Review: A Powerful Drama
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 26, 2011
Sarah Novak arrives in the dead of night at Russ Gray's  remote Montana property, riddled with buckshot and unwilling to answer questions or talk about how she got to the property or what happened to her. Nevertheless, the good-looking vet treats her wounds and suggests she remain at his place, at least until she heals.Sarah has been on the run from her home in Buffalo for three weeks--a harrowing time when she's walked and hitchhiked, and been threatened at knife point and shot at by a rancher. When she collapses on Russ' doorstep, she needs medical attention, rest and food. Using the assumed name Nicole, Sarah isn't about to give out many answers. Nevertheless, the lonely widower takes her in and provides the assistance she needs.Despite his initial misgivings, Russ finds himself attracted to "Nicole". He hopes the attraction that flares between them is enough to allow trust to build. Over the course of a few days, they share a sort of camaraderie, and later an attraction that quickly moves into full-blown lust. Even though Russ wants answers, he won't push her. "Nicole" hates lying to this good man, but she has to save herself. After three days of passionate lovemaking initiated by her, she steals away, taking a gold watch and just enough money for bus fare to continue her journey to safety. But before she can leave town, Russ finds her. He plans to turn her over to the sheriff, then has a change of heart and takes her back to his ranch.Sarah doesn't want to involve Russ in her problems, but little by little she reveals bits from her past. She's grateful he didn't turn her in and determines to show her gratefulness by working around the place. Her desire for him is still strong, as is his for her, but trust once broken, is hard to rebuild.Trespass is a powerful story with characters. Ms. Maguire has a knack for plumbing the depths of her characters' souls. The writing is strong and competent. The sex scenes are spicy but appropriate to the story.  Russ has been a widower seven years, and he's lonely but he never expected to find a woman in the remote Montana ranch country. Locked in the past, Russ lives in a seventies era house, and he has no prospects for a future other than treating farm animals in the community.Sarah is from a big city, Russ' exact opposite. Yet the attraction between them sizzles, and Sarah, who has escaped from a bad environment and a bad childhood, recognizes the decency in Russ. She wants to stay for as long as he will have her.I felt both Sarah's and Russ' motivations were in keeping with their characters. Ms. Maguire did an excellent job of reeling me in and keeping me interested in the outcome.Kudoos to Ms. Maguire for a powerful story that will keep you turning pages.