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To Love an Outlaw #1
Дикий цветок
Молва твердила: еще ни одному мужчине не удалось удержать в своих объятиях Колорадо Кейт - самую красивую и дерзкую из разбойниц Дикого Запада, и ни одному служителю закона не удалось ее поймать. Но бесстрашный стрелок Джейк Лесситер дал себе зарок - он будет не только единственным, кому удастся схватить зеленоглазую преступницу, но и единственным, кто навеки станет для нее возлюбленным, повелителем и защитником в час опасности.
352 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1992
15 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Brown
103 books107 followersSince writing her first romance novel in 1984, Virginia Brown has written nearly 50 romance novels. Many of her books have been nominated for Romantic Times' Reviewer's Choice, Career Achievement Award for Love and Laughter, and Career Achievement Award for Adventure. Her works regularly appear on national bestseller lists. Having written under several different names about historical eras such as the old West, Regency-era, and the American Civil War, she now writes under a new pseudonym, Juliana Garnett, to focus upon the medieval era.
A native of Tennessee, Virginia spent her childhood traveling with her parents as a "military brat,” living all over the US and in Japan. This influenced her love of travel and adventure, which is reflected in her work.
Twice a year, Virginia visits England to research her novels, and includes Scotland in her travels. She feels this adds a new dimension to her work, and enables her to more authentically impart the true flavor of the geographical and historical sites.
In addition to appearing on the nationally syndicated television program What's Hot, What's Not, Virginia Brown has been interviewed by Jane Pauley on the Today Show, and regularly appears on local television and radio shows in addition to coverage by the press. She also experienced a first for a romance writer by appearing on the cover of Memphis, the magazine.
Virginia is the mother of four grown children, and now enjoys her menagerie of dogs that includes a fat beagle, two part-chows, a hound and five cats. As the grandmother of three lovely children, one of her greatest pleasures these days is visiting with Justin, Christina, and Gaby.
A native of Tennessee, Virginia spent her childhood traveling with her parents as a "military brat,” living all over the US and in Japan. This influenced her love of travel and adventure, which is reflected in her work.
Twice a year, Virginia visits England to research her novels, and includes Scotland in her travels. She feels this adds a new dimension to her work, and enables her to more authentically impart the true flavor of the geographical and historical sites.
In addition to appearing on the nationally syndicated television program What's Hot, What's Not, Virginia Brown has been interviewed by Jane Pauley on the Today Show, and regularly appears on local television and radio shows in addition to coverage by the press. She also experienced a first for a romance writer by appearing on the cover of Memphis, the magazine.
Virginia is the mother of four grown children, and now enjoys her menagerie of dogs that includes a fat beagle, two part-chows, a hound and five cats. As the grandmother of three lovely children, one of her greatest pleasures these days is visiting with Justin, Christina, and Gaby.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 29, 2013
Wildflower by Virginia Brown was originally published in 1992. This book has been reissued in digital format by Belle Bridge Books. There is also a more up to date cover than the one you see here. ( I collect these old romance novels, so I like the old cover- but the modern reader will like the new one with a sexy cowboy on the cover.)
Colorado Kate and her brother Devon have been robbing payroll trains enough to get a reputation and are being pursued by the law and by an old enemy, a man named Durant. Durant has hired a man named Jake Lassiter to hunt down the pair and bring them to him. Why? Because the two witnessed him killing their parents and he must erase all witnesses to his many crimes.
When Jake finally catches up to Kate, he is stunned to find that although she dresses in pants and tries to act tough, she's really a very pretty young lady that isn't nearly as hardened as she makes out. With his own agenda, he makes a deal with Caitlyn and her brother. If they can prove Durant cheated them out of their inheritance he will help them avoid the law and seek justice. The hitch is Caitlyn must stay with Durant while her brother tries to hunt down the deeds to their parent's land and mines.
The first time Lassiter and Caitlyn are alone together the sparks fly. From that time on, the two argue, make accusations against each other, stick to their own agendas and continue to make love to each other every chance they get.
In the mean time Durant has picked up their trail, Devon meets a young lady and falls in love, then is arrested and in danger of being lynched.
