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Western Ladies #1-2
Angel Creek / A Lady of the West
ANGEL CREEK
After her father died, beautiful Dee Swann held on to her homestead in the Colorado hills, fiercely determined that no one would claim her land—or her independence. Then ruthless, ambitious Lucas Cochran came to Angel Creek valley to challenge her on both counts....
He needs the valley's cool waters to turn the drought-cursed high country into the cattle dynasty he craves. But as their fiery confrontation flares into a wild and unfettered passion, they are bound together in a dangerous destiny—with much more than just frontier dreams at stake....
A LADY OF THE WEST
Victoria Waverly was a noble daughter of the war-ruined South—and wife in name only to a heartless Western rancher. Yet neither honor nor pride could quench her forbidden desire for hired gunman Jake Roper. His narrow gaze, hard as ice, hid tender emotions—and he cursed his burning need for this graceful, innocent lady. For the blazing New Mexico territory called him to fight for the sweeping ranchland that was his birthright. On a mission to set right the past across the lawless land, the powerful cowboy and the aristocratic beauty would reach the heights of passion—and step closer to the flames of destruction....
After her father died, beautiful Dee Swann held on to her homestead in the Colorado hills, fiercely determined that no one would claim her land—or her independence. Then ruthless, ambitious Lucas Cochran came to Angel Creek valley to challenge her on both counts....
He needs the valley's cool waters to turn the drought-cursed high country into the cattle dynasty he craves. But as their fiery confrontation flares into a wild and unfettered passion, they are bound together in a dangerous destiny—with much more than just frontier dreams at stake....
A LADY OF THE WEST
Victoria Waverly was a noble daughter of the war-ruined South—and wife in name only to a heartless Western rancher. Yet neither honor nor pride could quench her forbidden desire for hired gunman Jake Roper. His narrow gaze, hard as ice, hid tender emotions—and he cursed his burning need for this graceful, innocent lady. For the blazing New Mexico territory called him to fight for the sweeping ranchland that was his birthright. On a mission to set right the past across the lawless land, the powerful cowboy and the aristocratic beauty would reach the heights of passion—and step closer to the flames of destruction....
581 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2005
About the author
Linda Howard
223 books7,214 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Linda S. Howington is an American best-selling romance author writing under the pseudonym Linda Howard. After 21 years of penning stories for her own enjoyment, she submitted a novel for publication which was very successful. Her first work was published by Silhouette in 1982. She is a charter member of Romance Writers of America and in 2005 Howard was awarded their Career Achievement Award.
Linda Howard lives in Gadsden, Alabama with her husband, Gary F. Howington, and two golden retrievers. She has three grown stepchildren and three grandchildren.
Linda S. Howington is an American best-selling romance author writing under the pseudonym Linda Howard. After 21 years of penning stories for her own enjoyment, she submitted a novel for publication which was very successful. Her first work was published by Silhouette in 1982. She is a charter member of Romance Writers of America and in 2005 Howard was awarded their Career Achievement Award.
Linda Howard lives in Gadsden, Alabama with her husband, Gary F. Howington, and two golden retrievers. She has three grown stepchildren and three grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 3, 2024
Well done historical romance
December 30, 2022
F.Y.I. These two books are in this book in reverse order, A Lady of the West is book one in the series. Although these are standalone stories there is a character common to both books. Although I enjoyed both of these books, I didn't enjoy them as well as the third book in the series, which I read first.
A Lady of the West - 1846, a rancho in New Mexico, people wanting what isn't theirs, is attacked, the owner murder, his wife raped and murdered, attempted murder of their 2 sons, Jacob and Benjamin. Post-Civil War Major McLain, the rancho thief, proud of "his", has funds enough to buy a wife from American's impoverished Southern aristocracy. His wife to be, Victoria, her younger sister, Celia and her cousin, Emma are arriving, he plans to have sons of his own. His 2 top men Garnet and Jake Roper. Jake has a hidden identity, because he is Jacob Sarratt, and he's come home to take his birthright back. He and his brother succeed, but the battle isn't over, he must convince Victoria that she is more than another possession, Benjamin must convince Emma and what about Celia?
