Silken Promises by Lisa Bingham

To be re-released in digital format January 21st!!

In games that are as perilous as they are passionate, everyone plays for keeps.

When Fiona McFee first meets the straight-laced deputy Jacob Grey, he is naked and bound in a field of foxtails. A con man’s daughter through and through, Fiona leaves him there as he swears to never forget her. True to his word, Jacob tracks Fiona to Chicago years later, and he has an offer for her that she can’t refuse: A full pardon for her and her father in exchange for her help in catching a counterfeiter. All she must do is pose as a wealthy British widow and play poker on a tourist train heading West.

With her freedom at stake, as well as another chance to outwit Jacob, Fiona must perfect her poker face as she gambles for the fate of her future. But neither she, nor Jacob, can ignore the undeniable attraction between them, and as the stakes of their deadly game soar to new heights, the thin line between inevitable danger and unyielding desire begins to blur.

Now both Fiona and Jacob have more to lose than either of them bargained for— their hearts.

4 stars****

Historical romance is not my favorite genre but the blurb about this book reminded me of one of those old romantic westerns I used to watch with my mom. So, I gave it a go...
This book is being re-released in digital format with this new cover...  :)
Overall this book has a nice and easy writing style, entertaining characters and a slow building but eventually steamy romance. Mix that with a little bit of gun slinging, gambling and two little old ladies that meddle in BIG ways and you've got yourself a winning combination. I really, really enjoyed this book and it's made me want to dive into some of the older romances. Perhaps I am missing out on something...
Fiona met Jacob when she happened upon him bound and naked in a field... she was only a little girl at the time. When she found out he was a law man, she had a change of heart on helping him and left him there. Jacob never forgot Fiona and spent the next decade chasing her and her father around. Seems as if her dad had a little problem with law breakin'! Jacob learns that Fiona is a whiz with cards and elicits her help to uncover a counterfeit money laundering scheme. In exchange for her help her and her father would get full pardons for all their crimes. What Jacob and Fiona didn't expect was to fall head over heels for each other.
Alma and Amelia, the two meddling old ladies, really should stay away from dynamite... these two gave me a case of the chuckles. The end of the book with them meddling and dragging around Mr. Peebles added a nice element of humor.
Great read for those who are fans of western, victorian romances...

ARC provided by Diversion books...