I must confess that I never read the Cates and Martin stories. But I absolutely love the Anne Stuart and Christina Dodd stories. I often reread them. Talking about dangerous heroes? Oh, yes.
Dangerous Touch by Anne Stuart:
If you like gunslingers, look no further. Billy Maddox is a fallen angel in looks and in his behavior. He's a gun for hire that comes to town to deal with a situation in which small-time farmers refuse to give over their land to a big cattle rancher. He has no problem with killing for money. He's done it before, will do it again. But, he takes one look at the target's young, innocent wife, Sara, and his priorities change. Talking about sexual tension, danger, violence, love, passion, all in a perfect package,....That's this story. I love it!!!! I would so run off with Billy Maddox (and there is no real adultery involved, so worry not). If you like Anne Stuart and you haven't read this story, you need to find it now! Gosh, I wish she wrote more Westerns!
The Lady and The Tiger by Christina Dodd:
This story really shows why Christina Dodd is a favorite of mine. Her heroes are scrumptious. Oh, my goodness. And the sexual tension? Off the charts. Laura Haver is a proper, yet impoverished steamstress who is determined to find out what happened to her deceased brother, who died while doing some undercover work in a smuggling ring. She goes to an inn to ferret out if Keefe Leighton, Earl of Hamilton, and the spyleader, was involved with her brother's death, and ends up having to seduce him to keep a special book away that might reveal some important information about what her brother uncovered in his work. That was a hot scene. Would you like a possessive, sexy hero who is set on getting his woman, and getting the job done? Look no further. I love this line:
My name is Keefe Leighton. And you're my woman. Let me show again.. What a line!
Writing this review makes me want to pull this one out for a reread. I think I just might do that!