Loving an Untamed Wonder: Western Whirlwinds: Mischief, Mayhem and Mishaps

by Lynne Lanning

Enjoy a good chuckle when this Pinkerton Agent's ‘assignment’ arrives, in a power packed parcel of sweet innocence wrapped in red hair and full of spirit – along with mischief, mayhem and mishaps. His life was about to change forever, if she didn’t end up being the death of them.

Can a wild heart ever be tamed?

Spirited Penny doesn’t fit in her mother’s world of high ‘genteel’ society, and settling down and marrying an upper society man doesn’t fit in Penny’s! Having had one mishap and mischievous scheme too many, Penny’s destined for boarding school where she can’t be an embarrassment to her family. However, there’s one more trick up her sleeve…and it might be the most sensational one yet!

Heath, an undercover Pinkerton Agent, is appalled to get the assignment of babysitting a spoiled brat from back east until she moves on to her next destination. He has too many big decisions to deal with right now, and trying to keep her out of the troubles she keeps finding herself in makes some of his previous assignments seem like a cakewalk.

Penny is about to bring excitement to the west, and maybe even find something she never knew she wanted. As for Heath? His life is about to change forever, if she doesn’t end up being the death of them.

142 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 6, 2025

About the author

Lynne Lanning has such an effortless way of evoking emotion from her readers. Her characters are so realistic that the reader can feel their pain during trials and their joy during triumphs. Reviews state: "...it's as if Mrs. Lanning lived through this herself." "Couldn't put it down..." "A real page turner." Lynne enjoys turning history and her love of God into enjoyable, relatable stories with practical life lessons that can benefit people today. Each story tells of true bonds of love and loyalty, mixed with tough times and decisions, with a twist of humor and sometimes devastation...the same is true in life. With a blend of her own family members and heritage along with lots of fiction, it's hard to tell where reality stops and fantasy begins.

Reviews

[Donna]

What a fun story, Loving an Untamed Wonder was to read. Penny has so much energy and enthusiasm about everything, but her Mother thinks she is an embarrassment to the family. She wants a proper daughter and is ready to do anything to get her to cooperate. Her Father doesn't agree totally, but is willing to help Penny. Is this a joke, Heath wants to know, when his new assignment as a Pinkerton, is to babysit a rich girl. Oh boy, the fun is just starting, so be careful what you wish for Heath. Great story and excitement on every page.
I was given an ARC of this book by the author for an honest review.

[Kathy Heare Watts]

GOOD LUCK WITH THIS LITTLE SPITFIRE

Western Whirlwinds: Mischief, Mayhem, and Mishaps is a new multi-author historical-based series. Each book within the series is a stand-alone that will entertain the reader. These are clean, wholesome tales, with a bit of mischief and plenty of humor. While not everyone appreciates the free will thinking of some people, others find it refreshing.

The story begins in South Carolina, where the youngest child of Dr. and Mrs. Sideman is. Eighteen-year-old Penelope ‘Penny’ Sideman is different from her siblings; she cares little about proper etiquette, fancy parties, or teas, and has an inquisitive imagination. She loves to tinker and invent items—things that will make tasks better. When she plans to catch the person stealing from her father, she devises a plan—only it isn’t the thief that is inconvenienced, it will be her brother. The incident will set her mother into a tizzy and demand that she be allowed to enforce Penny to take lessons in decorum and etiquette—and find a boarding school to send her to in the fall.

What a shock when the Tildy Sideman learns that her mother, Lucille Massey, is on her way for a visit from the West. Tildy has become a social snob and fears what her mother will look like when she arrives. After arriving, it won’t be long before Lucille sees that her granddaughter, Penny, is miserable and not like the rest of the grandchildren. Then, when Lucille has an accident and breaks her leg, she will be cared for by Penny. But what will happen when she returns West?

Back in the West, Heath Keaton is visiting his mother and friends in the town where he was raised. His friend, the sheriff, Jamie Durham, gets word that Lucille Massey was injured and that her granddaughter is coming ahead of her to help take care of her. Things will need to be prepared around her home. Heath is a Pinkerton agent who is growing tired of the life and the criminals he chases—but being home has his mother harping on him to get married and settle down. But there is no one in town he is interested in. Heath and Jamie talk about the granddaughter coming—and about the future—with Jamie teasing him about maybe this granddaughter is the one. In the meantime, Penny and her escort, Pinkerton agent Rick Lore, are en route to Lucille’s town.
Jamie: Maybe she’ll turn your head and even twist your heart.

Heath: Hmph, unless she’s a fiery redhead with a lot of spirit, enough to keep things very interesting, I don’t think so.
Jamie: Careful what you ask for, my friend. You just described Lucille. Well, her hair isn’t red anymore, but it used to be. If her granddaughter is anything like her, you may have met your match.

Penny: Tell me again, Mr. Lore, about the big sky at night.
Rick: I’m not sure which is best: the moon looking as if it’s sitting on top of the mountain peaks, or the moonless nights when the stars sparkle like diamonds.
Penny: Hmm. I can’t wait to see it. We’re here! We’re finally here.

Another fun story, and it was nice to see Jesse and Juliet from Flirting With Mischief: Affection and Determination - Their Wild West Win. While Heath is a bit perplexed about some of the things Penny says she wants to do—like build an armoire, he doesn’t tell her that he doubts she can do that. The more he is around her, the more he is impressed with her creative mind, even during mishaps.

“Careful what you wish for, my friend. Red hair and spirited? Hmm, I think you got your wish.” -Jamie

What happens after Lucille comes home, and Penny’s help is no longer needed? Will she then be off to boarding school—or has fate played another hand?

“Remember, even when He doesn’t answer prayers the way we want Him to, God is good, all the time.”

NOTE: I read this book with my paid subscription to Kindle Unlimited.

[Lana]

I thoroughly loved this book about a tomboy who didn’t fit in the way her “genteel” mother wanted! She was so unhappy. All she was doing was inventing things, but her mother said everything she did was unladylike. I laughed so hard at times while reading this adorable story! Finally, through a strange set of circumstances, she gets a chance to go live out West! It is just where she belongs! She’s a totally different, happy person. The man she meets has quite a bit to do with that happiness. I’m trying to be very vague so as to not ruin the book for you! You’re going to love it! I’m so happy to be on Ms. Lanning’s arc team and, although not required to write a review, I choose to write a great review for a great book!

[Evelyn Foreman]

This author has written a new “my favorite”, reading, literally devouring, this story of adventure, unexpected alliances, an unlikely romance and the list goes on. A book filled with faith over fear, hope over despair, trust over unbelief, my heart is joyful, my heart is full as I turn the last page, once again in awe of the author’s heart spilling onto every page, every word as she is directed by the power at work in her to deliver His message to the heart of everyone who opens it’s pages!

[Michele Kerlin]

A young Penny Sideman was just 17 and already knew she didn’t want to be the prim and proper lady her mother thought she should be. In comes Heath who is a secret agent Pinkerton assigned to get Penny to boarding school. Penny is a challenge for Heath but can she steal his heart? I found myself smiling and picturing these characters. This is a great book that kept me up later than I should have been. I was given this book to read as part of a ARC but my views are mine.

[Jody]

What a fun book! Penny is a redhead who loves to tinker fixing and creating things. She’s not your typical refined young lady like her mother is trying to teach her to be. Fortunately her father sees her for who she is and lets her travel west to take care of her grandmother. That’s really where her best life begins. This story has humor, inspiration, love and is a fun, easy read that I highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The review is my honest opinion of it.

[Charissa Reed]

Penelope loves to tinker with things to make things work better. Her mother does not like what she does and wants to send her to boarding school to make her fit in to high society life. Penny is secretly tasked to help her grandmother who needs some help. This is a fun story of someone who doesn't fit her parents mold finding her way in life and happiness.

[Ami Jacobs]

What a nice clean romance! This western style Christian historical romance kept me laughing as I enjoyed every page! I loved the way this “untamed wonder” solved problems and didn’t give up! I also loved how they all relied on God, and waited until they knew the answer to their prayers! What an emotionally restful book! I received an ARC copy and this is my review.

[Diane Jewell]

Loving an Untamed Wonder by Lynne Lanning ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was really moved reading this story. A teenager becoming an adult. Following her dreams and not letting others take that away.
A faith filled adventure is waiting for you. Pre-order your copy today. October 6th. Released date.
One person found this helpful

[Johnna]

Another fantastic book by Lynne Lanning. She knows exactly how e write a wonderful, engaging store. My favourite part is when her father sends her to care for her grandmother instead of sending her to boarding school. All things work together for good to them that Love God.

[Debbie Thompson]

I enjoyed the book! Penny was mischievous and felt constricted by high society rules. She went west to stay with her grandmother. Heath was a Pinkerton agent who was hired to watch out for Penny. He ended up rescuing Penny from some of her mishaps. I highly recommend reading this book!

[Shonda]

Great read!

[Kristin Carmack]

What a fun read. A redheaded spunky gal. What a whirlwind of a story. There are laugh out loud moments. One you won't want to put down because you just have to find out what's next!

[Julia Lee]

Absolutely loved this story. I had so much fun reading it and laughed and laughed at Penny's antics.

[Debra Reeves]

I enjoyed reading Heath and Penny's story

[Tammi Summers]

Loved it

The love story happened so fast. I read the entire book in one day. I couldn’t put it down. It was lighthearted and fun to read.

[Judy Esposito]

Loving an Untamed Wonder!

Another wonderful book from a favorite author. Filled with fun and romance, I enjoyed this sweet book. Can recommend. JudyE

[Donna]

great book

This was a great book and by a great author. I highly recommend this book and author. I can’t wait to read the next book by this wonderful author.

[Carol Nauss]

Penny loves to tinker with gadgets that make life easier. Her mother has other ideas and wants her to be a proper lady. When an opportunity to travel West presents itself, Penny jumps at the chance. While there, she meets Heath and the fun begins. I love the setting of the old West and the characters of Penny and Heath and their interaction. Will God guide them in the right direction? This is a clean Christian Western romance which I found thoroughly enjoyable.