Customer Reviews

A Lady of the West

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Linda Howard is one of my favorite authors. I have read nearly all of her books and have had A Lady of the West in my "to be read" stack for over a year now. I had not chosen to read it because of its three and one-half star overall rating. I wisely use the tools offered on this site and seldom read a book rated less than four stars. But I wanted to read another Howard book and picked up A Lady of the West. I was able to determine three things rather quickly:
First: This was unlike any of Howard's other books I had read.
Second: The hero's behavior is politically incorrect - to say the least. He is the first hero I have ever read who hit the heroine and he also plays the "forced seduction" game which many of us would consider rape.
Third: I quickly realized the overall rating on this book must be due to the hero's mean-spirited behavior rather than the quality of the writing. Sure enough, when I checked the reviews, most of the negative reviews are because of the second item detailed previously. Make no mistake - this is a dark book.

Victoria Waverly is the daughter of a formerly wealthy, Southern family who has been impoverished by the Civil War. Victoria is basically sold into marriage to a wealthy rancher, Frank McClain, and is bravely attempting to do the right thing for her family. Once she meets her future husband, she is repelled and frightened. He is one bad villain and Victoria has no idea that he killed and literally stole the large ranch he now calls his own. But Victoria is ever vigilant - intent on protecting her family from literal starvation - especially the two family members who have come with her to live at the ranch. She must consider her cousin and her younger sister's situations as well. She believes that they will be safe and taken care of at the ranch. She is a strong yet gentle heroine written in true Linda Howard fashion. She is surprised to find that she is strongly attracted to one of her husband's main men, Jake Roper, and finds his actions towards her frightening yet very sensual.

Jake Roper is a hired gun and one of the best. Twenty years ago, his mother and father were murdered; the two sons wounded and assumed dead, in a takeover of the large Sarratt ranch. He finds himself almost obsessed with his boss's new wife and finds it most inconvenient. You see - Jake is planning revenge on Frank McClain. He hates the man and will avenge his parents' death at the hands of this worthless thief and reclaim his family's home.

Actually, I found Lady of the West to be out of the ordinary with a fragile tenderness and strong sensual overtones. There was not a boring page and the book contains several strong and very interesting secondary characters. While considering the reviews, I read repeatedly that this book is a product of its time - written either in the 1980s or 1990 at the latest. It is a book that holds a common thread with many books written during that timeframe - mistreatment of women. Now, I was personally appalled when the hero struck the heroine. I had never read that before - at least not the heroine. But I also read it as part of the overall story. Yes, it was very wrong for Jake to treat Victoria in such a manner. But he was never glorified for it. He certainly was not proud of himself. I know situations such as this occurred much more often than we want to admit. This story takes place over a hundred years ago - women weren't always treated with a lot of respect. But I am certainly not defending the hero. He was definitely a tarnished hero - he never gets rid of that stain. And THAT is part of the story. This is a story that contains revenge, hate, and mistreatment by many more than the hero. Taken with the context of the story, a mean hero only plays out his part. I don't think that Jake is ever redeemed of this behavior. That is one thing that makes this an unusual romance - it's HEA ending has a few spurs - and the ending is probably closer to reality and therefore, the sting.

However, buried in the midst of this mistreatment is one good story. As expected in a Linda Howard book, the sensual scenes are strong and rate 4.0 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines). Somehow she pulls out a story that actually has three separate physical relationships developing without the book appearing as too sensual. Try to read this book within the context and I believe you will enjoy it. But remember - it is one tough story.

I have not picked up a Linda Howard book and not liked it. This book was no exception. I had looked at the reviews and was not sure how this book would be. Hearing how he hit her and all he did was "want" her and all that. I thought the story would have Jake as the biggest butt and Victoria as weak willed, under Jakes thumb. Not so, was the case. It took just a little while to get started, but once I got through the first 30-50 pages, it all came together and took off on a wild ride. I loved the lead heroine. Vicotria was great. She did not take Jake's crap and gave as good as she got. Yes, Jake does hit her but first of all, it did flow with the story line, he did not get away with it what so ever. He never thought it was OK. No, none of it makes it right, but you can see how it fits in there and the outcome the action is surprising. Yes, Jake did talk an aweful lot of "wanting" Victoria, but it was to the point of obsession, something the reader should be able to figure out is not just lust. That he does want not just her, but all of her, and that he equates feelings with sex. So, while you know how Victoria feels, you have to look at Jakes actions to see how he feels. Very intraciate. I love how it all got blended in together. Jake was very dominate, but such a sweetheart, I couldnt help but love him. It took me not even a day to read this book. Near the end of the book I cried. When it was over wanted it to go on for just a few more chapters. This book is not like her newer releases, not a romantic suspense. The story does have its own darker plot, but nothing too serious. This book was great! I loved it and it will go on my keeper shelf. I dont know when I will get to read it again, it made such an impression, I dont think I am likely to forget this story any time soon. Victoria is one of my all time favorite heroeins. I really liked her, Jake was a great guy too. Usually the guy is too much of something, overbearing, rude, mean, too cockey, something, not Jake. And Victoria was strong and very likeable. They had an underlying heat through out the whole story. You could feel it. Please get this book and you'll love it. As long as you dont expect it to be like every other story (I dont know why people do that. Stories are suppose to be different with different plots.) Lady of The West has it all.

A long time ago (like four years back), in a far away land (California), I was introduced to Linda Howard's books by my best friend ... and I hated them. I found them drab and terribly long and would've had more fun poking myself in the eye with a fork and swirling it around. Then, a few days ago, I was walking through my local grocery store, restless and in need of some greater fulfillment than what I had gotten from another book I had just finished. I stood in front of the book section for at least a half hour perusing their small selection. A bit reluctantly (but desperate now), I picked up the Linda Howard book, remembering how my best friend had oozed out praise for this author. So I thought, "Ah, what the hell," and man, was I ever shocked! A Lady of the West has been one of the best, if not the best, book I have read in years! It had everything a western should have: shoot outs, legends, bloody revenges, ranches, cowboys, the whole nine.

The book starts with a short history of Sarrat's Kingdom, and how things came to be the way they were, taking the reader back more then a hundred years. Then Howard goes to tell of how the Sarrat's became over thrown and how the evil Major came to get a hold of the land. The time frame is post-civil war, and out of sheer desperation to save her family from starvation and death in the war ravaged South, Miss Victoria Waverly allows herself to be sold in marriage to the Major. She takes West with her her little sister, Celia, and her cousin, Emma (who was left with no other relative but the Waverlys by the war). There, for the first time, she meets her husband and Jake Sarrat (kept incognito to his nemesis by the name Jake Roper).

The intent (plot) of the book was clear from the beginning: Jake Sarrat, who's parents were killed by the Major 20 years ago, has come back to take back what belonged to him. What kept me glued to the book until the wee hours of the morning was the "how", not the "what". How was he going to do it? And one was kept waiting to see what was going to happen next.

The romance was a bit slow to start and perhaps could have been done a little more smoothly with more interaction between the two main characters and the hero's "sudden warming up" to the heroine I thought defied his character (he melted too fast) but the story going on around them was good enough to the point where how they fell in love and/or whether they fell in love was second place. Towards the end, their misunderstandings and emotional misunderstandings became frustrating to me. Why didn't either one just spit it out, get on with it! Come on now! But their pride and ignorance kept bumping heads and had me bumping heads with the wall right along with them.

Howard's sometimes brutal reality was definitely one of the elements that kept me turning pages. She spared no one from reality. All too often in romance novels, next to nothing horrible happens to the hero or heroine themselves. No real great lost or tragedy to them, just to the people around them. Howard brings you to the pinnacle then saves you just in time. Through out much of the book, I was caught in a series of "Oh no.. Oh no! .. Oh ... no... I can't believe this is happening! She (Howard) can't let him do this! She (Howard again) has to save them! " and gasps of shock then of relief when by what HAD to be fate, the plot twisted and temporary respite was found. I would definitely rate this book a 4. This book was so good, I snuck it to work just to read what was going to happen next! (And I have NEVER done that before with any other book!) I only keep it from gaining a 5 star rating because I thought the hero's feelings were a bit forced to create a romance. I have definitely changed my tune about Linda Howard now though and will be writing my best friend to thank her for trying to introduce me to her books oh so many years ago. Her attempt to convert me into a Howard fan was slow coming, but successful.

Okay, I just wanted to say that the synopsis above doesn't say enough for this book! Yes, it's about a woman sold into a loveless marriage to a ruthless rancher, but that rancher is *not* Jake; he is the ranchhand who, with his brother, was the rightful heirs to the ranch until the current rancher (the husband) killed their parents and tried to kill them as kids. Victoria only married him to provide for her family because the Civil war had ravaged their southern plantation (in other words, her family SOLD her to this rancher). She is resigned to a loveless marriage to someone she comes to find is a ruthless murderer until Jake and his brother take back what is rightfully theirs, and Jake lays claim to Victoria's heart. It's a realistic story, with several tragedies that would have made me cry if I'd been the type, many action sequences that would make a choreographer dance in delight, and (never forget) a heart stopping romance plucked right from the mind of one of the greatest romance writers. :) Believe me, you will like this book. The lady is proper but she has a backbone of iron; you wouldn't want to mess with her! Buy it; you certainly won't regret it. :-)

Southern born and bred Victoria Waverly was practically sold to her husband so that her family could eat. Despite her coolness, she proves that she can stand up to Jake, the rightful heir of Sarratt's Kingdom. Jake finds himself attracted to the aloof Victoria and decides to have her when his plan to regain his land comes to fruition. The secondary love story between Ben and Victoria's cousin Emma was good, too. The way the author depicted life in the West seemed so real, I felt like I was there. The only part that disturbed me was when Jake found out Victoria was pregnant. He believed it was her dead husband's (who also killed his parents to get the land). When she tried to tell him that the man couldn't perform his husbandly duty, he treats her shabbily. The heroine was a better person than I. I found it hard to get past what Jake did, even though it didn't happen to me. By the end of the book, I was nearly in tears (if you read it, you'll find out why). I hope there will be a sequel about future Sarratts.

A Lady of the West is a dark book which is bound to disturb yet intrigue the reader at the same time. Make no mistake, this isn't your usual, light hearted fluffy romance designed to give you butterflies in the stomach. It opens with a brutal scene which sets the motion for a chain of events in the story's present. This scene also gives you great insight into the hero's character- why he is the way he is (not that it is justifiable), why hatred consumes him and why he is so driven with revenge.

*** Warning: SPOILERS ***

I know a lot of people were offended that Jake struck Victoria... I was, too. There's no doubt that this act was wrong and inexcusable but to be honest, I thought it fit in with the overall dark tone of the book which had to do with the core of hatred the hero fed off since his parents were murdered. Jake Sarratt is NOT one of the nicer heroes you see in the genre- nor was he supposed to be, given his history. Most of the time, stories like that irritate me- stories where the hero is wronged and takes it out on the heroine. I didn't feel this way while reading this book, because Linda Howard portrays the character's angst and trauma so convincingly. You don't excuse the hero's actions of course, but you do see it coming in the context of ALOTW.
Victoria Waverly, though ladylike and genteel, did not take kindly to this either, and she made certain Jake knew it. It was amusing how consumed he was by her, and touching how she was able to make him forget the legacy of his past.

Aside from that issue, the chemistry between the couple is amazing. Linda Howard is a master at writing his/her interaction, and the contrast between the gentle lady and the tough gunman- the unwanted attraction between them, the secret meetings, etc. make for a very exciting romance. Jake can't get his hands off her, eventually falls head over heels for her, while Victoria is ashamed (due to her strict upbringing) for being unable to resist his advances, but eventually she succumbs to it...and gains her own personal happiness.

The side characters also manage to be interesting without overshadowing the main characters. Major Maclaine is disgusting and so is the slimy Will Garnet- I was extremely gratified when Jake gave the latter his just desserts. Celia Waverly (Victoria's sister) is a bit of a simpleton, but matures when she meets her match. Ben Sarrat (Jake's brother) and Emma Gann's romance also blossoms into something beautiful to see.

Overall, ALOTW is an excellent romance, one that will entertain, anger, and ultimately affect you. I would recommend this to anyone who could get in the mood for a dark romance, and a lively Western. While reading this, never once did I doubt Jake's love for Victoria...it was just a matter of him realizing it and getting over the issues which plagued him. Once he gets around though, he becomes very tender and protective towards her and their baby. The story ends none too perfectly, but it shows a glimpse of hope and of the couple looking forward to a new beginning. :)

Years ago Jake Sarret and his younger brother, Ben, watched his mother and father murdered, and were driving from their land by the evil Major. Now 20 years later he plots to kill the man who killed his family, and take back his land. He works on his old ranch for the Major under the name Jake Roper, waiting for the right time to have his revenge. His plans change however when the Major marries a young southern lady, Victoria Waverly. Even as he finds himself more and more attracted to her, Jake cannot get past the fact that she willingling married a man who he hates so much. Victoria, traped in a marriage with a very cruel man finds herself attracted to Jake, but holds herself back from him. Jake promises to protect Victoria, and her cousin and younger sister who traveled with her, but when Victoria finds out his secret she doesn't know if she can trust him. Does he really care for her, or just for the land he once lost and could regain by marrying her after the Major's death?

This was yet another great book by Linda Howard. The characters seemed real, and you can relate to them. The plot is well developed and you feel almost as if you were there. If you like Linda Howard's other books, you'll like this on.

I have 0 complaints about this book. I had a very hard time putting it down. In fact I read the first 8 chapters overnight and was late to work the next day, LOL. It was a fast paced book and was such a page turner. I can't wait to read it again!

Whoever has given this book a bad review isn't able to cope with reality. What A Lady of the West tells is all real - and wonderfully written at that.

VERY heated love/sex scenes.
Very strong characters.
Very good details about the western time period.
Very very awesome.

A must have. A definite keeper. One of my favorite books.

I really enjoyed this Howard book. The story moves and the characters crackle with emotion. I had trouble putting it down. The lady in the story is delicate and strong with a backbone to match the hero, who happens to be very much larger in size than she. I love ladies who can meet the challenge of a strong man and make him see the error of his ways. That happens in this book, he is laid low and I applaude her for introducing us to another heroine who will not lie down and be walked over. Bravo Linda!

First, yes this contains spoilers. I gave this book two stars because the portion up until where the hero actually hit the heroine, and draws blood, was very good. I was surprised that all of a sudden it seems like a switch was flipped on the hero. He went from rough but good protective man (which is great, and I love reads on alpha males), to a husband that strikes his wife, feels really no remorse, and then demands she move her stuff back into their bedroom. I also thought of the Heroine as strong up until that point, but she actually refuses to leave the hero, even when after hitting her he tells her she can leave him. He also gives his token word not to hit her again, which I feel is in every pamphlet under warnings for battered women.
So, good book up until page 291, and then it was over for me. The Hero just starts doing selfish acts. No husband would keep a horse around that killed a family member because he wants foals. The author also makes an attempt to tidy the Emma/Ben story line but it comes off as he is marrying because she gets pregnant.
So two stars for a good read before page 291, and then it goes down hill. I love Linda Howard too, but this was wrong.