The Loner (Secret Fires) [Mass Market Paperback]

The letter from Tom's lawyer caught up to Sone in Fort Worth. Each child must return to the ranch within a short amount of time to claim a portion of the inheritance. Being broke, Stone was forced to return. He was the last to show. His other siblings, including a half-brother he had not known existed, was already gathered. Each were happily married and had made new lives for themselves. Tom was on his death bed, but just as mean as ever. Facing his family was heard, especially the hateful and scheming Clare, but not nearly as hard as seeing Annabelle again!

Annie was alone in the world now. She owned a boardinghouse for her meager living. She had three workers, a cook and her daughter (Josefina and Carmen) and Henry (a crippled ex-ranch hand). Having Stone rent room and board from her was difficult since she still cared for him. But she needed the money. The fire that had been between them was still there and getting hotter!

***** An excellent conclusion to this series! This is not a story that readers will find able to set aside. Overflowing with lies, scandals, and romance that grabbed me from page one! Don't miss out on this one! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch

Stone constantly squabbles with his two brothers and sister, but also shares with them the distrust of Tom�s second wife Clare. While struggling with his family and his stepmother, Stone skirmishes with his own treacherous heart that beats faster and louder every time he sees Annabelle. There is also his father o worry about him, a man who has hidden the truth about Circle M from his children.

The final novel to the Secret Fires miniseries ties up all the questions left from the three previous novels while telling a wonderful western romance. The story line is loaded with action and a twist or two. The lead couple is a cute duo making up for a decade of separation while the support cast includes family members and their spouses returning for the final engagement. Though THE LONER lives up to its name and can stand alone, new readers will find better appreciation of Evelyn Rogers� talent by reading the previous three stories first, written by other authors. By keeping the persona of previous lead couples consistent inside her plot, Ms. Rogers successfully closes with one of the year�s best Texas romances.

Harriet Klausner