With Autumn's Return: A Novel (Westward Winds)
The third book in Cabot’s Westward Winds trilogy (Waiting for Spring, 2012; Summer of Promise, 2012) finds newly minted physician Elizabeth Harding in Cheyenne, setting up her practice in June 1887. She quickly discovers that even though the Wyoming Territory is progressive on many fronts, having a female doctor is still too radical. Her first acquaintance is Jason Nordling, the gorgeous attorney who has the office next to hers. Unfortunately, they meet on the worst day of his life, when his client is found not guilty and immediately crows about how he got away with murder. Moving at a stately pace, Elizabeth takes on any and all patients who come her way, including the madam of an upscale bordello. Eventually friendship blossoms between Elizabeth and Jason, who both are talented professionals but who face challenges in their frontier city, including the threat of murder. Abundant subplots bring lots of historical details into the mix, including the dangerous patent medicines of the time. This gentle romance has appeal for more than the intended Christian romance audience. --Diana Tixier Herald