Brought up in the carnival, it is the only life Isabel Bennet has known. When her parents place her on the orphan train to go and live with the wealthy Mr. Winston her life is changed forever. Mr. Winston has promise Isabel’s parents that he would give fifteen year old Isabel the best education his money could buy, but promises are cheap.

Isabel soon learns that the only education she is going to get is from performing at George Winston's saloon showing off her sharp shooting skills. Life is hard for the young Isabel, and it only gets harder when Winston’s son Jeffery takes possession of her.

Andrew ‘Flame’ James falls for the staring attraction at the local saloon, but when he finds out her true-identity and circumstances he vows to protect her.

Once Wayward takes you on a journey of discovery, Lee Ann Ward has written an interesting Historical novel with the romance of Isabel and Flame developing later in the novel. I would not call this your normal run of the mill romance novel but a novel with a romance element. It is a good read with a plot that holds you throughout the story. Isabel’s plight and battle to survive in a life she has no control over compels you to read on and hope that she will find the happiness she longs for. Isabel is a strong heroine determined not to let any man get the better of her. Flame is a hero we would all love to have in our life.

If you have an interest in the American western era this is a novel you would enjoy.

Reviewed by: Sandie