The Loner (Secret Fires) by Evelyn Rogers

Excellent conclsuion to a strong Texas miniseriesby harstan

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July 16, 2001: The lawyer?s letter announced that his odious father Thomas McBride was dying and demanded his family come home to the Circle M Ranch in nearby Sidewater. If Tom?s oldest son Stone wants to inherit anything, he must return to this place he hates. Since he just lost his last coin in a poker game, Stone decides it is time to go home. Instead of staying at the family spread, Stone rents a room at Annabelle Chapin?s boarding house even though she is the woman he once loved.

Stone constantly squabbles with his two brothers and sister, but also shares with them the distrust of Tom?s second wife Clare. While struggling with his family and his stepmother, Stone skirmishes with his own treacherous heart that beats faster and louder every time he sees Annabelle. There is also his father o worry about him, a man who has hidden the truth about Circle M from his children.

The final novel to the Secret Fires miniseries ties up all the questions left from the three previous novels while telling a wonderful western romance. The story line is loaded with action and a twist or two. The lead couple is a cute duo making up for a decade of separation while the support cast includes family members and their spouses returning for the final engagement. Though THE LONER lives up to its name and can stand alone, new readers will find better appreciation of Evelyn Rogers? talent by reading the previous three stories first, written by other authors. By keeping the persona of previous lead couples consistent inside her plot, Ms. Rogers successfully closes with one of the year?s best Texas romances.

Harriet Klausner

Myshelf.Com Book Reviewerby Anonymous

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July 04, 2001: In Evelyn Roger?s THE LONER, readers will find a highly descriptive tale, which will quickly transport them back to the exciting life and times that only existed in the Old West. This poignant tale is overflowing with sizzling excitement, passion, and turmoil and will remain in your memory long after you turn the last page. As his name suggests, Stone McBride?s heart has been hardened against the cruel injustices fate has unmercifully dealt to him. Living his life as a gambler, he is unprepared when word arrives informing him his father is on his deathbed, and has summoned for him to return to the Circle M to claim his inheritance. To ignore his father?s request, would force him to forfeit his share of the ranch to his resentful brother, sister, and manipulative stepmother. Upon his return to the town of Sidewinder, he is unprepared to see his former fianc?e, Annie Chapin. Will he be able to live with himself knowing he alone caused the pain which is present in her eyes? Four years ago, Annabelle `Annie? Chapin, gave her heart and soul to Stone McBride. What she received in return was enough heartache to last a lifetime. Still suffering from her last encounter with Stone, she is shocked to learn she still has feelings for the man who cruelly broke her heart. Will she have the power this time to chisel away the hard exterior surrounding his cold heart? Evelyn Rogers masterfully crafts stories where the characters are so real they seem to leap off the pages. Stone and Annie are two memorable characters, who finally realize when they are able to trust in the power of love as only it alone would be able to heal and erase the pain of their past.