cover image Hellion

Hellion

Gloria Skinner. Pocket Books, $6.5 (320pp) ISBN 978-0-671-01139-0

A tomboy, and daughter of the late sheriff of Poppy, Colo., Rosellen Lattimer aspired to follow in her father's footsteps and become the town's next sheriff. After all, she could outride and outshoot any man in town, which tended to intimidate all the guys. That is until Cason Murdock returns to Poppy determined to avenge himself on the town he feels is responsible for wrongfully branding his father a thief and a killer and for leading to his death. Cason's plan is to clear his father's name and prove that, in fact, Rosellen's father is the true thief and murderer. Rosellen is just as determined to stop him. Strong-willed hero and heroine battle over just who has the dishonest parent and their growing desire. In the beginning, Rosellen comes across too rough and tough to have much sex appeal, but after a pivotal scene in which Rosellen climbs into the brothel window and catches Cason in his altogether, she becomes more believable as a romantic heroine. Maybe not as entertaining as her last (Cassandra), but perfectly titled. (Sept.)