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Louisiana #9
Love a Dark Rider
Seven year has passed since the night he was falsely branded a murderer, and Yancy has returned to reclaim his birthright. But his late father's lands now belong to Sara. The innocent girl has blossomed into a stunning and sensuous woman, a rival to be kidnapped and conquered.
But though she fears her vengeful,impassioned captor, Sara's proud spirit will not be easily broken. And winning her heart will soon prove more important to Yancy than his honor,his legacy...or his life.
But though she fears her vengeful,impassioned captor, Sara's proud spirit will not be easily broken. And winning her heart will soon prove more important to Yancy than his honor,his legacy...or his life.
432 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1994
33 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
Shirlee Busbee
51 books272 followersShirlee Elaine was born 9 August 1941 in San Jose, California, USA. She was the first daughter of a career naval officer, later she had two sisters and three brothers, they raised traveling the world. She went to the institute in Kentri, Morocco, after which she returned to California and she went to Burbank Bussines College of Santa Rosa, where she received a certificate in 1962.
Shirlee married with Howard Busbee in June 22, 1963. Now, they live in hills of California, where they raise for pleasure Standard Schnauzers, Standardbred horses, and other many animals.
She has worked as a receptionist for the Marin County Title and Abstract Co., as plant supervisor for Fairfield Title Co., and as secretary and drafting technician for the County Parks Department of Fairfield, California, where she met her life-long friend and mentor Rosemary Rogers. Published since 1977, Shirlee Busbee is the proud author of over 18 novels, including seven New York Times bestsellers. With over nine million copies of her books in print, she is the recipient of numerous awards for excellence in writing, including the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and Affaire de Coeur's Silver and Bronze Pen Awards.
You may write to Shirlee Busbee care of C/O Warner Books, Inc., Time and Life Building, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
Shirlee married with Howard Busbee in June 22, 1963. Now, they live in hills of California, where they raise for pleasure Standard Schnauzers, Standardbred horses, and other many animals.
She has worked as a receptionist for the Marin County Title and Abstract Co., as plant supervisor for Fairfield Title Co., and as secretary and drafting technician for the County Parks Department of Fairfield, California, where she met her life-long friend and mentor Rosemary Rogers. Published since 1977, Shirlee Busbee is the proud author of over 18 novels, including seven New York Times bestsellers. With over nine million copies of her books in print, she is the recipient of numerous awards for excellence in writing, including the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and Affaire de Coeur's Silver and Bronze Pen Awards.
You may write to Shirlee Busbee care of C/O Warner Books, Inc., Time and Life Building, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 31, 2022
Juvenile, tone death writing and weirdly racist. Picked this up for a buck at my local used book-store, because the cover was pretty (I like horses) and the name was interesting. What I got was a half-baked murder who-done-it plot, and shocker you could figure out who the murderer was within the first 50 pages.
Rofld so hard at the MMC, Yancy's bad Spanish every other page, clearly written by someone who has never spoken a word of Spanish in their life besides "hola". Like not going to lie if you make someone's cultural heritage a bad stereotype not good. Mainly though I was not into our FMC who was basically the Antebellum version of Cinderella. Like oh poor me, my daddy lost our plantation and slaves due to gambling, me: uh good, I do not feel bad for you or your daddy. Skip this one if you want to save on brain cells.
Rofld so hard at the MMC, Yancy's bad Spanish every other page, clearly written by someone who has never spoken a word of Spanish in their life besides "hola". Like not going to lie if you make someone's cultural heritage a bad stereotype not good. Mainly though I was not into our FMC who was basically the Antebellum version of Cinderella. Like oh poor me, my daddy lost our plantation and slaves due to gambling, me: uh good, I do not feel bad for you or your daddy. Skip this one if you want to save on brain cells.
June 4, 2015
Murder and Love in Old Texas
The story begins in 1860 in Texas where Sara Rawlings, left alone and destitute by her father’s death, goes to live with a cousin, Sam Cantrell, a man her father’s age. Sam has a son, Yancy, by his first wife, a woman of noble Spanish linage, and he has a young wife, Margaret—the woman he stole from Yancy.
As might be suspected, Margaret is threatened by the younger, 16-year-old Sara. And Sara is captivated by Yancy, a man Margaret was once engaged to and now thinks to seduce. The one thing Margaret wants for her unborn child is Casa Paloma, a thousand-acre parcel in the middle of the land Yancy’s Spanish ancestors have owned for generations. Yancy vows he will kill her before she can have his land. And then Margaret turns up with a Spanish dagger in her chest.
Much of the book is taken up with the machinations of the family and its history that has led to the distrust, if not dislike, between its members, all of which Sara must suffer through. In the midst of it, Sara and Yancy find love, albeit like two prickly people coming together.
Busbee’s descriptions of Texas and the hacienda are superb. You will feel you are in the old West. Yancy is a drool worthy hero and Sara finds him so. Oh yes, the murder mystery remains unsolved until the end. Busbee will keep you guessing. Very well done.
For Busbee fans, it will not disappoint.
The story begins in 1860 in Texas where Sara Rawlings, left alone and destitute by her father’s death, goes to live with a cousin, Sam Cantrell, a man her father’s age. Sam has a son, Yancy, by his first wife, a woman of noble Spanish linage, and he has a young wife, Margaret—the woman he stole from Yancy.
As might be suspected, Margaret is threatened by the younger, 16-year-old Sara. And Sara is captivated by Yancy, a man Margaret was once engaged to and now thinks to seduce. The one thing Margaret wants for her unborn child is Casa Paloma, a thousand-acre parcel in the middle of the land Yancy’s Spanish ancestors have owned for generations. Yancy vows he will kill her before she can have his land. And then Margaret turns up with a Spanish dagger in her chest.
Much of the book is taken up with the machinations of the family and its history that has led to the distrust, if not dislike, between its members, all of which Sara must suffer through. In the midst of it, Sara and Yancy find love, albeit like two prickly people coming together.
Busbee’s descriptions of Texas and the hacienda are superb. You will feel you are in the old West. Yancy is a drool worthy hero and Sara finds him so. Oh yes, the murder mystery remains unsolved until the end. Busbee will keep you guessing. Very well done.
For Busbee fans, it will not disappoint.
July 25, 2014
Absolutely marvelous book!
Not a thing i could say i don't like about it.
This book is surely one of my favorites.
The characters were especially captivating and drew you deeper into the heart of the story with them, the slow-down descriptions every here and there painted a picture for the story to roll on, the moments of passion were beautiful and nicely timed though-out the book never seemed like too much. A most enchanting feel for the outdoor, desert-like, Spanish town and time era thing. The perspective, mostly on Sara but gave a welcoming insight with no better placement.
The deviousness master plan, lingering mystery and unsolved weaved through from start to finish pulling the reader through their history, involving all the characters, a worthy, thrilling adventure and one hell of a Fiery grande finale.
Not a thing i could say i don't like about it.
This book is surely one of my favorites.
The characters were especially captivating and drew you deeper into the heart of the story with them, the slow-down descriptions every here and there painted a picture for the story to roll on, the moments of passion were beautiful and nicely timed though-out the book never seemed like too much. A most enchanting feel for the outdoor, desert-like, Spanish town and time era thing. The perspective, mostly on Sara but gave a welcoming insight with no better placement.
The deviousness master plan, lingering mystery and unsolved weaved through from start to finish pulling the reader through their history, involving all the characters, a worthy, thrilling adventure and one hell of a Fiery grande finale.
August 20, 2011
This was probably my least favorite of her books. The story seemed to drag a bit. The characters were pretty good. I just wasn't captivated by them.
March 31, 2025
4.5 - 4.75 stars. I have really enjoyed several of Shirlee Busbee’s books and all are favorites of mine. While not a favorite my latest read by SB, Love a Dark Rider, was no disappointment and I recommend it. The H/h had good chemistry and a very angsty go of it, which I loved. The H Yancy is very alpha and gets what he wants, but does have emotional waters that run deep. Sara is a brave and feisty heroine who does her best to not let him run over her. Except of course when it comes to the attraction that neither can resist. The plot was good, but nothing really new, good secondary characters and the villains who did the crimes are not hard to guess. All in all a great story with some good action and a well written relationship that starts out angsty and ends in a deep love.
July 4, 2019
Love a Dark Stranger (The Southern Women Series, BOOK 4)
This book had everything a good historical book could ask for. Sara had lived a hard life before her Father's cousin found her and rescued her from her current situation of having to work for her room and board. He took her home with him to live at his plantation in South Texas, however life may not always be what we think it is going to come out to be. Sometimes it is so much more.
This book had everything a good historical book could ask for. Sara had lived a hard life before her Father's cousin found her and rescued her from her current situation of having to work for her room and board. He took her home with him to live at his plantation in South Texas, however life may not always be what we think it is going to come out to be. Sometimes it is so much more.
March 27, 2019
The romance was surprisingly not too bad (I would have expected worse from a "bodice-ripper") but the plot got more and more idiotic...and the reveal of the villain was beyond ludicrous. I did like the whodunit subplot that carried on throughout the story. 2.5 stars.
October 24, 2018
Can't say that I even remember this book.
September 28, 2022
3.75 stars
March 14, 2023
fun romance.... though a lot of use of the n-word from a white author....
author clearly has a certain view of white superiority......
author clearly has a certain view of white superiority......
March 13, 2019
This book is really amazing
December 28, 2010
I've read this when I was in Grade 6. Though I'm pretty sure the content and writing style of this book are not for children. Hahaha Because back then I read what I want, whether it's appropriate for my age or not. It's been years ago already, I'm quite surprised I even remember the title . LOL I remember I like it so much, I think I read it twice. Although now, I'm not quite sure if I would still the same towards this book, I still decided to give it a rating of 5 stars. Because back then I thought the book was really good. :]
July 16, 2015
A fast-paced, sexy, action-packed historical romance filled with wonderful, well-thought-out moments of drama, heat, jealousy, anger, love, madness, humor, deception, etc. Its just an all-around fabulously plotted book that you won't want to put down!!! The only reason I did for so long is I do believe it somehow got misplaced and I thank god I found it a few weeks ago! So happy I decided to reread this, it's such a great book! :)
I really liked Sara, and Yancy sounded insanely hot and sensual and just plain yummy lol ;)
I really liked Sara, and Yancy sounded insanely hot and sensual and just plain yummy lol ;)
July 9, 2012
A cute and entertaining story with interesting character,thrilling romance and a mystery beneath it all.
Altogether a good book.
The story was entertaining, The plot twists were well done and placed-Shirlee Busbee had me guessing who was behind the mystery and making me point fingers at some of the characters.
The conculsion was unexpected and well done.
But even with its captivating plot-line-I felt it lagged at times.
Otherwise good novel,time consuming and worth a read.
Altogether a good book.
The story was entertaining, The plot twists were well done and placed-Shirlee Busbee had me guessing who was behind the mystery and making me point fingers at some of the characters.
The conculsion was unexpected and well done.
But even with its captivating plot-line-I felt it lagged at times.
Otherwise good novel,time consuming and worth a read.
December 20, 2013
First time with this author.
Not the best written book I've ever read, seemed full of trite phrases like, "he caught her by the arm and slammed her up against his chest"; lots of repeated stuff like that.
At time I felt as thought I was watching a soap opera.
Maybe some of her later books are better.
Not the best written book I've ever read, seemed full of trite phrases like, "he caught her by the arm and slammed her up against his chest"; lots of repeated stuff like that.
At time I felt as thought I was watching a soap opera.
Maybe some of her later books are better.
March 5, 2010
The first romance novel I ever read. Love this story very much. It was well written and I recommend this for all
April 20, 2017
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
April 21, 2017
Ok, what do I do now?
I have re-read all of Shirlee Busbee's books that are currently in ereader form. This was the last to be downloaded and I took a long time to read and savor it. I love these bodice rippers. The books have a little more storyline to them..
I have re-read all of Shirlee Busbee's books that are currently in ereader form. This was the last to be downloaded and I took a long time to read and savor it. I love these bodice rippers. The books have a little more storyline to them..
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews