The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham

From the publisher:
Seven years ago, orphaned and alone, Em finally arrived at a new home in Iowa after riding the orphan train. But secrets from her past haunt her, and her new life in the Western wilderness is a rough one. When her guardian is shot and killed, Em, now nineteen, finally has the chance to search for her long-lost sister, but she won't be able to do it alone.

For Azure Springs Sheriff Caleb Reynolds, securing justice for the waifish and injured Em is just part of his job. He's determined to solve every case put before him in order to impress his parents and make a name for himself. Caleb expects to succeed. What he doesn't expect is the hold this strange young woman will have on his heart.

Debut author Rachel Fordham invites historical romance readers to the charming town of Azure Springs, Iowa, where the people care deeply for one another and, sometimes, even fall in love.

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I love the cover of this book.  It sets a feeling for what you will read.  There is this dawn of hope that come in the book, even though there is a lot of hardship for Em.  I appreciate that things weren't all "neat and tidy" in the story.  It allowed for realism even while there were beauty and good happening.  

I enjoyed reading another view point of the orphan trains and Fordham allows the reader to see into the time period and what many orphans faced.  Orphans and those who adopt them or become their guardians are often seen as a fairy-tale "happily-ever-after", even today, and it is good to bring about understanding historically and today.  

Caleb and Em's relationship is enjoyable to read and see how Caleb learns and grows as he comes to know Em.  Often what we think we want is not what we need and Caleb learns this as he gets to know Em.  

A good debut novel from Racehl Fordham!

I received this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.