Color of the Wind

A late-18th-century scoundrel and rake, Baird Northcross jilted Ardith Merritt on the eve of their wedding to elope with her sister. To escape the scandal, Ardith left London and moved to Boston. She and her sister finally reconciled after many years; but now, her sister has died, leaving behind three children, and Ardith has promised to deliver the children to their father, the man who once broke her heart. Baird has been exiled to a remote ranch in Wyoming by his family in hopes of reforming his irresponsible ways. With little knowledge of how to raise children, Ardith loads up her charges and heads west. Grayson's (So Wide the Sky) enjoyable novel offers vivid scenes, such as the taming of mustangs, and character development (in particular, Baird gaining the trust of his son). As the story progresses, each of the characters suffers disappointment and loss--but in the end, they come together, learning what it means to be a family. (May)