Girls have dreams of meeting their true love, someone who
will make them feel safe and protected as well as
treasured. Turquoise Sanchez was no different, but she
needed something even more important -- respect and
acceptance. Tired of being the subject of whispers and
slurs, her heritage was a sore point with her. Her
appearance was that of a beautiful white young lady with
amazing eyes but it was her lustrous black hair and surname
that bespoke of her Mexican heritage. As the young ward of
the Durango's, she led a rather protected life on a
sprawling ranch. While attending a debutante ball in
Austin, she met Senator Edwin Forester who embodied a very
different lifestyle -- one filled with power. Turquoise had
to admit to being flattered by Edwin's attention and quite
innocently encouraged his advances. But she wasn't in love
with him. Her reaction to Edwin didn't come close to how
she felt when she was with Rio, the blacksmith rancher she
had briefly met. The big question was, is passion more
valuable than security?
Edwin could provide security and
Turquoise was very aware of how he adored her. Rio had
nothing to offer but great passion and strength. He was
uncompromising with his pride and honor and knew full well
he had little to offer Turquoise but love. Rio was willing
to lose her if it meant assuring her the life she richly
deserved. Edwin was also willing to do anything -- anything
to make Turquoise his wife. He called it love but there was
a sinister side to his methods to attain what he felt he
deserved. The Foresters were a force to reckon with and a
young innocent woman was surely no match.
To Edwin people were a means to an end, and the end always
justified the means. He was a frightening person with a
dual personality and no conscience -- almost as if the part
of his brain that dealt with morality had short circuited.
Turquoise had quite an internal struggle pitting her heart
against her desire for respectability. As the struggle
escalated so did the doubts about whether she was willing
to lose Rio. But Edwin was working diligently on stacking
the deck in his favor. Just how far was he willing to go?
Once again, Gentry has written what could be seen as an
insight into finding love when the odds are mounted
against it. Appearances can be deceiving. RIO is a look
into our country's past -- not often complimentary. As a
country, we've made many mistakes and Gentry skillfully
reminds us of them -- perhaps cautioning us to learn from
them. Her research is second to none and weaves seamlessly
into a wonderfully engaging story.
Rio Kelly knows what he wants when he sees it--and he
wants the ebony-haired, fair-skinned beauty with the
extraordinary blue eyes, Turquoise Sanchez. But in the
battle for her love, this bold vaquero is competing with a
Texas senator who's used to getting his way, at any cost.
Turquoise knows the sensible choice would be to marry the
wealthy senator and enjoy a lifetime of comfort and
status. But her heart has chosen differently. If she dares
to follow her passion--and defy one of Texas's most
powerful and ruthless men--she and her defiant cowboy are
in for the fight of their lives. . .