This action-packed Western with heart, grit and depth is a thrilling story that kept me absorbed from beginning to end.

Sarah Ryan has made her way from Ireland to Hermit’s Ridge ranch in Arizona only to find that her sister and brother-in-law have been murdered. With the idea of becoming her 12 year old nephew’s caretaker she moves onto the ranch and eventually becomes his partner. When she first sees the lone gunman, Texas Ranger L. T. McAllister, arriving in Succor, Arizona to turn his brother’s murderer in for trial, she does not realize that he is related to Will, her nephew. With Jeremy, the crusty older wrangler, assisting at the ranch and eventually L. T. coming to help out they all spend weeks waiting for the trial and getting to know one another better. Gunslingers, fights, evil, corruption, torture, friendships, a dance, a festival, gold hunters and more occur in this rousing story that eventually ends on a happy note.

The way this was written I felt as if I could have been there. My emotions and senses were engaged as I became immersed in the lives of the characters of this book. I recommend this novel to anyone who has enjoyed Louis L’Amour, Zane Grey, Max Brand and other classic Western authors and also recommend it to those who enjoy historical Western romances written by female authors that allude to the sensual without being explicit.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. ( )