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Untamed Heart
Every time Tyler Ashburn sees pert Gabby Wade sashaying down the streets of Sawtooth, Wyoming, his righteous blood begins to boil. He's ready to clean up this booming town, and women like Gabby -- who owns a gambling saloon -- make it unsafe for law-abiding folks! But even thought Tyler's running for mayor on a Law & Order platform, he can't help but imagine breaking a few rules...with the sassy, irresistible Gabby.Gabby's worked too hard to let some high-faluntin' fellow like Tyler tell her what to do -- so she shocks the good citizens of Sawtooth by running for mayor against him! The trouble is, even though she'd like nothing better than to defeat Tyler, her rugged, broad-shouldered opponent is beginning to defeat her intentions...of not succumbing to his bold kisses. And as their campaigns heat up along with their passions, she wonders what the cost of winning might be!
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 1999
About the author
Maureen McKade
21 books35 followersMaureen McKade has been making up stories since the moment she learned to read, write and string sentences together. Her first book, "Winter Hearts", published in 1997 was a finalist in the Romance Writers of America's (RWA) Golden Heart contest, then a finalist in RWA's RITA for best first book. Since then, she's written thirteen more books and a short story for an anthology.
She taught middle school science for three years then held a variety of jobs--bookstore clerk, administrative assistant, customer service manager, department manager, and pharmacy technician--until she settling on writing. (Or, more aptly, until writing settled on her.)
Maureen and her husband, a retired Air Force officer, now live on 40 nature-filled acres in southwestern North Dakota with their two French Brittany Spaniels and three cats. Her eclectic list of leisure pursuits include long walks with hubby and their two dogs, reading, wildlife watching, golfing, bird hunting, and puttering around in the kitchen.
She taught middle school science for three years then held a variety of jobs--bookstore clerk, administrative assistant, customer service manager, department manager, and pharmacy technician--until she settling on writing. (Or, more aptly, until writing settled on her.)
Maureen and her husband, a retired Air Force officer, now live on 40 nature-filled acres in southwestern North Dakota with their two French Brittany Spaniels and three cats. Her eclectic list of leisure pursuits include long walks with hubby and their two dogs, reading, wildlife watching, golfing, bird hunting, and puttering around in the kitchen.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 6, 2025
Appreciated the independent, smart and strong-willed characters of that era.
June 13, 2019
In a word, this story is original. The combatants to become the first mayor of Sawtooth, Wyoming, are two fiercely competitive individuals: Gabby Wade and Tyler Ashburn. Gabby is fighting for her livelihood while Tyler has been pressured into running by his future father-in-law.
In order for a bridge to be built near Sawtooth (which would make travel faster to the next large town, the city has to incorporate and form a government (otherwise, the bridge will be built elsewhere). Tyler wants the bridge and he wants to remove the 5 saloons/gaming halls in the town.
Gabby, as an astute businesswoman, realizes that if someone doesn’t run for mayor against Tyler, she and the other saloons will be drummed out of town. Gabby is a self-made woman – she’d come to Sawtooth with enough money to open her business and she has been successful.
Only those who visit her establishment know that Gabby runs a clean club – no prostitutes, no cheating at cards, no large bets and she doesn’t continue to sell alcohol to those who are getting drunk. Because Gabby keeps to herself and her best friend (and co-worker) was a prostitute (years ago), most of the citizens think that Gabby’s business is like most sin parlors.
Gabby’s platform is based on free choice (folks have the right to choose whether or not to come into a gaming hall). Tyler believes that the gaming dens are temptations that folks don’t need; he wants to close them all. Tyler is encouraged by one of the richest men in the region, Vernon Gatewood. Tyler is also engaged to his daughter.
Some of the schemes each political party concocts are humorous, some are awful. However, the reader gradually comes to understand that these two combatants are decent people with seriously differing views on life.
It takes Gabby and Tyler considerable time to understand that they are much more alike than they realize. This is a wonderful story; my only complaint is the villain – he is blacker than black (with no redeeming features)! 4.5 stars
In order for a bridge to be built near Sawtooth (which would make travel faster to the next large town, the city has to incorporate and form a government (otherwise, the bridge will be built elsewhere). Tyler wants the bridge and he wants to remove the 5 saloons/gaming halls in the town.
Gabby, as an astute businesswoman, realizes that if someone doesn’t run for mayor against Tyler, she and the other saloons will be drummed out of town. Gabby is a self-made woman – she’d come to Sawtooth with enough money to open her business and she has been successful.
Only those who visit her establishment know that Gabby runs a clean club – no prostitutes, no cheating at cards, no large bets and she doesn’t continue to sell alcohol to those who are getting drunk. Because Gabby keeps to herself and her best friend (and co-worker) was a prostitute (years ago), most of the citizens think that Gabby’s business is like most sin parlors.
Gabby’s platform is based on free choice (folks have the right to choose whether or not to come into a gaming hall). Tyler believes that the gaming dens are temptations that folks don’t need; he wants to close them all. Tyler is encouraged by one of the richest men in the region, Vernon Gatewood. Tyler is also engaged to his daughter.
Some of the schemes each political party concocts are humorous, some are awful. However, the reader gradually comes to understand that these two combatants are decent people with seriously differing views on life.
It takes Gabby and Tyler considerable time to understand that they are much more alike than they realize. This is a wonderful story; my only complaint is the villain – he is blacker than black (with no redeeming features)! 4.5 stars
October 29, 2012
Quirky Western romance from 1999, now in ebook format.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews