TILL MY LAST DAY

• Author: Deborah Swenson
• ASIN:   B0CW8KP652
• Publisher:  Nor-Mar Press
• Date Published: April 4 2024
• Language:  English
• Paperback: 390 pages
• ISBN-13: ‎   979-8218961169
• Genre:   Western fiction

Book Description (from Amazon.ca)

Rebecca Young Ackerman was raised to be a prominent lady in Boston society in the late 1800s. Being the dutiful daughter, albeit young and naive, she always did as her father said. When he marries her off to a man of his choosing, she realizes how fast dreams of marital bliss can fall apart. Fearing for her life, an unexpected telegram regarding her brother gives her the opportunity she needs to take her boys and flee from her narcissistic husband. Always looking over her shoulder, her fear is real. Traveling across the country, a chance encounter with a certain gentleman finds herself wishing for a better life.

Nathaniel ‘Nate’ Burns
In 2016, Nathaniel Burns, a well-respected police officer serving the tough neighborhood of Roxbury in Boston, finds his partner and himself answering a domestic violence call one airless summer night. Events unfold quickly, and he suddenly finds life as he once knew it, coming to a tragic end. Due to his mother’s ‘Celtic Gift,’ Nathaniel is transported back to 1875 to begin life anew. What he didn’t expect was to fall in love with a lady in peril in the Arizona desert of 1880. Both long for a new life, but can they leave their past behind to find love?

My Thoughts

Till My Last Day is the second novel in the Desert Hills Trilogy. For those who didn’t read the first book, no worries. This novel stands alone quite well. The story starts off with Rebecca Ackerman fearing for her life. She is in an abusive marriage, in a time where divorces were not common, and no support system. She knows if she doesn’t get out, she will not survive. It isn’t until she gets a telegram regarding her brother that gives her hope in escaping.  

It is this journey Rebecca gets a taste of what life should be like. But fear is still there and she is constantly looking over her shoulder wondering who could potentially working for her husband. Despite this fear, she accepts the help of a stranger. He is like no other and the chemistry between them – undeniable. However, she is a married woman and knows she has to be careful.

What an incredibly well written story! The development of the characters so well done. The plot twists and turns are bountiful, most of which I never saw coming!  There were times I was so engrossed in the story, I felt like a bystander.  It takes a lot for an author to bring me into the story like this one did but because it was so relatable and accurate, it was easy. Ms. Swenson was spot on in describing what Rebecca was thinking and feeling. I will say for those readers having gone through domestic violence; this could be a trigger but know Ms. Swenson did an incredible job at writing about it. I can’t say too much or I will give the story away but this should be on EVERYONE’s “to be read” list. I will definitely be going back to read the first one and can’t wait to read the third installment which readers get a sneak peek at!

Rating: 5

Review by: KellyR