Customer Reviews

Untamed

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

 

 

Josie's father dumped her at a local brothel during a rage. After only a few days as their laundress, a Cheyenne warrior takes her and an African prostitute to a mountain cabin as a gift to Daniel. After spending her entire life slaving for over a dozen brothers and a step-father, Josie considered herself free! That was, until Long Belly "kidnapped" her to care for Daniel Two-Skins McCord who had recently broken a leg. She was determined to be neither prostitute nor slave for them.

Daniel's only thought was on how to care for the tribe. He was head of the Tongue River Agency. The government was not sending the needed supplies. Daniel had hopes of raising cattle for the tribe, even though he had NO idea how to do it. His broken leg was a hindrance he did not need. Now he had two women trapped in the cabin with him and Long Belly, thanks to the winter weather.

***Oh, this one is priceless! I chuckled through a lot of it, especially once Bang and Two Moons (the two mischievous twins) entered the picture. Other times I found myself shaking my head in wonder of Josie. I urge readers not to miss this book! A book to be treasured over and over!***

Get set for fun, laughter, and adventure with Sharon Ihle's newest title as she takes you to the mountains of Montana in 1886. Experience the heartaches of the Cheyenne Indians and the local ranchers as the worst winter on record hits and destroys 60% of their cattle. See another view of the Native American as the author brings a more gentle side of their lives to you, as well as sharing in their legends and spirituality. See what happens to Josie, the rebellious hellion who was left on the doorsteps of a pleaure palace when found in the barn experimenting with a neighbor's son by her step-father. Laugh and love as Josie and Sissy, an African whore, are 'bought' by a Cheyenne Indian and dropped in a dirty cabin as a gift to his half-brother Daniel, a half-breed Indian Agent who is laid up with a broken leg. Watch the author develop her characters and have fun as Josie and Daniel battle - Daniel fighting temptation as he shares a bed with Josie without any 'hurdy-gurdy' happening; and Josie fighting about doing 'woman's work' when she would rather be ranching and FREE - another four-letter word for MALE. See a second romance mature between Long Belly and Sissy as he tenderly woos her. UNTAMED will give you hours of enjoyment as you read this story full of wit and humor from Sharon Ihle. It's a highly recommended page turner for your keeper shelves.

I really loved this amusing story, especially Sharon Ihle's use of words. She really painted a picture in my mind of not only the great characters, but the harsh realities of mountain winters. The author showed me a glimpse into the Cheyenne Indian Tribe that I've never seen before. Great job!"

Compliments to the author on creating a interesting well written story. The problem was simple the heroine Josie. She was so mean and selfish throughout the entire book that it was impossible to warm up to her. She was verbally abusive to her step children referring to them constantly as "Pisspots". Josie was also very hateful to all natives (own husband and step children, and future baby). Very sad and offensive and totally unexceptionable. I will still read other works by this author, b/c of her ability to create well written stories that are totally captivating. I just would not recommend this one if you're looking for a sweet romantic love story.

Bookbug on the Web: "If you're hankering for a humorous western romance with action that never lets up, do yourself a favor and read UNTAMED."

If you're hankering for a humorous western romance with action that never lets up, do yourself a favor and read UNTAMED. ~Pat Cavender for Bookbug on the Web

This review doesn't rehash the plot as it's been covered by others. I wish to concentrate on my impressions of the book and author.

To begin with, as usual, the author's writing style is superb. The pictures and images she paints with words are written vividly and succulently. Her words also take on the cadence of the era she's writing about and feel "true" to the era.

However, as much as I enjoy other works by this author, this story was very hard to to appreciate. Daniel was great, the secondary characters were great, but Josie was so bitter, hateful and mean that you start hoping Daniel would kick her down the mountain and find someone else. Any part of the book with Josie in it was filled with racial slurs, name calling, cursing at anybody and everybody, threating children and, again, general meanness. What really killed the story for me was Josie's attitude didn't get any better until the very end of the story, and she still said something hateful at the end.

I guess the "humor" other reviewers note in this book has to do with the actions by the Long Belly (secondary character). I didn't find very much humor and never laughed at antics or verbal repartee.

So, I really can't recommend this book if you are looking for a HEA that you can feel good about. However, as noted above, the writing style of this author is outstanding.

The premise was clever. Josie Baum -- cook, housekeeper, mother to 15 brothers -- is dumped at a brothel by her stepfather, then kidnapped by Long Belly, a Cheyenne native as a gift for his ailing brother-in-law, Daniel. Josie had the misfortune of seeing her brother and father killed by Indians and because of this, some rancor toward Long Belly was to be expected. But it lasted far too long and was far too mean-spirited. It should not have taken thickheaded Josie as long as it did to let go of her hatred toward all Indians, especially not in the face of overwhelming evidence against her prejudices. That her racism was couched in weak attempts at humor made UNTAMED that much more unpalatable. If you have any concern or love for Native Americans, don't bother with this offensive book.