This is a first time author for me, and I really enjoyed the experience. I love westerns, both contemporary, but especially historical, and they're so hard to find. It doesn't seem to be a genre written in at present, which is probably why I was over the moon Catherine Anderson had a new historical western out recently with more come come, yay!I had a bit of trouble liking the heroine for a while, but she came good over time and the hero was just wonderful. It does help also that this is a mail order bride book, which I love because a well-written marriage of convenience is right up there for me. The secondary characters were interesting, some more than others, and I'm looking forward to some future books I can see happening, especially Maddie and her Scot husband, and Pru and Thomas.I'll definitely be moving onto the next books in this series as well as other books by this author. She writes them how I like them, at least going by this book. The ad (from book)Honest, hard-working widower, age thirty-three, seeks sturdy English speaking woman to help with mountain ranch and four children. Drinkers, whores and gamblers need not apply.REVIEWThis book is definitely another well written, interesting and a page turner. Ms. Warner brought forth an amazing story of a mail order bride and a tall, handsome man, Robert Declan Brodie. He had been the town's sheriff for a while but is now a rancher. This cowboy is easy on the eyes, tall, handsome rough, stubborn, and the silent type. Declan doesn't want a mate, he wants a housekeeper. Declan has a lot of responsibilities on those wide shoulders. He takes most of it in stride, facing it all with a little humor, compassion and gentleness when he felt it was needed. His mail order bride Edwina Pricilla Whitney Ladoux (wow, what a name) was thought of as a piece of fluff. She wasn't what he had wanted. As time went on he slowly brought forth a woman that would save Declan and his brood from uncertainty. Sometimes you could just love her and other times you just wanted to shake her back to reality. Declan called her Ed. The children said she was crazy. But she courageously worked her way into his heart to be loved. This wasn't your typical cowboy, wild west story. The story did hold a lot of everyday trials. There were times when you might shed a tear and then there are times when you have that little smile on your face. Before the love appeared and worked its way into their hearts, the author begins with a little lust in very interesting ways. Once they began sharing a bed, the author locked the door and we don't have the key. Very little is revealed about the bedroom scenes. Ms. Warner keeps the suspense going throughout the book. The finding of the "thought dead" first wife, the watchful eye of the Indian that wants to kill Declan and keeping an eye on his brood keeps both Declan and Ed. The author placed many characters in Declan and Ed's lives. The descriptions of them were right on the button. You could actually see them and at times wanted to be there. Since this story took place in the 1870's, the author describes the country around Colorado., the way they traveled and their clothing. Some of the language seemed a little too modern for this 1800's era. That was minor as far as I'm concerned. This was one darn good read and I have to have more.Quote from page 4:"I shall miss the books." . . . "They were like friends. I felt safe among them." (Pru)QUOTE from page 151He groaned. But not aloud, but she knew him well enough now to hear what he didn't say almost as clearly as what he did. (Edwina)Quote from page 296"Rest," she whispered, "I'm here." (Edwina) I would give this book a solid 5 STARS.I was given a complimentary cop of HEARTBREAK CREEK by Kaki Warner from Manic Readers for my unbiased review.
What do You think about Heartbreak Creek (2011)?
4.5 stars great characters Edwina and Declan. Pru is a still a myster. Love her writing.
—lisabee28
Very slow start. Typical formula romance.
—twiggles
