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Northern Fire #1
Wild Heat
Sometimes old flames are the hottest of all . . . In the quaint little town of Cailkirn, Alaska, it's impossible to keep a secret, especially one as juicy as the unexpected return of Kitty Grant. Tack MacKinnon remembers her wild red curls and even wilder spirit-and still feels the sting from when she shattered his heart in college. But there's a pain in Kitty's gorgeous eyes that guts him to the core and Tack is determined to do whatever it takes to see the woman he still loves smile again-even if it means taking on her demons as his own. After fleeing an abusive ex-husband, Kitty decides that the best way to heal her broken heart is to come back home. But she gets a whole new shock when she sees how undeniably sexy Tack has become. More handsome, more muscular, more charming-more everything-he's impossible to resist. Before she knows it, they're reigniting sparks that could set the whole state of Alaska on fire. Yet trust doesn't come easy to Kitty anymore, and as things heat up between her and Tack, she can't help but wonder if one of them is going to get burned . . . "Lucy Monroe writes smart, sensual, emotional books for intelligent women." -- JoAnn Ross, New York Times bestselling author
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2015
35 people are currently reading
913 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Monroe
605 books1,567 followersI write spicy romance books that end in an HEA. Contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance…I write it all. The two things my books all have in common is lots of emotion and spice. Last year, I fell in love with a new subgenre: mafia romance. Since I write what I love to read, I started a new standalone series, Syndicate Rules where you’ll meet over the top alpha heroes in the Italian and Greek mafias as well as the Irish mob. There are arranged marriages, forced marriages, enemies to lovers, stalkers, forced proximity and lots of mafia intrigue. Morally gray is my new favorite color.
Follow me on BookBub for alerts on my next release: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lucy-...
I’ve been published a while and most of my 90+ books have hit the Nielson Bookscan bestseller list, a few ended up on the USA Today bestseller list and some even hit national bestseller lists in the UK and Australia. My books have been translated into numerous languages and are for sale in dozens of countries around the world. I’ve won awards and been published with most of the big houses in New York, but my greatest achievement is touching readers’ hearts. When I hear from a reader who got caught up in one of my books, I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.
I love writing emotionally deep stories with snappy dialogue and solid plots. I’m more grateful than I’ll ever be able to express that so many readers have taken my stories into their hearts and put my books on their reread and keeper shelves.
Follow me on BookBub for alerts on my next release: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lucy-...
I’ve been published a while and most of my 90+ books have hit the Nielson Bookscan bestseller list, a few ended up on the USA Today bestseller list and some even hit national bestseller lists in the UK and Australia. My books have been translated into numerous languages and are for sale in dozens of countries around the world. I’ve won awards and been published with most of the big houses in New York, but my greatest achievement is touching readers’ hearts. When I hear from a reader who got caught up in one of my books, I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.
I love writing emotionally deep stories with snappy dialogue and solid plots. I’m more grateful than I’ll ever be able to express that so many readers have taken my stories into their hearts and put my books on their reread and keeper shelves.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
romance-covers-i-have-loved
June 19, 2015okay, i have appended a list of questions/musings to the end of this because i have been thinking WAY too much about this.
someone else please read this pw review and tell me if i am hallucinating, or drunk, or otherwise misunderstanding this plot:
In the first of her Northern Fire series, Monroe (the Children of the Moon series) introduces Cailkirn, Alaska, the small town Kitty Grant’s ancestors founded nearly 200 years ago. Eight years after Kitty escaped Cailkirn, she returns to rebuild her life, following her divorce from an abusive husband who sent her spiraling into anorexia. Tack MacKinnon runs a hiking tour company that caters to tourists from cruise ships. He was heartbroken when Kitty broke off their longtime friendship and got married (though her spouse remains in California), and now he’ll do anything to protect his heart while helping her recover her health. With immediate chemistry between them, he uses casual, hot sex to bribe her to eat. Tack’s insistence on pretending to be just friends hamstrings the development of romance; the jealousy and misunderstandings are never balanced by tenderness. The repeated introduction of flat protagonists for future books gives the novel an unsatisfying episodic feel.
he is using his cock to cure her anorexia??? tell me more about medicinal cock!!! i have many questions.
okay, so here are more musings
so, this whole idea of using sex as a way to "cure" anorexia. it's fascinating to me. because this is a romance novel, so i imagine that the focus is more on the casual, hot sex than on a thoughtful discussion of the legitimate psychological suffering of someone with an eating disorder. i'm assuming that the anorexia is treated as a pesky little obstacle than the all-encompassing hell it is to real people. i mean, if it can be overcome by sex, it's just an affectation, right?? and by casual sex, which is a detail i love because it's so distancing. no emotions here, just bringing my carrot and my stick to your silly refusal to eat!
and then i was thinking that in all my forays into the world of bizarro-erotica, i have yet to read gingerbread man porn. which i am sure exists; i just haven't gone looking for it. but i think that if this book is going to make claims that there's a penis powerful enough to cure anorexia, it had better be made out of gingerbread.
or maybe he just uses it like a fork and covers it in pâté or something.
i guess it's a good thing she's not bulimic. although then we could play a new game called "pâté or vomit?"
which would probably be a fun challenge. here, you take round one:
1)
2)
3)
4)
that last one is a "gimmie." birds LOVE pâté.
and i can't help but wonder, does this method work for other disorders? have we been funneling money into cancer research without first investigating this guy's cock?? (because i assume the magical properties are specific to this one guy's cock, otherwise we would have figured it out before now.)
it's almost worth reading the book to have these questions answered.
feel free to do the legwork for me - i'll be waiting right here.
someone else please read this pw review and tell me if i am hallucinating, or drunk, or otherwise misunderstanding this plot:
In the first of her Northern Fire series, Monroe (the Children of the Moon series) introduces Cailkirn, Alaska, the small town Kitty Grant’s ancestors founded nearly 200 years ago. Eight years after Kitty escaped Cailkirn, she returns to rebuild her life, following her divorce from an abusive husband who sent her spiraling into anorexia. Tack MacKinnon runs a hiking tour company that caters to tourists from cruise ships. He was heartbroken when Kitty broke off their longtime friendship and got married (though her spouse remains in California), and now he’ll do anything to protect his heart while helping her recover her health. With immediate chemistry between them, he uses casual, hot sex to bribe her to eat. Tack’s insistence on pretending to be just friends hamstrings the development of romance; the jealousy and misunderstandings are never balanced by tenderness. The repeated introduction of flat protagonists for future books gives the novel an unsatisfying episodic feel.
he is using his cock to cure her anorexia??? tell me more about medicinal cock!!! i have many questions.
okay, so here are more musings
so, this whole idea of using sex as a way to "cure" anorexia. it's fascinating to me. because this is a romance novel, so i imagine that the focus is more on the casual, hot sex than on a thoughtful discussion of the legitimate psychological suffering of someone with an eating disorder. i'm assuming that the anorexia is treated as a pesky little obstacle than the all-encompassing hell it is to real people. i mean, if it can be overcome by sex, it's just an affectation, right?? and by casual sex, which is a detail i love because it's so distancing. no emotions here, just bringing my carrot and my stick to your silly refusal to eat!
and then i was thinking that in all my forays into the world of bizarro-erotica, i have yet to read gingerbread man porn. which i am sure exists; i just haven't gone looking for it. but i think that if this book is going to make claims that there's a penis powerful enough to cure anorexia, it had better be made out of gingerbread.
or maybe he just uses it like a fork and covers it in pâté or something.
i guess it's a good thing she's not bulimic. although then we could play a new game called "pâté or vomit?"
which would probably be a fun challenge. here, you take round one:
1)
2)
3)
4)
that last one is a "gimmie." birds LOVE pâté.
and i can't help but wonder, does this method work for other disorders? have we been funneling money into cancer research without first investigating this guy's cock?? (because i assume the magical properties are specific to this one guy's cock, otherwise we would have figured it out before now.)
it's almost worth reading the book to have these questions answered.
feel free to do the legwork for me - i'll be waiting right here.
November 25, 2015
Review updated and completed...
Wild Heat is the first book in Lucy Monroe's very sexy Northern Fire series, set in the small Alaskan peninsula town of Cailkirn, where most of the 2,000-ish residents are Scottish, Inuit, or both.
This story has the many of the elements that often go hand in hand with friends-to-lovers and second-chance romances; misunderstandings, hurt feelings, people growing apart, the struggle to forgive...but that's just a small part of the story. The author also tackled the sensitive subject of eating disorders and did so openly, honestly, and with a level of compassion that was truly moving.
Edited to add:
That said,
Wild Heat starts out intriguing as, bit by bit, Caitlin Grant's and Taqukaq "Tack" MacKinnon's stories unfold. By about the half-way mark, I have to admit, it felt sluggish and I found myself skimming a bit. But then it picked back up again and left me with a smile on my face and looking forward to the next book, Hot Night, Rock Jepsom's story.
Wild Heat is the first book in Lucy Monroe's very sexy Northern Fire series, set in the small Alaskan peninsula town of Cailkirn, where most of the 2,000-ish residents are Scottish, Inuit, or both.
This story has the many of the elements that often go hand in hand with friends-to-lovers and second-chance romances; misunderstandings, hurt feelings, people growing apart, the struggle to forgive...but that's just a small part of the story. The author also tackled the sensitive subject of eating disorders and did so openly, honestly, and with a level of compassion that was truly moving.
Edited to add:
That said,
Wild Heat starts out intriguing as, bit by bit, Caitlin Grant's and Taqukaq "Tack" MacKinnon's stories unfold. By about the half-way mark, I have to admit, it felt sluggish and I found myself skimming a bit. But then it picked back up again and left me with a smile on my face and looking forward to the next book, Hot Night, Rock Jepsom's story.
May 1, 2015
I’m a sucker for a good second chance romance and Wild Heat didn’t disappoint this reviewer. There’s something about young love and the chance to rekindle that love, but from an adult perspective, that just gives me the feels every time!
Caitlyn “Kitty” Grant has returned home to Cailkirn, Alaska after heading off to college at eighteen and never returning. Trying to recover from the end of her marriage and her abusive ex-husband, Kitty quickly crosses paths with her former best friend, Tack MacKinnon.
Tack can’t believe his eyes when he sees Kitty after eight years. Even though Kitty shattered his heart when she pushed him away in college, Tack can’t deny that he longs to see the light shine in Kitty’s eyes again—he makes it his mission to make that happen.
Can Tack push through Kitty’s insecurities and convince her that not all men are bastards like her ex-husband, and that she can and should trust herself and her instincts again?
Oh, gosh…Kitty—she’s quite a mess, but holy hell, is she one strong woman to be rising from the ashes of her life she left behind! She’s really amazing—even with all her quirks.
And Tack. Swoon. He sees Kitty—really sees her. Sees how she’s keeping things together—barely. And he just wants to help. Even to the point where he makes a deal with her—and wow, the follow through just scorches the sheets.
Love these two together—especially love their interactions with their families and the strong bonds that exist between Tack, his mother, brother and cousin. Kitty’s Gran and her crazy aunts keep her on her toes. An excellent read and a wonderful start to this new series. ~ Missy, 4 stars
~~~
Caitlin Grant was going home…
Kitty’s life did not turn out the way she thought it would. Leaving the small community of Cailkirn, Alaska to go to university, she left her family but took her best friend with her. She did not envision the events to come that would see the end of her dreams and the loss of that friendship.
Eight years later, she was recovering mentally and physically. Returning to the home she thought she had left for good, she was determined to move forward – older, wiser and with her heart well protected. Her best friend Tack MacKinnon had different ideas. Despite their history, he was determined to be part of her recovery and found unique ways to help her. With her best friend once again by her side, would she succeed in overcoming the pain that still haunted her?
Kitty is an amazing woman. Despite the abuse she has suffered, she has not lost her caring nature or her love for family and home. She knew she had treated Tack shabbily but his determination to be there for her, to help her, was a force she could not hold out against. Tack is that “nice guy” that ticks all the boxes – handsome, funny, supportive, and sexy. Did I mention sexy? His innovative plan to nudge Kitty back to full health was downright irresistible. She was going to get well and it was going to be her choice; he was just going to provide another reason to make that happen.
This emotional story was a testament to the survival of the human spirit, as family and friends rallied around the couple to provide the love and humor that would help them through. I hope this is the first of many books in the series and can’t wait to learn more about the residents of Cailkirn, Alaska! ~ Diane, 4 stars
Caitlyn “Kitty” Grant has returned home to Cailkirn, Alaska after heading off to college at eighteen and never returning. Trying to recover from the end of her marriage and her abusive ex-husband, Kitty quickly crosses paths with her former best friend, Tack MacKinnon.
Tack can’t believe his eyes when he sees Kitty after eight years. Even though Kitty shattered his heart when she pushed him away in college, Tack can’t deny that he longs to see the light shine in Kitty’s eyes again—he makes it his mission to make that happen.
Can Tack push through Kitty’s insecurities and convince her that not all men are bastards like her ex-husband, and that she can and should trust herself and her instincts again?
Oh, gosh…Kitty—she’s quite a mess, but holy hell, is she one strong woman to be rising from the ashes of her life she left behind! She’s really amazing—even with all her quirks.
And Tack. Swoon. He sees Kitty—really sees her. Sees how she’s keeping things together—barely. And he just wants to help. Even to the point where he makes a deal with her—and wow, the follow through just scorches the sheets.
Love these two together—especially love their interactions with their families and the strong bonds that exist between Tack, his mother, brother and cousin. Kitty’s Gran and her crazy aunts keep her on her toes. An excellent read and a wonderful start to this new series. ~ Missy, 4 stars
~~~
Caitlin Grant was going home…
Kitty’s life did not turn out the way she thought it would. Leaving the small community of Cailkirn, Alaska to go to university, she left her family but took her best friend with her. She did not envision the events to come that would see the end of her dreams and the loss of that friendship.
Eight years later, she was recovering mentally and physically. Returning to the home she thought she had left for good, she was determined to move forward – older, wiser and with her heart well protected. Her best friend Tack MacKinnon had different ideas. Despite their history, he was determined to be part of her recovery and found unique ways to help her. With her best friend once again by her side, would she succeed in overcoming the pain that still haunted her?
Kitty is an amazing woman. Despite the abuse she has suffered, she has not lost her caring nature or her love for family and home. She knew she had treated Tack shabbily but his determination to be there for her, to help her, was a force she could not hold out against. Tack is that “nice guy” that ticks all the boxes – handsome, funny, supportive, and sexy. Did I mention sexy? His innovative plan to nudge Kitty back to full health was downright irresistible. She was going to get well and it was going to be her choice; he was just going to provide another reason to make that happen.
This emotional story was a testament to the survival of the human spirit, as family and friends rallied around the couple to provide the love and humor that would help them through. I hope this is the first of many books in the series and can’t wait to learn more about the residents of Cailkirn, Alaska! ~ Diane, 4 stars
March 24, 2015
I received this book free through Goodreads First Reads.
This is the book to curl up with at night, in front of a fire, with a glass of wine. Loved this book. The writing/story will capture you from page one. I did not want to put the book down, even at 3am.
Cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
This is the book to curl up with at night, in front of a fire, with a glass of wine. Loved this book. The writing/story will capture you from page one. I did not want to put the book down, even at 3am.
Cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
April 29, 2015
This one did not work for me. I was bored and I just didn't like the h/h.
Review to come
Review to come
July 2, 2016
DNF
So incredibly stupid. It has a magical, oh wait medicinal, oh wait, whatever, penis
So incredibly stupid. It has a magical, oh wait medicinal, oh wait, whatever, penis
April 29, 2015
**JOSIE'S 4.5 STAR REVIEW**
Wild Heat is book 1 in the Northern Fire series. I have not read a book from this author before and I am glad I took a chance on her. This novel is about second chance love but also about surviving and moving forward. The author touches on important issues such as domestic abuse, anorexia and low self-esteem. The characters and story line are very well developed and once I started reading I fell in love with the characters and the small Alaskan town. Normally I it doesn’t take but a few hours to get through a whole book, but with this one it took me a while to read. The reason being is because I felt Kitty’s pain that I was fully absorbing every word written. Wild Heat is told in alternate POV’s which I love. I loved reading the thoughts and emotions of both these characters.
Tack’s characters was so much more than I expected. I can tell the author took her time developing this man. Tack has always loved Kitty, but she broke his heart when she married a man named Nevin and shut everyone out. Years later Tack learns the truth about Kitty’s dangerous and lonely marriage when she returns home. Even though she broke his heart he can only offer her friendship and nothing more after he sees how much damaged she is. Tack is determined to not let Kitty into his heart again, but he will help her be the woman she once was.
“Are you saying you still want to be my friend?”
“Why do you think we’re out here?”
“I don’t really know.”
“You need real friends, Kitty. I am your friend.”
Kitty’s character is one that I related to on a personal level. She has finally left the man that destroyed her and is trying to get her life together. For years Kitty has hidden the abuse from her family, the truth only came out when her husband’s latest attack nearly killed her. Kitty finally got the strength she needed to divorce and leave her husband. Going home and admitting her past is hard for her but she was determined to move on and get better. Kitty never expected Tack to still want to be friends and to support her through this process.
“You haven’t changed.”
“You’re strong about that too.
“Too, what else am I wrong about?”
“You’re stronger than you think.”
I loved how Tack knew that at the moment all Kitty needed was friend more than she needed a lover. Even though his brain told him she could hurt him again he never turned his back on her. Tack used whatever method necessary to help her heal and be the wildcat she was always meant to be. I cried not only for her pain but also her resilience and strength to fight past everything she manipulated into believing about herself. Of course over time Tack and Kitty become more than friends. They become lovers and their relationship was just so beautiful and natural. I loved how hot the sex was but how it was so sweet and gentle.
“Your freckles are like cinnamon sprinkled over whip cream. They want me to lick each one and see if you taste as sweet as you look.” I’ve waited long enough, wild cat. You aren’t the only one who wants this. I told you I’m going to rock your world.”
“I want you, Tack. Inside me.”
I loved this book, the characters and how the author dealt with a subject matter that a lot of people live with. I got lost in this story. Tack and Kitty form a bond and love that is strong but how strong will it be when Kitty’s ex-husband surprises her? Will Kitty be strong enough and stand up to Nevin or will all the work she has done since leaving be for nothing? Will Tack’s insecurities about being hurt by Kitty again cost him the woman he has loved for years? This is a standalone and all questions are answered. I am excited to see what the next books in this series will hold and who they will be about.
Wild Heat is book 1 in the Northern Fire series. I have not read a book from this author before and I am glad I took a chance on her. This novel is about second chance love but also about surviving and moving forward. The author touches on important issues such as domestic abuse, anorexia and low self-esteem. The characters and story line are very well developed and once I started reading I fell in love with the characters and the small Alaskan town. Normally I it doesn’t take but a few hours to get through a whole book, but with this one it took me a while to read. The reason being is because I felt Kitty’s pain that I was fully absorbing every word written. Wild Heat is told in alternate POV’s which I love. I loved reading the thoughts and emotions of both these characters.
Tack’s characters was so much more than I expected. I can tell the author took her time developing this man. Tack has always loved Kitty, but she broke his heart when she married a man named Nevin and shut everyone out. Years later Tack learns the truth about Kitty’s dangerous and lonely marriage when she returns home. Even though she broke his heart he can only offer her friendship and nothing more after he sees how much damaged she is. Tack is determined to not let Kitty into his heart again, but he will help her be the woman she once was.
“Are you saying you still want to be my friend?”
“Why do you think we’re out here?”
“I don’t really know.”
“You need real friends, Kitty. I am your friend.”
Kitty’s character is one that I related to on a personal level. She has finally left the man that destroyed her and is trying to get her life together. For years Kitty has hidden the abuse from her family, the truth only came out when her husband’s latest attack nearly killed her. Kitty finally got the strength she needed to divorce and leave her husband. Going home and admitting her past is hard for her but she was determined to move on and get better. Kitty never expected Tack to still want to be friends and to support her through this process.
“You haven’t changed.”
“You’re strong about that too.
“Too, what else am I wrong about?”
“You’re stronger than you think.”
I loved how Tack knew that at the moment all Kitty needed was friend more than she needed a lover. Even though his brain told him she could hurt him again he never turned his back on her. Tack used whatever method necessary to help her heal and be the wildcat she was always meant to be. I cried not only for her pain but also her resilience and strength to fight past everything she manipulated into believing about herself. Of course over time Tack and Kitty become more than friends. They become lovers and their relationship was just so beautiful and natural. I loved how hot the sex was but how it was so sweet and gentle.
“Your freckles are like cinnamon sprinkled over whip cream. They want me to lick each one and see if you taste as sweet as you look.” I’ve waited long enough, wild cat. You aren’t the only one who wants this. I told you I’m going to rock your world.”
“I want you, Tack. Inside me.”
I loved this book, the characters and how the author dealt with a subject matter that a lot of people live with. I got lost in this story. Tack and Kitty form a bond and love that is strong but how strong will it be when Kitty’s ex-husband surprises her? Will Kitty be strong enough and stand up to Nevin or will all the work she has done since leaving be for nothing? Will Tack’s insecurities about being hurt by Kitty again cost him the woman he has loved for years? This is a standalone and all questions are answered. I am excited to see what the next books in this series will hold and who they will be about.
September 21, 2015
Kitty's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
3.5 stars
I started off really enjoying Wild Heat and, as the story progressed, I started feeling a little bit let down. The beginning of the book was strong, interesting and really caught my attention. But, as the story progressed, I felt like we were rehashing old things and felt like the storyline was being dragged out.
I was also a little bit thrown off at times with the way “Kitty” (aka “call me Caitlan”) went from insecure to strong and then back to insecure. Now, please don’t get me wrong, I understand what she went through with her ex-husband and why she moved back to Alaska and I totally understand her trust issues. But, she flipped back and forth so many times that I really started doubting her sincerity until the end when she finally redeemed herself with me.
As for Tack … well, he’s a totally different story with me. It is not very often that I don’t fall a little bit in love with the men in books. He flipped back and forth more than Kitty did. He held a grudge and then used sex for what he wanted. Now, in a twisted way, he really thought that he was helping Kitty but all he was really doing was feeding into her insecurities. He finally became the romantic man that I wished for throughout the book but, I felt, it was a little too late.
So, I really hoped that the story would have elaborated more on the families, the friendships and the town of Cailkirn itself. Kitty’s Grandmother and Aunts were fun and interesting. Tack’s family was a mix of Scot and Inuit and his mother seemed like someone I would have enjoyed. Kitty also made friends with a mail-order bride on her way back home. She was in and out of the story but I would have loved a little more of her, her back-story and watching the friendship grow, befriending each other, share fears and dreams. But, that didn’t happen either.
So, unfortunately, I ended up loving the idea of the story but was disappointed in how it went, how it was portrayed. It seemed fragmented …. The hot tub scene was hot but the other sex scenes felt out of place, unnatural. I give kudos to Lucy Monroe for attempting to write about very complicated and horrific acts … spousal abuse, anorexia, bulimia. She told the story of a woman dealing with all of this and fighting her way back into the life that she had before it all. But, to my dismay, instead of focusing on the recovery, the right support of family and friends, she went the other direction and gave us more of a story about sex than what truly could have been a beautiful love story that would have had us crying and truly loving Tack for his honesty, love and support of his soul-mate.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
3.5 stars
I started off really enjoying Wild Heat and, as the story progressed, I started feeling a little bit let down. The beginning of the book was strong, interesting and really caught my attention. But, as the story progressed, I felt like we were rehashing old things and felt like the storyline was being dragged out.
I was also a little bit thrown off at times with the way “Kitty” (aka “call me Caitlan”) went from insecure to strong and then back to insecure. Now, please don’t get me wrong, I understand what she went through with her ex-husband and why she moved back to Alaska and I totally understand her trust issues. But, she flipped back and forth so many times that I really started doubting her sincerity until the end when she finally redeemed herself with me.
As for Tack … well, he’s a totally different story with me. It is not very often that I don’t fall a little bit in love with the men in books. He flipped back and forth more than Kitty did. He held a grudge and then used sex for what he wanted. Now, in a twisted way, he really thought that he was helping Kitty but all he was really doing was feeding into her insecurities. He finally became the romantic man that I wished for throughout the book but, I felt, it was a little too late.
So, I really hoped that the story would have elaborated more on the families, the friendships and the town of Cailkirn itself. Kitty’s Grandmother and Aunts were fun and interesting. Tack’s family was a mix of Scot and Inuit and his mother seemed like someone I would have enjoyed. Kitty also made friends with a mail-order bride on her way back home. She was in and out of the story but I would have loved a little more of her, her back-story and watching the friendship grow, befriending each other, share fears and dreams. But, that didn’t happen either.
So, unfortunately, I ended up loving the idea of the story but was disappointed in how it went, how it was portrayed. It seemed fragmented …. The hot tub scene was hot but the other sex scenes felt out of place, unnatural. I give kudos to Lucy Monroe for attempting to write about very complicated and horrific acts … spousal abuse, anorexia, bulimia. She told the story of a woman dealing with all of this and fighting her way back into the life that she had before it all. But, to my dismay, instead of focusing on the recovery, the right support of family and friends, she went the other direction and gave us more of a story about sex than what truly could have been a beautiful love story that would have had us crying and truly loving Tack for his honesty, love and support of his soul-mate.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
March 28, 2015
A nice romance - fun to have the might have been become what is. Location and back characters are charming with an added bit of adventuresome. I am not sure if the harder issues discussed as part of the story line add to the reading experience. I would, however, agree with having them as part of the book for the general purpose of educating the public.
December 6, 2017
Wild Heat has sexy, interesting characters and a captivating storyline. The author’s writing style and story kept me interested enough to read it in two evenings. I’m looking forward to reading more by Lucy Monroe. This book was received for free through Goodreads First Reads.
January 5, 2018
Posted on What I'm Reading
I have decided to take up the Blogger Shame Challenge again. This time I set my bar a little low, this way I can accomplish it, and if I read more than my four it will be bonus. First up is Wild Heat by Lucy Monroe. Now I feel really shameful for waiting so long on reading this title, because it was pretty good. Even though it dealt with some heavy subjects in the story, it was still a pretty good read.
Okay, Wild Heat was probably not the best choice to read right after holidays, but I wanted to tackle my shame. Yes, the story dealt with some heavy topics like recovering from an eating disorder, emotion/physical abuse, and finding oneself. So, yeah that's a lot to take in.
We have Caitlin Grant (Kitty), who has come back to her hometown beaten and trodden, and looking for a fresh start. All she has is her grandma and great aunts. This is extremely hard for her. In someways she would like to make amends with her best friend Tack MacKinnon, but has a huge chip on his shoulder from the last time he saw her. However, the more time he spends with he feels like a dick, and he should. When she needed a friend to step in her life, he ditched her, because his ego was bruised. So, they have to find a way to heal from the damage that was caused eight years.
Let me tell you my heart tore to pieces, every time Kitty would make progress, then Tack would say something callus and she would shut down. He's guarding his heart from Kitty, because he doesn't want to feel the heartbreak like the first time. We have a little emotional pull going on in the story. Eventually, they do get together, more like to fulfill an itch. Of course, they are both fighting the feelings that are place before them.
I really liked Kitty. She described herself as a shattered vase glue together. Right there, you just want to make sure she gets a happy ending. As much as I liked Tack there were times I wanted to beat him, because he would hurt Kitty, not intentionally, but still. There were times I wasn't a Tack fan. I'm glad he realize he was being an idiot at times. Overall, yes this was a pretty good read. Definitely, a rough read at times. So, if you don't mind it being a little emotional overwhelming at times, you might consider Wild Heat.
Copy provided by Forever Romance
I have decided to take up the Blogger Shame Challenge again. This time I set my bar a little low, this way I can accomplish it, and if I read more than my four it will be bonus. First up is Wild Heat by Lucy Monroe. Now I feel really shameful for waiting so long on reading this title, because it was pretty good. Even though it dealt with some heavy subjects in the story, it was still a pretty good read.
Okay, Wild Heat was probably not the best choice to read right after holidays, but I wanted to tackle my shame. Yes, the story dealt with some heavy topics like recovering from an eating disorder, emotion/physical abuse, and finding oneself. So, yeah that's a lot to take in.
We have Caitlin Grant (Kitty), who has come back to her hometown beaten and trodden, and looking for a fresh start. All she has is her grandma and great aunts. This is extremely hard for her. In someways she would like to make amends with her best friend Tack MacKinnon, but has a huge chip on his shoulder from the last time he saw her. However, the more time he spends with he feels like a dick, and he should. When she needed a friend to step in her life, he ditched her, because his ego was bruised. So, they have to find a way to heal from the damage that was caused eight years.
Let me tell you my heart tore to pieces, every time Kitty would make progress, then Tack would say something callus and she would shut down. He's guarding his heart from Kitty, because he doesn't want to feel the heartbreak like the first time. We have a little emotional pull going on in the story. Eventually, they do get together, more like to fulfill an itch. Of course, they are both fighting the feelings that are place before them.
I really liked Kitty. She described herself as a shattered vase glue together. Right there, you just want to make sure she gets a happy ending. As much as I liked Tack there were times I wanted to beat him, because he would hurt Kitty, not intentionally, but still. There were times I wasn't a Tack fan. I'm glad he realize he was being an idiot at times. Overall, yes this was a pretty good read. Definitely, a rough read at times. So, if you don't mind it being a little emotional overwhelming at times, you might consider Wild Heat.
Copy provided by Forever Romance
April 28, 2015
3.5 stars.
Wild Heat is the first novel in Lucy Monroe's Northern Fire series. Set in Cailkirn, Alaska, this super hot read is an enjoyable friends to lovers romance that also deals with some hard hitting issues.
Caitlin "Kitty" Grant and Tack MacKinnon are childhood friends who lost contact eight years earlier after Kitty's marriage. Kitty and Tack are reunited when she returns to Cailkirn after she divorces her controlling and abusive husband. Tack quickly discovers his long ago attraction to her burns hotter than ever and after the two share an unexpected passionate encounter, he comes up with a rather inventive proposal that leads to a friends with benefits arrangement between them.
Kitty is still a little fragile but she is definitely on the road to recovery from the toll her marriage took on her both physically and mentally. Growing up, she could not wait to leave Cailkirn but now that she has returned, she has no plans to leave the close-knit community. Although she appreciates the concern expressed by her friends and neighbors, she still feels a bit pressured by the extra attention. Despite this anxiety, Kitty has a new appreciation for the slower pace of life and the beauty of the land that surrounds her.
Tack loves life in Cailkirn and he, along with his brother, Egan, run a hiking tour company that gets a lot of their business from cruise ships. He and his extended family are very close and about the only problem he has with them is the pressure they exert on him to settle down and start a family. The only woman Tack has ever loved is Kitty and he was heartbroken when she cut him out of her life. He is very wary of getting hurt again which is why he is so determined to keep their new relationship casual.
There is no shortage of chemistry between Tack and Kitty and their encounters are positively sizzling. But Tack insists on keeping their relationship secret and this eventually becomes a source of friction between them when Kitty gets tired of sneaking around. Both are so busy protecting their hearts that misunderstandings and jealousy result from lack of communication. Their casual relationship is at odds with the serious issues that Kitty is dealing with and this gives the novel an overall superficial feeling.
Wild Heat is a lovely beginning to Lucy Monroe's Northern Fire series. The cast of characters are wonderfully developed and very easy to like. The overall plot is unique and very well researched. The sex scenes between Kitty and Tack are plentiful and scorching hot. It is an overall fast-paced love story with engaging characters that fans of contemporary romances will enjoy.
Wild Heat is the first novel in Lucy Monroe's Northern Fire series. Set in Cailkirn, Alaska, this super hot read is an enjoyable friends to lovers romance that also deals with some hard hitting issues.
Caitlin "Kitty" Grant and Tack MacKinnon are childhood friends who lost contact eight years earlier after Kitty's marriage. Kitty and Tack are reunited when she returns to Cailkirn after she divorces her controlling and abusive husband. Tack quickly discovers his long ago attraction to her burns hotter than ever and after the two share an unexpected passionate encounter, he comes up with a rather inventive proposal that leads to a friends with benefits arrangement between them.
Kitty is still a little fragile but she is definitely on the road to recovery from the toll her marriage took on her both physically and mentally. Growing up, she could not wait to leave Cailkirn but now that she has returned, she has no plans to leave the close-knit community. Although she appreciates the concern expressed by her friends and neighbors, she still feels a bit pressured by the extra attention. Despite this anxiety, Kitty has a new appreciation for the slower pace of life and the beauty of the land that surrounds her.
Tack loves life in Cailkirn and he, along with his brother, Egan, run a hiking tour company that gets a lot of their business from cruise ships. He and his extended family are very close and about the only problem he has with them is the pressure they exert on him to settle down and start a family. The only woman Tack has ever loved is Kitty and he was heartbroken when she cut him out of her life. He is very wary of getting hurt again which is why he is so determined to keep their new relationship casual.
There is no shortage of chemistry between Tack and Kitty and their encounters are positively sizzling. But Tack insists on keeping their relationship secret and this eventually becomes a source of friction between them when Kitty gets tired of sneaking around. Both are so busy protecting their hearts that misunderstandings and jealousy result from lack of communication. Their casual relationship is at odds with the serious issues that Kitty is dealing with and this gives the novel an overall superficial feeling.
Wild Heat is a lovely beginning to Lucy Monroe's Northern Fire series. The cast of characters are wonderfully developed and very easy to like. The overall plot is unique and very well researched. The sex scenes between Kitty and Tack are plentiful and scorching hot. It is an overall fast-paced love story with engaging characters that fans of contemporary romances will enjoy.
May 4, 2015
3.5 to 4 stars!
Wild Heat is the first book in the Northern Fire series by Lucy Monroe. This is a new to me author, so I must admit that it was the gorgeous cover that immediately got my attention! I'm also a huge fan of second chance romances, so with that combination, I was sold. With the hot cover and the blurb, I thought I was in for a sweet, sexy romance with a little bit of angst thrown in, but ended up getting so much more than that.
I really wasn't expecting the depth that Wild Heat contained. The author was brave to include some very serious issues: domestic abuse and eating disorders, along with low self esteem and self image. These issues weren't just lightly touched upon either, they really were the basis for the story and touched the MC's lives in so many ways.
We first meet Kitty when she is on a plane, escaping her horrific life with her ex-husband, and returning home to her small town in Alaska. For the last 8 years, and due to the abuse she endured, Kitty had essentially turned her back on the town, including her former best friend, Tack. Tack had moved to the lower 49 to go to college with Kitty, but was shoved out of her life for good when she married her ex-husband, Nevin.
Kitty and Tack's first meeting after so much time apart broke my heart. The girl with the wild spirit and carefree attitude was gone, and in her place was a shell of the woman Tack once knew.
Due to Kitty's traumatic marriage, the eating disorder she continued to suffer with, and also Tack's reluctance to give in to his feelings for Kitty, the road to a happily ever after was definitely not an easy one. These two really had some serious issues to work through to even begin to get to a place where they could be together. I really appreciated that this wasn't a return to insta-love. These two really had to fight for what they wanted, and even make new mistakes to get there as well.
I enjoyed Wild Heat, and look forward to the next book in the series!
*ARC generously provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Wild Heat is the first book in the Northern Fire series by Lucy Monroe. This is a new to me author, so I must admit that it was the gorgeous cover that immediately got my attention! I'm also a huge fan of second chance romances, so with that combination, I was sold. With the hot cover and the blurb, I thought I was in for a sweet, sexy romance with a little bit of angst thrown in, but ended up getting so much more than that.
I really wasn't expecting the depth that Wild Heat contained. The author was brave to include some very serious issues: domestic abuse and eating disorders, along with low self esteem and self image. These issues weren't just lightly touched upon either, they really were the basis for the story and touched the MC's lives in so many ways.
We first meet Kitty when she is on a plane, escaping her horrific life with her ex-husband, and returning home to her small town in Alaska. For the last 8 years, and due to the abuse she endured, Kitty had essentially turned her back on the town, including her former best friend, Tack. Tack had moved to the lower 49 to go to college with Kitty, but was shoved out of her life for good when she married her ex-husband, Nevin.
Kitty and Tack's first meeting after so much time apart broke my heart. The girl with the wild spirit and carefree attitude was gone, and in her place was a shell of the woman Tack once knew.
Due to Kitty's traumatic marriage, the eating disorder she continued to suffer with, and also Tack's reluctance to give in to his feelings for Kitty, the road to a happily ever after was definitely not an easy one. These two really had some serious issues to work through to even begin to get to a place where they could be together. I really appreciated that this wasn't a return to insta-love. These two really had to fight for what they wanted, and even make new mistakes to get there as well.
I enjoyed Wild Heat, and look forward to the next book in the series!
*ARC generously provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
June 3, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I haven't really read that many books set in Alaska. Maybe it's because the place invokes coldness and isolation, not really a good combination for a romance novel. It doesn't make you think of sexy men and women with perfect bodies and fashionable clothes. Instead, we always get characters who are buried in winter clothes to survive the harsh temperature.
However, these romance novels set in Alaska can have one saving grace- hot, scorching sex. The colder the atmosphere, the hotter the sex. I mean, it should be like that all the time. I have to say, that sex scenes aside, this book was a bit mediocre for me. I mean, it took me a while to believe that the relationship between the hero and the heroine was real and deep enough.
What I did like, though, was the way that the heroine's anorexia was tackled. We get to see how it can be difficult it is for someone with an eating disorder to move past all that and try to be healthy. And that well-meaning family and friends can do more harm than good if they don't actually understand what the other person is going through.
All in all, this is an okay book with a good story. I just couldn't get myself to really love the hero or the heroine, for that matter. Also, I find it difficult to believe that the heroine's feelings for the hero was sincere, not after she cut him out of her life easily and she never gave the hero any hope of a relationship before. And now, suddenly, she was in love with him.
I'd still recommend this book because it's still a solid romance, and it entertained me. I liked it just fine; I just did not love it. However, I am sure that it's still a good book to read and fans of the author should certainly not miss this.
I haven't really read that many books set in Alaska. Maybe it's because the place invokes coldness and isolation, not really a good combination for a romance novel. It doesn't make you think of sexy men and women with perfect bodies and fashionable clothes. Instead, we always get characters who are buried in winter clothes to survive the harsh temperature.
However, these romance novels set in Alaska can have one saving grace- hot, scorching sex. The colder the atmosphere, the hotter the sex. I mean, it should be like that all the time. I have to say, that sex scenes aside, this book was a bit mediocre for me. I mean, it took me a while to believe that the relationship between the hero and the heroine was real and deep enough.
What I did like, though, was the way that the heroine's anorexia was tackled. We get to see how it can be difficult it is for someone with an eating disorder to move past all that and try to be healthy. And that well-meaning family and friends can do more harm than good if they don't actually understand what the other person is going through.
All in all, this is an okay book with a good story. I just couldn't get myself to really love the hero or the heroine, for that matter. Also, I find it difficult to believe that the heroine's feelings for the hero was sincere, not after she cut him out of her life easily and she never gave the hero any hope of a relationship before. And now, suddenly, she was in love with him.
I'd still recommend this book because it's still a solid romance, and it entertained me. I liked it just fine; I just did not love it. However, I am sure that it's still a good book to read and fans of the author should certainly not miss this.
July 7, 2015
Wild Heat is the first book in Lucy Monroe's new series Northern Fire. This first book follows Kitty Grant returning to her hometown of Cailkirn, Alaska after her years away had caused her nothing but pain. As a college student Kitty had moved away to go to college with her best friend Tack, but after meeting the wrong man, things go down hill pretty fast. Tack MacKinnon had followed her out of Alaska, a man secretly in love with his best friend, but returned home after Kitty betrayed their close friendship and married another man.
If you enjoy small town romances where everyone knows everyone else's business and family members look out for each other in a tight knit community, then you'll enjoy Wild Heat. Kitty and Tack are both likeable characters, and they share an easy chemistry. Wild Heat may be a sweet, small town romance, but it's not lacking in steamy scenes at all.
Even though Tack is nursing some major hurt caused by Kitty tossing their friendship away all those years ago, I love how right away his first instinct is to help her when he learns of the downward turn her life has taken. He jumps right in and figures out how he can help her and even better understand her issues. That he would take the time to learn about her eating disorder was a really special thing.
There are also some scenes featuring a secondary romance that starts as a mail order bride situation. I really wanted to know more about these two! It looks like their story will be told in book three (although it would make more sense to me to see them in book two). Either way, it will be interesting to see where the series goes next.
I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
If you enjoy small town romances where everyone knows everyone else's business and family members look out for each other in a tight knit community, then you'll enjoy Wild Heat. Kitty and Tack are both likeable characters, and they share an easy chemistry. Wild Heat may be a sweet, small town romance, but it's not lacking in steamy scenes at all.
Even though Tack is nursing some major hurt caused by Kitty tossing their friendship away all those years ago, I love how right away his first instinct is to help her when he learns of the downward turn her life has taken. He jumps right in and figures out how he can help her and even better understand her issues. That he would take the time to learn about her eating disorder was a really special thing.
There are also some scenes featuring a secondary romance that starts as a mail order bride situation. I really wanted to know more about these two! It looks like their story will be told in book three (although it would make more sense to me to see them in book two). Either way, it will be interesting to see where the series goes next.
I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2015
Does Monroe ever know how to bring it! This novel definitely packs some wild heat! It’s also extremely emotional and unwaveringly lifelike. Monroe brings Alaska to life in a picturesque manner, that makes you feel as if you’ve really been there, even if only as a tourist.
I love the look that Monroe takes at anorexia and abusive relationships. Yes it’s hard hitting and hard to stomach thinking about, but seeing the heroine rise from the ashes and struggle to return to who she was left me with a feeling of hop & strength and a belief in possibilities. I really appreciate the tactful yet extremely realistic approach that she took to this. It was not only the foundation for the main character’s life, but for the story as a whole.
The characters in this novel were priceless. Not only were they genuine individuals who were overcoming some life altering crisis, they were comical. Tack’s rationales had me laughing more than once, and his loyalty to others was beyond compare. One also can’t forget that he’s simply a drool worthy individual to begin with. Kitty’s self-doubt combined with her desire to overcome her past into an individual that I truly found myself caring about. Combined these two have chemistry that’s off the charts and a relationship that many of us would die for.
This novel really packs an emotional punch. Monroe had me so wrapped up in the world that she’s created that the real one just outside my window disappeared while I was reading. Before I knew it, the sun was coming up and I’d finished the novel. I definitely can’t wait for the next in the series.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
I love the look that Monroe takes at anorexia and abusive relationships. Yes it’s hard hitting and hard to stomach thinking about, but seeing the heroine rise from the ashes and struggle to return to who she was left me with a feeling of hop & strength and a belief in possibilities. I really appreciate the tactful yet extremely realistic approach that she took to this. It was not only the foundation for the main character’s life, but for the story as a whole.
The characters in this novel were priceless. Not only were they genuine individuals who were overcoming some life altering crisis, they were comical. Tack’s rationales had me laughing more than once, and his loyalty to others was beyond compare. One also can’t forget that he’s simply a drool worthy individual to begin with. Kitty’s self-doubt combined with her desire to overcome her past into an individual that I truly found myself caring about. Combined these two have chemistry that’s off the charts and a relationship that many of us would die for.
This novel really packs an emotional punch. Monroe had me so wrapped up in the world that she’s created that the real one just outside my window disappeared while I was reading. Before I knew it, the sun was coming up and I’d finished the novel. I definitely can’t wait for the next in the series.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
dnf
May 19, 2015I was really enjoying Wild Heat until I got to about 40% which is when things really started to go down hill for me but I kept going... At 62% I decided I had to throw in the towel. Will I pick it back up again at a later date? Maybe, but it's not likely.
*ARC kindly provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*ARC kindly provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2015
Wild Heat is set in Alaska. My first thought was eww. Boy was I wrong. Lucy Monroe takes us through this land in such detail, making me picture it's beauty, that I wanted to move there!
Kitty and Tack were best friends since she moved there when she was 6 years old. Kitty always vowed that she would get away from Alaska but Tack knew it was home and planned to stay there forever. They went to college in California where Kitty met and married a very wealthy man. That was a big mistake. She divorced him and went back home eight years later.
The author handled the tough issues of physical and mental abuse as well as eating disorders in a believable way that added to the story without making me want to stop reading. The characters were well described and likable in different ways. I felt sorry for both Kitty and Tack for the things they went through in their lives. Even though Kitty was a pretty messed up woman in soooo many ways Tack was extremely patient with her and between the two of them, they fixed her.
Please note, I won this book in a giveaway. This is a great story that I highly recommend.
Kitty and Tack were best friends since she moved there when she was 6 years old. Kitty always vowed that she would get away from Alaska but Tack knew it was home and planned to stay there forever. They went to college in California where Kitty met and married a very wealthy man. That was a big mistake. She divorced him and went back home eight years later.
The author handled the tough issues of physical and mental abuse as well as eating disorders in a believable way that added to the story without making me want to stop reading. The characters were well described and likable in different ways. I felt sorry for both Kitty and Tack for the things they went through in their lives. Even though Kitty was a pretty messed up woman in soooo many ways Tack was extremely patient with her and between the two of them, they fixed her.
Please note, I won this book in a giveaway. This is a great story that I highly recommend.
December 24, 2015
This is a really sweetly written book, with a sense of hope in it that left me longing for someone to love me the way that Tak loves Kitty. In reading this, I also went to Lucy's Pinterest page and got a little visual information on what she was "seeing" while she was writing. The stories that Ms. Monroe writes, and I find it very true with this book, are hope filled for a once-in-a-lifetime love, which is what I look for when reading romance. I like the way that the story incorporates Tak and Kitty's family and friends. It makes the world more three dimensional and real, and the love and concern that Kitty's aunts have for her are lovely. I can't wait to read the next book <3
March 31, 2015
*ARC courtesy of Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing*
June 29, 2017
0/10 not for me
June 19, 2019
He uses the power of sex to cure anorexia.
Okay then.
Okay then.
August 31, 2019
Reviewed by Angela
Book provided by NetGalley
Eight years and a broken heart is a lot to get over. In Wild Hea t we follow Tack and Kitty on their journey back to the friendship that they once had. Told from the point of view of Tack and Kitty the two main characters, lets you get a feel for the pain that they both went through in the past and where they are headed in the future, and because of that insight you can see how much they grow into the strong characters that they need to be in order to move forward with the story.
The detail throughout the story was amazing, in the sense that I truly felt as if I could relate to the characters. There were parts of the book that were kind of like a flash back but it filled in more like back story and that is where the emotion of the character grabbed me. I felt what Kitty felt, and I grew with her. Her desire to go back to the one place she feels safe is a strong pull, the need to feel peace and family and return to the ones that she loves is what helps to define Kitty as a character.
Tack's character is also a very strong character. I understand were he is coming from with his concerns about letting Kitty back into his life I just wish that he had a little more backbone about it. He should stand up for what he want's and what he believes in and deal with the consequences or happiness of it after the fact. The old addage take the bull by the horns comes to mind when I think about Tack and how I feel about him as a character.
Tack is a small town wilderness guide in Alaska and the descriptiveness that is given to the surroundings on the hikes he takes people on is breath taking. You really get a feel for what it must be like to live up there with them.
Wild Heat is not a fast paced book by any stretch of the imagination but the story line was enough to keep me hook for the entire book. Without giving too much away I was looking for a little more to happen about three quarters into the book and started to really anticipate that twist that I am used to in most books, but I was pleasantly surprised to say that even though I didn't get the twist I wasn't let down.
Through all of the up's and down's and the trips into the past and looking toward the future this book was a pleasant surprise. I would happily recommend it to others in need of a good old fashion love story.
Favorite Quote: "You look like you're staring at the Eighth Wonder of the World there, wildcat."
Book provided by NetGalley
Eight years and a broken heart is a lot to get over. In Wild Hea t we follow Tack and Kitty on their journey back to the friendship that they once had. Told from the point of view of Tack and Kitty the two main characters, lets you get a feel for the pain that they both went through in the past and where they are headed in the future, and because of that insight you can see how much they grow into the strong characters that they need to be in order to move forward with the story.
The detail throughout the story was amazing, in the sense that I truly felt as if I could relate to the characters. There were parts of the book that were kind of like a flash back but it filled in more like back story and that is where the emotion of the character grabbed me. I felt what Kitty felt, and I grew with her. Her desire to go back to the one place she feels safe is a strong pull, the need to feel peace and family and return to the ones that she loves is what helps to define Kitty as a character.
Tack's character is also a very strong character. I understand were he is coming from with his concerns about letting Kitty back into his life I just wish that he had a little more backbone about it. He should stand up for what he want's and what he believes in and deal with the consequences or happiness of it after the fact. The old addage take the bull by the horns comes to mind when I think about Tack and how I feel about him as a character.
Tack is a small town wilderness guide in Alaska and the descriptiveness that is given to the surroundings on the hikes he takes people on is breath taking. You really get a feel for what it must be like to live up there with them.
Wild Heat is not a fast paced book by any stretch of the imagination but the story line was enough to keep me hook for the entire book. Without giving too much away I was looking for a little more to happen about three quarters into the book and started to really anticipate that twist that I am used to in most books, but I was pleasantly surprised to say that even though I didn't get the twist I wasn't let down.
Through all of the up's and down's and the trips into the past and looking toward the future this book was a pleasant surprise. I would happily recommend it to others in need of a good old fashion love story.
Favorite Quote: "You look like you're staring at the Eighth Wonder of the World there, wildcat."
August 15, 2018
This plot was very good, and so were the characters and location but it came off as very reckless overall. First off did the hero ever tell the heroine how he felt? Nope, she just should have KNOWN that he was in love with her. No, stop it. The word 'rejection' got thrown around a lot but sounds like to me he never opened his mouth and told her the truth, which makes it HIS fault not hers. Don't think he realized isolation is part of an abusive relationship cause he did just leave her to that. And the heroine was in the right when she said she was alone because no one loved her(since she doesn't have immediate family still living) enough to come check on her. And that wasn't anyone's fault but it made it much easier for her to be trapped.
Second(never had an eating disorder) but I think it's dangerous to have someone who simply read up on the internet take over your recovery for you. And rewarding eating with sexual favors seems like a slippy slope to climb. Wish the story could have taken place over a longer period allowing the heroine to heal on her own instead of letting the hero control her. I understand he had her best interests at heart, and loved her, but she needs to be in charge of healing herself. Wish the author stuck with either eating disorder or abuse, both was a lot for one character to bare.
Third, the relationship was so rushed, considering what the heroine went through, plus adjusting to being at home. And if the main antagonist is going to be in the story let him, a phone call didn't do much for the story.
And I live in LA and all that California bashing hurt my feelings. :(
Second(never had an eating disorder) but I think it's dangerous to have someone who simply read up on the internet take over your recovery for you. And rewarding eating with sexual favors seems like a slippy slope to climb. Wish the story could have taken place over a longer period allowing the heroine to heal on her own instead of letting the hero control her. I understand he had her best interests at heart, and loved her, but she needs to be in charge of healing herself. Wish the author stuck with either eating disorder or abuse, both was a lot for one character to bare.
Third, the relationship was so rushed, considering what the heroine went through, plus adjusting to being at home. And if the main antagonist is going to be in the story let him, a phone call didn't do much for the story.
And I live in LA and all that California bashing hurt my feelings. :(
February 14, 2018
Kitty spent the last 10 years away from Alaska and most of all Tack, but now she is home, to heal and find herself again. Kitty had pushed away everyone she loved and those who love her in order to find acceptance with a crowd that was vain, empty and abusive. I am glad she finally walked away from that horribly abusive situation, even though she was pretty skittish for a while there.
Tack, wow what a hunk. So understanding and so loving. Man, Kitty was a fool to toss him away all those years ago. And his family, so welcoming and open. He is definitely a keen observer, keeping an eye on her and subtly taking charge without her noticing it (when it came to food and pushing her to her limits).
The scenery of course was gorgeous and I wish I was there enjoy the sites on the trails.
Although there was quite a bit of manipulation going on. While Kitty's ex was a horrible person, he managed to manipulate her for the last 10 years and left her running scared all those years. Yet, when Tack uses sex to manipulate her into eating, we are suppose to welcome this manipulation with open arms because it is for her own good?
Basically typical love story where best friends become lovers, people getting second chances and misunderstandings. Something not normally seen is eating disorders, which was handled in an unconventional way for sure.
Tack, wow what a hunk. So understanding and so loving. Man, Kitty was a fool to toss him away all those years ago. And his family, so welcoming and open. He is definitely a keen observer, keeping an eye on her and subtly taking charge without her noticing it (when it came to food and pushing her to her limits).
The scenery of course was gorgeous and I wish I was there enjoy the sites on the trails.
Although there was quite a bit of manipulation going on. While Kitty's ex was a horrible person, he managed to manipulate her for the last 10 years and left her running scared all those years. Yet, when Tack uses sex to manipulate her into eating, we are suppose to welcome this manipulation with open arms because it is for her own good?
Basically typical love story where best friends become lovers, people getting second chances and misunderstandings. Something not normally seen is eating disorders, which was handled in an unconventional way for sure.
September 16, 2018
I love love loved this book! It was refreshing to read a romance novel without out all of the backstabbing and misunderstanding. When two characters genuinely love each other they shouldn't jump to conclusions and act like asshats! Lucy Monroe wrote about very relatable characters with issues within an average person's scope of the world. She also didn't write petty characters that turn their back on their true love at the first sign of trouble. Her writing style is also very smooth, the scenes flowed together wonderfully, and overall it was an enjoyable experience. 10/10 would recommend for a quick read and I will definalty be picking up the rest of the series! I cannot wait to see what is in store for the other residents of Cailkirn, Alaska!
October 20, 2025
Cailkirn, Alaska, is a small town, and the residents in the book remind me a little of those in the Virgin River series on Netflix. In this book, long-time friends, Tack and Kitty, are reunited when she returns having survived a brutal and abusive marriage. Her physical and emotional state is deep, and the writer does well in portraying this character. Tack is a pillar, but he is fighting his own demons. The two work hard to fix their friendship and trust each other again.
