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Wings of the West #1
The Wren
Ten years have passed since her ranch was attacked, her folks murdered and Molly Hart was abducted. Now, at nineteen, she’s finally returning home to north Texas after spending the remainder of her childhood with a tribe of Kwahadi Comanche. What she finds is a deserted home coated with dust and the passage of time, the chilling discovery of her own gravesite, and the presence of a man she thought never to see again.
Matt Ryan is pushed by a restless wind to the broken-down remains of the Hart ranch. Recently recovered from an imprisonment that nearly ended his life, the drive for truth and fairness has all but abandoned him. For ten years he faithfully served the U.S. Army and the Texas Rangers, seeking justice for the brutal murder of a little girl, only to find closure and healing beyond his grasp. Returning to the place where it all began, he’s surprised to stumble across a woman with the same blue eyes as the child he can’t put out of his mind.
Matt Ryan is pushed by a restless wind to the broken-down remains of the Hart ranch. Recently recovered from an imprisonment that nearly ended his life, the drive for truth and fairness has all but abandoned him. For ten years he faithfully served the U.S. Army and the Texas Rangers, seeking justice for the brutal murder of a little girl, only to find closure and healing beyond his grasp. Returning to the place where it all began, he’s surprised to stumble across a woman with the same blue eyes as the child he can’t put out of his mind.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2003
About the author
Kristy McCaffrey
58 books504 followersKristy McCaffrey writes historical western romances brimming with grit and emotion, as well as romantic contemporary adventures. Her work is filled with smoldering romance, compelling heroes, determined heroines, and her trademark mysticism. Life is a wondrous endeavor, and she strives to bring that sense of awe and joy into the tales she weaves, along with in-depth research into settings and time periods. Kristy holds a bachelor's and master's degree in mechanical engineering, but writing has been her passion since she was very young.
Her first novel, The Wren, was a CAPA winner for Best New Author Traditional, a Texas Gold finalist, and a HOLT Medallion finalist for Best First Book. The Sparrow was a 2012 Winter Rose Winner. The Blackbird won the 2015 Laramie award for Best in Western Romance. Her contemporary adventure, Cold Horizon, was a 2021 National Excellence in Romance Fiction winner, and Ancient Winds was a 2022 HOLT Medallion finalist.
Kristy believes life should be lived with curiosity, compassion, and gratitude, and one should never be far from the enthusiasm of a dog. She also likes sleeping-in, eating Mexican food, and doing yoga at home in her pajamas. An Arizona native, she resides in the desert north of Phoenix with her husband and their rescue dog, Jeb. Sign up for Kristy's newsletter at http://kmccaffrey.com/subscribe/ to receive her latest book news as well as subscriber-only content.
Kristy is a member of Romance Writers of America and Novelists Inc.
Her first novel, The Wren, was a CAPA winner for Best New Author Traditional, a Texas Gold finalist, and a HOLT Medallion finalist for Best First Book. The Sparrow was a 2012 Winter Rose Winner. The Blackbird won the 2015 Laramie award for Best in Western Romance. Her contemporary adventure, Cold Horizon, was a 2021 National Excellence in Romance Fiction winner, and Ancient Winds was a 2022 HOLT Medallion finalist.
Kristy believes life should be lived with curiosity, compassion, and gratitude, and one should never be far from the enthusiasm of a dog. She also likes sleeping-in, eating Mexican food, and doing yoga at home in her pajamas. An Arizona native, she resides in the desert north of Phoenix with her husband and their rescue dog, Jeb. Sign up for Kristy's newsletter at http://kmccaffrey.com/subscribe/ to receive her latest book news as well as subscriber-only content.
Kristy is a member of Romance Writers of America and Novelists Inc.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 253 reviews
December 23, 2014
The opening really grabbed me. The heroine returns home after ten years as a captive, and the hero is torn with guilt for not having prevented her abduction when she was a child. There is an added sense of mystery over who attacked her home and killed her parents ten years ago.
If you can ignore the co-incidence that both the hero and the heroine go her old home for the first time in ten years and just happen to be there at the same moment, then the story gets off to a great start.
And then it fizzles out.
For almost a hundred pages, nothing much happens. The heroine gets introduced to a lot of new people and we get endless boring conversations about what has happened to her since she was abducted. Or she mulls over those years in flash backs. Or the heroine and the hero ride off to interview people who might have information about the attack ten years ago. They never really find out anything but we get introduced to a lot more new characters.
The story does not move forward at all - it simply covers the same ground over and over again.
The romance aspect is no better. The heroine was nine, the hero seventeen when they were parted. In the beginning, as they are reunited, there is some heavy lust. Not the bittersweet reunion of old friends one might expect. Then it gets a bit vague -- at times, the heroine really feels the lust between them. At other times she moans that the hero either doesn't notice her at all, or sees her as a child.
The hero, in his turn, is racked with lust and plainly in love, but somehow he believes that to do the right thing by the heroine he must find a good man for her to marry and make sure the husband will treat her well. It never seems quite clear why he ignores the obvious solution of marrying her himself.
At one point the hero seems to think it would be wrong for him to marry the heroine because he feels lust for her - but surely, it's good in marriage if there is desire between the spouses? I never get the impression that the hero is against settling down in general--he just seems to think that he shouldn't consider marrying the heroine, and the only reason there appears to be is because it is needed to drag out the plot.
In the end, lust wins, the hero has sex with the heroine, and then everything becomes clear in his mind and of course he should marry her. We have the revealed twist from the past (a twist that was obvious, at least to me, from early on) and we get a bit of a problem from a mean, lying neighbour who tries to ruin the romance. I tried to keep skimming but by the final third I was too bored even for that.
On the steaminess scale, there are a couple of lukewarm love scenes, so steamy isn't really the right classification. Middle-of-the-road, nothing to offend even the more delicate sensibilities.
It seems puzzling that the heroine has been sold twice from man to man and is still a virgin. And just as puzzling that when she finally gets to have sex, pretty much a quickie, there is no pain involved and instant fulfilment. I'd prefer a bit more realism in the physical aspects of the romance.
The writing is nice and competent, but the endless repetition ruined it for me. In particular, I found it tedious to wade through the dialogues which were regurgitating information already known to the reader, with very little added in terms of characterisation or plot development.
So, in summary, this book was not for me. But once again, I'm in the minority. There must be something wrong with me.
If you can ignore the co-incidence that both the hero and the heroine go her old home for the first time in ten years and just happen to be there at the same moment, then the story gets off to a great start.
And then it fizzles out.
For almost a hundred pages, nothing much happens. The heroine gets introduced to a lot of new people and we get endless boring conversations about what has happened to her since she was abducted. Or she mulls over those years in flash backs. Or the heroine and the hero ride off to interview people who might have information about the attack ten years ago. They never really find out anything but we get introduced to a lot more new characters.
The story does not move forward at all - it simply covers the same ground over and over again.
The romance aspect is no better. The heroine was nine, the hero seventeen when they were parted. In the beginning, as they are reunited, there is some heavy lust. Not the bittersweet reunion of old friends one might expect. Then it gets a bit vague -- at times, the heroine really feels the lust between them. At other times she moans that the hero either doesn't notice her at all, or sees her as a child.
The hero, in his turn, is racked with lust and plainly in love, but somehow he believes that to do the right thing by the heroine he must find a good man for her to marry and make sure the husband will treat her well. It never seems quite clear why he ignores the obvious solution of marrying her himself.
At one point the hero seems to think it would be wrong for him to marry the heroine because he feels lust for her - but surely, it's good in marriage if there is desire between the spouses? I never get the impression that the hero is against settling down in general--he just seems to think that he shouldn't consider marrying the heroine, and the only reason there appears to be is because it is needed to drag out the plot.
In the end, lust wins, the hero has sex with the heroine, and then everything becomes clear in his mind and of course he should marry her. We have the revealed twist from the past (a twist that was obvious, at least to me, from early on) and we get a bit of a problem from a mean, lying neighbour who tries to ruin the romance. I tried to keep skimming but by the final third I was too bored even for that.
On the steaminess scale, there are a couple of lukewarm love scenes, so steamy isn't really the right classification. Middle-of-the-road, nothing to offend even the more delicate sensibilities.
It seems puzzling that the heroine has been sold twice from man to man and is still a virgin. And just as puzzling that when she finally gets to have sex, pretty much a quickie, there is no pain involved and instant fulfilment. I'd prefer a bit more realism in the physical aspects of the romance.
The writing is nice and competent, but the endless repetition ruined it for me. In particular, I found it tedious to wade through the dialogues which were regurgitating information already known to the reader, with very little added in terms of characterisation or plot development.
So, in summary, this book was not for me. But once again, I'm in the minority. There must be something wrong with me.
February 27, 2018
So much potential wasted. Repetitious dialogue from the heroine and hero both. She retelling the story of her abduction and years living with the Comanche (again, completely wasted opportunity for good background story), and he repeating ad nauseam how he wants to do the right thing by her and find her a husband, just not him, even though he has fallen for her. My main complaint however is that the heroine who is described as "beautiful", lived among the Comanche AND was sold not once but twice to traders somehow manages to come away a virgin. Sorry, I'm not buying it. I was born at night but not last night. 1.5 stars
March 8, 2013
This story is very captivating, but in a subtle way. McCaffrey doesn’t feel the need to draw her readers in with over the top scenes and descriptions. She takes real life (for the time period and setting) and draws the reader in with immaculate writing and flawless scenes. The story is very insightful and informative while also being extremely heartfelt.
