A Slow Start But Great Middle and End

THE STORY: Degan Grant is a gun for hire. When he agrees to do a favor for the US Marshall who saved his life, he finds himself searching out three wanted outlaws. When he starts his search looking for Max Dawson, wanted for murder and bank robbery, he is surprised to discover that Max is actually Maxine and that she claims to be innocent. He also discovers that his heart, that he believed immune, is taken by the sweet outlaw.

OPINION: I didn’t believe that I would like this book when I began it. I thought the story was slow to develop and I didn’t feel engaged with Degan, who felt distant and aloof. That changed once Max and Degan encounter one another. Their romance is sparkling and their journey funny and sweet and completely engaging.

Max is strong and yet intensely vulnerable. She is not damsel in distress. She has been taking care of herself in dangerous circumstances for years and yet has not become hard and jaded. She is smart and sneaky and a good match for Degan.

Degan was distant and difficult to like in the beginning…but that is precisely who he is. He has built walls around himself to protect himself from pain. A quiet man who does what needs to be done and is fair and honorable, Degan is not effusive about his emotions or his thoughts. He is a good man and I ended up liking him tremendously as the book progressed.

Once the story really started flowing, I was enthralled. The plot worked and everything felt balanced and proper. I especially liked how the romance was slowly developed and these two wary characters got to know one another and found out by the end that they were meant to be together.

WORTH MENTIONING: I am hoping for more stories about the Callaghan brothers.

FINAL DECISION: I ultimately really liked this book because I liked Degan who I found to be quiet and responsible and a good man. I also really liked how the relationship between Degan and Max developed. It felt natural and sweet.

CONNECTED BOOKS: WILDFIRE IN HIS ARMS is connected with ONE HEART TO WIN although it can be easily read as a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.25 stars.

One of the Least Angsty Heroes Ever

THE STORY: Tiffany Warren is being sent to the father that she doesn’t remember in order to marry her family’s enemies to finalize the peace between them. She doesn’t want to leave civilized New York for the wilds of the west. When she arrives in town, she is mistaken as the housekeeper coming to work for her family. As a result of the mistaken identity, Tiffany ends up working in the house of her fiance, Hunter Callahan. Tiffany believes that impersonating the housekeeper will allow her to find out the truth about her fiance’s character. Tiffany doesn’t intend on staying in the west, but she ends up liking Hunter more than she expected.

OPINION: This story was not what I expected primarily because the hero was so incredibly fully of humor and cheer and is a nice guy. Hunter is one of the nicest heroes I have ever read about. In the beginning, Tiffany was rather annoying. She appeared spoiled and self-centered. When she arrives at the Callahan ranch, however, and takes on being the housekeeper, she redeemed herself by working hard, being creative and open minded. Because everyone ended up being so nice, there was little drama between the couple and thus I didn’t feel that the romance worked as well here as I would have expected.

WORTH MENTIONING: I tend to prefer angsty heroes and therefore was initially attracted more to Degan Grant, the gunslinger, than to Hunter, the hero. Hunter, however, is such a nice guy that it is hard to hold out against him.

FINAL DECISION: What made this story for me was the smiling, friendly, nice hero who doesn’t really have problems and issues.

CONNECTED BOOKS: ONE HEART TO WIN is followed by WILDFIRE IN HIS ARMS but the books can be read independent of one another.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.