MY REVIEW:
It is perhaps a bit ironic that Peace Valley has been at the center of the feud between the Johlman and Douglas families for several decades. The Douglas family are ranchers and blame every mishap or missing cow on the Johlmans who are sheep ranchers. Even if they may not even remember what started their feud, their children have never known otherwise. Now that those children are adults, they have grown discontent with the heavy-handed methods used by their fathers to control both their ranches and their families.
When Dasha Cattrel accompanies her father the judge and a Pinkerton agent to look into accusations against the acting sheriff, Armstrong Douglas is quickly attracted to her and hopes to get to know her better. What he doesn’t realize is that she is a relation of the hated Johlman family.
The Plot of Valley of Promise moves along a a steady clip with more than enough secrets, intrigue, twists, and adventure to please most readers. Missing cattle and a nefarious plot against both families as well as unexpected revelations add even more interest to this exciting story.
Trumbo’s characters are realistic and mostly likeable (except for the bad guys). Their faith, bravery, and loyalty were admirable. I loved how Armstrong and Dasha worked together to help solve the problems and their attempts to bring the families together. I have enjoyed both books in this series and look forward to even more excellent books by this author.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Armstrong has never had a choice in his life.
Pa has decided everything from who his friends are to when he would take over their huge cattle spread. He’s made plenty of enemies in Belle Fourche, SD, along the way. Especially their neighbors—the sheep-ranching Johlmans.
When a judge arrives in town to look into all the misdeeds of both families, Armstrong’s carefully planned world begins to crumble, particularly when he meets the judge’s daughter. A woman who could have his heart, unless her father finds out what his family has been doing.
Dosha Cattrel’s father has threatened every man who’s shown interest in her. She’s given up hope of ever finding someone perfect enough to suit him, much less love her.
Her father brings her and a secretive Pinkerton agent to Belle Fourche to investigate a land war. She fully expects to be bored silly until she meets Armstrong, one of the very men under her father’s spyglass. What Armstrong doesn’t know is that she is related to the Johlmans, his fiercest enemies.
Can a secret love survive the light of day, or will secrets kill the growing love between them?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Where western meets happily ever after.
Kari is a USA Today bestselling author who writes swoony heroes and places that become characters with detail and heart.
Her favorite place to write about is the place her heart lives, (even if she doesn’t) South Dakota.
Kari loves reading, listening to contemporary Christian music, singing when no one’s listening, and curling up near the wood stove when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota, land of frigid toes and mosquitoes the size of compact cars, with her husband of over twenty years. They have two daughters, two sons, one cat, and one hungry wood stove.
