Loner's Lady

by Lynna Banning

When a stranger turned up at her farm, in need of a place to rest, Ellen O'Brian didn't have the heart to turn him away. He looked darkly dangerous, but she could handle herself; she had learned hard and fast when her husband upped and left.

Jess Flint couldn't help but admire Ellen's courage and grit — even though he had to keep secrets from her. He showed her what it was like to feel like a woman again, to have a man to hold and rely on. With danger just around the corner, could their bond help them survive — or would his past tear them apart?

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical

298 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 2006

About the author

I was born in Oregon and raised in northern California. While growing up I listened to my grandparents' and my mother's stories about life on the ranch they owned in Douglas County, some miles east of Roseburg.

Later (after I retired from work as a professional editor for an aerospace firm) I began writing fiction based on these stories... my first book was "Western Rose," which is based on the unusual courtship of my grandparents.

A medieval studies major in college, I have also written two medieval novels, one about a Crusader knight and a girl raised in a harem (!) who end up at the court of Eleanor of Aquitaine when she was Queen of England. The second novel is about a Templar knight who falls in love with a young woman troubadour... but of course because of his vows of chastity, he cannot marry.

I hope you will enjoy my books; I always like hearing from readers, so feel free to email me (carolynw@cruzio.com) and also see my website - http://www.lynnabanning.com.

Reviews

[Bea Tea · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was OK. The first quarter was really rather sweet, but as soon as 'D' showed up it became somewhat tedious, and I skimmed the last quarter completely. What was with the B plot as well? It felt so tacked on and disjointed. The cynic in me suspects the author was scrabbling to fill her word-count and just threw it in.

[Karen Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Love Story

This is about a young woman whose husband has left and not returned for some time. A drifter comes by and asks to sleep in her barn. That is the beginning of this love story. Good story.

[Maude]

Sweet Read

This is a very talented author. I read one of her books last month and since then I have purchased 4 more. The writing is sweet and romantic. It's kind of like a safe cocoon in these turbulent times.

[Jerry Jares · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a different spin on the lone traveler arriving at a woman's farm. Ellen O'Brian knows she is married; her husband walked away one day and has been missing for a couple of years. This has left Ellen with sole responsibility for her farm. Jess Flint arrives at the O'Brian farm and talks her into hiring him as a handyman until she recovers from her broken leg. However, Jess is looking for something.

There are lots of twists to this story and I don't want to ruin the surprises. I'll just mention what I thought odd about the book. First, Ellen moved too much (sometimes into odd places) for having a broken leg. Second, the romance between Ellen and Jess was strained because Ellen was serious about her vows (good for her).

***SPOILER ALERT *** Ladies of the community started to shun Ellen, and then it all disappeared without sufficient explanation.

Finally, the secondary romance should have been left out or moved along at a faster pace. People their age pussy-footing around at such a snail's pace seemed strange. 3.5 stars

[Sally johnston]

I thought the book was great. I couldn't put it down.