ANGEL IN THE RAIN

Author: Devon Matthews ISBN: 1601540450 3/2007 HISTORICAL Publisher: THE WILD ROSE PRESS
Time Period: West Texas 1880

After two years of finishing school, Angel Clayton is determined to redeem herself and become a lady like the mother she never knew. But her wild Texas legacy returns to haunt her when she finds herself the unwilling pawn in a battle of wills between her father’s enemy and a sexy pistolero whose reputation makes hers look positively angelic. Rane Mantorres is a gunfighter with a big reputation and an even bigger score to settle. When he learns his enemy plans to kidnap a wealthy rancher’s daughter, he foils the plot and kidnaps her himself. Now he finds he must dare far more than he bargained as he’s caught between his thirst for justice and a burning desire for his spirited hostage. Will he risk all—his revenge, even his life—for one night of unforgettable passion with an angel in the rain...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

ANGEL IN THE RAIN by Devon Matthews is everything a good western historical romance should be. The bad guys deserve to wear black, the hero and heroine catch the reader's heart instantly, and the plot is intricate enough to garner attention without the need for a lariat or hog-tying.

Evangeline Clayton is returning home from New York and Miss Marvel's Ladies Academy, at her father's summons. She's been in the city studying to become a woman of refinement, but the minute she gets a whiff of the west and is reminded of all that she holds dear, the temptation to throw off her gloves is great. Still, she resists-until she realizes there's a price on her head. Evangeline becomes embroiled in a bitter range war. There's a bounty on her and it seems that everywhere she looks, there's one despicable character after another waiting to kidnap her.

But Rane Mantorres is different. The gunfighter saves her from her captors and although Evangeline is grateful, she wonders what the stunningly handsome man has in his own mind to do with her. She doesn't need to wait long to find out, though, and almost before she can don trousers and mount a horse she's pulled into an unlikely love affair.

ANGEL IN THE RAIN by Devon Matthews is the kind of book that can be enjoyed over and over again. I loved it the first time I read it and I'm sure I'll enjoy it as much the next time I read it. Because this one, dear readers, is a keeper.

Kay James