Book Review: A Borrowed Dream

From The Back:

There is no such thing as an impossible dream . . . 
Catherine Whitfield is sure that she will never again be able to trust anyone in the medical profession after the local doctor's treatments killed her mother. Despite her loneliness and her broken heart, she carries bravely on as Cimarron Creek's dutiful schoolteacher, resigned to a life where dreams rarely come true.

Austin Goddard is a newcomer to Cimarron Creek. Posing as a rancher, he fled to Texas to protect his daughter from a dangerous criminal. He's managed to keep his past as a surgeon a secret. But when Catherine Whitfield captures his heart, he wonders how long he will be able to keep up the charade.

With a deft hand, Amanda Cabot teases out the strands of love, deception, and redemption in this charming tale of dreams deferred and hopes becoming reality.

My Reflections:

A Borrowed Dream is book two in Amanda Cabot's Cimarron Creek Trilogy, another captivating read, as expected!

I love how Cabot weaves her novels together with the expertize of a seasoned writer. This story although separate from book one merges her characters and events together seamlessly, so I feel this novel would be best enjoyed as a series, read in order. This will allow for an informed reading experience. Cabot does include a map and genealogical chart to help readers figure out the complex cast and give a visual of the setting and backstory.

This story opens with newcomer Austin Goddard a widow, plastic surgeon along with his young daughter, who has just moved to Cimarron Creek to a ranch. That brings suspicion in its self, I mean why would a surgeon move to a small town to a remote ranch? Protection. Austin is hiding something, but he is determined to protect his daughter at all costs. 

Town school marm Catherine Whitfield, has secrets of her own. Her heart is weary of doctors after her mom was mistreated by Cimarron Creek's only doctor, resulting in her death after a "bloodletting" procedure. Will Catherine's heart obey her reasoning?

This book does not disappoint. It is quite complex and holds some deep subject matter. (murder and rape) For this reason, I would recommend it for readers of 14 and up. The story is clean otherwise and very well written. Filled with researched historical detail, you'll want to pick this one up for your next rainy spring read!

This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Amanda Cabot

Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of A Stolen Heart, as well as the Texas Crossroads series, the Texas Dreams series, the Westward Winds series, and Christmas Roses. Her books have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Awards and the...

Continue reading about Amanda Cabot

Book Review: A Stolen Heart

The future she dreamed of is gone. But perhaps a better one awaits . . . 
From afar, Cimarron Creek seems like an idyllic town tucked in the Texas Hill Country. But when former schoolteacher Lydia Crawford steps onto its dusty streets in 1880, she finds a town with a deep-seated resentment of Northerners--like her. Lydia won't let that get her down, though. All will be well when she's reunited with her fiancé. 

But when she discovers he has disappeared--and that he left behind a pregnant wife--Lydia is at a loss about what to do next. The handsome sheriff urges her to trust him, but can she trust anyone in this town where secrets are as prevalent as bluebonnets in spring?


My Reflections:

Warning..If you are on a sugar-free diet don't read this book! Sigh it was pure torture as I really love yummy treats and this novel mentions lots of delectable goodies.

All kidding aside if you are in the mood for a fluffy sweet (no pun intended) romance this book is for you. Set in the 1800's this first novel in the Cimarron Creek Trilogy will warm your heart.

Lydia Crawford is embarking on a whole new journey leaving the past behind her she moves to a little town in Texas, named Cimarron Creek. 

Her soon to be husband Edgar Ellis, was suppose to be patiently waiting for her. However, he seems to have disappeared and in his wake shockingly he left his... wife, and she so happens to be in the family way!

Just as troubling is that Lydia cannot go back home, she must make a go of her new life in Cimarron Creek, outsider or not her spunky attitude and steadfast faith must pull her through. 

Travis Whitefield the newly appointed sheriff is the perfect character to step up to the plate. His gentlemanly ways and protective nature are just what Lydia needs to regroup and figure out what is next. 
Travis, however, must get to the bottom of Edgar's disappearance. Was he shirking his responsibilities or was there something much more sinister involved? who is this newcomer? Does she have something to hide as well?

I found it interesting to see through the eyes of these characters the history of this time period. 
Recovering from the Civil War the townsfolk are resistant to newcomers especially Northerners. It must have been very hard to be moving from place to place and finding new normalcy in the turbulence post-war.

If you are looking for a slight mystery coupled with a Historical romance, this may just be the book for you!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

THE AUTHOR

Amanda Cabot

Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of At Bluebonnet Lake, In Firefly Valley, and On Lone Star Trail, as well as the Texas Dreams series, the Westward Winds series, and Christmas Roses. Her books have been finalists for the ACFW...

Continue reading about Amanda Cabot