Summer of Promise by Amanda Cabot

Synopsis:~

Though she had planned to spend the summer in Vermont with her sweetheart, Abigail Harding cannot dismiss her concerns over her older sister. Charlotte's letters have been uncharacteristically melancholy, and her claims that nothing is wrong ring false, so Abigail heads West to Wyoming. The endless prairie seems monotonous, but when her stagecoach is attacked, Wyoming promises to be anything but boring. Luckily, the heroics of another passenger, Lieutenant Ethan Bowles, save the day.

When circumstances--and perhaps a bit of matchmaking--put Abigail and Ethan together, there's certainly attraction. But Abigail is planning to marry another man and return to life in Vermont as soon as she is finished attending to her sister. And Ethan loves his life in the Army and the wilds of Wyoming. When summer ends, will Abigail go back East? Or will she fall in love with this rugged land herself?

My take:~

Amanda Cabot's Westward Winds series commences with Summer of Promise, an historical romance with a twist of suspense and an interesting premise which includes the hero's job pursuing army deserters. A solid plot and traditional romance will have many readers engaged in the story, however it meandered a bit for me and it was a struggle to maintain my interest in the characters' journeys. Amanda researches her novels well and I enjoyed the detailed aspects of army life, the reasons for desertion and the plight of soldiers' wives confined to a fort far away from the comforts of home.  The aspects of mystery and suspense lacked the higher level intrigue and fast pacing that I enjoy but readers who like just a smidgen of those in their romance novels will probably enjoy the lighter balance.  Summer of Promise wasn't my cup of tea but it just may be yours!

Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

With thanks to Revell for my review copy

Relz Reviewz Extras
Reviews of Tomorrow's Garden, Scattered Petals & Paper Roses
Character spotlight on Priscilla & Zach
Character spotlight on Sarah & Clay
Interview with Amanda
Visit Amanda's website
Buy Amanda's book at Amazon or Koorong