Swept Away

By: Mary Connealy

Narrated by: Barbara McCulloh

Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Swept away when her wagon train attempts a difficult river crossing, Ruthy MacNeil isn't all that upset at being separated from the family who raised her. All they've ever done is work her to the bone. She prayed for a chance to get away, and then came the raging flood. Alive but disoriented, she's rescued by Luke Stone...so unfortunately, there are more chances to die in her immediate future. Luke is heading home to reclaim the ranch stolen from his family. But the men who killed his father are working hard to ensure Luke doesn't make it alive. He has no choice but to keep moving. Still, he can't just abandon Ruthy, so she'll have to come along. His friends--a ragtag group of former Civil War soldiers--take a fast interest in the pretty gal. Luke thinks that's rather rude--he's the one who found her. And the more time he spends around the hard-working young woman who is a mighty good cook, the more he finds himself thinking beyond revenge and toward a different future. For the first time in a long time, Luke is tempted to turn from his destructive path and be swept away by love.

©2013 Mary Connealy (P)2013 Recorded Books

Good storyline

I enjoyed the story!! I felt like the reader made the characters sound unintelligent and childish. Her regular voice was lovely!

This is a very entertaining Early Texas western.

Luke was approached by a young Lawman. Luke realized he was being framed. He was forced to trick the Deputy and flee. After fighting in the Civil War, Luke was on his way to reclaim his property which had been stolen. He had rough terrain to go through before arriving on his property.

Ruth was left orphaned at six to be raised with an abusive, belittling family. The family was in their way from Missouri to settle in California new land.whee she was to marry the son after arriving. They came upon a river crossing. She noticed the cloudy sky and suggested they wait until after the storm. Disregarding her, the family insisted on her continuing. A flash flood hit and the teams, wagons, livestock and individuals taking them downstream, drowning most. With Ruth's arm pinned between two solid objects, acting as a raft then crashing into a solid wall, knocking her out and sucking her underneath the water.

Like's horse stopped to get water. Luke discovered a woman on the bank, with her arm stuck in a knot in the wooden plank. Thinking she was dead, he soon discovered she was alive but unconscious. Unable to awaken her, Luke had no choice but to take her with him. When Ruth became conscious, it was dark and a stranger was with her.

Ruth, along with Luke, was soon faced with ordeals and situations he had never dreamed of.

This was a tale about the fight for power and land. The battle between right and wrong. It is a tale of camaraderie, reliance on each other and survival.

Narration by Barbara McCulloh was effectively presented with much feeling.

Texas after the Civil War

A story with all the elements of a great western . . . a wagon train, a flooded river, gun fighters, Texas Rangers . . . and the girl . . . When Ruthie MacNeil survives the ill-fated river crossing that leaves the rest of her party dead and is rescued by Luke Stone, she could never imagine how her life would change . . . and Luke, headed home to Texas, following the Civil War, has one thing on his mind: Reclaiming the ranch stolen from him and avenging the murder of his father. I fell in love with the gentle, yet honest writing style of Mary Connealy in Swept Away . . . and with the folks making their homes and lives in Texas . . . there is an under girding of faith and conviction in Luke and his friends who are fighting to reclaim his ranch . . . and Rosie (Ruthie) who has been abused and used by the family who took her in after her parents died, is finding that she can once again trust people. An element of subtle romance does not overshadow the overall story of life and comradeship in the emerging settlement of a young and growing Texas. An excellent listen.

good book

it was a very interesting wild west storyline. it was an obvious ending to the book though

Swept away will literally sweep you away!

I really enjoyed this book! It's the first in a terrific series. Definitely encourage you to try it. Ruthy is a wonderful character, as well as Luke! It really called out to me how Ruthy felt unattractive, but the author does a wonderful job in expressing even if you aren't the most beautiful person in the world, one man will think you so. There was a little more gunplay than I like, but other than that, a wonderful book!!

wonderful listening

Loved the story and the narrator. It is refreshing to have love and excitement without vulgarity and gore.

Swept Away

The title is perfect as the main character is swept away by a flood and then swept away by love. If you want a light, happy romance, you will enjoy. Cute story.

Story good, struggled a bit with performance.

What did you love best about Swept Away?

The story was great and the performance was good also. I struggled with one thing though. The reader used nearly the same voice for everyone, so it became very confusing at times to know which character was speaking in conversations.

Liked all the characters

I liked the story and all the characters and want to know more about the others that had a smaller role in this book. Great set up for the next books.  The narration was good too.

A sweet western romance, but with reality....

It's worth the credit for this listen. Although the narrator isn't good with the voices for each character. it's not distracting from the story. With twists and turns, the story winds around a good tale.