Caffeinated Reviewer

This was my first Michelle McLean novel, but it won’t be my last. Hitched to the Gunslinger delivered small town charm, and feisty banter when a gunslinger looking to retire makes a deal with a spinster.

Gray “Quick Shot” Woodson is the fastest gun west of the Mississippi. Unfortunately, he’s ready to hang up his hat. Sure, being notorious has its perks. But the nomadic lifestyle—and people always tryin’ to kill you—gets old real fast.

Now he just wants to find a place to retire so he can spend his days the way the good Lord intended. Staring at the sunset. And napping.

When his stubborn horse drags him into a hole-in-the-wall town called Desolation, something about the place calls to Gray, and he figures he might actually have a shot at a sleepy retirement.

His optimism lasts about a minute and a half.

Soon he finds himself embroiled in a town vendetta and married to a woman named Mercy. Who, judging by her aggravating personality, doesn’t know the meaning of her own name. In fact, she’s downright impossible.

But dang it if his wife isn’t irresistible. If only she’d stop trying to steal his guns to go after the bad guys herself.

There goes his peace and quiet...

The story open as we meet Gray “Quick Shot” Woodson, the fastest gun in the West. Now Gray is in his early forties and looking to hang up his guns. He wants to take long naps and watch the sunset.

He sets off heading west and comes across the small town of Desolation. When his stubborn horse takes off towards the town, he has no choice but to tag along. They end up in an apple orchard on the outskirts of town and before you know it, Gray finds himself involved in a confrontation between Mercy, the orchard owner and a local landowner intent on having Mercy’s land.

The story that unfolds mixed humor, snark and delightful bickering with suspense and a slow-burning romance that catches fire.

“Well, what the hell was he supposed to do now? He’d only wanted his horse. Now he had a fiancée?”

I chuckled as I easily slipped into this story. Mercy could be a little headstrong and demanding, but with the hand she has been dealt, you can’t blame her. Now Gray didn’t impress me all that much in the beginning, but as Mercy softened his edges and their banter and playful teasing grew, so did my love for him.

The story had all the elements I love in a historical western with its small-town charm and sense of community. The meddling of the townfolk made me giggle, and I loved how the author wove their engagement into marriage. Secondary characters played an important part in the story from the local drunk to the sheriff’s assistant. Even the goat and horse affected the story.

The suspense thread was well done and made me feel like I was in the wild west. It helped bring the community together and allowed Gray to grow.

Fans of banter, arrangements, the wild west and transformations will want to grab Hitched to the Gunslinger.

Amazon

About Michelle McLean

Michelle McLean is a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl who is addicted to chocolate and Goldfish crackers and spent most of her formative years with her nose in a book. She has a B.S. in History, an M.A. in English, and loves her romances with a little heat, a lot of humor, and always a happily ever after.

When Michelle's not working, reading, or chasing her kids around, she can usually be found baking or diamond painting, which she accidentally got addicted to while bored one day. She resides in PA with her husband and two teens, the world's most spoiled dog, and two cats who absolutely rule the house. She also writes contemporary romance as Kira Archer.

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About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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