by Johanna Lindsey
Genres: Historical Romance, Western
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
With his work in Montana completed now that the Callahan-Warren feud has ended in marriage rather than bloodshed, Degan Grant sets out for California because it is far away from the home he wants to forget—until the US Marshal who saved his life calls in a favor. All Degan has to do is apprehend three outlaws on the marshal’s list and turn them over to the law. Easy enough, he figures, for a man no one wants to tangle with. But then a bold young woman crosses his path. Maxine grew up so pretty and attracted so much unwanted attention in her Texas hometown that events spiraled out of control. She will try anything to escape the handsome, enigmatic gunfighter who intends to turn her over to a corrupt sheriff who will hang her instead of putting her on trial. Saddled with a sassy, spirited young woman who insists she is innocent, Degan must hunt down a vicious killer and keep an old enemy at bay. But forced into intimate proximity with his beguiling prisoner, he finds his desire sparking into a wildfire of passion, and he can no longer deny that it is time for them to risk confronting their pasts so he can have a chance at a future with her in his arms forever.
In Wildfire in His Arms author Johanna Lindsey shares the romance of a dangerous and sexy gunslinger named Degan Grant. Degan first appeared in her novel One Heart to Win. While this is a standalone, I must admit the mention of characters from the previous novel have me adding it to my list. What a wild time I had as Wildfire In His Arms takes us to the wild west with suspense, snark and wicked banter.
When a US Marshall that saved his life calls in a favor Degan Grant finds himself in search of three outlaws on the Marshall’s most wanted list. For a gunslinger, Degan is noble, educated and downright sexy. He has an issue with trust, and Lindsey did an excellent job of giving us his backstory and making me swoon for this man of few words. Men and women fear him that is unless they want to try to outdraw him.
What he thinks will be his easiest apprehension turns out to be rather complicated when he discovers a man wanted for murder and robbery is actually a woman. Maxine is fearless and her story about the incidents in her hometown of Texas are one complication Degan is not looking for, but the sassy and pretty Maxine is about to turn his life upside down. I love complications and became completely wrapped up in their story.
I love strong characters, snark and delicious banter. Maxine and Degan begin with a cat and mouse chase as she tries desperately to escape and outwit him. Degan is smooth and seems to know her next move making the game interesting. You could feel the sexual attraction between these two and their denial just made me smile. Lindsey allowed their relationship to develop slowly increasing the tension and making unexpected kisses sizzle.
We see character growth as the couple is forced to trust the other. Aside from these two figuring out their feelings, the relationship angst was low and felt genuine. Lindsey weaved in a couple of romantic tropes from haters to lovers to forced arrangement. She took these and made them her own while adding humor and heat.
Lindsey kept the romance center but added in suspenseful threads from Degan’s past pursuing him to the capturing of the other outlaws on his list. Each thread was developed, allowed us to grow closer to the characters and to better understand what drives them.
The author brought the West to life from the trails to the towns that popped up around gold mines. I could not imagine living life on the trail, but Degan does it in a sophisticated way, in fact, he is a smartly dressed cowboy who insists on sleeping in a bed. It made him downright sexy with just the right amount of cockiness.
If you are looking for strong characters and a slow burning romance wrapped in suspense and surrounded by tumbleweeds look no further than Wildfire In His Arms.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Aurian
I have been a fan of Johanna Lindsey for almost 30 years now, but I haven’t read her recent westerns.
Naomi
Sounds like a good mix of romance and suspense. I love strong characters, so I’d like Maxine and Degan for sure!
Lindy
Ooh! Suspense, snark, and wicked banter all all great things to have in a romance! I love it when characters from a previous series, crossover. I’m glad that the romance was the center focus, and felt sincere. Wonderful Review Kim 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It did Lindy the slow build was wonderful
Jennifer Bielman
That guys is hot but westerns have alwas been hard for me to really get into.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh come now Jennifer..a sexy gunslinger and a snarky girl…you have to try.
Kathryn
It’s awhile since I read one of her books but I have loved many of her books. I like a western as well and strong characters and romance and a bit of suspense. Definitely one I am going to read.
