THE MACKENZIES: PETER

Author: Ana Leigh ISBN: 7114500699 8/2004 (Reprint) HISTORICAL Publisher: Love Spell
Time Period: Old West

Beautiful, young and free-spirited, Angeleen MacKenzie figured she had nothing to lose when she left her proper education as an art school student to pursue a life as a singer. Angel soon found opportunity as a chorus girl on a riverboat floating down the Mississippi. But singing wasn't as glamorous as she had thought it would be. Disillusioned by her newfound career, Angel was devastated when the man she loved abandoned her. She was in desperate need of a savior. Peter Gifford had always loved Angel, been tempted by her sapphire eyes and ebony hair. So when he offered her his hand in marriage out of concern for her welfare, it seemed only natural. Peter knew that his bride had coldly accepted the proposal only to save herself from further ruin, but he was determined to woo Angel until he had melted her heart and shown her the pleasures of true love.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I love the theme, childhood friends to lovers, but from the very beginning of this book, Angel MacKenzie irritated me. She is a spoiled, rich girl looking for something that was under her nose the whole time, Peter Gifford, also know as "The Griff."

Griff has lived on Angel's family ranch, Roundhouse, all of his life, watching Angel grow up, adoring her since she was barely walking. But he has never declared his love because he believes himself too old for her.

Angel wins a singing contest while at art school in St. Louis. She can either take $100 or a week singing on a riverboat in a skimpy costume. Of course, Angel picks the riverboat. She falls for a slimy con-man that seduces her, taking her virginity, then leaves when she tells him she is pregnant.

Hearing rumors about Angel being a scantly dressed singer, Griff rushes to St. Louis to find her weeping and distraught because her lover has deserted her. Griff marries Angel so her baby will have a name and to takes her home to the family ranch outside of Denver. Once home, Angel finds out she isn't pregnant and can't decide what to do with her life.

Geezzz, she has this gorgeous husband running around the family ranch, usually half naked, and he loves her to pieces. Come on, girl, wake up and smell the coffee! Griff, believing he is too old for Angel—his 31 to her 21—did seem a bit unreasonable for that time period.

Ms. Leigh adds a few stupid bank robbers, Angel's ex-lover, and Griff's mistress to try to jazz up the story, but the book never takes off. Griff is endearing, but with Angel's wishy-washy attitude it made the romance fizzle instead of sizzle. Even seeing the cousin Mackenzies, Flint, Luke, and Cleve, didn't relieve the boredom.

DeeKay