Once an Outlaw [Mass Market Paperback]

Jill Gregory (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 4, 2001

DID HE STEAL HER HEART—OR DID SHE GIVE IT AWAY?
 
A newcomer to Forlorn Valley, Emily Spoon vows never to lose her family or her land again. Here is the future. Uncle Jake and the boys can go straight. She can set up her own dressmaking business. But her dreams of a fresh start turn to dust when a stranger accosts her, demanding to know the whereabouts of the Spoon gang. Heaven help her, Emily never saw a man so handsome. Only later does she learn his name: Clint Barclay, the sheriff who destroyed her family—and now threatens her resolute heart. . . .

Clint Barclay rides off, unable to forget the rifle-toting, icy-tongued beauty from a family of outlaws. Emily Spoon swears they’ve gone straight, but Clint knows better—he’s jailed the Spoons before and knows he’ll do it again. . . . Then one stunning, burning kiss at a dance changes everything. Suddenly Clint realizes that he’s found the only woman he’s ever really wanted—but he can’t have her . . . not unless he is willing to sleep with the enemy for the rest of his life. . . .

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The second in a trilogy about the Barclay brothers, Gregory's latest Western-set romance (after Rough Wrangler, Tender Kisses) breathes a fuller life into the sub-genre. Seven years ago, Sheriff Clint Barclay put the Spoon Gang, notorious for robbing stagecoaches, behind bars, but now Jake Spoon and his sons have laid claim to a ranch in Forlorn Valley, Co., ostensibly looking for a fresh start. Doubtful of their intentions, Clint pays the family a surprise visit, only to come face to face with Jake's attractive and fiercely loyal niece, Emily. She has been under her uncle's care since her parents died many years ago, and she's confident that Jake has only the best intentions. Nevertheless, her hopes of being accepted by the community pale when Clint demands to see a deed to the property and persists in pestering her kin. The story escalates with fast-paced action, romance and several surprises as the fiery attraction between Clint and Emily hits fever pitch and Emily begins to suspect that her family may be hiding something from her. At the same time, she strives to build up her own dressmaking business and to protect a friend's son from an abusive ex. Realistic dialogue grounds the reader in this era, but it is Gregory's sensitive characterizations that will drive a herd of new readers to pick up this heartfelt family drama.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Emily Spoon treasures her family above all else. Her Uncle Jake has been paroled and along with the rest of the Spoon family has decided to end the infamous Spoon gang. The Spoons make a fresh start by moving to a farm in Forlorn Valley, Colorado. Sheriff Clint Barclay, the man who put Uncle Jake behind bars, comes out to check up on them, and is shocked to discover the beautiful but hot-tempered Emily Spoon, who instantly despises him. The two disagree at every turn, but this only fuels the fire, and they fall in love. Then, when Emily discovers that her family may be up to their old ways, she must make the heart-wrenching choice between her family and the love of her life. Gregory's heroine is a breath of fresh air with her whip-smart commentary and charismatic confidence, and her leading man is the perfect sparring partner, making for a duo as captivating as Hepburn and Tracy. Megan Kalan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Dell (December 4, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440235499
• ISBN-13: 978-0440235491
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #885,532 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm an avid reader and book lover who has written over thirty books since my first historical romance was published in 1980. I grew up in Chicago and have a degree in English Education from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, and now live in Michigan. In addition to historical romance and contemporary romantic suspense, I've written thrillers with my best friend, Karen Tintori. My books have been translated and published in more than 24 languages.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wanted it to go on and on!, April 17, 2002

By 

shirley lieb (Chicago, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Once an Outlaw (Mass Market Paperback)

I did not realize at first that this was part of a series. I have to go back and find the rest of the books. Jill Gregory gives the reader everything she wants. A romantic hero, a sweet and feisty heroine and a town filled with warmth and understanding where nothing can stop the romance between Emily and Clint. Our hearts warm to this pair who are at odds with each other. It was one of the best romances I have read recently and has sent me searching for as many Jill Gregory books as I can find.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written romance, December 4, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Once an Outlaw (Mass Market Paperback)

Emily Spoon feels Forlorn Valley, Colorado is the perfect place for her and her family to start over. However, Sheriff Clint Barclay has spent much of his law enforcement life jailing the Spoon gang and feels that Emily is just a chip off the old block. He rejects her insistence that the family is going straight, firmly believing that outlaws never change their spots.

At a town social, Clint is unable to stop himself from kissing Emily. Though both are shaken by their respective reactions, Emily knows she must find a way to prove to Clint that the family's outlawing days is over. As Clint and Emily fall in love, evidence surfaces that seems to lead to the conclusion THAT the Spoon family is still involved in illegal activities. The sheriff must choose between his duty and his heart unless new evidence surfaces.

The key to the well written ONCE AN OUTLAW is the depth of the characters, especially the lead couple as readers can understand the growing feelings of love shadowed by doubts and divided loyalties. The support cast, notably Emily's family, enables the audience to see even deeper inside Clint and Emily hearts. The story line shows the strength of Jill Gregory as a writer as she cleverly switches from amusing scenarios to situations filled with pathos that hook fans into seeking other western romances from this talented author.

Harriet Klausner

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WEEKEND READING, March 18, 2002

By 

D. Clincy (Jackson, MS United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once an Outlaw (Mass Market Paperback)

If you want a great book to read over the weekend look no further. Jill Gregory has written a book that will fulfill all your expectation and more. Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. The characters were wonderful and I would strongly recommend it to anyone who loves western romance.