Barb's back with a new historical romance!
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Set in the Nevada Territory in 1863, each chapter starts with a poem from a book Samantha's father sent her. See if you can figure out what they mean before Sam does!
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Samantha Delaney sees the book of poems as clues that her father is in trouble, so she travels to the Nevada Territory to help. Unfortunately, she must deal with two men of totally opposite persuasion, but both of whom think she needs a guardian.
Her gentleman companion Roger Smith, and the ever-present Sheriff of Silver River Tyler Sloan go out of their way to aggravate her, interfere with her investigation, and create a disturbing emotional upheaval in her life.
Roger has a somewhat reticent nature, which Samantha considers an asset since she feels she can, given enough time, mold him into the kind of husband she wants.
However, as she unravels the clues to her father’s whereabouts, she finds Roger is not who he seems and there is far more to Sheriff Sloan than she first thought. His passion for life, and the passion he awakens in Sam have her quickly rethinking her ideas of independence.
Excerpt
The key to a room,
Though cold in the night.
Keep it close to your heart,
Desire may be in sight.
When Samantha turned her face into the breeze, she noticed a man rapidly closing the distance between them. She sensed the power coiled within his lean frame as he came to a stop near the stage. When she noticed the star pinned to his shirt, her legs trembled and her heart hammered in her chest. She hoped he had come for someone else, and not to give her bad news about her father.
“Ma’am.” He touched the wide black brim of his hat then addressed his remarks to Roger. “If you and the lady are looking for a refreshing drink before you continue your journey, I’d suggest the restaurant right behind you. Old Joe doesn’t like to linger, so you’ll want to be back out here as soon as possible.”
Roger glanced nervously at Samantha, as though gauging her reaction. Her attention turned to the wiry driver, now on top of the stagecoach. “Sir, do not throw my trunk down. I would like it to remain unbroken.” She lowered her voice and flashed him a smile. “If you please.”
The driver looked at her, then at Roger, who stood silently by her side. “Hey, there, Sloan! ‘If’n you please’, catch this here trunk so it don’t get broke.” The stage driver mimicked her request.
“No need tossing it down, Joe. The lady won’t be staying.” It was the sheriff who answered to the name Sloan.
Samantha whirled around to pin him with a stare. “Excuse me, but just because you wear a badge, I don’t believe you should tell people what to do. I am sure the law—”
“Ma’am, I am the law, and I’m trying to be congenial. This town is just no place for a lady. Out of the four men who exited that stage, perhaps one, then again maybe not, is an honest, hard-working person looking to strike it rich in the Sierras that border Silver River.” His gaze raked her small frame as he continued, “I’m positive the others have been sent by the very devil himself just to cause me trouble.”
“Are you implying…how dare you! Roger, do something!” Samantha felt her face redden.
“Now, Samantha. I’m sure the sheriff doesn’t mean us.” Roger slid a finger between his neck and shirt collar, a weak shrug lifting his shoulders.
“I beg your pardon, Samantha.” The sheriff’s words rolled off his tongue in a drawl, his deep voice lingering over her name. His eyes flickered with gold sparks as he smiled.
His words caused her to pause. His speech was articulate and smooth. Something in his manner—some nuance—spoke of gentlemanly values and honor. But no matter his background, this man, with his predatory gaze and gun strapped low to his hip, definitely belonged to the wild and untamed frontier. She shivered slightly as her gaze traveled back up his frame to find him perusing her just as intently.
“I’ll give you one day. Another stage will be here tomorrow. Until then, Nel has some rooms over her restaurant. Or Desiree may have a room or two.”
“Desiree?” Samantha pounced on the name. Desiree—Desire—the name from her father’s poem. She surveyed the town with renewed interest, excited with the prospect of deciphering the poems, which she felt certain would lead to her father. During the years in Boston as she tried to become a lady, she had forgotten how much she adored a challenge.
Professional Reviews
Night Owl Romance Reviews
...As the contrast between the
increasingly secretive Roger Smith and the angry and passionate Sheriff
Sloan widens, she must take matters into her own hands if she is to solve
the puzzle of her fathers' disappearance. Complicating the situation is the
increasingly stormy, and steamy, relationship between Samantha and the
Sheriff that has the whole town talking.
Silver City Love is a contest of wills between Smith and Sloan, Samantha and
the Sheriff, and ultimately between good and evil. With humor woven
throughout the story, Barbara Baldwin has written an interesting and
entertaining story of the Wild West and those who chose to make it their
home.
Score: 3.5 / 5
Reviewer: Gail of Night Owl Romance Reviews
Online:
http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.asp?ReviewId=912
The Long & Short of It -- 4 1/2 books!
"The little town of Silver River sprang up in the rough and rowdy West of the 1800’s when newfound silver lured all kinds of people to Nevada. In this untamed land, where sandstorms, rainstorms, stifling heat, and dust, at times shroud the breathtaking beauty--sensual, heartfelt love blooms.
The intrigue of the poems in the novel keeps the reader guessing as Samantha Delaney, an independent lady from Boston, and Sheriff Tyler Sloan strike sparks off each other. They fight the attraction early on while they struggle with the web of deceit that reaches from Boston to Nevada as men contrive to steal Samantha’s inheritance.
Silver River has all the elements of the untamed West—saloon, brothel, livery stable, merchantile, boarding house and jail. Each of these plays a part in the unraveling of the intriguing events that propel the heroine and hero toward their destiny.
The reader sees hate, greed, loyalty, and love in the many secondary characters as the story unfolds. But most of all the reader is offered an emotional high with the love scenes that warm the heart and the body.
Oh, yes! SILVER RIVER LOVE is good reading."
Reviewed by Camellia
http://www.longandshortreviews.com
When Miranda Nolan inherits a house she soon discovers a need to solve the mysteries surrounding the late owner along with resolving the strong attraction she feels for a co-claimant who lost his hearing and faces a world of silence.
