Review: Time-travel Western, touching, exciting, and suspenseful
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 22, 2013
Peggy L. Henderson's AIN'T NO ANGEL is the story of a young woman, Laney Goodman, a former foster child kicked around the system for years, who is finally at the end of her rope. Unlucky in love and life, she dreams of finding work as a horse trainer. Although she has real talent, experience, and sensitivity with horses, her lack of formal credentials continually frustrate her ambition. Out of money and in danger of being homeless, she falls prey to an attractive man who professes to love her, but in fact intends to prostitute her.A last-minute, out-of-the-blue offer of work as a therapist for an injured horse on a Montana ranch seems too good to be true, but despite her suspicion that there's a hidden catch, Laney cannot turn the job down. She hesitantly accepts the offer, only to find to her dismay and disbelief that there is indeed a catch. A big one. While it's true there is an injured stallion on a Montana ranch run by an honest, hardworking, virile and appealing, but deeply troubled man named Tyler Monroe, Laney's start date isn't quite what she expected. Her new job exists not in 2013 or 2014, but in 1872.Ms. Henderson deftly handles Laney's initial disbelief and disorientation, as well as her attempts to cope with 19th century rustic life, with sensitivity, suspense, ingenuity, and even humor. Laney discovers a fellow wounded soul in Tyler, and his willingness to take a chance on her gives her the opportunity to find purpose in her life. But trouble lies ahead – not just from the trauma of their pasts, but from natural calamities as well, made all the worse by a bitter man who means to ruin Tyler. AIN'T NO ANGEL is an exciting story, and the gifted Ms. Henderson takes the reader on a touching, emotional, and action-packed romantic adventure.As an added bonus, anyone who loves horses – or just enjoyed "The Horse Whisperer" – will be delighted with the author's knowledge of, and great affection for – these wonderful, magnificent animals. Highly recommended!