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Nobody's Darling
Dear Reader,
I never enjoyed being a wanted man until the day Miss Esmerelda Fine marched into the Tumbleweed Saloon and pointed her derringer straight at my heart. Who would have guessed some duke's granddaughter--an awfully pretty one at that--would come gunning for the likes of me, a notorious bounty hunter with a taste for whiskey and a fondness for peach pie? Lucky for me, she was a mighty poor shot. Instead of killing me, she hired me to find her runaway brother. Little did she know she was about to make the acquaintance of a flea-bitten basset hound named Sadie, the infamous Darling Gang, and my shotgun-toting kinfolk. And little did I know she was about to lead me on a merry chase that would take us from a bungled bank robbery to the very first Wild West show to tour London, England.
I should have turned down her offer. I should have resisted her charms. But I didn't.
Because there comes a time in every man's life when he's got nothing left to lose...but his heart.
Yours,
Billy Darling
I never enjoyed being a wanted man until the day Miss Esmerelda Fine marched into the Tumbleweed Saloon and pointed her derringer straight at my heart. Who would have guessed some duke's granddaughter--an awfully pretty one at that--would come gunning for the likes of me, a notorious bounty hunter with a taste for whiskey and a fondness for peach pie? Lucky for me, she was a mighty poor shot. Instead of killing me, she hired me to find her runaway brother. Little did she know she was about to make the acquaintance of a flea-bitten basset hound named Sadie, the infamous Darling Gang, and my shotgun-toting kinfolk. And little did I know she was about to lead me on a merry chase that would take us from a bungled bank robbery to the very first Wild West show to tour London, England.
I should have turned down her offer. I should have resisted her charms. But I didn't.
Because there comes a time in every man's life when he's got nothing left to lose...but his heart.
Yours,
Billy Darling
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1998
67 people are currently reading
1520 people want to read
About the author
Teresa Medeiros
45 books2,586 followersNew York Times bestseller Teresa Medeiros wrote her first novel at the age of twenty-one and has since gone on to win the hearts of both readers and critics. All of her books have been national bestsellers, featured on the New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She currently has over 10 million books in print.
She is a seven-time Rita finalist, two-time PRISM winner, and two-time recipient of the Waldenbooks Award for bestselling fiction.
GOODNIGHT TWEETHEART was released in January 2011 and her latest historical THE PLEASURE OF YOUR KISS is coming from Pocket Books in December 2011. Teresa lives in Kentucky with her husband and her cats, Buffy the Mouse Slayer and Willow Tum-Tum.
She is a seven-time Rita finalist, two-time PRISM winner, and two-time recipient of the Waldenbooks Award for bestselling fiction.
GOODNIGHT TWEETHEART was released in January 2011 and her latest historical THE PLEASURE OF YOUR KISS is coming from Pocket Books in December 2011. Teresa lives in Kentucky with her husband and her cats, Buffy the Mouse Slayer and Willow Tum-Tum.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
September 6, 2016
This lighthearted western should’ve ended 2/3 of the way to make it a very good one for me.
It starts with an actual bang when Miss Esmeralda Fine storms into the Tumbleweed Saloon in a small dusty New Mexico town of Calamity wanting to avenge for her dead baby brother and arrest the person who “did it”- William (Billy) Darling- our hero. Since the town’s sheriff is not inclined to arrest him, Esmeralda decides to take matter in her hands and shoot the villain. Lucky for Billy, Esmeralda is a poor shot and he lives to see another day. When the evidence pointed that her brother is alive, Esmeralda hires Billy to help her find him. And thus begins their wild-west adventure and their romance.
The first half of the story is perfect. The protagonists’ pull-and-push courtship sparks with humor and witty banter. The improbable twists and turns of the plot were amusing. I was busy underlining one hilarious quote after another. I was laughing out loud. It was so good. But then it became all too much - too much goofiness, too much silliness; the improbable situations became more so to the point of being farcical. I gradually lost interest, started to skim, repeatedly set the book aside.
Unlike other reviewers, the epilogue actually worked for me. It was sweet and inventive. I just wish it had come much sooner.
It starts with an actual bang when Miss Esmeralda Fine storms into the Tumbleweed Saloon in a small dusty New Mexico town of Calamity wanting to avenge for her dead baby brother and arrest the person who “did it”- William (Billy) Darling- our hero. Since the town’s sheriff is not inclined to arrest him, Esmeralda decides to take matter in her hands and shoot the villain. Lucky for Billy, Esmeralda is a poor shot and he lives to see another day. When the evidence pointed that her brother is alive, Esmeralda hires Billy to help her find him. And thus begins their wild-west adventure and their romance.
The first half of the story is perfect. The protagonists’ pull-and-push courtship sparks with humor and witty banter. The improbable twists and turns of the plot were amusing. I was busy underlining one hilarious quote after another. I was laughing out loud. It was so good. But then it became all too much - too much goofiness, too much silliness; the improbable situations became more so to the point of being farcical. I gradually lost interest, started to skim, repeatedly set the book aside.
Unlike other reviewers, the epilogue actually worked for me. It was sweet and inventive. I just wish it had come much sooner.
June 6, 2013
“Nobody’s Darling” was the first romance novel that I have read from Teresa Medeiros and it has got everything that you would expect from an adventurous western romance story: adventure, romance, sexual desires and hot cowboys! For all you romance fans, “Nobody’s Darling” is surely a romance novel that you just can not put down!
Beautiful English aristocratic Esmeralda Fine has traveled to America to find her brother, Bartholomew’s, murderer and she meets up with a notorious outlaw named Billy Darling, who she believes killed her brother. Even though Esmeralda tried to kill Billy Darling, she later on ends up hiring Billy when she realizes that her brother might still be alive to find her brother. Little does Esmeralda knows is that she is about to go on the biggest western adventure of her life!
Oh my goodness! I will admit that when I first picked up this book, I thought it was going to be boring, but imagine my surprise when I found this book to be so DELICIOUSLY EXCITING! I have to tell you that Teresa Medeiros has definitely done a great job at not only providing out dishes of adventure and suspense for western adventure fans, but also provides lots of romance and forbidden sexual desires that would make anyone swoon with pleasure! The best thing about this book is the characters themselves, especially Esmeralda Fine and Billy Darling. Billy Darling is the pure embodiment of a hot cowboy/outlaw that everyone wants to meet up with! Teresa Medeiros takes great care in describing every inch of Billy Darling’s body from his golden hair to his muscular body in such a sensual manner that it would make your hairs stand on its end! Another character that I really enjoyed was Esmeralda Fine herself as she is shown to be an extremely headstrong character who does not let anything get in her way and Teresa Medeiros has done a great job at using Esmeralda’s last name (Fine) in definitely her appearance according to Billy Darling himself as she is described as the most beautiful woman to ever grace upon the town of Calamity. Now onto the core of this story! I love the way that the story is set up as a “good girl falls for the bad boy” scenario, with Esmeralda being the good and proper girl and Billy Darling as the bad yet good looking cowboy/outlaw and even though they have a love/hate relationship, I love the scenes where they have intense and romantic moments together and let me tell you, the moments between them are definitely SIZZLING!
For those of you who do not like strong language and sex scenes, I have to warn you that this book has a bunch of sex scenes and strong language and it might offend many people who do not approve of sex scenes and strong language.
“Nobody’s Darling” is definitely the perfect western romance story full of rollicking western adventures and sexual scenes that will send shivers of delight throughout any romance novel fan! Even if this book has its fair share of sex scenes and strong language, I would still recommend this book to romance fans everywhere!
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
Beautiful English aristocratic Esmeralda Fine has traveled to America to find her brother, Bartholomew’s, murderer and she meets up with a notorious outlaw named Billy Darling, who she believes killed her brother. Even though Esmeralda tried to kill Billy Darling, she later on ends up hiring Billy when she realizes that her brother might still be alive to find her brother. Little does Esmeralda knows is that she is about to go on the biggest western adventure of her life!
Oh my goodness! I will admit that when I first picked up this book, I thought it was going to be boring, but imagine my surprise when I found this book to be so DELICIOUSLY EXCITING! I have to tell you that Teresa Medeiros has definitely done a great job at not only providing out dishes of adventure and suspense for western adventure fans, but also provides lots of romance and forbidden sexual desires that would make anyone swoon with pleasure! The best thing about this book is the characters themselves, especially Esmeralda Fine and Billy Darling. Billy Darling is the pure embodiment of a hot cowboy/outlaw that everyone wants to meet up with! Teresa Medeiros takes great care in describing every inch of Billy Darling’s body from his golden hair to his muscular body in such a sensual manner that it would make your hairs stand on its end! Another character that I really enjoyed was Esmeralda Fine herself as she is shown to be an extremely headstrong character who does not let anything get in her way and Teresa Medeiros has done a great job at using Esmeralda’s last name (Fine) in definitely her appearance according to Billy Darling himself as she is described as the most beautiful woman to ever grace upon the town of Calamity. Now onto the core of this story! I love the way that the story is set up as a “good girl falls for the bad boy” scenario, with Esmeralda being the good and proper girl and Billy Darling as the bad yet good looking cowboy/outlaw and even though they have a love/hate relationship, I love the scenes where they have intense and romantic moments together and let me tell you, the moments between them are definitely SIZZLING!
For those of you who do not like strong language and sex scenes, I have to warn you that this book has a bunch of sex scenes and strong language and it might offend many people who do not approve of sex scenes and strong language.
“Nobody’s Darling” is definitely the perfect western romance story full of rollicking western adventures and sexual scenes that will send shivers of delight throughout any romance novel fan! Even if this book has its fair share of sex scenes and strong language, I would still recommend this book to romance fans everywhere!
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
March 4, 2015
This was a great book that I had trouble putting down for the most part. I loved the bantering between Esmeralda and Billy, their love for each other and their chemistry. The story flowed easily between humor and heartache, tenderness and passion. I especially liked the 2nd part, where Esmeralda and Billy work together as a team and cover each other's backs, staying loyal and true. I felt that the book should have ended there and that the moving of the stage to England was an unnecessary filler that only managed to blow out the steam that had already built and move the focus out of the main couple. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't in parr with the rest of the book and I was sorry to be left with that last impression in mind.
What I seriously disliked was the epilogue. It's a rare occurence that an epilogue can create such a strong reaction in me; either positive or negative. At least we learn that they lived happily ever after; but the reason to try and squeeze another romance for the protagonists' great great granddaughter in 5-6 pages is beyond me and had me confused.
What I seriously disliked was the epilogue. It's a rare occurence that an epilogue can create such a strong reaction in me; either positive or negative. At least we learn that they lived happily ever after; but the reason to try and squeeze another romance for the protagonists' great great granddaughter in 5-6 pages is beyond me and had me confused.
October 3, 2015
Western Romance Finally, a real hero!
There is nothing better than a well-written Western/Romance!
I remember once, years ago, a friend asked me what I liked to read. She just about fell off her horse laughing when I told her. I thought that was a little unfair, after all we lived in the West, and we were out on the trail with our horses, wearing our cowboy boots and hats, no less! Anyway, at the time, I was embarrassed to admit to my love for Western/Romance. No longer, at this point, I can bravely say that it is, hands-down, my favorite genre.
I love this book! It's funny, it's romantic, we have a cranky grandfather that finally comes to the rescue, a rascally band of brothers, an endearing old dog and an immensely likeable hero.
This one is a keeper, I highly recommend it!
The book is clean in terms of language, except for taking the Lord's name in vain once. There are two intimate scenes, easily skipped.
There is nothing better than a well-written Western/Romance!
I remember once, years ago, a friend asked me what I liked to read. She just about fell off her horse laughing when I told her. I thought that was a little unfair, after all we lived in the West, and we were out on the trail with our horses, wearing our cowboy boots and hats, no less! Anyway, at the time, I was embarrassed to admit to my love for Western/Romance. No longer, at this point, I can bravely say that it is, hands-down, my favorite genre.
I love this book! It's funny, it's romantic, we have a cranky grandfather that finally comes to the rescue, a rascally band of brothers, an endearing old dog and an immensely likeable hero.
This one is a keeper, I highly recommend it!
The book is clean in terms of language, except for taking the Lord's name in vain once. There are two intimate scenes, easily skipped.
February 3, 2011
I'm not really crazy about western/cowboy stuff, but this was pretty good! The epilogue at the end with their great-great granddaughter was a cute touch!
May 19, 2010
So I'm not a western girl..I don't typically watch them, read them, or like them. On impulse, because I like Russell Crowe, I rented 3:10 to Yuma and really liked it a lot. It was then that I opened myself to reading one. Nobody's Darling was a perfect choice!
This book really has it all. Likeable characters, witty dialogue, plenty of tension between the H/H, and a fast paced plot. The book is split into 3 parts. The first 2 parts are excellent, and are what give this book the high rating. The stage is America in the old west. Gangs, Gunslingers, Outlaws run rampant and Billy Darling is one of the most infamous. Esmerelda Fine "hires" Billy to track down her missing brother, and this book is about their journey to do just that.
Esmerelda is a heroine that one will soon not forget. She is fiesty, strong, independent, and thouroughly enjoyable. She made me laugh in many places and I was cheering for her and Billy the whole way! Billy Darling made this book unforgettable. The rough and tough outlaw that can't stand to see a woman cry. His protection and love for Esmerelda was really touching and his belief that he wasn't good enough for the beautiful Esmerelda was heartbreaking.
I didn't like part 3. The location switches to England, and I wish it wouldn't have. I felt the ending was contrived, unrealistic, and disappointing. Usually this would have me flinging the book across the room, giving it no stars, and swearing off an author, but not in this case. The majority of the book is just too good for that. Billy is a favorite of mine now, and for that matter..so is Esmerelda. I wish they could've had a stronger ending, but the epilogue is sweet and "covers" some of the damage done by part 3.
I highly recommend this....even if you don't care for Westerns!
This book really has it all. Likeable characters, witty dialogue, plenty of tension between the H/H, and a fast paced plot. The book is split into 3 parts. The first 2 parts are excellent, and are what give this book the high rating. The stage is America in the old west. Gangs, Gunslingers, Outlaws run rampant and Billy Darling is one of the most infamous. Esmerelda Fine "hires" Billy to track down her missing brother, and this book is about their journey to do just that.
Esmerelda is a heroine that one will soon not forget. She is fiesty, strong, independent, and thouroughly enjoyable. She made me laugh in many places and I was cheering for her and Billy the whole way! Billy Darling made this book unforgettable. The rough and tough outlaw that can't stand to see a woman cry. His protection and love for Esmerelda was really touching and his belief that he wasn't good enough for the beautiful Esmerelda was heartbreaking.
