Paperback, 400 pages
Published
February 18th 2014
by Shadow Mountain
All is not well in Wyoming. Katie Macauley gave up her life-long dream of returning to Ireland in order to make a home for herself in Hope Springs, but her future has never been so uncertain. The town is more divided than ever, with both the Irish and the Reds stealing property, burning buildings, and endangering lives.
Katie’s heart remains sharply divided between her love for playful Tavish and steady Joseph, a decision she feels ill-prepared to make. In the midst of the growing unrest, temperatures drop quickly, too quickly, and Irish nightmares of famine and cold resurface as the little Wyoming town struggles to beat the harsh winter.
Katie makes one sacrifice after another to keep the peace and help see her loved ones through the difficult days ahead, but will it be enough? Can the town make amends before their hatred consumes them all? And will Katie find the love she has been searching for as well as a home to call her own?
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My Review: 5 Stars
Book 1 in the series almost ripped my heart out, with all of the heartbreak and the love triangle because really...what's not to love about either guy? If one of them was a jerk, it would be an easy choice to see one of them go. Needless to say, it ended on a note that left me hanging and wanting more.
I finally had a chance to sit down and read this one and wow--I was once again blown away by the amazing way that Eden is able draw a reader right into the heart of the story. It doesn't hurt that my name is the same as the main character and that I used to play the violin, but hey, I really felt the joys and struggles of this town, which is divided by prejudice.
I have to say it--doesn't Hope Springs have any law enforcement? Where are the Sheriffs of Savage Wells when you need them (bad joke in reference to one of the author's other novels)? The way the tempers, anger, and hatred escalates is alarming, especially when bad things start to happen that really shouldn't. WHY can't people realize that human beings aren't that different from one another and race or origin shouldn't matter?! I guess I got a little emotionally worked up over this novel, but that's the sign of a true, gifted author.
The characters are great. Katie is so strong and resourceful and willing to sacrifice herself for the common good, which really makes everyone adore and love her, including the reader. Although she seemingly made her choice in Book 1, neither man will give up until it's over and they're both fantastic. I loved the nuances of all of the relationships, both good and bad, and enjoyed watching the effects and results of difficult events. This is a book worth reading.
Content: mild romance; mild violence and moments of peril; harsh words/name calling, but no swearing; very mild references to religion.
*I received a copy through Netgalley, which didn't influence my opinion. All thoughts are my own.*
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I only recently stumbled across Sarah Eden, after looking for books similar to Julianne Donaldson's, but I am falling in love with her writing. Her characters are so multi-dimensional. I have not read this series yet. I started out with "Romancing Daphne" (which I enjoyed, but found the ending a little lacking in romantic punch), and now I am reading "The Kiss of a Stranger." Now, that one I am finding to be heart-breaking, though I know it will all turn out right in the end.
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