A Wanted Woman [Mass Market Paperback]

Rebecca Wade (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2000

A Living Legend...

Pinkerton agent Cord Caldwell had sworn to uphold the law -- not to hold on to his boss' wildcat of a daughter. And even though pretty Wren Bradley was more dangerous than a band of outlaws, his job was to keep the vixen out of trouble until her fiancé could come to claim her. But every time he gazes into her beautiful grey eyes, he begins thinking of trouble of a much more intimate kind...A Wanted Woman...

No one was going to tell Wren what to do! Not her fussy fiancé, her overprotective father...or Cord -- even if he was the sexiest lawman in the West. He'd broken her heart once, and though she's forced to accept him as her bodyguard, he was never going to be gifted with her love -- ever again. But when he takes her in his arms, this wanted woman can't help but wonder what it would be like to give in to her unwanted man.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Setting: 1870's Texas

Sensuality: 7

Both talented and beautiful, Wren Bradley has the heart of a rebel and a lady's fine manners and fragile appearance. Cherished by her parents, she adores her family but longs to break free to pursue a career as an actress. When her father realizes she won't be dissuaded, he asks a longtime friend and Pinkerton employee, Cord Caldwell, to act as her bodyguard. Unfortunately for Wren, Cord is the man she fell in love with as a naive 16-year-old and despite the five years that have passed since then, she soon discovers that spending time with Cord has her falling hard and fast all over again. Only this time, Cord falls too. As for Cord, falling in love with Wren is a catastrophe because his past has taught him that he can never marry.

Even as Cord and Wren struggle with their mutual attraction, the outlaw that eluded Cord and endangered Wren renews his threat to both their lives. Cord is determined to keep Wren safe, even if it means letting the outlaw escape, but Wren refuses to let Cord face danger alone. Whether they'll save each other is questionable--and even more chancy are the odds that love will find a way to keep them together forever.

Against the backdrop of 1870's Texas, Rebecca Wade tells a tale of gunfights and train robbers, of a hero who's a legendary but lonely lawman, and of a heroine who's strong enough to battle outlaws and heal the lawman's heart. An excellent read from an author to watch.--Lois Faye Dyer

Review

"Destined To Capture The Hearts Of Readers." -- --Lorraine Heath

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins (Mm) (November 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380816180
• ISBN-13: 978-0380816187
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,040,155 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sexual Content: Rated PG-13, February 11, 2001

By 

Tina "tinaellorascave" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Wanted Woman (Mass Market Paperback)

Set in Texas following the Civil War, Rebecca Wade's latest tells us the story of a quirky wanna-be actress and a vigilante lawman destined to tame her. If you enjoy smiling and love a poignant romance, A Wanted Woman is the book for you.

Wren Bradley has been in love with Cord Caldwell since she was a little girl. At the age of sixteen after sharing a few dances and conversations with the legendary tracker, she finally gets up the nerve to profess her feelings to him, naively believing that he returns them. Cord, however, is nine years her senior and much to Wren's chagrin and embarrassment, he doesn't see her in a romantic light at all. Moritifed, she vows never again to do something so foolish as to give away her heart and determines never to set eyes on Cord Caldwell again.

Flash forward five years: Wren's family is pressuring her into marrying Edward, a sweet man she's known since childhood, but one that she unfortunately harbors no romantic feelings toward. Wren is dead set on becoming an actress instead, a profession that thoroughly scandalizes her upperclass parents. One night after sneaking out to watch a play at the local theater, Wren accidentally lands smack dab in the middle of a showdown between an infamous train robber and a lawman who is none other than one Cord Caldwell.

Cord can't believe that this is the same little girl whose heart he hated shattering five years past. She has changed unbelievably, having transformed from a gawky little girl into a beautiful woman. He knows that Wren is off limits to him for her father happens to be Cord's boss, but when he's given the assignment of watching over the Bradley's youngest girl he can only hold back his feelings for so long. The problem is, will Wren be able to fall inlove with him again after the way he hurt her when she was a young girl?

As my three-year-old daughter would say, "well DUH"! Cord is strong, sexy, masculine, and amusing...what woman wouldn't be able to fall for him twice? I appreciate the way Wade handles the situation, not making it so the heroine holds a grudge against the hero until the bitter end, most especially considering the fact that we're talking about an incident that happened when Wren was only sixteen.

Aside from the well developed chemistry between the lead characters, what I enjoyed most about this romantic romp is the heroine herself. She is spunky, funny, quirky, and undeniably lovable. You have no doubts that a man like Cord has fallen fast and furiously for her because as a reader you've pretty much fallen for her yourself. Since many romance authors pen heroines to be little more than thoughtless wallpaper contrasted against larger than life heroes, I am definitely a sucker for any novel with a spunky female lead.

Overall, I'd say this is a solid romance and a fun read well worth the few dollars and few hours investment. I'll definitely be waiting to see what Wade comes up with next.

- see profile for sexual content breakdown

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable book to read, September 15, 2002

By 

Angela Wood (Sacramento, Ca USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Wanted Woman (Mass Market Paperback)

The book was filled with enjoyable characters. Wren is an amusing spirited woman who knows what she wants. She goes after her dream and want to follow her acting in the theater. She is tired of doing what others want her to do or be. She defies her parents and takes acting lessons. Cord, an old friend of the family, guards her while proving to others and himself of his innocence of a suspended case. They fight off their feelings for each other yet, of course, they find themselves together full of love and support. I found books similar to this book, yet I found it a little unique and full of spirit.

5.0 out of 5 stars Cord is one sexy Pinkerton detective!, November 19, 2000

By 

Sabrina Jeffries (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Wanted Woman (Mass Market Paperback)

This book has everything--a delicious hero, a spunky but likable heroine, and tons of heart-wrenching emotion. I'm not generally a lover of Westerns, but this one made me a convert. I'll be reading more of Rebecca Wade's Westerns for sure!