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Wild State #1
Wild Burn
Shoot first. Ask her name later.
Wild State , Book 1
Infamy weighs heavy on Delaney Crawford’s broad shoulders, first as a supposed Confederate turncoat, then as a relentless hunter of Cheyenne dog soldiers. Summoned to the small mining community of Red Creek, the exhausted, embittered Del is doing what he does best—ridding the town of its savage scourge—when one of his bullets misses the mark.
Ex-nun Moira Tully has been working with John White Horse for months to integrate a band of peaceful Cheyenne with the local townsfolk. Now he’s hurt, and she’s been caught in the crossfire. There’s only one man to blame for her simmering anger and the inexplicable attraction that tilts her heart on its axis. Del.
When Del is forced to acknowledge the truth that the Cheyenne are no threat, his task just gets more fighting a wild attraction that catches flame at the most inconvenient times, and figuring out the treacherous motives behind his hiring.
But the most heart-wrenching challenge could be overcoming sordid pasts that won’t stay in the past—pasts that threaten to bury all hope of happily ever after.
Features a trigger-happy Southern gentleman, an ex-nun gone rogue and consistently thwarted desires that frustrate them both.
Wild State , Book 1
Infamy weighs heavy on Delaney Crawford’s broad shoulders, first as a supposed Confederate turncoat, then as a relentless hunter of Cheyenne dog soldiers. Summoned to the small mining community of Red Creek, the exhausted, embittered Del is doing what he does best—ridding the town of its savage scourge—when one of his bullets misses the mark.
Ex-nun Moira Tully has been working with John White Horse for months to integrate a band of peaceful Cheyenne with the local townsfolk. Now he’s hurt, and she’s been caught in the crossfire. There’s only one man to blame for her simmering anger and the inexplicable attraction that tilts her heart on its axis. Del.
When Del is forced to acknowledge the truth that the Cheyenne are no threat, his task just gets more fighting a wild attraction that catches flame at the most inconvenient times, and figuring out the treacherous motives behind his hiring.
But the most heart-wrenching challenge could be overcoming sordid pasts that won’t stay in the past—pasts that threaten to bury all hope of happily ever after.
Features a trigger-happy Southern gentleman, an ex-nun gone rogue and consistently thwarted desires that frustrate them both.
264 pages, Paperback
First published January 13, 2013
4 people are currently reading
336 people want to read
About the author
Edie Harris
26 books100 followersEdie Harris is a Chicago-based author whose novels have been lauded by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and USA Today. Visit her website for backlist titles, contact information, and regular updates on upcoming projects. www.edieharris.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 28, 2013
4 1/2 GUNSLINGING GOOD STARS!! I blew through this book! Delaney Crawford...RAWRRRR!!
I pretty much loved everything about this damn book! Amazing characters, captivating story, and the knowledge that there will be more, more, more…I can't wait, wait wait!!!
Moira Tully and Delaney Crawford are now one of my favorite couples. They meet when she gets in the way of one of Delaney’s bullets…sort of!
“And? How bad is it?”
“Perhaps a little more than a nick.”
“What does that mean?”
She heard the splash and drip of water in a basin, and then a cool, wet cloth was dabbing at her ear. “More like a…notch,” he grated as he cleaned away the congealed blood.
“A notch,” she repeated, keeping her eyes on the hunting bow. She imagined yanking it from its perch and bashing Crawford over the head with it—battering him with it would have to suffice, as she had never shot a bow and arrow in actuality. “You put a notch in my ear.”
That was it for me, from that point out I just adored the two of them. They were so in tune with one another, and never did two people need each other as much as they did, they fall hard, fast and fiercely for one another.
"She would take bruised, damaged, wrecked and reborn any day if it meant that somehow, be it divine providence or dumb luck, she and Del had found each other here in the mountains."
Not much more to say other than, you will not just read this story, you will feel it! Two other note-worthy characters I need to mention, John White Horse, the Cheyenne liaison, who played a major role in the story and added so much to the overall plot, not to mention he was friggin’ adorable. Also, U.S. Marshall Alonzo Hood, a man’s man, and although his part was small, he had a big presence. I’m hoping that both of these enjoyable characters will be featured in books of their own.
Okay so here I go again spouting on about no epilogue. The book ended on a high note, and the ending wrapped up nicely, but for my own personal reasons, I wanted something in the future with Moira and Delaney. BUT, since this is a continuing series, with some characters we met here that would warrant their own book, I’m hoping to get more glimpses of this fantastic couple as the series moves ahead!
Bottom line…the writing is excellent, with funny, witty dialogue, likeable characters and a great setting. It is sensual and passionate, but not overwhelmed with sex scenes, I would deem it medium heat. If you are a fan of western romance, this is a must read, and even if you’re not, this is a great introduction to this sub-genre of romance. This was my first read by Edie Harris, and I was very pleasantly surprised!!
March 18, 2013
I'm not a big reader of western romance, but I found this to be a real treat, right down from the plot, the setting, wonderfully vivid characters and best of all, the delicious sexual tension between Moira and Delaney.
They stood together in silence as it grew ever darker around them, or so it seemed, their eyes locked and searching.
Then, so tentatively it made her want to growl and groan simultaneously, he settled one wide palm at the small of her back and pressed. Pressed her closer. Pressed her into him. His legs tangled in her skirts, pushing her narrow hoops back and away slightly, but it allowed their hips to meet, and the tiny hairs on her neck stood on end.
Looking forward to reading more from Edie Harris and eagerly awaiting the next book in this wonderful series.
They stood together in silence as it grew ever darker around them, or so it seemed, their eyes locked and searching.
Then, so tentatively it made her want to growl and groan simultaneously, he settled one wide palm at the small of her back and pressed. Pressed her closer. Pressed her into him. His legs tangled in her skirts, pushing her narrow hoops back and away slightly, but it allowed their hips to meet, and the tiny hairs on her neck stood on end.
Looking forward to reading more from Edie Harris and eagerly awaiting the next book in this wonderful series.
March 9, 2015
*3.5 stars*
April 9, 2014
A lovely, lovely story!
I enjoyed it very much, even if the story is not an overly complicated one.
What was wonderfully done is the attaction between Moira and Delaney! It was marvelous! Fantastic! One of the best descritions I've lately read!
Moira is a rightly disillusioned nun, but she's such an incredible woman! She's strong and opinionated, but at the same time she's true to her convinctions. She's not afraid of her desires and her passions rign true. All her action speak about her: her treatment of children, her view of Indians, her behaviour towrds the sheriff and the mine owner. She's, in one word, great!
Delaney is another wonderful character. He's disillusioned with the whole world. He became a paid dog-indians' killer, but he has his moral code other killers do not have. He's instantly attracted to Moira, not only for her beauty, but because of her personality. He really appreciate her. All of her. And it's wonderful to read it!
You could feel the passion and the sizzling chemistry! It was absolutely not vulgar, but while reading I was melting!
There're so many passages that's impossible to write them all - you have to read it to savor them!
“Liar. It’s a bruise. Of course it hurts.”
He shifted his head out of her grasp and stared up at her. “There is nothing truly painful about this…” he gestured to his face with one hand before returning it to the basin in his lap, “…except the knowledge that, eventually, you’ll stop touching me.” His eyes trapped her. “That’s what hurts. Moira.”
----------------------
“I keep thinking about you.”
“I think about you too.” The whispered confession was ripped from her aching chest, her abdomen tightening in anticipation as the tip of his nose brushed hers. “Delaney.”
“You ever been courted, Moira Tully?”
