Customer Reviews

Abbie's Outlaw (Harlequin Historical)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Reverend John Leaf, was a reformed gun-slinger, had vowed celibacy and never, ever wanted to marry, but when he saw the red-headed woman stepping off the train thought - here was trouble -nothing but trouble. The last time he'd seen Abbie was 15 years ago, naked holding a sheet against her as they were discovered together by her brother. John had left that same day, half-heartedly offering to take Abbie with him, but relieved she didn't agree as he was pretty young himself back then. Now, he was learning that he'd left behind a bit more than just a part of himself.

Abigail Windsor, was widowed after enduring fourteen years of misery married to an abusive husband. Even as he lay dying, the man had one last blow to inflict upon Abigail when he called their daughter Susannah to his bedside and told her that he was not her father, and gave her the file he'd kept on the outlaw Johnny Leaf. That last act of revenge caused Susannah to run from home in an attempt to locate the man who'd fathered her. In the process she would lead John's bitterest enemy to his door.

Knowing she had to find Johnny again, Abigail didn't know what she'd feel for the man who'd left her, and had never known she was pregnant. After years of marital abuse her thoughts on intimacy with any man were totally repugnant to her. Now after seeing Johnny again she discovered they both had own demons to fight, John with his past, and Abigail's disastrous marriage to a depraved and abusive man. Waiting for their daughter to arrive their passion for one another grew, and John and Abigail would learn of God's greatest gifts of love, healing and forgiveness.

I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written story that comes straight from the heart with depth, compassion, beautiful sensuality and a whole lot of soul! It will engage all your emotions and ultimately leave you- perhaps, with a tear or two in your eye - but totally satisfied. John was a complex character, horribly abused by his father, becoming a gunslinger for hire, bank robber, and killer who with the help of a guardian angel, called Silas, turned his life around and discovered God. Never expecting more than peace, denying himself for years of any hope of love, Abbie re-entering his life proved to be his biggest torment and God's greatest gift. Writen with incredible compassion containing tasteful sensuality, subtle humor, and a deep message of faith this author is definitely one that should be watched and read! Give yourself a treat and look up her other two titles as well - OF MEN AND ANGELS, and WEST OF HEAVEN - You won't be sorry! --- Marilyn, for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---

Seeing the 3 starred review "Missed Potential," I had to write to give my 5 star rating of this wonderful book. Bylin's phrasing is often almost poetical, but her strong suit, I believe, is making her characters memorable ones. I agree with "Missed" about the excellent storyline, but I think the flashbacks and dream sequences were well-done and necessary to round out the characters and to explain why they feel the way they do. There wasn't a chance for a "heart to heart" talk between father and daughter before the climax crisis occurs. We know how remorseful John Leaf feels about his murdering of the boys, and that he's willing to give his life as penance, so I don't think we need to read his letter to the boys' father. In fact, I liked the author giving the reader credit for filling in the blanks with our imagination--we don't need everything spelled out. Rev. John Leaf is a complex and lovable guy--and I loved the way he referred to a certain part of his body as "Judas-down-there" when lustful urges hit. I'm adding this Bylin to my keeper shelf, and I think you'll want to do the same.

The rev John Leaf is first introduced in Bylin's "west of heaven"which was outstanding. I was thrilled to have this sequel and expected awesome reading but was terribly disappointed. John Leaf is an ex-con having murdered 3 teenagers. Living with the guilt consumes him and in his hell, he finds religion. His childhood was horrible and he believes that he has 'bad' genetic blood so doesn't want children. He ministers in 'midas' and the finds friends and respect in this small town. Living a repentant life is complicated when he gets a telegram from his 'daughter' (whom he didn't know existed) who wants to meet her murderer father. And when her mother arrives in Midas looking for the runaway dtr, susanna, things become quite embroiling. The storyline is excellent. There is plenty of angst to go around. John is a hunk, (a tormented hunk). Abigail was forced into an abusive marriage to keep her out of wedlock baby and is now a widow trying to keep custody of her children. She has scars, physically and emotionally as bad as John's. Abbie is a battered woman in the truest sense and you hurt for both of these characters. There were a lot of flashback scenes and dream sequences and I always find that distracting. And of course a lot of personal lamenting, which was fairly repetitve with both characters. And there is never the 'heart to heart' that one waits for between father and daughter susanna. There's much talk about a letter john wrote to the dead boys father....but he never mailed it......and we never get to read it. One assumes it is filled with tears from his heart. Rev. Leaf is at his best in the bedroom as he tries to help abigail overcome her panic attacks and fear of intimate contact. He is alo incredibly perceptive when dealing with the children. I am so conflicted. I wanted this book to be a 5....and I love the characters....but something was missing. It just didn't live up to its potential.In spite of everything I still recommend it. Perhaps you will see this in a different light. It deserves a look-see.

Abbie's Outlaw by Victoria Bylin
Midas, New Mexico Series Book 2
Our hero in this book is a man with a dark past, real dark. John Horatio Leaf lived a life that some described as John having been to hell and back. Thanks to a prison stay and Silas Jones he was now known as Reverend John Leaf. He preached like he lived and as he saw life. When he receives a letter from a young girl saying she believed he was her father, his world came down around him. His father, Isaac Leaf, was pure evil and John did not want to pass those genes on to any child. He chose the single life as well in case his past ever caught up to him, especially Ben Gantry. When Abigail Moore Windsor comes to town and is looking for her runaway daughter, the one and same who sent him a letter, his world comes down even further. He had met Abbie when he was twenty-one and never really forgot her.
Abbie and he son, Robbie, came to Midas hoping to find Susanna there already. Instead she learns that she may have gone to Bitterroot, Wyoming and John had enemies of the worst kind there. Her father had pushed her to marry Robert Windsor when they found out she was with child and she has just lived the worst fourteen years ever. If she cried at Robert's funeral...they would have been happy tears. Seeing John brought up old feelings quickly. She just hoped he could be a loving father to their daughter. She had been treated badly all her life by Robert and her father, Judge Lawton Moore. The longer Abbie is around Midas with Johnny, the more she remembers that seventeen year old girl and how she felt about him back then, and maybe still. Only fourteen years of cruel treatment had turned her into a broken woman. Can these two people find the love from long ago and break through their pasts that hold them both prisoners?
Susanna's story is in the 3rd book: Midnight Marriage.

**Sexual situations within marriage.

Victoria Bylin's high degree of emotion, her believable flawed characters, and her credible writing style turn ABBIE'S OUTLAW into a very good story. This author knows the fundamental key to romance is the power of desire and she turns it!

When she was seventeen, Abbie Moore fell in love with the wrong man. She gave him everything she had - her virginity, her heart, and her future happiness. He gave her a daughter. Time passes; Abigail Moore Windsor has served fifteen years and a required trip through marital hell. The much-scarred widow now turns to the man who originally stole her heart - the Reverend John Leaf! Out of need, Abigail seeks him - but only for their daughter! What will it cost Abbie? Her freedom? No! Never! Abbie will never again submit to a man!

Once, Johnny Leaf was the scourge of the earth. He rode the land without conscience, without fear, without regret. Johnny Leaf hired his gun and took whatever got in his way or his desire. Seventeen-year-old Abbie Moore was a desire. Fifteen years and an unavoidable trip to prison turned an outlaw into a man of God. The reverend, in John Leaf, will not harm Mrs. Abigail Windsor. The man, in John Leaf, is not so sure! Fifteen years may have passed but John Leaf's desire, for the lady, has not!

While I would recommend this book highly, there are concerns. In ABBIE'S OUTLAW, Victoria Bylin's greatest success is her use of flickering memories and hinted secrets. This style of writing enhances a story; it is the stuff that keeps the reader in the pages. However, far too early, Bylin chose to reveal the characters' mysteries and to stop the shining memories. Why? This writing decision was destructive; it clipped off reading curiosity and it allowed Bylin's wonderful story to finish in mediocrity! I wanted more; I wanted more! Bylin teased me and made me want! Yes, without reservation, I recommend ABBIE'S OUTLAW. It is, by far, better than many books I have read, and yes, I will buy this author's next release. Still, I wanted more from Victoria Bylin's pen - she teased, she promised - I wanted deliverance!
Grade: B+

MaryGrace Meloche.

ABBIE'S OUTLAW is definitely a great follow-up to John's introduction in WEST OF HEAVEN.
Have you ever met a tormented soul on such a self-imposed road to redemption?

He feared his own brutality because of his father. And yet he is such a lovable, strong character. He has learned how to keep the widows and single ladies at bay and enjoys the children of his town.

He is afraid to learn that he has a daughter. As he seems to fear insanity runs in his blood.
Not that Abbie did not come with enough issues of her own. One being her controlling father. Her fear of physical intimacy and now she is determined not to let another man control her future.

Her son, Robert, causes enough trouble to catch John's interest and a bit of his discipline.
It is always great to revisit previous characters, Ethan Trent and his wife Jayne, now with a child of their own. John had a slight hand in bringing them together.

Excellent story, excellent characters, a bit of implied danger - reunions of both fathers and daughters. And a mystical ring.
Great.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - definite keepers.