Customer Reviews

The Angel And The Outlaw (Harlequin Historical)

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

 

 

I just finished this novel. I felt it was pretty good for the most part, but I was a little disappointed by the ending.

What really bothered me is that the book cover did not fit the story line. By the cover you think it's a western romance (covered wagon in the background, the type of clothes they are wearing, etc.) which is the main reason why I chose it. Turns out the hero is a former ship's captain turned lighthouse keeper! Not sure what happened there...

The Angel and the Outlaw provides everything you'd expect from an excellent romance--an irresistable hero, a strong, interesting heroine, a fascinating plot, and excellent characterization. Better yet, this book mixes in a truly unique setting. The atmosphere of the remote, west coast lighthouse is conveyed with compelling detail. Don't be fooled by the cover--this book is so much more than a conventional Western. Each minor character is crafted with careful detail, and by the end of the book I felt like a part of the small, coastal town. Pick up The Angel and the Outlaw when you've got an uninterupted stretch of time, because you won't be able to put it down!

Lighthouse keeper Stuart Taylor is hiding. Having rescued the love of his life from the horrors of an abusive relationship only to lose her to the sea, he sets himself apart from all that would be close to him. Even his tiny, mute stepdaughter doesn't crack the hardened shell that Stuart keeps tightly wrapped around his emotions. And that's the way he likes it. Too much is at stake - because Stuart is a wanted man.

When Rachel Houston, the school mistress, asks for permission to teach his stepdaughter sign language, Stuart will do anything to keep her away from him. He doesn't need Rachel and he most certainly doesn't need to feel the awakening emotions invoked by the stubborn schoolmarm. Incidentally, keeping Rachel at arms length might just be harder that Stuart first thought.

Rachel Houston has never met a more exasperating and unlikable man in all her life. Stuart Taylor refuses to allow his daughter to go to school. Furthermore, he refuses to permit Rachel to teach the young girl sign language. Determined to help her student and unwilling to give up, Rachel sets out to break through the barriers erected by the elusive father. However, once she has breached through Stuart's defensives, will she be able to stand by and support the real Stuart Taylor that she uncovers?

THE ANGEL AND THE OUTLAW, in true historical style, swept me away to the coast of Southern California and Stuart's lighthouse. I watched in trepidation, worried that Stuart and Rachel would be unable to forge a relationship due to circumstances beyond their control. I am thrilled to say that Kathryn Albright didn't let me down - as a matter of fact this author delivers an intrinsically woven tale full of misconstrued emotions. With each and every scene filled with both emotional and physical desires and needs, THE ANGEL AND THE OUTLAW kept me riveted as each page was turned. As a lover of historical romance, I happily recommend this emotionally gripping book.

THE ANGEL AND THE OUTLAW was released by Harlequin in December 2007.

I haven't read a Harlequin since I was a teenager, but a friend recommended this one and I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! I really like how the excitement and mystery of coastal California in the 1800's was communicated by the author. The author is very proficient at showing the small town issues San Diego was dealing with back then. Albright really did her homework! When is your next book coming out?

Loved, loved, loved this book! In the past I've been disappointed by Harlequins, the characters in the stories I'd read just didn't seem to be well fleshed out, but that's not the case in The Angel and the Outlaw. Though I knew the hero and heroine were going to get together at the end, I was stumped as to how they were going to pull it all off. It was done in a convincing and totally believable manner. I couldn't put it down until I finished the final page. This is one for your keeper shelf.

This is one of those books that is so interesting you'll want to read it in one sitting. I couldn't do that, but I hated having to put it down. The scenes with the sea were very well done, like you were there, too. The only fault I found with the story was the way Stuart dealt with Terrance when Hannah broke an item; Stuart was pretty wimpy there.

This book was very well written and kept my interest to the very last page. It was hard to put down and not finish all at once! I have been to San Diego many times and could picture in my mind some of the places Kathryn Albright talked about. I've been to the lighthouse at Point Loma and that one seemed to fit the lighthouse description in the book. Kathryn really researched the historical part of the novel very well. I highly recommend reading The Angel and the Outlaw, and I can't wait to read her next book. Keep them coming Kathryn!!