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Rancheros #3

Diablo's Angel

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She’s no match for the devil. Or is she?

Crista’s arrival home in Los Angeles, after having been sent to Spain when she was barely five, is far different than she expected. Her family, strangers to her now, are not there to greet her. It’s a band of outlaws that welcome her home. She fears her fate is sealed, only to discover that her fate lies in the hands of the devil.

Diablo is an infamous outlaw, feared by all and obeyed by all, but seen by none. He wears a dark shroud that conceals his face, adding to his terrifying reputation. His men won’t dare disobey or betray him. Or they’ll feel the crack of his whip, a weapon he wields with exceptional skill.

Crista learns all too soon how terrifying and heartless the notorious outlaw can be and prays that her family will rescue her. But given time with Diablo, she begins to wonder about the man beneath the shroud.

With decisions having always been made for her, Crista makes one on her own that seals her fate and steals her heart. And when things prove to be far different than what she thought they were… she must make another decision.

Does she trust the devil or destroy him?

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 12, 2020

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Donna Fletcher

103 books966 followers

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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for MG *Bury Me with My Kindle.. & a REALLY Long Charger*.
587 reviews775 followers
February 25, 2020
4 el diablo esta caliente stars!

This is the final installment of the Rancheros trilogy set in early 1800s Los Angeles, and Ms. Fletcher saved the best for last, imo! Each of the books can be read as stand-alones, but as the mcs from the second story appear often in this one, I would recommend reading it before this one.

His name says it all: Diablo. He is the devil - the one parents tell their children tales of when they misbehave to keep them in line: "Diablo will come for you." He wears a long shroud to cover his face, and it is said should anyone look upon him, they do not live to tell of it. He shows no mercy to his enemies, and his justice is final. But he has an end game, and its time draws near... all he needs are for a couple pieces to fall together. The very last thing he needs are any complications.

Crista Casare was sent to Spain at a young age - she as told that it was for her safety after her brother was abducted and coerced into the life of an outlaw. Now that he has returned, she is being called back to a family she does not know or remember much of, and she is not sure what awaits her. While at the convent she was sent to, Crista only heard from her parents twice per year, and she never received any indication of affection; meanwhile, she was taken in by a very kind, warm, and loving couple to be raised as one of their own and is now being ripped away from the only family she really knows.

On her way to her family's hacienda in Los Angeles, Crista's traveling party is besieged by outlaws, and Crista is captured. As she awaits what is certain to be a terrible fate by the way the men who took her are leering at her, a man emerges from the dark... Diablo. While the men who took her were part of his entourage, he gave no such orders to attack and take Crista. The last thing he needs is to anger her brother Esteban, a former outlaw, with his plans so close to completion. After harshly punishing the rogue raiders, he takes Crista to his camp until he can ensure that Esteban knows it was not his intent to take his sister and he can return her without consequences. But as he comes to know the feisty, intelligent, kind, and very beautiful woman, he finds he is more and more reluctant to deliver her to her family. And though Crista has seen firsthand why men and women fear Diablo, she recognizes that there is much more behind the shroud than just a face - there is a man that she has come to care for. But what will happen when it is time for Diablo to finalize his plan and Crista must be returned to her family? Is there any hope for a future between an outlaw and a lady? And when Crista's life is in jeopardy, will the devil be enough to save her?

What I liked:
--- My favorite type of romance is one where it is the mcs against the world, meaning they get together by at least the halfway mark and then face the obstacles together vs suffer inner turmoil - that's what happened here :)
--- Crista is a very likeable h, and there is much more to Diablo than originally appears
--- Action, danger, secrets.... all unfolding throughout to keep the reader glued to the pages
--- Muy caliente escenas de sexo!

What I didn't like as much:
--- I didn't like Diablo much at first - I prefer the alpha males who threaten harm vs actually do harm (towards women); specifically, in an early scene in the story, Diablo warns Crista to stop asking questions by choking her (not until she passed out, but still) - as they got to know each other, I started to like him a lot more
--- I felt a few times that the plot could have moved along a little more quickly

Overall, a very steamy read with danger, action, romance, and (of course!) a satisfying HEA.

*Please note that I received an advance copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Plot --- 4/5
Main Characters --- 4/5
Supporting Cast --- 4/5
Steam Level* --- 4/5
Violence --- nothing graphic (other than what I noted above)
Language --- not egregious
POV --- 3rd

*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild; 2/5 - sensual but nothing descriptive; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere; 4/5 - yes please! ; 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all
Profile Image for Wendy Bernard Blair.
9 reviews4 followers
March 5, 2020
Well I’ve been waiting for this book for years but it was definitely worth the wait. I completely Loved Crista and Diablo’s story! Their story takes you in right at the start and takes you through soo many emotions. Fear, happiness, anger, passion, hate and ending with a love that’ll last several lifetimes. It also has a really nice twist at the end.
You won’t be disappointed you read it. This is book 3 of the Authors Ranchero’s Trilogy.
I received a ARC for my honest review.
Profile Image for Shell.
Author 2 books
February 20, 2020
The final book of the Rancheros Series did not disappoint. It was really worth the wait.

Donna Fletcher has always been a go-to author of mine for historical romance and she has done a great job with this recent series that for me felt like years in the making. The characters were well-written and well developed. There was a type of consistency in their personalities that was apparent althroughout the series. I had always loved how her female characters are strong women but Fletcher wrote it in such a way that they don’t overpower the whole story. Crista’s subtle strength complements well with Diablo’s strong personality. I also loved the fact that Crista wasn’t perfect. That she has a disability that she struggles with althroughout the story and her ability to see past the disability and be who she wanted to be. It was very subtle but clearly shows that her women characters are strong in their own way. And although all her male characters have a possessive personality, I love how she always show the male character’s soft side without making them lose their masculinity.

The story made me laugh, cry, held my breath in suspense and all the while cheering them on with all their victories against any challenges they faced.

I would have given it a five star but I had a few minor wishes. I wished that there were more scenes that showed Christa’s fighting skills. I had also hoped there was a deeper background story for Diablo to explain properly his transition into the notorious outlaw. There were also some minor grammar and spell checks that must have slipped through the editing process. But these minor things didn’t stop my enjoyment of reading the book. I couldn’t put it down until I have finished with the story and I am planning on reading all three stories in succession again.

All in all, it’s really a great ending to a great series. Can’t wait to read more stories from Donna Fletcher.
1 review
February 28, 2020
This is my favorite in the trilogy. Love, romance, great hero and heroine, a lot of suspense and a surprise at the end. After Crista's brother is abducted and she is 5 years old, she is shipped off to a convent in Spain to keep her safe. After an incident at the convent, she is sent to live with a local family who embrace and love her. Over the years, communication from her parents is minimal, two letters a year. They never speak of missing or loving her; just their desire she learns how to be a good and obedient wife. Her brother returns so she is summoned home. Before she even reaches home, she finds herself first abducted by outlaws only to be abducted again by the infamous outlaw, the devil himself, Diablo. Of course, she falls in love with him. Returned home, she finds herself with a family of strangers who care more about their position in life and what people gossip about, Unfortunately, Crista has a secret. If it gets out, she could bring shame to her family. She finds herself needing a husband immediately.
Diablo is a good and honorable man forced into the life of an outlaw. In order to keep himself and others safe, he becomes the most feared outlaw there is. He is tall and intimidating. He dresses all in black including a shroud that hides his identity and he is proficient with a whip. He's known as the devil and is feared by all. Diablo has a plan to leave the outlaw life. Unfortunately, Crista's abduction gets in the way. Learning she has been abducted, he abducts her from the outlaws who took her so he can keep her safe and return her to her family. While negotiating her return, he finds the heart he thought he shut off, being awakened by Crista and he falls in love. He'd like to keep Crista but being together could never be. Unless . . .
Profile Image for Cindy C..
1,142 reviews14 followers
February 22, 2020
Diablo's Angel takes you back to the Wild West with all the action, violence, bandits and guns blazing with it's nonstop action-packed rollercoaster ride full of twist and turns that will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat until the very end! Donna Fletcher has outdone herself with this novel that is well-written, filled it with a magnificent cast of characters, a strong plot with great dialogue bring this read together perfectly! So many emotions that whirl through you as you read about Diablo (Chavez) and Crista's journey to admitting their love for one another. Crista sent away to Spain for years finally gets to come home! But the welcome isn't what she exspects. Greeted by bandits and kidnapped, Crista is scared for what will happen next. Then a voice from the night demands the bandits hand Crista over to him, "because she's mine". With a crack of his whip that slithers around the bandits throat like a snake helping to convince them to hand over Crista. Diablo steps out of the shadows and all Crista can see is a man covered in a black shroud! Crista soon relizes why this mysterious alpha male is feared by all and obeyed by all. Obedience is something Crista lacks and soon sparks start to fly between the two, but with their passions building in this heart pounding story full of drama, secrets, turmoil, trials and tribulations and while the suspense builds, tensions escalate and all twist and turns abound that makes for one outstanding story! Donna Fletcher has written a story that will hold you spellbound!
Profile Image for Maria Dariotis .
785 reviews17 followers
March 8, 2020

Diablo’s Angel
Rancheros Book 3
by Donna Fletcher

The much anticipated final installment to the Rancheros trilogy, and I have to say that it was well worth the wait! From the first page I was hooked, Crista has finally arrived home after living in Spain a forceful exile since her brothers kidnapping. Life in the convent was not the experience her parents need know about. Finally she’s on the way to meet the family she barely remembers when she’s abducted by a gang of renegades. Just when she’s certain the outlaws have nefarious intentions she’s taken by a masked man, which leaves her wondering if she was better off in the frying pan than the fire!

Diablo’s life hasn’t been easy, from a young age he had to fight fir his survival and now for his people, his identity is a secret. His word is law and whoever doesn’t obey, the consequences are severe. Except one woman will test his patience. Crista makes a decision that will for ever change her life, after all she’s the only one that has seen him without his shroud!

I have to say that this final book is the best out of the three, I reread the two previous ones just so I could feel the story better, I was glad to see her family once again, lots of mystery and intrigue really kept me turning the pages. Really enjoyed this book, after waiting so long for this I’m sad to see this end. Once again Donna Fletcher has outdone herself! I recieved a copy from the author, this is my honest unbiased opinion
Profile Image for Carole Burant.
1,279 reviews37 followers
February 15, 2020
I'm blaming the author for my lack of sleep last night because I couldn't put this book down until I'd finished it!! lol I absolutely loved this story and it's so action packed with all the twists and turns and I'm serious when I say once you start reading, you won't want to put the book down!!! Oh and the passion between Diablo and Crista....swoooonnnnn.

Everyone fears Diablo and if he's disobeyed, the person pays with their life. No one even knows what he looks like because he always wears a shroud that covers his face. When he saves Crista from a band of outlaws, little does he know how much his life will change. She disobeys him at every turn and yet he can't help taking care of her and wanting revenge on the people who hurt her while she was growing up, away from her family. The passion that grows between them is so beautiful to see and you can't help but cheer them on.

Donna Fletcher weaves a story that will hold you spellbound and your heart will race, wondering what will happen next. When you get to the end, a huge smile will appear and you will know that what you just read was indeed one of the best historical romances around.

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Profile Image for SKM.
136 reviews1 follower
February 18, 2020
This book has it all and as a reader, you need to be ready to feel (and keep a good grip on your Kindle).

It starts with a kidnapping followed by a rescue. The rescuer isn't your normal knight in shining armor - he is a black knight, a man with a past that he is hoping will not determine his future. Our lady is a spirited young woman, angered at her family for sending her away as a child, who must choose whether or not she can love a man who is admittedly an outlaw and if she can love him, will they have a future.

This story takes you on an emotional journey that grabs your emotions and forces you to feel anger, fear, love, hate, passion, and forgiveness. It is a fast paced book, but reads extremely well. It doesn't rush but neither does it drag on. It is very honest and makes you desperately crave for these two damaged souls to have their happily ever after.

I received an ARC from the author and am giving my honest review.
Profile Image for Sissy's Romance Book Review .
8,992 reviews16 followers
February 21, 2020
Diablo's Angel by Donna Fletcher is book Three in the Rancheros Series. This is the story of Crista and Diablo. I did feel this was a standalone book. Diablo is a deadly person who doesn't take it well when people disobeys him. So he is a dark Knight...not the white Knight you would think. But when he ends up saving Crista she is everything he isn't used to. Crista is her own strong women who breaks his rules at every command it seems but he still can't keep from being there for her or protecting her.
Ms. Fletcher is one of those authors who take you into their story and you feel their emotions. Her books are not one you can put down...you have to read them to the end. In addition, her characters sometimes have disabilities and not so perfect. I loved their story and hope to read more from this author soon!!


Profile Image for Nancy Bosque.
90 reviews2 followers
February 19, 2020
Wow, another one of Donna's books I just could not put down. Although this is the third book in the series (Untamed Fire and Renegade Love the first two), you do not have to read the first two books before reading this one. This book will tag on all of your emotions, but be prepared, El Diablo is an Alpha Male, with a caring heart that he does not show often. I also love the mountain lion in the book. I won't spoil it for you with a synopsis of the book, I will just tell you that this is one book definitely worth reading if you are a romance book fan. It is well written, keeps you engaged throughout the book, make you feel many emotions and worth the time to read and add to your library.
Profile Image for Bigedsgirl1.
345 reviews49 followers
February 23, 2020
Wow, what an awesomely emotion filled and action packed old west romance! Diablo and Crista are both so immediately fascinating and their seemingly fated first meeting pulled me in and made me eager to read more. The ensuing pages kept my adrenaline pumping, at times had my eyes tearing, and I was completely enthralled to the very end.
Profile Image for Sandra VanHooser.
1 review
February 26, 2020
I loved this story. It was such an exciting read! Donna Fletcher’s Writing is so full of life. She carries the reader to the specific time and place. I felt the fear, anguish and love that Diablo and Crista experienced and didn’t want it to end. This is the perfect ending to an awesome trilogy.
974 reviews5 followers
March 4, 2020
Great book and well written of course ms fletcher never disappoints I have waited for the end of this trilogy crusts and diablo were made for each other and enjoyed the secondary family members as well you have to read it to know I have enjoyed all her books give them a try as I would highly recommend them 👍👍
1 review1 follower
February 14, 2020
Another fantastic read! Once again Donna Fletcher captivates and holds the reader's attention!! I couldn't put this book down and highly recommend not only this book, but the entire trilogy!!! 5 of 5 stars!
1 review
February 15, 2020
So happy the wait for the final book of the Ranchers Trilogy is here and it was everything I hoped for.! Crista and Diablo’s love for each other is deep and sweet. I loved how this story shows that things are not always as they seem. Thanks Donna for another great read!
51 reviews
February 15, 2020
The wait is OVER!!

Absolutely loved Diablo’s story! We’ve all been waiting a while for it and no disappointments whatsoever!! Nice twist at the end with the padre... such a good story! Now I can finish my laundry...before I go back and reread this series!!!
Profile Image for Laura Higgs.
9 reviews
February 19, 2020
A much anticipated book by Donna Fletcher in her Rancheros Series. I was not disappointed in this book! This book was a great ending to a great series. Crista was just what the devil needed. Her innocence and strength was Diablo's downfall.
1 review
February 21, 2020
I usually only read Medieval books. I was given a copy of this book by the author. I loved it. The hero and heroine was very likable. Interesting story plot that kept you wanting more. The only disappointment I had that it was over. I will definitely be reading the other two books in the series.
5 reviews
February 25, 2020
What a great story. The devil and the angel- will they or won't they. A well told story to keep the reader always guessing. Just love Donna Fletcher and all the stories she pulls us into. Will always be a fan.
Profile Image for Wendy.
329 reviews
March 7, 2020
I loved the whole series but this is definitely my favorite. I discovered Ms. Fletcher's writing a couple of years ago and have devoured all of her books. I'm amazed at how well she writes in several different time periods. This series is one of my favorites. I highly recommend this series.
1 review
February 16, 2020
Worth the wait

I love the story it was well worth the wait I was captured from the first moment all the way to the end
32 reviews1 follower
February 17, 2020
The Devil finds love!

Best book ever!! What a great finish for this trilogy and so worth the wait!! I will be reading it over and over again!
21 reviews
March 20, 2020
Great story

The story incorporated characters from the previous book and I enjoyed all 3 books Donna wrote. All 3 books had different stories.
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