The Love of a Lawman (Signet Eclipse) [Paperback]

Anna Jeffrey (Author)

Book Description

Series: Signet Eclipse | Publication Date: February 1, 2005

In this sexy contemporary romance, the author of The Love of a Stranger takes readers home to a little town in Idaho, where old flames reignite.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Signet (February 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451213882
• ISBN-13: 978-0451213884
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,277,848 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anna Jeffrey is an award-winning author of mainstream romance novels as well as romantic comedy/mystery. She wrote six romance novels under the pseudonym of Anna Jeffrey and has written two as Sadie Callahan. She and her sister have co-written five comedy/mystery novels as USA Today Bestselling Author, Dixie Cash. ..... Anna Jeffrey's books have won the Write Touch Readers' Award, the Aspen Gold, and the More Than Magic awards. Her books have finalled in the Colorado Romance Writers award, the Golden Quill and Southern Magic as well as the Write Touch Readers' Award, the Aspen Gold and the More than Magic awards. ..... She is a member of Romance Writers of America and several of its chapters. She enjoys many hobbies, i.e., reading, painting and drawing, crafting, needlework and beading among others. She and her husband live outside a small town in North Central Texas.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good end to a trilogy of books, March 11, 2005

By 

Ratmammy "The Ratmammy" (Ratmammy's Town, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Love of a Lawman (Signet Eclipse) (Paperback)

THE LOVE OF A LAWMAN by Anna Jeffrey
March 11, 2005

Courtesy of WWW.LOVEROMANCES.COM


Anna Jeffrey is a new author to this reviewer, and after having read THE LOVE OF A LAWMAN, this reviewer is going to read the other two books in this trilogy. THE LOVE OF A LAWMAN is the last book in this series of novels set in the small fictitious town of Callister, Idaho. They are all stand-alone books, with characters that crossover into all three novels, while each book centers on one or two particular characters. In this third novel, the main character is Isabelle "Izzy" Rondeau, a woman who had left Callister years ago. She ran away from a family life that was very dysfunctional when she was only a teenager, and now years later, she has returned, running away once again. This time, her long time "partner" and boyfriend has deserted her and their daughter Ava, for another woman, and she thinks that the best thing for Ava is to return to her hometown, where she can be near family.

The book opens with a scene that may break one's heart. Ten-year old Ava is crying out to her mother to come outside. Izzy runs out to her, and sees in the distance a gray shape, what she thinks is their dog Jack, lying on the neighbor's property across the fence. Izzy instantly knows that Jack is probably dead, and that the family's long time neighbor and enemy, Art Karadimos, has something to do with Jack's demise. It is a tearful opening but one that sets up the stage for the rest of the novel. Izzy is doing her best to make a living after her breakup with Billy, having left her home in Texas and coming all the way back to Idaho, and now dealing with people such as Art and the people in town who love to gossip about her. She wants desperately to make it on her own, raising cutting horses, but she isn't sure she can do it alone. With a lack of funds and people like Art on her back, she is having a hard time surviving, financially and emotionally.

Then, along comes Sheriff John Thomas Bradshaw, who also happens to be an old school mate of Izzy's. When she contacts the sheriff to come out to the ranch to help her confront Art regarding the shooting of her dog, she finds out that the new sheriff is someone she grew up with. John sees Izzy, and remembers the big crush he had on her when they were in school, and how he wished that she had eyes for him. But back then, she only had eyes for Billy, who eventually fathered Ava.

Izzy does not want anyone's help, nor does she want to get involved with a man again. She's been hurt by Ava's father and cannot afford to have another man come into her life, only to walk away from her and her daughter. However, John soon gets under her skin after he offers to help her out with her horses, and with seeing her every day, the sparks start to fly.

This reviewer really liked Anna Jeffrey's writing style. She did a good job with describing this fictitious town of Callister, and the world of rodeos and cutting horses. There were great characters as well, in particular, that of Isabelle. Izzy was painted as an independent, yet somewhat pigheaded and stubborn woman, who could not see that John had no ulterior motives. At the same time, the author showed her in a very natural light, as no one is perfect, and having a character with flaws as Izzy did make her that much more real. Her loyalty to her wayward brother, Paul, was also a plus in the story line. However, at times it did seem that there were too many things going on at once in this novel. On the other hand, the author handled the multiple plots very well, and kept this reader entertained and wanting more. For those who enjoy their romances with a hint of erotica, there were a number of very long and steamy sex scenes that were done very well.

This book definitely worked as a stand-alone novel in this trilogy, and this reviewer will be reading more by Anna Jeffrey in the future, including the rest of this series. THE LOVE OF A LAWMAN is highly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A DEFINITE KEEPER, January 25, 2005

By 

B. Deese (GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Love of a Lawman (Signet Eclipse) (Paperback)

Isabelle "Izzy" Rondeau and her ten-year-old daughter have returned to Callister, Idaho, where Izzy grew up. She thought she would never return to the place where so many bad memories remain. When her parents died, they left the old home and land to Izzy and her brother, Paul. She returns with dreams of starting her own horse-breeding ranch.

Izzy's next-door neighbor shoots her daughter's dog, and she has to call the sheriff out. Come to find out, the sheriff is John Thomas Bradshaw, a man she went to school with. Unknown to her, John has always had a crush on Izzy. And, he wonders what happened in Texas to make her come back to Callister, a small town with few opportunities.

When John hears Izzy is looking for a person to help her with the horses, he heads back out to her place. After all, John needs the extra money to support his own two sons. He tells himself that other reasons for wanting to work there don't include being around the sexy redhead. But, that's exactly what John wants, and he knows the overwhelming attraction he feels for Izzy is reciprocated.

Izzy and John's love affair is powerful and provocative. But, even though Izzy wants a relationship with the sheriff, she can't let it get between her family. Her brother, Paul has had a few run-ins with the law, and Izzy feels she has to be on his side. After all, she also came back to Callister to be near her family. Will Izzy and John come to the conclusion that they are meant to be together? Or, will John's job and Izzy's brother prevent them from a complete happiness?

This book provides the reader with an unforgettable love story. The characters were totally captivating. I enjoyed Izzy, a heroine from a troubled past who has a determination to succeed despite a reading disability. And, who can resist a super sexy lawman? John is a hero, with his own unhappy past, which readers everywhere will fall in love with!

An author once mentioned that Anna Jeffrey is "bound for superstardom". After reading THE LOVE OF A LAWMAN, I'd totally agree! Ms. Jeffrey's talent is amazingly evident in the pages of this love story. I can tell the research on horses was thorough, and it was brilliantly weaved in. It was such fun learning about horses, and how Izzy had a wonderful connection to them. I enjoyed THE LOVE OF A LAWMAN, and I love that it was not a predictable romance. It was a great adventure with an awesome ending. Wait until you read what happens in Anna Jeffrey's latest release from Signet Eclipse. It will be in bookstores February 2005.

BJ Deese
Romance Junkies Reviewer
http://www.romancejunkies.com

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delicious Hero, Great Read, December 6, 2004

By 

Anna Jeffrey (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Love of a Lawman (Signet Eclipse) (Paperback)

The characters in this novel jump off the page. The good writing puts you right in the middle of their lives, in the middle of their small town.

The story is about two independent people dealing with personal challenges and hard conflict from their pasts. Both have something to prove to themselves. The main female character starts out showing her strength in how she has handled a cheating partner and what could have been a debilitating handicap if she had let it. The main male character discovers that there's life after professional rodeo and that he really is the man he has always wanted to be. Together these two face an unexpected terrible human tragedy. At the same time, they salvage Isabelle's younger alcoholic brother. As an aside, the heroine has a nerdy ten-year-old daughter who's adorable.

It's a great sexy read and if you like stories where the characters turn out to be stronger and better people than they ever thought they could be, this is one for you.