The Wayward Heart

Bryony Hill #1

by Jill Gregory

Bryony Hill was raised in the East as a lady, but after her father's death she travels to the wild Arizona Territory to claim his ranch. On the way, she is ambushed by a gang of brutal men eager to quench their lust on her exquisite, untried womanhood. . .

Terrified, totally alone, Bryony is rescued by an aloof, arrogant stranger known only as "Texas" - a stranger who awakens in her, with one rough kiss, a deep hunger that both frightens and thrills her. . .

Only later does Bryony learn that "Texas" Jim Logan is the man who killed her father. But by then it is too late. Their passion is a fire that threatens to consume them both - two proud-willed souls locked in a love as fierce as battle, sharing a destiny as magnificent as the land they both claim as their own!

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Western Romance

346 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 1982

About the author

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Jill Gregory is the award-winning author of more than thirty novels. Jill has been awarded the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence and her novels NEVER LOVE A COWBOY and COLD NIGHT, WARM STRANGER were honored with back-to-back Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice awards for Best Western Historical Romance.

Jill Gregory's novels have been translated and published in Japan, Russia, Norway, France, Taiwan, Sweden, Italy, and Germany. Jill grew up in Chicago and received her bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Illinois. She currently resides in Michigan with her husband.

Reviews

[Cindy Bolen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book.

Jill Gregory has made another masterpiece. A girl trying not to fall for the guy who killed her dad? Awesome.

[Tapa in lovezone · Rating 2 out of 5]

**2.5 Stars**

This book could have been much better if not for the hero's involvement with another woman. I don’t like books where the hero sleeps with ow after meeting the heroine. Even though there’s no commitment started between the hero and heroine.

The story starts off strong. After her father's death, the heroine travels to Arizona to take over his ranch and inherit his fortune. Unaware that several dangerous people are after her, she becomes a target almost immediately. As soon as she arrives, she is kidnapped by a group of criminals. The hero makes a dramatic entrance and rescues her, which had me excited for what seemed like a promising romance.

Unfortunately, things quickly went downhill.

While escaping through the wilderness, the hero is rude and dismissive toward the heroine. He even tells her that he needs to get back to a woman who is waiting for him. At first, I assumed he was saying this to provoke the heroine, but that wasn't the case. After dropping her off at a hotel, he actually goes to meet the other woman—a prostitute he regularly visits. Not only does he spend time with her, but the book also devotes considerable attention to describing her and how much the hero enjoys her company.

This was a major mood killer for me. The other woman barely matters to the overall story and receives very little attention afterward, so I don't understand why the author spent so much time emphasizing her role.

Although the hero eventually falls in love with the heroine, the transition is gradual. He doesn't immediately cut ties with the other woman, which made it difficult for me to connect with him as a romantic lead. He slowly loses interest in the ow and realises he is in love with the heroine. On top of that, he's generally harsh, rough, and not particularly likable.

It's disappointing because the premise showed a lot of promise. The opening was engaging, but the hero's behavior ultimately ruined the book for me.

[Yvonne Meier · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars because of the storyline and I loved the hero and heroine, but the writing style didn’t play on my heartstrings, it wasn’t overly captivating, a bit slow.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very predictable.