Book Review: Wildfire In His Arms by Johanna Lindsey

Author: Johanna Lindsey

Title: Wildfire In His Arms

Series: (Callahan-Warren #2)

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 400

Published: June 16th 2015

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

With his work in Montana completed now that the Callahan-Warren feud has ended in marriage rather than bloodshed, Degan Grant sets out for California because it is far away from the home he wants to forget—until the US Marshal who saved his life calls in a favor. All Degan has to do is apprehend three outlaws on the marshal’s list and turn them over to the law. Easy enough, he figures, for a man no one wants to tangle with.

But then a bold young woman crosses his path. Maxine grew up so pretty and attracted so much unwanted attention in her Texas hometown that events spiraled out of control. She will try anything to escape the handsome, enigmatic gunfighter who intends to turn her over to a corrupt sheriff who will hang her instead of putting her on trial.

Saddled with a sassy, spirited young woman who insists she is innocent, Degan must hunt down a vicious killer and keep an old enemy at bay. But forced into intimate proximity with his beguiling prisoner, he finds his desire sparking into a wildfire of passion, and he can no longer deny that it is time for them to risk confronting their pasts so he can have a chance at a future with her in his arms forever.

Review:

Been meaning to read book 2 for a minute, but kept forgetting to grab it from the library. 

Here we follow Degan and Maxine. Degan has finished his work when the Callahan-Warren fued ended with a happy marriage. He sets out for California until the US Marshal who saved his life calls in a favor. All Degan has to do is capture three outlaws and turn them in. But then a beautiful woman crosses his path. Maxine grew up pretty and was given unwanted attention in her hometown. An event will spiral things out of her control and she runs. Degan has to take her in and she will try anything to escape him. On top of dealing with her and her insisting she is innocent, he has to deal with a vicious killer and keep an old enemy at bay. 

This would do well as a standalone. There are few references to events from the last book. Degan was a gunslinger for one of the Feud families and once that feud was ended, he was allowed to go. 

I adore Degan. I liked Max too. They were for sure made for each other but they have a lot to weed through...like the main fact that Max is wanted and whatnot. That is a big wedge for love ;) Their dialogue was fun and they made me laugh. Max is a hoot.  

Now...I did enjoy our characters' cat-and-mouse game and them falling in love, but I hated the solution to all their issues and problems. It was...too easy. And it was for sure so unrealistic. 

Besides that, I really enjoyed watching these two muddle through. They really are perfect for each other. 

In the end, this was a fun romance. Yes, some unrealistic solutions, but fun. I'll give this 3 stars. 

 

Challenge(s):

- #23 for Romance Reading Challenge - Someone riding a horse on the cover

Audiobook Review: One Heart to Win by Johanna Lindsey

Author: Johanna Lindsey

Narrator: Meredith Mitchell

Title: One Heart to Win

(Callahan-Warren #1)

Genre: Historical Romance, Western

Format: Audiobook

Published: January 1st 2013

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Some young ladies marry for money and social standing, a few lucky ones marry for love, but Tiffany Warren is marrying to end a feud. Honoring her mother's promise, Tiffany reluctantly travels west to meet her estranged father and his enemy's eldest son, rancher Hunter Callahan. Once the Warrens and the Callahans are united by marriage, both clans will stop squabbling over a disputed strip of land.

In the chaos of a train robbery, Tiffany seizes a golden opportunity: By assuming the identity of her father's new housekeeper, she can live with the father she never knew and assess his true character, as well as that of the neighboring cowboy to whom she is betrothed. But, too late, Tiffany discovers that the rivalry between the Warrens and the Callahans has escalated when the Callahans steal the Warrens' housekeeper as soon as she steps off the train!

Now, Tiffany, who is pretending to be Jennifer Fleming, finds herself living in the enemy camp, under the same roof as her fiancé. All too soon she learns her intended is a handsome, sweet talking charmer whom she has to fight off because he can't keep his eyes—or his hands—off Jennifer.

After Tiffany's charade is exposed, she refuses to marry Hunter to end the feud.

As Hunter goes about claiming his rightful bride-to-be, he knows that although he loves two women—proper, elegant Tiffany as well as spunky, passionate Jennifer—he has only one heart to win.

Review:

Picked this one because 1) who doesn't love a Western Romance 2) it fits a couple reading challenges and 3) it sounds fun. 

Here we follow Tiffany Warren who was born into a family that is in the middle of a feud. She and her mother moved away from the feud when she was naught but a baby. In order to end the feud, she was promised to the oldest Callahan boy. Tiffany reluctantly travels West when she turns 18. She makes a promises her mother to at least MEET her intended and the father that she never had a chance to know or even see. She comes across the golden opportunity to meet both but under the guise of a housekeeper. Pretending to be Jennifer...she finds herself working for the enemy.

Loved the idea of it all. How crazy. BUT I feel like I would do the same if I was in her shoes. She is getting a chance to see her fiancé in his own house. 

Of course she gets exposed. She had met her brothers a few times, but never the father. So when her brothers see her....yea. You can imagine. But I did love the ruse. It was fun. Plus, I felt like it was good for her. She grew up all fancy in the city as a rich gal. Now, she has to learn to cook and clean. It for sure helped her character development. 

Now....I did have my issues with Hunter. The gal has told you NO a few times. Back off pal. He was def being pushy because she's giving mixed signals. But one...she is the help....two, she did technically say no multiple times....and three YOU ARE ENGAGED to another woman (we all know Jenny is Tiffany...but HE doesn't). Sighs. Men. HE DOES get better, but still. Too pushy for my liking here. 

I did adore Degan. Tiffany was weary of him, but he was always a gentleman. He gets his own HEA in book 2 so I'm down for that. 

UGH and I didn't like the reveal of the who feud. How did anyone want to keep up the hatred after that??? I won't say...but like get over it folks. It honestly felt overblown WHICH that is the norm for these type feuds I guess....but it still irked me. Wah. 

I liked the narrator. She did a good job with all the voices even the male ones. I never found myself confused. Yes, we have a decently large cast here. 

In the end, I did enjoy this. I had a couple big-ish issues, but I could still enjoy overall. Can't wait to start book 2! I want Degan to find loveeeee. I'll stamp this with 3 stars. 

Challenge(s):
- #5 for Audiobook challenge

- #4 for Romance Reading Challenge ('Heart' in title)