Loving the Lawman

The Roses of Ridgeway #3

by Kianna Alexander

Loving the A Roses of Ridgeway Historical RomanceThe Darling of the Founding FamilyValerie Ridgeway is the granddaughter of Ridgeway's founder, and the sole heir to the town's ownership. A tall, graceful beauty, she's had a slew of suitors- most every eligible man within fifty miles of town has come courting for her. Despite her loveliness, however, Valerie has developed a reputation for rejecting men with her icy demeanor. Only a select few of the townsfolk know the secret shame that fuels her bitterness. Approaching thirty, she's given up on the fairy tale of marriage, choosing instead to give her time and effort to the betterment of the race.The Keeper of the PeaceNoah Rogers, Ridgeway's sheriff, takes his job very seriously. An intense man by nature, he bears the responsibility of the safety of the townsfolk, with only a single deputy to aid him. He's eschewed romantic entanglements in order to give his full focus to his very important work- that is, until he lay eyes on Miss Ridgeway. He's desired her from afar, biding his time, watching as she cut down a string of "suitable men," one after another. He's aware of her reputation; still, he senses a vulnerable, radiant creature beneath all the sass and ire, one he intends to discover.A Budding Love... A Town in JeopardyJust as Noah begins to woo Valerie, a rash of crimes invades the usually peaceful environment of Ridgeway. When the safety of the innocent citizens of town becomes more threatened than ever before, Noah must find a way to protect them, and the woman he loves. But when shocking violence, loss, and grief threaten to unravel their hard-won courtship, will they find a way to overcome it all, so that Valerie can truly begin loving the lawman?

Genres: Romance, Historical, Ebooks, Westerns, Historical Romance

211 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 11, 2014

About the author

I've always loved the written word. For as long as I can remember, I read as much as I could, as often as I could. Cereal boxes, newspapers, product packaging. Ebony, Essence, and Jet Magazine. Billboards. I loved it all. I read the entire Fear Street series, as well as the Sweet Valley Books, from Twins and Friends through Sweet Valley High. Each week I'd bring 15 or 20 books home from the library, and read them all before the due date.

Now, my mother owned a pristine, barely touched collection of Harlequin romance novels, and I was not to touch them under any circumstances. Well, as a teenager, you know what that meant. I read some of them, and got my first introduction to romance.

When I was sixteen, I picked up my stepmother's copy of Night Song, by Beverly Jenkins. The cover showed an obviously historical image of a black couple, against a beautiful backdrop, locked in a passionate embrace. With my love of history, I had to crack this book. What I read inside literally blew my mind. I was exposed to a wonderful, touching love story involving people who looked like me! What a thrill. To this day Night Song remains my favorite book, and I credit it with planting the seed of desire to write romance. I didn't get serious until many years later, but that's where it all began.

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I read by this author and I enjoyed the writing. This particular book is a novella so would have been a fast read except that I was reading another couple of books during the same time.

The main characters, Valerie Ridgeway and the town sheriff, Noah, were both well developed characters. The write-up on Loving the Lawman describes it as an African American historical fiction; however there was very little in the story to indicate that. It does indicate at one point that Valerie had bronze or golden skin, but I don't recall reading indicators that describe her parents or Noah or other people in the community. The story has a bit of violence which is understandable in a story involving a lawman and these incidents help to develop Noah's character and allegiance to his job. It is also a sweet, easily read romance story with a happy ending, including a few twists and turns in the plot.

[Dj · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Darling of the Founding Family Valerie Ridgeway is the granddaughter of Ridgeway's founder, and the sole heir to the town's ownership. A tall, graceful beauty, she's had a slew of suitors- most every eligible man within fifty miles of town has come courting for her. Despite her loveliness, however, Valerie has developed a reputation for rejecting men with her icy demeanor. Only a select few of the townsfolk know the secret shame that fuels her bitterness (she’s barren). Approaching thirty, she's given up on the fairy tale of marriage, choosing instead to give her time and effort to the betterment of the race. The Keeper of the Peace Noah Rogers, Ridgeway's (sheriff), takes his job very seriously. An intense man by nature, he bears the responsibility of the safety of the townsfolk, with only a single deputy to aid him. He's eschewed romantic entanglements in order to give his full focus to his very important work- that is, until he lay eyes on Miss Ridgeway. He's desired her from afar, biding his time, watching as she cut down a string of "suitable men," one after another. He's aware of her reputation; still, he senses a vulnerable, radiant creature beneath all the sass and ire, one he intends to discover. A Budding Love... A Town in Jeopardy Just as Noah begins to woo Valerie, a rash of crime invades the usually peaceful environment of Ridgeway. When the safety of the innocent citizens of town becomes more threatened than ever before, Noah must find a way to protect them, and the woman he loves. But when shocking violence, loss (Valerie’s mother is killed in the street), and grief threaten to unravel their hard-won courtship, will they find a way to overcome it all, so that Valerie can truly begin loving the lawman?

[Husna · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be honest, I was really enjoying this book until we reached a certain point. Valerie and Noah were great characters, and I appreciated how Valerie's health issue was addressed in the story. Noah's persistence and Valerie's relationships with her friends were also highlights for me. However, things started going downhill for me after the incident with her mom. The storyline about the bandits had potential, but I couldn't help but question why it seemed like all the victims were our main characters. It would have been more impactful if the trauma wasn't solely focused on them. I just wish I had enjoyed the second half of the book more. It left me wanting something more from the story.

[Lea Gubenšek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Man there are sooo many plot holes in this series its crazy. Its like the author forget everything she said in the other books.
For example:
Prudence said in the other book that Valerie is a bich and cold hearded. In this book they are besties like what?
The bigest point in this book was thet Valerie cant have children in the next book Noah says to his friend that she is CARRYING AGAIN???
Did nobody read this books in order?

[Pat Wittorf · Rating 1 out of 5]

I almost hate to admit I finished this book. As a romance novel for adults it falls far short of the mark and due to the lack of continuity throughout I can't even say I'd recommend it for pre-teens, although with some decent editing, it could be made to fit that audience. I did finally figure out (barely) that the primary characters, Sheriff Noah and the extremely well dressed, if "barren" Valerie were of different races, but only after she was described with "coppery skin" and he's later described as having blond hair and blue eyes. Now, folks, this story takes place in 1885. I'm no historian but even I know that back then mixing races was frowned upon.... in fact many states had laws AGAINST people of different races marrying. So the sanguine attitude of the townspeople toward this couple is just not realistic. I can put the mistake of the sheriff grabbing the "reigns" of his horse to spellcheck and I got a genuine chuckle at the mental image I received when I read, "Covering her hand with her mouth....", but I had to read the following several times before I could follow it enough to see Noah wasn't hitting his cigar against the bricks:

"Easing his cigar out of (the) pocket of his leather jacket, he fished around in the pocket for a match. Once he had it in hand, he used his pocket knife to slice off the end. Then he struck it against one of the bricks....."

First reading had me wondering why he'd slice the end off his match and if it was the cigar he chopped why hit it against the bricks, or was it his knife he hit ????

I also found it strange that the livery owner would have two STALLIONS on hand to be stolen. The livery was in town, not a breeding farm, and stallions would probably not be the best choice for rental riding stock. I was also stuck with my mouth open to read that on seeing a horse thief ride out of town the sheriff calmly goes back to sit down and wait till morning to go after them. Really? REALLY???

Now, another jarring note came when Valerie set the table for her mother.... "THREE PLATES AND SETS OF SILVERWARE....at EACH chair." Wow, really formal table setting, huh?

Now, let's talk about that poker game. A really, REALLY good wage back then was $3.00 a day and the Sheriff in a small town probably was unlikely to be making that but he casually makes a $40 bet?? Of course, he must be a really exceptional sheriff since he (on page 86) carries a canteen on his GUN BELT.

There's more including calling a 20 year old man (in the 1880s) a "boy" and availability of a psychiatrist and the possibility of anyone who'd hitch his "stallion" to pull a wagon when there was a livery in town. Then, Noah levels "his Remington repeating rife" on the bad guy but two paragraphs later he "pumped his shotgun". And, of course there's the issue of "Who shot Joe?'" Valeries' dad with his pistol in each hand or the lady with her purse pistol?

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book that I read written by Kianna Alexander. It is a historical romance about Valerie Ridgeway, a shapely and lovely bronze skinned female, and Noah Rogers, the handsome blonde haired sheriff of Ridgeway, California in 1880s. Although Loving the Lawman has violence, it is mostly a sweet romance with a few twists and turns. I liked how the book started with action and suspense. It is really a quick read, but I was reading another book at the same time. This Kindle book was gifted to me by BookBud and I give it 3.5 stars.

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay

This was an okay book, nothing really special at all. The story was slow yet moved far to fast through the courtship of Noah and Valerie -if you can even call it courtship!- they barely spend any time together! Then Valerie is upset that Noah isn't there for her when she needs him. It would be different if he wasn't doing his job as the town's sheriff and trying to get the people that caused Valerie's heartache.

[Catherine A Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not Interesting.

I did not find this book interesting at all, I had a hard time finishing it. The plot was not fleshed out, I never at any point felt that that the main characters had a real romantic connection, and the supporting characters were just blah. All in all, a waste of an hour.

[Coco · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lawman to love

This is the first book I've read by this author and I enjoyed this book. Loving the lawman is a sweet historical romance. I really liked the hero for his dedicated love for the heroine. The book contains some violence but I felt it added depth to the story.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the dedication, alone -- I would have given 3 stars:"Dedication for Mr.Wendell Tabb, drama teacher at Hillside High ...(and no I don't know him personally--I'm a resident of Durham and former teacher/librarian and appreciate folks who honor teachers.)
and the book was well-done.

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving the Lawman

The storyline is excellent. Great historical background. Editing could improve the reading. A few words that were used often seemed a little too formal. Overall, I was pleased to read this book to the happy ending.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable Read!

I enjoyed all three books. The only problem I have is that the books were too short!! Left me wanting to read more!

[Barbara "Cookie" Serfaty Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

The love story of Noah and Valerie. Sad and dark story, you cry but you still love it.

[Cayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

For the most part, it was an okay read. But I think it needs some more meat to the story.

[Jacky Faber · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a horrible novel! Disgustingly sweet and full of romance cliches. Gag me with a spoon.

[Irene Cunningham · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lost interest; didn't finish reading

[Deborah C. Fidderman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving the Lawman

I loved the story of Noah and Valerie. I couldn't put it down. It kept me wanting to know just how the story would end. It was great. I recommend this book.