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Reunited with Logan Ryan on the steps of the White Dove Saloon, Claire Waters hides under the guise of a fancy girl...and lets the ex-deputy believe the worst.

“The Wings of the West series is a fresh take on women in the Old West and the men they love. I’m addicted to Kristy McCaffrey’s sexy westerns and adventurous heroines!”
—Ann Charles, USA Today Bestselling Author of the Award-winning Deadwood Mystery Series

Disappointment hits ex-deputy Logan Ryan hard when he finds Claire Waters in the midst of a bustling Santa Fe Trail town. The woman he remembers is gone—in her place is a working girl with enticing curves and a load of trouble. As a web of deceit entangles them with men both desperate and dangerous, Logan tries to protect Claire, unaware his own past poses the greatest threat.

Plagued by shame all her life, Claire is stunned when Logan catches her on the doorstep of The White Dove Saloon dressed as a prostitute. She lets him believe the worst, but with her mama missing and the fancy girls deserting the place, she's hard-pressed to refuse his offer of help. As she embarks on a journey that will unravel the fabric of her life, one thing becomes clear—opening her heart may be the most dangerous proposition of all.

A steamy historical western romance set in 1877 New Mexico Territory.

“The storyline is fresh and holds several surprises.” ~ Romance Junkies

“The Dove is a wonderfully told story of how a woman can overcome and strengthen her resolve against adversity.” ~ CoffeeTime Romance

“…glorious descriptions of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Las Vegas of the late 1800’s, and the Ryan homestead.” ~ Love Romances

“Ms. McCaffrey writes from the heart…a definite must read.” ~ The Romance Studio

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

143 people are currently reading
453 people want to read

About the author

Kristy McCaffrey

71 books518 followers
Kristy McCaffrey writes historical western romances brimming with grit and emotion, as well as romantic contemporary adventures. Her work is filled with smoldering romance, compelling heroes, determined heroines, and her trademark mysticism.

Although she holds a bachelor's and master's degree in mechanical engineering, she shifted to being a stay-at-home mom and part-time writer until her four children were grown. Now she runs her writing business full-time while enjoying the perks of being the boss, which mostly entails playing with her grandchildren whenever the opportunity arises.

Her first novel, The Wren, was a CAPA winner for Best New Author Traditional, a Texas Gold finalist, and a HOLT Medallion finalist for Best First Book. The Sparrow was a 2012 Winter Rose Winner. The Blackbird won the 2015 Laramie award for Best in Western Romance. Her contemporary adventure, Cold Horizon, was a 2021 National Excellence in Romance Fiction winner, and Ancient Winds was a 2022 HOLT Medallion finalist.

An Arizona native, Kristy resides in the desert north of Phoenix with her husband and rescue mutt - an American Bulldog named Jeb. Sign up for her newsletter at http://kmccaffrey.com/subscribe/ to receive her latest book news as well as subscriber-only content.

Kristy is a member of Novelists Inc.

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5 stars
205 (51%)
4 stars
119 (29%)
3 stars
51 (12%)
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20 (5%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Jonel.
1,717 reviews311 followers
June 17, 2013
Well, the book is over and I feel like I just walked into (and unfortunately, I’m now back out of) the Old West. McCaffrey’s brilliant storytelling makes everything so lifelike that she literally drops you right into an amazingly vivid life straight out of the history books, but with a lot more flourish. She takes real places and real events to set the backdrop for this phenomenal love story.

McCaffrey’s writing has a natural flow that is easy to lose yourself in. As a reader, you are immediately pulled into the world that she creates. The author is a phenomenal storyteller who has the ability to mesh description with narrative with action. Each and every sentence progresses in an amazing way towards a thrilling conclusion. They symbolism in this novel is also phenomenal. It is subtle yet multi-faceted, adding an extra element of depth to the novel. McCaffrey can capture you in a love story that keeps you completely captivated without relying on explicit scenes. This story definitely holds its own without it. Now, don’t get me wrong, she can also write one hell of a sex scene that has you on the edge of your seat. They definitely add to the aura of the story, but are supplemental to the already solid and enthralling storyline.

I absolutely love the characters that McCaffrey creates for this story. Each and every one is uniquely developed to suit their purpose in the story. They are also developed in a manner that suits their time period. Although they may be slightly left of centre in some of their thoughts, overall they are not out of place for the society and culture in which they live. The family and work ethic that the characters in this story embody is also heart-warming and refreshing.

Overall this was a brilliant novel that I couldn’t put down. McCaffrey is quite quickly becoming one of my favourite authors.

Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Maia Gomez.
108 reviews40 followers
November 26, 2016
A beautifully written love story that had my heart fluttering! While it can easily be read as a standalone, the book ties into the first with characters that we were introduced to in The Wren. For this book, we journey with Logan, Matt's brother as he stops in to check on Molly's friend Claire on his way through. When he finds her dressed provocatively and dwelling in a run down brothel, he assumes the worst, yet decides to look past that to the fragile young girl he encountered back at the Ryan ranch a few months ago. Claire is actually quite innocent in the ways of the world, despite growing up in a brothel and has grown up becoming strong and independent. After her mother and younger brother go missing during her absence, she sets out by herself to discover their whereabouts. Logan tags along to protect her with her grudging acceptance. As they discover details of where her family is, sordid details about the beating she endured in the past come to surface, as well as some intriguing secrets about a treasure in the hills. With tons of breathtaking action and adventure with some villains that you just love to hate, this story was absolutely gripping! As both Logan and Claire battle their growing feelings for each other, a beautifully touching love story emerges that set my heart aflutter! I thoroughly enjoyed this gripping and passionate western adventure and found myself quite immersed into the intricate details the author put into everything!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,906 reviews6 followers
September 12, 2016
I liked this better than the first as there was less coincidence and more character building. However, just as with the first book, the mystery or suspense aspect of the story was loose and had a sort of haphazard, not quite there quality about it. I didn't like the H as much in this story either. He's had a rough go of it, but toward the end of the story, I lost a lot of respect for him.

Overall, I found the writing in this book better than the first. The MCs experience less insta-love and more insta-lust, which I did find annoying but more believable. The plot was a little convoluted, and the way that the MCs' separate story lines converged was a little contrived. I liked seeing the MCs from the first book and I will probably read the fourth book of this series.
85 reviews
October 27, 2014
Wow!....

another great read!...it just keeps getting better couldn't put it down...there was so much twist and turn in the story to the point where I was just shock. but enough telling about the story...if want to find out more, just read the story and it's worth it!
Profile Image for Zoraida Luciano.
105 reviews28 followers
August 15, 2018
I received The Dove, by Kristy Mccaffrey as a giveaway directly from the author. Was not asked to give a review, but since I enjoyed it and she was a new author to me I will be leaving an honest review for her.

This book is Book two in the Wings of The West Series. I read it as a stand alone since I hadn't been aware of the series at the time. I had not read this author before. That being said, I will be recommending her books and am eager to get the others in the series as well.

The main characters are Ex deputy Logan Ryan and Claire Waters. Claire's posing as a working girl in order to find her mom and brother. They have met previously prior to Claire deciding to don this disguise. Trouble seems to follow Claire thru-ought this story. She has to decide to put her trust in Logan to get some much needed help.


They're on very similar paths and are familiar with some of the same shady people. They will embark on a fast paced journey to finding truths and lies and some very bad men who are willing to stop at nothing to get what they want.

Strong sexy cowboy and a fiercely strong heroine, with great character. The authors descriptions made me feel like I stepped back in time. Some really great twist and turns and a sweet budding romance building along with the stories climax.


I'd definitely recommend this book for anyone who loves historical romances with a little extra thrown in for good measure.

Thank you to Kristy McCaffrey, for allowing me to win this great book in your giveaway. I truly enjoyed reading it. Look forward to reading the rest of the collection too.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
3,201 reviews99 followers
July 8, 2017
I won this copy from the author. I was not asked to give a favorable review. All thoughts are my own. This book is the 2nd in the series, and it is wonderful that two of the characters from the first book have come together to help each other out. Logan went to check on both Claire and the gentleman who works for the family since he was sick. Only Molly knew what Claire's mother did for a living, and knew that Claire was only going back because of her brother and mother. Logan was in for a shock, but he cared for her and was not going to let anything hurt her. The writing is great in this story. And with living in NM some of the area that she has written about I have seen. This is a wonderful story about you cannot always judge people by what they have to live with. But I love that each of the women has something to do with birds. Can't wait to read book 3.
Profile Image for Meg.
1,366 reviews9 followers
August 8, 2025
non mi ha convinta......
secondo volume della serie, sul fratello logan e claire l'amica della protagonista, che aveva un passato difficile
molte incongruenze nella storia, che rasentano davvero la fantasia: ma davvero lei abita in un saloon e non diventa.....? in quel periodo storico?
troppe poi le storie e intrecciate, che mettono i due protagonisti in terzo piano e ne fanno un misto tra action e thriller, il tutto sicuramente non aiutato dalla traduzione dai verbi che dalla terza passano alla prima persona come niente fosse e il lessico......
preso in unlimited e mi fermerò qui per la serie......
tre stelle anche troppo
Profile Image for Lyngay Hemsath.
193 reviews
July 8, 2018
No one's perfect just human

Difficult situations aren't simple or easy to change. Logan tries to listen to his heart when confronted with his past and the girl he recently met in Texas. Lad Vegas in the old West is where everyone and everything come together. Life is so like that. Molly from the first book makes an appearance like the rest of Logan's family. Enjoy the first book and it was worth buying this book to read more about those characters. Good writing.
Profile Image for Vickie Witherrite.
10 reviews
July 3, 2017
Good western romance and who done it

This was a very good second book that would also stand alone. It has romance .. Life trial and tribulations ... Family and how it has a different meaning to each character. I would highly recommend it and the Wren also (book one). I am starting on book three
Profile Image for William Lichtwald.
195 reviews2 followers
February 24, 2019
Love

What a fantastic book you have written. I loved it and can't wait to read the rest of the series. Kristy you are awesome, this was the first book of yours I have ever read , I will for sure be recommending you too family and friends. Thanks so much.
Respectfully:
Joyce Lichtwald
552 reviews
September 6, 2021
Claire & Logan

Claire lives in her mother's house of ill-repute. She treats the illnesses of the prostutes and other local people. But she longs to attend medical school. She meets Logan, and struggles to accept how she feels about him.

Characterization and plotting are excellent.

Profile Image for Barbara R. Cady.
1,080 reviews4 followers
September 24, 2017
Good read

After enjoying The Wren I was excited to read this second book in the series and I was not disappointed. The characters are wonderful. Lots of action and twists. There were even a few tears . Thanks Kristy for another great book.
Profile Image for Jeanette Hurrelbrink.
415 reviews7 followers
May 7, 2017
A great read as the story continues. This is Logan's story. Looking forward to the third in the series of six.
Profile Image for Sue.
4,344 reviews5 followers
September 20, 2017
Claire finally gets her HEA after all she's been thru and Logan reunites with her in this book. But all isn't as it seems.
6 reviews
February 3, 2018
A great one!!!

Joe chose this book as I had just finished The Wren. I enjoy series books and this job y st carried on. Very exciting and good
Profile Image for Carri Kelsey.
198 reviews
October 28, 2018
Adventurous

What an adventurous book, full of excitement, suspense, with many ups and downs, but it will keep you on the edge.
212 reviews
September 24, 2021
Well done

I love how you write these stories so believable. The real problems..and the real solutions I can not wait to read the next books
Profile Image for Han.
164 reviews1 follower
June 10, 2023
“the truth flies beyond our grasp. remember, your heart will always tell you the way to go.”
Profile Image for Vera mallard.
459 reviews12 followers
April 7, 2016

The Soiled Dove, The Ex-Lawman, Let The Adventure Begin

We find Claire and Logan's story in Book 2 of the Wings of the West; this a fast paced mystery romance revealing the mysterious life of Claire Waters. Claire's life has not been a bed of roses, far from it. Come find out Claire's secrets and Logan Ryan's story.

STORY LINE:

Author Kristy McCaffrey has penned another winner. This time we have the story of Logan Ryan and Claire Waters, characters from The Wren, Wings of West, Book 1.

Logan heads to Las Vegas to check Claire Waters' welfare; their ranch hand, Lester Williams, has not returned to the ranch after delivering Claire to Las Vegas. Logan finds him recovering from a fever; he doesn't have a lot of information on Claire and her situation.

Logan, outside the White Dove Saloon finds a woman suddenly barreling out of the Saloon, falling on her behind at his feet, dressed as a prostitute. To his surprise, his yellow-haired Claire is looking up at him with a head of black hair. Is Claire a soiled dove at the White Dove Saloon?

Come with Claire and Logan as they solve mysteries, fight attraction, and resolve misunderstandings.


CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, AND DEVELOPMENT:

Claire's character is strong, determined, and smart . Claire has a dream and she has the strength to fulfill that dream. In The Wren, Claire met Molly, the only friend she has ever had, she was quiet, restrained, holding herself in, her past was a mystery, yet she was strong and intelligent.


Claire is coming into her own; we learn more of her background and her situation with her mother, her sad life as an outcast, always standing on the edges of society. Raised in a brothel, Claire is an innocent to the emotions of love; she knows the mechanistic from the resident Doves and the things she has seem, but not the emotions or desires of her own body. Author Kristy McCaffrey skillfully developed Claire's personality and her awakening.


The characters of Logan and Claire have emotional issues which Ms. McCaffrey skillfully crafted and resolved. I loved Logan's character. Logan has been hurt emotionally. Ms. McCaffrey created a cowboy hero who has a caring heart; always ready to help those in need. In Claire he sees a woman in need and the attraction he feels is deep and mutual.


The pacing and development of this book was up to Ms. McCaffreys usual well-written style. The book never lagged, the plot was well planned, and the book had a variety of sub-characters. The story-line is intriguing; you will not lose interest as we discover the mystery of Claire, the attraction between Claire and Logan, the mystery behind a vicious assault, the villains, and the reasons for all the evil.


Ms. McCaffrey has many threads in this book; she skillfully wove all the threads together to form a complete and cohesive story. We also get a look into the previous character's lives. I love a book that is a continuing story of characters as I begin to feel I know them, as I am sure you will as well.


RECOMMENDATION: 5 Stars

I enjoyed this book very much. I look forward to the next installment in the Wings of the West. I recommend this book for young adult and adults due to sexual content.

Though part of a series, this book is a standalone. It is not necessary, but I do suggest to receive better understanding of the dynamics in the continuing story-line, you read the books in series order as they are all solid well-developed stories in which you will meet continuing characters.


Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest book review.


Book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion; book reviews on line under my name and on my blog are my opinion.
Profile Image for Judy Esposito.
969 reviews13 followers
March 5, 2017
The Dove! Book 2!

