Customer Reviews

The Love of a Lawman (Signet Eclipse)

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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.

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

This is the first time I've ever read anything by the very talented Anna Jeffrey's and it won't be the last. This story combined wonderful strong characters and a great storyline that kept me glued to the pages. At times Isabelle (our heroine) was a little too headstrong and stubborn but than again it's true to character since she is truly had a hard life.

Isabella has come home to Idaho in order to spend more time with her family and her daughter. She has sold everything and left Texas with the hope that her new start will be just what she needs. Problem is home is not like she remembers it, and the new sheriff just so happens to be the last person that she thought she would see. When she left eighteen years earlier she never really forgot about him and now he is all grown up and handsome and makes her feel things that she'd rather not.

John Thomas Bradshaw is sheriff in Callister, Idaho. He is a retired rodeo cowboy, and his previous lifestyle has cost him more than he ever thought it would. He is now back in Idaho trying to make his life work when in walks back his high school crush. Her promised beauty delivered she is sweet, sassy, and stubborn, and just what his heart has been looking for. Will he be able to prove to her that he's what she needs?

As I stated earlier this was a very strong character driven read which will take the reader on an emotional journey. I highly recommend Ms. Jeffrey and suggest that you not miss her latest effort.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

After running away from home with Billy Bledsoe eighteen years ago, Isabelle Rondneau and her unhappy ten years old daughter Ava return to Calister City, Idaho. Her nasty neighbor Art Karadimos shoots her daughter's beloved pet collie Jack. Sheriff John Bradshaw responds to Isabelle's call, but cannot do anything about the canine murder.

John has never forgotten "Frizzy Izzy" who was two tears his senior and to his chagrin he still desires her though he swore off women when his ex-wife dumped him for a wealthier Southern Cal stud and took their two children with her. Feeling inadequate for his new position that he insists is temporary, John soon becomes involved in a missing game warden case that involves Izzy's brother. As he falls in love with Izzy and her daughter, John's missing person turns into a homicide when the body is found. While his spouse dumps their kids on him, he knows he must arrest the sibling of the woman he loves.

This engaging police procedural romance is a fine tale due to a wonderful fully developed cast. John is terrific as he feels over his head and loaded with doubts as to whether he can handle the job even before the homicide. Izzy is an intriguing woman who also is filled with doubts especially about coming home, but knows that she must do the right thing for her sad daughter who insists Texas not Idaho is home. Though the dumping of his sons is too convenient of a side solution that also adds new woes for the hero, THE LOVE OF A LAWMAN is a fabulous contemporary tale.

Harriet Klausner

In The Love of a Lawman, we return to Callister Idaho, along with local "bad girl" Isabelle Rondeau, who's returned home to make a life for herself and her daughter after running away 18 years ago.

As in the previous two Callister books, The Love of a Cowboy and The Love of a Stranger, the characters are complex, as are their problems.

And Isabelle runs smack into several right off the bat--her daughter's dog is shot by their neighbor, a man who's had a long-standing feud with her family. So she calls the sheriff, only to find that the new sheriff is John Bradshaw, who'd been a couple years behind her in high school, and was as much from the right side of the tracks as she was from the wrong side. And to make him even more out of her reach, one of the reasons she's back in town is to try to help her brother Paul, who's been on the wrong side of the law, but, she believes, still not too far gone to be redeemed.


The Good:
Bad girl comes home. It's a nice twist, considering you usually see the local "bad boy" returning to his hometown.
Satisfying. The HEA is always more satisfying when the characters have to work for it, and boy, do these two have to work for it!
Atmosphere. The small Idaho town and the rodeo and horse training details were vivid, realistic, and unusual.

The Bad:
Busy. There's almost too much going on--it gets a little overwhelming.
The Ex. John's ex-wife and her new husband pushed my buttons with their insistence on adopting his children. Their reasoning was unexplained, so they came off as being 2-dimensional villains.


The Verdict:
Everything works out in the end, thank goodness, but it's an emotional roller-coaster ride until we get there. A good conclusion to the trilogy.

To begin with, I didn't know this book was part of a trilogy. Make sure you read them in order. This book is packed with a super hot romance. If you like them hot, this one's for you. Great story from start to finish. Happy reading. ~I look forward to more from A. Jeffrey~

I loved the first two books in this series, but this latest installment wasn't near the quality of the other two. It kept me interested and the romance and sex was hot...but I can't seem to pinpoint it..I feel as though the author hurried along the ending (which was to perfect). It seemed as though there should have been more to the story or perhaps the ending was just to predictable. I will continue to read Anna Jeffrey but I was hoping for more from this novel!

When Isabelle, Izzy, Rondeau returns home to rebuild her life on a horse farm, trouble begins almost immediately. Her child's dog is shot by a mean hearted neighbor, and the sheriff who comes to investigate is John Thomas Bradshaw, a man who has never forgotten Frizzy Izzy, nor been forgotten by her. Both are alone now, except for their young children. His working for her part time solves problems for both of them, and creates others. Electric attraction runs between them, but does Izzy dare act on it when her own brother runs afoul of the law on a regular basis?

** Although there are heartwarming moments, there is a flat blandness to the story that makes it less than great. It's an okay story to pass the time with, but not one that will sweep you away from the present world and get you lost in the pages. **

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore, Freelance Reviewer.