The story takes place in the Colorado Territory (the town of Timber Ridge) some years after the civil war, 1875 to be exact. Elizabeth Westbrook is a photographer, a rarity for a woman, who works for a newspaper in her native Washington. She travels to Colorado to take pictures of the majestic mountains in hope of wining a photography contest and getting her big break and respect in the field. Being a woman, what the heck does she know. She's also there for another reason, the hot springs. Elizabeth has a serious illness, trouble with her lungs. In today's terms, asthma. She's head strong, determined to not let anything or anyone get in her way. Of course her being an unmarried feisty career driven woman does ruffle some feathers. She does have one friend, a man she hired to be her assistant, Josiah. A former slave, Josiah is trying to make a new start in life but as you can imagine, some people don't take to kindly to a black man in their town. Elizabeth is also on another task, a secret task, acquiring info about some real estate for the paper she works for. Of course her questions and photos get her into some dangerous situations.
Daniel Ranslett is a loner, a hunter, a man who's haunted by his past. Both family and the the fact that he was a sharpshooter for the Confederate army during the war (Civil War). His best friend since childhood is the Sheriff James McPherson. Even that is strained because of an unfortunate accident involving Jame's sister Rachel. Rachel's husband died in a hunting accident and the sole man she holds responsible is Daniel. This causes Daniel to become even more of recluse as the family he loved has cut him off. James is there for his friend the best way he knows how.
The two meet when Elizabeth is taking a photo of a buffalo and Daniel shoots him. Not a good start, especially when Elizabeth accuses him of ruining her perfect opportunity to capture wildlife on film. Of course, you can read the sparks already. She doesn't like his southern ways and he thinks he to much of a pain in the butt. Daniel ends up becoming Elizabeth's guide, much to his dismay. He can't let her wonder around and die in her quest to get the best photographs ever.
There is so much to say but if I do, I'll give away the whole story. It's packed with a great romance and some wonderful nail biting action. There's this incredible scene (I totally picture what I'm reading as a movie, hence why I say scene) full of tension and suspense when Elizabeth has an asthma attack and it's Daniel to the rescue. It's so charged I broke into a sweat. Daniel caring Elizabeth to the springs, nuff said. Tamera Alexander is an awesome author. She's one of my favs now. After reading one book, I ran out and bought all her books. I just couldn't put the book down. The story had me hooked from the first paragraph. I cared so much for the characters. Alexander definitely wrote her characters with depth, emotion, sympathy, they could be real people that you know. I also loved the fact the heroine of this story was a woman in her thirties. I know I didn't do this book justice, but go out and read it. It is considered a Christian book. I read everything so I don't care one way or the other. I know some people do but it's not preachy, it's not trying to convert anyone. It's just a great story.
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