"fun western romance"
In 1872 Galveston, Texas, septuagenarian Maxwell Lacey
nears death but needs to right the wrong he committed when
he tossed his pregnant unmarried daughter from their home
twenty-five years ago. Maxwell cannot do anything for his
deceased daughter, but wants to see his granddaughter
Marietta Stone before he dies. Only her poster as a diva
in the Central City, Colorado opera house keeps him alive.
Maxwell uses his wealth and influence to save former
confederate officer Cole Heflin from the gallows. Cole
agrees to bring Marietta to Maxwell in exchange for $10,000
that the pardoned felon will provide to the widowed mother
and sister of a deceased friend. In Central City Cole attends the opera where Marietta
performs. He is stunned by her beauty, but shocked when
she sings in front of the packed house because her voice
stinks. Cole learns that a middle-aged patron sponsors
Marietta and three of his henchmen guard her around the
clock. Cole abducts Marietta from underneath the
protection of her local patron. As she tries every trick,
including seduction, to gain her freedom, he safely takes
her past her patron's chasing guards, Comanche, mountain
men, and buffalo. On the trail they fall in love but she
resents his forcing her to see her detestable grandfather. This is a fun western romance that is loaded with non-stop
action though Marietta's protectors seem a bit too
pathetic. The story line is absolutely superb when
Marietta and Cole battle one other for control of a
relationship that changes from captive to forever love (no
Stockholm syndrome with this couple). Sub-genre fans will
have a good time reading NAUGHTY MARIETTA. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted March 3, 2003
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