Diana Palmer likes to pair up strong macho guys with
somewhat less obvious insecure girls, so it is no surprise
when you crack open UNBRIDLED and meet Sunny and John Ruiz
in a somewhat awkward position. You realize almost
immediately that you've just been introduced to the main
characters in UNBRIDLED. UNBRIDLED is Long,
Tall Texans
book #46, probably one of Diana Palmer's longest and most
prolific series. And, I have admittedly read them all.
Anyone that knows me or reads my reviews knows that my topic
of choice is often cowboys, ranchers, and, yes, native
Americans. I love them all.
UNBRIDLED once again brings us back to Jacobsville and
Comanche Wells. The two lead actors are a nurse and a
Texas Ranger -- but, of course, after all this is a story
told by Diana Palmer. A new element in UNBRIDLED is the
existence of a gang. Gangs are all around us, and so even in
small towns they seem to be popping up. Violence and
bullying are their calling cards.
Sunny is a great nurse, but she kind of buries herself in
her work. She is one of those people that are most
comfortable standing at the fringe of life. Her very brief
moment with Ruiz put her in a most uncomfortable
situation and when she abruptly called an end to it. Ruiz
was left with the impression that Sunny had something
against Latinos. Which couldn't be further from the truth,
but actions
speak louder than words, and Sunny's were undeniable.
Sunny is deathly afraid of the local gang of thugs that
has moved into her neighborhood. Even though her apartment
was within walking distance of the hospital she invariably
took a taxi.
Ruiz is now sole parent to an eleven year old son Antonio
and having a difficult time of it.
Antonio's school and Sunny's hospital and apartment are
smack in the middle of a gang area that now had two rival
groups after the same territory. A disaster in the making,
one which Sunny, personally, knew all too well and one John
Ruiz faced
now almost daily with Antonio being exposed to in
his alternate school. Two gangs, one very small
neighborhood, and three people drawn into the drama. Not a
recipe for happiness, in fact the danger is palatable and
real. As the story unfolds in UNBRIDLED, we become first
hand witnesses to these very dangerous situations.
Luckily there are fine people like Texas Ranger John Ruiz
and nurse Sunny Wesley. These are the folk that work
tirelessly to make a difference. The problem lies in the
unvarnished truth that helping people often puts you in the
crossfire. And standing toe to toe with these gang members
is going to put these fine people in jeopardy.
Though most of the Long, Tall Texan's are ranchers,
UNBRIDLED is
more centralized to a city atmosphere. Cities are home to
these gangs. UNBRIDLED deftly puts two distinct societies --
so to speak -- together in this fight against the scourge of
our time, gangs. Diana Palmer handles this difficult
problem with respect and just the right amount of fear and
angst. Of course, ultimately UNBRIDLED is a romance and
her couple of choice in this story are so different that
they belie making them a couple. Diana Palmer has no such
difficulty.
A lone wolf takes on the threat endangering everything he loves in an unforgettable story in the sensational Long, Tall Texans series Widowed Texas Ranger and single dad John Ruiz hardened his heart years ago. Day after day, he tracks the roughest criminals in the Lone Star State, leaving little room for love. So when John butts heads with the beautiful nurse who’s helping his young son, he’s floored by how quickly the sparks fly. Ever since her mother’s and brother’s brutal murders, Sunny Wesley has devoted her life to helping save others. Adorable Tonio Ruiz is just another youngster she’s trying to help—or so she tells herself. Little does she know he’s John’s son. When her life comes under fire, can one mysterious rancher rescue her?
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