She shook her head, fascinated by the growing heat in his green gaze. His lips curved. “Good. Then you won’t know if I’m doing it wrong.” And his mouth covered hers.
----------------------
“You feel glorious,” she confessed against his skin. “I would touch you for days, if you’d let me.”
Each word was like a lash, whipping him into a frenzy. Arousal trickled painfully along every inch of his body, hardening him and melting him at the same time, and he fell onto her with a heartfelt groan. “I’d let you. Moira, I’d let you touch me for weeks.” Months. Years.
---------------------
“I can’t eat, because the only thing I’m hungry for is more of you. I can’t sleep, because it’s fundamentally wrong not to have you lying next to me in bed. I haven’t even been tempted to shoot anything in the past two days, and that’s entirely your fault, you little pacifist. Being inside you…you’ve ruined me, Moira Tully.”
---------------------
He continued to hold her, so close she could barely breathe, but that was the best part and what eventually calmed her. With one final, unsteady sigh, she turned her head to press her overheated forehead against his cool cheek. “I’m all right,” she told him. “I promise.”
“You don’t have to be. I’ve got you.”
It was in that very moment that Moira fell irrevocably in love with Delaney Crawford.
--------------------
“I had a plan.”
“A plan?” Her voice was hoarse as her gaze slid back to the magnificent ring.
“Proposing to you. I had a plan.”
“What happened to the plan?”
His smile was tinged with frustrated amusement. “You found the ring box.”
Oh. Right. “This isn’t because I slept with you, is it? Because I don’t need—”
He stopped her with a hand lifted to her cheek. “I do. I need.”
I enjoyed it very much, even if the story is not an overly complicated one.
What was wonderfully done is the attaction between Moira and Delaney! It was marvelous! Fantastic! One of the best descritions I've lately read!
Moira is a rightly disillusioned nun, but she's such an incredible woman! She's strong and opinionated, but at the same time she's true to her convinctions. She's not afraid of her desires and her passions rign true. All her action speak about her: her treatment of children, her view of Indians, her behaviour towrds the sheriff and the mine owner. She's, in one word, great!
Delaney is another wonderful character. He's disillusioned with the whole world. He became a paid dog-indians' killer, but he has his moral code other killers do not have. He's instantly attracted to Moira, not only for her beauty, but because of her personality. He really appreciate her. All of her. And it's wonderful to read it!
You could feel the passion and the sizzling chemistry! It was absolutely not vulgar, but while reading I was melting!
There're so many passages that's impossible to write them all - you have to read it to savor them!
“Liar. It’s a bruise. Of course it hurts.”
He shifted his head out of her grasp and stared up at her. “There is nothing truly painful about this…” he gestured to his face with one hand before returning it to the basin in his lap, “…except the knowledge that, eventually, you’ll stop touching me.” His eyes trapped her. “That’s what hurts. Moira.”
----------------------
“I keep thinking about you.”
“I think about you too.” The whispered confession was ripped from her aching chest, her abdomen tightening in anticipation as the tip of his nose brushed hers. “Delaney.”
“You ever been courted, Moira Tully?”
She shook her head, fascinated by the growing heat in his green gaze. His lips curved. “Good. Then you won’t know if I’m doing it wrong.” And his mouth covered hers.
----------------------
“You feel glorious,” she confessed against his skin. “I would touch you for days, if you’d let me.”
Each word was like a lash, whipping him into a frenzy. Arousal trickled painfully along every inch of his body, hardening him and melting him at the same time, and he fell onto her with a heartfelt groan. “I’d let you. Moira, I’d let you touch me for weeks.” Months. Years.
---------------------
“I can’t eat, because the only thing I’m hungry for is more of you. I can’t sleep, because it’s fundamentally wrong not to have you lying next to me in bed. I haven’t even been tempted to shoot anything in the past two days, and that’s entirely your fault, you little pacifist. Being inside you…you’ve ruined me, Moira Tully.”
---------------------
He continued to hold her, so close she could barely breathe, but that was the best part and what eventually calmed her. With one final, unsteady sigh, she turned her head to press her overheated forehead against his cool cheek. “I’m all right,” she told him. “I promise.”
“You don’t have to be. I’ve got you.”
It was in that very moment that Moira fell irrevocably in love with Delaney Crawford.
--------------------
“I had a plan.”
“A plan?” Her voice was hoarse as her gaze slid back to the magnificent ring.
“Proposing to you. I had a plan.”
“What happened to the plan?”
His smile was tinged with frustrated amusement. “You found the ring box.”
Oh. Right. “This isn’t because I slept with you, is it? Because I don’t need—”
He stopped her with a hand lifted to her cheek. “I do. I need.”
December 28, 2012
I'm kind of a cheap date with this one since I fucking love westerns and an Irish Catholic heroine from Boston who's both a former nun and an atheist is wicked relevant to my interests. That said, this book was great, and you should read it when it comes out.
I'll review it at length later. I have a reading challenge to finish first. Have four more books to read before the year ends!
I'll review it at length later. I have a reading challenge to finish first. Have four more books to read before the year ends!
January 18, 2013
I hate cowboy stuff. So it's testament to Edie's talent that I looooved this book. Sexy, surly, gritty gorgeous hero, sexy, surly, gritty gorgeous settings - seriously, the descriptions somehow manage to be both dirty and dusty and lyrical and sensuous - and a great big bundle of tension throughout.
Totally lived up to that stunning cover. Loved.
Totally lived up to that stunning cover. Loved.
February 13, 2013
This book and I were out of step in the romance department. Both Del and Moira are interesting characters, but their sexual chemistry is so out of control it kind of smothered any deeper appreciation of the story. I spent so much time being distracted by how they kept groping each other in public, which was at complete odds with the author's efforts to make this a believable, historical setting.
January 19, 2013
A wild, fun, adventurous romance between a gunslinger and an ex nun. I was hooked from page one and read straight thru till the end.
January 24, 2013
I can't decide if this is my favorite quote:
"I dream about you every night. It's torture."
She could barely breathe between his kisses, but she clung to him, reveling in his admission and in the passionate greed inherent in every line of his lovely body. "Why torture?"
"Because I wake up knowing I didn't actually touch you."
Or this one:
He shifted and inched her closer, until her knees knocked into the chair seat. "There ain't never gonna be a time when I don't want you, honey. Not a minute, not an hour. Not a day." Lifting a hand, he palmed her nape and pulled her down into a kiss.
IS THAT GOOD STUFF OR WHAT?
"I dream about you every night. It's torture."
She could barely breathe between his kisses, but she clung to him, reveling in his admission and in the passionate greed inherent in every line of his lovely body. "Why torture?"
"Because I wake up knowing I didn't actually touch you."
Or this one:
He shifted and inched her closer, until her knees knocked into the chair seat. "There ain't never gonna be a time when I don't want you, honey. Not a minute, not an hour. Not a day." Lifting a hand, he palmed her nape and pulled her down into a kiss.
IS THAT GOOD STUFF OR WHAT?
September 14, 2013
Product Warnings
Features a trigger-happy Southern gentleman, an ex-nun gone rogue and consistently thwarted desires that frustrate them both.
This definitely describes this story although gone rogue is a bit of a stretch. For reasons of her own, Moira Tully isn't a nun anymore.
Captain Delaney Crawford is a gunslinger hired to kill a band of Indians who are supposedly a threat to Red Creek.
The way these two meet is great and funny. I knew I will like this story after I read this:
They are a wonderful couple. Their romance flows slowly. It builds up from the shot in the beginning to another in the end with a lot of interruptions in between. There is absolutely nothing pathetic in this story. The two main characters are great. Delaney Crawford is perfect in his own reluctant hero way. What I liked the most about him was how he didn't take long to accept the fact that the tribe near Red Creek isn't a threat. Moira isn't some whimpering damsel in distress either, even though she does need occasional rescue.
Although I would like if John White Horse appeared more, I really liked the story.
Features a trigger-happy Southern gentleman, an ex-nun gone rogue and consistently thwarted desires that frustrate them both.
This definitely describes this story although gone rogue is a bit of a stretch. For reasons of her own, Moira Tully isn't a nun anymore.
Captain Delaney Crawford is a gunslinger hired to kill a band of Indians who are supposedly a threat to Red Creek.
The way these two meet is great and funny. I knew I will like this story after I read this:
"When Moira Tully woke this morning, the last thing she expected to do before breakfast was stare down the barrel of a stranger’s revolver."
I know I shouldn't laugh when someone is shot, but it was more than funny.They are a wonderful couple. Their romance flows slowly. It builds up from the shot in the beginning to another in the end with a lot of interruptions in between. There is absolutely nothing pathetic in this story. The two main characters are great. Delaney Crawford is perfect in his own reluctant hero way. What I liked the most about him was how he didn't take long to accept the fact that the tribe near Red Creek isn't a threat. Moira isn't some whimpering damsel in distress either, even though she does need occasional rescue.
Although I would like if John White Horse appeared more, I really liked the story.
March 17, 2013
3,5 Estrellas. Me esperaba un tipo más duro y una monja más monja (aunque sea ex).
Tengo que confesar que me ha entretenido y enganchado, me lo he leído casi de un tirón, pero es flojete y le podría sacar muchos fallos: el rigor histórico, el supuestamente duro héroe, que es un caramelito en cuanto conoce a Moira, y Moira que lo de haber sido monja, es absolutamente anecdótico. La trama del pueblo y los indios "malos" queda de relleno y el protagonismo se lo lleva la parejita que está "in lust" desde que se ven y se comportan como adolescentes cuando están juntos. Sí me ha gustado que entre ellos no se dan supuestos malos entendidos, y no se ocultan cosas en beneficio de desarrollar trama y tensión. Se entienden muy bien y dicen lo que piensan y eso me ha gustado mucho de ellos. A pesar de todo lo anterior, se lee bien y entretiene.
Tengo que confesar que me ha entretenido y enganchado, me lo he leído casi de un tirón, pero es flojete y le podría sacar muchos fallos: el rigor histórico, el supuestamente duro héroe, que es un caramelito en cuanto conoce a Moira, y Moira que lo de haber sido monja, es absolutamente anecdótico. La trama del pueblo y los indios "malos" queda de relleno y el protagonismo se lo lleva la parejita que está "in lust" desde que se ven y se comportan como adolescentes cuando están juntos. Sí me ha gustado que entre ellos no se dan supuestos malos entendidos, y no se ocultan cosas en beneficio de desarrollar trama y tensión. Se entienden muy bien y dicen lo que piensan y eso me ha gustado mucho de ellos. A pesar de todo lo anterior, se lee bien y entretiene.
January 16, 2016
Crawford's first day in town and he shoots the ex-nun, school teacher. This story was great from start to finish. Both Crawford and Moira are haunted by their pasts, and do what they can to live day to day. The sexual tension betweeen them was the best, I wanted the couple to get together and cursed when their foreplay was interupted.
Moira was stubborn, strong and had a clear vision of justice. I liked her a lot. She didn't cry and moan about her terrible lot in life, she said good bye to her old life and tried to make a difference in her new one.
Crawford was rough and gruff, with an inner core of Southern gentleman. He foght his attraction to Moira but kept gravitating back to her.
I loved every minute of this book.
Moira was stubborn, strong and had a clear vision of justice. I liked her a lot. She didn't cry and moan about her terrible lot in life, she said good bye to her old life and tried to make a difference in her new one.
Crawford was rough and gruff, with an inner core of Southern gentleman. He foght his attraction to Moira but kept gravitating back to her.
I loved every minute of this book.
January 24, 2013
I loved this book! For some reason, I'm a sucker for a Western romance with a gunslinger hero.
I loved the heroine in this book. She was smart, funny, sweet, strong and had a huge heart. She wasn't a pushover, but she was loyal to the hero. I loved how they stood up for each other. It was so sweet. I also liked that it wasn't just a bunch of connected sex scenes. The few that were there were awesome and done well and really ADDED to the storyline of the couple.
Great read!
I loved the heroine in this book. She was smart, funny, sweet, strong and had a huge heart. She wasn't a pushover, but she was loyal to the hero. I loved how they stood up for each other. It was so sweet. I also liked that it wasn't just a bunch of connected sex scenes. The few that were there were awesome and done well and really ADDED to the storyline of the couple.
Great read!
January 19, 2013
I loved everything in this book! It felt so fresh and the author's voice is so beautiful and the writing well done. I felt so right in the book all the time.
Why no 5 stars then? I think the end was a bit rushed and I would have loved to see more of the hero and heroine together to make their romance more believable.
But I'll definitely read the next one in this series!
Why no 5 stars then? I think the end was a bit rushed and I would have loved to see more of the hero and heroine together to make their romance more believable.
But I'll definitely read the next one in this series!
February 2, 2015
3.5 stars
This was pretty good-enjoyed it for sure but wasn't totally over the moon. Was looking for something similar to Ellen O'Connell's Without Words, and this came pretty close though not as good. Little too insta-love/lust but I still enjoyed the characters and lack of OTT drama and hysterics. May have to try some more of this author's works.
This was pretty good-enjoyed it for sure but wasn't totally over the moon. Was looking for something similar to Ellen O'Connell's Without Words, and this came pretty close though not as good. Little too insta-love/lust but I still enjoyed the characters and lack of OTT drama and hysterics. May have to try some more of this author's works.
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October 22, 2013
My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...
I had to read Wild Burn by Edie Harris after finishing the extraordinary The Corrupt Comte. Wild Burn was a sweet, easy western read, lacking the darker aspects of The Corrupt Comte. I enjoyed Wild Burn, though it wasn’t as gripping as the other book. The H Delaney or Del and h, Moira were a fine couple and I loved reading about them finding and falling in love.
The story takes place in a small town somewhere in the Colorado Territory, Red Creek. Moira is a former nun who has been living here for some months now, working as a school teacher. She’s also working with a local Red Indian named John White Horse to bring the surrounding Indian tribes into the society. One tribe particularly at any case, John’s uncle’s. Moira thinks this is for the best, as does John. Moira has a secret of her own that led her to shed her nun’s gown and live in this wild town. She doesn’t like to think of her past, living day to day, working hard... Even though she thinks this is her new life, Moira can’t help but feel the emptiness from time to time. And then Delaney Crawford happens in her life with quite the big splash. It turns out, the ‘dog man’ hunter and a former soldier, Delaney is called upon by Sheriff Nelson to check out a bad group of Indians who have been terrorizing the town for sometimes now. Moira certainly doesn’t think this is a good idea, no matter how handsome the man is or how much he turns her on... definitely not because he bloody shot at her on their awkward intro!
