Take a trip to the Old West with Cathy McDavid’s new audiobook The Gate to Eden. With a female Robin-Hood-like character falling for the man trying to put her behind bars, it’s a story full of drama, danger, and excitement.

After a mining accident leaves her family, friends, and community destitute, Maddie Campbell helps in the only way she can—leading a group of women to thieve, rob, and steal from the wealthy. The crimes catch attention, and former lawman Scott McSween arrives in town to investigate. Of course, complications ensue as Maddie and Scott get to know one another—could the pair, being on opposite sides of the law, possibly get to a happily ever after?

Now, there are plenty of parts of The Gate to Eden I enjoyed, but I didn’t quite believe the romance. The love is a little too instant for my tastes, and given the opposing roles Maddie and Scott play, I would have liked to see more depth, beyond their attraction. Add in some obvious repetition, and it just wasn’t my favorite.

Still, The Gate to Eden is a fun story, and the audiobook is well done. If the story has piqued your interest, it could be worth checking out—it has received plenty of reviews more raving than mine. (Plus, my library has the audiobook available on hoopla, so why not give it a try?)

Thanks to Prism Book Tours, I received a complimentary copy of The Gate to Eden and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. ( )

I loved the premise of this book--a group of down-on-their-luck widows who have turned to a life of crime in order to survive, and the lawman-turned-PI who always gets his man who's hired to stop them. Of course the leader of the robbery gang is going to fall for the PI, and vice versa! What could possibly go wrong? ;)

Ms. McDavid, a new-to-me author, did a great job of ratcheting up the tension and conflict in this story. Maddie and Scott are both very sympathetic characters, and though they have some solid chemistry, it's hard to imagine for much of the book that they could really end up together in the end. Though of course I knew what I wanted to happen (and what should happen, in a just world, because the women of Eden weren't destitute because of anything that was within their control!) there were honestly times that I wasn't sure that things could convincingly lead to an HEA for Maddie and Scott. Fortunately Ms. McDavid succeeded, giving us an ending that put a smile on my face.

I enjoyed the narrator--he had a great voice that really helped to transport the reader to the old west setting. Unlike some male narrators, his female voices weren't at all grating, which was refreshing. I'd definitely listen to another book narrated by him in the future.

Rating: 4 stars / B+

I voluntarily listened to an audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ( )

This book was a nice surprise. I have never heard of McDavid but Kristie recommended it and I since I like Am. Historicals I had to try it. I sometimes have problems with heroine thief characters but Maddie's actions were forgivable and understandable. The plot was fast paced, believable and the characters were well drawn with a very good hero. I wouldn't mind trying another by this author. (Grade: B) ( )