I didn't like part 3. The location switches to England, and I wish it wouldn't have. I felt the ending was contrived, unrealistic, and disappointing. Usually this would have me flinging the book across the room, giving it no stars, and swearing off an author, but not in this case. The majority of the book is just too good for that. Billy is a favorite of mine now, and for that matter..so is Esmerelda. I wish they could've had a stronger ending, but the epilogue is sweet and "covers" some of the damage done by part 3.
I highly recommend this....even if you don't care for Westerns!
October 5, 2018
This one was lovely with such a great hero. I found the town, his brothers, his mother, all of it so charming. Our h comes looking to kill the hero, who she thinks murdered her beloved brother & then shenanigans ensue. The last 20% with her going off to England felt very unnecessary to be honest but I liked this.
January 19, 2026
3.5 stars! Nobody’s Darling is a western historical romance from Teresa Medeiros where the heroine convinces the bounty hunter (and outlaw) hero to help her. I have read a handful of books from this author and wanted to give this western a go for a few years. While this wasn’t my favorite from the author, it was still entertaining and I’m glad I got to it.
I was super invested in the heroine’s relationship with her grandfather, who is a Duke in England. Her mother was his cherished daughter who ended up ditching her betrothed at the altar (that her father arranged) and running off with an American journalist to Boston. She wrote to her father once a month for years even though he never forgave her or wrote back, then Esmeralda (the heroine of this book) took over the letter writing to him when her parents passed away when she as just 12. I was more invested in this whole plot of the book in the beginning lol! 13 years pass and we catch up to the Duke reading a letter from Esmeralda about her brother and how she is headed to New Mexico to find him/see what happened to him.
In New Mexico, Esmeralda confronts Billy Darling, our bounty hunter hero. She believes he murdered her brother and shots up in a saloon to shoot him! Of course it doesn’t end up going quite as planned and the story kicks off from there. Sadly I was less interested in the middle/main portion of this story. I loved the beginning and loved the end but the middle I was just okay about. I did really enjoy her grandfather and we even have him showing up as well. Esmeralda is such a strong character and I loved her on her own, the hero I was whatever about. But then the ending/epilogue to the future was really fun and sweet! All in all, I am glad I finally got to it even if it didn’t end up being a favorite like I’d hoped.
I was super invested in the heroine’s relationship with her grandfather, who is a Duke in England. Her mother was his cherished daughter who ended up ditching her betrothed at the altar (that her father arranged) and running off with an American journalist to Boston. She wrote to her father once a month for years even though he never forgave her or wrote back, then Esmeralda (the heroine of this book) took over the letter writing to him when her parents passed away when she as just 12. I was more invested in this whole plot of the book in the beginning lol! 13 years pass and we catch up to the Duke reading a letter from Esmeralda about her brother and how she is headed to New Mexico to find him/see what happened to him.
In New Mexico, Esmeralda confronts Billy Darling, our bounty hunter hero. She believes he murdered her brother and shots up in a saloon to shoot him! Of course it doesn’t end up going quite as planned and the story kicks off from there. Sadly I was less interested in the middle/main portion of this story. I loved the beginning and loved the end but the middle I was just okay about. I did really enjoy her grandfather and we even have him showing up as well. Esmeralda is such a strong character and I loved her on her own, the hero I was whatever about. But then the ending/epilogue to the future was really fun and sweet! All in all, I am glad I finally got to it even if it didn’t end up being a favorite like I’d hoped.
June 12, 2025
Outrageously good! loved this so much.
Billy Darling is a Hero among Heroes.
A keeper!
Billy Darling is a Hero among Heroes.
A keeper!
August 19, 2014
Nobody's Darling is a fun, often funny, occasionally laugh out loud funny Western Romance about a woman whose greatest weapon is her singing voice and a man who would love to be a law man if he could only stop being an outlaw.
I really enjoyed pretty much everything about this book except the ending which didn't quite work. Take out part three and the epilogue and this would have been a 5 Star book for me.
I really enjoyed pretty much everything about this book except the ending which didn't quite work. Take out part three and the epilogue and this would have been a 5 Star book for me.
January 19, 2024
Nobody’s Darling by Teresa Medeiros (1998) is a perfect light Western historical romance story full of a rollicking adventure with intense sizzling scenes!
🍑 I’m not going to rehash the story … see Billy Darling’s letter to readers on the back cover of the paperback and in the goodreads summary.
🍑 It’s a lively passionate slow burn story peppered with biting humor, and some fantastic characters like Billy’s 4 older brothers … an outlaw gang. And you’ll find out why Esmeralda and Billy love peaches.
🍑 The writing is lively… sex scenes are scorching .., a genuine unputdownable story… my favorite Medeiros book by far!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
RITA award in 1999.
🍑 I’m not going to rehash the story … see Billy Darling’s letter to readers on the back cover of the paperback and in the goodreads summary.
🍑 It’s a lively passionate slow burn story peppered with biting humor, and some fantastic characters like Billy’s 4 older brothers … an outlaw gang. And you’ll find out why Esmeralda and Billy love peaches.
🍑 The writing is lively… sex scenes are scorching .., a genuine unputdownable story… my favorite Medeiros book by far!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
RITA award in 1999.
September 30, 2015
What a delightful story! Lovely characters and great storytelling. Loved the interaction between Billy and Esme, how their love grew. The side characters were also interesting.
It drew a lot of emotions from me. It's funny in some places, touching, heartwarming... The way the story flowed made me couldn't put it down.
The epilogue a bit cheesy but it brought a feel good ending.
It drew a lot of emotions from me. It's funny in some places, touching, heartwarming... The way the story flowed made me couldn't put it down.
The epilogue a bit cheesy but it brought a feel good ending.
June 26, 2012
Where would you find a saucy pair of bluebirds, a violin case, a derringer, a collection of dime novels, an ornery mule, a US marshal’s badge, a French crème puff, a cantankerous old English duke and a Wild West Show?
Well, look no further than Teresa Medeiros’s wonderful, madcap western romance, Nobody’s Darling. It’s a testament to Ms Medeiros’s brilliant writing that a story peppered with every conceivable western cliché can still be fresh and vibrant. It’s a sheer delight from beginning to end.
Billy is just the perfect hero. He’s tough, dangerous and unpredictable because he needed to be to survive, especially with his four older brothers around!
“From the moment I was born, they were bigger than me, stronger than me, and meaner than me. If I wanted to survive, I had to prove I was smarter, crazier, and a better shot.
But what makes him so adorable is that vulnerability he hides so well. There is a poignant moment when Ma Darling tells Esmeralda how Billy taught himself to read but his brothers laughed at him and stole his books and burnt them. He was willing to suffer his brothers’ bullying to satisfy his hunger for learning. Despite his reputation as a ruthless gunslinger, he does have his own code of honour, never having shot anyone other than in self-defence. I love his humour and how tender hearted he is.
…he hadn’t hesitated to champion a sad-eyed, flea-bitten basset hound whose hunting days were over.
The heroine is often overshadowed by the hero but not Esmeralda. She may appear prim and proper but she soon shows that fiery spirit and independent nature that make her more than a match for Billy. It is easy to appreciate just how much she had sacrificed so that her brother, Bartholomew, could pursue his dreams and then to find out how selfish and ungrateful he is.
I love her best when that redhead’s temper comes to the fore such as the scene where she confronts the pipe-smoking, shotgun toting Ma Darling.
Esmeralda sighed. “It has been a very long, very trying day, and you, madam, have just succeeding in exhausting my patience. Now are you going to step aside and let me bring him in the house or am I going to have to shoot you?”
They say opposites attract and there’s certainly wonderful chemistry between these two whether they are arguing, kissing or making love.
