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Blazing Frontier #2
Wild Heart
Bolander brings readers the unforgettable story of Wolf McCloud from Dancing on Snowflakes--taking fans back to a blazing frontier America, a defiant woman, and the dangerous man who would be her destiny.
Julia Larson had never known passion. Her sister Josette had pursued it shamelessly while Julia became a spinster taking care of Josette's illegitimate child. Then a tough, secretive half-breed came to work on the Larson ranch. His insolent sensuality bothered Julia every waking moment and invaded her dreams. He wasn't a man she could trust, yet amid a violent and deadly war over her land's water rights, he might be exactly the man she needed....
Wolf McCloud was a loner who charmed women easily but cared for none. Abandoned as an infant by his white mother, he had finally traced her to northern California. Now, he was willing to make a deal with the plain, prickly Julia to own half her ranch -- by marrying her in name alone. Bitter and complex, Wolf wanted to find his past, not the sudden, savage desire neither he nor Julia could resist -- or the love that might yet save or destroy them both.
Julia Larson had never known passion. Her sister Josette had pursued it shamelessly while Julia became a spinster taking care of Josette's illegitimate child. Then a tough, secretive half-breed came to work on the Larson ranch. His insolent sensuality bothered Julia every waking moment and invaded her dreams. He wasn't a man she could trust, yet amid a violent and deadly war over her land's water rights, he might be exactly the man she needed....
Wolf McCloud was a loner who charmed women easily but cared for none. Abandoned as an infant by his white mother, he had finally traced her to northern California. Now, he was willing to make a deal with the plain, prickly Julia to own half her ranch -- by marrying her in name alone. Bitter and complex, Wolf wanted to find his past, not the sudden, savage desire neither he nor Julia could resist -- or the love that might yet save or destroy them both.
352 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1995
65 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
About the author
Jane Bonander
26 books27 followersJane Bonander has always had a flare for the dramatic. Just ask her mother. When she was five, she ran home from kindergarten and scrambled under her parents’ bed, hiding there until her mother came looking for her which was longer than Jane had anticipated, for she fell asleep. When her mother woke her, she told her that a big, hairy monster had chased her home. Since over an hour had passed, the drama of the moment was gone. She sold her first novel, SECRETS OF A MIDNIGHT MOON, to St. Martin’s Press in 1990. Since then she has published twelve more novels and novellas.
Although Jane lived in California for nearly twenty years and wrote most of her novels there, she returned to her roots in Minnesota in 1997, where she makes her home in St. Paul.
Although Jane lived in California for nearly twenty years and wrote most of her novels there, she returned to her roots in Minnesota in 1997, where she makes her home in St. Paul.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 28, 2016
I'm not going to get into all the problems rampant in so many historical romance novels because, let's face it, we all know what they are. The most offensive transgressions in this book are one or two rapey innuendos made toward the heroine (by the hero) and some slightly ignorant views on homosexuality.
However, it also suffers from unintentional silliness. Behold:
"A cornucopia of dangerous desire careened through her." (I might forgive this one if the book was set around Thanksgiving in a Pilgrim town.)
"Inside, there was a woman she'd never shown anyone. A woman with feelings and dreams." (Gooooooddddd, spare me.)
The book also includes the phrase "traitorous nipples." And at one point in the story, something "exploded inside" the heroine three times within five pages.
More silliness: The hero, Wolf, speaks to the heroine's (Julia's) father on his deathbed. The father asks a favor of Wolf, but Wolf has to go do something before he complies. The father promises not to die before Wolf gets back, but he does. Wolf firmly believes someone killed the father because of this. Because people on their deathbed totally control when they go. Never mind that someone actually did kill the father. Still.
The villains are also silly. Sigh.
The main character's sister, Josette, is a victim of over the top characterization. No doubt she sounds like a shitty person. All she wants to do is get laid. And this is all anybody talks about, of course: how much sex Josette likes to have and the consequences she suffers because of it. Never mind that the real measure of her worth is the fact that she never lifts a hand to help around the ranch, and is lazy to the point of not even taking care of her own baby, even though she lives under the same roof.
The strength of this book comes from the banter between the two main characters, Wolf and Julia. Their personal thoughts are boring and often schmaltzy, but their shared dialogue is fun. The only reason I got this book was because Wolf sounded hot, and that's basically the reason I read to the end. He had serious mommy issues, sure, but I liked his personality.
Although it was annoying to have Julia described as hard-working, faithful, and "a woman like that," I found her not unlikeable. Her inexperience and prudishness, particularly evident in her scenes with Wolf, were sort of adorable.
So, yeah. Romance lite, here. Read for the fun banter and a couple good sex scenes. Ignore everything else.
However, it also suffers from unintentional silliness. Behold:
"A cornucopia of dangerous desire careened through her." (I might forgive this one if the book was set around Thanksgiving in a Pilgrim town.)
"Inside, there was a woman she'd never shown anyone. A woman with feelings and dreams." (Gooooooddddd, spare me.)
The book also includes the phrase "traitorous nipples." And at one point in the story, something "exploded inside" the heroine three times within five pages.
More silliness: The hero, Wolf, speaks to the heroine's (Julia's) father on his deathbed. The father asks a favor of Wolf, but Wolf has to go do something before he complies. The father promises not to die before Wolf gets back, but he does. Wolf firmly believes someone killed the father because of this. Because people on their deathbed totally control when they go. Never mind that someone actually did kill the father. Still.
The villains are also silly. Sigh.
The main character's sister, Josette, is a victim of over the top characterization. No doubt she sounds like a shitty person. All she wants to do is get laid. And this is all anybody talks about, of course: how much sex Josette likes to have and the consequences she suffers because of it. Never mind that the real measure of her worth is the fact that she never lifts a hand to help around the ranch, and is lazy to the point of not even taking care of her own baby, even though she lives under the same roof.
The strength of this book comes from the banter between the two main characters, Wolf and Julia. Their personal thoughts are boring and often schmaltzy, but their shared dialogue is fun. The only reason I got this book was because Wolf sounded hot, and that's basically the reason I read to the end. He had serious mommy issues, sure, but I liked his personality.
Although it was annoying to have Julia described as hard-working, faithful, and "a woman like that," I found her not unlikeable. Her inexperience and prudishness, particularly evident in her scenes with Wolf, were sort of adorable.
So, yeah. Romance lite, here. Read for the fun banter and a couple good sex scenes. Ignore everything else.
January 22, 2015
I truly enjoyed reading this wonderful love story between Wolf and Julia. Seems like lately I've been in a rut reading contemporary and biker romances. Lately I've been going back and re-reading some of my most favorite historicals, the genre that addicted me to romance many years ago. I found this little jewel in my TBR file and decided to take a chance on an unknown author. No doubt I will be reading more of Ms. Bonander's book.
Wolf is a half breed who was thrown away at birth like a piece of garbage> Found by Angus, one of a pair of trappers, and raised by Angus and Baptiste. Angus is educated and Wolf gets a side of refinement and education, which gives Wolf his gentleman side. Baptiste is a lusty old reprobate who gives Wolf his alpha, lusty side. Julia is the older daughter of a struggling farmer. She's always carried the load and helped her father manage the ranch. Wolf comes to the area in search of the mother who ordered him killed at birth.
I loved the way the author slowly developed the relationship between Wolf and Julia. You feel their conflicting feelings as they try to fight what is growing. The sexual tension is high and Wolf can talk dirty without talking dirty. I loved the "verbal intercourse" as Wolf called it. I'm one of those girls who really likes a hot, sexy scene but sometimes the contemporary romances just get so down and dirty and you feel like you've read the same scene hundreds of times. That's one thing I love about historical romances, the sex can be hot but it's written in such a way it's not in your face trashy. Even though Wolf and Julia had some hot sex, it was written so well you knew the love was there. Wolf was so patient with Julia and her inner struggles and self esteem issues.
I really thought about a 5 star rating for this book. But I figured out that a major character would return before it happened towards the end of the book. I would highly recommend this book for western historical romance lovers.
Wolf is a half breed who was thrown away at birth like a piece of garbage> Found by Angus, one of a pair of trappers, and raised by Angus and Baptiste. Angus is educated and Wolf gets a side of refinement and education, which gives Wolf his gentleman side. Baptiste is a lusty old reprobate who gives Wolf his alpha, lusty side. Julia is the older daughter of a struggling farmer. She's always carried the load and helped her father manage the ranch. Wolf comes to the area in search of the mother who ordered him killed at birth.
I loved the way the author slowly developed the relationship between Wolf and Julia. You feel their conflicting feelings as they try to fight what is growing. The sexual tension is high and Wolf can talk dirty without talking dirty. I loved the "verbal intercourse" as Wolf called it. I'm one of those girls who really likes a hot, sexy scene but sometimes the contemporary romances just get so down and dirty and you feel like you've read the same scene hundreds of times. That's one thing I love about historical romances, the sex can be hot but it's written in such a way it's not in your face trashy. Even though Wolf and Julia had some hot sex, it was written so well you knew the love was there. Wolf was so patient with Julia and her inner struggles and self esteem issues.
I really thought about a 5 star rating for this book. But I figured out that a major character would return before it happened towards the end of the book. I would highly recommend this book for western historical romance lovers.
April 25, 2016
Julia Larson was living as a spinster and raising her sister's child. Feelings she had never felt before began to stir after her father hired a ranch hand.
Wolf McCloud was a ranch hand for the Larson ranch but then decided to leave as Josette, the youngest sister, kept trying to seduce him.
This was an upsetting read as there was unresolved business between Wolf and Josette that he never shared with Julia. He never came out and told his wife if he had been intimate with her sister, Josette, or not. In fact, he didn't tell Julia much of anything and she was always left wondering where she stood with him. She was in a world of sadness and hurt throughout this book because of the lack of communication and it also left some of us wondering about closure to a situation. As far as I could see, there was no definite closure and the book left me feeling confused and frustrated.
I would not recommend this book to a friend but you may want to see for yourself.
Wolf McCloud was a ranch hand for the Larson ranch but then decided to leave as Josette, the youngest sister, kept trying to seduce him.
This was an upsetting read as there was unresolved business between Wolf and Josette that he never shared with Julia. He never came out and told his wife if he had been intimate with her sister, Josette, or not. In fact, he didn't tell Julia much of anything and she was always left wondering where she stood with him. She was in a world of sadness and hurt throughout this book because of the lack of communication and it also left some of us wondering about closure to a situation. As far as I could see, there was no definite closure and the book left me feeling confused and frustrated.
I would not recommend this book to a friend but you may want to see for yourself.
December 15, 2018
The two most insecure people in the world find each other. Then spend the rest of the book sailing slowly down the river of Misunderstanding. Awkward story with a homophobic bent.
March 31, 2019
I really loved this story. there is much more to it than a classical historocal romance, indeed the characters had more depth and the story was much more layered than a basic historical romance book which heroes are a "halfbreed" and a considered spinster.
I loved Wolf Mc Cloud very much and also Julia considered the spinster. Of course at some moment I wanted to throttle her as she was so doubtful towards Wolf but considered the circonstances, I also could understand her. I loved their passion and the humor laced dialogues. A wonderful read.
I loved Wolf Mc Cloud very much and also Julia considered the spinster. Of course at some moment I wanted to throttle her as she was so doubtful towards Wolf but considered the circonstances, I also could understand her. I loved their passion and the humor laced dialogues. A wonderful read.
December 4, 2017
Enjoyable, but didn't take my world by storm; action would step along nicely, then bog down a bit. Ups outweighed the downs, but still lagged some. The overall duet of "I am not worthy" that permeates so many romance novels has gotten a bit stale for me, and was the major contributor to the sluggish parts. This almost rated four stars, just not quite. Will continue sampling what little the library carries of Bonander's works.
May 26, 2023
When Prickly meets Smarmy
This was a nice historical western romance. Some sweet, some spice, some urges to shake our prickly heroine and take a skillet to our smarmy hero. We have a marriage of convenience between the two, thanks to her father's machinations. Eventually, they fall in love but there are a lot of obstacles. An enjoyable read on a rainy day and would definitely recommend.
This was a nice historical western romance. Some sweet, some spice, some urges to shake our prickly heroine and take a skillet to our smarmy hero. We have a marriage of convenience between the two, thanks to her father's machinations. Eventually, they fall in love but there are a lot of obstacles. An enjoyable read on a rainy day and would definitely recommend.
April 1, 2023
This was slow to the start but ended up being a really good book.
October 12, 2023
enjoyed the 3 books of hers i"ve read
December 23, 2014
This well written novel takes place in the 1800s showing us what life was like for half-breed Wolf McCloud. He met Julia Larson when he worked at the ranch her father owned. Wolf was very attracted to her but knew he didn't have a chance with her so kept his distance. What a shock for both of them when Julia's father died and left a condition in his will that Wolf and Julia must marry in order to keep the ranch.
