Compromised Hearts

Rating:
Summary: A story I've looked for since the first time I read it.
Review: I breathed a sigh of relief when I finally located this book at the local library. The story opens up with the heroine dragging a stubborn mule and carrying a young boy named Thornton on her back. She was on her way to live with her brother when her traveling companions are attacked by Indians. She and the boy are the only survivors. Emily is a delicate-looking, blue-bred Boston lady with an extensive vocabulary, but she's not a snob. She is full of grit, pride, strength and can land a punch that would make most men gape. Cloud Ryder, one-quarter Indian and all man, finds her and the boy and offers to take them where she is going for a price -- her body. Naturally, Emily is appalled, yet strangely drawn to him, and she does it because she believes that Cloud will desert her and Thornton (who calls her his Mama). To Cloud's benefit, Emily doesn't call his bluff. On the way, Emily discovers her passionate nature, but she's determined not to cling to Cloud the way many of his lovers (whom they happen to meet along the way) have a tendency to do. There are plenty of dangers on the trail, including another Indian attack, outlaws, and the manipulative sister-in-law Emily meets when she finally arrives at her destination. By this time, Cloud discovers that he's got strong feelings for Emily (despite his cynicism towards women) and promises to come back for her in a few weeks. But Emily's sister-in-law has other plans. I like the way the author has Cloud become increasingly protective and jealous of the attention Emily gets from men and his former lovers. He loves her, but he just doesn't know it. The cast of characters in the book kept me glued to the pages the first time I read the story over ten years ago, as well as the second time around. I became reacquainted with Cloud's two brothers, Thunder and Wolf, and his sister, Skye, as well as Giorsal, a feisty Irish girl whom Emily befriends while staying with her brother. Even Thornton, who turns out to be a hero more than once, captured my heart. I'm trying to find out if there are any books about the Ryder siblings or Thornton. Compromised Hearts is a keeper.

Rating:
Summary: A story I've looked for since the first time I read it.
Review: I breathed a sigh of relief when I finally located this book at the local library. The story opens up with the heroine dragging a stubborn mule and carrying a young boy named Thornton on her back. She was on her way to live with her brother when her traveling companions are attacked by Indians. She and the boy are the only survivors. Emily is a delicate-looking, blue-bred Boston lady with an extensive vocabulary, but she's not a snob. She is full of grit, pride, strength and can land a punch that would make most men gape. Cloud Ryder, one-quarter Indian and all man, finds her and the boy and offers to take them where she is going for a price -- her body. Naturally, Emily is appalled, yet strangely drawn to him, and she does it because she believes that Cloud will desert her and Thornton (who calls her his Mama). To Cloud's benefit, Emily doesn't call his bluff. On the way, Emily discovers her passionate nature, but she's determined not to cling to Cloud the way many of his lovers (whom they happen to meet along the way) have a tendency to do. There are plenty of dangers on the trail, including another Indian attack, outlaws, and the manipulative sister-in-law Emily meets when she finally arrives at her destination. By this time, Cloud discovers that he's got strong feelings for Emily (despite his cynicism towards women) and promises to come back for her in a few weeks. But Emily's sister-in-law has other plans. I like the way the author has Cloud become increasingly protective and jealous of the attention Emily gets from men and his former lovers. He loves her, but he just doesn't know it. The cast of characters in the book kept me glued to the pages the first time I read the story over ten years ago, as well as the second time around. I became reacquainted with Cloud's two brothers, Thunder and Wolf, and his sister, Skye, as well as Giorsal, a feisty Irish girl whom Emily befriends while staying with her brother. Even Thornton, who turns out to be a hero more than once, captured my heart. I'm trying to find out if there are any books about the Ryder siblings or Thornton. Compromised Hearts is a keeper.