Determined to make it on her own as a female photographer, Meg Pero manages to receive a contract to accompany an Army survey of the Grand Canyon in 1871. Unknown to her, the man leading the expedition is Captain Ben Coleridge, an old beau whose marriage proposal she once declined. She has no intention of fostering a relationship with him again, as she remains certain she could never be the wife he needs as he ascends through the military ranks.
Although initially hesitant to welcome Meg as part of the survey team, Ben quickly remembers everything he loves about her: her passion and skill at her profession, her beauty, and her ability to make others feel at home. If only she wasn't so careless about her own safety when it comes to capturing the perfect shot with her lens. As he spends time looking out for her, he begins to hope they could rekindle their romance.
Ben has a secondary and secret mission: to find out what happened to the last party of cavalry scouts who were sent to the north rim but never returned. Among the missing is his honored father, whose expectations Ben has spent a lifetime trying to live up to. Can Ben find and save him before the treacherous territory and other dangers of nature make a rescue impossible? Or is it already too late for that?
Mysterious happenings and various misfortunes seem to follow the group as they explore the beautiful canyon. While hoping to rescue his father, Ben wonders if it will even be possible to lead his own team out alive. Meanwhile Meg is forced to reckon with the idea of God at work in His creation and His personal care for her, as He has only been a distant figure in her life before.
There were many things to enjoy about this novel. I love the setting and time period, both beautifully captured on the cover. The author did a good job creating a colorful cast of characters. I would have wished for a deeper plot and more character growth, but it was still an enjoyable historical romance which will appeal to many readers. This is the first book I've read by this author, but when I heard of her American Wonders Collection, I knew I had to check it out. The next one is set in Yellowstone National Park, so I'll have to keep my eye out for its release in 2020.
I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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