A Reader's Opinion: HARCOURT'S MOUNTAIN by Elaine Dodge
THE BOOK
A Frontier Romance
A READER'S OPINION
A unique frontier romance set in 1867 British Columbia.
I was drawn to this book because I know a bit about British Columbia history during the time period and always found it fascinating. Most of the history isn't covered in the book but the author brought me into the frontier wilds and kept me there from start to end. At first I wondered why Hope would believe a man's promise not to touch her since he is a stranger and she can't know if he'd keep his word. Out of desperation, Hope calls on the meaning of her namesake to trust in a stranger.
Luke and Hope showed a lot of willpower by keeping their distance all the while their growing affection for one another became stronger. Their romance blossoms at they same time they must face a number of crises and a devastating separation. Will Luke find his way back to Hope? Will Hope find a way to hold onto her strength and faith in Luke and their love?
A bit of head hopping and questionable events had me wishing for some tightening up here and there but I was impressed with the author's overall research. Elaine Dodge has a unique style and has written an enjoyable frontier romance.
Star Rating: 4 Stars | Content Rating: 3 Hearts | Reviewed by: Kaylie Morgan
BOOK SYNOPSIS
Spring, 1867 The western frontier of British Columbia hardly seems a likely place for romance. Filthy, terrified and confused, Hope Booker is waiting to be sold off the ‘bride’ ship. Luke Harcourt happens upon the sale. It’s not love at first sight, but he feels compelled to save her from a life of slavery and prostitution. To allay her fears of being raped by him, Luke promises never to touch her. Being a man of his word, this is a pledge he quickly finds almost impossible to keep. Battling their growing attraction to each other, they must learn to live together in the forests of the wild and almost unexplored mountains. They face white water, Indians, wolves, as well as a dangerous man from Hope’s past. No longer able to deny their feelings, their ‘happy-ever-after’ is shattered when a corrupt land baron forces Luke’s hand. Enraged at the man’s actions, Luke rides into town—and disappears. Alone and pregnant, Hope faces the prospect of the worst winter in ten years. The trauma of fighting off a hungry grizzly brings on labor, but the baby is stuck. Luke meanwhile wakes up on a ship bound for South America, captained by a revengeful sadist who plans to murder him. Luke’s chances of survival are slim. Can he stay alive and make it back to Hope in time?
Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher.
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