Emma Chambers and Spenser Keenan met as he was about to depart to join his army regiment stationed in the Peninsula. She was the pawn of a self-absorbed, fashionable mother who was pressuring Emma to wed a lecherous, but powerful, older man--Spencer Keenan's uncle. To rescue her, and protect himself from the danger of a love-match, Spencer proposed to Emma and they married on the eve of his departure.

Three years pass and Spencer along with two very close buddies have cashed out of the army. Now things grow interesting as Emma and Spenser strive to overcome many hurdles which have been thrown into their path--including the recurrance of life-threatening accidents, and the misdirection of three-years worth of correspondence--and to form a new marriage bargain to fit their new and developing expectations of one another.

The unusual opening drama sets the stage for a rich story of friendship, mistrust, hope, the staying power of the hurts caused by childhood neglect, and overall the healing and restorative power of love. This story had a solid plot and strong characterization from beginning to end. I especially liked the opening drama and a related drama that occurs near the end. ( )