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Promises #3
Promises Prevail
Wyoming Territory 1870 Widowed and barren, Jenna sees the newborn left on her doorstep as a priceless gift worthy of any sacrifice. She knows she'll need a husband to keep the baby, but nothing prepares her for the man who offers. Big and dark, simmering with a deadly intensity, Clint McKinnely could put fear into the devil. He certainly strikes fear into her. But Jenna soon discovers that the man behind the reputation is the one man she longs to trust. A hard man burned out by the choices he's made, Clint is looking for a reason to go on. He finds one in Jenna Hennessy. Lushly plump, sweet and shy, she calls to him on every level. When it looks as though Jenna might lose the daughter she loves for lack of a husband, Clint steps forward. Having Jenna in his home brings Clint a peace he's never known, but even as he ferrets out the secrets that haunt Jenna's nightmares, Clint keeps his own close to his chest, knowing this marriage is temporary because there are some sins a man can't expect his wife to forgive.
377 pages, Trade Paperback
First published March 1, 2005
50 people are currently reading
1403 people want to read
About the author
Sarah McCarty
56 books1,070 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
(1)romance author
Sarah has traveled extensively throughout her life, living in other cultures, sometimes in areas where electricity was a concept awaiting fruition and a book was an extreme luxury. While she could easily adjust to the lack of electricity, living without the comfort of a good book was intolerable. To fill the void, she bought pencil and paper and sketched out her own story. In the process, Sarah discovered the joy of writing.
Sarah writes what she loves to read; fast paced stories with vivid dialogue, intense emotion and well developed characters. Her attention to detail in her stories has earned her multiple awards and a reserved spot on Keeper shelves everywhere.
Sarah writes for Ellora's Cave, Harlequin HQN, Harlequin SPICE, Berkley HEAT and Berkley SENSATION.
(1)romance author
Sarah has traveled extensively throughout her life, living in other cultures, sometimes in areas where electricity was a concept awaiting fruition and a book was an extreme luxury. While she could easily adjust to the lack of electricity, living without the comfort of a good book was intolerable. To fill the void, she bought pencil and paper and sketched out her own story. In the process, Sarah discovered the joy of writing.
Sarah writes what she loves to read; fast paced stories with vivid dialogue, intense emotion and well developed characters. Her attention to detail in her stories has earned her multiple awards and a reserved spot on Keeper shelves everywhere.
Sarah writes for Ellora's Cave, Harlequin HQN, Harlequin SPICE, Berkley HEAT and Berkley SENSATION.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
July 24, 2009
It’s so very rare that I come across a book that has me bawling buckets at the end but this one did the trick and so unexpectedly too. Can this woman ever write. From the first book in the “Promises” series right through to this one every single hero has had me drooling, sighing, swooning and OMG-ing pretty much from the get-go. She writes about rough and tough men, your John Wayne/Clint Eastwood movie in print.
McCarty has this unique talent with the way she writes to make you really feel like you’re reading a western and not just another historical romance set in the west. The characters pop off the pages. They talk like you’d think they’d talk in a flick, the setting is this country backwater lost in god’s country somewhere and the story keeps this tone right through. The men don’t mince words and say what they have to say while the women chit chat when they meet. All very cowboy/western. If you like that feeling of familiarity you get with reading a series you’ll find that in spades here. All of the characters from the previous books play an integral part in this story and new ones are added giving you a soap opera kind of feel. It’s Robin Carr’s “Virgin River” without the ooey-gooey.
What I found to be most impressive was the heroine. I liked her and normally I shouldn’t have. She’s a horribly abused woman (suffering from debilitating anxiety attacks at the worst possible times) who is very submissive because that’s all she's known, but under it all she’s very strong when given the opportunity to shine. She’s not a whiner and I didn’t find her to be one of those annoying one dimensional doormat women. She isn’t a bit of hellfire like Elizabeth from “Promises Linger” (who was a harpy at times) and she’s not an innocent either like Mara in “Promises Keep”. There’s something about her that I really liked. Maybe it was her fragility (and normally that’s the last thing I like in a heroine) mixed with her need to show who she really was.
The best thing though about this book is the protector theme that underlies it with each character and their wives. Clint here is such a phenomenal man. He doesn’t care who’s looking or how weird he might appear if Jenna is experiencing any kind of discomfort, he’s right there for her all the time. His patience is on par with Asa’s from book 1 but in a different way. He’s so gentle with Jenna which is waaay out of character but it somehow works. During the wedding scene all the heart strings were pulling like crazy and I got all choked up with an OMG to go right along with it and never mind a whole bunch of *sigh, omg, sigh, omg, sigh* (repeat!) too. Don’t want to give anything away, but the way he saved her and how all his buddies helped him save face too was exceptionally well-done without being hokey. Clint’s the kind of guy that’s done a lot of not so nice things so he’s really ripped up inside. I love the McKinley’s (Clint and psycho Cougar) and their insane need to protect their women. It’s impressive that McCarty is able to write the protector theme without going into the realm of the stupid and moronic. This book (this whole series even) is a fine example of a “How to”.
The one minor complaint I could make is that sometimes there was a bit too much sex without anything else in between, BUT (and it’s a big ‘but’ too) McCarty seriously knows how to build tension and write a sex scene without having you rush through it. She just slowly gets you to where you know you’re going and suddenly 20 pages have gone by. That sounds like a heck of a lot for a steam scene but it just goes to show what a truly gifted writer she is.
There’s some great dry humor throughout the book too (the lady’s W.O.M.B club is a riot, Asa with his wit and quick come backs are hilarious) as well as some horrifying scenes, some told in detail and others just left to your imagination.
Frankly, it’s a wonder that readers even know about this series given those seriously creepy and atrocious covers, the price (EC is so expensive) and their dead weight (my wrists got a work out!), but it just goes to show what word of mouth does. I can’t recommend this book enough. You’ll laugh, cringe, die (time and time again with this one) and just bawl like I said at the beginning because Clint has got to be one of the most beautiful heroes I’ve ever come across. Read this book if you want an emotional trip that’ll stay with you for a good while after –the ending is still playing in my head :)
McCarty has this unique talent with the way she writes to make you really feel like you’re reading a western and not just another historical romance set in the west. The characters pop off the pages. They talk like you’d think they’d talk in a flick, the setting is this country backwater lost in god’s country somewhere and the story keeps this tone right through. The men don’t mince words and say what they have to say while the women chit chat when they meet. All very cowboy/western. If you like that feeling of familiarity you get with reading a series you’ll find that in spades here. All of the characters from the previous books play an integral part in this story and new ones are added giving you a soap opera kind of feel. It’s Robin Carr’s “Virgin River” without the ooey-gooey.
What I found to be most impressive was the heroine. I liked her and normally I shouldn’t have. She’s a horribly abused woman (suffering from debilitating anxiety attacks at the worst possible times) who is very submissive because that’s all she's known, but under it all she’s very strong when given the opportunity to shine. She’s not a whiner and I didn’t find her to be one of those annoying one dimensional doormat women. She isn’t a bit of hellfire like Elizabeth from “Promises Linger” (who was a harpy at times) and she’s not an innocent either like Mara in “Promises Keep”. There’s something about her that I really liked. Maybe it was her fragility (and normally that’s the last thing I like in a heroine) mixed with her need to show who she really was.
