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Untamed #1 & 2
Untamed: Riding West & Lawless
Lawless - Deserved or not, Cal Riker's skill with a gun gives him a deadly reputation that sometimes comes in handy. Like saving an enticing, sassy beauty from a ruthless outlaw gang. Laura Daniels is too furious about the indignity of her rescue to be intimidated by the cool, silver-eyed stranger. Until she finds out who he is. But is he truly as lawless as they say? As she discovers an interesting side to this renegade cowboy, Laurel starts to wonder]] Riding West - Just take her. The advice seems radical, but after five fruitless years of courting Celia Evans, Parker West is desperate. Kidnapping her is as drastic measure, but what has he got to lose? After she gets over the shock of being tied her up and carryied off to the mountains, Celia finds she likes the sparks that fly as Parker teaches her exactly what it means to be a woman. Under his reserved exterior lives the lover of her dreams, a cowboy who knows how to give a girl a wild, intensely pleasurable ride.
249 pages, Trade Paperback
First published April 1, 2009
1 person is currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Emma Wildes
105 books364 followersEmma was born in Minnesota and she lives in the Midwest, though she grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She attended Illinois State University where she majored in geology, and there she met her husband, Chris. They have three children, a temperamental cat named Poot, and are lucky enough to live on a beautiful lake. On warm days, she does enjoy a glass of wine on the dock now and then, and always loves to sit at her desk, winter or summer, and tap at her keyboard.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 12, 2009
This book is a two story anthology of related stories taking place during 1870s Colorado. Each story had an interesting premise featuring a hot cowboy and his woman, a couple of steamy moments between the H/H, and your typical HEA. The first story ended rather abruptly with a couple of unanswered questions, but thankfully a few chapters into the next story they were answered.
In Riding West, rancher Parker West has been patiently courting his feisty, spoiled, lady-love Celia Evans for years. When he finally proposes marriage in a rather un-romantic but logical way, pointing out all the practical reasons that they should get married, Celia turns him down. She wants to see cool-headed Parker show some passion and spontaneity. Parker's frustrated, gets some advice from an unexpected source to "just take her", and proceeds to tie up Celia and take her to a secluded cabin for some "convincing" that he's the man for her. Celia loves this dominating side of Parker, and they spend a verry passionate week in the little cabin. Who knew quiet, conservative Parker could be such an alpha? But things turn ugly when they head back to town, because someone else has unrealistic plans for Celia, and he'll stop at nothing to get his way.
This was a pretty simple read, with some erotic interludes between Parker (who proves that still waters run deep) and apt pupil Celia, who finds her inner wild child at the mountain cabin. A crazy villain adds some tension and suspense to the story, and there's a subplot between Celia's older brother John and an abused married woman that I would have liked to read more of. The story did end rather abruptly, and I felt that it could have supported another 100 pages or so if it was properly developed. I enjoyed the characters and the writing but it did leave me wanting more.
In Lawless, beautiful young Laurel Daniels is on her way back from Boston when her train is held up and she is kidnapped by desperados. A terrible fate awaits her, until one of the outlaws, notorious gunslinger Cal Riker, steps in to save her. But is he really 'saving' her, or does he just want her for his own? Even though he's a lawless renegade wanted for a murder in Texas 10 years ago, Cal is an honorable man who doesn't want innocents hurt and wants to return Laurel to her family. He just needs to take care of some unfinished business first. As Cal and Laurel lay low at a secluded cabin until it's safe to return her to her family, they find that there's a sexual chemistry between them that's hard to deny. Laurel knows that Cal is more than the hard man he wants her to believe he is, and she sets out to get him to open up to her. Cal finds that it's hard to deny the mutual attraction brewing between them, even though he knows there can't be a future for them since he's wanted "dead or alive". Will Cal and Laurel find a way to be together, or will his lawless past come between them?
I really enjoyed this one, even though the romance between Laurel and Cal seemed to happen awfully fast. Laurel seemed unusually willing to find the good in a gunslinger that she barely knew, and I was wondering if it was love she was feeling or simply gratitude. But what the heck, I was able to go with it and I'm glad I did. Cal and Laurel generated a fair amount of heat, and Laurel brought some much needed hope back into Cal's lonely life. I really liked Cal, liked his backstory and was glad to see that he was indeed a good guy who just happened to get caught up in some unfortunate circumstances. John Evans from Riding West reappears in this one as the understanding sheriff who helps Cal forge a new life. This was a nice hot little romance with a suspenseful ending and a saisfying epilogue.
