Johanna Lindsey (1952–2019)

Good book that I read in one sitting. After three duels between Robert Whitworth and Dominic Wolfe, the Prince Regent has had enough. He orders that Robert's sister Brooke marry Dominic, expecting that will end the feud. If either party refuses the marriage, that family will lose their lands and titles. Neither Brooke's father nor her brother have any good feelings about her and are more than happy to send her off to the wilds of Yorkshire to marry Dominic. They are certain he'll refuse her, show more therefore losing his lands. Neither of them has any idea how happy she is to get away from them, and how determined she is to make the marriage work.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Brooke and Dominic. He's as determined as Robert to prevent the marriage from happening and plans to do everything he can to drive Brooke away. When Brooke arrives, Dominic still suffers from the wound he received in the last duel, which has made him even grumpier than usual. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Brooke stand up to him, especially when it came to treating his injury. There is also a spark of attraction underneath the antagonism. This is extra motivation for Brooke, as she sees it as a hopeful sign. Dominic is not happy about being attracted to his enemy's sister and works hard to resist it. But he finds himself admiring her spunk and determination, which makes it harder for him to push her away. I liked how Brooke took every opportunity to spend time with Dominic and show him what they could have together. Her persistence begins to pay off as Dominic accepts that the marriage will happen. A couple of nights alone under unusual circumstances brings the attraction to a head and a lift to Brooke's heart.

But fate sends Brooke and Dominic back to London before the marriage takes place. Brooke has realized the depth of her feelings for Dominic and wants him to be happy. The bargain that she offers him will give him what she thinks he wants. Dominic hasn't quite accepted his feelings for her but does know that what she offers isn't what he wants. I enjoyed the ball scene with all its complexity. Brooke's meeting with her mother was fraught with awkwardness, mostly caused by Brooke, but showed that things aren't always what they seem. I laughed at Brooke's attempts to direct things the way she thinks they ought to go as they somewhat backfire on her. The dances with Brooke and Dominic were terrific and showed the fire that burns between them. I liked how he realized that he didn't want the bargain she offered, and his method of playing along was pretty funny. There's unexpected interference at the end that pulls them apart. I ached for Brooke, who only wanted Dominic. I wanted to shake him because it seemed that he was letting the past keep him from admitting his feelings for Brooke. But he won me over in the end with the reasons he stayed away. I loved his big moment at the end.

The story of the feud between Dominic and Robert was good. I completely understood Dominic's anger and determination to make Robert pay. I ached for Dominic and his pain over the loss of the sister he loved. His grief affected him so deeply. I liked seeing hints of the old Dominic come out during his time with Brooke. I loved the way that Brooke wanted to ease his grief and the lengths she went to do so. There were some very interesting twists and turns as Brooke uncovered the story of Ella's death.

Although the book kept me hooked from beginning to end, it didn't have the intensity of some of her other works. The Malory books, especially the earlier ones, were more exciting. I liked their conflicts of personalities. The conflicts in this one were not as strong and seemed to be more easily resolved. show less

Terrific book. I am heartbroken at the knowledge there will be no more Malory books (RIP Johanna Lindsey). They are always full of emotion, fun, heat, and the importance of family. This book is the follow-on to Stormy Persuasion, in which Jack was kidnapped as part of a revenge plot. She escaped unharmed and now harbors an intense desire to get revenge of her own on the man who captured her.

As this book opens, James Malory prepares to set off with his fleet to settle the score with the old show more nemesis who was behind Jack's kidnapping. In typical Malory fashion, he looks forward to the confrontation. What he doesn't enjoy is being pestered by Jack, who feels it's also her right to go along and doesn't take well to being told no. An intriguing masked stranger gives Jack something else to concentrate on until she figures out why he fascinates her. Convinced he is the man she dubbed "Bastard," she and Jeremy and their friend Derek plot to capture him and bring him to justice. Their plans go awry when he captures them instead, and they find themselves headed back to the Caribbean.

This was a fast start to the book, and the pace didn't change much throughout the story. I loved the encounter between Jack and the masked man at the ball. The sparks between them were undeniable, and I was surprised that Jack didn't immediately suspect who he was. But then again, her anger over the whole kidnapping was just as intense as it had been, and likely overwhelmed the attraction. I loved what it was that gave it away and wasn't surprised that she threw herself into revenge mode. I was glad that she was smart enough to enlist Jeremy and Derek to help her. I was unsurprised that he was prepared for them, though that didn't lessen the intensity of the scene at the docks. Jack's fury is just as hot this time, and she doesn't give in easily. She certainly gets "Bastard's" attention with her impromptu swim, even though it didn't last long. She quickly realizes that she is stuck on board until they reach the islands and plans accordingly.

"Bastard," aka Damon Ross, has no intention of bringing any harm to Jack. She is a pawn in an elaborate game. Damon was forced into this kidnapping, but also uses it for his own ends. He has a score to settle with Jack's father and is willing to use her to make it happen. The problem is that she still fascinates and captivates him.

I loved watching their relationship develop. Jack is angry and delights in trying to push Damon's buttons. It's frustrating for her when she only gets amusement in return. Meanwhile, Damon's fascination with Jack continues to grow. He is also fairly blatant about his attraction to her and uses that to his advantage. It was fun to see Jack's attitude undergo a slow change as she began to realize that there were things that didn't add up. Though she calls him a pirate, he doesn't behave like one. He's let slip a few things that lead her to believe that there is more to her kidnapping than she knows. It isn't long before Jack's fascination with Damon matches his for her.

However, the growing feelings between Damon and Jack aren't all that is going on. The tensions on the ship are high because the crew is split between Damon's men and actual pirates. They were forced on him by the man behind Jack's kidnapping. There are quite a few intense scenes where Damon is all that stands between the pirates and Jack. As they draw closer to the islands, Damon finally reveals the truth to Jack, Jeremy, and Derek, as they seek a way to move the odds in their favor. And let's not forget James Malory, who is not happy (to put it mildly) to find out about Jack's abduction. The initial meeting between James and Damon was everything I expected and more. There are some exciting twists and turns as James and Damon have to work together to bring down their common enemy. That still doesn't help Damon get his heart's desire, as James whisks Jack back to England.

Damon isn't about to give up and follows as quickly as he can. The obstacles remain; however, the biggest being Jack's father. While hoping to let time soften the resistance (hah!), Damon visits his grandmother's home, where he receives one shock after another. In the meantime, Jack's mother plans another ball, which Jack requests to be a masquerade. I loved the feeling of closing a circle. There were some hilarious moments at the ball, as both Georgina and James get their licks in, but it's Jack who wins the day. I loved the ending as she and Damon get what they want. I also loved the last line, which went to James, "Where do they keep the bloody brandy here?" show less

REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS

This novel should have one of those taglines underneath the title. It would read like this:

Did you know that if your friend rapes you in a coach, you can't get pregnant?

Because that is actually the central premise of the book. And it's not even the MOST ridiculous thing about the book. All the characters behave in ways that no human being has ever behaved. They have to keep explaining WHY they did or said something, since it all makes absolutely no sense and otherwise show more the author probably would lose track of what's going on. The only thing that isn't explained and re-hashed at least 5 times is the no-pregnancy-rape thing. Neither of the parties involved explains why they never consider for even one second that there might be a bun in the oven.

I wish I could give this -5 stars. So bad it actually hurt my brain, and I am not saying that in a snobby way because I enjoy a good, 'dancing at the ball with a handsome Duke' story as much as the next woman. It was just so silly and contrived. Why did I read it then, you ask? Well, I found it in the book trade bin at work and I like to read sometimes if I'm just grabbing a quick lunch at my desk. At first it seemed cute, but then, the incredible awfulness of it became kind of fascinating and I had to see how it ended. (Badly.) show less

Wildfire in His Arms by Johanna Lindsey is a 2015 Gallery Books Publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the S&S XOXperts- The official street team of XOXO After Dark in exchange for an honest review.

When I received this book and I was so excited. I have not read a book by Johanna Lindsey in a really long time. I loved her older historical romance novels and couldn't wait to get reacquainted with her work.

This story is a Western Historical centered around legendary gunman Degan, show more and Maxine, a young woman on the run after allegedly committing murder.

Degan owes a US Marshall a huge favor so when the man asked Degan to help him haul in a few “most wanted” criminals, Degan can't refuse. First up on the list is Max, wanted in Texas for killing a man.
When Degan finally catches up with Max, he gets a lot more than ever bargained for. Max insist she is innocent, but that's not Degan's concern. His job is to bring 'em in, a jury can decide the rest. But, if Degan turns Max in, she could very well hang for a crime she didn't commit. Will Degan help her or will he maintain his calm, cool, unemotional veneer all the way to Texas?

Recently I have been on my soapbox a little because I feel like historical romance novels are focused too heavily on the Regency-era and we seldom get to read about a different time frame. Dukes, Earls, ball gowns and society rules are fun, but after awhile it seems like reading the same story over and over, only with the names changed.

So, on top of getting to read a new Johanna Lindsey novel, I get to read a Western, a sub-genre of historical romances we don't encounter nearly enough, in my opinion. So, while I wanted to stretch this one out and make it last, I ended up reading it in one evening, staying up way past my bedtime in the process. But, while my head was a bit foggy the next day, I had a smile on my face remembering how much fun this book is.

Degan is from Chicago, but has left his old life behind for good to become one of the most feared gunslingers around. Men quake in his presence, and Degan never refutes his hard earned reputation. But, when he finally catches up with Max, he is puzzled by her lack of fear. In fact, she defies him at every turn, is spirited, crafty and clever, keeping the unemotional, dark and brooding Degan on his toes at all times.

You will love Max and her constant chattiness, her resourcefulness and openness. Her character is honest, is so much fun, and if I had lived in the old west, I could see us being friends. Degan is more bark than bite, but boy is he stubborn!! He's practically immovable, but you will be able to see past all that, even though he did try my patience at times.

The story did get just a little monotonous around the half way mark and I was beginning to wish for a little action, one way or another. But, the pace picks up again in no time and things do get pretty heated, and there is lots of action.

There was no super heavy angst or drama, just a light and easy , funny, sweet, sensual, love story set in the west, and a delightful read all around.

It was fun watching Max melt Degan's heart, turning the hardened gunslinger into pure mush and seeing Max finally content and happy with her new life and love.

Even if you think Western style historical romance is not your thing, I think you will find this one fun and entertaining and of course Johanna Lindsey is a seasoned author with quite the resume so you know it's going to be well written.
This one gets four stars show less