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Reckless #3
Reckless Desire
Third in the Reckless series.
“You say you love my daughter. I forbid it! You have no right to interfere in her life as long as she is bound to another.”
So spoke the great Cheyenne warrior, Two Hawks Flying, and Cloud Walker knew his harsh words were only too true. Serenely beautiful, sweetly tempting, Mary was tied to a man who despised her for her Indian heritage, but that gave Cloud Walker no right to claim her soft lips, to brand her yearning body with his savage love. Yet try as he might, he found it impossible to deny their passion, impossible to escape the scandal, the sorrow, the soaring ecstasy of their reckless desire.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 1988
44 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Madeline Baker
88 books289 followersMadeline Ruth was born on 1963 in California, where she raised. She married her high school sweetheart and they have three sons, all handsome enough to be cover models. Growing up, her favorite pastimes were going to the movies and going horseback riding on Saturday mornings at Griffith Park. Madeline has always been "horse happy." A horse was the one thing she asked for on every birthday and every Christmas. Many years later, that dream came true when she bought an Appaloosa mare named Candy—because she was so sweet. Madeline loves animals. Over the years, she's had numerous dogs, cats, fish, mice, hamsters, turtles and birds, and her horse, of course. The most exotic pet was a crocodile that belonged to one of her sons. Currently, she has a terribly spoiled Pomeranian named Teddi, six goldfish, a catfish, and a betta. When she's not writing, Madeline enjoys going to movies and the theater. Her favorite plays are The Phantom of the Opera, The Scarlet Pimpernel and her all-time fave, Beauty and the Beast. She also loves reading, going to lunch with her best friend, collecting Star Wars, The Phantom of the Opera and Beauty and the Beast memorabilia, and playing with the most beautiful, adorable, brilliant grandkids in the world.
Madeline started writing when her children were still at home, and she wrote for several years, finding time to write after her children were in bed and her husband was at work. In true cliché fashion, she wrote the books and put them under the bed, never telling anyone what she was doing, until one day she let a friend read one. Encouraged by her friend's comments, and armed with a copy of Writer's Market supplied by said friend, Madeline began sending out query letters. After six years and 31 rejections, Leisure Books bought Reckless Heart, and she's been writing ever since. After writing several Westerns, Madeline decided to try her hand at something else and wrote her first vampire romance. It was a short story titled "Masquerade" for an anthology. She loved writing that so much that she wrote her first full-length vampire romance, Embrace the Night, and thus Amanda Ashley was born. One of her dreams had been to write for Harlequin, and she accomplished that in 2003 with the publication of her Silhouette Romance novel, Dude Ranch Bride. Madeline loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her online at DarkWritr@aol.com or by mail at PO Box 1703, Whittier, CA 90609-1703.
Madeline started writing when her children were still at home, and she wrote for several years, finding time to write after her children were in bed and her husband was at work. In true cliché fashion, she wrote the books and put them under the bed, never telling anyone what she was doing, until one day she let a friend read one. Encouraged by her friend's comments, and armed with a copy of Writer's Market supplied by said friend, Madeline began sending out query letters. After six years and 31 rejections, Leisure Books bought Reckless Heart, and she's been writing ever since. After writing several Westerns, Madeline decided to try her hand at something else and wrote her first vampire romance. It was a short story titled "Masquerade" for an anthology. She loved writing that so much that she wrote her first full-length vampire romance, Embrace the Night, and thus Amanda Ashley was born. One of her dreams had been to write for Harlequin, and she accomplished that in 2003 with the publication of her Silhouette Romance novel, Dude Ranch Bride. Madeline loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her online at DarkWritr@aol.com or by mail at PO Box 1703, Whittier, CA 90609-1703.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 19, 2022
This is a continuation of the story of Shadow and Hannah, but now Hawk is grown, Mary is grown, and Blackie is a teenager and training to be a veterinarian. But this book is complex. It isn't just them anymore.
Hawk is grown man now and in love with a white girl who is crazy about him. Her parents forbid her to see him until they find out she's pregnant and he's the father. Such shame and scandal. Her parents ended up selling everything and leaving Bear Valley and leaving her in her time of need. Unlike most people of that time, Shadow and Hannah didn't judge and understood where these two were coming from. Throw in a brush with the law for Hawk that sent him on the run, Shadow hot on his heels, and we have our first adventure of several. Shadow really is a wise man.
Hawk and Vickie's story is about the first third of the book. The bigger story was Mary and Frank. Mary's wedding opens the entire book and fades to black when they settle in Chicago. Mary loved the city, the parties, had lots of friends. Frank was moving up with his job and the social ladder with Mary on his arm. All was well until Katherine was born and looked very Indian. Frank couldn't even look at her. To make matters even worse, Mary's so-called friends started making fun of her for being part Indian and Frank got himself a mistress. Hurt and humiliated, she packs up her baby and goes home to Bear Valley to stay with her parents where she meets Cloud Walker, a Cheyenne warrior who had lost his wife and child and left the reservation, ending up working horses with Shadow.
