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Montgomery/Taggert: Publication order #8
Kusicielka
Historia podróży pełnej przygód i uczuciowych komplikacji.
Wyczyny ekscentrycznej - przynajmniej jak na koniec ubiegłego stulecia - dziennikarki, Chris, niepokoją jej ojca do tego stopnia, że zleca dwóm panom ściągniecie niesfornej panienki na łono rodziny. Przewrotny plan tatusia i przekora córki doprowadzają do zgoła nieoczekiwanego rozwiązania.
Wyczyny ekscentrycznej - przynajmniej jak na koniec ubiegłego stulecia - dziennikarki, Chris, niepokoją jej ojca do tego stopnia, że zleca dwóm panom ściągniecie niesfornej panienki na łono rodziny. Przewrotny plan tatusia i przekora córki doprowadzają do zgoła nieoczekiwanego rozwiązania.
335 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
355 people are currently reading
1637 people want to read
About the author
Jude Deveraux
202 books7,086 followersJude Gilliam was born September 20, 1947 in Fairdale, Kentucky. She has a large extended family and is the elder sister of four brothers. She attended Murray State University and received a degree in Art. In 1967, Jude married and took her husband's surname of White, but four years later they divorced. For years, she worked as 5th-grade teacher.
She began writing in 1976, and published her first book, The Enchanted Land (1977) under the name Jude Deveraux. Following the publication of her first novel, she resigned her teaching position. Now, she is the author of 31 New York Times bestsellers.
Jude won readers' hearts with the epic Velvet series, which revolves around the lives of the Montgomery family's irresistible men. Jude's early books are set largely in 15th- and 16th-century England; in them her fierce, impassioned protagonists find themselves in the midst of blood feuds and wars. Her heroines are equally scrappy -- medieval Scarlett O'Haras who often have a low regard for the men who eventually win them over. They're fighters, certainly, but they're also beauties who are preoccupied with survival and family preservation.
Jude has also stepped outside her milieu, with mixed results. Her James River trilogy (River Lady, Lost Lady, and Counterfeit Lady) is set mostly in post-Revolution America; the popular, softer-edged Twin of Fire/Twin of Ice moves to 19th-century Colorado and introduces another hunky-man clan, the Taggerts.
Deveraux manages to evoke a strong and convincing atmosphere for each of her books, but her dialogue and characters are as familiar as a modern-day soap opera's. "Historicals seem to be all I'm capable of," Jude once said in an interview, referring to a now out-of-print attempt at contemporary fiction, 1982's Casa Grande. "I don't want to write family sagas or occult books, and I have no intention of again trying to ruin the contemporary market." Still, Jude did later attempt modern-day romances, such as the lighthearted High Tide (her first murder caper), the contemporary female friendship story The Summerhouse, and the time-traveling Knight in Shining Armor. In fact, with 2002's The Mulberry Tree, Deveraux seems to be getting more comfortable setting stories in the present, which is a good thing, since the fans she won with her historical books are eager to follow her into the future.
Jude married Claude White, who she later divorced in 1993. Around the same time she met Mohammed Montassir with whom she had a son, Sam Alexander Montassir, in 1997. On Oct. 6th, 2005, Sam died at the age of eight in a motorcycle accident.
Jude has lived in several countries and all over the United States. She currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and has an additional home in the medieval city of Badolato, Italy.
She began writing in 1976, and published her first book, The Enchanted Land (1977) under the name Jude Deveraux. Following the publication of her first novel, she resigned her teaching position. Now, she is the author of 31 New York Times bestsellers.
Jude won readers' hearts with the epic Velvet series, which revolves around the lives of the Montgomery family's irresistible men. Jude's early books are set largely in 15th- and 16th-century England; in them her fierce, impassioned protagonists find themselves in the midst of blood feuds and wars. Her heroines are equally scrappy -- medieval Scarlett O'Haras who often have a low regard for the men who eventually win them over. They're fighters, certainly, but they're also beauties who are preoccupied with survival and family preservation.
Jude has also stepped outside her milieu, with mixed results. Her James River trilogy (River Lady, Lost Lady, and Counterfeit Lady) is set mostly in post-Revolution America; the popular, softer-edged Twin of Fire/Twin of Ice moves to 19th-century Colorado and introduces another hunky-man clan, the Taggerts.
Deveraux manages to evoke a strong and convincing atmosphere for each of her books, but her dialogue and characters are as familiar as a modern-day soap opera's. "Historicals seem to be all I'm capable of," Jude once said in an interview, referring to a now out-of-print attempt at contemporary fiction, 1982's Casa Grande. "I don't want to write family sagas or occult books, and I have no intention of again trying to ruin the contemporary market." Still, Jude did later attempt modern-day romances, such as the lighthearted High Tide (her first murder caper), the contemporary female friendship story The Summerhouse, and the time-traveling Knight in Shining Armor. In fact, with 2002's The Mulberry Tree, Deveraux seems to be getting more comfortable setting stories in the present, which is a good thing, since the fans she won with her historical books are eager to follow her into the future.
Jude married Claude White, who she later divorced in 1993. Around the same time she met Mohammed Montassir with whom she had a son, Sam Alexander Montassir, in 1997. On Oct. 6th, 2005, Sam died at the age of eight in a motorcycle accident.
Jude has lived in several countries and all over the United States. She currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and has an additional home in the medieval city of Badolato, Italy.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
July 27, 2024
I was aware this author was fairly well known. I was aware this book was from a popular series and the book had decent ratings on Amazon and Goodreads. I thought it had to be readable, even if it was “old-school.”
I was wrong.
