Review: A good western historical romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 19, 2013
I liked this story, even though westerns aren't necessarily my favorite genre. The story was well written and I liked the interesting characters and the plot wasn't too complicated but it held my interest as well. The writer did a lot of research on old Sacramento and the details are one of the things that make the story have an authentic ring. The H is multifaceted though he doesn't seem so at first and the h is hard working,  loyal, protective of those she cares about and big on honoring her debts, even if they are not really hers.In a drunken poker game, John Markham bets his daughter's work as a maid in Nicholas Wetherby's house for a year plus all the cash he has.  He has four of a kind,.how can he lose? Unfortunately, Nicholas has a royal flush. When Nick comes with the contract to collect his "marker" the next morning, Alexandra is outraged. This is really the last straw! She has been bailing her father out already, but now he's sold her? Nicholas offers John the chance to work in his daughter's stead, but John won't do it. Alexandra gathers her few things and goes with Nicholas to the rich side of town, thinking that at least she'll get regularly fed. She settles in happily, no stranger to cleaning and cooking, making friends with all the other staff and enjoying the large library. Nicholas is entranced by her beauty and grace, but he knows he can't have her. He still enjoys her lively presence in his home.What Nicholas doesn't know is that her father literally sold her already to be married when she turns twenty one. When her fiance finds out where she's living, he threatens to hurt her and her father if she doesn't come to him as previously agreed upon. He also threatens Nicholas. As she mixes more in society as a part of Nicholas's household, she realizes how powerful and rich her fiance is, and comes to dread more and more the upcoming birthday, when she will have to leave Nicolas and go to Buchanan. She doesn't tell Nicholas because she doesn't want him to think less of her for being bought and sold.When Nicholas has to spend the summer in San Francisco, Alexandra can't bear the thought of being away from him and begs to go, realizing that she will be going as a guest and not as a maid. When they become lovers, she does so deliberately, taking some happiness for herself with the man she loves before a lifetime of servitude to a power hungry tyrant. Nicolas also realizes that he loves her, but she won't say it. Weeks of happiness go by, until Alexandra is accosted by her fiance, Buchanan, while running errands. He tells her that if she violates their contract he'll see her father in jail, kill Nicholas in front of her and make her pay for her sins for the rest of her life. He brags about being friends with the governor, a contributor to several senator's campaigns and friends with the sheriff so he won't get in any trouble, he never has before for murder. He tells her she better keep her mouth shut and honor her promises, because no one can help her out of this.Alexandra is terrified for everyone she loves. She flees to a friend's house to be the nurse for their children, after picking a fight with Nicholas and telling him it's over. Will Nick accept this? How long can Alex hide before Buchanan finds her? What surprises are in store before the end? Can love conquer all?Heat factor hot.