One of Patricia Potter's Later Novellas
Having read (and own a copy of) just about everything Patricia Potter has written, I can say unequivocally that this is not one of her best. It is just a bit over 200 pages and I thought there was more 'yearning and sex' than anything else. Obviously, that is what the "Blaze" category (of Harlequin novels) means. I don't think anyone writes action scenes in historical westerns better than Patricia Potter. Thus, I was expecting more action. To her credit, however, she builds tension in this novella very well.
U.S. Marshal Jared Evans is in the Colorado Territory, searching for the man who killed his sister-in-law, Emma. He was still reeling from the shock of returning from the Civil War and finding his wife, child and brother killed by outlaws. He followed the killers until he meted out justice. Then he joined the law to find the man reputed to have murdered Emma.
It is now 10 years into his search and Jared has arrived in Gideon's Hope, which is a nearly-abandoned town. Most of those left are 3 godfathers to an orphan (Samantha Blair), who has grown to be a young woman. When she finds that Jared has come for one of the godfathers, she shoots Jared to stop him.
Instead of letting him bleed to death, Sam takes on the difficult task of saving Jared's life. However, Jared is a hard man dedicated to taking Thornton/MacDonald to trial for his crimes. The citizens of Gideon's Hope know there will come a time to face Jared's accusations.
But time is running out, there's a 20 man lynch mob on their way to kill Thornton/MacDonald. They have no intention of stopping just because a Marshall is there. In fact, they don't care who gets caught in the crossfire.
The solution is both unique and interesting. The last 20 pages save the book.