The characters in Wild Heart are very likable. Well, except for Josette. She is Julia's spoiled sister and is quite the hussy. She flirts with every man she sees and actually had a baby out of wed lock. That was absolutely unheard of at that time. She didn't want anything to do with the child and left it to Julia to care for. Julia was a very kind woman who didn't think she was pretty or good enough for someone to love. Wolf had a very hard life starting with his mother giving him to his grandmother to "get rid of". Due to his breeding, he was not well respected, even though he was very intelligent and a hard working man. I admired Wolf's disinterest in Josette when she tried to seduce him. He kept his distance from her as much as possible. It was nice to see that he cared for and admired Julia and she for him as well. Too bad they both kept their feelings a secret.
The author presents her readers with a novel that is exciting, suspenseful, and emotional. This is a good historical romantic suspense with lots of twists and turns and a great happy ending.
The characters in Wild Heart are very likable. Well, except for Josette. She is Julia's spoiled sister and is quite the hussy. She flirts with every man she sees and actually had a baby out of wed lock. That was absolutely unheard of at that time. She didn't want anything to do with the child and left it to Julia to care for. Julia was a very kind woman who didn't think she was pretty or good enough for someone to love. Wolf had a very hard life starting with his mother giving him to his grandmother to "get rid of". Due to his breeding, he was not well respected, even though he was very intelligent and a hard working man. I admired Wolf's disinterest in Josette when she tried to seduce him. He kept his distance from her as much as possible. It was nice to see that he cared for and admired Julia and she for him as well. Too bad they both kept their feelings a secret.
The author presents her readers with a novel that is exciting, suspenseful, and emotional. This is a good historical romantic suspense with lots of twists and turns and a great happy ending.
December 7, 2013
In Wild Heart, Wolf McCloud wants Julia Larson his boss's daughter. Julie refuses to acknowledge her wants. She is more concerned with the care of family matters and her infant niece than with any thing personal. Julia is attracted to Wolf but ignores it while her younger sister, Josette openly flirts with and tries to seduce Wolf. Where Julie is meek, Josette is openly flirtatious and uninhibited. Her and Julie's relationship has been strained since the time Josette was discovered in the act with Julia's former fiancé. A baby (the niece cared for by Julia) resulted from that affair. After the death of their mother, Julie took on more of the household responsibilities including Josette and Josette's baby.
Next to Josette, Julia doesn't see herself as attractive and assumes Wolf has accepted her sister's offers. Wolf leaves the farm to get away from Josette's escalating attempts at seduction then returns some time later at the request of Julie's dying father, who has made him an offer he does not want to refuse.
I liked Wolf's character and how he ignored Josette's attempts at seducing him. No wonder--his seduction of Julia was so purposeful that she had to go go to him when she did...and believe me Julia she was not alone.
Next to Josette, Julia doesn't see herself as attractive and assumes Wolf has accepted her sister's offers. Wolf leaves the farm to get away from Josette's escalating attempts at seduction then returns some time later at the request of Julie's dying father, who has made him an offer he does not want to refuse.
I liked Wolf's character and how he ignored Josette's attempts at seducing him. No wonder--his seduction of Julia was so purposeful that she had to go go to him when she did...and believe me Julia she was not alone.
January 4, 2014
Ni frío ni calor.
La historia de amor está bien, es bonita, el misterio es flojillo, se ve venir, aunque no es un pilar de la propia historia y los personajes…creo que ahí está mi problema, en los personajes.
El protagonista (Wolf McCloud) es el que más me ha gustado, al menos tiene un pasado problemático que lo hace ser cómo es, y que no lo estanca, sino que quiere superarlo, y, sobre todo, es consecuente con sus ideas y las mantiene hasta el final. A la protagonista (Julia Larson) no la he entendido, no he entendido su relación con su hermana, ni con su padre (total sumisión, nada atractivo para una protagonista) y tampoco he entendido los “malentendidos” que ni siquiera son tales, ya que con hacer una pregunta se solucionan, no me ha gustado su actitud de mártir y tampoco me ha gustado ese final donde todo se arregla, todos los malos se redimen y “comieron perdices”.
