Sandy M’s review of The Gunslinger by Lorraine Heath
Historical Western Romance novella published by Avon Impulse 24 June 14
I’ve been having a great time lately with historical western romances, and Lorraine Heath keeps that trend going with this revamped, reissued novella, which appeared in the To Tame a Texan anthology back in 1999. Whether it’s a regency or western romance, Ms. Heath always pulls myriad emotions out of me as I go along for the ride with her characters. I’m happy to have a chance to read some of her older work, even though it’s revised a bit. I have her entire backlist in the old TBR mountain, but if this is the way I get to read them, making them new again, I’m all for it.
Chance in the next town on the next job, waiting to find his next target. He’s lived with his hired gun reputation for years, so being paid to run a woman off her land is easy money and then he’ll be on the road again. But when a young boy enlists his help to save his sister who’s being brutally attacked by several men, Chance has no idea once he gets involved his life will never be the same. Wounded during the confrontation, he ends up in Lillian Madison’s home to recuperate.
Not wanting violence in her life, as well as her younger brother’s, Lillian nurses Chance only to the point where he can get on his horse and off her property, leaving her and Toby to themselves. But as they both begin to understand, judging a person by someone else’s perception only brings more heartache. Chance isn’t the violent man everyone believes he is and Lillian isn’t the fallen woman townsfolk think she is, after the older man who left her the house and property she now enjoys died in her home. Bad situations have followed them both for far too long, and these two deserving characters make their way through lies and deceit to find a life together.
As usual, Lorraine Heath gives readers a sweet and charming romance that will leave you wishing it was a full-length book instead of a novella. I really love Chance’s reaction to Toby’s offer of everything he owns to rescue Lillian, as well as the turnabout at the end you don’t expect when everything comes to a head. Chance’s regret knowing he’ll never have a wife, a family, a home because of the life he leads leaves you heartbroken, and Lillian’s relief and joy when misconceptions are brought to light will make you smile and rejoice right along with her.
No one does historical or western romance better than Ms. Heath, and I always look forward to her next book.
Grade: A
Summary:
Chance Wilder never wanted to be a hero. A road-weary gunslinger with a ruthless reputation, he focuses only on his next target—and his next payday. That is, until a young boy offers Chance everything he owns—a piece of string, a harmonica, and a bent penny—if he’ll save his sister from a couple of thugs. Chance agrees, only to discover that the beautiful, fierce young woman in need of rescue is actually the very person he’s been hunting: his next mark.
But after he saves her, Lillian Madison awakens in him long-buried dreams and possibilities. Facing the demons of his past, Chance is forced to question his next move. Dare he risk everything by following his heart … and trust that the road to redemption begins with Lillian?
No excerpt available.
