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A Taste Of Fire
Antonie Ramirez could ride and shoot as well as any man-and better than most. Now, the headstrong beauty had come to Texas to honor her father's last words: find the cattle rancher named Royal Bancroft and repay him for saving lives long ago. Royal Bancroft didn't know who was behind the outlaws trying to drive him off his land, but he would fight to the death rather than lose it. Yet with his sister and brother kidnapped, he felt defeat run through him like a chill wind.until a girl with cornsilk hair and a steady gunhand rode into his life. Antonie was wild, hard, and hurting inside, and Royal knew from the moment he saw her that, if he tried to tame her, he'd break her spirit. Instead, he would let her ride with him as an equal partner, fight beside him for a future, and come to him as a woman on fire for blazing love..
Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
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About the author
Sarah Dustin
1 book12 followersShe has also used the following pseudonyms:
Hannah Howell, Anna Jennet and Sandra Dustin
Hannah Howell, Anna Jennet and Sandra Dustin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
March 24, 2016
Re-Release Date: March 29th 2016
Story Rating ~ 4 Stars
Hero Rating ~ 4 Stars
Heroine Rating ~ 5 Stars
Romance Rating ~ 4.5 Stars
Heat Level ~ 3.5 Stars
Ending ~ 5 Stars
Overall Rating ~ 4.5 Stars
A Taste of Fire is a re-release that was first published back in 1988. It was also Hannah Howell’s first book to be published. When I saw that this book was offered up at Netgalley for review I was excited because it has been YEARS since I have read a Hannah Howell romance. I considered myself very lucky to have been accepted to review this one. SO, as I started reading this one, I realized that yep, I had read this already but it was so long ago that I only remembered a few key elements of the story, it felt almost like a new read to me.
This is a story about a young girl whose parents were viciously murdered by bandito’s. The leader of these bandito’s, Juan Ramirez, had nothing to do with this, in fact, he killed his man because of what he had done and then decided to keep Antonie and raise her as if she was his own child.
A few years pass by and while Juan, his men and Antonie were in a saloon a young man named Royal Bancroft noticed Antonie and felt that such a young girl should not be in such a place. He then approaches Juan knowing full well that Juan is a very wanted man by the law and voices his opinion of Antonie being in a saloon. As they are talking, Royal notices that someone is aiming a gun at Juan so he proceeds to jump on Juan, pushing him to the floor and saving Juan’s life. Juan is so grateful that he tells Royal that he is in his debt and one day he will repay him.
Years go by and Antonie is a grown woman. She can ride a horse, throw a knife and shot a gun better than most men. She is tuff, brave and smart not to mention petite and beautiful with her long blonde hair and gorgeous big violet colored eye’s.
Juan has been shot and is dying. On his death bed she makes Antonie promise him that she will go to Royal and payback the debt he owes him. Once Juan passes, Antonie along with her twin body guards Oro and Tomas take off to do just that.
Someone is out to get Royal so once Antonie, Oro and Tomas show up at is ranch he welcomes them in helping to find out who is behind all this.
As the story revolves and danger is met around every corner, Antonie and Royal become lovers. These scenes were VERY STEAMY. Once these two Tasted the Fire, there was no going back.
As they try and figure out just who hired Raoul Mendez the evil bandito that is trying to kill Antonie and Royal so many twists and turns are thorn in leaving me glue to the pages and wanting to know what was going to happen next. Just when I thought things were all figured out, something else was thrown into the mix.
There is SO MUCH more to the story with this book being 398 pages, it’s packed with action, violence, treachery, betrayal, jealousy and of course love, all this and a great ending too, what more can a reader wish for?
+I received an ARC from Kensington Books via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*
Story Rating ~ 4 Stars
Hero Rating ~ 4 Stars
Heroine Rating ~ 5 Stars
Romance Rating ~ 4.5 Stars
Heat Level ~ 3.5 Stars
Ending ~ 5 Stars
Overall Rating ~ 4.5 Stars
A Taste of Fire is a re-release that was first published back in 1988. It was also Hannah Howell’s first book to be published. When I saw that this book was offered up at Netgalley for review I was excited because it has been YEARS since I have read a Hannah Howell romance. I considered myself very lucky to have been accepted to review this one. SO, as I started reading this one, I realized that yep, I had read this already but it was so long ago that I only remembered a few key elements of the story, it felt almost like a new read to me.
This is a story about a young girl whose parents were viciously murdered by bandito’s. The leader of these bandito’s, Juan Ramirez, had nothing to do with this, in fact, he killed his man because of what he had done and then decided to keep Antonie and raise her as if she was his own child.
A few years pass by and while Juan, his men and Antonie were in a saloon a young man named Royal Bancroft noticed Antonie and felt that such a young girl should not be in such a place. He then approaches Juan knowing full well that Juan is a very wanted man by the law and voices his opinion of Antonie being in a saloon. As they are talking, Royal notices that someone is aiming a gun at Juan so he proceeds to jump on Juan, pushing him to the floor and saving Juan’s life. Juan is so grateful that he tells Royal that he is in his debt and one day he will repay him.
Years go by and Antonie is a grown woman. She can ride a horse, throw a knife and shot a gun better than most men. She is tuff, brave and smart not to mention petite and beautiful with her long blonde hair and gorgeous big violet colored eye’s.
Juan has been shot and is dying. On his death bed she makes Antonie promise him that she will go to Royal and payback the debt he owes him. Once Juan passes, Antonie along with her twin body guards Oro and Tomas take off to do just that.
Someone is out to get Royal so once Antonie, Oro and Tomas show up at is ranch he welcomes them in helping to find out who is behind all this.
As the story revolves and danger is met around every corner, Antonie and Royal become lovers. These scenes were VERY STEAMY. Once these two Tasted the Fire, there was no going back.
As they try and figure out just who hired Raoul Mendez the evil bandito that is trying to kill Antonie and Royal so many twists and turns are thorn in leaving me glue to the pages and wanting to know what was going to happen next. Just when I thought things were all figured out, something else was thrown into the mix.
There is SO MUCH more to the story with this book being 398 pages, it’s packed with action, violence, treachery, betrayal, jealousy and of course love, all this and a great ending too, what more can a reader wish for?
+I received an ARC from Kensington Books via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*
November 19, 2025
A Taste of Fire brings those old classic western movies that I grew up on to life.
Antonie’s family was murdered before her eyes by a group of renegade banditos. Juan Ramierz, a wanted outlaw and notorious bandito himself, rescues Antonie and raises her as very own daughter.
Royal, a local rancher, sees a gunman aiming at Juan in a saloon and jumps in to save him. Juan tells Royal he owns him a debt. Years later, on his death bed, Juan sends a now grown Antonie to help Juan with a bandito problem.
Antonie shows up on Royal’s door step with her two adoptive brothers, Oro and Tomas, in tow. Stunned by her beauty and drawn by a physical chemistry that mystifies, you just know it’s going to get good.
It ends up that the very same bandito that killed Antonie’s family is now attacking Royal. The big mystery is who put him up to it and why?
Antonie has the chance to right the wrong against the family she lost and win a good man’s heart if they don’t end up dead first.
I really enjoyed this story. Howell’s descriptive writing style makes the words jump off the pages and brings you right into the south west of old.
Pretty lengthy at 400+ pages, the story flies by and keeps you completely engaged. A lot of story to devour.
If you love a great western, don’t miss A Taste of Fire.
I received this ARC copy of A Taste of Fire from Kensington Books - Zebra in exchange in a honest review. This book is set for publication March 29, 2016.
Antonie’s family was murdered before her eyes by a group of renegade banditos. Juan Ramierz, a wanted outlaw and notorious bandito himself, rescues Antonie and raises her as very own daughter.
Royal, a local rancher, sees a gunman aiming at Juan in a saloon and jumps in to save him. Juan tells Royal he owns him a debt. Years later, on his death bed, Juan sends a now grown Antonie to help Juan with a bandito problem.
Antonie shows up on Royal’s door step with her two adoptive brothers, Oro and Tomas, in tow. Stunned by her beauty and drawn by a physical chemistry that mystifies, you just know it’s going to get good.
It ends up that the very same bandito that killed Antonie’s family is now attacking Royal. The big mystery is who put him up to it and why?
Antonie has the chance to right the wrong against the family she lost and win a good man’s heart if they don’t end up dead first.
I really enjoyed this story. Howell’s descriptive writing style makes the words jump off the pages and brings you right into the south west of old.
Pretty lengthy at 400+ pages, the story flies by and keeps you completely engaged. A lot of story to devour.
If you love a great western, don’t miss A Taste of Fire.
I received this ARC copy of A Taste of Fire from Kensington Books - Zebra in exchange in a honest review. This book is set for publication March 29, 2016.
March 3, 2016
I received an eARC, from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
This is a re-release but I missed it the first time around. So I was glad too get the chance to read the book this time and enjoy the new cover too. I really like Hannah Howell's books..she is one of my favorite authors. So I know when I see her name on a book that it is going to be a good one. This book is about 448 pages, so you know that you are getting your monies worth just when having a big book to read.
Antonie Ramirez can ride, shoot and do most things better than any man. Now she has come to Texas to honor her father's request to find Royal Bancroft and pay him back for the help that he gave them years ago. Royal Bancroft is having and issue with people trying to get him off his land. So this starts their story of overcoming so much to get to their happy ending.
This is a re-release but I missed it the first time around. So I was glad too get the chance to read the book this time and enjoy the new cover too. I really like Hannah Howell's books..she is one of my favorite authors. So I know when I see her name on a book that it is going to be a good one. This book is about 448 pages, so you know that you are getting your monies worth just when having a big book to read.
Antonie Ramirez can ride, shoot and do most things better than any man. Now she has come to Texas to honor her father's request to find Royal Bancroft and pay him back for the help that he gave them years ago. Royal Bancroft is having and issue with people trying to get him off his land. So this starts their story of overcoming so much to get to their happy ending.
June 29, 2018
June 2018
2 Stars - It was ok
Audiobook
When I first started this book I was really excited because it started off so well. I recently watched Godless on Netflix and that got me craving western romances. The thing is, it's hard to find a good western romance because all the newer books are too contemporary and don't really have that old western feel and almost every book I looked at, old and new, seemed to have other woman drama. I found In Want of a Wife and that was really good but the next couple of Jo Goodman books weren't as great.
This book was recommended to me as a safe (meaning low on the other woman drama) and fun historical western romance. It certainly started off great. The outlaw premise was really good and I liked the idea of what this story could have been. Unfortunately the author chose to focus more on relationship drama than on plot and so what could have been a really great book turned out to be just mediocre for me.
Also, this book really isn't a safe read or at least some might feel it isn't. Almost the entire book focuses on other woman and other man drama. I was disappointed and I'm not likely to try more from this author.
Notable Spoilers:
Series:
Cheating:
OW/OM:
Sexy Times:
Sex Detail:
Separation:
Push/Pull:
Sexual Past:
Triggers:
Profanity:
June 25, 2018
Here’s the very book that put western historical romance on the reading map for this NetGalley reviewer. Yes, it is a re-release from 2001 with a more modern book cover. But, my fellow romance book-loving friends, it is still the same great story featuring a strong, feisty John Wayne type heroine who was raised by a notorious Mexican outlaw. That is not a typo, compadres. I am talking about the heroine, not the leading man. Got your attention now? Yeah, I thought so.
What was my favorite part? When she stays behind to protect the hero’s sister and finds their cabin surrounded by a gang of no good outlaws. When a would be beau of the sister wants to cower in the corner hoping to stay safe, she pulls out her six shooter, cocks and aims it at him, and calmly declares if he doesn’t stand up and fight for his woman she will shoot him herself. Yeah, that’s something The Duke himself would be so very proud of! Honestly, if that isn’t enough to convince you to read this book, you are definitely muy loco en la cabeza.
Antonie Ramirez has travelled a long way with her two handsome sidekicks to fulfill a promise she made to her dying padre. She is to return the favor of an unpaid debt by helping Royal Bancroft in his current dilemma. Naturally, Royal needs some convincing but is soon blown away by this gorgeous, sexy, gun toting female.
Well, I’m not going to reveal a lot about this one other than to highly recommend it. I should mention some avid true romantics may not like the fact one of the sidekicks is somewhat infatuated with Antonie, who occasionally kisses him and even considers one day marrying him. They have a standing agreement to marry one day if they never find their true soulmates. Of course, that isn’t going to happen, because our handsome hero gets a taste of fire when he kisses this gringa, and it’s a fire he’ll happily never be able to put out.
Title: A Taste of Fire, Author: Hannah Howell, Pages: 448, stand-alone, HEA, historical western romance, feisty heroine, strong/likeable hero.
