A Marriage by Chance

This is the first Carolyn Davidson book I've read, and I was so impressed that I have ordered more. The beginning sparks the interest with a poker game between Peter Biddleton losing his half of the ranch to J.T. Flannery in a poker game. From there, we go to Chloe Biddleton, Peter's twin sister, who owns the other half of the ranch which is in Ripsaw Creek, Wyoming. Understandably, Chloe is upset when J.T. arrives to claim his half of the winnings, and the chemistry between them sparks immediately. I love sexual tension in a romance, rather than just having the characters hop into bed, so I was delighted that Carolyn played upon the chemistry between J.T. and Chloe. While their love story progresses, there are cattle rustlers who are stealing some of their cattle, and Peter's return makes one wonder if he has joined this group. Along with a newcomer, Cleary, Carolyn makes the reader wonder who can be trusted and who can't, which is great if you love a story that not predictable. I won't tell what happens to Peter, but I didn't see that part of the story coming. That, by the way, is a good job on Carolyn's part. I thought the progress of J.T. and Chloe's romance from initial attraction to genuine love to be beautifully played out. They had to face obstacles, such as a brother who disapproved of the marriage, the rustlers threating their livelihood, and J.T.'s fear that Chloe wouldn't love him. J.T. was a strong man who developed a soft heart for Chloe, and Chloe, who had been more of a tomboy than anything else in her life, learns that it can be wonderful when a man makes her feel like a woman. I do recommend this to anyone who's looking for a well-paced and tender love story with a hint of realism.

We start out with a poker game and a young man who really thinks he can win. It seems like he can't wait to put up his half of a ranch.J. T. Flannery [Jasper Thomas - grin] is tired of roaming and seriously thinking of settleing down. So he comes to Ripsaw Creek, Wyoming to look over his half of the ranch he won.Chloe Biddleton was one unhappy camper, receiving a letter from her brother, Peter, just as J. T. was arriving. Was it love at first sight? J. T. wasn't sure but he was willing to find out.Chloe was informing Hogan, her foreman that same morning and having a hard time containing her anger and sense of betrayal by Peter. Would Peter ever take responsibility for his actions? How could Chloe protect him? Was J. T. right in claiming Peter was acting like a spoiled child?Where was Peter? Who set the fire? Who was rustling the cattle? Why did J. T. go and buy the Paint stallion? Who was Cleary? Was the sheriff, Micah Dawson sweet on Aunt Tilly?Now we run into a tale of male rivelry - the usual mystery of rustled cattle and hard to contain attraction. But you sure love the gentle way of a strong man with a mixed-up emotional woman. I applaud the resolution of these characters with a marriage of passion and the determination to make that marriage last and reap the reward of love.Oh, to have more like minded characters in our books instead of the weak minded hussies that tumble to hormones and seduction and no moral guts.The story moves quite well and is interesting with the mystery of 'who donnit'. Hard not to read in one sitting.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED -- makes a great addition to your library.