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THE GUNSLINGER'S UNTAMED BRIDE
Stacey Kayne
Harlequin Historicals # 904
ISBN 9780373295043
July 2008
Historical Romance
An adolescent Juniper Barns gained a fierce
reputation as a gunslinger. Never one to seek out a
fight himself, Juniper would face down each challenger
as he simply tried to stay alive. Despite his past,
Juniper was fostered into adulthood by the kind,
close-knit Doulan family. Later, he became the sheriff
for the troubled Pine Ridge lumber camp nestled in the
California mountains, where he is trusted and respected.
However good life may be at the moment, Juniper knows
you can never outrun the past...
Lily Palmer's life changed forever when her father was
murdered and her mother succumbed to influenza shortly
after. Whisked away to San Francisco to be raised by her
mother's estranged family, Lily took the name Carrington
and adjusted to her new life. Though opulent, life with
the Carringtons wasn't carefree by any means and so Lily
bides her time until she reaches the age of majority
when she stages a coup to gain control of the family
business. Even years after the loss of her parents, a
need for vengeance burns within Lily. Discovering that
her newly acquired lumber camp is harboring the
gunslinger who shot her father, Lily puts her plan into
motion...
THE GUNSLINGER'S UNTAMED BRIDE is a breath-taking
adventure, with a romance between a head-strong heroine
out for vengeance and a noble hero who is trying to
survive the sins of his past. As a fan of western
historical romance, I've experienced many a great flawed
hero seeking to mend his ways, yet none can compare with
how the character of Juniper Barns has touched my heart.
His sincerity radiates off the page every bit as strong
as the unexpected passion he feels for Lily. Lily Palmer
Carrington is a heroine, who at first glance, seems
rather impenetrable in her determination to avenge her
father's death and have her way in all other facets of
her life, especially in business-- despite the trouble
this causes.
From the beginning, Lily's rather myopic view is in
sharp contrast to her obvious intelligence and as we see
later, her passion for Juniper. Slowly, however, Lily's
view expands which makes her a more likable and
sympathetic character. Their blossoming romance creates
a great deal of turmoil and readers will likely be swept
up in the maelstrom. Having so thoroughly enjoyed THE
GUNSLINGER'S UNTAMED BRIDE, I cannot wait to add Ms.
Kayne's other titles to my collection. Highly
recommended!
Reviewed by Melissa Fowler
Rating 4 1/2 |
