The man was tall, dark, and handsome, and he scared Jenna To death. Jenna had a secret, one she couldn't tell anyone. She was running, the trail master had been right, Dusty had seen that in her, but Jennifer had no recourse than to escape. Little did she know when she took refuge in the boxcar she would be starting on a whole new and unwanted adventure. If it was only to another kind of slavery, she would escape that as well, but escape she would. Uncle Julian might or might not be dead, she may or may not be a murderess, but Jennifer, now Jenna, was still going to escape the fate he had wanted for her. She never trusted her mother's brother, and even though she had no reason to hate him, his inappropriate behavior was enough to send her running as a child. When he came in and swooped her up after the death of her father, she felt something was desperately wrong.

Well, she had escaped one rape, but this tall dark stranger had made her a promise. Jenna was against the marriage, however, if she could convince him she was so unsuitable, maybe he would agree to an annulment. it was a desperate plan, but for now, it was the only one she had. How could she be so lucky, and yet so unlucky in the same breath. The man was almost too handsome, with his blue-black hair, startlingly blue eyes, and a hint of something she couldn't put her finger on drew her to him against her will. But he was a lawman, and how would he feel if he went through with this marriage idea, then had to arrest her for murder? She couldn't tell him her secret, no one could know what she did. If she had her way, she would get a job, pay him back, and leave as soon as she had the chance, but Jenna found her self in deeper than she could ever have dreamed, and this infatuation she was developing for Deputy Brett Parker just had to stop.

The term half-breed has echoed in Brett Parker's ears all his life. Since the day widow Christina Jeffers laughed in his face, and refused to marry him because he wasn't a "decent man, just a dirty half-breed," he had sworn off women. His best friend and boss, Rick Hansen worried about him, Brett knew this, but he wasn't living his life for Rick. When the Bride Train was four days out, and Zeke came rushing into town with the news, Brett had to chuckle at the men's enthusiasm, and when news of the one who tried to bolt, the predator in him came out. This one was his, and skittish or not, this woman would be his bride. It was easy to fool the others, to fall in line with their jokes and banter, but only Rick could see the pain in his longtime friend's eyes, and Brett was not going to let his decision be questioned. He knew if he didn't but a halt to it, Rick would grill him unmercifully, and Brett was not up for that now.

When they finally met the wagon train, he saw her immediately. She was beautiful, and definitely afraid. Running had a look, and Jenna had the signs in spades. She was also vulnerable, scared in more ways than one, and even though he was now very impatient, he saw a bit behind the mask, something he wanted to protect, something beautiful, vulnerable, and someone he wanted to get to know. Brett was not expecting an easy road, but he was not expecting her reactions either. To have his bride to be swoon at his feet was one thing, but even weeks later, when they are married and living on his ranch, she still looked as though she would bolt. Wedded but not bedded, Brett stubbornly sticks to his promise to court his reluctant wife, and wondered constantly if he made the right decision. Would she ever love him for himself, and what was the secret that kept her crying out in the night?

Regan Taylor is a talented writer, who can bring the characters to life, draw you in, then keep your whole being engaged. In her new offering, Indentured Bride, she brings to disparate people together, two lost souls who otherwise would be totally lost. Brett has had the misfortune to be born of an Indian mother and a white father. He grew up knowing their love, the friendship of Rick Hansen, but also the prejudice of others around him. Those had scarred him, and his outlook on life, and the rejection by Christina Jeffers didn't help. Now he is faced with someone like himself. Jenna has not told anyone of her background, of her happy family, the death of her parents, and the mistreatment at her uncle's hand. She has never been on her own before, and yet she is strong, resilient, and now facing her greatest challenge. Can she really find a home with Brett Parker?

This story is poignant, riveting, and will keep you on your toes and turning pages. Rich and vibrant, the characters are typical of Ms Taylor, and are ones you will not soon forget. As Jenna and Brett work their way through the morass of treachery and deceit surrounding her, they must also decide if they can love each other, trust each other, and if they are willing to pay the price of their decision. What do they really want out of life, and exactly how to get it for themselves is only a part of the whole. The real question is, if Jenna's past catches up to her, to them, is love enough, and without trusting each other can they survive? Indentured Bride is a story you will probably want to pick up and read again and again. Look for it to be here in March 2008 from Awe-Struck books.

Yours in good reading,

Rose!