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The Hired Gunslinger Series #1
Angel Heart
Now reissued as TEXAS ANGEL
Ever since Angelica's father died, Harlan Snyder had been angling to get his hands on her ranch, the Diamond R. And now, just when she had an important government contract to fulfill, she couldn't find a single cowhand to hire on all because of Snyder's threats. It was only a matter of time before she lost the ranch. That is, until the legendary gunfighter Kid Collins turned up on her doorstep, badly wounded. He was the one person who could help her beat Snyder at his own game if the price were not too high.
Ever since Angelica's father died, Harlan Snyder had been angling to get his hands on her ranch, the Diamond R. And now, just when she had an important government contract to fulfill, she couldn't find a single cowhand to hire on all because of Snyder's threats. It was only a matter of time before she lost the ranch. That is, until the legendary gunfighter Kid Collins turned up on her doorstep, badly wounded. He was the one person who could help her beat Snyder at his own game if the price were not too high.
512 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 1988
9 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Thompson
83 books2,448 followersVictoria Thompson was a beloved authoress of 'standard mystery' novels.
This middle of the road tone is not violent like a 'thriller' but unsanitized (NOT light like a 'cozy mystery'), is unflinchingly adult, serious, and dark.
Humour, romance, family, and compassion balance out the crime part of dear Victoria's unforgettable mysteries.
This middle of the road tone is not violent like a 'thriller' but unsanitized (NOT light like a 'cozy mystery'), is unflinchingly adult, serious, and dark.
Humour, romance, family, and compassion balance out the crime part of dear Victoria's unforgettable mysteries.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 12, 2020
This review is of “Angel Heart/Texas Heart”, book #1 in the “A Hired Gunslinger” series by Victoria Thompson. (Note: This book is also connected to “Texas Triumph”, book #2 in Ms. Thompson’s “The Cowboy and the Lady” series).
As “Angel Heart/Texas Heart” begins, Christian “Kid” Collins, the hero of the book-he was a supporting character in “Texas Triumph”-is engaged in a gun battle at the home of his sister and brother-in-law, Rose and Pete Hastings, with gunslicks hired by Harlan Snyder, a ruthless rancher. Sadly, Rose, Pete and their unborn child have been killed, and Christian is seriously wounded when he tries to escape. He is found by Comanche Indians and taken to the Diamond R ranch, home to Angelica Ross, the heroine of the book, and her younger brother, Robbie. (The Comanche brought him here partially due to their respect for Angelica and Robbie’s late father, Cameron). While nursing him back to health, Angelica and Christian discover they have a mutual foe in Snyder, and Angelica asks for Christian’ help to fight him. He agrees to do so, but they will also have to fight their attraction for each other. They don’t, and Angelica and Christian become lovers, after which he proposes to her, which she refuses. Despite this, Christian agrees to stay on to help Angelica with Snyder as well as helping the Diamond R fulfill an Army contract to provide beef to Indian reservations.
To that end, Christian calls in some help from his friends from the Circle M ranch in “Texas Triumph”. These are not ordinary ranch hands; these are some of the most notorious gunslingers in Texas.
In concluding a successful cattle roundup, Angelica and Christian relationship deepens; however, he is now reluctant to marry her. This is not due to Angelica’s earlier rejection, but more to do with Christian’s shame over his family and his concerns about what his future will be. (And whether or not he has one, given his history as a gunman). He and Angelica also gain a new enemy, a prostitute named Sunny Day. (Backstory: Sunny was being sexually and physically abused by Snyder when Christian intervened to stop it. He and Sunny slept together (they slept in the same bed, but did not have sex). Afterward, Sunny interpreted these acts as Christian being in love with her and wanting to protect her from Snyder’s wrath; Christian, obviously, viewed things differently.. Hurt and angry that her dream isn’t going to happen, Sunny hooks up with Snyder’s newest hired gun, Tom Rivers, who was brought in specifically to kill Christian.
Rivers makes this attempt at a party, where he tries to goad Christian into a gunfight. Christian refuses, and Rivers tries to backshoot him; Rivers is shot and killed by Miles Blackmon, a friend of Christian’s. After a legal inquiry, the shooting is ruled justifiable. This angers Snyder, who makes his final move, kidnapping Angelica and Robbie. Christian saves Angelica, killing Snyder in the process (Robbie was taken to another location and released).
In the end, Christian shares his fears with Angelica, who helps him get beyond them, and“Kid” Collins “dies” (that’s the story the townspeople of Marsden’s Corners, Texas tell two gunslicks who come to town to kill Christian; they both leave without violence).Angelica and Christian have two children-and a third on the way-and celebrate their Happily Ever After.
Upside: “Angel Heart” is the rare book where the hero is more emotional than the heroine (emotional heroes are something of a trademark of Ms. Thompson’s historical romances). Angelica and Christian are a well-matched couple, two people who believe that they are too flawed to be loved by anyone. When they find each other, they discover that is not the case.
Downside: There isn’t a huge amount of character development or depth here. The supporting characters are pretty one-dimensional. It’s never really explained-other than the fact that he’s a greedy evil bastard-why Snyder wanted to court Angelica and why he wanted to kill Christian so badly.
Sex: The love scenes between Angelica and Christian are very mild, and not very exciting.
Violence: Assault, battery, shootings, and a fire. The violence is not graphic.
Bottom Line: There are some areas that could use improvement, but “Angel Heart” is a solid historical romance.
As “Angel Heart/Texas Heart” begins, Christian “Kid” Collins, the hero of the book-he was a supporting character in “Texas Triumph”-is engaged in a gun battle at the home of his sister and brother-in-law, Rose and Pete Hastings, with gunslicks hired by Harlan Snyder, a ruthless rancher. Sadly, Rose, Pete and their unborn child have been killed, and Christian is seriously wounded when he tries to escape. He is found by Comanche Indians and taken to the Diamond R ranch, home to Angelica Ross, the heroine of the book, and her younger brother, Robbie. (The Comanche brought him here partially due to their respect for Angelica and Robbie’s late father, Cameron). While nursing him back to health, Angelica and Christian discover they have a mutual foe in Snyder, and Angelica asks for Christian’ help to fight him. He agrees to do so, but they will also have to fight their attraction for each other. They don’t, and Angelica and Christian become lovers, after which he proposes to her, which she refuses. Despite this, Christian agrees to stay on to help Angelica with Snyder as well as helping the Diamond R fulfill an Army contract to provide beef to Indian reservations.
To that end, Christian calls in some help from his friends from the Circle M ranch in “Texas Triumph”. These are not ordinary ranch hands; these are some of the most notorious gunslingers in Texas.
In concluding a successful cattle roundup, Angelica and Christian relationship deepens; however, he is now reluctant to marry her. This is not due to Angelica’s earlier rejection, but more to do with Christian’s shame over his family and his concerns about what his future will be. (And whether or not he has one, given his history as a gunman). He and Angelica also gain a new enemy, a prostitute named Sunny Day. (Backstory: Sunny was being sexually and physically abused by Snyder when Christian intervened to stop it. He and Sunny slept together (they slept in the same bed, but did not have sex). Afterward, Sunny interpreted these acts as Christian being in love with her and wanting to protect her from Snyder’s wrath; Christian, obviously, viewed things differently.. Hurt and angry that her dream isn’t going to happen, Sunny hooks up with Snyder’s newest hired gun, Tom Rivers, who was brought in specifically to kill Christian.
Rivers makes this attempt at a party, where he tries to goad Christian into a gunfight. Christian refuses, and Rivers tries to backshoot him; Rivers is shot and killed by Miles Blackmon, a friend of Christian’s. After a legal inquiry, the shooting is ruled justifiable. This angers Snyder, who makes his final move, kidnapping Angelica and Robbie. Christian saves Angelica, killing Snyder in the process (Robbie was taken to another location and released).
In the end, Christian shares his fears with Angelica, who helps him get beyond them, and“Kid” Collins “dies” (that’s the story the townspeople of Marsden’s Corners, Texas tell two gunslicks who come to town to kill Christian; they both leave without violence).Angelica and Christian have two children-and a third on the way-and celebrate their Happily Ever After.
Upside: “Angel Heart” is the rare book where the hero is more emotional than the heroine (emotional heroes are something of a trademark of Ms. Thompson’s historical romances). Angelica and Christian are a well-matched couple, two people who believe that they are too flawed to be loved by anyone. When they find each other, they discover that is not the case.
Downside: There isn’t a huge amount of character development or depth here. The supporting characters are pretty one-dimensional. It’s never really explained-other than the fact that he’s a greedy evil bastard-why Snyder wanted to court Angelica and why he wanted to kill Christian so badly.
Sex: The love scenes between Angelica and Christian are very mild, and not very exciting.
Violence: Assault, battery, shootings, and a fire. The violence is not graphic.
Bottom Line: There are some areas that could use improvement, but “Angel Heart” is a solid historical romance.
October 3, 2020
To be honest, I read this waaaaaay back in 1989(?). Somehow after all these years, this book stuck in my head, so it must have been good enough to make an impression on me. I can remember carrying around this paperback for weeks. Giving it 3 stars because I actually remember most of the story years later. I never knew that Victoria Thompson would one day write my favorite series. Mind. Blown.
June 14, 2019
I was surprised I didn't like this story. I usually love VT's books but this was not good.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews