Sandy M’s review of This Gun for Hire by Jo Goodman
Historical Western Romance published by Berkley 7 Apr 15
I know I’m a late comer to Jo Goodman’s books, just discovering what all of you have known for years when it comes to her stories. Anymore, I can hardly wait for her next book, wanting to get lost in her characters’ lives in the wild west. It’s like you’re right there with those characters, seeing a young America for yourself and getting to know those who came before, blazing a trail the honest, hard way. Quill McKenna and Calico Nash are two such characters, and I enjoyed every moment with them.
Quill and Calico meet in a very unusual way – she’s posing as a prostitute while he’s in the brothel looking for companionship for the night. But when he spies her and then her companion, something doesn’t sit right with Quill and he barges into an unexpected situation. Needless to say, Calico doesn’t need any help, and when he discovers who she truly is, he knows the lady can take care of herself. Calico Nash is a well-known bounty hunter, a woman who usually gets her man and this night is no different.
Back at his employer’s home, Quill is tasked with finding a teacher for Ramsey Stonechurch’s daughter, but it has to be a teacher who can also protect her. There’s someone out to sabotage Stonechurch’s mining operation and even take out the man himself, and thankfully the last couple of attempts have failed. When Ann refuses to go away to school, Quill calls on Calico Nash. That he’d like to see the very capable woman herself again is secondary to Ann’s protection, of course. Calico takes the undercover job, using her lessons in life as her guide to earn her pay and brainstorming with Quill to figure out who’s behind the prospective ruin of Stonechurch.
What makes Jo Goodman’s books such amazing reads is her dialogue. I love when her characters talk to one another, pushing a scene forward, imparting information, and being loads of fun while at it all. I’ve read so many books lately that don’t rely on dialogue, so it’s doubly nice to be involved with characters who interact with each other 95% of the book. It’s this particular talent that has me front and center in the old west in this story, especially when it comes to Quill and his slow-drawlin’ cowboy ways. Then there’s Ms. Goodman’s humor. I’m constantly smiling or chuckling when hero and heroine are baiting each other, commiserating, and loving one another. There’s never a dull moment. Quill and Calico are vintage Goodman as they go about their days – and nights – together, learning and scheming to solve their mystery. They are two sides of a whole in every aspect of their lives, now that attraction and love are in the picture.
There’s several twists and turns as each piece of evidence is revealed along the way, including a villain or two who sneak in deceptive directions you don’t expect. All of the secondary characters have the necessary depth to make them as engaging as the featured couple, even those aforementioned villains. The relationship between Quill and Calico is sweet and slow, peppered with fun-lovin’ banter, and they’re one of the most charming couples I’ve read in a while now.
Since I now have to wait a bit for the next book by Ms. Goodman, I think it’s a good time for me pull out some of her older books, some of which are being re-issued lately, and catch up on what I’ve missed by becoming a fan of hers just in the last few years. Not sure where I’ll start, but I know I’ll be in for quite a good time no matter where that may be.
Grade: A+
Summary:
He’s got a job to do…
Former army cavalryman Quill McKenna takes pride in protecting the most powerful man in Stonechurch, Colorado: Mr. Ramsey Stonechurch himself. But the mine owner has enemies, and after several threats on his life, mines, and family, Quill decides to hire someone to help guard the boss’s daughter. Only problem is the uncontrollable attraction he feels toward the fiery-haired woman who takes the job.
…but she’s a piece of work.
Calico Nash has more knowledge of scouting and shooting than cross-stitching, but she agrees to pose as Ann’s private tutor while protecting her. But between her growing attraction to Quill and the escalating threats against the Stonechurches, Calico will soon have a choice to make—hang on to her hard-won independence or put her faith in Quill to create the kind of happy ending she never imagined…
No excerpt available.
