Wyndriver Sinner is the first in the WesternWind Series, and I can honestly say Charlotte Boyett-Compo has another winning series here. Set in post apocalyptic Earth, the Reapers have been sent as the executioners of rogue reapers as well as protectors of the fragile remaining human populace who are struggling to rebuild a devastated civilization roughly at the wild west stage of previous development.

Leaving town, after dispensing his latest assignment, Cynyr Cree hears a muffled scream and the sounds of physical violence, he investigates to find a woman being attacked. Even in the aftermath of the attack and subsequent death of her attacker the woman displays no overt fear of the Reaper himself, even though others turn and run from him. When Aingeal approaches his campsite later that night in search of food, dirty, weak and starving, Cynyr is amazed that she is not afraid of him and after learning of her traumatic and abusive past, vows to protect her from the Jakotai brave her ex husband had sold her too.

Aingeal's acceptance of Cynyr's Reaper nature and her refusal to allow him to see himself as anything other than the decent honourable man he is, melts Cynyr's heart and though he knows there are a multitude of reasons he should not claim Aingeal, he finds himself unable to resist claiming her as his mate, a lifetime proposition for a Reaper. With Aingeal's sweet nature comes a backbone of steal, and her tenderness tempers Cynyr's lonely existence and both find the soul mate neither thought to ever find.

Life and duty find them on the road to Cynyr's next assignment they follow in the wake of a devastating tornado. When Cynyr offers to help the devastated townsfolk, he is totally surprised by their acceptance and even affection the town displays after Aingeal becomes very ill. Cynyr has never before been in a position where people didn't either abuse him or fear him, and he is bemused by the tender feelings Aingeal seems to promote simply by being around, never realizing that it is not simply Aingeal's nature but his own decency that is promoting the changes.

Taking to the road once more to find and destroy another rogue, Aingeal is bitten by a poisonous snake, with her life ebbing swiftly Cynyr must make a decision that is against Council law, even more so than taking a mate without permission. Now, Cynyr must face the Council and pray they accept his reasoning.

I really don't know how she manages to do it, but every Charlotte Boyett-Compo title I read elevates itself to my favorites pile and Wyndriver Sinner is absolutely no different. Charlotte is a completely magical with her insights into the human psyche. She has the capacity to write a story with innate sensuality and deep and abiding love between intriguing characters in interesting circumstances and still maintain a strong, intense storyline with continuing characters and interlinking worlds.

Synopsis
In the year 3478 Reaper Cynyr Cree has been sent to the western territories by the High Council as their executioner in taking out rogues. He's hot, tired, dusty and not in the best of moods when he happens upon a young woman in the process of being attacked. Dispatching the assailant with a careless flick of his laser whip, Cynyr doesn't give the woman a second thought until she follows him to his camp in search of food and protection.

Sold by her ex-husband for a brace of horses, Aingeal has known the hardships of being the property of a Jakotai brave intent on keeping her at all costs and she has run away. Being rescued by an infamous Reaper seems the only way she can escape her captivity and she's willing to do what it takes to stay with Cree.

Taking lives comes easy to Cynyr. Living one is another matter. Always keeping his distance from others, he is stunned to realize he doesn't want to let Aingeal leave him.

When a man named Cynyr decides to make a woman named Aingeal his own, no man will ever take her from him.