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Van Alen Sisters #2
Fair Is the Rose
On the run from the law for a crime she didn’t commit, a woman must trust her life to a gunslinger who is not what he seems in award-winning author Meagan McKinney’s sensual and suspenseful historical romance
With her face on Wanted posters from New York to Missouri, Christal Van Alen dons a disguise, determined to clear her name by bringing the real killer to justice. But when outlaws ambush her wagon train, her fate falls into the hands of the most dangerous gunslinger in the West.
Bringing a gang of deadly felons to justice was supposed to be Macauley Cain’s last job. Then the Confederate soldier–turned–undercover US marshal could retire in peace. But first he is going to solve the mystery of the beautiful blonde in widow’s weeds—a woman who awakens in him a desire as irresistible as it is dangerous—for her past has followed her to Wyoming Territory. Now, with Christal on the run and a merciless assassin on her trail, Cain won’t rest until he finds her again.
The romantic saga of the Van Alen sisters also includes Lions and Lace, Alana Van Alen’s story.
With her face on Wanted posters from New York to Missouri, Christal Van Alen dons a disguise, determined to clear her name by bringing the real killer to justice. But when outlaws ambush her wagon train, her fate falls into the hands of the most dangerous gunslinger in the West.
Bringing a gang of deadly felons to justice was supposed to be Macauley Cain’s last job. Then the Confederate soldier–turned–undercover US marshal could retire in peace. But first he is going to solve the mystery of the beautiful blonde in widow’s weeds—a woman who awakens in him a desire as irresistible as it is dangerous—for her past has followed her to Wyoming Territory. Now, with Christal on the run and a merciless assassin on her trail, Cain won’t rest until he finds her again.
The romantic saga of the Van Alen sisters also includes Lions and Lace, Alana Van Alen’s story.
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 1993
52 people are currently reading
802 people want to read
About the author
Meagan McKinney
72 books211 followersRuth Leslie Goodman Roberson (1961), well-known as Meagan McKinney gave up a thriving career as a biologist to become a full-time romance writer. She is author of over 20 critically acclaimed novels. Divorced, she lives with her two children in in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
April 3, 2014
This was a great sequel to Lions And Lace. The setting was totally different, but equally as interesting. Lions and Lace took place in post-Civil War New York high society while Fair is the Rose took place out west where Crystal had fled to avoid her evil uncle from the first book. (She was the younger sister of the h in Lions and Lace)
The hero was pretty delicious. He was an ex Confederate soldier with a lot of emotional baggage. The experience had made him hard, but not mean. He was totally in love with the heroine and very hot. Sometimes he was a little overbearing/controlling, but what alpha isn't? I loved the protective streak in him. Like Lions and Lace the novel dealt very much with a H/h from very different backgrounds and the H's struggles with that. Come to think of it The Ground She Walks Upon had that theme as well. Although in that one, the H was the one with all the money/privilege. McKinney must like that theme.
The hero was pretty delicious. He was an ex Confederate soldier with a lot of emotional baggage. The experience had made him hard, but not mean. He was totally in love with the heroine and very hot. Sometimes he was a little overbearing/controlling, but what alpha isn't? I loved the protective streak in him. Like Lions and Lace the novel dealt very much with a H/h from very different backgrounds and the H's struggles with that. Come to think of it The Ground She Walks Upon had that theme as well. Although in that one, the H was the one with all the money/privilege. McKinney must like that theme.
January 20, 2014
Let's start off with the stepback courtesy of saturnalia:
Fair is the Rose is a follow up to McKinney's Lions And Lace, although it can be read as a stand-alone. As the book starts, Christal Van Alen has been on the run from the law for about three years, after escaping from the insane asylum her uncle put her in after she allegedly murdered her parents (it's too hard to explain it all without spoiling). Anyhoo, she's currently dressed in widow's weeds and in Wyoming Territory when the stage coach is robbed by a notorious band of outlaws, including one very hunky Macaulay Cain, who takes the widow under his wing so she won't get raped by the rest of them.
Events happen that I can't discuss without spoiling, but eventually the passengers in the stage coach are rescued and it looks like the whole *adventure* is going to be turned into a send Christal running for the smallest, most remote town she can find in Wyoming.
Will Cain find her? Will the law hunt her down? Will her nasty, evil, mean uncle who has darned good reasons for finding her before the law catches up with her find her first?
Slightly spoilerish quote:
This was a lot of fun, and Cain has to be one of the yummiest heroes I've come across in a long time. My only quibbles are some continuity issues from the first book, and if you have read it the next comments are not spoilers, since you already know about the fire >>>>>>> Someone should have caught that :/
Still, a very entertaining read. The sex gets a bit steamy, but post Fifty Shades exposure it's fairly tame. Recommended for fans of western romances.
Fair is the Rose is a follow up to McKinney's Lions And Lace, although it can be read as a stand-alone. As the book starts, Christal Van Alen has been on the run from the law for about three years, after escaping from the insane asylum her uncle put her in after she allegedly murdered her parents (it's too hard to explain it all without spoiling). Anyhoo, she's currently dressed in widow's weeds and in Wyoming Territory when the stage coach is robbed by a notorious band of outlaws, including one very hunky Macaulay Cain, who takes the widow under his wing so she won't get raped by the rest of them.
Events happen that I can't discuss without spoiling, but eventually the passengers in the stage coach are rescued and it looks like the whole *adventure* is going to be turned into a send Christal running for the smallest, most remote town she can find in Wyoming.
Will Cain find her? Will the law hunt her down? Will her nasty, evil, mean uncle who has darned good reasons for finding her before the law catches up with her find her first?
Slightly spoilerish quote:
This was a lot of fun, and Cain has to be one of the yummiest heroes I've come across in a long time. My only quibbles are some continuity issues from the first book, and if you have read it the next comments are not spoilers, since you already know about the fire >>>>>>> Someone should have caught that :/
Still, a very entertaining read. The sex gets a bit steamy, but post Fifty Shades exposure it's fairly tame. Recommended for fans of western romances.
July 3, 2025
I have been having quite a difficult time reading in general. Summer has made my schedule busier than I would like and I got a terrible "summer cold" that was more like a horrific virus that laid me out for quite a bit. Anyway, I haven't been reading nearly as much as I would have liked, but I was determined to squeeze in a good romance and am so glad I found this book.
I picked up this gem at an amazing used bookstore. The store had an enormous historical romance section and quite a few of Meagan McKinney novels. While I didn't love the two other books of hers that I had read, I still loved the idea of the stories and the characters she created, so I snagged this book without hesitation.
Fair is the Rose is the sequel to Lions and Lace. Fair is the Rose centers around Christabel/Christal, Alana's sister from book 1. Christal grew up in an incredibly wealthy family in New York and had the world at her fingertips, but at 13, she was framed for her parents' murder and with amnesia as a result of the trauma from the fire that killed her parents, Christal was unable to prove her innocence. Because of her older sister's love, Christal had been institutionalized in an asylum versus going to prison. Years into her stay at the asylum, Christal's memories return and she knows who killed her parents and it was not her! She plans an escape and flees to Wyoming to escape prosecution. Her goal is to save up enough money to hire a detective or lawyer that can prove her innocence since she knows who the killer is, but young and with little skill, saving money is nearly impossible.
Christal gets caught up in a robbery and meets Macaulay Cain, the outlaw. The two have multiple obstacles in front of them and while they want to deny their mutual attraction, they can't. There's secrets, lies, separation and lots of angst before these two get their HEA and I ate it up! I loved the couple and their love and I also really enjoyed getting to see Trevor and Alana (the main couple from the first book) further into the future.
Note: this is a historical western romance and there is a lot of references to the civil war and racism towards different races and the word "whore" is thrown around a lot.
I picked up this gem at an amazing used bookstore. The store had an enormous historical romance section and quite a few of Meagan McKinney novels. While I didn't love the two other books of hers that I had read, I still loved the idea of the stories and the characters she created, so I snagged this book without hesitation.
Fair is the Rose is the sequel to Lions and Lace. Fair is the Rose centers around Christabel/Christal, Alana's sister from book 1. Christal grew up in an incredibly wealthy family in New York and had the world at her fingertips, but at 13, she was framed for her parents' murder and with amnesia as a result of the trauma from the fire that killed her parents, Christal was unable to prove her innocence. Because of her older sister's love, Christal had been institutionalized in an asylum versus going to prison. Years into her stay at the asylum, Christal's memories return and she knows who killed her parents and it was not her! She plans an escape and flees to Wyoming to escape prosecution. Her goal is to save up enough money to hire a detective or lawyer that can prove her innocence since she knows who the killer is, but young and with little skill, saving money is nearly impossible.
Christal gets caught up in a robbery and meets Macaulay Cain, the outlaw. The two have multiple obstacles in front of them and while they want to deny their mutual attraction, they can't. There's secrets, lies, separation and lots of angst before these two get their HEA and I ate it up! I loved the couple and their love and I also really enjoyed getting to see Trevor and Alana (the main couple from the first book) further into the future.
Note: this is a historical western romance and there is a lot of references to the civil war and racism towards different races and the word "whore" is thrown around a lot.
September 8, 2019
"Fair is the Rose" is the story of Christal and Cain.
So I stayed up ALL night reading this, and though I am sleepy AF at work, I have no regrets.
Our heroine is Christal Van Alen, sister to Alana and a fugitive on the run. Framed by her evil uncle for murdering her parents, she has spent years in an asylum until she finally gets her chance to escape..and has since been fleeing from the law.
Things take a turn when on the way to Wyoming Territory, her coach is captured by the infamous outlaw Macaulay Cain, who has recently escaped death row. Dressed in widow's garb to get away from men's leers, Christal never expects to be apprehended by a group of thugs, who decide to hold she and her companions for ransom.
What follows is a tumultuous journey, where her captor becomes her savior, she falls in love and is ultimately rescued..only to realize that things might not be as transparent as they seem, and she is forced to bolt again.
But Cain has developed an obsession, and is unwilling to let Christal go. How far will he chase her? Will Christal be able to reveal her tragic past to him? Will their love conquer all?
Very angsty and emotional read between a tempestuous heroine and a determined hero. I initially got slightly irritated by the heroine's stubbornness, poor decision making and unwillingness to confess, but when you look beneath the layers, we see a child that was tortured for years, had to flee for her sanity, and is afraid to trust..until the hero makes her believe in him. The hero himself has a sad past, but he rose from the ashes and became a strong warrior..who only bends for the heroine. Both are weak in love but find strength in their unity. Their lovemaking is passionate, confessions are heart-wrenching and ending is sweet.
Overall, an enjoyable read.
Safe
4/5
So I stayed up ALL night reading this, and though I am sleepy AF at work, I have no regrets.
Our heroine is Christal Van Alen, sister to Alana and a fugitive on the run. Framed by her evil uncle for murdering her parents, she has spent years in an asylum until she finally gets her chance to escape..and has since been fleeing from the law.
Things take a turn when on the way to Wyoming Territory, her coach is captured by the infamous outlaw Macaulay Cain, who has recently escaped death row. Dressed in widow's garb to get away from men's leers, Christal never expects to be apprehended by a group of thugs, who decide to hold she and her companions for ransom.
What follows is a tumultuous journey, where her captor becomes her savior, she falls in love and is ultimately rescued..only to realize that things might not be as transparent as they seem, and she is forced to bolt again.
But Cain has developed an obsession, and is unwilling to let Christal go. How far will he chase her? Will Christal be able to reveal her tragic past to him? Will their love conquer all?
Very angsty and emotional read between a tempestuous heroine and a determined hero. I initially got slightly irritated by the heroine's stubbornness, poor decision making and unwillingness to confess, but when you look beneath the layers, we see a child that was tortured for years, had to flee for her sanity, and is afraid to trust..until the hero makes her believe in him. The hero himself has a sad past, but he rose from the ashes and became a strong warrior..who only bends for the heroine. Both are weak in love but find strength in their unity. Their lovemaking is passionate, confessions are heart-wrenching and ending is sweet.
Overall, an enjoyable read.
Safe
4/5
September 26, 2013
"Yes, I love you." The answer and, more so, his delivery caught her by surprise. He used the same tone as when he cursed. She looked up. Her gaze locked with his. His eyes were angry and crystalline cold. "Don't ever ask me that question again."
BAM! I adore Macaulay Cain. Dare I say he's my favorite hero yet? He's crude, rude, a scoundrel, and utterly and completely in love with Christal. He will stop at nothing to protect her and win her love.
Alright, I should back it up a little. Christal is on the run. She escaped from an asylum which she was in after being falsely accused of murdering her parents at age 12. She is now on a stagecoach out west, when the stagecoach gets hijacked by the Kineson Gang.
Enter Cain. He comes in with his wolfish smiles, and cold-eyed looks. Christal, being a woman (disguised as a widow), traveling alone is taken under Cain's wing. Cain immediately sees through her ruse and admires the beautiful, spirited young woman that she is. He keeps her safe from the camp full of horny ole men.
Long story short they don't communicate properly, and she makes about 433 half-assed escape attempts. She's kind of dumb. She has every reason to trust him, but for plot's sake, doesn't open up and tell him the truth. But, that's what makes Cain so great. He's resilient. He doesn't know why, but he keeps protecting her and pursuing her. Even when he suspects the worst about her.
That was a lot of rambling. Anyway, McKinney is clearly a talented author. The dialogue was fresh and fast. It was refreshing to read a historical romance that blended the history and the romance so well. You never feel like you are reading a textbook, nor do you feel like you're reading pure smut. The sex scenes were well done, with plenty of build up. I also give this book an A plus for the creativity infused in the sex scenes. Would you believe it? There's even a little light bondage and dominance sprinkled into the main sex scene. Thank me later for that tip ;)
BAM! I adore Macaulay Cain. Dare I say he's my favorite hero yet? He's crude, rude, a scoundrel, and utterly and completely in love with Christal. He will stop at nothing to protect her and win her love.
Alright, I should back it up a little. Christal is on the run. She escaped from an asylum which she was in after being falsely accused of murdering her parents at age 12. She is now on a stagecoach out west, when the stagecoach gets hijacked by the Kineson Gang.
Enter Cain. He comes in with his wolfish smiles, and cold-eyed looks. Christal, being a woman (disguised as a widow), traveling alone is taken under Cain's wing. Cain immediately sees through her ruse and admires the beautiful, spirited young woman that she is. He keeps her safe from the camp full of horny ole men.
Long story short they don't communicate properly, and she makes about 433 half-assed escape attempts. She's kind of dumb. She has every reason to trust him, but for plot's sake, doesn't open up and tell him the truth. But, that's what makes Cain so great. He's resilient. He doesn't know why, but he keeps protecting her and pursuing her. Even when he suspects the worst about her.
That was a lot of rambling. Anyway, McKinney is clearly a talented author. The dialogue was fresh and fast. It was refreshing to read a historical romance that blended the history and the romance so well. You never feel like you are reading a textbook, nor do you feel like you're reading pure smut. The sex scenes were well done, with plenty of build up. I also give this book an A plus for the creativity infused in the sex scenes. Would you believe it? There's even a little light bondage and dominance sprinkled into the main sex scene. Thank me later for that tip ;)
May 19, 2022
Segunda entrega de la serie Van Alen sisters cuyos protagonistas son Christal y Cain.
Christabel Van Alen huye de su tío cuyo objetivo es acabar con el único testigo del asesinato de sus padres. En su huida hacia Wyoming se encontrará retenida por unos forajidos, MacCauley Cain es uno de ellos… su captor o quizá su salvador.
A Christal la conocimos en el anterior libro, una joven traumatizada y encerrada en un manicomio pues la creen culpable de la muerte de sus padres. Ella ha recordado lo que pasó esa noche, sabe que es inocente pero su tío no quiere que se desvele la verdad y la busca para acabar con su vida pues ella ha terminado huyendo...https://oceanodelibros.blogspot.com/2...
Christabel Van Alen huye de su tío cuyo objetivo es acabar con el único testigo del asesinato de sus padres. En su huida hacia Wyoming se encontrará retenida por unos forajidos, MacCauley Cain es uno de ellos… su captor o quizá su salvador.
A Christal la conocimos en el anterior libro, una joven traumatizada y encerrada en un manicomio pues la creen culpable de la muerte de sus padres. Ella ha recordado lo que pasó esa noche, sabe que es inocente pero su tío no quiere que se desvele la verdad y la busca para acabar con su vida pues ella ha terminado huyendo...https://oceanodelibros.blogspot.com/2...
August 28, 2019
The first book of this duology, Lions and Lace had a really good premise, but this author had problems executing her vision in a way that made certain behaviors and actions logical. Well, I enjoyed this more because there were fewer of those instances, but she used a rather big one to hinge the story upon.
Chrystal was born into the elite 400 of old New York City. A family of high social status and wealth. The story takes place in the late 19th C. At a very young age, she is declared insane and committed to an asylum for the crime of murder.
Here’s where the illogical of the author’s storytelling comes in: we are to believe that a young, sheltered girl, used to living with servants suddenly escapes from the asylum and knows how buy a train ticket to go out west, take an assumed identity all to hide from someone who is hunting her! This is all too elaborate for me to swallow in in a girl of Chrystal’s upbringing and lack of experience. As I read, I realized that this is a hallmark of this author. I put it aside and went on to enjoy the book. Everything else made sense, except the major premise of the book. I loved Chrystal Macauley’s chemistry and relationship. Macauley is a jaded civil war vet—he fought for the South and is from a poor background. I love a story with class difference where the h is of higher status than the H, but it has to be skillfully handled to make it believable. And while the major premise of this book was illogical and unbelievable to me, Crystal and Macauley together worked very well and the love story itself was very much to my liking. I listened to the eAudio and will listen again. I love Chrystal and Macauley. There was a delicious HEA/end of the story!
I’ll read more from this author, though she creates premises that I have trouble finding logical. She writes well. I’ll just have to accept this about her stories.
This book works very well as a stand-alone.
Chrystal was born into the elite 400 of old New York City. A family of high social status and wealth. The story takes place in the late 19th C. At a very young age, she is declared insane and committed to an asylum for the crime of murder.
Here’s where the illogical of the author’s storytelling comes in: we are to believe that a young, sheltered girl, used to living with servants suddenly escapes from the asylum and knows how buy a train ticket to go out west, take an assumed identity all to hide from someone who is hunting her! This is all too elaborate for me to swallow in in a girl of Chrystal’s upbringing and lack of experience. As I read, I realized that this is a hallmark of this author. I put it aside and went on to enjoy the book. Everything else made sense, except the major premise of the book. I loved Chrystal Macauley’s chemistry and relationship. Macauley is a jaded civil war vet—he fought for the South and is from a poor background. I love a story with class difference where the h is of higher status than the H, but it has to be skillfully handled to make it believable. And while the major premise of this book was illogical and unbelievable to me, Crystal and Macauley together worked very well and the love story itself was very much to my liking. I listened to the eAudio and will listen again. I love Chrystal and Macauley. There was a delicious HEA/end of the story!
I’ll read more from this author, though she creates premises that I have trouble finding logical. She writes well. I’ll just have to accept this about her stories.
This book works very well as a stand-alone.
May 18, 2022
Segunda parte de Encajes y pecados. Si el primero me gustó, este me ha entusiasmado.
La historia de Christabel y Cain es una de esas que dejan huella.
En esta ocasión la historia transcurre en el salvaje oeste. Hasta allí ha llegado escapando de su tío y su pasado Christal. Por azares del destino conoce a Cain, un forajido que resulta ser un marshal que trabaja encubierto para atrapar a unos delincuentes.
Cada uno de ellos arrastra un pasado doloroso y triste. Ella, que tiene la esperanza de poder volver algún día y limpiar su nombre de los crímenes que cometió su tío y de los que la acusan a ella y él, realmente no tiene nada ni hogar al que volver.
Qué bonita la forma en que la autora nos cuenta su relación, su historia de amor. Con momentos llenos de ternura, de pasión. Ha conseguido transmitirme todo ese amor, el deseo, la incertidumbre de qué les deparará el futuro. Tengo que decir que las escenas de ellos juntos son preciosas, emotivas, cargadas de sentimientos y eso es lo que más valoro cuando leo, una historia que me transmita y me haga disfrutar de lo lindo, y aquí lo he hecho 😍.
Pero también se nos muestra lo dura que era aquella vida, sobre todo para las mujeres y todo lo que tenían que aguantar y hacer para salir adelante.
No sé qué más decir para poder explicar lo muchísimo que me ha gustado este libro, lo que he disfrutado con su lectura y todo lo que me ha hecho sentir.
Una maravillosa lectura, de esas que te dejan el corazón calentito y la sonrisa en la cara, porque aunque tenga momentos difíciles, todo es compensado 😍.
La historia de Christabel y Cain es una de esas que dejan huella.
En esta ocasión la historia transcurre en el salvaje oeste. Hasta allí ha llegado escapando de su tío y su pasado Christal. Por azares del destino conoce a Cain, un forajido que resulta ser un marshal que trabaja encubierto para atrapar a unos delincuentes.
Cada uno de ellos arrastra un pasado doloroso y triste. Ella, que tiene la esperanza de poder volver algún día y limpiar su nombre de los crímenes que cometió su tío y de los que la acusan a ella y él, realmente no tiene nada ni hogar al que volver.
Qué bonita la forma en que la autora nos cuenta su relación, su historia de amor. Con momentos llenos de ternura, de pasión. Ha conseguido transmitirme todo ese amor, el deseo, la incertidumbre de qué les deparará el futuro. Tengo que decir que las escenas de ellos juntos son preciosas, emotivas, cargadas de sentimientos y eso es lo que más valoro cuando leo, una historia que me transmita y me haga disfrutar de lo lindo, y aquí lo he hecho 😍.
Pero también se nos muestra lo dura que era aquella vida, sobre todo para las mujeres y todo lo que tenían que aguantar y hacer para salir adelante.
No sé qué más decir para poder explicar lo muchísimo que me ha gustado este libro, lo que he disfrutado con su lectura y todo lo que me ha hecho sentir.
Una maravillosa lectura, de esas que te dejan el corazón calentito y la sonrisa en la cara, porque aunque tenga momentos difíciles, todo es compensado 😍.
November 11, 2020
Fair Is The Rose is a story that is the second in the series and it continues the series —four years after “Lions and Lace” takes place. This is Christal’s book. In the first book we see where she escapes from the mental facility she was being held in and is now on the run from her uncle who seeks to kill her. But then she finds herself in a situation she never imagined….she is being kidnapped but her captor is none like any other man she has ever met. Despite the circumstances there is a deep connection between them. Christal see’s that there is much more to Cain than meets the eye. I will admit in reading this story that this is a very close tie to the first book, in fact I probably like it a bit more in some respects. I did like seeing that there isn’t a “whole book length” of angst between the two characters. There is a beautiful building of trust that has to happen between them. Christal is wary of trusting anyone but once she discovers who Cain truly is, she is even more distrustful of him and she doesn’t know where to turn. But Cain is a alpha masculine male who never gives up fighting for the woman he loves and boy I adored that. That even though he fears their connection and what it might mean for the future, he doesn’t hold back. And man this book was so addictive, it started out a bit slow but once it got going, I just couldn’t put it down and its been a while since a historical has held my attention so much.
July 10, 2023
After loving Lions and Lace from this author, and it being the first book in the Van Alen sisters series, I wanted to give this book a read. We first meet the heroine of this book in Lions and Lace as she’s the sister of that book’s heroine. We saw her escape from being wrongly left to live in an asylum in that book, and in this one we follow her story.
We see her on the run pretending to be a widow (wearing black and a veil), leaving behind NY, and headed to the West. Luck is not on her side yet again, when early on she ends up getting taken/kidnapped by a band of outlaws. One of which ends up being the hero, who comes off like a bad guy at first but maybe there is more to him beneath it all.
This one I thought the premise was good and the start. Her captor ends up becoming her rescuer of sorts, but then the second half of the story did drag on. I really loved the first book in the series more and just felt like that had a stronger story.
We see her on the run pretending to be a widow (wearing black and a veil), leaving behind NY, and headed to the West. Luck is not on her side yet again, when early on she ends up getting taken/kidnapped by a band of outlaws. One of which ends up being the hero, who comes off like a bad guy at first but maybe there is more to him beneath it all.
This one I thought the premise was good and the start. Her captor ends up becoming her rescuer of sorts, but then the second half of the story did drag on. I really loved the first book in the series more and just felt like that had a stronger story.
May 12, 2012
4 and 1/2 Stars: Wonderful Wyoming Historical with Great Twists and Turns!
I am a huge fan of McKinney’s historical romances, but this was my first Western romance by her. I was not disappointed and I don’t think you will be either.
Set in 1875, this second in the Van Alan sisters duology tells the story of Christal Van Alan, who was raised as a prominent Knickerbocker of Manhattan until the day she was accused of a terrible crime she didn’t commit. Three years on the run, she finally flees to Wyoming, disguised as the widow Mrs. Smith. Almost to her destination, her stagecoach is taken hostage by a band of outlaws, including Macaulay Cain who even death wouldn’t claim when he defeated the hangman’s noose. Both have secrets; both have a past they’d rather forget. Christal, though hard on the outside, has a soft innocence underneath she will protect at all costs. And Macaulay, whose cold eyes set him apart, is a better man than even she could know.
The story will grab you and just when you think you have the players figured out, all will change. It’s an intriguing tale with great twists and turns and more than one villain. McKinney’s writing is superb as always: great characters, wonderful description of the historic setting, places and people—and great storytelling. I recommend it.
LIONS AND LACE is the first in the duology.
I am a huge fan of McKinney’s historical romances, but this was my first Western romance by her. I was not disappointed and I don’t think you will be either.
Set in 1875, this second in the Van Alan sisters duology tells the story of Christal Van Alan, who was raised as a prominent Knickerbocker of Manhattan until the day she was accused of a terrible crime she didn’t commit. Three years on the run, she finally flees to Wyoming, disguised as the widow Mrs. Smith. Almost to her destination, her stagecoach is taken hostage by a band of outlaws, including Macaulay Cain who even death wouldn’t claim when he defeated the hangman’s noose. Both have secrets; both have a past they’d rather forget. Christal, though hard on the outside, has a soft innocence underneath she will protect at all costs. And Macaulay, whose cold eyes set him apart, is a better man than even she could know.
The story will grab you and just when you think you have the players figured out, all will change. It’s an intriguing tale with great twists and turns and more than one villain. McKinney’s writing is superb as always: great characters, wonderful description of the historic setting, places and people—and great storytelling. I recommend it.
LIONS AND LACE is the first in the duology.
nevermind
January 2, 2021After Nenia's glowing review of Lions and Lace, I knew I had to read it. I loved it so much I bought a copy. This book is the sequel, and while the premise didn't grab me, I decided to give it a try anyway for the sake of buddy-reading it with Nenia.
I'm continuing my trend of DNFing books that don't grab me though. I really started that this past year, and it was so freeing not to have books I'm not into hanging over my head. Sure, there's a bit of guilt, but I don't have time for books that are a chore to finish.
I'm not into the characters here, and the setting it so wildly different from Lions and Lace that it doesn't even feel like the same series. I'm usually not drawn to westerns anyway, so that doesn't help. This isn't a bad book, it's just not for me.
DNF at 21%
I'm continuing my trend of DNFing books that don't grab me though. I really started that this past year, and it was so freeing not to have books I'm not into hanging over my head. Sure, there's a bit of guilt, but I don't have time for books that are a chore to finish.
I'm not into the characters here, and the setting it so wildly different from Lions and Lace that it doesn't even feel like the same series. I'm usually not drawn to westerns anyway, so that doesn't help. This isn't a bad book, it's just not for me.
DNF at 21%
December 1, 2022
I was liking this pretty well until the end. I don’t want the h chasing the H at the end of a book. That’s annoying AF.
November 28, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
May 14, 2020
Setting: 10 years after the Civil War in the West
I had really high hopes for this book because I absolutely LOVED the previous book. This is the story of Christal and Cain. Christal escaped from an asylum and is on the run. She is a beautiful knickerbocker (aristocrat) from NYC who was wrongfully committed for murdering her parents at the age of 12. She’s on a stagecoach that gets robbed and taken hostage by Cain and his men.
Christal:
Cain is Confederate veteran posing as a highwayman, but he’s actually a US Marshall. He grew up in Georgia.
Cain:
What I liked: Cain was a strong, pragmatic, likable character. He was very chivalrous and protective to Christal.... until the end.
What I disliked: Christal! She was running when she really didn’t have to in the first place. She was living a lie when she didn’t have to. Sheridan and his wealth was on her side the whole time. She made too many irrational decisions to count and was almost TSTL.
The ending of this novel really upset me. Christal is finally reunited with her sister after years of separation and Cain throws a fit and takes off because he doesn’t “fit in” in Sheridan’s mansion. He takes off without so much as a goodbye. Of course, Christal is pregnant because they took no precautions (but Cain gives it no thought). Christal asked for some time to be with her sister but she doesn’t get it. She has to chase (literally chase his train) Cain back to Wyoming in order to be with him. This ending wasn’t satisfying at all and it was selfish of Cain because he was the one who demanded they return to NYC to face Christal’s demons in the first place.
Literally the end of the book for Christal:
I had really high hopes for this book because I absolutely LOVED the previous book. This is the story of Christal and Cain. Christal escaped from an asylum and is on the run. She is a beautiful knickerbocker (aristocrat) from NYC who was wrongfully committed for murdering her parents at the age of 12. She’s on a stagecoach that gets robbed and taken hostage by Cain and his men.
Christal:
Cain is Confederate veteran posing as a highwayman, but he’s actually a US Marshall. He grew up in Georgia.
Cain:
What I liked: Cain was a strong, pragmatic, likable character. He was very chivalrous and protective to Christal.... until the end.
What I disliked: Christal! She was running when she really didn’t have to in the first place. She was living a lie when she didn’t have to. Sheridan and his wealth was on her side the whole time. She made too many irrational decisions to count and was almost TSTL.
The ending of this novel really upset me. Christal is finally reunited with her sister after years of separation and Cain throws a fit and takes off because he doesn’t “fit in” in Sheridan’s mansion. He takes off without so much as a goodbye. Of course, Christal is pregnant because they took no precautions (but Cain gives it no thought). Christal asked for some time to be with her sister but she doesn’t get it. She has to chase (literally chase his train) Cain back to Wyoming in order to be with him. This ending wasn’t satisfying at all and it was selfish of Cain because he was the one who demanded they return to NYC to face Christal’s demons in the first place.
Literally the end of the book for Christal:
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2013
I really loved this book,it was a fun read!
Crystal (h) is on the run, she escaped the asylum in New York were she was being held for years after wrongly accused and convicted of murdering her parents. She has been traveling as a widow and working hard to earn and save enough money to someday return to New York, hire a lawyer and prove her innocence.
Macaulay Cain (H) has just survived a hanging, how many outlaws can say that?? Now he's on the run with a ruthless gang and though he's not the namesake of the gang he is definitely the leader. They are to do a hold up and take all of the passengers hostage, hold them for ransom at their hideout until the money comes through. It all sounded so easy and it should have been, but no one counted on their being a young widow amongst the passengers. Now he has his work cut out for him. He lays claim to her before any of the other outlaws can, making most of them pretty pissed off. Now he really has his work cut out for him.
I really loved this book, I thought the characters and plot was really refreshing. The hero, Cain, was a really wonderful character. =)
Crystal (h) is on the run, she escaped the asylum in New York were she was being held for years after wrongly accused and convicted of murdering her parents. She has been traveling as a widow and working hard to earn and save enough money to someday return to New York, hire a lawyer and prove her innocence.
Macaulay Cain (H) has just survived a hanging, how many outlaws can say that?? Now he's on the run with a ruthless gang and though he's not the namesake of the gang he is definitely the leader. They are to do a hold up and take all of the passengers hostage, hold them for ransom at their hideout until the money comes through. It all sounded so easy and it should have been, but no one counted on their being a young widow amongst the passengers. Now he has his work cut out for him. He lays claim to her before any of the other outlaws can, making most of them pretty pissed off. Now he really has his work cut out for him.
I really loved this book, I thought the characters and plot was really refreshing. The hero, Cain, was a really wonderful character. =)
November 3, 2020
Oh good lord, I just couldn’t get into this one. Not that it wasn’t a good story, but there was no chemistry and all the two main characters did was fight and lie. I didn’t care at all if they ended up together. She could have ended up with Pete and I would have been fine. Where was the passion from Lions and Lace?! It began great but then went nowhere.
March 13, 2025
Fairer is The Rose by Meagan McKinney
.
Cover (stepback): 5/5 (I love this so much)
Story: 5/5
Steam: 🔥
Ending: HEA
.
Series or Stand Alone: *Could* be read as a stand alone. Heroine's storyline begins in book one and results in a cliffhanger at the end of said book. Some character cross over. I'd suggest reading the duo together in series order.
.
Wyoming Territory, Reconstruction Era (1875)
Gun Slinging Outlaw
Wanted Knickerbocker Heiress
Forced Proximity
On the Run/In Hiding
Danger & Peril
Protective Hero
"Widowed" Heroine
Double Hidden/Secret Identity
Star Crossed Lovers-ish
Possessive Hero
Protective Hero
High Angst
Age Gap (19/31)
American Western Historical Romance
Supportive Family
.
The tricky part about discussing this book is that I need to dance around the plot a great deal to avoid some serious spoilers that are actually what makes this book SO good. One thing that I can comment on is that Christal and Cain come from completely opposite social and economic backgrounds and that made for interesting conflict.
If you like an alpha hero who is obsessed and deeeply in love with his lady, Cain is a man for you. He is rough, fiercy protective, and just the right amount of bossy. He's obsessed. Absolutely obsessed. If a man hunted me down in the old west in real life, there would be an immediate restraining order and home fortification. However, in a historical romance with Cain as the hero, it's all good fam. Cain cannot be stopped in his pursuit of Christal or his desire to protect her from all harm.
Christal grapples with a life she once knew, mourning what once was, and discovering what kind of life she desires once she is out of harms way. She has extreme trust issues that are not unfounded. Largely, the only people she could ever depend on are either dead or have been separated from her for many years. She has been in a fight or flight mode for so long that it is easy to understand why she take such a long time to truly trust Cain. In many ways, she had to learn to trust herself and her own mind before she could let someone in.
Cain and Christal are both broken people in need of mending. Sometimes, this dynamic doesn't work well for me in HR, but I feel that McKinney had their journey together pan out extremely well. Yes, I wanted to shake Christal sometimes, but this is just such a great book. I'll forgive her for taking her sweet time.
As for steam, McKinnley uses largely non-explict terms. Scenes are on a shorter end and have a variety of actions. No issues with dub-con or non-con.
.
Content Warning (spoilers likely):
*courtesy warning- hero fought for the Confederacy during the America Civil War.*
.
.
.
.
.
H*nging- legal
False admittance to psychiatric center
Medical dru*ging against will
De*th- on page and off
Hostage situation
M*rder of parents- not on page, events remembered on page
G*n violece- a lot
Threatened S.A.
Mentions of slavery
Mentions of American Civil War
Parental su*cide- overdose
Racism- specifically towards an American America gentleman that was formerly enslaved
Segregation
.
Cover (stepback): 5/5 (I love this so much)
Story: 5/5
Steam: 🔥
Ending: HEA
.
Series or Stand Alone: *Could* be read as a stand alone. Heroine's storyline begins in book one and results in a cliffhanger at the end of said book. Some character cross over. I'd suggest reading the duo together in series order.
.
Wyoming Territory, Reconstruction Era (1875)
Gun Slinging Outlaw
Wanted Knickerbocker Heiress
Forced Proximity
On the Run/In Hiding
Danger & Peril
Protective Hero
"Widowed" Heroine
Double Hidden/Secret Identity
Star Crossed Lovers-ish
Possessive Hero
Protective Hero
High Angst
Age Gap (19/31)
American Western Historical Romance
Supportive Family
.
The tricky part about discussing this book is that I need to dance around the plot a great deal to avoid some serious spoilers that are actually what makes this book SO good. One thing that I can comment on is that Christal and Cain come from completely opposite social and economic backgrounds and that made for interesting conflict.
If you like an alpha hero who is obsessed and deeeply in love with his lady, Cain is a man for you. He is rough, fiercy protective, and just the right amount of bossy. He's obsessed. Absolutely obsessed. If a man hunted me down in the old west in real life, there would be an immediate restraining order and home fortification. However, in a historical romance with Cain as the hero, it's all good fam. Cain cannot be stopped in his pursuit of Christal or his desire to protect her from all harm.
Christal grapples with a life she once knew, mourning what once was, and discovering what kind of life she desires once she is out of harms way. She has extreme trust issues that are not unfounded. Largely, the only people she could ever depend on are either dead or have been separated from her for many years. She has been in a fight or flight mode for so long that it is easy to understand why she take such a long time to truly trust Cain. In many ways, she had to learn to trust herself and her own mind before she could let someone in.
Cain and Christal are both broken people in need of mending. Sometimes, this dynamic doesn't work well for me in HR, but I feel that McKinney had their journey together pan out extremely well. Yes, I wanted to shake Christal sometimes, but this is just such a great book. I'll forgive her for taking her sweet time.
As for steam, McKinnley uses largely non-explict terms. Scenes are on a shorter end and have a variety of actions. No issues with dub-con or non-con.
.
Content Warning (spoilers likely):
*courtesy warning- hero fought for the Confederacy during the America Civil War.*
.
.
.
.
.
H*nging- legal
False admittance to psychiatric center
Medical dru*ging against will
De*th- on page and off
Hostage situation
M*rder of parents- not on page, events remembered on page
G*n violece- a lot
Threatened S.A.
Mentions of slavery
Mentions of American Civil War
Parental su*cide- overdose
Racism- specifically towards an American America gentleman that was formerly enslaved
Segregation
April 29, 2012
2 ½ stars. Heroine was no fun to watch. She was a wimp, a weak victim with feelings of desperation throughout the book.
STORY BRIEF:
Christal’s parents were wealthy. Her uncle killed them, accused her, and had her placed in an asylum. She escaped and has been on the run working as a waitress and selling dances. Her uncle wants her dead. Christal is riding in a stage coach. An outlaw gang takes her and other passengers as hostages to collect ransom money. Cain is a member of the gang. The story is about the relationship between Christal and Cain.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
This was ok, but I couldn’t get excited about anything. Most of the feelings are stress and worry, first about being held hostage and later the stress of trying to survive with no money and being in hiding from the uncle. Christal won’t tell Cain anything about her past because she fears he won’t believe her innocence and that someone will return her to her uncle. Cain is frustrated because she won’t trust him or let him help her. These are the feelings through most of the book. It doesn’t feel like there is any relationship because she is constantly hiding her secrets (and feelings). There were some sex scenes which were ok I suppose, but nothing special.
I suppose the biggest problem is the heroine’s character. She doesn’t do anything smart or interesting. She’s a weak victim. She’s desperate and scrambling to survive. Even in the end, something happens and she’s desperate and scrambling to make things good.
Then we have heroine stupidity. A threat is outside the cabin. Cain goes outside with his guns and tells her to stay inside. She does not. She goes outside to help him. She has no weapon. How is she going to help? She just stands there and watches. And, as a result something bad happens to her.
The overall plot was probably ok. Different bad buys enter the picture. Hero needs to save heroine a few times. The uncle wants Christal dead but his motives were not clear. If he wanted to inherit her parents’ money, he needed to kill both Christal and her sister. Yet he made no attempts to kill the sister. There appears to be no evidence against him so Christal shouldn’t be a threat. That should have been developed differently. And the ending could have been better regarding time with the sister.
The best part was Cain. I liked his intense focus on one woman. He couldn’t get her out of his mind. He was handsome, rugged, macho, sullen, and brooding. Very competent. Had a good heart and good morals.
DATA:
Story length: 250 pages. Swearing language: moderate with religious swear words. Sexual language: none to mild. Number of sex scenes: 6. Total number of sex scene pages: 7. Setting: mostly Wyoming 1875 to 1876. Copyright: 1993. Genre: historical western romance.
STORY BRIEF:
Christal’s parents were wealthy. Her uncle killed them, accused her, and had her placed in an asylum. She escaped and has been on the run working as a waitress and selling dances. Her uncle wants her dead. Christal is riding in a stage coach. An outlaw gang takes her and other passengers as hostages to collect ransom money. Cain is a member of the gang. The story is about the relationship between Christal and Cain.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
This was ok, but I couldn’t get excited about anything. Most of the feelings are stress and worry, first about being held hostage and later the stress of trying to survive with no money and being in hiding from the uncle. Christal won’t tell Cain anything about her past because she fears he won’t believe her innocence and that someone will return her to her uncle. Cain is frustrated because she won’t trust him or let him help her. These are the feelings through most of the book. It doesn’t feel like there is any relationship because she is constantly hiding her secrets (and feelings). There were some sex scenes which were ok I suppose, but nothing special.
I suppose the biggest problem is the heroine’s character. She doesn’t do anything smart or interesting. She’s a weak victim. She’s desperate and scrambling to survive. Even in the end, something happens and she’s desperate and scrambling to make things good.
Then we have heroine stupidity. A threat is outside the cabin. Cain goes outside with his guns and tells her to stay inside. She does not. She goes outside to help him. She has no weapon. How is she going to help? She just stands there and watches. And, as a result something bad happens to her.
The overall plot was probably ok. Different bad buys enter the picture. Hero needs to save heroine a few times. The uncle wants Christal dead but his motives were not clear. If he wanted to inherit her parents’ money, he needed to kill both Christal and her sister. Yet he made no attempts to kill the sister. There appears to be no evidence against him so Christal shouldn’t be a threat. That should have been developed differently. And the ending could have been better regarding time with the sister.
The best part was Cain. I liked his intense focus on one woman. He couldn’t get her out of his mind. He was handsome, rugged, macho, sullen, and brooding. Very competent. Had a good heart and good morals.
DATA:
Story length: 250 pages. Swearing language: moderate with religious swear words. Sexual language: none to mild. Number of sex scenes: 6. Total number of sex scene pages: 7. Setting: mostly Wyoming 1875 to 1876. Copyright: 1993. Genre: historical western romance.
September 8, 2014
Pues bien, Fugitiva es la segunda parte de Encajes y pecados, pero en vez de estar protagonizada por Alice Diana (Alana) y Sheridan Trevor está protagonizada por la hermana desaparecida de Alana, y un guerrero pecaminoso. Así que en esta novela, aunque será breve, nos reencontraremos con ellos, y veremos como les va la vida.
Seré clara, no me gusta esta escritora, he leído ya varios libros de ella, pero no logro verle nada especial. Todo el mundo la alaba mucho pero a mi no me despierta nada, sus obras no me resultan interesantes, no me emocionan. Sus historias de amor no me conmueven, es más, siento que tienen mucho drama y poco amor. Y no hay nada en ella, ni sus protagonistas, o sus escenas de cama, que me llamen la atención.