They were instantly attracted to each other and abstained from any sort of real sex because Mary was still married to Frank. She wanted a divorce; begged for one. She was so miserable with him and didn't like they way he treated their daughter. But he wouldn't give in. He didn't think his reputation could handle the scandal. He didn't care if she was happy or not. He had the life he wanted. Money, friends, and a wild mistress. He wasn't going to risk anything for her. She was nothing to him. Just a pretty woman who made him look good. He was pathetic.
But Mary and Cloud Walker soon ended up as lovers and she ended up getting pregnant with his child. When he found out, he knew Frank Smythe wasn't the child's father and went to Chicago to claim Mary and their child, as well as Katherine. Frank knew the kid wasn't his, too, and Mary's life got even worse until Cloud Walker showed up to take her home. Again, she begged for a divorce from Frank, wanting to be with Cloud Walker who treated her like a queen and took Katherine as his own and was the father to her unborn child. Things got really ugly then and the ensuing incidents were riddled with tragedy, despair, and adventure.
This was a super good book. It was quick paced, a tight plot, heartbreak mixed with cheers, and great characters. After reading the epilogue, it doesn't seem that Ms. Baker had Blackie's story in mind, but there it is. Reckless Embrace is the final book in the series and is my next read.
Possible triggers: rape (no graphic scenes) and the death of a child
*This is part of a series and the books should be read in order
1. Reckless Heart
2. Reckless Love
3. Reckless Desire
4. Reckless Embrace
Hawk is grown man now and in love with a white girl who is crazy about him. Her parents forbid her to see him until they find out she's pregnant and he's the father. Such shame and scandal. Her parents ended up selling everything and leaving Bear Valley and leaving her in her time of need. Unlike most people of that time, Shadow and Hannah didn't judge and understood where these two were coming from. Throw in a brush with the law for Hawk that sent him on the run, Shadow hot on his heels, and we have our first adventure of several. Shadow really is a wise man.
Hawk and Vickie's story is about the first third of the book. The bigger story was Mary and Frank. Mary's wedding opens the entire book and fades to black when they settle in Chicago. Mary loved the city, the parties, had lots of friends. Frank was moving up with his job and the social ladder with Mary on his arm. All was well until Katherine was born and looked very Indian. Frank couldn't even look at her. To make matters even worse, Mary's so-called friends started making fun of her for being part Indian and Frank got himself a mistress. Hurt and humiliated, she packs up her baby and goes home to Bear Valley to stay with her parents where she meets Cloud Walker, a Cheyenne warrior who had lost his wife and child and left the reservation, ending up working horses with Shadow.
They were instantly attracted to each other and abstained from any sort of real sex because Mary was still married to Frank. She wanted a divorce; begged for one. She was so miserable with him and didn't like they way he treated their daughter. But he wouldn't give in. He didn't think his reputation could handle the scandal. He didn't care if she was happy or not. He had the life he wanted. Money, friends, and a wild mistress. He wasn't going to risk anything for her. She was nothing to him. Just a pretty woman who made him look good. He was pathetic.
But Mary and Cloud Walker soon ended up as lovers and she ended up getting pregnant with his child. When he found out, he knew Frank Smythe wasn't the child's father and went to Chicago to claim Mary and their child, as well as Katherine. Frank knew the kid wasn't his, too, and Mary's life got even worse until Cloud Walker showed up to take her home. Again, she begged for a divorce from Frank, wanting to be with Cloud Walker who treated her like a queen and took Katherine as his own and was the father to her unborn child. Things got really ugly then and the ensuing incidents were riddled with tragedy, despair, and adventure.
This was a super good book. It was quick paced, a tight plot, heartbreak mixed with cheers, and great characters. After reading the epilogue, it doesn't seem that Ms. Baker had Blackie's story in mind, but there it is. Reckless Embrace is the final book in the series and is my next read.
Possible triggers: rape (no graphic scenes) and the death of a child
*This is part of a series and the books should be read in order
1. Reckless Heart
2. Reckless Love
3. Reckless Desire
4. Reckless Embrace
July 1, 2020
WOW
I was so excited when I started reading I remembered reading about Hannah and shadow in a book before I had read it and I was so happy to be reading about them again I read this book in a few hours I just couldn’t put it down when the book ended I was so sad I didn’t want their story to end I wanted to keep reading their story and about their love and their tribulations and their story shadow was such a powerful man and he loved his family with his whole being his and Hannah‘s love is a love that can only be written in books I wish it could be real but it can’t it’s only a book love story but it sure makes you wish it could if only love like theirs could be real so sad to see it end Madeline
I was so excited when I started reading I remembered reading about Hannah and shadow in a book before I had read it and I was so happy to be reading about them again I read this book in a few hours I just couldn’t put it down when the book ended I was so sad I didn’t want their story to end I wanted to keep reading their story and about their love and their tribulations and their story shadow was such a powerful man and he loved his family with his whole being his and Hannah‘s love is a love that can only be written in books I wish it could be real but it can’t it’s only a book love story but it sure makes you wish it could if only love like theirs could be real so sad to see it end Madeline
September 17, 2018
Reckless Desire
I always enjoy her stories they are so full of love that I want to cry but have to laugh my self so I call read more of love. And go to the next story. Thank you again and again for such a loving story. Ada G.
