Priscilla (The Widows of Wildcat Ridge Series Book 1)

VICTORIAN/WESTERN:  An explosion and fire destroy the Gold King mine outside of Wildcat Ridge, leaving most women in town widows. The town owner, Mortimer Crane, has proclaimed he will not renew leases to businesses run by women. Everyone must pay him monies owed him in three months or he will tear down the town. The ladies devise a solution — they will entice men to town and marry them. In Curdy’s Crossing, Braxton Gamble is tricked into robbing a bank. He escapes from the robbers with the money and intends to return it. Shot and bleeding profusely, he manages to make it to Wildcat Ridge and Pricilla’s home. Finding it empty, he makes his way to her bed and collapses. Priscilla is aghast to find a man in her bed when she arrives, but finds it in her heart to nurse Braxton back to health.

“Priscilla” is a riveting story of the Old West, when gold mining was rampant and miners lived with danger daily. The scenery is superbly described, especially the hot springs, as well as the hot, dusty mining town. Priscilla and her friends in town are well described as tough women able to ride out the rough times. The first two chapters set up the story and it is a bit slow to start, but the story takes on a life of its own and really soars. A macabre plot twist in the end will keep readers on the edge of their seats waiting to see what happens. A truly enjoyable story, this is just the beginning as it is the first book in what promises to be an exciting series!

Belinda Wilson