But shooting Moira wasn’t Del’s intention, let alone harming her. Del is summoned here for what he does the best, or has been doing for some years now; hunting down couple of rogue Indians. Del doesn’t like it but life hasn’t given him many choices. He is from Georgia, born and bred as a gentleman and that inherent ‘gentleman’ still tries to break free and tell him that his life shouldn’t have been this way. But Del’s own dark secret laden with heavy guilt won’t let him be. He lost his mother a long time ago; then, lost his father and their big plantation to war too. At that point, as a soldier, he mucked things up that led to the deaths of hundreds of men under his charge. When he left his ‘job’ because he couldn’t make the sense of the ravages of war, he was called a ‘deserter’. He still is called as such (people know about him as it seems he’s quite infamous), and to Del, this ‘life’ is the best choice for him. Del has tried his best to earn a place with the government through his ‘new’ position, working to eliminate the more vicious, attacking Indians. Del thinks this is one way of atoning... or maybe just a way to stay numb and be distracted from those nightmares of his past, the screams of the soldiers who died while he watched helpless, unable to do anything. When he took up on this mission, Del certainly didn’t think he’d meet this beautiful Irish woman who’d change his life and its directions once and for all.
So Del and Moira met as he shot at her... but what Del thought he was trying was to save her from an Indian. It was because John was following Moira on her regular morning walk through the woods nearest their cabins obviously for safety purposes. Del, weary and deprived of food or sleep, makes a mistake. Even though Moira is not badly injured, John is because Del’s shot hardly ever misses it’s mark; one of the reasons why he’s always called to do the hunting. Moira was almost sure she’ll complain to the Sheriff and have an arrest warrant out for Del when John, through the pain of his injury, explains to her that it was Sheriff who called for Del’s help. Moira is extremely unhappy, more so seeing John’s injury because she considers him a very good friend. But no matter, she can’t keep her eyes drifting towards this handsome stranger who is badly in need of a bath, food and most importantly, sleep.
As I read along, I got to see Moira’s daily routine, a part of which is occupied with her teaching job. She’s determined to bring the Indian’s into the society. And she most definitely wants peace. But her past still comes back to haunt her day or night, on occasions when she thought she’s grown out of it, those suddenly appear before her eyes. Moira wants to move on but it seems there’s no escape. Her feelings for Del were certainly disrupting her daily routine, not knowing how to contain or tell him without confiding him about his past. For Del, all I can say is that he fell for Moira on spot. He tried to reason, to add and subtract from those, argue exactly why he should or shouldn’t, though nothing mattered where Moira was concerned because his soul was somehow felt attracted to this woman. At first, Del thought Moira a prostitute because of her bold stance and stares... or at least some kind of fallen woman. He even thought he can have a short affair with her while he’s here because it’s been way too long he has had sex. Then, when he learns of her identity he knew there was no way he could just seduce her and then leave.
Their introduction was rather less than nice, Moira and Del couldn’t help giving into that attraction. OMG, but it was there… hovering, every time he saw her or she him. The sexual tension was superb; thick and electric as Del couldn’t help but showing her how much he wants, at first through his intense stares, then his consuming kisses. Moira had no chance but to fall. She was scared as hell because at one point, she knew that she wanted him more than anything because Del brings that ray of light, feeling of true happiness into her world like nothing has ever done before. She had an inclination that there’s no future for them, more so when he learns of her past, the rape and the story of how she had to leave the church.
No, Del still didn’t know that Moira was a nun. When she finally blurts it own in the middle of a sexy string of kisses, Del is speechless. Sh!t (was Del’s reaction)! He’s been taught that he’s not supposed to have any kind of lusty feelings for a nun, even if ex-nun! This put a little distance between them because Del didn’t know how to come to terms with this piece of information. But that didn’t mean he wanted her any less. Moreover, trouble was brewing. Del’s possessiveness or protectiveness, whatever you call it, regarding Moira was just plain visible. He couldn’t help it. He’d save her from anything, even from the rich guy who hired him. This man, Matthews, who thought he ‘owns’ the town was, about to harass Moira because she dared to bring the ‘savages’ in; three little Indian children, finally sent by their parents. What Moira thought was a step towards improvement turns out to be a big trouble for her... which is when Del steps in and puts himself in front of her to protect her reputation from Matthews’s nasty insinuations.
At first, not finding enough clues, Del decides to leave town without telling Moira. He thought this will minimize the complicacies of their feelings. But this hurts Moira quite a bit when she learns of it. One day, opportunities arise and Del’s investigation pays off. With John’s help, he begins his search of those Indians.
In midst of all these, a letter comes for Moira from the Mother Superior. This letter was the confirming that the man who raped her has been detained. She needs to travel there and give her statement again so that they can convict the man who’d surely hang for his offense. But Mother Superior’s letter was full of the crap about why Moira should forgive the man etc. etc. bla bla (sorry I was kinda mad at that just as Moira was). Moira wouldn’t go with the Sheriff because Nelson knows about her past. He is a relative to the Mother Superior, yet never did hide his dislike for her when he’d find any occasion to show. It felt like he blamed Moira for her ordeal. What a jerk! For now, Moira has only other option; to open up to Del about her secret and ask for his help in getting to her destination.
Later that night, Moira tells Del everything, hoping, praying that he’d leave her to her fate.
Del, oh, I knew he’d listen to her without any qualms whatsoever. He not only listens to her, but also promises to accompany her. Del is angry because now Moira’s well-being is now his concern. And if he can, he’d kill the man who hurt her, even if he isn’t hanged for his crime. After that, every time they made love, Del showed her how it should be between a man and a woman, and not what she experienced on that awful night. The fact of the matter is Del was such a sweetheart throughout that you can’t help but fall for him. His connection with Moira was instant; there was no denying his feelings for her, or her for his for that matter. The way he’d call Moira ‘honey’... *sigh*
Just loved the last couple of chapters that includes their journey to Denver where Moira gives her statement again, with Del hovering nearby, followed by a feeling of jealousy when a certain U.S. Marshall showed a little too much interest in his Moira’s well-being... priceless! Those chapters also made me grin like a madwoman, especially that scene on the road as they were coming back to Red Creek. *swoons* Of course, I had some idea about who was the troublemaker and exactly why he was doing it. The ending was pretty gripping. It all pays off when we finally find a certain Sheriff Crawford is assigned to preserve the safety of Red Creek. *heehee*
Right now, I’m not only quite eager for Wild Fire (more Del and Moira? Yesss!) but also, very interested to know more about U.S. Marshall Alonzo Hood. At first I thought he’d be a jerk but he’s far from that. Hmmm, will we see his book? I sure hope so! Meanwhile, 4 stars for Wild Burn.
I had to read Wild Burn by Edie Harris after finishing the extraordinary The Corrupt Comte. Wild Burn was a sweet, easy western read, lacking the darker aspects of The Corrupt Comte. I enjoyed Wild Burn, though it wasn’t as gripping as the other book. The H Delaney or Del and h, Moira were a fine couple and I loved reading about them finding and falling in love.
The story takes place in a small town somewhere in the Colorado Territory, Red Creek. Moira is a former nun who has been living here for some months now, working as a school teacher. She’s also working with a local Red Indian named John White Horse to bring the surrounding Indian tribes into the society. One tribe particularly at any case, John’s uncle’s. Moira thinks this is for the best, as does John. Moira has a secret of her own that led her to shed her nun’s gown and live in this wild town. She doesn’t like to think of her past, living day to day, working hard... Even though she thinks this is her new life, Moira can’t help but feel the emptiness from time to time. And then Delaney Crawford happens in her life with quite the big splash. It turns out, the ‘dog man’ hunter and a former soldier, Delaney is called upon by Sheriff Nelson to check out a bad group of Indians who have been terrorizing the town for sometimes now. Moira certainly doesn’t think this is a good idea, no matter how handsome the man is or how much he turns her on... definitely not because he bloody shot at her on their awkward intro!
But shooting Moira wasn’t Del’s intention, let alone harming her. Del is summoned here for what he does the best, or has been doing for some years now; hunting down couple of rogue Indians. Del doesn’t like it but life hasn’t given him many choices. He is from Georgia, born and bred as a gentleman and that inherent ‘gentleman’ still tries to break free and tell him that his life shouldn’t have been this way. But Del’s own dark secret laden with heavy guilt won’t let him be. He lost his mother a long time ago; then, lost his father and their big plantation to war too. At that point, as a soldier, he mucked things up that led to the deaths of hundreds of men under his charge. When he left his ‘job’ because he couldn’t make the sense of the ravages of war, he was called a ‘deserter’. He still is called as such (people know about him as it seems he’s quite infamous), and to Del, this ‘life’ is the best choice for him. Del has tried his best to earn a place with the government through his ‘new’ position, working to eliminate the more vicious, attacking Indians. Del thinks this is one way of atoning... or maybe just a way to stay numb and be distracted from those nightmares of his past, the screams of the soldiers who died while he watched helpless, unable to do anything. When he took up on this mission, Del certainly didn’t think he’d meet this beautiful Irish woman who’d change his life and its directions once and for all.
So Del and Moira met as he shot at her... but what Del thought he was trying was to save her from an Indian. It was because John was following Moira on her regular morning walk through the woods nearest their cabins obviously for safety purposes. Del, weary and deprived of food or sleep, makes a mistake. Even though Moira is not badly injured, John is because Del’s shot hardly ever misses it’s mark; one of the reasons why he’s always called to do the hunting. Moira was almost sure she’ll complain to the Sheriff and have an arrest warrant out for Del when John, through the pain of his injury, explains to her that it was Sheriff who called for Del’s help. Moira is extremely unhappy, more so seeing John’s injury because she considers him a very good friend. But no matter, she can’t keep her eyes drifting towards this handsome stranger who is badly in need of a bath, food and most importantly, sleep.
As I read along, I got to see Moira’s daily routine, a part of which is occupied with her teaching job. She’s determined to bring the Indian’s into the society. And she most definitely wants peace. But her past still comes back to haunt her day or night, on occasions when she thought she’s grown out of it, those suddenly appear before her eyes. Moira wants to move on but it seems there’s no escape. Her feelings for Del were certainly disrupting her daily routine, not knowing how to contain or tell him without confiding him about his past. For Del, all I can say is that he fell for Moira on spot. He tried to reason, to add and subtract from those, argue exactly why he should or shouldn’t, though nothing mattered where Moira was concerned because his soul was somehow felt attracted to this woman. At first, Del thought Moira a prostitute because of her bold stance and stares... or at least some kind of fallen woman. He even thought he can have a short affair with her while he’s here because it’s been way too long he has had sex. Then, when he learns of her identity he knew there was no way he could just seduce her and then leave.
Their introduction was rather less than nice, Moira and Del couldn’t help giving into that attraction. OMG, but it was there… hovering, every time he saw her or she him. The sexual tension was superb; thick and electric as Del couldn’t help but showing her how much he wants, at first through his intense stares, then his consuming kisses. Moira had no chance but to fall. She was scared as hell because at one point, she knew that she wanted him more than anything because Del brings that ray of light, feeling of true happiness into her world like nothing has ever done before. She had an inclination that there’s no future for them, more so when he learns of her past, the rape and the story of how she had to leave the church.
No, Del still didn’t know that Moira was a nun. When she finally blurts it own in the middle of a sexy string of kisses, Del is speechless. Sh!t (was Del’s reaction)! He’s been taught that he’s not supposed to have any kind of lusty feelings for a nun, even if ex-nun! This put a little distance between them because Del didn’t know how to come to terms with this piece of information. But that didn’t mean he wanted her any less. Moreover, trouble was brewing. Del’s possessiveness or protectiveness, whatever you call it, regarding Moira was just plain visible. He couldn’t help it. He’d save her from anything, even from the rich guy who hired him. This man, Matthews, who thought he ‘owns’ the town was, about to harass Moira because she dared to bring the ‘savages’ in; three little Indian children, finally sent by their parents. What Moira thought was a step towards improvement turns out to be a big trouble for her... which is when Del steps in and puts himself in front of her to protect her reputation from Matthews’s nasty insinuations.
At first, not finding enough clues, Del decides to leave town without telling Moira. He thought this will minimize the complicacies of their feelings. But this hurts Moira quite a bit when she learns of it. One day, opportunities arise and Del’s investigation pays off. With John’s help, he begins his search of those Indians.
In midst of all these, a letter comes for Moira from the Mother Superior. This letter was the confirming that the man who raped her has been detained. She needs to travel there and give her statement again so that they can convict the man who’d surely hang for his offense. But Mother Superior’s letter was full of the crap about why Moira should forgive the man etc. etc. bla bla (sorry I was kinda mad at that just as Moira was). Moira wouldn’t go with the Sheriff because Nelson knows about her past. He is a relative to the Mother Superior, yet never did hide his dislike for her when he’d find any occasion to show. It felt like he blamed Moira for her ordeal. What a jerk! For now, Moira has only other option; to open up to Del about her secret and ask for his help in getting to her destination.
Later that night, Moira tells Del everything, hoping, praying that he’d leave her to her fate.
Del, oh, I knew he’d listen to her without any qualms whatsoever. He not only listens to her, but also promises to accompany her. Del is angry because now Moira’s well-being is now his concern. And if he can, he’d kill the man who hurt her, even if he isn’t hanged for his crime. After that, every time they made love, Del showed her how it should be between a man and a woman, and not what she experienced on that awful night. The fact of the matter is Del was such a sweetheart throughout that you can’t help but fall for him. His connection with Moira was instant; there was no denying his feelings for her, or her for his for that matter. The way he’d call Moira ‘honey’... *sigh*
Just loved the last couple of chapters that includes their journey to Denver where Moira gives her statement again, with Del hovering nearby, followed by a feeling of jealousy when a certain U.S. Marshall showed a little too much interest in his Moira’s well-being... priceless! Those chapters also made me grin like a madwoman, especially that scene on the road as they were coming back to Red Creek. *swoons* Of course, I had some idea about who was the troublemaker and exactly why he was doing it. The ending was pretty gripping. It all pays off when we finally find a certain Sheriff Crawford is assigned to preserve the safety of Red Creek. *heehee*
Right now, I’m not only quite eager for Wild Fire (more Del and Moira? Yesss!) but also, very interested to know more about U.S. Marshall Alonzo Hood. At first I thought he’d be a jerk but he’s far from that. Hmmm, will we see his book? I sure hope so! Meanwhile, 4 stars for Wild Burn.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2015
This my second Edie Harris but I LOVE THE WAY SHE WRITES ROMANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 6, 2017
So good
This is only the second book of Edie Harris's I have read and both have been wonderful-enthralling stories,wonderful characters and a loving relationship that is absolutely sizzling. This one is set in the American West,not my usual reading choice but such is my love of her books I gave it a try. So interesting . Highly recommend.
I'd love to hear more of Red Creek and the Crawford's and what about the story of Marshall Hood??
This is only the second book of Edie Harris's I have read and both have been wonderful-enthralling stories,wonderful characters and a loving relationship that is absolutely sizzling. This one is set in the American West,not my usual reading choice but such is my love of her books I gave it a try. So interesting . Highly recommend.
I'd love to hear more of Red Creek and the Crawford's and what about the story of Marshall Hood??
June 8, 2021
I loved Delaney. Finally a guy that goes after what he wants and doesn't go from hot to cold at the drop of a hat. What I didn't like was that the ending wrapped up strangely fast. There's a novella added at the end that the author explains is like a long epilogue, but when I began to read it, for some reason it didn't grab me and I wasn't interested anymore in this couple.
January 15, 2013
This book grabbed me from page one as we meet gunslinger and rumored confederate turncoat Delaney Crawford and former nun turned school teacher Moira Tully. Even better, the book starts with Delaney accidentally shooting Moira in the ear.
Delaney Crawford is known as the “Dog Man Killer,” killing Indians who threaten harm to settlers. He has killed a lot and has seen devastation during the civil war. He has been called to the mining community of Red Creek near Denver to eliminate the threat of a Cheyenne tribe nearby. His soul is tarnished and he hasn’t even thought of dating or sleeping with a respectable woman until he spots Moira Tully.
Moira is an Irish lady from Boston who was a nun for six years before a devastating event took place one night which made her lose all belief in God. She leaves and finds employment out west as a school teacher. The Cheyenne tribe nearby seems peaceful to her and she encourages the tribe leaders to send their kids to her school. While the town Sherriff tells her he is okay with this, she doesn’t get a good vibe from him. While walking through the woods one day, all of a sudden she has a gun in her face. And when Del sees an Indian and immediately shoots, taking part of her ear off, she is more angered he tried to shoot one of her peaceful Indians than losing part of her ear. But she can’t help be attracted to this wild, dark man…
He was a man, a soldier. A growly, violent gunslinger come to her town on a mission of death. She shouldn’t respond to his nearness one bit.
But she does. She comes to learn he really is a gentleman, and yes he is a killer and has seen a lot of violence in his life, but he is willing to learn the truth about this native tribe. He is open to changing. His first need however is to keep Moira safe.
The thing that stands out most about this book is the most delicious sexual tension the author gives us. From the beginning Del is completely intrigued with Moira. I love that it goes against everything he is to harm her, yet he accidentally shoots her. He is a big, brute of a man who hasn’t been around a woman in a long time. He awkwardly tries to court her, yet has so much charm and a peek of an old southern gentleman that comes out, that Moira is in big trouble from the start. The author does a really nice job with portraying him as this wild, bearded, outlaw of a man who has southern gentleman manners. I just adored that combination.
Moira suffered an assault when she lived in Boston that makes her very wary of men, but she instinctively knows Del is one of the good guys. It takes a leap of faith on her part to let herself be wooed. As I said, the sexual tension in this book is so well done and the romance develops at such a nice pace. It’s all very intense and growly and a little over the top with their need for each other, but I loved it.
My one complaint is that the suspense with the ‘bad’ Indians kind of fell through for me. I wanted to see them a little more in the story. I did really like the Sherriff’s roll and his part not only with Del but how he affects Moira’s life as well.
Edie Harris has a really great voice and I can’t wait to get more from her.
Rating: B
Delaney Crawford is known as the “Dog Man Killer,” killing Indians who threaten harm to settlers. He has killed a lot and has seen devastation during the civil war. He has been called to the mining community of Red Creek near Denver to eliminate the threat of a Cheyenne tribe nearby. His soul is tarnished and he hasn’t even thought of dating or sleeping with a respectable woman until he spots Moira Tully.
Moira is an Irish lady from Boston who was a nun for six years before a devastating event took place one night which made her lose all belief in God. She leaves and finds employment out west as a school teacher. The Cheyenne tribe nearby seems peaceful to her and she encourages the tribe leaders to send their kids to her school. While the town Sherriff tells her he is okay with this, she doesn’t get a good vibe from him. While walking through the woods one day, all of a sudden she has a gun in her face. And when Del sees an Indian and immediately shoots, taking part of her ear off, she is more angered he tried to shoot one of her peaceful Indians than losing part of her ear. But she can’t help be attracted to this wild, dark man…
He was a man, a soldier. A growly, violent gunslinger come to her town on a mission of death. She shouldn’t respond to his nearness one bit.
But she does. She comes to learn he really is a gentleman, and yes he is a killer and has seen a lot of violence in his life, but he is willing to learn the truth about this native tribe. He is open to changing. His first need however is to keep Moira safe.
The thing that stands out most about this book is the most delicious sexual tension the author gives us. From the beginning Del is completely intrigued with Moira. I love that it goes against everything he is to harm her, yet he accidentally shoots her. He is a big, brute of a man who hasn’t been around a woman in a long time. He awkwardly tries to court her, yet has so much charm and a peek of an old southern gentleman that comes out, that Moira is in big trouble from the start. The author does a really nice job with portraying him as this wild, bearded, outlaw of a man who has southern gentleman manners. I just adored that combination.
Moira suffered an assault when she lived in Boston that makes her very wary of men, but she instinctively knows Del is one of the good guys. It takes a leap of faith on her part to let herself be wooed. As I said, the sexual tension in this book is so well done and the romance develops at such a nice pace. It’s all very intense and growly and a little over the top with their need for each other, but I loved it.
My one complaint is that the suspense with the ‘bad’ Indians kind of fell through for me. I wanted to see them a little more in the story. I did really like the Sherriff’s roll and his part not only with Del but how he affects Moira’s life as well.
Edie Harris has a really great voice and I can’t wait to get more from her.
Rating: B
December 29, 2012
I have to say thank you to all my Twitter friends who had read this and made me really really want it. I was lucky enough to be one of the winners that Edie picked out and got my greedy little hands on this early. I must say how can you go wrong with an ex-nun who gets shot by the hero the first time she meets him… Ok.. It was a mistake but...
Moira is enjoying her morning ritual of walking in a clearing near her house when a strange man rises out of nowhere with a gun cocked and pointed at her head. She isn't a fainting type of woman so stands up to him and puts him in his place. After this momentary distraction he melts back in to the forest and she continues her walk until she hears a noise and feels something sting her ear. In a bit of shock she realizes she's been shot and instead of fainting, gets pissed. Yeah this mystery man shot her but then finding out he also shot her friend just pisses her off even more. She's got her own problems as the reason she renounced her vows and moved to the wild west becomes clear as the book continues. I really liked her and loved watching how strong she was in the face of horrible things but also how even with their less than perfect first meeting she never felt like she wasn't safe with our hero. She is a very strong woman and doesn't like anyone to tell her what to do no matter why they are doing so. It was refreshing to see such a strong woman emerge from the hell she was put through in Boston.
When we first meet Del he's a bit of a rough soul. I mean his job is to hunt and kill Indians who are terrorizing and killing settlers. He's a tortured soul and as you get to see more of his history your heart will bleed for him. He carries the weight of the world on his shoulders even though he doesn't deserve all the rep he has. He's labeled as a deserter/turncoat by those who don't know the real story and by others who just know his current profession a cold killer. He is torn up by shooting Moira and as he quickly learns the shooting of an innocent Indian. As he gets to know the town better and all the people in it he's torn by need to move on (he's not the family kind) before he hurts Moira or staying to put down roots with a woman he is finding it harder to resist every moment he spends with her. What he does when he finds out her past was heartwarming and watching the true man come out and shine was wonderful.
The two of them share a great sense of humor and banter with one another which was refreshing but I would have loved to have this be a bit longer cause I wanted more of them together. Yeah so I'm greedy… *heh*
Thanks again to Edie Harris for giving me my copy and I can't recommend grabbing this enough. Pre-order it today….
Moira is enjoying her morning ritual of walking in a clearing near her house when a strange man rises out of nowhere with a gun cocked and pointed at her head. She isn't a fainting type of woman so stands up to him and puts him in his place. After this momentary distraction he melts back in to the forest and she continues her walk until she hears a noise and feels something sting her ear. In a bit of shock she realizes she's been shot and instead of fainting, gets pissed. Yeah this mystery man shot her but then finding out he also shot her friend just pisses her off even more. She's got her own problems as the reason she renounced her vows and moved to the wild west becomes clear as the book continues. I really liked her and loved watching how strong she was in the face of horrible things but also how even with their less than perfect first meeting she never felt like she wasn't safe with our hero. She is a very strong woman and doesn't like anyone to tell her what to do no matter why they are doing so. It was refreshing to see such a strong woman emerge from the hell she was put through in Boston.
When we first meet Del he's a bit of a rough soul. I mean his job is to hunt and kill Indians who are terrorizing and killing settlers. He's a tortured soul and as you get to see more of his history your heart will bleed for him. He carries the weight of the world on his shoulders even though he doesn't deserve all the rep he has. He's labeled as a deserter/turncoat by those who don't know the real story and by others who just know his current profession a cold killer. He is torn up by shooting Moira and as he quickly learns the shooting of an innocent Indian. As he gets to know the town better and all the people in it he's torn by need to move on (he's not the family kind) before he hurts Moira or staying to put down roots with a woman he is finding it harder to resist every moment he spends with her. What he does when he finds out her past was heartwarming and watching the true man come out and shine was wonderful.
The two of them share a great sense of humor and banter with one another which was refreshing but I would have loved to have this be a bit longer cause I wanted more of them together. Yeah so I'm greedy… *heh*
Thanks again to Edie Harris for giving me my copy and I can't recommend grabbing this enough. Pre-order it today….
February 17, 2014
Ex-nun Moira Tully’s first encounter with gunslinger Delaney Crawford AKA the Dog Man Killer was not a pretty one, in fact, he shoots off a piece of her ear…and one of her friends. Moira has moved to Red Creek to escape a horrible encounter in a dark alley, and to educate the children of Red Creek. Her latest challenge is getting the local Cheyenne children into the classroom. Delaney has been hired to “rid” Red Creek of troublesome Indians. Long story short, the ex-nun falls for the gunslinger.
What worked:
I really liked the characters. Moira and Delaney couldn’t be more opposite. And I really liked John White Horse…it doesn’t look like his story is next in the series but I hope he eventually gets a HEA.
There’s some good sexual tension to the point I was screaming for them to finally get fully naked! There are a few good smexy scenes…but this IS NOT erotica.
Loved the ending! It was so sweet, even though it was a bit predictable…it still worked.
The realities of the harsh treatment of Native Americans is tough to stomach, but I feel it was portrayed well.
What didn’t work:
The writing was too flowery and dialogue was often interrupted with paragraphs of internal monologue. Sometimes prose like that works, this didn’t work. It slowed down the pace too much and got a bit repetitive.
I didn’t find the bad guys interesting or scary.
In the end:
I DID enjoy this; even want to check out more of this series. Looks like Moira and Del’s wedding is told in the short novella Wild Fire. And Wild Chase will be released in October 2014, telling the story of U.S. Marshal Alonzo Hood. He’s introduced here in Wild Burn, but doesn’t play a big role.
Reviewed for The Blogger Girls
What worked:
I really liked the characters. Moira and Delaney couldn’t be more opposite. And I really liked John White Horse…it doesn’t look like his story is next in the series but I hope he eventually gets a HEA.
There’s some good sexual tension to the point I was screaming for them to finally get fully naked! There are a few good smexy scenes…but this IS NOT erotica.
Loved the ending! It was so sweet, even though it was a bit predictable…it still worked.
The realities of the harsh treatment of Native Americans is tough to stomach, but I feel it was portrayed well.
What didn’t work:
The writing was too flowery and dialogue was often interrupted with paragraphs of internal monologue. Sometimes prose like that works, this didn’t work. It slowed down the pace too much and got a bit repetitive.
I didn’t find the bad guys interesting or scary.
In the end:
I DID enjoy this; even want to check out more of this series. Looks like Moira and Del’s wedding is told in the short novella Wild Fire. And Wild Chase will be released in October 2014, telling the story of U.S. Marshal Alonzo Hood. He’s introduced here in Wild Burn, but doesn’t play a big role.
Reviewed for The Blogger Girls
February 14, 2013
Find the full review and more at @ the Brunette Librarian
Wild Burn is such an interesting mix of romance and adventure in the Wild West. Pairing a Confederate soldier hunting Cheyenne soldiers with an ex-nun from the East was a gamble that ultimately paid off.
Moira Tully is an ex-nun living in Colorado teaching the children in the small town. She is attempting to create a rapport with the local Indian tribe. One day as she is out walking, she is actually shot, well zinged really, by Del. Del has been brought to the town by the Sheriff to deal with a supposed hostile Indian problem. He has served in the Confederate Army and now travels the midwest, dealing with such problems.
I think the thing I liked most about the novel was the actual characters. Moira was so stubborn yet intelligent, I started seeing a little of myself in her. I loved how rambunctuious she was and absolutely unafraid to state her opinions. Del was a straight-talking, strong ex-soldier trying to find his way in the world.
As far as the story itself, I found myself getting a bit bored during different portions. It was slow in parts and it was hard to keep my interest level up. The same story could have been told in half the number of pages. An ok story with well-written characters, I think Wild Burn is part of a new series, so I’m interested to see what comes next.
Wild Burn is such an interesting mix of romance and adventure in the Wild West. Pairing a Confederate soldier hunting Cheyenne soldiers with an ex-nun from the East was a gamble that ultimately paid off.
Moira Tully is an ex-nun living in Colorado teaching the children in the small town. She is attempting to create a rapport with the local Indian tribe. One day as she is out walking, she is actually shot, well zinged really, by Del. Del has been brought to the town by the Sheriff to deal with a supposed hostile Indian problem. He has served in the Confederate Army and now travels the midwest, dealing with such problems.
I think the thing I liked most about the novel was the actual characters. Moira was so stubborn yet intelligent, I started seeing a little of myself in her. I loved how rambunctuious she was and absolutely unafraid to state her opinions. Del was a straight-talking, strong ex-soldier trying to find his way in the world.
As far as the story itself, I found myself getting a bit bored during different portions. It was slow in parts and it was hard to keep my interest level up. The same story could have been told in half the number of pages. An ok story with well-written characters, I think Wild Burn is part of a new series, so I’m interested to see what comes next.
January 18, 2013
Full review to be posted soon/at The Book Pushers.
Quick thoughts/mini review:
Wild Burn was a fun and sexy romance, with a wonderful heartfelt romance between a gunslinger and an ex-nun. The chemistry between the two leads were wonderful, with a romance that at times was tender and sweet but also filled with great banter and humour which sparkled with tension.
The hero, Delaney was a great romantic protagonist, I liked his gruff and stoic demeanour and I totally melted towards him when he fell head over heels for his heroine, Moira - who was also a fantastic heroine. I loved that despite the fact he accidentally shoots her in the beginning of the book, she never got intimidated by him and saw through his hard cool shield and I liked how she managed to crack through it. Their banter between them was delightful and really added to the tension between them. But I think when their pasts were explored - it showed how well rounded and shaped their characters were, and I think the scene where they both confess their past just cemented the romance for me.
I think the main sub-plot that dealt with the Indian dog soldiers kind of fizzled out at the end and the ending was a bit anti-climatic. But the real heart of the story was the romance which just beyond fun and sexy! A terrific debut and I am will definitely pick up the next book by Edie Harris.
Quick thoughts/mini review:
Wild Burn was a fun and sexy romance, with a wonderful heartfelt romance between a gunslinger and an ex-nun. The chemistry between the two leads were wonderful, with a romance that at times was tender and sweet but also filled with great banter and humour which sparkled with tension.
The hero, Delaney was a great romantic protagonist, I liked his gruff and stoic demeanour and I totally melted towards him when he fell head over heels for his heroine, Moira - who was also a fantastic heroine. I loved that despite the fact he accidentally shoots her in the beginning of the book, she never got intimidated by him and saw through his hard cool shield and I liked how she managed to crack through it. Their banter between them was delightful and really added to the tension between them. But I think when their pasts were explored - it showed how well rounded and shaped their characters were, and I think the scene where they both confess their past just cemented the romance for me.
I think the main sub-plot that dealt with the Indian dog soldiers kind of fizzled out at the end and the ending was a bit anti-climatic. But the real heart of the story was the romance which just beyond fun and sexy! A terrific debut and I am will definitely pick up the next book by Edie Harris.
November 27, 2016
One moment a tall, dirty stranger points a gun in the face of disillusioned nun and Red Creek schoolmarm Moira Tully thinks she should carry her own gun with her at all times. In the space of the next, she's in the arms of gunslinger and special sheriff appointee, Delaney 'Del' Carter, with a nicked ear and speeding to the side of felled Cheyenne liaison, John White Horse.
Moira's puzzled by the attraction she feels toward the gunslinger and confused the local sheriff's working to absorb the Cheyenne into the struggling little town's population yet hired Del's services. Infamous for supposedly turning traitor during the war, Del's fantasizes about downtime from routing rogue Cheyenne if Moira's favors are for sale when she breaks his reverie by demanding his arrest.
This reader liked but didn't love the outing and some things deserve mention. John's representation for the 'good' Cheyenne worked for the story but underscored the mindset of the era. Moira and Del's flourishing romance throughout the read ran the emotional gamut as they supported each other to get over their unsettling pasts. However, more on the 'bad' Indians would've been appreciated.
Rating:3.75stars
Moira's puzzled by the attraction she feels toward the gunslinger and confused the local sheriff's working to absorb the Cheyenne into the struggling little town's population yet hired Del's services. Infamous for supposedly turning traitor during the war, Del's fantasizes about downtime from routing rogue Cheyenne if Moira's favors are for sale when she breaks his reverie by demanding his arrest.
This reader liked but didn't love the outing and some things deserve mention. John's representation for the 'good' Cheyenne worked for the story but underscored the mindset of the era. Moira and Del's flourishing romance throughout the read ran the emotional gamut as they supported each other to get over their unsettling pasts. However, more on the 'bad' Indians would've been appreciated.
Rating:3.75stars
March 17, 2013
Another book I read in my search for a western that would manage to get me really caught up in it.
The story opens with Moira finding herself looking down the barrel of a gun, and shortly after receiving a "notch" in her ear from the bullet the stranger just put in her friend. Not the best first impression, Del! But it did get the story off with a bang.
I liked the characters, both scarred by pasts that haunt them, but both slowly opening themselves up to the possilities of being healed by each other. Unfortunately, the story focused very heavily on the main characters and seemed to lose sight of the supporting characters. The romance is very heavy in the story and the plot is tacked on around it, rather than the other way around.
I ran through the book very quickly and enjoyed the story. There was a small case of tell overpowering show at certain points in the novel, but there are also other times when the show is done so well that I was willing to forgive the tell-areas.
A fun, quick read that I may go back to for a second round in early 2014.
The story opens with Moira finding herself looking down the barrel of a gun, and shortly after receiving a "notch" in her ear from the bullet the stranger just put in her friend. Not the best first impression, Del! But it did get the story off with a bang.
I liked the characters, both scarred by pasts that haunt them, but both slowly opening themselves up to the possilities of being healed by each other. Unfortunately, the story focused very heavily on the main characters and seemed to lose sight of the supporting characters. The romance is very heavy in the story and the plot is tacked on around it, rather than the other way around.
I ran through the book very quickly and enjoyed the story. There was a small case of tell overpowering show at certain points in the novel, but there are also other times when the show is done so well that I was willing to forgive the tell-areas.
A fun, quick read that I may go back to for a second round in early 2014.
March 8, 2014
This is more like a 41/2 star rating. Why oh why will Goodreads not let us have a half star option???? This was a very enjoyable read and will go into my re-read pile. Both the heroine, Moira, and the hero, Del, were very appealing. This is a relatively short book but in spite of the length Ms. Harris created two characters who felt complete. What is most impressive is that she was able to give the reader a hero who, on the surface, shouldn't be hero material. The spoiled son of a slave owner, Del spent four years fighting in the Civil War and has since the end of the war hired out to the government to basically track down and eradicate "troublesome" Native Americans. These are not the qualities I normally look for in a hero. With very little exposition, Ms. Harris made Del sympathetic and worthy of her heroine. Moira had her own background and hardships to overcome and they were handled very credibly as well. The story was told well, the characters complete, consistent, and appealing, and the writing was very well done. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
February 20, 2016
I am not familiar with this genre, western historical romance or whatever this is, I didn't have comparisons, but I can't say this worked for me, even if it was just a filler.
I understand what the author wanted to do and the idea of an atherist ex nun and a guilt-ridden gun for hire seemed like an interesting pair to observe dancing around the mating ritual, too bad there was no real dance. Typical case of insta-lust. I don't mind if it's well done, I really don't. I was not charmed here. Considering the setting and the past of the heroine, it didn't seem realistic at all, especially with all the public display they made of ther lustful endeavours.
I liked the background of the main couple, I liked the idea of John and the Indian settlements, I liked the context of post Civil War America, the mystery to solve, the rape deposition, too bad it was all incredibly superficial, very little detailed and very rushed. I don't say it's not enjoyable, there were some really nice bits, just insubstantial and not too steamy either.
I understand what the author wanted to do and the idea of an atherist ex nun and a guilt-ridden gun for hire seemed like an interesting pair to observe dancing around the mating ritual, too bad there was no real dance. Typical case of insta-lust. I don't mind if it's well done, I really don't. I was not charmed here. Considering the setting and the past of the heroine, it didn't seem realistic at all, especially with all the public display they made of ther lustful endeavours.
I liked the background of the main couple, I liked the idea of John and the Indian settlements, I liked the context of post Civil War America, the mystery to solve, the rape deposition, too bad it was all incredibly superficial, very little detailed and very rushed. I don't say it's not enjoyable, there were some really nice bits, just insubstantial and not too steamy either.
February 10, 2013
Okay a short review b/c this was just a fast simple read. Nothing spectacular but not awful. When your out of books and looking for something fun....here you go. Good plot. Good character. Good sex scenes but not much, just a touch. When they happen though, nice a hot. Sexy cowboy. Recovering nun. Whole lot of Wild West indian hate and political manipulations. Nice plot w/some good issues to work through. Could turn out to be a decent series. Definitely an okay read (around 3-3.5 stars). As long as you dont expect spectacular, you'll enjoy what you get.
P.S. Good enough that I will be reading book 2. So that means something! :)
Dont forget to come visit us at Smexy books: smexybooks.com
P.S. Good enough that I will be reading book 2. So that means something! :)
Dont forget to come visit us at Smexy books: smexybooks.com
March 17, 2014
I enjoyed this book so much! Delaney and Moira are perfect together. Moira is an ex-nun now school teacher and Del is a gunslinger best known as the Dog Man Killer. Both are lost souls, drifting through life, haunted by their past until they find each other and with mutual compassion and understanding both are able to let go of their past and finally move on. The romance is the best part of the book. The sexual tension between Del and Moira is scorching and makes you keep reading until they find their happily ever after. I highly recommend you read it!
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