La primera parte de esta bilogía no me gustó. Trevor fue un cabrón con Alana, así que reencontrarme con ellos no me podría haber hecho menos ilusión.
Y esta segunda parte, aunque era mejor que su antecesora, tampoco me sedujo. No llegué a cogerle cariño a la obra. Christal fue una protagonista demasiado gris, estaba ahí pero no me decía nada. Cain era el mejor personaje que he conocido de esta escrito, admito que era sexy, y que a veces sabía como manejar las palabras, pero tampoco fue un héroe.
Recuerdo más bien poco de las escenas, de los personajes, de los libros de esta escritora, solo que ellos suelen ser irritantes y unos capullos, ellas suelen ser las típicas damiselas en apuros, y todo lo demás... bueno, de todo lo demás no recuerdo nada. Son novelas que al poco de terminarlas ya ni recuerdo el nombre de sus protagonistas. Y que no, no tengo ni la más remota idea de volver a releerlas. Hasta aquí ha llegado mi incursión literaria con Meagan McKinney.
May 3, 2016
Una muy buena novela con una heroína fuerte e independiente que no se deja avasallar por los hombres. El primer libro de la serie "Encajes y pecados" me encantó, me enganchó desde la primera página. "Fugitiva" no me ha enganchado tanto como el primero, pero tiene algo especial. Un protagonista encantador y decidido, y una heroína que ha pasado por lo peor de la vida y no tiene nada que perder salvo su vida.
El final ha sido precioso.
El final ha sido precioso.
February 22, 2012
Love, love, love this book! This is the sequel to McKinney's novel "Lions and Lace", and it's much, much better. Christal Van Alen is on the run when the "outlaw" Macaulay Cain kidnaps her. There's more than meets the eye, however, for both Christal and Macaulay. Neither are who they seem to be. The sparks fly in this novel. It's a great love story. This is McKinney at her best!
March 6, 2016
Not as good as the first. I was very disappointed.
March 6, 2018
The hero was yummy and I loved him, but I just didn’t like this book as much as loved its predecessor. It was written well and the lead characters shared amazing chemistry. I will be seeking out more of McKinney’s books.
April 12, 2021
My misfortune began when I read the preview. Chapter One was intriguing enough that I bought the book. Shortly thereafter, the author explains that "Mrs. Smith"
--is traveling alone, under an assumed name
--is attracted to the outlaw who abducts her, despite rough treatment and torn clothing
--is a virgin
What could possibly go wrong?
One cliché after another is bad enough. Significantly more insulting is the author's winsome description of near-rape. Meagan McKinney waxes romantic on this point several times. This goes beyond being "politically incorrect"; this is the writing of someone who really is ignorant of violence and degradation.
Suffice to say, that's enough of this author for me.
--is traveling alone, under an assumed name
--is attracted to the outlaw who abducts her, despite rough treatment and torn clothing
--is a virgin
What could possibly go wrong?
One cliché after another is bad enough. Significantly more insulting is the author's winsome description of near-rape. Meagan McKinney waxes romantic on this point several times. This goes beyond being "politically incorrect"; this is the writing of someone who really is ignorant of violence and degradation.
Suffice to say, that's enough of this author for me.
August 19, 2010
I enjoyed this book, but not as much as Lions and Lace.. IMO, the first half was better than the second, but there wasn't enough angst to make it as wonderful as Alana's story.. I did however enjoy Macaulay:-) 3.5 - 4 stars
April 9, 2014
I liked it.
Even though the atmosphere between first book and this one's quite different, I still liked it. Though it's not exactly my favorite.
Christabel didn't really get big portion in the first book, so I didn't really know her back then. But apparently she's a strong girl. I don't really like Cain though, he's a bit scary. But overall I enjoyed reading this book. :)
Even though the atmosphere between first book and this one's quite different, I still liked it. Though it's not exactly my favorite.
Christabel didn't really get big portion in the first book, so I didn't really know her back then. But apparently she's a strong girl. I don't really like Cain though, he's a bit scary. But overall I enjoyed reading this book. :)
February 21, 2022
This was a very weird love letter to the South.
Like, the author really felt that the southern voices fighting against the US had to have their stories told.
The villain at one point is referred to in a racially derogatory manner in the narration. The author decided to describe him as basically less than human because he wasn’t white.
I hated this book.
Like, the author really felt that the southern voices fighting against the US had to have their stories told.
The villain at one point is referred to in a racially derogatory manner in the narration. The author decided to describe him as basically less than human because he wasn’t white.
I hated this book.
May 29, 2016
I kind of wished there would've been an epilogue. Nonetheless, a great story!
February 21, 2025
Sometimes, a book doesn't need a groundbreaking plot to completely steal your heart. This was one of those times. The premise was… fine. But the execution? Captivating. Absolutely captivating. And the characters? Oh, the characters. After falling for Alana and Trevor, I was so excited to see what Crystal's story held, and I wasn't disappointed.
Crystal, escaped from the asylum, a fragile soul trying to find her way. And the hero, a marshall undercover as a highwayman, a man with his own secrets and burdens. Their meeting was electric, a clash of two worlds, two broken souls drawn to each other like moths to a flame. The angst was palpable, the tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. And the chemistry? It was a slow burn, a simmering intensity that built with every stolen glance, every whispered word.
This book was so full of angst. It was about the quiet moments, the unspoken understanding, the fragile hope that bloomed in the midst of darkness. It was about two people finding solace in each other, finding a way to heal. It was a beautiful, tender story, and I loved every single page.
Crystal, escaped from the asylum, a fragile soul trying to find her way. And the hero, a marshall undercover as a highwayman, a man with his own secrets and burdens. Their meeting was electric, a clash of two worlds, two broken souls drawn to each other like moths to a flame. The angst was palpable, the tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. And the chemistry? It was a slow burn, a simmering intensity that built with every stolen glance, every whispered word.
This book was so full of angst. It was about the quiet moments, the unspoken understanding, the fragile hope that bloomed in the midst of darkness. It was about two people finding solace in each other, finding a way to heal. It was a beautiful, tender story, and I loved every single page.
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