Angel Creek - Lucas Cochran has returned home after the death of his father, he has plans beyond the Double C and the town of Prosper. The banker's daughter, Olivia, would be perfect for his plans. Dee Swann's family came to Prosper and settled Angel Creek, Lucas had told his father they should include Angel Creek with Double C, but his father decided that the Double C would never need the water. Dee is able to keep herself alive with something to spare, but Lucas and his male superiority thinks Dee would be better off living in Prosper. And there is Kyle Bellamy and Tillie "escapees" from the American South. Kyle intent on having a huge ranch. But a draught has hit and there isn't enough water for The Double C and Bellamy's Ranch, Angel Creek is the only available water, and Bellamy is determined to have it. Lucas rescues Dee, but is determined to save her as well, much to her displeasure. He finally convinces her, that she can have her way and himself as well.
A Lady of the West - 1846, a rancho in New Mexico, people wanting what isn't theirs, is attacked, the owner murder, his wife raped and murdered, attempted murder of their 2 sons, Jacob and Benjamin. Post-Civil War Major McLain, the rancho thief, proud of "his", has funds enough to buy a wife from American's impoverished Southern aristocracy. His wife to be, Victoria, her younger sister, Celia and her cousin, Emma are arriving, he plans to have sons of his own. His 2 top men Garnet and Jake Roper. Jake has a hidden identity, because he is Jacob Sarratt, and he's come home to take his birthright back. He and his brother succeed, but the battle isn't over, he must convince Victoria that she is more than another possession, Benjamin must convince Emma and what about Celia?
Angel Creek - Lucas Cochran has returned home after the death of his father, he has plans beyond the Double C and the town of Prosper. The banker's daughter, Olivia, would be perfect for his plans. Dee Swann's family came to Prosper and settled Angel Creek, Lucas had told his father they should include Angel Creek with Double C, but his father decided that the Double C would never need the water. Dee is able to keep herself alive with something to spare, but Lucas and his male superiority thinks Dee would be better off living in Prosper. And there is Kyle Bellamy and Tillie "escapees" from the American South. Kyle intent on having a huge ranch. But a draught has hit and there isn't enough water for The Double C and Bellamy's Ranch, Angel Creek is the only available water, and Bellamy is determined to have it. Lucas rescues Dee, but is determined to save her as well, much to her displeasure. He finally convinces her, that she can have her way and himself as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 23, 2025I'm not entirely sure how to rate this one because there's a solid story underneath each of the books, but holy heck can you ever tell they were written 30+ years ago and the heroes' behaviour has not aged well. In each book, the primary hero does at least one thing that ought to be unforgiveable. In Angel Creek, it's just about recovered from; in A Lady from the West, it's brushed off far too easily. There's also rather a lot of violence in both, and the villain in A Lady from the West is particularly sickening.
I also found it very strange that the two stories are presented in reverse chronological order. Angel Creek takes place about a decade after A Lady of the West and, while they don't share a setting, they do share a secondary hero - which means that Angel Creek pretty seriously spoils key events in A Lady of the West.
So, while I don't regret reading this book, I don't know that I can recommend it.
I also found it very strange that the two stories are presented in reverse chronological order. Angel Creek takes place about a decade after A Lady of the West and, while they don't share a setting, they do share a secondary hero - which means that Angel Creek pretty seriously spoils key events in A Lady of the West.
So, while I don't regret reading this book, I don't know that I can recommend it.
December 4, 2024
I like this, two books in one!
Two good adventure, romance novels. A good relaxing read.....
Two good adventure, romance novels. A good relaxing read.....
December 12, 2010
I really liked both of these because the stories really made you aware of just how vulnerable women were during the "wild west". Without a husband or family there really were no options for them unless you consider prostitution the solution. So, I liked that flashback aspect that made me wonder how any women lived through that era... I have to say that the women that proceded me were made of much stronger stuff than I. I would have been shot, most likely by my husband, on our wedding day!
All that being said, great writing, the details made you feel the tile floor beneath your feet and I could hear Angel Creek flowing by me. As always, loved her characters, she has a wonderful ability to create a wide variety of characters and make you love and hate them in just the perfect way.
All that being said, great writing, the details made you feel the tile floor beneath your feet and I could hear Angel Creek flowing by me. As always, loved her characters, she has a wonderful ability to create a wide variety of characters and make you love and hate them in just the perfect way.
June 6, 2013
Smutty book! Skim read it to find out how it ended. Predictable as well. Should have closed it in the first chapter.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews