Zach

Zacharias “Zach” Armstrong is a career military man in 1874 Texas. His expertise is called for regarding the murder of a local couple—a husband and wife in the employment of Johanna Gunter. While on the scene, Zach finds a baby that he decides to raise himself, earning many raised eyebrows in the social dictates of the time. As he struggles with raising the baby, he also must continue investigating the murder, which seems to grow fishier by the moment. It is clearly a framing, and Johanna finds herself and her family in danger from a local rival. Zach’s superiors seem to be involved in the plot, but his honor and growing attraction for the widowed Johanna mean he cannot leave well enough alone. 

Hebby Roman creates a compelling story with plenty of twists, turns, and surprises to keep the reader on their toes. As a romance, however, the passion is not quite there. Ms. Roman often tells the characters’ reasons for pulling away rather than showing the reader. At times, these reasons are repeated with very similar wording. The reader is not given the opportunity to feel the emotions or the passion themselves. Instead, the somewhat stiff actions and dialogue between Johanna and Zach tells the reader of their attraction and interest. Lieutenant Wentworth and several other minor characters offer some welcome levity and personality to the story. Despite these shortcomings, the plot itself remains fast-paced and action-packed, keeping the reader engaged and turning the pages, eager to know what happens next. 

Shailyn Rogers