(This review is based on ARC generously provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion. No compensation was paid to the reviewer nor is there any affiliation between the reviewer and author/publisher.)
What was my favorite part? When she stays behind to protect the hero’s sister and finds their cabin surrounded by a gang of no good outlaws. When a would be beau of the sister wants to cower in the corner hoping to stay safe, she pulls out her six shooter, cocks and aims it at him, and calmly declares if he doesn’t stand up and fight for his woman she will shoot him herself. Yeah, that’s something The Duke himself would be so very proud of! Honestly, if that isn’t enough to convince you to read this book, you are definitely muy loco en la cabeza.
Antonie Ramirez has travelled a long way with her two handsome sidekicks to fulfill a promise she made to her dying padre. She is to return the favor of an unpaid debt by helping Royal Bancroft in his current dilemma. Naturally, Royal needs some convincing but is soon blown away by this gorgeous, sexy, gun toting female.
Well, I’m not going to reveal a lot about this one other than to highly recommend it. I should mention some avid true romantics may not like the fact one of the sidekicks is somewhat infatuated with Antonie, who occasionally kisses him and even considers one day marrying him. They have a standing agreement to marry one day if they never find their true soulmates. Of course, that isn’t going to happen, because our handsome hero gets a taste of fire when he kisses this gringa, and it’s a fire he’ll happily never be able to put out.
Title: A Taste of Fire, Author: Hannah Howell, Pages: 448, stand-alone, HEA, historical western romance, feisty heroine, strong/likeable hero.
(This review is based on ARC generously provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion. No compensation was paid to the reviewer nor is there any affiliation between the reviewer and author/publisher.)
March 14, 2016
I like Hannah Howell and have read most of her novels, I thought. This one is a re-issue that I somehow never read. It is probably the new cover that attracted me to this one.
That said, it read like one of her earlier works, which it is. The writing style was not as fluid as her later novels, however the strong characters and the sweeping story were present. The scenery descriptions were vivid and you felt like you were in the story with the characters.
My main criticism with Howell is also present in this. Occasionally, I feel the supporting characters are given such a strong presence in the story that it detracts from the flow of the story with Antoine and Royal.
Overall, I enjoyed it for what it was. Nothing amazing, but an enjoyable read with interesting characters.
That said, it read like one of her earlier works, which it is. The writing style was not as fluid as her later novels, however the strong characters and the sweeping story were present. The scenery descriptions were vivid and you felt like you were in the story with the characters.
My main criticism with Howell is also present in this. Occasionally, I feel the supporting characters are given such a strong presence in the story that it detracts from the flow of the story with Antoine and Royal.
Overall, I enjoyed it for what it was. Nothing amazing, but an enjoyable read with interesting characters.
March 6, 2011
Antonie and Royal were hard to warm up to at first, but they grew on you. The supporting characters were very interesting and grabbed your interest right away. It was great to have a tough heroine who didn't care (didn't know) about the rules of society. The rescue scene at the end was heart stopping.
This was actually the first Hannah Howell book I'd read and it made me pick up some of her others. I love the Highland settings, but it was refreshing to have a Western.
This was actually the first Hannah Howell book I'd read and it made me pick up some of her others. I love the Highland settings, but it was refreshing to have a Western.
November 18, 2011
This is my favorite Hannah Howell book. Loved Juan, I cried when he died. Loved Antonie and loved the twins, Oro and Tomas. I will definitely read this again.
February 19, 2019
Role reversal
I liked this book and it kept my interest however, I had a problem with the heroine sleeping with the hero within 14 percent of the book and being content to be his lover and having everybody know it through out almost the entire book. Also she was forever saving the day. She even saved his life at the end of the book. He was wishy washy and was more of a heroine than hero.
I liked this book and it kept my interest however, I had a problem with the heroine sleeping with the hero within 14 percent of the book and being content to be his lover and having everybody know it through out almost the entire book. Also she was forever saving the day. She even saved his life at the end of the book. He was wishy washy and was more of a heroine than hero.
March 31, 2016
Originally Reviewed For: Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
It's always a joy to discover that an author you like has a past.. I am used to Hannah Howell writing about The Murrays or Wherlockes in England but what I didn't know is that Ms. Howell also writes Westerns.. *gasp* Westerns you say? Yep.. And A Taste of Fire was my first foray into the western mind of Ms. Howell and I promise it was a total delight!
