GRR Reviews Marshal in Petticoats (Halsey Brothers) by Paty Jager

Marshal in Petticoats is an interesting adventure in the old west, with multiple layers of disguise that is quite funny. On the other hand, the connection between the MMC and FMC are not clear.  As an adventure, it's 4/5, but as a romantic adventure, it's only 3/5.

Darcy and her brother Jeremy is living day by day in the west, after escaping from the sadistic uncle who sold them after promising their dying parents he'll take care of them. Darcy is extremely accident prone. Upon arriving in the town Gelana, Darcy, dressed as a young man, managed to accidentally shoot down the bank robber. She was surprised to be suddenly appointed sheriff by the sleazy mayor... who did not recognize she is a woman. It's clearly the mayor is setting her up for something, but what? And why is the handsome drifter Gil be interested in her? // Gil arrived in Galena looking to take back a rich rancher's son. The rancher promised Gil will be foreman if he's successful, but the son will not go back quietly, as he had taken up life with a gang of thieves and robbers. Gil accidentally discovered Darcy's a girl, but he vowed to protect her... but can he still accomplish his mission? What is the mayor up to cozying up to the gang in secret? How long will Darcy's stint as sheriff last? Will she and her brother survive the ordeal?

There are quite a few twists, and the book managed to drag in Gil's estranged brothers who basically mounted an almost deus ex machina rescue near the end. But as adventure romance, it's mediocre due to averaging out.

Category: Historical Western

Primary Plot: Female dressed up as male was appointed sheriff by the sleazy mayor; who's the guy keeping an eye on her?

Overall Rating: 3/5

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