If you're in the mood for a couple of hot cowboy romances, give Untamed a try. The writing is good, the characters are likable and interesting, the heat level is high, and you'll be wishing for more. 4 stars
In Riding West, rancher Parker West has been patiently courting his feisty, spoiled, lady-love Celia Evans for years. When he finally proposes marriage in a rather un-romantic but logical way, pointing out all the practical reasons that they should get married, Celia turns him down. She wants to see cool-headed Parker show some passion and spontaneity. Parker's frustrated, gets some advice from an unexpected source to "just take her", and proceeds to tie up Celia and take her to a secluded cabin for some "convincing" that he's the man for her. Celia loves this dominating side of Parker, and they spend a verry passionate week in the little cabin. Who knew quiet, conservative Parker could be such an alpha? But things turn ugly when they head back to town, because someone else has unrealistic plans for Celia, and he'll stop at nothing to get his way.
This was a pretty simple read, with some erotic interludes between Parker (who proves that still waters run deep) and apt pupil Celia, who finds her inner wild child at the mountain cabin. A crazy villain adds some tension and suspense to the story, and there's a subplot between Celia's older brother John and an abused married woman that I would have liked to read more of. The story did end rather abruptly, and I felt that it could have supported another 100 pages or so if it was properly developed. I enjoyed the characters and the writing but it did leave me wanting more.
In Lawless, beautiful young Laurel Daniels is on her way back from Boston when her train is held up and she is kidnapped by desperados. A terrible fate awaits her, until one of the outlaws, notorious gunslinger Cal Riker, steps in to save her. But is he really 'saving' her, or does he just want her for his own? Even though he's a lawless renegade wanted for a murder in Texas 10 years ago, Cal is an honorable man who doesn't want innocents hurt and wants to return Laurel to her family. He just needs to take care of some unfinished business first. As Cal and Laurel lay low at a secluded cabin until it's safe to return her to her family, they find that there's a sexual chemistry between them that's hard to deny. Laurel knows that Cal is more than the hard man he wants her to believe he is, and she sets out to get him to open up to her. Cal finds that it's hard to deny the mutual attraction brewing between them, even though he knows there can't be a future for them since he's wanted "dead or alive". Will Cal and Laurel find a way to be together, or will his lawless past come between them?
I really enjoyed this one, even though the romance between Laurel and Cal seemed to happen awfully fast. Laurel seemed unusually willing to find the good in a gunslinger that she barely knew, and I was wondering if it was love she was feeling or simply gratitude. But what the heck, I was able to go with it and I'm glad I did. Cal and Laurel generated a fair amount of heat, and Laurel brought some much needed hope back into Cal's lonely life. I really liked Cal, liked his backstory and was glad to see that he was indeed a good guy who just happened to get caught up in some unfortunate circumstances. John Evans from Riding West reappears in this one as the understanding sheriff who helps Cal forge a new life. This was a nice hot little romance with a suspenseful ending and a saisfying epilogue.
If you're in the mood for a couple of hot cowboy romances, give Untamed a try. The writing is good, the characters are likable and interesting, the heat level is high, and you'll be wishing for more. 4 stars
April 25, 2010
Riding West - 3.5 stars - okay story
Lawless - 4.5 stars - I really enjoyed this story about a wanted man who finds love and redemption with the beautiful woman he saves from a harsh fate. Sweet and sexy story with a great hero and a likable heroine.
Lawless - 4.5 stars - I really enjoyed this story about a wanted man who finds love and redemption with the beautiful woman he saves from a harsh fate. Sweet and sexy story with a great hero and a likable heroine.
June 14, 2015
There were two related short stories in this hot, romantic western. The first story was the longest, Riding West and centered around seemingly passive Parker West kidnapping his girlfriend of five years, Celia Evans. They lived in connecting ranches and she felt his proposal listing the reasons why they should get married was very unromantic, so she turned him down. During his "courtship" Parker had remained unromantic toward Celia. A few chaste kisses and Celia wanted more in her marriage. Little did she know, Parker, was just trying to be nice and patient. Both liked each other (they grew up together), so with the advice from Celia's mother, Parker decided to kidnap Celia for a week. He showed his more dominant side and they worked out their romantic issues, declared their love, and fought off the villain with the aid of Celia's family.
Celia's character got on my nerves with her "does he love me" thoughts. There was a secondary story running along with this one that I was much more interested in. Celia's brother, John, was seeing Alice Reese. Alice was married to an abuser who went away for months at a time and she had three young children--one belonged to John. I was upset that this did not wrap-up neatly and pleasantly surprised that they continued into the next story, Lawless.
Lawless was much shorter and involved Cal Riker riding with a band of outlaws that robbed a train and they also kidnapped Laurel Daniels because she was so beautiful (eyes rolling). Cal prevented the men from raping Laurel and left the bandits. His reason for joining the outlaws came out and it's not what people believe. Enjoyed these two characters.
For me, this was not an erotic read. The writing was so-so. Nothing fancy. Some places, the way something was written gave me pause. There wasn't enough character growth or angst to keep me hanging on.
Celia's character got on my nerves with her "does he love me" thoughts. There was a secondary story running along with this one that I was much more interested in. Celia's brother, John, was seeing Alice Reese. Alice was married to an abuser who went away for months at a time and she had three young children--one belonged to John. I was upset that this did not wrap-up neatly and pleasantly surprised that they continued into the next story, Lawless.
Lawless was much shorter and involved Cal Riker riding with a band of outlaws that robbed a train and they also kidnapped Laurel Daniels because she was so beautiful (eyes rolling). Cal prevented the men from raping Laurel and left the bandits. His reason for joining the outlaws came out and it's not what people believe. Enjoyed these two characters.
For me, this was not an erotic read. The writing was so-so. Nothing fancy. Some places, the way something was written gave me pause. There wasn't enough character growth or angst to keep me hanging on.
June 26, 2009
This book gets an average of 3 stars. 4 stars for Lawless and 2 stars for Riding West.
Maybe I missed something with this one. It got quite a few 4 and 5 star reviews, but I didn't get it. Lawless was a very enjoyable novella, but it's short length left me wanting more of the story.
Riding West just turned me off from the first and I ended up skimming the last half. This was the longer story in this volume. The hero and heroine are both upstanding citizens who simply get their wires crossed. They are in love, but his proposal is logical and unromatic and she refuses him. To solve the problem, her mother and his mother agree it is a good idea for him to abduct her to get things settled????? I don't know, that just turned me off! I got halfway through, found them returned and married and facing rustlers on the range. Would rather have had a full length Lawless and left Riding West back in the pasture.
Maybe I missed something with this one. It got quite a few 4 and 5 star reviews, but I didn't get it. Lawless was a very enjoyable novella, but it's short length left me wanting more of the story.
Riding West just turned me off from the first and I ended up skimming the last half. This was the longer story in this volume. The hero and heroine are both upstanding citizens who simply get their wires crossed. They are in love, but his proposal is logical and unromatic and she refuses him. To solve the problem, her mother and his mother agree it is a good idea for him to abduct her to get things settled????? I don't know, that just turned me off! I got halfway through, found them returned and married and facing rustlers on the range. Would rather have had a full length Lawless and left Riding West back in the pasture.
January 3, 2011
I absolutely LOVED both of the stories in this book. The characters were great but the hero's in both stories were unbelievably HOT, caring, sweet and did I say HOT? Jeez, just look at the cover of this book and you want to melt.
This book was 5++ and goes in the keeper file for me.
This book was 5++ and goes in the keeper file for me.
September 12, 2023
I liked it.
April 11, 2025
The first story was a simple little novella and a tiny bit disappointing, but I loved the second book. Great story, captivating, hard H and strong h.
June 5, 2013
3.5 Stars!Thanks to my friend Sunny for passing this one on to me! I enjoyed it very much. I did like the second story, Lawless more than the first story, Riding West. The first story was, well, cuter than the second. I liked it though, the beau who is tired of being polite and patient 'kidnapping' his girl, taking her away to show her how good they are together. I thought she kind of took charge a little too much for being the unexperienced partner, but it was still fun. I wouldn't mind having a similar few days ;) I was intrigued by the secondary relationship between her brother and the woman in town too. I found myself wanting to know more about them, and was hoping they'd find a way to be together. The historical detail and whatnot wasn't hugely descriptive, more like just enough to let you know the story's a Western-type story. Same for the second story, though I seemed to feel the time and place better in that one. In Lawless, I was intrigued by the hero, Cal, right away. The tough outlaw who isn't what he seems, what secrets was he keeping, all that. Laurel was alright too, though a little brazen still I thought. I liked how she didn't get all hysterical about her situation though, she was scared but took it in stride once she was safe with Cal. I liked the more serious tone of this story, and I think it could've been really good as a full-length novel. Then the author could've delved deeper into Cal's past, and both of the characters' personalities and inner thoughts. I was happy to see the secondary couple from the first story in this one too, and happy and together now. Made me glad to know things worked out for them.
Altogether, this was a good read. I liked the writing, and am definitely interested in trying some more of the author's work, especially the full novels. The steam level wasn't really super high, more 'dirty' description words than a typical romance, but otherwise not much different in content or quantity. Nothing kinky or unusual, just regular style lovin'. I'm glad I gave this author a try though, and will be keeping my eye out for more of her work. 3.5 Stars.
Altogether, this was a good read. I liked the writing, and am definitely interested in trying some more of the author's work, especially the full novels. The steam level wasn't really super high, more 'dirty' description words than a typical romance, but otherwise not much different in content or quantity. Nothing kinky or unusual, just regular style lovin'. I'm glad I gave this author a try though, and will be keeping my eye out for more of her work. 3.5 Stars.
August 22, 2012
Story and Writing Style
I thought this was very well written. Two quick little romances, with great sex and happy endings. As this was two stories in one novel, the stories were pretty simple, and they focused exclusively on the main couple. The writing was good--descriptive, but moved along quickly. I will read this again someday, and I will definitely read more from this author.
Characters
Like I said, this is two stories in one, so there isn't that much time to go into depth with each character. This works very well for the first story, as the hero and heroine have been acquainted for many years prior to the story's start. You're alluded to the fact that their families are friends, that it is hoped that they get married, but that he's a bit more conservative and wasn't taking the bull by the horns. And that's precisely how the story starts, and how he literally grabs her, throws her on his horse, and rides away to make her his.
The second story is just as hot, and a supposed outlaw somehow gets his hands on the heroine. He's the typical misunderstood gunman, the "outlaw with the heart of gold", and the girl, much like the one in the first story, is stubborn and feisty, but hungry for the touch of a man. A real man. And that's exactly who the heroes are.
Sex
Great. Fantastic. The sex is definitely hot, hard and fast. I love me some stubborn women who act like they don't want sex but really do. And they get it. And they get into it. And they love it. And the want it again and again. Yes. These are those stories.
And I would call this erotica. Not a lot of extras in terms of toys or lube, but there was enough strong language to give the scenes a more graphic feel.
I thought this was very well written. Two quick little romances, with great sex and happy endings. As this was two stories in one novel, the stories were pretty simple, and they focused exclusively on the main couple. The writing was good--descriptive, but moved along quickly. I will read this again someday, and I will definitely read more from this author.
Characters
Like I said, this is two stories in one, so there isn't that much time to go into depth with each character. This works very well for the first story, as the hero and heroine have been acquainted for many years prior to the story's start. You're alluded to the fact that their families are friends, that it is hoped that they get married, but that he's a bit more conservative and wasn't taking the bull by the horns. And that's precisely how the story starts, and how he literally grabs her, throws her on his horse, and rides away to make her his.
The second story is just as hot, and a supposed outlaw somehow gets his hands on the heroine. He's the typical misunderstood gunman, the "outlaw with the heart of gold", and the girl, much like the one in the first story, is stubborn and feisty, but hungry for the touch of a man. A real man. And that's exactly who the heroes are.
Sex
Great. Fantastic. The sex is definitely hot, hard and fast. I love me some stubborn women who act like they don't want sex but really do. And they get it. And they get into it. And they love it. And the want it again and again. Yes. These are those stories.
And I would call this erotica. Not a lot of extras in terms of toys or lube, but there was enough strong language to give the scenes a more graphic feel.
Want to read
January 4, 2015Anthology contains the stories: Lawless and Riding West.
July 21, 2009
I didn't care much for the first story, the main couple was a tad boring. The second story was really good though. I loved Cal's character and wished he had a full length story. I also enjoyed seeing the heroine's, from the first story, brother get his own HEA.
January 18, 2011
????? Ok what is this? We have had vampires, shape shifters, navy Seals, FBI, CIA and other various and sundry " 6 packers". Now we have cowboys and erotica. ???? What.... I have to wonder is next.
September 29, 2013
2 stories - first, a woman gets abducted in the progress of a train robbery, and is rescued/bought by one of the outlaws from all the others - out of the frying pan into ? and he turns out to be a keeper. good book!
October 21, 2011
Lawless, the second story in the book was better then the first IMO(loved Cal Riker). It was 4 stars the first story was 3 stars.
March 11, 2011
3.5 stars. 2 stories that were good!!
July 22, 2014
OK, so two cowboy smutish (not really but there was sex of course LOL) stories that were very loosely linked. i thought both stories we're quite good, but I preferred Riding West.
January 20, 2013
Cute historical cowboy romances. Set in the late 1800'S, each story is loosely connected and have a suspenseful element. Worth the read.
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