Antonie Ramirez was raised by the bandito that found her murdered parents, well a man he was riding with murdered them. But what Antonie found was a life filled with a unique upraising and unconditional love. But her father is dead now and it's time for her to fulfill a promise. Antonie has to go to the Bancrofts and let them know that their ranch, their very lives are in jeopardy and it's from someone they trust. But Antonie finds that there is more than just repaying a debt. There is a love for the ages, if only she is brave enough to accept it.
Royal Bancroft has been doing everything he can to figure out why the banditos are suddenly targeting his ranch. But when Antonie Ramirez shows up to honor their family debt, Royal has a direction. Just not a person. But Royal also knows that he has intense feelings for Antonie and he has to decide if love is worth taking the risk.
Just wonderful. This book deals with so much. It's not just love and passion, it's family dynamics and racial unrest. It's also greed and a certain superiority that decays the soul.
After I finished this book, i went back into Ms. Howell's library and searched for any more books about this family. Sadly, there weren't I was totally bummed! I can only hope to see more.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of A Taste of Fire, provided by netgalley.
It's always a joy to discover that an author you like has a past.. I am used to Hannah Howell writing about The Murrays or Wherlockes in England but what I didn't know is that Ms. Howell also writes Westerns.. *gasp* Westerns you say? Yep.. And A Taste of Fire was my first foray into the western mind of Ms. Howell and I promise it was a total delight!
Antonie Ramirez was raised by the bandito that found her murdered parents, well a man he was riding with murdered them. But what Antonie found was a life filled with a unique upraising and unconditional love. But her father is dead now and it's time for her to fulfill a promise. Antonie has to go to the Bancrofts and let them know that their ranch, their very lives are in jeopardy and it's from someone they trust. But Antonie finds that there is more than just repaying a debt. There is a love for the ages, if only she is brave enough to accept it.
Royal Bancroft has been doing everything he can to figure out why the banditos are suddenly targeting his ranch. But when Antonie Ramirez shows up to honor their family debt, Royal has a direction. Just not a person. But Royal also knows that he has intense feelings for Antonie and he has to decide if love is worth taking the risk.
Just wonderful. This book deals with so much. It's not just love and passion, it's family dynamics and racial unrest. It's also greed and a certain superiority that decays the soul.
After I finished this book, i went back into Ms. Howell's library and searched for any more books about this family. Sadly, there weren't I was totally bummed! I can only hope to see more.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of A Taste of Fire, provided by netgalley.
February 12, 2017
Fireworks indeed!
Antonie Ramirez is a heady combination of innocence and insight, wrapped up in a dangerously delectable parcel.
Welcome to deep, wide Texas where men are men and women are more than competent.
Honouring her dead father's wishes to repay Royal Bancroft for saving their lives, Antonie Ramirez enters the world of the Bancroft's like a Texan whirlwind. Royal finds himself in danger from outlaws trying to take his land over and from a young woman who confounds and attracts him in equal measure.
Sort of Zane Greyish with way more verve and romance, I really enjoyed this departure from the more typical western novel.
A NetGalley ARC
Antonie Ramirez is a heady combination of innocence and insight, wrapped up in a dangerously delectable parcel.
Welcome to deep, wide Texas where men are men and women are more than competent.
Honouring her dead father's wishes to repay Royal Bancroft for saving their lives, Antonie Ramirez enters the world of the Bancroft's like a Texan whirlwind. Royal finds himself in danger from outlaws trying to take his land over and from a young woman who confounds and attracts him in equal measure.
Sort of Zane Greyish with way more verve and romance, I really enjoyed this departure from the more typical western novel.
A NetGalley ARC
April 5, 2016
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is a re-release of a book that was originally published in 1988. Wow! It has been that long ago. I wasn't able to read the original release because I was only 4 years old then. Hahaha. But this release of the old book is just what I need. I really enjoyed reading it.
It did feel kind of dated. It wasn't a western historical romance, but I did feel like the things happened a long time ago. It's okay. I still really enjoyed the story. I really liked the heroine. She's a bit kickass. I liked the way the romance developed for Royal and Antonie. Royal himself was such a good hero. I couldn't help but root for them.
I'm not sure if I prefer Hannah Howell's paranormal romances or her contemporary romances. I think I like both genres for her. I especially like this western story. I don't always get that many western romances, so I really enjoyed this story right here.
This is a re-release of a book that was originally published in 1988. Wow! It has been that long ago. I wasn't able to read the original release because I was only 4 years old then. Hahaha. But this release of the old book is just what I need. I really enjoyed reading it.
It did feel kind of dated. It wasn't a western historical romance, but I did feel like the things happened a long time ago. It's okay. I still really enjoyed the story. I really liked the heroine. She's a bit kickass. I liked the way the romance developed for Royal and Antonie. Royal himself was such a good hero. I couldn't help but root for them.
I'm not sure if I prefer Hannah Howell's paranormal romances or her contemporary romances. I think I like both genres for her. I especially like this western story. I don't always get that many western romances, so I really enjoyed this story right here.
July 25, 2012
love this one loved how antonie and royal over come things.. but I Hate tht stupid bitch tht I cant remember wat her name was.. all she wanted was the land and money all to herself.. she got wat she deserves even so she had to hurt others to do tht.. thank God antonie and the baby was safe and royal stayed alive and well.
May 20, 2008
This has been on my TBR list for almost a year. I really enjoyed this book. The other books I have read by Hannah Howell were set in Scotland. This was a Western set in Texas.
January 3, 2014
I bought this in the 80's when she wrote this under the pseudonym Sarah Dustin. The heroine I thought was unique in that she was the gunslinger out to protect the hero!
Read
November 12, 2009This is a re-read. Rippin' good western romance.
August 30, 2018
I guess this one was ok. I don’t have much to say about books characterizing this period and locations in particular. It is not my most favorite thing, the wild wild west. It was a pretty savage and brutal period in time that people seem to romanticize and yet there was genocide and all kinds of things done in these lawless lands. I know they try to dress it up with men trying to be gentlemen and women being all proper and all but just in the end that was just some nice words to keep the women in their place and men to feel better about themselves trying to survive in this brutal environment.
I guess using this pretty china doll h with a contradictory bandito character to her over all appearance to stand out from the norm on what women were supposed to be in that period was a nice way to speak up for woman’s independence and trying to break apart the mold made up for each sex. But in the end it fizzles away because when you scratch a bit behind the gun-totting and pants-wearing persona she is portraying we get a child rearing clueless h in the making that is very wise in things like love and not pushing for love since it breeds resentment but is super unaware of her own importance and needing to actually stand up for herself in the feelings department and being herd there.
So that dimmed that ever so mold breaking aspect of this h character but I guess over all it was an ok read.
Wish I could relate to the characters more but their idea of gentleman and ladies need to be ladies in this just utter mayhem of a period seems utterly ridiculous. Mostly wanted to laugh at them when they showed those type of expressions.
I guess using this pretty china doll h with a contradictory bandito character to her over all appearance to stand out from the norm on what women were supposed to be in that period was a nice way to speak up for woman’s independence and trying to break apart the mold made up for each sex. But in the end it fizzles away because when you scratch a bit behind the gun-totting and pants-wearing persona she is portraying we get a child rearing clueless h in the making that is very wise in things like love and not pushing for love since it breeds resentment but is super unaware of her own importance and needing to actually stand up for herself in the feelings department and being herd there.
So that dimmed that ever so mold breaking aspect of this h character but I guess over all it was an ok read.
Wish I could relate to the characters more but their idea of gentleman and ladies need to be ladies in this just utter mayhem of a period seems utterly ridiculous. Mostly wanted to laugh at them when they showed those type of expressions.
September 15, 2024
This was a great book, though there were times I was not sure I wanted to finish it, because the story seemed to be heading in a direction I did not like. I’m glad I finished it, because I think it is one of my favorite romances now. It starts in 1857 as a bandido kills Antonie’s parents. His leader, Juan Ramirez, a wanted outlaw bandido, immediately kills the guy, because killing the couple made no sense. He does not condone harming or stealing from people who hardly scrape a living together, and are no thread to them. When he realizes they were Antonie’s parents, he decides he will try to make up for the tragedy by raising her. She is 9. She grows up being thought how to ride, fight and live like a bandido (and better than most), among other (male) bandidoes. When she is 12, Juan’s life was saved by a Texas rancher who did not know who he was, and was trying to provide information on how to raise a young girl, as he had a younger sister… Juan tells him he owes the rancher (Royal Bancroft) a debt. Then, 8 years later Juan dies, and makes Antonie promise she will fulfill his debt by figuring out who is trying to ruin and kill Bancroft and his family. After saving a younger sister and brother from enemy bandito’s, she and her 2 twin protectors get hired as hired guns. This sets off a tale full of things left unsaid, danger and deceit. But the end was right.
February 24, 2019
I like Hannah Howell's writing style and she is a good storyteller. Antonie, Oro and Tomas made the story. I would have liked to see Antonie end up with Tomas than Royal. Royal was a poor excuse for a hero. His treatment of Antonie throughout the story was so demeaning to her character. Because of his actions I was having a hard time thinking he had anything but lust for her. Waiting until almost the last page of the last chapter and he tells her he loves, didn't have me, "Oh, WOW! He loves her." I give it 3 on romance.
October 29, 2019
Antonie Ramirez was the adopted daughter of a known Mexican outlaw. Royal Bancroft unknowingly saved this bandit's life. Now on the bandits death bed he send Antonie to Royal. He is having trouble with someone out to take his land. And with her twin bodyguards she is there to help him. She has been brought up as a fighter. Now together they find that there are sparks that ignited and burn. But what about the other woman? Will Antonie be just his bed warmer while he marries someone else? What about the mysterious person who is out to rob him of his inheritance?
January 5, 2021
*** 3.5 stars ***
I like how they acknowledged their lust for each other and didn't try to hide it from nobody. I like how Toni knew that her heart could become broken but accepted the risk. She was strong and knew how to draw a line but could also see if she were wrong. Royal was okay but he lacked a steel backbone letting that woman run things and not telling her no. Then he had prejudice too in the back of his mind. He was so unsure of Toni love and never really did think about marrying her until circumstances arrived. He would've took his sweet time if they didn't.
I like how they acknowledged their lust for each other and didn't try to hide it from nobody. I like how Toni knew that her heart could become broken but accepted the risk. She was strong and knew how to draw a line but could also see if she were wrong. Royal was okay but he lacked a steel backbone letting that woman run things and not telling her no. Then he had prejudice too in the back of his mind. He was so unsure of Toni love and never really did think about marrying her until circumstances arrived. He would've took his sweet time if they didn't.
May 10, 2024
I absolutely loved this book by author Hannah Howell! What a great story. The author doesn't disappoint. It is well-written and kept my attention the whole time. I just fell in love with Antonie's character! She was a tough cookie who could handle herself very well. I love strong female characters and the men who are unafraid to take them on! If this genre is for you, you will love this story as I did. Enjoy!
February 3, 2019
This was so different in style even though it’s not my first western by far. I definitely felt it could be a bit shorter, and you could tell it wasn’t as polished as it should be- but that said, i enjoyed it and liked the characters a lot. i look forward to trying her wherlocke series in the future :)
February 20, 2025
I've read several Hannah Howell books but this particular book is about twice as long as it needs to be. At the same time it jumps in timeline often. From one page break you suddenly jump a week or sometimes several months and it feels abrupt and not smoothly transitioned. Not one I'll keep on my shelf but worth a one time read.
May 25, 2018
Royal saves a little girl and her adopted bandito father feels is owed a debt. On his death bead he sends Antonie, all grown up, to save Royal from losing his ranch. It's not very believable but it has funny and sweet and loud moments that make it colorful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2017
Great read
I loved the book I couldn't put it down I have always loved a good romance I have recommend this book to my friends
I loved the book I couldn't put it down I have always loved a good romance I have recommend this book to my friends
July 15, 2020
Wow! Action-packed! A true page turner! I found it hard to put down. I would read at night until I couldn't hold my eyes open, literally!
May 5, 2021
Awesome!!!!
July 26, 2021
A Great Story
I loved this book but was sorry this wasn't made into a series. Wouls like to know what happened to Cole, Justin, Tomas, etc etc and etc.
I loved this book but was sorry this wasn't made into a series. Wouls like to know what happened to Cole, Justin, Tomas, etc etc and etc.
Read
December 3, 2022I didn’t like the writing in this one, it felt very forced. No rating as it’s a dnf for me.
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