Winnie Griggs, Lady's Choice

Winnie Griggs, Lady's Choice - It is 1894 and only for Judge Madison would irate Adam Barr baby sit three easterners on a trek to Texas from Philadelphia. Adam is bitter at the irony that he was imprisoned for six years for a crime he did not commit while his three charges were guilty of felonies that should have locked them away; instead the Judge has handed them a chance to marry his granddaughter.

The Judge has issued an ultimatum to his granddaughter, Wild West photographer Regina Nash, to marry Everett, Mitchell or Chance, or lose custody of her nephew Jack. Reggie does not want any of these losers, but also refuses to lose Jack who she has raised as her own. She behaves like a frontier hoyden to run off the naive easterners, but Adam recognizes the masquerade, but is shocked because he desires her. Reggie thought that Texas would cleanse her of her teenage crush for him when he was out of reach, but instead she still knows deep down she loves Adam. Unable to resist, Adam enters the competition, not realizing he was sent as the Ace that Judge Madison thought is perfect for his granddaughter.

LADY'S CHOICE is an entertaining and amusing western romance that fans of the sub-genre will appreciate, especially when the suitors fail to adjust to the Wild West of the heroine after visiting the "luxurious" Philadelphia home of the manipulating Judge. Adam is an interesting protagonist framed by a close friend and needing to prove his innocence while Reggie feels her Jack should never feel the shame of a convict father. Though the tension between seems forced, readers will enjoy this fine, nineteenth-century Americana tale.

Leisure, Apr 2005, $5.99, 342 pp.

ISBN: 084395521X

Harriet Klausner