Friday, November 1, 2013

Whirlwind Redemption by Debra Cowan, a story from the anthology "Happily Ever After in the West"

Whirlwind Redemption   is about hundred pages long, which seems hefty for an anthology.  Nevertheless, it'll keep you engaged, especially if you were a fan of 'Dr. Quin Medicine Woman' back in the '90s. 
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Blurb:   When a bullet left Quentin Prescott's spine and spirit shattered, he broke up with first love Zoe Keeler so he wouldn't be a burden.  Now Zoe must burden him.  She needs a fake fiancé to get her inheritance.  Could this be Quentin's chance for redemption?
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So, the backstory is, like a typical male, Quentin made false assumptions about what matters and/or attracts a woman makes her fall in love and want to be with him and stay with him.  Like an idiot he dumped her, not realizing how he broke her heart in doing so. 
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As so often is the case, Quentin does some growing up in between that and meeting up with Zoe again.  He spends seven years in a wheelchair with a bullet fragment embedded next to his spine.  Unlike a lot of guys, he gets a second chance to make things right and live happily ever after. 
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Zoe's still deeply hurt though and Quentin must woo her anew and all over again.  This is made easier by Zoe still being in love with him, but more difficult because she's stumbled onto some desperados.  See, Zoe's a caregiver.  Her parents are dead.  Her sister is deaf and her special school needs to be paid.  Her brother has Special Needs too, probably Down's by the modern definition.  Not sure, but that's accurate because back then they didn't have a name or label for everything.  So, she needs some money and she has some inheritance coming to her, but with a catch - she must marry.
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Quentin's more than happy to oblige Zoe in the marriage department, not realizing her arrival and actions have riled some lowlifes bent on a scam which she could blow apart.  Time to be a hero!
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I enjoyed this one, but I must make a couple of cautionary statements.  If you love Historicals, but haven't tried Historical Romance you need to cut some slack.  Historical Romance authors, in my observation, know their history, but they can't always be accurate.  For example, not a lot of modern women I know think it's fun to make out with a guy who smells like chicken poop and has rotten teeth.  So, they kinda have to work with that, you know?
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Okay, so that's it, my very first official review for my new blog.  I feel a little rusty, but it's been loads of fun!  Much love, Blog Buds.
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Debra Cowan's Page at Harlequin
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FYI- I've reviewed for Lynna Banning before, but not Judith Stacy.  I'm certainly open to reviewing for Ms. Stacy though!   CRUSADER'S LADY by Lynna Banning
http://www.lynnabanning.net/

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