Outcast

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Summary: Just who is the real Gabriel Danaker?
Review: Dr. Olivia Barton has moved out to Elkhorn Montana on the request made by her best friend, Amy Talbot, who is expect her first child. Being a woman, Olivia isn't readily accepted by the community the year being 1889 and women weren't accepted in professions such as doctors easily. But that doesn't stop Olivia who takes it on as a challenge.

Not much is known about Gabriel Danaher. He is thought of as an outcast who lives in the wilderness, who lives with 2 squaws and only comes out when he needs supplies. What they don't know is that Gabriel was falsely accused of murder and was to hang to his death except 1 of his 2 daughters made a perfect shot severing the rope allowing him to drop and escape by horse back. They have been living in hiding ever since.

Gabriel is in town when Olivia arrives and finds himself taking up for the new doctor. Later when his daughters catch diptheria and are dying, Gabriel comes to town to convince the new doctor to come and care for the girls. Many of the towns people have come down with the same fever and Olivia is treating the ones that will accept her help. When Olivia refuses to come with Gabriel he refuses to take no for an answer and kidnaps her carrying her to his home in the wilderness. There Olivia finds 2 little girls close to death. Through her tender loving care they survive but because of a landslide Olivia is stuck there in the mountains with this outcast and his two indian girls for the winter. When discovered of her kidnapping the community tries to save her only to find out that they can't get through until spring. This unexpected time gives Olivia time to get to know the real Gabriel and finds herself falling in love with this mountain man. Gabriel whose wife was murdered thinks he can never love again only to findout that his heart doesn't feel that way. But he is still a wanted man and what kind of life is that for the doctor.

The spring comes... along with the community up one side of the mountain and the possy looking for Gabriel up the other side catching Olivia and Gabriel in the middle. This new relationship they have found- can it stand on it's own? Will Olivia stand beside Gabriel or go back to her life in town? When Gabriel is captured and taken to jail to possible swing from the tree once again Olivia heart kicks into action and doesn't let her stand back. It a great romance set in the west. One that I enjoyed reading and has a good ending.

Rating:
Summary: Headstrong female doctor meets equally headstrong miner
Review: In 1889, 26-year-old Olivia Baron travels to Elkhorn, Montana to help her friend Amy Talbot to get safely through pregnancy. The ambitious doctor is used to obstacles, but certainly not prepared to being forced to treat her patients. Gabriel Danaher, a society outcast after being falsely accused of murder and escaping his hanging two years earlier, is desperate to find a physician to cure his twin daughters Katy and Ellen, who are seriously sick with diphtheria. When Olivia doesn't agree to come with him, the Irish immigrant kidnaps the doctor, taking her to his cabin up in the mountains. A landslide hinders Olivia from taking the trail back to Elkhorn once the girls are on the way of recovery, thus trapping her for the winter with Gabriel and his girls. Though all of them haven't had the best of starts, they slowly learn to appreciate each other while struggling with their own demons -- Gabriel has to solve problems shadowing his past while Olivia wants to stay true to her profession.

Emily Carmichael succeeded in creating believable protagonists as well as a strong plot. The relationship between Olivia and Gabriel develops at a slow pace, thus making it more realistic in accordance to their respective character. In many western romances, love scenes don't really propel the story, but the few between Gabriel and Olivia are essential to the storyline and weren't added just for the sake of turning the novel into a romance.

"Outcast" is an outstanding western romance with accurate historical details. Moreover, the book is surely interesting for readers who enjoyed the TV series "Dr. Quinn" and those who want to learn more about a woman having chosen a profession dominated by men in the 19th century.

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Summary: A professional woman's fantasy
Review: In my single lawyering days, I used to wish that a handsome stranger would turn up in my life and would have to hang around long enough to get past my work and get to know the real me.

This book is that fantasy come to life. In late 1800's Montana, lady doctor Olivia is abducted by outcast Gabe to save his twin daughters from diptheria. Of course, when it's time to go home, a convenient landslide traps them for the winter.

This is a very solid romance read. A pragmatist might find it a bit contrived. Still, it brings to life a fantasy that many women share. So enjoy it if you can find a copy.