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Untamed
"The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" meets " Reeves" in this fun and adventurous historical romance featuring the classic, enigmatic cowboy of the Old West.
Proper eastern lady Mary Catherine Templeton is on the verge of being destitute when she inherits a saloon out west. She’s determined to take her bachelor’s degree and make a success of the struggling liquor joint, even after her innocent sensibilities are shocked to discover its other sinful commodity.
All burnt-out bounty hunter Blaaze Lassiter wants is to retire in a quiet, uneventful small town, catch up on his reading, and try a little whittling. He thought he'd found the perfect place to abandon his live-by-the-gun ways. But ever since that she-devil changed the rules for the amenities in her establishment, the townsmen have started a ruckus detrimental to his peaceful existence.
When the backlash against Mary Catherine becomes life-threatening, Blaaze feels duty-bound to strap on his guns again to protect the woman who’s got his blood riled in more ways than one. And once he puts down this insurrection, he’s gonna take up a new leisure activity—one that involves giving the prissy college graduate a whole different kind of education.
1880s America
Proper eastern lady Mary Catherine Templeton is on the verge of being destitute when she inherits a saloon out west. She’s determined to take her bachelor’s degree and make a success of the struggling liquor joint, even after her innocent sensibilities are shocked to discover its other sinful commodity.
All burnt-out bounty hunter Blaaze Lassiter wants is to retire in a quiet, uneventful small town, catch up on his reading, and try a little whittling. He thought he'd found the perfect place to abandon his live-by-the-gun ways. But ever since that she-devil changed the rules for the amenities in her establishment, the townsmen have started a ruckus detrimental to his peaceful existence.
When the backlash against Mary Catherine becomes life-threatening, Blaaze feels duty-bound to strap on his guns again to protect the woman who’s got his blood riled in more ways than one. And once he puts down this insurrection, he’s gonna take up a new leisure activity—one that involves giving the prissy college graduate a whole different kind of education.
1880s America
446 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2024
60 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Rayne
7 books170 followersSubscribe to Lisa's NEWSLETTER: https://lisarayne.com/subscribe
Lisa Rayne is an award-winning author who loves sports, movies, music, and books. An avid reader, the only thing she likes more than curling up with a good book is writing one. She earned a Top 10 Finalist berth in the prestigious, global Harlequin® "So You Think You Can Write" Contest with her first manuscript and is a 4-time EMMA Award winner.
Lisa practiced intellectual property, entertainment, and media law for many years before she decided to start producing her own creative works instead of simply representing others who did. She provides readers with romantic fiction featuring smart, sexy characters of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
She currently lives in the Midwest and has two daughters.
Connect with Lisa on social media:
TIKTOK >> https://www.tiktok.com/@authorrayne/
INSTAGRAM >> https://www.instagram.com/authorrayne
TWITTER >>https://www.twitter.com/authorrayne
Lisa Rayne is an award-winning author who loves sports, movies, music, and books. An avid reader, the only thing she likes more than curling up with a good book is writing one. She earned a Top 10 Finalist berth in the prestigious, global Harlequin® "So You Think You Can Write" Contest with her first manuscript and is a 4-time EMMA Award winner.
Lisa practiced intellectual property, entertainment, and media law for many years before she decided to start producing her own creative works instead of simply representing others who did. She provides readers with romantic fiction featuring smart, sexy characters of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
She currently lives in the Midwest and has two daughters.
Connect with Lisa on social media:
TIKTOK >> https://www.tiktok.com/@authorrayne/
INSTAGRAM >> https://www.instagram.com/authorrayne
TWITTER >>https://www.twitter.com/authorrayne
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 6, 2025
This was my first country cowboy gun slinging outlaw or whatever you want to call it read🤭🤣 I enjoyed this so much and I’m so mad at myself for taking so long to Indulge in Ms. Raynes penmanship.
I adored the FMC AND MMC all throughout this book. Well except when Blaaze kept fighting the feeling that he was in love (typical man behavior no matter the time and era huh?) and Ms. Mary Catherine how she excelled above all “norms” of what a woman was expected to do back in the times of 1877.
Definitely wish I could get a part two of “Mary cate” and Blaaze😫 I feel like I need more to their storyline!
I adored the FMC AND MMC all throughout this book. Well except when Blaaze kept fighting the feeling that he was in love (typical man behavior no matter the time and era huh?) and Ms. Mary Catherine how she excelled above all “norms” of what a woman was expected to do back in the times of 1877.
Definitely wish I could get a part two of “Mary cate” and Blaaze😫 I feel like I need more to their storyline!
August 4, 2024
Absolutely loved Lisa Rayne's brand of cowboy. This book was fun and easy to read. It has the perfect balance of seriousness and humor; as well as spice! I definitely recommend it!
soft-dnf
November 13, 2025This was me retrying historical fiction, and unfortunately it’s still not for me. The writing style of historical romances just don’t tend to work for me. I don’t think it helps that it’s written in third person and I don’t personally love that
I’m saying this is a soft DNF for now because I might come back to it when I feel like I could vibe with it more because it does sound fun, but for now it’s a no
I’m saying this is a soft DNF for now because I might come back to it when I feel like I could vibe with it more because it does sound fun, but for now it’s a no
Read
January 21, 2025From page one, Rayne's style struck me as incredibly quirky and fun. I found myself chuckling a few times, which honestly doesn't happen too often when I'm reading romance, so that alone made this stand apart. With delightful characters (I especially loved Mary Catherine!), and a romance that sizzles, I enjoyed reading the tension between Blaaze and Mary Catherine, as well as the entertaining little mishaps that drew them together along the way. So glad I found this author!
May 1, 2025
Untamed is a rollicking western, full of banter, steam, wit, high stakes, and bad guys. I had no idea what to expect when I picked it up, as I had not read any of Lisa Rayne’s books before, but I loved it. You can bet I will be reading more of her books soon! This book was a breath of fresh air.
Blaaze Lassiter has made his living as a bounty hunter and a Deputy US Marshal, and he is ready to retire from that life. He has a parcel of land outside town, and he is ready to for a quiet life of breeding horses and whitling. Alone.
Mary Catherine Templeton has a college degree in mathematics and plans to use it. But no one in Cleveland will hire a woman to work in banking. When she inherits a saloon in Kansas from a cousin, she determines that will be her ticket to becoming an independent business woman.
Mary Catherine doesn’t know what to make of the cowboy boarding in a room above her saloon, but somehow, every time trouble rears its head, Blaaze is there to help her out. Then he explains to her that her cousin didn’t just rent out rooms above the saloon, she ran the local brothel. What is a proper woman supposed to do with that piece of information?
For his own piece of mind, Blaaze hopes she packs up and returns to Ohio, but her stubborn streak piques his interest. As does her quick mind, her beautiful face, and her sharp wit. For all that he thinks she should return east, he is not about to let her get run out of town by bad guys. And it has nothing to do with him falling for her. Because that is not in his plans.
Mary Catherine should absolutely not find the rough cowboy attractive, because he is a menace. And he is distracting. And maybe, since she has no intention of ever marrying, he can help her better understand why she gets so riled in his presence.
Rayne builds us a classic prairie town, with a saloon, a mercantile, a hotel, and a lot of illegal liquor for a state that has outlawed it. There are a few forgivable hiccups with horses and apparel, but the history of that region in the railroad era, and of the real figures some of the characters are based on, is right on target. Most of all, readers feel like they have been plunked right down into a Hollywood Western, with jingling spurs, a quick-drawing hero, and a plucky heroine with a pencil stuck through the bun in her hair, which is exactly where we want to be for this book. That was what I signed on for, and I loved it!
Blaaze Lassiter has made his living as a bounty hunter and a Deputy US Marshal, and he is ready to retire from that life. He has a parcel of land outside town, and he is ready to for a quiet life of breeding horses and whitling. Alone.
Mary Catherine Templeton has a college degree in mathematics and plans to use it. But no one in Cleveland will hire a woman to work in banking. When she inherits a saloon in Kansas from a cousin, she determines that will be her ticket to becoming an independent business woman.
Mary Catherine doesn’t know what to make of the cowboy boarding in a room above her saloon, but somehow, every time trouble rears its head, Blaaze is there to help her out. Then he explains to her that her cousin didn’t just rent out rooms above the saloon, she ran the local brothel. What is a proper woman supposed to do with that piece of information?
For his own piece of mind, Blaaze hopes she packs up and returns to Ohio, but her stubborn streak piques his interest. As does her quick mind, her beautiful face, and her sharp wit. For all that he thinks she should return east, he is not about to let her get run out of town by bad guys. And it has nothing to do with him falling for her. Because that is not in his plans.
Mary Catherine should absolutely not find the rough cowboy attractive, because he is a menace. And he is distracting. And maybe, since she has no intention of ever marrying, he can help her better understand why she gets so riled in his presence.
Rayne builds us a classic prairie town, with a saloon, a mercantile, a hotel, and a lot of illegal liquor for a state that has outlawed it. There are a few forgivable hiccups with horses and apparel, but the history of that region in the railroad era, and of the real figures some of the characters are based on, is right on target. Most of all, readers feel like they have been plunked right down into a Hollywood Western, with jingling spurs, a quick-drawing hero, and a plucky heroine with a pencil stuck through the bun in her hair, which is exactly where we want to be for this book. That was what I signed on for, and I loved it!
September 3, 2024
“Bounty Hunter’s Beauty”
Blaaze Lassiter, a reluctant U.S. Deputy Marshal, is ready for retirement. Just don’t mess with his booze, guns, or his Mary Cate. It took him a minute to get growly and possessive, but when he did, it was absolutely cute. The jealousy that lives in this man could light up the night sky ten times over. And their first kiss? It was just the bee’s knees. I felt it all the way down to my toes. Yes, I’m calling the ornery Blaaze Lassiter cute. This man is innocent in his own way. Courting a lady is definitely not in his bag of tricks. But when things start heating up... ooh wee!
Miss Mary Catherine Templeton is on a road to self-actualization. She may be naive about the wonders of carnal pleasure, but she’s wonderfully intelligent. As prissy and proper as she is, homegirl has gumption. Watching her character develop was beautiful—top-notch storytelling.
One of my favorite passages: “He had the perfect tool to lure honey from its comb...” Never in my life have I heard sexy times described this way, but I. Am. Here. For. It!🤤
Ms. Lisa also nails what I like to call the journey to HEA. The little moments are vivaciously abundant, and y’all are not ready for a soft Blaaze.
But the true superstar of Untamed is the writing. Ms. Lisa speaks my love language with her composition—it’s like scripture. The prose is magically descriptive, era-relevant, and beautifully crafted. I identified with the FMC so deeply, especially the uphill battle to prove your worth, the toll that takes on every decision, and the journey of dismissing others’ expectations to become your own person. Self-identity and crafting your own path is a central theme in this book.
We also get plenty of drama and humor, not just from the main characters, but from the wacky and loose-lipped townsfolk of Lawless, Kansas.
While I would’ve loved a more developed, less hasty ending, our fiery main characters get the HEA they both so desperately deserved and needed.
Oh, and by the way... the author’s note? Somebody definitely wants to get her Rock on!
Blaaze Lassiter, a reluctant U.S. Deputy Marshal, is ready for retirement. Just don’t mess with his booze, guns, or his Mary Cate. It took him a minute to get growly and possessive, but when he did, it was absolutely cute. The jealousy that lives in this man could light up the night sky ten times over. And their first kiss? It was just the bee’s knees. I felt it all the way down to my toes. Yes, I’m calling the ornery Blaaze Lassiter cute. This man is innocent in his own way. Courting a lady is definitely not in his bag of tricks. But when things start heating up... ooh wee!
Miss Mary Catherine Templeton is on a road to self-actualization. She may be naive about the wonders of carnal pleasure, but she’s wonderfully intelligent. As prissy and proper as she is, homegirl has gumption. Watching her character develop was beautiful—top-notch storytelling.
One of my favorite passages: “He had the perfect tool to lure honey from its comb...” Never in my life have I heard sexy times described this way, but I. Am. Here. For. It!🤤
Ms. Lisa also nails what I like to call the journey to HEA. The little moments are vivaciously abundant, and y’all are not ready for a soft Blaaze.
But the true superstar of Untamed is the writing. Ms. Lisa speaks my love language with her composition—it’s like scripture. The prose is magically descriptive, era-relevant, and beautifully crafted. I identified with the FMC so deeply, especially the uphill battle to prove your worth, the toll that takes on every decision, and the journey of dismissing others’ expectations to become your own person. Self-identity and crafting your own path is a central theme in this book.
We also get plenty of drama and humor, not just from the main characters, but from the wacky and loose-lipped townsfolk of Lawless, Kansas.
While I would’ve loved a more developed, less hasty ending, our fiery main characters get the HEA they both so desperately deserved and needed.
Oh, and by the way... the author’s note? Somebody definitely wants to get her Rock on!
October 13, 2025
An absolutely fantastic historical romance set in the frontier, with strong character arcs and excellent chemistry.
I fell in love with Lisa Rayne's writing with her book Never Cross A Highlander and I was so excited to jump into this book, which promised a really interesting backdrop and a sizzling romance. And this book delivered it all and a little more! I absolutely loved it and had to keep my eyes open late into the night to finish it.
Blaaze and Mary Catherine (whom he calls Mary Cate which I found adorable!) are definitely an opposites attract couple. She's educated lady from the east and he's a former bounty hunter turned US marshal and when they meet in Lawless for the first time, sparks fly and windows shatter, literally. Mary Catherine has just found out that she's inherited a saloon from her late cousin and Blaaze wants to settle in to his homestead and hang up the star for good. But not everything or anything goes to plan.
I really like how strong-willed Mary Catherine is. She's thrown into a situation she never could've imagined and she makes mistakes because she's from another world almost, but she learns and grows and has a backbone of steel. I immediately fell in love with her and rooted for her success from page one. Blaaze took a little time getting warmed up to but I like how his cold demeanor was slowly chipped away and a loving and kind man was found underneath. The slow burn romance worked really well and once they got together, it was amazing.
The plot was fun and I really enjoyed watching Mary Catherine turn the saloon into her own with the help of her ladies. The tension and danger from her opponents provided an excellent tension in the book and I really enjoyed the conclusion. And I have to tip my hat off to the author for all the amazing historical tidbits in the book, they truly elevated the story for me.
I fell in love with Lisa Rayne's writing with her book Never Cross A Highlander and I was so excited to jump into this book, which promised a really interesting backdrop and a sizzling romance. And this book delivered it all and a little more! I absolutely loved it and had to keep my eyes open late into the night to finish it.
Blaaze and Mary Catherine (whom he calls Mary Cate which I found adorable!) are definitely an opposites attract couple. She's educated lady from the east and he's a former bounty hunter turned US marshal and when they meet in Lawless for the first time, sparks fly and windows shatter, literally. Mary Catherine has just found out that she's inherited a saloon from her late cousin and Blaaze wants to settle in to his homestead and hang up the star for good. But not everything or anything goes to plan.
I really like how strong-willed Mary Catherine is. She's thrown into a situation she never could've imagined and she makes mistakes because she's from another world almost, but she learns and grows and has a backbone of steel. I immediately fell in love with her and rooted for her success from page one. Blaaze took a little time getting warmed up to but I like how his cold demeanor was slowly chipped away and a loving and kind man was found underneath. The slow burn romance worked really well and once they got together, it was amazing.
The plot was fun and I really enjoyed watching Mary Catherine turn the saloon into her own with the help of her ladies. The tension and danger from her opponents provided an excellent tension in the book and I really enjoyed the conclusion. And I have to tip my hat off to the author for all the amazing historical tidbits in the book, they truly elevated the story for me.
