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With a lynch mob after him and the gallows in his immediate future, outlaw Rafe Gentry is surprised to be rescued by a woman who claims to be his fiance
390 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2000
21 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
About the author
Connie Mason
140 books531 followersConnie Mason or Cara Miles is the best-selling author of more than fifty historical romances and novellas. Her tales of passion and adventure are set in exotic as well as American locales. Connie was named Story Teller of the Year in 1990 by Romantic Times and was awarded Career Achievement award in the Western category by Romantic Times in 1994. Connie makes her home in Tarpon Springs, Florida with her husband Jerry.
Prior to her first published work in 1984, Connie was a full time homemaker. Always an avid reader, writing was one of Connie's dreams.
In 1995 Connie was featured on a segment of the CBS news show 48 Hours, a television production that devoted an entire program to the romance novel industry. Connie was also featured in an article published by National Inquirer.
In addition to writing and traveling, Connie enjoys telling anyone who will listen about her three children and nine grandchildren, and sharing memories of her years living abroad in Europe and Asia as the wife of a career serviceman. In her spare time Connie enjoys reading, dancing, playing bridge and freshwater fishing with her husband.
Prior to her first published work in 1984, Connie was a full time homemaker. Always an avid reader, writing was one of Connie's dreams.
In 1995 Connie was featured on a segment of the CBS news show 48 Hours, a television production that devoted an entire program to the romance novel industry. Connie was also featured in an article published by National Inquirer.
In addition to writing and traveling, Connie enjoys telling anyone who will listen about her three children and nine grandchildren, and sharing memories of her years living abroad in Europe and Asia as the wife of a career serviceman. In her spare time Connie enjoys reading, dancing, playing bridge and freshwater fishing with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 18, 2014
When Rafe Gentry is saved from hanging by an angry lynch mob by angelic Sister Angela, his world is turned upside down when the couple are forced by circumstance to marry on the spot. Although Rafe has his heart set on clearing his outlaw name he unwittingly becomes Sister Angelas protector from her scheming step father and his trusty side kick.
So the storyline has potential right? Well unfortunately it just doesn't come off as well as it could have. Rafes immediate urges of passionate desire are clearly rebuffed and rather then taking the course of convincing Angel of his charms in the hope that she will desire him back he basically forces himself on her until she gives into her base instincts. It just goes from 'No I couldn't possibly' to 'oh give it to me big boy' in 7.8seconds (or the flick of a page perhaps..).
Anyway as well as the many repetitive overdone love scenes (Rafe is definitely a boob man), Angel just basically annoys the crap out of me. I really can't even explain why but I guess it's like when you're watching a horror movie and the victim is in a house with the murderer and they run up the stairs where there is no chance of escape and you've got to ask yourself why they didn't just run out the front door. Yep it's like that over and over again. Angel just keeps putting herself in positions where I wanted to shake her and ask 'WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!'.
It also didn't seem very historically correct, well perhaps I should reserve judgement since I wasn't around back then and this is the first 'western frontier' type of romance I have read. But some of the language used and behaviour just didn't seem right. Plus I would like to know how many ranchers back in the day would have used terms such as exonerated in casual conversation.
Anyway each to their own and I'm sure there are some people that couldn't put this book down and loved it and and are headed out to buy the second in the series but it just wasn't for me. Perhaps I ought to stick to the regency scene.
So the storyline has potential right? Well unfortunately it just doesn't come off as well as it could have. Rafes immediate urges of passionate desire are clearly rebuffed and rather then taking the course of convincing Angel of his charms in the hope that she will desire him back he basically forces himself on her until she gives into her base instincts. It just goes from 'No I couldn't possibly' to 'oh give it to me big boy' in 7.8seconds (or the flick of a page perhaps..).
Anyway as well as the many repetitive overdone love scenes (Rafe is definitely a boob man), Angel just basically annoys the crap out of me. I really can't even explain why but I guess it's like when you're watching a horror movie and the victim is in a house with the murderer and they run up the stairs where there is no chance of escape and you've got to ask yourself why they didn't just run out the front door. Yep it's like that over and over again. Angel just keeps putting herself in positions where I wanted to shake her and ask 'WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!'.
It also didn't seem very historically correct, well perhaps I should reserve judgement since I wasn't around back then and this is the first 'western frontier' type of romance I have read. But some of the language used and behaviour just didn't seem right. Plus I would like to know how many ranchers back in the day would have used terms such as exonerated in casual conversation.
Anyway each to their own and I'm sure there are some people that couldn't put this book down and loved it and and are headed out to buy the second in the series but it just wasn't for me. Perhaps I ought to stick to the regency scene.
own-need-to-read
June 8, 2013Not a review...
Historical Western
Currently free for Kindle: www.amazon.com/The-Outlaws-Rafe-ebook...
He Was Going To Hang
Rafe Gentry had committed plenty of sins, but not the robbery and murder that had landed him in jail. Now, with a lynch mob out for his blood, he was staring death in the face...until a blond beauty with the voice of an angel stepped in to redeem him.
She Was Going To Wed
There was only one way to rescue the dark and dangerous outlaw from the hanging tree---by claiming him as the fictitious fiance she was to meet in Pueblo. But sister Angela Abbot never anticipated that she would have to make good on her claim and actually marry the rogue. Railroaded into a hasty wedding, reeling from the raw, seductive power of Rafe's kiss, she wondered whether she had made the biggest mistake of her life, or the most exciting leap of faith.
Historical Western
Currently free for Kindle: www.amazon.com/The-Outlaws-Rafe-ebook...
He Was Going To Hang
Rafe Gentry had committed plenty of sins, but not the robbery and murder that had landed him in jail. Now, with a lynch mob out for his blood, he was staring death in the face...until a blond beauty with the voice of an angel stepped in to redeem him.
She Was Going To Wed
There was only one way to rescue the dark and dangerous outlaw from the hanging tree---by claiming him as the fictitious fiance she was to meet in Pueblo. But sister Angela Abbot never anticipated that she would have to make good on her claim and actually marry the rogue. Railroaded into a hasty wedding, reeling from the raw, seductive power of Rafe's kiss, she wondered whether she had made the biggest mistake of her life, or the most exciting leap of faith.
November 5, 2012
I think the high ratings are a little misleading on this one. Story started out well, but kind of fizzled after awhile. This is one of those books that uses a lot of steam as filler. Like bad guy is out there, let's have sex. The Law is coming to get me, let's have sex. Need to come up with a plan, let's have sex! Could have used a little more story. Not sure if I will read the rest of the series. I'd give it about 3 1/2 stars.
July 12, 2013
Great story, looking forward to Sam and Jess' stories and to see how Rafe's babe is doing
October 17, 2014
enjoyable and funny
October 24, 2018
I don't read Westerns
At least I hardly ever read Westerns, but when they're written by Connie Mason and I've read everything else she has written, what choice do I have?
Rafe, the outlaw, is first accused of bank robbery in Dodge City. He and his brothers escape, riding off in different directions. Then Rafe is falsely accused of robbing a stagecoach and killing five people. He is at the point of being lynched when Sister Angela saves his life by saying that Rafe is her fiance, the reason she has traveled West.
Everything turns around in a moment's time, and the preacher insists on marrying them immediately. This story is told in true Connie Mason style, full of adventure and emotion. The number of errors is proof that SpellCheck is no substitute for proofreading.
119
At least I hardly ever read Westerns, but when they're written by Connie Mason and I've read everything else she has written, what choice do I have?
Rafe, the outlaw, is first accused of bank robbery in Dodge City. He and his brothers escape, riding off in different directions. Then Rafe is falsely accused of robbing a stagecoach and killing five people. He is at the point of being lynched when Sister Angela saves his life by saying that Rafe is her fiance, the reason she has traveled West.
Everything turns around in a moment's time, and the preacher insists on marrying them immediately. This story is told in true Connie Mason style, full of adventure and emotion. The number of errors is proof that SpellCheck is no substitute for proofreading.
119
January 10, 2018
What a great writer!
This book has a lot of character. Connie Mason is one of my favorite writer!
Angel has joined up with a preacher and his wife heading west for revivals. Running away from her stepfather who's trying to marry her off to get to her inherited gold mine.
Rafe is about to hang when Angel saves his hide. These two face a long road of running from the law and Angel s stepfather. Their love of each other saves both their lives a few times. It's definitely a must read.
This book has a lot of character. Connie Mason is one of my favorite writer!
Angel has joined up with a preacher and his wife heading west for revivals. Running away from her stepfather who's trying to marry her off to get to her inherited gold mine.
Rafe is about to hang when Angel saves his hide. These two face a long road of running from the law and Angel s stepfather. Their love of each other saves both their lives a few times. It's definitely a must read.
November 13, 2018
Both main characters are annoying AF. I'm no prude but the over the top sex scenes every other page was a bit much. Also, he seems kinda rapey. Taking what he wants and doesn't really care what she has to say.
Overall, unimpressed. There are better ones out there.
Overall, unimpressed. There are better ones out there.
May 20, 2024
I loved it! It's been a while since I read a historical romance, and I've wanted to read this one for a while. There was so much going on in this story. Action, betrayal, intrigue. Everything always seemed to be stacked against Rafe and Angela, that you didn't know what else would come between them. I read the version with the original cover, I don't know if the story changed when the cover did.
September 2, 2016
Bodice ripper! Not a bad story, but not great either.
Wrongly accused of robbing a stagecoach and murdering the passengers, Rafe Gentry is about to become the victim of a lynch mob. In steps Sister Angela Abbott, who takes one look into his eyes, and decides he really is good-- she recognizes him as a men who chased off some ruffians that made improper advances previously. She claims him as her fiancé, and the lynch mob becomes a wedding party.
Angel is on her way to claim her dead father's mine, and Rafe decides to accompany her.
On the way there, and at the mine, Angel attracts toruble like a magnet. Rafe keeps coming to here rescue, but she doesn't have a lot of faith in him, when he's in trouble. Nevertheless, in the short periods when they aren't have sex, they save each other.
There's a lot sex, not particularly graphic, but these two go at it like rabbits -- the plot is just filler between the sex scenes and a means to wrap up all the sex in an HEA.
Wrongly accused of robbing a stagecoach and murdering the passengers, Rafe Gentry is about to become the victim of a lynch mob. In steps Sister Angela Abbott, who takes one look into his eyes, and decides he really is good-- she recognizes him as a men who chased off some ruffians that made improper advances previously. She claims him as her fiancé, and the lynch mob becomes a wedding party.
Angel is on her way to claim her dead father's mine, and Rafe decides to accompany her.
On the way there, and at the mine, Angel attracts toruble like a magnet. Rafe keeps coming to here rescue, but she doesn't have a lot of faith in him, when he's in trouble. Nevertheless, in the short periods when they aren't have sex, they save each other.
There's a lot sex, not particularly graphic, but these two go at it like rabbits -- the plot is just filler between the sex scenes and a means to wrap up all the sex in an HEA.
January 27, 2025
2.5 Stars
Whilst nostalgic for me, this doesn’t hold up re-reading it as an adult.
I first read it many years ago as a teenager and was such a fan of Rafe and the romance here. But not I just found him painfully immature, sulky and exasperating - Angela really carried this and many things would have run much smoother if he’d just listened to her. The romance suffered as a result of Rafe being so annoying.
Actually, all the men - Chandler, Desmond and Baxter as well as Rafe - were idiots.
Plus there was a lot more dubious consent than I remembered.
Connie Mason was a favourite author for a long time and her books will always hold such a nostalgia for me, but this is one that is better in my memory.
Whilst nostalgic for me, this doesn’t hold up re-reading it as an adult.
I first read it many years ago as a teenager and was such a fan of Rafe and the romance here. But not I just found him painfully immature, sulky and exasperating - Angela really carried this and many things would have run much smoother if he’d just listened to her. The romance suffered as a result of Rafe being so annoying.
Actually, all the men - Chandler, Desmond and Baxter as well as Rafe - were idiots.
Plus there was a lot more dubious consent than I remembered.
Connie Mason was a favourite author for a long time and her books will always hold such a nostalgia for me, but this is one that is better in my memory.
April 20, 2008
Set in Ordway, Colorado, 1868, and is book #1 in The Outlaw Trilogy. Each brother is accused of bank robbery and they all fled in different directions with the agreement to meet in one year at a town in Colorado.
This is Rafe's story and I enjoyed it. Rafe is rescued from being hanged by Angela, who wants to be a nun. :-) Sparks fly and XO the nun thought.
This is Rafe's story and I enjoyed it. Rafe is rescued from being hanged by Angela, who wants to be a nun. :-) Sparks fly and XO the nun thought.
April 11, 2012
It was an okay read. Kind of slow, but plot was ok. I didn't feel any tension or romatic pull between the H or h, but it finished it. I will try and finish out the series.
January 16, 2016
Excellent
Read
September 11, 2016Really enjoyed this book.
May 10, 2016
I enjoy all different types of genres and I love Connie Mason. Love the characters she brings to life within her books.
January 10, 2024
I swear if Rafe and Angela are locked into another battle of wills, I’ll be losing my wit for sure🤣
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews