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MacKenzie-Blackthorn #1
Reckless Love
Janna Wayland, the wild stallion Lucifer, and Ty MacKenzie, the stranger who had come for the stallion but stays to capture Janna's heart, join forces to escape from the steep mountains and canyons of the Utah Territory, where El Cascabel and his renegade warriors roam. Reissue.
Paperback
First published July 1, 1989
About the author
Elizabeth Lowell
213 books1,864 followersIndividually and with co-author/husband Evan, Ann Maxwell has written over 60 novels and one work of non-fiction. There are 30 million copies of these books in print, as well as reprints in 30 foreign languages. Her novels range from science fiction to historical fiction, from romance to mystery. After working in contemporary and historical romance, she became an innovator in the genre of romantic suspense.
In 1982, Ann began publishing as Elizabeth Lowell. Under that name she has received numerous professional awards in the romance field, including a Lifetime Achievement award from the Romance Writers of America (1994).
Since July of 1992, she has had over 30 novels on the New York Times bestseller list. In 1998 she began writing suspense with a passionate twist, capturing a new audience and generation of readers. Her new romance novel Perfect Touch will be available in July of 2015.
To get a full list of titles as well as read excerpts from her novels, visit www.elizabethlowell.com.
In 1982, Ann began publishing as Elizabeth Lowell. Under that name she has received numerous professional awards in the romance field, including a Lifetime Achievement award from the Romance Writers of America (1994).
Since July of 1992, she has had over 30 novels on the New York Times bestseller list. In 1998 she began writing suspense with a passionate twist, capturing a new audience and generation of readers. Her new romance novel Perfect Touch will be available in July of 2015.
To get a full list of titles as well as read excerpts from her novels, visit www.elizabethlowell.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
December 6, 2020
For the love of tears I shed, I feel like this book was written for me.
November 11, 2018
3.5 stars
This was a typical oldie with a gem of a heroine who was all things kick-ass but sadly lacked brain cells when it comes to the hero. I blame the five years the poor thing spent alone after her father died that made her feel attached to the first pretty little male thing thrown into her vicinity. She not only rescues the hero from certain death, nurses him, endangers her life for him and basically becomes a martyr for him. Our hero wants a pretty little lady-bird for himself but doesn't mind divesting the heroine of her virginity or insulting her about how she would never measure up. Just a few sweet little words at the end and our heroine falls into his arms again. I know I am being critical but I was able to enjoy the book nonetheless.
This was a typical oldie with a gem of a heroine who was all things kick-ass but sadly lacked brain cells when it comes to the hero. I blame the five years the poor thing spent alone after her father died that made her feel attached to the first pretty little male thing thrown into her vicinity. She not only rescues the hero from certain death, nurses him, endangers her life for him and basically becomes a martyr for him. Our hero wants a pretty little lady-bird for himself but doesn't mind divesting the heroine of her virginity or insulting her about how she would never measure up. Just a few sweet little words at the end and our heroine falls into his arms again. I know I am being critical but I was able to enjoy the book nonetheless.
April 11, 2021
Love grows between a girl and the wild horses she lives among in the Utah Territory in the years following the Civil War. Oh--she meets a guy too.
Some decent heat, an enjoyable Western (Utah Territory) setting, some angst that to me felt a little contrived--I enjoyed this about as much as I did the second book in this series (Fire and Rain)--which is to say it was entertaining enough but kind of forgettable. Lowell can write for sure (although she edges into purple territory--likely b/c of the conventions at the time)--her heat and the emotional intensity/angst of her books are good. (Her books remind me a lot of Linda Howard's books from the same time period--they covered a lot of the same ground.)
I upped this a star on a reread--EL was good at Western romance; the genre played to her strengths, particularly in her ability to really conjure the landscapes and difficulties of frontier and ranch life. It's a real shame that EL wasn't able to write more about the original MacKenzies and this was the only historical romance she wrote featuring them (she clearly had some sequels in mind, given how she introduced Ty's brothers). The rest in this (MacKenzie-Blackthorn) series deals with the current-day descendants of Case MacKenzie (Ty's brother), who unfortunately never gets a book of his own (some details about him in this book and Fire & Rain, the second book in this series, makes it pretty clear that Lowell, at the time, was at least thinking about a book for him--pity it never got written).
Overall, a pretty good one from EL that fans of Western historical romance would likely enjoy. I did.
Some decent heat, an enjoyable Western (Utah Territory) setting, some angst that to me felt a little contrived--I enjoyed this about as much as I did the second book in this series (Fire and Rain)--which is to say it was entertaining enough but kind of forgettable. Lowell can write for sure (although she edges into purple territory--likely b/c of the conventions at the time)--her heat and the emotional intensity/angst of her books are good. (Her books remind me a lot of Linda Howard's books from the same time period--they covered a lot of the same ground.)
I upped this a star on a reread--EL was good at Western romance; the genre played to her strengths, particularly in her ability to really conjure the landscapes and difficulties of frontier and ranch life. It's a real shame that EL wasn't able to write more about the original MacKenzies and this was the only historical romance she wrote featuring them (she clearly had some sequels in mind, given how she introduced Ty's brothers). The rest in this (MacKenzie-Blackthorn) series deals with the current-day descendants of Case MacKenzie (Ty's brother), who unfortunately never gets a book of his own (some details about him in this book and Fire & Rain, the second book in this series, makes it pretty clear that Lowell, at the time, was at least thinking about a book for him--pity it never got written).
Overall, a pretty good one from EL that fans of Western historical romance would likely enjoy. I did.
April 9, 2014
9/4 - Yep, cheesy as hell, 3.5. A girl (Jana) who dresses as a boy to avoid unwanted attention alone in the mountains, a guy (Ty) hunting a mythically strong (or something) mustang for his breeding capabilities (the horse is also being chased by random other men and a band of rebel Native Americans for the monetary value of his future foals) and one of the mustang's mares who despite being wild has been partially tamed by the girl (enough to allow riding).
Lowell seems to have a fixation with stories where the man thinks that any woman who isn't a perfect lady, must be a whore (not sure why any author would choose that particular trope to fixate on, but you know, each to their own I s'pose). I'm not a big fan of there being no in between for women, or if not at least the same theory should apply for the men (which would make this guy a total whore).
Even at the end he continued to make statements that no one in their right mind could miss as being derisive towards Jana. During their makeup scene he apologised for all the times he'd called her names and made her feel like a slut by saying things like that she was good enough for sex, but not a proper lady and therefore not good enough to be his wife (romantic, huh?) and that he hadn't been trying to deride her, but himself (that excuse would only work in a man's mind or a work of fiction). Of course, everything worked out in the end, but I'm not sure how happy their marriage will be. He still wants a lady who can skilfully manage servants and host lavish dinner parties, but Jana's been living on her own in the mountains for most of the formative years of her life. How's she going to turn from a breast-bound waif into a silk dress-wearing woman fast enough to please Ty?
Lowell seems to have a fixation with stories where the man thinks that any woman who isn't a perfect lady, must be a whore (not sure why any author would choose that particular trope to fixate on, but you know, each to their own I s'pose). I'm not a big fan of there being no in between for women, or if not at least the same theory should apply for the men (which would make this guy a total whore).
Even at the end he continued to make statements that no one in their right mind could miss as being derisive towards Jana. During their makeup scene he apologised for all the times he'd called her names and made her feel like a slut by saying things like that she was good enough for sex, but not a proper lady and therefore not good enough to be his wife (romantic, huh?) and that he hadn't been trying to deride her, but himself (that excuse would only work in a man's mind or a work of fiction). Of course, everything worked out in the end, but I'm not sure how happy their marriage will be. He still wants a lady who can skilfully manage servants and host lavish dinner parties, but Jana's been living on her own in the mountains for most of the formative years of her life. How's she going to turn from a breast-bound waif into a silk dress-wearing woman fast enough to please Ty?
March 27, 2011
Another book on CD from www.LAPL.org.
I think my biggest complaint about this book; aside from a strong dislike of the world "silken" now, is that the rest of the books in the series are not stories of the characters in this book. Oh, I suppose they'll end up being ancestors or something but what of Case? I felt myself drawn to the cowboy...of course, I was sure that was the point and the next book was his...
Well, I'll read them, if I must :-), and see what the "rest of the story" is...until then,
Wow! I really wanted to smack this hero. There's a disturbing trend in Elizabeth Lowell's books of letting a woman know her place if not while the man is still in her then soon after hear heartbeat has stopped racing. He kept hurting her with his words and had the gall to be "surprised" that he had done so. The old "that's not what I meant" and "I didn't mean it that way" just didn't fly for me especially going back and re-reading what he said. He was just scared as Hades that she was throwing a big as* wrench in his "silken lady" plans.
Pisses me off!!
This guy, Ty, is the stuff of legends. The fact that appears to us, on the first page of the book, naked just made my smile grow wider as I read. He was alpha male through and through, a playboy who came back from war seeking softness, silk, and a genteel lady with which to live his life.
What he got was a red-headed bombshell who came to his whipped, tortured, sorry butt disguised as a boy.
Well, you can pretty much guess the rest. Along the way, there is pain, love, triumph, and sex so darn sensual and raw and tender and hot and...whew, I need a shower!
Great book. Just what you would expect given the premise, but there are a few surprises thrown in there to keep it from being too "formulaic." Either that, or I was too hot and bothered to notice.
Where is my husband??? Happy reading. :-)
I think my biggest complaint about this book; aside from a strong dislike of the world "silken" now, is that the rest of the books in the series are not stories of the characters in this book. Oh, I suppose they'll end up being ancestors or something but what of Case? I felt myself drawn to the cowboy...of course, I was sure that was the point and the next book was his...
Well, I'll read them, if I must :-), and see what the "rest of the story" is...until then,
Wow! I really wanted to smack this hero. There's a disturbing trend in Elizabeth Lowell's books of letting a woman know her place if not while the man is still in her then soon after hear heartbeat has stopped racing. He kept hurting her with his words and had the gall to be "surprised" that he had done so. The old "that's not what I meant" and "I didn't mean it that way" just didn't fly for me especially going back and re-reading what he said. He was just scared as Hades that she was throwing a big as* wrench in his "silken lady" plans.
Pisses me off!!
This guy, Ty, is the stuff of legends. The fact that appears to us, on the first page of the book, naked just made my smile grow wider as I read. He was alpha male through and through, a playboy who came back from war seeking softness, silk, and a genteel lady with which to live his life.
What he got was a red-headed bombshell who came to his whipped, tortured, sorry butt disguised as a boy.
Well, you can pretty much guess the rest. Along the way, there is pain, love, triumph, and sex so darn sensual and raw and tender and hot and...whew, I need a shower!
Great book. Just what you would expect given the premise, but there are a few surprises thrown in there to keep it from being too "formulaic." Either that, or I was too hot and bothered to notice.
Where is my husband??? Happy reading. :-)
January 25, 2009
This book is a total cheese-fest.
It's kind of a catalog of romance novel tropes: the hero is rescued by a woman dressed as a boy, and so he says things he would never say to a woman and then gets creeped out when he thinks said boy is attractive; the attraction between Ty and Janna is so intense that they just can't keep their hands off each other, not even when they're being hunted down by both the US Army and Indian renegades, so they tend to do it out in the open where anyone could just walk along and shoot them both; there is SO MUCH ANGST because neither character ever feels it's appropriate to tell the other how s/he really feels; after spending the whole novel dressed as a boy, Janna puts on a dress in the last chapter, and of course, everyone thinks she is now the most beautiful woman who has ever lived; the ending is so deliriously happy that I put the book down and said, "Oh, yuck," out loud.
Still, it was fun enough that I stuck with it and read the whole book in two days, so make of that what you will.
It's kind of a catalog of romance novel tropes: the hero is rescued by a woman dressed as a boy, and so he says things he would never say to a woman and then gets creeped out when he thinks said boy is attractive; the attraction between Ty and Janna is so intense that they just can't keep their hands off each other, not even when they're being hunted down by both the US Army and Indian renegades, so they tend to do it out in the open where anyone could just walk along and shoot them both; there is SO MUCH ANGST because neither character ever feels it's appropriate to tell the other how s/he really feels; after spending the whole novel dressed as a boy, Janna puts on a dress in the last chapter, and of course, everyone thinks she is now the most beautiful woman who has ever lived; the ending is so deliriously happy that I put the book down and said, "Oh, yuck," out loud.
Still, it was fun enough that I stuck with it and read the whole book in two days, so make of that what you will.
January 2, 2019
A woman surving in the wilderness alone for 5 years rescues & heals a hunted man. Helps him fulfil part of his dream.
It's exciting, interesting exploring wilderness craft but the man is an ass. Always taking, belittling & ignoring her depth of skill. She's such a strong, capable, intelligent character I wanted her to dump him but her compassionate nature & promise wouldn't permit it.
This leaving me with cautious trepidation about their HEA.
It's exciting, interesting exploring wilderness craft but the man is an ass. Always taking, belittling & ignoring her depth of skill. She's such a strong, capable, intelligent character I wanted her to dump him but her compassionate nature & promise wouldn't permit it.
This leaving me with cautious trepidation about their HEA.
December 16, 2023
If you have a hankering for alpha a**holes hero, this book should be able to satisfy your craving. Very descriptive writing and an unpredictable plotlines. Overall, a fine read.
February 15, 2021
What is it about romances written years ago that has the unique ability of reeling you in until you are hooked, line, and sinker? That is what I experienced with my very first Elizabeth Lowell novel, i.e. Reckless Love. The debut book in the MacKenzie-Blackthorn series, Reckless Love tells the story of Tyrell MacKenzie and 19 year old Janna Wayland whose paths cross in the wild land of Utah Territory after the end of the Civil War.
Janna lives alone, in the company of mustangs, under the guise of being a male which serves her well. Tyrell in the meanwhile, is a man who comes from a previously wealthy family, who comes to Utah Territory looking for a wild stallion known as Lucifer, via which he aims to make his fortune. Tyrell dreams of marrying the silken lady of his dreams, and he is not to be waylaid by anyone or anything for that matter.
When Tyrell finds himself attacked and at the brink of imminent death, it is Janna who rescues him, nurses him back to health, and takes him to the one place that is her safe haven and home amidst the chaos that is life in the territory. Tyrell, believing Janna to be a lad, does not take it kindly when he realizes that he has been deceived all along, especially when it had given him cause to question his own sexuality at certain points through his recovery.
The desire that blazes between Janna and Tyrell is fierce and it burns hotter and brighter than Tyrell would have thought possible. Even as he gives in, Tyrell is determined not to lose sight of his dreams of finding his silken lady, and Janna, who has lived in the wilderness all her life understands that making Tyrell fall in love with her would be an impossibility. Determined to make the best of the time they have left, Janna does not ask for more, and is resigned to saying goodbye when their time is up.
However, fate decides otherwise, and Janna is forced to leave the one place that had been hers and become part of the world that is Tyrell’s, nursing a broken heart knowing that Tyrell would never ever be truly hers. It takes a lot for Tyrell to start seeing things differently, as he continues to lie to himself about his feelings for Janna that burns as bright as the sun.
I loved Reckless Love for many a reason. I was in need of a story with an alpha hero of the kind that is hard to find in the romance novels of today. Tyrell proved to be all that and more, making the pages comes alive with his mere presence alone. There is a way about him that makes all that is female in you yearn and yearn big, and that is what Tyrell was for me.
I loved Janna to bits – she was courageous and beautiful in a way that is indescribable. She may have lived her life up till then without the frills and whites to accentuate her beauty, but for me, the purity of her character and soul shone vividly from the onset. I love a strong heroine as much as I do an alpha hero and Janna was that for me in many ways. Ms. Lowell writes with the kind of prose that is reminiscent of earlier works of Sandra Brown and Linda Howard, perhaps one of the main reasons why I felt right at home amidst the magic she wove with Tyrell and Janna.
Recommended for fans of Ms. Lowell and fans of Western themed romances with an alpha hero who makes your heart go wild and heroines you absolutely root for.
Final Verdict: Reckless Love delivers an exquisite cocktail of romance, heat, and angst that is guaranteed to make your insides all warm and fuzzy!
Rating = 4/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
Janna lives alone, in the company of mustangs, under the guise of being a male which serves her well. Tyrell in the meanwhile, is a man who comes from a previously wealthy family, who comes to Utah Territory looking for a wild stallion known as Lucifer, via which he aims to make his fortune. Tyrell dreams of marrying the silken lady of his dreams, and he is not to be waylaid by anyone or anything for that matter.
When Tyrell finds himself attacked and at the brink of imminent death, it is Janna who rescues him, nurses him back to health, and takes him to the one place that is her safe haven and home amidst the chaos that is life in the territory. Tyrell, believing Janna to be a lad, does not take it kindly when he realizes that he has been deceived all along, especially when it had given him cause to question his own sexuality at certain points through his recovery.
The desire that blazes between Janna and Tyrell is fierce and it burns hotter and brighter than Tyrell would have thought possible. Even as he gives in, Tyrell is determined not to lose sight of his dreams of finding his silken lady, and Janna, who has lived in the wilderness all her life understands that making Tyrell fall in love with her would be an impossibility. Determined to make the best of the time they have left, Janna does not ask for more, and is resigned to saying goodbye when their time is up.
However, fate decides otherwise, and Janna is forced to leave the one place that had been hers and become part of the world that is Tyrell’s, nursing a broken heart knowing that Tyrell would never ever be truly hers. It takes a lot for Tyrell to start seeing things differently, as he continues to lie to himself about his feelings for Janna that burns as bright as the sun.
I loved Reckless Love for many a reason. I was in need of a story with an alpha hero of the kind that is hard to find in the romance novels of today. Tyrell proved to be all that and more, making the pages comes alive with his mere presence alone. There is a way about him that makes all that is female in you yearn and yearn big, and that is what Tyrell was for me.
I loved Janna to bits – she was courageous and beautiful in a way that is indescribable. She may have lived her life up till then without the frills and whites to accentuate her beauty, but for me, the purity of her character and soul shone vividly from the onset. I love a strong heroine as much as I do an alpha hero and Janna was that for me in many ways. Ms. Lowell writes with the kind of prose that is reminiscent of earlier works of Sandra Brown and Linda Howard, perhaps one of the main reasons why I felt right at home amidst the magic she wove with Tyrell and Janna.
Recommended for fans of Ms. Lowell and fans of Western themed romances with an alpha hero who makes your heart go wild and heroines you absolutely root for.
Final Verdict: Reckless Love delivers an exquisite cocktail of romance, heat, and angst that is guaranteed to make your insides all warm and fuzzy!
Rating = 4/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
October 12, 2023
***2.5 stars (rounded to 3, because horses play a significant role)***
I don't know how to characterise this romance because of its uneven writing style. At times, it is very enjoyable, full of energy and interesting themes but in the next moment, it loses momentum and starts dragging forever. The MCs are ok, and by that I mean, none of them is completely inane (the plague of HRs), although silliness is not altogether avoided and we do have the obligatory, and endless, 'he wants to shag me silly but he does not love me'. Some of the dialogues were fine while others were rather embarrassing, however, none of the above are the biggest problems this book has.
First, the whole middle section feels like a painful belly crawl under the weight of its repetitions. It felt like I was reading the same scene again and again (not to mention the trotting out of the same tedious reasoning about feelings) with a few elements changed here and there to generate the illusion of variation. Such wasting of precious space resulted in a rushed ending -developing at a very slow pace and then the story goes out in a flash. After many chapters full of adventures set out in the wild, all we get is a quick final chapter in Wyoming, where everything that needed to be settled is settled in two pages flat! It all feels as if the writer did not know what to do with this couple once she landed them on safe ground.
Another problem is that throughout the book the feeling that you're reading the first instalment in a series never leaves you. Four brothers and a sister Mackenzie are introduced, some horrific experiences and nightmares are alluded to, and it is clear we are dealing with a family ravaged by the Civil War, with each one of its members having a particularly heavy cross to bear. In the final chapter, the wife of the eldest MacKenzie makes an appearance and hints at the darkness surrounding her husband's (the eldest Mckenzie) life (possibly connected to his sister's destruction at the hands of white renegades?) while the ground is also prepared for the story of the youngest MacKenzie's story. Yet, those books (the book of Logan, the book of Case and the book of Cassie, the sister, the most damaged of the MacKenzies) were never written. Now, this wouldn't have been so bad had the failure to deliver the planned MacKenzie books not affected the form of this book. Everything in it is written in a style that anticipates the other books and such terrible writer's decision throws the whole book out of focus.
This brings me to another point: why is this marketed as the first book in a series when it is more than clear that all the other books have nothing to do with the rest of Ty Mackenzie's siblings? There's no chronological progression to the present day, just a salto mortale from Ty Mackenzie to some other present-day folks called Mackenzie.
On the plus side, the book has a good sense of place, wilderness and danger, and you'll learn a lot about storms, gullies, ravines, dales, plateaus and how to break a mustang. Those of you who love reading about horses as much as I do will be happy to know that the divine creatures play a prominent role in the story (and I, for one, would have loved a chapter on Lucifer and Zebra's life in Wyoming).
I don't know how to characterise this romance because of its uneven writing style. At times, it is very enjoyable, full of energy and interesting themes but in the next moment, it loses momentum and starts dragging forever. The MCs are ok, and by that I mean, none of them is completely inane (the plague of HRs), although silliness is not altogether avoided and we do have the obligatory, and endless, 'he wants to shag me silly but he does not love me'. Some of the dialogues were fine while others were rather embarrassing, however, none of the above are the biggest problems this book has.
First, the whole middle section feels like a painful belly crawl under the weight of its repetitions. It felt like I was reading the same scene again and again (not to mention the trotting out of the same tedious reasoning about feelings) with a few elements changed here and there to generate the illusion of variation. Such wasting of precious space resulted in a rushed ending -developing at a very slow pace and then the story goes out in a flash. After many chapters full of adventures set out in the wild, all we get is a quick final chapter in Wyoming, where everything that needed to be settled is settled in two pages flat! It all feels as if the writer did not know what to do with this couple once she landed them on safe ground.
Another problem is that throughout the book the feeling that you're reading the first instalment in a series never leaves you. Four brothers and a sister Mackenzie are introduced, some horrific experiences and nightmares are alluded to, and it is clear we are dealing with a family ravaged by the Civil War, with each one of its members having a particularly heavy cross to bear. In the final chapter, the wife of the eldest MacKenzie makes an appearance and hints at the darkness surrounding her husband's (the eldest Mckenzie) life (possibly connected to his sister's destruction at the hands of white renegades?) while the ground is also prepared for the story of the youngest MacKenzie's story. Yet, those books (the book of Logan, the book of Case and the book of Cassie, the sister, the most damaged of the MacKenzies) were never written. Now, this wouldn't have been so bad had the failure to deliver the planned MacKenzie books not affected the form of this book. Everything in it is written in a style that anticipates the other books and such terrible writer's decision throws the whole book out of focus.
This brings me to another point: why is this marketed as the first book in a series when it is more than clear that all the other books have nothing to do with the rest of Ty Mackenzie's siblings? There's no chronological progression to the present day, just a salto mortale from Ty Mackenzie to some other present-day folks called Mackenzie.
On the plus side, the book has a good sense of place, wilderness and danger, and you'll learn a lot about storms, gullies, ravines, dales, plateaus and how to break a mustang. Those of you who love reading about horses as much as I do will be happy to know that the divine creatures play a prominent role in the story (and I, for one, would have loved a chapter on Lucifer and Zebra's life in Wyoming).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2023
Love her older books...
January 24, 2015
I was immediately interested in the story, a girl who spent her time alone out in the desert and who knew how to take care of herself and hide from Indians, covering her tracks. And the man that was able to run the gauntlet and remain standing and strong, and able to escape. I was interested in him and his story.
Janna instantly starts liking him, being affected as she takes care of him and noticing his size and everything, and when he comes awake it only gets worse. That's what I really didn't like about her, she gets attached way too soon and Ty doesn't know she's a woman, thinks she's a boy, and all these feelings start coming up that really got on my nerves.
I really didn't like how much Ty talked about sex, it got extremely old the way he kept hinting at her that you're not a man until you have sex. Sex isn't everything, you big idiot. And that's not very attractive the way he's bragging that the ladies like him and he had better luck with ladies than his brothers did. He said he hadn't been this hungry since he was 14 and he needed a woman. I was so sick of all the sex talk. It's just not classy and I want a story, not constant lust and attraction.
It was amusing when Janna (and I would have preferred her name to be Jenna cuz that's easier to pronounce) set about making Ty want her before he realized she was a woman. She would get close to him to make him uncomfortable because he thought she was a boy. I liked her smart, witty remarks and her strength. She got sick of him thinking she was a boy, and I thought that showed some fire for her. I liked that she had the gumption to do it and was thinking I might like her character after all. If only I knew how wrong I was going to be.
When Mad Jack came and called her by her real name Ty realizes she's a girl, but instead of feeling embarrassed and apologetic for the trouble he gave her about being scrawny, the insults just keep coming and he's actually angry. Not really the most appropriate reaction to have when you've been doing all the name calling. He says she looked prettier as a boy than a girl, and that she's no lady and she doesn't have curves and he wouldn't have mistaken her for a lady is she walked naked in front of him. What a jerk. And the whole "women come to me like moths to a naked flame, I don't even pursue them," thing is really conceited and it's unlikable and unattractive. He doesn't act like a man at all, but some teenager who's bragging to his buddies. It's really getting on my nerves. He should've been apologizing to her, not insulting her about her figure that she can't help. She can't help it she isn't curvy you blockhead. I couldn't believe the strong, interesting man who survived the gauntlet turned out to be this sex-starved, lewd, bragging, conceited, cruel jerk.
Janna sets her mind to making him want he and then laughing in his face and walking away. A fine plan but words is all it is. I knew she wouldn't end up going through with it, he would get away with it and that's exactly what happened. She touches him, pretends to fall and catch herself on him, and things like that that are so obvious. At one point she's bracing her hand on his inner thigh while she draws something in the dirt, and then her ribs are on his legs... yeah, u definitely don't have to do that to brace yourself, especially holding into his inner thigh. It was so obvious what she was doing.
While they're tracking Lucifer, the wild stallion, a snake is on her leg and she's petrified. Afterward they kiss and it's so dumb and sickeningly sweet the way they talked, the kind that makes you want to skip right over what they're saying because it's so stupid and uncomfortable to read and no one really talks like that. Janna had her hands in his hair but he pulls them out and says don't. The sensitive little Janna says "I thought you wanted--" Her voice broke. She didn't try to speak again, the loss of his warmth was devastating to her."
Oh boy, lay that on a little heavier. But this is where it gets worse:
"Hell, yes, I want you!" Ty whispered fiercely, looming over Janna. "I want your hands all over me. I want to take off your clothes and put my hands all over you, and then I want to open your legs and slide into that soft body of yours and feel you take every bit of me. I want it so much I couldn't stand up straight right now to save my soul."
The look of stunned disbelief on Janna's face made Ty want to laugh and swear at the same time.
"Can't you feel me shaking?" he demanded, barely remembering to keep his voice low. "Do you think it's because of that fool snake? Hell, I've eaten bigger snakes than that and looked around for seconds. It's you that's making me shake. You've been driving me crazy since I first came to after hiding from Cascabel and saw your beautiful gray eyes watching me."
"You th-thought I was a boy," Janna accused in a low voice.
"I thought you were too damned sexy, girl or boy, because my britches had a better grip on the truth than my eyes did. My eyes kept telling me that you were a boy and I was some kind of crazy to get all hot and bothered when you touched me. My britches kept telling me that you were as female as they come and I was some kind of moron not to peel off your clothes and get better acquainted."
Wow. That makes me so uncomfortable to read that. He's eaten bigger snakes and looked around for seconds. Wow, just wow. And he was literally coming off gay because of the attraction for what he thought was a boy. Creepy. He was coming to terms with his attraction to a young boy, so saying his britches knew she was a girl doesn't make it any better. It's telling me he's so obsessed with sex he'll even want it from a young boy. I'd say something went wrong here if I'm feeling that way.
Ty catches her lower lip between his teeth, and she goes still and trembles. He apologizes and says he didn't mean to frighten her. She quickly says you didn't, "I don't know what's wrong. It just felt so good it made something burst inside me and I went all shivery. I'm sorry."
God save me from stupid characters. Enter dumb virgin, next taking center stage will be smug, man-whore teacher showing her the ropes.
Why the freak are you apologizing? Gone is the strong survivor in the wild, replaced by this hesitant, questioning, clueless, ignorant virgin.
Ty said they need to take things slow, and he needs a minute to catch his breath. Janna, who suddenly turned into such a moron, asks if she can talk while he breathes. Why don't you ask him if you can breath? You moron.
She asks if he'll hurt her, and he says he'll go slow if it kills him. And earlier he said he would cut off his fingers rather than hurt her. "Will going slow spoil it for you?" Janna whispered. "I don't want to make it bad for you. I want to please you, Ty. I want that so much I ache."
"Going slow won't spoil it. In fact, it can make it so good you feel like dying."
"It can?"
... "It can," Ty said. "At least, that's what I'm told. I've never known that kind of pleasure myself."
Really. After spending this whole time bragging like a classless teenage boy you suddenly admit you've never known pleasure like that. What, the countless women that have thrown themselves at you didn't do it for you? How I pity him. And Janna is too stupid to live. I couldn't even stand her.
I don't know how many times the color of their eyes were pointed out. She has gray eyes, he has green. I get it. But no, over and over the colors were brought up like we had to be constantly reminded or else we'd forget it. On pg. 172 it was said that she opened her gray eyes. Yeah, cuz she wouldn't open her blue eyes. I mean come on already. I hate repetition.
I really hated Janna when she has sex with him like she said she wouldn't. She can't resist him, all thoughts of teasing him and walking away are over. She gives in to this absolute jerk, giving him exactly what he wants but doesn't deserve. He said so many mean things to her, and when she finally gets hurt and mad and tells him how she feels he says he didn't say it to get onto her, but to himself. He's upset with himself because it was his fault. Ok, that doesn't explain why he said she didn't seduce him. He only wanted a woman, and now she's ruined because she has nothing to offer a husband, no family, money or profession. She isn't sophisticated enough to be a lady and not educated enough to be a mistress, not good enough to be anything but a toy of many men and not one. He was just woman hungry, and wasn't seduced by her.
Then he got on this kick where he kept calling her satin butterfly. Ok, it wasn't that good the first time. Repeating it again and again just made it worse. And he kept calling Lucifer "son." If he said these words once he said them a hundred times. What is up with things being overused?
"Janna didn't answer, for the hunger and passionate intimacy of Ty's caresses had taken from her the ability to think, to form word, to speak. Her breathing disintegrated into ragged gasps as she felt her body begin a slow, sensual unraveling that had no end, no beginning, just a timeless, ravishing moment in which pleasure burst and grew and burst again, incandescent sensations rippling through her body until she moaned and moved helplessly, totally captive to the man and the ultimate instant of pleasure.
And still the moment and the unraveling and the sweet ravishment continued. Ty's name burst from Janna's lips in a cry of protest and pleasure, for she hadn't known that ecstasy was the mythic phoenix, rising newborn from the steamy ashes of sensual competition. She rose with the phoenix, spiraling higher and higher until she screamed at the violent currents of pleasure searing through her, burning the flesh and her mind, leaving her soul as naked as her body.
And then he touched her, so perfectly, so gently, so hotly that she wept his name and died."
She didn't really die; that's just a melodramatic tone, as most of this is written in. Ty manages to ignore the violent demands to his own hunger, bringing her to this phoenix rising thing alone, making just the ultimate sacrifice that a man could make for a woman, and says you aren't a whore, Janna Wayland. Well thank you, Tyrell, for those kind words. I barely think he's capable of saying anything nice. And he's made her out to be worse than a whore, you scumbag. He said she wasn't fit to be a whore basically, so saying she isn't a whore really isn't doing much for me. He accused her of not even being a woman.
"He wanted her in the same way, wanted her until he felt as if his guts were being drawn through the eye of a red-hot needle."
I'm not making this up. It's just so dramatic and layered on so thick flies would get stuck in this gunk. And of course you want her you sex-crazed beast. You said the whole time you were woman-hungry so his liking her doesn't even mean anything to me!
"She loved Ty so much it felt as though she were being pulled apart by claws of ice and fire and night."
Pile on the desperation, the neediness, clinginess and dramatics.
Janna instantly starts liking him, being affected as she takes care of him and noticing his size and everything, and when he comes awake it only gets worse. That's what I really didn't like about her, she gets attached way too soon and Ty doesn't know she's a woman, thinks she's a boy, and all these feelings start coming up that really got on my nerves.
I really didn't like how much Ty talked about sex, it got extremely old the way he kept hinting at her that you're not a man until you have sex. Sex isn't everything, you big idiot. And that's not very attractive the way he's bragging that the ladies like him and he had better luck with ladies than his brothers did. He said he hadn't been this hungry since he was 14 and he needed a woman. I was so sick of all the sex talk. It's just not classy and I want a story, not constant lust and attraction.
It was amusing when Janna (and I would have preferred her name to be Jenna cuz that's easier to pronounce) set about making Ty want her before he realized she was a woman. She would get close to him to make him uncomfortable because he thought she was a boy. I liked her smart, witty remarks and her strength. She got sick of him thinking she was a boy, and I thought that showed some fire for her. I liked that she had the gumption to do it and was thinking I might like her character after all. If only I knew how wrong I was going to be.
When Mad Jack came and called her by her real name Ty realizes she's a girl, but instead of feeling embarrassed and apologetic for the trouble he gave her about being scrawny, the insults just keep coming and he's actually angry. Not really the most appropriate reaction to have when you've been doing all the name calling. He says she looked prettier as a boy than a girl, and that she's no lady and she doesn't have curves and he wouldn't have mistaken her for a lady is she walked naked in front of him. What a jerk. And the whole "women come to me like moths to a naked flame, I don't even pursue them," thing is really conceited and it's unlikable and unattractive. He doesn't act like a man at all, but some teenager who's bragging to his buddies. It's really getting on my nerves. He should've been apologizing to her, not insulting her about her figure that she can't help. She can't help it she isn't curvy you blockhead. I couldn't believe the strong, interesting man who survived the gauntlet turned out to be this sex-starved, lewd, bragging, conceited, cruel jerk.
Janna sets her mind to making him want he and then laughing in his face and walking away. A fine plan but words is all it is. I knew she wouldn't end up going through with it, he would get away with it and that's exactly what happened. She touches him, pretends to fall and catch herself on him, and things like that that are so obvious. At one point she's bracing her hand on his inner thigh while she draws something in the dirt, and then her ribs are on his legs... yeah, u definitely don't have to do that to brace yourself, especially holding into his inner thigh. It was so obvious what she was doing.
While they're tracking Lucifer, the wild stallion, a snake is on her leg and she's petrified. Afterward they kiss and it's so dumb and sickeningly sweet the way they talked, the kind that makes you want to skip right over what they're saying because it's so stupid and uncomfortable to read and no one really talks like that. Janna had her hands in his hair but he pulls them out and says don't. The sensitive little Janna says "I thought you wanted--" Her voice broke. She didn't try to speak again, the loss of his warmth was devastating to her."
Oh boy, lay that on a little heavier. But this is where it gets worse:
"Hell, yes, I want you!" Ty whispered fiercely, looming over Janna. "I want your hands all over me. I want to take off your clothes and put my hands all over you, and then I want to open your legs and slide into that soft body of yours and feel you take every bit of me. I want it so much I couldn't stand up straight right now to save my soul."
The look of stunned disbelief on Janna's face made Ty want to laugh and swear at the same time.
"Can't you feel me shaking?" he demanded, barely remembering to keep his voice low. "Do you think it's because of that fool snake? Hell, I've eaten bigger snakes than that and looked around for seconds. It's you that's making me shake. You've been driving me crazy since I first came to after hiding from Cascabel and saw your beautiful gray eyes watching me."
"You th-thought I was a boy," Janna accused in a low voice.
"I thought you were too damned sexy, girl or boy, because my britches had a better grip on the truth than my eyes did. My eyes kept telling me that you were a boy and I was some kind of crazy to get all hot and bothered when you touched me. My britches kept telling me that you were as female as they come and I was some kind of moron not to peel off your clothes and get better acquainted."
Wow. That makes me so uncomfortable to read that. He's eaten bigger snakes and looked around for seconds. Wow, just wow. And he was literally coming off gay because of the attraction for what he thought was a boy. Creepy. He was coming to terms with his attraction to a young boy, so saying his britches knew she was a girl doesn't make it any better. It's telling me he's so obsessed with sex he'll even want it from a young boy. I'd say something went wrong here if I'm feeling that way.
Ty catches her lower lip between his teeth, and she goes still and trembles. He apologizes and says he didn't mean to frighten her. She quickly says you didn't, "I don't know what's wrong. It just felt so good it made something burst inside me and I went all shivery. I'm sorry."
God save me from stupid characters. Enter dumb virgin, next taking center stage will be smug, man-whore teacher showing her the ropes.
Why the freak are you apologizing? Gone is the strong survivor in the wild, replaced by this hesitant, questioning, clueless, ignorant virgin.
Ty said they need to take things slow, and he needs a minute to catch his breath. Janna, who suddenly turned into such a moron, asks if she can talk while he breathes. Why don't you ask him if you can breath? You moron.
She asks if he'll hurt her, and he says he'll go slow if it kills him. And earlier he said he would cut off his fingers rather than hurt her. "Will going slow spoil it for you?" Janna whispered. "I don't want to make it bad for you. I want to please you, Ty. I want that so much I ache."
"Going slow won't spoil it. In fact, it can make it so good you feel like dying."
"It can?"
... "It can," Ty said. "At least, that's what I'm told. I've never known that kind of pleasure myself."
Really. After spending this whole time bragging like a classless teenage boy you suddenly admit you've never known pleasure like that. What, the countless women that have thrown themselves at you didn't do it for you? How I pity him. And Janna is too stupid to live. I couldn't even stand her.
I don't know how many times the color of their eyes were pointed out. She has gray eyes, he has green. I get it. But no, over and over the colors were brought up like we had to be constantly reminded or else we'd forget it. On pg. 172 it was said that she opened her gray eyes. Yeah, cuz she wouldn't open her blue eyes. I mean come on already. I hate repetition.
I really hated Janna when she has sex with him like she said she wouldn't. She can't resist him, all thoughts of teasing him and walking away are over. She gives in to this absolute jerk, giving him exactly what he wants but doesn't deserve. He said so many mean things to her, and when she finally gets hurt and mad and tells him how she feels he says he didn't say it to get onto her, but to himself. He's upset with himself because it was his fault. Ok, that doesn't explain why he said she didn't seduce him. He only wanted a woman, and now she's ruined because she has nothing to offer a husband, no family, money or profession. She isn't sophisticated enough to be a lady and not educated enough to be a mistress, not good enough to be anything but a toy of many men and not one. He was just woman hungry, and wasn't seduced by her.
Then he got on this kick where he kept calling her satin butterfly. Ok, it wasn't that good the first time. Repeating it again and again just made it worse. And he kept calling Lucifer "son." If he said these words once he said them a hundred times. What is up with things being overused?
"Janna didn't answer, for the hunger and passionate intimacy of Ty's caresses had taken from her the ability to think, to form word, to speak. Her breathing disintegrated into ragged gasps as she felt her body begin a slow, sensual unraveling that had no end, no beginning, just a timeless, ravishing moment in which pleasure burst and grew and burst again, incandescent sensations rippling through her body until she moaned and moved helplessly, totally captive to the man and the ultimate instant of pleasure.
And still the moment and the unraveling and the sweet ravishment continued. Ty's name burst from Janna's lips in a cry of protest and pleasure, for she hadn't known that ecstasy was the mythic phoenix, rising newborn from the steamy ashes of sensual competition. She rose with the phoenix, spiraling higher and higher until she screamed at the violent currents of pleasure searing through her, burning the flesh and her mind, leaving her soul as naked as her body.
And then he touched her, so perfectly, so gently, so hotly that she wept his name and died."
She didn't really die; that's just a melodramatic tone, as most of this is written in. Ty manages to ignore the violent demands to his own hunger, bringing her to this phoenix rising thing alone, making just the ultimate sacrifice that a man could make for a woman, and says you aren't a whore, Janna Wayland. Well thank you, Tyrell, for those kind words. I barely think he's capable of saying anything nice. And he's made her out to be worse than a whore, you scumbag. He said she wasn't fit to be a whore basically, so saying she isn't a whore really isn't doing much for me. He accused her of not even being a woman.
"He wanted her in the same way, wanted her until he felt as if his guts were being drawn through the eye of a red-hot needle."
I'm not making this up. It's just so dramatic and layered on so thick flies would get stuck in this gunk. And of course you want her you sex-crazed beast. You said the whole time you were woman-hungry so his liking her doesn't even mean anything to me!
"She loved Ty so much it felt as though she were being pulled apart by claws of ice and fire and night."
Pile on the desperation, the neediness, clinginess and dramatics.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2020
Intense and action packed book ... Interesting characters esp. the equine ones ... Loved Lucifer and Zebra ... H and h were ok too ... Lol
She saves his life and he's grateful for that but is cruel at times because he is an idiot and she is a doormat at times ... But the time when she's had enough she tells him off ... So he resolves to change his ways ... But she continues being an internal doormat ... Nevertheless the love is there and believable ... Maybe because they struggled so much together ... I just felt the ending was rushed ...
She saves his life and he's grateful for that but is cruel at times because he is an idiot and she is a doormat at times ... But the time when she's had enough she tells him off ... So he resolves to change his ways ... But she continues being an internal doormat ... Nevertheless the love is there and believable ... Maybe because they struggled so much together ... I just felt the ending was rushed ...
August 17, 2024
I can't remember when I first read this book, but while I was cleaning out my bookshelves, I decided to re-read all 4 in the MacKenzie-Blackthorn series, and then this pre-quell to that series. I'd call these books guilty pleasure reading. Lots to like, lots to dislike, all carried along by interesting plot and great descriptions of the area.
October 23, 2022
I am kind of perturbed. Are we supposed to like this sort of MMCs? I can understand alpha behavior but this isn't that! He's been borderline abusive to her emotionally. The ending is all about getting his just desserts but what about the journey getting there?! Uh, and silken lady, satin butterfly?! I'd be happy if I never hear THAT ever again!
The three stars is for the setting and the mustangs.
The three stars is for the setting and the mustangs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2019
One of my favorites! I have read this book many times and enjoy it anew each time.
December 19, 2022
Finally! A book I enjoyed 😊
June 13, 2017
ebook
A-/B+
This is not a review--I'm just putting down my thoughts for my own future reference. Spoilers guaranteed.
This book is an old comfort read for me, so I turned to it (again) this weekend when I was having trouble settling on anything else.
The MacKenzie brothers have settled in the West to rebuild their fortunes after losing everything in the Civil War. One of the brothers, Ty, sets out to capture Lucifer, a famous wild stallion, in order to put him to stud. At the very point of capturing him, tho, renegade Indians shoot his horse out from under him and take him prisoner. The renegades, led by the fierce and cruel Cascabel, toy with Ty before killing him. He is stripped, beaten, and made to run the gauntlet. Ty makes it thru the gauntlet and, severely injured, keeps running. The Indians let him go, figuring there's no outlet and they can run him down later.
Luckily for Ty, he takes a less-obvious route before he collapses. Doubly lucky since he has been watched by Janna, a white girl who lives in the canyons, and she aids him by hiding him and tending to his wounds until he wakens. Janna sees naked Ty and thinks he's fine, Ty sees Janna and thinks she's a boy (and she doesn't disabuse him).
With the help of Zebra, a wild mustang mare who has befriended her, Janna gets the injured Ty to her plateau hideaway and nurses him back to health. Eventually, an old prospector named Mad Jack makes an appearance and spills the beans about Janna's true identity. Ty gets into a snit and storms off. While he's gone, Jack warns Janna about men who are woman-hungry and then slips away before Ty returns.
When Ty gets back from bathing in the hot springs, he decides to head into one of the nearby towns. With assistance from Janna and Zebra, Ty gets to the outskirts of the town, and strips off his makeshift blanket/clothing (because he doesn't want anyone to know he had help escaping Cascabel) and strolls in naked. Turns out the town has been abandoned because of the growing danger from the renegades. The only people left are Ned (from the saloon) and his boy helper. Ned tells him Blue Wolf, and Indian who is friends with the MacKenzies, had come looking for him and left money in the care of the owner of the general store, who is now at the fort, in the event he needed anything (being sure he's escape Cascabel). He also mentions Janna, whom the Indians think is a witch/bruja wanting to know if Ty has run into her. He also implies that she was raped by a ne'er-do-well named Joe Troon when he captured her briefly. Troon is also after Lucifer, and plans to either crease (shoot him so it leaves a long mark on his hide so he bleeds and weakens) in order to capture him or else shoot him outright so he can round up his colts unimpeded. Ty picks up supplies from the store and heads back to the waiting Janna.
On the way back, Ty and Janna have sex. Ty has some misgivings because of Janna's age/situation, but he just can't help himself. I guess it's also OK since he thinks she's not a virgin so he won't owe her anything afterwards. Janna is so in lurve that she agrees. In the middle of the (rather long, Lowell-type) act, Ty realizes that Janna is, in fact, a virgin and reacts angrily. But, of course, he can't stop and is even more angry afterwards. Janna lied to him (she didn't). She trapped him (she didn't). He sulks. He tells her he'll marry her (even tho he doesn't want to) and take her back to Wyoming. She doesn't want to leave the plateau or marry him under the circumstances.
Still on the way back, they hear a gunshot, which they later discover was Joe Troon creasing Lucifer. Janna tracks Lucifer down. He's weak and has fallen into a gully so Janna holds him down and covers his face with her shirt to keep him quiet. In the meantime, the renegades come to investigate the gunshot, eventually find Troon, and torture/kill him. Ty catches up with Janna and, since she's shirtless, uses the opportunity to feel her up. Because he can't help himself. Of course, he's still mad at her and continues to say vile and cruel things to her.
After an arduous trek while avoiding renegades, they get Lucifer and Zebra to the plateau hideout. Once there, he makes a move towards Janna and she tells him she doesn't want to be his whore. He's horrified. However could she possibly think that (maybe because of all the stuff you said)? Relations are chilly while Lucifer heals and Ty works with him.
Mad Jack returns and asks Janna if she's pregnant. She says no, and he's disappointed. He had hoped Janna and Ty were a couple now because he wants him to protect her while she does him a favor--see that half his gold gets to the family he walked out on years before. The other half she and Ty can keep for themselves. While they're thinking about it, Jack disappears from the plateau--seems he has a secret way in and out--leaving behind 2 huge sacks of gold. He had also reiterated to Janna that she needs to leave the plateau because Cascabel is after her. He wasn't serious before, but now is determined to take her scalp into battle.
Ty knows that he'll need to train Lucifer to carry him--Zebra isn't able to carry Janna, Ty, and the gold on her own--so he begins working with him. Sexytimes resume. Lucifer is finally trained when the renegades find the main entrance to the plateau. While Ty holds them off, Janna finds the back entrance that Jack used, but it's a very dangerous cliff path. With no choice, they make a run for it. They were going to leave the gold and horses because of the bad path, but they end up following. On the way down, they see Army soldiers heading their way, with Cascabel's band waiting in ambush. They ride towards the soldiers to head them off, taking them very near the renegades. They make a mad dash towards the Amy column with Cascabel hot on their tail when Zebra stumbles and pitches Janna off. Zebra hobbles off and Ty returns for Janna. He knows Lucifer will struggle with the Janna's added weight so he cuts loose the bags of gold. While he's rescuing her, Ty's 3 brothers and Blue Wolf, who were with the soldiers, ride to the rescue, dispersing the charging renegades. During the brief meeting between the brothers, who all quickly realize what the situation is between Ty and Janna, brother Case asks Ty if Janna's pregnant. When he says he might be, Case says he'll take J home to keep her safe while the others go about their business of retrieving the gold, etc.
