Heartless

Namesaken #3

by Michaela Wright

Cheyenne, 1883

The West is no place for a Lady?
Tell that to Cadence Delacouer

Be it handsy drunks or barroom brawls, Cadence has handled the worst the west has to offer. Running The Red Onion is her greatest pride, and much to her stepfather's chagrin, it's her name on the deed to the best saloon in town. Cadence has no time for fear. Yet, nothing could prepare her for the monster that came through those doors.

A Beast Unlike Any Other

When a handsome stranger brings carnage to her door, Cadence must flee her beloved home.
Yet, she’s not alone.
Joseph, her mysterious protector, rides at her side, determined to keep her safe from this beast only his people truly understand. Joseph is unlike any man she's ever known and soon she finds herself longing for that mischievous grin peering from beneath his long black mane. Yet, as Cadence finds her heart belongs to Joseph, the beautiful beast is close behind. and he has his sights set on the very same prize.
Can she survive long enough to prove her innocence, or will Cadence lose her heart in more ways than one?

Gothic Mystery meets Western Romance.
A Dark Adventure that takes us to the Bloodiest Corners of the Frontier.
A Steamy Psychological Thriller the likes of Westworld on its darkest day.

247 pages, Paperback

Published November 8, 2016

About the author

Michaela Wright is the author of the Gothic Romance Mystery series, The NAMESAKEN GOTHICS. Michaela spent years as a historical interpreter, and her regular stints in the countryside of Scotland helped to inspire her steamy love stories. Given her love of the haunting side of history, her writing has been known to keep readers up at night in more ways than one.

Michaela writes from Chelmsford, Massachusetts, where she lives with her family.

You can reach Michaela at

MichaelaWrightAuthor@gmail.co

Reviews

[Christine Tellach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured the first two books in this series in a single day! If you crave a spicy, moody historical romance with a Gothic edge, this is your perfect match. Heartless blends the allure of Jane Eyre with the mystery of the Hound of the Baskervilles, all set against a rugged Western backdrop.

The heroine is a fierce, independent woman battling societal constraints, while the Native American hero offers protection and unwavering support despite racial prejudice. Their chemistry is electric, and the author masterfully weaves in supernatural elements to create a truly captivating world.

I loved the unexpected twists and the deep dive into the heroine's psyche. This is a must-read for fans of historical romance with a touch of the supernatural.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She has done what no other woman had before she was running a bar. She loves it but when a murder happens and all eyes look at her. A man arrives and knows she is innocent as he is chasing the monster. She goes with him as he tries to prove she did not do it. Follow their adventures

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A throughly imaginative story with a strong set of characters who gave this book life. The author wrote something here that I've never read before and it was fascinating. Well written and very intriguing.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nadea Croix · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good read, entertaining and engaging with tender moments as the story comes through the pages.

[Angela Bowes · Rating 2 out of 5]

very odd

Cannibalism is a weird basis for a story. And the fact that it just went deeper into it and got gross and twisted was too much.

[sherri jones-teachout · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story takes place in the old west and involves Native American mysticism and a mythical creature called a Wendigo. Cadence meets two attractive mysterious strangers at her saloon on the same night. Shannon comes into her saloon, attracting her attention and drawing her in. Later, outside the saloon, Joseph a native american indian stops her from being hurt and raped. He is attractive and makes her feel safe, but he disappears. Shannon stirs her desires, and just when she thinks they will come together, she finds her stepfather and two employees murdered and their hearts removed, done by Shannon who says he won't hurt her, and then disappears, leaving her in the middle of the carnage. She is blamed for the murders, runs, and Joseph appears, helping her. He says they must capture Shannon to absolve her of the crimes. As they travel together they fall in love, but she is still drawn to and almost every time Shannon appears to her she doesn't try to capture him. She is under his spell even though she loves Joseph. This story has so many surprises, and twists right up to the end. Cadence is strong and loyal and stands up for Joseph, not letting the whites treat him as a second class citizen. Joseph is strong and very loving and protective of her. Shannon seems to care also but sometimes when she sees him he doesn't seem to know or recognize her. Which man is the one for her? The one who is possibly a monster, or the man who can't live in the open with her because of his heritage.

[Julie Jefferies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cadence owns the local bar, The Red Onion, Burlesque girls and all, but being the time it is, her step dad Calvin manages it. Between running the bar, keeping an eye on Calvin, the mysterious Shannon, who effects her in ways she doesn't like, and the Intense Native man who saved her life, there just seems to be so much going on. When they find the man accused of cannibalism, something seems off. When everyone she cares about and the man she hates the most is murdered, Cadence becomes the prime suspect. When she is kidnapped by the Native man, Cadence learns the truth about the man she thought she loved. Strange things keep happening, Cadence isn't sure who she trusts, and when the one she fears the most almost drowns her in the guise of protecting her, she is so confused. Why isn't fully disclosing the truth to the one who seems to be protecting her. Feeling ashamed that despite what he'd made her do, the lies he said, the secrets he made her keep, Cadence will fight to protect the man she loves.
I loved this story, I must admit parts of it shocked me, and in the middle I was struggling with the choices Cadence was making, but as I read on in, I was shocked as to why she made the choices she did, but the made perfect sense. Definitely a different story, but so well written, and I did thoroughly enjoy it.
I received an ARC for an honest and fair review