Silver Lining by Maggie Osborne

For the last five or six months, I was enwrapped in reading Western and Historical Fiction novels and I really dunno why. I guess I was always amazed by how people from way back then had simple ways of living and can find contentment easily.

After many months of reading Romance books, I stumbled upon this. It's my first read from the author and I was getting hesitant if I should read it or not because I can't find a copy. Then fortunately, I finally found one and started my journey.

The introduction didn't gave me sparks at all (at first), but I told myself to continue reading because I felt that there was more to it than that and I am very, very happy that I followed my instincts because I was right after all.

Let's start with the main protagonist. Living in the Rockies along with other miners (who're men), you can easily guess that Low Down is boyish and doesn't care what her outer appearance looks like. Then there came the epidemic of the pox and Low Down was the only one who's brave enough to take care of the sick men.

Days after that inauspicious event, all of the miners were left indebted to her. They asked her what she really, really wanted and told her they would give her anything and they'll find a way no matter what. She surprised them by telling that she wants a child of her own, not an adopted child. And it doesn't mean she wants a husband, too. Just a baby.

That caused an unwanted uproar from the men and finally ended up with a compromise that states whoever draws the marble that's crossed with an X, he'll be the one to give Low Down a baby, no buts and exceptions. And that finally leads us to Max McCord, the one who pulled the marble from the hat and was married to Low Down by the priest on that very same night. He's well-built and handsome, but there's a catch. He's in love with someone else.

I really loved this book because it was funny and blithesome, but there's also the distressing parts of the book that'll make your heart hurt for Low Down, now called Louise by Max's family.

There's a lot of complications in the book that made me want to look for spoilers (I think I did at one time, I can't remember). I loved Livvy McCord, Max's mother, although at times she has this bitchy attitude (or is it most of the time?). I loved how strong Louise was. Hands down. I don't want to give any spoilers, but really, she has this amazing character that'll make you acknowledge her with reverence.

And of course, the villain of the story. I don't want to name her as the antagonist, because "villain" is a more appropriate term for her. I'm talking about Philadelphia — that cold, selfish b*tch that always think highly of herself and thought of ways to make herself ahead of anyone. I detest her. She always made me want to slap her face. HARD.

I don't want to wipe-off the suspense, so I'm just leaving it as that. A really great Romance book that'll left you asking for more from Ms. Maggie Osborne. ;)

Grade:

A+