Title: Holding Out For A Hero
Author: Phyllis Campbell
Published by: < href="http://www.champagnebooks.com/" target="_blank">Champagne Books
Genre: Historical Romance
ISBN: 1897261578
Summer Bennet wishes that she had listened to her aunt and taken the train instead of the stagecoach. She was headed to Waco, Texas, to her hometown when the wheel breaks and has to be repaired. Since she used to repair the buggy wheels at her Pa’s livery stable, she lends a hand. Mrs. Whitaker, a widow, and a good friend of her aunt, on the way to Ft. Worth, travels with her keeping her company. After five years of etiquette school, Mrs. Whitaker cannot believe that Summer still behaves like a hoyden. Of course, Summer knows no matter how much school she has, the tomboy is still inside her. But when bandits suddenly attack the stagecoach, Summer does far more than change a wheel, when the driver is struck down and someone has to help save the passengers.
Summer feels comfort in the arms of the Texas Ranger. And she finds him incredibly handsome. But when he opens his mouth to speak, his voice sounds familiar. When she learns he is Jesse and calls her darlin’, she lets him know she will never be his darlin’. And when she finally arrives in Waco, she informs Violet, she cannot believe she would marry the likes of Jesse. He is nothing but an in-bred cowboy. But the more time she spends in Waco, she continues to run into Jesse, a man engaged to her sister, and a man that she wasn’t supposed to like. And when they begin to spend time together, Summer knows it is not proper to be around her sister’s fiancé but there is something about Jesse that lights a fire in her that is hard to put out. And there is nothing that can be done about it, especially when her Pa wants Jesse to marry Violet.
Jesse Slade is Violet’s fiancé, and a Texas Ranger. He always thought being a Ranger, the money was a good incentive but he liked the thrill of the win, when it came to tracking down the outlaws. As for Summer, she was the younger sister, who had always been the burr under his saddle, and one person he seemed to always lose to. She was the hotheaded tomboy who competed with him constantly. Of course that had been years ago, and he hopes when she arrives in Waco, she will have changed. When the stage runs an hour late, and Violet begins to worry, Jesse decides to go see if there is any trouble. Then again the passengers might worry why a Texas Ranger was sent to check on them.
Jesse admires the woman’s courage when he spies her fighting off the bandits, but he is afraid she will get herself killed. After he arrives in time to help ward off the other bandits, he notices that the woman has been hit. But when he learns that the woman that saved the passengers is Summer, he is shocked. This woman is wearing a dress, and he has never seen Summer in a dress. But when he carries her in his arms, she is soft and delicate like a woman, not a tomboy. And when Summer did awake from her wound, she would be fit to be tied to learn her rescuer was the boy who she loved to compete with constantly. After Summer finally gets settled in her home, things take on a different spin for him and Summer. She irritates him to no end, but at times, all he wants to do is take her in his arms and kiss her senseless, but he must think of Violet. But in his heart, he knows who he really loves.
Summer has plans to capture the Buchanan Gang. The Texas Ranger’s have had no luck, so she is certain with her skills, she can find them. The money would come in handy for her father’s operation. Reward money always came quick if things turned out to her advantage. After the stagecoach is attacked, on her way home to Waco, she decides to come to the aid of the passengers, only to have Jesse come to look for the stagecoach and help rescue her. Since Summer has returned home, she and Jesse appear to be spending more time together, even though they continue to argue like cats and dogs. He is set to marry her sister, Violet, but for some reason the marriage doesn’t seem to get off to a good start. If Violet and Jesse love each other, why does Violet continue to postpone the wedding and change to a different date? Even Violet’s voice doesn’t sound all that charmed to be marrying him. Violet thinks of Jesse as a brother. Summer puts on her thinking cap. Perhaps if she made Jesse jealous, things would turn in her favor. Summer sets her sights on Albert. She remembers how she once wanted to marry him, and she recalls the wealthy family he came from. Even though he appeared as a good catch, she didn’t quite feel like reeling him in. It will only be a game play with Jesse. But when Jesse gives her his blessing to marry Albert if she has the inclination too, it shatters her heart. If he is her hero, so much, she should go to him. The words tear her heart into, after hearing Jesse’s statement. Now she wonders if Albert would make a good husband, even though her heart yearns for Jesse. When foul play strikes, Summer is left to deal with Albert alone as time runs out to be with her real hero.
Holding Out for a Hero is a sizzling read that captures from the first page. I was completely hooked by the time Jesse arrived at the stagecoach and saw Summer after years of being apart. The dialogue is sensational and filled with non-stop action as soon as the two face each other. I loved it when he called her a bullheaded little twit. Their heated scrabbles really lace through the pages. The emotions that they emit can readily be felt by this reader. When Summer’s heart was broken, I could only feel her sorrow. When she was confronted with Albert, I felt her cry for help. And when she and Jesse were in each others arms, I could practically feel their insatiable passion for each other. These two characters have left an impression on my heart that will be hard to forget with all their antics and romance. The secondary characters are well-rounded and lend some great creativity to the whole storyline.
Ms. Campbell pens a most magnificent thrilling read that I absolutely enjoyed. The characters were well fashioned, and the plot wonderfully crafted. The imagery is so visual; this reader could practically see and feel even the stagecoach attack and every setting and scene throughout the book. Ms. Campbell’s great style of writing always amazes me because her brilliant creativity generates stories that captivate and leap from the pages. This engaging read is no exception. Invigorating, spellbinding and truly intriguing, this story is one dynamite explosion that carries a lot of punch. I cannot praise this exhilarating story enough! Why not grab a copy of Holding Out for a Hero today at Champagne Books.com, believe me this is one romance that is most gratifying and will completely capture the heart. Be swept off your feet by reading, Holding Out for a Hero today! Even the cover is spectacular!
Sincerely good reading,
Linda!
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