August 25, 2017
Wild Heat is a charming little story of second chances, one that is loaded with heat and heart! The story line was engaging, the characters were well drawn, overall it was a very well-rounded enjoyable read!! If you like small town romances then I think you will enjoy this one, it's sure to spice up your day!!
September 5, 2017
3.5 stars. Well written and steamy romance set in Alaska. I liked it, but I didn't love it, as as I think it just had too much inner dialogue for me and my mind kept wandering. However this is a favourite author of mine, thanks to her Mills and Boon books and I will be reading many more in the future. I want to read more of this particular series when the books are released.
April 27, 2015
Check out this review and more at On the Wings of Books
What I Thought...
• I love a good small town romance, and it's an extra bonus that it's a rekindled romance as well. Wild Heat has everything I look for in small towns, a few quirky residents, everyone knows everyone's business and they are protective of their own.
•Kitty is returning to Cailkirn, Alaska after a long absence, fresh from a divorce from her abusive husband and battling problems of her own. Wild Heat is as much about her and Tack coming together as it is Kitty finding Kitty again. Her ex-husband was physically and emotionally abusive, to the point where her already precarious eating habits turned into an eating disorder.
• I was happy to see that Wild Heat focused more on Kitty dealing with her eating disorder and less about her ex-husband. He does make a brief appearance (which to be honest could have been left out) but other than that he is only referenced in terms of what Kitty is dealing with.
• Kitty's eating disorder was front and center and we not only got to see how Kitty was getting better but also how her aunts, Tack and other loved ones reacted to her eating habits. There hearts were in the right place, but you can't just force someone to eat (in fact that can be quite dangerous). I thought it was wonderful how Kitty worked through her issues with eating and how to handle her loved ones so they understood how best to help her.
• Tack was absolutely delicious. He struggled to separate and deal with his old feelings for Kitty with his new feelings for her, but always had her best interest at heart, even if that meant it wasn't him that she needed/wanted. He was hilarious at times and I loved watching him with his brother and friends and their banter back and forth.
• It goes without saying that Kitty and Tack make a good couple, and you can tell right from the beginning when Tack doesn't press her to talk about her eating disorder but rather lets her talk about it in pieces.
• Wild Heat was all sorts of steamy!
Overall if you like small town steamy romances, Wild Heat is for you!
About Lucy Monroe:
A USA Today Bestseller, most of Lucy Monroe's titles have spent multiple weeks on national bestsellers lists, including Neilson Bookscan (in both North America and the UK), Amazon & B&N.com. She is ranked as a top selling contemporary romance author on Amazon.
Excerpt:
An almost frenzied need to bring her back to the present washed over him. His instincts were telling him the best way to accomplish that, but his brain insisted it was a bad, bad idea.
Fighting the urge to act on his instincts, Tack cleaned up the detritus of lunch. It only took a couple of minutes to put everything back in his pack. But in that short time, Kitty didn't just maintain her distant silence, but she drew further away from him.
And she couldn't afford to do that.
He couldn't say how he knew that, he just did.
Tack's certainty growing that she'd checked out mentally in a way that was dangerous for her emotions, he put his pack aside and scooted closer to Kitty. She didn't seem to notice.
"Wildcat?" he prompted, his voice as gentle as he could make it. "You okay in there?"
"Of course." The words were right, but the vacant tone was anything but.
He slid his hand under her hair, cupping her neck, giving physical contact to draw her back to him and now. She didn't react to the touch at all and that scared him.
"Damn it, Caitlin Elizabeth Grant, look at me."
Her brows furrowed. "Don't."
"What?" he asked in a tone as gentle as he'd spoken sternly before. Come on, wildcat, tell me not to yell at you.
Her silence changed, as if she was searching for words. "Call me Caitlin." She frowned. "I don't like it."
"I thought you wanted me to." She'd said so, hadn't she?
"No."
"Why not? Why don't you like it?"
She shrugged.
And that was it. He was done playing nice, his own misgivings not nearly as powerful as his need to stop whatever was going on inside Kitty's mind.
With careful, but inexorable pressure, he turned her head so she faced him. Her pupils were dilated like they'd been yesterday, her complexion waxy, but her lips were pink and parted invitingly.
Her breathing changed just a little bit and he took that as a victory.
"I'm going to kiss you, wildcat. Are you up for it?"
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What I Thought...
• I love a good small town romance, and it's an extra bonus that it's a rekindled romance as well. Wild Heat has everything I look for in small towns, a few quirky residents, everyone knows everyone's business and they are protective of their own.
•Kitty is returning to Cailkirn, Alaska after a long absence, fresh from a divorce from her abusive husband and battling problems of her own. Wild Heat is as much about her and Tack coming together as it is Kitty finding Kitty again. Her ex-husband was physically and emotionally abusive, to the point where her already precarious eating habits turned into an eating disorder.
• I was happy to see that Wild Heat focused more on Kitty dealing with her eating disorder and less about her ex-husband. He does make a brief appearance (which to be honest could have been left out) but other than that he is only referenced in terms of what Kitty is dealing with.
• Kitty's eating disorder was front and center and we not only got to see how Kitty was getting better but also how her aunts, Tack and other loved ones reacted to her eating habits. There hearts were in the right place, but you can't just force someone to eat (in fact that can be quite dangerous). I thought it was wonderful how Kitty worked through her issues with eating and how to handle her loved ones so they understood how best to help her.
• Tack was absolutely delicious. He struggled to separate and deal with his old feelings for Kitty with his new feelings for her, but always had her best interest at heart, even if that meant it wasn't him that she needed/wanted. He was hilarious at times and I loved watching him with his brother and friends and their banter back and forth.
• It goes without saying that Kitty and Tack make a good couple, and you can tell right from the beginning when Tack doesn't press her to talk about her eating disorder but rather lets her talk about it in pieces.
• Wild Heat was all sorts of steamy!
Overall if you like small town steamy romances, Wild Heat is for you!
About Lucy Monroe:
A USA Today Bestseller, most of Lucy Monroe's titles have spent multiple weeks on national bestsellers lists, including Neilson Bookscan (in both North America and the UK), Amazon & B&N.com. She is ranked as a top selling contemporary romance author on Amazon.
Excerpt:
An almost frenzied need to bring her back to the present washed over him. His instincts were telling him the best way to accomplish that, but his brain insisted it was a bad, bad idea.
Fighting the urge to act on his instincts, Tack cleaned up the detritus of lunch. It only took a couple of minutes to put everything back in his pack. But in that short time, Kitty didn't just maintain her distant silence, but she drew further away from him.
And she couldn't afford to do that.
He couldn't say how he knew that, he just did.
Tack's certainty growing that she'd checked out mentally in a way that was dangerous for her emotions, he put his pack aside and scooted closer to Kitty. She didn't seem to notice.
"Wildcat?" he prompted, his voice as gentle as he could make it. "You okay in there?"
"Of course." The words were right, but the vacant tone was anything but.
He slid his hand under her hair, cupping her neck, giving physical contact to draw her back to him and now. She didn't react to the touch at all and that scared him.
"Damn it, Caitlin Elizabeth Grant, look at me."
Her brows furrowed. "Don't."
"What?" he asked in a tone as gentle as he'd spoken sternly before. Come on, wildcat, tell me not to yell at you.
Her silence changed, as if she was searching for words. "Call me Caitlin." She frowned. "I don't like it."
"I thought you wanted me to." She'd said so, hadn't she?
"No."
"Why not? Why don't you like it?"
She shrugged.
And that was it. He was done playing nice, his own misgivings not nearly as powerful as his need to stop whatever was going on inside Kitty's mind.
With careful, but inexorable pressure, he turned her head so she faced him. Her pupils were dilated like they'd been yesterday, her complexion waxy, but her lips were pink and parted invitingly.
Her breathing changed just a little bit and he took that as a victory.
"I'm going to kiss you, wildcat. Are you up for it?"
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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