Hanchart Land
Becky BarkerContemporary romance
Available from Cerridwen Press
ISBN: 1-4100-067-8
July 2006
| Susan Hanchart had endured much in the past two years. She was forced into a
marriage to a man she never loved and blackmailed to remain in it. Then she found herself a widow at a young age. Six months ago her husband Shane
had passed on leaving her not only a share in the family inheritance
but a mountain of debts that she could not pay. Her only hope was to
sell everything and find a new life somewhere else. Anywhere else
away from Hanchart's land.
Luke Hanchart had known Susan longer than he could remember. He had even felt at one time she was the one he would settle down with. Only that dream died when she suddenly married his wild cousin Shane. He was willing to step aside but with the news of her leaving the ranch forever was something he wasn't willing to let happen. He never stopped loving her and would do anything to keep her on the ranch. When he proposed marriage to her, she had no idea that it was not just a new life for her but one he had always wanted. Susan had be tricked, humiliated, and abused in her marriage to Shane. She had to wonder if she could ever feel love for any man ever again. She had always felt a fondness for Luke but could that be enough to give him what he wanted -- trust, honesty and commitment? Luke had made it clear it was not a marriage in name only he wanted a family and a real home. Could Susan give this to him? Had Luke been able to look into her heart and seen that she too longed for children and a man she could love all her days? The story gives us a young widow who has been given a second chance at happiness with a man who never stopped loving the woman of his dreams. Her marriage to his cousin was in the past. Together they would build on a future with each other based on trust and honesty. But will the lies from the past come back to haunt them and destroy the love that they have? Or will it only make them stronger? I like how the author presents little pieces of Susan's life with Shane to help us bear in mind why she entered that marriage. It only makes the reader feel for her character even more. I found Luke to be the stronger character in the story. Still in love with Susan, he would move heaven and earth to prove his love but only when she's ready to believe in him. I love this couple. They are real and in this crazy mixed up world where love seems to be called many things this proves that honesty, trust and commitment still can conquer any adversity. Excellent story and well worth the time to read it.
Overall rating:
Reviewer: Louise Riveiro-Mitchell |
