"A Stolen Heart" by Amanda Cabot - a sweet Texas romance

Lydia Crawford arrives in Texas to marry her fiance, only to discover him missing and the man's pregnant wife frantic with worry. Dreams crushed, she has nothing to return to in New York, so she stays in Cimarron Creek--a small town where not everyone has moved past the Civil War, though it has been over for fifteen years. Thankfully, Sheriff Travis Whitfield is intent on making her welcome, placing her under the generous wing of his great aunt. Will Lydia, a Yankee, find a place here in the South?

For the most part it's a gentle love story, as Lydia learns how to get past the disappointment of a broken heart and move on. I especially liked her relationship with Opal and the lessons she learned by befriending her; it takes even more character than dealing with certain prejudiced people who haven't got past the Civil War [cough cough, Travis's dad].

Aunt Bertha is a dear--one of those great characters who steals the show from the principal leads. I really liked the supporting cast in general, especially Catherine and Opal (and Bertha, of course). I'm pleased to see it looks like book two will be about Catherine. And even though he's largely a gruff old curmudgeon, Travis's dad cracked me up in his constant reference of Lydia as the "Cursed Enemy." Pretty big title for a girl who was barely born at the start of the war.

There is some mystery and danger, keeping Travis hopping in his role as sheriff. I was pleased to have figured out the villain, though I was disappointed that the person has a villain-reveals-all moment. So many villains in stories would have a decent chance at succeeding if they just kept their mouths shut.

Thank you Revell for providing a free book. No review, positive or otherwise, was required, and all opinions are my own.

Cimarron Creek
1. A Stolen Heart
2. A Borrowed Dream