Book Review: West of Heaven

West of Heaven by Victoria Bylin - Harlequin Historical Western #714 - Jul 04

In the prologue of this book, Jayne Dawson has only been married a few days to a man she barely knows when he leaves to complete unfinished business. Now I didn't feel anything for this hero. And I love all of Vicki's heroes. So what was going on? Well, I'm glad I kept reading b/c he wasn't the hero of the book. A few days later Jayne has found her new husband - dead and almost buried - on a ranch just hours before a blizzard hits.

Ethan Trent is the rancher who buries Jayne's husband. He's going through his own personal hell and doesn't want her there. She's supposed to go back to town but doesn't and the storm hits. She spends the night in Ethan's barn. The next morning, Ethan finds her. She's feverish. In the aftermath of the storm, he realizes no one can ride through the deep snow to town so he takes her into his tiny cabin and nurses her to health.

And that's when the story really stars. Not only is Jayne a grieving widow, but she finds out she's pregnant and her husband's partner is looking for her to get his money back. And he's not a nice guy.

Ethan Trent just wants to be left alone. He lost his family and doesn't want to another. But somehow through the fog of his existence, he's notices Jayne as a woman and the walls start tumbling down. When they hear her very life is in danger, he does the only thing he can - he offers to give her his name until the man stalking her is found and jailed.

The man who marries them is the Rev John Leaf - ex-gunslinger who knows what he's preaching about because he's seen and done it all. In fact, a book I read and reviewed earlier - Abbie's Outlaw - Harlequin Historical Western #750 - Apr 05 is the story of the Rev John Leaf and the woman he left behind...until she found him again. I just read the books out of order.

Heat Level: Sensual

My Rating: Great! - 4 ½ stars (a keeper)

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2008 Harlequin 100,000 Book Challenge:

Total books Read: 78 Harlequin Imprint: 74 Others: 4


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