Even though the Civil War has ended Corporal Patrick “Rick” Fergusson still has flashbacks of the horrors he has seen on the battlefield. The Irishman is headed west to try to escape his past.
High society widow Catriona O’Brian is anxious to get to California and this lady is no wallflower or shrinking violet so if it means traveling with Rick as her guide so be it. They both have assumptions about the other that aren't true as they find out as the story progresses. Mental health issues are addressed here as Rick suffers from PTSD but the author deals with it in an understanding and empathetic way! This book deals with some heavy subjects including Indian attacks,bison,gunfights,the woman almost getting raped but not by the hero, being stalked,separation from each other,flashbacks and more.
This is the second book in the Emerald Belles series but it works well as a standalone book.
Pub Date 27 Jun 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Let me begin by saying that when I requested this novel, I did not realize it was book two in a series. Nor did I realize that I had already read, and enjoyed, book one. That being said, you don't have to have read the first story in order for this one to make sense. This story is just as engaging as a stand alone.

I adored watching Rick and Cat find their way to romance while traversing the long and dangerous route from New York to California. It was a real treat seeing them break the mold that the other had cast them into. I enjoyed the elements of danger that appeared as well in the form of Native Americans and dangerous weather. The author has a definite gift of being able to draw the reader in and allow us to visualize the events as they happen. I do wish we had seen more of what happened once they actually reached California however, in that aspect the ending seemed rather rushed, but overall it was a well-written story that I believe will appeal to those who enjoy well written stories that take place just after the Civil War. I will definitely read more from this author!

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

I read the previous book in this series, Honor Before Heart and I liked it - but this book, blows the first book away. This book is about Catriona O'Brian aka Cat (Ashlinn's (from HBH) sister in law) and Corporal Patrick Fergusson aka Rick (Sean's (from HBH) best friend).

The story starts in New York, Cat has learned the truth about Michael's death and about the property he purchased in California. Cat has decided to go an stake her claim on the land and start a new life. Her marriage to Michael, though envied by many, was nothing short of a nightmare. She tells her dearest friends of the claims and they decide that since there are three claims, they will all go together. Deciding to celebrate, Cat goes to buy a bottle of wine and literally runs into Rick. She doesn't know who he is and she gives him a set down.

Sean asks Rick to act as the ladies guide to California - he agrees because he feels that he owes Sean, but he dreads having to accompany "society ladies", his past experience tells him that this will be an excruciating journey and doubts the ladies will be able to make the journey. He is shocked and delighted when he goes to visit Sean and finds Cat, the rather rude woman from the spirit shop - now he dreads the journey even more, because she is exactly the type of pampered princess he cannot abide.

They plan to leave in a week with an escort of armed men and the ladies belongings, but news comes that Ainsworth (the man that sold them the claim) has petitioned to reclaim the land as no one has claimed it, Cat is given until the middle of August to stake her claim or lose it. That means that they have less than two months to make the journey and there is no way it can be done with a wagon train. It is decided that Cat and Rick will go immediately by horseback and the others will follow.

These two set out, both with preconceived notions about the other and secrets from their past that have caused said notions. As they travel, they begin to realize how wrong they were and a friendship forms. They survive much together on this trek and their friendship and mutual respect blossom into love - but before they can start a future together - they must survive the cross country journey that is brimming with danger.

This book started out a little slow, but once Rick and Cat set out, the story takes off at a gallop and doesn't slow down until the final page. The book has a bit of everything, social prejudice, a hero with PTSD, a heroine who has been abused, Indian attacks, bison, a crazy villain set on preventing Cat from staking her claim, tornadoes, some steamy love scenes and finally healing and acceptance.

I really loved this story and would highly recommend the book - it is the second in the series, but can easily be read as a stand alone title.