Only Love by Elizabeth Lowell

Challenge: A title with love, kiss or heart for Valentines day.
Rating: 4

Pages:408

Back cover: Cast adrift during the War Between the States, Shannon Conner grew to womanhood in a lonely cabin high in the Colorado Rockies. Though stubborn and courageous, Shannon is ill-prepared to deal with the predatory Culpepper brothers—and the intoxicating ardour of the man who defends her honour, Rafael 'Whip' Moran.

A loner and a wanderer, a man tied to no place or promise, Whip aids the wary young 'widow' who has a walk like honey and a determined grip on her shotgun. But neither the Culpeppers nor grizzlies are as dangerous to Whip as the passion Shannon offers him—a passion that could cost Whip the freedom that is as much a part of him as his soul.

Review: I really loved this story. It started out really well with Whip saving Shannon from a pack of disgusting degenerates, and then his unconventional and sweet "courting", to get her to trust him. While I did enjoy it very much, it did get a little old with Whip first trying to sleep with her, then trying NOT to sleep with her, and then trying not to get her pregnant when he finally DID sleep with her (which took entirely too long in my opinion), and then his insistence that he couldn't stay with her because he values the sunrise he hasn't seen more than he values her. Of course he finally realizes that she is indeed more important than "yondering" (a phrase that was used often enough to hurt my head). I think this book could have earned a 5 if the author didn't over use phrases and themes constantly, but I was able to over look it for the most part. I look forward to reading Case's story!! side note: I wish Shannon had used his real name (Rafe) rather than his "west" name (Whip). It would have felt more personal.