Showing posts with label Patricia Potter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Patricia Potter. Show all posts

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Recent Read


Defiant by Patricia Potter

Why this one:  I’m still into the Western

Steam Level: Warm

Genre: Western

My Thoughts: The length of time it took me to read this book should not affect the grade.  Even though it took several weeks, I still enjoyed it quite a bit.  The main problem was I have it on my KOBO app and that app keeps crashing on me, then I get frustrated and stick more with Kindle or Ibooks.

This is a reread of a book I first read years ago and it was so long ago I only vaguely remember it so bonus for me.  This is the story of Mary Jo Williamson, her son Jeff and Wade Foster.

Mary Jo is the widow of a Texas Ranger.  She was being courted by another Texas Ranger who was killed in action.  He left her a ranch in Colorado and she decided to try her hand at ranching.  But she’s been running into difficulties as no one wants to work for a woman.  She and Jeff are struggling along when Jeff comes across a stranger almost dead.  They bring him home, patch him up and though he comes across as rather a tough hombre, she asks if he would be willing to stay and help for a few months, long enough to hire some hands and get things up and running.

But Wade wants no part of it.  He has a tragic past and he doesn’t really care if he lives or dies and the last thing he wants to do is get tangled up with the young widow he has a very strong attachment to and her hero worshiping son.  His family were murdered by Jayhawkers years before and as a result he joined the Bushwhackers and in time was just as bad.  But he’d had enough after the infamous attack in Centralia and headed to the mountains to get away from all society.  He met and became friends with the Ute Indian tribe to the point of marrying a young woman and becoming a father.  But his wife and son are murdered and he spends the next couple of years tracking down the ones who murdered them and making sure they would never kill again.  He finally tracked down the last of them and before he shot and killed the last thug, Wade was shot himself.

This is the point he was at when he was found by Jeff.  He has little interest in even living now that he has finished his mission of revenge.  All he really wants is to go away somewhere.  But he has no means of leaving as his horse was shot and he is in such bad shape himself.  Eventually he has no choice to agree to Mary Jo’s offer.  He wants to stay aloof but he can’t.  The attraction between he and Mary Jo only grows and he’s very drawn to Jeff after losing his own son so tragically.

I sound like a broken record with so many books, I know, but dang I enjoyed this book.  Wade was the strong, silent, Clint Eastwood or hello, Scott Eastwood type. 

 He really isn’t a bad man, but a good man who was drawn into bad things and hated himself for it.  He’s the perfect Western hero and a good example of why I adore this genre.

Mary Jo is a good heroine.  She’s tough and strong and not afraid to go after what she wants – like Wade.

And Ms. Potter also writes them good and gritty.  Not quite as much as Rosanne Bittner, but very true to life I think.  I’ve got a number of her backlist now as ebooks and there are a few more I really hope come out as ebooks sooner rather than later *cough - Notorious and Renegade – cough*

 I’m still in a big Western phase though I have read a few contemporaries in between that I’ve enjoyed.  But I keep being drawn back to the strong, silent, working class with a bit of a bad boy, Western hero and I’m quite happy to live there for a while longer.

I just started another older Western book by her, Diablo and I only vaguely remember it either.  I’m barely into it but it’s bringing back good feelings.

 Grade: 4 out of 5
 
Would I read it again?  I already have and I would again.
 
'til later


 

Sunday, October 04, 2009

Recent Reads – the Lightning Reviews

Although I haven’t been blogging much lately, I have been reading and reading some good books as well as a not so good book or two. I don’t want these to get missed so these are the quickie mini review version. I’ll forgo the main stuff and go right the My Thoughts


Warning though - the fonts have a mind of their own and are completely wonky. I've tried fixing them but alas it's all too no avail



Never Love A Lawman by Jo Goodman


Rachel Bailey may seem like just a beautiful newcomer to most of Reidsville, Colorado, but Sheriff Wyatt Cooper knows she's much more. Through a twist of fate, Rachel is the inheritor of a very valuable commodity: control of the railway that keeps the isolated mining town connected to the world. That is, she will be, if she agrees to the surprising stipulation in her benefactor's will -- that she marry Wyatt.


Rachel has no choice: refusing the marriage could put all of Reidsville in the hands of an outsider -- and not just any outsider, but the cruel tyrant she has come here to escape. Yet living with Wyatt will be her greatest challenge. For he has a tempting way about him that makes Rachel forget theirs is a marriage in name only -- until her frightening past shows up to remind them exactly how much they have at stake...


My Thoughts: One of the things I find so appealing about Ms. Goodman’s books is the rich writing and intricate stories – so much so that characters you know at the end get aren’t really how the characters you see at the beginning. Her books can’t be read quickly; instead they are best read in small bites in order not to miss her characterisations. I’ve noticed this especially since The Compass Club series.


Because this style of writing isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, there are some readers who aren’t as big of fans as I am. I think those readers just might want to try this one now. NLAL is a lot lighter book by Jo Goodman than I’ve read for a while. It was a bit disconcerting as I was expecting another deep read. So I think those readers who like a slightly lighter quicker read should give this one a try. And it is a Western.


What I always do love about Jo Goodman’s characters is their intelligence and NLAL is no exception. Both Wyatt and Rachel are smart, savy and great characters. Rachel keeps very much to herself and doesn’t let anyone get too close. She’s a favourite fantasy amongst the men of the town but she keeps them all at arms length. This all changes when Wyatt brings her the news that an old friend has passed away and left her quite a nice inheritance. But it comes with strings. One of the biggies is that she and Wyatt must marry. She is quite hesitant with this one, but Waytt convinces her that the town depends on her. She doesn’t want it to be a ‘real’ marriage, but once again, this is a romance so of course nature takes its course between the two of them. The dialogue, as always, is witty and fun and Rachel and Wyatt are both quite believable. The secondary characters are interesting and there is a nice secondary romance.

This one isn’t my favourite Goodman book, but nevertheless, it’s still a nice read. And it is a Western.


Grade: 4 out of 5




Where the Wind Blows by Caroline Fyfe


Chase Logan liked being a loner, a drifter, free and clear as a mountain stream. But one look into Jessie Strong's sky blue eyes and in the span of a heartbeat, he found himself agreeing to be her husband--and a father!


Jessie knew it was all pretend. And only temporary. Just until the adoption went through for three-year-old Sarah. But the longer Chase stayed, the less she could imagine a long, lonely Wyoming winter without him.

Times may be tough--supplies short and danger

just outside the doorstep--but with the strength of the pioneer spirit and the warm glow of love in their hearts, Chase and Jessie are determined to have a true family at last, no matter ...WHERE THE WIND BLOWS


My Thoughts: I got this book when I read Sandy M’s review at The Good, The Bad, the Unread during The Great Western Drive. It sounded right up my alley – and it was. It was a Golden Heart winner and I can see why. It’s a gentle story of two lost souls who find each other and along with two orphan children, find their way to making a family.


Chase Logan visited our heroine, Jessie Strong, to let her know about her husbands death. But he inadvertently finds himself staying to help her out of a jam. She wants to adopt a little girl and is afraid that her husband’s death will prevent that from happening. So she coerces Logan into playing her husband. Logan doesn’t plan on staying, but things get more and more complicated as the money her dead husband had that he meant to give to her is stolen, a nosy neighbour interferes and he becomes attached to the children living with Jessie.

Chase is a compassion.


ate, honest, caring Beta kind of hero and Jessie is a strong, loyal heroine who feels bad at the railroading of Logan because of her, yet needing him at the same time.


This is the kind of Western I hope readers are curious enough to try. I think they will enjoy it.


Grade: 4 out of 5




Dangerous Passions by Lisa Marie Rice

Feelings kill faster than bullets.

That is Drake's creed. A legend, a renegade, a ruthless, powerful enigma understood by no one and feared by all, Viktor "Drake" Drakovich heads up a billion-dollar empire—and shows no mercy to the many enemies who would stop at nothing to destroy him. He is a man with no love and no weakness, until...

Grace Larsen takes Drake's breath away the first time he sees her—and quickly becomes his obsession. Never before has he burned for someone the way he desires this hauntingly beauti

ful artist who is plagued by troubling dreams. He aches to possess her, to protect her, to carry her to new heights of sensuous arousal and rapturous release.

But entering Drake's world means becoming a target—for relentless, bloodthirsty foes have been eagerly waiting for him to expose his weak spot. And the price of their passion may be their lives.

My Thoughts: Ahhhh – another Lisa Marie Rice book I really enjoyed. I find the key to her books is not to read them close together. They start reading very similar, but if you read them far apart, they are very enjoyable.

This one garnered some controversy when it came out due to the nature of Drake’s profession and the fact that the heroine shrugged it off, yet was all freaky that he didn’t sell drugs. I’ll confess, while I can see their point, this one didn’t bother me. I love Lisa Marie Rice’s books for the hero’s absolute devotion to her heroines and this one was no exception. Drake was loooove struck from the first moment he saw a painting by Grace and when he saw her, he deviated from his life of complete security so he could observe her from a distance once a month. But as you can imagine, a gun runner has many enemies and he was sold out to one of them. There was an attack on him while he was Grace’s once a month visit to the art gallery and in order to protect and save her, once they escape from his enemy, Drake takes her to his secured location.

Now in real life, to have someone this devoted; this obsessed, would be creepy but in a Lisa Marie Rice book, if you can suspend belief enough, you have a hero who is wrecked for the heroine and would do anything – anything to save her. And this can be pretty darn compelling in a work of Romantic Suspense. I found it so anyway and I think this just might be my favourite of her books so far. Drake is so gone for Grace. He’s mysterious and sexy and focused on Grace. In most of LMR’s books, the heroines are troubled innocents and this one is no exception. But I liked Grace, I really did.

If you can suspend belief, not let a gun running obsessed hero bother you, then this is a great book.

Grade: 4.5 out of 5


Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare

In this lush and seductive novel, exciting new author Tessa Dare takes desire to brazen heights. Ever the bold adventuress, Lucy Waltham has decided to go hunting for a husband. But first she needs some target practice. So she turns to her brother's best friend, Jeremy Trescott, the Earl of Kendall, to hone her seductive wiles on him before setting her sights on another man. But her practice kisses spark a smoldering passion -- one that could send all her plans up in smoke. Jeremy has an influential title, a vast fortune, and a painful past full of long-buried secrets. He keeps a safe distance from his own emotions, but to distract Lucy from her reckless scheming, he must give his passions free rein. Their sensual battle of wills is as maddening as it is delicious, but the longer he succeeds in managing the headstrong temptress, the closer Jeremy comes to losing control. When scandal breaks, can he bring himself to abandon Lucy to her ruin? Or will he risk his heart and claim her for his own?

My thoughts: This one got a lot of buzz in Washington and it was one I was really hoping to scoop. But alas, when I got to her table there were no more copies. But being one who enjoys purchasing new authors, I bought a copy later. The reviews have been quite positive for this one, but I'll be honest. When I read the back cover and read things like "bold adventures" and "hone her seductive skills" I was thinking uh oh - not sure if I'll like this one.

But a funny thing happened once I started reading it. I found it charming - utterly and completely charming. Lucy is a stubborn one though. Once she tries her wiles on Jeremy and feels something, she's still determined to go after her other brothers friend Toby. You see, Toby had paid attention to a lonely young girl that Lucy was and she thinks this means they are meant to be, but Toby has his eye on another young woman. Jeremy, on the other hand is a real 'stick in the mud' and Lucy has challenged his stuffiness all their lives.

But instead of being annoying, Lucy is charming and funny and a very enjoyable heroine. And Jeremy is yummers! This book is funny in many places and I found myself smiling and chuckling quite often. I love when that happens. So the buzz has been right. This is a good one.

Grade: 4.25 out of 5



Beloved Warrior by Patricia Potter

The conclusion to Potter's 16th century-set Scottish Highland Trilogy (following Beloved Stranger) gives proof to what her fans may already know: Potter keeps getting better with every outing. Sparkling with high seas drama and tender romance, the story of the eldest Maclean brother, Patrick, opens six years into his imprisonment aboard a Spanish slave ship. Following Patrick's plan, he and his fellow oarsmen successfully mutiny, putting him on the route home to Scotland, where he can find out what's become of his family and claim his inheritance. His plan is complicated, however, when he discovers two women among the passengers: the ship owner's daughter, Juliana Mendoza, and her maid, Carmita. Honor-bound to protect them despite his searing hatred for Juliana's father, Patrick keeps the two from the rapacious designs of the other mutineers. Initiall

y distrustful, they're both awakened, soon enough, to the kindness and bravery in each other. Upon reaching Scotland, both have given themselves over to mutual passion, despite Juliana's impending nuptials to a powerful English viscount, a union she can only abandon by imperiling her mother. Potter has an expert ability to invest in fully realized characters and a strong sense of place without losing momentum in the details, making this novel a pure pleasure.

I mentioned during The Great Western Drive that Patricia Potter has written some great Westerns. She is one of my favourite (former – heavy sigh) Western authors. So why I waited so long to read this book is beyond me. I’ve had it since it was published in 2007 and kind of languished there. But thank goodness I finally got around to reading it because I REALLY enjoyed this one!! Think swashbuckling and that gives you a good feel for this one. I haven’t read the previous two books in the series – but that should soon be rectified since I’d barely finished this book when I ordered the first two. Patrick MacLean had been betrayed a number of years earlier

and as a result, was a galley slave on board a Spanish ship. But over the years he’s slowly been working on a plan to free himself and his fellow slaves. Finally his chance comes and while he doesn’t think he has much of a chance, he’s willing to die trying rather then die as a slave. Much to his surprise, the plan works and he and his group take over the ship. But on board the ship is a young Spanish woman Julianna Mendoza. Although bitter and hardened over the years, Patrick still has a core of honour and protects Julianna from the rest of the mutineers. She was on her way to England to marry a man her father insisted she wed, even though she’s never met him before. This is the last thing she wants to do, but she is willing in order to save her mother who still under the thumb of her ambitious, cold hearted father.

There is a great deal of chemistry between Patrick and Julianna but neither wants to act on it; Patrick because he is still in a great deal of trouble for the mutiny and Julianna is still planning on going through with the wedding. Patrick’s plan is to sail the ship to Scotland where he will set Julianna free. But this is

a romance, so they give into the growing feelings they have for each other and plans change.

As mentioned, this is the third in the series, but it read quite well as a stand-alone. Patrick’s two brothers play large roles in the story and now I’m really wanting to read their stories. These books take place in the sixteenth century, a refreshing change of time.

Beloved Warrior is a great swashbuckling type of story and I can hardly wait until the first two arrive in the mail – that will be a good mail day

Grade: 4.5 out of 5


The Kept Woman by Susan Donovan

WHEN A GOOD-GIRL DIVORCE Playing by the rules has left Samantha Monroe with an AWOL ex-husband, maxed out credit cards, and the task of raising three children on a hairstylist''s salary. It''s time for a new game plan. When Sam learns that politician Jack Tolliver needs someone to play the part of his fiance for six months in return for a generous paycheck, she''s ready to sign up on the spot. MEETS A BAD-BOY POLITICIAN Jack needs Sam and her kids to help tone down his image from womanizing cad to dependable dad. But he was expecting Sam to be a frumpy single mom, not a wickedly smart, sexy redhead. Keeping nosey newshounds from discovering that his engagement is a charade is going to be a tough job, but one mind-blowing kiss from Sam and suddenly Jack is ready to put in all the overtime necessary... LOVE WINS IN A LANDSLIDE... Now, with scheming opponents itching to bring Jack down, Sam''s ex returning to stir up trouble, one stubborn pre-schooler, two squabbling teenagers, a crazy dog, and some out-of-this-world sex, Jack and Sam are discovering that playing make-believe can be complicated-but not nearly as much as falling in love...
My Thoughts: *sigh* and then we come to this book. I seem to have almost a love/hate relationship with Susan Donovan. I loved everything she had written, specially Take A Chance on Me up until He Loves Lucy which I hated. I start out wanting to love books and it's up to them to be downgraded. Right off the bat I downgraded this one because the hero is a politician and if you read my post down further, I hate politicians. To make matters worse, Jake Tolliver is a playboy politician - double shudder. His campaign manager comes up with a plan to make him more appealing to voters since his dog ways have turned off voters. Unfortunately I just couldn't buy into the solution - not at all. The choice to con the voters is divorced mother of 3, Samantha Monroe, a hair stylist. I just couldn't buy into this solution at all. Why would the voters find this sudden turnaround - from single, dog, bachelor, rich guy who is now engaged to a middle class mother. Didn't work. I got pretty far into the book before admitting defeat and calling it a DNF. It's not the writing. I thinks she's a great writer and I will continue to give her a try. But I just could not warm up - at all - to either the hero or heroine. I'm looking forward to her next book, but The Kept Woman just wasn't for me.

I know - it's odd what I can and can't buy in a story - gun running obsessive guy - no problem. Playboy politician - nope. Grade: DNF

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

THE GREAT WESTERN DRIVE - DAY 3

Part 1

Read A Western; Gamblers Need Love Too



Yesterday was all about the books. And what would the books be without the authors that write the books? There are so many fabulous authors who have written Westerns over the years, I'm almost afraid to tackle this topic as I know I will be leaving so many good authors out. Here are a list of 10 who have blown me away over the years - in no particular order



When I think Western this first author comes to mind right away. I've already featured one of her books this week and I could spotlight a lot more. I wish I had started keeping track of grades and outlines a long time ago so my memory wouldn't be so spotty. But although some may be a bit hazy in the list I'm giving of this author, I know I enjoyed them all!


Patricia Potter
Lawless
Defiant
Diablo
Relentless
Renegade (my first PP book)
Seize the Fire
The Marshal and the Heiress
The Scotsman Wore Spurs
Wanted

And these are just her Westerns!! She has quite a few others I've read and enjoyed too.


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This author has written so many heartwarming stories. She's no longer writing Westerns and I miss her Westerns like crazy. Reading them was like cuddling up in a nice warm blanket on a cold stormy night

Stef Ann Holm
Crossings
Harmony
Hearts
Hooked
Forget Me Not
Portraits
Weeping Angel

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This next author has also left the Western Fold. It's been a while since she's had a book out and I hope she comes back - soon! Her books are those of the poignant kind, the kind that make you sigh at the end.

Alexis Harrington
Allie's Moon
The Bridal Veil
Desperate Hearts
Harper's Bride
Montana Born and Bred
A Taste of Heaven

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This next author - oh this next author - how I loved her Westerns. She moved into contemporary but I think she might now be writing Inspirational Romance. And I will follow her there. She's always been an autobuy author for me

Jill Marie Landis
After All
Come Spring
Last Chance
Past Promises
Rose
Sunflower


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I so miss this next author's Westerns. We won't get into why she's not writing them anymore - it makes me angry. I've also featured one of her books yesterday, but all of them are wonderful

Susan Kay Law
Home Fires
The Last Man in Town
One Lonely Night
Reckless Angel
A Wanted Man


Well - that's five authors so far. If I were like Wendy, I would have had these all ready to go, but since I'm the Great Procrastinator, I left it until last minute - and then I simply HAD to watch SYTYCD Canada. Combine that with working the later shift and time is not my friend! So tomorrow - five more.
And there is something else I've been working on which ties into this too that is coming up soon!

Well isn't this just ducky - none of the links work and it's 1:14 am. There's not much point yelling "They Do!! They Do Exist. I was there!!"
I shall fix links tomorrow.

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Update

I hate to say this - but my "fix" is lame *heavy sigh* I pondered it while trying to get to sleep earlier this morning and short of tracking down all kinds of links all over the place, or writing short blurbs which I'd love to do if I had the time, (and after not going to bed until real late) the energy, or calling in sick (which is tempting but not good little worker bee approved) and fixing them *breath* I came up with this lame way of doing it.
Fiction DB is a GREAT website - just type in the authors name and a list of all their books comes up. Then click on them for the cover and blurb. It's become my go-to site.

