She was the daughter of a gentle preacher. Raised in a family based on faith and nourished with love a gentle child became of woman with a sweet spirit and a gift of healing. She was the youngest of three daughter's and set on making a difference in the world through being a doctor in a time when a woman's place was thought only to be in the home. She new it would be difficult but was convinced that this was God's calling on her life and therefor she set out to the new territory of Wyoming to make Cheyenne - the capitol city her home. Hoping that the new progressive city would be free from the prejudice of women doctors and enjoying the thought of being close to her two older sisters who already made the dusty city their home.

He was the son of a widowed preacher that he called "The Reverend". Raised by a hard-handed housekeeper who had little time for loving and nourishing a young boy. Although his father loved him dearly he did not know how to express his love to his son and so the boy was neglected and left to grow in God's grace with out the help of a nurturing family environment. He set out for a career in law - finding a wife and beginning a family the last thing on his mind.

He was the older brother of three boys accustomed to the upper society. Brought to the territory by a brother who had lost his fortune ranching and was beginning over with the sister of the lady doctor as a shop keeper. A booming voice and intimidating stance his heart was gentle and sweet. Not expecting to fall in love with the land and a woman he came to run his brother's store and over see it's expansion while his brother and sister in-law were back east for a visit.

She was an army widow - the mother of a small child. Plump and pleasant, ordinary and plain - she felt she was a wall-flower that went unnoticed except for her talent for cooking. Love had left her a widow, being naive she had married again to find abuse, and now widowed she does not feel that she deserves love again. Tender in heart she longs for true love and a father for her sweet child.

These four are thrown together - their stories are interwoven into a tapestry of beauty. None expected that God's plan would involve healing and truth for each of them and for the workings of true love. Four people brought together by one couple find themselves embarking on a journey that will forever change them. Each will come face to face with God's grace and come to understand His thoughts about who they really are. Walls will tumble down, the truth will be made clear and freedom will ensue. True love will triumph and bring healing to those who need it most.

Amanda Cabot has yet again written a book that will draw the reader in. Tender, sweet, and well written the reader will be endeared to each character and will not want to put the book down. Then when the last page is turned and the story has come to an end the reader will long to find themselves longing to know the rest of the story - to know what happens after that last page.

Me - I found myself wishing I had read the 2 books prior to this one. So I guess I will be making a trip to my local bookstore to pick them up.

Thanks to Revell for this free copy in exchange for my honest review. ( )

If you liked the TV series Dr. Quinn, you will love this book. It’s about a female doctor, Elizabeth Harding, who opens her own clinic in Cheyenne in 1887. She believes that it will be a success right away, but her plans are challenged with the people who don’t believe a woman can be even half as good as a male doctor.

She has an incredible heart to heal everyone, in spite of whom she is treating. Elizabeth reminds me of the nuns on the British TV series, Call the Midwife, who love everyone without passing judgment.

Then there is the young, attractive and available lawyer whose office is right next to the clinic. The argument sparked at their first meeting is a driving force that ends up pulling the two together. A murder takes place and Elizabeth is sure the accused is innocent. She and Jason join forces to uncover the truth.

The romance is wonderful. There are many obstacles though that they must overcome. Forgiveness, trust, hope, ideals, and faith are a few of them.

I very much enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://TMWoodsBooks.com/blog . Also follow me on Twitter @TMWoodsBooks, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/TMWoodsBooks ( )

In the world of today, where women and minority ethnic cultures are not only encouraged but often required, by quotas, to work in male dominated careers, it is hard to fathom the trials that someone like Elizabeth had when she attempted to break into the world of doctors. Amanda does a superb job of enlightening us to the hardships that those pioneers went through to bring us the advantages we have in North America, and a few other countries. Although some parents might still have unreasonable expectations of what type of work their children should pursue, by and large, most of us are free to choose for ourselves, and reading this novel made me more thankful at how far we have come in this regard. You have not read the first two in the series, Summer of Promise and Waiting for Spring, you will want to go back to those to find out more about the colorful and memorable characters. This novel can stand on its own.
The characters are complex, and the subplots many, but this only makes for delightful reading. I really enjoyed this, and look forward to more of Amanda's novels.
I received this novel free from Fred at The Book Club Network and Revell Publishers in exchange for an honest review. A positive critique was not required. The opinions are my own. ( )

With autumn's Return by Amanda Cabot
Wanted to read this book because of the timeframe-1800's and that it is about a part of the country I've yet to visit.
Learned so much reading this book, from the doctor standpoint to just useful information. Love the scenery and the storyline.
Didn't realize this was part of a series. I didn't feel like I was dropped into something I knew nothing about.
This story is about Dr. Elizabeth Harding and she has started new practice in Wyoming. Her sister Charlotte is a dress designer and has set up the rooms and supplies for her and then traveled with her husband to return in the late fall.
Her other sister has lent a hand also but she's with her military husband. Elizabeth is staying with Gwen and her daughter Rose. Her office is right next door to the lawyer, Jason. He has just finished a trial where the man he represented was found not guilty but he confessed he had killed her wife after.
She finds it hard to get new clients and the old dr. puts her down but she proves to him that she knows what she's doing when she is summoned to help.
Over time she also takes on new clients that need help from her in other ways. Lots of relationships in different levels but it's easy to keep track of everybody.
Enjoyed the book and would love to read the others in the series.
I received this book from The Book Club Network (www.bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review. ( )

I always enjoy books written by Amanda Cabot. “With Autumn’s Return” is no exception. I found this book to be well written and historically interesting.

This story is about Elizabeth Harding, a newly graduated medical doctor, who sets up her new practice in Cheyenne, Wyoming. At this time in history, women doctors were not readily accepted either by the citizenry or by fellow male doctors. It took quite a bit of waiting for someone to come for medical aid. People, especially men, were hesitant to seek treatment from a female because they were considered not to be smart enough, strong enough, or emotionally disposed to be a doctor. This book portrays the difficulties and struggles that Elizabeth encounters in becoming a well-liked and dedicated member of the medical profession.

I enjoyed this book from the first chapter. The story moved along quickly and held my interest throughout. The characters in this novel were very genuine and representative of life in Cheyenne, Wyoming in the late 1880’s.

I was sent a free print copy of this book by Revell Reads in return for my honest assessment of the book posted during the January 2014 Blog Tour.

You can find this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-9F. ( )