4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good story, although not one of my favorite Howard novels, November 4, 2009
Plot Summary: This historical western romance features two love stories between best friends - there is the independent wild-cat farmer, Dee Swann, and her friend, the proper town heiress, Olivia Millican. Dee sits on the one parcel of land that never runs dry, the aptly named Angel Creek. All the local ranchers would love to buy her out, but Lucas Cochran soon decides that he wants Dee in the bargain too. Meanwhile Olivia has been steeling herself to accept Lucas since the whole town assumes they're an item, but she is drawn to a Mexican drifter who packs some serious iron. When a drought turns the countryside dry, Dee comes under attack and Lucas betrays her in order to save her.
This is the sure sign of a good, but forgettable story. I'm having really hard time coming up with anything to say for this review. There's nothing glaring or ugly for me to criticize, but I know I won't remember this one too well in a week or so. While I certainly don't have any complaints in the sensuality department (the love scenes were scorchers), I didn't get sucked into either romance on any deep emotional level. I've noticed that often happens in stories that feature more than one romance, and it felt like Ms. Howard was spread thin, trying to define two relationships in a little more than 300 pages.
I thought the historical details were adequate without being jaw-dropping. I've noticed that Ms. Howard is an expert at providing just enough backdrop to make things believable, but she doesn't go above and beyond in this particular story. I thought she had a nice balance between the lovers, although I probably liked alpha brute Lucas the least. He just didn't have enough endearing qualities to make up for his riding roughshod over everyone and everything. I actually would have liked to see the story focus on Luis Fronteras, the Mexican drifter who was all wrong for the demure banker's daughter, but he appreciates women as so few men do. That gentle quality when dealing with the female sex is appealing, especially when juxtaposed with Lucas, who would kiss Dee so hard he'd make her mouth bleed.
It's not bad, it's not great, and it's certainly not embarrassing. I'd say western romance fans would like it, but it's not one of Ms. Howard's barn burners.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Angel Creek, Double C, Bar B..., October 19, 2004
Set in the late 1800s, Prosper, Colorado. Dee Swan has lived alone for 5 years after her parents died. She lives in a little cabin on a plot of land called Angel Creek just outside of the town of Prosper. She is self suffient, growing her own vegetables, enough to feed herself and to sell to the local grocery store in town. The rest of her land lies fallow but is much prized by the local ranchers for its lush fields fed by the abundantly flowing creek.
One of those ranchers is the dark and handsome Lucas Cochran, who owns the most prosperous ranch in the area. As Lucas woos Dee they find themselves falling head over heels into a heated and passionate affair. But nothing will make Dee give up her independance which she has through owning Angel Creek. Lucas is not the only person after Angel Creek. Others in the area will try all ways to persuade Dee to give up her beloved land, even violence.
I loved the character of Dee because she is such a strong heroine, looking after herself and protecting her land. Lucas was a real gentleman and treated Dee as an equal, even though she is not from the same social circles as himself. Their encounters are sensual and passionate. The story is also held together by danger and suspense. This is my first book by Linda Howard and I was pleasantly surprised. I can't wait to order more books by Linda Howard. A very enjoyable read indeed!
Lea Ling Tsang
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very good, January 12, 2000
Lucas is a rather dashing rancher type..Dee is a smart, sassy and independant farmeress. When these two meet and wrangle over the Angel Creek valley sparks (and clothes) fly. I enjoyed this one very much, but will give it only four stars because the side romance of Olivia and the ranch hand fellow was distracting.
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