The Promise of Jenny Jones Review

Title:  The Promise of Jenny Jones
Author:  Maggie Osborne
Genre:  Historical Western Romance
Publisher:  Grand Central Publishing
Release Date:  Oct. 14, 2014
Purchase Link:  Amazon

My Rating:  5 Emotional LOL Hearts

Synopsis:
A desperate mother takes Jenny Jones' place in front of a firing squad in exchange for Jenny's promise to see her daughter safely to California. Though she and the six-year-old Graciela get off to a rocky start, Jenny will do everything in her power to keep her promise, even with the child's cousins in hot pursuit. Then she is mysteriously drawn to the handsome cowboy Ty Sanders, and though neither know it yet, their purpose is the same.

Review:
Jenny Jones is a swearin', cigar smokin', mule skinnin', hard-nosed woman who can hold her own in a fight with the meanest cowboy south of the border.  She came up tough & alone and while she swears like a sailor and fights like a man, she's learned to hide her emotions behind a cold facade.  Jenny is no lady & glad of it, but her word is sacred. She's sitting in a Mexican prison preparing to face a firing squad the next morning when a real lady - a senorita with breeding, class, and wealth enters her cell asking Jenny for a promise in exchange for her life.  Marquarita Sanders offers to take Jenny's place at dawn in front of the firing squad if Jenny promises on her life to get her daughter, heiress Graciela, to safety with her father in California.  There are extenuating circumstances, but those are for the reader to learn as the story unfolds.  Jenny accepts the deal, the switch is made, and Jenny heads toward California with 6 year old Graciela.  

What ensues is an emotional, hilarious journey of unexpected discoveries, revelations, and heartfelt moments for both Jenny & Graciela.  I'm not sure when I last laughed so much while reading a book.  Hard-nosed, gun-totin' Jenny has never been around children, most especially not one of high breeding who's had servants cater to her every whim since the day she was born.  Jenny is completely flabbergasted at the demands of this arrogant 6 year old girl - who does she think she is?  Graciela has never been around anyone like Jenny - most certainly not anyone who cusses, spits, and dares deny her demands.  The woman wears pants, for goodness sakes!  And so, each night when Graciela says her prayers in front of Jenny, she never fails to ask God to bless all her family and . . . strike Jenny dead.  If that's not possible, could He at least cause her painful, bodily harm?  Amen.  lol  The interchanges between these two characters are hilarious!  And for all you romance fans, don't worry - a big, strong, handsome, rugged unconventional cowboy named Ty comes riding into the picture, and the sexual chemistry threatens to set the countryside on fire.

The Promise of Jenny Jones is my first book by Maggie Osbourne, but I've already marked more of her work to read.  Her writing is sharp with detailed plot lines and characterizations - very witty, natural, and emotional.  I quickly fell in love with these characters, got lost in the storyline, and had a very hard time putting this book down until I finished it. It's a fantastic read for fans of historical western romance or just fans of romance with a side dose of humor.  A sexy heroic cowboy + a feisty reluctant heroine + a precocious child = one honest, heartfelt, and 0h-so-deliciously sexy read!  Highly recommended!

My Rating:  5 LOL Emotional Hearts

Cross My Heart . . . xxx

♥Sandra♥