Queen (Harper Monogram) [Mass Market Paperback]

Queen hasn't decided yet exactly where she is going, but Arizona sounds like it is far from the coal dust and poverty that she's known all her life, so she buys a bus ticket, and decides she'll just play it by ear. Little does she know a broken down bus, and a decision to hop the next bus that passes by, even if it is going to Snow Gap, Colorado, will help the course of her life along. Hopping off the bus to stretch, Queen sees three little boys talking to the sheriff, and a woman from the Welfare services. Having an innate dislike of the welfare system left over from her own childhood, Queen takes fate in her hands and hops in to help the three boys. Finding that their father seems to be missing, she claims to be their aunt, and returns home with them to help them avoid being taken into custody.

It's not long before the children's father, Cody Bonner, returns home to find his home invaded by Queen, his children acting like they'd found a long lost friend, and himself questioning his sanity by wanting this stranger to stay. Hiring Queen to be his housekeeper, and to watch over the boys, Cody begins to realize that Queen means much more to him that just a housekeeper. It's not long before Cody and Queen find themselves falling in love...

Sharon Sala has written a beautiful love story, one that tugs your heartstrings continuously, but that also makes you laugh out loud at the spunky Queen's antics.
Ms. Sala has interwoven several different threads of story lines, and keeps you on your toes the whole time you enjoy Cody and Queen falling in love. I truly enjoyed this book and gobbled it up in one setting. It is a stand-alone book, however I caution you, if you want to find out the dreams the other two sisters have set out to find, you'll have to pick up Diamond and Lucky, also by Sharon Sala. Happy reading!

Queen is the oldest of three girls. Her father has died, but even when he was alive he was not there for his girls. He did manage to teach them not to trust men, slick comments, and things that seem to good to be true. He was a gambler, and not a good one so they lived on the fringes of society in a small backwood Tennesse town, that is until Johnny dies and the girls decide that it is time to move on. Queen bids farwell to her younger sisters as they each take a different road. Queen gets on a bus and heads to Arizona. She wants to be as far away from coal smoke and mountains as she can get. Fate steps in and soon Queen finds herself headed toward Colorado and her destiny.

Cody Bonner has suffered much in his life. He was an Air Force pilot but after the death of his wife he retires so he can be home with his 3 sons. They have suffered cruelly at the hands of their grandmother and he will do anything to keep that woman away from his kids. The grandmother feels that Cody is not fit to be a parent and has had the kids in and out of court trying to prove it. A set of circumstances lead Cody's boys to a chance encounter with Queen. From there the lessons that will be learned are heartwarming and are learned by all. Love does save the day.

This is a wonderful book and a does justice to this strong willed, but soft on the inside woman. This is second in the series of the Gamblers Daughter trilogy but stands alone if you have not read the first one. Wonderful characterization, fast paced, and romantic. A perfect way to spend the evening.