Wilderness Heart

by Jacqueline Hopkins

Lyn Taylor, Taylor's Outfitters and Guides, loves her job, but doing a job in a man's world as a woman was becoming increasingly difficult -- not easier. Gaining the respect from men she guided on hunting trips in the Idaho wilderness in the late 1970s was practically non-existent. Engaged to a lumber mill owner who decimated the land around her home and family business was getting very old and breaking off her engagement was the right thing to do she had decided. She had also decided she hoped she never met another controlling, demanding man again, let alone a lumber mill owner. Nic Randall, Randall Lumber of Montana, is sent by his father to the Idaho wilderness to scout the area for its timber before it is available by the Forest Service to bid on it. The best way to scout the area is to hire Lyn's guiding business, but when Nic meets Lyn and finds out she's their only choice for a hunting guide, he's ready to call off the whole thing. Women don't know how to hunt! Women don't know how to keep quiet when out hunting! Women need everything but the kitchen sink at the camp site and they don't like bugs in bed with them. And Nic adheres to this philosophy of his, but he can't back out of the hunt, so he has no choice but to use Lyn's business and eventually comes to realize Lyn is not your average, ordinary woman. After a few fights and feuds over whose territory is whose, they eventually come to realize that not only do they love their jobs, but fall in love with each other as well.

Genres: Romance

332 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 2011

About the author

Over 40 years ago I wanted to write murder mysteries, historical fiction, contemporary mainstream, and romances. I ended up writing and completing a contemporary romance set in Idaho in the 1970s and published it on Amazon for the Kindle in 2011, but still want to write in those other genres also.

My passion now has been, since finding Amazon's Kindle Vella for readers & authors, writing a female serial killer (Angel of Death), a timetravel historical romance (Timelss), a short story collection that includes flash fiction (JR's Short Stories), another Cookin' With The Hopkins Bk 2, co-writing with Lisa Vandiver (The Fae and The Vixen) and putting my great uncle's collection of short stories & longer he wrote when he was a teacher & principal in a small Alaskan Village Savoogna on St. Lawerence Island (not far from the Russian border) from 1954 until his heart attack in 1964 (Life in Alaska), and working on many more such the as murder mysteries set in Alaska, where I lived for 10 years, a steamier romance (perhaps erotica) and who knows what else I will write.

Reviews

[Susanna Mahoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was a soft romance with waves of dark secrets, lies, betrayal and forgiveness between an assertive female and what she thought was an arrogant hunter, Nic Randall. Lyn knew what she desires for her life and that was to stay independent and not become a puppet to another. Not to lose her identify and dreams of being an operator and guide for her family outfitting service.

Lyn Taylor is fierce and loyal to herself, father who was grieving for his lost wife and decides that she is responsible to keep the family business alive while her dad went through his period of grief. She is engaged to a man 12 years older than her age. He is becoming restless and showing his true colours and desires she quit her career and become his wife. She is torn in two does she settle down with a demanding man or break free and be her own person.

In the midst of the fork in the road, she has to prove herself to the males' species she was an experienced hunter and guide and some of the paying male customers are not pleased to have a woman guiding them into the rugged setting.

She may have met her match, with Nic Randall at first appearance who came off as a rude woman hater with his complaints about women were not able to be good company in the wilderness. His arguments, they could not be quiet and chase the prey away, wore too much make-up and even bought an electric hair dryer with them in the wilderness where there was no electricity, which did not make sense to him. He was turned off with inviting woman on hunts with him.

She was different and has to prove herself to this hard headed man that she was the opposite of what he perceived women to be in the wilderness. The story plots along smoothly and then the author increased the tension like a flame and heightening the fire between the two with suspenseful events, dark secrets, mysteries and electricity between the two main characters.

The author wrote the story with the style of a believable tone of expression to let the reader feel the tension and conflict between the two and it was sizzling hot and cold. There were hints of attraction between the two. Yet conflicts too, that Lyn was foolish to think any man would let her be herself. To worked as a guide and go out in the Idaho wilderness with males, without being jealous and controlling of her actions. Plus he convinced himself there was the arguments of too many opportunities of something bad occurring to her if she did not have her father's best friend Carl along as the second guide.

His, I told you so predictions came true, especially when there was booze available and time on their hands. As if his predictions came true, one after another event proves what he thought was true about women being a hindrance in the wild, and she was placed in sticky situations and was suborn and puts herself into danger and he has to rescue her. He should be mad at her but she grows on him with witty and sarcastic attitude and her moments of vulnerability peeking through, but she was professional all the way through the trip.

Nic with a soft interior inside and rough exterior outside became protective of Lyn as she proved herself to him to be an expert as a guide and kept herself under control in tricky situations. He ponders did he came to Idaho under a ruse of a hunting trip for his father's sake to scout out the beautiful wilderness for it enriching timber for their family business and may of found his life mate. Lyn who became aware of his fake ruse he booked for a hunting trip when he was undercover working for his dad and when she confronted him with the truth, the fireworks really go off between the two.

This book was a delightful forge into soft romantic conflict that became a sizzling fire, it was refreshing read, a reader's dream of fantasy come true, I wish. My heart rate increased with the close encounters and the passion between the two. It was like when after a heavy rainfall and the sun peeks out and the lilies and lilacs' give off that perfume fragrance and a fun escape into the Wilderness Hearts of two opposite's fiery characters that come to a rocky but united bond during the journey of discovering themselves and the Idaho wilderness.

I highly recommend this light read for all the romantics in us, gentlemen welcome too preview too and enjoy the male companionship of the men on a hunt with a sizzling romance in-between and your woman would enjoy sharing this plot with you of how two stubborn individuals in the worst of circumstances could forgive each other and look towards the future and you will have a common interest to maybe ignite the spark in your own relationship.

http://www.amazon.com/Wilderness-Hear...

[Read2review · Rating 4 out of 5]

** For the full review please check out www.read2review.com **

I don’t often read romance novels, I don’t know why as I do really enjoy them as long as it’s a good one, there are some that im my opinion are not so good out there. As we were approached by Jacqueline I wanted to give her a shot. I was most impressed!

The book started off slowly, which was a little hard as I could feel myself getting easily sidetracked. However from about page 40ish I really started to enjoy the story and felt myself get totally sucked in.

The characters were all very realistic, I could completely relate to Lynn about loving the job she does and not wanting to be changed. Also Nic was just as vibrant and I loved the way he saved Lynn in more ways than one.

The scenery was very easy for me to picture. I have visited America many times and love the beauty of each different state. The way Jacqueline wrote made me easily place the story and therefore was much more enjoyable for me.

I always find that for some reason eBooks are much slower for me to read than print but I kept surprising myself on how much I had read each time I made a note on Goodreads! I have to say that is a mark of a good book.

I really hope to discover more novels by Jacqueline Hopkins; I think she is one of the few romance authors that would be able to make me easily loose myself in each novel.

Wilderness Heart received 4.5/5

**Read More At: http://read2review.com/our-reviews/j/...

[RW Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of contemporary romance will enjoy “Wilderness Heart” by Jacqueline Hopkins. When Lyn Taylor, operator and guide for an outfitting service in the Idaho wilderness meets chauvinistic client Nic Randall for an elk hunt guided by Ms Taylor, sparks inevitably fly despite the obvious physical attraction the pair have for each other. But Lyn is already engaged to domineering fiancé Brad, so the chemistry between her and Nic must be ignored. Right? Right?? Nic also has hired Lyn under false pretenses so of course he can’t be trusted, can he?

I was drawn to this story. Some forty years ago my late father and some of his friends embarked on an elk hunt in this exact area. Dad told the story of how ruggedly beautiful the country is, and the kind of hardships they endured on their hunt (inclement weather, poor choice of footwear - they wore cowboy boots rather than hiking boots). He also told about the colorful outfitter and guide who eventually helped my father bag a bull elk.

