46 of 53 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great, with a few exceptions, March 20, 2001
What is different about this book compared to other books by Johanna Lindsey it's that is very, very dramatic and intense. From the ones I have read, the only one which comes close in dramatism is "Savage Thunder". (This does not mean that I don't like the other ones... I like them very much, but they have other qualities: intense romance and funny dialogues, especially). But Chandos, the hero of A Heart So Wild, stands apart in the gallery of male characters created by Mrs. Lindsey. He is a troubled man, which has suffered a great deal in the past and is now seeking to avenge his loved ones. He is also torn between his two sides, because he is a white man raised among indians and he does not fit in perfectly in either place. He is very complex and he is not the usual hero: he has no trouble killing people and even torturing them... if he feels he is rigth. Sure, Angel did the same thing, but Chandos is even more ruthless. In the beggining of the book I was even wondering how Mrs. Lindsey plans to redeem him, but she did...
Unlike most of her novels, A Heart So Wild has a dark setting (of course, I don't mean nighttime... I mean I felt all the time that something somber is looming above) and no funny passages. I loved the mood it created.
Another aspect I have also loved was that the relationship between the two was that of equals, as it should be between man and woman. They are very different, but he doesn't try to dominate her or punish her or tell her what to do more than it is natural. I liked this because I am rather dissappointed with those of Mrs. Lindsey books in which the hero is the prototype of the domineering male and spanks, or worse, rapes the heroine.
A nice touch was added by the fact that Chandos and Courtney had met before, when she was just a teenager, four years or so before the actual action starts. Although she doesn't know it was him, the encounter had a very powerful effect on Chandos and influences many of his actions.
The book is very good, and is not the usual romance story. It raises many other issues, about racial prejudices and human cruelty, about injustice. It is quite violent in some places. I dodn't mind, as the violence was justified and was part of the hero's character.
However, I only give it 4/5 because of Courtney. The heroine did not quite convince me; I will most probably forget her very soon, unlike Jessica Fleming or Georgina Anderson, for example. I don't know where Mrs. Lindsey failed, because she did try. Courtney is not plain, she actually does some things, makes decisions, but she does not stand on her own. I could understand Chandos, why he felt bound and attracted to her, what determined his actions, but I cannot say the same for Courtney. When and why she became attracted to him was not clear to me. She was just sketched as a character.
Having said all this, I only want to say that of all Mrs. Lindsey books, I liked the Mallory books (especially those about Tony, James and Derek) and the westerns: Angel (***** !!!), Savage Thunder (also *****), Tender Is The Storm. I also liked Until Forever, Man Of My Dreams and Once A Princess. I did not care much for When Love Awaits, Warrior's Woman or Silver Angel and I hated A Pirate's Love. This should tell you something about my tastes and if we coincide, this review should help.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great love Story, April 18, 2006
I have been meaning to review this for ages, and I'm finally getting around to it! If I could I'd give this book like 20 stars! I think I have read this one 8 times. I've read almost all JL's (Love her!) and this is the best. If you like romance, this story is a must. I came across this book in a hotel when I was twelve years old. I was a bit shocked by it at first, but I ended up loving it. This is the book that got me hooked on romance. I loved it then and it is still my favorite book. The characters are extremely memorable and there is loads of chemistry between them. The way their relationship evolved and they fell in love was very believable and convincing. I love westerns, but sometimes the plots are confusing/ repetitive. Not this one!
Chandos is the hottest fictional character ever written, in my opinion. I REALLY WISH HE WERE REAL! What's so engaging and memorable about him is that he's extremely manly, strong-willed, and even sometimes brutal, but he is very protective of Courntney, and "gentle when it matters". It's so cute the way he calls her "Cateyes"!
Courtney, the woman he falls in love with, is adorable. She starts out quite shy and timid around him, which is understandable, considering he's a studly, macho gunfighter-type guy. It's a wonder she even manages to ask the intimidating Chandos to guide her across Indian territory in the first place. However, as their journey progresses, I was glad to see courtney show a side that wasn't originally apparent-very passionate and brave.
It's very romantic how these people meet after a chance encounter four years prior, and fall in love. The plot was deep, complex, and greatly enriched by the story of chandos's past and his struggle for revenge and justice. Some might say the ending is sappy, but I loved it! this book is terrific from the first sentense (even though it's kind of graphic!) to the last, including all the components of a great and memorable romance: passion, true love, adventure, heartbreak, an engrossing plot, interesting secondary characters, a happy not sappy ending, an engaging leading lady, and an extremely hot, on-fire, out-of-this-worldly attractive hero. READ IT! YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED! YOU WILL END UP READING IT OVER AND OVER!
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
HOT HOT HOT!!!!!, December 28, 2004
Wow! This was an awesome book! I have read a LOT of Romance novels and a lot of Lindsey's books in particular. Memorable romance novels are few and far between. I have to say, this is one of the best books I have ever read. It has everything I look for in a romance novel: a dangerous, manly hero, a beautiful, intellegent leading lady, and lots of exciting scenes where the hero saves his lady. Chandos is my dream man. He has a "don't mess with me" attitude, but loves and protects his woman with an intensity you could sigh over. I will most certainly re-read this book after a little time has passed. Lindsey writes so vividly, you could actually picture yourself in the scenes living it right along with the characters. Take my advice, buy this book. You will NOT be disappointed I assure you!!
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