And Wendy has Wednesdays post up wherein she shares the Maggie Osborne lurve.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

THE GREAT WESTERN DRIVE - DAY 2




Read A Western; Lawmen Need Love Too

Yesterday's post was why we love Westerns. Today we go into detail with books! I asked Wendy and Sybil for a list of 5 Westerns they loved. I figured with my five, Sybil's five and Wendy's five, that gives fifteen books that we loved to choose from.


I've been reading the comments on Wendy's Day 1 blog on why she loves Westerns and a couple of points stood out for me. Evangeline pointed out that many of the Westerns she's read
"I'm fond of Westerns, but I'm picky because they are either too sweet and cloying, or the plots and characters seem like the author took basic tropes common to British historicals and put them out West to make them more palatable."

And that is true. I've read some sweet ones. And I've enjoyed them. But there are also Westerns with a grittier style and lots of meat to them. When I was thinking of five books to recommend, I said to my pardners that I could come up with 5 x's 5 very easily. In looking down at the books below that I've narrowed it down to, most of these are of the grittier yet poignant variety. Hopefully she will see something that appeals to her in this batch.



Joe's Wife by Cheryl St. John

Memories...

Tye Hatcher returned to Aspen Grove to find that life in the sleepy Western town hadn't changed much. The townspeople stubbornly refused to see the man he had become. That is, everybody but Meg Telford. Meg definitely took notice of the reticent rancher and gave him a chance in life when no one else would. Still, Meg clung to the memories of her late husband, afraid of the feelings Tye aroused in her heart. And though Tye vowed to prove his worth to the town, could he ever prove to Meg that he was worthy of her love?


This isn't the first time I've mentioned this book. It was one of the books in the Guess That Book contest I had in 2008. I can't think of a better book to start my list with. I've read all of Cheryl St. Johns books - starting way back in 1994 with Rain Shadow and I've loved every one. But there is something about Joe's Wife that just 'gets' me every time I read it. I'm not often brought to tears when reading, but this one comes so close to it for me



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The Badman's Bride by Susan Kay Law

He'll leave town when he's good and ready...and when the pretty and proper young schoolmarm consents to be his bride.

A BAD MAN'S DESIRE

At first glance, the lovely Easterner Anthea Bright seems woefully unsuited for her position as the new schoolmarm in Haven, Kansas. But behind that fine finishing school polish is a fiery spirit and a determination to succeed. Gabriel Jackson, however, is a different kind of challenge. The intensely passionate, devastatingly sexy man is Haven's most disreputable citizen -- and he's put Anthea's level head and her heart in a furious spin. How can the prim, pretty newcomer hope to stand firm to her principles when she feels breathless whenever Gabriel's near? And though a small voice inside tells her the "bad man's" not nearly as bad as his reputation would suggest, does she dare surrender to this dangerous stranger who is bound and determined to make Anthea his bride?


Susan Kay Law has written some wonderful Westerns. It was hard to choose one, but I picked this one because it was one of her last ones published by Avon and hopefully one of the easiest to find. And a bonus for those who have Kindles - it's available at Amazon as a Kindle book!



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Heart of the Hawk by Justine Dare

HE WAS HER DOWNFALL

Notorious gunslinger Joshua Hawk was to hang in Gambler's Notch when the sun rose. He had but one regret. He had never found his grandfather's book with his family's history--and prophecy that the Hawk line would never die. Yet Josh didn't die at daybreak because the young widow of the man he shot suddenly lied to set him free. He wanted to know why. . .

OR HER DESTINY...

Kate Dixon looked into the cold eyes of the Hawk and felt him steal her breath away. He had freed her from her brutal husband only to swoop down and take possession of her heart. It seemed as if some force had brought them together to complete a fate ordained long ago. But as swiftly as his passion aroused her, his reputation attracted dangerous men. To save her, the Hawk would have to leave her and move on. . . unless, to save him, Kate stood her ground and fought for the love of her life. . .


I LOVE Justine Dare/Davis' earlier books. Her Futuristics are rereads. She also did a very interesting series about a book that is handed down when there is one last Hawk left and this one is the Western one. This choice was an easy one!!



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Fair is the Rose by Meagan McKinney

THE BEAUTY BEHIND THE BLACK VEIL
Christal Van Alen was wanted from Maine to Missouri. Swathed in widow's weeds, she was running to Wyoming Territory ... when the outlaw Macaulay Cain captured their stagecoach and the aristocratic new Yorker was prisoner again. She couldn't trust the infamous outlaw; she couldn't share her real name or her secret past. Yet he was her only hope against the dangerous gang of gunmen that held her. And even as she clung to him for protection, she fought against the passions that threatened to betray her--until one explosive night when all secrets must be revealed--and she was a fugitive again....

THE COLD-EYED OUTLAW WOULD UNVEIL HER...
He was a man who could take--or leave--a woman at will. Then Macaulay Cain encountered the mysterious, ravishing "Widow Smith." tier honor, her shattered innocence, became his obsession. She was a woman whose secrets he vowed to unlock even as she fled his embrace. Why did she run? If it took him years, he would find her, possess her, unlock her darkest secrets--even if it cost him his life....


This is actually a sequel to the more well known Lion's and Lace. This is the story of the younger sister who was held in an insane asylum but escaped and headed west. If you like your books gritty, this is one to be read!


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Notorious by Patricia Potter

Their rivalry was as fierce as the attraction between them. They were kindred spirits who had walked on the dark side of life: Marsh, the strong lover she both feared and hungered for; Cat, the angel who could destroy him... or give him back his soul.

A SENSUOUS CAT

The owner of the most popular saloon in San Francisco, Catalina Hilliard used her exotic beauty to draw men into the Silver Slipper. Long ago she had vowed never to give away her heart, but she hadn't counted on the striking good looks of Marsh Canton ....

A DARK AND DEADLY GUNMAN

Catalina knew Marsh Canton was trouble the moment she first saw him. Something in his gray eyes warned that he was a dangerous man. He was not the first to attempt to open a rival saloon next door to the Silver Slipper, but she saw a steely strength in him that had been missing from the men she'd driven out of business. Even more perilous to Cat's plans was the spark of desire that flared between them ...a desire that was about to spin her carefully orchestrated life out of control.


Patricia Potter is one of my favourite Western authors and I could have picked from a number of her books. But this one is the one I most recently reread and was very happy to discover it stood the test of time very well. It's the sequel to another book I loved and reviewed in 2006. For those who love a strong and determined heroine, this one is a Western to try! Her website is Very out of date though - methinks it needs an update!



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Plus one more!
I know I said five, but Wendy had a request from Victoria Jannsen for Fall From Grace. While I have that one in the TBR pile - I haven't read it yet. The best I can do is.....



The Way Home by Megan Chance


Eliza Beaudry was determined to get out in the big, wide world - even if it meant trading a few kisses for her freedom. When she met traveling gambler Cole Wallace, she thought her fantasies had come true. But Cole's daydreams didn't include Eliza Beaudry. He was a man used to taking what he wanted, so he took what Eliza offered - and neither of them thought about what might happen later.

Penniless and pregnant, Eliza found a savior in Cole's shy brother, Aaron, who fell for her instantly. He surely wasn't the man of her dreams, but could her dreams change?


This is another book that if I were a crier, I would have been sobbing in my hankie!! It has a very unusual premise that you don't see in nearly enough romance books. Eliza, the heroine is desperate to get away from her controlling parents and has this plan..... When she ends up pregnant, it is the younger brother of the father who steps up to the plate. Aaron will truly break your heart!! This one is just wonderful!!


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So there you have it - 5 + 1 Westerns that made me sigh and almost cry and ones I think any romance reader, even if they don't read Westerns, might just to help change their opinion of this fascinating genre.


Now I can hardly wait to see what books Sybil and Wendy have come up with!!