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Straight for the Heart
"The game is called Cutthroat, gentlemen. Quick and vicious...just the way I like it sometimes."
She risked everything to play a man's game in a man's world. As the elusive, mysterious Montana Rose, she was known as the queen of the Mississippi riverboats, a sensual and dangerous Southern beauty who was willing to gamble everything, even her life, on each cut of the cards.
Intent on calling her bluff, the equally devious and dangerous Michael Tarrington is determined to teach the fiery lady gambler a lesson in seduction. But instead, the rakishly handsome Yankee finds himself swept into her world of illusions, treachery, and smoldering passions that threaten to cut Straight for the Heart.
She risked everything to play a man's game in a man's world. As the elusive, mysterious Montana Rose, she was known as the queen of the Mississippi riverboats, a sensual and dangerous Southern beauty who was willing to gamble everything, even her life, on each cut of the cards.
Intent on calling her bluff, the equally devious and dangerous Michael Tarrington is determined to teach the fiery lady gambler a lesson in seduction. But instead, the rakishly handsome Yankee finds himself swept into her world of illusions, treachery, and smoldering passions that threaten to cut Straight for the Heart.
448 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1995
30 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 17, 2014
Great Post Civil War Romance!
As far as I'm concerned, this is one of Marsha Canham's best novels and that's saying something. While my favorite setting for a historical romance might not be the post Civil War South (Mississippi), but because it was written by Canham, I decided to take a gamble. It was worth it.
This is the story of proud Southerners and Yankees trying to pick up the pieces after the Civil War. It is also the story of the Courtland family and what the war did to them, and of two beautiful blonde, blue-eyed twin sisters so alike no one could tell them apart save for the heart-shaped gold lockets they wore with their individual initials on them. While looking alike, they are so different that one's good heart was like a beacon while the other's bad heart was selfish...she was bad to the bone.
And, it's the story of love, Amanda's and Michael's, begun on a riverboat, the Mississippi Queen, with high stakes gambling, and a love that had to wait until the war was over.
Canham's writing is at its best here...she paints beautiful word pictures, she develops deep characters who make you cry and laugh, and her plot has twists that will make you wished you'd taken notes.
It all comes out right in the end and it is done so well.
As far as I'm concerned, this is one of Marsha Canham's best novels and that's saying something. While my favorite setting for a historical romance might not be the post Civil War South (Mississippi), but because it was written by Canham, I decided to take a gamble. It was worth it.
This is the story of proud Southerners and Yankees trying to pick up the pieces after the Civil War. It is also the story of the Courtland family and what the war did to them, and of two beautiful blonde, blue-eyed twin sisters so alike no one could tell them apart save for the heart-shaped gold lockets they wore with their individual initials on them. While looking alike, they are so different that one's good heart was like a beacon while the other's bad heart was selfish...she was bad to the bone.
And, it's the story of love, Amanda's and Michael's, begun on a riverboat, the Mississippi Queen, with high stakes gambling, and a love that had to wait until the war was over.
Canham's writing is at its best here...she paints beautiful word pictures, she develops deep characters who make you cry and laugh, and her plot has twists that will make you wished you'd taken notes.
It all comes out right in the end and it is done so well.
April 7, 2013
I don't know what happened but this book was utterly boring. I was expecting a little more fire from the heroine. She only had a mouth when it came to the hero but her personality was dull to say the least. Nothing like the heroine in,The Pride of Lions which I loved. The hero also didn't do anything for me. Just a plain old run of the mill hero in pursuit of the heroine the moment they met. Nothing special to swoon over. The heroine's twin was a more interesting character than her. She was made out to be evil but she was more realistic than miss perfect. I gave up before the end but if i can't get into the characters and the story by 40% then something is seriously wrong.
December 14, 2015
Didn't like
I had such a difficult time reading this book without gritted teeth I almost didn't finish. I couldnt stand the heroine, Amber, with all her whining and sorrow for all they lost post Civil War....and her opinion that the enslavement of humans was better so th st they could be cared for....ugh! What absolute rot! Her Southern belle pride made me ill, and her sad stories about hunger and the Orange she gave her little girl after her so-called sacrifice....bah! For every awful story she could recall of her degradation during the war and post war hundreds of them came to mind of men and women whose lives were forced to endure under their forced captivity and genocide by the plantation owners. I just could not get into the storyline here. Canham writes very well, but this one was ruined for me by the attempt to gain sympathy for this poor Southern flower forced into a life of a whorish-looking card sharp. I have three stars for every other aspect of this book....It was a stretch to do so. My conscience at rating it that highly is strained.
I had such a difficult time reading this book without gritted teeth I almost didn't finish. I couldnt stand the heroine, Amber, with all her whining and sorrow for all they lost post Civil War....and her opinion that the enslavement of humans was better so th st they could be cared for....ugh! What absolute rot! Her Southern belle pride made me ill, and her sad stories about hunger and the Orange she gave her little girl after her so-called sacrifice....bah! For every awful story she could recall of her degradation during the war and post war hundreds of them came to mind of men and women whose lives were forced to endure under their forced captivity and genocide by the plantation owners. I just could not get into the storyline here. Canham writes very well, but this one was ruined for me by the attempt to gain sympathy for this poor Southern flower forced into a life of a whorish-looking card sharp. I have three stars for every other aspect of this book....It was a stretch to do so. My conscience at rating it that highly is strained.
June 2, 2011
Exciting plot, with lots of twists but realistic. Great historic romance. The dialogue with quality quick repartee. Tarrington is one of best romance heroes I have met. Characters so real, make mistakes, both male and female insight, and very likable. A quality romance read.
June 4, 2021
Wow! What a Fantastic Story! Straight for the Heart will keep you spellbound as it takes you on a rollercoaster ride that weaves a story from beginning to end with threads of intrigue, suspence, lies and sizzling passion. As an evil web is spun Amanda and Michael find themselves being pulled into a vortex of darkness as a despicable and sadistic villain who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Marsha Canham has given readers a book that is beautifully written, characters that are well thought out and each one came to life and you find yourself drawn into their story, witty humorous dialogue, heartfelt emotions and brims tension-building twists and turns. With setting descriptions and action sequences that are wonderfully vivid that brings the story to life and as the uncertainties escalates the suspense builds and danger abound which brings this read together perfectly!
June 4, 2021
Wow! What a Fantastic Story! Straight for the Heart will keep you spellbound as it takes you on a rollercoaster ride that weaves a story from beginning to end with threads of intrigue, suspence, lies and sizzling passion. As an evil web is spun Amanda and Michael find themselves being pulled into a vortex of darkness as a despicable and sadistic villain who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Marsha Canham has given readers a book that is beautifully written, characters that are well thought out and each one came to life and you find yourself drawn into their story, witty humorous dialogue, heartfelt emotions and brims tension-building twists and turns. With setting descriptions and action sequences that are wonderfully vivid that brings the story to life and as the uncertainties escalates the suspense builds and danger abound which brings this read together perfectly!
September 21, 2023
Another winning novel for Marsha Canham!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this amazing book in record time. In fact, I have lots to do but couldn't put the book down until the end. As always, the details, romance and storyline were all amazing. I would highly recommend any of her books.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this amazing book in record time. In fact, I have lots to do but couldn't put the book down until the end. As always, the details, romance and storyline were all amazing. I would highly recommend any of her books.
March 12, 2024
Lady Marsha does it again!
A spellbinding story of romance, adventure, drama and excitement taking place on the Mississippi river in the hay day of river boats, gambling, Yankees invasion of Mississippi following the Civil War. Loved this story and the characters blew me away.
A spellbinding story of romance, adventure, drama and excitement taking place on the Mississippi river in the hay day of river boats, gambling, Yankees invasion of Mississippi following the Civil War. Loved this story and the characters blew me away.
March 25, 2025
I felt like I was reading a Kathleen Woodiwiss the whole time.
I liked it, but it won't be a reread for me. I felt like too many pages were dedicated to the plot and not enough showing me the emotional side of their relationship.
However, Joshua Brice for the win, folks.
I liked it, but it won't be a reread for me. I felt like too many pages were dedicated to the plot and not enough showing me the emotional side of their relationship.
However, Joshua Brice for the win, folks.
April 25, 2025
Enjoyable for the most part … but poor Micheal, all the lying and twin switching … it was a lot. At the end I was tired of these southerners.
December 5, 2011
Another keeper from Marsha Canham! I love her books! This one takes place after the Civil War. In order to save her home, Amanda decides to try her luck at Riverboat gambling under the name Montana Rose. Her father was well known as a gambler and his favorite past-time at home is teaching his children how to mark decks and gamble.
Marsha's books are full of intrigue and witty dialogue.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
"Miz Amanda married wid a Yankee? Lordy, Lordy. hell done must've froze when none of us was watchin'."
The change that came over her face was subtle and fascinating, and Tarrington realized at once what she was doing and why she was doing it. It was like watching a chameleon slowly shift colors to adapt to its surroundings. She was going to adapt, she was going to give him the performance she assumed he wanted, and in that moment he knew, with his ingrained aversion to defiance of any kind, that as soon as she thought to outmaneuver him with that I-dare-you-to-make-me-feel-anything look, there could be but one outcome. Up until that moment, he's had every intention of letting her have the bed alone and undisturbed tonight. Until that moment he had been fully prepared to wait until they were both better adjusted to the circumstances.
A victim of few surprises, Michael Tarrington suddenly found his arms filled with a woman who was kissing him with enough passion to erase any noble thoughts he might have had about teaching her a lesson and leaving her to a cold bed. There was nothing noble in the swift hard rise of his flesh. Nothing vaguely compromising in the way his arms went around her and pulled her close so she could feel the solid thickness of his arousal.
Marsha's books are full of intrigue and witty dialogue.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
"Miz Amanda married wid a Yankee? Lordy, Lordy. hell done must've froze when none of us was watchin'."
The change that came over her face was subtle and fascinating, and Tarrington realized at once what she was doing and why she was doing it. It was like watching a chameleon slowly shift colors to adapt to its surroundings. She was going to adapt, she was going to give him the performance she assumed he wanted, and in that moment he knew, with his ingrained aversion to defiance of any kind, that as soon as she thought to outmaneuver him with that I-dare-you-to-make-me-feel-anything look, there could be but one outcome. Up until that moment, he's had every intention of letting her have the bed alone and undisturbed tonight. Until that moment he had been fully prepared to wait until they were both better adjusted to the circumstances.
A victim of few surprises, Michael Tarrington suddenly found his arms filled with a woman who was kissing him with enough passion to erase any noble thoughts he might have had about teaching her a lesson and leaving her to a cold bed. There was nothing noble in the swift hard rise of his flesh. Nothing vaguely compromising in the way his arms went around her and pulled her close so she could feel the solid thickness of his arousal.
November 5, 2012
Oh my god, there was so much angst in this book! Too much. It's like there had to be an earthquake, then a famine, then a war, because just one disaster wasn't enough. And so many villains and villainesses.
I did not care for this book at all. Unfortunately, I took it on vacation as my book to read when the plane took off and landed, when my Kindle had to be shut off, or I would not have finished it.
I did not care for this book at all. Unfortunately, I took it on vacation as my book to read when the plane took off and landed, when my Kindle had to be shut off, or I would not have finished it.
July 28, 2011
Great book! Takes place in the south after the civil war. Lots of twists and turns, suspense, murder, gambling. The heroine is a mild mannered widow in her families eyes, but goes by the alias of Montana Rose gambling on the Missippi Queen taking gentlemen's money.
May 2, 2008
Excellent western fare!
August 10, 2011
I'm being generous with two stars as the hero of this book was just on the edge of being disliked by me.
February 16, 2013
I did not enjoy this book. Usually I get lost in Marsha Canham's stories but not this one! There wasn't one truly likable character anywhere.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews