Whispers on the Wind (Zebra Historical Romance)

Rating:
Summary: deep western romantic suspense
Review: In 1870 Mary Costner accompanied by her brother Billy has proof that she owns a gold mine in Gregory Gulch near Pikes Peak. Her "partner" Big Jim McCoy is stunned not just because he feels someone is trying to steal his claim, but that someone is a female. The Marshal informs both that each has a share. Mary tells Jim that she will dress like a man and work as hard as or even harder than him as Billy leaves town.

Two years pass and things seem relatively smooth until one day Mary awakens holding a bloody knife near her dead partner. She foolishly flees into a horrific snowstorm, but is rescued by Marshal Carter Monroe, who takes her into his home. While he believes she has amnesia, he investigates Big Jim's murder expecting a link to the killing of his sister. As Carter and Mary fall in love, an unknown assailant abducts her, forcing the Marshal to decide between love and revenge. If he chooses the former, he might die, if he chooses the latter she might die.

Fans of western romantic suspense will appreciate this deep tale of love vs. vengeance. The crisp story line is vividly descriptive (my hands remain cold from the storm) so that the audience obtains a taste of Reconstruction Era Colorado yet still provides plenty of intrigue. Though the amnesia ploy feels ancient, the lead couple is a delightful pairing that keeps the ruse fresh as both struggles with unwanted love when each has a secret that they respectively believe would end any relationship between them. In turn, readers will have a fine time with this winner.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: deep western romantic suspense
Review: In 1870 Mary Costner accompanied by her brother Billy has proof that she owns a gold mine in Gregory Gulch near Pikes Peak. Her "partner" Big Jim McCoy is stunned not just because he feels someone is trying to steal his claim, but that someone is a female. The Marshal informs both that each has a share. Mary tells Jim that she will dress like a man and work as hard as or even harder than him as Billy leaves town.

Two years pass and things seem relatively smooth until one day Mary awakens holding a bloody knife near her dead partner. She foolishly flees into a horrific snowstorm, but is rescued by Marshal Carter Monroe, who takes her into his home. While he believes she has amnesia, he investigates Big Jim's murder expecting a link to the killing of his sister. As Carter and Mary fall in love, an unknown assailant abducts her, forcing the Marshal to decide between love and revenge. If he chooses the former, he might die, if he chooses the latter she might die.

Fans of western romantic suspense will appreciate this deep tale of love vs. vengeance. The crisp story line is vividly descriptive (my hands remain cold from the storm) so that the audience obtains a taste of Reconstruction Era Colorado yet still provides plenty of intrigue. Though the amnesia ploy feels ancient, the lead couple is a delightful pairing that keeps the ruse fresh as both struggles with unwanted love when each has a secret that they respectively believe would end any relationship between them. In turn, readers will have a fine time with this winner.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Unputdownable!
Review: Mary Costner's mother had left her half the share of a gold mine in Gregory Gulch, Colorado Territory. Mary's partner was Big Jim McCoy, a huge Irishman with a mean temper. To Mary, however, he was the father she never had. Mary dressed as a boy and went by the name of Mark so all the other miners would not bother her. The two hit several veins of gold. Every time they considered quitting, another vein showed up. Then one morning Mary woke up with a huge lump on her head, a knife in her hand, and blood everywhere. Big Jim had been murdered and Mary could remember nothing of the night before. Unable to do anything else, and determined to clear her name, Mary ran. She did not get too far before her horse threw her. Mary became unconscious in a snow drift.

U.S. Marshal Carter Monroe had the nickname "Coldhearted Monroe". He and his deputy, Rick McCallum, were on the way to see Carter's mother. Carter Monroe was one of the best at his job, but he was always on the lookout for The Carlson Gang, who had killed his sister long ago. Carter had managed to kill three of the five men thus far. They found Mary nearly dead. Carter cared for her until they reached Judith, his mother.

Finding herself in the home of a U.S. Marshal, Mary pretended to remember nothing but her name. She just wanted time to figure out what to do. In the meantime, Mary would help Judith. (Even with an opera!) And hot upon her trail was John McCoy and the two evil gunslingers, Sammy and Randy Carlson!

***** This is the last book in the Misfit series. The author, somehow, was able to make me care for all the characters throughout the entire trilogy. Each book is a stand-alone story, but if you read all three you will see just how brightly the writing talent of Brenda K. Jernigan shines! Past characters, such as Thunder, return for an encore. Be warned that there is a lot of adventure in the fast paced novel, so do not begin reading until you have plenty of time with no interruptions. Unputdownable! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.