The Lawman's Surrender by Debra Mullins-review

Finding the truth will take some fast talking—and a faster gun.

The Calhoun Sisters, Book 2

Susannah Calhoun has always been able to charm her way into anything she wants. But when she is arrested for a murder she didn’t commit, she realizes there’s no sweet talking her way out of this one. The victim is the brother of a U.S. Senator, who demands Susannah be tried in his home city of Denver. He’s even summoned a U.S. Marshal to make sure she gets there.

Marshal Jedidiah Brown reluctantly accepts the assignment as a favor to a friend. He already knows Susannah’s trouble from the way sparks flew the first time they met, but he doesn’t believe her a murderer. When a lynch mob busts her out of jail and tries to hang her, Jedidiah realizes he has to buy time to prove her innocence.

Pursued by the man who would see Susannah dead, the road to Denver is filled with peril as they search for the witness who could clear her name. Their time alone on the road brings them closer than ever, but the witness proves elusive, and Denver looms on the horizon—the end of a journey that could end with love. Or the gallows.

This book was first published by Avon in March 2001.

Review:

OH...MY...WORD...

Most people don't realize how much I really do enjoy reading western historicals but I do.  Give me a gunslinger, damsel in distress, saloon, and the wild west and I'm yours.  When I read Donovan's Bed a few months ago, I was captivated by both Calhoun sisters.  I realized that I had to find out if Susannah's story had been written and yes, it had.  Unfortunately, I had to wait and I don't like to wait.  :)

We meet Sarah's sister Susannah near the end of Donovan's Bed.  Susannah is a contradiction of sorts.  She is your typical beauty and uses it to charm herself out of bad situations.  On the other hand, she is intelligent, witty, and cares deeply for others.  She is not the selfish, conceited plaything that most men think of when they first see her.  Susannah wants to be loved for who she is on the inside, not on the outside.

When Jedidiah first meets Susannah at the end of Donovan's Bed, I knew that the spark was there and he would be powerless to stop the fire.  He is your typical US Marshal, tough, a loner, sexy and will do anything to get his man. Something tugs at him when he sees Susannah again in jail months later.  He is sure of her innocence in the murder but the fact that she is traveling with him to find the witness, well that is proving to be a distraction that he doesn't need.

I can not tell you how much I loved the Marshal and Susannah.  I fell in love with them in Donovan's Bed and their story proved to be worth the wait.  Susannah is a strong historical heroine.  She's not whiny, dependent on a man, and not afraid to speak her mind.  She's an independent woman that knows who and what she is and gasp...she has a job, too.  Jedidiah is a swoon worthy, rugged, sexy and kind man.  He always has Susannah's interests before his in the beginning but then after one too many close calls he realizes that he will do anything for Susannah; even die for her.  *sigh*

As for the heat factor between them, you could cut it with a knife.  When they do come together it is tender and sweet.  Susannah wants Jed but he fears that he can't give her everything that she wants and deserves.  The emotions that I felt between them were honest and real.  It all came down to the last climatic scene and it more than paid off in the end.  Their relationship was real and at times very funny.  At some points in the book, I was laughing out loud.  The supporting characters that we meet along the way to Denver are great.  They only enhance the relationship between Susannah and Jed.

I highly recommend The Lawman's Surrender.  If you want to see how they met, read Donovan's Bed first.  You will not be disappointed in the Calhoun sisters at all.

5 Harlie's and a highly recommend read