Brandon McCallum took his time riding through the beauty of the Great Plains on his way to the Wet Mountains of Colorado. He had much to put behind him as memories of the Civil War and the death of his wife, Lilly, still haunted him much of the time. Coming into the town of Pueblo, he set eyes on the beautiful Gaileen Burdon.

Much to his dismay, Brandon discovered that Gail was to be married off to the banker Tom Wadsworth and tried to forget all about her while building his homestead and finding a little gold. After a snowbound winter, he made a trip into town and learned that Mrs. Gail Wadsworth had been kidnapped by a band of outlaws and her courageous husband had been killed trying to rescue her.

Never having been able to push the beauty of red-haired Gail out of his mind, Brandon wasted no time in joining with the local Marshall to locate and return the lovely woman to her family. He only hoped he wasn't too late. A full Colorado winter was a long time to spend in the company of outlaws.

Gaileen Burdon hadn't exactly wanted to marry Tom Wadsworth, but her parents had insisted. Fate stepped in and she found herself sequestered in a cave in New Mexico with the outlaw Griffen Bell. In an act of bravery, a new man entered her life, the handsome Brandon McCallum, Federal Marshall. Unfortunately, Marshall McCallum had to deliver the sad news to her. Her husband was dead.

During the long trip home, Gail discovered that Brandon was unlike any man she had ever met before. Could she ignore the feelings she had for Mr. McCallum? She was in mourning after all and should have been respecting the memory of her husband. But she hadn't loved him, and Brandon was the man every woman would want for her own.

Brian Kelling has crafted an epic tale of life in the American West. His attention to detail leaves the reader with a clear picture of what life was like for a single man wanting to start over. In a voice that carries a great depth of emotion, Mr. Kelling has created a love story that stands as large as a clear Colorado sky.

Reviewed By: Sabine Maurier
© July 2004