Publisher: Zondervan
Release Date: September 24, 2013
Pages: 352
About the Book: Diana Brennan came west on the orphan train and was given a home with a loving couple who cherished and spoiled her. At 17, she fell hard for Tyson Applegate, the son of a wealthy mine owner. After a whirlwind courtship and marriage, Tyson took off for adventures around the world, including fighting with the Rough Riders in Cuba. Receiving no word of him for seven years, Diana's infatuation with her dashing husband died an ugly death, and she is ready to move past the old pain and marry again, just as soon as Tyson is declared legally dead.
But when her husband returns, supposedly a changed man, he wants to reunite with his wife and run for the senate. While Diana suspects the election is his real reason for wanting her by his side, she agrees to maintain his home and to campaign with him, but when it is over, win or lose, she wants her freedom. He agrees with one condition----she must give him a chance to change her mind about him.
Wanda's Review: An easy, relaxed read with a blend of history and romance. The premise of the story captivated me throughout. The storyline has a strong message of forgiveness with religious overtones.
1881-Diana was one of many orphaned children traveling west on a train, looking for families to take them in and give them homes. She was one of the lucky ones to find a home with the Fishers. She was loved and adored by them.
The years go by and Diana becomes a young bride and marries Tyson Applegate, son of a mining tycoon, one of the wealthiest families in the valley. Tyler was not a man of integrity and he marries Diana for all the wrong reasons and abandons her in a short time. He joins up with the Rough Riders and goes to Cuba to fight in the war. Diana receives a message that Tyson is presumed dead, missing on the battlefields of Cuba, his body never found.
Seven years later, the court is scheduled to declare Tyson's death a fact, but Tyson suddenly appears on the eve that Diana was about to announce her engagement to Brook Calhoun. Tyson thought he could waltz back into Diana's life and she would be happy to see him, but she lets him know that her affections can not be bought so easily. Tyson announces he is running in the upcoming election for the seat in the United States Senate. Voters liked their candidates to be married and he needed Diana by his side. Diana agrees to exhibit a united front as a happy couple, but when the election is over, if she still desires, they will go their separate ways.
Diana once loved Tyson, but she is not happy about the present circumstances. She dislikes him, perhaps even hates him, and she certainly doesn't want to be with him. How long will she remain aloof to his charms and be able to keep up this facade? Tyson claims he is a changed man and wants to make up for his past mistakes. Is he now a man of integrity? And the story unfolds---
An entourage of interesting characters - Jeremiah Applegate is the father of Tyson and never liked Diana. He'd thought her unworthy of marrying into their family. He exuded power over Tyson and tried to keep him under his control. Brook Calhoun was born into the middle-class. He seemed to be solid and dependable in Diana's eyes, but he was really a soul of discretion. Diana was his ticket into the upper class of Boise society. Gloria Fisher - Diana's adoptive mother. Her late husband had lost everything in the financial panic of 1893. She warned Tyson not to toy with Diana's heart. Ned - a young street urchin, whom Diana takes into her home because she has a soft spot for the lonely and rejected. Pauline - a rather scandalous woman in Tyson's questionable past who stirs up trouble easily.
This novel has it all - a well constructed plot, compelling characters, and a satisfying, although rather predictable, conclusion. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. My rating is 4.5 stars.
About the Author:
Official Bio: Robin Lee Hatcher discovered her vocation as a novelist after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, the Romance Writers of America's Lifetime Achievement Award and numerous other awards and recognitions, Robin is the author of 70 novels/novellas. Her books have been translated into Dutch, French, and Chinese (to name a few).
Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, reading books that make her cry, and watching romantic movies. She and her husband make their home outside of Boise, sharing it with Poppet the high-maintenance Papillon and Pinky the feline terror. Join her on her Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/robinleehatcher) and/or Twitter and/or her website & blog.
Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, reading books that make her cry, and watching romantic movies. She and her husband make their home outside of Boise, sharing it with Poppet the high-maintenance Papillon and Pinky the feline terror. Join her on her Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/robinleehatcher) and/or Twitter and/or her website & blog.
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