I read westerns to balance out the other historicals I read, which are generally set in the “Old World.” Silver Hearts didn’t do much to cleanse my palate. While it is a pleasant enough read, it was like eating air sorbet – there was no real substance to it.

Noelle Bellencourt is on her way to Crooked Creek, Nevada to live with her uncle after the death of her parents. She is left stranded after her trail guide leaves to find help to fix a wagon wheel and doesn’t come back. Along comes Luke Savage (such an inspired name!) instead.

Luke is also on his way to Crooked Creek to find the man who swindled him. Once at Crooked Creek, Noelle is surprised to discover that Luke was also looking for her uncle, now supposedly dead. Noelle’s uncle has left her his saloon but Luke owns the gambling concession. But while the two are attracted to each other, they both feel it will never work. Noelle believes Luke is not the type to settle down and Luke believes Noelle should go back East. She has other plans, however, and decides to turn the saloon into more of a family establishment by reviving her father’s magic act.

Noelle and Luke try not to fall in love but can’t help themselves, and Noelle admits her love to Luke although she knows he won’t settle down. When a local Indian tribe kidnaps Noelle in order to heal the chief’s son, Luke goes after her. Once, long ago, Luke had been a doctor, but since a tragic event in his life, he’s a different man. Noelle convinces him he must save the chief’s son with a risky new operation. Eventually, the couple makes it back to Crooked Creek. After a few more bumps, Noelle and Luke have their happy ending.

Unfortunately, the characters and plot line seem one-dimensional. Noelle starts out very pious, acting like a prim spinster from the East – but it never rings true. When it no longer works for the plot, Noelle is suddenly no longer pious, with no explanation. Luke is not the tortured hero he could be. The reader is told right away that he used to be a doctor but isn’t told why he gave it up until the end of the book. When we do find out, it’s not a satisfactory explanation and creates more questions than it answers. Luke’s healing seems rushed, and his emotional catharsis is not very believable. Finally, this is a terribly predictable read – from the hero’s name to the way he and Noelle interact, there are no surprises.

Silver Hearts is a serviceable enough western romance, but there is nothing truly special about it. It will pass the evening but chances are, it won’t stay with you after you’ve read it.