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Untamed #2
Lawless
An unlikely hero—until Fate steps in.
Cal Riker isn't just a wanted man. His skill with a gun makes his name synonymous with notoriety. Deserved or not, a deadly reputation can sometimes come in handy for things like saving a beautiful woman from a ruthless outlaw gang. They’re all afraid of him—all except his enticing captive.
Laurel Daniels is furious at being abducted, even more so at the indignity of being purchased with ill-gotten money. Then she’s terrified when she realizes the cool, silver-eyed stranger who bought her is none other than an infamous, legendary killer.
Is he truly as lawless as they say? As she discovers an interesting side to this renegade cowboy, Laurel starts to wonder…
Cal Riker isn't just a wanted man. His skill with a gun makes his name synonymous with notoriety. Deserved or not, a deadly reputation can sometimes come in handy for things like saving a beautiful woman from a ruthless outlaw gang. They’re all afraid of him—all except his enticing captive.
Laurel Daniels is furious at being abducted, even more so at the indignity of being purchased with ill-gotten money. Then she’s terrified when she realizes the cool, silver-eyed stranger who bought her is none other than an infamous, legendary killer.
Is he truly as lawless as they say? As she discovers an interesting side to this renegade cowboy, Laurel starts to wonder…
137 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2008
14 people are currently reading
279 people want to read
About the author
Emma Wildes
105 books367 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 8, 2011
This was my first read by Ms. Wildes and I have to say it was a nice surprise. I really liked this sweet and romantic story about an outlaw who finds love and a new purpose in life in the arms of his unintended captive. Cal and Laurel fall in love with each other almost at first sight and that could have made me skeptic about their HEA, but Ms. Wildes made it work for me. That was quite a feat, considering this is a short story.
Here's "my" Cal:
It wasn't easy to find a blond cowboy, but I think I've made a good job. :)
Here's "my" Cal:
It wasn't easy to find a blond cowboy, but I think I've made a good job. :)
April 30, 2016
So good. Exactly what I needed. Thanks Melissa K. Absolutely yummy outlaw hero. The heroine may have been innocent but she sure went for what she wanted. Cal fell hard and completely. I loved how he just let his walls down and never pushed Laurel away. Sexy times and dirty talk made this romance perfection. But add in that epilogue with this strong tough hero and his baby girl and..
I'm definitely going to be looking for more safe historical western romances.. They leave out all the elements I hate and just leave a blazing and satisfying love story.
I'm definitely going to be looking for more safe historical western romances.. They leave out all the elements I hate and just leave a blazing and satisfying love story.
August 22, 2012
'Lawless' started out so promising - a dangerous (anti)hero takes it upon himself to save a young woman from a fate worse than death when she is kidnapped for "fun" by an outlaw gang. The girl is, of course, outrageously beautiful and very innocent (*rolls eyes* nothing new there), but the (anti)hero seemed so interesting and complex in the beginning, I was starting to settle in for a satisfying read reminiscent of Sarah McCarty's 'Hell's Eight' stories.
Unfortunately after a great opening act, things really fizzled into the land of been there, done that and I ended up skimming through much of the story. The steamy scenes were admittedly fairly well done (I've certainly read worse), but the story just didn't hold my interest - it came across as very contrived with conflicts that were too easily resolved. In the end, this was a pretty darn forgettable read for me.
Unfortunately after a great opening act, things really fizzled into the land of been there, done that and I ended up skimming through much of the story. The steamy scenes were admittedly fairly well done (I've certainly read worse), but the story just didn't hold my interest - it came across as very contrived with conflicts that were too easily resolved. In the end, this was a pretty darn forgettable read for me.
August 28, 2011
Very satisfying story about a man's redemption in the arms of a woman he never dared dream of loving. The HEA was sweet and tender.
*Steam rating: extremely spicy
*Steam rating: extremely spicy
June 27, 2017
This story has plenty of action. It is a bit unusual in its concept while involving train robbers and fast guns in the old West. The sex scenes are exciting but more over excellently included as part of the plot. The emotional intelligence demonstrated by the majority of the characters makes the book a true pleasure to read, along with the very happy ending. It is the second of the 'Untamed' series, but easily reads as a standalone. This is a new author for me and most definitely will be a new favorite for me. If you enjoy historical western romance 'Lawless' is a must read.
November 12, 2024
This book has finally scratched my itch for a good, steamy romance involving a dangerous gunslinger MMC who hides a vulnerable good heart behind a ruthless facade. Got this itch after playing to RDR2, and the vibe is kinda similar, which is what I was looking for!
The FMC, Laurel, is sweet without falling into the cliche of the young damsel in distress, by showing some grit. The MMC, Cal, is a perfectly balanced outlaw with a deep sense of honor and a whole lot of emotional vulnerability (which is dealt with in a very real way!)
Also, I have to say it : the spicy scenes are damnedly good!
In conclusion, it's a steamy but sweet short book that scratches the western outlaws itch very very well!
The FMC, Laurel, is sweet without falling into the cliche of the young damsel in distress, by showing some grit. The MMC, Cal, is a perfectly balanced outlaw with a deep sense of honor and a whole lot of emotional vulnerability (which is dealt with in a very real way!)
Also, I have to say it : the spicy scenes are damnedly good!
In conclusion, it's a steamy but sweet short book that scratches the western outlaws itch very very well!
July 17, 2022
Forgettable book.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
Hero is secretly a good guy. He runs around joining bandit gangs and then tipping off law enforcement. He never hurts heroine.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
Hero is secretly a good guy. He runs around joining bandit gangs and then tipping off law enforcement. He never hurts heroine.
December 7, 2013
You have to love a well written book about the old west! We start with a kidnapping, a fake rape, an escape, an ill-timed kiss, a cross country trek, and end up with a few weeks alone at a cabin - what could go wrong? Nothing really when a ranchers pride and joy daughter gets tangled up with a wanted gunslinger and tries to figure out how she can keep him. No shy, demure ladies can exist in the old west, and Laurel qualifies for that, she asks for what she wants, and Cal is helpless to deny her anything
Cal Riker faces death and mayhem daily, he has shot down more men than he cares to think about, and even if half his reputation is false, the other half is true and that alone is fearful. One look at Laurel though, and the hardened cowboy is a goner and everything related to her makes him go against his better judgment
How they get to where they want to end up, and even if they can get there, tests their resolve!
Cal Riker faces death and mayhem daily, he has shot down more men than he cares to think about, and even if half his reputation is false, the other half is true and that alone is fearful. One look at Laurel though, and the hardened cowboy is a goner and everything related to her makes him go against his better judgment
How they get to where they want to end up, and even if they can get there, tests their resolve!
Want to read
January 4, 2015Story featured/found in the anthology Untamed.
January 5, 2011
I didn't love it as much as the first book, but it was pleasant enough.. Sexy cover though..
Read
May 12, 2013I love this story! The descriptions of their kisses give me palpitations. His character is everything I want in a man. I wish I was Laurel.
July 20, 2014
Bleh. Stopped after a few chapters.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews