The Pretender (The Men of Pride County, #4)

Rating:
Summary: The best of the series
Review: Deacon Sinclair--a rather dislikeable character in the previous three books--turns out to be the best romantic hero of the series. His outer defenses are steadily beaten down in the story to show a person who wants to love and be loved but didn't know how.

Rating:
Summary: The Pretender was a pretense for fiction!
Review: I was more than disappointed in the Pretender even though I spent a mere $ .50 cents for the purchase of the book.

My first Rosalyn West to read, the beginning captured my interest even though I found the text slow moving. Deacon Sinclair, Confederate spy disguises himself as a wounded Union soldier to gain the symphathy and confidence of Garnet Davis, whom holds the key to an impregnable morse code.

Deacon seduces Garnet in the name of duty and leaves to fulfill his mission; leaving a child and a thirst for revenge with Garnet.

Four years later, Deacon is forced to sell his home to a wealthy carpetbagger because of unpaid taxes and opens his door to meet the new owners, Garnet Davis, spouse and child. Thus the vengeful game begins with Garnet lowering Deacon to a mere store clerk in her employ. But Deacon, in spite of his station, senses the deceitful game being played against Garnet and protects her from the possible pain.

At times this book was downright boring but toward the end I was sitting on the edge of my seat. I just wish it was that way throughout the book!!

Rating:
Summary: THE 4TH IN A SERIES OF EXCELLENT STORIES
Review: Much to the misunderstanding of many - Deacon Sinclair is a strong representative of his times and environment, plus the results of a prideful daddy.

Here again is Tyler Fairfax who seems to be every one's nemesis and trying once again to confuse the issues. Boy, did he almost pay for it.

Finally Patrice and Reeve Garrett Glendower get their child, a son. Love the name.

Will Starla and Hamilton Dodge find out what a sneak thief their son Christien is turning into? He is well into becoming like his uncle Tyler.

Would like to have heard more about Noble Banning and his wife but he will probably have to pull Tyler out the fire.

Deacon had been formed by his father and tempered in the fires of war and now had a lot to learn about love and expressing it. Luckily he had three women to help him learn, his mother, Hannah, who seemed to be keeping company with Garnet's "husband", his sister, Patrice Garrett, who refused to give up on him, and Garnett, who started out wanting to bring him to his knees. Wow, what happened when she did. She won all the way around.

Deacon had learned to shut down his emotions, except when he first met Garnett, in order to survive, both at home and in the deadly theater of war where he could trust no one. He was learning to bow, with compassion, but was unbroken of spirit.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED -- Collect all four -- and read them in sequence - you will be glad you did [if you have an open mind to the times]