From afar, Cimarron Creek seems like an idyllic town tucked in the Texas Hill Country. But when former schoolteacher Lydia Crawford steps onto its dusty streets in 1880, she finds a town with a deep-seated resentment of Northerners--like her. Lydia won't let that get her down, though. All will be well when she's reunited with her fiancé. But when she discovers he has disappeared--and that he left behind a pregnant wife--Lydia is at a loss about what to do next. The handsome sheriff urges her to trust him, but can she trust anyone in this town where secrets are as prevalent as bluebonnets in spring?
(excerpt from back of book)
For the first book in a trilogy, Amanda Cabot's A Stolen Heart packs a lot into its pages. between mystery and betrayal, fresh starts and new romance Cimarron Creek always has something happening on its sleepy little streets.
For me, the highlight of this book was the character of Aunt Bertha. She was such a delight to read and had so much depth between the secrets and losses of her past combined with the joyful enthusiasm she used in helping Lydia get settled into her new life. I really enjoyed how well Aunt Bertha was written to be her own character while still functioning superbly as a means through which the main character is given more depth and interest.
I was also intrigued by some of the mystery that was teased out in this novel. While I understand this novel leans more towards the romance genre, Joan's story absolutely grabbed my heart and I really hope that story gets more attention later on in the series. Between Joan's story and the mystery surrounding Edgar Cabot's ability to weave intrigue into her characters lives is without question.
As far as the main plot goes, Lydia's story will not seem out of the ordinary for those familiar with the genre. Cabot provides a well thought out story with well defined characters, in a very sweet Texas town.My only issue is that it is the town and secondary characters like Aunt Bertha that stand out in my mind more than Lydia and the sheriff placing this novel at risk of fading into the background until part 2 and 3 are released.
3.5 out of 5 stars
"Book has been provided courtesy of Revell and Baker Publishing Group."
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