So, Case takes Janna to Logan's house where she is fussed over by Logan's wife, Silver, and sister, Cassie. After one escape attempt, Janna agrees not to try again when Case threatens to tie her up 'til Ty returns. Silver is a very refined lady, who apparently is related to various English aristocrats/upper crust types who happen to be visiting Wyoming. Cassie is also very refined, but she was captured and raped by some men during the war. Logan hunted them down, and is apparently still consumed with rage over what happened. Blue Wolf is apparently sweet on Cassie and very protective of her. Case was also changed by his wartime experiences and turned into a quiet, cold man. Not much is said about the final brother, Duncan, except that he served alongside Case but was not as affected by his experiences.
Several weeks by while Janna is at Logan's home. Case tells her Cassie told him Janna is not pregnant so he promises to help her leave if she wants. Silver throws a big Thanksgiving* party that has been planned in advance. Lots of fancy guests. Silver lends Janna a beautiful dress and jewels for the event. She looks beautiful. When she's dancing with one of the men, Logan, Ty, and the rest return. Ty cuts in to dance with Janna, but, of course, says some hurtful things. Case intercedes and tells him to stop ruining the party and get cleaned up. Logan, Duncan, and Blue Wolf also come after him so he leaves. Janna also leaves, returns to her room, and begins to undress. Ty comes in and helps her. Apologizes for his behavior, says he was jealous, that he wants her. Janna says she won't marry without love. He says he loves her. Sexytimes. The end.
So, Ty does have redeeming qualities but he's a major ass to Janna throughout the book. He basically blames her for everything. He can't control his dick? It's all Janna's fault. I'm probably being generous if I give him a C- grade. I often mentally rewrite passages in books to suit me better, and, for this book, I have Janna leaving Wyoming until Ty shapes up and comes grovelling after her. That said, he's not the worst Lowell "hero" by far.
Other things that bother me are the repeated references to Ty's silken lady--the refined bride he wants to bring back from Europe as a symbol of his success. He may not think Janna is a silken lady--in fact, he makes repeated disparaging comments about her--but he calls her his satin butterfly. Over and over and over again. Enough, already!
What does bring the grade up is that I absolutely love reading about Janna and her life on the plateau. Lowell really makes the Utah Territory setting come alive and I never tire of reading about it. I also like all the bits with the horses. I know almost nothing about horses, so I don't know how realistic/true it all is, but it sounds good to me. I think this is probably my favorite Lowell book as a result, so, despite Ty's shortcomings, it's an A-/B+ book, and I'm sure I'll do repeated rereads in the future.
Another thing that bothers me is that, back in the day, when I first read this, I always expected followup books. I wanted the stories about the other MacKenzie brothers and Blue Wolf. Did Blue Wolf and Cassie get together? What about Duncan. Did Logan mellow? Were Ty and Janna happy, and was Ty's horse ranch a success? We don't really know. There some later contemporary books about the descendants (which I didn't care for) where we learned a bit about Case. But that's it. I really felt let down.
*The Thanksgiving thing. I've always been too lazy to look this up but I thought Thanksgiving was a Yankee invention during the Civil War, so it seems a bit odd that transplanted Southerners would be celebrating it at this time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2015
Classic Elizabeth Lowell Historical
THE STORY: Ty MacKenzie survived the Civil War with a dream to find a soft sweet woman to create a new family after the death and destruction of the war. As part of that dream, Ty comes to Utah to capture a dream horse to serve as the basis of his new ranch. While stalking this horse, Ty is captured by a band of renegades and is almost killed. He escapes seriously injured and is cared for by Janna Wayland. Janna has been living on her own on the land in Utah since her father died several years before. She risks her life to save this stranger and nurse him back to health. Janna falls for Ty, but she knows that she is not the dream woman that Ty wants.
OPINION: I am a longtime fan of Elizabeth Lowell's older books. Although sometimes dated by the depictions of the relationship between Ty and Janna, I really enjoyed the intensely emotional book. This book is sexy in more of an intellectual manner than a physical depiction of sex model. Rather than focusing on body parts, this book is about how these two people desire one another at the level of thought and emotion. That doesn't mean there is no sex in this book -- there is. It is just that the book is lyrical and descriptive of the emotions of these characters. There is an interesting story here, but some readers might not be attracted to this very internal story structure. The characters reflect the 1980s when this book was written. Ty is the strong alpha type who is often a jerk to the heroine. Janna is young and a virgin despite her years living on her own in the Utah wilderness. I especially like how these typical characters show some depth that sets them apart from stereotypes. Ty is a jerk, but when Janna confronts him about his behavior, he immediately is remorseful. Janna is strong and independent despite her innocence. She is stubborn and doesn't shrink before Ty.
WORTH MENTIONING: I always feel disappointment in this story because some incredibly stories of Ty's siblings are teased in this book and yet there was never a historical sequel to this book. Some information comes out in the contemporary books in the series, but I have always wished that Lowell had written the connecting historical books.
FINAL DECISION: I really love this historical romance. Yes, Ty is somewhat of a jerk at times and definitely fits into the alpha hero mold of the 1980s when this book was written, but he also has a deeply emotional side. Janna is incredibly independent and a strong woman who has lived on her own for years. Their romance is deeply emotional.
CONNECTED BOOKS: RECKLESS LOVE is the historical prequel to the MacKenzie-Blackthorn contemporary series.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4.25 stars.
THE STORY: Ty MacKenzie survived the Civil War with a dream to find a soft sweet woman to create a new family after the death and destruction of the war. As part of that dream, Ty comes to Utah to capture a dream horse to serve as the basis of his new ranch. While stalking this horse, Ty is captured by a band of renegades and is almost killed. He escapes seriously injured and is cared for by Janna Wayland. Janna has been living on her own on the land in Utah since her father died several years before. She risks her life to save this stranger and nurse him back to health. Janna falls for Ty, but she knows that she is not the dream woman that Ty wants.
OPINION: I am a longtime fan of Elizabeth Lowell's older books. Although sometimes dated by the depictions of the relationship between Ty and Janna, I really enjoyed the intensely emotional book. This book is sexy in more of an intellectual manner than a physical depiction of sex model. Rather than focusing on body parts, this book is about how these two people desire one another at the level of thought and emotion. That doesn't mean there is no sex in this book -- there is. It is just that the book is lyrical and descriptive of the emotions of these characters. There is an interesting story here, but some readers might not be attracted to this very internal story structure. The characters reflect the 1980s when this book was written. Ty is the strong alpha type who is often a jerk to the heroine. Janna is young and a virgin despite her years living on her own in the Utah wilderness. I especially like how these typical characters show some depth that sets them apart from stereotypes. Ty is a jerk, but when Janna confronts him about his behavior, he immediately is remorseful. Janna is strong and independent despite her innocence. She is stubborn and doesn't shrink before Ty.
WORTH MENTIONING: I always feel disappointment in this story because some incredibly stories of Ty's siblings are teased in this book and yet there was never a historical sequel to this book. Some information comes out in the contemporary books in the series, but I have always wished that Lowell had written the connecting historical books.
FINAL DECISION: I really love this historical romance. Yes, Ty is somewhat of a jerk at times and definitely fits into the alpha hero mold of the 1980s when this book was written, but he also has a deeply emotional side. Janna is incredibly independent and a strong woman who has lived on her own for years. Their romance is deeply emotional.
CONNECTED BOOKS: RECKLESS LOVE is the historical prequel to the MacKenzie-Blackthorn contemporary series.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4.25 stars.
December 16, 2019
OMG!! I reread this book recently and remembered why I love this book so much!! Amazing! I'll try to read the rest soon. It is a beautiful slow-burn. There is romance, there is adventure and I loved re-reading it!
September 7, 2008
A true bodice ripper in the happily-ever-after tradition.
September 3, 2007
A wonderful western
July 17, 2023
Once I accepted that the MMC did not know how to express himself to the FMC without my reaction being "That Ass!" I enjoyed the Book. Obviously the author was not trying to portray the Hero as Thoughtful and Considerate when it came to his words. Very rough around the edges even for an ALPHA, and then he does not redeem himself till the last 2 pages of the Book... But I tried to imagine what he really felt based on his thoughts rather than what came out of his mouth. The Historic parts of the book though Fictional, the details of the Mustangs and Lucifer/Zebra, and what went into breaking a wild horse and handling one was very fascinating, and kept me intrigued. As well as the detail in the description of the land and the weather, etc. Even though I felt like in a way I was reading the same chapter over and over again many times throughout the book, I also did not want to put it down. The little moments within the chapters that were like gems were well worth the slow motion of time passing during the story. A lot of the time I would feel like what I just read was at least several hours passing, than find out it had been thirty minutes. Quite a "Play by play" during a lot of the book. The Spice was definitely there, but sometimes a little awkward. But at the same time I did not feel like I was reading spicy scenes I had read before, which says a lot with all the HST ROM novels I have read recently. And I did enjoy reading about his feeling and thoughts as things were taking place, it gave a window into the other side of "The Ass". But there is not way around the bitter taste the Hero can put in your mouth with his words. Still I did really enjoy the book, and it was worth the read. The Heroine is probably the strongest most fierce Female I have read and though she was not a "Silk Lady" she was probably the only I have read that I had nothing but respect for and did not Irritate me even one time. She survived in a situation where few could like no one I have ever read about.
September 4, 2024
Our heroine embodies many of my favorite tropes from historical romances -- she's as improper a lady as one can be. She is a wildwoman, living alone in the southwestern desert and has survived because she's clearly tough as nails and quite industrious. She even saves our handsome hero, for a change. He thanks her by calling her unwomanly and hardened. Even as the POV shifts and you can tell he's pining for her, he doesn't come out and say it. There is tension galore, enough that you won't want to put the book down, but I never really got the itch scratched by the end. Ultimately, the hero is pretty cruel to the heroine, and the flimsy profession of love at the end isn't near enough groveling for my tastes. Worst of all is the chosen ending. To love a wild thing is to set it free. Instead of letting her go back to the desert, the happily ever after is Janna becoming civilized. Instead of him loving her for who she is, he changes her and that's supposed to be a resolution. Didn't hit right for me.
Tension/banter 8/10
Characterization 7/10
Relationship 3/10
Sexual Chemistry 6/10
Plot 6/10
Overall 5.5/10
Tension/banter 8/10
Characterization 7/10
Relationship 3/10
Sexual Chemistry 6/10
Plot 6/10
Overall 5.5/10
March 1, 2023
Primera vez leyendo a esta autora y seguramente no sea la última.
La historia gira en un escenario poco conocido por mi parte y que pocas veces he recorrido mediante otras historias. Debo admitir que me cautivó el curso que tomaba la historia, hecho evidente por mi resistencia a dejar de leer cuando debía cumplir con otras responsabilidades. Es una novela romántica con todas las letras, incluso con partes en las que terminé arrugando la cara por las escenas un poco cursis y los diálogos en los que me fue inevitable simplemente reír.
No le pongo 5 estrellas por esos momentos en los que me vi en la necesidad de romper la cuarta pared y mirar a esa cámara imaginaria con la ceja levantada. También porque sentí que la historia empezó a caer un poco. Los peligros que rodeaban a nuestros personajes generaban una tensión constante pero con cada capítulo parecía que no íbamos a tener que ver mucho de aquello. Es una lástima, estaba verdaderamente cautivada con la trama.
De todas formas me quedo contenta y espero que una nueva historia de la autora llegue a mis manos.
La historia gira en un escenario poco conocido por mi parte y que pocas veces he recorrido mediante otras historias. Debo admitir que me cautivó el curso que tomaba la historia, hecho evidente por mi resistencia a dejar de leer cuando debía cumplir con otras responsabilidades. Es una novela romántica con todas las letras, incluso con partes en las que terminé arrugando la cara por las escenas un poco cursis y los diálogos en los que me fue inevitable simplemente reír.
No le pongo 5 estrellas por esos momentos en los que me vi en la necesidad de romper la cuarta pared y mirar a esa cámara imaginaria con la ceja levantada. También porque sentí que la historia empezó a caer un poco. Los peligros que rodeaban a nuestros personajes generaban una tensión constante pero con cada capítulo parecía que no íbamos a tener que ver mucho de aquello. Es una lástima, estaba verdaderamente cautivada con la trama.
De todas formas me quedo contenta y espero que una nueva historia de la autora llegue a mis manos.
January 7, 2020
EXHILARATING!
Reckless Love has always been one of my favorite historical romances, so rereading it for the fiftieth time was no hardship! Janna and Ty, sigh. Not the typical romance couple, so it was interesting to read about them as they were going through their "courtship" while trying not be overcome with their issues. Janna is as far from sophisticated as one can be, and still be considered civilized, yet she is extremely well-educated. Ty, on the other hand, was raised a gentleman and still holds on to his values, yet he can be slightly wild in manner at times. Initially, they fought liked cats and dogs. When their relationship changed, it became more than either one could anticipate. The question is can they find common ground, and feeling to sustain them beyond just catching Lucifer?
Reckless Love has always been one of my favorite historical romances, so rereading it for the fiftieth time was no hardship! Janna and Ty, sigh. Not the typical romance couple, so it was interesting to read about them as they were going through their "courtship" while trying not be overcome with their issues. Janna is as far from sophisticated as one can be, and still be considered civilized, yet she is extremely well-educated. Ty, on the other hand, was raised a gentleman and still holds on to his values, yet he can be slightly wild in manner at times. Initially, they fought liked cats and dogs. When their relationship changed, it became more than either one could anticipate. The question is can they find common ground, and feeling to sustain them beyond just catching Lucifer?
December 11, 2018
It was a great story and it answered some questions that were brought up in the original Western Lover's series as well as help us get to know these historic characters. The men were misogynists but you expect that in an historic novel because that was the way things were back then. I admired Janna a lot and she made for a great heroine. She was brash and independent but she was also caring and compassionate and it took to long for Tyrell to see that. She may have not been a silken lady, whatever that means but she had the huzzpah to survive ranching life and was not only book smart but common sense smart as well. I would recommend this book. It took me awhile to get into it but I think those who read the original series should try this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2023
Oh yeah this is PEAK ‘the things I find creepy in romance novels’:
Huge age difference
He’s constantly belittling her
She’s desperate to prove herself to some random guy
BUT the threat of a…creepier guy? A non-white guy? Take your pick, really. The threat of HIM makes our lead man somehow allegedly alluring.
I did appreciate the Mulan thing where he was like OH THANK GOD I THOUGHT I WAS ATTRACTED TO A BOY which like my guy you need to reassess some stuff because you were, you objectively were, despite her ‘essential femininity’ (a phrase that shows up in EVERY LOWELL BOOK) you were attracted to a boy.
Huge age difference
He’s constantly belittling her
She’s desperate to prove herself to some random guy
BUT the threat of a…creepier guy? A non-white guy? Take your pick, really. The threat of HIM makes our lead man somehow allegedly alluring.
I did appreciate the Mulan thing where he was like OH THANK GOD I THOUGHT I WAS ATTRACTED TO A BOY which like my guy you need to reassess some stuff because you were, you objectively were, despite her ‘essential femininity’ (a phrase that shows up in EVERY LOWELL BOOK) you were attracted to a boy.
February 2, 2022
Girl dressed in a boy trope was my favorites read. I so enjoyed it. I loved how the author described Hanna's hair. 🔥
Ty was an idiot!! Cruel and greedy all the way in the end, no, not even He still is. I want to see some form of punishment on this jerk what he put Janna through. Damn it. He didn't suffer any craps until he realized what he was feeling for Janna. Janna went through loneliness and were on her own for 5 years. But I'm just glad that this fool finally love her in return.
Please, can I just once slap him in the face??
Ty ❤️ Janna
Ty was an idiot!! Cruel and greedy all the way in the end, no, not even He still is. I want to see some form of punishment on this jerk what he put Janna through. Damn it. He didn't suffer any craps until he realized what he was feeling for Janna. Janna went through loneliness and were on her own for 5 years. But I'm just glad that this fool finally love her in return.
Please, can I just once slap him in the face??
Ty ❤️ Janna
April 16, 2022
The heroine was a little too much of a martyr for my liking. The hero didn’t seem all that cruel to me either - but that could be an indication of how many HP’s I’ve read! I found the first half of the book very fast paced and gripping. But after Lucifer is hurt the story kinda dragged for me. I also completely skimmed over all the lovemaking scenes because they were way too cheesy IMO. I keep looking for another Lowell read that will equal ‘Only His’ and this one definitely fell short for me! Janna and Ty had so much potential and the first half of the story was so on point… oh well!
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