Abbie's Outlaw: An Anthology

Victoria Bylin's high degree of emotion, her believable flawed characters, and her credible writing style turn ABBIE'S OUTLAW into a very good story. This author knows the fundamental key to romance is the power of desire and she turns it! When she was seventeen, Abbie Moore fell in love with the wrong man. She gave him everything she had - her virginity, her heart, and her future happiness. He gave her a daughter. Time passes; Abigail Moore Windsor has served fifteen years and a required trip through marital hell. The much-scarred widow now turns to the man who originally stole her heart - the Reverend John Leaf! Out of need, Abigail seeks him - but only for their daughter! What will it cost Abbie? Her freedom? No! Never! Abbie will never again submit to a man! Once, Johnny Leaf was the scourge of the earth. He rode the land without conscience, without fear, without regret. Johnny Leaf hired his gun and took whatever got in his way or his desire. Seventeen-year-old Abbie Moore was a desire. Fifteen years and an unavoidable trip to prison turned an outlaw into a man of God. The reverend, in John Leaf, will not harm Mrs. Abigail Windsor. The man, in John Leaf, is not so sure! Fifteen years may have passed but John Leaf's desire, for the lady, has not! While I would recommend this book highly, there are concerns. In ABBIE'S OUTLAW, Victoria Bylin's greatest success is her use of flickering memories and hinted secrets. This style of writing enhances a story; it is the stuff that keeps the reader in the pages. However, far too early, Bylin chose to reveal the characters' mysteries and to stop the shining memories. Why? This writing decision was destructive; it clipped off reading curiosity and it allowed Bylin's wonderful story to finish in mediocrity! I wanted more; I wanted more! Bylin teased me and made me want! Yes, without reservation, I recommend ABBIE'S OUTLAW. It is, by far, better than many books I have read, and yes, I will buy this author's next release. Still, I wanted more from Victoria Bylin's pen - she teased, she promised - I wanted deliverance! Grade: B+ MaryGrace Meloche.

ABBIE'S OUTLAW is definitely a great follow-up to John's introduction in WEST OF HEAVEN. Have you ever met a tormented soul on such a self-imposed road to redemption? He feared his own brutality because of his father. And yet he is such a lovable, strong character. He has learned how to keep the widows and single ladies at bay and enjoys the children of his town. He is afraid to learn that he has a daughter. As he seems to fear insanity runs in his blood. Not that Abbie did not come with enough issues of her own. One being her controlling father. Her fear of physical intimacy and now she is determined not to let another man control her future. Her son, Robert, causes enough trouble to catch John's interest and a bit of his discipline. It is always great to revisit previous characters, Ethan Trent and his wife Jayne, now with a child of their own. John had a slight hand in bringing them together. Excellent story, excellent characters, a bit of implied danger - reunions of both fathers and daughters. And a mystical ring. Great. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - definite keepers.

The Reverend John Leaf, was a reformed gun-slinger, had vowed celibacy and never, ever wanted to marry, but when he saw the red-headed woman stepping off the train thought - here was trouble -nothing but trouble. The last time he'd seen Abbie was 15 years ago, naked holding a sheet against her as they were discovered together by her brother. John had left that same day, half-heartedly offering to take Abbie with him, but relieved she didn't agree as he was pretty young himself back then. Now, he was learning that he'd left behind a bit more than just a part of himself. Abigail Windsor, was widowed after enduring fourteen years of misery married to an abusive husband. Even as he lay dying, the man had one last blow to inflict upon Abigail when he called their daughter Susannah to his bedside and told her that he was not her father, and gave her the file he'd kept on the outlaw Johnny Leaf. That last act of revenge caused Susannah to run from home in an attempt to locate the man who'd fathered her. In the process she would lead John's bitterest enemy to his door. Knowing she had to find Johnny again, Abigail didn't know what she'd feel for the man who'd left her, and had never known she was pregnant. After years of marital abuse her thoughts on intimacy with any man were totally repugnant to her. Now after seeing Johnny again she discovered they both had own demons to fight, John with his past, and Abigail's disastrous marriage to a depraved and abusive man. Waiting for their daughter to arrive their passion for one another grew, and John and Abigail would learn of God's greatest gifts of love, healing and forgiveness. I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written story that comes straight from the heart with depth, compassion, beautiful sensuality and a whole lot of soul! It will engage all your emotions and ultimately leave you- perhaps, with a tear or two in your eye - but totally satisfied. John was a complex character, horribly abused by his father, becoming a gunslinger for hire, bank robber, and killer who with the help of a guardian angel, called Silas, turned his life around and discovered God. Never expecting more than peace, denying himself for years of any hope of love, Abbie re-entering his life proved to be his biggest torment and God's greatest gift. Writen with incredible compassion containing tasteful sensuality, subtle humor, and a deep message of faith this author is definitely one that should be watched and read! Give yourself a treat and look up her other two titles as well - OF MEN AND ANGELS, and WEST OF HEAVEN - You won't be sorry! --- Marilyn, for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---

Seeing the 3 starred review "Missed Potential," I had to write to give my 5 star rating of this wonderful book. Bylin's phrasing is often almost poetical, but her strong suit, I believe, is making her characters memorable ones. I agree with "Missed" about the excellent storyline, but I think the flashbacks and dream sequences were well-done and necessary to round out the characters and to explain why they feel the way they do. There wasn't a chance for a "heart to heart" talk between father and daughter before the climax crisis occurs. We know how remorseful John Leaf feels about his murdering of the boys, and that he's willing to give his life as penance, so I don't think we need to read his letter to the boys' father. In fact, I liked the author giving the reader credit for filling in the blanks with our imagination--we don't need everything spelled out. Rev. John Leaf is a complex and lovable guy--and I loved the way he referred to a certain part of his body as "Judas-down-there" when lustful urges hit. I'm adding this Bylin to my keeper shelf, and I think you'll want to do the same.