I was NOT aware that it featured an insanely idiotic female main character with many, many loose screws, a male main character determined to avoid good girls and marriage and who enjoyed a prostitute between handling the heroine and handling the heroine again, laughable dialogue, evil and/or insipid villains, brutally silly action sequences, an elaborate matchmaking scheme so convoluted it was guaranteed to fail, and a horrible, disappointing ending.
My first and last book by this author.
I was wrong.
I was NOT aware that it featured an insanely idiotic female main character with many, many loose screws, a male main character determined to avoid good girls and marriage and who enjoyed a prostitute between handling the heroine and handling the heroine again, laughable dialogue, evil and/or insipid villains, brutally silly action sequences, an elaborate matchmaking scheme so convoluted it was guaranteed to fail, and a horrible, disappointing ending.
My first and last book by this author.
March 19, 2017
This is the third book I have read by this author, all in this series. While it is odd that each book takes place hundreds of years after its predecessor, her characters are not so surprising.
The hero is always an asshole, not like the typical rake; but a real full-of-himself manwhore. He's always been hurt in the past and has a hard time with love, so he just doesn't. Ever. He treats his mate like an object.
The heroine is much more likeable. She is not always the prettiest, but she is physically attractive. She is smart and, most importantly, interesting. Therefore, even though the hero does not want to marry her and finds the idea of faithfulness unlikely, he wants her for only himself as a possession to take away the boredom.
There is always a love triangle. It's either a more beautiful woman or a man who wants the heroine's money or just a third person of some sort to inspire jealousy.
In the end, they are together after much yo-yoing back and forth about her faithfulness/hatred/self-sacrifice and his I want her/I want her not/I want her but not enough.
I literally think this review applies to all three of the first books in this series. It was a refreshimg change from my usual at first. Now I just feel like I know what to expect if I give another a try.
The hero is always an asshole, not like the typical rake; but a real full-of-himself manwhore. He's always been hurt in the past and has a hard time with love, so he just doesn't. Ever. He treats his mate like an object.
The heroine is much more likeable. She is not always the prettiest, but she is physically attractive. She is smart and, most importantly, interesting. Therefore, even though the hero does not want to marry her and finds the idea of faithfulness unlikely, he wants her for only himself as a possession to take away the boredom.
There is always a love triangle. It's either a more beautiful woman or a man who wants the heroine's money or just a third person of some sort to inspire jealousy.
In the end, they are together after much yo-yoing back and forth about her faithfulness/hatred/self-sacrifice and his I want her/I want her not/I want her but not enough.
I literally think this review applies to all three of the first books in this series. It was a refreshimg change from my usual at first. Now I just feel like I know what to expect if I give another a try.
January 26, 2022
3.5-4 Stars...I enjoyed most of this book...until the "ending"! It's worth reading, in my opinion, even though some parts either didn't seem at all realistic or were left being only half told!! I really wish there was an epilogue!!! The end of this book felt rushed, like it had to be told within 1 page! It was a fast ending & that kind of ruined the book!! The ending is supposed to bring everything together & this ending...kinda sucked! (Sorry, but it did!!) The beginning part where Chris is nude & Tynan jumps out of the closet & holds her & she kind of likes it....what?! If a strange man jumped out of my closet & held me, I'd scream & fight & scratch his eyes out, with or without clothes...but especially if I was naked!! Plus this story left so many questions!! Pretty much everything in this story that wasn't answered, is still unanswered after the ending!! What happens to everyone?! Why did it take Tynan so long to come back?..and right when Chris is saying I do?! What was he doing? What about the old man? (& the dog?!) & Lionel & his uncle? I have so many questions now! I really wish the ending was longer & better & I really wish there was an epilogue! I feel that would have answered a lot of questions & brought everything together!
April 13, 2009
I am going to write the same thing for the Taggart and Montgomery series of Jude Deveraux. First, I can't believe that I read these books because they are so blatantly bodice rippers (not my style at all). And second, and more importantly, I devoured them all! Here is the scoop: We stopped at a friend's house in Tennessee on the last leg of one of our cross country trips about 11 years ago and I had run out of books. She gave me three of Deveraux's books in the Montgomery series and I kindly took them never expecting to read them (my God the covers alone were ridiculous!). Well, I gave in and read them because I needed something to do on the ride home. By the time we got home, I had already called the library and asked them to reserve all of the Taggart and Montgomery series books they had! I devoured them all and loved them? Here's the funny thing - I have never read any more Deveraux since that time (not even the last Taggart book or the last two Montgomery books). I can still vividly remember scenes from the books I read so many years ago!
July 7, 2017
Welcome to the book version of a headache!
"The Temptress" is the story of Chris and Tynon.
Del, Chris's father hires Asher, the good man and Tynan, the criminal to bring his rebellious daughter Chris (who ran away from home to become a reporter) back, in turn he will give Tynan money and marry Asher off to his daughter.
The minute Chris sees Tynan however, she's hooked. She relentlessly pursues him, even when he sleeps with other whores and refuses to even consider marrying her because her father would put him in jail (if he touched her, which he does but refuses commitment) and there's a lot of pushing and pulling.
The heroine is childish and bipolar, the hero is supposedly brave but comes off as a Don Juan, and the mystery they solve is just meh.
I had high expectations with this one but it was really frustrating to see the main couple behaving like kids.
Egh to stubborn characters.
Unsafe
2/5
"The Temptress" is the story of Chris and Tynon.
Del, Chris's father hires Asher, the good man and Tynan, the criminal to bring his rebellious daughter Chris (who ran away from home to become a reporter) back, in turn he will give Tynan money and marry Asher off to his daughter.
The minute Chris sees Tynan however, she's hooked. She relentlessly pursues him, even when he sleeps with other whores and refuses to even consider marrying her because her father would put him in jail (if he touched her, which he does but refuses commitment) and there's a lot of pushing and pulling.
The heroine is childish and bipolar, the hero is supposedly brave but comes off as a Don Juan, and the mystery they solve is just meh.
I had high expectations with this one but it was really frustrating to see the main couple behaving like kids.
Egh to stubborn characters.
Unsafe
2/5
April 9, 2014
The characters had no flavor and they were sorta of annoying too. Chris was like a spoiled child .. throwing tantrums all over the place .. nagging and crying .. she didn't act like the mature woman we were told she was. Tynan wasn't interesting and I got real sick of hearing his excuses .. the plot was alright but the characters just made the whole thing too unbelievable and boring.
April 16, 2020
"Die Verführerin" ist nicht unbedingt eines der besten Bücher von Jude Deveraux, dazu sind Chris und Tynan zu klischeehaft angelegt.
Aber es gibt schon ein paar tolle Szenen, die einfach Spaß machen!
Naja, auch dieses Buch besitze ich schon ewig und habe es mehrfach gelesen. Wahrscheinlich ändert sich mit den Jahren einfach der Lesegeschmack.
Aber es gibt schon ein paar tolle Szenen, die einfach Spaß machen!
Naja, auch dieses Buch besitze ich schon ewig und habe es mehrfach gelesen. Wahrscheinlich ändert sich mit den Jahren einfach der Lesegeschmack.
May 26, 2018
Holy confusion Batman! This book was, in my honest opinion, almost unreadable. Was it even edited?
This is the first Jude Deveraux novel I've read and if her other works are anything like this travesty, it will most definitely be the last.
This is the first Jude Deveraux novel I've read and if her other works are anything like this travesty, it will most definitely be the last.
December 11, 2012
An utterly stupid book.
March 19, 2014
I was disappointed. I read several Jude Deveraux books around 18 years ago and I had fond memories of them. This didn't live up to those memories. I'm not sure if it's me or the book.
June 28, 2021
Extrañaba a los Montgomery ya.
April 5, 2024
This is #14 in the Montgomery/Taggert series. It takes place in Washington state c.1890. The h is 28 year old Christiana Mathison an heiress to the Del Mathison fortune. Her mother is a Montgomery. Chris has second sight (can see into the future). She is an only child and her mother passed away so she is very precious to her father. Chris has been a reporter since she was 18 years old but still a virgin. Her pen name is Nola Dallas and she is famous and a heroine to her readers. The H is Tynan a notorious womanizer and gunslinger and her father Del hired him to bring Chris home rescuing her from her latest caper fiasco in the Washington rainforest. At the same time he also sent another young man Asher Prescott who had lost his fortune due to a fire. Del said Asher could pursue his daughter as a potential bride. He told Tynan he would give him 10,000 dollars and a pardon from jail if he brought back his daughter safely to him. He also warned him to keep his hands off her or the deal was off.
Tynan kept his his face hidden and kept his distance lest he fall into temptation. Ash was obvious in his pursuit of Chris. While Ash was fairly good looking he was like every other young man her father tried to set her up with. Tynan was a mystery and with her innate sense of curiosity she followed him. She noticed he was wounded and she insisted she Doctor him. She told him about the story she wrote about a man who was taking money from missionaries and killing them and she needed help getting the story out to her New York newspaper. Ty helped her get it into town into the right hands and got her out with a bit of a gun chase. Once out of the rainforest they came to a town where Tynan was well known. Curious Chris found out a little more of Tynan story. He was born after his mother was shot 3 times and her last words were Tynan and she had a photo of herself with Sa on the back. An older miner took the baby and gave him to Red a prostitute to take care of. When he was six the old man took him and made him help him later selling him for money. Tynan got involved with the Chaney outlaw gang. He helped out a young woman who was pregnant and engaged to a young man but the young man didn’t want to marry her. There was a shooting. The young woman shot the young man and Tynan took the blame ending up in jail. The sheriff got his sentence reduced to imprisonment rather than hanging. He was in jail for two years when Del got him out. Chris found out all the good Tynan did by helping law enforcement get rid of criminals. She tried to change peoples perception of him from a criminal to a vigilante hero. He was at a church social and got involved in a shoot out and Chris thought he started it. She wouldn’t talk to him and left town with Asher. On the way out of town Chris and Asher came upon a dying woman Diana Eskeridge whose husband Whit had been shot dead and in her dying breath she told them about Mr. Hamilton and his nephew Lionel. Chris thought she needed to help Lionel so they went under cover to the Hamiltons to help Lionel who turned out to be spoiled and difficult to deal with. The older guardian Mr Hamilton was controlling his nephew’s estate. Chris found out from Diana that Mr. Hamilton planned on taking everything away from his nephew. Then Tynan and a friend Pricilla showed up as the gardener and his wife. Tynan found out Mr. Hamilton was embezzling money from Lionel and sent the books to the sheriff to prove his case. Meanwhile during the night an enemy of Tynan Bernard Dyson kidnapped both Chris and Priscilla and took them to his home. He kidnapped them to lure Tynan into a trap where he planned to torture and kill them all. It turned out Bernard was a great nephew of Samuel Dyson who was wealthy but Bernard’s family wasn’t. Bernard built his fortune by stealing from others. He was mean and feared by everyone including the law. Tynan was Samuels grandson and both Del and he tried to matchmake Chris and Tynan. Tynan rescued the girls and they hid out at the old miner who took him in as a youngster and sold him. Asher escorted the old man to get Del to come and pick them up as both Tynan and Pricilla were recovering from gunshot wounds. Del and Sam showed up to pick them up. Meanwhile Dyson came to the camp and he and his great Uncle had a shout to settle their differences. Both were shot. Bernard was dead and Samuel was wounded in his shoulder. They gave Bernard a Christian burial and went back to Dels estate. Chris hoped Tynan would ask her to marry him but he took the ten grand and left along with his pardon. Chris was pregnant with his child so rather than tell Tynan she was carrying his baby she asked Asher Prescott to marry her. He agrees but immediately starts spending money on horses etc not spending anytime with Del learning the family business. On the day of the wedding at the exchange of vows Chris hesitate at the I do. Suddenly Tynan comes into the church on horseback and says he wants to take Chris and Del says he has to marry her first. He says he will. She says she will. He lifts her up onto the horse and they ride away on their honeymoon. She mentions the baby.
Sex scenes
Near the beginning of the story Chris tells Ty she loves him and asks him to marry her. They have several intense kisses which leaves Chris weak kneed and breathless. Every time he kisses her he unbuttons the back of her dress. One time they were alone overnight in a cabin and he couldn’t resist her and they slept together. She thought they would be getting married. He said no as he wasn’t really marriage material as he was a wandering gunslinger. He also wanted the 10.000 reward from Del Mathison. She decides he isn’t worth pursuing and accepts advances from Asher. They still care about each other but argue all the time after that. She defends him to her father. The next time they are together is at their wedding date. I gave this five stars as it was a well written HR. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tynan kept his his face hidden and kept his distance lest he fall into temptation. Ash was obvious in his pursuit of Chris. While Ash was fairly good looking he was like every other young man her father tried to set her up with. Tynan was a mystery and with her innate sense of curiosity she followed him. She noticed he was wounded and she insisted she Doctor him. She told him about the story she wrote about a man who was taking money from missionaries and killing them and she needed help getting the story out to her New York newspaper. Ty helped her get it into town into the right hands and got her out with a bit of a gun chase. Once out of the rainforest they came to a town where Tynan was well known. Curious Chris found out a little more of Tynan story. He was born after his mother was shot 3 times and her last words were Tynan and she had a photo of herself with Sa on the back. An older miner took the baby and gave him to Red a prostitute to take care of. When he was six the old man took him and made him help him later selling him for money. Tynan got involved with the Chaney outlaw gang. He helped out a young woman who was pregnant and engaged to a young man but the young man didn’t want to marry her. There was a shooting. The young woman shot the young man and Tynan took the blame ending up in jail. The sheriff got his sentence reduced to imprisonment rather than hanging. He was in jail for two years when Del got him out. Chris found out all the good Tynan did by helping law enforcement get rid of criminals. She tried to change peoples perception of him from a criminal to a vigilante hero. He was at a church social and got involved in a shoot out and Chris thought he started it. She wouldn’t talk to him and left town with Asher. On the way out of town Chris and Asher came upon a dying woman Diana Eskeridge whose husband Whit had been shot dead and in her dying breath she told them about Mr. Hamilton and his nephew Lionel. Chris thought she needed to help Lionel so they went under cover to the Hamiltons to help Lionel who turned out to be spoiled and difficult to deal with. The older guardian Mr Hamilton was controlling his nephew’s estate. Chris found out from Diana that Mr. Hamilton planned on taking everything away from his nephew. Then Tynan and a friend Pricilla showed up as the gardener and his wife. Tynan found out Mr. Hamilton was embezzling money from Lionel and sent the books to the sheriff to prove his case. Meanwhile during the night an enemy of Tynan Bernard Dyson kidnapped both Chris and Priscilla and took them to his home. He kidnapped them to lure Tynan into a trap where he planned to torture and kill them all. It turned out Bernard was a great nephew of Samuel Dyson who was wealthy but Bernard’s family wasn’t. Bernard built his fortune by stealing from others. He was mean and feared by everyone including the law. Tynan was Samuels grandson and both Del and he tried to matchmake Chris and Tynan. Tynan rescued the girls and they hid out at the old miner who took him in as a youngster and sold him. Asher escorted the old man to get Del to come and pick them up as both Tynan and Pricilla were recovering from gunshot wounds. Del and Sam showed up to pick them up. Meanwhile Dyson came to the camp and he and his great Uncle had a shout to settle their differences. Both were shot. Bernard was dead and Samuel was wounded in his shoulder. They gave Bernard a Christian burial and went back to Dels estate. Chris hoped Tynan would ask her to marry him but he took the ten grand and left along with his pardon. Chris was pregnant with his child so rather than tell Tynan she was carrying his baby she asked Asher Prescott to marry her. He agrees but immediately starts spending money on horses etc not spending anytime with Del learning the family business. On the day of the wedding at the exchange of vows Chris hesitate at the I do. Suddenly Tynan comes into the church on horseback and says he wants to take Chris and Del says he has to marry her first. He says he will. She says she will. He lifts her up onto the horse and they ride away on their honeymoon. She mentions the baby.
Sex scenes
Near the beginning of the story Chris tells Ty she loves him and asks him to marry her. They have several intense kisses which leaves Chris weak kneed and breathless. Every time he kisses her he unbuttons the back of her dress. One time they were alone overnight in a cabin and he couldn’t resist her and they slept together. She thought they would be getting married. He said no as he wasn’t really marriage material as he was a wandering gunslinger. He also wanted the 10.000 reward from Del Mathison. She decides he isn’t worth pursuing and accepts advances from Asher. They still care about each other but argue all the time after that. She defends him to her father. The next time they are together is at their wedding date. I gave this five stars as it was a well written HR. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 14, 2020
Uno de los peores libros, que he leido de esta autora, aunque supongo que tiene mas que ver más la traducción que la historia, por que esta escrita sin mucho cuidado
February 17, 2016
The Temptress
by Jude Deveraux
Christiana Montgomery Mathison, a.k.a. Nola Dallas, is 28 years old and has a history of finding herself caught up in dangerous situations. She left home at 18 to become a newspaper reporter and has now gained a reputation as a courageous, albeit foolhardy, woman who is out to save the world. She has written articles exposing the Mexican government, spending days and nights in the company of Mexican guards before talking a guard into unlocking her cell; she has infiltrated whorehouses for a story on what it's like inside brothels; and is currently preparing to expose a white man for inciting "Indians" (term used in the book) to massacre missionaries. She is often assumed to be a man considering the tales she tells, and is held up in high regard and awe by the women she encounters because of her willingness to live such an audacious life.
Her father is fed up and wants her to return home, settle down, and raise a family. He hires two men, Asher Prescott, and a recently released ex-con, Tynan, to retrieve her from the west coast of the Washington Territory and bring her home. Tynan is chosen as their guide as he has experience finding his way through the rain forest which a lot of people avoided out of superstition that it is filled with ghosts. Prescott is sent along with the hopes of making Chris fall in love with him before their return. Although Prescott is a bit of a dandy and has a history of a failed business and is only after Chris to gain access to her father's money, he is full of himself and confident that he can convince her to marry him. Tynan's only experience with women is through brothels, one of which he was raised in during some of his childhood years. He knows very little about his past, including his full name, and although the ladies flock to him, and he is very charming, he thinks very little of himself and runs from the idea of marriage as he doesn't think he has anything to offer anyone. Hmm, guess which one Christiana falls for?
Because Chris is full of curiosity and jumps into situations before really thinking them through, always wanting to help those in need, she tends to get them into some sticky situations which Tynan begrudgingly helps her with. In the doing, they all end up in some pretty exciting adventures: shoot-outs, hiding out in brothels, posing as performers in a peddlers' cart, etc.
It has all the boxes checked off for the ingredients to a good story, but it failed to impress me much. For one thing, the attitudes of the people and the way they spoke to each other seemed more modern than the setting of rustic Washington Territory in the late 1800s. People saying, "You were GREAT!" doesn't fit in (for me) with the times represented. Even the fact that the heroine would have been given a position on a big-city newspaper and sent off into the wilds to find stories to write about seemed improbable. The last-minute happy ending was also contrived and unfulfilling. That being said, it was still enjoyable to read. Huh. I guess my ambivalence is showing in the 3* rating.
by Jude Deveraux
Christiana Montgomery Mathison, a.k.a. Nola Dallas, is 28 years old and has a history of finding herself caught up in dangerous situations. She left home at 18 to become a newspaper reporter and has now gained a reputation as a courageous, albeit foolhardy, woman who is out to save the world. She has written articles exposing the Mexican government, spending days and nights in the company of Mexican guards before talking a guard into unlocking her cell; she has infiltrated whorehouses for a story on what it's like inside brothels; and is currently preparing to expose a white man for inciting "Indians" (term used in the book) to massacre missionaries. She is often assumed to be a man considering the tales she tells, and is held up in high regard and awe by the women she encounters because of her willingness to live such an audacious life.
Her father is fed up and wants her to return home, settle down, and raise a family. He hires two men, Asher Prescott, and a recently released ex-con, Tynan, to retrieve her from the west coast of the Washington Territory and bring her home. Tynan is chosen as their guide as he has experience finding his way through the rain forest which a lot of people avoided out of superstition that it is filled with ghosts. Prescott is sent along with the hopes of making Chris fall in love with him before their return. Although Prescott is a bit of a dandy and has a history of a failed business and is only after Chris to gain access to her father's money, he is full of himself and confident that he can convince her to marry him. Tynan's only experience with women is through brothels, one of which he was raised in during some of his childhood years. He knows very little about his past, including his full name, and although the ladies flock to him, and he is very charming, he thinks very little of himself and runs from the idea of marriage as he doesn't think he has anything to offer anyone. Hmm, guess which one Christiana falls for?
Because Chris is full of curiosity and jumps into situations before really thinking them through, always wanting to help those in need, she tends to get them into some sticky situations which Tynan begrudgingly helps her with. In the doing, they all end up in some pretty exciting adventures: shoot-outs, hiding out in brothels, posing as performers in a peddlers' cart, etc.
It has all the boxes checked off for the ingredients to a good story, but it failed to impress me much. For one thing, the attitudes of the people and the way they spoke to each other seemed more modern than the setting of rustic Washington Territory in the late 1800s. People saying, "You were GREAT!" doesn't fit in (for me) with the times represented. Even the fact that the heroine would have been given a position on a big-city newspaper and sent off into the wilds to find stories to write about seemed improbable. The last-minute happy ending was also contrived and unfulfilling. That being said, it was still enjoyable to read. Huh. I guess my ambivalence is showing in the 3* rating.
May 10, 2010
I loved her first 4 books about the Montgomery brothers. This installment in the series was very different from the previous 4.
First of all, everything develops several years after those first four books, maybe even centuries. So all that typical characteristics about the men of those times were not present in the hero of this book. I know it's weird because sometimes I thought they were too sexists and chauvinists, but the heroes in those books were also very different from the other men of that period. When it came to their women, they were very protective, tender and loyal. I loved those things, and they were not present in this book. Maybe that's why I did not enjoyed this book as much as the first 4.
Nevertheless, this was a very sweet and entertaining story to read. Christiana Mathison was a great heroine, always the revel and with a dark humor that got me hooked to the book since page one. Tynan was a nice hero, although a bit frustrating. It took too long for him to realize he wanted to be with Chris. But the ending was amazing. That was a very incredible way for celebrating a wedding, one that could be told for generations.
First of all, everything develops several years after those first four books, maybe even centuries. So all that typical characteristics about the men of those times were not present in the hero of this book. I know it's weird because sometimes I thought they were too sexists and chauvinists, but the heroes in those books were also very different from the other men of that period. When it came to their women, they were very protective, tender and loyal. I loved those things, and they were not present in this book. Maybe that's why I did not enjoyed this book as much as the first 4.
Nevertheless, this was a very sweet and entertaining story to read. Christiana Mathison was a great heroine, always the revel and with a dark humor that got me hooked to the book since page one. Tynan was a nice hero, although a bit frustrating. It took too long for him to realize he wanted to be with Chris. But the ending was amazing. That was a very incredible way for celebrating a wedding, one that could be told for generations.
September 2, 2016
A curious news reporter Christina Montgomery lived in the late 18th century when women didn't have many choices except marry. At 28 she had a life of travel and adventure. Her father sent two men to bring her home. The one she fell in love with Tyson, an orphaned gunslinger who grew up in great poverty in a whorehouse. A beautiful man who tried to resist Chris because she was a good girl. As he and Prescott, the good guy, Chris thinks her father sent Chris home as one adventure after another occurs. Unwillingly to give herself to Tyran without being married they struggle against their attraction and differences. Chris gives in but Tyran finds he can't let go of the past. In the end, Chris discovers it was Tyran her father wanted her to marry but it might be too late as she now is set to marry another man although she is carrying Tyran's child!
June 7, 2013
It is indeed very fun to read and I will definitely recommend this to those who are finding a light-read novel. Full of action, adventure, passion, and romance is simply the best combination of genres a book could ever had. It just kept your heart pounding out of your throat so much. This was the book I read the fastest for I just can't put it down! It really is an amazing journey I felt coming through the story while reading it heartily.
I think what worked for me was when the both of them knew they couldn't resist each other, which made them work harder to resist, but then, they simply can't. That is really a plus factor in the story. It kept building up the excitement of the reader.
I assure you that you'll enjoy it as much as you'll be inspired with it. God Bless!
I think what worked for me was when the both of them knew they couldn't resist each other, which made them work harder to resist, but then, they simply can't. That is really a plus factor in the story. It kept building up the excitement of the reader.
I assure you that you'll enjoy it as much as you'll be inspired with it. God Bless!
March 30, 2011
Fun read about an heiress whose father decides she needs to get married as she's 28. Living independently as a popular journalist bent on the righting of wrongs Christiana finds herself being kidnapped by two men her father has chosen. One to protect her and the other he hopes she'll marry. Set in wild west.
March 5, 2015
Es la primer novela que leì, y la que me hizo enamorarme de la lectura. Es una historia muy linda, con mucha aventura y un poco pesada de leer. Pero si hoy en día puedo recitarla de memoria, vale la pena leerlo.
January 24, 2011
I have read this bookmany times, always wonderful...action packed. Bad boy really trying to be good in love with the good girl but won't admit it story. Love Jude Devereux.
April 22, 2013
Read this frontier romance back in 2002. Thumbs down to this most contrived romance ever written. Couldnt bear to finish it, and I usually loved Jude Devereux's romances.
March 29, 2015
Four stars, not because it's an outstanding novel but because I get so much pleasure out of reading her books! She brings a smile to my face and a lightness to my heart. Good story, great author.
June 30, 2015
Review
Hate to say it, but these books are never long enough for me. I want more to happen. Guess I'll go read the next in this series.
Hate to say it, but these books are never long enough for me. I want more to happen. Guess I'll go read the next in this series.
dnf
July 11, 2015Another one for the translations suck pile. I just, omg, the first page was so bad.
August 26, 2021
Pretty good. Christiana Mathison has traveled the country escaping danger and writing stories as the legendary reporter ‘Nola Dallas’. But after a life of adventure, she toys with the idea of settling down and starting a family. Her father Del, has the same idea, expect he wants her out of harms way immediately. Taking matters into his own hands he sends two men to collect Chris and bring her back to him. Asher Prescott, a handsome goody two shoes, well born aristocrat, and Tynan, the dark, mysterious gunslinger who has a reputation for two things, danger and women. The two men are instructed to essentially kidnap Chris and travel through the rainforest to deliver her to her father. Asher believes he’s sent on this mission to win Chris and marry her. Tynan believes he’s sent because he’s the only man who knows how to travel through the rainforest. Immediately Chris takes a liking to Tynan, and she sets her determined reporter mind to marrying the world’s biggest bachelor. She knows Asher has everything she should want, charms, manners, but still she’s drawn to Tynan’s brooding and passionate kisses. However, there’s a reason Tynan doesn’t give in to his desires, Del has made it clear that if he lays a hand on Chris he’ll be sent back to jail. But that hardly stops him. This book was very all over the place, I swore I knew what direction it was going in and then it introduced ten different characters and ten different plots. If I had to criticize one thing it would be that the search for Tynan’s background and family seemed to be thrown in at the end, it really wasn’t a major concern in the book like the synopsis said. As well as the plot with the orphaned child Lionel and Dysan’s kidnapping. Like I said very all over the place. But with that being said loved the vibe of the book. I mean the opening scene Chris is abducted by candlelight and held by a handsome mystery man, oh and she’s stark naked. I thought the rainforest scenes were spectacular. I love love loveeeeee when they travel in deveraux book it’s just so fun to read, and the rainforest mixed it up a bit. This book had literally so much it in its hard to comprehend, there was multiple kidnappings, orphaned children, assassination attempts, prostitutes, prostitutes who take care of orphaned children, cowboys, gunfights, high speed horse chases, undercover reporting, more kidnapping, more disguises etc. It seems only proper to end the book with Tynan stopping Chris’s wedding to Asher by shooting into the church and entering with a band of cowboys, then proceeding to ride into the church on a chestnut colored horse and then marry Chris right in front of Asher’s face. Classic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2021
Christiana Montgomery Mathison: aka Nola Dallas, courageous, world traveling, investigative reporter: strong willed, independent, etc... her father decided its time for her to be home, get married, raise children - and sends 2 men to bring her home;
Tynan unknowing to him, is Samuel James Dysan III: mother died in childbirth; old codger miner takes him to whore house (Red) where he is raised ... until age 6, when the codger returns, claims him, takes him to the next town, and auctions him off - to a farm couple; he is misused - runs away when 12, lives on the street, checking in with Red regularly; walks the line of outlawism, but walks away from that, gets to be known for handling guns and is regularly hired to deal with outlaws, and towns; he is handsome, and quite attractive to the ladies : ) ; he attempts to help a damsel in distress - who kills her boyfriend, but blames Tynan - and he doesn't tell the truth... and is jailed for murder... and after 3 years, is offered a pardon + $10,000 if he brings Chris back to dad...
Asher Prescott: the 2nd man dad sent to bring daughter home; in trying reverse psychology - to push her into Tynan's hands; he is a gold digger, looking for the easy way through life;
Samuel James Dysan II: long time friend of Mr Mathison; his son and daughter-in-law left for the coast, and disappeared; he recently found out she was pregnant, and they figured out Tynan is his grandson... unsure of his character (lots of rumors about him), he didn't claim him right away... but works with Mr Mathison to test him... and perhaps join their families...
Red: the big-hearted Madame who did her best to raise and love Tynan...
Fun story of a headstrong woman... a good man who doesn't know his full worth, and fights the attraction that comes naturally with any woman, but even more with this one - leading to real conversations with her since he won't be seduced by her;
Got very convoluted ... as they go off on a tangent to save the nephew of a woman who dies in her arms... and then a bully kidnaps her as bait to get Tynan to come for her...
but alls well that ends well... as Tynan storms the church on his horse to stop the wedding...
Tynan unknowing to him, is Samuel James Dysan III: mother died in childbirth; old codger miner takes him to whore house (Red) where he is raised ... until age 6, when the codger returns, claims him, takes him to the next town, and auctions him off - to a farm couple; he is misused - runs away when 12, lives on the street, checking in with Red regularly; walks the line of outlawism, but walks away from that, gets to be known for handling guns and is regularly hired to deal with outlaws, and towns; he is handsome, and quite attractive to the ladies : ) ; he attempts to help a damsel in distress - who kills her boyfriend, but blames Tynan - and he doesn't tell the truth... and is jailed for murder... and after 3 years, is offered a pardon + $10,000 if he brings Chris back to dad...
Asher Prescott: the 2nd man dad sent to bring daughter home; in trying reverse psychology - to push her into Tynan's hands; he is a gold digger, looking for the easy way through life;
Samuel James Dysan II: long time friend of Mr Mathison; his son and daughter-in-law left for the coast, and disappeared; he recently found out she was pregnant, and they figured out Tynan is his grandson... unsure of his character (lots of rumors about him), he didn't claim him right away... but works with Mr Mathison to test him... and perhaps join their families...
Red: the big-hearted Madame who did her best to raise and love Tynan...
Fun story of a headstrong woman... a good man who doesn't know his full worth, and fights the attraction that comes naturally with any woman, but even more with this one - leading to real conversations with her since he won't be seduced by her;
Got very convoluted ... as they go off on a tangent to save the nephew of a woman who dies in her arms... and then a bully kidnaps her as bait to get Tynan to come for her...
but alls well that ends well... as Tynan storms the church on his horse to stop the wedding...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2024
No lie, I was looking forward to hitting Chris and Tynan's book in my re-read because I vaguely remembered that Tynan had this uncanny ability to unbutton a lady's clothes whenever they started kissing. And that, my friends, was exactly what the guy could do. When he gave such a brief kiss he only unbuttoned THREE buttons, well, DANG, you know things are about to go down.
So, yes, Tynan has an unbuttoning gift. Honed from all the years when he'd do nothing more than flash a lady his smile and she'd practically fall in love with him. Christiana isn't immune to that smile, either. For all Tynan did everything he could to stay away from her and try to get her to fall for their traveling companion, Chris was smitten with the big, intense guide from the first. To be fair, Ty was also smitten with Chris. Possibly because his first glimpse of her was when she was nekkid. Or maybe it was just her adventurous spirit. Who knows!
Anywho. Chris and Tynan. She's smart, fearless, and determined to right wrongs. This determination got her into a little trouble every now and then. Tynan, on the other hand, is quiet, a little brooding, and determined to keep his hands to himself. Too bad Chris had other plans, amirite? Chris fell, fell hard, and then had a heck of a time convincing Ty that she knew her own mind and if she said she was in love with the big idiot, she was in love with him.
Throw in some complicated family dynamics, a traveling companion who can't hold a candle to Ty, an adventure in a house of ill repute, a little danger, a gloriously fringed costume, kisses that leave Chris in a STATE, a man who is determined to do the right thing, and a lady who pushes forward even when the odds are against her. GOOD TIMES!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
So, yes, Tynan has an unbuttoning gift. Honed from all the years when he'd do nothing more than flash a lady his smile and she'd practically fall in love with him. Christiana isn't immune to that smile, either. For all Tynan did everything he could to stay away from her and try to get her to fall for their traveling companion, Chris was smitten with the big, intense guide from the first. To be fair, Ty was also smitten with Chris. Possibly because his first glimpse of her was when she was nekkid. Or maybe it was just her adventurous spirit. Who knows!
Anywho. Chris and Tynan. She's smart, fearless, and determined to right wrongs. This determination got her into a little trouble every now and then. Tynan, on the other hand, is quiet, a little brooding, and determined to keep his hands to himself. Too bad Chris had other plans, amirite? Chris fell, fell hard, and then had a heck of a time convincing Ty that she knew her own mind and if she said she was in love with the big idiot, she was in love with him.
Throw in some complicated family dynamics, a traveling companion who can't hold a candle to Ty, an adventure in a house of ill repute, a little danger, a gloriously fringed costume, kisses that leave Chris in a STATE, a man who is determined to do the right thing, and a lady who pushes forward even when the odds are against her. GOOD TIMES!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
June 1, 2024
It's no secret I am a fan of Jude's writing. This will be my third time reading this book and it still stands the test of time. Over the years I have read a lot Judes books and this year I decided to go back for the third time and reread all of them.
what I enjoyed about this book as with all of Jude's books is that the female characters are strong. In this book, Christina is making a name for herself in a man's world. In a time when women were expected to marry and have children Christina is off chasing stories. Stories of greed, and money and what men will do for it. She has just finished her story when her father sends two men to bring her home.
Amid and Tynan are as opposite as two men can be. One is scheming and thinks that the best way to make money is to marry money. The other is a man of few words trying to complete a job and not end up back in prison.
As the two men travel with Christina through the rainforest and through dangerous situations it soon becomes clear which man Christina loves and which one she will marry to make her father happy.
This story too me was full of faction, and intrigue and I enjoyed the strength Christina showed. Though there were times I wanted to shake her for not listening most of the time she was brave.
Overall another brilliant story by Jude and one I will return to gain in the future.
what I enjoyed about this book as with all of Jude's books is that the female characters are strong. In this book, Christina is making a name for herself in a man's world. In a time when women were expected to marry and have children Christina is off chasing stories. Stories of greed, and money and what men will do for it. She has just finished her story when her father sends two men to bring her home.
Amid and Tynan are as opposite as two men can be. One is scheming and thinks that the best way to make money is to marry money. The other is a man of few words trying to complete a job and not end up back in prison.
As the two men travel with Christina through the rainforest and through dangerous situations it soon becomes clear which man Christina loves and which one she will marry to make her father happy.
This story too me was full of faction, and intrigue and I enjoyed the strength Christina showed. Though there were times I wanted to shake her for not listening most of the time she was brave.
Overall another brilliant story by Jude and one I will return to gain in the future.
March 30, 2018
Well. This was certainly different. This book was written more when the wild west was being tamed. It seems it all goes back to a full circle because what happened back in the wild west day is coming back to the attitude of the millennials of today. The "MEN" don't believe they should have to work but do believe their income should come from the woman's parents! SHAMEFUL!
Page 234 . . . "I can't this morning. There's a divine mare being put up for sale at Frederikson's and I need one more look at her before I buy her."
"but you've bought two horses already this week."
He stood back and looked at her and Chris knew what he was thinking. He'd taken Del Mathison's pregnant daughter off the man's hands and, because of this noble deed, he expected to be given the keys to the kingdom. HE DID NOT WORK AND CHRIS SUSPECTED THAT HE NEVER PLANNED TO, THAT HE WAS QUITE WILLING TO GO ON LIVING THERE, TAKING ALL HER FATHER HAD WORKED FOR AND CONTRIBUTING NOTHING IN RETURN. And her father couldn't have cared less what Asher did. He was too angry at Chris to think of anything else. And Samuel kept looking at her with the saddest eyes.
Page 234 . . . "I can't this morning. There's a divine mare being put up for sale at Frederikson's and I need one more look at her before I buy her."
"but you've bought two horses already this week."
He stood back and looked at her and Chris knew what he was thinking. He'd taken Del Mathison's pregnant daughter off the man's hands and, because of this noble deed, he expected to be given the keys to the kingdom. HE DID NOT WORK AND CHRIS SUSPECTED THAT HE NEVER PLANNED TO, THAT HE WAS QUITE WILLING TO GO ON LIVING THERE, TAKING ALL HER FATHER HAD WORKED FOR AND CONTRIBUTING NOTHING IN RETURN. And her father couldn't have cared less what Asher did. He was too angry at Chris to think of anything else. And Samuel kept looking at her with the saddest eyes.
November 21, 2021
2,5 stars!
I did not like the characters of this book, unfortunately. The heroine was someone who you could never trust what she would do or what she was feeling. I thought it was weird how she let some things happen while being so invested in something else. I felt like the book made her a tad reckless and the whole situation about Tynan and Asher was just not delivered as good as it could have been. Tynan was coming across like a total f boy and it was difficult to like him when he behaved in such manners. I did like that he had a back story and it gave context to his personality.
I liked that it was fast-paced and had quite a lot of action-packed but there was at the same time so much happening, I think the book would have more quality if some of the scenes were more in-depth and removed some other quick action-filled parts.
The ending was abrupt and quite predictable.
For someone who can read people and is a journalist, Chris was not good at detecting Asher at all until it was close to the wedding. Yes, Asher, did show his charming side but it should have been enough to know that he was marrying her for and foremost for money.
I did not like the characters of this book, unfortunately. The heroine was someone who you could never trust what she would do or what she was feeling. I thought it was weird how she let some things happen while being so invested in something else. I felt like the book made her a tad reckless and the whole situation about Tynan and Asher was just not delivered as good as it could have been. Tynan was coming across like a total f boy and it was difficult to like him when he behaved in such manners. I did like that he had a back story and it gave context to his personality.
I liked that it was fast-paced and had quite a lot of action-packed but there was at the same time so much happening, I think the book would have more quality if some of the scenes were more in-depth and removed some other quick action-filled parts.
The ending was abrupt and quite predictable.
For someone who can read people and is a journalist, Chris was not good at detecting Asher at all until it was close to the wedding. Yes, Asher, did show his charming side but it should have been enough to know that he was marrying her for and foremost for money.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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