Angie LaCross was a successful businesswoman. Everything she was she had worked hard for. Why she took on extra projects for her Aunt Belle was beyond her! When Belle asked her to do this latest fundraiser, Angie knew the perfect location: The Silver Queen. The old riverboat would be ideal. Okay, so it was a bit creepy when she went to check it out. Nothing she couldn't handle. Then she fell down into the hold. Waking up hours later, she thought she just had one doozy of a bump. But when she walked upstairs and found herself surrounded by a ship full of men, Angie began to suspect there might be a problem. When she was forced to marry her rescuer, and then forced to jump into the river, Angie began to believe it was more than a problem. When she realized she had traveled back in time over 150 years-well, problem just didn't describe it! Caught between the husband she had loved and the Sioux warrior who captured her soul, Angie yearned for simple problems again.

James McFarlain thought he was rescuing the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He knew what would happen when the captain discovered Angie, and he was more than willing to make that sacrifice. Taking Angie out West on a cattle drive, she was kidnapped despite his best efforts. He vowed to find her, and bring her back, no matter the cost. More than just his life was at stake; Angie was his heart.

Striker had seen how the white man treated his people, and his distrust was strong. But when he saw Angie, something inside him changed. Her fierce pride and warrior spirit called out to his own. He could imagine creating strong, proud sons together. It was his duty to convince her the spirits had led her to him. It was a challenge Striker welcomed. When Angie finally succumbed to him, it was a victory for them both. They had found soul mates in each other. So when James finally took Angie back, Striker stopped at nothing to get what belonged to him. She was his very soul.

Torn between the two men, the only thing that held Angie together was the baby growing inside her. Unsure who the father was, she kept her secret to herself. When she was suddenly whisked back to her own time, Angie became determined to return to Striker.

Riverboats and Rainbows was a captivating historical time travel! Watching Angie adapt to the past, without losing any part of herself, was inspiring. And the battle she waged within herself over James and Striker was heartbreaking. These characters felt so real to me, I found myself unable to choose whom to root for!

Riverboats and Rainbows was engrossing from beginning to end! I look forward to more from Jewel Adams. I suspect she is on her way to becoming an author I just can't get enough of!

Reviewed by Tracy Atencio
© June 2004