Alone with her young daughter in 1881 Michigan, she has six months left to finish raising the money needed to pay back the land contract her husband purchased, and the land is difficult to toil by herself. She needs a husband. With unmarried men scarce, her father sends a letter to his brother in the Old Country, asking him to find Annalisa a groom.
For nobleman Carl von Reichart, the blade of the guillotine is his fate. He’s been accused and convicted of a serious crime he didn’t commit, and his only escape is to flee to a small German community in Michigan where he’ll be safe. He secures a job on Annalisa’s farm but bumbles through learning about farming and manual labor.
Annalisa senses that Carl is harboring a secret about his past, yet she finds herself drawn to him anyway. He’s gentle, kind, and romantic–unlike any of the men she’s ever known. He begins to restore her faith in the ability to love–but her true groom is still on his way. And time is running out on them all.
My Review:
Author Jody Hedlund continues to blow me away with each new book. I loved the bold feel of this book – from the cover to the final pages. The characters feel authentic and the environment rings true.
This story sweeps you up from the very first scene and holds you on the edge of your seat. The hero is a study of flawed and redemptive characteristics. At the same time, the heroine and her daughter are adorable.
If you like historical romance, Hedlund novels must be your mainstay. She is the pure master of romantic tension and refreshingly original settings.
Definite must-read.
Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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