Lawless, Texas

Leisure, Aug 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 9780843958492

In 1870 Harley King and his gang take refuge in Lawless, Texas where he kills the sheriff. A desperate law abiding rancher sends for famous Jace Madison; renowned for hunting down the outlaws who killed his fianc e and bringing them to justice.

Jace arrives in town planning to bring law and order to Lawless, starting with dispatching the King gang. However, he is distracted when he meets stable owner Sammie Preston, who wears men's clothing, but he sees past her disguise. As they fall in love and gain support from the frightened reluctant townsfolk, a High Noon showdown is coming to Lawless because King will never let go of his throne without a fight to the death.

This is an entertaining straightforward western romance starring two heroes and a vile villain. Each side is supported by stereotypical secondary characters, whose prime roles are to bring out the attributes either of the champions or the desperado. LAWLESS, TEXAS belongs to the showdown between the knights in shining armor, Jace (think of Gary Cooper) and Sam vs. the bad guy Harley with the town being the stake at their HIGH NOON confrontation.

Harriet Klausner