Review: The Sheriffs of Savage Wells

The Sheriffs of Savage Wells

By Sarah M. Eden

Published: September 27, 2016

Paisley Bell knows the eccentric people of Savage Wells. From the absentminded shopkeeper who always thinks she's been robbed to the young man who has returned shell-shocked from the war, Paisley has compassion for them all. When the sheriff up and leaves town, Paisley steps up and assumes the responsibility, partly because she loves the work, but also because she needs the income to take care of her sick father. So when the town council decides that the position of sheriff should really go to a man, Paisley finds herself fighting to prove that she's the perfect candidate for the job, even though she wears a skirt. 

Cade O'Brien is heartily sick of shooting people. In his many years as a lawman, Cade has seen his share of blood and violence. So when he answers an advertisement for a sheriff job in the sleepy town of Savage Wells, he believes he's found the peace and quiet he's always desired. But when he discovers that his biggest competition for the job is a woman, he begins to question his decisions. 

Tension between the two begins to sizzle when both Cade and Paisley realize the attraction they have for each other, but when Paisley's former beau shows up in town, along with a band of bank robbers, the blossoming relationship between the two sheriffs is tested. They will have to work together to thwart the bank robbers and keep the town safe.

My review:

Paisley is a genuinely likable heroine. She's smart and caring and brave. I felt bad for her because people just don't take her seriously as a possible sheriff. The town doesn't realize that she has been acting as sheriff even before the previous sheriff left (he just took all the credit for her work). Being the sheriff is so important to her. She is good at her job and she enjoys it. She also wants to provide for her dad who has dementia. Unfortunately the town council decides to bring in outside candidates for the job, including legendary lawman Cade O'Brien. Sparks fly between Cade and Paisley and he grows to respect her but only one person can be the new town sheriff.

The Sheriffs of Savage Wells is entertaining and a touching romance with a little mystery mixed in. It's a pleasant kind of story you can read in an afternoon. I found this book to be charming. I liked the setting and the characters, even the quirky secondary characters that made up the town. I thought the author did a nice job of showing why both Paisley and Cade are good candidates. I wasn't 100% sure which character would ultimately get the job but I think the right decision was made. I also liked how the author portrayed Paisley and her father. It was so sad to see him decline. Although it wasn't too hard to figure out the mystery there was one little detail that did surprise me.

While it isn't inspirational (Christian) fiction, I think readers of Christian historical fiction would really enjoy this. Other similar authors include Mary Connealy, Susan Page Davis (The Sheriff's Surrender), Vickie McDonough and Robin Lee Hatcher. The Sheriffs of Savage Wells is part of the Proper Romance line published by Shadow Mountain.

Note: I received an ARC for review purposes courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss