Linda Lael Miller returns to the world of her triumphant Western romance, Springwater, to create a delightful new series. Each thrillingSpringwater Seasons novel takes place in the tiny stagecoach stop calledSpringwater, as it blossoms into a bustling Montana town. For a pretty schoolteacher who is new to Springwater, an unexpected love turns up in the most unlikely place.
Rachel English as traveled to Springwater to take a post as the frontier teacher. Although the ramshackle schoolhouse -- and her half-wild pupils -- are not what she had envisioned, Rachel spiritedly makes the best of her new surroundings. But when she takes a stand against the scandalous saloon across the road from the school, she is more that surprised by her own powerful attraction to the bar's part-owner, handsome widower Trey Hargreaves.
The father of a beautiful part-Lakota Sioux girl, Trey appears to be everything that Rachel, with her proper Eastern upbringing, should avoid. When Rachel's fiancé died during the Civil War, she turned her passions to teaching, and closed a door in her heart. Now Trey, with his troubled past, is the the only man who can soothe her hidden sorrow, and give Rachel a chance to embrace the love of a lifetime.
Review
Springwater, a small settlement in Montana Territory, sets the stage for a historical series that will please readers seeking tenderness rather than raging passion. This installment focuses on Rachel English, who is coming from the East to serve as the town's schoolmarm. When the stagecoach runs into trouble, Trey Hargreaves comes to the rescue, never dreaming that the saucy lady who was more concerned about the safety of her precious books than anything else, would soon become very important to him. As the schoolmarm and the saloon keeper try to put aside their philosophical differences and get down to some sparkin', readers are given a dose of old time romance - 1800s style. Add some wholesome supporting characters, traditional small-town events and a little help from fate, and everyone in Springwater can sit back and watch the courtship. While Ms. Miller is certainly a good writer, she did a much better job making the pages sizzle in her other books. This wasn't a poorly written romance, just a bit boring. She is much more suited to those bodice rippers! Amy Wilson -- Copyright © 030199 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times