Wild Sweet Love [Mass Market Paperback]

Beverly Jenkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 24, 2007

Teresa July has led a hard life, but now she has a chance to put her train robbing past behind her. Armed with a new job as a cook to one of Philadelphia's elite families, Teresa is determined to start her life anew, and nothing––not even her boss's stuck–up (and far too handsome) son––is going to stand in her way.

Madison Nance is sick of his mother taking in women from the wrong side of the tracks, just to see them turn on her generosity. That's why it's up to him to keep a close eye on Teresa's every move. At least, that's the only logical explanation for why he can't get the young woman out of his mind.

But when a woman from Madison's past threatens Teresa's future, the two reluctant lovers must join forces is they're ever going to have a chance at happiness.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Taking two minor players from earlier novels (Something Like Love and A Chance at Love), Jenkins pulls together a clever story of crime, class, race and redemption in late 19th-century America. After Black Seminole Teresa July's bank robbing career is cut short by a three-year prison sentence, Teresa is released to the probationary care of the wealthy Molly Nance, a compassionate Philadelphia woman charged with turning the young, tempestuous bandit into a respectable 19th-century lady. For Teresa, forsaking her beloved leathers and pistols for dresses and manners is a small challenge compared to dealing with Molly's son, Madison. Heart-stoppingly handsome, this polished gambler-turned-banker regularly ignites Teresa's fiery temper with his arrogance. As Molly realizes how well suited the two are for each other, she conspires to keep throwing them together until they realize their own hearts. As the fish-out-of-water hijinks come to their apex, Jenkins turns the tables on her characters, throwing Molly and Madison in with Teresa's boisterous frontier clan just in time for a threat from Teresa's past to resurface. Jenkins's sassy heroines, well-drawn secondary characters and seamless incorporation of black history result in a fresh, winning historical. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Teresa July once ran free as a train robber but was eventually caught and sent to prison. Given a second chance for good behavior, she's paroled at the home of Molly Nance, much to the chagrin of her son, Madison. Madison appreciates his mother's desire to help others, but she's been hurt once by a parolee, and he won't let Teresa do the same. But Teresa surprises him in more ways than one, and Madison begins to hope she'll stick around. Pairing up two secondary characters from prior works (Something like Love, 2005;A Chance at Love, 2002), Jenkins delivers a tale much like her heroine: sassy, brassy, and bold. Watching starchy Madison and free-thinking Teresa spar is pure delight, and their passion lights up the pages like, well, July fireworks. Jenkins even offers well-conveyed history, delving into the culture of Black Seminoles and African American life in late-nineteenth-century Philadelphia. Nina Davis
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon; Reissue edition (April 24, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061161306
• ISBN-13: 978-0061161308
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #181,474 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #66 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Multicultural

More About the Author

Beverly Jenkins grew up in Detroit and majored in journalism and English literature at Michigan tate University. She has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, People, the Dallas Morning News, Vibe, and many other national publications.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BJ Does it Again!!!!, April 24, 2007

By 

Priscilla C. Johnson "bookmaniac" (Baltimore, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Wild Sweet Love (Mass Market Paperback)

Teresa July, baby sister of the infamous Neil and Two Shafts July, has been caught and sent to prison by Hanging Judge Parker for robbing trains. Going to jail wasn't such a big deal for Teresa but Parker sentenced her to a prison in Philadelphia, a million miles from home. Teresa is given probation for time served and for coming to the aid of a prison matron. So for the next year, she has to stay with Molly Nance, part of the Black Elite, for rehabiliation. Now Teresa has to surrender her leathers and gun for dresses, sewing lessons, flower arranging. Teresa, who always prepared for everything, was not prepared for Mrs. Nance's son, Madison, a former gambler and lady's man turned banker.

BJ is awesome. In WSL, she has taken two minor characters for previous books (Something Like Love and A Chance at Love) and created a story that leaves you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Teresa is full of spunk, sass, wit, and charm that her fans simply love. Madison is clever, ambitious and as handsome as ever. The love/hate romance between Teresa and Madison will make you pant for more. She also introduces fun and loving new characters as well as bring you up to date with many of our favorites - Chase Jefferson, Olivia, everyone in Henry Adams Kansas, and The July brothers. BJ gives you a lot of Philadelphia history and refresher with the Seminoles.

As always, I can't get enough of these characters and I eagarly await for the next installment, whether historical or contempory. BJ knows how to write a love story.. Hands Down!!

Peace and Blessings!!!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's not often you read a story where the heroine is an Indian gun slinging woman who robs trains and banks, May 3, 2007

By 

C. Dionne "Chrissy Dionne" (Cloverdale, OREGON USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wild Sweet Love (Mass Market Paperback)

Following her brothers into a life of crime has landed Teresa July on the wrong side of the law. Eventually she's captured and spends three years incarcerated in a prison far enough away from the Arizona territory that none of her family can visit. As a reward for coming to the aid of a prison matron Teresa is released early into the care of Molly Nance. She's to spend a year with Molly learning to adjust to life outside of prison. Unfortunately, Molly's son, Madison, isn't happy that a dangerous outlaw is living under his mother's roof.

Madison Nance is a well-respected banker in the Philadelphia community. He's used to women of a genteel nature and has never encountered one as bold and abrasive as Teresa. She tries his patience to the point where he'd like nothing more than to turn her over his knee - either that or kiss her. Madison is positive that his mother has made a huge mistake in taking the little thief into her home.

Madison takes a disliking to Teresa before he even meets her. All the publicity about her wild adventures in bank and train robbing have him convinced that she'll rob his mother blind. Teresa is beyond grateful for Molly's generosity and would never do anything to hurt her in any way. Madison's holier-than-thou condescending attitude rubs Teresa the wrong way and she's not about to let him get away with acting like he's better than her - especially not after she finds out that he used to be a gambler.

While Madison and Teresa wage their battle of words, Molly takes great pleasure in watching her son's reaction to having a woman around who's unafraid to stand up to him. Molly's determined to teach Teresa all the fine qualities of being a lady. Madison actually bets his mother that she'll never be able to pull it off. The last thing he expects is for her stubborn outlaw spirit to combine with his mother's teachings to create a woman he can't resist. Madison and Teresa come from very different backgrounds and she has every intention of returning to her beloved home - far away from the city. Is there any possibility of a future for them?

Beverly Jenkins is sure to charm readers with her newest literary work, WILD SWEET LOVE. It's not often you read a story where the heroine is an Indian gun slinging woman who robs trains and banks. You'll roar with laughter over Teresa's bold antics and the great pride she has in her abilities. She's an endearing character who had me smiling through much of the storyline. Madison is a thrilling character whom I couldn't help but adore. I loved his protectiveness toward his mother, his pride in the black community, and how confused he is by his desire for Teresa. WILD SWEET LOVE is chock full of fun unexpected events, fascinating characters, witty dialogue, and a touch of history that will have you wondering about the Wild West that is rarely mentioned in history books.

Both of these characters made previous appearances in other Beverly Jenkins novels. Teresa July was a secondary character in SOMETHING LIKE LOVE and Madison Nance was introduced to readers in A CHANCE AT LOVE. I know I'll be picking up copies of both books to find out even more about these thrilling characters lives.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank You Ms. B, May 8, 2007

By 

Jacqueline M. Raines "dtcooly" (Tampa, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wild Sweet Love (Mass Market Paperback)

This was a great read. The Heroinne Teresa July is a former Bank and Train robber just released from prison into the custody of the Hero's mother. The hero Madison Nance is a former gambler now bank owner. Their romance was hot and full of fireworks and chemistry. I truly enjoyed this read. At first, in other books, I did not like the Teresa July character. But, in this book she comes to life and she is a bad girl. New characters are introduced and you will be salivating for their stories. Great Read!!!!