The best thing though about this book is the protector theme that underlies it with each character and their wives. Clint here is such a phenomenal man. He doesn’t care who’s looking or how weird he might appear if Jenna is experiencing any kind of discomfort, he’s right there for her all the time. His patience is on par with Asa’s from book 1 but in a different way. He’s so gentle with Jenna which is waaay out of character but it somehow works. During the wedding scene all the heart strings were pulling like crazy and I got all choked up with an OMG to go right along with it and never mind a whole bunch of *sigh, omg, sigh, omg, sigh* (repeat!) too. Don’t want to give anything away, but the way he saved her and how all his buddies helped him save face too was exceptionally well-done without being hokey. Clint’s the kind of guy that’s done a lot of not so nice things so he’s really ripped up inside. I love the McKinley’s (Clint and psycho Cougar) and their insane need to protect their women. It’s impressive that McCarty is able to write the protector theme without going into the realm of the stupid and moronic. This book (this whole series even) is a fine example of a “How to”.
The one minor complaint I could make is that sometimes there was a bit too much sex without anything else in between, BUT (and it’s a big ‘but’ too) McCarty seriously knows how to build tension and write a sex scene without having you rush through it. She just slowly gets you to where you know you’re going and suddenly 20 pages have gone by. That sounds like a heck of a lot for a steam scene but it just goes to show what a truly gifted writer she is.
There’s some great dry humor throughout the book too (the lady’s W.O.M.B club is a riot, Asa with his wit and quick come backs are hilarious) as well as some horrifying scenes, some told in detail and others just left to your imagination.
Frankly, it’s a wonder that readers even know about this series given those seriously creepy and atrocious covers, the price (EC is so expensive) and their dead weight (my wrists got a work out!), but it just goes to show what word of mouth does. I can’t recommend this book enough. You’ll laugh, cringe, die (time and time again with this one) and just bawl like I said at the beginning because Clint has got to be one of the most beautiful heroes I’ve ever come across. Read this book if you want an emotional trip that’ll stay with you for a good while after –the ending is still playing in my head :)
May 7, 2009
I really liked the previous books in Sarah McCarty´s Promises series, but this one didn´t work so well for me. I didn´t "connect" with either Clint or Jenna, they just didn´t have any "spark". Granted, Clint was one sexy cowboy, but I spent the whole book trying - unsuccessfully, I might add - to understand why he thought he was unworthy of Jeanna, only to be given an explanation that didn´t make sense. Jenna was a basket case from the start, a true doormat. Considering all the abuse she suffered all her life, I understood her behavior but it was somewhat inconsistent. If she´d been really decided to leave her husband before he died, that meant she had grown some spine, right? So why did she go back to being a wimp after she was finally free from her husband? All things considered, those idiosyncrasies filled the plot with some holes that prevented me from fully enjoying this book.
Since this is a erotica/romantica novel, I must address the hot stuff... Well, I would if I could. The truth is, I was so detached from Clint and Jenna that I skimmed through almost all the sex scenes. Have I missed anything crucial to the story? Hmmm, probably not...
Since this is a erotica/romantica novel, I must address the hot stuff... Well, I would if I could. The truth is, I was so detached from Clint and Jenna that I skimmed through almost all the sex scenes. Have I missed anything crucial to the story? Hmmm, probably not...
July 24, 2021
3☆☆☆
I really had a difficult time getting into this story.
Yes it had the perfect recipe for a wonderful read, but it just wasn't it for me.
I still felt the Hero kinda pushy with Jenna, he pushed her limits often and even tho it turned out to be ok in the end it could've ended really badly considering that the heroine was abused all her life.
Plus the author painted a*al sex as the next clitoridian bliss... and I just couldn't buy it. First of all because, woman don't own a prostate, so 🤷... the pleasure comes from where... but let's ignore that, only the fact that they just went at it without cleaning and previous conversation about boundaries... meh... for me, if an author goes south with the kinky stuff it really has to be well built. You can't come at me like that, plus saying that the next morning you go at it on the back door again without 0 previous preparation. Bleah...
And the rest of the sex scenes were flat for me, I just couldn't feel anything.
Another downside to the story was the fact that Jenna was stupid, the last scene where she endangered everyone... Lord, NO!!!
And don't get me started with the controlling hero... there's a hot and sexy way of writing a possessive character and there's too much of it.
All in all was a nice story, but those were the things that made this story an almost 3 stars and not more.
And that was my Ted talk kids. 😁
⚠️Triggers⚠️: rape, abuse and violence against women and children, attempted rape, abuse against women and children.
I really had a difficult time getting into this story.
Yes it had the perfect recipe for a wonderful read, but it just wasn't it for me.
I still felt the Hero kinda pushy with Jenna, he pushed her limits often and even tho it turned out to be ok in the end it could've ended really badly considering that the heroine was abused all her life.
Plus the author painted a*al sex as the next clitoridian bliss... and I just couldn't buy it. First of all because, woman don't own a prostate, so 🤷... the pleasure comes from where... but let's ignore that, only the fact that they just went at it without cleaning and previous conversation about boundaries... meh... for me, if an author goes south with the kinky stuff it really has to be well built. You can't come at me like that, plus saying that the next morning you go at it on the back door again without 0 previous preparation. Bleah...
And the rest of the sex scenes were flat for me, I just couldn't feel anything.
Another downside to the story was the fact that Jenna was stupid, the last scene where she endangered everyone... Lord, NO!!!
And don't get me started with the controlling hero... there's a hot and sexy way of writing a possessive character and there's too much of it.
All in all was a nice story, but those were the things that made this story an almost 3 stars and not more.
And that was my Ted talk kids. 😁
⚠️Triggers⚠️: rape, abuse and violence against women and children, attempted rape, abuse against women and children.
July 28, 2009
This book gets four stars for great characters, a nice romance and some super hot sex, but loses a star for being a bit lengthy/wordy, focusing a little too much on the heroine (therefore neglecting the hero), and for lacking a little in originality because as I was reading I kept feeling like I'd read this (type of) story before. The lengthy thing should come as no surprise to anyone who has read McCarty before. She's got to be one of the wordiest romance authors I've ever read. And this is one hefty book to read. But on the whole this was an enjoyable book, just not one that I absolutely loved.
Promises Prevail is the third book in McCarty's historical western, erotic romance series, Promises. The book could probably be read on it's own without too many issues, but considering the continuing characters and references to past events in the series, I'd recommend reading them in order.
Clint McKinnely has wanted Jenna Hennessy since the first moment he saw her, but she was married. He knew her husband was a bastard and that he treated her horribly, but he could have never imagined how bad it actually was.
Now Jenna is a widow, but Clint has mostly kept his distance, believing he's not good enough for her. He's protected her from a distance, but not let her see how much he wants her. Then Jenna finds a baby on her doorstep. Not being able to have children, Jenna dearly wants the little girl. Times being what they are, however, a single woman would never be able to keep the child. So Clint offers to marry her.
It doesn't take long for Clint to realize how bad Jenna's life was with her first husband. He has to work hard to bring her out of her shell, to get her to trust him and see what a real relationship is like. But even as their relationship grows, Jenna still won't tell Clint all that happened to her before. Which comes back to bite her in the butt when an old nemesis reappears in her life. Jenna will have to use her new-found strength to save her life and the man she's grown to love.
Like the first two books in this series, the sex is pretty much the most dominant aspect of the story. There are a lot of sex scenes, and a mild level of kink. I admit that maybe there was a little too much sex. There were times when I felt like I was reading one big endless sex scene. Yeah, they were hot, but it also stunts the story growth some.
I enjoyed Jenna and Clint, though. Jenna is a poster-child for tragic heroines. How she managed to survived all she went through, I have no idea. And Clint...yummy! He's ALPHA, but without being an asshole. He was very good with Jenna most of the time. Their relationship worked for me. I did with that McCarty had spent some more time developing the character of Clint. She focuses so much on Jenna's story that Clint gets lost a little. There's an issue with Clint not feeling like he deserves Jenna and initially staying away from her, but I never really felt the why behind that. Clint was more of a "in-the-moment" character than a fully developed one. So I thought that could have been done better.
Another thing I loved in the book was how the characters from the past story, and other recurring characters were so prominent. Some authors are really bad at connecting their books in a series, but McCarty does well with this aspect. It's great to be able to catch up with the H/H's of the past books.
One of the main things, though, that kept me from really loving this book was that it didn't really feel original enough to me. This book and the previous one, Promises Keep, are rather similar. Two battered and abused heroines, two Alpha, rough-and-tumble heroes. And a relationship where the hero has to break through the heroine's past. As I was reading this book, I just kept feeling like I'd read it before (figuratively, not literally). Which bugged me some and probably why I didn't fully engage in the story.
But overall, this was still a good book to read. It's definitely one for erotic romance readers, though, and not one for those who don't like graphic sex. If you've read and liked the other books in this series then you'll probably definitely like this one.
WARNING, this book contains: copious explicit sex and language, oral sex, anal sex, toys, slightly rough sex, the heroine being whipped by the antagonist, references to rape and abuse.
Promises Prevail is the third book in McCarty's historical western, erotic romance series, Promises. The book could probably be read on it's own without too many issues, but considering the continuing characters and references to past events in the series, I'd recommend reading them in order.
Clint McKinnely has wanted Jenna Hennessy since the first moment he saw her, but she was married. He knew her husband was a bastard and that he treated her horribly, but he could have never imagined how bad it actually was.
Now Jenna is a widow, but Clint has mostly kept his distance, believing he's not good enough for her. He's protected her from a distance, but not let her see how much he wants her. Then Jenna finds a baby on her doorstep. Not being able to have children, Jenna dearly wants the little girl. Times being what they are, however, a single woman would never be able to keep the child. So Clint offers to marry her.
It doesn't take long for Clint to realize how bad Jenna's life was with her first husband. He has to work hard to bring her out of her shell, to get her to trust him and see what a real relationship is like. But even as their relationship grows, Jenna still won't tell Clint all that happened to her before. Which comes back to bite her in the butt when an old nemesis reappears in her life. Jenna will have to use her new-found strength to save her life and the man she's grown to love.
Like the first two books in this series, the sex is pretty much the most dominant aspect of the story. There are a lot of sex scenes, and a mild level of kink. I admit that maybe there was a little too much sex. There were times when I felt like I was reading one big endless sex scene. Yeah, they were hot, but it also stunts the story growth some.
I enjoyed Jenna and Clint, though. Jenna is a poster-child for tragic heroines. How she managed to survived all she went through, I have no idea. And Clint...yummy! He's ALPHA, but without being an asshole. He was very good with Jenna most of the time. Their relationship worked for me. I did with that McCarty had spent some more time developing the character of Clint. She focuses so much on Jenna's story that Clint gets lost a little. There's an issue with Clint not feeling like he deserves Jenna and initially staying away from her, but I never really felt the why behind that. Clint was more of a "in-the-moment" character than a fully developed one. So I thought that could have been done better.
Another thing I loved in the book was how the characters from the past story, and other recurring characters were so prominent. Some authors are really bad at connecting their books in a series, but McCarty does well with this aspect. It's great to be able to catch up with the H/H's of the past books.
One of the main things, though, that kept me from really loving this book was that it didn't really feel original enough to me. This book and the previous one, Promises Keep, are rather similar. Two battered and abused heroines, two Alpha, rough-and-tumble heroes. And a relationship where the hero has to break through the heroine's past. As I was reading this book, I just kept feeling like I'd read it before (figuratively, not literally). Which bugged me some and probably why I didn't fully engage in the story.
But overall, this was still a good book to read. It's definitely one for erotic romance readers, though, and not one for those who don't like graphic sex. If you've read and liked the other books in this series then you'll probably definitely like this one.
WARNING, this book contains: copious explicit sex and language, oral sex, anal sex, toys, slightly rough sex, the heroine being whipped by the antagonist, references to rape and abuse.
March 4, 2011
I was given this series which I'm grateful for because I woulda been upset if I had actually shelled out money for it.
Promises Prevail was a dnf for me although, like the others in the seris, in the beginning I really liked the Hero and Heroine. But, like the previous, the author quickly lost me.
In this one too, I ended up being completely annoyed with the heroine. She questioned her weight all the time. I get enough of that in real life, after the first couple times of Jenna mentioning it, and Clint obviously being not one bit turned off, it needed to be dropped. I believe the author was shooting for vulnerable, but she never bothered to give Jenna much strength (despite the hero constantly telling her-and us- that she was.), which completely ruins a female protag for me. You can be both you know ... believe me, I was raised with women who had intestinal fortitude beyond belief, but were completely feminine! We needed a little bit more showing and less telling to believe it of Jenna.
The problem I had with this entire series were the women. The men were fine, although not as alpha as SM tried to make them- a man who gives funky butt luvin does not an Alpha make, m’kay?
A disappointment.
Promises Prevail was a dnf for me although, like the others in the seris, in the beginning I really liked the Hero and Heroine. But, like the previous, the author quickly lost me.
In this one too, I ended up being completely annoyed with the heroine. She questioned her weight all the time. I get enough of that in real life, after the first couple times of Jenna mentioning it, and Clint obviously being not one bit turned off, it needed to be dropped. I believe the author was shooting for vulnerable, but she never bothered to give Jenna much strength (despite the hero constantly telling her-and us- that she was.), which completely ruins a female protag for me. You can be both you know ... believe me, I was raised with women who had intestinal fortitude beyond belief, but were completely feminine! We needed a little bit more showing and less telling to believe it of Jenna.
The problem I had with this entire series were the women. The men were fine, although not as alpha as SM tried to make them- a man who gives funky butt luvin does not an Alpha make, m’kay?
A disappointment.
April 1, 2015
I read this book on a quiet night 4 years ago and it has haunted me ever since.
I had forgotten the name of the book, the name of the author and the name of the characters. All I could remember was the story line and how much I loved it.
I can't believe I have found this book again!
I had forgotten the name of the book, the name of the author and the name of the characters. All I could remember was the story line and how much I loved it.
I can't believe I have found this book again!
January 6, 2016
Promises Prevail is the third book in McCarty's historical western, erotic romance series, Promises. This is book 3 in this McCarty series -- set in the Old West, specifically Cheyenne, WY and embracing a variety of characters.
Clint McKinnely is looking for a wife and he takes all the potential candidates to the “Sweet Thyme Bakery”. A lot of the plot revolves around meek Jenna, who is horribly traumatized from abuse, coming out of her shell and realizing she deserves love.
I really enjoyed this. This would be a fantastic book even without the sex scenes.
The second half of the book was very good, lots of action and fast moving developments.
Pleasurable book :)
Clint McKinnely is looking for a wife and he takes all the potential candidates to the “Sweet Thyme Bakery”. A lot of the plot revolves around meek Jenna, who is horribly traumatized from abuse, coming out of her shell and realizing she deserves love.
I really enjoyed this. This would be a fantastic book even without the sex scenes.
The second half of the book was very good, lots of action and fast moving developments.
Pleasurable book :)
May 2, 2013
I really enjoyed this. It started off a little slow, but it was a beautiful story.
January 17, 2015
Ya entiendo el común denominador de las historias de McCarty. Una chica con un pasado doloroso entre más humillante mejor. Un chico con la posibilidad de cambiar sus circunstancias casándose con ella. No hay trauma que ella no tenga que no pueda él solucionar con un poco mucho sexo.
Increíblemente compro sus historias. No todas las chicas son iguales pero todas empiezan a creer y recuperar la confianza en sí mismas. Los chicos son muy lindos y a su muy terca manera las ayudan.
En esta historia en particular Jenna ha sido ..no puedo definirlo bien, pero no es ella misma. Actúa como autómata, condicionada a obedecer y a aguantar la autoridad de los hombres. Clint tiene un tremendo trabajo a la hora de poder hacerle entender a Jenna que ya no tiene que hacerlo. Que puede ser libre de ser cómo quiera.
Jenna es muy dulce, increíblemente protectora. Ama de una manera manera que solo una persona que sufrió mucho podría hacerlo. Y ama condenadamente bien a sus hijos. Me alegro que ellos, Clint y Jenna, puedan darle un hogar a los niños.
Clint es muy lindo, se nota cuánto ama a Jenna y lo que hizo por ella. Me alegro que el destino no se conformara con verlos separados. ¡Me habría encantado leer lo que él tenía preparado para Jenna! >u<
Obviamente, si le quitas las escenas de sexo te quedas sin historia XD Pero me gusta la forma de narrar de la autora, es muy lenta. Que hasta parece que pasaran años entre un diálogo y otro (?) Okno, pero casi.
Solo queda esperar que el reverendo tenga su historia ♥ Desde que le hizo subir los colores a Cougar en el libro anterior no puedo esperar a leerlo al completo.
Increíblemente compro sus historias. No todas las chicas son iguales pero todas empiezan a creer y recuperar la confianza en sí mismas. Los chicos son muy lindos y a su muy terca manera las ayudan.
En esta historia en particular Jenna ha sido ..no puedo definirlo bien, pero no es ella misma. Actúa como autómata, condicionada a obedecer y a aguantar la autoridad de los hombres. Clint tiene un tremendo trabajo a la hora de poder hacerle entender a Jenna que ya no tiene que hacerlo. Que puede ser libre de ser cómo quiera.
Jenna es muy dulce, increíblemente protectora. Ama de una manera manera que solo una persona que sufrió mucho podría hacerlo. Y ama condenadamente bien a sus hijos. Me alegro que ellos, Clint y Jenna, puedan darle un hogar a los niños.
Clint es muy lindo, se nota cuánto ama a Jenna y lo que hizo por ella. Me alegro que el destino no se conformara con verlos separados. ¡Me habría encantado leer lo que él tenía preparado para Jenna! >u<
Obviamente, si le quitas las escenas de sexo te quedas sin historia XD Pero me gusta la forma de narrar de la autora, es muy lenta. Que hasta parece que pasaran años entre un diálogo y otro (?) Okno, pero casi.
Solo queda esperar que el reverendo tenga su historia ♥ Desde que le hizo subir los colores a Cougar en el libro anterior no puedo esperar a leerlo al completo.
October 26, 2020
I loved the book until we got to the honeymoon. It dragged. I felt the scenes and discussions were repetitive. This is not a cheap e-book, $5.99. I regret paying that much.
I loved the characters in the first 10%, but then the story went flat. Why spend so much time with the sex scenes?!?!
Reading is subjective. You may love it.
I loved the characters in the first 10%, but then the story went flat. Why spend so much time with the sex scenes?!?!
Reading is subjective. You may love it.
May 27, 2017
3.5 stars.
Well, this was interesting. I liked how strong Jenna, the heroine, could be at times. I mean, she was weak through most of the book, but whenever someone else was threatened, she'd stand up for them. I wish she'd stood up for herself more, but I understood that her past made her pretty fearful. The fact that Clint, the hero, said some pretty cruel things when he knew that all too well didn't sit right with me. I mean, Clint was very kind to her, and I know he didn't mean many of the things he said, but still. You don't threaten violence on someone who'd been abused the way Jenna had. I do like how he got Jenna to become stronger, though.
Once again, the story was well-done, overall. Sarah McCarty makes this genre readable for me, although some of the scenes weren't quite to my taste. That's all subjective, though. The point is, I was hooked to this book, and always wanted to know what would happen. The story left Clint and Jenna in a place where I feel she won't be completely cowed and will fight for her rights as a person, and Clint just wants the best for her and has admitted his love for her. Plus, with their adoptive children, I'd say the couple are forming quite a nice family. My biggest problem, apart from Clint's threats, is the fact that Clint claimed to never feel emotion and always thought he was undeserving of Jenna. I know he was a bounty hunter, but from the way it was written, I expected some big thing that had happened in his past. That was not developed, however. Possibly I missed out on some things by skipping book 2, but I really wanted to read about a plus-sized heroine, and I wanted a bit more steam. With this book, I got both and a pretty good story. I recommend it if you read erotic romance.
Well, this was interesting. I liked how strong Jenna, the heroine, could be at times. I mean, she was weak through most of the book, but whenever someone else was threatened, she'd stand up for them. I wish she'd stood up for herself more, but I understood that her past made her pretty fearful. The fact that Clint, the hero, said some pretty cruel things when he knew that all too well didn't sit right with me. I mean, Clint was very kind to her, and I know he didn't mean many of the things he said, but still. You don't threaten violence on someone who'd been abused the way Jenna had. I do like how he got Jenna to become stronger, though.
