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Book Review of The Kansas Lawman's Proposal (Harlequin Historicals, No 976)

The Kansas Lawman's Proposal (Harlequin Historicals, No 976)
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Rachel St. Raimes, a seamstress in Dodge City, goes on the run because wealthy businessman, Adolph Turner, has decided that she is to be his next mistress. Unfortunately, Adolph's last mistress jumped out of a window, supposedly in despair over her paramour's rejection of her. Rachel and others think Adolph had her killed for unknown reasons.

While attacking her, Adolph is trying to convince Rachel how lucky she will be as his mistress. Rachel fights back and thinks she may have killed him when heavy goods fall on him during the altercation.

She meets and joins a physician (Doc Grant) who travels in a wagon, visiting small towns to treat the poor. Doc also cautions farmers against the potions some charlatan 'doctors' sell, although he spends every night drinking the 50 proof alcohol in them. He is troubled by ghosts from his past.

They come upon a naked man who was severely beaten and staked out to die. He does not tell the folks in the medicine wagon that he is a US Marshal because he on his way to investigate a problem in Dodge City.

The pages just fly by because this is such an interesting story. So why the lowered rating? I had a couple of problems. First, Rachel was beautiful, sang so well she could be on stage, was a crack shot, an expert seamstress. You name it, she could do it. Although an 'innocent,' courtesans could take lessons from Rachel. Although a likable and sympathetic character, Rachel was just too much.