One minute Jake thinks he can trust Caitlyn, and then she does something that changes his mind. However, everything Jake does he has justified it to himself as being the right thing to do and the best thing for everyone, even Caitlyn and her brother. He won't think about sharing his plans, or his past, or how he intends to take down Durant. So, Caitlyn is often feeling betrayed by Jake. Not to mention the fact that he keeps running into women from his past, giving Caitlyn a case of jealousy.
But, the adventure takes a turn that ends up in tragedy and the lives of Caitlyn, Devon and Jake will never be the same.
This is a historical western romance. The book had a feeling of authenticity. The way men thought things through in those days, by just making decisions without bothering to talk it through with their women, the problems children faced when they were abandoned or abused by adults, and dangers that were commonplace in those days, especially when sick or injured.
The push/pull with Caitlyn and Jake had the reader bouncing back and forth between who was right and who was wrong. Jake's life may have seen privileged, but he went through things that were just as bad as what Caitlyn and Devon had lived through and worse. So, although he meant well, he couldn't open up with Caitlyn and explain why he was doing things the way he was.
Caitlyn is confused and has lost control of her life. She feels helpless and needs to be able to feel like she isn't just being used as a means to an end.
It's been a long time since I read a good western historical romance. I really enjoyed this one. I wish they still wrote 'em like this. There is plenty of romance, steamy sex, action, adventure, laughter and tears. I hope that the release of this book in digital format with the new cover will encourage people to give this one a chance. Over all I will give this one B+.
Colorado Kate and her brother Devon have been robbing payroll trains enough to get a reputation and are being pursued by the law and by an old enemy, a man named Durant. Durant has hired a man named Jake Lassiter to hunt down the pair and bring them to him. Why? Because the two witnessed him killing their parents and he must erase all witnesses to his many crimes.
When Jake finally catches up to Kate, he is stunned to find that although she dresses in pants and tries to act tough, she's really a very pretty young lady that isn't nearly as hardened as she makes out. With his own agenda, he makes a deal with Caitlyn and her brother. If they can prove Durant cheated them out of their inheritance he will help them avoid the law and seek justice. The hitch is Caitlyn must stay with Durant while her brother tries to hunt down the deeds to their parent's land and mines.
The first time Lassiter and Caitlyn are alone together the sparks fly. From that time on, the two argue, make accusations against each other, stick to their own agendas and continue to make love to each other every chance they get.
In the mean time Durant has picked up their trail, Devon meets a young lady and falls in love, then is arrested and in danger of being lynched.
One minute Jake thinks he can trust Caitlyn, and then she does something that changes his mind. However, everything Jake does he has justified it to himself as being the right thing to do and the best thing for everyone, even Caitlyn and her brother. He won't think about sharing his plans, or his past, or how he intends to take down Durant. So, Caitlyn is often feeling betrayed by Jake. Not to mention the fact that he keeps running into women from his past, giving Caitlyn a case of jealousy.
But, the adventure takes a turn that ends up in tragedy and the lives of Caitlyn, Devon and Jake will never be the same.
This is a historical western romance. The book had a feeling of authenticity. The way men thought things through in those days, by just making decisions without bothering to talk it through with their women, the problems children faced when they were abandoned or abused by adults, and dangers that were commonplace in those days, especially when sick or injured.
The push/pull with Caitlyn and Jake had the reader bouncing back and forth between who was right and who was wrong. Jake's life may have seen privileged, but he went through things that were just as bad as what Caitlyn and Devon had lived through and worse. So, although he meant well, he couldn't open up with Caitlyn and explain why he was doing things the way he was.
Caitlyn is confused and has lost control of her life. She feels helpless and needs to be able to feel like she isn't just being used as a means to an end.
It's been a long time since I read a good western historical romance. I really enjoyed this one. I wish they still wrote 'em like this. There is plenty of romance, steamy sex, action, adventure, laughter and tears. I hope that the release of this book in digital format with the new cover will encourage people to give this one a chance. Over all I will give this one B+.
October 28, 2013
Rating: 1.5 out of 5.
Kate and her brother are outlaws. One day they are robbing a train and she comes across a man known as Jake Lassiter. What she doesn't realise that Jake has actually been sent to hunt her down.
I was initially intrigued with the idea of a worldly outlaw woman but I was quick to realise how mistaken I was. Kate is supposedly this innocent young thing, God knows how she managed to remain that way, but it certainly wasn't something I found realistic nor did I value it.
The main reason why my rating of this novel dropped so low was because of the rape at the beginning of the novel. I have said this countless of times and I'll say it again. I have read books where rape occurs. But I need for the authors to address it. I felt as though it wasn't addressed at all. There was a point about three-quarters of the way through when Kate says to Jake that he 'practically raped' her. But that was it! Where was the apology and there was nothing 'practically' about it. He raped her. His only excuse is that he thought she was an experienced woman, as if even if she was, that would have made it okay?
I thought Kate had zero backbone. Jake treated her so very poorly all the way throughout the novel, but all Kate managed to do was screech and scream. It's such a stereotypical portrayal of women, that they can only nag. And nothing happened in the rest of the novel that got rid of the distaste I felt.
Although, after having finished the novel, I looked through it's information and I realised that it was published in 1992. I also realised that the author has recently written some contemporary romances. So I think maybe her recent romances might be more to my taste.
ARC Courtesy of NetGalley and BelleBooks
Kate and her brother are outlaws. One day they are robbing a train and she comes across a man known as Jake Lassiter. What she doesn't realise that Jake has actually been sent to hunt her down.
I was initially intrigued with the idea of a worldly outlaw woman but I was quick to realise how mistaken I was. Kate is supposedly this innocent young thing, God knows how she managed to remain that way, but it certainly wasn't something I found realistic nor did I value it.
The main reason why my rating of this novel dropped so low was because of the rape at the beginning of the novel. I have said this countless of times and I'll say it again. I have read books where rape occurs. But I need for the authors to address it. I felt as though it wasn't addressed at all. There was a point about three-quarters of the way through when Kate says to Jake that he 'practically raped' her. But that was it! Where was the apology and there was nothing 'practically' about it. He raped her. His only excuse is that he thought she was an experienced woman, as if even if she was, that would have made it okay?
I thought Kate had zero backbone. Jake treated her so very poorly all the way throughout the novel, but all Kate managed to do was screech and scream. It's such a stereotypical portrayal of women, that they can only nag. And nothing happened in the rest of the novel that got rid of the distaste I felt.
Although, after having finished the novel, I looked through it's information and I realised that it was published in 1992. I also realised that the author has recently written some contemporary romances. So I think maybe her recent romances might be more to my taste.
ARC Courtesy of NetGalley and BelleBooks
June 20, 2015
A solid historical romance, but for as short of a timespan that it's supposed to cover, it really dragged on at times. I had to put it down multiple times because of this. I was also disappointed that the main character digressed into the stereotypical air headed old west heroine. I was very tired of Caitlin and Jake having the same argument over and over again. For a woman who is supposed to be one of the most feared and clever outlaws around, she really turned out to be very naive and just foolish.
August 2, 2013
them both.
Behold . . . a re-released version of a novel that made its initial appearance twenty years ago, complete with a beautiful new cover–much better than the old cover, IMHO. What’s more gorgeous than a ripped cowboy, anyway.
So we have this a brother and sister–both leaders of a notorious gang of train robbers, taking silver shipments that come from only one mine–the one that was originally owned by their dad and mom and which was stolen from them when the present owner shot and killed them while these two siblings (just little kids at the time) watched helplessly. Now they are grown and determined to do their best to bring this greedy evil man down. Neither Kate nor her brother planned on being bested by a wiley gunslinger turned bounty hunter for the very man they hated. And as their situation goes “south,” the sort-of relationship of Kate and Jake begins. Jake is not really a very nice person, and having an outlaw woman in his custody, not realizing that she is a complete sexual innocent, means that readers will endure a scene or two that is unsavory but totally historically real. Rape was seldom considered a crime law enforcement officers often being as cruel and without conscience as the outlaws where women were concerned. The Old West was definitely not kind to any female of any age. It was not a good time to be born a female. Yet as this adversarial relationship continues on, the deeper layers of both these people are revealed.
I have to say that it is always satisfying to realize that there really are good guys that are far smarter than seemingly clever law breakers.
This novel is really well-written and as the story progresses it is not the kind of crisis resolution that one would expect. In fact, I was fairly certain that this was going to be one of those stories that didn’t turn out very well at all. Yet I was surprised pleasantly and as I went back to familiarize myself with aspects of the story, I was pleased at how the author developed the characters, at the hidden layers of Jake’s personality and background that were brought to light, and at the struggles and triumphs as Kate faces herself, her own demons, and her need to really grow beyond her grief and pain.
Twenty years have not dimmed the sheen on this fine novel and I am delighted that the publishers decided to make it available to readers again. It’s well-worth the effort to read and appreciate. I find that I am especially glad when I see publishers re-releasing treasures that deserve to be appreciated by new audiences, and I think this book it one of those. I had moments when I was uncomfortable with the actions of Jake and some of the other characters, but when thinking further on these, I realized that the Old West was a very unfriendly place, an environment where disrespect, greed, irresponsibility, and gratuitous violence thrived. I recommend this novel, but also add the recommendation that the reader keep a careful eye on the historical context.
I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.
This review was originally posted on Book Binge by Judith.
Behold . . . a re-released version of a novel that made its initial appearance twenty years ago, complete with a beautiful new cover–much better than the old cover, IMHO. What’s more gorgeous than a ripped cowboy, anyway.
So we have this a brother and sister–both leaders of a notorious gang of train robbers, taking silver shipments that come from only one mine–the one that was originally owned by their dad and mom and which was stolen from them when the present owner shot and killed them while these two siblings (just little kids at the time) watched helplessly. Now they are grown and determined to do their best to bring this greedy evil man down. Neither Kate nor her brother planned on being bested by a wiley gunslinger turned bounty hunter for the very man they hated. And as their situation goes “south,” the sort-of relationship of Kate and Jake begins. Jake is not really a very nice person, and having an outlaw woman in his custody, not realizing that she is a complete sexual innocent, means that readers will endure a scene or two that is unsavory but totally historically real. Rape was seldom considered a crime law enforcement officers often being as cruel and without conscience as the outlaws where women were concerned. The Old West was definitely not kind to any female of any age. It was not a good time to be born a female. Yet as this adversarial relationship continues on, the deeper layers of both these people are revealed.
I have to say that it is always satisfying to realize that there really are good guys that are far smarter than seemingly clever law breakers.
This novel is really well-written and as the story progresses it is not the kind of crisis resolution that one would expect. In fact, I was fairly certain that this was going to be one of those stories that didn’t turn out very well at all. Yet I was surprised pleasantly and as I went back to familiarize myself with aspects of the story, I was pleased at how the author developed the characters, at the hidden layers of Jake’s personality and background that were brought to light, and at the struggles and triumphs as Kate faces herself, her own demons, and her need to really grow beyond her grief and pain.
Twenty years have not dimmed the sheen on this fine novel and I am delighted that the publishers decided to make it available to readers again. It’s well-worth the effort to read and appreciate. I find that I am especially glad when I see publishers re-releasing treasures that deserve to be appreciated by new audiences, and I think this book it one of those. I had moments when I was uncomfortable with the actions of Jake and some of the other characters, but when thinking further on these, I realized that the Old West was a very unfriendly place, an environment where disrespect, greed, irresponsibility, and gratuitous violence thrived. I recommend this novel, but also add the recommendation that the reader keep a careful eye on the historical context.
I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.
This review was originally posted on Book Binge by Judith.
May 8, 2013
A re-release almost 20 years after the first release--a great historical novel set in the Old West when trains were most assuredly as dangerous as stage coaches when it came to robberies and such. It is a story that is different in that the focus of the story is the anger and sense of loss that permeates the mind and heart of the heroine--a young woman who, together with her older brother, has made the destruction of the greedy and evil man who killed her parents (right before their eyes) her life's work. The gunslinger/bounty hunter who captures her but keeps her to himself is a study in human nature himself. It is a romance that is unlikely--a man who is not really a very nice guy and whose interaction with Kate won't sit well for most readers (didn't with me, either) but whose sense of justice begins to come to the surface. Along with his awareness that Kate is more than just a handy woman and valuable hostage also makes the resolution of the situation different than expected. A very good story, beautifully written, and one that will please those readers who like historicals set in the 19th century Western American territories.
June 8, 2016
this is my favorite book by far I love the strong female lead and the man she falls in love with to match I've been searching for a book similar to this but its very difficult. I would highly recommend it I don't normally read books more than once but I've read this one 3 times.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews