Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Wanted In Alaska by Kate Bridges
Historical romance released by Harlequin Historical 1 Feb 09

One of the reasons I love westerns is because they tend to feature themes that flip my proverbial switch. Those of redemption, second chances, and the desire of many to better their lot in life. Certainly the United States has more than it’s fair share of faults, but it’s always been the land of opportunity. Where a nobody can become a somebody; and nothing optimizes this quite like Alaska. It was the last frontier, and once gold was discovered? Forget about it. I imagine this is why Kate Bridges continues to mine the Alaskan landscape for her Harlequin Historicals . There really are endless possibilities, like her latest story which introduces readers to a heroine with dreams of owning her own business and a hero wrongly accused of being an outlaw.

Autumn MacNeil came to Alaska after her grandparents passed away to make a future for herself. But unlike so many who are rushing out looking for gold, she’s singing in the most respectable hotel in Skagway. She has a beautiful voice, but her dreams are bigger than that. Our girl wants to buy the hotel. The problem is that the man who owns it, her boss, can’t seem to get over the fact that she has boobs. He’s not about to sell to a mere woman, but that doesn’t stop Autumn from trying. In the meantime, she’s enjoying a local masquerade ball – where she and her best friend, Victoria, a local nurse, decide to go in costume…as each other.

Quinn Rowlan is a man on the run, his wanted poster plastered all over Alaska. The worst of it is that he’s an innocent man. He finds himself in Skagway looking for a nurse. His younger brother was stabbed during an altercation, and the knife wound is festering. Quinn would do anything to save his brother, and that means kidnapping a nurse. Several of the locals point out Victoria to him, he gets her alone, and carries her off to the cabin where he’s stashed his brother. He gets away clean. Of course little does he know that he’s kidnapped the wrong woman, so convincing was Autumn’s and Victoria’s masquerade.

This story starts off with a bang. Poor Autumn really is in a bind. All she knows is that she’s been kidnapped by a gang of men, and she’s not sure what to do. If she blurts out that she’s not a nurse, will they shoot her (or worse) and leave her for dead? If she claims to be Victoria and Quinn’s brother dies because she’s inept at nursing – then what? Yeah, she could end up dead (or worse). Then there’s the fact that Quinn, despite his kidnapping her, really seems like a decent fellow. That really confuses her! Luckily the author doesn’t drag out this adventure in mistaken identity for the whole story. It’s wrapped up rather quickly, and the story moves on to Quinn’s quest to prove his innocence, which ultimately leads to him hiding in plain sight.

The story moves along at a good clip, and Autumn and Quinn have sizzling chemistry. Given that she was still wrestling with her trust issues, I did think she jumped into his arms a little quickly, but it’s hard to fault when the love scenes are so nice and spicy. No, the main issue here is the conclusion of the external conflict and Quinn’s innocence. The author jumps from Point A to Point C, without really stopping at Point B. People go from believing Quinn is an outlaw to believing he’s innocent without a whole lot of “proof” flashed in front of their faces. A little more hand-holding through the resolution would have made this a stronger story during the second half.

All that said, this is a nice adventure driven romance featuring two characters that share a palpable chemistry together. It didn’t change my life, but it certainly was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Outlaws, even innocent ones, just can’t risk doctors’ visits. But Quinn Rowlan desperately needs a nurse for his injured brother. Kidnapping is the only answer.

Except Quinn snatches the wrong woman from a masquerade! Autumn MacNeil is a singer dressed as a nurse for the costume ball. She doesn’t know the first thing about knife wounds!

Still, there’s no way he can let her go now—and, to make matters worse, Quinn realizes he’s falling for his curvy, blond hostage….

Read an excerpt.