Only Mine (Only Series, 2)

This book is on my keeper shelf at home. This is a story based on misunderstanding and personal demons that drive both Wolfe and Jessi to fear the worst. Wolfe's sin is to push Jessi harder and harder away, and Jessi's sin is to never trust him with her personal demon though she started it all by reaching out for him alone. I've read this story many times. By the time I get to the breaking point scene when Jessi finally names her demon I am in tears. It is written with such ferocity and realism that you are shaken. It's frustrating to spend so long building up to that revelation, but that also adds the terror and turmoil.

I gave this novel five stars because after the first two hundred pages it became one of the best novels I've read in a while. However, the authors repetitive reference to "wind" every two paragraphs started to wear on my nerves. I have recently reviewed another novel where I said that it had the longest love scene ever, but now I have to change that. This novel had the longest and most sincere love scene. The tender feelings that were expressed in the scenes were so strong that I nearly wept. This author knows how to make a reader want more and more. There were some things that I really didn't like, but still doesn't take away from the five star rating I'm giving this novel. One is how cruel the hero is throughout the first half of this book. I've read Karen Robards "Island Flame" and didn't get as offended as I did with Wolfe. He wears Jessie down until her arms lock up from exhaustive use trying to prove to him that she has what it takes to be a frontier wife. During all this he taunts her and belittles her. Another thing that grated on my nerves was Jessie's fear of childbirth and the marriage bed. It went on way too long during the novel, should have ended midway, but her fear took over till close to the end. However, when Wolfe and Jessie make up, it was well worth the hair pulling on the reader's part. I've not read a book that touched me like this one for a very long time. And I've never wanted to weep by the sweetness of the hero to the heroine. The words that were spoken from Wolfe to Jessie (and vice-versa) were so heart wrenching that I was blinking back my tears. All in all, Only Mine has got me reading Western Historical romances now, hoping that I can find other novels so great. To finish a book in five and a half hours shows that Elizabeth Lowell is definately an author among authors.

This novel was my favorite from the Only series. The character of Wolfe was pretty compelling, and Jessi's reticence was believable though a bit overdone at times.Another reason why I liked this novel best was because of the fact that Wolfe's character was the most consistent throughout the series. Reno and Whip were really fun, easy-going flirts and jokers in the other books (especially in Only Mine), but as soon as each respective character took the starring role they became all moody and emotionally traumatized. The worst case of Jeckyll-Hyde syndrome I've ever read about.This is not really a criticism, but why do all the men in the Only series have the exact same moves? It's like they all got together and shared sex tips. A tad creepy. Perhaps Lowell should imagine some new sex scenarios.One final observation, aside from Jessi, all the female leads seem too similar. Scenarios are the same - accusations of harlotry later revealed to be false, and so on. If it weren't for the different physical descriptions, I probably couldn't correctly differentiate the characters if given paragraphs about their personalities.

I reread "Only Mine" last night and was once again surprised by how much I enjoyed the book. Wolfe and Jessi loved each other from the very beginning of the story. The problem was that Jessi trapped Wolfe into marrying her to get away from England and a forced marriage arranged by her guardians. Most of the book is about how Wolfe tries to force Jessi into getting an annulment, not understanding why she claims to need him so much. Jessica was a woman who was still haunted by a childhood that had left her emotionally scarred. Her struggles to fight back her demons and withstand the scorn of the man she loved were described so well that I almost felt like I was her. Lowell's amazing talent made this book a memorable romance novel with two very strong characters. "Only Mine" also has Caleb Black, Willow, Reno, and Whip, which made it even better. I would recommend that anyone who likes Lowell read the entire "Only" series, because all of the books are wonderful.

I borrowed this book from the library, but am now buying it. I will read it over and over!! Elizabeth Lowell is an exceptional writer and she has made me a follower. Next to Shanna by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, I cannot recall reading another book that is as romantic as this book is. I read it in one evening. I absolutely could not put it down! Now I need to get all the "only" books.