Silver Hearts

In 1867 on the trail outside of Crooked Creek, Colorado, New Yorker Noelle Bellencourt's covered wagon loses its back wheel. Her guide Mr. Douglas leaves her to find some help. However, instead of his returning to her, Luke Savage arrives on the scene. He explains to Noelle that he found Douglas dead, an apparent victim of a heart attack. He also tells her that they need to instantly leave because Indians are nearby. Luke is in a rush to get to Crooked Creek to stop hisformer gambling partner Blackjack from absconding with their funds. She refuses to move, insisting he fix her wagon so that she can bring her deceased father's magic act paraphernalia to her uncle Marcel, allegedly a wealthy silver mine owner. He soon finds himself embroiled in a squabble with her before he finally accedes to her wishes. To his chagrin, Luke cannot understand how he can be attracted so quickly to an obstinate Easterner after his fiasco with a former fiancée when he lived in Philadelphia. Noelle wonders why she desires this obvious rascal. However, neither one is prepared for the surprises that await them when finally arrive in town. Jackie Manning is a master at providing her audience with a superb reading experience and her latest novel, SILVER HEARTS, will enhance that deserved reputation. The western romance is witty and amusing due to the interactions of the lead characters, a couple readers will adopt. The sub-genre has never has been in better hands than that of the magnificent Ms. Manning.Harriet Klausner