Starred review from December 1, 2008
Plump, pampered, wealthy Rosemary Burke returns to Prairie View, Kansas, after a yearlong tour of Europe only to be kidnapped by four Texans desperate to raise money for the Confederate cause. Ironically, this abduction saves Rosemary fromher evil stepfather. The leader of the kidnappers, Waco McClain, isa true Southern gentleman who would never deliberately harm a woman, but his mens lives depend on the delivery of $50,000 to his commander.Waco especially doesnt want to hurt his spoiled, domestically challenged, clumsy captive. She isthe most beautiful specimen of a female he has ever seen, a sturdy woman with a spirit to match. So why is her stepfatherignoring Wacos demands for a ransom? In this entertaining tale, O. HenrysRansom of Red Chief meets the Old West as a young woman with a poor self-image falls in love with a reluctant outlaw. The ever-talented Gentry once again creates a tantalizing blend of humor and poignancy.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)