Reviewer: Trudy Smith
Title: Midnight Marriage
Author: Victoria Bylin
Publisher: Harlequin Historical
ISBN: 0-373-29384-4
Release Date: January 2006
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Romance
Year/Setting: 1898
Overall rating: 4.75
Sexual content rating: Subtle
Victoria's Website:
www.victoriabylin.com
I’m very excited to review Midnight Marriage. Victoria Bylin has written another romance that touches the heart.
Dr. Susanna Leaf, daughter of Abbie and John Leaf (from Abbie’s Outlaw) has been brought up to be an independent and God-fearing woman. Susanna is also a compassionate woman who wants to help others but also wants love and a family of her own.
Rafe LaCroix, on the other hand, is a man whose past has embittered him and has made him cold and hard. Five years earlier while he was breaking into his father’s safe, his half brother discovers the crime and they fight. Seeing his brother laying on the floor in a pool of blood, Rafe runs and doesn’t look back, thinking he has killed his brother and knowing their father would be after him. When Rafe runs he stays one step ahead of those that are looking for him and he knows what will happen to him once they catch up with him. Circumstances brought him to befriend an orphan, Nick. Rafe could not leave Nick alone, since he knows what it’s like to be alone. On their way to Mexico, a bullet meant for Rafe hits Nick in the leg and it doesn’t look good. In need of a doctor for Nick, Rafe steals into Dr. Leaf’s bedroom, in the middle of the night, and kidnaps her.
Susanna can’t turn down any one who’s in need, though she doesn’t like being kidnapped. All he had to do is ask and she would have gone with him. Through a shoot-out with one of the famous Benton gang and nearly having to amputate Nick’s leg, Susanna can see that Rafe is not the man he portrays himself to be. When he lets his guard down Rafe can be compassionate, kind and caring. It’s over these circumstances that sparks start to fly between Susanna and Rafe.
Susanna talks Rafe into bringing Nick into Midas to recuperate and over time Susanna and Rafe’s relationship blossoms. Little by little Susanna learns of Rafe’s past and her heart hurts for him. She knows he has to face his past in order to move on with his life but he insists he move on to Mexico as soon as Nick heals.
As their love grows stronger, Susanna tries to show Rafe that God forgives and others can too. Rafe has had a lifetime of hurt and bitterness to overcome, so it’s not easy for him to accept. Can Susanna show Rafe that there is hope in a future together, that their love can stand up to anything? Can she convince him that they can face whatever the future holds together?
As with Abbie’s Outlaw, from the first pages, Victoria grabs you with the story. She has given the characters so much depth. Rafe is a very deep character. In the beginning, I thought that it was unusual for Victoria to write a character that was so rough and uncouth. But it doesn’t take long to figure out why he was the way he was. I really felt for Rafe with the trials he endured through his life that brought him to be the man he was. Susanna also endured her share of trials through her life, with an abusive step-father. Then again during her schooling to become a doctor, but she was stronger then, able to take on what needed to be done to reach her goal. She also saw the marriage her mother and father had and wanted that kind of love and would not give in. Susanna’s dream has something to do with a spoon, but I don’t want to give too much away.
This story was also well rounded, once I was reading where Susanna and Rafe’s love had grown, it seemed like the conflicts in the beginning were a distant memory. There were times where something would come up and I would have to stop and think about the kidnapping or Nick’s leg. There are also several surprises I don’t want to give away.
Victoria also weaves God, hope & forgiveness into her story. Through all of the hurt, Victoria gives healing to her characters that forgiveness can bring.
Midnight Marriage is the 3rd book in the Midas (New Mexico) trilogy and is well worth the read. The only downside is it’s the last book in the series. You’ll enjoy this fast-paced, action-packed story that will keep you glued to the page.
Trudy
Question or comment regarding the review or the book? Click here and let Trudy know.
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