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The Wicked West
The Wicked West by Victoria Dahl writing as Holly Summers.
When Lily Anders gave up her proper English roots to settle in the Wild West, she didn't dare hope that she'd meet someone who shared her own wicked bedroom secrets. But the virtuous Sheriff Hale has never told anyone about his shocking desires. Will he give in to the surprising temptation of the young widow?
Meet bestselling erotica author Holly Summers in Victoria Dahl's contemporary romances, TALK ME DOWN (January 2009) and START ME UP (July 2009).
When Lily Anders gave up her proper English roots to settle in the Wild West, she didn't dare hope that she'd meet someone who shared her own wicked bedroom secrets. But the virtuous Sheriff Hale has never told anyone about his shocking desires. Will he give in to the surprising temptation of the young widow?
Meet bestselling erotica author Holly Summers in Victoria Dahl's contemporary romances, TALK ME DOWN (January 2009) and START ME UP (July 2009).
58 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
33 people are currently reading
567 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Dahl
71 books2,004 followersI have my mother to thank for my passion for writing. My mom is an avid reader of popular fiction, and I began reading highly inappropriate books around the age of eleven, I think. (Thanks, Mom, for always leaving those delicious books strewn about!)
To Tempt a Scotsman, a Golden Heart winning historical, was my first published book. Here I am signing the cover! A Rake's Guide to Pleasure (which was excerpted at the back of Scotsman) is my second.
Due to my all-around goofiness, my agent suggested I also try my hand at a contemporary romantic comedy. Boy, is my agent smart! I had a great time writing Talk Me Down, the story of a young woman who goes back to her small hometown in Colorado and causes a huge stir with her secretive career and her burgeoning relationship with the chief of police. Not only did I have a great time writing it, but Tara Parsons at HQN liked it too! So if you like cold weather, hot sex and dirty jokes, be sure to check out Talk Me Down (out in January 2009).
Speaking of cold weather, my family and I live in a beautiful ski town in
Utah. No, I don't ski. I prefer to sit inside with a hot toddy and a good
book while the snow falls. It's especially beautiful to watch when from the inside!
I have a wonderful husband and children, and the house is kind of crowded, what with the dukes, Scotsmen, police chiefs, and naughty ladies running around, but my family is very understanding about my imaginary friends. Good thing, since they refuse to leave!
To Tempt a Scotsman, a Golden Heart winning historical, was my first published book. Here I am signing the cover! A Rake's Guide to Pleasure (which was excerpted at the back of Scotsman) is my second.
Due to my all-around goofiness, my agent suggested I also try my hand at a contemporary romantic comedy. Boy, is my agent smart! I had a great time writing Talk Me Down, the story of a young woman who goes back to her small hometown in Colorado and causes a huge stir with her secretive career and her burgeoning relationship with the chief of police. Not only did I have a great time writing it, but Tara Parsons at HQN liked it too! So if you like cold weather, hot sex and dirty jokes, be sure to check out Talk Me Down (out in January 2009).
Speaking of cold weather, my family and I live in a beautiful ski town in
Utah. No, I don't ski. I prefer to sit inside with a hot toddy and a good
book while the snow falls. It's especially beautiful to watch when from the inside!
I have a wonderful husband and children, and the house is kind of crowded, what with the dukes, Scotsmen, police chiefs, and naughty ladies running around, but my family is very understanding about my imaginary friends. Good thing, since they refuse to leave!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
February 26, 2017
4.25/5
He had a new idea of how he’d like to have Lily the next time he saw her. Something totally unnatural and sinful that she’d probably love.
I've read some of Victoria Dahl's contemporary romance novels before, but this was my first historical romance book by her. And it didn't disappoint. The story was a little bit dark, yet filled with intense emotions, heat, and passion.
I normally try to steer clear of BDSM genre since I’ve found that most of those I've read appear to be more miss than hit. I rarely find books in this genre that I can truly connect with the characters or clearly understand the couple's sexual needs. But I can tell, The Wicked West really did it for me.
Tom Hale had his own shocking sexual desires, but as a sheriff, he had a reputation to uphold, so he couldn't let anyone know this twisted side of him. When Lily, a delicate young widow, moved in next door to him, he felt something stirring inside of him. One day when he got back home, he found that Lily left her curtains open and he was so shocked at what he saw. It seemed like his beautiful neighbor had her own wicked bedroom secrets as well.
Hale and Lily were a "perfect match". Both of them had the same sinful sexual desires which completely fulfilled when they were together.
I admired Lily for being honest with herself. She knew what she wanted and was never afraid to be who she was.
Hale was a complex character and his dark side really fascinated me. I enjoyed how Hale tried to hold back his hunger for Lily but the temptation was far too strong for him to resist. And when he finally gave in, hell yeah, the heat between them was off the charts!
All in all, this was a good erotic short story. I enjoyed it from start to finish. Totally exceeded my expectations!
He had a new idea of how he’d like to have Lily the next time he saw her. Something totally unnatural and sinful that she’d probably love.
I've read some of Victoria Dahl's contemporary romance novels before, but this was my first historical romance book by her. And it didn't disappoint. The story was a little bit dark, yet filled with intense emotions, heat, and passion.
I normally try to steer clear of BDSM genre since I’ve found that most of those I've read appear to be more miss than hit. I rarely find books in this genre that I can truly connect with the characters or clearly understand the couple's sexual needs. But I can tell, The Wicked West really did it for me.
Tom Hale had his own shocking sexual desires, but as a sheriff, he had a reputation to uphold, so he couldn't let anyone know this twisted side of him. When Lily, a delicate young widow, moved in next door to him, he felt something stirring inside of him. One day when he got back home, he found that Lily left her curtains open and he was so shocked at what he saw. It seemed like his beautiful neighbor had her own wicked bedroom secrets as well.
Hale and Lily were a "perfect match". Both of them had the same sinful sexual desires which completely fulfilled when they were together.
I admired Lily for being honest with herself. She knew what she wanted and was never afraid to be who she was.
Hale was a complex character and his dark side really fascinated me. I enjoyed how Hale tried to hold back his hunger for Lily but the temptation was far too strong for him to resist. And when he finally gave in, hell yeah, the heat between them was off the charts!
All in all, this was a good erotic short story. I enjoyed it from start to finish. Totally exceeded my expectations!
May 22, 2011
I really enjoyed this quick, sexy little read. Sheriff Tom Hale and Mrs. Lily Anders were made for each other: he was a closeted Dom trying to control his kinky urges and she was a wicked sub bent on making him let his "inner beast" run free and spank her into orgasmic oblivion.
The sex scenes were all good and steamy hot, even though their kinkiness was slightly tamed - I mean, there was no "backdoor" loving, which I admit I had expected to find considering the premise of the story. Mind you, I'm not complaining, I'm just sayin'... ;)
I liked Ms. Dahl's writing style in general, but the way she described some of the sex scenes turned me off. So, I knew that both Hale and Lily got off on pain - he enjoyed delivering it and she loved receiving it - and that was more than OK for them. Ms. Dahl left no doubt that Hale's punishments hurt Lily, the harder the better. They were in heaven, while I was cringing like a wuss... You see, I live in my own delusional little world where pain has no place in the bedroom, so I need my authors to sugarcoat the BDSM scenes for me. It was all in Ms. Dahl's choice of words: if she had used the word "pleasure" instead of "pain" and "hurt", I'd have been blissfully happy - despite the fact that those words were synonyms in Lily's mind. Anyway, that's just a quirk of mine and it didn't bother me enough to ruin this read for me.
All things considered, this was still a very good and enjoyable story.
The sex scenes were all good and steamy hot, even though their kinkiness was slightly tamed - I mean, there was no "backdoor" loving, which I admit I had expected to find considering the premise of the story. Mind you, I'm not complaining, I'm just sayin'... ;)
I liked Ms. Dahl's writing style in general, but the way she described some of the sex scenes turned me off. So, I knew that both Hale and Lily got off on pain - he enjoyed delivering it and she loved receiving it - and that was more than OK for them. Ms. Dahl left no doubt that Hale's punishments hurt Lily, the harder the better. They were in heaven, while I was cringing like a wuss... You see, I live in my own delusional little world where pain has no place in the bedroom, so I need my authors to sugarcoat the BDSM scenes for me. It was all in Ms. Dahl's choice of words: if she had used the word "pleasure" instead of "pain" and "hurt", I'd have been blissfully happy - despite the fact that those words were synonyms in Lily's mind. Anyway, that's just a quirk of mine and it didn't bother me enough to ruin this read for me.
All things considered, this was still a very good and enjoyable story.
November 20, 2009
***4 1/2 stars***
Hot, sexy little western story of a Sheriff who secretly longs for a bit more in the bedroom and an English widow who wants him to dominate her, so she shows him that it's okay to be a bit wicked.
The love scenes were hot but I wouldn't have minded a few more. The BDSM didn't go beyond spanking and tying up so it shouldn't push too many boundries if it isn't your thing.
Overall it was a hot sexy little western romantica that I recommend to people who enjoy these types of stories.
Hot, sexy little western story of a Sheriff who secretly longs for a bit more in the bedroom and an English widow who wants him to dominate her, so she shows him that it's okay to be a bit wicked.
