Publisher: Ballantine
Date of Publication: November 2012
Carlin Reed lives in fear, off the grid, moving from place to place. So Battle Ridge, Wyoming, a small town in the middle of nowhere, seems like a good place to lie low for a while. But after becoming cook and housekeeper to cattle rancher Zeke Decker, Carlin suspects that she’s made her first mistake. Rugged, sexy, and too distracting for his own good, Zeke is pure temptation mixed with something deep and primal that makes Carlin feel almost safe. Soon things are getting way too hot in the kitchen.
Running Wild starts a new series by authors Linda Howard and Linda Winstead Jones. For the most part, I enjoyed the book. I liked the main characters, Carlin and Zeke. They are well matched and their attraction definitely sizzles. Any fan of Linda Howard's love scenes will really enjoy the ones in here.
The peripheral characters were also fun. I especially liked Spencer. He was just too cute and I hope he gets his own story! There wasn't much mystery and I never really got the sense that Carlin was in any real danger until the end of the book. So, I would read it for the romance, not the suspense.
My biggest complaint about the book was the same issue I had with their previous collaboration, Blood Born (my review). It was so repetitive. I think a third of the book could have been cut out. I was annoyed after the 5th time I was reminded that Carlin really couldn't stay at the ranch and would have to move on soon. Had I not been listening to the audio, I probably would have skimmed passages at that point to move the story along. The character's also had a lot of internal dialogue that really slowed the book down. I couldn't find any info on the next one, but I'll probably continue with the series if it ever comes out.
I have to admit...I normally don't like romance...but when I do feel the need - it's usually Linda Howard's cowboy romances that I turn to! new series hmm might have to peep it
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