Helpful Score: 1
This story is even better than the first and I didnt think that could be possible. This story gave Marco and Paloma an opportunity to show their mettle under difficult circumstances.
It is about 18 months after the first book in this series; Marco and Paloma are very happy except for Palomas inability to conceive a baby. Marco is staggered by the news that smallpox is moving towards his family. Marco makes a bargain with a devil to save his wife, his workers and their neighbors in the surrounding ranches.
The devil is a physician, Dr. Anthony Gil. He refuses to inoculate anyone until Marco promises that he will lead Gil into Texas to find his daughter (who was captured by Comanche Indians).
As we know from the first book, Paloma is afraid of the Comanche because they killed her whole family when she was 8. However, Paloma refuses to stay behind because she knows that Marco will be terrified to do what he must because he would be afraid that Paloma would succumb to smallpox while he was gone.
As with most of Carla Kellys books, these are ordinary people dealing with extraordinary situations. The characters continue to grow by taking risks. The history of this time was fascinating, as seen through the characters eyes.
The only place I thought maybe the author took a bit of poetic license was when the Indians and Spaniards became such pals. However, it was a small thing compared to the overarching beauty of the story.
Great news: The 3rd book is due September 2015 in the bookstores.
Spanish Brand
1. The Double Cross (2013)
2. Marco and the Devil's Bargain (2014)
3. Paloma and the Horse Traders (2015)
It is about 18 months after the first book in this series; Marco and Paloma are very happy except for Palomas inability to conceive a baby. Marco is staggered by the news that smallpox is moving towards his family. Marco makes a bargain with a devil to save his wife, his workers and their neighbors in the surrounding ranches.
The devil is a physician, Dr. Anthony Gil. He refuses to inoculate anyone until Marco promises that he will lead Gil into Texas to find his daughter (who was captured by Comanche Indians).
As we know from the first book, Paloma is afraid of the Comanche because they killed her whole family when she was 8. However, Paloma refuses to stay behind because she knows that Marco will be terrified to do what he must because he would be afraid that Paloma would succumb to smallpox while he was gone.
As with most of Carla Kellys books, these are ordinary people dealing with extraordinary situations. The characters continue to grow by taking risks. The history of this time was fascinating, as seen through the characters eyes.
The only place I thought maybe the author took a bit of poetic license was when the Indians and Spaniards became such pals. However, it was a small thing compared to the overarching beauty of the story.
Great news: The 3rd book is due September 2015 in the bookstores.
Spanish Brand
1. The Double Cross (2013)
2. Marco and the Devil's Bargain (2014)
3. Paloma and the Horse Traders (2015)