I always enjoy her stories they are so full of love that I want to cry but have to laugh my self so I call read more of love. And go to the next story. Thank you again and again for such a loving story. Ada G.
March 5, 2018
Reckless Desire
I loved this story. I look forward to reading more of her books, I recommend everyone to read this book. Kattie
I loved this story. I look forward to reading more of her books, I recommend everyone to read this book. Kattie
June 24, 2020
I loved book 3 can’t wait to read next book.
September 11, 2020
Indian romance
Love the continuing story of Shadow and Hannah and fam!ly. Hard to put down. Wonderful story about Indian history. Love
Love the continuing story of Shadow and Hannah and fam!ly. Hard to put down. Wonderful story about Indian history. Love
July 26, 2021
Continuation of the series - overall this series is very good (some things the characters do is quite fantastical though).
September 26, 2013
I laughed so hard.
I got a box of used books for free, mostly mysteries, and last night I plucked one out at random, took it upstairs, threw it on the bed and went to shower. If I hadn't already been nice and snug in my bed when I realized what it was, I may have gone downstairs and picked another book.
I found this book completely ridiculous, but I did keep reading for a while because its ridiculousness got many an audible laugh out of me, mixed in with quite a few annoyed sighs. There was plenty of eye-rolling going on as well. :p
In my humble opinion, there was no great writing going on here. First of all, every chapter at the beginning of the book ended with a love scene. Very formulaic. Also, the author apparently couldn't work out how best to tell the story, so she switched from 1st person to 3rd person narrative quite a few times, which made for inconsistent reading. Why not just stick to the 3rd person, if she absolutely had to tell things that the heroine, Hannah, couldn't relate first-hand?
As for the plot, it would have been acceptable if it weren't so laced with all the mushy love scenes, and if the book were better written. For example, Cloud Walker's trial was rushed through to begin with, but the parts that were in the book were the least interesting ones. What about how Harvey Castrel had come to his final decision? One thing I will admit to is that Madeline Walker came up with plenty of interesting characters and this would have been a good family saga if it had been written as a different genre. Romantic fiction is apparently not for me.
I got a box of used books for free, mostly mysteries, and last night I plucked one out at random, took it upstairs, threw it on the bed and went to shower. If I hadn't already been nice and snug in my bed when I realized what it was, I may have gone downstairs and picked another book.
I found this book completely ridiculous, but I did keep reading for a while because its ridiculousness got many an audible laugh out of me, mixed in with quite a few annoyed sighs. There was plenty of eye-rolling going on as well. :p
In my humble opinion, there was no great writing going on here. First of all, every chapter at the beginning of the book ended with a love scene. Very formulaic. Also, the author apparently couldn't work out how best to tell the story, so she switched from 1st person to 3rd person narrative quite a few times, which made for inconsistent reading. Why not just stick to the 3rd person, if she absolutely had to tell things that the heroine, Hannah, couldn't relate first-hand?
As for the plot, it would have been acceptable if it weren't so laced with all the mushy love scenes, and if the book were better written. For example, Cloud Walker's trial was rushed through to begin with, but the parts that were in the book were the least interesting ones. What about how Harvey Castrel had come to his final decision? One thing I will admit to is that Madeline Walker came up with plenty of interesting characters and this would have been a good family saga if it had been written as a different genre. Romantic fiction is apparently not for me.
July 2, 2016
I was very disappointed with this book. Particularly since the first book (Reckless Heart) in the series of 3 was actually very good. The second (Reckless Love) began the downward spiral for me but it was not too bad and I quite enjoyed it for the most part. But this last book in the series just hit rock bottom in every way imaginable. It seemed rushed, as though the author was racing against time and could not quite hit the muse. Exaggerated plot points were wrapped up in no time at all without the necessary climaxes and character development to make them sound credible. Shadow's character, which started off well enough and continued to improve and grow in the first 2 books, suddenly took a nosedive in the third one, often sounding insipid and hardly acting true to form at times. Not sure exactly what went wrong with Madeline Baker in this last book, except that she did not meet expectations nor her usual standards, I'm sorry to say. Pity. I am not usually averse to sequels ... it's always exciting to know what goes on in the aftermath of a great story, but if an author chooses to take up an original line and to expand on it, she should at least keep up the same standard or not write one at all. It's particularly disheartening when an avid fan pays a high price just to get a sequel which turns out not worth the paper it's written on.
February 21, 2012
This was my first foray into historical romance, and there is no turning back for me. I found this book in a free book store called The Book Thing and I could not resist that ridiculous cover. Once I started reading it, I was hooked, and when I realized this was part of a series, I hopped online and ordered the other books in the series. I love it!
December 31, 2015
Great book
Loved the story. A great love story for everyone. Can't wait to read more of Mrs. Madeline Bakers love stories
Loved the story. A great love story for everyone. Can't wait to read more of Mrs. Madeline Bakers love stories
April 7, 2017
Another amazing book
Yet another great book... I Haven't found one I don't like yet so I'm excited to get started on the next.
Yet another great book... I Haven't found one I don't like yet so I'm excited to get started on the next.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews