Loving Miranda

October 1, 2005
In this sequel to" Loving Mercy" (2005), a year has passed, and a pregnant Mercy Clark is living a contented ranching life with her husband, Thaddeus Buchanan, and their adopted son. But soon their serene existence is shattered by the appearance of Mercy's sister, Miranda, her beautiful face scarred, and Benjamin Lansing, the brother of Mercy's deceased, abusive neighbor. Benjamin has come to the Colorado Territory to check on his orphaned nephew, the boy Mercy and Thad adopted. A wartime accident that cost Benjamin his fingers has also ended his career as an artist, so he's there to collect money he thinks the Buchanans have. After the attack that disfigured her face and killed her unborn child, Miranda needs to be with family and is shocked to be falling for another man, let alone Benjamin. With her spirited heroines, courageous heroes, and aura of distrust, Bodwell has written a worthy tale that can stand on its own, but libraries will want to have both titles.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)