This is going to be a hard book to get over. I finished it a couple of hours ago and I'm still thinking about it. It was one very emotional read, filled with so much angst, violence, and thankfully, love, and although it was beautifully written, at times it was very tough to read. By the time I finished, I had a headache from crying and my stomach was tied up in knots. But darn it, I wanted more! I'm dying to know what happens next with Hunter and Loretta.
At times both Loretta's and Hunter's stubborness drove me crazy, but I couldn't blame either of them for it because I could see how each thought their way was the right way. I loved Hunter and Loretta together, but at times I feared that they were never going to make it. They just had so many obstacles in their path, and I was wondering if there was even a way for them to be together. I shed many a tear over their relationship, from Hunter's patience with Loretta regarding their eventual lovemaking (which was beautifully written), to when Loretta felt she had no choice but to leave Hunter but left her bloomers behind for him to remember her. Aww... They had such an up and down relationship, but when the chips were down, it all came down to love, trust, and forgiveness. Did they love and trust each other enough to go on together? Could they forgive the wrongs done to each of their people and make a fresh start?
I also enjoyed reading and learning about the Comanche, their customs, their language, and their battle with the 'white eyes'. It was very hard and sad to read about the raids on each side, but so essential to the story. Very nice history lesson.
What can I say about Hunter? So fierce, so sexy and stubborn, but gentle and good with the people he loved. His treatment of Amy after she was captured just about broke my heart. And when he told Loretta he loved her and she said she'd never be able to love him...ah, that just about killed me.
I also have to mention Loretta's cousin Amy, who at times almost stole the book. What a feisty courageous girl! At times I liked her better than Loretta! Although I couldn't really believe that after what happened to her when she was captured by Comancheros, she was able to carry on and recover the way she did. Surely she's going to suffer some PTSD? Although to the author's credit she did have Hunter mention that he thought that in her mind, Amy was running from what happened to her. I suppose the next book, "Comanche Heart", will address that.
This was a wonderful, but not always easy to read book, and fans of Catherine Anderson should not miss this one, because it's definitely one of her best. Just be prepared to shed a few tears, and have the kleenex handy. There is a HEA, but there is a long, tough, road before you get there! 5 stars.