Book Review: A River to Cross by Yvonne Harris

Excerpt: With Elizabeth over his shoulder, Chavez hauled himself into the saddle. He slammed her down hard in front of him and spurred the horse into a flying gallop for the river. They tore across the street, down the slope, and into the busy freight yards.

A whistle shrieked.

A bell clang-clang-clanged like doomsday.

Elizabeth's mouth fell open in a scream of terror.

Smoke pouring, sparks flying, a big black locomotive barreled down on them.

She was still screaming as Chavez raced across the tracks in front of the train, shouting to the horse, "Go! Go! Go!" A River to Cross, pg 17.

Back Cover: On the lawless frontier, a Texas lawman is her only hope.

Elizabeth Evans's brother paid the ultimate price as editor of a newspaper exposing the dangers along the U.S.-Mexican border. Determined to take up his cause, she's targeted and kidnapped by a rogue general - Manuel Diego.

It's the job of Texas Ranger Jake Nelson to protect the border against rustlers and marauders. With Elizabeth's photograph in hand - a dark-haired beauty with smiling eyes - Jake and his men ride across the great river to rescue her, to apprehend Diego and bring him to justice.

But Diego and his renegades are not about to give up that easily. Amid the turmoil, Jake finds himself taken by Elizabeth. And she by him. Yet his life as a Ranger doesn't fit with marriage and settling down. Not at all.

My Review: Yvonne Harris has done it again! A River to Cross is an exciting story of love, trust and ever escalating danger. Her hero and heroine are believable, and the story draws you in from the first page. I can't wait to read the next book by this amazing author.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy westerns with a romantic twist.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)

Book Review: The Vigilante's Bride by Yvonne Harris

Excerpt: The director sighed. "Be sensible, Emily. There's little a woman - a decent woman - can do here without a husband. Be a good wife to him, and I expect you'll be happy. He's provided the best of accommodations for you - even a ticket on the new Pullman car, not the coach."

With three quick steps she was around the desk. Smiling, she threw her arms around Emily and hugged her tight. "It's a blessing, dear. The Lord is giving you a chance to have a home and family of your own." The Vigilante's Bride, pg 10.

Back Cover: Robbing a stagecoach on Christmas Eve and abducting a woman passenger is the last thing Luke Sullivan expected to do. He just wanted to reclaim the money stolen from his pa, but instead ends up rescuing a feisty copper-haired woman who was on her way to marry Sullivan's dangerous enemy.

Emily McCarthy doesn't take kindly to her so-called rescue. Still, she's hoping Providence will turn her situation for good, especially when it seems Luke Sullivan may just be the man of her dreams. But Luke has crossed a vicious man, a powerful rancher not used to losing, and Emily is the prize he's unwilling to sacrifice.

My Review: The Vigilante's Bride is a typical western romance. The men are rough and tough, fast draws and great cow hands. The leading lady is young and naive, but with a big load of pluck. Of course, the circumstances forcing Emily west are very interesting. I don't think that I could be a mail order bride, even through I fantasized about it as a child. I have great respect for women who traveled West to marry men they had never met. It was a risky, and exciting venture. I'm just not sure that I would have had what it takes to make it.

I enjoyed the complexity of these characters. They had a past, which helped form them into what they had become. Their past played a part in the way they responded to certain things, like Luke's fear of going into Indian territory. The dialogue and interaction between Emily and Luke is enjoyable, and makes the book so much fun to read.

My Rating: 

My Recommendation: I recommend this to readers who enjoy romances set in the Old West. This story is full of Indians, Cowboys, Good guys and Bad with lots of lead flying through the air.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)