by Kristen Heitzmann
Bethany House Publishers
Book One in The Diamond of the Rockies Series
Carina Maria DiGratia is headed to paradise. At least she thinks she is. Contrary to the glowing advertisement that draws her there, Crystal, Colorado, is really a rough mining town. Carina flees her home in Sonoma, CA with a broken heart, convinced that her beloved Flavio will come after her. But he doesn't, and that's not the only surprise that awaits Carina.
Her journey to Crystal includes watching her belongings sail over a cliff at the hand of the mysterious Quillan Shepard, and upon arrival, she realizes that she's been cheated out of the home she purchased. Carina's determined to forge ahead, and with the help of lawyer Berkley Beck, it seems she is on her way. But is she?
Carina cannot understand why, but Quillan's mysterious past intriques her. Beck, although politely keeping his distance, is clearly interested in her. Will his interest be enough to overcome her love for Flavio? Or will she return to Sonoma? Unwillingly, Carina becomes a pawn in the town's corruption. Who can she trust, Beck or Shepard?
Heitzmann is a good story teller, and her characters come to life within the pages of The Rose Legacy. If you like action, mystery, love - it's all there. I was transported to the rough and dusty mining town from page one.
I was a bit disappointed with the ending. While the main plot comes to a close, there are unresolved issues for Carina that are probably addressed in Book Two. I prefer a stand alone book, but that's just me. Despite my preferences, Heitzmann gets my vote as a wonderful author.
Happy Reading! :)
This book was received as a complimentary review copy from Bethany House.
