A River To Cross

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A River to Cross Bethany House; Original edition (August 1, 2011)

by Yvonne Harris
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Yvonne Harris earned a BS in Education from the University of Hartford and has taught throughout New England and the mid-Atlantic. Unofficially retired from teaching, she teaches writing at Burlington County College in southern New Jersey, where she resides. She is a winner and three-time finalist for the Golden Heart, once for The Vigilante's Bride, which was her debut novel.






ABOUT THE BOOK

Texas Ranger Jake Nelson patrols the U.S.-Mexico border, protecting the settlers from cattle rustlers, outlaws, and bandits. Sparks fly when Manuel Diego stirs up a revolt against the government, which leads to the murder of a newspaperman, who is the son of a U.S. senator, and the kidnapping of his sister, Elizabeth Madison, a journalist in the making.

With Elizabeth's photograph in hand--a dark-haired beauty with smiling eyes--Jake rides over the border to find her. After the Rangers defeat the marauders and rescue Elizabeth, Jake is surprised to learn she's not the spoiled daughter of a senator that he was expecting. In fact, he finds himself taken by her. And she by him.

But the Mexicans won't give up that easily, as Elizabeth becomes the target of an all-out hunt. Leaving Elizabeth back at Fort Williams, Jake and his men set off again, this time to go after Diego himself--to apprehend him and his renegades and bring them all to justice.

Meanwhile, Jake knows what's begun between him and Elizabeth is undeniable. Amid all the turmoil, Jake finally admits how much he loves her. She tells him the same. Until now, they've lived in different worlds, yet it is those differences that drew them together.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A River to Cross, go HERE.

My Review:

Trust is something that both Jake and Elizabeth will need to do, especially the way they meet. Elizabeth is captured by Major Chavez, a man working for Manuel Diego, whose sole purpose is to stir up a war between the US and Mexico.

Knowing what will happen to her if they don't attempt a daring rescue, late in the evening Jake and his Texas Rangers silently take care of Chavez's men one by one. Not hearing anything Elizabeth awakes to a blackened figure standing above her welding a knife. When she attempts to scream a hand covers her mom. Sensing her life my be in danger, she bites the man holding her, only to discover he is her rescuer. Now they must stay one step ahead of Diego who will stop at nothing to gain back his prized treasure that was taken from him, that being Elizabeth. Seeing an opportunity in kidnapping the US Senator's daughter, Jake must find a way to keep Elizabeth safe until Manuel Diego is finally captured.

Along the way the appearances that Jake and Elizabeth keep up on the outside are merely shells of who they really are on the inside. Both see a way to find healing from the past where the hurt in their lives has allowed them to create these outward appearances to keep from being wounded again. Will God find a way to heal them and restore their hearts or will Manuel Diego succeed in his efforts to provoke a war between the two countries?

I received the book, A River To Cross by Yvonne Harris, compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. This is my second book from Yvonne, A Vigilante's Bride being the first and I love a good western romance involving a little rescuing and protection from the man in her life. This one does not disappoint and Elizabeth's character is a well written strong, determined and open minded woman who remembers how to care and love for those in her life and will fiercely protect them no matter what happens. I would rate this novel a 4.5 out of 5 stars and for those of you that love a great historical western romance, then this is perfect for you.