Kindle Edition Download from Smashwords (eBook) Amazon Mary Trimble Books Amazon.com Category:  Western Publisher: ShelterGraphics ISBN-10:  0692880240 Type: Fiction Pages: 290 Copyright: Aug 8, 2017 ISBN-13: 9780692880241 Price: $3.99 (eBook) When Maureen answers the Cahill family’s plea for domestic help, she joyfully discovers her ability to rescue this desperate family. Yet, what surprises her most is how they rescue her Extraordinary life changes are in store for Maureen Gardner when she responds to a help-wanted ad. A professional woman, victim of a double betrayal, Maureen is more than ready for a change. She moves to eastern Washington where rancher John Cahill, mourning his wife’s recent death, is desperate for someone to care for his seven-year-old daughter and oversee his household. Will destiny carve a path through pain and disappointment? Excerpt Before I knew it, I had been with the Cahills a year. I felt deep contentment, much of that due to satisfaction in knowing I filled a void for the family. Although they showed and even expressed their appreciation, I could see for myself that they thrived. The kids were healthy and had positive attitudes. John obviously grew stronger emotionally, though he rarely spoke of his wife. I carried a sense of belonging and even fulfillment. Still, in the night, I often awakened with that familiar sense of hollowness, of dread. At those times my mind often harbored unfulfilled hopes and deep disappointment. I had everything I needed; I felt useful. During these nighttime periods of unrest, I commanded myself to look forward, not back, not to dwell on what might have been.

Fast-paced Story and Wonderful Characters Drive this Contemporary Western
This Contemporary Western was a pleasure to read for its face-paced story and indelible characters, especially Maureen, a professional urban woman moving to one of the largest cattle ranches in Eastern Washington. Needing a dramatic change in her life, she answers a classified ad placed by the ranch’s owner to be his housekeeper and care for his daughter, made motherless by his wife’s death. Maureen’s challenge is complicated by her sister’s mysterious visit, the rancher’s emotional distance and his daughter’s rebellion as she struggles to assimilate. Trimble brings the story alive with details about caring for big animals and running a ranch and the beauty of the natural world she finds herself in. I rooted for her all the way, and despite missteps, she wins in the surprising twist of an ending. A fun read, highly recommended!

A Family Story
"Maureen" is one of those hard to find books that families can read together or share one by one. Maureen, a city girl, becomes part of a farmland family where horses, hearty breakfasts, hard work-together and alone, picnics, neighbors, and playing the piano balance their lives. Maureen is happy, even grateful to become part of this family. As the chapters progress, however, the reader, learns there is more to the story. I particularly like the ease of reading this book offers. It flows from one chapter to another even when surprising things happen.

Maureen's patience and love for the two teenagers in her charge
Author Mary Trimble's novel Maureen has a delightful way of "sneaking up" on readers that is positively unique in the romance genre. Over the past twenty years, I have read thousand of novels, yet this is the first contemporary Western I have read where it takes the hero ten years to pop the question to his lady fair! Of course, the reader quickly becomes too engrossed in Maureen's adventures on a modern cattle ranch to notice!

Hired as widower John Cahill's housekeeper and caretaker of his rebellious young daughter, Maureen has left a lot of personal baggage in Seattle, including heartbreak, betrayal, and a stagnant desk job. Hoping to make a positive difference in the Cahill's lives, she becomes so deeply involved in the family's adventures that she barely notices how fast the years have flown by.

Mary Trimble's descriptions of the challenging work required to care for animals on a large ranch are spot-on. Maureen's patience and love for the two teenagers in her charge, and her growing attraction to John Cahill make for an exciting and empathetic read.