"An insightful work"

Two years at the Academy for Select Young Ladies may have stiffened her back, but failed to remove Suzanne Bonneaux's abilities to ride and shoot as good as a man. When she learns about the forced relocation of the Arapaho including her friend Bright Water, Suzanne ignores her mother's advice to wait for the return of her stepfather Colonel Garrett. Instead she rides the coach without escort from Cheyenne heading through the dangerous Wyoming and Dakota Territories to help Bright Water.

However, a notorious gang holds up the coach and only the appearance of legendary outlaw Black Jack Sloan saves Suzanne from a nasty fate. Jack takes Suzanne with him to keep her safe as he ventures across the Territories, but soon THE COLONEL'S DAUGHTER and the famous outlaw fall in love. However, he has a price on his head and a quest to avenge the murders of his family making the future together impossible.

This late nineteenth century western romance is a powerful look at the times through the varying perspectives of the lead couple and several support players. The story line is fast-paced while the cast feels genuine adding to a taste of the era. Known for her robust contemporary and historical military romances, Merline Lovelace provides western readers and Americana romance fans an appealing cross genre tale worth reading.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted December 13, 2001