My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wildflower by Virginia Brown was originally published in 1992. This book has been reissued in digital format by Belle Bridge Books. There is also a more up to date cover than the one you see here. ( I collect these old romance novels, so I like the old cover- but the modern reader will like the new one with a sexy cowboy on the cover.) Colorado Kate and her brother Devon have been robbing payroll trains enough to get a reputation and are being pursued by the law and by an old enemy, a man named Durant. Durant has hired a man named Jake Lassiter to hunt down the pair and bring them to him. Why? Because the two witnessed him killing their parents and he must erase all witnesses to his many crimes. When Jake finally catches up to Kate, he is stunned to find that although she dresses in pants and tries to act tough, she's really a very pretty young lady that isn't nearly as hardened as she makes out. With his own agenda, he makes a deal with Caitlyn and her brother. If they can prove Durant cheated them out of their inheritance he will help them avoid the law and seek justice. The hitch is Caitlyn must stay with Durant while her brother tries to hunt down the deeds to their parent's land and mines. The first time Lassiter and Caitlyn are alone together the sparks fly. From that time on, the two argue, make accusations against each other, stick to their own agendas and continue to make love to each other every chance they get. In the mean time Durant has picked up their trail, Devon meets a young lady and falls in love, then is arrested and in danger of being lynched. One minute Jake thinks he can trust Caitlyn, and then she does something that changes his mind. However, everything Jake does he has justified it to himself as being the right thing to do and the best thing for everyone, even Caitlyn and her brother. He won't think about sharing his plans, or his past, or how he intends to take down Durant. So, Caitlyn is often feeling betrayed by Jake. Not to mention the fact that he keeps running into women from his past, giving Caitlyn a case of jealousy. But, the adventure takes a turn that ends up in tragedy and the lives of Caitlyn, Devon and Jake will never be the same. This is a historical western romance. The book had a feeling of authenticity. The way men thought things through in those days, by just making decisions without bothering to talk it through with their women, the problems children faced when they were abandoned or abused by adults, and dangers that were commonplace in those days, especially when sick or injured. The push/pull with Caitlyn and Jake had the reader bouncing back and forth between who was right and who was wrong. Jake's life may have seen privileged, but he went through things that were just as bad as what Caitlyn and Devon had lived through and worse. So, although he meant well, he couldn't open up with Caitlyn and explain why he was doing things the way he was. Caitlyn is confused and has lost control of her life. She feels helpless and needs to be able to feel like she isn't just being used as a means to an end. It's been a long time since I read a good western historical romance. I really enjoyed this one. I wish they still wrote 'em like this. There is plenty of romance, steamy sex, action, adventure, laughter and tears. I hope that the release of this book in digital format with the new cover will encourage people to give this one a chance. Over all I will give this one B+. ( )