Reviewer: Trudy Smith
Title: Loner’s Lady
Author: Lynna Banning
Publisher: Harlequin Historical
ISBN: 0-7642-0165-4
Release Date: June 2006
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Romance (Western)
Year/Setting: 1800s/Willow Flats, Oregon
Overall Rating: 5.0
Sexual content Rating: very subtle – couple of scenes
Language (Profanity) Rating: Mild
Lynna's Website:
www.lynnabanning.com
Ellen O’Brian has been working her farm by herself for almost three years. She knows that her husband, Dan, will come back some day and he’ll be so proud of what she has done.
When stranger, Jess Flint, shows up on Ellen’s farm looking for a place to stay, she allows it but wonders what he is up to. He doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to leave and then circumstances develop for Ellen to really need his help. She isn’t used to that but she has no choice.
Jess is positive that Dan O’Brian has buried the stolen gold on the farm somewhere; it will just take him time to find it. Though he had quit the Ryder gang after Dan committed the first killing, Jess felt entitled to his share of the gold. In the meantime, he steps up and helps Ellen with the farm. He doesn’t tell her right away that he knows Dan. But it doesn’t take long for Jess to realize that Ellen is someone special and his feelings for her grow.
Ellen knows that at any time her husband will be back at the farm and they will be a happy family again. She can’t let her feelings for Jess get to her; after all, she’s made the commitment to her husband. Her marriage vows are sacred.
Jess finally tells Ellen what he knows and blows the trust that was developing right out of the water. She can’t believe what he’s telling her and she’s harboring an ex-outlaw. Ellen doesn’t want to believe that her husband is a member of a notorious outlaw gang and has just broken out of jail. It just can’t be true. She knows Dan loves her and will be home any time ready and willing to work the farm side by side.
Sure enough, the Ryder gang shows up looking for the gold. They can’t believe they find Jess hanging around but soon become suspicious that Jess has already found the gold and is trying to double-cross them.
Who finds the gold and ends up with it? How does Ellen – and Jess – get out of this situation? Will Ellen be able to trust Jess or any man again? How can she go on knowing her husband is an outlaw and doesn’t really want her or her beloved farm? Can she live with the things that she has to do? Can Jess convince Ellen that it’s love that is more important than all the rest?
Not wanting to give too much away, it’s these and many other questions that are answered in this great love story. Lynna Banning does it again. She has created a story that I could hardly put down. I was hooked from the very first page. I can’t think of a thing that I didn’t like.
Lynna creates well-rounded characters. Most have a past that has brought them to where they are presently. Lynna brings out the emotions that each character struggles with and melds them together to also bring the reader varying emotions. Ellen is a wonderful character, strong in her morals and beliefs and struggles with many emotions at the same time. Jess struggles with his past and circumstances that were out of his control. Even the Ryder gang, you can feel the raw emotions and what drove them to be outlaws. Though Dan is still a bit of a mystery, it’s obvious that he never had the commitment to Ellen that she thought he had and what she definitely had.
I can’t say enough about Loner’s Lady. It’s a book that will keep you turning the pages long after your normal bedtime. A little teaser at the end led me to believe there might be a sequel. I’m sure it will be well worth the wait.
Thank you Lynna, for once again bringing a romantic story to life (at least in my imagination). I highly recommend Ellen and Jess’ story. Reading it was a joy, I’m sure you’ll think so too.
Trudy
Question or comment regarding the review or the book? Click here and let Trudy know.
Top
Reviews
Featured Reviews
Archived Reviews