Once again, the story was well-done, overall. Sarah McCarty makes this genre readable for me, although some of the scenes weren't quite to my taste. That's all subjective, though. The point is, I was hooked to this book, and always wanted to know what would happen. The story left Clint and Jenna in a place where I feel she won't be completely cowed and will fight for her rights as a person, and Clint just wants the best for her and has admitted his love for her. Plus, with their adoptive children, I'd say the couple are forming quite a nice family. My biggest problem, apart from Clint's threats, is the fact that Clint claimed to never feel emotion and always thought he was undeserving of Jenna. I know he was a bounty hunter, but from the way it was written, I expected some big thing that had happened in his past. That was not developed, however. Possibly I missed out on some things by skipping book 2, but I really wanted to read about a plus-sized heroine, and I wanted a bit more steam. With this book, I got both and a pretty good story. I recommend it if you read erotic romance.
November 17, 2025
4.49 ✨
Bastaaaa … me sonroje mucho también
Clint Clint Clint 🥹 que puedo decir me encantaste desde el principio, mi Jenna solo merecía felicidad, paz, encontrarse a si misma, amar por primera vez, cuidar a los suyos y a Clint 🥹❤️✨
Jenna acaba de superar a lo peor de su vida, su terrible esposo está muerto, no se encuentra en la mejor situación pero acaba de encontrar una bebé en su puerta y ella quiere mantenerla, el único problema es que no está en las condiciones de hacerlo, para la época que una mujer tengo un hijo sin estar casada es un problema así que aquí viene su Héroe, Clint, quien no solo la salvó del fuego, si no que también quiere casarse con ella, darle su apellido, su dinero, todo lo que ella quiera y su protección a esta madre que no tiene a nadie que la cuide como se la merece, de ser una mujer asustadiza, Jenna nunca pensó que terminaría siendo una mujer casada con uno de los hombres más respetados de la ciudad y tener la protección de su familia.
"— Quiero casarme contigo, Jenna. Quiero a Brianna como mi hija. Tú sólo tienes que decidir decir que sí."
"—Porque he esperado mucho tiempo para tener una esposa a la que mimar y consentir, y así como tú estás determinada a quitarle la diversión al asunto, yo lo estoy a divertirme."
Pero no señoritas no todo acaba aquí, Jenna no está bien y aquí es donde tiene que entrar Clint para inmiscuirse en esto y sanarla desde adentro 🥹✨
Ella era su Sunshine ☀️🥹
"Por primera vez en su vida era libre y tenía urgencia por probar todo, pero ¿cómo podría explicárselo a Clint, quién probablemente nunca se había sentido atrapado en su vida?"
Fue una lectura que me encantó, después de leer a Asa, quería saber muchoooo de Jenna y Clint, además mi mejor amiga Ana me había contado tanto esta historia que mis ganas estaban al tope 🥹✨ me encantó que increíble recomendación me dio, es intensa, muy muy intensa, pero la manera en que la protegió cuido y sano llenó todo esos huequitos que me faltaron 🥹
"-Sunshine, tengo más dinero de lo que tú podrías gastar en tu día más frívolo. Está todo sólo allí guardado, esperando a que mi mujer llegue."
"¿Qué le paso a mi pequeña y timida esposa?
-Estaba cansada de sentir miedo todo el tiempo."
Bastaaaa … me sonroje mucho también
Clint Clint Clint 🥹 que puedo decir me encantaste desde el principio, mi Jenna solo merecía felicidad, paz, encontrarse a si misma, amar por primera vez, cuidar a los suyos y a Clint 🥹❤️✨
Jenna acaba de superar a lo peor de su vida, su terrible esposo está muerto, no se encuentra en la mejor situación pero acaba de encontrar una bebé en su puerta y ella quiere mantenerla, el único problema es que no está en las condiciones de hacerlo, para la época que una mujer tengo un hijo sin estar casada es un problema así que aquí viene su Héroe, Clint, quien no solo la salvó del fuego, si no que también quiere casarse con ella, darle su apellido, su dinero, todo lo que ella quiera y su protección a esta madre que no tiene a nadie que la cuide como se la merece, de ser una mujer asustadiza, Jenna nunca pensó que terminaría siendo una mujer casada con uno de los hombres más respetados de la ciudad y tener la protección de su familia.
"— Quiero casarme contigo, Jenna. Quiero a Brianna como mi hija. Tú sólo tienes que decidir decir que sí."
"—Porque he esperado mucho tiempo para tener una esposa a la que mimar y consentir, y así como tú estás determinada a quitarle la diversión al asunto, yo lo estoy a divertirme."
Pero no señoritas no todo acaba aquí, Jenna no está bien y aquí es donde tiene que entrar Clint para inmiscuirse en esto y sanarla desde adentro 🥹✨
Ella era su Sunshine ☀️🥹
"Por primera vez en su vida era libre y tenía urgencia por probar todo, pero ¿cómo podría explicárselo a Clint, quién probablemente nunca se había sentido atrapado en su vida?"
Fue una lectura que me encantó, después de leer a Asa, quería saber muchoooo de Jenna y Clint, además mi mejor amiga Ana me había contado tanto esta historia que mis ganas estaban al tope 🥹✨ me encantó que increíble recomendación me dio, es intensa, muy muy intensa, pero la manera en que la protegió cuido y sano llenó todo esos huequitos que me faltaron 🥹
"-Sunshine, tengo más dinero de lo que tú podrías gastar en tu día más frívolo. Está todo sólo allí guardado, esperando a que mi mujer llegue."
"¿Qué le paso a mi pequeña y timida esposa?
-Estaba cansada de sentir miedo todo el tiempo."
January 31, 2020
Keeping it short. Smutty fun pretty much sums it up. I debated on a 3 or 4. I may change my mind later and go with a 4. I must have enjoyed it since I paid more for it than I usually do an ebook and I don't feel bitter after having read it. Dang. Changing it to a 4 for that alone...
December 28, 2011
This would be a fantastic book even without the sex scenes. Not for everyone, with some graphic violence as well as anal sex more than once.
Our heroine has a past that has crippled her emotionally. The hero does not feel himself worthy of her, but makes sure to be the one to rescue her when needed; he could not stand the thought of it being anyone else. Each expects the other to tire of the marriage and leave.
She flinches at being touched. How does he propose to cure this? As he tells his brother,
"I figured I'd spoil her rotten and see how she takes to it."
She is bewildered by his treating her like a queen. She has no experience of being respected. The decent behavior flummoxes her. This works well for the story.
The story continues to unfold with a series of scenes that display each of them coming to terms with the other, until by the end each can not only feel love, but trusts the other to stay.
Well written, with some very very hot love scenes that even serve to advance the plot. There is more graphic violence than I am accustomed to in the scenes where the villain appears, but it works well for the story.
One feature of this series come from what the author portrays as a Native American custom, that of family by claim. When the heroine puts herself between a shop owner and the starving shoplifter he is abusing, and tells him not to hurt her son, she means it as an instant adoption and makes it stick. Her husband and his relatives back her up on the claim. If it was not a frontier historical, I would not find it believable, but this, too works well for the story.
I'll get the rest of this series as soon as I come across them secondhand, because I have thoroughly enjoyed the two I've read. This book includes characters from earlier books, but works well as a stand-alone.
Glad I found it.
Our heroine has a past that has crippled her emotionally. The hero does not feel himself worthy of her, but makes sure to be the one to rescue her when needed; he could not stand the thought of it being anyone else. Each expects the other to tire of the marriage and leave.
She flinches at being touched. How does he propose to cure this? As he tells his brother,
"I figured I'd spoil her rotten and see how she takes to it."
She is bewildered by his treating her like a queen. She has no experience of being respected. The decent behavior flummoxes her. This works well for the story.
The story continues to unfold with a series of scenes that display each of them coming to terms with the other, until by the end each can not only feel love, but trusts the other to stay.
Well written, with some very very hot love scenes that even serve to advance the plot. There is more graphic violence than I am accustomed to in the scenes where the villain appears, but it works well for the story.
One feature of this series come from what the author portrays as a Native American custom, that of family by claim. When the heroine puts herself between a shop owner and the starving shoplifter he is abusing, and tells him not to hurt her son, she means it as an instant adoption and makes it stick. Her husband and his relatives back her up on the claim. If it was not a frontier historical, I would not find it believable, but this, too works well for the story.
I'll get the rest of this series as soon as I come across them secondhand, because I have thoroughly enjoyed the two I've read. This book includes characters from earlier books, but works well as a stand-alone.
Glad I found it.
January 4, 2025
First thought: HATE the cover, LOVED the book.
I’m not usually one to like western romances (the way they treat their women is usually disgusting and I get enough of that in the real world) but Sarah McCarty writes in a way that I’m swept up in the romance and the heat of the story that I can’t help but love it.
And I can’t even explain how spicy her novels are 🥵. Seriously they get pretty hot and I’m still trying to get used to it. There’s also a lot of sex scenes, definitely more sex than story, so if you aren’t into that then maybe pass these up.
I did love this story because Clint was a fave of my in Asa and Elizabeth’s story. He’s tough, loyal, and stubborn as hell. He’s also sweet and gentle and a secret cinnamon roll 🥰. Jenna was so strong as a MFC and I honestly don’t know how she could keep going after what she’s been through.
The reasons it lost 1 whole star: the book desperately needed a editor (or a better one) because there was a ridiculous amount of punctuation mistakes in which “” were placed randomly or periods were just completely missing. Also, in order to get the big fight scene at the end Jenna was made to do the dumbest fucking thing ever. I literally don’t get why the author went to so much trouble making Jenna tougher and smarter over the course of the book when she was going to make her so dumb and impulsive in the end.
I’m not usually one to like western romances (the way they treat their women is usually disgusting and I get enough of that in the real world) but Sarah McCarty writes in a way that I’m swept up in the romance and the heat of the story that I can’t help but love it.
And I can’t even explain how spicy her novels are 🥵. Seriously they get pretty hot and I’m still trying to get used to it. There’s also a lot of sex scenes, definitely more sex than story, so if you aren’t into that then maybe pass these up.
I did love this story because Clint was a fave of my in Asa and Elizabeth’s story. He’s tough, loyal, and stubborn as hell. He’s also sweet and gentle and a secret cinnamon roll 🥰. Jenna was so strong as a MFC and I honestly don’t know how she could keep going after what she’s been through.
The reasons it lost 1 whole star: the book desperately needed a editor (or a better one) because there was a ridiculous amount of punctuation mistakes in which “” were placed randomly or periods were just completely missing. Also, in order to get the big fight scene at the end Jenna was made to do the dumbest fucking thing ever. I literally don’t get why the author went to so much trouble making Jenna tougher and smarter over the course of the book when she was going to make her so dumb and impulsive in the end.
March 22, 2016
This book blew me away in all the best possible ways. I stumbled on it after searching for historical romance recommendations and this was featured in a list of books with shy heroines. The price point was a little high for me for a new author, $5.99. But, Amazon offered a free sample. I loved the sample and quickly downloaded the entire book (note to authors: you should really use this feature. While I haven't bought every book I've sampled, I've bought more than I otherwise would have). It was magnificent. It was sexy, it was real, it was tender, funny and sweet. It's set in Wyoming in the late 1,800s and the premise is the male lead, Clint, has always lusted after the heroine, Jenna, but she was married, now she's widowed and wants to keep a baby left on her doorstep. The town won't let a single widowed woman keep a baby without a husband, so Clint jumps at the chance to marry her.
The biggest obstacles they face deal with Jenna's self-confidence. She describes herself as "fat" and was married to an abusive man who abused her both physically and sexually so they have to get over that.
This is a new to me author, but she's been publishing for years and I'm looking forward to working my way through her back list.
The biggest obstacles they face deal with Jenna's self-confidence. She describes herself as "fat" and was married to an abusive man who abused her both physically and sexually so they have to get over that.
This is a new to me author, but she's been publishing for years and I'm looking forward to working my way through her back list.
December 2, 2020
Ok, despite some ridiculous plot points, and how the hero kept threatening to beat the heroine (it was just weird), I gave this four stars.
Fat heroine? Check
Abused/raped/traumatized heroine? Check
Disabled/scarred heroine? Check
Insecure heroine? Check
Hot sex? Check. Like half of the book is sex scenes. Though,
A lot of the plot revolves around meek Jenna, who is horribly traumatized from abuse, coming out of her shell and realizing she deserves love. One of my favorite tropes. The hero wasn't terribly good at helping, I actually rolled my eyes at him a few times - he knew exactly what was going on with Jenna and still said insensitive stuff *all the time* - but overall, there were too many of my favorite themes for me not to like this.
Fat heroine? Check
Abused/raped/traumatized heroine? Check
Disabled/scarred heroine? Check
Insecure heroine? Check
Hot sex? Check. Like half of the book is sex scenes. Though,
A lot of the plot revolves around meek Jenna, who is horribly traumatized from abuse, coming out of her shell and realizing she deserves love. One of my favorite tropes. The hero wasn't terribly good at helping, I actually rolled my eyes at him a few times - he knew exactly what was going on with Jenna and still said insensitive stuff *all the time* - but overall, there were too many of my favorite themes for me not to like this.
August 17, 2010
This is book 3 in this McCarty series -- set in the Old West, specifically Cheyenne, WY and embracing a variety of characters. Cousin Clint McKinnely, a former lawman and bounty hunter, needs to move beyond his transcient lifestyle and is on the hunt for a wife. He knows who he wants, but is "playing the courting game" as far as the town residents are concerned. I like this guy!! Tough, cold, calculating when he needs to be, the kind of man that is truly an icon of this era in American history. But he has this wonderful sensitive side--won't allow abuse for women, children, and animals. He even allows kittens to chew on his ears and feeds all the strays that come his way. How fitting that he is the man who can get past Jenna's fears, who can hopefully help her to finally have hope that life has some joy for her. A great story -- sort of quiet in its own way, but very intense and with some surprises that make it a very good read.
February 23, 2009
#3 Promises Historical Western Erotica series
First, the positive: The second half of the book was very good, lots of action and fast moving devlopments. I like the conversations and kidding between Asa, Cougar and Clint.
What I didn't like: Jenna's abuse prior to her life with Clint -- that entire story line. Jenna was fuctional, running Sweet Thyme, her bakery, but so emotionally damaged that it was very hard to read about. I almost quit reading, but am glad I continued, as the second half of the book was very good.
The future: Sarah McCarty caught my interest with Reverend Brad Swanson. As one character in "Prevail" says, he sure doesn't act like a preacher, *L*. Glad to see he's got his own book in #4 Promises Reveal. And SM's website shows #5 features Jackson (Nov. '09).
First, the positive: The second half of the book was very good, lots of action and fast moving devlopments. I like the conversations and kidding between Asa, Cougar and Clint.
What I didn't like: Jenna's abuse prior to her life with Clint -- that entire story line. Jenna was fuctional, running Sweet Thyme, her bakery, but so emotionally damaged that it was very hard to read about. I almost quit reading, but am glad I continued, as the second half of the book was very good.
The future: Sarah McCarty caught my interest with Reverend Brad Swanson. As one character in "Prevail" says, he sure doesn't act like a preacher, *L*. Glad to see he's got his own book in #4 Promises Reveal. And SM's website shows #5 features Jackson (Nov. '09).
August 23, 2009
The third in the western historical romance series, Promises Prevail details the story of the unfortunate and abused Jenna, after her abusive first husband dies and she is rescued from her burning house by Clint, the cousin to Cougar from the second novel. The sex and the violence in this novel are more graphic than her earlier works, but the emotional ties that are forged by Clint and Jenna in such an evil world are also deeper.
Read
June 27, 2010Clint has loved Jenna from afar since he first met her but she was married to an abusive husband. When he dies, Clint decides he is not good enough for her but looks after her to protect her and keep other men away. Then Jenna adopts a baby left on her door step and needs a husband so that she can keep the baby. Clint steps up and agrees to marry her. But Clint has to overcome Jenna's fears of abuse and intimidation that she had to endure with her past husband.
January 21, 2013
K, so read this one kinda on a whim - sorta backed myself into it on an Amazon board and didn't want to put the name of the book out there without honestly having read it, so I did. This is not a deep, intense read, but it is chock full of angst. And as opposed to a tortured hero, we have a tortured heroine. She has a god-awful backstory, but the author brings it together with a believable HEA. When I'm in the mood for something dark, I know now to come to Ms McCarty.
March 19, 2015
I love this series and Clint is awesome. Super steamy.
He takes care of Jenna after her dead first husband abuses her in the worst possible ways. She is broken but Clint is determined to claim her.
He gets his shot when Brianna shows up...
We get to see Asa/Ellie and Cougar/Mara from the previous books too. These guys are all turning out to be an awesome family.
He takes care of Jenna after her dead first husband abuses her in the worst possible ways. She is broken but Clint is determined to claim her.
He gets his shot when Brianna shows up...
We get to see Asa/Ellie and Cougar/Mara from the previous books too. These guys are all turning out to be an awesome family.
January 20, 2018
No words for how bad this book was
A dnf for me. No clue as to where the story was set, what year or generation - modern or historical, and the writing was clunky and downright boring. Waste of money.
A dnf for me. No clue as to where the story was set, what year or generation - modern or historical, and the writing was clunky and downright boring. Waste of money.
May 31, 2022
Call me crazy, but I don't find it very romantic when the hero keeps threatening to beat the heroine. Especially when she's just escaped from a husband who regularly did so.
This was not my cup of tea.
This was not my cup of tea.
February 21, 2012
This was just plain horrible. I hated the characters ...all of them. The storyline, which should have been inspiring was instead extremely depressing. Clint was an ass and she was a doormat. DNF
February 27, 2026
*award for creepiest book cover ever.*
Yikes, it is horrible! They look like…. She is laying there looking creepy and lifeless and the guy looks like a skinny, meth addicted guitarist for a cover metal band with long nasty stringy hair.
DNF at page 67 of 367. I somehow managed to make it to the wedding, as they venture out in the snow to go on their honeymoon.
I found this title on a Goodreads list of Best Steamy Western Romances. And knowing how hard it is to find a western romances that’s not religious or squeaky clean, I was excited to get this book and start it.
This should have been a perfect story for me, based on the premise: heroine abused by now deceased husband finds a newborn orphan on her doorstep but is unable to formally adopt the child unless she is married. Enter our gruff cowboy hero.
But just from the starting scene, I was all sorts of confused. The heroine owns a cafe/bakery, the hero was dining at the cafe with a female date (prospective wife material). It’s not explained how at this point, but the heroine and hero are on familiar terms. Like he is overly familiar and overly smothering of her and… every time she would bite her lip, it would reveal her dimples. And our hero would immediately get hard. 🥴
The heroine has some sort of previous injury and has horrible muscle cramps and a big limp going on. She falls down in the back kitchen, the hero rushes back to rescue her and starts massaging her leg muscles. Weirdly inappropriate for that time period, but whatever.
And I love me a good gruff, stoic hero, but this guy struck me as an asshole. The heroine supposedly had horrible anxiety, was extremely shy and fearful and she just wanted a small wedding to avoid having to walk/limp down the aisle in front of a crowd. Nope, this hero insisted on a big church wedding with all of the town present; she of course had an anxiety attack. I found it odd how he threatened her, knowing she had been abused by her past hubby. And he was angry that her past hubby hit her… yet he bullied her himself.
So after the wedding, they leave the church to go find their wagon, or whatever, and she’s slowly limping along… the hero doesn’t even offer his arm/elbow to walk together in the snow. He walks off on his own until she yells at him to wait up (she’s way behind him). What a gentleman!
And for an abuse victim with high anxiety and fear, she was awfully stubborn and argumentative (as opposed to meek and agreeable). Plus, she couldn’t get over that she was chubby and was constantly moaning about it.
So I hop on GR to see if others thought the story was lame too… and I find out that this is actually an erotic story with butt stuff and not much storyline after the wedding scene (just sex). So I’m outta here, I want romance too! 😭
Yikes, it is horrible! They look like…. She is laying there looking creepy and lifeless and the guy looks like a skinny, meth addicted guitarist for a cover metal band with long nasty stringy hair.
DNF at page 67 of 367. I somehow managed to make it to the wedding, as they venture out in the snow to go on their honeymoon.
I found this title on a Goodreads list of Best Steamy Western Romances. And knowing how hard it is to find a western romances that’s not religious or squeaky clean, I was excited to get this book and start it.
This should have been a perfect story for me, based on the premise: heroine abused by now deceased husband finds a newborn orphan on her doorstep but is unable to formally adopt the child unless she is married. Enter our gruff cowboy hero.
But just from the starting scene, I was all sorts of confused. The heroine owns a cafe/bakery, the hero was dining at the cafe with a female date (prospective wife material). It’s not explained how at this point, but the heroine and hero are on familiar terms. Like he is overly familiar and overly smothering of her and… every time she would bite her lip, it would reveal her dimples. And our hero would immediately get hard. 🥴
The heroine has some sort of previous injury and has horrible muscle cramps and a big limp going on. She falls down in the back kitchen, the hero rushes back to rescue her and starts massaging her leg muscles. Weirdly inappropriate for that time period, but whatever.
And I love me a good gruff, stoic hero, but this guy struck me as an asshole. The heroine supposedly had horrible anxiety, was extremely shy and fearful and she just wanted a small wedding to avoid having to walk/limp down the aisle in front of a crowd. Nope, this hero insisted on a big church wedding with all of the town present; she of course had an anxiety attack. I found it odd how he threatened her, knowing she had been abused by her past hubby. And he was angry that her past hubby hit her… yet he bullied her himself.
So after the wedding, they leave the church to go find their wagon, or whatever, and she’s slowly limping along… the hero doesn’t even offer his arm/elbow to walk together in the snow. He walks off on his own until she yells at him to wait up (she’s way behind him). What a gentleman!
And for an abuse victim with high anxiety and fear, she was awfully stubborn and argumentative (as opposed to meek and agreeable). Plus, she couldn’t get over that she was chubby and was constantly moaning about it.
So I hop on GR to see if others thought the story was lame too… and I find out that this is actually an erotic story with butt stuff and not much storyline after the wedding scene (just sex). So I’m outta here, I want romance too! 😭
May 3, 2018
I was really intrigued by the premise of the story and just couldn't wait to read it. The first few chapters just kept pulling me in and I have to know more. The sexy times were steamy...but after the second or third time I just got bored and started skimming past until I reached more actual plot. It pulled me out of the story. And
**SPOILER ALERT** I'm no history buff, I mean I can barely remember the big historical events, but something about using "toys" and anal sex totally removed me from the time period in which this book is supposed to occur. That being said, it could be completely plausible that toys were used in the late 1800s and I fully admit I don't know enough to confirm or deny that.END SPOILER***
Regardless, the sexy times became too frequent and just took away from the plot. I tried determining how sexy this book was going to be based on the reviews, but I should've looked harder. Sorry I was really looking for something with more depth and less sex. That's not to say that the story parts weren't good because they were. But, if some time had been devoted to developing the new mother and father relationships of the MCs, then I absolutely would've rated this higher. As it was, I really feel the innocent abandoned child was used to get the MCs together and it just didn't sit well that she wasn't included in much of the story or that we don't really get to see the heroine grow as a mother. I would've liked to see her transition from the first time mom who's clueless to a more confident mother; my heart would've absolutely melted to see the hero develop more with his adopted daughter. Bottom line, if you're looking for a book with sexy times that are less traditional with a decent plot to balance those sexy times, then I HIGHLY recommend this book. However, do not go into reading this thinking you'll get the same feels from something like "Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold."
**SPOILER ALERT** I'm no history buff, I mean I can barely remember the big historical events, but something about using "toys" and anal sex totally removed me from the time period in which this book is supposed to occur. That being said, it could be completely plausible that toys were used in the late 1800s and I fully admit I don't know enough to confirm or deny that.END SPOILER***
Regardless, the sexy times became too frequent and just took away from the plot. I tried determining how sexy this book was going to be based on the reviews, but I should've looked harder. Sorry I was really looking for something with more depth and less sex. That's not to say that the story parts weren't good because they were. But, if some time had been devoted to developing the new mother and father relationships of the MCs, then I absolutely would've rated this higher. As it was, I really feel the innocent abandoned child was used to get the MCs together and it just didn't sit well that she wasn't included in much of the story or that we don't really get to see the heroine grow as a mother. I would've liked to see her transition from the first time mom who's clueless to a more confident mother; my heart would've absolutely melted to see the hero develop more with his adopted daughter. Bottom line, if you're looking for a book with sexy times that are less traditional with a decent plot to balance those sexy times, then I HIGHLY recommend this book. However, do not go into reading this thinking you'll get the same feels from something like "Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold."
October 31, 2024
Just finished! Took my time because I only have so many books by this author left in my TBR and I want to savor them. I love these characters, Jenna, and Clint, and the kids, and revisiting the couples from the other books. Ugh, I just have so much love for all of these characters from every single book in this series, and ugh, just, mad love! As much as I love Bridgerton, and all the nostalgia of Julia Quinn literally being my 2nd or 3rd ever HR author I read like for-frickin-ever ago, THIS series needs that super bomb ass adaptation treatment!!! Like, all the heat, and smut, and sex of like, S1 Bridgerton and that 365 Days or whatever it was called show, but with the hard, gritty, Western vibes of like, Hell on Wheels or Deadwood… and like, please, someone make this happen, I’d almost literally die for it, lol! But yes! Another awesome book in this series, and since I’ve read it all way outta order, I enjoyed going back for the back stories. I definitely understand the Jenna I’ve met in the other books way better now, going back to see her POV. Also, well, just reinforcing my ‘le sigh’-ness towards Clint and Cougar… Diving back in now for Asa and Elizabeth’s story, but can I just say, like, I’d love to see poor, lovely Elijah get an HEA at some point? And, maybe like find out what goes on with all the various offsprings of our crew?! Just a vague hope/wish list type thing, but a girl can dream, yea? I just so, so hate for it all to end when it’s so good…
April 2, 2023
Spoileryest spoiler ever:
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Best part of this novel was when our mans, the hero/ML/MMC/whatever admitted to killing our womans/heroine/FL/FMC/whatever2's first husband who was abusive, a rapist (spousal rape) who pimped his wife out to other rapists to cover his own debts. Hell ye! When I thought the novel was ending, it ended with this and all the emotions that came with it. Like, just imagining Clint losing control, seeing nothing but darkness because Jack told him that it was too late and Jenna was dead, so he killed Jack. And then he walked into a burning building to hold onto the woman who he'd always loved but failed to protect, all because he didn't want her to burn or die alone. And a tiny piece of him wanted to die that night too. *chefs kiss* brO IT DOESN'T GET BETTER THAN THIS!!!
4 stars and not 5 only because it took THE ENTIRE BOOK for us to find out about this.
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Best part of this novel was when our mans, the hero/ML/MMC/whatever admitted to killing our womans/heroine/FL/FMC/whatever2's first husband who was abusive, a rapist (spousal rape) who pimped his wife out to other rapists to cover his own debts. Hell ye! When I thought the novel was ending, it ended with this and all the emotions that came with it. Like, just imagining Clint losing control, seeing nothing but darkness because Jack told him that it was too late and Jenna was dead, so he killed Jack. And then he walked into a burning building to hold onto the woman who he'd always loved but failed to protect, all because he didn't want her to burn or die alone. And a tiny piece of him wanted to die that night too. *chefs kiss* brO IT DOESN'T GET BETTER THAN THIS!!!
4 stars and not 5 only because it took THE ENTIRE BOOK for us to find out about this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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