Book Review: The Lady Lassoes an Outlaw: Western Historical by Charlene Raddon

I like this story premise but feel the writing needs polishing.

The Lady Lassoes an Outlaw: Western Historical
by Charlene Raddon

File Size: 1211 KB
Print Length: 103 pages
Publication Date: October 14, 2018
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B07JG3MHCL
Genre: Western Romance
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Aurora Cavender's twin brother Jason is missing, reportedly kidnapped by a notorious gang of outlaws in Utah. Aurora feels his pain and fear. He's hurt. Determined to help, she travels to Price, Utah to board a stagecoach she's sure the gang will rob. Her hope is to discover a clue to Jason's whereabouts. A dangerous job, but one she's better equipped to deal with than many men.
To run smack into her ex-fiancee, Garret Mosely, is a shock. To learn he's part of the Hell's-Gate gang is unfathomable.
Can Aurora find her brother, free him and get the two of them to safety? And what part will Garret Mosely play in her plans?

Review:
Aurora and her brother Jason have that special connection that exists between twins. He has been missing and now she feels his pain and fear. She is intent on finding him especially since rumors indicate he is dead or has been kidnapped by a notorious gang of outlaws.  Aurora arrives in Price, Utah planning to board a stagecoach she hopes will be robbed by the Hell’s-Gate gang. It’s a dangerous move but she is trained and ready to face the danger.

What she wasn’t prepared for was to run into her ex-fiancee, Garret Mosely, who left her at the altar with no explanation three years before. She is even more shocked to learn he is part of the outlaw gang as that isn't the Garret that she knew. Garret immediately takes steps trying to protect Aurora from revealing his true identity and also to protect her from the unwanted advances of the gang members.

Aurora finds a maybe safe place in the gang as a good cook and supposedly ‘Garret’s girl’. Aurora, Garret, and Jason all have secrets and they are all in danger from the brutal outlaws. Can Aurora find Jason and escape safely? And what is she going to do about Garret and their continuing feelings for each other?

This is an action-packed western romance with some good character and danger elements. Not all things are sweet considering Aurora is stuck in a camp of evil men. I enjoyed the action, twists, and surprises in the story.

Sadly, the writing seemed stilted and very amateurish to me which seems strange from an apparently well-experienced author. I felt the writing needed more polish to improve the natural flow of the story. I can recommend the story as a quick, easy read as long as the reader isn’t expecting a polished work nor a totally sweet historical.

Source: Review request received from Babs Book Bistro. This qualifies for 2019 Author Review goal.