Brought to you by OBS Reviewer jerjen

When Ben agrees to help get the new doctor get settled in, he figures it will be easy, a piece of cake. That is until he meets the doctor and finds out that the he is a she. He does know how the fine folks of Frost Falls, Colorado, will react, but he is pretty sure will not be all sunshine and roses. But he will do the best he can to make the transition as easy as possible.

Dr. E. Ridley Woodhouse is definitely a woman, and she accepted the position of being the new doctor for Frost Falls. She knows it will not be easy, but she feels she is up to the challenge. She does not know what to make of Ben, he appears to be in her corner but he cannot make people accept her. She not only has to be a good doctor, she also has to figure out a way to be accepted. That is a tall order.

The characters are well rounded and well developed. I really enjoyed getting to know Ridley and Ben. They are both great people and want to help others. I really liked the way they bickered, that was quite funny. I enjoyed getting to know Ben’s mother and Mr. Butterworth, they added a lot to add to the story. Ridley and Ben had a lot of work to do to keep the people of Frost Falls safe and healthy and they did a great job.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted women’s contemporary book. I have to read the first book in this series.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

When Ben the newly elected sheriff was assigned to greeting the new doctor at the train station he was extremely surprised to be meeting a woman and what a peculiar woman she was. Dr. E. Ridley Woodhouse was a very proper woman who assumed the man who helped her was just that. Ridley knew then that in this little town she was gonna have to prove herself as this was the 1800 and very few women were doctors. Ben didn’t have a problem with that it was trying to make sure she was received well and no one caused trouble but she no sooner walked into the home the old doctor left her and there it was trouble. This story centered around Ridley and Ben but it gave you an idea of the struggles that women in those days had to deal with and how they accomplished them. It is a romance book but I found myself feeling like I was there in the 1800 and the struggles people faced, great story.

Frost Falls, Colorado doesn’t quite know what to do when Doc leaves to go back to Boston and his replacement is a woman! Dr. Woodhouse works to gain acceptance, help her patients, and get to know the sheriff all at the same time. ARC from NetGalley.

The fact that E. Ridley Woodhouse, the young doctor that’s come to replace old Dr. Dunlop, is a woman stirs up some gossip, and the town is a little slow accepting a female can be a proper doctor. Fortunately, Dr. Dunlop enlisted the town’s sheriff, Ben Madison to help Ridley in the transition. He’s well respected, and knows everyone in town, even if he’s completely frustrating at times. Like relentlessly trying to find out what exactly the “E.” in E. Ridley Woodhouse stands for, lol. And no, it’s not Eureka!

Ben didn’t know Dr. E. Ridley Woodhouse was a woman, and he has no issues with that. His mother raised him to respect an intelligent woman, but boy, Ridley gets under his skin from the minute she steps off the train! In the best possible way, of course. The romance was playfully antagonistic. The teasing between them cute and funny, enough to put a smile on my face.

There’s some prejudice over having a woman doctor especially in view of the time in history, but Ridley proves herself capable and compassionate. However, treating Lily Salt leads to some trouble with Lily’s husband, Jeremiah Salt. I hated that awful man! Ridley proved herself tough and resourceful, but still, the sheer physical size difference and the fact that he was a mean bully just looking for an opportunity to get his pound of flesh set me on edge. Thankfully, Ridley has quite a few allies when it comes to this difficult and dangerous situation, Ben being the most important.

I thoroughly enjoyed the previous book, A Touch of Frost, and so I was eager to pick up the new installment. Getting a glimpse of what life what like in the late 1800’s is interesting. A life without most modern conveniences like indoor plumbing (chamber pots, eeek!) and where the only source of water is a pump in the kitchen sounds a little daunting!

A Touch of Flame is basically a stand-alone story, some of the events in the last book are recounted because Ben is first introduced there, and his history is important to his character now. But it’s not necessary to read the previous book to enjoy A Touch of Flame. I was pleased to “see” Phoebe and Remington (the couple from the previous book) again, and their cute little son, Colt here. The romance between Ben and Ridley is the heart of the story, but it a little danger and suspense makes this a story you don’t want to put down.

A copy was kindly provided by Berkley in exchange for an honest review.

This review is also posted at The Readers Den.

I loved this book. It’s not the fastest paced, or the sexiest but it completely worked for me. Our hero is Ben Madison, who is the newly elected sheriff of Frost Falls, Colorado. Taking place in 1898, Ben is the most easy-going, never-to-get-riled hero I’ve read. That doesn’t mean he is stupid or doesn’t care, he just likes to observe and play along real nice with the folks, to keep everyone peaceful and happy. He puts the bad guys in jail and truly cares about his townspeople. He check in on the elderly and those who are ailing. He has a very dry wit about him – so when he says something, you never know if he is being serious. I absolutely adored him.

Our heroine is the brand new doctor in town. After her godfather went back to Boston to retire, she takes over and the town isn’t really on board with a female doctor. Ben takes it upon himself to show Ridley around town, and to show his public support of her, in hopes to ease the transition to a female doctor. I liked Ridley a lot too. Very mature, doesn’t go into her new job with grand expectations, since she knows being a woman is never easy in a professional field. She is patient and kind and gets so frustrated with Ben and his easy-going nature. Ben lives right next door to Ridley, and they form a friendship and a close bond before any romance occurs. Like I mentioned, this isn’t the sexiest book, but their romance unfolded at just the right pace for me.

We meet a lot of the townsfolk, as we learn their different ailments and their feelings about Ridley. There is one prominent story line that involves spousal abuse. The town’s blacksmith, Jeremiah, beats his wife, Lily, after he drinks too much. Ben knows this, Ridley learns of this, and pretty much the whole town knows, but what can be done? Ben will put Jeremiah in jail for a few nights, so Lily has a day or two to heal, but she won’t leave so Ben can’t do much more. This is definitely a darker story line and takes up a lot of pages. I think it’s handled with a lot of care and done really well.

Grade: B+

Sandy M’s review of A Touch of Flame (Cowboys of Colorado, Book 2) by Jo Goodman
Historical Romance published by Berkley 5 Jun 18

Once again, Jo Goodman gives readers delightful characters in a time when they push over the line of what’s accepted, all the while weaving a sense of humor into life as they all do their best day by day, helping others and, of course, falling in love. Ridley gives Ben the surprise of his life when she steps off the train in Frost Falls.


See, he wasn’t expecting a woman doctor. The previous doc who retired apparently forgot to mention that little fact when he asked Ben to show the new doc around town to get settled. After the initial meeting, Ben seems to take that little oversight in stride, teasing Ridley during their ride through town and right off introducing her to everyone to help build her practice.

Ridley has always wanted to be a doctor, and she’s paid her dues during her schooling, standing up to ridicule over the years. Thus, she knows she’s in for a bit of a fight to fit in with these new townsfolk, especially the women, who are harder on her than anyone else. But her sense of self and aplomb are unmatched when she quietly but steadily works her way into everyone’s good graces.

I like that these two don’t pussyfoot around their attraction to each other. They become lovers and then Ben does a bit of courting after the fact. The quick and witty repartee between them is wonderful to read. They work together – no big misunderstandings here. They both care about the people in town, especially Lily, who will break your heart with the abuse she lives with. I hope there aren’t any readers who will get up in arms about the resolution of her dilemma. It sits very well with me and adds a bit of suspense to the story.

We get to catch up with Remington and Phoebe from A Touch of Frost when they come to town. I really enjoyed the relationship between Ben and his brother, and we learn more of Ben’s history along the way. Ms. Goodman is a master at pulling the heartstrings, and Ben wormed his way into my heart very quickly, so I’m happy he’s able to resolve some of that past so his future is bright. The teasing between he and Ridley about what the E. stands for in her name is fun and loving and so enjoyable for the reader.

For me, Jo Goodman can do no wrong. From characters to plot to story line to secondary characters to her descriptions of the old west, everything is always perfect and I enjoy myself immensely. Every. Time.

Grade: A

This is not quite what I expected from a western. There are no rustlers, cattle stampedes or gunfights at noon on the town main street. It’s more about the quiet growth of Ben and Ridley’s relationship and about a small Colorado town facing the future of the dawning new century and readying itself for whatever changes will come. A female doctor? They’ve got one. Women inheriting and running businesses? A law which might protect the weak from the bullies? Who knows what other wonders Ridley, Ben and the rest of Frost Falls will have in store for them next. B

A Touch of Flame is the kind of book you want to disappear into. A strong-and-silent-type sheriff meets a clever, independent doctor, and sparks fly. Set in a lively town with well-developed supporting characters, this story has Ms. Goodman’s trademark mix of emotion and humor; I was more than happy to forget the world for a while as I got sucked into it.

Ben Madison is the recently appointed sheriff of Frost Falls, Colorado, and as such it’s his responsibility to meet the new town doctor who is coming in by train. Readers of A Touch of Frost may recognize Ben from it, and while the characters of that book do make appearances here, A Touch of Flame definitely stands on its own. Since we last saw him, Ben has built a new and different life, first as a deputy and more recently as the town sheriff. He’s good at his job, keeping tabs on the locals and pitching in to help people when he can. Ben is also careful not to spread gossip unnecessarily, which is why he’s the only one aware that Dr. E. Ridley Woodhouse is due on the train.

Dr. E. Ridley Woodhouse, who prefers to be called Ridley (the 'E' stands for Exactly-none-of-your-affair), is a lady doctor born and raised in the Boston area. She’s strong-willed and independent - a product of both her own personality and working in a male-dominated field - and she’s determined to do well by the citizens of Frost Falls. After overcoming the small hiccup of mistaken identity, the two form a partnership of sorts. Ben introduces Ridley around town, helping everyone feel comfortable around her and giving her access to the people who most need help.

In this case, the family most in need of help is also the one most resistant to it. Or rather, Jeremiah Salt is resistant to anyone interfering with his wife and children. It’s never easy to read about an abusive husband/father, but Ms. Goodman makes it especially difficult as she conveys Ridley and Ben’s feelings of impotency in the face of that abuse. They’re keenly aware of what’s going on, desperate to help, yet cautious and frustrated by the knowledge that if they push too far, Jeremiah could snap and hurt his family even further.

Ms. Goodman’s writing really shines in Ridley and Ben’s budding romance, which is depicted as a natural extension of their teamwork. The spark that exists between them from the start flourishes, and the story itself gets richer as the two lean on each other.

Ben’s story is something readers of A Touch of Frost will already know a little about. He grew up on the Twin Star Ranch, where his mother was a housekeeper, and Thaddeus Frost was effectively his father. Their happy-enough family of four (including Thaddeus’ son, Remington) was pulled apart when Thaddeus married, and Ben’s mother took some unwise action against the newcomer. Ben has definitely come out of the incident older and wiser, but there are still some awkward family dynamics to manage as this book begins. Getting his perspective as he talks things over with Ridley allows some better insight into his character, which I loved.

Ridley, too, reveals herself through her interactions with Ben. I was particularly drawn in by her ability to empathize with the Salt family, which she explains is due to her own volatile mother. Although she’s not in any way 'broken' or in need of 'fixing' by Ben’s love, Ridley does make it clear that growing up with her mother had a profound impact on her life. It’s one more piece that makes Ridley a well-rounded character - not perfect, not broken, just a woman who has known struggles and persevered despite them.

Any problems I had with this book were extremely minor compared to how much I enjoyed it, so A Touch of Flame has definitively earned itself a place on my DIK shelf. It’s a wonderful story to escape in for a few hours - heart-wrenching, uplifting, and humorous all at once.

But it at: Amazon/Barnes & Noble/iBooks/Kobo

3.5 stars

Ben and Ridley’s relationship seemed doomed from the start. Both testing waters and pushing buttons made the chemistry spark from the moment she stepped off the train. Both being guarded about personal history they become quickly push differences aside to help a friend. Ben and Ridley relationship never started on the path that so many did in historical romances; they became lovers before they ever really courted. Ben and Ridley always carried a hope for marriage and a settled future. The secondary characters added the hope for a change in laws, anger at the abuse taking place, laughter at Ellies antics with Ben and joy for Phoebe and Remington. I did enjoy reading A Touch of Flame, it made me smile and hope throughout the novel that each character would receive their happily-ever-after. I’ve read Ms. Goodmans work before and enjoyed it all, A Touch of Flame is probably the one that I didn’t feel sucked into as much as others, but I still felt the pull to finish it and see what happened between Ben and Ridley.

A Touch of Flame by Jo Goodman is the 2nd book in her Cowboys of Colorado series. This is a western historical romance that I really enjoyed, especially with the couple being so likable

Dr. Ridley Woodhouse, our heroine, arrives in Frost Falls, Colorado to take over as the new doctor in town. When Ben Madison, our hero and the town Sheriff, meets Ridley at the train station, he is surprised that the new doctor is a woman. Ben is also very aware that the town will not accept Ridley easily, and that she had her work cut out to prove herself.

At first Ridley was somewhat cold to Ben, but in time that will change. Ridley pushes herself to help those in need, proving to them that she can do the job, with word of mouth slowly alerting people that she is very capable. The long road ahead will find Ridley also in the middle of a family suffering abuse by the drunken husband, with Ben having to step in to protect Ridley.

What follows is a sweet slow build romance between Ben, who quickly begins to fall for Ridley, which also starts warming her up from the strict cold start. They were so great together, as the romance was fun, humorous and their chemistry was sensual. It was also enjoyable to get to know many of the town’s people, and how Ridley besides doctoring them, quietly manages to help some of them with their own personal issues. The main focus beside Ben and Ridley, and the town residents, was the abusive drunk, who would beat his wife, with the scared children going to Ben or Ridley for help. He was becoming too dangerous, and Ben would not let Ridley go to their house alone. This did create a lot of tension and danger into the mix of this wonderful romance, and town. It was nice to see Phoebe and Remington (first book heroes) again, and after Ridley helps Phoebe deliver her baby, the woman in town begin to open their arms to accept Ridley.

I did love Ridley, who was a strong & independent young lady, and in time, as her romance with Ben heated up, was a fun heroine. I also adored the handsome Ben, who a wonderful hero, great sheriff and perfect for Ridley & Frost Falls. There also was two major things that happened in the town that brought about danger and sadness, which touched on our heart.

Jo Goodman did an excellent job in creating a wonderful couple in Ben and Ridley, and a story which had a lot of humorous banter, tragedy and an enjoyable romance. If you enjoy romance, a western and historical background, with a fun sexy couple, then you should read A Touch of Flame.

Anyone that reads a particular genre is likely aware how similar novels can become; that familiarity is a big draw in genre fiction because the reader knows what to expect. I read A LOT of historical romances - they're fun, character-driven, and I love the historical setting. What I like about Jo Goodman's western historicals is that they often come across as something unique in a genre that is characterized by specific tropes. Those same tropes are evident in Goodman's novels, but her writing is subtle and often relies on the reader to puzzle certain things out. I love the fact that Goodman doesn't spell everything out to her readers, and A Touch of Flame is no different.

A Touch of Flame is set in 1898, Colorado. E. Ridley Woodhouse is the new doctor in the town of Frost Falls. Ben Madison is the newly elected sheriff who has been charged to take Dr. Woodhouse under his wing. Ben does not count on this doctor being a woman. For her part, Ridley very much counts on Ben and their entire population of Frost Falls having some doubt of her medical ability - this is something that she is used to. Luckily, Ben is kind of an unusual character and throws all of Ridley's expectations right out the window.

This is the second historical romance that I've read in the last couple of months to feature a enterprising female doctor, and there is no doubt that A Touch of Flame offers a compelling story of a young woman facing adversity in her chosen profession. What I liked about Ridley's character here, is that the author didn't have to tell readers' all about Ridley's background and her commitment to the profession. Instead Goodman shows readers this information in her characterization of Ridley. The choice to communicate information to readers in subtle ways, like Ridley's competence and knowledge, is a great deal more effective than simply being told that Ridley is a smart and capable doctor. This inclination to show through actions in the narrative rather than to state information to the reader is what appeals to me so much in Goodman's writing. And personally, I thought A Touch of Flame to be the best Goodman novel that I have read to date. The characters of Ben and Ridley were so compelling and their considered and slow-progressing romance was more realistic than many of the developing relationships that populate romanclandia.

The plot to A Touch of Flame is mostly derived from the internal conflict on the part of Ridley and Ben. While there are other aspects that direct Ridley and Ben's attention outside of their relationship, those elements ultimately are subdued and drive the romance between these two characters whether it be in developing their individual characters or the pair of them as a couple.

And lastly, I also have to admit to having also appreciated the fact that A Touch of Flame was lighter than the most recent books by the author. That's not to say that the character's don't face the reality of life, but I did feel that the characters and their backstories were lighter and less tragic than the characters, most specifically the heroines, of the previous books by Goodman. The less traumatic backstory for Ridley, and to a lesser extent, Ben, was also helped by the unusual courtship between these two. Ben's bizarre sense of humour was fantastic and, as always, I appreciated that Goodman creates a romance lead that's not dominating and overpowering.

An excellent historical romance by Goodman. Those who read Mary Balogh's historicals will very much appreciate Goodman's subtle style of writing.