Pink Heart Reviews
The Ranger and the Redhead
Lynna Banning
Harlequin Historical #773, 296 pages
ISBN # 0-373-29373-9
Historical Romance, circa 1861 U.S.A.
$5.50 (US) $6.50 (CDN)
Reviewed by Diana
November 2005
Lynna Banning' s novel, THE RANGER AND THE REDHEAD, is set in the mostly untamed west of the mid 1800s. Banning's two lead characters are true romance novel material: a headstrong, handsome ranger that appears to be the man that always gets his woman, despite what any of his other faults may be, and a beautiful, intelligent woman who shuns everyone’s idea of the perfect male, even if it means inner turmoil for her.
To her credit, the unromantic parts of Banning’ s novel include some topics that are somewhat off the beaten path, including treasure and a deep-rooted thirst for revenge. Delightfully, betrayal, lies and surprise are also included.
The setting for the novel is important to the overall plot. The 1850s is actually the perfect time-period for the novel. The near-impossible means of long-distance communication, the sexist time-period and the free, gun wielding, might-rules-all west add immeasurably to the storyline. From the very beginning, our heroine is to be treated as an inferior citizen, as is evident from her inability to secure a spot on the wagon train leading to her ultimate destination. Though the heroine, Charlotte Greenfield is intellectually far superior to the men and women surrounding her, she is forced to ride at the mercy of our ultimate hero, Will Bondurant. Of course, Charlotte must be protected by Will at all times and, despite her own feelings towards his treatment of her, discovers feeling for her protector that serve to awaken her inner woman.
Ms. Banning goes to great pains to discuss the treatment that Charlotte receives from Will. Though Will is always acting in Charlotte's best interest, our heroine has an extreme distaste for the manner in which Will chooses to protect her. Given that Charlotte is placed in the middle of the wild west with a man that always seems to have her best interest at heart, Charlotte still appears to be upset by Will's actions throughout her journey. The fact that her very life is at steak throughout their entire ordeal, being made aware of Charlotte's constant complaints is a bit distracting, at first. The average person would most likely have gotten over her own feeling after the first or, at the most, second time that her life or virtue was speared. However, through the course of the novel, the reader comes to understand that Charlotte's feelings, her mind and her heart, are at war with each other. This war is centred on her innocence and her emerging love for Will. With her lack of understanding regarding her new desires, Charlotte takes the safe road, she backs away from Will with whatever she can discover about him that is distasteful, real or imagined.
A truly refreshing aspect of the novel, along with the setting and characters, is Will's regard for Charlotte's reputation. For instance, the two are to travel the west together and alone, one would have to wonder "What reputation?" However, aside from that, Will's manly reputation makes his regard for a woman, in this time setting, that he considered wildly attractive, quite interesting. When the two finally face their true feelings for one another, the inner toil is far from over. There is still quite a ride ahead, not to mention danger. Given his own feeling toward Charlotte, Will is still willing to accompany her, much to his credit, the rest of the way to her destination. Banning does add Will's personal agenda as a reason for the remainder of the journey. Banning then gives Will an overriding guilt about Charlotte's future and their encounter. This makes Will go to great lengths to not be intimate with Charlotte any further. This does add a level of tension to the book that makes the reader want to go further, wanting to discover the pair's ultimate destiny. Time is also spent on further developing the mystery and danger of the pair’s future, bringing new harm to the couple, particularly Charlotte.
Aside from the two lead characters, Banning goes to great length to develop the slang-vocabulary, southern, cowboy-like dialogues and history of the west to the novel. Riding along with Charlotte and Will, the reader is carried into the novel. The danger of the untamed wilderness from animals, the elements, Indians and lawlessness allows the reader to appreciate those that conquered the new frontiers of this vast nation. At one point, death of a loved one is brought near to Will. The manner in which the death occurred, the body was discovered and, ultimately, handled by Will is so realistic and sad that it is almost shocking. Yet, similar scenes must have played throughout the frontier in these times. Sympathy for our riders is easily brought to the forefront and a desire to see the two reach a peaceful ending is elicited.
Banning also adds everyday, common talk and fear to the discussions between the pair. From fearing for life, to fearing conception, the two appear heroic, yet realistic. The backgrounds of each character are also brought to bear. Will does not know where he stands because of his diverse origins and Charlotte's sheltered, preachers kid background make the two an interesting match.
Banning develops the character of both Will and Charlotte and makes the reader want to discover the eventual outcome of the two.