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Kathryn I can see why folks enjoy her. I loved the characters.
Michele at A Belle's Tales
Oooo, I’ve been in such a romance reading mood lately, and I haven’t read a western romance in AGES. Maybe it’s time I do! Wonderful review, my friend — this goes on the list 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you do Michele, this one was such fun
Cyn
Every so often I have this huge desire to read a historical western but I never know where to start, haha. I think I’ll have to check this out! I do love a romance wrapped in suspense! Great review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
This would be perfect the characters are such fun!
Angela Adams
Yummy book cover!
kimbacaffeinate
I have to agree Angela 🙂
Heidi
Awesome. I love the sound of this one. The old west.. check… character growth… romance, suspense, small towns etc. etc.
kimbacaffeinate
This was fun Heidi, I hope you get to try it:)
Debbie Haupt
Kim, great review of my mostest favorite of historical romance authors, Love her Malory series. Thanks for reminding me I need to catch up on my history lessons 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you enjoy it Debbie I love the characters.
kindlemom1
You had me with all of these words Kim, “wild ride, suspense, snark, and wicked banter!”
kimbacaffeinate
Oh they were fun together Ali
Ramona
Aw, a western romance – is there anything better? Oh, wait, I know: reading it with a nice iced coffee, preferaby somewhere in the breeze. And then fall asleep and dream of Degan 😉 Lol, would that be cheating on the hubs? 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Hubby says I can cheat with book boyfriends lol.
Stormi
Cowboy!! This is going on my list and thanks for mentioning the other book cause I will put it on my list too and remember to read it first. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
The first one sounds good from what I heard in this book..so enjoy!
Sophia Rose
I love western romances, but haven’t tried one of the queen authors. Now I see I’ve been missing out.
kimbacaffeinate
I am glad I read it..the characters were wonderful and she truly is a master
Lily
I’m always far anything swoon worthy and great…plus, did you say witty banter and cowboys? YES!!!
kimbacaffeinate
The banter between them was delightful Lily 🙂
Brandi Breathes Books
Strong characters and snark are also things that I enjoy in books
kimbacaffeinate
Me too Brandi and I slipped right into this story
Jenny
“I love strong characters, snark and delicious banter.”
ME TOO KIM! Plus, I’ve never read a romance where the hero was a gunslinger, so color me excited to meet Degan. Looking forward to spending some time in the Wild West!
kimbacaffeinate
I think you would love it and then pass it on to your Mom!
Tracy Terry
Only fairly recently introduced to Westerns and keen to read more I’ll be sure to keep this in mind.
kimbacaffeinate
This was neat, particularly because it was historical as well.
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
OH I love JL 🙂 This is on my library list because I know they will get it 🙂 I love that!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy, this was a fun one
Nick
That cover model is beautiful!
Anyways, I haven’t read many books set in the wild west, especially not romances. But I’m interested in this one. I like that it has suspense and wicked banter! And the cowboy sounds swoony. 😉
Lovely review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
You would love the character interaction and it has a nice suspenseful pace.
Ro
I’ve got to give it to Johanna Lindsey because she keeps pounding out the hits and has been doing this for a long time. Used to read her books a lot, and don’t know why i stopped. Definitely adding this to my list! Hugs…
kimbacaffeinate
And yet her characters are still fun and fresh..I adored the heroine.
Tash
Wild West with suspense, snark and wicked banter. Yes please, I love good wild west historical and will I have to add this to my ever so growing TBR
kimbacaffeinate
This was such fun Tash, but of course it added two more books to my tbr pile..lol
Silvia
You know you got me pretty intrigued, right? I’d really like to give this book a go, one of the reasons being the ‘snark and delicious banter‘ 😉
kimbacaffeinate
This was fun..I loved their interaction and the slow-build.
blodeuedd
Ohh I like that cowboy
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed Linda 🙂
Melliane
Oh a fun one and US Marshals? I just love hat. And well as soon as it’s not insta-love I’m really happy so I’m curious now. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes and he is a gunslinger which is cool.