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.