When Charity Dawson resigns her father's corporate law firm to pursue a career as a trial lawyer she gets more of a change than she wanted. She finds herself transported to 1888 Texas in the middle of a murder trial.

Turner Reardon is on trial for the murder of his mistress. He's given up all hope when an oddly dressed young woman disrupts his trial claiming she's a lawyer and can prove his innocence. Her testimony is brilliant but, his optimism is short lived when her evidence is tossed out.

Charity doesn't know how she arrived in Prairie, and no one believes she actually went to law school. Her evidence is tossed out and Turner is sentenced to hang. She has only one chance to save an innocent man's life and find the real killer.

REVIEW

Linda LaRoque has written a lively tale of mysterious time travel, a modern day woman dropped into an 1888 Texas town, and an instant attraction between two people born over a century apart.

Reading this love story is a joy. LaRoque's characters come alive in a fast-paced western romance you will want to finish in one read. Detailed descriptions and a sense of the time and place help the reader believe that Charity really was transported to Prairie, Texas.

There is realism to the story that only a few time travel authors can bring to the page. Grab this well written love story and enjoy the quick read. You will be glad you did.

Reviewed by: Night Owl Romance
Night Owl Romance

EXCERPT

She retraced her steps to the path that led back to the house. Upstairs, she dressed in a long, casual floral skirt and a loose thin cotton blouse gathered at the neck. The long sleeves hit just below her elbows and tied with a cotton strap. She stepped into a brown pair of fisherman sandals and plopped a big straw hat on her head. Her set of gold gypsy bracelets clanked as she walked downstairs. She loved this outfit, mostly because it didn't fit her personality, or the persona she should portray. Well, today she didn't have to worry about those things. She was plain old Charity Dawson, blond gypsy, seeker of adventure. In the entry mirror she checked her silver dollar size gold hoop earrings, set the hat at a better angle and with purse in hand, headed for her car.

The drive into Fredericksburg only took fifteen minutes. She parked the car in front of a small restaurant with patrons sitting outside under a canopy. The block around it and across the street was filled with novelty shops-a veritable paradise. She'd spend all morning touring the shops, enjoy lunch at the bistro, and then head back to the cabin for a nap. Her flight had been more tiring than she'd expected.

Two hours later, packages in hand, she sat down at one of the tables under the awning. It had grown warmer outside, but the breeze felt pleasant. She put her packages in an empty chair and stacked her hat on top. With her fingers, she fluffed her hair, lifting the damp blond strands away from her scalp. The motion set her bracelets tinkling and several people looked her way. She smiled politely and turned her attention to the menu on the table. A waiter appeared by her side. She ordered a Reuben and a glass of peach tea. While she waited, she examined the vintage art deco ring she'd bought at one of the shops. Three marquise cut diamonds banked by emeralds were set in an oblong base of platinum. It had put a dent in her savings account, but she'd not bought anything for herself in a while. Hell, she worked twelve hour days. There wasn't time to shop for anything other than the business clothes. She needed a bauble to boost her spirits.

Her sandwich was delicious. It was stuffed with sauerkraut. She pulled some free with her fork and popped it in her mouth. The tartness of the cabbage made her cheeks pucker reminding her of the pinched expression on the jewelry clerk's face when Charity described where she was staying. The older woman mumbled something about, "strange doings out there." Before Charity could ask what she meant, a man from the back room muttered, "That'll be enough gossip, Mae."

What doings was she talking about? Drat! Charity wished the guy hadn't stopped Mae's talk. Old folks had interesting tales to share. Oh well, maybe she could get back to town and visit with her another day-without her guard.
* * *
As she stepped onto the bridge, a breeze caught her hat almost ripping it off her head. She caught it before it became airborne and laughing, ran the rest of the way across and into the small clearing. The entire area was shaded and felt ten degrees cooler. She spread the blanket on the ground, tossed her hat aside, and stretched out on the quilt with the pillow under her head.

Now, for her torrid historical romance novel. The cover of Taming the Cowboy showed two half-dressed people in a serious lip lock. From what she'd read so far, it appeared the heroine was the one being tamed. Set in the Panhandle Plains of Texas, the hero, Rafe, was an alpha male, tall, dark headed with black eyes and the shadow of a beard. Julie, the meek little woman had blond hair, blue eyes, and a streak of determination. She wouldn't let the ranch manager take over control of her ranch.

Charity became engrossed in the story. The lack of respect for a woman's mind in those days, and the condescending ways of men amazed her. It was a good thing she wasn't born in that time period. She was halfway through the book and the two had sex in the hayloft, but argued about every aspect of running the ranch. She yawned and shook her head at the stupidity of people. Dog-earing the page of the book, she sat it aside and closed her eyes. Just a short nap, that's what she needed. It was so peaceful here, no cell phone, no computers, no ...what would it be like to live in Texas in the old days? Probably not nearly as romantic as her novel depicted. She chuckled at the idea...nope, she was a modern woman. On that thought, she drifted to sleep.