There’s also a wonderful bunch of quirky supporting characters who all add richness to this fast-paced story and I love Ms Medeiros’s trademark humour, both visual and verbal. This is one of my favourite scenes where Esmeralda is accosted by her ‘suitors’. It conjures up such a hilarious picture.
As they appeared on the stoop, the shouts and cursing dwindled to an expectant silence. It seemed the entire male population of Calamity had turned out to gawk at his companion. Billy even spotted Dauber and Seal in the crowd, their eager faces scrubbed free of trail dust and their hair slicked back with enough bear grease to fry an elephant.
As he ushered Esmeralda onto the sidewalk, the men retreated to a respectful distance. A shoving match between two grizzled sodbusters broke out on the fringes of the crowd.
“Git back! I done seen her first.”
“Shit, Elmer, ye’re nearsighted as a prairie dog. You aint seen nothin’ in nigh twenty years.”
“I see good enough to know ye’re nothin’ but a yellow-bellied, two-timin’ old sonafa-“
“Gentlemen!” boomed Horace Stumpelmeyer, the recently widowed town banker. “I urge you to remember that there is a lady present.”
Both men immediately snatched off their dusty hats and clutched them to their hearts. A stripling cowboy, still young enough to have a chin furred with peach fuzz, lifted his hand. Esmeralda ducked as if she expected to be pelted with a rotten tomato. But he only smiled shyly, revealing a mouthful of crooked yellow teeth, and thrust a bouquet of wilted ragweed beneath her nose.”
I also liked the Epilogue which I thought was quite original.
VERDICT: ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL
RATING : ★★★★★
Well, look no further than Teresa Medeiros’s wonderful, madcap western romance, Nobody’s Darling. It’s a testament to Ms Medeiros’s brilliant writing that a story peppered with every conceivable western cliché can still be fresh and vibrant. It’s a sheer delight from beginning to end.
Billy is just the perfect hero. He’s tough, dangerous and unpredictable because he needed to be to survive, especially with his four older brothers around!
“From the moment I was born, they were bigger than me, stronger than me, and meaner than me. If I wanted to survive, I had to prove I was smarter, crazier, and a better shot.
But what makes him so adorable is that vulnerability he hides so well. There is a poignant moment when Ma Darling tells Esmeralda how Billy taught himself to read but his brothers laughed at him and stole his books and burnt them. He was willing to suffer his brothers’ bullying to satisfy his hunger for learning. Despite his reputation as a ruthless gunslinger, he does have his own code of honour, never having shot anyone other than in self-defence. I love his humour and how tender hearted he is.
…he hadn’t hesitated to champion a sad-eyed, flea-bitten basset hound whose hunting days were over.
The heroine is often overshadowed by the hero but not Esmeralda. She may appear prim and proper but she soon shows that fiery spirit and independent nature that make her more than a match for Billy. It is easy to appreciate just how much she had sacrificed so that her brother, Bartholomew, could pursue his dreams and then to find out how selfish and ungrateful he is.
I love her best when that redhead’s temper comes to the fore such as the scene where she confronts the pipe-smoking, shotgun toting Ma Darling.
Esmeralda sighed. “It has been a very long, very trying day, and you, madam, have just succeeding in exhausting my patience. Now are you going to step aside and let me bring him in the house or am I going to have to shoot you?”
They say opposites attract and there’s certainly wonderful chemistry between these two whether they are arguing, kissing or making love.
There’s also a wonderful bunch of quirky supporting characters who all add richness to this fast-paced story and I love Ms Medeiros’s trademark humour, both visual and verbal. This is one of my favourite scenes where Esmeralda is accosted by her ‘suitors’. It conjures up such a hilarious picture.
As they appeared on the stoop, the shouts and cursing dwindled to an expectant silence. It seemed the entire male population of Calamity had turned out to gawk at his companion. Billy even spotted Dauber and Seal in the crowd, their eager faces scrubbed free of trail dust and their hair slicked back with enough bear grease to fry an elephant.
As he ushered Esmeralda onto the sidewalk, the men retreated to a respectful distance. A shoving match between two grizzled sodbusters broke out on the fringes of the crowd.
“Git back! I done seen her first.”
“Shit, Elmer, ye’re nearsighted as a prairie dog. You aint seen nothin’ in nigh twenty years.”
“I see good enough to know ye’re nothin’ but a yellow-bellied, two-timin’ old sonafa-“
“Gentlemen!” boomed Horace Stumpelmeyer, the recently widowed town banker. “I urge you to remember that there is a lady present.”
Both men immediately snatched off their dusty hats and clutched them to their hearts. A stripling cowboy, still young enough to have a chin furred with peach fuzz, lifted his hand. Esmeralda ducked as if she expected to be pelted with a rotten tomato. But he only smiled shyly, revealing a mouthful of crooked yellow teeth, and thrust a bouquet of wilted ragweed beneath her nose.”
I also liked the Epilogue which I thought was quite original.
VERDICT: ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL
RATING : ★★★★★
September 11, 2016
Historia sencilla y muy divertida que te va a hacer pasar un buen rato si no le pides demasiado.
Los dos primeros tercios de la historia han sido muy entretenidos, los protagonistas encantadores y sus diálogos no han tenido desperdicio. Si no fuese porque al final se me ha hecho un poco larga por culpa de las intrusiones de los personajes secundarios, que hubiese sido mejor que se hubiesen quedado en el tintero porque lo han hecho todo un poco aburrido, pesado y fuera de tono con el ritmo que llevaba la historia… ¿Por dónde iba?, Ah, sí… Si no fuese por todo eso se hubiese llevado más estrellas.
Pero aun así la recomiendo si queréis leer algo entretenido, divertido y sin complicaciones. Ah… y con un poco de paciencia hacia el final. Yo era lo que necesitaba en ese momento.
:)
This is a lighthearted and funny story which will show you a good time if you are in the mood for something light and uncomplicated.
The first 2/3 of the story has been so entertaining. The MC´s are lovely and their banter is hilarious.
If not for the last third that has dragged because of the secondary characters´ intrusion, who would have been better out of the story since they have only made the story more tedious and boring and they didn´t belong in a so funny plot… Err… What was I saying…? Ah, yes… If not because the aforesaid I would have rated it higher.
Even so I would recommend it if you want to read something funny, unserious and light. It was what I wanted at the moment.
:)
Los dos primeros tercios de la historia han sido muy entretenidos, los protagonistas encantadores y sus diálogos no han tenido desperdicio. Si no fuese porque al final se me ha hecho un poco larga por culpa de las intrusiones de los personajes secundarios, que hubiese sido mejor que se hubiesen quedado en el tintero porque lo han hecho todo un poco aburrido, pesado y fuera de tono con el ritmo que llevaba la historia… ¿Por dónde iba?, Ah, sí… Si no fuese por todo eso se hubiese llevado más estrellas.
Pero aun así la recomiendo si queréis leer algo entretenido, divertido y sin complicaciones. Ah… y con un poco de paciencia hacia el final. Yo era lo que necesitaba en ese momento.
:)
This is a lighthearted and funny story which will show you a good time if you are in the mood for something light and uncomplicated.
The first 2/3 of the story has been so entertaining. The MC´s are lovely and their banter is hilarious.
If not for the last third that has dragged because of the secondary characters´ intrusion, who would have been better out of the story since they have only made the story more tedious and boring and they didn´t belong in a so funny plot… Err… What was I saying…? Ah, yes… If not because the aforesaid I would have rated it higher.
Even so I would recommend it if you want to read something funny, unserious and light. It was what I wanted at the moment.
:)
July 2, 2010
10 stars.
This will be one of my all time favorites-- right next to a few Kleypas and Garwood books. You HAVE to read this one!! I had a stupid smile on my face and laughed the whole time.
He came into her jail cell and stopped near enough for her to divine the dark gold hue of his hair, the sun-burnished strands that brushed his shoulders, the tawny stubble shading his jaw. But his eyes continued their maddening shift between gray and green. He was taller than she'd realized, lean and lanky without an ounce of wasted fat on his broad-shouldered frame.
She held her breath as he reached out his hand. But instead of throttling her as she'd feared, he caressed a fallen curl from her cheek. His calloused thumb lingered against her smooth skin.
"Holler," he said.
"Pardon?" she whispered, believing she'd misunderstood him.
"The sheriff promised to come running if you hollered. I think it might be a good idea."
She drew in a shaky breath. "I may have swooned beneath the weight of extreme duress, sir, but surely you haven't mistaken me for the hysterical sort of female who screams at the slightest provocation."
His lashes swept down to mask his eyes as he lowered his lips toward hers.
Esmerelda screamed.
This will be one of my all time favorites-- right next to a few Kleypas and Garwood books. You HAVE to read this one!! I had a stupid smile on my face and laughed the whole time.
He came into her jail cell and stopped near enough for her to divine the dark gold hue of his hair, the sun-burnished strands that brushed his shoulders, the tawny stubble shading his jaw. But his eyes continued their maddening shift between gray and green. He was taller than she'd realized, lean and lanky without an ounce of wasted fat on his broad-shouldered frame.
She held her breath as he reached out his hand. But instead of throttling her as she'd feared, he caressed a fallen curl from her cheek. His calloused thumb lingered against her smooth skin.
"Holler," he said.
"Pardon?" she whispered, believing she'd misunderstood him.
"The sheriff promised to come running if you hollered. I think it might be a good idea."
She drew in a shaky breath. "I may have swooned beneath the weight of extreme duress, sir, but surely you haven't mistaken me for the hysterical sort of female who screams at the slightest provocation."
His lashes swept down to mask his eyes as he lowered his lips toward hers.
Esmerelda screamed.
October 4, 2014
Ce lectura placuta !
Mi-a placut cartea,pentru ca autoare a stiut cum sa o dozeze ,si sa dea cate putin din toate:intriga,suspans,pasiune,umor,iubire,devotament.
Faptul ca actiunea se pertece in "Vestul Salbatic" este o alta palcere,pe care o apreciez.
Ca personaj principla masculin avem un barbat atipic genului historical romance,si anume un pistolar proscris,in persoana lui Bully Darling.
Doamne ce mi-a mai placut de individ,cat de complax si totodata minunat a fost construit acest personaj.
Nici protagonista nu este mai prejos.
Esmeralda Fine este nepoata renegata a unui conte.Ea pleaca in cautarea ucigasului fratelui sau,dar curand descopera ca cel invinuit pe nedrept,este singura persoana care ar putea sa o ajute in gasirea acestuia.
Mi-a placut cam tot la aeasta carte,exceptand ultima parte(intoarcerea la Londra,si reintalnirea lor).
4.5 stele dau acestei carti,pentru ca mi-au placut personajele,dar si toate situatiile amuzante create de Teresa Medeiros.
Mi-a placut cartea,pentru ca autoare a stiut cum sa o dozeze ,si sa dea cate putin din toate:intriga,suspans,pasiune,umor,iubire,devotament.
Faptul ca actiunea se pertece in "Vestul Salbatic" este o alta palcere,pe care o apreciez.
Ca personaj principla masculin avem un barbat atipic genului historical romance,si anume un pistolar proscris,in persoana lui Bully Darling.
Doamne ce mi-a mai placut de individ,cat de complax si totodata minunat a fost construit acest personaj.
Nici protagonista nu este mai prejos.
Esmeralda Fine este nepoata renegata a unui conte.Ea pleaca in cautarea ucigasului fratelui sau,dar curand descopera ca cel invinuit pe nedrept,este singura persoana care ar putea sa o ajute in gasirea acestuia.
Mi-a placut cam tot la aeasta carte,exceptand ultima parte(intoarcerea la Londra,si reintalnirea lor).
4.5 stele dau acestei carti,pentru ca mi-au placut personajele,dar si toate situatiile amuzante create de Teresa Medeiros.
November 1, 2010
I didn't really like the end of this book but I still gave it 5 stars. It had a little bit of everything in it. It made a laugh a lot and it even made me cry in a few parts and it had a dog(I love a book with a dog as long as the dog doesn't die). I loved, loved, loved Billy!!! Any man who has a dog that follows him around has got to be great. I did feel like the end was a bit rushed. I wish it was a little bit longer to wrap up the story better.
February 3, 2021
Just a lovely book. Well written
Wild wild west + some victorian time
Great heroine, strong woman
Good hero
Both faithful in their time apart
Hero pushing away
Some grovelling
Love it
Wild wild west + some victorian time
Great heroine, strong woman
Good hero
Both faithful in their time apart
Hero pushing away
Some grovelling
Love it
May 20, 2009
Esmerelda Fine left her comfortable home in Boston, and travelled to Calamity, New Mexico with only one purpose in mind: to kill the man responsible for her brother's death. Billy Darling: the youngest brother of the Darling Gang and a wanted man. Esmerelda had memorized every black and white detail of his wanted poster, prepared to kill the bastard first and ask questions later. But when she marched into the only saloon in the one horse town, she never expected she would met eye to eye with a gunslinging legend nor that his wanted poster had done him a grave injustice.
Never had she met such a dangerously handsome man with glittering grey-green eyes, nor a man who's skill with a gun was such that she never even saw him draw his Colt .45. Even more alarming was his sensual southern drawl, and the claim that he had never heard of Bartholomew Fine III. Now sitting in a jail cell, Esmeralda wonders what is more grievous: having shot at a man who many not have killed her brother, or finding herself inexplicably attracted to a dangerous outlaw.
Billy Darling may have had the name, but he had nothing to do with his older brothers and the Darling Gang. In fact, he had always longed to be apart of the right side of the law. Now U.S. marshal Winstead has hired him to find Bartholomew Fine and in return, he will carry a badge of his own. Torn between his unreasonable attraction to pretty yet prickly Miss Fine, and the U.S. marshal that could fulfill his life long dream, he heads out with Esmeralda in search of her brother turned outlaw. But will Esmeralda's passion and love be enough to keep Billy Darling from taking in her brother, or will she loose everything: Bartholomew and the gunslinger of her dreams?
I am not one for Western Romance, but this book is so superbly written. Brimming with excitement, danger, sizzling sensuality and humor, it holds a special place in my heart. Once again, Teresa Medeiros regals us with her wonderful talent.
Never had she met such a dangerously handsome man with glittering grey-green eyes, nor a man who's skill with a gun was such that she never even saw him draw his Colt .45. Even more alarming was his sensual southern drawl, and the claim that he had never heard of Bartholomew Fine III. Now sitting in a jail cell, Esmeralda wonders what is more grievous: having shot at a man who many not have killed her brother, or finding herself inexplicably attracted to a dangerous outlaw.
Billy Darling may have had the name, but he had nothing to do with his older brothers and the Darling Gang. In fact, he had always longed to be apart of the right side of the law. Now U.S. marshal Winstead has hired him to find Bartholomew Fine and in return, he will carry a badge of his own. Torn between his unreasonable attraction to pretty yet prickly Miss Fine, and the U.S. marshal that could fulfill his life long dream, he heads out with Esmeralda in search of her brother turned outlaw. But will Esmeralda's passion and love be enough to keep Billy Darling from taking in her brother, or will she loose everything: Bartholomew and the gunslinger of her dreams?
I am not one for Western Romance, but this book is so superbly written. Brimming with excitement, danger, sizzling sensuality and humor, it holds a special place in my heart. Once again, Teresa Medeiros regals us with her wonderful talent.
September 28, 2015
I've had this book in my TBR forever (at least a decade - seriously. FOREVER!) and I should have read it sooner. If I had I think I would have loved it. As is, it's still a good read, but I had issues - almost entirely wrapped around the hero's outlaw brothers (who, upon meeting the heroine for the first time basically want to rape her - and then she has to continue to spend time with them as the story warrants it? And I'm just supposed to believe the One Big Happy Family Epilogue at the end? Yeah, do not pass Go, do not collect $200). Also, I'll admit I gave a Big Ol' Side-Eye to the fact that the hero rode with Quantrill and Bloody Bill Anderson. This did not instill "hero-worthiness" in my heart of hearts.
I did like the romantic couple. I did like that Medeiros kept the romance light and frothy without descending into slapstick humor territory. It's also a western without being terribly heavy-handed about it. So if you like light historicals, but aren't wild about westerns? I'd still give this one a shot. It's like, a gateway western.
I did like the romantic couple. I did like that Medeiros kept the romance light and frothy without descending into slapstick humor territory. It's also a western without being terribly heavy-handed about it. So if you like light historicals, but aren't wild about westerns? I'd still give this one a shot. It's like, a gateway western.
October 3, 2010
LOVE IT.
This was an enjoyable read, it’s been a while since I read a book set in the West, it was a good change from the Highland romances. I think I’ll be getting some more.
Since I really started reading it yesterday and finished it today, considering all the other things I have to do during my day, I think it’s a really good indication of how engrossing it was.
I liked Esmeralda so much, she had courage and passions and determination. And she didn’t hesitate to draw her gun at anybody who angered her. Not giving any spoilers, but I didn’t think she was gullible, I think she was blinded by love.
I was a bit hesitant to start reading it, since I didn’t like the last Medeiros I read, but I’m glad I did. I think this is my favorite Medeiros book so far.
Ok, on to the next book.
This was an enjoyable read, it’s been a while since I read a book set in the West, it was a good change from the Highland romances. I think I’ll be getting some more.
Since I really started reading it yesterday and finished it today, considering all the other things I have to do during my day, I think it’s a really good indication of how engrossing it was.
I liked Esmeralda so much, she had courage and passions and determination. And she didn’t hesitate to draw her gun at anybody who angered her. Not giving any spoilers, but I didn’t think she was gullible, I think she was blinded by love.
I was a bit hesitant to start reading it, since I didn’t like the last Medeiros I read, but I’m glad I did. I think this is my favorite Medeiros book so far.
Ok, on to the next book.
February 18, 2011
What a great book! I love a good western book. This book was full of romance, comedy, bad guys, good guys, a touch on England, and a touch of sexy scenes.
I was not fond of the Esmerelda's name. I just did not think it fit her. I also thought the ending was a little strange.
Overall, this book was fun to read and I will definitely will read it again.
I was not fond of the Esmerelda's name. I just did not think it fit her. I also thought the ending was a little strange.
Overall, this book was fun to read and I will definitely will read it again.
February 14, 2010
I really liked this,but then again i love anything by TM.
September 13, 2010
Senengggg bgt d tante TM trnyata ada bikin nvl western, sooo gw langsung ubek2 forum, *cari yg gratisan. Hehe
Lagu I NEED YOU – MARC ANTHONY menurut gw cucok bgt ngewakilin feelingnya William ‘billy’ Darling seorang outlaw, bounty hunter n gunfighter ke Ms. Esmeralda Fine…
From the day that I met you, girl
I knew that your love would be
Everything that I ever wanted in my life
Jadi ceritanya Esmeralda dtg jauh2 dr Boston ke Calamity, New Mexico buat hunting pembunuh baby brothernya - Bartholomews…
Pas sampe di Calamity, itu kota penuh ama poster2 Wanted yg ada wajah dan nama Billy..
Tapi herannya gak ada yg berani nangkap Billy, bahkan sherrif ntu kota sahabatan ma Billy.
Esme akhirnya ketemu jg ma Billy yg lg maen kartu n minum2 ma Drew-sang sheriff…
Makin kesel d si esme,
So, dia minta ma sherrif buat jeblosin Billy ke penjara…
Krna di cuekin n di ketawain, Esme nekat nembak Billy. LOL
Lucunya pas narik pelatuk ntu senjata, dia langsung pingsan, …
From the moment you spoke my name
I knew everything had changed
Because of you I felt my life would be complete
Niat awal pengen menjarain Billy, ujung2nya Esme yg masuk penjara…
Gw ngakak tiap bc dilema nya Esme mo manggil nama Billy..
Kalo manggil William agak sok kenal sok dekat githu, Billy ky udah kenal lama, apalgi kalo mr. Darling, hwehehe kesannya intim bgt, hmpfh….
Nothing matters but you, my love
And only God above would be the one
To know exactly how I feel
Setelah di jelasin panjang kali lebar kalo Billy gak pernah ketemu ma Bart, n ada kemungkinan Bart msh hidup, Esme pun memutuskan utk menyewa Billy buat nyari ade nya itu….
Billy yg semula menolak, lama2 mule trgoda ama ide berpetualang bareng Ms. Fine…
Apalagi ada ‘tawaran’ dr salah seorang U.S Marshall yg ingin menangkap The Black Bart-ade Esme dengan iming2 full freedom buat Billy n sodara2 nya The Darling’s Gang…
Plus posisi sbgai anggota U.S Marshall yg di idam2kan Billy…
I could die in your arms right now
Knowing that you somehow
Would take my soul and keep it
Deep inside your heart
Petualangan Billy dan Esme-The Duchess, julukan Billy ke Esme.. uhhhh, jd inget savage thunder nya JL - yg seruuuu dan kocak pun di mulai…
Daku ngakak mulu waktu mereka ketemu ma kakak2nya Billy yg super duper gokil..
Mrka bdua mesti pura2 mesra githu,…
Abis itu ada twist yg bikin kaget jg, hwuhuhu…
N brdarah-darah *nangisss jeder*
Girl, your love to me feels just like magic
When you smile you have total control
You have power like nothing I felt before
Billy dr awal gak yakin kalo Bart itu ade kandungnya Esme.
Menurut dia, Esme adl kekasih Bart…
Ampe pd satu titik Billy udah gak peduli lg kalo dia bukan yg pertama buat Esme, dia cm ingin jd yg terakhir buat Esme, so sweet XD
Tpi ketika dia tau Esme n Bart beneran sodara, senangnya bukan maen bo…
i've let all of my feelings show
'Cause I want you to know
That I need you
Love scenes mrka bdua owwww owwww…. *ambil kipas*
Endingnya jg mantaphhhh, favorit daku >>> kejar daku, kau ku tangkap, hohohoho
Esme kaburrr ke London bareng kakeknya yg seorang Duke…
Sebagai lovable hero , dia mesti dong y kejar heroine nya ampe ke benua eropa… ^^
I need you
For the rest of my life, girl
I need you
Say that you'll be my wife
Oh, I love you
Won't you marry me, marry me
I need you
Intinya in my opinion ini lagu i need you ama ni cerita (dr POV nya Billy) nyatu banget d….
Epilognya juga so, so sweeEEETT
Aaaaaaaahhhh, jd pengen kutip kata2 Esme ke Billy “Nobody’s DARLING but MINE” ;D
Really2 loved it ^^v
Lagu I NEED YOU – MARC ANTHONY menurut gw cucok bgt ngewakilin feelingnya William ‘billy’ Darling seorang outlaw, bounty hunter n gunfighter ke Ms. Esmeralda Fine…
From the day that I met you, girl
I knew that your love would be
Everything that I ever wanted in my life
Jadi ceritanya Esmeralda dtg jauh2 dr Boston ke Calamity, New Mexico buat hunting pembunuh baby brothernya - Bartholomews…
Pas sampe di Calamity, itu kota penuh ama poster2 Wanted yg ada wajah dan nama Billy..
Tapi herannya gak ada yg berani nangkap Billy, bahkan sherrif ntu kota sahabatan ma Billy.
Esme akhirnya ketemu jg ma Billy yg lg maen kartu n minum2 ma Drew-sang sheriff…
Makin kesel d si esme,
So, dia minta ma sherrif buat jeblosin Billy ke penjara…
Krna di cuekin n di ketawain, Esme nekat nembak Billy. LOL
Lucunya pas narik pelatuk ntu senjata, dia langsung pingsan, …
From the moment you spoke my name
I knew everything had changed
Because of you I felt my life would be complete
Niat awal pengen menjarain Billy, ujung2nya Esme yg masuk penjara…
Gw ngakak tiap bc dilema nya Esme mo manggil nama Billy..
Kalo manggil William agak sok kenal sok dekat githu, Billy ky udah kenal lama, apalgi kalo mr. Darling, hwehehe kesannya intim bgt, hmpfh….
Nothing matters but you, my love
And only God above would be the one
To know exactly how I feel
Setelah di jelasin panjang kali lebar kalo Billy gak pernah ketemu ma Bart, n ada kemungkinan Bart msh hidup, Esme pun memutuskan utk menyewa Billy buat nyari ade nya itu….
Billy yg semula menolak, lama2 mule trgoda ama ide berpetualang bareng Ms. Fine…
Apalagi ada ‘tawaran’ dr salah seorang U.S Marshall yg ingin menangkap The Black Bart-ade Esme dengan iming2 full freedom buat Billy n sodara2 nya The Darling’s Gang…
Plus posisi sbgai anggota U.S Marshall yg di idam2kan Billy…
I could die in your arms right now
Knowing that you somehow
Would take my soul and keep it
Deep inside your heart
Petualangan Billy dan Esme-The Duchess, julukan Billy ke Esme.. uhhhh, jd inget savage thunder nya JL - yg seruuuu dan kocak pun di mulai…
Daku ngakak mulu waktu mereka ketemu ma kakak2nya Billy yg super duper gokil..
Mrka bdua mesti pura2 mesra githu,…
Abis itu ada twist yg bikin kaget jg, hwuhuhu…
N brdarah-darah *nangisss jeder*
Girl, your love to me feels just like magic
When you smile you have total control
You have power like nothing I felt before
Billy dr awal gak yakin kalo Bart itu ade kandungnya Esme.
Menurut dia, Esme adl kekasih Bart…
Ampe pd satu titik Billy udah gak peduli lg kalo dia bukan yg pertama buat Esme, dia cm ingin jd yg terakhir buat Esme, so sweet XD
Tpi ketika dia tau Esme n Bart beneran sodara, senangnya bukan maen bo…
i've let all of my feelings show
'Cause I want you to know
That I need you
Love scenes mrka bdua owwww owwww…. *ambil kipas*
Endingnya jg mantaphhhh, favorit daku >>> kejar daku, kau ku tangkap, hohohoho
Esme kaburrr ke London bareng kakeknya yg seorang Duke…
Sebagai lovable hero , dia mesti dong y kejar heroine nya ampe ke benua eropa… ^^
I need you
For the rest of my life, girl
I need you
Say that you'll be my wife
Oh, I love you
Won't you marry me, marry me
I need you
Intinya in my opinion ini lagu i need you ama ni cerita (dr POV nya Billy) nyatu banget d….
Epilognya juga so, so sweeEEETT
Aaaaaaaahhhh, jd pengen kutip kata2 Esme ke Billy “Nobody’s DARLING but MINE” ;D
Really2 loved it ^^v
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July 19, 2011
My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book. This one's got 3 parts.
*sigh* is all I can say or do about this book, one of the few westerns I've read. Beautiful in one word! :)
When I heard it's an western, I immediately thought I'd read "Yours Until Dawn" before this one but hey, so glad I didn't! It's fun. Naughty, wicked fun to be precise! And really funny in places.
Billy is a darling for sure, blonde green-gray eyed one at that ;) ... I love Esmerelda, another brown hair and eyed heroine! :p I admire her already. Billy is making me all fuzzy hihihihi. Kinda reminding me of "A Whisper of Roses" with his brothers, the Darling gang and all. The plot is interesting as well as the setting. Though I have a few questions about a few things and would've love to see some of the scenes differently, overall I have no objections yet. On the 14th chp now, waiting to find out what happens when they find Bart aka Bartholomew, Esme's brother. :)
***************
Absolutely LOVING IT, until the 3rd part of course. There I'm kinda down now! WHY BILLY? ARGHH!!! I mean what a journey it was ... all of it! From the discovery of Bart, you getting hurt, Esme nursing you back in health, your loco family, Bart leaving to the crazy proposal and the love scene(s) afterwards ... Loved it all. But, why oh why? Esme loves you so much (I can't even be jealous of her, you two belong to each-other and I really like her a lot). Now, you're going to England when you heard she's going to marry an 'old lech' who courted her mother which made her mom ran away with her dad. I hope you stop acting like a butt head and do something about it.
Also enjoying the subplot of Esme's granddad and aunt. The aunt might be having something with the Sheriff ... Oh, what fun! :p
Really this one is so worth it all, I'm loving it so damn much ... Oh, ok said it all I guess. Hopefully gonna finish tonight. :)
***************
Ohhhh myyyyy! This maybe my most fav TM book, really. So so beautiful. I just can't not give it a 5star, I knew I will. Billy and Esme, two peas in a pod! :p And the epilogue, so different from what I've read before. Very nice. Left me sighing and a bit more than curious about Esme (the great-great granddaughter of our Esme and Billy) and Dix.
Ah, all the good things always come to an end. :(
The last paragraph of the book tugged at my heart, I knew without even looking down what those two words would be ... Ah, so sweet. Made me so wistful... *sigh*
*sigh* is all I can say or do about this book, one of the few westerns I've read. Beautiful in one word! :)
When I heard it's an western, I immediately thought I'd read "Yours Until Dawn" before this one but hey, so glad I didn't! It's fun. Naughty, wicked fun to be precise! And really funny in places.
Billy is a darling for sure, blonde green-gray eyed one at that ;) ... I love Esmerelda, another brown hair and eyed heroine! :p I admire her already. Billy is making me all fuzzy hihihihi. Kinda reminding me of "A Whisper of Roses" with his brothers, the Darling gang and all. The plot is interesting as well as the setting. Though I have a few questions about a few things and would've love to see some of the scenes differently, overall I have no objections yet. On the 14th chp now, waiting to find out what happens when they find Bart aka Bartholomew, Esme's brother. :)
***************
Absolutely LOVING IT, until the 3rd part of course. There I'm kinda down now! WHY BILLY? ARGHH!!! I mean what a journey it was ... all of it! From the discovery of Bart, you getting hurt, Esme nursing you back in health, your loco family, Bart leaving to the crazy proposal and the love scene(s) afterwards ... Loved it all. But, why oh why? Esme loves you so much (I can't even be jealous of her, you two belong to each-other and I really like her a lot). Now, you're going to England when you heard she's going to marry an 'old lech' who courted her mother which made her mom ran away with her dad. I hope you stop acting like a butt head and do something about it.
Also enjoying the subplot of Esme's granddad and aunt. The aunt might be having something with the Sheriff ... Oh, what fun! :p
Really this one is so worth it all, I'm loving it so damn much ... Oh, ok said it all I guess. Hopefully gonna finish tonight. :)
***************
Ohhhh myyyyy! This maybe my most fav TM book, really. So so beautiful. I just can't not give it a 5star, I knew I will. Billy and Esme, two peas in a pod! :p And the epilogue, so different from what I've read before. Very nice. Left me sighing and a bit more than curious about Esme (the great-great granddaughter of our Esme and Billy) and Dix.
Ah, all the good things always come to an end. :(
The last paragraph of the book tugged at my heart, I knew without even looking down what those two words would be ... Ah, so sweet. Made me so wistful... *sigh*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2012
NOBODY'S DARLING is the newest addition to my keeper shelf. From the first page, the story is laugh-out-loud funny, warm-hearted, and full of adventure. Madeiros' voice is amazingly crisp and easy to read. Writers frequently will find themselves thinking "gee, I wish I'd written that," yet the refreshing turns of phrase, wit, and subtle employment of literary devices never get in the way of the story.
From hero and heroine to every minor player, the characters fairly spring off the page. All are complex and enchanting in their own way. The hero and heroine are the kind of folks who stand out in a crowd without ever seeming to be too good to be true or too stupid to live. The Darling gang is a delightfully inept bunch with a volatile edge. One wonders how they ever managed to survive -- much less create a dangerous reputation for themselves -- since they all seem more like overgrown wayward boys than outlaws. The lawmen are rife with their own moral ambiguities, and the wealthy are as bereft in their own way as the downtrodden. The "working girls" are just slutty enough to be fun, but not so slutty as to be sleazy. Even the dogs, cats, horses, and mules have their foibles and blessings. Despite all the complexities of character, everyone's various parts seem to fit him or her, never leaving readers wondering "why did he/she do that?"
It's worth noting that for all her admirable skill, Madeiros indulges -- gleefully, almost -- in a couple of authorly "sins" about which contemporary fiction writers are warned ad nauseam. Point of view slides all over the place with reckless abandon. Adverbs barge in without even bothering to knock. Historical accuracy evidently felt the need of frequent coffee breaks. It's a testament to Madeiros' storytelling ability that NONE of those things do more than whisper in the back of a reader's mind before retreating in the face of the pure joy of immersion in the tale.
I cannot recommend NOBODY'S DARLING highly enough to readers -- and writers -- of historical western romance. To engage a moribund cliche: You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll wish the story never would end.
From hero and heroine to every minor player, the characters fairly spring off the page. All are complex and enchanting in their own way. The hero and heroine are the kind of folks who stand out in a crowd without ever seeming to be too good to be true or too stupid to live. The Darling gang is a delightfully inept bunch with a volatile edge. One wonders how they ever managed to survive -- much less create a dangerous reputation for themselves -- since they all seem more like overgrown wayward boys than outlaws. The lawmen are rife with their own moral ambiguities, and the wealthy are as bereft in their own way as the downtrodden. The "working girls" are just slutty enough to be fun, but not so slutty as to be sleazy. Even the dogs, cats, horses, and mules have their foibles and blessings. Despite all the complexities of character, everyone's various parts seem to fit him or her, never leaving readers wondering "why did he/she do that?"
It's worth noting that for all her admirable skill, Madeiros indulges -- gleefully, almost -- in a couple of authorly "sins" about which contemporary fiction writers are warned ad nauseam. Point of view slides all over the place with reckless abandon. Adverbs barge in without even bothering to knock. Historical accuracy evidently felt the need of frequent coffee breaks. It's a testament to Madeiros' storytelling ability that NONE of those things do more than whisper in the back of a reader's mind before retreating in the face of the pure joy of immersion in the tale.
I cannot recommend NOBODY'S DARLING highly enough to readers -- and writers -- of historical western romance. To engage a moribund cliche: You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll wish the story never would end.
February 8, 2016
http://bookslifewine.com/r-nobodys-da...
Hmmm, not sure what to say about this one.
I feel like Nobody' Darling is broken into two parts:
1 - In the American West
This part is my favorite. I loved watching Billy and Esmerelda travel and flirt and fall in love. This section was funny and sweet and cute. I ate it up with a spoon.
2 - After Esmerelda's grandfather shows up
I really disliked this part. At first I thought it was going to be just as much fun as the beginning but it.was.NOT.
The whole situation/section - for me - became cringe inducing. I disliked...just about everything about it from Billy's actions to "protect" Esmerelda to the move to Europe to the Wild West Show to...damn near everything. I was soooooo disappointed.
The epilogue was rather cute, however, and I would have loved to have more of that.
All in all, this one was very meh for me.
April 9, 2024
4.5 Stars.
This is an absolutely bonkers ride. Esmerelda Fine is the granddaughter of a duke. But her mother ran away and married a journalist from Boston, and when Esme's parents died when she was 12, she took over sole care of her brother. Now, 13 years later, her brother is missing or dead at the hands of the Outlaw Billy Darling. And she's going to do whatever it takes to bring her brother home.
Ok, so it has maybe the world's worst first kiss, but otherwise this was just thoroughly fun all the way through. An entirely surface level read, but with gunslinging saloon energy and multiple near brushes with death. I wished a few plotlines might have resolved, rather than staying opened ended, but we are treated to the perfect secondary romance, too. Feels a little old school, but with swagger.
That said, I wasn't the biggest fan of the 1998 era epilogue... the modern epilogue rarely works for me.
This is an absolutely bonkers ride. Esmerelda Fine is the granddaughter of a duke. But her mother ran away and married a journalist from Boston, and when Esme's parents died when she was 12, she took over sole care of her brother. Now, 13 years later, her brother is missing or dead at the hands of the Outlaw Billy Darling. And she's going to do whatever it takes to bring her brother home.
Ok, so it has maybe the world's worst first kiss, but otherwise this was just thoroughly fun all the way through. An entirely surface level read, but with gunslinging saloon energy and multiple near brushes with death. I wished a few plotlines might have resolved, rather than staying opened ended, but we are treated to the perfect secondary romance, too. Feels a little old school, but with swagger.
That said, I wasn't the biggest fan of the 1998 era epilogue... the modern epilogue rarely works for me.
November 17, 2010
I,m not really a Western fan. But this book really has it all. Likeable characters, witty dialogue and plenty of tension between H/H and a fast paced plot. The story is split into three parts which i really liked the first two parts really make the book. The stage is America in the old west gangs, gunslingers, outlaws all run rampant .Billy Darling is the most infamous. Esmerelda hires him to track down her missing brother and this story is all about finding her brother.
August 1, 2014
A fine and darling story :) Set in the American West. One of those light-hearted, witty romances that are such a pleasure to read.
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