January 19, 2025
1888, 20 years after slavery is abolished we meet Blaaze a US Marshal on his last job, he has a bullet wound in his side and convict who is getting on his nerves. All my man wants is a bath, whiskey, and a woman. I might also throw in some medical attention.
Then we meet prim proper Mary Catherine an unwed woman of color who just moved to Lawless Kansas. But help me to understand what black person leaves the safety of the north for the plains? Ohio for Kansas sounds ass backwards. Apparently they leave when distant cousin bequeaths their thriving business to them…the best little whorehouse in Kansas.
Lawless, Kansas is just that lawless, and it’s all being run by a ruthless businessman, Clanton. Clanton wants my girl’s saloon and brothel and tries his best to run her out of town. Lucky for her, she has piqued the interest of the retired Marshal!
This was a stuff your kindle free download. I thought I was getting a freaky sneaky read but instead it was a historical romance. I was completely Impressed with writing, vocabulary, and there were no typos!! I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the book more than I thought.
Then we meet prim proper Mary Catherine an unwed woman of color who just moved to Lawless Kansas. But help me to understand what black person leaves the safety of the north for the plains? Ohio for Kansas sounds ass backwards. Apparently they leave when distant cousin bequeaths their thriving business to them…the best little whorehouse in Kansas.
Lawless, Kansas is just that lawless, and it’s all being run by a ruthless businessman, Clanton. Clanton wants my girl’s saloon and brothel and tries his best to run her out of town. Lucky for her, she has piqued the interest of the retired Marshal!
This was a stuff your kindle free download. I thought I was getting a freaky sneaky read but instead it was a historical romance. I was completely Impressed with writing, vocabulary, and there were no typos!! I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the book more than I thought.
November 5, 2024
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book I’ve wanted to edit so badly before. My fingers were itching for a red pen.
While I appreciate the set up of a Black deputy in the Old West meeting an educated city woman who inherited a saloon/brothel, the writing style and pace were exceedingly clunky. I am not lying when I say I could easily cut 100+ pages of this book. The quirky elements of the main characters were overshadowed by strange character arcs and decisions. I love a bluestocking heroine, but Mary Catherine was exceptionally clueless for being such an educated math wiz. And the random love triangle? Did not need that. Plus with the bad guy revealed from the beginning, it was a whole lotta waiting around for the plot that didn’t happen until the end.
I do really love historical romances that center Black MCs and POC. But I think this author’s writing style and pacing just don’t work for me.
While I appreciate the set up of a Black deputy in the Old West meeting an educated city woman who inherited a saloon/brothel, the writing style and pace were exceedingly clunky. I am not lying when I say I could easily cut 100+ pages of this book. The quirky elements of the main characters were overshadowed by strange character arcs and decisions. I love a bluestocking heroine, but Mary Catherine was exceptionally clueless for being such an educated math wiz. And the random love triangle? Did not need that. Plus with the bad guy revealed from the beginning, it was a whole lotta waiting around for the plot that didn’t happen until the end.
I do really love historical romances that center Black MCs and POC. But I think this author’s writing style and pacing just don’t work for me.
August 1, 2024
I loved this book so much! It’s got all the fun action of an old western but with an absolutely swoonworthy romance I couldn’t get enough of. I loved Blaaze especially. Classic cowboy, delightfully grumpy but with a heart of gold. Enough stubbornness to make me want to smack him through the pages but not so much that it annoyed me. Mary Catherine was a surprise for me. It can be hard to write a prim and proper miss without her completely driving me nuts, but Ms Rayne somehow managed to convey her prissiness without making her unlikable. Instead of rolling my eyes, I was laughing at her antics. That was the other surprise. There was a lot more humor in the story than I was expecting and I loooove humor in a story. The side characters had a lot to do with this also – I really hope we see them in future books! Overall just an absolutely fabulous historical romance. I loved every page! Definitely one I will reread. *I read an early review copy that in no way influenced this review. I loved it enough I purchased a copy and will buy the paperback when it releases. My opinions are my own.*
November 1, 2025
Untamed By Lisa Rayne is one fun ride. We have a man longing for peace after fighting on different sides of the law, our hero Blaze. A buttoned up heroine Mary Catherine,who is bent on proving that as long as the button's belong to her she will do as she pleases. A town that is on the verge of growth if only it can deal with is vermin problem. I was impressed with how full the characters feel, you can't just put them in a simple box, each of them are multi dimensional. The story was intriguing, humorous and hot!!!! I think anyone might enjoy a little stop in Lawless.
October 31, 2024
All I've Ever Wanted In An Historical Western Romance and More
When a studly superbly confident reluctant hero encounter a feisty learn-as-she-goes equally confident heroine in a town called Lawless the results aren't lawless. They're challenging, intriguing and satsfying. Whether creating a cowboy or a highlander and the women who grow to love them, Lisa Rayne crafts a tale you can't put down.
When a studly superbly confident reluctant hero encounter a feisty learn-as-she-goes equally confident heroine in a town called Lawless the results aren't lawless. They're challenging, intriguing and satsfying. Whether creating a cowboy or a highlander and the women who grow to love them, Lisa Rayne crafts a tale you can't put down.
April 1, 2025
What a story. Blaaze is a baddy and you love him from the moment he rides into town. Mary Catherine aka Mary Cate is fierce if a little naïve but she learns quickly about Lawless, Kansas. The supporting characters are colorful and offers layers to the story. This is great mix of action, romance, and humor.
Can I get a Tobias and Addison love story? Just saying.
Quick, fun, and spicy read.
Can I get a Tobias and Addison love story? Just saying.
Quick, fun, and spicy read.
August 7, 2024
This was a smart, sassy, and sexy historical cowboy romance. Per usual, Lisa Rayne makes me question if I should, indeed, be an author. She weaves together a beautiful story about two opposites in an artful/skilled way that makes you devour each page. It's everything you want from a historical romance; heartfelt, fun, and swoony! Giddy up y'all for a good time!!!
December 17, 2024
Good Storyline
This is the first book that I have read by this author, and I was pleasantly surprised. It was a page turner, and I hated to see it end. I hope there's another book because I want to see how Blaaze and Mary Catherine are doing and what's up with Blaaze's sister and his father.
This is the first book that I have read by this author, and I was pleasantly surprised. It was a page turner, and I hated to see it end. I hope there's another book because I want to see how Blaaze and Mary Catherine are doing and what's up with Blaaze's sister and his father.
April 22, 2025
Fire
wow I low keyed wanted the 3rd to stay. I so, enjoyed Blaaze and Mary Catherine story I wanted more. Enjoyed the storline hopefully Mary Cate will change her mind and marry that man. Addison story next not with Tobias though Jeremiah yeah now that would be very interesting. Great read.
wow I low keyed wanted the 3rd to stay. I so, enjoyed Blaaze and Mary Catherine story I wanted more. Enjoyed the storline hopefully Mary Cate will change her mind and marry that man. Addison story next not with Tobias though Jeremiah yeah now that would be very interesting. Great read.
January 6, 2025
I enjoyed this western story. It had a little of everything in it, outlaws, whorehouses, hired hands to name a few. I liked that you get to see POC as the leading characters. There is much potential for several books, from the sister to the Marshal plus daddy. Looking forward to book 2.
Read
December 28, 2024A fun historical Western. How Mary Cate comes to terms with being a surprise brothel owner is the true gem of this book
dnf
January 17, 2025I won't rate this but this was just so silly. I also don't like cop stories. On to the next one.
April 22, 2025
3.5⭐️
Slowww start. But taking it for what it is, once it gets going it’s got some good slow burn action and a dash of spice😇
Slowww start. But taking it for what it is, once it gets going it’s got some good slow burn action and a dash of spice😇
January 26, 2025
Absolutely in love with this book!! I'm on my quest to find myself a cowboy like Blaaze 🫡
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews