By 1880, after several years as an Army scout in the Arizona Territory, Quince Hunter realizes how hopeless the situation is as this remains Apache land. When his "friend" dies and his sister's letter tells him she needs him, Quince decides to come home to the Half Moon Ranch in Texas, the place where his father killed his mother ten years ago and he and his brother had a falling out five years ago.

Quince rescues horse farmer Glory Townsend from quicksand, but cannot save her steed. Both are attracted to one another, but neither want to follow up on the feelings that course through them. It is even worse on the family ranch where Brent remains angry for Quince walking out on them. When Quince and Glory compete for the same army contract, they realize they need to work as a team or both will lose their spreads to the bank. Love naturally blossoms.

RENEGADE MOON is a fine follow-up to Bobbi Smith's HUNTER'S MOON, but is a fine stand-alone. It is that ability to provide a complete western romance inside a series written by other authors that displays the talent of Elaine Barbieri. This novel is exciting as the lead couple refuses to give in to something as pathetic as love. Readers will enjoy this tale immensely. Readers will also look forward to the final two tales MOON RACER by Constance O'Banyon and DARK OF THE MOON by Evelyn Rogers coming out in August and September respectively.

Harriet Klausner