Audrey Sheridan and her brother were left on their own by
the time she was seventeen. The only support group they had
was the good people of Defiance. But the big problem was
that group was diminishing daily as the town slowly died.
Towns die from neglect but this town was dying in the face
of violence that seemed unaffected by the presence of the
sheriff. Audrey was becoming increasingly aware that the
sheriff was actually the catalyst for much of the violence
that roamed the streets and was basically creating a ghost
town. But Audrey had no choice but to stay put. As fate
would have it she now found herself fostering several
children with demons of their own. Knowing her Achilles heel
the sheriff decides to use her as a pawn in his dealings
with sheep rancher Julian McCaid. There has always been a
range battle between those that keep cattle versus sheep and
the sheriff is not above using that angst to his advantage.
So in order to keep out of jail Audrey is sent to the McCaid
ranch as a cook but her real task is to keep Julian
distracted so the road would be clear for the sheriff's
plans. What the sheriff didn't count on was a growing
attraction between Audrey and Julian. Once Audrey begins to
realize how truly desperate her situation is she sees her
only salvation in escaping not only the ranch but Defiance.
But with her children's safety at risk she has no choice but
follow the path set in motion which will leave her totally
compromised as a good woman in the eyes of her friends, the
townspeople and most destructively Julian. As much as he is
attracted to Audrey, Julian just can't seem to get to trust
her although time and time again she displays her worth to
his ranch. He knows in his gut she is playing some game but
he has no idea of the price she will pay if she loses.
Neither one is likely to show their hands. So the big
question is who will ultimately win in this game where the
losing is unfathomable.
No need to mince words -- Elaine Levine is a find.
Categorizing AUDREY AND THE MAVERICK as a western just
doesn't do it justice. A bright, intelligent and insightful
look at rough times in America where people survived by
defying the odds and those with guts and determination
reached unimagined levels of success. Don't expect to get
anything else done once you begin this book and expect to
feel remiss when it's done. But keep your spirits high --
there is to be another installment in the saga about the
town of Defiance. This book should be on everyone's short
list. Enjoy.
Virginia financier Julian McCaid has put his troubled past
behind him. His plans for the future don't include Audrey
Sheridan, the extraordinary frontier woman he met just once.
But it's because of her that he's come to the Dakota
Territory to investigate problems at his ranch. And it's all
the more surprising when he discovers she isn't the innocent
he believed. Now nothing but her complete surrender will
purge her from his soul. If it weren't for the children she
cares for in her makeshift orphanage, Audrey would have left
Defiance long ago. Now the sheriff is blackmailing her to
distract the man who might derail his corrupt schemes - a
man who can offer Audrey not just protection, but a passion
bold enough to make them claim their place in this harsh and
beautiful land...
© 2003-2025 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy