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Wild #4
Wild Splendor
A hothouse flower in the parched, rugged desert of the Arizona Territory, beautiful, headstrong Leonida Branson isn’t about to waste her youth in a duty-bound marriage to a pompous general. And her resolve only strengthens when she sees Sage, the fierce Navaho chieftan her fiancé has sworn to crush. For the comforts of civilization are no match for the adventurous passion the handsome warrior awakens in her.
Each time Sage catches sight of Leonida’s porcelain beauty, his dark eyes smolder with forbidden heat. Nothing has prepared him for the feelings that suddenly rage within him…or for his overwhelming desire to sweep this exquisite woman into his powerful embrace, to teach her the ancient ways of his people…and the timeless ways of love.
Each time Sage catches sight of Leonida’s porcelain beauty, his dark eyes smolder with forbidden heat. Nothing has prepared him for the feelings that suddenly rage within him…or for his overwhelming desire to sweep this exquisite woman into his powerful embrace, to teach her the ancient ways of his people…and the timeless ways of love.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1993
39 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Cassie Edwards
163 books419 followersEdwards began writing romances in 1982 and released her 100th novel, Savage Skies, on August 28, 2007. Although her earlier books were classic historical romances, the vast majority of her novels involve Native American tribes. Edwards's grandmother was a full-blooded Cheyenne. Her first 99 books sold a combined 10 million copies as of August 2007, with her more recent novels averaging sales of 250,000–350,000 copies.
Edwards has won the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, as well as being named one of Affaire de Coeur's top ten favorite romance writers. Edwards has a reputation for meticulously researching the proper anthropological backgrounds of each tribe she writes about.
Edwards and her husband Charles, a retired high school biology teacher, have been married for over 50 years. They have two sons, Charles and Brian, and three grandchildren. The family lived in St. Louis, Missouri for over thirty years, but now reside in Mattoon, Illinois.
Edwards has won the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, as well as being named one of Affaire de Coeur's top ten favorite romance writers. Edwards has a reputation for meticulously researching the proper anthropological backgrounds of each tribe she writes about.
Edwards and her husband Charles, a retired high school biology teacher, have been married for over 50 years. They have two sons, Charles and Brian, and three grandchildren. The family lived in St. Louis, Missouri for over thirty years, but now reside in Mattoon, Illinois.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
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February 13, 2017Graded By: Jennie
Cover Story: Coachella, Sponsored By Urban Outfitters
BFF Charm: Hell No
Swoonworthy Scale: 0
Talky Talk: Me Tarzan, You Jane
Anti-Bonus Factors: Stockholm Syndrome, Mustache Twirling
Relationship Status: A Case For Book Burning
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Coachella, Sponsored By Urban Outfitters
BFF Charm: Hell No
Swoonworthy Scale: 0
Talky Talk: Me Tarzan, You Jane
Anti-Bonus Factors: Stockholm Syndrome, Mustache Twirling
Relationship Status: A Case For Book Burning
Read the full book report here.
November 26, 2023
Rating: 3.8 / 5
Offhand, I think I'd have to compare this to Highlander Unchained, where in the events progress as follows:
1. Hero and heroine meet and fall for each other
2. Hero and heroine get together
3. Something happens that has to do with life or death stuff
4. Hero and heroine get together again
5. Something else happens, yada yada yada
6. Hero and heroine get together again
7. Something else happens that threatens this couple, including the possibility of the heroine getting abducted
8. Hero rescues heroine and they get together again
9. Something else happens, safety in peril, etc....
10. Hero and heroine get together AGAIN
11. Heroine ends up pregnant
12. Hero and heroine get together AGAIN
Ahem, and so on.
Basically, all of the big events that contribute to the plot are laced with intermissions of the hero and heroine in sexual ecstasy with one another.
Strictly speaking, I'm not against that; I just found it a funny comparison between these two historical romances that for some reason works for me as a book plot.
That being said, the critiques of this book are relevant, including that:
- the hero talks in the third person(?) for some reason--"Me Tarzan, you Jane" comparison indeed!
- there are quite a few back-and-forths that feel like the author dabbling in problems to introduce to the plot, but nothing is developed far enough to really feel like a genuine threat before she has the hero and heroine make up and be together again. Myself, I like some stories where nothing bad ever happens--and I actually NEED those once in a while--but I can see how a lot of people would be put off by it
- there's no real climax to anything, as most of the action happens AWAY from the hero and heroine--after a random, 5-year time skip near the end
- there isn't as much in-depth description of the Navajo culture as I would have liked. To give the author credit, both in this book and in Racing Moon (the first book I read by her), she does seem to choose less-commonly-chosen Native American cultures to delve into, so it's definitely a refreshing change of perspective. That being said, while I feel like she touched on the Navajo culture just a bit, it definitely wasn't enough, and the entire time I kept thinking that even today, they have the largest "Indian" reservation out of pretty much any tribe in North America. I just feel like there could have been more to explore, y'know?
- also, I myself LOVE desert settings, so I would have liked to have more descriptions rather than the generic "mountains, plains, canyons, butes, etc."
All in all, I therefore conclude that this was an OKAY read, but definitely no the best out there. Not the worst by a long shot, as I DID enjoy reading it, but just...
Not the best, either.
Offhand, I think I'd have to compare this to Highlander Unchained, where in the events progress as follows:
1. Hero and heroine meet and fall for each other
2. Hero and heroine get together
3. Something happens that has to do with life or death stuff
4. Hero and heroine get together again
5. Something else happens, yada yada yada
6. Hero and heroine get together again
7. Something else happens that threatens this couple, including the possibility of the heroine getting abducted
8. Hero rescues heroine and they get together again
9. Something else happens, safety in peril, etc....
10. Hero and heroine get together AGAIN
11. Heroine ends up pregnant
12. Hero and heroine get together AGAIN
Ahem, and so on.
Basically, all of the big events that contribute to the plot are laced with intermissions of the hero and heroine in sexual ecstasy with one another.
Strictly speaking, I'm not against that; I just found it a funny comparison between these two historical romances that for some reason works for me as a book plot.
That being said, the critiques of this book are relevant, including that:
- the hero talks in the third person(?) for some reason--"Me Tarzan, you Jane" comparison indeed!
- there are quite a few back-and-forths that feel like the author dabbling in problems to introduce to the plot, but nothing is developed far enough to really feel like a genuine threat before she has the hero and heroine make up and be together again. Myself, I like some stories where nothing bad ever happens--and I actually NEED those once in a while--but I can see how a lot of people would be put off by it
- there's no real climax to anything, as most of the action happens AWAY from the hero and heroine--after a random, 5-year time skip near the end
- there isn't as much in-depth description of the Navajo culture as I would have liked. To give the author credit, both in this book and in Racing Moon (the first book I read by her), she does seem to choose less-commonly-chosen Native American cultures to delve into, so it's definitely a refreshing change of perspective. That being said, while I feel like she touched on the Navajo culture just a bit, it definitely wasn't enough, and the entire time I kept thinking that even today, they have the largest "Indian" reservation out of pretty much any tribe in North America. I just feel like there could have been more to explore, y'know?
- also, I myself LOVE desert settings, so I would have liked to have more descriptions rather than the generic "mountains, plains, canyons, butes, etc."
All in all, I therefore conclude that this was an OKAY read, but definitely no the best out there. Not the worst by a long shot, as I DID enjoy reading it, but just...
Not the best, either.
April 2, 2025
Nope just nope, this was terrible i think this is one I acquired from my local car boot sale for literal pennies and i only picked it up now because i unfortunately pulled it for my next read randomly. Oh well at least i can unhaul it and in my defence i did attempt reading it even when my heart sank as i realised i’d read the prior book to this some time back and ended up only giving that one an extremely generous two stars. Its strange because i know in my younger days i enjoyed some of this authors books. They just really haven’t aged well and my taste in historical romances has obviously evolved massively.
This is overly flowery insta love that just felt so over the top. I hated the way the hero Sage seemed to talk about himself in the third person and how our heroine instantly decided she was in love with him despite them being virtual strangers. The overall tone language used and style of narration just irked me. Granted i didn’t read far but it was obvious to me we were not a good fit. You may like this one if you’re partial to the older style of historical romances that came complete with a serving of sop and some over the top depictions of burning desire and devotion, if you know you know.
This is overly flowery insta love that just felt so over the top. I hated the way the hero Sage seemed to talk about himself in the third person and how our heroine instantly decided she was in love with him despite them being virtual strangers. The overall tone language used and style of narration just irked me. Granted i didn’t read far but it was obvious to me we were not a good fit. You may like this one if you’re partial to the older style of historical romances that came complete with a serving of sop and some over the top depictions of burning desire and devotion, if you know you know.
February 13, 2017
This may be the worst book I have ever read. Full review: http://foreveryoungadult.com/2017/02/...
October 15, 2016
A truly fantastic book i loved it but then again i love every book that Miss Edwards writes she has such a gift and such an amazing way with words all her characters are outstanding I cannot express how much i love this book.
August 16, 2017
I loved the book
July 17, 2021
How was the heroine fluent in the Native American language so that she understood what the warriors were saying?
May 8, 2023
surprised
It was surprisingly good.
I have read this kind of novel before but this was extremely interesting. I definitely recommend it.
It was surprisingly good.
I have read this kind of novel before but this was extremely interesting. I definitely recommend it.
July 22, 2025
Another great book, can’t wait to read next book to this series
July 28, 2016
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Leonida lives in the Arizona Territory at a fort. Her father was in charge but has recently passed away. She is now betrothed to the new General, a rather arrogant man who doesn't care for her forwardness. She only became betrothed because her father requested it when he became ill. She just doesn't think she can go through with it at this point, to spend her life with him. The feeling intensifies when she meets Sage, the Chief of the Navaho. She is automatically attracted to him, as he is to her.
The times are against the Indian and the Government wants to place them in Reservations. Sage, who only wants to live in peace is angered and decides to let them know he will not agree to this. He abducts a stagecoach of women and children to make his point, even though he has no intention of harming anyone.
Leonida was not supposed to be on the stagecoach but is. It doesn't take long for her to realize she does want to be with Sage, to be his forever.
Will they survive the turbulent times?
When I first started reading the historical romances, Native Americans were definitely my favorites! I have read other books by this author and she didn't fail me this time either! Her writing is so well done that I can picture the characters as well as the lands they live on.
I love this couple and the respect they have for one another. I loved Leonida because of her willingness to embrace a totally different life and not regret a moment, as long as she was with her man. You can feel the turbulence of the times as you read.
Great book by a great author!
Leonida lives in the Arizona Territory at a fort. Her father was in charge but has recently passed away. She is now betrothed to the new General, a rather arrogant man who doesn't care for her forwardness. She only became betrothed because her father requested it when he became ill. She just doesn't think she can go through with it at this point, to spend her life with him. The feeling intensifies when she meets Sage, the Chief of the Navaho. She is automatically attracted to him, as he is to her.
The times are against the Indian and the Government wants to place them in Reservations. Sage, who only wants to live in peace is angered and decides to let them know he will not agree to this. He abducts a stagecoach of women and children to make his point, even though he has no intention of harming anyone.
Leonida was not supposed to be on the stagecoach but is. It doesn't take long for her to realize she does want to be with Sage, to be his forever.
Will they survive the turbulent times?
When I first started reading the historical romances, Native Americans were definitely my favorites! I have read other books by this author and she didn't fail me this time either! Her writing is so well done that I can picture the characters as well as the lands they live on.
I love this couple and the respect they have for one another. I loved Leonida because of her willingness to embrace a totally different life and not regret a moment, as long as she was with her man. You can feel the turbulence of the times as you read.
Great book by a great author!
July 29, 2016
Before Leonida Branson’s father passed away she made a promise to marry General Harold Porter so that he could take care to give her father peace of mind before he died. Leonida is not too keen on wasting her youth by marry the General especially after learns how much he hates the Indians so the idea of marrying him is seeming harder and harder every day she’s at Fort Defiance. Especially after meets Pure Blossom and her brother Sage, the Chief of their Navaho Indian band. They are a proud strong people, Pure Blossom becomes her sweet gentle friend. Sage has been honorable with the white man he trades for a profit to his people until he learns they mean to steal his land. Sage and Leonida are unprepared for their feeling to blossom into a forbidden romance, Sage has an overwhelming desire to sweep this exquisite woman into his powerful embrace and show her his love and the timeless ways of love they can share for a lifetime.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2016
Once again Cassie Edwards was able to take me on a journey to the wild land of Arizona in the late 1800's. Leonida was speechless the first time she laid eyes on Sage. Sage was weary about the strong feelings he felt for Leonida. Things seem to go from bad to worse for both them and Sages people. Leonida sticks by his side through it all.
February 6, 2013
characters were just boring. think i'll stick to the Savage books with interesting plots instead.
June 3, 2015
My very first and favorite Romance Novel ever!!
January 22, 2018
I grew up reading this author's work. I absolutely adore how she weaves such a realistic picture of the Native American culture. You are sure to learn something in every book. I grew up wanting to find my own Indian chieftain. With this one, we also get a history lesson of Kit Carson and how much he did for and against the Indians. I enjoyed watching Sage and Leonida triumph in the face of adversity.
August 19, 2018
A lovely romance. An Indian romance
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews