Customer Reviews

Once an Outlaw

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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.

I HAVE LOVED THIS SERIES. I REALLY HOPE CLINT'S BROTHER NICK WILL HAVE HIS OWN STORY WITH EMILY'S FRIEND LISSA. I THINK NICK AND LISSA WOULD MAKE A WONDERFUL LOVE STORY WITH ROMANCE AND ADVENTURE. EVEN THOU CLINT VOWED HE WOULD NEVER MARRY,EMILY UNKNOWLY CHANGES HIS MIND AND FALLS IN LOVE WITH HER. I LIKED THE PART WHEN HER FAMILY AND CLINT JOIN FORCES TO RESCUE EMILY WHEN SHE IS KIDNAPPED BY RATLIN.I AM GLAD CLINT AND EMILY FALL IN LOVE. A KEEPER FOR CERTAIN LIKE THE REST OF THE SERIES.

I didn't realize this book was one of a series. If I feel like it, I might go a find the others. In my opinion this story is okay. Most of the writing is all right. However, I found the author did some headhopping that gave me whiplash, which I detest. I also saw the heroine in particular do some self-describing. In other word, seeing her own eyes glowing without the benefit of a mirror or reflection. Hmm. Strange things eyes do in romances. I guess editors think light shooting like a flashlight out of someone's head it okay. Clint had determined eyes. Determined look in his eyes perhaps, but not determined eye or eyes determined. I love how characters can see someone's eye color in the dark.

Several secondary characters including the villain had pov's coming out of nowhere and not consistent throughout the story. I guess the author couldn't think of a better way to relay information to the reader. The love scene was okay, but it was a little corny and not terribly realistic. The disagreement between Clint, Jake and Pete was rather weak. The jail cell scene where Clint and Emily were locked in together could've been better, but it had a cute premise. Wonder what the townspeople of those times would've thought if they'd have known? The dull, frozen-in-time, 3-page long explanation of Uncle Jake and the boys' involvement in the stagecoach hold-up and murder plot was nothing but rehashing what the reader was smart enough to figured out. It would've been better in dialogue if Clint or Uncle Jake explained it all to Emily. The ending was drug out too long and really didn't ad to the story.

So, there you go. I've read better, but, oh yeah, I've read worse. You decide.

Emily Spoon, along with relatives - Uncle Jake, cousin Lester, and brother Pete, who are former outlaws, move to Colorado to start over. The men in the family profess their days of stagecoach robbing are over. The citizens of Lonesome aren't so thrilled they've come to town. Sheriff Clint Barclay, particularly, is not happy. But, of course, the sparks fly when Emily and Clint come face to face. All kinds of sparks, because he's the man who put her uncle in prison years ago.

This story is one of the best written stories I've read in a long time. It had my attention from page one, and I hated to see it end. The plot was excellent, the dialogue great, and there's so much going on that I found myself reading faster and faster the deeper into the book I went. When I came here to review it, I was thrilled to see it's part of a trilogy, and now I'll have to get the other books.

Definitely a keeper. A great western love story.

This is not only the best Jill Gregory book I've read so far, but the best Western I've ever come across. (Some summers I would read 60 westerns!) The exciting and often dangerous plot was deftly laid out from the beginning... holding twists that will utterly surprise the reader up to the very last pages. Excellent authentic dialogue keeps the story fast-paced. Besides an exquisite love growing between two of the most unlikely people, the dilemma of family loyalty vs. moral right is a truly poignant one. This is one of the few westerns I will definitely want to read again. Great depth of plot and characters. Way to go Jill...

I'll keep it short...which is usually hard for me...

Once an Outlaw grabbed and held my attention. I was a great evening romance novel, I just zipped through it. I was thrilled that Emily's family didn't go back to their old ways...though...I never doubted that they would (predictable). And I loved that scene where her family locked her and Clint in the jail cell and, though he had the key, he let her think they were stuck. Cute!

Now I'm going to go looking for the other two in the trilogy. I see that the first is called Rough Wrangler, Tender Kisses...but I've yet to find the third. Has it not been written yet? :(

I thought that this was a really good book. if you like to read romances then you would like to read this book by Jill Gregory. After you read one book you'll want to pick up another one by her and read it.The book shows you that enemies really can become friends.This is an important lesson to learn.

This book is a great book if you like to read romances.Jill Gregory has a great way to keep you interested in her books.At the end of a chapter she kind of leaves you hanging a little bit so you will want to read on more.I would recomend reading it also if you like horses and you are a family person.it makes you think a little bit while you read this book too about who your enemys are and how you think of them.so read this book, I garuntee you won't be disapointed if you pick up this book and read it because she really is a great author.