The Man in Black

Melissa is trying to find out who she really is – she wants to know herself. Recently, her father and fiance’ were killed in an auto accident. Melissa headed to Arizona to stay with her best friend, Jo, to reflect on her life and what she wants it to be. Melissa has no idea that a man in black will be there and engrosses very thought within her very being. What is it about this man that she feels so drawn to him? Having real experience with a man, she feels very uncertain about herself. She cannot keep herself from trying, though; there is something about this mystery man. She cannot stop thinking about him. Does he think about her? She felt that there has been a connection. She was sure of it. Will he want to get to know her, to bond with her, and share his life with her? Can she become the person she wants to be?

Lawton is a loner. He can not afford for anyone to get close, as that would be too dangerous. He has a debt to pay, and the messages he receives say so. He spends some time as a gunfight show member, with spectators coming and going on a regular basis. This weekend it is different; he sees something in her that he cannot deny. He cannot cause her anymore pain then she has already been through, and he won’t place her in jeopardy for his own selfish desires. It is too late though, as she is already in jeopardy and doesn’t even know it. Lawton has to protect her. Can he resist the urge to allow her to become close? Can he trust himself to keep enough distance that he can keep from hurting her? Can he save her when the time comes?

This is a wonderful story that shows how love can blossom between two characters, leaving them both breathless and emotionally wrecked. The characters that Gwynn Morgan created here offer a unique mix of strength and weakness, fear and bravery, not to mention pain and passion. Melissa has felt inadequate living under her ruthless father’s shadow and being alone. She has never experienced real true love or even pure happiness. Lawton has spent most of his lifetime saving other people while losing the ones that were the closest to him. He is alone for this very reason.

The author has an incredible talent for balancing emotions of fear, nervousness, and desire between two people. As this story evolves, readers will be torn between wanting Melissa and Lawton to risk it all for each other and wanting Lawton to keep Melissa safe. Will Melissa save Lawton from a life of being alone? Will Melissa find her purpose in life and discover that she is someone that matters? Can Lawton and Melissa risk everything to have the one thing that they both really want?

This story was both heartwarming and exciting. The moments of passion between Melissa and Lawton were beautiful written to capture the anxiety of two people crossing that line to risk everything. Gwynn Morgan has provided readers with a book they will be drawn into, almost as if it were the story of someone they knew. Readers will be unable to put the book down until they have read every last word. You just can’t go wrong with The Man in Black. It is a wonderful romance, and receives a rating of 5 Angels!

Reviewed by: Jessica