Love\'s Golden Embrace

Anna Tremaine is in trouble. After being kidnapped and nearly choked to death, she's now the wager in a game of poker. Luckily, help comes in the form of a six-foot seven giant of a man named Luke Campbell. Luke takes her home to his farm to recover. But Anna can't speak because of the choking and Luke can't read, so the two must spend some time together before Anna can tell him who she is and how she came to be in her predicament.

Luke is a former lawman who hung up his gun belt for the life of a blacksmith. He's a great bear of a man, but is very gentle. Very quickly Luke and Anna begin to have feelings for each other. But neither of them knows that the tragedy that turned Luke from his life as a sheriff involved Anna's brother.

Love's Golden Embrace is a sweet and sensual Western. I fell in love with Luke immediately. I always like heroes that are "gentle giants" and Luke's one of my favorites. He's had a tough life, but he's still kind and honorable. Anna is not the helpless victim she initially seems. She's an independent-minded young woman who decides to go for what she wants – and that's Luke.

Charlene Leonard has infused her story with tender, but very erotic love scenes that blend beautifully with the growth of the couple's relationship. There is a glimpse of Luke's domination in the bedroom, but it is subtle and in keeping with the era. There are several interesting background characters that are ripe for their own stories as well.

Readers looking for a sensual Western romance will enjoy Love's Golden Embrace as much as I did. I highly recommend it!

Reviewed by: Shelley