"Post-Civil War Abilene, Kansas, comes alive in this fast-paced, fun read."

The Civil War has been over for a few years and things are slow and quiet in Abilene, Kansas. That is, until Jack Skull, bounty hunter, arrives in town. He's the most exciting man Anne Ross has ever seen, and she thinks he's just the ticket to get her out of marriage to a man she doesn't want.

An innocent miss is the last thing Jack needs. He's got his hands full trailing a serial killer who's left young ladies' bodies strung on a trail from the Red River north to Kansas - and the trail ends in Abilene. Jack vows to keep Anne safe from the killer, but can he keep her safe from himself?

Abilene comes alive as a sleepy, dusty town in A Kiss To Die For. The characters are believable, but I think the heroine has a bit too much free time. The possible villains are just evil enough to keep you wondering, although the crisis scene seemed a bit contrived and somewhat unlikely. It was, however, a fast-paced, fun read that was hard to put down. And I did enjoy it.

Reviewed by Lory Martin
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted February 13, 2003

Bounty hunter Jack Skull claimed he was tracking a murderer, but Anne felt he was only after her. Women up and down the Abilene Trail were dying from just such a relentless pursuit. Would she be next? Not if she listened to her head and not her heart. Trouble was, it was tough to pay attention to anything when Jack Skull was around.

Summary

Women were dying. Pretty women, lonely women, women who gave their hearts to a man who promised happily ever after, but delivered death.

A stranger steamed into Abilene on a locomotive, a loner with a macabre legend attached to his name. Bounty hunter Jack Skull claimed he was tracking a con man and a murderer, but Anne felt as if he was pursuing her. Women were dying from succumbing to just such a pursuit. Would she be next? Not if she was smart and listened to her head and not her heart. Problem was, it was touch to pay attention to anything when Jack Skull was around.

Though she'd sworn matrimony was not for her--it seemed to backfire for women in her family--somehow she found herself saying, "I do." When Jack took her in his arms and lowered his lips to hersss, reason flew out the window, and she could well believe his would be a kiss to die for.