Though the eastern section of America was becoming more civilized in the latter part of the 1800’s, there was still much lawlessness if one traveled farther west. Jenna Kernan shows what can happen when an unsuspecting woman needs to be rescued by a man from much different social standings. In her compelling historical romance, the true worth of a hero can be proved by his behavior and not from his humble beginnings.
When Laurie Bender is kidnapped by an outlaw gang, she dreads what might possibly happen to her as she has heard about the cruelty of these men. After another man joins the group, she initially thinks her situation is just getting worse. What she did not know is that her father who is a Texas Ranger sent the man to get her away from certain peril.
Since Boon was once a member of the gang, he is allowed to come into their camp without being shot. Laurie senses there is something not quite as ruthless about the newcomer, yet she questions his motives when he makes her kiss him. He can tell she is exceptional in countless ways, yet he also knows there is a vast difference in the way they have been brought up. Boon knows he can fantasize about having a woman like Laurie in his life, yet he also realizes there is no way someone fashionable like her can be in his future, even if he can get her safely back to her father.
Historical facts, from clothing descriptions to word usage to locale, make THE TEXAS RANGER’S DAUGHTER believable and totally enjoyable. Jenna Kernan skillfully transports the reader to the time when Texas was often a dangerous place to live, and the threats could come from numerous sources. The cold-hearted outlaws in this story are unfeeling and care only for themselves, and the circumstances which Laurie has to face are certainly unsettling. Though she has been raised to be a lady in the last few years, her childhood teachings help her throughout the ordeal and during her rescue. I was just as shocked as Boon when she uses some of the practices taught to her by her father, as she at first appears to be someone much more pampered. I like when a woman is able to help take care of herself when trouble arrives, and Laurie was not a helpless female who just stood by and completely relied on a male to keep her safe. Although she is in her late teens, she has not had much experience in the world and this leads to some mistaken ideas that cause current dilemmas. Boon is unlike many of the typical men found in western stories, as his upbringing makes many of his viewpoints very dissimilar from others in this era. His desire for a more productive life is definitely admirable, and his distress when hopes are dashed is movingly poignant. Folks often had to act like an adult at an earlier age during this time period than happens today, and Ms. Kernan gives several examples of this occurring with Boon and Laurie. The sexual exploration between them is sometimes uncertain yet always sincere, as they both have much to learn about this special time shared by two people. Jenna Kernan has created an entertaining historical novel with THE TEXAS RANGER’S DAUGHTER.
Callie MacKintosh finds herself between a rock and a hard place as she tries to do her job yet hang on to her principles. She was sent to Accord, Colorado by her boss, Nick Jordan, to get his brother, Gabe Jordan, to sign over his portion of the family land. Nick plans to build a ski resort on the pristine property and Gabe is in his way. Callie has no problem with that until she meets the ruggedly handsome Gabe and her heart beats double time with instant attraction. Gabe is a wounded soul; when he returned home from Afghanistan, where he lost his best friend, his home town had changed into a bustling tourist destination. All he wants is peace, a place to raise his sled dogs and to train for the Iditarod. He supports himself by offering dog sledding camps for adults on the weekend and for school kids during the week. As Callie takes part in one of these camps, she discovers the real Gabe; kind, caring and dedicated, not the recluse many folks in town profess him to be. How can she destroy his world by taking his land from him?
The fourth story about the Alpha Force team has the unit in danger of being disbanded unless two of its members can find proof to contradict possible damaging evidence. This series has plenty of sexy werewolf heroes, and Linda O. Johnston makes Quinn someone whom I truly loved as he fights to discover the truth. There are few clues to the countless mysteries in UNDERCOVER WOLF, but lusty passions are in abundance.