The love scenes were hot but I wouldn't have minded a few more. The BDSM didn't go beyond spanking and tying up so it shouldn't push too many boundries if it isn't your thing.
Overall it was a hot sexy little western romantica that I recommend to people who enjoy these types of stories.
May 3, 2016
This was a hot little number!! The rough Sheriff and the proper English lady. Cannot really give it more than three, as it was so short.
Was hoping that my young, impressionable, young, male colleague was not going to ask what I was reading in the office!!
Was hoping that my young, impressionable, young, male colleague was not going to ask what I was reading in the office!!
November 22, 2010
Kind of like "Secretary" in the Old West. Sheriff Hale is an honorable man, deeply ashamed of the desires for rough, dominant sex he thinks drove his wife away from him. Lily Anders, a widow recently arrived from England, recognizes him with some kind of sub-dar and seduces him by putting on a peep show in front of her bedroom windows. Once he gives in to temptation, the sheriff discovers to his amazement that they are perfectly matched in their needs.
Considering this is an erotic short story, with a fair bit of it taken up by sex, I thought Dahl did quite a good job of creating believable characters and situations. It's not super strong on historical color, but decent enough to provide a plausible background for the scenario. I wasn't crazy about the sex scenes, because the whole "you're a dirty whore" thing is not my idea of exciting pillow talk, so I found the book more interesting than hot. Still a good read on that level.
Considering this is an erotic short story, with a fair bit of it taken up by sex, I thought Dahl did quite a good job of creating believable characters and situations. It's not super strong on historical color, but decent enough to provide a plausible background for the scenario. I wasn't crazy about the sex scenes, because the whole "you're a dirty whore" thing is not my idea of exciting pillow talk, so I found the book more interesting than hot. Still a good read on that level.
May 20, 2016
This was steamy and short. A nice little quickie indeed!!!
July 9, 2010
Widow Lily Anders inherits her brother's house in Wyoming and leaves England to start a new life in America’s Wild West. Sexual desires she’s concealed after her husband's death return in full force when she recognizes the town's sheriff, Tom Hale, for the dominant partner he could be for her. They embark on an erotic secret relationship that develops into something profound and as explosive as the sexual fireworks they produce.
Lily is subservient but by no means weak. She is determined to make something of her life in America and to put the past with her family behind her. Sheriff Hale is pragmatic, tough and just that little rough around the edges to make you melt for him. He thinks something is wrong with him because of his craving for sexual dominancy and desperately, yet fruitlessly, tries to suppress them.
Hale’s reluctance and the way Lily slowly diminishes it gave the story a nice twist. I like erotic stories about men suppressing their darker sexual urges until they meet the right woman. Sheriff Hale is exactly such a man and I loved him. At first I was wondering if Sheriff Hale's first name would ever be given and luckily for me Dahl didn't disappoint, although I did expect it to be a little more exotic than Tom and understand why for most of the book he's addressed as Sheriff Hale. Lily and Sheriff Hale are neighbors and what starts as a little taunting and voyeurism ends in awakening and empowerment for Lily and acknowledgment and acceptance for Sheriff Hale. And what starts out a purely physical relationship evolves into a strong emotional connection between them.
For a short story there are quite a few secondary characters but they all are more there to provide the main characters with a background than that they have truly crucial roles in the storyline. Still the story wouldn’t be complete without them.
What is it with the novellas of late? THE WICKED WEST is the 4th one I've read in a short while and again I was treated to a top-notch novella. It is another rounded and well-executed story with a romance and characters that are fleshed out excellently and better than in some full-length books I’ve read. Dahl even managed to work in a small side plot of some mysterious cattle theft. I used to dread reading anthologies/novellas and only read them to complete series of full-length books but Dahl, Dare and Byrne are making me eat my words and I'm starting to look forward to them a whole lot more now.
Dahl is so good in building up the tension with scenes where Lily seduces Sheriff Hale from afar that when they finally engaged in physical contact, I myself was ready to explode. Dahl does voyeurism, spanking, Dom/sub and a little bondage with flair and class I can appreciate. The scenes are explicit without ever getting crude or distasteful. And without distracting from the erotic or romantic vibe, she managed to capture the Wild West of that time-period, which I am guessing is somewhere in the 19th century since a specific timestamp is not given, with descriptions and characters.
My only little (very, very little) point of criticism is the use of the word whore in the novella. I understand that it worked for the scenes and the characters but for me it still has this negative connotation to it that I didn't like to associate with Lily or Hale and their otherwise lovely written story.
THE WICKED WEST gave me goose bumps. The good kind! Couldn't stop reading even when I had to go to bed. The words "Yes, Sheriff" will never be the same to me. I do hope her venture into erotic romance will not stay limited to THE WICKED WEST because she definitely has a knack for it!
Lily is subservient but by no means weak. She is determined to make something of her life in America and to put the past with her family behind her. Sheriff Hale is pragmatic, tough and just that little rough around the edges to make you melt for him. He thinks something is wrong with him because of his craving for sexual dominancy and desperately, yet fruitlessly, tries to suppress them.
Hale’s reluctance and the way Lily slowly diminishes it gave the story a nice twist. I like erotic stories about men suppressing their darker sexual urges until they meet the right woman. Sheriff Hale is exactly such a man and I loved him. At first I was wondering if Sheriff Hale's first name would ever be given and luckily for me Dahl didn't disappoint, although I did expect it to be a little more exotic than Tom and understand why for most of the book he's addressed as Sheriff Hale. Lily and Sheriff Hale are neighbors and what starts as a little taunting and voyeurism ends in awakening and empowerment for Lily and acknowledgment and acceptance for Sheriff Hale. And what starts out a purely physical relationship evolves into a strong emotional connection between them.
For a short story there are quite a few secondary characters but they all are more there to provide the main characters with a background than that they have truly crucial roles in the storyline. Still the story wouldn’t be complete without them.
What is it with the novellas of late? THE WICKED WEST is the 4th one I've read in a short while and again I was treated to a top-notch novella. It is another rounded and well-executed story with a romance and characters that are fleshed out excellently and better than in some full-length books I’ve read. Dahl even managed to work in a small side plot of some mysterious cattle theft. I used to dread reading anthologies/novellas and only read them to complete series of full-length books but Dahl, Dare and Byrne are making me eat my words and I'm starting to look forward to them a whole lot more now.
Dahl is so good in building up the tension with scenes where Lily seduces Sheriff Hale from afar that when they finally engaged in physical contact, I myself was ready to explode. Dahl does voyeurism, spanking, Dom/sub and a little bondage with flair and class I can appreciate. The scenes are explicit without ever getting crude or distasteful. And without distracting from the erotic or romantic vibe, she managed to capture the Wild West of that time-period, which I am guessing is somewhere in the 19th century since a specific timestamp is not given, with descriptions and characters.
My only little (very, very little) point of criticism is the use of the word whore in the novella. I understand that it worked for the scenes and the characters but for me it still has this negative connotation to it that I didn't like to associate with Lily or Hale and their otherwise lovely written story.
THE WICKED WEST gave me goose bumps. The good kind! Couldn't stop reading even when I had to go to bed. The words "Yes, Sheriff" will never be the same to me. I do hope her venture into erotic romance will not stay limited to THE WICKED WEST because she definitely has a knack for it!
October 16, 2010
What a steamy little novella! ^_^ This tale, written by Victoria Dahl "as Holly Summers," was actually referenced as part of the author's contemporary romance novel Talk Me Down. In that book, the heroine is an erotic novel writer whose latest book-in-progress is about a sweet and mild-mannered English widow who has taken a very particular interest in the town Sheriff; she recognizes his own secret (and denied) desire to dominate (...yes, as in D/s).
I quite enjoyed the "cat and mouse" type interaction between Lily Anders and Sheriff Hale. Though she comes off as meek, Lily is quite determined to get her man to accept himself--and thus accept her affections. The two have just enough explained backstory to make their struggle/mission compelling, too. The steam factor is pretty high here, but the tale has more to it than that. Yay. :o)
I think this story could have supported a full-length treatment. As it stands, what could've been a thrilling subplot came off extremely abrupt. But I suppose that's ultimately neither here nor there. At the very least, the story was solid and whet the appetite for more.
I must say, reading this novella was all the more fun having read Talk Me Down. The fictional author's experiences, most especially those that took place over the course of the novel, had an impact on her writing. I'd like to think that one could gain some fun insight into that character's writing choices by reading this novella (as well as recognize where her experiences might have inspired the novella's characters/plot). Victoria Dahl's decision to use her own character's nom de plume would suggest as much, at least.
As far as I know, The Wicked West is only available as an ebook, which can be found at any of the major ebook retailers (Amazon, BoB, Diesel, Kobo, etc). I'd say it's worth it.
I quite enjoyed the "cat and mouse" type interaction between Lily Anders and Sheriff Hale. Though she comes off as meek, Lily is quite determined to get her man to accept himself--and thus accept her affections. The two have just enough explained backstory to make their struggle/mission compelling, too. The steam factor is pretty high here, but the tale has more to it than that. Yay. :o)
I think this story could have supported a full-length treatment. As it stands, what could've been a thrilling subplot came off extremely abrupt. But I suppose that's ultimately neither here nor there. At the very least, the story was solid and whet the appetite for more.
