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Winter Fire
Orphaned at thirteen, a mail-order bride at fourteen, widowed at sixteen, Sarah Kennedy has learned to depend upon no one but herself--reserving all her love for her younger brother Conner, and for the wounded hawks she heals and returns to the air.
A hardened Civil War veteran, personal tragedy has taught Case Maxwell three things: to be a patient, deadly fighter, to love nothing that can die; and that justice is blind. But when a confrontation with his sworn enemies, the Culpepper clan, leaves him near death, Case finds himself, like many another damaged wild creature, under the tender, unwanted care of Sarah Kennedy.
Destiny has brought the healer and the warrior together to brave chilling risks and dangerous truths in a hard, magnificent land--two souls haunted by a perilous present and the bitter ghosts of the past. But the intense emotion both Case and Sarah fear--the passion that burns like fire in the very heart of winter--is the only thing that can truly save them, as together they seek the courage to face the greatest risk of all: love.
374 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
138 people are currently reading
1077 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Lowell
208 books1,921 followersIndividually and with co-author/husband Evan, Ann Maxwell has written over 60 novels and one work of non-fiction. There are 30 million copies of these books in print, as well as reprints in 30 foreign languages. Her novels range from science fiction to historical fiction, from romance to mystery. After working in contemporary and historical romance, she became an innovator in the genre of romantic suspense.
In 1982, Ann began publishing as Elizabeth Lowell. Under that name she has received numerous professional awards in the romance field, including a Lifetime Achievement award from the Romance Writers of America (1994).
Since July of 1992, she has had over 30 novels on the New York Times bestseller list. In 1998 she began writing suspense with a passionate twist, capturing a new audience and generation of readers. Her new romance novel Perfect Touch will be available in July of 2015.
To get a full list of titles as well as read excerpts from her novels, visit www.elizabethlowell.com.
In 1982, Ann began publishing as Elizabeth Lowell. Under that name she has received numerous professional awards in the romance field, including a Lifetime Achievement award from the Romance Writers of America (1994).
Since July of 1992, she has had over 30 novels on the New York Times bestseller list. In 1998 she began writing suspense with a passionate twist, capturing a new audience and generation of readers. Her new romance novel Perfect Touch will be available in July of 2015.
To get a full list of titles as well as read excerpts from her novels, visit www.elizabethlowell.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
February 12, 2025
2.5 stars
Looks like this was first published in 1996, and it feels like it. Among the things the reader is supposed to accept without question:
Our hero says he can never feel again, can never love again, can never be the man that provides hearth, home, and children. Why? Because the family of raiders, rapists, and murderers he’s tracked from Texas to Utah wiped out his brother’s ranch and workers, wife and children in the most horrendously unspeakable way imaginable, and in particular his little niece, Emily. His focus on Emily is a little unnerving, frankly, and his “never love again” proclamations are just 90’s romance melodrama, which he clings to until the bitter end.
Then there are the heroine’s sleep comas. This girl is neither sedated nor drunk, but sleeps so deeply that the hero manages to undress her and um, take liberties, all while she thinks she’s having lovely dreams. Even when he does it outdoors in the freezing cold. On the hard, cold ground.
Groan.
The intimate scenes were so full of overblown euphemisms—fire, so much fire, and shivering and burning and drinking in ecstasy—that groaning or laughing were the only two reactions I could dredge up.
Don’t even get me started on the snarky back and forth that’s supposed to pass for banter.
And yet, go figure, I actually liked more than I disliked about the book. Yes, the romantic relationship was a dud. But, unbelievably, it was the only bad thing in the book. The main characters were interesting separately, as were the other motley characters in the heroine’s household. The villains were chilling. The hero had some serious combat skills. The action sequences were exciting.
But the romance…no.
Looks like this was first published in 1996, and it feels like it. Among the things the reader is supposed to accept without question:
Our hero says he can never feel again, can never love again, can never be the man that provides hearth, home, and children. Why? Because the family of raiders, rapists, and murderers he’s tracked from Texas to Utah wiped out his brother’s ranch and workers, wife and children in the most horrendously unspeakable way imaginable, and in particular his little niece, Emily. His focus on Emily is a little unnerving, frankly, and his “never love again” proclamations are just 90’s romance melodrama, which he clings to until the bitter end.
Then there are the heroine’s sleep comas. This girl is neither sedated nor drunk, but sleeps so deeply that the hero manages to undress her and um, take liberties, all while she thinks she’s having lovely dreams. Even when he does it outdoors in the freezing cold. On the hard, cold ground.
Groan.
The intimate scenes were so full of overblown euphemisms—fire, so much fire, and shivering and burning and drinking in ecstasy—that groaning or laughing were the only two reactions I could dredge up.
Don’t even get me started on the snarky back and forth that’s supposed to pass for banter.
And yet, go figure, I actually liked more than I disliked about the book. Yes, the romantic relationship was a dud. But, unbelievably, it was the only bad thing in the book. The main characters were interesting separately, as were the other motley characters in the heroine’s household. The villains were chilling. The hero had some serious combat skills. The action sequences were exciting.
But the romance…no.
December 30, 2024
Through sheer force of will did I finish this. Bored me out of my skull. The writing is soooooooo long winded with padded unnecessary descriptive detail and annoying inner monologues of the characters talking to themselves endlessly (in 1st person no less) that it was hard to stay engaged. I've never seen this style of writing where the story isn't narrated in 1st person POV but the internal dialogues are. It's definitely a...choice. An odd choice at that and I didn't care for it. It gave the story a soap opera-esc overly dramatic tone that didn't really fit the otherwise dark backdrop. The hero is a hardcore jaded brooder who gave up on love and "laughter" (RME) cause his niece Emily died by raiders. It's sad and horrific how she died but I'm sorry who refuses to fall in love or get married cause he can't bear to have a kid because the child *might* die like his niece? You weren't even there dude when she died. If he brooded any harder he would choke on it. And I love detailed writing as much as the next person but honest to g-d if I had to read one more line about how far Big Lola's spitting globs of "tobacco juice" would land I could vomit. Jesus. And how many shrubs, bushes, trees and rock formations do I need to read about in every hill, valley, plautue, creek, ravine, crevice and land to g-d knows where? It all sounded the same to me. It all started to blur together with how the author loved to wax poetic about every damn rock and bluff. Fuck the bushes, get to the point.
January 23, 2015
In love with this series too even though I don't like Westerns.... Elizabeth Lowell was and is my romance author hero.
July 28, 2021
Winter Fire is my first Elizabeth Lowell and it went really good, more than I expected hence the 5 stars. It was literally poetry, and all those metaphors are pure heart. 💫
"No, he thought harshly. I can’t go through it again, the love and the loss.
That’s what pain is for, to teach you how to avoid more pain in the future.
But not for Sarah. Pain, like pleasure, was for her simply part of being alive.
Sarah, who was a fire in the center of his icy life.
Without her there would be no fire.
Only winter. "
"Let other men take the rolling green hills and wide green valleys. This is for me. Clean and wild and free of the past.
An unfamiliar feeling of belonging stole over him. He took a deep, slow breath, then another, then another, filling himself with the stark, unflinching beauty of the land."
“You’re trying to trap me,” he said savagely.
“No. I’m letting you go.”
Sarah turned back and opened her hands as though to show Case that there was nothing to hold him.
Yet his eyes were wild.
The eyes of a captive hawk.
“Fly away,” she whispered. “You’re free.”
"No, he thought harshly. I can’t go through it again, the love and the loss.
That’s what pain is for, to teach you how to avoid more pain in the future.
But not for Sarah. Pain, like pleasure, was for her simply part of being alive.
Sarah, who was a fire in the center of his icy life.
Without her there would be no fire.
Only winter. "
"Let other men take the rolling green hills and wide green valleys. This is for me. Clean and wild and free of the past.
An unfamiliar feeling of belonging stole over him. He took a deep, slow breath, then another, then another, filling himself with the stark, unflinching beauty of the land."
“You’re trying to trap me,” he said savagely.
“No. I’m letting you go.”
Sarah turned back and opened her hands as though to show Case that there was nothing to hold him.
Yet his eyes were wild.
The eyes of a captive hawk.
“Fly away,” she whispered. “You’re free.”
August 13, 2016
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Summary
Sarah Kennedy hasn't had a easy time of it, married at fourteen, widowed a couple years later and she has learned to be strong and independent and fight for herself and those she protects, including her younger brother. Sarah is overprotective of her brother, and a healer of damaged beings including her hawks. But while out on her ranch, she finds a new protector, not one she wants. Case Maxwell, is out for revenge for the murder of his family while he and his brother were out fighting in the civil war. Case is determined to get rid of all of the Culpepper's. The Culpeppers are in the area, because they know that there is gold on Sarah's ranch and they are willing to kill for it. Case finds himself injured and at the tender mercies of Sarah. Sarah and Case will discover thrills, adventures and the will to fight and defend..
The Hero
Case Maxwell, is a bitter veteran of the Civil War. Case once was full of excitement before the war. But he changed much since then, including losing his family but his twin brother. Case is a talented fighter, knows his way around guns, and is a defender especially of those defenseless against the Culpepper family, he knows personally how brutal that they can be. Case is very hardened and full of ghosts of the past, he hasn't resolved his past or the way certain events changed him. He is closed off until he meets Sarah, who forces him to face the past so he can have a future not full of pain and grief. I adored Case as the hero though...he makes for great material for a solid hero character. Even though he is very hardened in many ways, wanting revenge more than anything...he has many redeeming qualities that we see. I truly adored seeing how he changes from beginning to end of the story. It was truly heartwarming to see him go from this cold man who never could smile or laugh....to a man full of love and laughter in the end.
The Heroine
Sarah Kennedy hasn't had a easy time of it, and had to grow up very quickly, because she has always had to look out for her younger brother. I loved her strength and courage and how versatile that she is. She doesn't like sex since her husband was pretty brutal with her in the bedroom and we see how much she fears any kind of sexual touch. But despite her experiences in the past, I loved how she isn't meek or scared of every little thing. She is quite fierce in many ways, especially when it comes to her brother. Man I loved how passionate she is about certain things in life, and her brother is her main focus. She does have a solid support system which has helped in many ways. Definitely a heroine you can stand behind.
Plot and Story Line
Winter Fire is the last book of the series, now I had no idea about this when I picked this one. I was doing a browse through my library's e-book titles, and came across this one. It sounds pretty good, and I have had some fun times with this author especially her HR...but had never read her western titles and knew I had to try it out. I am pretty glad that I did. There was something so fun about reconnecting with this author once again. Now I love her writing, but I did have to get used to it again. So at first, I had this off center feeling of kinda being into the story and not really. But once I gave it a few chapters I was really intrigued by this story and most especially the characters that this author writes. If I can say anything about her talent as a writer, its how she writes and portrays her characters. They win me over every time, and I couldn't get enough of these characters. It was a unique experience seeing how they all connect together and I loved seeing Sarah, her brother and the other two characters that make a great support system for this group. They were all a hoot and I just adored seeing how they stand by each other no matter what happens. Now if you like Louis L'Amour at all...you would love this book. I almost could imagine him writing a book like this only this one had a very more focus on the romance (which I love). I did find the set up of the story very intriguing especially with the battles against this Culpepper clan. Now this family is scary, and I got plenty of chill vibes which really adds intensity to the story. But boy they make great villains, and the author portrayed them in such a way that intrigues you. Now the biggest downside to this book is how engaging it is. I liked it quite a bit, but didn't necessarily love it mostly because I couldn't stay focused. Not sure if it was the book or me. But overall a solid likeable romance!!
The Cover
I just love this cover----its different, unique and bold. I like the pink and reddish tones.
Overall View
Winter Fire is a western romance full of self discovery, healing and embracing the future!! Exciting and real!!
Click On Image For Buy Link
[foogallery id="23159"]
Summary
Sarah Kennedy hasn't had a easy time of it, married at fourteen, widowed a couple years later and she has learned to be strong and independent and fight for herself and those she protects, including her younger brother. Sarah is overprotective of her brother, and a healer of damaged beings including her hawks. But while out on her ranch, she finds a new protector, not one she wants. Case Maxwell, is out for revenge for the murder of his family while he and his brother were out fighting in the civil war. Case is determined to get rid of all of the Culpepper's. The Culpeppers are in the area, because they know that there is gold on Sarah's ranch and they are willing to kill for it. Case finds himself injured and at the tender mercies of Sarah. Sarah and Case will discover thrills, adventures and the will to fight and defend..
The Hero
Case Maxwell, is a bitter veteran of the Civil War. Case once was full of excitement before the war. But he changed much since then, including losing his family but his twin brother. Case is a talented fighter, knows his way around guns, and is a defender especially of those defenseless against the Culpepper family, he knows personally how brutal that they can be. Case is very hardened and full of ghosts of the past, he hasn't resolved his past or the way certain events changed him. He is closed off until he meets Sarah, who forces him to face the past so he can have a future not full of pain and grief. I adored Case as the hero though...he makes for great material for a solid hero character. Even though he is very hardened in many ways, wanting revenge more than anything...he has many redeeming qualities that we see. I truly adored seeing how he changes from beginning to end of the story. It was truly heartwarming to see him go from this cold man who never could smile or laugh....to a man full of love and laughter in the end.
The Heroine
Sarah Kennedy hasn't had a easy time of it, and had to grow up very quickly, because she has always had to look out for her younger brother. I loved her strength and courage and how versatile that she is. She doesn't like sex since her husband was pretty brutal with her in the bedroom and we see how much she fears any kind of sexual touch. But despite her experiences in the past, I loved how she isn't meek or scared of every little thing. She is quite fierce in many ways, especially when it comes to her brother. Man I loved how passionate she is about certain things in life, and her brother is her main focus. She does have a solid support system which has helped in many ways. Definitely a heroine you can stand behind.
