QUEEN OF HEARTS

Author: Phyllis Campbell ISBN: 0979332737 5/2007 HISTORICAL Publisher: VINTAGE ROMANCE PUBLISHING
Time Period: 1875 Louisiana

Can a woman battle through secrets to win the love of the man who just might take away her home? Dr. Cecilia Ashby is forced to disguise herself as a man in order to practice medicine in a small southern town after the Civil War. When she stumbles across an injured gambler in an alley one night, her ruse becomes even more difficult, especially when she finds herself attracted to him. James Lawrence has played his last hand and finally has enough cash to buy back his family plantation the carpetbaggers had taken from him. Until he's blindsided, robbed, and left for dead. Thankfully, the town's doctor saves his life, but things take a turn he never expected when he discovers the thief's sister, Cecilia Ashby, is the owner of the plantation which used to belong to his family. James and Cecilia both want the plantation, but do they want a long lasting love even more? Battling deceit, betrayal, and disguises, the two must confront their biggest challenge yet—themselves.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

QUEEN OF HEARTS, the new release from author Phyllis Campbell, transports the reader to 1875 Louisiana. It is a tough and tender Western romance that is skillfully written and delightfully told.

I was really taken with the time period that Campbell chose to use as the backdrop of her story. The period right after the Civil War was such a time of upheaval and emotional angst for so many Americans. Campbell did a very nice job conveying the hardships of that period in QUEEN OF HEARTS.

The relationship between James and Cecilia was the driving force behind QUEEN OF HEARTS. You really cannot read this book and not fall totally in love with James and also feel for everything that he's been through. Cecilia is a very strong heroine who took charge of her situation and made it work for her. I admire her struggles and her perseverance. When you put these two characters together, you know that there's going to be a lot of emotional and physical obstacles that they are going to have to go through before they can declare their love for each other.

QUEEN OF HEARTS tells a great story about the human spirit. Phyllis Campbell should be very proud of herself for writing a Western that is certain to touch her readers. If you have read any of Campbell's previous books, then you already know what a talented writer she is. For those who haven't read any of her books, you're going to be in for a real treat.

Julie Kornhausl