"A favorite of many romance readers"

Reviewed by Susan P. McCoy

Wolf Mackenzie was a loner, almost a recluse on his horse ranch outside the small town of Ruth, Wyoming. His son, Joe, was the most important thing in his life. Because Wolf was part Native American, he had been shunned and even put in jail for a rape that he had not committed. Then comes Mary, innocent southern dynamo of a teacher, concerned about A-student Joe who had dropped out of school. Mary drives up to the ranch, has car trouble and almost freezes before Wolf rescues her. The attraction between Mary and Wolf is instant (like bacon on a hot griddle--sizzling!). Their relationship becomes very intense while Mary is tutoring Joe, with the aim of getting him into the Air Force Academy and also fighting the prejudice the town holds against the MacKenzies. She really gets involved when there is a rape in town and the Wolf is accused again. Mary knows that the rapist is targeting women that are involved with the MacKenzies, so she sets herself up to protect Wolf and Joe.

I loved this book from the first sentence: "He needed a woman. Bad." Wolf, a strong, silent, tall, dark, handsome...stubborn man--the kind that sends shivers up my spine. But Mary is his equal: his compliment. Physically, she is petite, but she is a very strong woman (iron under velvet). Although Wolf demands that she is his to protect, she uses her mental prowess to figure out how to catch the rapist.

This book is very sensual. Part of the attraction of this book is the sex scenes, (boyóeven now, almost 12 years later, the scenes are hot!) But, I think that the reason it has lasted as a favorite of many romance readers is the love story. Howard has taken two opposites, puts them through hell, and melds them into a loving family that, together, can withstand anything.

Reviewed by Sensual Romance
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted July 20, 2001