What does it take to trust someone who holds your life in their hands? What if that person has no reason to believe in or trust you? What can you do? How far would you go to make that person believe in you? In The Bounty, the first of the Malloy Family series by Beth Williamson, Nicky Malloy is faced with these questions. She must find a way to overcome the wall of resistance that Tyler Calhoun has built around his heart. When all he has seen is the darker side of people, can he let go of that mistrust in order to find the underline truth?

Within a matter of hours, Nicky Malloy's life has changed. She witnesses her twin brother being murdered and is nearly raped by Owen Hoffman and his men at his ranch. All because Nicky and her brother, Logan, accidentally uncover Hoffman's dirty little secret: two women and a young boy are being held captive in his root cellar.

Nicky has been on the run ever since that horrible day. With a bounty on her head, and her brother's death on her conscience, these past three years have been hellacious. Masquerading as a boy has helped to ensure her continued survival. Being able to shoot her brother's pistols with deadly accuracy has also helped out a time or two.

Owen Hoffman is a man out for revenge. He has to preserve his reputation and prevent the truth from coming out. To do that, he has to eliminate Nicky. Tyler Calhoun, ex-Texas Ranger, is simply the latest bounty hunter Hoffman hires to bring Nicky back to Wyoming to face trumped up charges of murder and theft. Calhoun's only concern is with the $3,000 reward Hoffman has promised to pay, which will double if Tyler captures the outlaw alive.

The intensity of Nicky's dislike of Tyler is matched by the growing passion they cannot seem to control. They know that she'll swing from a hangman's noose if she's returned to Owen. While being pursued by two cowboys intent on taking Nicky in for the bounty, Nicky and Tyler are forced to trust each other. Nicky convinces Tyler that she can prove her innocence. After a side trip to Nebraska, Nicky is still caught in Owens's web of lies. When Tyler witnesses Nicky with a noose around her neck, he must choose between his love for her or the reward he is to collect.

The Bounty is one of those truly rare, well written western romances. Fast-paced action, great descriptive plot and a hot love affair. Tyler is an intense, quiet brooding man assured of his strengths. Nicky is a strong woman who knows how to take care of herself. I can't wait for Beth Williamson to finish this series. The Bounty leaves you waiting for the next installment.

Reviewed By: Tammy Adams
©July 2005