Despite rumors of “strange doings” at a cabin in Fredericksburg, investigative reporter Dessa Wade books the cottage from which lawyer, Charity Dawson, disappeared in 2008. Dessa is intent on solving the mystery. Instead, she is caught in the mystery that surrounds the cabin and finds herself in 1890 in a shootout between the Faraday Gang and a US Marshal.
Marshal Cole Jeffers doesn’t believe Miss Wade is a time traveler. He admits she’s innocent of being an outlaw, but thinks she knows more about the gang than she’s telling. When she’s kidnapped by Zeke Faraday, Cole is determined to rescue her. He’s longed for a woman of his own, and Dessa Wade just might be the one—if she’ll commit to the past.
Excerpt:
Dessa stood still and watched as they conversed. Something stank to high heaven about this entire situation. Why were the cops chasing robbers on horseback? It’s not like Fredericksburg was that isolated. She glanced at the captured men. The boy moaned, and she made a step to go over and help him. The Marshal spun, and the expression in his eye froze her in place.
“He needs first aid.”
“He’s fine. The Doc will tend to him when we get to the jail.”
“You could at least call 911 and let them patch him up for you.” She nodded to the man lying so still with his eyes closed. “Your other prisoner doesn’t look so good. He’s going to die on you if you don’t start CPR or get him some help.”
“Lady, no one is going to hear a yell from out here. Never heard of any 911 or CPR.” He propped the hand not holding the shotgun on his hip and threw her a disgusted look. “Are you blind? That man is dead, shot through the heart.”
Her head swam for a moment, and she struggled not to give in to the sensation and faint. She drew in deep gulps of air. “Well...well..., what about the coroner and the meat wagon, not to mention the CSI folks? If you don’t get them to record the scene, how are you going to cover your butt? The authorities might say you shot him in cold blood.”
He looked at her like she’d sprouted an extra head. “I don’t know what the hell you are talking about woman. No one will question my authority. I’m the law in this county. Now, be quiet, or I’m going to gag you.”
~ Reviews ~
Fallen Angel Review
5 Angels
A Law of Her Own
A Law of Her Own by Linda LaRoque is a well thought out, well written story. I enjoy reading western and time travel romance and this book successfully combines both. Turner is the type of strong hero every gal dreams of. This story does not fail in making him a wonderful husband. Charity is a strong heroine. When she realizes she’s thrown back in time she doesn’t let the town’s outdated thoughts and ideas stop her from proving Turner’s innocence. She steps right in and goes about catching the killer. With her descriptions of the life and time, Mrs. LaRoque paints a wonderful picture of Texas in the 1800’s. This story makes me want to go back in time! I will be looking for more books by this author to read!
Reviewed by: Kim N.
Night Owl Romance
Hearts:4
Linda LaRoque has written a lively tale of mysterious time travel, a modern day woman dropped into an 1888 Texas town, and an instant attraction between two people born over a century apart.
Reading this love story is a joy. LaRoque’s characters come alive in a fast-paced western romance you will want to finish in one read. Detailed descriptions and a sense of the time and place help the reader believe that Charity really was transported to Prairie, Texas.
There is realism to the story that only a few time travel authors can bring to the page. Grab this well written love story and enjoy the quick read. You will be glad you did.
Simply Romance ReviewsSRR GRADE:C
When I read A Law of Her Own, I liked the explanation of the small Texas town and the shops. I especially liked the detail of the cabin Charity rented and all the various niceties contained therein. The scenes were well-written and very well-thought out. The storyline kept my attention, and the research that went into the law as it existed in 1888 was phenomenal. I certainly never expected the twists and turns that led to the characters becoming involved with one another let alone what led to the capture of the true murderer. I wish the book was longer so Linda LaRoque could have delved more into the problems Charity encountered while trying to make the adjustment to her new life, and to her new relationship with Turner. The story felt rushed due to the page number constraints. Overall, this was a nice, quaint read for a weekend or whenever one has a day off with nothing to do but enjoy a good book. I was tickled pink to find out how the loose ends were tied up at the end in such a unique way. Truly a pleasant story to read.
~Reviewed by Laura
WRDF Review of A Law of Her Own by Linda LaRoque
Blue Seal
How to describe A Law of Her Own by Linda Laroque?Yee-haw and bring on the cowboys!Charity Dawson, a true-blue city lawyer from 2008 steals away to the magnificence of the Texas prairies and finds herself trapped in 1888 with Turner Reardon, cowboy and condemned man.Employing modern-day forensics, Charity tries to save the man from the noose, only to be discredited because she’s a woman!Instead, she learns to fight the bad guys within the confines of the law as it exists in 1888.
Passion and mystery abound in this wonderful novella about learning that the path to desire may not always be the one you expect to set out upon.This story is a great afternoon read when you want to drift away under an old tree and experience some down-home cowboys who enjoy being claimed by strong-willed women.
I would recommend this novella and give it our Blue Seal.
Review by: B.B. Walter
Desires of the Heart Coming March 4, 2009 from The Wild Rose Press.
When life today is filled with pain, look to the future – or past.
Loren Fairchild longs for children, but is barren. At a cottage in Carlisle, UK, she puts her divorce behind her and begins a new life. She learns that in 1947 the former owner’s wife disappeared. The same week, according to local gossip, her husband took up with a dark-headed harlot. One morning, a simple minded woman appears and triggers events that change Loren’s life forever.
Miles Chapeau misses the wife, the mother of his two children, he’d known before the war. When he returned from WWII in 1945 she’d been hurt in an air raid and now has the mind of a child. He loves her and would never forsake his duty, but misses the intimate side of marriage and a woman to share his life. One day she disappears and his existence is turned upside down
Excerpt:
When Loren woke again, the Constable was back with a nice looking man in a tweed jacket. Brown hair, chocolate eyes, and a kind smile. His teeth were nice and straight in his tanned face. He looked good enough to eat. Her brow wrinkled in thought. She’d seen him somewhere before.
“Mrs. Fairchild, this is Miles Chapeau, the owner of the cottage. He wanted to see how you were doing today.”
“Sss my cottage.” Her mouth felt full of cotton. “Water.”
Mr. Chapeau held a straw to her lips and she sucked drawing cool liquid into her mouth. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She liked his voice. It was warm and sexy. Lord, sexy? She was loosing her mind. He returned the glass to the bedside table.
“Tell me, Mrs. Fairchild, what happened last night?” asked Constable Jones.
She turned her head toward the Constable. “I left the cottage and went for a walk.” She tried to lift her arms. “The wind bleewww. Hard. Rained and rained. Had to fight the wind to get to the door.” She pointed at Miles and shook her fist. “Someone nailed me out of the gazebo. I had to climb the fence in the pouring rain.”
Excerpt continued:
Miles didn’t know what to think. This woman thought it was the year 2007 and her father owned the cottage. Life couldn’t get much crazier for him. “I don’t know how you got onto my property, but my family built the cottage in 1920 and one of us has lived there ever since.”
She squinted at him. “Chapeau, Miles Chapeau. Your wife disappeared in 1947 and you took up with a dark headed harlot.”
He staggered back. What the hell was she talking about? “Yes, my wife did disappear yesterday morning. Do you know where she is? Have you seen her?” He moved close to the bed and bent down, face next to hers. “If you know tell me. She has the mind of a six-year-old and needs constant supervision.”
She patted the hand he didn’t realize grasped her arm. A jolt of energy shot through him. “She’s fine, Mr. Chapeau, just fine. Yesterday she wandered onto my property. She scared poor Molly to death.” She laughed. “Snuck up behind her and grabbed her in a hug. When Molly screamed, the blonde lady laughed and laughed.”
Miles didn’t know whether to believe her or not. The woman she described definitely acted like Miriam.
The patient waved her hand. “I feel kinda drunk.” She shook her finger at Constable Jones. “No more of those drugs, you hear?”
The Constable shrugged. “We have to do whatever the doctor orders, Mrs. Fairchild.”
“Bullshit. Man doesn’t know one end of a horse from the other.” She grabbed Miles shirt front and pulled him closer. He breathed in her scent and didn’t like his body’s reaction. He didn’t like her vulgar mouth either. “Shhh, listen. Constable Sanders had her taken to a hospital for observation. Don’t you worry now; they’ll take good care of her in 2007.”
Copyright 2005 Linda LaRoque. All rights reserved.
