When Lightning Strikes

On an arduous journey along an Oregon-bound wagon train, Abigail Bliss is hiding her true identity, traveling under an alias her father insisted upon. Her carefully constructed facade shatters the moment she encounters Tanner McNight. He reaches down and plucks her from the thick mud, then lifts her effortlessly into his lap, setting her crosswise on the tall gray horse – a total stranger who thrills her with danger and desire. Tanner is everything her father warned her against: a bounty hunter, lawless, and untamed. What Abigail can’t possibly know, even as she melts in his fiery embrace, is that *she* is the very bounty he seeks. *When Lightning Strikes* exemplifies Rexanne Becnel's mastery of the historical romance genre, making it an essential entry on any "Best Books" list. It's a prime example of her signature blend of high-stakes adventure, simmering passion, and compelling character development. Becnel excels at crafting heroes like Tanner – dangerous outsiders with hidden depths – and heroines like Abigail, who must navigate treacherous circumstances while discovering their own strength and desires. The inherent conflict of a heroine falling for the man hunting her, combined with the vivid backdrop of the American frontier, creates an electrifying tale of forbidden love and trust forged under pressure. This novel perfectly showcases Becnel's ability to deliver emotional intensity and a thrilling narrative, earning its place among her most beloved works.