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Raised in a notorious outlaw hideout, Nicky Thompson ruthlessly protects herself from all dangers, until she is challenged by the sensuous Diablo, who seeks to destroy her people and tame Nicky's wild ways. Original.
618 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 28, 2023
3.5/5. No doubt, Patricia Potter is a skillful writer and some of her books have been superb but this one less so. Kane O'Brien aka Diablo is a suitably complex enough character, an outlaw of the robbing and homicidal kind and not at all the kind a young girl would introduce to her family. Just as well Nicky Thompson is not your regular nice young lady. Home for her is the Sanctuary, a hidden haven for wanted outlaws such as Diablo and family consists of younger brother and her uncle, the formidable owner of the clandestine hideout and an uber-desperado himself. Kane is tasked by the long arm of the law with exposing the Sanctuary and its criminal inhabitants in order to save his best friend from the gallows. The problem I have with this book is Nicky, too naive, too ready to throw caution to the wind and fall for someone as notorious as Kane and not expecting to get hurt. Given she grew up around murderers and rapists, I expected her to be far more cautious and tougher and I know the author is more than capable of writing kick-ass heroines. This ended up being too uneven a relationship and thus unsatisfactory as a romance.
January 23, 2011
This is the 1st in a trilogy and a 5 star read as is each book that follows in this series.
The story begins with Kane O'Brien, the notorious outlaw Diablo, siting in prison waiting to hang. There he is visited by US Marshal, Ben Masters. Masters offers him a pardon if Diablo will infiltrate the deadly outlaw hideout, Sanctuary.
No one knows where Sanctuary is, the few law-men sent prior, were never seen again. The governor wants it shut down and the deadly outlaws hidden there brought in.
This book is loaded with everything a Western Romance reader will appreciate. Danger, characters so fleshed out, they come alive and pop off the pages, emotions so strong they wrench your insides, and romance that not only sizzles but touches your heart.
Contains violence and most of these outlaws aare fleshed out as deadly, dangerous and violent.
The 2nd title in this outstanding trilogy is Ben Master's story: THE MARSHALL AND THE HEIRESS. The 3rd and final installment: THE SCOTSMAN WORE SPURS. Characters intermingle through each of these books. Although it really isn't necessary, reading these books in order is a plus as the main characters characterizations deepens with each story.
The story begins with Kane O'Brien, the notorious outlaw Diablo, siting in prison waiting to hang. There he is visited by US Marshal, Ben Masters. Masters offers him a pardon if Diablo will infiltrate the deadly outlaw hideout, Sanctuary.
No one knows where Sanctuary is, the few law-men sent prior, were never seen again. The governor wants it shut down and the deadly outlaws hidden there brought in.
This book is loaded with everything a Western Romance reader will appreciate. Danger, characters so fleshed out, they come alive and pop off the pages, emotions so strong they wrench your insides, and romance that not only sizzles but touches your heart.
Contains violence and most of these outlaws aare fleshed out as deadly, dangerous and violent.
The 2nd title in this outstanding trilogy is Ben Master's story: THE MARSHALL AND THE HEIRESS. The 3rd and final installment: THE SCOTSMAN WORE SPURS. Characters intermingle through each of these books. Although it really isn't necessary, reading these books in order is a plus as the main characters characterizations deepens with each story.
August 9, 2021
I thought the plot decent and interesting, and it was the reason I kept reading. The romantic bits were a bit awkward to me, though I found Nicky's actions and thoughts to be mostly believable—she is, after all, "so damnably innocent" (as well as naive, lonely, and curious)—and so I could see how she could fall and remain in love (whatever the definition of love may be) with Kane. The internal dialogue and musings were my least favourite. At times they felt to go on and on (making the book unnecessarily long), and I did not care for them. Truthfully, they made my eyes roll. I do not think they added to the story except to solidify the book's place in the romance genre, I guess.
November 2, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It kept me entertained. There were some boring bits but overall it was good. He is an outlaw who has been given a chance by a Marshall to give his best friend freedom from a hangman's noose. He needs to find a place all outlaws seem to disappear to - Sanctuary, and he needs to find it within a certain time. He is allowed into Sanctuary but eventually falls in love with the niece of the owner who runs Sanctuary. He now has a dilemma of being truthful to her and possibly loosing her or causing the death of his best friend.
August 14, 2023
Fair book typical historical western romance too predictable
June 4, 2019
Patricia Potter brings this fine oater to life through fully fleshed-out characters, with secrets and passions aplenty!
Ben Masters, marshal, was an interesting person and I look forward to his story in Part II of this series: "THE MARSHAL and the HEIRESS."
Reb soldier Kane O'Brien's kindness to an injured man (Ben Masters, a Union soldier) on the battlefield (years before) sets the story in action. Now, Masters is a lawman and O'Brien has been condemned to hang. Masters offers a pardon for doing an impossible job: find the Sanctuary hideout.
Sanctuary has been a safe-haven for murderers, robbers and thieves for 15 years. Two others have tried to find the hideout but died in the attempt. The hideout can be in any of 4 states/territories!
It is interesting that O'Brien won't do the job to save his life, but agrees to do it to save another condemned man - his best friend, David Carson.
The man who created (and runs) Sanctuary is Nat Thompson. As you learn more about this man, he changes from a "heavy" to a seriously-flawed hero. He gives the ultimate sacrifice to save his brother's children.
I enjoyed the interplay of emotional conflicts between the main characters. Each person was more complicated than he/she appeared at first. It is a great story about loyalty!
American/Scottish Series
1. Diablo (1996)
2. The Marshall and the Heiress (1997)
3. The Scotsman Wore Spurs (1997)
Ben Masters, marshal, was an interesting person and I look forward to his story in Part II of this series: "THE MARSHAL and the HEIRESS."
Reb soldier Kane O'Brien's kindness to an injured man (Ben Masters, a Union soldier) on the battlefield (years before) sets the story in action. Now, Masters is a lawman and O'Brien has been condemned to hang. Masters offers a pardon for doing an impossible job: find the Sanctuary hideout.
Sanctuary has been a safe-haven for murderers, robbers and thieves for 15 years. Two others have tried to find the hideout but died in the attempt. The hideout can be in any of 4 states/territories!
It is interesting that O'Brien won't do the job to save his life, but agrees to do it to save another condemned man - his best friend, David Carson.
The man who created (and runs) Sanctuary is Nat Thompson. As you learn more about this man, he changes from a "heavy" to a seriously-flawed hero. He gives the ultimate sacrifice to save his brother's children.
I enjoyed the interplay of emotional conflicts between the main characters. Each person was more complicated than he/she appeared at first. It is a great story about loyalty!
American/Scottish Series
1. Diablo (1996)
2. The Marshall and the Heiress (1997)
3. The Scotsman Wore Spurs (1997)
November 4, 2011
This is another book on my keeper shelf. The romance is sweet and the hero is in big trouble as he goes into an outlaw gang undercover to find a particular outlaw. He has his best friend in prison and if the hero can find this wanted outlaw, his friend's life will be spared...but I'm just touching on the tip here as there are some other really neat twists in this story. Well worth the read. Lots of tension!
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August 19, 2017DNF. Just couldn't get into the story.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews