A lot of tension and arguing throughout, some humor and dealing with the realities of women in that time
( )

very good

The first chapter of the Orphan Train series introduces us to Lily Chalmers, a six year old girl who's been sent west on the orphan train with her two sisters. Abandoned by their mother, the girls are soon separated, adopted in to homes one by one, leaving Lily alone as the train continues it's westward journey. Fast forward about fifteen years and Lily is now a grown woman, a strong girl who refuses to give up hope that she will find her lost siblings...if she just keeps writing letters and stays where she can be found.

The book started out nicely and I was a big fan of Lily's strength. She spoke her mind without hesitation and was clear about what she wanted. When she meets Major Caleb Halliday, her world is turned upside down. He's instantly drawn to Lily and refuses to back out of her life. I didn't like Caleb at first. He was pushy, arrogant and insulted Lily right from the start. He doesn't want "love" or "marriage"...it's too risky for the heart...but his world is also about to change. Lily goes toe to toe with him, refusing to give up her dreams or her independence to become his mistress.

I thought the dialogue was well done and the quarreling between Caleb and Lily was entertaining, until about Chapter 15. Then it became annoying as they rehashed the same issues over and over again. I still enjoyed the characters and the story, but I think the book could've been streamlined a little better. Every other chapter turned out to be a sex scene that cost the couple any ground they'd made toward reaching a mutual understanding about their relationship. Other than that, I really did enjoy the story.

Miller writes colorful characters and vivid scenes that are easy to sit back and absorb. I'll be moving on to the next book in the series! ( )

very good

From BackCover:
Llily Chalmers wanted only two things from life--a farm of her own, and to find the sisters she hadn't seen since they were all little girls heading West on the orphan train...

She certainly had no desire for a husband. Yet proud, innocent Lily had no idea what desire meant until she met Major Caleb Halliday, a man who could ignite her very being with a touch... a glance. . . a whisper. Sheltered in his arms, Lily rode the crest of a wild, helpless passion, discovering the full, rapturous glory of her womanhood. And though she struggled against her own willful heart, she knew she could never choose between the dazzling man who had claimed her love so completely, and her bold, long-cherished dream... ( )