"A heavenly western romance"

In 1885 Midas, New Mexico, newlyweds Hank and Jayne Dawson share the connubial bed when someone knocks on their door demanding "Jesse" let him in. Not long afterward, Jayne stares at Hank's body found on the property of acrimonious rancher Ethan Trent, who wants her and the sheriff to leave immediately. He says he will bury Hank, but Jayne wants her spouse to have a proper burial. She also needs access to the greenbacks that he has on him.

As a storm hits, Ethan buries Hank and allows Jayne shelter in his frozen barn, but feels guilty the next morning when she becomes ill with a lung ailment that reminds him of the deaths of his beloved wife and three children. As he nurses Jayne back to health, he recognizes the telltale signs of morning sickness. While she recovers from pneumonia, Ethan realizes that her late husband's killer is stalking his guest. He offers her a marriage of convenience as an ethical way to protect her, but deep in his grieving heart Ethan knows that he is in love again while Jayne wonders how fickle she is falling for another man with her husband still warm.

Victoria Bylin provides a heavenly western romance that fans of the sub-genre will treasure. The keys to the delightful plot are the doubting Thomas and Thomasette lead pair and the remoteness of the New Mexico ranch. Though the stalking killer adds an element of suspense, more significant is that he is the catalyst who forces Ethan to open his heart to the hope of love. This fine tale that will lead the audience to seek Ms. Bylin's backlist (see OF MEN AND ANGELS).

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted June 14, 2004