Sandy M’s review of The Devil You Know by Jo Goodman
Historical Western Romance published by Berkley 03 May 16
Jo Goodman is one of those authors who can’t write fast enough for me. If I were a stalker, I’d be after her to “Write faster! Write faster!” But I know wonderful stories like those she writes take time. I’m always rewarded for my forced patience. Characters who intrigue the heck out of me, who are written just like I imagine they would have lived during the era that she has down pat in every book.
It’s also the children in Ms. Goodman’s stories that make them so enjoyable. Such is the case with Annalea, who is the one to find our hero after his near fatal dragging over open but dangerous land for who knows how many miles or by whom. She’s quite protective of Israel since his rescue and during his recuperation. Especially when it comes to her older sister Wilhelmina — Willa to her family and friends – who is a no-nonsense straight shooter and the boss when it comes to their ranch and Pancake Valley. Israel is suffering a bit of memory loss after his ordeal, and the early scenes when Willa tries to trip him up in their conversations sets the tone for the relationship as it builds over time.
So the mystery of what happened to Israel and why is on everyone’s minds, even after he’s healed and is now working for Willa. As is Ms. Goodman’s style, the attraction between Israel and Willa is seductively slow but almighty fun, leading up the eventual revelation that love has blossomed. Willa has turned down suitors one by one over the years, despite her father’s best efforts to surreptitiously guide her future otherwise. Now that Israel is in the picture, Happy, as pa is known, is staying away from the drink that has been his friend since his wife died. The seed of marrying Willa has taken root for Israel, as has the thought of being wed to Israel for Willa. Those are lively and amusing scenes between them as they “discuss” the possibility of marriage.
The main reason for such thoughts is so the Barbers, whose land is right next door to Willa’s, don’t get their greedy hands on Pancake Valley. Son Eli has proposed before, hoping their connection from childhood would help his case, but Willa has darned reason to steer clear of the man and his evil father. Malcolm Barber is one cool and deadly cucumber, never losing that cool until the end when Willa’s secret is finally revealed. It’s a fitting party the Barbers are invited to when Israel and Willa decide enough is enough, it’s time to end things so everyone can live in peace. As much as I dislike the Barbers, they’re still intriguing characters in Ms. Goodman’s hands.
I like that this story is connected to This Gun for Hire, Israel being the brother of Quill McKenna, the hero of that previous book. I enjoyed catching up with Quill and Calico as they searched for Israel when no one has heard from him after his release from jail. Oh, yeah. Israel is a reformed bad boy. Discovering his past along with him as his memory slowly returns is an adventure, but his new leaf that has turned because of Willa is the stuff love is made of. My only little nitpick near the end of the book is I wanted a bit more with the reunion between Israel and Quill when they finally come face to face again and also as they say goodbye after the dust has settled and everyone goes their separate ways. We see that goodbye through Willa and Calico, but I really wanted to be involved in that parting conversation between the brothers.
Another wonderful read from Jo Goodman. Her cowboys walk the walk and talk the talk. Her heroines are strong and independent and never TSTL. Her secondary characters have ten times more depth than the majority of out there. The feel of the American West is in every word on every page. Lose yourself in this book. Or any Jo Goodman book. You won’t be disappointed.
Grade: A
Summary:
WHAT HE DOESN’T KNOW…
After a horse drags him through the countryside, Israel McKenna awakes bruised and battered in a field in Pancake Valley, Colorado. He can recall where he came from and where he was going, but the memory of how he came to be on the Pancake homestead eludes him. He’s certain he did something wrong to deserve such a harsh punishment—and so is the beautiful woman who reluctantly comes to his aid.
…COULD HURT HER.
Wilhelmina “Willa” Pancake must focus on running her family’s ranch. With Israel’s hazy memory, she is unsure if she can trust him, let alone handle the budding attraction between them. And as men fight to steal her land and the truth about Israel’s past rides toward them, love is a risk she cannot easily take.
No excerpt available.
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