jjares reviewed on 9/17/2016 + 3414 more book reviews

Best friend Gideon asks Burke Youngblood to check on his wife's friend, Jayne Stoneworthy. Planning to open a school for young ladies in Denver, this naive young woman unknowingly bought a shuttered brothel and started renovations. Both men know that she cannot use the former saloon/brothel but they don't know how to tell her.

Jayne isn't just naive, she's been raised by an aunt who did not trust men. Jayne has many of Aunt Euphemia's platitudes memorized and they are watch words for her life. She has no intention of marrying because men are barbarians, unfit for civilization.

When Burke introduces himself to Jayne, in a totally unique manner, she realizes that she will need help selling the brothel and finding a new property for her school. Reluctantly, she agrees to a business relationship with this overbearing, bossy banker.

From Burke's point-of-view, Jayne is fiercely independent and direct. She's also underwhelmed with the antics of men. The couple are well-matched, but don't tell them that. These are two likable people opposed to marriage on principle -- and in particular.

It took forever to start this book because the cover has to be one of the most appalling in modern printing. I cannot imagine what publishing company exec thought this has a attractive cover. I did not consider the book's cover when rating this book.

The Guardsmen
1. Beloved Outcast (1996)
2. Cade's Justice (1997)
** 3. Burke's Rules (1998)
4. Hunter's Law (2000)

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