Rating: 
Summary: Hooked on Howard!
Review: A long time ago (like four years back), in a far away land (California), I was introduced to Linda Howard's books by my best friend ... and I hated them. I found them drab and terribly long and would've had more fun poking myself in the eye with a fork and swirling it around. Then, a few days ago, I was walking through my local grocery store, restless and in need of some greater fulfillment than what I had gotten from another book I had just finished. I stood in front of the book section for at least a half hour perusing their small selection. A bit reluctantly (but desperate now), I picked up the Linda Howard book, remembering how my best friend had oozed out praise for this author. So I thought, "Ah, what the hell," and man, was I ever shocked! A Lady of the West has been one of the best, if not the best, book I have read in years! It had everything a western should have: shoot outs, legends, bloody revenges, ranches, cowboys, the whole nine.The book starts with a short history of Sarrat's Kingdom, and how things came to be the way they were, taking the reader back more then a hundred years. Then Howard goes to tell of how the Sarrat's became over thrown and how the evil Major came to get a hold of the land. The time frame is post-civil war, and out of sheer desperation to save her family from starvation and death in the war ravaged South, Miss Victoria Waverly allows herself to be sold in marriage to the Major. She takes West with her her little sister, Celia, and her cousin, Emma (who was left with no other relative but the Waverlys by the war). There, for the first time, she meets her husband and Jake Sarrat (kept incognito to his nemesis by the name Jake Roper). The intent (plot) of the book was clear from the beginning: Jake Sarrat, who's parents were killed by the Major 20 years ago, has come back to take back what belonged to him. What kept me glued to the book until the wee hours of the morning was the "how", not the "what". How was he going to do it? And one was kept waiting to see what was going to happen next. The romance was a bit slow to start and perhaps could have been done a little more smoothly with more interaction between the two main characters and the hero's "sudden warming up" to the heroine I thought defied his character (he melted too fast) but the story going on around them was good enough to the point where how they fell in love and/or whether they fell in love was second place. Towards the end, their misunderstandings and emotional misunderstandings became frustrating to me. Why didn't either one just spit it out, get on with it! Come on now! But their pride and ignorance kept bumping heads and had me bumping heads with the wall right along with them. Howard's sometimes brutal reality was definitely one of the elements that kept me turning pages. She spared no one from reality. All too often in romance novels, next to nothing horrible happens to the hero or heroine themselves. No real great lost or tragedy to them, just to the people around them. Howard brings you to the pinnacle then saves you just in time. Through out much of the book, I was caught in a series of "Oh no.. Oh no! .. Oh ... no... I can't believe this is happening! She (Howard) can't let him do this! She (Howard again) has to save them! " and gasps of shock then of relief when by what HAD to be fate, the plot twisted and temporary respite was found. I would definitely rate this book a 4. This book was so good, I snuck it to work just to read what was going to happen next! (And I have NEVER done that before with any other book!) I only keep it from gaining a 5 star rating because I thought the hero's feelings were a bit forced to create a romance. I have definitely changed my tune about Linda Howard now though and will be writing my best friend to thank her for trying to introduce me to her books oh so many years ago. Her attempt to convert me into a Howard fan was slow coming, but successful.
Rating: 
Summary: Didn't work for me...
Review: Every other book that I have read by this author I have really enjoyed, but not this one. This wasn't about love, but force. These were not characters that are larger than life, but smaller than the average joe.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful! Very romantic.
Review: I absolutely loved this book! Its only the 2nd Linda Howard book I've read and now I want to read all of them! This book has strong characters and a great plot. I didn't want it to end, I wish all books could be this good!
Rating: 
Summary: No more violence please
Review: I am a avid fan of Linda Howard. As an author she has consistently given me many, many hours of reading pleasure. I'm usually the first to line up to grab her next release, and constantly search for any previous books I have missed before finding her. I can't tell you how many times I have re-read her work. However... I was greatly disappointed and disgusted when reading this book. I DO NOT approve of violence directed toward women, even in fiction. I don't understand how a woman can fall in love with a man who demonstrates violence toward her. I certainly DON'T want to read about it. No more please.. I would not like to waste my money in this way again.
Rating:
Summary: Linda Howard, you never stop amazing me!
Review: I have 0 complaints about this book. I had a very hard time putting it down. In fact I read the first 8 chapters overnight and was late to work the next day, LOL. It was a fast paced book and was such a page turner. I can't wait to read it again! Whoever has given this book a bad review isn't able to cope with reality. What A Lady of the West tells is all real - and wonderfully written at that. VERY heated love/sex scenes.
Very strong characters.
Very good details about the western time period.
Very very awesome. A must have. A definite keeper. One of my favorite books.
Rating:
Summary: Linda Howard, you never stop amazing me!
Review: I have 0 complaints about this book. I had a very hard time putting it down. In fact I read the first 8 chapters overnight and was late to work the next day, LOL. It was a fast paced book and was such a page turner. I can't wait to read it again! Whoever has given this book a bad review isn't able to cope with reality. What A Lady of the West tells is all real - and wonderfully written at that. VERY heated love/sex scenes.
Very strong characters.
Very good details about the western time period.
Very very awesome. A must have. A definite keeper. One of my favorite books.
Rating:
Summary: 5 Stars all the Way!!!!
Review: I have not picked up a Linda Howard book and not liked it. This book was no exception. I had looked at the reviews and was not sure how this book would be. Hearing how he hit her and all he did was "want" her and all that. I thought the story would have Jake as the biggest butt and Victoria as weak willed, under Jakes thumb. Not so, was the case. It took just a little while to get started, but once I got through the first 30-50 pages, it all came together and took off on a wild ride. I loved the lead heroine. Vicotria was great. She did not take Jake's crap and gave as good as she got. Yes, Jake does hit her but first of all, it did flow with the story line, he did not get away with it what so ever. He never thought it was OK. No, none of it makes it right, but you can see how it fits in there and the outcome the action is surprising. Yes, Jake did talk an aweful lot of "wanting" Victoria, but it was to the point of obsession, something the reader should be able to figure out is not just lust. That he does want not just her, but all of her, and that he equates feelings with sex. So, while you know how Victoria feels, you have to look at Jakes actions to see how he feels. Very intraciate. I love how it all got blended in together. Jake was very dominate, but such a sweetheart, I couldnt help but love him. It took me not even a day to read this book. Near the end of the book I cried. When it was over wanted it to go on for just a few more chapters. This book is not like her newer releases, not a romantic suspense. The story does have its own darker plot, but nothing too serious. This book was great! I loved it and it will go on my keeper shelf. I dont know when I will get to read it again, it made such an impression, I dont think I am likely to forget this story any time soon. Victoria is one of my all time favorite heroeins. I really liked her, Jake was a great guy too. Usually the guy is too much of something, overbearing, rude, mean, too cockey, something, not Jake. And Victoria was strong and very likeable. They had an underlying heat through out the whole story. You could feel it. Please get this book and you'll love it. As long as you dont expect it to be like every other story (I dont know why people do that. Stories are suppose to be different with different plots.) Lady of The West has it all.
Rating:
Summary: It was definitely not one of Linda's best
Review: I have read many books of Linda Howard and I must say I was rather disappointed with this one.
Rating:
Summary: Have read better...
Review: I have recently developed a serious crush for Linda Howard books, but this one was rather disappointing. My overall impression was that it all seemed very barbaric. All male characters treat women like possessions and the hero is no different. I refuse to go with the idea that sex, no matter how great, solves all problems and heals all wounds. The tragic events were sad, but very flat, and the book ended without a proper heart-to-heart conversation between the two main characters. Realistic maybe, but not what I wanted.
Rating:
Summary: NASTY!
Review: I love Linda Howard normally, but in this case I would recommend that you steer clear of this book, as it might well turn you off her forever. I would have given it less than one star if I could. To cut a long story short, this book contains scenes of rape and domestic violence, which I found deeply offensive and disturbing - especially since these crimes were committed by the so-called hero! At one point the hero seriously contemplates murdering the heroine in order to gain control of his family ranch. Instead he marries her, and proceeds to make her life misery. I know some women think that, in a historical context, such things are okay, and if that's your opinion, fine. However, most Linda Howard fans love the tenderness and protectiveness displayed by her heroes, and there isn't ANY in this book.
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