ARC Review: Seduced by Molly O'Keefe

In 1867, Melody Hurst travels from Georgia to Colorado with her husband, Jimmy, and her sister, Annie. The war has ended, but plagues them all with loss, pain, and memories. Jimmy has dragged them there to seek revenge against a Union soldier. Steven Baywood was a prisoner at Andersonville and Jimmy was his guard. He paid Jimmy to help him escape. Steven knew not to trust Jimmy and ditched him. The Confederate soldiers found Jimmy, labeled him a deserter, and branded his face with a D. Now, Jimmy wants revenge. He has intercepted letters meant for Stephen’s family and arrives at the cabin to wait. He shoots Steven and leaves the women alone in search of an oil prospector. Annie helped wounded soldiers during the war and sees to Steven’s injuries. They nurse him back to health. Jimmy returns with Cole Smith, who is Steven’s actual brother. He’s been tracking Jimmy in hopes he would lead him here. Melody tries to pretend all is well, but Cole isn’t fooled. There’s a fresh blood stain on the porch and Jimmy drinks too much. Melody spikes the whiskey and knocks Jimmy out. Steven is awake and Cole finds him. Jimmy needs to be dealt with and Cole hands a gun to Melody. She’s petrified, but knows it’s her only way out. The two sets of siblings untangle their lives and expose their hopes to each other. Annie wants to live in Denver and be a medical assistant. The brothers try to explain how unmarried women are treated and how much money is needed to live there. Melody decides she needs to marry again, this time with her eyes wide open. She proposes a business arrangement to Cole, he’d prefer love. This is a continuing story so the narrative is not resolved.

Cole and Steven are more interesting than Annie and Melody. They served as soldiers in the Civil War and their brother, Gavin, fought for the Confederacy. They have many stories and memories to share, Steven as a prisoner and Cole as a bounty hunter. Melody remembers parties, beaus, and pretty dresses. All have lost parents, homes, and their ways of life. Being farmers and oilmen will bring the men many challenges. Denver will be a rough wide open town, harder to navigate and settle down.

I like westerns, but there are no cowboys in this book. The wilderness should be more of a character, especially the weather and wildlife.

**ARC provided by Author**

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