Desperate

....of three, and "Desperate" starts the triology followed by "Dangerous" then "Defiant." Rafe Bodine followed his older brother Ethan into a career with the Texas Rangers. However, after marrying his childhood friend Ellie, he quit rangering to settle down to be a proper family man for Ellie and the child they're expecting. But, he returns home one day to find his expectant wife has been murdered and even in his grief, instantly realizes the deed was done by a crazed criminal that he had once arrested and his loathsome relatives known as the Slaughter Gang.Rafe sets out to avenge his wife's death and along the way is put in a position of coming to the aid of Emmaline St. Joseph, an heiress from Boston on her way to California with 5 orphaned children. The storyline quickly heats up as Rafe tries to stay detached from the strong willed redhead and the enchanting children who look to him for help. Aiding them will slow down his search for the men he's hunting. His principals as a man, his skills as a Texas Ranger, and his rage at the savage murder of his family are put to the test as he directs his energies into helping the children and the socialite. "Desperate" won't win any litary awards; the theme isn't that much different then dozens of other westerns....but, it is plain entertaining reading that is hard to put down. For this reason I gave it 5 stars.....because it held my interest from start to finish.

Great, Great, Great. This author is hot. I read Dangerous and loved it, but Desperate is a book all to it's own.

A great story of two lonely people finding happiness together even with 5 children in tow. Both adults learn about love. I can't wait for a book on big brother Ethan and maybe the female bounty hunter?