Audrey and the Maverick

In 1868, Virginian financier Julian McCaid returns to his ranch in Defiance, Dakota Territory. He muses how far he has come from his rustic rough roots as he plans on marrying a Southern belle. However, he has one flaw with his perfect pan for the perfect family: Audrey Sheridan. She has issues caused by the return of Julian. Sheriff Kemp and his henchmen order her to cause havoc and distraction for Julian; or he will kill her family of young orphans. She steals Julian's money and obtain job as a cook on his spread. As she admires her employer and falls in love with him, she knows she cannot afford to be distracted by her heart as the sheriff is the crooked deadly law in town. At the same time Julian is revising his plan for the perfect family. This western romance sequel to Rachel and the Hired Gun stars another Virginian who falls in love in the Wild West. The cast makes the tale fun to read as the lead couple has some history, a present and apparently a doubtful future. The villain is terrific as Elaine Levine purposely makes him over the top of the Mount Rushmore (not built yet) as a nasty who uses orphan kids to extort what he wants. Readers will enjoy the escapades of Audrey and the Maverick who repaints his vivid picture of the perfect family. Harriet Klausner

I couldn't wait for this book after reading Rachel and the hired gun. Audrey is struggleing to make ends meet raising her brother and 8 orphaned children. (She's not much more than a child herself) Julian McCaid has a scarred past and they were brought together when Audrey pick pocketed Julian. He does not know she is being controlled by the corrupt sheriff of the town. This is a great book, I have to say it had a slow start for me. I wasn't sure I would get into it at first but the more I read the more I wanted to read. My only complaint would be the communication between Audrey and Julian. I never understood why she didn't want him to know the smallest orphan wasn't hers. She knew he believed her to be a whore at one time and then believe she had been raped. I understood why she kept the other 7 a secret from him for a while, she was worried about their safty because of the sheriff. But why let him think the only one he had seen and knew about was hers? If they had talked more it would have solved so much between them. But The good side of the book way out numbers the bad. The charaters were great, Elaine Levine does a great job describing the scene and making you feel like your there. The kids are wonderful. My favorite parts in the book involved the children. I loved the charaters and loved the story, I can't wait for the next story that I assume will be Jace and Leah:) You also get to hear from Sager and Rachel a time or two in this book which was nice. I recommend this book along with Rachel and the hired gun. Happy reading:)