Reviewer: Connie Payne
Title: The Lawman's Bride
Author: Cheryl St.John
Publisher: Harlequin
ISBN: 0-3732-9435-2
Release Date: February 2007
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Western Romance
Year/Setting: 1887 Kansas
Overall Rating: 4.75
Sexual Content Rating: Sensual
Language (Profanity) Content Rating: None/Mild
Violent Content Rating: Negligible/Minimal
Cheryl's Website:
www.tlt.com/authors/cstjohn.htm
Becoming a Harvey girl is a great way for Sophie Hollis to hide and start her life over. Again. Perhaps, though, she won’t have to keep one town ahead of slimy Tek Garrett anymore. Maybe she can relax. After all, it’s been two years since she last saw him when the opportunity came to run.
Her hopes for some peace are dashed when she meets Marshal Clay Cooper. Not only does he stir a longing in her, he stirs up an equal measure of fear, too. Fear that she’ll be caught for her crimes.
But when the Marshal takes an interest in her, Sophie soon sees the kind of life she wants, but never had. Will probably never have. It’s only a matter of time before Tek catches up with her or someone recognizes her from wanted posters or another lifetime.
Not being able to go on any longer, living and telling lie after lie, Sophie unburdens herself (to a point) and begins to see things much more clearly. Hopefully it won’t be too late as before long, events and lies and truths are entwined creating a climax of uncertainty in regards to her future.
Here, the focus is mainly on Sophie and her needs and desires and pain. Atypically, Clay has no past issues preventing him from desiring a wife and someone to love. He’s the catalyst that brings Sophie to the turning point in her life. She’s the one who must reconcile the past with the hopes of creating a future.
Everything comes together nicely with no loose ends as to Sophie’s past. I would have liked an epilogue, just to have given me that final glimpse, but perhaps we’ll see Clay and Sophie again if/when Amanda’s story is told...(hint intended!)
The Lawman’s Bride isn’t the normal sweet and tender romance we usually expect from Ms. St.John. Yes, it’s poignant and has its sweet moments, but Ms. St.John explored a plot that may have left the reader unaffected and disconnected from Sophie had another written it. Yet she’s gained the reader’s trust, which allows her the freedom to explore.
This is not a cut and dried yes I loved it type of book. This is one where you’re left pondering; wondering about Sophie and the story even after the book is finished.
Ms. St.John once again shows us that her writing has multi-facets. It’s fresh, thought provoking, and ultimately good conquers evil. I expect nothing less from her.
Connie
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