was a Colonel in the Union army before he decided to go west after the war. He is in need of good deputies since he become sheriff. He was watching the stagecoach come in on day when he sees the most beautiful woman get off. He learns that she is partner's with one of the saloon owners so he thinks the worst of her until Nick sets him straight that she has never worked as a working girl in a saloon, she's just someone he grew up with.
Gabe can't take his eyes off Magdalena or "Lena". She is beautiful in a way he's never seen before and he's very taken with her. Lena has a past that she doesn't thing Gabe will except and when that past catches up with her she's disappointed in the outcome But can Gabe see past what has happened to her and help her when she needs him most? Only time will tell and Noah is asked to come to her rescue.
This is at the top of my all time favorite books, The characters are amazing, There's enough action that a man would like to read it (even though they wouldn't admit to enjoying it) My Father would have loved this book and he was the biggest John Wayne fan there ever was. It's chock full of romance,Gun fights, Brawls and Heroes and Villains. You name it this wonderful book probably has it. The scenery is majestic and the town could probably rival Matt Dillon's Dodge City. I have read a couple of Miss Shirleen Davies books and I look forward to reading many more. I was supposed to be gifted a copy of this book but I messed that up so I went ahead and bought it and it was the best 2 1/2 nights of reading that I have spent in awhile. I am not able to sleep a lot of nights so I am so grateful for my kindle and the night reading mode.
I have read the other books in the Redemption Mountain series and have really enjoyed them! I was overjoyed when Book 4 came out because I was waiting eagerly for it. Shirleen Davies always puts together a story that is worth reading and is very exciting. Gabe is a man's man and he is strong as well as respectable. He's not really in the market for a commitment, until he meets Lena. Lena has a dark past that she doesn't really want others to discover. Gabe ends up being the heir of an estate, which forces Lena to work with him. Their desire grows stronger as the book continues on. Loved the story between Gabe and Lena! Highly recommend this entire series!!
I've been following this series for a while now, and I've enjoyed every one. Shirleen Davies knows how to bring the old west to life, and you would feel like you've traveled, with the characters, to the frontier. I think the Redemption Mountain series is as good as historical romance gets: a vivid setting, memorable characters, love, and lots at stake. I especially loved Lena, and I thought that her past was written well--gave her a lot of depth. Another great book from Shirleen Davies and I hope there will be more to come!
Wow! This one had quite the shocker in it. I totally didn't expect THAT.
Lena has a lot more secrets than you will suspect.
Gabe wants the truth, and he is even more shocked than I was when he gets it. But in the meantime, this book gets a bit steamier than Shirleen's previous books do. In a good way though. Not a trashy one.
As usual, I highly recommend everything Shirleen writes. She is fantastic.
I must say I have been very pleased with this collection of stories. Dixie Moon is book 4 of this series and it was a fantastic read. This western take on a romance novel was very well written and once I started the book I didn't want to put it down. I don't often read this genre but I am happy I gave this one a shot, I was not disappointed. Overall, this book was very good and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a great romance novel.
Really enjoy the way this book is written, my only complaint is that in the last three books, the love stories are too much the same; Jane loves Joe loves Jane, but Jane does something that upsets Joe and then Jane does something to jeopardize the relationship. Almost like a teenage relationship. C