Love Western Romances

MUSTANG WILD

ISBN 978-0-373-294441-1

Harlequin Historical

Stacey Kayne

Mustang Wild, is a page-turner of a book. I didn't want to stop reading-staying up late on a work night to finish it-and when I was done, I wanted to read it all over again!

Skylar Daines (love that name) has been raised by her herd driving/ horse taming father more as a boy than a girl. But, at nineteen, nothing can disguise the appealing woman she's become. When her father is shot in the back by one of his men, who then steals her father's horses, Skylar has no option but to seek out a man who is partner to their deed to a ranch in Wyoming. In her misguided effort to get to Wyoming, claim her part of the ranch, and get her horses back, Skylar finds herself married to the handsome and reckless twin of that man.

Tucker Morgan has made one big mess of things due to his drunken stupor and his brother, Chance Morgan, isn't about to let him forget it. All Chance asks is Tucker keep his charm turned off and his hands to himself, so the marriage can be annulled once they disprove her father's claim to their land.

Suspecting her father of double dealing, Skylar doesn't want to be married anymore than Tucker does, but she does want to get to Wyoming, where the rustlers were said to be headed, and reclaim the only thing she has of value-the horses. Using the annulment as a carrot and her bogus claim as a stick, the brothers agree to take her to Wyoming with them.

Skylar is a feisty heroine who gives as good as she gets-and then some. Holding her own with the brothers in horse taming, herd driving, and just about everything cowboy, earns her the respect of her temporary husband. And her curves and downright passionate nature, sure do earn Tucker's admiration. But she's also got a temper like fire to dry brush, keeping him from making a move, despite his growing interest. Skylar knows Tucker is nothing but a charming flirt with wandering eyes and roving hands, but when he smiles at her, she can't seem to remember anything but the feel of his lips caressing hers. How can any girl help falling for a hero whose sense of humor and playfulness mask a tender and generous spirit?

Struggling, both lose their grip on the short rein of their burgeoning passion for each other. Then things really heat up to a sizzling romance, made more enticing for having to keep it secret from Chance. Because once they hit Wyoming, Chance is expecting Tucker to keep his word and get the marriage annulled so Skylar can't lay claim to what is theirs. As the story progresses, Skylar comes to understand what it is to be a woman, and Tucker realizes taking on responsibility isn't a bad thing. But whether that includes a real marriage, is a whole different keg of gunpowder.

Ms. Kayne has packed this book with a wonderfully shaded set of characters, from the heroine and hero, to the secondary characters. She's also managed to create an adventurous plot that keeps the reader going at a galloping pace. There wasn't one part of the story that slowed me down, or one page that I didn't want to keep turning- quite a feat for a debut book. This is one of those books I'm keeping on my shelf to read again and again. I certainly can't wait to read her next one!