Redeemed by a Rebel by Cynthia Woolf- Review + Author Interview

Redeemed by a Rebel by Cynthia Woolf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Redeemed by a Rebel by Cynthia Woolf is a 2014 Cynthia Woolf publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This western historical romance felt like the old west dramas I watched on Saturday afternoons, only of course this story was not watered down. The author addressed the rough life women were subjected to in this time period as they were at the mercy of men, be it their fathers or husbands. For Becky it was her father, a man who climbed inside a bottle and came out swinging... at her.
The Anderson brothers head out in an all fired hurry toward Deadwood. Gold was the lure initially, but when Jake's fiance is murdered and he is blamed, Deadwood will hopefully become a refuge. When Jake meets Becky and realizes she is being victimized he can't help but step up and try to protect her. But, Becky is all about taking care of herself. Her pride won't accept Jake's pity or help. As time passes a bond forms between them, but their time together may be short lived as Jake's past may have caught up to him.
I think Jake started out being an honorable man that just couldn't bear the site of a woman being abused. He obviously cared a lot for Becky, but he had just lost his fiance. His heart just wasn't ready for anything more. Besides, he was still running from the law.
Becky's story is truly difficult and it's hard to imagine having to live that way until you could find a way out all alone.
Jake is just the type of guy every woman wants. He has morals, principles, and respects women. He is gentle and kind but will defend and fight for his family. Becky's life doesn't give her much time for daydreaming about hard muscles and chiseled features, so there isn't a huge lustful build up which fits this type of story perfectly. There is sensuality, but this couple didn't have a lot of time for hearts and flowers. I think this is exactly the way things played out for many people back then while living in isolated areas when work was hard and times were lean. That is not to say that Jake and Becky didn't eventually find time to be lovers and once all the roadblocks are clear, Becky will finally have the pleasure of knowing someone loves her. So, Cynthia Woolf wins a 4 star rating for leaving me with a goofy smile on my face.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cynthia Woolf was born in Denver, Colorado and raised in the mountains west of Golden. She spent her early years running wild around the mountain side with her friends.
Their closest neighbor was one quarter of a mile away, so her little brother was her playmate and her best friend. That fierce friendship lasted until his death in 2006.
Cynthia was and is an avid reader. Her mother was a librarian and brought new books home each week. This is where young Cynthia first got the storytelling bug. She wrote her first story at the age of ten. A romance about a little boy she liked at the time.
She worked her way through college and went to work full time straight after graduation and there was little time to write. Then in 1990 she and two friends started a round robin writing a story about pirates. She found that she missed the writing and kept on with other stories. In 1992 she joined Colorado Romance Writers and Romance Writers of America. Unfortunately, the loss of her job demanded the she not renew her memberships and her writing stagnated for many years.
In 2000, she saw an ad in the paper for a writers conference being put on by CRW and decided she'd attend. One of her favorite authors, Catherine Coulter, was the keynote speaker. Cynthia was lucky enough to have a seat at Ms. Coulter's table at the luncheon and after talking with her, decided she needed to get back to her writing. She rejoined both CRW and RWA that day and hasn't looked back.
Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband Jim and the great friends she's made at CRW for saving her sanity and allowing her to explore her creativity.  INTERVIEW WITH CYNTHIA WOOLF  
Who is your favorite hero?   I love all my heroes, but Duncan McKenzie from Tame A Wild Heart is probably my favorite, only because he was my first.  Do you have a favorite place to write? I write at my desk in my office.  Do you have a favorite character you have written?  That is so hard, to pick just one.  It might very well be Becky just because she has such a rough life.
Where can readers contact you?
Readers can email me at cindy@cynthiawoof.com
Dogs or cats?
I love kittens!
Favorite dessert?  German Chocolate cake
Favorite Season?  Spring
What are you reading now?
  Fighting Fate by Carrie Ann Ryan
What are you working on now?  
The edits for my first audio book-  "Tame a Wild Heart"
What was your favorite book as a child?
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L' Engle
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Learn your craft,  it's not easy.  I take writing classes all the time.
Do you  have a favorite quote you would like to share?
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. – Eleanor Roosevelt