jjares reviewed on 6/2/2015 + 3413 more book reviews

Malachi Stone lives in an out-of-the-way part of the Arizona Territory; he feeds his family by taking travelers across the river at the base of the Grand Canyon. He has two children who need a mother. Malachis first wife died and has left him to struggle with her parents; who want to take the children from their father. Although his children are responsible and helpful, they need the love and care of a woman.

Thus, Malachi tries to find a mail-order wife. Unfortunately, he gets Anna. It is obvious that Anna wont be there long and Malachi suspects that she may have been a prostitute. Anna answers no questions and has an air of mystery about her.

What Malachi doesnt know is that Anna saw two men walk away from the dead body of her intended husband. One of the men named Anna as the murderer and there are wanted posters in 5 or 6 states. Anna is using her quick marriage as a way to hide from the man determined to make her pay for the murder.

I liked the way the author portrays the women who come to evaluate Malachis worthiness to keep his children; they are prissy but intelligent.

This book is quick to read and the plot is not unusual. However, Elizabeth Lane raises it from the common by her understanding of human nature and her exceptional descriptions of life in the Grand Canyon.

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