Untamed Heart [Mass Market Paperback]

Maureen McKade (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1999

Every time Tyler Ashburn sees pert Gabby Wade sashaying down the streets of Sawtooth, Wyoming, his righteous blood begins to boil. He's ready to clean up this booming town, and women like Gabby -- who owns a gambling saloon -- make it unsafe for law-abiding folks! But even thought Tyler's running for mayor on a Law & Order platform, he can't help but imagine breaking a few rules...with the sassy, irresistible Gabby.Gabby's worked too hard to let some high-faluntin' fellow like Tyler tell her what to do -- so she shocks the good citizens of Sawtooth by running for mayor against him! The trouble is, even though she'd like nothing better than to defeat Tyler, her rugged, broad-shouldered opponent is beginning to defeat her intentions...of not succumbing to his bold kisses. And as their campaigns heat up along with their passions, she wonders what the cost of winning might be!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An author to watch!" -- Rendezvous

"I loved this book! -- Maggie Osborne, A Stranger's Wife

When saloon owner Gabby Wade discovers that, as part of an effort to turn Sawtooth, Wyoming into a town, Ty Ashburn is proposing that the gambling halls and saloons be closed, she has no compunction about marching into the town meeting and letting her views be heard. And when he's nominated by his fiancée's father as a mayoral candidate, Gabby finds herself the only other person in Sawtooth who is ready and able to face him down in an election. Ty Ashburn is both annoyed and amused by Gabby's campaign, until he realizes that she might win! Along the way he discovers that she isn't the 'scarlet woman' he thought she was. She doesn't allow prostitutes to rent her upstairs rooms, has a ten dollar a night limit on bets, and doesn't allow drinks to be served to anyone who is already drunk. But because she employs an ex-prostitute as a bar-maid, he can't believe she's as innocent as she appears. The campaign has some funny, interesting twists and turns as both candidates remain firmly entrenched in their political views even as they come to respect and finally love one another. Maureen McKade gets better with every book she writes! Untamed Hearts made me laugh and fall in love with the characters as they fought their way to loving each other. This isn't the typical, 'I love you - I hate you' spats that make romances tedious. Both Ty and Gabby firmly believe in their position on political issues even as they discover common ground. McKade has also created secondary characters and a town that all lovers of western romance will enjoy! McKade's, Untamed Hearts, is a laugh-out-loud, touching portrayal of opposites attracting. With a clever storyline and sparkling dialogue she's created a town that will live in her readers minds and keeper shelves forever. A Keeper! Untamed Hearts is one of the must read romances of the year! Phoebe Imel -- Copyright © 1999 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

About the Author

Currently living in North Dakota, I appreciate the traquility and rich history of the northern plains. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, traveling, golfing, birdwatching, hiking, and camping.

Outlaw's Bride is my fifth historical romance. My first book, Winter Hearts, was nominated for both the Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart and RITA awards. My fourth book, Mail-Order Bride, was also offered through Doubleday Book Club.

I live with my husband (an Air Force officer), one very spoiled cat, and our newest family addition, a French Brittany Spaniel, which our cat thinks is the dumbest creature on earth.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380802848
• ISBN-13: 978-0380802845
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #445,625 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars UNDERLYING PASSION IN A MAYORAL RACE, December 23, 2003

By 

M. Hartmann "abayyan" (Milan, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Untamed Heart (Mass Market Paperback)

It is hard to decide which character is the most uninformed or misunderstood party.
Tyler Ashburn sees Gabby as an immoral temptation.
Gabby Wade sees Tyler as someone who will steal her only home from her.

Both are very quietly involved with the orphanage and the children living there.
Gabby sees Tyler as much too serious and not willing to have some fun. Tyler sees Gabby's gambling hall and saloon as a threat to the livlihood and security of the families of the men who frequent her place.

Neither recognized the good that the other party does in the community.

Ah yes, then the nefarious Mr. Vernon Gatewood, Tyler's future father-in-law forces Tyler to run for Mayor. Gatewood is determined to get the bridege built to bring more business and families to Sawtooth. That meant a lot of changes for the town.

Gabby and Tyler are great characters and lend a lot of credence to the story and twenty year old Rose is funny that way she tells Gabby that she is only after Tyler's body.

I loved Rose ending up with Tyler's best friend, Joe.
And Hey, Stephen deserves a story of his own -- he has to come back - maybe even bring a family with him?

DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED except for their slip -- a keeper!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Western Romance!!!!, May 10, 2002

By 

Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Untamed Heart (Mass Market Paperback)

Wild and Wicked Wyoming will never be the same after Tyler Ashburn gets done with it. Gabby Wade owns a gambling establishment in Sawtooth and she has worked to hard and to long to let someone like Tyler ruin it for her. What ends up happening is a that both of these two stubborn people come together and find themselves attracted to each other. How could that happen they are such opposits??? This is a great story that proves that opposits can and do attract.

This story is full of laughs and love and you won't want to miss a minute of it.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Humorous western romance that shows an enlightened Wyoming, December 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Untamed Heart (Mass Market Paperback)

Wyoming in 1887 is a unique state being the only one that legally allows women to not only vote but to hold public office. Tyler Ashburn is running for the mayor of Sawtooth. His platform is simple: clean up the small town by shutting down the saloons that Tyler blames for the suicide death of his father following the loss of a fortune.

His surprising opponent turns out to be saloon owner Gabby Wade, who simply seeks respectability. As the two pair off against each other in the campaign, they cannot avoid their mutual attraction or resist kissing one another. Soon Tyler and Gabby are deeply in love but that may not prove to be a strong enough an emotion to overcome the flawed pasts of both people.

UNTAMED HEART is a humorous frontier romance that reminds readers how far ahead some of the western states were when it came to the rights of women. The lead protagonists are an amusing duo, fighting each other and their growing attraction to one another. The story line is entertaining and fun as expected from western romance author Maureen McKade (see A DIME NOVEL HERO). This novel is a lighthearted treat for sub-genre fans.

Harriet Klausner