Another winner by this author. I read The Wren, book 1 and loved it, (second time reading), loved this one just as much. I met Logan and Claire in The Wren and was hoping the author would write their book and I was not disappointed.. So much exciting adventure woven around the romance, kept me busy reading into the night. Will be following the series by picking up the next book, The Sparrow. JudyE
Profile Image for Julie Lence.
Author 22 books48 followers
February 15, 2015
The Dove by Kristy McCaffrey is a fun and enjoyable read. Dressed in a soiled dove's clothes and wearing a wig, Claire is tossed out of a saloon, to land on her bottom smack dab at Logan's feet. From there the story takes off, with a whodunit plot and plenty of action and romance to keep you turning the pages. I honestly couldn't read fast enough as Ms. McCaffrey spun a clever tale surrounding the disappearance of Claire's mother and brother and Logan wondering if Claire was the right woman for him or if Cupid has missed his mark again. Claire and Logan are definitely soul mates. Not only do they work well together trying to unravel the mystery surrounding Claire's family, (with an engaging cast of secondary characters who entertain and keep the reader guessing), but their passion sizzles even when they're unsure of the other's feelings. The Dove is one of those books you'll want to add to your reading collection.
123 reviews23 followers
December 26, 2014
I didn't enjoy the first book in the series, but the secondary characters in it left me curious about their fate, so when I discovered this book was the story of Claire and Logan, I decided to give it a try.

Just like the first book, this one has a gripping start, and the writing is engaging. However, just like the first book, the romance did not really appeal to me.

The hero lusts after the heroine but thinks it would be wrong to take advantage of her, until it suddenly occurs to him that if they marry everything is going work out all right. The characters are so out of touch with their own emotions it does not feel natural.

Also, the story drags on a bit in places, and there are far too many characters. It's a clear sign that things are too complex if the characters have to keep explaining to each other what is happening.

So, not for me, and I won't go on to the third book in the series.
Profile Image for Jami.
193 reviews
January 14, 2015
Absolutely Loved. I enjoyed the Wren, but this story was even better. Loved both main Characters & the adventure and wild west feel to this book. Author did an amazing job drawing in her audience from beginning to end. I think because we were introduced to a strong, but gentle & meek Claire in The Wren it was easy to imagine the shock factor to Logan. Well done Miss McCaffrey. I love the spark, electricity, & want between the characters, but I am a fan of real vs too clean to be real. Loved & recommended.
Profile Image for L.B. Shire.
Author 18 books27 followers
February 10, 2013
Another excellent story from Kristy McCaffrey. If you love stories set in the old west, with to die for cowboys and spirited heroines, this is the author to read! Loved the story of Logan and Claire in The Dove. This story kept the pages turning deep into the night to find out how this unlikely couple would find their happy ending. Can't wait to read Book Three: The Sparrow in the Wings of the West series.
Profile Image for Danessa Violette.
Author 9 books21 followers
April 2, 2016
Nail bitter
Powerful storyline with intricate details. I literally had to stop myself from becoming a nail biter, again. Every paragraph added intensity to the story until the explosive end where the hair actually stood up on the back of my neck. I would recommend this book for anyone needing to get captured in a intriguing book.
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Lesia Chambliss.
222 reviews11 followers
May 4, 2017
I'm a big fan of Kristy McCaffrey, Wings of the West series. Each book is very different from the last, and yet they bring together all the characters from each book at some point. This story is unique and different from any western historical I've ever read, and that's a lot of books and authors! Her characters are well developed and interesting, and each book is enjoyable. I hope you read this one and enjoy it as much as I did, and become a McCaffrey western fan like me.
494 reviews4 followers
January 8, 2017
Loved it!!!!!!!

This is the second book in this series that I have read. It was all that I expected. The characters and storyline were well written. The bravery of Claire was inspiring, it is something that women should keep in mind when facing difficult sits in today's world. I would recommend this series to anyone who is interested in the stories about how women of the were treated, and how they lived through it.
23 reviews
May 4, 2016
The story was well written and used many of the foibles in the genre. There were the normal misunderstandings, hard feelings and betrayals by everyone around them. The couple of course managed to have a romance, touching both hearts and ending well.

As a second book in the series, it stood up well on it's own.
55 reviews
February 23, 2015
Ok

Couldn't keep my interest very well. Far fetched. I don't have 12 more words f poo r th I s book.
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