The Innocent Wife (Brides of Little Creede Book 3
)

HISTORICAL:  Joshua Lang is the sheriff of Little Creede, Colorado, in 1881. The town is starting to boom—between the uptick in silver mining and the new gambling galleria opening- trouble has arrived with it.  Vivian Carter is the young, new teacher in town.  She is out of Joshua’s reach, since she is his best friend’s little sister.  Unfortunately, Vivian feels imprisoned by the way her brothers watch over her and try to control her every move.  The bright spot in her day is a young boy who thirsts for knowledge, which Vivian feeds with extra tutoring, but which leaves her in a vulnerable position in the growing town.  This boy has a special place in her heart and ends up being pivotal in a few parts of this story.  

There are multiple challenges the two protagonists must navigate successfully before this audiobook reaches its denouement, with details parceled out along the way enhancing the believability of this story.  The conflicts are laid out clearly, and the tension continues to ramp up, compelling the reader to want to listen until the end.  A situation near the conclusion of the audiobook wraps up somewhat conveniently, yet it happens so naturally, the listener doesn’t mind.  The remaining parts of the plot develop in a more natural manner. Be aware that there are some scenes of physical abuse for one character, which may be a trigger for some listeners.  

Alan Taylor does a formidable job narrating this story.  Each character has a unique voice that is distinct from the others.  His narration speeds up when the story calls for it, and slows down when needed.  His voice is clear, and he narrates without any noticeable unexplained noises.  He conveys a variety of different accents and tones effectively. 

Carey Sullivan