Plot and Story Line
Winter Fire is the last book of the series, now I had no idea about this when I picked this one. I was doing a browse through my library's e-book titles, and came across this one. It sounds pretty good, and I have had some fun times with this author especially her HR...but had never read her western titles and knew I had to try it out. I am pretty glad that I did. There was something so fun about reconnecting with this author once again. Now I love her writing, but I did have to get used to it again. So at first, I had this off center feeling of kinda being into the story and not really. But once I gave it a few chapters I was really intrigued by this story and most especially the characters that this author writes. If I can say anything about her talent as a writer, its how she writes and portrays her characters. They win me over every time, and I couldn't get enough of these characters. It was a unique experience seeing how they all connect together and I loved seeing Sarah, her brother and the other two characters that make a great support system for this group. They were all a hoot and I just adored seeing how they stand by each other no matter what happens. Now if you like Louis L'Amour at all...you would love this book. I almost could imagine him writing a book like this only this one had a very more focus on the romance (which I love). I did find the set up of the story very intriguing especially with the battles against this Culpepper clan. Now this family is scary, and I got plenty of chill vibes which really adds intensity to the story. But boy they make great villains, and the author portrayed them in such a way that intrigues you. Now the biggest downside to this book is how engaging it is. I liked it quite a bit, but didn't necessarily love it mostly because I couldn't stay focused. Not sure if it was the book or me. But overall a solid likeable romance!!
The Cover
I just love this cover----its different, unique and bold. I like the pink and reddish tones.
Overall View
Winter Fire is a western romance full of self discovery, healing and embracing the future!! Exciting and real!!
Click On Image For Buy Link
[foogallery id="23159"]
December 9, 2015
My first book by Lowell. I found it a little disappointing. Then again, the one I wanted to read was Only Mine but I started the wrong one by accident and by the time I was sure I was reading the wrong book, it was too late to stop. Sarah, a young widow, is living out in Utah with her younger brother Conner. She's had a hard life; her entire family died in a flood when she was very young, and then she had to care for Conner. She married an abusive drunk out of desperation and now that he's gone, spends most of her time searching for a lost treasure out in the hills, hoping she can send her brother to school in the East. Case lost some loved ones in a horrific manner several years ago and has been hunting down the perpetrators, who happen to be in Sarah's area. When she helps him after he's wounded in a fight, they become hostile toward her too.
It was just ok. I had higher expectations for Lowell's writing, not sure why. Also, I've now read a good amount of romance and the emotionally inaccessible hero who says stuff like "I don't have any love in me to give" and who can't resist the heroine's physical attractiveness yet treats her really coldly after sex because he's afraid of caring, totally bores me. I think characters like Case bored me even when I was new to romance, but even more so now. Then Sarah on the other hand puts up with this BS from him way too much. I don't care if she loves him. He was such a jerk after they slept together. I can't believe she kept taking him back each time his lust got in front of his resolve to remain emotionally aloof.
It was just ok. I had higher expectations for Lowell's writing, not sure why. Also, I've now read a good amount of romance and the emotionally inaccessible hero who says stuff like "I don't have any love in me to give" and who can't resist the heroine's physical attractiveness yet treats her really coldly after sex because he's afraid of caring, totally bores me. I think characters like Case bored me even when I was new to romance, but even more so now. Then Sarah on the other hand puts up with this BS from him way too much. I don't care if she loves him. He was such a jerk after they slept together. I can't believe she kept taking him back each time his lust got in front of his resolve to remain emotionally aloof.
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June 5, 2025Dulce tormento es la historia de Case Maxwell y Sara Kennedy. Case es un hombre que a sus quince años decidió que sería divertido ir a jugar a los soldaditos a la guerra, y no bastándole con querer arruinar su propia vida arrastró también a su hermano Hunter por ese camino. Él y su hermano se armaron y se fueron a pelear por lo que creían correcto. Case poco después descubrió que la guerra no era el sueño que él creyó. La verdad no sé muy bien cómo es que una persona puede pensar en la guerra como algo emocionante, pero él lo creía y poco después descubrió que en realidad era cruel y nada gratificante. El bando de Case perdió la guerra y él volvió a casa. Antes que su hermano, por cierto. Al llegar al lugar en el que vivía descubrió que estaba completamente destruido, se encontró con que su cuñada, la esposa de Hunter y los hijos de este estaban muertos, asesinados por una banda llamada “Los Culpeppers” quienes habían ido al pueblo en el que Case vivía y habían secuestrado, violado y asesinados a muchos de los que allí habitaban.
Los sobrinos de Case, Emily y Ted, mientras su padre y su tío iban a la guerra habían sido abusados, vendidos a los comancheros y finalmente murieron. Case tuvo que encontrar sus cuerpos y enterrarlos. Ese día juró que no descansaría hasta que el último responsable de la muerte de sus sobrinos no estuviera bajo tierra.
Pero no se asusten, mis queridos lectores, no les estoy haciendo spoiler (al menos no de este libro, aunque quzás sí de sus predecesores), simplemente les estoy dando algo de contexto, pues todo esto es narrado en el libro anterior a este. Y ya que estamos hablando de los otros libros, es muy poco probable que los reseñe porque los leí hace mucho y, al menos yo, debo escribir la reseña justo después de terminar el libro u olvido muchas cosas.
En el momento en que se desarrolla esta novela, Case acaba de dejar el rancho en el que viven su hermano y su nueva esposo, pues han pasado muchos años desde el trágico suceso y Hunter luego de dar muchos problemas en su propio libro (estoy rodando los ojos en este momento) obtuvo su final feliz. Case va tras los pasos de los Culpeppers cuando se encuentra con Sara.
Sara, también conocida como la Sra. Kennedy, es una viuda que vive con su hermano menor, un forajido y una prostituta. Sara a la edad de trece años perdió a su familia en una inundación de la cual solo ella y su hermano se salvaron y se vio obligada a casarse con un cruel hombre para poder tener un techo sobre su cabeza y la de su hermano y alimento en sus platos. Luego de mucho tiempo de sufrir en ese matrimonio su esposo murió y, aunque ella no lo diga con estas palabras yo sí lo haré, al fin se libró de él. Sara se ocupó de su rancho y su hermano. Salvó a un forajido llamado Ute de la muerte haciendo que él le fuera leal desde entonces considerándola un ángel y llevó también a vivir allí a Big Lola una ex prostituta que era su actual pareja. Sara sabía de un tesoro escondido cerca de su casa y estaba decidida a encontrarlo para poder sacar a su hermano del lugar donde vivían, enviarlo así a estudiar a un colegio del este y a viajar por Europa. Ella desde luego iba a quedarse justo donde estaba pues amaba sus tierras con toda su alma.
Cuando Sara y Case se conocen ella está espiando sin querer a la banda de los Culpeppers que está haciendo una alianza con la banda de Moody, Case la encuentra en esa situación tan peligrosa y se puede decir que la salva. Como el galante caballero que no es, la lleva a su casa sana y salva, pero antes de dejarla le roba un beso. Case, tras dejar a Sara, se va a buscar problemas y los encuentra. Se enfrenta a unos cuantos Culpeppers y los mata, pero no sin quedar también mortalmente herido. Decide huir del lugar porque sabe que podrían llegar los demás Culpeppers quienes, pese a ser malvados y crueles, tienen en muy alta estima a la familia y como todos ellos lo son irían tras él para vengar la muerte de los suyos. Ute encuentra a Case muriéndose sobre su caballo y decide llevarlo con Sara para que lo cure, lo cual por supuesto ella hace. Case, tras algunos días de recuperación, se compromete a ayudarla a buscar la plata española, pero a cambio quiere la mitad de su rancho porque, al igual que Sara, quedó enamorado de esas tierras. Sara accede a pesar de que solo la mitad de las tierras le pertenecen a ella y la otra mitad a Conner, su hermano menor, así que al aceptar este trato está aceptando renunciar a lo que ama, todo para sacar a su hermano de ese peligroso lugar.
Bueno ahora que ya tenemos una gran sinopsis de la historia, aunque sin algunas preguntas como ¿logrará Sara romper las barreras de Case y traer las emociones de vuelta a su vida?, podemos seguir.
Creo que esta historia tiene una narración muy fluida. Los diálogos son muy entretenido y no siento que haya cosas innecesarias como la descripción excesiva de una habitación o de algún otro escenario. No sé a ustedes, pero a mí no me gusta eso de que se narre cada pequeño detalle a menos que sea fundamental o relevante. Tampoco digo que no se nos dé la imagen del lugar, pero no necesitamos saber, por ejemplo, de que marca y modelo era cada cosa.
Siento que los personajes se desarrollan muy bien, al menos los nuevos. A lo que voy es que aquí aparecen personajes de los anteriores libros lo cuales ya se deberían conocer por lo que no se vuelven a dar los datos de estos. Ute y Lola en especial son muy interesantes. La devoción de Ute por Sara me parece bastante peculiar pues él realmente cree que ella es un ángel y no hay nadie, ni siquiera ella misma, que pueda convencerlo de lo contrario. Para él lo que Sara quiere, Sara lo consigue aunque sea algo totalmente absurdo. Lola en algunas ocasiones cuenta como era su vida antes, como desde niña su mamá la prostituyó y cuando abandonó ese oficio se dedicó a asaltar. Lola es muy ruda y una leyenda al igual que Ute. Conner es un adolescente que se cree hombre y quiere defender a su hermana y aprender a disparar y a desenfundar muy rápido, pero Sara está siempre preocupada por eso porque no es lo que quiere para él. Sara es un pan de Dios, siempre buena, siempre afrontando la vida con una sonrisa aunque solo coman lentejas y los acechen no una, sino dos bandas que quieren robar sus tierras por ser el único lugar en kilómetros que cuenta con agua y rescatando a todo animalito y forajido herido que encuentra… en fin.
Así que eso es todo. Les recomiendo la historia. Es interesante, entretenida y estoy segura de que si les guste este género la van a disfrutar, aunque no pueda decir que sea nada nuevo. Cuenta con los mismo elementos o ingredientes para hacer una novela romántica de época, sobre todo de oeste. Así que esta entrega contamos con: El hombre fuerte con corazón duro que no quiere enamorarse, La mujer sola que parece frágil, pero es muy fuerte, La pasión desenfrenada e inmediata que surge entre ellos, pero que ellos no quieren sentir y ALERTA DE SPOILER al final El típico “bueno te dejo en libertad, aquí se separan nuestros caminos, pero yo no voy a rogar por tu amor” y el “¡Oh, cielos! ¡Acabo de descubrir que estoy enamorado de esa mujer a la que he cuidado y de la que me he preocupado por tanto tiempo que debió de hacerse obvio para mí desde el principio que la amaba y ahorrarnos un montón de problemas!” y luego el “¡Oh, te amo!” “¿En serio? ¿Me amas?” “¡Sí, siempre te he amado!” “¡Pero pensé que eras incapaz de amar y me había resignado a una vida sin ti!” y así. FIN DE LA ALERTA DE SPOILER
Y no es que me esté quejando, no me malinterpreten. Si leo novelas históricas románticas ambientadas en el viejo oeste es porque me gusta esa fórmula y ver los distintos enfoques que le dan. Así que no me quejo, solo lo señalo y en cierta parte o crítico porque después de todo es lo mismo de siempre solo que en diferentes circunstancias.
Algo que me encanta de esta serie de novelas es el hecho de que al final la autora siempre pone un epílogo en el que cuenta rápidamente lo que pasó después del fin y como fue la vida de los protagonistas en los años venideros.
Así que eso es todo. Les recomiendo la historia. Es interesante, entretenida y estoy segura de que si les guste este género la van a disfrutar.
Los sobrinos de Case, Emily y Ted, mientras su padre y su tío iban a la guerra habían sido abusados, vendidos a los comancheros y finalmente murieron. Case tuvo que encontrar sus cuerpos y enterrarlos. Ese día juró que no descansaría hasta que el último responsable de la muerte de sus sobrinos no estuviera bajo tierra.
Pero no se asusten, mis queridos lectores, no les estoy haciendo spoiler (al menos no de este libro, aunque quzás sí de sus predecesores), simplemente les estoy dando algo de contexto, pues todo esto es narrado en el libro anterior a este. Y ya que estamos hablando de los otros libros, es muy poco probable que los reseñe porque los leí hace mucho y, al menos yo, debo escribir la reseña justo después de terminar el libro u olvido muchas cosas.
En el momento en que se desarrolla esta novela, Case acaba de dejar el rancho en el que viven su hermano y su nueva esposo, pues han pasado muchos años desde el trágico suceso y Hunter luego de dar muchos problemas en su propio libro (estoy rodando los ojos en este momento) obtuvo su final feliz. Case va tras los pasos de los Culpeppers cuando se encuentra con Sara.
Sara, también conocida como la Sra. Kennedy, es una viuda que vive con su hermano menor, un forajido y una prostituta. Sara a la edad de trece años perdió a su familia en una inundación de la cual solo ella y su hermano se salvaron y se vio obligada a casarse con un cruel hombre para poder tener un techo sobre su cabeza y la de su hermano y alimento en sus platos. Luego de mucho tiempo de sufrir en ese matrimonio su esposo murió y, aunque ella no lo diga con estas palabras yo sí lo haré, al fin se libró de él. Sara se ocupó de su rancho y su hermano. Salvó a un forajido llamado Ute de la muerte haciendo que él le fuera leal desde entonces considerándola un ángel y llevó también a vivir allí a Big Lola una ex prostituta que era su actual pareja. Sara sabía de un tesoro escondido cerca de su casa y estaba decidida a encontrarlo para poder sacar a su hermano del lugar donde vivían, enviarlo así a estudiar a un colegio del este y a viajar por Europa. Ella desde luego iba a quedarse justo donde estaba pues amaba sus tierras con toda su alma.
Cuando Sara y Case se conocen ella está espiando sin querer a la banda de los Culpeppers que está haciendo una alianza con la banda de Moody, Case la encuentra en esa situación tan peligrosa y se puede decir que la salva. Como el galante caballero que no es, la lleva a su casa sana y salva, pero antes de dejarla le roba un beso. Case, tras dejar a Sara, se va a buscar problemas y los encuentra. Se enfrenta a unos cuantos Culpeppers y los mata, pero no sin quedar también mortalmente herido. Decide huir del lugar porque sabe que podrían llegar los demás Culpeppers quienes, pese a ser malvados y crueles, tienen en muy alta estima a la familia y como todos ellos lo son irían tras él para vengar la muerte de los suyos. Ute encuentra a Case muriéndose sobre su caballo y decide llevarlo con Sara para que lo cure, lo cual por supuesto ella hace. Case, tras algunos días de recuperación, se compromete a ayudarla a buscar la plata española, pero a cambio quiere la mitad de su rancho porque, al igual que Sara, quedó enamorado de esas tierras. Sara accede a pesar de que solo la mitad de las tierras le pertenecen a ella y la otra mitad a Conner, su hermano menor, así que al aceptar este trato está aceptando renunciar a lo que ama, todo para sacar a su hermano de ese peligroso lugar.
Bueno ahora que ya tenemos una gran sinopsis de la historia, aunque sin algunas preguntas como ¿logrará Sara romper las barreras de Case y traer las emociones de vuelta a su vida?, podemos seguir.
Creo que esta historia tiene una narración muy fluida. Los diálogos son muy entretenido y no siento que haya cosas innecesarias como la descripción excesiva de una habitación o de algún otro escenario. No sé a ustedes, pero a mí no me gusta eso de que se narre cada pequeño detalle a menos que sea fundamental o relevante. Tampoco digo que no se nos dé la imagen del lugar, pero no necesitamos saber, por ejemplo, de que marca y modelo era cada cosa.
Siento que los personajes se desarrollan muy bien, al menos los nuevos. A lo que voy es que aquí aparecen personajes de los anteriores libros lo cuales ya se deberían conocer por lo que no se vuelven a dar los datos de estos. Ute y Lola en especial son muy interesantes. La devoción de Ute por Sara me parece bastante peculiar pues él realmente cree que ella es un ángel y no hay nadie, ni siquiera ella misma, que pueda convencerlo de lo contrario. Para él lo que Sara quiere, Sara lo consigue aunque sea algo totalmente absurdo. Lola en algunas ocasiones cuenta como era su vida antes, como desde niña su mamá la prostituyó y cuando abandonó ese oficio se dedicó a asaltar. Lola es muy ruda y una leyenda al igual que Ute. Conner es un adolescente que se cree hombre y quiere defender a su hermana y aprender a disparar y a desenfundar muy rápido, pero Sara está siempre preocupada por eso porque no es lo que quiere para él. Sara es un pan de Dios, siempre buena, siempre afrontando la vida con una sonrisa aunque solo coman lentejas y los acechen no una, sino dos bandas que quieren robar sus tierras por ser el único lugar en kilómetros que cuenta con agua y rescatando a todo animalito y forajido herido que encuentra… en fin.
Así que eso es todo. Les recomiendo la historia. Es interesante, entretenida y estoy segura de que si les guste este género la van a disfrutar, aunque no pueda decir que sea nada nuevo. Cuenta con los mismo elementos o ingredientes para hacer una novela romántica de época, sobre todo de oeste. Así que esta entrega contamos con: El hombre fuerte con corazón duro que no quiere enamorarse, La mujer sola que parece frágil, pero es muy fuerte, La pasión desenfrenada e inmediata que surge entre ellos, pero que ellos no quieren sentir y ALERTA DE SPOILER al final El típico “bueno te dejo en libertad, aquí se separan nuestros caminos, pero yo no voy a rogar por tu amor” y el “¡Oh, cielos! ¡Acabo de descubrir que estoy enamorado de esa mujer a la que he cuidado y de la que me he preocupado por tanto tiempo que debió de hacerse obvio para mí desde el principio que la amaba y ahorrarnos un montón de problemas!” y luego el “¡Oh, te amo!” “¿En serio? ¿Me amas?” “¡Sí, siempre te he amado!” “¡Pero pensé que eras incapaz de amar y me había resignado a una vida sin ti!” y así. FIN DE LA ALERTA DE SPOILER
Y no es que me esté quejando, no me malinterpreten. Si leo novelas históricas románticas ambientadas en el viejo oeste es porque me gusta esa fórmula y ver los distintos enfoques que le dan. Así que no me quejo, solo lo señalo y en cierta parte o crítico porque después de todo es lo mismo de siempre solo que en diferentes circunstancias.
Algo que me encanta de esta serie de novelas es el hecho de que al final la autora siempre pone un epílogo en el que cuenta rápidamente lo que pasó después del fin y como fue la vida de los protagonistas en los años venideros.
Así que eso es todo. Les recomiendo la historia. Es interesante, entretenida y estoy segura de que si les guste este género la van a disfrutar.
November 20, 2015
Aunque la autora en ocasiones se pierde en descripciones y diàlogos sonrosantes, como las anteriores de la saga es un buen libro del oeste, bien escrito, con buenos personajes y su dosis de sensualidad.
Read
January 7, 2020I wanted to try a Lowell novel. I did. I read maybe 2 chapters. I skimmed. Then I put it in my "not to keep" pile. I rarely DNF a book. However, at times like this, I think of a former boss who, like me, loved gardening. She said she used to try to save every plant and nurse it back to health but then decided that it was too much work trying to save a plant when there are so many wonderful plants out there in the world. It's best just to get rid of it and devote your time to the lovely plants out there that bring you joy.
So DNFs are hard for me. I always think MAYBE this will turn around at some point and become wonderful. Which HAS happened before where I force myself to keep reading and then something happens and the whole book just becomes this great read. But now, I think how books are like plants. You try to continue to give all your energy and attention to one thinking somehow it'll turn around but it's best just to say, hey, let it go. There are so many other books out there and only so much energy and time.
So DNFs are hard for me. I always think MAYBE this will turn around at some point and become wonderful. Which HAS happened before where I force myself to keep reading and then something happens and the whole book just becomes this great read. But now, I think how books are like plants. You try to continue to give all your energy and attention to one thinking somehow it'll turn around but it's best just to say, hey, let it go. There are so many other books out there and only so much energy and time.
October 4, 2021
Ultimo capitolo di questa serie che ho trovato emozionante e appassionante sin dalle prime pagine.
Con questo ultimo capitolo si è scoperto il vero personaggio di Case che abbiamo iniziato a conoscere nel precedente volume della serie, dove il protagonista era suo fratello Hunter; un personaggio che ho trovato molto complesso ma anche molto profondo.
Ad opporsi a lui c’è la tempestosa Sarah che come Case ha affrontato difficoltà che l’hanno temprata e fatta diventare la donna forte e coraggiosa che ho trovato in questo libro.
In questo libro i due personaggi pian piano procedendo con la lettura mostreranno tutte le loro vulnerabilità ma anche i loro punti di forza che li porteranno a dispute e passioni che li cambieranno per sempre.
Una lettura molto scorrevole e piacevole che conclude degnamente questa serie che mi è piaciuta davvero molto.
Con questo ultimo capitolo si è scoperto il vero personaggio di Case che abbiamo iniziato a conoscere nel precedente volume della serie, dove il protagonista era suo fratello Hunter; un personaggio che ho trovato molto complesso ma anche molto profondo.
Ad opporsi a lui c’è la tempestosa Sarah che come Case ha affrontato difficoltà che l’hanno temprata e fatta diventare la donna forte e coraggiosa che ho trovato in questo libro.
In questo libro i due personaggi pian piano procedendo con la lettura mostreranno tutte le loro vulnerabilità ma anche i loro punti di forza che li porteranno a dispute e passioni che li cambieranno per sempre.
Una lettura molto scorrevole e piacevole che conclude degnamente questa serie che mi è piaciuta davvero molto.
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October 31, 2017I started to read this and on page 39 I remembered that I read it before. I don't remember much about the details though which is not a good sign. Most of the time not to remember a book I read before means I didn't care for it much.
October 8, 2025
Antes de iniciar mi breve comentario, tengan en cuenta que se publicó en 1996 en un contexto patriarcal, violento y con nula justicia para mujeres. En esta historia conocemos hombres terribles, malhechores que disfrutaban terminar con la vida de cualquier persona en su camino, era cruel.
No deja de hacerme ruido en mi cabeza lo normalizado del matrimonio infantil para buscar algo a cambio, con hombres ancianos violentos y abusadores. Me quema que Sarah haya vivido eso para intentar sobrevivir tan joven.
Case no es mi protagonista masculino favorito, pero sé que es mucho mejor al libro anterior de esta saga. Me gustó su forma de proteger a los suyos, aunque lo testarudo me causó ganas de darle un "estate quieto". La historia me agradó lo suficiente para leerla en dos días, pero no lo volvería a leer.
No deja de hacerme ruido en mi cabeza lo normalizado del matrimonio infantil para buscar algo a cambio, con hombres ancianos violentos y abusadores. Me quema que Sarah haya vivido eso para intentar sobrevivir tan joven.
Case no es mi protagonista masculino favorito, pero sé que es mucho mejor al libro anterior de esta saga. Me gustó su forma de proteger a los suyos, aunque lo testarudo me causó ganas de darle un "estate quieto". La historia me agradó lo suficiente para leerla en dos días, pero no lo volvería a leer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2021
3,5 - A costo d'essere ripetitiva, posso confermare che i migliori libri della serie sono stati i primi tre "Only", il quarto è stato medio, il quinto proprio no, mentre quest'ultimo volume si è rivelato discreto. Di certo, Case è meno rigido e robotico di Hunter, anche se pure lui, nel tentativo di inseguire e sterminare i famigerati Culpepper (ma quanti sono in questa famiglia di fuorilegge? Una vera tribù...) si trova a soccorrere la giovane proprietaria di un ranch.
In realtà, Sarah mi è piaciuta come tipetto.
Ventenne ma già vissuta, vedova e già delusa dalla presenza maschile nel mondo, si rassegnata da tempo a darsi da fare da sola, a riunire intorno a sè persone che avevano bisogno di una casa e di una famiglia, ad allevare un fratellino che sogna di far studiare.
Inoltre ha un progetto preciso in mente, tanto che l'arrivo di banditi e razziatori non sono che l'ennesima seccatura.
Quindi ben venga l'aiuto di Case!
Un tradizionale western romance con in più l'ambientazione storica, tra agguati, pistoleri, cavalli da recuperare e mandrie da far crescere.
Le donne dell'epoca erano personaggi intrepidi e indaffarati, non c'è dubbio, con la pellaccia dura e persino poco tempo per l'amore: l'unica eccezione potevano farlo solo se si trovavano ex-ufficiali tenebrosi, sgualciti e impolverati (e magari pure feriti) davanti alla porta di casa.
In realtà, Sarah mi è piaciuta come tipetto.
Ventenne ma già vissuta, vedova e già delusa dalla presenza maschile nel mondo, si rassegnata da tempo a darsi da fare da sola, a riunire intorno a sè persone che avevano bisogno di una casa e di una famiglia, ad allevare un fratellino che sogna di far studiare.
Inoltre ha un progetto preciso in mente, tanto che l'arrivo di banditi e razziatori non sono che l'ennesima seccatura.
Quindi ben venga l'aiuto di Case!
Un tradizionale western romance con in più l'ambientazione storica, tra agguati, pistoleri, cavalli da recuperare e mandrie da far crescere.
Le donne dell'epoca erano personaggi intrepidi e indaffarati, non c'è dubbio, con la pellaccia dura e persino poco tempo per l'amore: l'unica eccezione potevano farlo solo se si trovavano ex-ufficiali tenebrosi, sgualciti e impolverati (e magari pure feriti) davanti alla porta di casa.
August 20, 2009
So to continue my burst of Elizabeth Lowell romance reading, I jumped from the Only quartet over to the duology she did about the Maxwell brothers, Autumn Lover and Winter Fire. As it happened I read the latter first, but it didn't make much difference; after all, this flavor of romance does follow a predictable formula, and it wasn't like I didn't know that the gunslinger and girl du jour in the first book would get their happily ever after, and most likely show up in Book 2.
But all that aside, I rather liked Book 2 better than Book 1. The premise is interesting to start with: the Maxwell brothers, Hunter and Case, are tracking the Culpepper clan all over the West following the Culpepper attack on their family, an attack that resulted in the deaths of Hunter's wife and child. This book focuses on Case, and how after the Culpeppers nearly kill him, he's taken in by the young widow Sarah Kennedy--on whose ranch the Culpeppers of course have Nefarious Designs, Oh Noez!
Okay, yeah, I'm a sucker for Wounded Hero plots, but it also helped that as the heroes of these things go, Case was pretty alright. There is of course the obligatory angst between him and Sarah as they fall in love, but this time around there was no Holy Crap! She's a Virgin! going on, nor any real Big Understandings. This left the field open for Sarah to be overprotective of her little brother Connor instead, and he was a nice side character; meanwhile, Case's big angst point was that he'd adored his brother's kid and so Oh Noez! Everything he loves dies, blah blah, shoot another couple of Culpeppers already, you'll feel better.
All in all though not too bad a read. Three stars.
But all that aside, I rather liked Book 2 better than Book 1. The premise is interesting to start with: the Maxwell brothers, Hunter and Case, are tracking the Culpepper clan all over the West following the Culpepper attack on their family, an attack that resulted in the deaths of Hunter's wife and child. This book focuses on Case, and how after the Culpeppers nearly kill him, he's taken in by the young widow Sarah Kennedy--on whose ranch the Culpeppers of course have Nefarious Designs, Oh Noez!
Okay, yeah, I'm a sucker for Wounded Hero plots, but it also helped that as the heroes of these things go, Case was pretty alright. There is of course the obligatory angst between him and Sarah as they fall in love, but this time around there was no Holy Crap! She's a Virgin! going on, nor any real Big Understandings. This left the field open for Sarah to be overprotective of her little brother Connor instead, and he was a nice side character; meanwhile, Case's big angst point was that he'd adored his brother's kid and so Oh Noez! Everything he loves dies, blah blah, shoot another couple of Culpeppers already, you'll feel better.
All in all though not too bad a read. Three stars.
February 8, 2021
Pues con este libro termino la serie Oeste. Hay que ver cómo la autora me pone el nudo en la garganta con los epílogos. No es que sean "lo más de lo más" pero sí que juegan con la sensibilidad que tengo hacia el paso del tiempo y a las relaciones con los demás.
El libro me ha gustado. Case me ha gustado un poquito más que su hermano Hunter. Siento que Hunter no llegó a ser la leyenda que prometía y ha sucedido algo parecido con Case. Quizás me falten más datos de su pasado, de lo que han hecho y sufrido...
En cualquier caso, la aparición de personajes secundarios como Big Lola, Ute, el hermano de Sarah, etc. enriquecen las escenas del libro. Lo reconozco, no me gusta la novela romántica sólo por el hecho de leer una historia de amor entre dos personas, sino porque en estos libros se suele dar más importancia a las emociones y sentimientos que a otros libros. Disfruto mucho leyendo escenas cotidianas en las que los personajes interactúan y demuestran su amor sin palabras.
Me aburre un poco el tema de las minas de oro y plata, y en ese sentido me han gustado más los libros que no lo incorporan a la trama.
Ahora siento deseos de seguir leyendo libros de la autora, pero creo que es conveniente cambiar un poco de aires. (Ya volveré a ellos en otro momento)
El libro me ha gustado. Case me ha gustado un poquito más que su hermano Hunter. Siento que Hunter no llegó a ser la leyenda que prometía y ha sucedido algo parecido con Case. Quizás me falten más datos de su pasado, de lo que han hecho y sufrido...
En cualquier caso, la aparición de personajes secundarios como Big Lola, Ute, el hermano de Sarah, etc. enriquecen las escenas del libro. Lo reconozco, no me gusta la novela romántica sólo por el hecho de leer una historia de amor entre dos personas, sino porque en estos libros se suele dar más importancia a las emociones y sentimientos que a otros libros. Disfruto mucho leyendo escenas cotidianas en las que los personajes interactúan y demuestran su amor sin palabras.
Me aburre un poco el tema de las minas de oro y plata, y en ese sentido me han gustado más los libros que no lo incorporan a la trama.
Ahora siento deseos de seguir leyendo libros de la autora, pero creo que es conveniente cambiar un poco de aires. (Ya volveré a ellos en otro momento)
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January 6, 2021"use your head for something more than a hat rack."
"i'm about as useless as teats on a bull."
"ten days lying here on my back have left me weak as a kitten."
"a kitten? even lions dont have cubs like you."
"dont let hope get to you. all it will do is hurt you."
"no, memory hurts. hope heals. without it we would spend our life in pain."
"go talk to your horse's butt. it has more sense than you do."
-i hadnt realized i'd already read this one. second time around it was on kindle, 400 pages.
"what do you need?"
"a miracle." "didn't know you stored 'em in this bag."
"are you all right?"
"fine as frog hair."
"makes no nevermind what a man's two-eyed head wants. his one-eyed head gets the last word."
"how anyone can tell me to go to hell and never actually say the words is amazing."
"shouldn't be. you manage it with a look."
"easy ain't worth a tinker's damn. easy folds when you need it most."
"her voice had an edge that could slice bacon thin enough to read newsprint through."
"i'm about as useless as teats on a bull."
"ten days lying here on my back have left me weak as a kitten."
"a kitten? even lions dont have cubs like you."
"dont let hope get to you. all it will do is hurt you."
"no, memory hurts. hope heals. without it we would spend our life in pain."
"go talk to your horse's butt. it has more sense than you do."
-i hadnt realized i'd already read this one. second time around it was on kindle, 400 pages.
"what do you need?"
"a miracle." "didn't know you stored 'em in this bag."
"are you all right?"
"fine as frog hair."
"makes no nevermind what a man's two-eyed head wants. his one-eyed head gets the last word."
"how anyone can tell me to go to hell and never actually say the words is amazing."
"shouldn't be. you manage it with a look."
"easy ain't worth a tinker's damn. easy folds when you need it most."
"her voice had an edge that could slice bacon thin enough to read newsprint through."
August 13, 2023
I used to love Elizabeth Lowell books and for the most part I still do but re-reading this book I’ve noticed a few things which turn me off now that I have grown and understand more about the world.
*****
***** Spoiler Alert Ahead *****
*****
The first is that Hunter and Case fought in the Civil War… for the South. It’s impossible for me to root for a Hero who fought to keep slavery.
The second is a Trigger Warning. At one point Case wakes up with Sarah in his arms. When this happens he doesn’t wake her up, or talk to her. He just assumes that she’s there to have sex with him. He assumes this despite the fact that he knows Sarah had a rough first marriage AND that the last time Case kissed her, she pushed him away in fear. He doesn’t have consent to touch her and therefore obviously the scene gives me all kinds of ick.
*****
***** Spoiler Alert Ahead *****
*****
The first is that Hunter and Case fought in the Civil War… for the South. It’s impossible for me to root for a Hero who fought to keep slavery.
The second is a Trigger Warning. At one point Case wakes up with Sarah in his arms. When this happens he doesn’t wake her up, or talk to her. He just assumes that she’s there to have sex with him. He assumes this despite the fact that he knows Sarah had a rough first marriage AND that the last time Case kissed her, she pushed him away in fear. He doesn’t have consent to touch her and therefore obviously the scene gives me all kinds of ick.
September 10, 2016
Love this book and series
September 16, 2018
Cutr and sexy story, but it pushes the boundaries in terms of consent. Even if she wants you, don't pull her pants down while she sleeps.
February 6, 2023
So I’ve read this entire series and the ‘Only’ series, and they all have the same plot, which is just gross:
A teenage girl who is tough and smart and hates wearing make up or dressing up (but is very pretty) meets a rugged 30 year old man with a troubled past. He calls her a ton of insults about her presumed promiscuity. They sleep together (age difference aside, consent is usually…not there) and gasp! She WAS a virgin! All those HORRIBLE things he said about her, that she insisted weren’t true, weren’t true! But, now that she’s been ‘ruined’ and isn’t a ‘virgin’ anymore, he MUST marry her, but only after she’s proven how tough and rugged she is and how mature she is for a child. He basically never has to be less terrible to her and somehow it’s her fault he assaults her. Mkay.
This one had moderately more plot (intrigue! Twists! A mystery!) and character development, and at least the teenager here wasn’t a ‘virgin’.
The sex scenes are solidly written, and for me these were really quick reads, despite their page count. But…between the heroine being a child and constantly berated by this way older man…eh. Honestly of the…six? Of these I’ve read, this was the only one I think worth revisiting.
A teenage girl who is tough and smart and hates wearing make up or dressing up (but is very pretty) meets a rugged 30 year old man with a troubled past. He calls her a ton of insults about her presumed promiscuity. They sleep together (age difference aside, consent is usually…not there) and gasp! She WAS a virgin! All those HORRIBLE things he said about her, that she insisted weren’t true, weren’t true! But, now that she’s been ‘ruined’ and isn’t a ‘virgin’ anymore, he MUST marry her, but only after she’s proven how tough and rugged she is and how mature she is for a child. He basically never has to be less terrible to her and somehow it’s her fault he assaults her. Mkay.
This one had moderately more plot (intrigue! Twists! A mystery!) and character development, and at least the teenager here wasn’t a ‘virgin’.
The sex scenes are solidly written, and for me these were really quick reads, despite their page count. But…between the heroine being a child and constantly berated by this way older man…eh. Honestly of the…six? Of these I’ve read, this was the only one I think worth revisiting.
July 14, 2024
This definitely dragged. Especially the way Case was so domineering and yet so close-minded to Sarah. He lusted after her but was really lacking in respect for her. I have no idea why she didn’t threaten to shoot him when he basically forbid her to go looking for the silver. It also seemed really stupid to keep looking while outlaws are loitering in the area, then to decide to take the loot with them when they finally found it. So you can just ride through the Wild West to the nearest bank and deposit bars of silver bullion? It was lacking in a grounding in reality plus Case was very tough to like due to his lack of respect for Sarah. She was portrayed as so lacking in common sense, like she lived with her head in the clouds….that one wonders how she and the brother actually survived after her husband died.
April 1, 2019
Realmente no es este el libro que he leido, pero en goodreads no está ...
Se llama igual Dulce tormento pera la autora es Giselle Penaloza y nada tiene que ver con este.
El que he leido es entretenido. Realmente empieza muy bien porque son dos jovenes de instituto que no paran de tener encontronazos entre ellos.
Él es el guaperas y chuleta del instituto que lleva a todas de calle y ella es la recien llegada pero con un pasaje de su vida que la ha convertido en una persona triste, amargada y antisocial.
El chulito caerá rendido en sus brazos y le costará llegar al corazon de Mia y ganar su confianza pero una vez lo consiga ya nada podrá borrar ni su nombre ni como él es capaz de calentar su corazón.
Es bonita y entretenida pero me faltaron cosas .. aun así he pasado un buen rato.
Se llama igual Dulce tormento pera la autora es Giselle Penaloza y nada tiene que ver con este.
El que he leido es entretenido. Realmente empieza muy bien porque son dos jovenes de instituto que no paran de tener encontronazos entre ellos.
Él es el guaperas y chuleta del instituto que lleva a todas de calle y ella es la recien llegada pero con un pasaje de su vida que la ha convertido en una persona triste, amargada y antisocial.
El chulito caerá rendido en sus brazos y le costará llegar al corazon de Mia y ganar su confianza pero una vez lo consiga ya nada podrá borrar ni su nombre ni como él es capaz de calentar su corazón.
Es bonita y entretenida pero me faltaron cosas .. aun así he pasado un buen rato.
January 13, 2025
I liked this book. Thought it exciting, sensual. Rated it 4.5 stars. This is the 3rd book I've read by this author. I liked the 1st book in the series, gave it a 4-. Did not like the 5th book in the series, Autumn Lover (did not like the treatment of the h by the H). So far my impression of this author is she likes to write her main male character as a person, for some reason, is reluctant/refuses to love therefore causing the h discomfort/heartache. But her books keep my attention & the passion is quite intense. I did not give Winter Fire a 5 star rating because towards the end I got frustrated with both the H & h. It appears the author has written 10 HRs. I see some are on Kindle Unlimited, I found 1 eBook at my public library & 2 on hoopla so lots more to read.
September 17, 2020
While I did not like the previous book in this series, I liked this very much. The heroine, Sarah Kennedy was rather very young (20) and still- she already has gone through a lot of heartache. I liked that she was such a strong character and not embittered. Her past made her a resilient, strong and remarkable person.
The hero, Case Maxwell, I knew from the previous book, were he was a Bitcoin a mystery. Here he was the typical brooding and uncommunicative type, that makes up an irresistible and interesting hero in a romance.
The story itself had interesting turns and the Culpeppers, who were also the villains in the previous books, got what they deserved at the end.
The hero, Case Maxwell, I knew from the previous book, were he was a Bitcoin a mystery. Here he was the typical brooding and uncommunicative type, that makes up an irresistible and interesting hero in a romance.
The story itself had interesting turns and the Culpeppers, who were also the villains in the previous books, got what they deserved at the end.
November 18, 2023
A much better story than the first in the Maxwells series. The main male character, Case, is haunted by trauma that makes his behaviors understandable. He is less rude and mean to others through his trauma than his brother was. I really enjoyed getting to know these characters even if their stories were predictable in the end. I loved the epilogues that gave a glimpse into the distant future. I wish there was a third book about Conner, even though he’s not technically a Maxwell.
January 29, 2025
You can definitely tell that this book was written in the 90s. The male main character does not seem to understand consent (MY DUDE. YOU WERE GROPING HER IN HER SLEEP. EW) but thinks he's better than the female main character's rapist husband. I mean. By those standards, sure, he is, but it's still not great. I liked the female main character, and the overall setting. If you're going to read this one, go for it, but brace yourself for some, "HA HA, WOW. That's sexual assault, brother!"
October 13, 2025
A Well-Told Story
Elizabeth Lowell has a way with settings that make you feel like you’re there. She did an excellent job with the desert canyon country of New Mexico. She also managed to give us a variety of characters, even though the protagonists conformed to her pattern of strong, stubborn, angry but vulnerable, damaged people. I haven’t read one of her books in decades. I think I’ll pick up at least one more in this series.
Elizabeth Lowell has a way with settings that make you feel like you’re there. She did an excellent job with the desert canyon country of New Mexico. She also managed to give us a variety of characters, even though the protagonists conformed to her pattern of strong, stubborn, angry but vulnerable, damaged people. I haven’t read one of her books in decades. I think I’ll pick up at least one more in this series.
February 14, 2020
She saves his life and helps him recover from his past. The thing with some of these stories is the use of similar names. Like Culpepper, Case etc appear in other novels by this author but not as the same characters. Case Maxwell also appears as Case MacKenzie in another novel and with similar circumstances. As much as I enjoyed this story when I read the other book it was starting to get confusing. The same as the Culpeppers are good in one book but evil in this one.
January 16, 2021
This book had probably some of the best love scenes I have ever read. Lowell is so descriptive in her writing that she makes the most smallest intimate moments come alive. I really enjoyed that it was a western, despite not having read any prior. I was so hooked on this book I finished it in one sitting. Very romantic and a nice ending.
January 18, 2024
Winter Fire
This is about the third time I've read this book. It's as good each time as it was the first time. ThAnk you for th he adventure, for the feeling of being present and part of the adventure. I haven't found a book of yours yet that I don't go back and re-read again. I think I have 99% of your books I may be short one. Thank you. 10 stars.
This is about the third time I've read this book. It's as good each time as it was the first time. ThAnk you for th he adventure, for the feeling of being present and part of the adventure. I haven't found a book of yours yet that I don't go back and re-read again. I think I have 99% of your books I may be short one. Thank you. 10 stars.
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