Pero, si no te preocupa un buen drama familiar, una hermana para tirarla por un barranco y equívocos por omisión este libro te puede gustar. A mí el final e ha dejado un poco fría…de ahí las 3 estrellas…
La historia de amor está bien, es bonita, el misterio es flojillo, se ve venir, aunque no es un pilar de la propia historia y los personajes…creo que ahí está mi problema, en los personajes.
El protagonista (Wolf McCloud) es el que más me ha gustado, al menos tiene un pasado problemático que lo hace ser cómo es, y que no lo estanca, sino que quiere superarlo, y, sobre todo, es consecuente con sus ideas y las mantiene hasta el final. A la protagonista (Julia Larson) no la he entendido, no he entendido su relación con su hermana, ni con su padre (total sumisión, nada atractivo para una protagonista) y tampoco he entendido los “malentendidos” que ni siquiera son tales, ya que con hacer una pregunta se solucionan, no me ha gustado su actitud de mártir y tampoco me ha gustado ese final donde todo se arregla, todos los malos se redimen y “comieron perdices”.
Pero, si no te preocupa un buen drama familiar, una hermana para tirarla por un barranco y equívocos por omisión este libro te puede gustar. A mí el final e ha dejado un poco fría…de ahí las 3 estrellas…
November 11, 2013
You can't get better than free! And that's always a nice easy way to have a first read of a new to me author.
I really liked this book. Great couple, some nice secondary characters. The title says this is book #2 but I thought it was the first one when I read it and I don't think I don't think I missed anything.. ** the paperback edition here on GR indicated Book 2 for this title **
The romance was sweet AND steamy. Mac (or Wolf) was a great hero who really ended up with the life he deserved. They both do, it's just a shame life hands them so much before they get oh, and wait for the epilogue. I do lurve me some epilogue!
I really liked this book. Great couple, some nice secondary characters. The title says this is book #2 but I thought it was the first one when I read it and I don't think I don't think I missed anything.. ** the paperback edition here on GR indicated Book 2 for this title **
The romance was sweet AND steamy. Mac (or Wolf) was a great hero who really ended up with the life he deserved. They both do, it's just a shame life hands them so much before they get oh, and wait for the epilogue. I do lurve me some epilogue!
December 21, 2013
OMG This book is perfect, I absolutely loved the story, and I absolutely love Wolfgang Amadeus Morning Cloud aka Wolf Mcloud...the story is very romantic, and I loved how the main character got alowly involved, how he seduce her, and I can imagine their foreplay and flirts...is definitely one of my favorite books!
January 10, 2014
4.5 stars, I really did like the story between Julia and Wolf. I liked the heroine a lot. She put up with her sister and took care of her sister's daughter. Wolf was a good hero and I think Julia made him a better man.
This book was steamy. I laughed at how Wolf got Julia to say dirty words to him. Great story and I want to read more by this author.
This book was steamy. I laughed at how Wolf got Julia to say dirty words to him. Great story and I want to read more by this author.
May 23, 2015
Great Read
Julie deserve a medal for putting up with her sister Josette. The way she did nothing all day,and let Julie do all of the work. I wanted to shake her. I was happy that Julie's dad could see the good in Wolfe McCloud. Wolfe's mother was another person I wanted to shake. This story has hatred,murder,child abuse,jealousy,hot sex,and love.
Julie deserve a medal for putting up with her sister Josette. The way she did nothing all day,and let Julie do all of the work. I wanted to shake her. I was happy that Julie's dad could see the good in Wolfe McCloud. Wolfe's mother was another person I wanted to shake. This story has hatred,murder,child abuse,jealousy,hot sex,and love.
January 6, 2014
One of the best free kindle books I've read! Just couldn't put it down! The novella started with a mystery of an unwanted child. The characters are very strong and the plot a fantastic one!. Highly recommended for those who love western romances
November 24, 2013
Is a great book to read
November 26, 2013
I really do enjoy historical western romances, and this really hit the spot.
September 9, 2016
Read as ebook
July 12, 2016
This had a slow start and took me a while to really get in to it, but then it picked up and I did enjoy it.
December 31, 2013
Some good moments and I'm glad the water-rights issue/plot point didn't drag out too long.
December 6, 2018
This book has many challenges. I want to strangle a few people on this story. I did love the connection the main characters have. The children are an added bonus to every story but being so young this child wasn’t a main focus in this tale. The drama twists that happened every time you turned around were great. I loved just waiting to see what would happen next. All in all I loved this story
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews