Kisses in Keystone

Seven Brides of South Dakota, Book 2

De: Kari Trumbo

Narrado por: Meghan Kelly

Hattie Arnsby’s been a slave to men and whiskey for the last year. She’s drowned herself in drink to avoid her life at the Red Garter Saloon in Keystone, SD. When a handsome deputy finds her after a year of searching, she finally sees a sliver of hope.

Hugh Bradley is deputized to find Hattie and bring her home, but her captors aren’t ready to set her free. He must help her be rid of the drink and the binds of the brothel.

But when Hattie’s handed temptation, will she run back to her past or embrace the love growing between them?

Kisses in Keystone, the second-chance novel in the Seven Brides of South Dakota series by Kari Trumbo, combines romance, history, action, and faith into a story you won’t want to put down.

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©2018 Kari Trumbo (P)2018 Kari Trumbo

HUGH AND HATTIE—BY THE GRACE OF GOD

The second story in the Seven Brides of South Dakota will have Hugh Bradley, sent by the Arnsby family to locate Hattie. Hattie has been missing for about a year, and Sheriff Seth Bullock has deputized Hugh. The journey will bring him to Keystone to find a strung-out, emancipated Hattie. While he can get her out of the Red Garter, they must remain in Keystone until her status is handled.

Hattie Arnsby left her family's safety for a pipe dream, with faith that Roy was going to save her and marry her—but that dream quickly became a nightmare. He used her, then sold her to Ros at the Red Garter, and that is where Hugh will find her. Now they need to wait for a circuit judge to decide if she was coerced? Did she sign a document? And what will the future hold?

"He tricked me. He told me he cared. I don't want to be here anymore. I am Hattie Arnsby. Take me home, whoever you are."

"Good to find you, Miss Arnsby. Sorry it took me so long. I'm Hugh Bradly, and I'll get you out of her as quickly as I can."

I loved the dialog, characters, interaction, and realism of this tale. It has the good, the bad, and the ugly of life and people—but it also offers hope and a future with patience. The story is a clean, godly-based historical western without curse words or intimate scenes. It does have a happy ending and can read well as a stand-alone

The story was an emotional roller coaster ride as we listened to the audiobook. The author, Ms. Kari Trumbo, brings her characters to life and allows the reader or listener to become immersed in this tale. Both my husband and I talked about how sad it was that another human could do vile things to another person. Hattie wanted love and freedom and instead found abuse and prison. Forced to be a prostitute and staying so drunk she could escape from the pain of her life. But, this story is about perseverance, acceptance, not judging, learning to trust, learning that God never leaves us, and even when we think He has abandoned us, it is, in fact, us who has turned away from Him. When calling upon God, and listening to His voice, and following His lead, that salvation is given. This is one of the highs in this story.

"How can I believe in a God that ignores those who need Him most?"

Several people will play critical roles in helping Hattie see that God is there for everyone, and even when you doubt, He still loves you. Ezzy, the seamstress, Hugh Bradley, and several others will gently talk to Hattie about God and His love—and when Hattie listens and trusts, God directs her too.

"All right. You have my attention, God. The last two times I've wanted to give up, you presented a way of escape. I heard you tell me to jump, now what?"

Hugh and Hattie will both be challenged—when Sheriff Bullock and the Arnsby family can't come to Keystone—the telegram tells him to marry her—to protect her. Why would Hattie want to be forced to marry a stranger? Will God open Hugh's eyes to His word? Will Ezzy help Hattie see that she is more than a calico queen and has a chance for a future with Hugh? Will a wedding gown matter what color it is—or is finding a man who loves you no matter what has happened the happily ever after part?

"You wear whatever dress you want to wear. A wedding is one special day, a marriage is a lifetime."

Overcoming Addiction & Finding Self-Worth Again

Hattie’s addiction to alcohol and being charmed by the lying self-serving pimp who sold her into enforced prostitution caused her to fall deeper into despair and more dependent on alcohol to deal with a brutal life where she was starved, beaten, and used by men on a daily basis. Hugh was sent by her family to find and bring her home. But after all she’s been though and how people treat her Hattie doesn’t feel worthy to be part of her family anymore. She also lets her craving for alcohol cause her to wonder if she should just give up and go back to a hated but known life as a prostitute. This story was heart wrenching as Hattie had to learn to love herself again and believe that she was worthy of a better life. Unfortunately, there is still plenty of human trafficking and those who would choose to use others in despicable ways for their own gain in today’s world. And the topic of addiction is so relevant with so many people losing their way to it in so many different forms today. I felt Hattie’s despair as she tried to overcome it and find her self worth again while battling forces that tried to take away her freedom again.

The narrator had a nice even tone with inflections in the right places.

Romance with a Christian influence.

This is a story that tells of the trouble a headstrong woman, Hattie gets into, due to her dependence on alcohol and believing a rogue. Fortunately for Hattie, Hugh has been sent by her relatives to find her. There follows some dangerous times and a definite Christian theme. Hugh and Hattie are attracted to each other but Hattie wonders if Hugh can forgive her past. Hattie also has to work to overcome her addiction. The narrator had an easy voice to listen to and she changed her voice for the different characters.

Old West romance that shows Love helps healing!

The great second book in this series of seven sisters in South Dakota. In this story of a damaged woman who needs rescuing from some of her bad life choices, rides a hero that feels he needs to do something good to redeem himself. It is a very touching Christian romance as these two broken people feel love starting to grow. Very enjoyable listen made even better by the good narration.

Second book is twice as fun!

Hattie has run away thinking she will be free from the pressures of family only to be caught up in a very destructive life. 


Hugh has been asked to find Hattie and bring her home only to find how dangerous her new life has become. 


As he rescues Hattie from her new life, will he also be able to show her that she can also be redeemed and loved?



I really liked this book. The plot and characters were good and I really felt like this book is a stand alone. (the first book did not have that feeling since it came from a different series) Kari did a good job with the tension of the characters and the situations without getting graphic in Hattie's situation and bad choices. Meghan did a beautiful job with the narrative, pacing and both female and male characters! Looking forward to book 3!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.