The Drifter

What a beautiful story, beautifully told. Two damaged people who make each other whole. Yes, I cried, but I also cheered in the end. Endearing characters.

This is a delightful story set in an unusual locale, Whidbey Island, WA. I read a lot of romances, and I'm happy to say, Leah and Jackson aren't your typical, cliched characters. I'm in awe at this wonderful book and intend to read it again. Ms. Wiggs can count me among her many fans.

The way Susan grabs the attention of all readers was facinating. She fully described each setting with exquisite detail and made me, the reader, want to know more. It made me dream and understand the trials that Jackson T. Underhill had to face while taking care of himself and both Carrie and Dr. Leah Mundy. Over all, I loved it.

In 1894 Rising Star, Texas, the town sheriff requests U.S. Marshal Joel Santana pursue escaped murderer Jackson Underhill and his wife Carrie. Though Joel feels there is more to this case than the local is letting on, he begins his chase to capture the outlaw. Jackson and Carrie manage to sail their dilapidated schooner to Whidbey Island, Washington, where he kidnaps Dr. Leah Mundy to tend to Carrie, who is very ill. It turns out that Carrie is three months pregnant, a fact that irritates Jackson. Though he feels guilty about leaving Leah's other patients without medical care, the desperate Jackson decides to force the doctor to accompany them to Canada so that she can continue to tend to Carrie. Instead, Leah disables his schooner, forcing them to remain on Whidbey Island. Carrie loathes the small island town and flees with the first available wealthy man. This allows Jackson and Leah the time alone needed to fall in love. However, even after learning that Carrie has died, the law remains after him. Even more so, though Leah trusts, believes, and loves her man, he must surmount his traumatic past if they are to enjoy an enchanting future together THE DRIFTER is former RITA award winner, Susan Wiggs at her absolutely best. The lead characters are a charming couple. Jackson will steal hearts with his melancholy past and Leah is a role model who does not allow gender to interfere with her dreams. The story line is fast, exhilarating, and romantically interesting. Readers who enjoy the blending of historical romance with bits of suspense will take great pleasure in Ms. Wiggs' latest offer, THE DRIFTER. Harriet Klausner

A perfect 10 for this heartwarmer of a book. Jackson T. Underhill can crawl under my covers any time. He is the sexiest outlaw since Butch Cassidy!