It's 1867, and Thaddeus Buchanan, a poker-playing Civil War veteran, needs a guide to get him from Abilene, Kansas, to his sister's house in Fort Victory, 500 miles away in the Colorado Territory. Mercy Clark, a widowed rancher, is on her way back to Fort Victory, too, and she also needs a traveling companion since she is carrying quite a bit of cash from the sale of her beef. Mercy needs every penny of it to pay the money she owes her evil, greedy neighbor. Unfortunately, this neighbor will resort to any measure--legal or otherwise--to get her land, and that includes murder. Part of Kensington's new Zebra Debut line, this is an impressive first book. Readers who dote on the spunky heroines in the exciting tales of the Old West by Jodi Thomas (
The Texan's Wager, 2002;
When a Texan Gambles, 2003;
A Texan's Luck [BKL N 15 2004]) will enjoy Bodwell's spirited tale of a courageous woman and the man she tries very hard not to love.
Shelley MosleyCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
". . . Bodwells fresh, vibrant voice adds spunk, emotional intensity and sensuality to the conventional western dangerous journey . . ." --
Romantic Times Book Club, January, 2005". . . a wonderful tale that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat . . . the ultimate love story . . ." --
Romance Junkies "Bodwell writes in a clear, descriptive style that takes the reader into the life and times of the characters." --
The Romance Reader Conncection