Once Tempted
Grade : B

Since I am not really into westerns, you wouldn’t think that I would pick a book with a ranch setting. However, Laura Moore has a proven track record with me, so this book easily found its way on my to be read list. The conflict— misunderstood materialism is weak, especially as it applies to the motivation of David Bradford, Tess’s husband, but overall I found plenty to enjoy.

There is no way to repudiate the facts. David Bradford was an atrocious husband. He wined and dined and beguiled Tess Casari. Within a month Tess and David were living together, and six weeks later, they were engaged. It was child’s play for David to convince Tess that they didn’t need a formal wedding, and so they married at city hall. But once they married, Tess’s charming, dashing Prince Charming became unrecognizable. First he tormented with verbal abuse, blaming her for his inability to write and his excruciating headaches. When Tess's only response was to be more understanding, he taunted her with other women - coming home late at night reeking of sex and perfume. He maliciously told her that they had better uses for their mouth than nagging.

Bewildered and heartbroken, Tess realizes that she has to draw the line. No matter how much she believes in the sanctity of marriage, she can’t put up with this type of abuse. So she moves out. But six month later, David contacts her, and tells her he has a brain tumor.

Hoping to get some answers, she hurries to his bedside. Arriving right before he is to be wheeled into surgery, David just says “sorry” and coldly dismisses her. Determined not to be pulled into the anguish of her broken marriage again, she plans to leave. David’s father, believing that his son cares for her, callously offers her a million dollars to stay. Tess could never be bought, but when David fails to regain consciousness after the surgery, Tess remains at his bedside, even as the time stretches into months.

Upon David’s death, her father-in-law heartlessly writes a check for a million dollars and tells her she is not welcome at the funeral. Tess had completely forgotten his insulting offer, but takes the money. Her parents have just had to commit her severely autistic brother to a facility for his own safety. Setting up a trust for his care will help ease her parent’s financial burden, and hopefully relieve some of their guilt and self-reproach.

Looking for a new start, Tess decides to head for California. Her best friend Anna convinces her that a blindfold point at the California map is the best way to determine the town. Surprisingly Tess agrees to let providence decide her future, which is how she arrives in the small community of Acacia, California. Short on funds and driving a car that is on its last legs, Tess heads out to Silver Creek Ranch and has a run in with an infuriating cowboy named Wade. Luckily she is offered a position since her car dies.

As the oldest son, Wade Knowles is heavily involved in his family business. Unlike many families, his has been able to retain their land-rich heritage by turning the ranch into a retreat. Wade is appreciative of good looking women, just like any man. And Tess’s looks and her imprudent manner appeal to him and awaken a dormant desire. Still she is an employee, and he is not looking for love. Been there, done that, and he has the disillusionment to show for it. His fiancée thought he and his family’s land, were her ticket to the high life.

I assume that this is the first of three books, since there are two other siblings in the family and her web page says this story is book one of the Silver Creek Series. I know that sometimes as readers we feel that the first book spends too much time setting up the others in a series, but that wasn’t an issue here.

Ms. Moore has created a cast of appealing if somewhat perfect characters. Of course Tess only accepts the money for altruistic reasons, which makes her seem almost one dimensional at first. But later she seems more authentic as she comes face to face with Wade’s past.

The setup of Tess, just picking a spot on the map, and driving to the area is a little farfetched, especially in today’s economy. Plus since she put all the money she received from David’s father into a trust for her brother, she has no cushion, and foolishly buys a lemon of a car. But it all falls under the underlying theme of fate so for me that didn’t diminish my enjoyment.

The chemistry between Wade and Tess is well written. Their relationship starts out slightly antagonistic at least on Tess’s part, but soon changes as they spend more time together. There is never any doubt that they find each other attractive, but the author does this with a light hand, and spends time showing there is an emotional component too.

Being in the medical profession, one thing did bring me out of the story. David suffers an aneurysm, and never recovers. The word aneurysm is not synonymous with hemorrhagic stroke. You can live a lifetime with an aneurysm, a weakened area in a blood vessel, as long it doesn’t rupture, leak or put pressure on surrounding tissue. However, I doubt that many people would have noticed this.

I spent an enjoyable afternoon reading this book, and will be watching for the next one in the series.

Reviewed by Leigh Davis
Grade : B

Sensuality: Warm

Review Date : March 22, 2013

Publication Date: 2013/04

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