"A strong vivid western romance"

Wyoming rancher Jacob Garrison hires range detective Ross Laramie to investigate rustling. Jacob warns Ross to stay clear of his daughters. Ross easily agrees to the stipulation before encountering Victoria. Ross tries to avoid Victoria, but Jacob's reporter-daughter demands to know why her father hired a private sleuth, but neither man will talk.

The curious Victoria begins investigating Ross, which leads the duo into dangerous situations. As they fall in love, Ross knows his hidden agenda that brought him to his boyhood Wyoming home could lead him to killing his client. Ironically, his current employer is the father of the woman he now loves, but if the evidence proves that Jacob was part of the incident that changed Ross' life, he will fulfill his quest and kill the man anyway.

In the fourth "Rancher's Daughters ... Herself" novel, Yvonne Jocks provides a strong vivid western romance that fans of the series will fully enjoy. Jacob remains true to his persona as the reluctant father of the female romance lead. Ross is a wonderful heroic person whose obsession provides the perfect dilemma when he falls in love with the daughter of one of his potential victims. Victoria is also a strong protagonist that readers will cheer for, but seems more like a late twentieth century heroine rather than that of the end of the nineteenth century. EXPLAINING HERSELF needs no explanation, as the audience will feel fully immersed in the tale from start to finish.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted May 11, 2002