Laurel (Seven Brides) [Mass Market Paperback]

Leigh Greenwood (Author)

Book Description

Series: Seven Brides | Publication Date: March 1995

The latest historical romance in the bestselling series about the Randolph brothers--and the women who tame their hearts. Hen Randolph is the perfect choice for sheriff, but he's no one's idea of a model husband. Then a beauty with a tarnished reputation catches his eye, and the thought of taking a wife suddenly appeals to him as never before.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The new sheriff of Sycamore Flats has a reputation as a gunslinger and a killer. Laurel Blackthorne doesn't want to have anything to do with him even though she should be grateful to him for saving her and her son Adam from the rest of the Blackthorne clan. Her husband is dead, but his family believes Adam should be raised with them and Laurel isn't going to let her son go. Laurel has never relied on any man and she doesn't intend to rely on Hen Randolph, or let Adam have anything to do with him. As far as she's concerned, Hen is no better than her husband was - or his family is. Hen is a loner who believes he's just as bad as his reputation. He's kind and gentle with Laurel, but he thinks he's empty inside-- unable to love and certainly not worthy of anyone else's love. He admires Laurel, how she stands up to the people in Sycamore Flats who label her and Adam, the way she takes care of herself. Hen also likes Adam and tries to convince Laurel that Adam needs a man in his life to look up to. But he doesn't think he has anything to offer Laurel and Adam, although they have become so important to him. Laurel realizes that her first impression of Hen was wrong. He is a good man who does what he has to do to keep himself, and the people he cares about, from getting hurt. She knows she loves him, but she can't let herself hope for a future with him. As a sheriff, Hen is always in danger and Laurel can't stand the idea of losing him. When the Blackthornes threaten revenge on Hen, Hen's brothers arrive to help him defend the town. Because of Laurel's love, Hen finally understands how important family is and how much his brothers care about him. Hen begins to think he may be worthy of Laurel's love and be able to offer her a better life and be a father to Adam. But the Blackthornes aren't going to let him go without a fight and Hen has a responsibility to the town. When it's all over, he intends to find a way to be with Laurel -no matter what it takes. Fourth in the Seven Brides series, Laurel is well-crafted, wonderfully written and as entertaining as the first three books! Leigh Greenwood is a remarkable talent in the field of romance! I can't wait for the next book! A rip-roaring good time! The characters define 'wild west'! Leigh Greenwood never fails to enthrall readers and leave them yelling for more!Kristina Wright -- Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 439 pages
• Publisher: Leisure Books (March 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0843937440
• ISBN-13: 978-0843937442
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #195,829 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Authors, A-Z > ( G ) > Greenwood, Leigh

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better and Better, March 4, 1999

By 

Leslie Tramposch "PNR Reviewer" (Moon Township, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Laurel (Seven Brides) (Mass Market Paperback)

Fourth in the Seven Brides series.

Hen Randoph, now on his own, is hired as sheriff of Sycamore Flat because of his reputation as a gun fighter. Everyone thinks he is a remorseless killer. Although most of his brother's pain revolves around the cruelty of their father, Hen is haunted by the fact that his mother didn't care enough about her sons to live for them after their father left. At fourteen Hen and twin Monty were left to defend their ranch and protect younger brothers Tyler and Zac.

When Hen finds rustlers about to hang his twin, he has to chose between losing his brother and losing his innocence forever. He sees himself as a protector not a killer but does what he has to defend his own and later the town. Yet each time he is forced to kill he feels a little piece of his soul slipping away. That compounded with the fact that the woman he loves, Laurel, can't love a gunfighter and doesn't want her son to be like him. Hen is inexperienced with women and only knows that something about this woman touches something he thought buried forever. Time and time again Hen takes the high road and finally convinces Laurel that the man inside is good and worthy of her love. When the Laurel's inlaws, the Blackthorns come to town for a showdown over the custody of her son Adam, Hen must defend the town. One by one word reaches his six brothers and they converge on the town to lend a hand. When Hen tries to do the right thing an accident occurs which causes an innocent bystander to be critically wounded. Guilt plagues Hen and he can only find comfort in Laurels arms. Only Laurel has the key to open his heart and shows him to be worthy of not just her love but the love of his family. With the help of his brother's the showdown is averted and Hen is free to go back to the peace of ranch life with his ready made family.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great story!, January 5, 2008

By 

Lulu (Doh, Qat) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Laurel (Seven Brides) (Mass Market Paperback)

All I can say is wow! L.G. just keeps getting better and better. I stopped half way through the 2nd book to get the rest of the series. Even though L.G. is a man the stories are great and well written.

Laurel is written from the hero's point of view and there are times when you feel the difference in the writing, but nevertheless, the stories are wonderful.
Like another reader said, I too enjoyed the unexpected surprise that was revealed halfway through the book. The H/H are well-drawn out and the chemistry between them so tangible.

This is Laurel and Hen's story.

Hen is a stone-cold gunslinger and Laurel, a beautiful but dis-illusioned widow, trying to raise her young son, who find herself in a dangerous situation. But Hen's always there to protect her. Beneath his empty shell, she finds glimpses of the compassionate and lonely man he is. And she falls in love with him.
It's a wonderful story, following them through all their trials and watch how they end up falling in love, and redeem each other.
I highly recommend this series.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another wonderful book in this series..., October 5, 2005

By 

ThisThatNEverything "thisthatneverything" (Columbus, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Laurel (Seven Brides) (Mass Market Paperback)

From the back of the book:

Bride of Desire

Although Hen Randolph was the perfect choice for a sheriff in the Arizona Territory, he was no one's idea of a model husband. The trail-weary cowboy had just broken free from his six rough-and-ready brothers, and he wasn't about to start a family of his own. Then a beauty with tarnished reputation caught his eye, and the thought of taking a wife aroused him as never before.

But Laurel Blackthorne had been hurt too often to trust any man - least of all one she considered a ruthless, coldhearted gunslinger. Not until Hen proved that drawing quickly and shooting true weren't his only assets would she give him her heart. When his pistol was at last snug in its holster, Laurel would reward the virile lawman with the rapture of her love's sweet splendor - and take her place as the newest bride to tame a Randolph's heart.

*This is the 4th book in the Seven Brides series. #1 Rose, #2 Fern, #3 Iris. I've loved every one of these books so far. I liked seeing all of the brothers together in this book. There's also a nice surprise about mid-way though this book that you don't typically find in romance books. I don't want to give it away but it's a very nice change & I'm sure you'll know what I'm talking about when you come across it. Hen & Laurel are very likable people & you'll find yourself falling in love with both of them as well as a few others. Highly recommended!