Sooner or Later

This story has really stuck with me--the romance this is! Compelling characters bring me back to this author's books over and over!

Rebekah Bailey has never done anything reckless in her life. That is, until her stepfather tries to trade her hand in marriage for a side of beef, and she runs away from home. Alone in the Oklahoma Territory is a dangerous place for a woman. Mason Danfield is doing his best to do right by his niece and nephew, who have recently lost their mother. He believes the place for these children is with their father, Jake. So he puts the children in a Conestoga wagon and heads west in search of his brother-in-law. Mason stumbles upon Rebekah just as she falls from her horse from exhaustion and lack of food. His Southern-inspired manners won't allow him to leave her stranded in the untamed land, so he promises to get her to Denver once they find Jake. With no money, Rebekah has no choice but to accept his help. A series of misadventures, including a tornado and Mason's dislocated shoulder, bring the two closer together. The children, Jimmy and Katie, provide a welcome distraction from the feelings Katie begins to develop for Mason. She can't really be falling in love with him. Can she? When they find Jake, Mason tries to talk him into marrying Rebekah so she can be a mother to the children. She flees on a train and gets as far as Wichita, Kansas, There she realizes she is already in love with Mason. Her unscrupulous stepfather catches her, intent that she marry his friend. But Mason thwarts his plan when he shows up and rescues Rebekah. This historical by Vickie McDonough is a sweet, simple story of two people running away from something--and finding each other. The inspirational tones of this book are evident on almost every page, but they are gentle and definitely don't detract from the story. Armchair Interviews says: McDonough has written a wonderful highly recommended novel that is full of great dialogue, strong characters and God's love.

Sooner or Later is a classic pioneer story with plenty of tension and just enough romance to keep the plot moving forward and keep me turning the pages. The author packed the story with action (in the form of disasters, both natural and man-made), tender scenes with little kids, and romantic tension between the hero and heroine. An intriguing story, Sooner or Later is the kind of classic novel I'd recommend for readers who enjoy historicals highlighting pioneers's lives and the staking of claims on land in the 1800s territories. Several surprises in the story tickled my fancy, and though somewhat predictable at times, I still enjoyed the ride with this one. In fact, I liked it enough that "sooner or later" I might pick it up and read it again. :)