Color of the Wind by Elizabeth Grayson

As part of my yahoo group's (Historical Romance Chat) Author of the Month series, I selected Elizabeth Grayson's Color of the Wind as my February read. As things worked out the title also met the requirements for Angie W's TBR challenge.

These are the questions that Angie W had asked about the book selected:
Title: Color of the Night
Author: Elizabeth Grayson
Year published: 1999
Why did you get this book? As an Author of the Month selection for my yahoo group.
Do you like the cover? Yes, it's not overly cheesy.
Did you enjoy the book? Absolutely
Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Grayson was a new to me author and I will definitely be looking for her work in the future.
Are you keeping it or passing it on? I will be trading this copy since I don't usually keep books.

With that said... on to my thoughts of the book.

Baird Northcross & Ardith Merritt are damaged individuals. Baird due to overindulgence and being spoiled, and Ardith due to being the ugly duckling. Baird was once betrothed to Ardith but during their engagement party he met Ariel, Ardith's half sister and fell for her beauty and passion for life. They eloped on the day he was to marry Ardith. Shamed over the scandal, Ardith abandons London and moves with her uncle to Boston.

16 years later, Baird is banished to America after his involvement in his cousin's death. He has lived his life going from exotic place to exotic place and is accustomed to luxuries that don't exist in Wyoming. Thinking to outsmart his family, he sends for Ariel and his three children but Ariel dies after her arrival in Boston. Her dying request is made to Ardith, pleading that the children be taken the rest of the way to their father. Ardith, who is now a children's author but has no experience with the real thing, honors her sister's request.

She expects to just dump the kids and get back to her life, but realizes that Baird is even more clueless as to the needs of his children than she is. So an agreement is reached where Ardith will stay until Baird can acclimate himself to his new role as a single parent.

Grayson's vivid descriptions of life on the frontier, makes the story just bounce off the pages. I admit that the book can be put down but you will carry with you the detailed images that the author has painted. I also love that Grayson doesn't rush the romance between Baird and Ardith. Instead she lets them develop a relationship based off their common need to assure the children's well being. The characters grow into people that you can admire. Baird stopped being the selfish man we meet at the beginning and Ardith is a stronger woman, more self assured. The soft transition between who they were at the beginning of the book and who they became really gives credence to the talent of this author.

Grade: B+