Relentless
Bobbi Smith
Leisure, Mar 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780843962826

In the late 1860s in Texas, fifteen year old Grant Spencer learns his beloved father Dan the sheriff of Grand Bluff was gunned down by a drunk in the line of duty. When he buried his dad, Grant vowed to pursue outlaws relentlessly. Thus he joins the Texas Ranger as soon as he can.

Ten years later in Canyon Springs, Texas stagecoach driver Charley Martin looks forward to the end of his six day run so he can spend time with his beloved wife Anne and their seventeen year old daughter Justine whom they call Dusty. However, this time he comes home to find his wife dead from a fever. He takes Dusty dressed as a male on his driving trips.

One year later, Grant and his partner Frank Thomas chase after the deadly Les Jackson gang. At a dance he meets Dusty and they are attracted to one another. However, he has a graveyard mission that drives him as capturing outlaws relentlessly is his life so he plans to leave her behind. However, fate intervenes when the ruthless killing Jackson abducts Dusty; Grant relentlessly pursues him vowing to rescue his woman.

This is a terrific western romance starring an obsessed male and a courageous adaptable female. The killing gang seems like they come from an old TV show or a John Wayne movie, but add tension with their lack of caring about life. Fans will root for this couple and for Frank who meets his woman and learns love is Relentless when it comes to the heart.

Harriet Klausner