February 1, 2016
Brendan continues the Virtues and Vices of the Old West series (The Trouble with Patience, 2015) set in the Montana Territory of 1862. When cattle baron John McIntyre sweeps Rachel Matthews off her feet at the local saloon, the last thing she feels is romantic. Having rescued Rachel per her brother's request, John is attracted to her fiery spirit. But it isn't long before she learns that he owns her family's land after paying the back taxes her brother couldn't afford. Rachel is as determined to buy back the land as John is to increase his material wealth. Then a strange disease threatens his herd and his life, and he and Rachel learn firsthand where true value is found. The opening scene is laugh-out-loud hilarious, and the emotional conflicts are honest. While portraying endearing characters as before, Brendan also presents an edgier protagonist and works more faith elements into the story. By using wild nature to create exciting plot twists, Brendan gives readers a delicious taste of the expansiveness and the demands of life and love on the frontier.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)