McCaffrey does a brilliant job with her descriptions and scene setups. Her descriptions are so detailed that you feel like you are on the ranch with the characters. That said, she never once writes a scene that makes the reader feel like they are bogged down in description. Every single word that McCaffrey puts down on paper brings the reader further into the story, and closer to a brilliant conclusion. Although you can guess the general gist of the conclusion well before you get there, it’s all in the journey, and McCaffrey makes that spectacular.
Although very few people have been through situations such as those faced by the main character she is still a very approachable person. All of the characters are developed in such a way that you can identify with them, which allows the reader to immerse themselves more fully into the story. There are definitely situations and aspects that set them apart, but McCaffrey’s stunning character development keeps them very realistic and down to earth. The development of all of the major characters includes a full personal history, which adds to this realism. I love these characters, especially the fact that absolutely none of them seem at all fake or made up, regardless of the fact that this is a fictional novel.
This is one of those stories that makes your heart ache at times, while at others makes you fell all warm and fuzzy inside. I’m crying happy tears right now. It’s very rarely that a romance novel can move me this much. I can still feel it tugging at my heartstrings.
Please note that I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
McCaffrey does a brilliant job with her descriptions and scene setups. Her descriptions are so detailed that you feel like you are on the ranch with the characters. That said, she never once writes a scene that makes the reader feel like they are bogged down in description. Every single word that McCaffrey puts down on paper brings the reader further into the story, and closer to a brilliant conclusion. Although you can guess the general gist of the conclusion well before you get there, it’s all in the journey, and McCaffrey makes that spectacular.
Although very few people have been through situations such as those faced by the main character she is still a very approachable person. All of the characters are developed in such a way that you can identify with them, which allows the reader to immerse themselves more fully into the story. There are definitely situations and aspects that set them apart, but McCaffrey’s stunning character development keeps them very realistic and down to earth. The development of all of the major characters includes a full personal history, which adds to this realism. I love these characters, especially the fact that absolutely none of them seem at all fake or made up, regardless of the fact that this is a fictional novel.
This is one of those stories that makes your heart ache at times, while at others makes you fell all warm and fuzzy inside. I’m crying happy tears right now. It’s very rarely that a romance novel can move me this much. I can still feel it tugging at my heartstrings.
Please note that I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 5, 2017
I got this book free off Amazon and I'm glad that I didn't pay anything for it. It's received some great reviews from people but it didn't do anything for me I'm afraid. I didn't connect with Molly and what had happened to her - in fact I felt most of story just didn't really ring true. I think this is partly due to the fact that she lived for a quite a few years with the Indians but there was no real story about how she got on there and what happened to her. And then she gets traded to this trader who is meant to be a bad man who does nothing to her; and then he sells her to some old man who is a gold miner; who mainly ignores her but spent quite a lot of money to 'save' her. Then she travels across a large expanse of America to return home; again with no back story about how she did this. And throughout all of this nothing happens to her. I just quite believe it. So I'm afraid her story just didn't ring quite true and I couldn't connect with her. And I skip read through most of the book.
May 18, 2017
This was an engaging western romance with interesting characters and a suspenseful plot line. Where it goes wrong is in the pacing. Matt Ryan is the quintessential cowboy hero: rough, rugged, handsome and honorable. Molly Hart is the heroine with a twist: she is a hopeful survivor. This girl goes through a lot, which unfolds in pieces throughout the book. I found the twists and turns to be interesting, but I wish Molly's background had been handled more in action rather than telling. She also was magnificently well adjusted given the horrors of her young life. However, McCaffrey infuses her book with a lot of good action, spicy yearnings and outstanding scene set-ups. The part with the runaway horse was particularly well written. I won't soon forget Matt and Molly.
May 18, 2017
Molly Hart was kidnapped from her family's ranch by mysterious outlaws as a little girl, then stolen by Commanches. Many years later, she returns home to find that her parents were killed and their ranch was abandoned. She meets Matt Ryan, a man from a nearby ranch whom she looked up to as a big brother all those years ago. Their attraction now is anything but sibling-like, but Matt feels too protective of Molly to make a move on her. Meanwhile, she wants to figure out who killed her parents all those years ago and has to adjust to her new circumstances.
It was an OK book, and I will start with the positives: I really enjoyed the late 1800s Texas setting and Molly's memories of living with the Comanche, and how she struggles with not knowing her identity now. I also thought Molly and Matt were both sympathetic characters. My biggest problem with the book is that it is very slow paced and events are parceled out almost stingily for the first three quarters of it. Then, at the end, everything happens at once, including quite a few improbably events and annoying romance tropes. It's free on Amazon, though, so if you enjoy historical Western romance, it might be worth checking out.
Read for Unapologetic Romance Readers 2017 challenge: Cowboy/Western category
It was an OK book, and I will start with the positives: I really enjoyed the late 1800s Texas setting and Molly's memories of living with the Comanche, and how she struggles with not knowing her identity now. I also thought Molly and Matt were both sympathetic characters. My biggest problem with the book is that it is very slow paced and events are parceled out almost stingily for the first three quarters of it. Then, at the end, everything happens at once, including quite a few improbably events and annoying romance tropes. It's free on Amazon, though, so if you enjoy historical Western romance, it might be worth checking out.
Read for Unapologetic Romance Readers 2017 challenge: Cowboy/Western category
October 27, 2020
Trigger warnings: attempted rape, sexual assault, pedophilia
This book has a lot of flaws, but it’s definitely one of my new guilty pleasures. The author has a way of writing that is both beautiful and keeps you on your toes throughout the whole story.
The cover for this book is a little misleading. I was worried that this book was going to be an erotica, but it’s actually more of a mystery or action book mixed with romance. It makes for a good combination that works out really well. However, some of the romance parts did make me really uncomfortable. Some of the body descriptions at first were so sexual that they made me cringe and the sex scene was so graphic that I could barely read that chapter.
The major issue I had with this book was the depiction of the Native Americans. They were referred to as “Indians” in the book and maybe that was just to reflect the character’s thoughts at the time, but saying Indians instead of Native Americans is one of my biggest pet peeves. The trope of Native Americans capturing white people is also so overdone.
This book has a lot of flaws, but it’s definitely one of my new guilty pleasures. The author has a way of writing that is both beautiful and keeps you on your toes throughout the whole story.
The cover for this book is a little misleading. I was worried that this book was going to be an erotica, but it’s actually more of a mystery or action book mixed with romance. It makes for a good combination that works out really well. However, some of the romance parts did make me really uncomfortable. Some of the body descriptions at first were so sexual that they made me cringe and the sex scene was so graphic that I could barely read that chapter.
The major issue I had with this book was the depiction of the Native Americans. They were referred to as “Indians” in the book and maybe that was just to reflect the character’s thoughts at the time, but saying Indians instead of Native Americans is one of my biggest pet peeves. The trope of Native Americans capturing white people is also so overdone.
April 3, 2017
I got the book free from BookBub.com, but I couldn't finish it. The story doesn't move much, and there's too much improbability as it panders to the stereotype of a madonna/whore complex. The girl was taken at the age of nine and was over 8 years living with a Comanche tribe, then sold twice to men and she somehow is "innocent" and ignorant about sex?! Really? The characters, nor the telling of the story, were compelling enough to keep my interest. I just can't finish it.
January 2, 2019
An incident when Molly was nine changed the fabric of her life forever.
I enjoyed the twists & turns and fond memories that were revealed on this adventure. The characters were well developed I felt amongst friends, waiting with baited breathe at times at her antics, anxiously awaiting an outcome or the joy of full circle.
The men are true men over protective, skilful but all have trauma in their pasts. Matt considered a Texas hero by others must overcome overwhelming guilt.
I finished with feeling happiness in my heart.
I enjoyed the twists & turns and fond memories that were revealed on this adventure. The characters were well developed I felt amongst friends, waiting with baited breathe at times at her antics, anxiously awaiting an outcome or the joy of full circle.
The men are true men over protective, skilful but all have trauma in their pasts. Matt considered a Texas hero by others must overcome overwhelming guilt.
I finished with feeling happiness in my heart.
June 19, 2018
This was a sweet "old west" love story. I have always been fascinated with the way life was lived back then. I use to read "western" stories all the time, but not so much anymore. This book was a nice break. The characters were well developed and the writing was easy to follow along with.
It may seem that once Molly made her appearance that the feelings between her and Matthew moved swiftly, but then when you read the history of the two it all kinda made sense. I liked that Molly didn't come across weak and "girly".
Matthew Ryan and Molly Hart
Rating: R+ (language and sexual content)
Language: use of deity and other profanity (there was not a lot of it though)
Recommend: Yes
It may seem that once Molly made her appearance that the feelings between her and Matthew moved swiftly, but then when you read the history of the two it all kinda made sense. I liked that Molly didn't come across weak and "girly".
Matthew Ryan and Molly Hart
Rating: R+ (language and sexual content)
Language: use of deity and other profanity (there was not a lot of it though)
Recommend: Yes
April 2, 2019
McCaffrey tells a great story! I love the characters in this western and how real they feel. I definitely recommend this book to my friends who enjoy historical romances.
January 29, 2018
This quick read was a free download, and I've learned that "free" books tend to come with inflated ratings. Right now Goodreads is showing this one with a 4.17, which is extremely generous for this simplistic love story.
The Wren starts off abruptly, with Molly and Matt both just happening to revisit the scene of a former tragedy at the same moment. She has spent the last 10 years as a prisoner of the Comanche and then a slave to an old miner (yet somehow still has her virginity intact, lucky girl). He has recently survived being held and tortured by a Mexican bandit, and as a Texas Ranger has seen a lot of hard times. McCaffrey certainly tells the readers how damaged these two people are, but it doesn't really show in the story. Molly seems nearly unscathed, beyond worrying what people might think of her, and Matt is hesitant to settle down.
There are some high points to the novel interspersed with amateur scenes. I loved the description of Molly racing bareback across the Texas plain in only her chemise, and did enjoy the chemistry between the two leads. But overall, barely 3 stars. Also, I just noticed the book summary indicates that this one is "steamy," which is a bit of an exaggeration.
The Wren starts off abruptly, with Molly and Matt both just happening to revisit the scene of a former tragedy at the same moment. She has spent the last 10 years as a prisoner of the Comanche and then a slave to an old miner (yet somehow still has her virginity intact, lucky girl). He has recently survived being held and tortured by a Mexican bandit, and as a Texas Ranger has seen a lot of hard times. McCaffrey certainly tells the readers how damaged these two people are, but it doesn't really show in the story. Molly seems nearly unscathed, beyond worrying what people might think of her, and Matt is hesitant to settle down.
There are some high points to the novel interspersed with amateur scenes. I loved the description of Molly racing bareback across the Texas plain in only her chemise, and did enjoy the chemistry between the two leads. But overall, barely 3 stars. Also, I just noticed the book summary indicates that this one is "steamy," which is a bit of an exaggeration.
May 9, 2017
Good but...
I did enjoy the story-line, idea, and premise behind this book. I just had a problem with 1. Some of the timelines...A "crushed" foot and in a matter a a few days he's up on crutches with no cast or pain meds? Then a few days later, he shoves it in his cowboy boot, walks, climbs on and rides a horse, then gets off "favoring his other "bad" leg"!!??!!??
Add to that a reputable, well off, loving family of that time and era (North, South, East or West), not only thinking but openly referring to premarital sex at all. Much less as open, often, blithely as it is written in this book. Mom talks to son, Mom talks to girl, Son talks to girl, Son talks to Dad, Friend Talks to Son.... Then they have sex. --- UMM, NO THANKS.
I did enjoy the story-line, idea, and premise behind this book. I just had a problem with 1. Some of the timelines...A "crushed" foot and in a matter a a few days he's up on crutches with no cast or pain meds? Then a few days later, he shoves it in his cowboy boot, walks, climbs on and rides a horse, then gets off "favoring his other "bad" leg"!!??!!??
Add to that a reputable, well off, loving family of that time and era (North, South, East or West), not only thinking but openly referring to premarital sex at all. Much less as open, often, blithely as it is written in this book. Mom talks to son, Mom talks to girl, Son talks to girl, Son talks to Dad, Friend Talks to Son.... Then they have sex. --- UMM, NO THANKS.
January 7, 2019
This was an unforgettable and emotional first read for me by Kristy McCaffrey and it was free! This is the first book of the series and is perma-free on several retailers' websites. I was so captivated by Matt and Molly's story that I have already purchased the 2nd book, The Dove, and I have no doubt that I will read the entire series. It is always gratifying to lose myself in an enthralling western romance while discovering the storytelling talents of an author that is new to me. Take advantage of this free book, which can be read as a standalone, but be prepared to get hooked on this exciting series.
December 12, 2017
"The Wren" is a lovely old west romance by Kristy McCaffrey. Matt Ryan is a former ranger who is tired, he was imprisoned and was barely able to escape and heal from his injuries. He is also heart sick remembering the young girl who was his friend who followed him around.
Ten years ago, Molly was kidnapped by Indians. She believes her family was massacred and her remaining family believes she is dead. As does Matt. She escapes her captivity and rides to her old homestead where she encounters Matt.
Matt is shocked to learn that Molly is alive. Together they begin investigating her capture, who betrayed the young girl and sent her to a cruel fate.
Matt and Molly are very sweet and cute together. They have instant chemistry and very much want to be together. Matt's family is kind and loving and only wants to help Molly find the rest of her family and make a good life for herself.
Some passion and lots of chemistry between Matt and Molly. Good story, will look for more books by this author.
Ten years ago, Molly was kidnapped by Indians. She believes her family was massacred and her remaining family believes she is dead. As does Matt. She escapes her captivity and rides to her old homestead where she encounters Matt.
Matt is shocked to learn that Molly is alive. Together they begin investigating her capture, who betrayed the young girl and sent her to a cruel fate.
Matt and Molly are very sweet and cute together. They have instant chemistry and very much want to be together. Matt's family is kind and loving and only wants to help Molly find the rest of her family and make a good life for herself.
Some passion and lots of chemistry between Matt and Molly. Good story, will look for more books by this author.
March 3, 2018
Then and Now
Tragedy and guilt breaks a young man for ten years. A girl with hope to be found eventually makes it back home after ten years now as a young woman to find it all gone. The man, the woman now find each other. Their lives now changed after ten years with all the past that has made them what they now are brings emotions both try to deny. How it all came about will surprise you as the past is unraveled. The mystery unfolds as the sweet love blooms. A well written story with depth and intrigue. The characters come alive and draw you in to know more about them. A vivid picture comes to mind as the story is developed. The historical detail is well portrayed. A highly recommended read.
Tragedy and guilt breaks a young man for ten years. A girl with hope to be found eventually makes it back home after ten years now as a young woman to find it all gone. The man, the woman now find each other. Their lives now changed after ten years with all the past that has made them what they now are brings emotions both try to deny. How it all came about will surprise you as the past is unraveled. The mystery unfolds as the sweet love blooms. A well written story with depth and intrigue. The characters come alive and draw you in to know more about them. A vivid picture comes to mind as the story is developed. The historical detail is well portrayed. A highly recommended read.
June 17, 2020
Brave and beautiful
The brave heroine is the driving force in this western romance. Mary Hart was kidnapped when she was a girl and suffers through years of abuse. What keeps her alive is her desire to return to her family. When she finally makes her way home, she finds that everything has changed. Determined to avenge her parent's murder, she displays her true grit again while kindling a romance with a man who has always been her champion. This is a well told tale that is never short on action and romance.
The brave heroine is the driving force in this western romance. Mary Hart was kidnapped when she was a girl and suffers through years of abuse. What keeps her alive is her desire to return to her family. When she finally makes her way home, she finds that everything has changed. Determined to avenge her parent's murder, she displays her true grit again while kindling a romance with a man who has always been her champion. This is a well told tale that is never short on action and romance.
August 7, 2021
Torn between an "it was OK" 2 star rating and "I liked it" 3 stars, so I gave it the benefit of the doubt and went with 3 but it's more like a 2.5.
Anyway, this is a story that had a lot of potential that didn't quite get there for me. As others have noted, there is no way that a woman, especially a pretty one, would have lived with Native Americans, been sold to an abusive man, and then sold to another man and still remained a virgin (and a complete innocent in all matters related to any sex act, not just intercourse) at the age of 18-20. If you can set that impossibility aside, as well as the highly unlikely meeting between her and the hero, Matt, at her family's abandoned homestead miles from his house, the story starts off well enough.
I think there was a missed opportunity to do more with her background as a captive white woman that would have steered the story into more serious but satisfying waters. Much of her flashbacks to her time with the Native Americans were well done and paint a picture of her time with them but the author glosses over what had to be traumatizing adjusting to the loss of her family and living amongst a culturally foreign people. Likewise on the abuse she had to have suffered once she was sold.
She and another woman arrive unscathed at her homestead after traversing miles and miles of open land in "Indian territory" which is certainly possible but feels unlikely. The story then moves to a plotline around her and Matt trying to figure out who killed her parents (her sisters survived and were sent to the west coast to live with relatives - Molly does attempt to contact them, but doesn't spend much effort trying to reunite with them).
Along the way, she and Matt awkwardly transition from childhood friends (she was 10 when she was abducted and he is about 10 years older than her) to realizing they are attracted to each other. Matt feels this is wrong, I suppose like some sort of incest/pedophilia vibe since he was like a big brother to her before she disappeared. Molly feels that her interest isn't returned by Matt and maybe her background makes her undesirable.
The "mystery" behind her parents' attack and her abduction was meh - it felt mostly like a plot device used to keep Matt and Molly together until they could realize they are made for each other, as opposed to the central driving plot of the story. But perhaps that's as it should be since this is after all, a romance and not a mystery.
Matt's troubled background as a Ranger who is captured and tortured is also glossed over and aside from a limp and the author's infrequent references to "that terrible time when bad things happened to him", there's not much to indicate he has his own troubles and trauma.
I liked that Molly was spunky and independent and she wasn't afraid to show it. I also liked how this made her feel "unladylike" which no doubt in that time period, it would definitely have been considered so. This sets up another side plot where an interfering and bigoted neighbor lady tries to set Matt up with her prim and proper daughter, who would no doubt freak out at the reality of moving from an east coast upbringing with all of the creature comforts and cleanliness to life on a ranch in the middle of nowhere.
While I won't rush out to read the next book in the series, I'd be willing to give it a try. There's just so much background ripe with tension and sociological/psychological ramifications with both the h and H here in this story that could make for a really rich characterization that gets passed over that it felt like a shame to me to miss out on that.
