Rose Peterson finally arrives in California after a long journey only to discover her husband Emmet is dead, shot in an illegal duel. He left her behind his hotel the River Queen, home to the vagabond, gamblers, and ladies of the night. The man who dueled her husband desperately wants to buy it, but to prove herself Rose decides to keep the hotel because no one outside of Deke believes she is capable of handling it.

I liked the setting. I liked that it took around the time of the gold rush. I liked the storyline enough, it kept me interested.

I hated the characters. None of them outside of Deke were really all that likable.

Rose was annoying. She ends up, allowing her husband’s killer to try to swoon her despite having some reservations about him and not understanding some of his anger when she mentions the hotel. She also allowed her in-laws to push her around way too much even when she ended with some power to throw them out.

Deke is on crutches at the beginning of the book so Rose treats him as if he is missing his leg forever and that just downright bothered me. She keeps calling him a cripple like he is no longer a man.

The romance was okay. It was okay. Went by quickly.

This is an interesting read. Rose is a woman who finds out how strong she really is, and she is such an innocent that she is endearing. Deke is a man with secrets but very much a gentleman. I loved their interactions, and I loved the setting. The story includes some dark moments but I feel that it had to their journey.

I received a copy of this story through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

It wasn't easy to be a widow in 1845 Sacramento. Rose's husband is killed in a duel just before she arrives after a long journey and she finds herself in possession of a hotel. She makes her own way and her own decisions, despite the judgmental attitudes of her in-laws. There's a little romance, including one with eek - Mason who killed her husband Emmet- and with Deke, an Australian. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is good historical fiction and a fast entertaining read. The title indicates this is the first book in a series; I'm looking forward to spending more time with these characters.

The family is on a wagon train, almost done with their very long trip. They find Emmet Peterson's farm, and pull in. Emmet has been killed. His wife (Rose), is having a hard time, as is the rest of the family. Deke Fleming is the hired man from Austraila.
What a read, the emotions, the fear, so much pain. But there were some humorous moments. Rose had to stand up to her in-laws, they didn't want her to do anything but womens work. But she had inherited a gambling, eating and brothel. She knew she could do it..The characters were amazing, they showed the emotions and everyone seemed so life like.. The dialogue made sense and matched what we might have said under the same circumstances. There were so twists in the plot, The author did a wonderful job of keeping things straight and had a well written and interesting story. It is easy to read and any questions you may have had are answered. I loved the story, it had so much going for it.

This is the story of Rose and Deke. It is a very sweet story with a very slow pace. I found Rose too passive and almost submissive to her in laws. She did found her voice after a few chapter but I was already lost. I like a bit of steam in my books and it was lacking in here. If you like your books with no steam, then this is the book for you. This was my first book from this author and I was not very sold on the story.