Customer Reviews

Ruthless Heart

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ruthless Heart by Emma Lang
Western Historical- June 29th, 2010
4 stars

Ruthless Heart is a sweet western romance. Although the plot was serious the enjoyable and engaging characters made the story fun even playful to read. I particularly enjoyed the main characters journey as they discovered themselves and love.

Eliza is a member of the Latter Day Saints (AKA Mormons). Her entire life as a woman has been subjected to her father's will and authority. As the plainer and less malleable older sister her life has been rough. Her only respites are the love she has for her younger more beautiful and fragile sister Angeline and the books and experiments she keeps hidden from her widowed father. But her life will soon change as her sister is forced into a marriage with a much older man with multiple wives. Eliza realizes poor, sheltered Angeline will not survive well with her proposed new husband but is unable to prevent the marriage. To her heartbreak Eliza overhears that the timid Angeline was abused and has actually run away. While joyful Eliza also discovers that a cold an ruthless hunter has been hired to track her sister down and bring Angeline back. Eliza realizes that she must stop this from happening at whatever cost. She failed to prevent Angeline's marriage and feels impelled to thwart Angeline from being captured. The impetuous and courageous Eliza tracks down the man who has bee hired to find Angeline and is determined to follow him and keep Angeline free.

Grady is a loner and a drifter. His own past has taught him not to trust. He is willing to do jobs others will not because it gives him the independence he craves. When a strange and absurdly endearing female persuades him to take her on as a companion her can't believe it! He is troubled by his uncommon weakness for her innocence and amusing persistence. And he finds Eliza begins to grow on him...

The best thing about this book was the interesting relationship between the 2 main characters. I found the heroine appealing and charming. I liked that she was a brainiac and liked to do scientific experiments. It was a nice switch having such an unusual character. The hero had unexpected depth and although he was supposed to be a tough gunslinger/ tracker for hire I never felt he was dangerous. The author definitely gave Grady a sense of humanity. It was a pleasure reading the relationship between the characters. As new pit falls occurred to the couple on their search for the Angeline. I often felt their time together was a fun comedy of errors lighthearted and fun to read. The only things I felt strange were that the characters often acted or spoke as if they were in modern times rather than a historical. I often felt I was reading a contemporary book rather than a western because the characters acted more as if they lived in today's 'liberated' times of the present. The heroine was not as cautious as I would expect a lone female would be going out on her own in ther old west. While this did further the plot it gave me an odd sense that the story was jumping back and forth in time which was somewhat distracting. The way Eliza succumbs so easy to Grady and trusts him so quickly seemed very naive even for one who was as sheltered as she was.

This was a light western romance. From the romance stand point this book is a charming read. But from the realism standpoint I felt it lacked the authenticity of many western historicals written today. The suddenness that Eliza believes in Grady and was willing to bed him seemed a little forced although I did find their attraction believable. And the times they are together really heat up the pages! The author really gave her characters a sense of humanity that I found attractive. I really rooted for them to be together despite some of the inconsistencies in the story.

Short, sweet and easy to read I found this book a quick and satisfying summer read.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

Ruthless Heart is tender story of the power of love and how it can take someone weak and make them strong or warm even the coldest of hearts. Fans of western historical romances reminiscent of the work by Joan Johnston or Johanna Lindsey will love Lang's charming tale.

Eliza Hunter lives a sheltered life. As a member of her ward in the Latter Day Saints community, she has never really experienced the outside world. Everything she knows, she learned from books. Her father, caring little about the feelings of his daughters, arranges for Eliza's sister Angela to become the third wife to another Mormon member of the ward. Within a month of her marriage after being horribly abused, Angela runs away. When Eliza hears they are sending a hired hunter after her, she feels she has no other choice but to follow the man hired to collect her sister...no matter where it may take her.

Grady Wolfe was a loner and a man who believed he no longer had a soul. He had a darkness in him that he never expected to rid himself of. Accepting his next assignment, which is to kill a poor defenseless woman who ran away from her husband is only confirming the fact that he's past redemption. So when little Miss Eliza somehow tricks him into allowing her to ride with him, he is nothing less than irritated.

Ruthless Heart is a sweet and charming story about how drastically love can change a person. When then story began, Eliza barely knew what love was and Grady was certain he would never find it nor deserve it. Yet these two have some spark and connection between them that made you turn page after page ready to discover the next step in their journey. They were complete opposites, yet perfect for each other.

The difference between these two characters was fascinating and proves what a gift Emma Lang has with dialogue. She has two completely different characters and she manages to stay true to their complex personalities on each page of the story. While one character had dialogue that may sometimes require a dictionary, the other communicated in such a simple way it was funny and charming. Whether they were conversing, negotiating or sparring, it was a delight to read.
_______________
"Then your rules are accepted provided you agree to allow me to cook and make camp in payment for your services." She had to secure her own terms or he may think her too easy.

"My services? You make everything sound so fancy, woman."

"My name is Eliza. Calling me `woman' makes me think of a Neanderthal who may grab my hair and club me." Eliza didn't know what possessed her to say that to him. It apparently surprised him as much as it surprised her. "What I meant to say was, please call me Eliza."

His gaze narrowed. "I think you've got a smart mouth, Eliza. I prefer my women a bit dumber."
_______________

The story has plenty of ups and downs to keep you entertained and the ending is filled with suspense and uncertainty. But what is most enjoyable to read are the changes within the characters. Eliza is a weak defenseless bookworm at first, but her experiences on the trail with Grady make her a strong, passionate, and incredible woman. A woman that Grady finds more difficult to resist with each day they spend together. Her experiences outside of her home have shown her a life filled with purpose. She knows what and whom she wants and nothing and no one will get in her way. Grady is learning to care again and to love, which was something he thought had long since died inside of him. As much as he tries to resist, he finds a woman worth living for and worth being a better man. These characters will draw you in and immerse you into a wonderful story. If you are looking for a sweet light read this summer, Ruthless Heart is the ticket.

Overall Rating: 4/5
Heat Level: 4/5

Lisa @ Once Upon A Chapter

In 1872 reticent intellect Eliza Hunter worries about her sister Angeline as her Papa has accepted a marriage offer from twice married Josiah who is also older than their dad. Being members of the Latter Day Saints, Angeline must obey her Papa though her heart belongs to Jonathan who is on his mission. Heartbroken Eliza knows crossing the powerful Josiah is dangerous, but vows to do something though she is unaware what she can do as within her community and family she is considered an outsider and her foe is a very important leader.

Several months later a married Angeline runs away from her brutal spouse. Eliza knows she will do anything to insure Angeline is safe, but hired bounty hunter Grady Wolfe is a bit taken aback when she follows him in the Utah Territory wilderness while he searches for her sibling. Grady is unhappy that Eliza is on his trail, but for her safety takes her with him. He has no idea the meaning of what she says verbally and her obsession with her books that she drags across the territory, but somehow their nonverbal communication starting with kisses tells him what he needs to know. However, Grady has a secret that he must tell the woman he loves but fears how she will react; ironically she concealed her relationship to his target and now fears how he will react.

This superb Americana romance stars two wonderful lead characters who are pariahs in their respective circles. The story line is fast-paced from the moment the intrepid bookworm totes her favorite books with her while trailing after Grady. Fast-paced but character driven, fans will relish the entertaining taming of the Wolfe historical romance.

Harriet Klausner

Grady Wolfe is a dangerous, cynical and world weary bounty hunter/assassin for hire. He's lost all hope in humanity and himself and feels that he is doomed to the life of a ruthless killer so he embraces it with a callous and cold heart. At least that is until he meets the tempting, and sometimes frustrating, yet intriguing Eliza Hunter.

Eliza is a subjugated soul yearning to break free from the restriction life that is dictated to her by her father and a religion that she no longer believes in. Tutored as a young woman by an elderly scholar, Eliza's inventive and curious mind is stifled in her environment, but that doesn't suppress her yearning inquisitiveness. However, until she joins Grady on his search for her runaway sister she's only learned though books, not life. Grady enlightens her in more ways than one, and makes her feel alive...like a woman with value and beauty.

Their journey across the American West is full of adventure, danger, enlightenment (for both of them) and passion. Though Eliza keeps the reason for her trip hidden from Grady, an unlikely bond forms between the two as they get to know and trust one another.

Both Eliza's and Grady's characterizations felt so real, and I think a lot of it has to do with the dialogue between the hero and the heroine. One of the things that struck me when reading the book was not only how different these characters were, but how they complimented each other in unexpected ways. Opposites attract stories don't always work for me because sometimes it's not always apparent why the characters end up together...what they see in the other that makes it all work. That's not the case with Ruthless Heart. It worked for me in a big way and it was such a pleasure to read this story.

I loved that Eliza was the woman to show Grady how to love and be loved, especially considering how unlikely their pairing was at the beginning. He's redeemed through his love for Eliza, and through Grady's love Eliza becomes the woman she has hidden from the world all of her life. She's always had strength and determination, but through his love she finds the courage to become her true self. Eliza becomes the person she's always wanted to be because of Grady's love, and Grady becomes a man he never thought he could be because of her love.

Ruthless Heart has both heart and soul. I highly recommend it and can't wait for Eliza's sister's story in Restless Heart due out early 2011. A great debut by author Emma Lang and one of my favorite historical romances this year!

Ratings:

Overall: 4.5 stars
Sensuality level: 3.75 (hotter and more frequent love scenes than your average historical romance, but wouldn't quite classify it as an erotic romance)

When looking at the individual parts of this book, there's nothing really astounding about it. The greatest strength is definitely the main characters and they are, essentially, the focus of the story - which personally is something I like in romances. I get tired after awhile of all the mass murdering stalker psychos or hidden spymaster family secrets, etc. The story is a relatively simple one; because Liz and Grady travel throughout most of the book, there aren't really any secondary characters; and the love scenes are a little more detailed and crudely explained than I'm used to. For some reason though, taken all together, it worked extremely well for me. It was purely enjoyable and left me with a great smile on my face, so for those reasons alone - and because I don't have any real criticism - I knew I had to give it 5 stars.

ELIZA (almost 21) and GRADY (30):
As I said, the hero and heroine are the greatest strengths of the novel. Eliza is strong and intelligent (and actually written as if she is, we're not just told she is but shown no proof). She's loyal, brave, generous, and (oh lord!) persistent. I loved how she was always saying and doing things that would catch Grady off guard and throw him for a loop. She's a spitfire heroine, yes, but she's also naive, sensitive, and vulnerable; she puts her heart on the line and is very open and forthright about her feelings, which I appreciated.

Grady is very well-written as the lone hunter and again, Lang writes him such that he actually fits his assigned description, she doesn't just give lip service and then make him come off as warm and fuzzy or outgoing. He's very prickly and while Grady increasingly finds himself helping Liz and beginning to care about her, his own confusion and resistance to this change is so clear and makes the transformation that much more believable. He goes back and forth, between trying to draw Liz closer and never let her go, and frightening her away so that he doesn't become attached to or responsible for someone else. There are some comments or things he does that are not nice because of this, but it was never taken to the extreme that some authors take it where the hero becomes such an a**hole that you want to slap him upside the head and tell the heroine to not ever forgive him.

Together, they are such a fantastic pair!! Just remembering puts a ridiculously goofy grin on my face. The dialogue and exchanges are funny, the chemistry sizzles off the page and requires a fan on hand, and their growing feelings for one another are sweet and tender. They are both, in their ways, loners who feel that they don't have anyone and no one understands them; each fills that need in the other to perfection. I adore that Grady gives her a nickname (Liz) and he's so cute when he remembers her birthday.

I *LOVED* every single one of their interactions and was appreciative of the fact that most of the book they're alone and on the road, because that makes it so that there is nothing else to detract from the amusing duo that is Liz and Grady. It was hysterical how Grady would criticize - and then eventually tease - Liz about how formally she spoke, telling her that he didn't understand every other word that came out of her mouth; she would sometimes then try to restate it in "normal" terms and it made the entire thing that much cuter and funnier. Also loved when Eliza gets lost in the woods for a short time; when Grady realizes, he starts to freak out - and then freaks out about the fact that he is freaking out and is actually worried about someone else. And of course the makeup scene that follows is one of the best! ;-)

CRITICISM:
My only real complaint is the epilogue. I love them and am always happier when an author includes them, but she doesn't give us as much info as I would have liked, could have made it longer, and leaves somewhat of a cliffhanger at the end (in order to make us curious about the next book, which is Angeline's story); it's not an actual cliffhanger, but more like an interruption of what would have been a nice epilogue with just Grady and Liz. I also would have liked to know about what might happen in the future with her inventions and Grady's suggestion, and am curious as to Eliza's father's reaction towards her, whether he sends someone after her or just leaves her alone and considers himself well rid of her.

BOTTOM LINE:
In my opinion, this book qualifies as a definite "hidden gem." I had high expectations, but was also prepared for them not to be lived up to. Luckily for me, the book actually exceeded them. It's simple, sweet, and sexy with lovely dialogue, compelling leading characters, and a well-crafted plot. Know that the love scenes are a little more sizzling than most other historicals, but Lang writes them very well and they fit smoothly with the story and the characters. There are so many great lines that I am going to try to be diligent next time in my status updates with quotes; this time, I was enjoying the story too much to want to stop.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Based on plot or character similarities:
* His Wicked Ways by Samantha James (5 stars)
* Seven Secrets of Seduction by Anne Mallory (4.5 stars)
* A Notorious Love by Sabrina Jeffries (4 stars)
* McAlistair's Fortune by Alissa Johnson (4 stars)
* "Lawless" in The Law Of Love by Nora Roberts (4 stars)
* Texas Destiny by Lorraine Heath
* If You Deceive by Kresley Cole (4 stars)

This was similar to "A Heart So Wild" Since no one can compare to Chandos in that book I had to give this a 4 star rating. This was close. Grady and Liz were fabulous together. Great chemistry and sizzle and a fun story.

Ruthless Heart was a wonderful, quick read. I found it refreshing to have a heroine, Eliza, who went against the grain. She was a brainiac with a love of books and experiment/inventions. She wasn't afraid to stand up for herself and grow into an adventurous and sensual woman all while trying to save her sister.

The hero, Grady, was a dark and tormented man who needed to learn that he still had a soul. As hard as he tried he just couldn't shake Eliza and found that he didn't want to.

The budding romance and friendship kept me interested and turning page after page. I read Ruthless Heart in a matter of hours. When I got to the end I was ready for more. I can't wait for Restless Heart which is next.