Men of Pride Co: Outsider

This was one of those in the library that you look at with the hunk on the front and at the time you are weak, maybe a little bored, and say why not- thinking it will be a typical rogue vs. weak heroine romance. But I was pleasantly surprised and will look for more RW books. Post-Civil War... Starla comes back to home to find a lot of changes- and it doesn't feel like home any more. The biggest one is a Yankee now owns the local bank (he's a friend of her best friend's husband). In a southern town- that is unheard of. He hasn't been accepted as one of the town's folk yet, probably never will be though he continues to try to help the town of Pride try to rebuild during the post-civil war times. If only the town's people would give him a chance and trust his word. He's crippled so that doesn't help - a civil war injury so he uses a cane and crutches. Some look on him as being weak due to his injury. But he is all man without a weak bone in his body. His dream is to walk down the street with beautiful Starla on his arm but the bullet lodge next to his spine will keep that from happening. Knowing he is taking a chance on getting his heart broken- Hamilton offers to wed Starla to protect her honor. Hesitantly she agrees knowing she needs a strong man for show and protection - strictly a marriage of convenience on her part. But the arrangement wreaks havoc on both of them! Hamilton is both, strong and vulnerable. He doesn't want pity from anyone, especially Starla. Starla doesn't want to have to depend on anyone especially a yankee but then she gets to know the man in Hamilton and finds out he is true to his word and she loses her heart. A marriage that is of convenience turns into a union of passion and love. A great read- a keeper for me. Now I am off to find the other books in the series.

HAMILTON DODGE is back -- and is he ever a MAN! -Starla Fairfax is intigued and repelled at the same time.And now we get a better understanding of what drives Tyler, her brother. And finally the driving rage of Cole Fairfax and his infamous temper are brought to light.We, once again, are delighted to meet Reeve Garrett and his wife, Patrice Sinclair Garrett. Starla can not understand Patrice's affection and the Garrett's comaraderie with the Yank banker, Hamilton Dodge. Over time she learns!Starla is terrified with what she perceives as Tyler's way of life and the companions he is running with. The nasty element of Ray and Poteet Dermont is used by Tyler until they go too far. No one hurts his sister and gets away with it.We suffer along with Starla in helplessly watching Tony's recoverys [I don't know how he survived] and his falling in love with his wife. Oh boy, and did we ever meet his mother and sister. Starla soon learns of Dodge's desire for a family and how frustrated he feels at possibly never being able to have one.Guess what! Noble Banning is back -- Starla's teen-age love. Finally we will find out what happened to him in The Rebel.Does Dodge get to save Deacon Sinclair's property, The Manor? from the unscrupulous Tyler.We learn along with Dodge that everything comes to pass - one day at a time.Highly Recommended - you will want to add this to your library collection to reread again. P.S. Love the cover.

I've read all the books in Rosalyn West's Men of Pride County series, and this one has to be my favorite. Starla Fairfax's survival through all the tragedies heaped on her is awe inspiring. Hamilton Dodge's fierce independence and strength of character is able to defeat his crippledness and prove himself as a man who can win the trust of any woman's heart. I loved the twists and turns Rosalyn West weaves throughout the plot of her story. The story is not only believable, but thouroghly enjoyable. I was unable to put the book down until I had discovered the dark secrets that guide Starla Fairfax's life. This is truly a great romance.It was even more enjoyable than the other novels in this series, if you can believe that's possible.

Hamilton Dodge was a Yankee. All he wanted was to forget the war and get on with his life, so he'd come to Pride County. But nothing blotted out the dreams of blood and killing until he met Starla Fairfax. She was lovely and sweet and Tony was smitten. After they marry, Tony begins to hear of another side to Starla, whispers and snide remarks about her reputation. He does his best to protect her from the hurt that such talk can generate. And in doing so comes to love her more than he ever thought he could love anyone. But when Starla reveals her secret, a secret so shocking that Tony can scarce believe it, neither of them is sure their fragile love can survive the legacy of shame and hatred that begins to unfold around them. Rosalyn West, dazzling author of The Outcast, gives readers another heartwarming tale of Americana that captures the spirit and the soul of those who suffered through the Civil War. Her characters will break your heart and mend it again as she sweeps you along into the lives and souls of Hamilton and Starla.Rickey R. Mallory