Tumbleweed Fever

Devlin Brown #1

by L.J. Maas

In the Oklahoma Territory of the old west, Devlin Brown is trying to redeem herself for a past as an outlaw. Working as a rider on a cattle ranch, she meets Sarah Tolliver, a widow with two children and a successful ranch, but no way to protect it from the ruthless men who would rather see her fail. Sparks fly when the former outlaw teams up with the beautiful, yet headstrong, young Tolliver.

Genres: Lesbian, Romance, Historical, LGBT, Westerns, Lesbian Romance, Historical Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2000

About the author

LJ Maas was a full time author and artist. She also found time in her busy schedule to teach computer graphics and writing classes at a local college. She is the author of six published novels Tumbleweed Fever, None So Blind, Meridio's Daughter, Prairie Fire, Rebecca's Cove, Journey's End (the first book in the Conqueror Series) and several very popular fan fiction stories. LJ Maas is the Royal Academy of Bards 2005 Hall of Fame Author.

LJ Maas passed away October 29, 2005, leaving behind a legion of fans and friends who were devastated by her untimely loss. Not only a gifted storyteller and author, LJ Maas was a gentle soul who left an indelible mark on everyone who knew her.

Reviews

[MaxDisaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
A very decent western.
I'm not sure everything made logical sense all the time, but it was written in such a way that it didn't actually matter.
I was very entertained

[Tinything · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit i almost put this book in my ‘on hold’ list. But i dont want to pile the books up too many in that list of mine, even i have only two at the moment. The first 25% of the book, it didnt seem to catch my interest at all. And how Devlin behave kinda tick me off somewhere, tbh idk. I think around 40% onward of the book that the story start getting interesting to me. And made me be able to finish the book. I like people like Sarah, she’s confident, headstrong, lovable, sweet and doesnt really scare to stand against someone. Other supportives characters are likable too, except the bad guys, of course. Well, i’m glad i didnt give up and be able to finish it because, one i dont want add anymore book to my ‘on hold’ list and two, i came to like this book and enjoyed it as well.

[Ginger Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather boring

Short, predictable, completely unrealistic, and only one character that was likable. Learned my lesson on this one so will skip the squeal. This book seemed rushed. As if the writer had something cooking on the stove and needed to tend to it.

[Rox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice western

I expected more. It had potential because I was enthralled midway through. Otherwise, it was just ok. Not worth $10.00 for only 14 chapters though.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first experience with the f/f Western genre.
And my first experience with L.J. Maas.
In both cases, I am glad I tried something new.
What a great book and charming characters.
The writing style of L.J. Maas really appealed to me from the first page I read.

For me the book was perfect, but at the end I was waiting for their first intimate scene. What I got was a mind blowing kiss. The sexual tension was so well constructed that I really was waiting for more than a kiss. Hopefully I'll get to long awaiting steamy love scene in the sequel.

This book makes me want to read more from L.J. Maas.
It is a sad fact that I discovered that she died in 2005.
Luckily I have a choice of the books that have been released before her death.

[Arewa Mata · Rating 3 out of 5]

With editing this gem could be a classic.

[Maia Zade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pros:
- LJ Maas (yes, Meridio's Daughter was a bit of a miss for me, but otherwise, iconic)
- characters being too shy/insecure to express their feelings because they don't want to ruin their friendship
- my coworker pushed me into discovering other Maas books and, upon reading the premise of this one, dubbed it "lesbian Brokeback Mountain"
- I did like how indigenous cultures were included and given importance to the story, though I can't vouch for the accuracy or care of the representation
- the name Devlin (thanks to the film Notorious)

Cons
- it's another Xena fanfic (I had such hope... I mean, how can you describe a character's hair as "amber honey" and yet say she's blond???? Like come on, that's gotta be auburn-adjacent, right? I just want one Maas story where it's not a petite blonde PLEASE (I know, it can never happen))
- the most we get between them is a kiss (well, and a weird fever-dream moment without consent or conscious awareness...), but maybe they explore that more in the sequel?

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't wait to start the sequel. This is a book I will keep forever to read over and over. Very special love story.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, but I'm a sucker for lesbian westerns.

[Elizabeth Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good lesbian western adventure romance. Enjoyed it. Would rec. I have enjoyed another book by this author as well.

[ANNIE G. WILLIAMS · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Western!!

Terrific read. 3rd time reading this and its sequel. Still fascinating. Loveable and true to life characters. Definitely a keeper. I have enjoyed all of LJ' s novels. Will truly miss her writings.

[Dide · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the sequel before reading this book and I am so glad that didn't spoil my appreciation of this book. My giving it 5star is well deserved. ..the characters, the plot, the romance all were creatively formed. I have really enjoyed a number of books by this author and I'd probably say this is one of my best from her.