Early Dawn [Mass Market Paperback]

Catherine Anderson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 2012

Readers love the Coulter family. Now meet their ancestors...

Matthew Coulter can't stand to see a woman being mistreated. So when he spots Eden Paxton, who's been kidnapped by a band of murderous outlaws, Matthew feels compelled to save her. As they run for their lives, Eden can't help wondering which will win out: Matthew's obsession with revenge-or their growing passion for eachother...

New York Times bestselling author Catherine Anderson lights up the Old West with a new tale of love, danger, and redemption.

After breaking off thier engagement, Eden Paxton's fiance spreads so many rumors about her that she is forced to leave San Francisco. Her pride bruised, an angry Eden heads for the wilds of Colorado to live with her half brothers. But murderous outlaws cut the trip short when they kidnap her, intending to sell her across the Mexican border.

Ever since a gang murdered his wife, Matthew Coulter cannot see a woman being mistreated without vowing to rescue her--and exacting vengeance against the evildoers. So when he spots Eden with the ruffians, Matthew takes fierce, focused action to save her.

As Eden and Matthew run for their lives, she recognizes a kind heart beneath Matthew's rugged exterior. But she wonders which will win out: his obsession with revenge--or their growing passion for each other.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Catherine Anderson''s novels are:

"Heartwarming, gentle, sensual...satisfying."
--Library Journal

"Richly rewarding."
--Booklist

About the Author

Catherine Anderson lives in the Oregon mountains with her husband and her Rottweilers, Sam and Sassy, who seem convinced that they are teacup poodles and that obedience training is for people. Catherine spends leisure time with her family and friends, including her sons and daughter-in-law, often discussing intriguing story twists for her books. Such talks can draw curious stares if they happen to take place in a restaurant and involve plotting the demise of a fictitious villain.

An award-winning author of twenty published works, Catherine is currently working on her next full-length romance for Onyx.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Signet; Regular Print/Single Titl edition (January 31, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 045122874X
• ISBN-13: 978-0451228741
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #609,107 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Catherine Anderson lives in the pristine woodlands of Central Oregon.

She is married to her high
school sweetheart, Sid, and is the author of more than twenty bestselling and award-winning historical and contemporary romances.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A mellifluous story that will capture your heart and imagination., December 29, 2009

By 

Detra Fitch "Always hunting good books." (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Early Dawn (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1887 the Sebastian Gang assaulted Matthew Coulter Junior and his wife, Olivia. When Matthew regained consciousness, he learned that the gang had left him for dead. To Olivia, they had not only physically assaulted her, but also tortured her before finally killing her. In the aftermath, Matthew honed his weaponry skill, locked up all his emotions somewhere deep within, and vowed to track and kill all six Sebastian brothers.

In 1890, Eden Paxton and her mother, Dory, left San Francisco after Eden's fiancé broke off their engagement (in a letter) and spread rumors about her. As Eden and Dory travel toward Colorado, to live near her brothers, their train is held up by the Sebastian Gang. They kidnap Eden, intending to sell her across the Mexican border. Matthew comes upon the train shortly afterward. When Dory informs him of her daughter's abduction, he realizes he must delay his vengeance in order to rescue Eden, should she still live, and get her to safety.

During Matthew's three years of tracking the Sebastian Gang, Matthew managed to kill one of them, bringing the gang's number down to five. Eden is with the ruffians five days before Matthew locates them. Yet even after all the brutes' mauling and abuse, Eden is able to recognize the kind heart beneath Matthew's rugged exterior.


**** FOUR STARS! Catherine Anderson's mellifluous stories will capture your heart and imagination. This western overflows with believable characters, suspense, drama, and a slow-blooming romance. You will not find any faint-of-heart heroine here! Eden's brothers taught her some self-defense moves and forced her to practice with weapons. Highly recommended reading! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 STARS! AMAZING!!!, January 4, 2010

By 

B. Adams - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Early Dawn (Mass Market Paperback)

As I read the first 3 reviews, I kindof was surprised...Maybe the readers should go back and re read the book?
For me, this book is a real winner! Catherine's writing style is amazing for one thing...and Early Dawn just got better and better with each page. Historicals are my fav type of book, and I have to say that this is at the top of my all time favorite historicals. Catherine writes a book for her fans and this one is GREAT! If I don't care for a book, I would be the first to let you know, trust me! This book is worth buying! 5 star read! Best historical romance I have read in a long time!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars exciting sequel, January 8, 2010

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Early Dawn (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1887 the vicious Sebastian gang killed his wife of five years Olivia after gang raping her. For the next three years Matthew Coulter has lived for one thing only: vengeance.

In 1890 her engagement to John Parrish ends when his high society parents rejected her lineage and spread gossip about her illegitimate birth. Selling their house, Eden Paxton accompanied by her mom Dory leaves San Francisco by train to spend time with her brother Ace Keegan (see Keegan's Lady) and his wife in Colorado. She never makes her destination as the Pacific Express heading to Denver is robbed and she is taken for pleasure and to be sold in Mexico.

Matthew tracks down the gang of robbers and rescues Eden. Instead of begging him to escort her to Ace, she joins him on his vendetta. As they fall in love, each looks back at what motivated them to go after the Sebastian gang.

This exciting sequel is fast-paced from the moment the heroine is abducted and never slows down until the final confrontation. The cast is solid especially the lead couple and the vile gang whose nastiness is evident from witnesses like Matthew's family and by readers when they debate taking Eden in their camp or keeping her pure for sale south of the border. Although the cast is somewhat stereotyped, Catherine Anderson provides a strong American romance as life in the Old West can prove dangerous but also can foster love.

Harriet Klausner