Dinca’s review of  Third Time’s A Charm by Stacey Coverstone
Historical Western Romance published by Champagne Books 1 Apr 10

The story of this little spitfire is worth the read. There is something exciting happening on every page. I will be looking for more works by Stacey Cornerstone.

Sabra Bennett is a pistol with a temper. After returning from horseback riding she finds Desmond, her husband, in bed with the maid. She lashes out with her crop and then a candlestick, Desmond crashes into a shelf and falls bleeding to the floor. Thinking she has killed her husband, she takes money from the safe and catches the first train out, which is heading for Denver. Sabra befriends a young boy who sits beside her on the train. Heading for Gumption, Colorado in a wagon with the young boy, Rusty, are his brother, Grey, and an Irishman, Noah Tucker.  By the time they reach Gumption, Sabra and Noah are smitten with each other.

Noah Tucker has his shortcomings but nothing a good woman can’t handle. Even I feel a little in love with the guy. He is completely charming in an uncouth kind of way. He definitely danced to his own drummer. In the middle of cattle country his decides to raise sheep. Talk of range wars whisper in the air throughout the story.

The villain in Gumption is none other than the richest, upstanding citizen and cattle rancher, Jason Lord, who wants Sabra for his own. He doesn’t feel he has to ask for anything, including her time. He just assumes he will always get what he wants. I am very happy he got his comeuppance.

Third Time’s a Charm is the first pleasure I’ve had of reading by Stacey Coverstone. Now I find myself looking forward to her next endeavor. I enjoyed this story immensely. Before the happily ever after we are reminded that anything worth having is worth fighting for and always needs to be nurtured with time and effort. I am happy to say that I’m not disappointed.

Grade: A

Summary: Married into Boston’s elite society, Sabra Bennett prefers horseback riding and ragtime music to sipping tea with the ladies.  When a surprise discovery turns tragic, she flees to wild, untamed Colorado Territory, harboring a secret, determined to start anew.

Irishman, Noah Tucker, has spent years sailing the high seas and sampling a woman in every port.  Now he’s settled in Gumption, Colorado, intent on raising sheep.  The moment he meets the redheaded widow, he entertains thoughts of making her his mistress.  But, her close-mouthed ways hint she’s not who she claims to be.

While Sabra becomes the object of affection for more than one man, she vows to keep her secret safe at all costs.  But, when Noah takes her in his arms, she’s willing to gamble there’s more to him than his whiskey-swilling, skirt-chasing antics.  He just might be the one man she can trust with everything…including her heart.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: