A Lady of the West

Yep, another western romance. I so love stories of tough cowboys with hardened hearts that get nailed by cupid. Even better, I like it when the bad guy gets it in the end, the hero wins the girl, and the girl make the hero grovel for all the pain he's put her through. There was only one really disappointing part of this story, but to tell you what it is will ruin the whole book.

This is an older book and what is called a bodice-ripper, so there are explicit scenes and lots of violence and rape. But it's also a good story about the settling of New Mexico when the US took it from Mexico.
Victoria Waverly is sold into marriage after the Civil War to a brutal man who stole a ranch from the previous owners. The men around her are cruel and crude, including the hired gunman Jake Roper. Gradually, Victoria and Jake change their minds about each other, but Jake has long-term plans of his own that he must fulfill first.
Linda Howard writes good historical Westerns, and I think this one was excellent. Some of the violence did make me cringe, but I liked the historical aspects.

Just as nice on the second reading. Well written, tightly plotted. I was trying to think what made this one so much better than some other western romances I've read lately. I guess it has to do with the talent of the author and the fact that all the actions of the characters make sense and there aren't just random things happening that force the characters to react one way or another.

One of my absolute favorite western romances. I love Victoria so much and her strength of character! She is attracted to Jake but when he tries to force her to go against what she knows is right or believes, she is true to herself. She comes to love him but doesn't let him dominate her decisions.

A tale of the West full of cowboys, hate, vengeance and of course, romance on the side.
I adore Linda Howard and although I prefer her suspense works, this book was also a great read.
For the fans of old western "romantic" tales, this book (as the next in the series), it's a must read.