Mackenzie's Mountain by Linda Howard

After many discussions about this series, I picked up the first two books. This is the story of Wolf Mackenzie and Mary Elizabeth Potter.

Wolf is an Indian half breed and Mary is a school teacher just arrived to Wyoming from Savannah. She goes up Mackenzie's Mountain to investigate why Joe Mackenzie (Wolf's son) has dropped out of school when he is very talented. This is where she meets Wolf and is instantly attracted to him. She does not see his race and this confuses Wolf who has faced prejudice in the town of Ruth since he arrived 10 years before. At that time he was unjustly accused of Rape and spent two years in prison before he was cleared when the real rapist is captured and he confesses.

When Mary challenges the community's prejudice a threat is presented against everyone who talks in favor of the Mackenzie's. When Mary is almost raped Wolf takes it personally and claims her as his woman, giving into his desires. The book was nice and spicy. Even though it was short, the story was well weaved and made sense, it didn't seem rushed at all. I also liked that although you suspected who was behind the events taking place in the town, you were never really sure until the very end. I can see how it would be hard for Howard to top the success of this book.

Joe's story is told in the sequel, Mackenzie's Mission.

Grade: B+