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Wild at Heart #1

Wild Within

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A year after a family tragedy, Grace Mori embarks on the journey of a lifetime… Two thousand, six hundred miles of blistering heat, wilderness, and soul searching—that’s what Grace signed up for when she decided to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. It’s not a voyage for beginners, but with no husband and her family still recovering from her brother’s death, Grace is more alone than ever. This trail meant something to her brother, and she’ll hike it in his memory, but she can’t do it alone. So with her brother’s gear and a small group, Grace takes the most important first steps of her life. Grace finds something more than peace and magic on the trail… When her first day of hiking ends in heat stroke, Grace is rescued by a handsome, red-haired hiker who calls himself Lone Star. Grace has an immediate connection with him, and their brief encounter leaves her fearing her soul mate has slipped through her fingers. Although he vows to keep in touch, Grace doubts she’ll ever see him again. When fears become reality, the only people Grace can rely on may be killers... Grace is surprised to find notes left at supply posts along the trail. Lone Star’s eloquent letters keep Grace going, clinging to the hope she’ll find him—and happiness—at the end of her journey. But as the trail becomes more perilous, menace grows within the group. And when Lone Star’s letters mysteriously stop coming, Grace fears the worst. As tensions flare and a killer emerges, Grace must battle to survive…and reunite with the man she’s sure is her future.

272 pages, Paperback

Published December 14, 2015

42 people are currently reading
306 people want to read

About the author

Christine W. Hartmann

5 books12 followers
Christine Hartmann grew up in Ohio and Delaware and loves traveling to exotic, romantic settings. After a college semester in Kathmandu, her first three “real” jobs were all in northern Japan, where she lived for almost 10 years. She currently splits her career between her daytime occupation (improving the quality of veterans’ nursing home care) and her nights/weekend avocation (writing both fiction and non-fiction books). She’s currently working on the Wild at Heart romantic suspense series, of which Wild Within, set on the Pacific Crest Trail, is book one. Her husband Ron Strickland is a well-known long-distance hiker and trail guide writer and the founder of the 1,200-mile Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail. Christine loves reading, pilates, bicycling, and snorkeling, and health foods that taste like they’re bad for you. You will often find her at a keyboard, a German shepherd at her side, and Ron whispering sweet edits over her shoulder.

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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Sara Strand.
1,181 reviews33 followers
October 29, 2017
I'm really torn on this book for a few different reasons, but I can tell you this absolutely is NOT a five star book. All of the people who have given it five stars must read some really terrible books if this one is just far above the rest. At best this is a 3/5 for me.

The story really revolves around Grace, who we learn early on is still grieving over the loss of her brother Kenji, and is kind of lost in the world. She doesn't know where her place is, her sister is moving away and now her parents are leaving too and Grace realizes she's kind of alone in the world. She finds out that her brother was planning to hike the Pacific Crest Trail as a thru (meaning he would be going from the Mexican border all the way to the Canadian border) and she decides, in all of her inexperience and naivete of the world, she's going to do it in his place, with his stuff, in his honor.

I know, you're saying to yourself, "But Sara, I thought you hated the book Wild by Cheryl Strayed for this very reason?!" and to that I say- you're right! Now that I've read this book I have to tell you I dislike Cheryl in that book even more now. She feels like so much more of a whiner. Which sounds ridiculous to compare a fiction book to a non-fiction book but here we are. I feel like the PCT is actually attainable after reading this book and maybe that's ridiculous because this is a made up story! Of course it wasn't as awful!

Oh lord. I need more sleep.

Anyways. On day ONE (I know, you're rolling your eyes) Grace almost dies, gains her trail name, and somehow meets the love of her life. All of this happens within a few hours of being dropped off. I can't even be angry at that because I know that if this were me, this also would likely be the scenario unfolding. So Grace meets, Lone Star (his real name ends up being Angus, but he goes by Gus when not on the trail) and they fall in love. No hanky panky, but I think any of us would fall in love if saved (literally) by someone. But they don't hike together, he is much faster so he gives her a pep talk, promises to leave her notes at the check in points, and off he walks into the sunset. She pulls on her big girl panties and goes off on her own.

Now is a great time to point out that had the book JUST BEEN ABOUT THIS HIKE, it would have been SO much better. But no. People want to add drama to books so enter Ed out for revenge! Ed is pissed off because he's been nailed for a crime he didn't commit but (dun dun dun) Jerry (the guy who DID commit the crime) is on the trail in a group called the Sideways Seven (because there are seven of them) and he's following so he can exact his revenge!

Does it sound ridiculous? That's because it IS, you guys. It's dumb.

So of COURSE Grace gets mixed up into it and everything goes to hell and Grace needs to be saved by none other than... LONE STAR! You guys, this is miraculous because A) Lone Star isn't even hiking anymore and you find out why in the book and B) not only is he there, but so is Celine! Celine is the dead brother's girlfriend and there's a whole story around that.

You guys. It's just ridiculous. It's now morphed from a cool adventure book with romance to a funny take on crime on the trail. I don't know. It's dumb.

What saved it for me honestly WAS Lone Star and this book should have left out all of the stupid crime and ridiculous story and made it solely about Grace on this life changing trip, hiking towards Lone Star. That would have been a 5 star book. Easily. This... this was kind of dumb with some great spots thrown in. I wanted to hear about her making it to the end, what happens off trail with Lone Star? So many loose ends just kind of dropped.

Turns out this is the first in a series (shocker.... massive eye roll here) so I thought maybe it continued their story. Nope. Book two is a totally different story. So.. that's it. That's all we get of Grace and Lone Star? What kind of bullshit is this? Sigh. It's maybe a 2.5 star book but I'm rounding it to 3 because Goodreads doesn't give half stars.
Profile Image for Maria.
468 reviews25 followers
July 1, 2016
I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour and rated it 4 out of 5 Stars.

.A mix between romantic suspense and literary fiction, Wild Within by Christine Hartmann is an enjoyable story dealing with grief, recovery, family relationships, romantic love, fear and danger. Colorful characters, emotional angst, good dialogue and just a light touch of romance, kept me turning the pages to discover what would happen next. If you’re looking for a good read to start your summer reading, you’ll want to give this story a try.

Ms. Hartmann does a good job developing the main character, Grace Mori, right from the start. Her backstory is told via flashbacks as Grace sets out on a 2600 mile hike across the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in honor of her brother’s life. A hike she is wildly unprepared for. I found Grace to be a likeable character and enjoyed her running commentary as she walks across a desert like terrain.

Mentally and emotionally strong, Grace took care of everyone but herself after her brother’s accidental death. This hike is both her tribute to his life and a chance for her to deal with her grief. While she’s mentally prepared for her journey, she’s not physically prepared to deal with drought like conditions and finds herself depending and learning from more experienced hikers. I liked the fact that she was determined to continue the hike regardless of what she faced and that she was willing to learn from complete strangers.

The secondary characters were interesting, mostly well developed and contributed a lot to the story. Ms. Hartmann also does a good job describing the PCT, which becomes a character in the story on its own. While I’m not a hiker by nature, I did enjoy reading about the trail and it did make me think about taking some longer and perhaps more challenging walks in the area where I live. The villain of the story is introduced fairly quickly and it was interesting to get their backstory too.

The romance is very low key, and Grace falls for “Lonestar” almost instantaneously, which is something I would have preferred to have been further developed. The story’s pace is quick and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reading guessing as to what Grace will discover next. Ms. Hartmann’s author’s voice is easy to follow and I enjoyed the story’s tone.

Will Grace make it all of the way through her long hike? Will she be able to keep out of harm’s way when a killer joins the hike? And will her romance with Lonestar be a “trail thing” or the “real deal”? You’ll have to read Wild Within to find out, I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Roxana.
439 reviews7 followers
November 20, 2017
I recently delved into the Wild at Heart Series by Christine Hartmann – and let me just say that this was one of the most amazing and astonishing experiences that I have ever had.

The first book is Wild Within and mainly deals with Graci Mori. As someone who has recently dealt with heartbreak – and not because someone sided her and dumped her. But because she lost a loved one – her brother. And in order to move on, she feels like she needs to finish his bucket list which includes and decides to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.

I absolutely loved the subjects that this book touched and dealt with. From grief, recovery, relationships, family and above all else, love – the scary and the good that leads to it.

I have to say this book actually touched a slight nerve with me – in the good sense. I've lost quite a few loved ones in my life. But the one that was most recent was my BIL. And unless you know me personally, you won't know what happened. But, being the older sister, I had to take care of everything. And don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. If anything, I'm thankful that my baby sister trusted and loved me enough to take care of what needed to happen – including her three daughters – which are like my own. But my point is, I had to set my grievance aside and take care of everything and everyone. I loved what this book had to offer ME personally. I felt like I got a lot more out of it! I could definitely relate a lot this book.

I loved every single book in this series box. I thoroughly enjoyed the character development that was offered in each book individually. I have to say that the author did an amazing job in grasping my attention and keeping it throughout the entire series. I loved all of the emotions that this series had to offer me personally as a reader and individual. It doesn't happen of, but I'm glad when I do.
I definitely offer this series 5 Stars, and will be more than happy to continue reading any and all books that this author has to offer.
Profile Image for Kiri.
138 reviews1 follower
May 10, 2016
Overall, I liked this book, even though it has 3 things I don't look for in novels: 1) hiking, 2) romance, 3) suspense/murder, haha.

The ending was really good and I couldn't put it down. I was glad that I knew who the murderer was going to be from the get go and there wasn't any questioning while I was reading it. I don't do well with books that have a murder mystery (I get too involved and it's hard for me to sleep) so this was easy for me to read and not get frantically upset.

I think the only thing that I thought could have been different (obviously this is my personal opinion) is to actually extend the romance a little bit. Meaning that it felt like too much too soon and a little unrealistic. But then again, I don't read many romance novels so I'm not sure if this is normal? Or perhaps it's just that I that can't imagine falling so deeply in love with someone I barely know so it was hard for me to relate to. I thought that by maybe extending the romance into the next books could have made it seem more real (unless the next books are not about Grace, I couldn't figure that out).

I also couldn't figure out Lone Star and I didn't see much development from him. All the other characters, even Jerry, I could see where they were coming from and why the actions took them where it did. But Lone Star seemed to be a bit of an anomaly in that he seemed a little flat.

Grace and Breeze/Ed were my favorite characters because I liked learning their back stories and understanding their character development.
Profile Image for Margaret Tidwell.
610 reviews9 followers
June 30, 2016
FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Pump Up Your Book in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

Wild Within by Christine Hartmann was a fantastic book. I enjoyed this book right from the start. I saw a lot of myself in Grace, and I felt like I knew her even though she was just a character in the book. Even as I write this, I am not sure what it was about this book that I liked so much other than Grace, but I didn’t want to put it down until I was finished with it. This was a book that I would get upset if I had to put it down and do something other than work. I felt like I was there with Grace as she was hiking the PCT and I could do everything that happened to her to happen to me. At times, I felt the book moved super quick, and it felt like they cut things out that should have been left in. I was confused right at the start when she met Lone Star for the first time, but it wasn’t a deal breaker for me. I can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out. This book is going to be added to my collection of books because it is one I could see myself reading again. I think this is a book that anyone who loves mystery and romance novels will love.
Profile Image for Lynn.
10 reviews
January 17, 2016
This is a great vacation read. You probably think I mean this would be great to read on vacation, and that it would. But I actually mean that reading this book is as fun and refreshing as GOING on vacation! It's a great get-away adventure, a fun, breezy, and engaging read. From the very beginning the author hooks you with interesting characters and rich descriptions. If you love romance, this book has got it! If you love a little mystery, thrills, and suspense, this book has got it! If you are pining for a a nice hike in the outdoors (but don't really want to contend with mosquitos and blisters yourself), then this book if for you! So much fun, and you'll love all the interesting characters (and loves) Grace meets on her adventure. Well-written - even the villain is compelling. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Jennifer Clausen-greene.
264 reviews1 follower
June 6, 2016
This was a great book. Easy to read, a little romance, some mystery, adventure, and self discovery all wrapped up in one book. For the most part the character development was great. Grace was an easy character to bond with and feel like someone you have known your whole life. Lone Star on the other hand, fell a little flat for me. He was not very complex, and no real growth that I could see. Most of the characters had good backstories that were fun to learn about. I did enjoy the beauty of the book. You are transported into this very descriptive location that you can vividly picture which I adored. Overall an easy book to recommend to those who love to hike, romance and a little murder mystery to spice things up.

I received a free copy of this book from the author via PumpUpYourBooks in exchange for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Teresa Kander.
Author 1 book186 followers
April 27, 2016
I absolutely LOVED this book! Between the descriptions of the scenery, the romance between Grace and Lone Star, and the suspense of the killer on the trail, it had a little something for everyone.

Grace is a wonderful main character, and you get drawn into her story from the start. Her experiences on the trail, and the people she meets along the way, keep you reading from one chapter to the next. Reading the notes Lone Star leaves her along the trail was also a fun part of the story for me--I think I looked forward to them as much as Grace!

I can't wait to read more of this series!

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
Profile Image for Becki.
541 reviews
November 15, 2016
Wild Within

This was a nice short romantic suspense book. Some parts seemed a little slow, but those were the parts where Grace was learning about herself and healing. So not slow, more like reflecting on her life.
Profile Image for John.
5 reviews6 followers
July 19, 2016
An exciting tale about a lass on the PCT. Great details about hiking made interesting with romance and suspense. The protagonist is not a damsel in distress thankfully.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews130 followers
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February 22, 2019
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Blurb:
A year after a family tragedy, Grace Mori embarks on the journey of a lifetime…

Two thousand, six hundred miles of blistering heat, wilderness, and soul searching—that’s what Grace signed up for when she decided to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. It’s not a voyage for beginners, but with no husband and her family still recovering from her bother’s death, Grace is more alone than ever.

This trail meant something to her brother, and she’ll hike it in his memory, but she can’t do it alone. So with her brother’s gear and a small group, Grace takes the most important first steps of her life.

Grace finds something more than peace and magic on the trail…

When her first day of hiking ends in heat stroke, Grace is rescued by a handsome, red-haired hiker who calls himself Lone Star. Grace has an immediate connection with him, and their brief encounter leaves her fearing her soul mate has slipped through her fingers. Although he vows to keep in touch, Grace doubts she’ll ever see him again.

When fears become reality, the only people Grace can rely on may be killers...

Grace is surprised to find notes left at supply posts along the trail. Lone Star’s eloquent letters keep Grace going, clinging to the hope she’ll find him—and happiness—at the end of her journey. But as the trail becomes more perilous, menace grows within the group. And when Lone Star’s letters mysteriously stop coming, Grace fears the worst.

As tensions flare and a killer emerges, Grace must battle to survive…and reunite with the man she’s sure is her future.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

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