September 15, 2009
Woods latest historical romance travels from the savage goldfields of Western Australia to the genteel English countryside. Sarette Maitland, orphaned at age 14, is taken in by John Kern, an Englishman who is nursing his grief over losing his wife and daughter. The unlikely duo saves each other from giving up in the harsh landscape. But, as Sarette nears adulthood, John forces her to move to England and learn to become a lady. He puts her in the care of his nephew, Magnus, who is less than welcoming of his outspoken charge. Though the two butt heads at first, they begin to fall in love as they discover one anothers vulnerabilities. While ensuring that all obstacles are overcome on the way to a pleasingly romantic happy ending, Woods adds some intrigue and adventure along the way. And her plucky heroine will claim readers affection as she grows from girl of the wilds to lady of the manor.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)