Review: A great western read...
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 5, 2011
My Review:This was a powerful story and I really enjoyed it. Set in 1871, in Wyoming, this is the story of Mandy, who is fighting to save her ranch from the local bad-guy, McCandle, who wants her ranch and plans to marry her to get it. For years, Mandy has had visions of the man that she will marry and it is not McCandle, it is Hawk.Hawk is a white man with way too much tragedy in his life. At the age of 6, he was forced to abandon his new-born sister and saw his wagon train murdered by his father. Playing dead in the high grass, he was found and adopted by a Cherokee warrior. At the age of 10, his Cherokee family died and he was adopted by the Lakota. Now he is in Wyoming as a gunslinger with his own ideas for McCandle.Both Hawk and Mandy have spent a lot of time with the Indians and understand the mystical qualities of the visions that they have both had about each other. But that doesn't stop them from questioning the wisdom of their joining, although with circumstances the way that they are, and with their explosive chemistry, there really isn't any other way for them to go.I loved this story...quite honestly, much more than I expected to (you did notice yesterday what I said about historicals, right?) From the very beginning of the book, I was hooked and read it pretty much in one sitting (and it's a full-length book.) There is a lot of action and a LOT going on in this book. Hawk is a tough, strong guy, but he is hiding a HUGE secret. He has withstood a lot in his life, but now he is all about protecting Mandy and saving her ranch.  To help facilitate that, he brings in Jake and Kid...also, gorgeous tough guys (you can't have too many of those in a book, you know?) But you know, Mandy is pretty tough too. She has been running the ranch by herself for 3 years and doesn't like Hawk pushing her around. There are some great scenes with them as they have a battle of wills. The chemistry between the two of them is wonderfully written.This is a wonderful western full of the mystical, magical Indian lore. It features a great romance (actually a few of them as you see some of the side characters fall in love too) and great cowboy action. There were a few minor issues with the book...the first half has some disjointed scenes that were a little distracting, but the quality of the story line (for me anyway) just made these a minor annoyance. The author also lists this as paranormal. I am not sure I would agree with that although seeing the bits about the next book in the series, I think that I can see where it's going to a more paranormal slant as a series. This particular book, though, I would simply consider historical with some heavy mystical qualities. ;o)I definitely would recommend this book especially if you are a fan of western romance. It was emotional, beautiful, and even suspenseful. A fabulous read!