In book 2 of the Ashmore Brothers series, Maria and Abigail O’Donnell hire rancher Tye Ashmore to help them transport two caskets of precious cargo down river to the town of Golden in Colorado Territory. Tye takes quite a liking to Maria, the new schoolteacher, but he’s less than impressed with Abigail. The young women have little money to their name, but they’re determined to fix up their uncle’s inn, whom they soon learn has been murdered. That doesn’t stop the sisters from doing their best to survive in a new place and Maria from falling in love.
This sweet romance was a bit different than my normal read. Though I enjoyed it, I was confused to begin with since it opens in Abigail’s POV instead of Maria’s. I kept thinking this was Abby’s story contrary to what the blurb said, so it took me a while to wipe that notion from my head. The story centers on Maria and Tye, but I found the secondary romance between Abigail and Tye’s friend, Brett, more compelling. I hope Abby and Brett get their own story! The mystery of who killed Uncle Henry also drew me in.
Maria and Abigail are strong, smart women, and I couldn’t help but adore them. Tye was honorable and decent, and his family was great. I enjoyed Ms. Davis’s writing style and her descriptions of the scenery.
If you’re in the mood for a well-written, slow-burn historical western romance with a dash of suspense, Under Starry Skies should do the trick.
4 Stars ( )

"Under Starry Skies" is a sweet tale of romance and mystery set in the post-Civil War west. Two sisters travel from Utah to the Colorado Territory to start a new life following their father's death. Expecting to be greeted by a beloved uncle, they're met instead by a less-than-enthusiastic aunt. It's only then they discover their uncle died under mysterious conditions just days earlier. (And this is after carting some interesting cargo on a sometimes treacherous journey across land and waterway.)

This has always been one of my favorite time periods to read, and I enjoyed Davis' use of the customs of the time in telling her story. The main heroine, Marie, finds a beau almost immediately, but she's determined to put a teaching career (and her desire to help others learn to read) first. (Good for her.) Sister Abigail charts her own course running a restaurant, and although there's a man in the picture, Abby isn't jumping into love. (Good for her as well.)

Nice descriptions that take me on a trip through time, and make me glad I live when I do! ( )

I won this book from First Reads on Goodreads. I loved reading it. ( )