Series: Promises (Book 5)
She can run from the past, but not from their future...
As Jackson Montgomery heads home after collecting on a
particularly difficult bounty, he's looking forward to a good meal, stiff
drink, and maybe some female companionship. But when he sees signs of life in a
house infamous for its second-rate construction, he can't resist taking a
gander at who'd been fool enough to buy the disaster. He expects to find a
tenderfoot for sure.
He's not far off.
Mimi Banfield thought she was done for when she fell into
a well filled with rattlers, until a man shows up with the golden curls of an
angel to rescue her. Jackson has all the survival skills she's missing and he's
just the man to show her how to survive out West. As the newly minted guardian
of three orphans, she could certainly use a hand. He seamlessly transitions
into life with Mimi and the children, not knowing that she has a deadly secret.
By the time she confesses, it may just be too late for salvation.
Good book that sucked me in from the first chapter and
didn't let go until the end. We have a determined and sassy heroine, a gorgeous
but deadly hero, and three feisty children brought together by fate.
Jackson is a part-time bounty hunter on the way home
after a challenging pursuit and capture. He's looking forward to some rest and
relaxation, as well as some time contemplating his future. He gets sidetracked by
the signs of life at a property known for its lousy construction and is curious
to see who was foolish enough to buy it. He expected to find a tenderfoot, but
what he found exceeded even his expectations.
Mimi and her three orphans have been on the run for a
year. She bought the property, hoping that they were far enough and remote
enough not to be found. Unfortunately, one of her first actions ends up with
her falling into a dry well with half a dozen rattlers in it. She figures that she's
done for until a man with the face of an angel shows up to save her.
I loved the first meeting between Mimi and Jackson. His
curiosity morphs into protectiveness as soon as he sees the problem. I loved
his calm demeanor as he entered the well despite his feelings about snakes (a
la Indiana Jones' "Snakes. It had to be snakes."). Mimi is relieved
to see him, and though bowled over by his beauty, retains her natural
sassiness. I loved the banter between the two as Jackson carries out his
rescue. However, he doesn't make it through unscathed and is bitten by one of
the rattlers on the way out of the well. Now it is Mimi's turn for a rescue, as
she nurses him back to health in another scene that highlights how unprepared
she is. Once he recovers, there's no way Jackson can leave the little family to
manage on their own.
I loved watching the development of the relationship
between Mimi and Jackson. She is wary and determined to muddle through on her
own, though she can't deny the temptation to lean on Jackson. Jackson is attracted
and intrigued. He senses that Mimi is on the run from something or someone and
is determined to protect her. I liked seeing Jackson become a part of her life
so quickly, from sparring with Mimi to taking the boys in hand and falling
under Melinda Sue's spell. Jackson's first hint of the seriousness of Mimi's
situation came during a scene with Tony, the oldest of the children. My heart
broke for Tony and what he'd been through and cheered for Jackson and his
reaction. I loved seeing Jackson and Mimi grow closer, and ached for Mimi and
her fear of her past catching up with her.
The story intensified when that past did reappear most
horrendously. Mimi's fear, not just for herself but also for the children, leaped
off the page. I was on the edge of my seat as Jackson and his friends made good
on their promise to protect them. The final confrontation was intense as the
bad guys finally got what was coming to them. All that was left was for Jackson
to convince Mimi that they belonged together. Despite some well-meaning
interference from their friends, Jackson's big moment at the end was sweet and
romantic and exactly what Mimi needed.
Though I haven't read the other books in the series yet,
they will definitely go on my wishlist. All of Jackson's friends seem to have
interesting backstories, and I'd like to know more. I also thoroughly enjoyed
the women and the way they treated Mimi as one of their own. My favorite of the
secondary characters were the three children. Each one had their own personality
and way of looking at the world. I would love to see stories for them later on,
especially Melinda Sue.
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