Book Review

OPEN COUNTRY
by Kaki Warner

Genre: Historical Romance, Western, America
Sensuality: HOT
Setting: 1871 Texas

RT Rating

Warner earned readers’ respect as a strong western writer with her debut, the first book in the Blood Rose trilogy. With the second she cements that reputation. Her powerful prose, realistic details and memorable characters all add up to a compelling, emotionally intense read.

Upon her sister’s death, Molly McFarlane flees Savannah with her sister’s children. She must keep them away from their father and the men hired to track them down: conspirators plotting another civil war. During a horrible train accident Molly devises a scheme, claiming she is wed to a dying man to collect the insurance settlement.

But the man doesn’t die. Rancher Hank Wilkins has no memory of the train wreck or Molly, but honor demands he take her home. The large Wilkins family welcomes Molly and the children and she is caught up in the whirlwind of ranch life. But Molly knows nothing about being a wife, especially to the silent Hank. They must learn to love and trust even as the ghosts of Molly’s past threaten to destroy their lives. (BERKLEY SENSATION, Jun., 448 pp., $15.00)

Reviewed By: Kathe Robin

Publisher: BERKLEY SENSATION

Published: June 2010

Reader Rating

4.5 Stars

Average Rating: 4.5 Stars
(2 ratings)

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Reader Reviews Write a Review ›

Open Country

Submitted by nikkiphilton on October 13, 2010 - 12:13am.

Thanks, Julie, for the wonderful review. I just received Open Country and I wanted to read a couple of reviews before I started it. Yours was exactly what I needed to move this right up to the top of the TBR.

A More than Worthy Follow-Up

Submitted by sissteele (not verified) on June 14, 2010 - 3:00am.

Open Country is the definition of a five star second book in a trilogy: tremendous spunky heroine, handsome wounded hero, characters from the first book woven seamlessly into the new story, and the same brilliant writing that captivated this reader in the first book, Pieces of Sky.

Interestingly, I read this book featuring a Civil War veteran nurse right before I started My Name is Mary Sutter, a historical Civil War medical novel creating a lot of buzz this summer. Open Country is just as vividly historic and humane, dealing with the after effects of war for the caregivers and the dangers of childbirth in women.

But Open Country is a true western historical romance with emphasis on the romance. Molly's need to protect her newfound love and family is a realistic one. Hank's struggle to trust Molly rings true. Their emotions and conflict are honestly portrayed with more than a few gut-wrenching scenes.

A more than worthy follow-up to Pieces of Sky, Open Country took everything I loved about the first book and topped it. If you have not read the first book, Open Country is still a stand alone read, but you will want to go back and catch up after falling for Kaki Warner's writing.