The Heart of a Legend [Large Print] [Paperback]

Amy Lignor (Author), Dianne Helm (Editor), Vin Libassi (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2005

When Paulita Maxwell journeyed to the wild territory of Ft. Sumner, New Mexico in 1877, she had no idea that her life would be forever joined with the most celebrated outlaw of all time. William H. Bonney appeared like a phantom through the gap of El Capitan to save Paulita s life, and captured her young heart in the process. As Paulita guides you through a world at war, you will be swept up in the passionate danger played out so long ago against the exquisite backdrop of the Capitan Mountains. Their amazing tale will leave you aching for the love that was so close to changing the course of history and erasing the myth that remains.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The Heart Of A Legend emerges from folklore, holding the reader captive to a story of undeniable courage rising from the heart of an untamed land. William H. Bonney - Billy the Kid would give his heart to only one woman. Paulita had been sent to a school for young ladies, in Texas, to refine her free-spirited nature. She was Lucien Maxwell s daughter born as rebellious as New Mexico itself. Now it was time for Paulita s brother Pedro to escort her back to Ft. Sumner to marry a refined gentleman. A tenacious vixen, so her brother swore, he loved as no other, teaching her how to ride and survive in the barren frontier wasteland. While gunshots echoed through the gap of El Capitan, Billy the Kid charged towards the attack. A beautiful young woman covered in red dust fought to keep Indians from killing her wounded brother. Billy s aim was as deadly as Paulita s. The blaze from Spanish eyes reminded Billy of a wolf he once saw; charm danced from the outlaws blue eyes while being berated for not coming to her aid sooner. --Shirley Johnson, Midwest Book Review

Characters lift with fire and love throughout the storytelling. You will be totally consumed. Don t miss this read...it is exceptional. --Dakota Wind, Rolling Seas Reviews

You will be totally consumed. Don t miss this read...it s exceptional! - --Shirley Johnson, Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Amy Lignor began her career at Grey House Publishing and became the Editor-In-Chief for numerous educational and business directories. Although living back east for most of her life, the exquisite beauty of the Southwest called to her and she is now among the luckiest people in the world who enjoy the captivating history and beautiful scenery of New Mexico on a daily basis.

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: Helm Publishing; Large type edition edition (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976091984
• ISBN-13: 978-0976091981
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,103,247 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Author and Die-Hard Reviewer

Like a hockey player who can't survive without the "smell" of the ice, I can't survive without the crisp pages and rich, black ink of books. My imagination is one thing I can't seem to do without and thank goodness it's come in handy. I've been wrapped up in the love of an outlaw; I've struggled through a forgotten and fantastical world to get home to my beloved daughter; I've started a huge adventure with the help of Patience & Fortitude on the steps of the New York Public Library; and I've flown with the angel and her warrior.

My daughter, after seeing a commercial at the age of four, ran to the kitchen and asked me what exactly was "reptile dysfuction?" I told her quite honestly..."A crocodile with a limp." This is me.

I shout out to all ye listeners..."Hark! Come with me into worlds unknown. I am a very merry Shakespeare. And, no, that's not me in the picture...that's my wonderful dog, Reuben. He'll be famous one day. He is the star of my novel, Precious Stones...coming soon.

I'm also a die-hard reviewer. I work for various sites including Bookpleasures.com and Once Upon a Romance. Check my blog for the latest reviews of the very BEST books that are out there.

Until Next Time...

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Read!, October 18, 2005

By 

Shirley Priscilla Johnson "Author/Reviewer -... (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Heart of a Legend (Paperback)

I have to admit that I never knew this wonderful legend of Billy the Kid and I was totally caught up in this outstanding read by author Amy Lignor. We begin the read with excitement as we meet Paulita Maxwell making her way to the wild territory of Fort Sumner, New Mexico in 1877. This is where she first meets William H. Bonney, better known to us as, "Billy the Kid," who comes to the aid of her and her brother and halts the attack of some renegade Indians. Immediately there seems to be a connection between the two. As the story continues on we are taken with Paulita a she storms the wild territory with her strong will and wit and we watch as the love between Paulita and Billy grow.
We are taken into the lives of the people there, read the battle that they have with evil, greedy, rich, powerful men who are bent on having total prominence, ownership and control over the land and the people of the area. However there are those who challenge these men and Billy joins forces with them. Billy through circumstances is labeled an outlaw, but is he truly the evil man that many of us have thought he was?
And Paulita struggles with her feelings and wonders who is this man that has captured her heart. Is he a cold-blooded killer or a man of honor?
The ending of his life is tragic and to me was truly heart-breaking but I have to tell you this work is one outstanding read. You will be totally consumed in this tender, yet stormy love story so intertwined and controlled by the actions of others that your emotions will run ramped and your heart will race. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend this work to others. Final words, don't miss this read; excellent and exceptional.

2.0 out of 5 stars A Mess of a Book, January 11, 2012

By 

Steven C. Cole - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Heart of a Legend (Paperback)

This was a book I received from the Goodreads "First Reads" program, which gets free copies of books into readers' hands so that they generate customer reviews on the various book websites. And I've got to say: I need to be a lot pickier about which books I agree to read.

"The Heart of a Legend" is a sort of historical romance novel, set in the American west (the New Mexico territory before states were recognized), following the historical figure of Billy the Kid as told essentially through the eyes of the woman he married.

To my mind, the novel was mediocre. The women were strong and able to stand up for themselves (which was a relief), but beyond that, little was fleshed out.

But what really pissed me off about this book was the lack of craft in the authorship. There were an untold number of grammar errors (usually missing commas, but often basic sentence structure errors), and references to knowledge present only outside the book. Don't read this book without also having wikipedia open so you can look up what's known about the actual history of Billy the Kid, and thus understand the references the characters all make.

2 of 5 stars.

5.0 out of 5 stars Frank Tibbetts, September 10, 2011

By 

Frank Tibbetts "Frank Tibbetts" (McMinnville, Tennessee) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Heart of a Legend (Paperback)

I could taste the dust and the grit in this passionate, true to life novel. Inside of every man lies an outlaw hellbent on winning the heart of his truelove. I saw Billy Bonney not as a bloodthirsty murderer, but more of a person who had the power to protect those who could not protect themselves--he did what he knew was right in his heart. Amy's most vivid description of Billy's beautiful, untamed vixen had me falling in love with Paulita Maxwell myself. I felt the passion and the heat in the sizzling love scene between these two souls-- It was an exhilaration to the senses that can only be described as diamonds being splashed against blue velvet. This review should come as a voice crying out in the wilderness: "Sit up and take notice of Amy Lignor..." It is my opinion that she is well on her way to becoming one of the most beloved authors of all time.