Saving Susannah Jones
Grief is a silent thief. In the unforgiving landscape of Craig, Colorado, it has robbed Susannah Jones of her parents, her name, and her self-worth. Set in the late 1800s, this romantic western explores the power of reclaiming one’s voice and identity in a time when domestic violence was not only legal; it was an accepted part of daily life.
When twenty-six-year-old Susannah makes the brave choice to flee her violent brother, now her legal guardian after the death of her father, she runs into the wilderness. She attempts her daring escape injured and without supplies. Thankfully, she unknowingly takes shelter on the homestead of Joseph Iverson, a young, kind, and chronically shy man. He is more than willing to help her regain her health and her dignity.
This novel is the sweet tale of two young people working together to survive and grow. The author stays true to the genre, which may make reads a bit uncomfortable. The dialogue for Native American characters draws on painful stereotypes, and the gender roles in the novel are tightly defined. While the character Kate, the town’s doctor, initially promises to expand the role of women in the Wild West, the author later portrays her as a simple wife and mother who happens to own the town’s only stethoscope.
For readers who enjoy an exciting plot, fires, gunfights, and heaving muscles abound in this action-packed romance. While Frank’s characters do find love, the author keeps thing PG-13, making this a perfect read for teens or adults. As Susannah struggles to rebuild herself after thirteen years of abuse, she reminds us that the ability to love ourselves is the same ability that allows us to love others.
