Till My Last Day

Such a wonderful story! Much like book 1, Till My Last Breath, you're taken through love, loss, adventure, suspense and a little mystery too! Till My Last Day flawlessly picked up the story from book 1, seamlessly entwined characters stories and left me impatiently waiting for book #3!!!!! There is a little something in this series for every one and I strongly recommend giving it a read! But read book 1 first!!!!! I especially love how the story follows different characters perspectives, but you're never confused on who's perspective your reading from, because it is so well written!

Fabulous Book! Deborah Swenson knocks it out of the park with this story line, Rebecca's journey to run from her husband with the kids and find a new life across the country at a time when traveling was not easy. But she did it and found a better life for her and the kids. Plus she found her brother and reconnected with him and the love of his life. Pick up a copy - you will not be disappointed!

With an opening line, “I am terrified.” it was just enough to hook me right into Deborah Swenson's new book “Till My Last Day,” a historical romance western. It's the second book in her Desert Hills trilogy series. Swenson's series employs a “time travel” element which sets it apart from the usual western-themed novels. Using her deft writing skills she seamlessly weaves two different centuries together. It's a page-turner for sure that reads at a breathtaking speed. Carefully crafted words create an impending sense of danger immediately drawing the reader into the action. Vivid descriptions of the place bring the reader's experience right into a desert setting. In Book One, “Till My Last Breath,” readers meet Dr. Emily Sweeney a twenty-first-century trauma physician in Seattle with a promising career. A tragic accident seals her fate when Emily finds herself transported back into the nineteenth century to Yuma Territory, in 1880. She comes upon an injured man, Caleb Young, in the desert. He has been shot and left for dead. As the story develops so do their feelings for each other. Book One sets the stage for Book Two “Till My Last Day.” The storyline shifts to Caleb's sister Rebecca Young Akerman from Boston. Finding herself in an abusive relationship with her husband Elliot, Rebecca has come to the realization women in the late nineteenth century have no rights. After receiving a telegram from Emily informing her about brother Caleb's declining health, Rebecca decides to take control of her life. With her two young boys and Irish maid Pearl, they flee from Boston to Yuma, AZ. Each page captures Emily's emotional desperation to escape and be reunited with her brother. When her husband employs a private investigator, Nathanial (Nate) Burns, to follow her and report her whereabouts the action intensifies as well as her terror being followed. The narratives between main characters switch off with different chapters so readers get to know characters better and understand their motives. Swenson's skilled use of “stream of consciousness” throughout the story with Rebecca and Nate's imaginary conversations with their mothers using them as a 'voice of reason' was an interesting use of the literary technique. Swenson's experiences in the medical profession as a registered nurse and an advanced nurse practitioner serve her well in this series. It's evident Swenson's meticulous research on early medical practices and medications, craftsmanship of medical instruments, and natural medicines add realism to the story. While the story is filled with secrets and deception, it's also a story filled with heartwarming moments of endurance, faith, finding love, and the chance to start life anew.

Till My Last Day kept me glued to the pages. Deborah Swenson captured abuse and medicine in the late 1800s with a deft hand. Her duel timeline was seamless. I cared about what happened to Rebecca Young Ackerman and her sons and brother and rooted for Rebecca and Nate Burn's growing love. Set in Boston and Yuma was a fun transition. Her characters moved me to the point of laughter and tears. I especially enjoyed Rebecca's strength and drive to keep her son's safe. I love the first two books and can't wait for the third one! I received a complimentary copy from the author and willingly chose to review it. A positive review is not required and all opinions are my own.