Amazon Judith B. Glad, Writer & Botanist Category:  Historical Fiction Publisher: Uncial Press ISBN-10:  1601740131 Type: Fiction Pages: 350 Copyright: 2002, 2006 ISBN-13: 9781601740137 Nellie Sanders persuades her uncle, a renowned botanist, to allow her to join an expedition to the Sawtooth Valley in Idaho Territory in 1872. Using an assumed name, infamous shootist Malachi Breedlove contracts to lead the botanical expedition into the wilderness. A crazy old woman steals Nellie, believing her a dead daughter returned to life. As leader of the expedition, Malachi is forced to send others to seek the woman he now realizes he loves. Nellie finally convinces the old woman to take her back, claiming she will die without Malachi. No sooner are Nellie and Malachi reunited than disaster strikes the expedition. Now the lovers must face the dangers of the wilderness must, conquer old weaknesses and discover new strengths. As the summer ends, Nellie faces a choice between academic acclaim and love, while Malachi wonders whether he can hang up his guns and survive. Can they find a compromise that lets them both realize their dreams? Excerpt "I'll take the late watch. Wake me about two." "Not on your life!" "Oh, don't be nonsensical! I may not be a good shot, but I can certainly fire into the air. That should wake you." "You're not going to be out there alone in the night, where any hungry cat or bear can get you." "No, I'll be in here, guarded only by an exhausted man who's going to be falling asleep on his feet." She shook her head. "Men! Your protective instincts are all very well and good, but they sometime get in the way of your common sense. If you are up all night, you'll be no good at all tomorrow. You said yourself that bears are more active in the daytime and panthers at night. So don't argue with me. We will sleep in turn, two hours at a time, and that way someone will always be alert." Much as he hated to admit it, she was right. "Go get your shotgun," he told her. "You'll be safer with it than with a rifle." She went, while he stood at the doorway of the common tent and watched. He still didn't like the idea of her wandering around alone at night. It wasn't men who were a danger right now, but the wild critters who were keeping an eye on that corral full of tempting horseflesh. What worried him was that if a tender female came their way, they'd take her just as quickly. Malachi almost had to laugh at the way she carried the shotgun -- as if it was about to bite her. He took it when she held it out and broke it. "It's not loaded." "Well, no, I didn't want a loaded gun in my tent." "An unloaded gun isn't much good for anything, not even as a club." "I know that." She sounded as if she was speaking to a child. "I would have loaded it before I went on watch." "I'll load it now. And you leave it that way. Understand?" In the dim, flickering light of the fire, he saw her bite her lip. "You will leave it loaded, and keep it with you all the time. Do. You. Understand?" Her full lips firmed into a narrow line. She glared at him, eyes flashing. Malachi glared back. At last she dropped her stubborn little chin. "All right. I'll keep it loaded." "And with you. All the time." "With me, all the time." He held the shotgun out to her. "Show me how you'll fire it." She took it with both hands, wrapping both around the stock and letting the barrel hang down. He saw her tongue come out to moisten her lips. "Aim it." The barrel came up a fraction of an inch, but there would still be a good crater in the dirt if she were to pull a trigger. "It's not loaded," he assured her. "Now, Miss Sanders, I'm a big, bad bear and you're a tempting morsel. I haven't eaten for a day or so and my belly's growling." He raised his arms, clawed his fingers, and growled. She, squeaked, dropped the shotgun, and took a step backwards. "Don't do that! You startled me." "A bear or a panther would do more than startle you. Pick it up." Bending, she picked the shotgun up and stood. This time she held it more like a weapon, although her fingers were nowhere near the trigger. She jabbed it toward him. "Go away, bear, or I'll shoot." Her voice quavered. Once more he raised his arms as if about to attack her. "Grrrr!" The barrel of the shotgun jerked upwards, pointed straight at his face.

Romantic Times
4 Stars
Nellie Sanders has never been one for sitting still, so she convinces her uncle to take her with him on a botanical hunt out West. Determined to make the most of the half-hearted tutelage he has given her over the years, Nellie’s goal is to find a rare plant or flower that will convince him she is a worthwhile member of society who can possibly help her fellow man.
Malachi Breedlove’s career change from gunman to guide brings him in contact with the delightful Ms. Sanders. He finds himself fascinated with the lovely lady botanist but knows that Nellie, being the woman she is, would never be satisfied with the likes of him. His plans are to make sure that she, as well as the rest of the party, stay safe.
Nellie’s fur is ruffled by the rough and handsome man who is in charge of their expedition. Despite what she calls his rudeness, something about the man intrigues her. With her curiosity on full alert, she becomes an apt student when he kisses her.
Ms. Glad’s western tale of love is fraught with danger. A wily and mysterious old woman and a mountain lion named Buttercup are highlights. But deadly accidents and quirky characters take a backseat to affairs of the heart in this delightful tale of love.

Affaire de Coeur
4 Stars!
Elinor Sanders is a botanist in training, accompanying her uncle on an expedition deep in Idaho Territory. She hopes her verbally abusive and domineering uncle will allow her to take a part in the undertaking, a part that will allow her be a botanist on her own merits.
Malachi Breedlove is the man charged with making this expedition work. He knows he only has this summer with Nellie. He is a wanted man, and his past prevents him from ever having the future he wants with Nellie.
Judith B. Glad’s love of botany is evident in her development of Nellie. Nellie’s knowledge of the territory she explores with her uncle brings a high degree of realism to the story. The one aspect of Nellie’s character that detracts from that reality is her confusing personality. She allows her uncle to intimidate and be rate her yet shows an amazing openness with regards to her relationship with Malachi. That relationship develops realistically, moving along with a plot that does not drag. Malachi is a very heroic man whose desire to overcome his past for his future makes an enjoyable story.