I must say, reading this novella was all the more fun having read Talk Me Down. The fictional author's experiences, most especially those that took place over the course of the novel, had an impact on her writing. I'd like to think that one could gain some fun insight into that character's writing choices by reading this novella (as well as recognize where her experiences might have inspired the novella's characters/plot). Victoria Dahl's decision to use her own character's nom de plume would suggest as much, at least.
As far as I know, The Wicked West is only available as an ebook, which can be found at any of the major ebook retailers (Amazon, BoB, Diesel, Kobo, etc). I'd say it's worth it.
October 27, 2011
This review was posted at Under The Covers
I am so excited that I found this! Victoria Dahl writes this story as Holly Summers. Holly is Molly Jennings alter ego. Molly is the heroine of Talk Me Down. She is a closet erotica writer, and here we get a short novella of Holly's erotic work.
I felt a bit like to nosy neighbors of Tumble Creek having to run out and read about the hot scenes inside Molly's head. And I can't help but wonder if this is the cowboy story Molly was working on while we read Talk Me Down.
But enough of that, let me tell you about this story. It was a hot short read with a touch of kink. You do not have to read Tumble Creek to enjoy it as it has nothing really to do with the series.
Tom Hale is the town Sheriff and neighbor of Mrs. Lily Anders. She's just moved into town from England after he brother left her the house and her husband died a year ago.
And I said kink before. Tom Hale's wife left him years ago because she knew he had a dark side to him he wasn't showing and she wasn't ready to deal with. He likes to dominate, to spank, to tie up and to give a rough and hard ride. But he is so scared of that side of himself he's always hidden it.
Lily on the other hand has only known pleasure with punishment as that is what her husband showed her. She sees that in Hale and is determined to be his, and to please him.
In short, if you are looking for a quick short read that will steam up your ereader then pick this up, you won't regret it. And I really wish Ms. Dahl would put more of these erotic shorts by Ms. Summers. ;)
I am so excited that I found this! Victoria Dahl writes this story as Holly Summers. Holly is Molly Jennings alter ego. Molly is the heroine of Talk Me Down. She is a closet erotica writer, and here we get a short novella of Holly's erotic work.
I felt a bit like to nosy neighbors of Tumble Creek having to run out and read about the hot scenes inside Molly's head. And I can't help but wonder if this is the cowboy story Molly was working on while we read Talk Me Down.
But enough of that, let me tell you about this story. It was a hot short read with a touch of kink. You do not have to read Tumble Creek to enjoy it as it has nothing really to do with the series.
Tom Hale is the town Sheriff and neighbor of Mrs. Lily Anders. She's just moved into town from England after he brother left her the house and her husband died a year ago.
And I said kink before. Tom Hale's wife left him years ago because she knew he had a dark side to him he wasn't showing and she wasn't ready to deal with. He likes to dominate, to spank, to tie up and to give a rough and hard ride. But he is so scared of that side of himself he's always hidden it.
Lily on the other hand has only known pleasure with punishment as that is what her husband showed her. She sees that in Hale and is determined to be his, and to please him.
In short, if you are looking for a quick short read that will steam up your ereader then pick this up, you won't regret it. And I really wish Ms. Dahl would put more of these erotic shorts by Ms. Summers. ;)
November 17, 2009
Oh my god this book made all 10 toes curl!!! This is perhaps the best erotic BDSM book I've read ever and I'm usually not a huge fan of BDSM. The way Dahl approaches BDSM in this Western is sexy, erotic, and thoughtful. For the most part when I've come across BDSM the sub always seems to be humiliated which is a major turn off the me. I can't gush enough about this book, I absolutely loved it and wish Dahl would write more in this genre. If you are not in BDSM (like I was) this is a great book to start off with, due to the subtle wirting style of BDSM without getting into the contemporary toys todays modern BDSM world.
July 17, 2014
Well.
Well.
A short story set in the old West with a Dom sheriff and a proper English beauty to be his sub? My.
The sexual matter is rather dark, and since it's a short story, about 80% of it is sex, so if that's not your thing, steer clear. If, however, you're looking for a short jaunt through a sexually explicit western, well... Have fun.
Well.
A short story set in the old West with a Dom sheriff and a proper English beauty to be his sub? My.
The sexual matter is rather dark, and since it's a short story, about 80% of it is sex, so if that's not your thing, steer clear. If, however, you're looking for a short jaunt through a sexually explicit western, well... Have fun.
July 6, 2015
Oh my gosh that was so hot!
Read
February 28, 2019This was delicious trash. I loved it. Kinky western smut on another level.
Sidenote: read it before the other Victoria Dahl book that has this as a book in it.
Sidenote: read it before the other Victoria Dahl book that has this as a book in it.
July 2, 2021
This really gets 3.5 but I'll be generous. I took it as a bit of a bdsm parody written as a companion to Molly's story so at least Victoria Dahl tried.
May 20, 2011
There are plenty of mediocre novellas, especially now that the market for ebook shorts has exploded. Of course, there are also good novellas and a few great ones. But, rarest of all are novellas that should be required reading for any author looking to cross that line from good to great. Victoria Dahl’s The Wicked West should be required reading for any writer looking to write the perfect erotic short story or novella.
I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a short this much (which considering that I feature one each week and genuinely love the format says something). And I was a bit out of my comfort zone as far as the kink in the story, but I. Did. Not. Care. At all. Now, admittedly, my enjoyment was enhanced by the fact that I first read Dahl’s Talk Me Down where the main character, Molly Jennings, writes erotica under the pseudonym Holly Summers. In a stroke of marketing and creative genius, Dahl released this short as Holly Summers, as it’s supposed to be the novel Molly was working on. Don’t let the name game confuse you—the plot stands completely apart from Talk Me Down and is more than just a gimmick. Dahl manages to craft a unique voice that is at once herself, but also seems to stem from the sensibilities of Molly/Holly as a writer.
In this story, Lily, a shy English rose, has arrived in the Wild West to take over her late brother’s house. Sherriff Hale is a gruff, hardened Wyoming lawman who is inexplicably drawn to Lily. The Sherriff is brilliantly characterized because he reacts like an 1800s lawman to his own feelings and desires—he lacks the swagger of a modern guy unperturbed by liking a little kink. Instead the Sherriff is deeply conflicted by his darker desires and pushes Lily away.
Because a short story/novella has far less plot real estate to work with, authors must create believable conflict to drive the story, but also resolve it in a satisfying way rather quickly. Here, the internal conflict is gorgeously laid out with lots of lusty longing and self-recriminations, but the solution is believable as it requires a not-unlikely leap of faith on the part of the Sherriff and Lily.
Dahl also avoids the temptation to set the story within a single 24 or 48 hour period—something that many erotic novellas do, leading to less believable HEAs. Instead the story plays out over the course of weeks, with an external cattle rustling subplot moving time along, and the ultimate resolution takes place a few months later and beautifully shows the way that these two characters have brought out the best in each other. The love scenes are smoking hot, but laced with tons of emotion. I’ve read far more explicit stuff, but the heat factor here is off the charts. (Note there is some light BDSM elements here with a very dominant hero and a heroine who is a true submissive. There’s no backdoor action or other extreme stuff, so I think this might appeal to others who don’t typically venture this far into erotica). Dahl has true winner her, one that showcases her lively voice and her talent for delving deeply into characters’ emotions even as she turns the heat up past high.
I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a short this much (which considering that I feature one each week and genuinely love the format says something). And I was a bit out of my comfort zone as far as the kink in the story, but I. Did. Not. Care. At all. Now, admittedly, my enjoyment was enhanced by the fact that I first read Dahl’s Talk Me Down where the main character, Molly Jennings, writes erotica under the pseudonym Holly Summers. In a stroke of marketing and creative genius, Dahl released this short as Holly Summers, as it’s supposed to be the novel Molly was working on. Don’t let the name game confuse you—the plot stands completely apart from Talk Me Down and is more than just a gimmick. Dahl manages to craft a unique voice that is at once herself, but also seems to stem from the sensibilities of Molly/Holly as a writer.
In this story, Lily, a shy English rose, has arrived in the Wild West to take over her late brother’s house. Sherriff Hale is a gruff, hardened Wyoming lawman who is inexplicably drawn to Lily. The Sherriff is brilliantly characterized because he reacts like an 1800s lawman to his own feelings and desires—he lacks the swagger of a modern guy unperturbed by liking a little kink. Instead the Sherriff is deeply conflicted by his darker desires and pushes Lily away.
Because a short story/novella has far less plot real estate to work with, authors must create believable conflict to drive the story, but also resolve it in a satisfying way rather quickly. Here, the internal conflict is gorgeously laid out with lots of lusty longing and self-recriminations, but the solution is believable as it requires a not-unlikely leap of faith on the part of the Sherriff and Lily.
Dahl also avoids the temptation to set the story within a single 24 or 48 hour period—something that many erotic novellas do, leading to less believable HEAs. Instead the story plays out over the course of weeks, with an external cattle rustling subplot moving time along, and the ultimate resolution takes place a few months later and beautifully shows the way that these two characters have brought out the best in each other. The love scenes are smoking hot, but laced with tons of emotion. I’ve read far more explicit stuff, but the heat factor here is off the charts. (Note there is some light BDSM elements here with a very dominant hero and a heroine who is a true submissive. There’s no backdoor action or other extreme stuff, so I think this might appeal to others who don’t typically venture this far into erotica). Dahl has true winner her, one that showcases her lively voice and her talent for delving deeply into characters’ emotions even as she turns the heat up past high.
August 31, 2012
Um this was wicked hot.
Okay, for an actual review. This book was gifted to me by a super sweet friend. I owe her a kiss on the mouth or something. This novella was extremely well done. Sheriff Hale is a good man who cares about the people of his small Western town. His sexually sadistic side drove his wife away and left to him to his hand and the kindness of whores within horse riding distance.
Enter the Widow Lily Anders. She a proper English woman who has a taste for punishment.
Hale and Lily are great together. They are respectful to one another as neighbors and completely wild in bed. Or in the parlor. Or in the kitchen. Even though this one is short, there's actually a Western plot. Someone's stealing cattle from local ranchers and Hale is on the case. Quick and hot, The Wicked West started and ends with a bang just the way I like it. :)
Okay, for an actual review. This book was gifted to me by a super sweet friend. I owe her a kiss on the mouth or something. This novella was extremely well done. Sheriff Hale is a good man who cares about the people of his small Western town. His sexually sadistic side drove his wife away and left to him to his hand and the kindness of whores within horse riding distance.
Enter the Widow Lily Anders. She a proper English woman who has a taste for punishment.
Hale and Lily are great together. They are respectful to one another as neighbors and completely wild in bed. Or in the parlor. Or in the kitchen. Even though this one is short, there's actually a Western plot. Someone's stealing cattle from local ranchers and Hale is on the case. Quick and hot, The Wicked West started and ends with a bang just the way I like it. :)
September 8, 2012
Short, smutty...I liked it.
Two people who like a somewhat different style of intimacy. SHE notices HIM first. He's afraid his secret will get out...he's the SHERIFF and people need to respect him.
She's a proper English woman in the Wild West...and she likes the occasional spanking. Lucky for her HE likes to give the occasional spanking.
A match made in heaven...or the old west...
It was fun.
Two people who like a somewhat different style of intimacy. SHE notices HIM first. He's afraid his secret will get out...he's the SHERIFF and people need to respect him.
She's a proper English woman in the Wild West...and she likes the occasional spanking. Lucky for her HE likes to give the occasional spanking.
A match made in heaven...or the old west...
It was fun.
June 17, 2009
This was a hot, sexy little number. A bit of light BDSM (normally not my thing), but the characters were super likeable and it was done really well. Dahl has such a warm, funny, sexy voice. Loved this!! It was just the right length (about 65 pages).
February 11, 2019
HOT!!!
This was a super steamy read and so well written. Even though it was short, I knew the characters well enough to be invested in their emotional journey. Just what I was in the mood for!
This was a super steamy read and so well written. Even though it was short, I knew the characters well enough to be invested in their emotional journey. Just what I was in the mood for!
October 16, 2018
short and quick, but interesting. A little BDSM.
December 5, 2018
this... was not what i was expecting based on the cover. it was good though, and packs quite a punch. it was steamy and short, i liked it but it didn't blow me away. it was fine.
January 21, 2019
Perfect little gem of a story
February 24, 2020
Hot and steamy
I enjoyed the wild west setting and even the slight bondage involved. Felt sorry for the Sheriff and his first marriage but glad the girl got her guy in the end.
I enjoyed the wild west setting and even the slight bondage involved. Felt sorry for the Sheriff and his first marriage but glad the girl got her guy in the end.
March 15, 2020
Liked this book alot
November 16, 2020
Loved this little book. Would read again. Mild bdsm in this book, a great read.
November 15, 2022
Hot but dnf
May 29, 2023
Not a bad novella, although I think Angel by the same author is way better.
April 8, 2011
This was a quick little read, and I liked it! If you have read Talk Me Down by Dahl, the main character Molly in that book writes erotic bestsellers under the name Holly Summers, and the book that spurs some of the dramatic tension in TMD is one that she wrote about her long-time ex and hottie Sheriff Ben Lawson. Well, this book is Dahl writing as Holly Summers, and I do believe it's supposed to be that book of Molly's from TMD. Which is a neat idea! And, since we now know Molly writes like Victoria Dahl, we now understand why she is a bestselling author! :)
The plot of this short e-book is pretty slim. A recent English widow moves to the wilds of colonial Wyoming and takes up with an upstanding Sheriff who lives next door. She is a sexual submissive, and he is a closet dominant, and together they discover lots of hot BDSM sex, while establishing a real emotional connection (of course!). When the Sheriff gets injured, potentially lying near death, they realize they just can't live without each other. Awwww.
So, the real content of this book of course is not the plot, but the sex. As I have come to expect from Dahl, she keeps it totally scorching while still keeping real honest connection and mutual respect at the forefront - not always easy I think when part of the sexplay involves tying up/spanking/playing at humiliation. I am not really into this kind of thing, but as with Start Me Up by Dahl, I found it a wonderful way to illustrate the trust and respect, oddly enough, between the two characters. So one of them is spanking the other and this is demonstrative of trust and respect, you ask? Well, I don't think it always is, probably in books or in real life. But in Dahl's books, it is, and I really love the way she puts that respect and trust at the forefront. This book did not have quite the profound level of connection and character development I felt SMU had, because that book was (longer and) about long-time friends falling in love, but it did echo the theme of the female character discovering things about both her life and her expectations of it, as she explored her sexuality.
Anyway, a good little book.
The plot of this short e-book is pretty slim. A recent English widow moves to the wilds of colonial Wyoming and takes up with an upstanding Sheriff who lives next door. She is a sexual submissive, and he is a closet dominant, and together they discover lots of hot BDSM sex, while establishing a real emotional connection (of course!). When the Sheriff gets injured, potentially lying near death, they realize they just can't live without each other. Awwww.
So, the real content of this book of course is not the plot, but the sex. As I have come to expect from Dahl, she keeps it totally scorching while still keeping real honest connection and mutual respect at the forefront - not always easy I think when part of the sexplay involves tying up/spanking/playing at humiliation. I am not really into this kind of thing, but as with Start Me Up by Dahl, I found it a wonderful way to illustrate the trust and respect, oddly enough, between the two characters. So one of them is spanking the other and this is demonstrative of trust and respect, you ask? Well, I don't think it always is, probably in books or in real life. But in Dahl's books, it is, and I really love the way she puts that respect and trust at the forefront. This book did not have quite the profound level of connection and character development I felt SMU had, because that book was (longer and) about long-time friends falling in love, but it did echo the theme of the female character discovering things about both her life and her expectations of it, as she explored her sexuality.
Anyway, a good little book.
May 22, 2010
Holy guacamole. Before I go any further, any further at all, allow me enlighten you on one fact. This book totally earns its Scandalous Books designation. 128 pages isn't a lot of room but the author fits in a whole lot of sex scenes. You've been warned.
Now then. The Wicked West has a familiar historical setting (the Old West) and features the developing relationship between the extremely dominant Sheriff Hale and Lily Anders, an extremely submissive widow. Both are coming out of previous relationships and are looking for someone who understands their needs and what they truly want out of a relationship.
The tension runs high between the two characters as Lily calmly and methodically sets out to get the sheriff in the sack. She succeeds admirably, too, and as the story progresses each person learns that that spice and sizzle that was missing out of their previous relationships might be right in front of their noses now.
One refreshing thing about this novella is that, despite the historical setting, the two main characters were really exploring their relationship and not making assumptions. Yeah, they have sex like rabbits, but they seemed to come to understandings about their feelings at a realistic pace. There was no angst or misunderstandings, once it became clear that they were looking for the same thing.
I will say, though, that I think this would have made an excellent full-length novel. I thought the secondary plot felt a little rushed and the back stories of the characters were kind of thrown in as an afterthought. With that said, if you're looking for an extremely spicy romance with unconventional tastes, this story might be worth checking out.
Overall Grade: B+
Read more reviews at What Book is That?
Now then. The Wicked West has a familiar historical setting (the Old West) and features the developing relationship between the extremely dominant Sheriff Hale and Lily Anders, an extremely submissive widow. Both are coming out of previous relationships and are looking for someone who understands their needs and what they truly want out of a relationship.
The tension runs high between the two characters as Lily calmly and methodically sets out to get the sheriff in the sack. She succeeds admirably, too, and as the story progresses each person learns that that spice and sizzle that was missing out of their previous relationships might be right in front of their noses now.
One refreshing thing about this novella is that, despite the historical setting, the two main characters were really exploring their relationship and not making assumptions. Yeah, they have sex like rabbits, but they seemed to come to understandings about their feelings at a realistic pace. There was no angst or misunderstandings, once it became clear that they were looking for the same thing.
I will say, though, that I think this would have made an excellent full-length novel. I thought the secondary plot felt a little rushed and the back stories of the characters were kind of thrown in as an afterthought. With that said, if you're looking for an extremely spicy romance with unconventional tastes, this story might be worth checking out.
Overall Grade: B+
Read more reviews at What Book is That?
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