Rosemary Rogers - Kristine Rolofson
Rogers, Rosemary - ALL I DESIRE (Avon - 1998) (3+)
In 1867, when Angela Lindsay receives a letter from her father for the first time in her life, she wants to travel to New Mexico and meet him, but her mother refuses to leave France. Later, at age 21, she threatens to go alone until her mother finally agrees to accompany her. After they arrive in New Orleans, they discover that John Lindsay had died and named Angela as the sole heir to his ranch. There is a stipulation in the will, however—she must live on the ranch for a year. Angela is eager to take her place in New Mexico, craving freedom from the restrictions she had known in France; but her mother wants her to return home and resorts to devious measures to change her daughter's mind. The journey first by ship to Galveston and then on across Texas is fraught with hardships, but Angela is determined to reach her destination.
The man who guides them on their journey, Jake Braden, is a devilish attraction and a sensual irritation to our heroine, and as they continue to travel together, she finds herself in danger of falling in love with him. Jake had agreed to guide the mother and daughter to his old friend's ranch in New Mexico out of loyalty to John, but he has more important duties to attend to as a scout for Colonel Patterson, who is trying to find out who is selling guns to the Indians. Angela Lindsay is a tempting distraction he does not need—and one he finds hard to resist—but once they arrive in New Mexico, he plans to leave her and be gone. He knows Angela's mother wants her to return to France, but he doesn't realize until almost too late how far she will go to force her daughter to change her mind. Jake will face some tough choices and deadly challenges involving Angela and their possible future together; and she has some difficult times ahead of her, too, until she finally attains the freedom to make her own choices.
I found ALL I DESIRE to be somewhat reminiscent of SWEET SAVAGE LOVE in regard to the trials and tribulations of the hero and heroine, but it is a kinder, gentler tale. Rosemary Rogers is a pioneer in the wonderful world of romance, and although this western adventure lacks the magic of her earlier classics, it should please her most dedicated fans. ~Jolene Ehret for Bookbug on the Web
Rolofson, Kristine - BRIDE RODE WEST, THE (Harl. Tempt. 653) (4)
This is the story of a woman who flees her society wedding when she finds her husband-to-be in an embrace with his lover ten minutes before the service. Her wealthy father, who is her fiancé's political supporter, wants her to go on with the wedding. She finds refuge on a Nebraska ranch, working as a housekeeper for a man with three little daughters. There is a lot of gentle humor in this book, especially regarding the heroine's incompetence in the kitchen. ~Jean M. (huntermason@earthlink.net)
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