Jacqueline Hopkins captures all this nicely and deserves a chance to be read. You won’t be disappointed.

[Su Yin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wilderness Heart, by Jacqueline Hopkins, is a gentle romance, teasing the reader with twists and turns of the heart.

Lyn Taylor, an attractive hunting guide makes a living in a man’s world, escorting tourists through the wilderness on Idaho mountains to hunt elk. She keeps a stoic front in the face of sexual discrimination every time a new group first discovers their guide is a female. On one such expedition, the younger son of a lumber mill owner, Nic Randall, is explicit in his prejudice to the point that it rattles her. Their obvious irritation with each other is complicated by strong mutual attraction, throwing them off course until things finally work themselves out.

As a first book, Wilderness Heart is still a little rough around the edges, with some repetition and stilted dialogue. But the romance element comes through very strongly, and stayed true to its genre with a devilishly handsome male to keep both the heroine - and this reader -happily occupied.

[Vanessa Booke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't like a little romance mixed with the mountain wilderness? I found this contemporary romance a refreshing, quick and steamy read. The intimate scenes within the book were hot yet tasteful. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the setting was perfect. Hopkins really knows what shes writing about. Her characters were not only deep but interesting. The story line is unique and easy to get wrapped up in. She is extremely detailed in her writing. It's easy to imagine yourself in Lyn's place. I look forward to reading more from her. Keep up the steamy writing.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a rugged, heartfelt romance set deep in the Idaho wilderness, and it works beautifully. Lyn is a powerful, resilient heroine—running a guiding business in a man’s world, standing her ground, and proving her worth with quiet strength. Nic starts out stubborn and dismissive, but watching him get humbled by Lyn’s skill and slowly open his heart is incredibly satisfying. Their clashes feel real, their chemistry feels earned, and the wilderness setting adds grit and beauty to every page. A charming blend of tension, adventure, and slow-burn romance.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful, character-driven story set against the raw beauty of the Idaho wilderness. Lyn Taylor is a strong, believable heroine navigating a man’s world with grit and integrity, while Nic Randall’s transformation adds real depth and tension. The clash between pride, profession, and unexpected love makes this story engaging from start to finish. A compelling blend of romance, resilience, and rugged atmosphere.

[Conchie Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some love affairs go through periods of misunderstanding and strife, and some flow with amazing ease. The main characters in Jacqueline Hopkins' debut novel, "Wilderness Heart", trek through the frozen mountains of Idaho County, finding heartbreak, passion and hope along their way. Lyn Taylor is a ferociously independent hunting guide, an oddity in a world of men, elk and guns. She's loyal and steadfast, which probably keeps her engaged to a man she clearly doesn't love. Lyn is a noble character, quietly mouring her mother's death a few years earlier, and making sure she keeps her father's business afloat while he, too, deals with his loss.

Jacqueline Hopkins knows the world where she's placed her characters. Her descriptions of the smells of coffee, forests and horses in the cold dawns of Nez Perce National Forest are crisp and believable; I was transported to a world I knew little about until I read this book. Lyn's love for her mountains and animals, the expert ease with which she traipses through the crevices of the National Forest feel real. I clearly shared her shock when she was faced with her most challenging customer ever: a handsome stranger named Nic Randall.

Ms. Hopkins has written a story that initially reads like a romance, but has a mystery/thriller brewing underneath the passionate exchanges between the main characters. No one is quite whom they seem to be, and no feelings are thoroughly disclosed until the very end. Readers are compelled to turn the pages to unveil who Nic really is, what his motives are, and how much of a rival he might be to Brad, Lyn's elusive fiance. "Wilderness Heart" pits the main characters against danger and deception, but unerneath the plot is a wonderfully beating heart.

Kudos to Ms. Hopkins for creating appealing, interesting characters and offering us the beautiful backdrop of the mountains and forests she describes so elegantly.

[Ciclochick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a romance set in the beautiful Idaho mountains.

Lyn is an attractive wilderness hunting guide in the Idaho lumber region where she has lived all her life. She has to battle against male dominance of this job and discrimination against her gender for the ability to do the job just as well as a man. On one particular expedition, this opinion is heartily voiced by Nic, an attractive, well-honed, thirty-something male. He, however, is using the hunt to disguise his reconnaissance of the area as, unbeknown to Lyn, his father owns a lumber mill company that wishes to make a bid on the land for its timber. Lyn has a deep-seated hatred for such companies as she can see no further than their defacement of the stunning place in which she grew up and believes their lumbering methods were responsible for a tragic accident that befell her grandfather.

Seven days in each other's company in the wilderness gives them challenges above those provided by having to survive the harsh outdoors. The attraction between Lyn and Nic is magnetic and intense, but they each have to overcome their prejudices: Lyn against the lumber companies, Nic against women who hunt guide (and cuss and smoke).

This book has all the ingredients of a hot romance: a good-looking, droolworthy male, a feisty female with mesmerising eyes, lust, desire that just has to be given in to and love. The relationship between Lyn and Nic moves along quite quickly and the HEA ending is predictable, but there are a few humps in the road, so you are thrown off kilter just a little. The dramatic Idaho wilderness is the perfect backdrop, wonderfully portrayed by Jacqueline – I could almost feel the crisp, crunchy snow beneath my feet and feel the cold, fresh and exhilarating air.

An easy-to-read and satisfying holiday read.

[Tima · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lyn is a trail guide at her father's company. She takes hunting groups out into the woods and helps them bring home elk, bear, etc. Almost every trip she deals with male egos who don't want to admit that a female can be a good guide or hunter.
On her next trip she meets the most frustrating man to date. Nic's good looking and sets her heart racing, but he can't stand the sight of a female on a hunting trip. But his money can't be refunded and he's not really there to hunt anyway. So he grimaces and begins the hunt.
Lyn and Nic clash almost the entire time, but soon the sparks are more of the relationship type instead of the fighting type. Lyn feels that Nic wants to change who she is as a person and this causes conflict. It doesn't help when she finds out that he's lied to her about who he is and why he's on this hunt.

I liked reading this book for the most part. The pluses for the story - The story line was unique. the story moved quickly and the characters were interesting. The facts about the Idaho mountains made them come alive in my mind. The negatives - There were quite a few grammar and spelling issues and the dialogue between the characters seemed very stiff and forced at times. Somehow this made the story feel choppy. I also didn't care for the details during the sex scenes. It seemed a bit over the top.
In summery I liked the book, but I didn't love it. For a first book I think she did a great job. I will probably read another book by this author in hopes that her skills grow as she writes more.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

[Kim (Wistfulskimmies Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Lyn. She is chief guide for Taylors Outfitters and Guides, a company that guides people on animal hunts. She is strong minded, feisty and independent. She is in an unhappy relationship with Brad, a local lumber yard owner. She has an intense dislike of loggers and lumbar companies because of what they do to the land around the trees and another deep seated reason. Then she is asked to guide a group of men on an Elk hunt. The leader of the group, Nic Randall, has very negative feelings against women on hunts and their first meeting does not go well. After a near miss accident whilst on the hunt, their feelings towards each other soften. Can she put aside her feistiness and gather the courage to leave Brad and build a relationship with Nic or are her experiences with Brad destined to cloud her future forever?

I really enjoyed this. It was a nice light romance, but not too 'fluffy'. I loved Lyn's feistiness and the sparring between her and Nic. They played off each other really well and I was rooting for them to get together. The 'deep dark secret' Lyn was keeping from him as to why she hated lumber mills and logging was played out very well. All in all it was a lovely romance that had strong characters and a brilliant 'happy ever after' that left me with tears in my eyes. I totally recommend this as a nice light read that is also a lot of fun.

[Ashleigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everything about this romance puzzles me. I wasn't expecting a Nora Roberts romance or anything - how could I? She's published hundreds of novels - but i was expecting a romance between two people who were, fundamentally, compatible. Oh, sure it was love at first sight. But when the first things people ask of one another is that they change, there's something fundamentally flawed in the relationship. I don't care if it's about things that the person wants to change themself - that is entirely beside the point. I was surprised, and disappointed, by Lyn's actions. Hopkins paints her as fiercely independant, capable of holding her own against men in a man's world. Why, then, does she melt at the sight of a single pair of sea-blue eyes?

Pros: Hopkins' descriptions were beautiful. The Idaho wilderness really jumps out from the page.

Cons: The characters seemed a little one-dimensional. I couldn't get over Nic's preoccupation with Lyn's swearing. This is, after all, the 21st century.

Want more? Read the rest of this review at http://indiepressreview.com/2012/01/w...

[The TBR Pile *Book review site* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enter Contest Here: http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/1/post/2...

This book has all the ingredients of a hot romance: a good-looking,
drool worthy male, a feisty female with mesmerising eyes, lust, desire that just has to be given in to and love. The relationship between Lyn and Nic moves along quite quickly and the HEA ending is predictable, but there area few humps in the road, so you are thrown off kilter just a little. The dramatic Idaho wilderness is the perfect backdrop, wonderfully portrayed by Ms. Hopkins – I could almost feel the crisp, crunchy snow beneath my feet and feel the cold, fresh and
exhilarating air.

Whilst an easy-to-read and fairly satisfying holiday read, I did, however, feel that some 'plot-padding' was needed; in particular, the obstacles in the path of true love were a little too conveniently and swiftly overcome. There was also a lot of head hoping. Although they didn't make the pages sizzle, the sex scenes were adequately and very tastefully executed.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. Knowing that men always try to change or to try and run a womans life is not love not love. A woman that has a business of elk hunting and she is the guide. She has to meet a group of men and know that they may reject her because to men think that women and hunting don't go together. As she meet the group of men she has the privilege to meet a man that could go for Sam Elliots' twin. He is rude but good looking. He wants his money back because he doesn't believe that she is good enough for the job. She reminds him that the fee is non-refundable, but is at ease when he finds that her male partner will be joining her on the guide.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was definately a good read! I could relate so easily to the characters and imagining myself in their place was so effortless.
Being a country girl myself might have helped but I don't think it's necessary to enjoy this book. It had such a great balance of obstacles
and romance, such strong characters, and an original storyline. And here I thought a great pair of shoes was the best thing you could pull
out of storage. It might be a little rough around the edges, but with a little polishing this one could shine!

[Tia Bach · Rating 2 out of 5]

Received a complimentary copy to review through www.rebeccasreads.com. Please see my review there.

Brief review: Lyn is a strong female character, but I wanted more interesting flaws (her biggest: smoking and cussing). Nic was a bit one-dimensional, and I would have liked to have seen him fleshed out more. My favorite character: Lyn's father. He was the "glue that binds."

Poor editing and rambling wording hampered this novel.

NEW NOTE: Love the new cover, SO much better than the original!

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a Goodreads win. Thank you. This is a modern love story. Lynn has many talents, she can ride, track, shoot, and hunt. What she can not do, is pick the right man. Engaged to a man she does not love, she falls in love with another, who has insulted her, and belittled her on the first day of a hunt. Her heart betrays her, & she over looks many of his faults. Lynn embarks on several adventures, ending up with a broken engagement and a new future with love number two.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting storyline which I would have given 5 stars for something a little different. But I felt it needed some proofreading so gave it 3 stars instead as mistakes or things that don't seem right to me make my reading experience a little jerky as I go back and re-read what I thought needed changing and that doesn't make my reading experience go smoothly.

[Misty Rayburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Official review coming soon!

[Deliasue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This takes place in Idaho a lot of explicit sex, not my thing. A widowed senior citizen this just didn't interest me at all. But I make it a habit to try and read the entire book when start it.