I got this ex-library large-print edition hardcover from the ongoing book-sale at the Dunstable Public Library. It's a romance set in the Old West. (I have to admit that the excerpt I read made me howl with laughter, which I'm not sure was the intended reaction - or maybe it was, in which case props to the author.) Heroine Haven is a schoolmarm whose first sight of the titular Valentine Briscoe has her gasping, literally:

"Haven's body tried to gasp again, for the intensity of the man's jade-colored eyes seemed to burn through her with a fierceness she had never even fathomed could exist. Yet she could not draw a breath, for when she had gasped at first seeing the man, the lemon drop in her mouth had been sucked to the back of her throat. She was choking! After having just warned the children of the dangers of hard candy, she, their teacher, was choking!"

It takes a while for her class to notice that something's wrong, and by the time her vision's starting to blur, the hunky stranger dashes in, thumps her on the back a few times and then, when that fails, picks her up, turns her upside down, and shakes her - while making helpful remarks:

"'Cough it up, lady,' the man growled, 'else you're gonna commence yer dirt nap right here in front of these kids.'"

So, not quite your typical "meet cute" here, but I can see how it might make for a fun read.

Later: There's more here than I had anticipated, plus some fascinating tidbits at the end - the author includes a series of "snippets," author-notes about everything from the inspiration for the book to elements inspired by her favorite movies (note that the title character's name "Valentine" is a nod to the Kevin Bacon character in "Tremors"!) to personal losses that affected the story. She describes her choices re the Native American characters and provides some historical context.

I left this book in the Little Free Library; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]

Released for:

** 2025 Valentine challenge **

** 2025 Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes challenge **

** 2025 Never Judge a Book By Its Cover challenge. **