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Where The River Once Flowed (2013)

by Jennie Hansen(Favorite Author)

3.49 of 5 Votes: 4

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Covenant Communications, Inc

review 1: I really wanted to love this book, because I don't think enough historical historical about the American West delve into the rich Hispanic culture that flourished there in the 18th and 19th centuries. And to her credit, Hansen's story does nod to the complicated (and often unfair) politics that affected the region when American settlers flooded west and began claiming lands, often indifferent to the pre-existing claims of the dons and their haciendas. Don Sebastian has only one granddaughter, Iliana, to inherit his extensive lands, and he worries that she will not be strong enough to maintain the ranch against the greedy Purdy family who have already taken over her mother's neighboring family ranch. So he arranges a marriage for her with a kind American, Ross Adams, on the... more condition that the land be held in trust for her sons.All seems well enough for a few years, though Iliana's son Gabe is small and weak. But then Ben Purdy take over the ranch after his father's death in a winter blizzard, and his tactics to acquire the ranch become aggressive. When Iliana's husband dies, Iliana turns to Travis Telford, a young American who was friends with her husband, for help. The story had lots of good elements, but at times it verged a little on melodrama for my taste (particularly the villain). I had a lot of sympathy for Iliana and wanted the best for her, but was often frustrated with how passive she had to be in her own story. I also wanted more backstory at the beginning--it seems like there was a lot of dramatic possibility in the unfolding relationship between Iliana and her husband, Ross, but the novel skips from their rather reserved courtship to a year after their marriage (maybe this is so we're not too attached to Ross and thus have room to be swayed by the inevitable later romance?) I also really disliked the storyline about Iliana's young son, but won't say more to avoid spoilers! That said, this is a clean (if at times a little violent) historical romance set in an interesting era of the American West.
review 2: What first intrigued me about “Where the River Once Flowed” was the cover. I saw it high on the shelf of the bookstore and decided to take a look at the synopsis. I put it back ‘cause cowboy stories are not my thing, and besides the time frame, the southwest in the late 19th century can be a tough read; (in my vast experience of just one other similar story!) Therefore I put it back on the high shelf – but the picture and title never left my memory.Glad it didn’t - because several months later I bought it real cheap and decided to give it a go. The beautiful picture on the cover is just the start of an exciting, and very suspenseful story! It is the story of beautiful young Iliana Sebastian living at her grandfather’s ranch in the wilderness of New Mexico. Her powerful grandfather, Don Sebastian, is determined to leave his ranch to the male heirs of their family; only problem is that there are none. Women cannot own land so plans for young Iliana to marry are laid out before her grandfather’s death, thus assuring the survival of the vast Sebastian ranch. The bad guy owns the ranch adjacent and he has made his own plans. There are many good guys, but the hero is cowboy and horse trader that finds his way into the story.Every character is developed well enough that I truly had concern for their welfare and survival; except the bad guy who becomes increasingly hate-able! The whole story is dramatic, tender, suspenseful and exciting. I think I read the last several chapters without breathing! It was the dark, quiet of my morning so the pictures running through my mind were vivid. Considering this cowboy adventure isn’t anywhere even close to my usual favorite genre rut, I have to admit - I really liked “Where the River Once Flowed”!Author Jennie Hansen hooked me once - I may just check out more... less

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