Anyway, this is a story that had a lot of potential that didn't quite get there for me. As others have noted, there is no way that a woman, especially a pretty one, would have lived with Native Americans, been sold to an abusive man, and then sold to another man and still remained a virgin (and a complete innocent in all matters related to any sex act, not just intercourse) at the age of 18-20. If you can set that impossibility aside, as well as the highly unlikely meeting between her and the hero, Matt, at her family's abandoned homestead miles from his house, the story starts off well enough.
I think there was a missed opportunity to do more with her background as a captive white woman that would have steered the story into more serious but satisfying waters. Much of her flashbacks to her time with the Native Americans were well done and paint a picture of her time with them but the author glosses over what had to be traumatizing adjusting to the loss of her family and living amongst a culturally foreign people. Likewise on the abuse she had to have suffered once she was sold.
She and another woman arrive unscathed at her homestead after traversing miles and miles of open land in "Indian territory" which is certainly possible but feels unlikely. The story then moves to a plotline around her and Matt trying to figure out who killed her parents (her sisters survived and were sent to the west coast to live with relatives - Molly does attempt to contact them, but doesn't spend much effort trying to reunite with them).
Along the way, she and Matt awkwardly transition from childhood friends (she was 10 when she was abducted and he is about 10 years older than her) to realizing they are attracted to each other. Matt feels this is wrong, I suppose like some sort of incest/pedophilia vibe since he was like a big brother to her before she disappeared. Molly feels that her interest isn't returned by Matt and maybe her background makes her undesirable.
The "mystery" behind her parents' attack and her abduction was meh - it felt mostly like a plot device used to keep Matt and Molly together until they could realize they are made for each other, as opposed to the central driving plot of the story. But perhaps that's as it should be since this is after all, a romance and not a mystery.
Matt's troubled background as a Ranger who is captured and tortured is also glossed over and aside from a limp and the author's infrequent references to "that terrible time when bad things happened to him", there's not much to indicate he has his own troubles and trauma.
I liked that Molly was spunky and independent and she wasn't afraid to show it. I also liked how this made her feel "unladylike" which no doubt in that time period, it would definitely have been considered so. This sets up another side plot where an interfering and bigoted neighbor lady tries to set Matt up with her prim and proper daughter, who would no doubt freak out at the reality of moving from an east coast upbringing with all of the creature comforts and cleanliness to life on a ranch in the middle of nowhere.
While I won't rush out to read the next book in the series, I'd be willing to give it a try. There's just so much background ripe with tension and sociological/psychological ramifications with both the h and H here in this story that could make for a really rich characterization that gets passed over that it felt like a shame to me to miss out on that.
July 8, 2017
I won a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All thoughts are my own. This is a wonderful story that is well written. Molly was a young girl when her parents were killed on their ranch and she was kidnapped. She didn't know what happened to both her parents and her sisters. The men that kidnapped her, some were killed and others got away from a group of Comanche. She was finally was able to get back to some normallcy when a man bought her to save her life. But then he passed and she decided she needed to get back to Texas. When she gets to the ranch she fines it run down and her parents grave site. But the biggest shock is finding Matthew the young man she cared for when she was taken, she lost 10 years of being around. He didn't believe she was a live at first. This is a beautiful story of overcoming loss, finding realness again, and helping another young person along the way. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series to find out what happens both with Molly & Matt, but also her Claire the young woman she helped, her baby sister Emma, and reconnecting with her older sister Mary.
November 2, 2017
THE WREN by Kristy McCaffrey is a very good historical Western romance set in Texas with two admirable main characters. Both are products of their time and the way they were raised, but still described in a way that makes them credible. I especially liked Molly, who had gone through difficult circumstances including being kidnapped as a child by a tribe of Texas Indians, but had a feisty spirit that helped her survive all of those circumstances. Matt was a good, valiant man who initially did not think himself worthy of a personal relationship with Molly—too old, too damaged—but soon came to the point where he could not fight the deep connection between them. The secondary characters all do their parts to add to the story’s depth. I highly recommend this book if you like this genre and will myself read more by this author whose writing style is excellent.
I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
February 2, 2018
Wild as a flighty little bird
Where can a little girl grow to through adversity of the wilds of Texas after being nabbed from her home by strangers? Can she survive kidnapping, being sold to Indians and living with them for years? Resiliency and being strong willed allow her to thrive through very difficult years where Indians are being stripped of their lands and hunting grounds. Reservations are being devised to incarcerate them. Molly lives to see both sides of this issue and to find her way back to her childhood haunts--- she had been thought dead by everyone. Through the help of old friends she finds a frightening clue to why she was nabbed and her parents were murdered... still a strong person she must meet the person who tried to kill her and again deal with his deranged wrath.
Where can a little girl grow to through adversity of the wilds of Texas after being nabbed from her home by strangers? Can she survive kidnapping, being sold to Indians and living with them for years? Resiliency and being strong willed allow her to thrive through very difficult years where Indians are being stripped of their lands and hunting grounds. Reservations are being devised to incarcerate them. Molly lives to see both sides of this issue and to find her way back to her childhood haunts--- she had been thought dead by everyone. Through the help of old friends she finds a frightening clue to why she was nabbed and her parents were murdered... still a strong person she must meet the person who tried to kill her and again deal with his deranged wrath.
June 28, 2018
this was one of the best books i have read in quite a while. The story was realistic,romantic,adventurous as well as warming of my soul.
This young lady was 9 when she was captured,her parents murdered and she had no idea. She led a wonderful life with the Indians that captured her from her first captives, then sold to a Trader and finally bought by an old miner.
Ten years later she turns up at her old family farm only to find no one is around, the house deserted.
Matt,an old friend who took her disappearance hard(everyone thought she was dead), see her and asks who she is and why she was there snooping. She explained to him, but he failed to believe her until she sees her box that she calls survival kit she buried before being captured.
This is a must read story. It was hard to put down.
This young lady was 9 when she was captured,her parents murdered and she had no idea. She led a wonderful life with the Indians that captured her from her first captives, then sold to a Trader and finally bought by an old miner.
Ten years later she turns up at her old family farm only to find no one is around, the house deserted.
Matt,an old friend who took her disappearance hard(everyone thought she was dead), see her and asks who she is and why she was there snooping. She explained to him, but he failed to believe her until she sees her box that she calls survival kit she buried before being captured.
This is a must read story. It was hard to put down.
September 9, 2016
1.5 stars rounded to 2.
Like many other reviewers, the beginning caught my attention but then the story fizzled out. The story was lacking in historical details, the love between the MCs was too easy, the push and pull, while annoying, almost seemed to be a half hearted attempt on behalf of the author to add some angst, and the end was just a way to add additional books to this series.
The MCs really needed more development. This wasn't a bad story and the writing wasn't terrible, but I didn't feel invested at all. I liked the alternating povs, the fact that this was pretty clean, and the absence of ow/om drama. I think I'll give the next book a try and hope that it's better than the first.
Like many other reviewers, the beginning caught my attention but then the story fizzled out. The story was lacking in historical details, the love between the MCs was too easy, the push and pull, while annoying, almost seemed to be a half hearted attempt on behalf of the author to add some angst, and the end was just a way to add additional books to this series.
The MCs really needed more development. This wasn't a bad story and the writing wasn't terrible, but I didn't feel invested at all. I liked the alternating povs, the fact that this was pretty clean, and the absence of ow/om drama. I think I'll give the next book a try and hope that it's better than the first.
November 10, 2017
Great main characters, with a bit of a different kind of plot. I enjoyed all of this emotional story. But don't be afraid to read it thinking that its all about emotion because it also has plenty of action and some mysteries too. There is a twist or two as well; it kept the story interesting.
It was also interesting that at least 3 people in the story had quite a lot of suffering and even some of it is physical suffering ones as well. That would be of course Molly, Matt and his friend, Nathan Blackmore. There is one other person who who qualifies for overcoming some serious challenges. Claire is a young woman that Molly befriends and she has her story in another book as does Nathan.
This is a book that I've wanted to read for quite a while and I was not disappointed in it.
It was also interesting that at least 3 people in the story had quite a lot of suffering and even some of it is physical suffering ones as well. That would be of course Molly, Matt and his friend, Nathan Blackmore. There is one other person who who qualifies for overcoming some serious challenges. Claire is a young woman that Molly befriends and she has her story in another book as does Nathan.
This is a book that I've wanted to read for quite a while and I was not disappointed in it.
February 6, 2018
Just finished THE WREN (WINGS OF THE WEST, #1) by Kristy McCaffrey. It was advertised as a free Kindle download in the historical fiction category. I suppose if you locate the novel on a ranch in West Texas populated by cowboys, Texas Rangers, ranch hands, cattle, and rattlesnakes, and place it in time just after most of the Indian wars, then it counts as historical fiction. But this is really a romance novel, a kind of literary soap opera. Throw in some physical danger, tragedy and sorrow, surprising situations, romance and titillation, a strong masculine hero, a struggling, vulnerable love interest, and a happy "and they all lived happily ever-after" ending....and you have the makings of a story that will bring satisfied sighs to those who enjoy reading romance fiction.
September 7, 2019
Deeply in love with this book !
What an amazing read! This book grabbed me from the very beginning and did not let me go. I got truly captivated by Molly & Matt love story and could not have loved them more! This historical romance has adventure, mystery, angst, humor, romance and even brought me into tears at some of them. The side characters are really good as well and Logan is my favourite. The next books in this series follow the history of them that I really intend to read as well. This is a kind of book that I’ll remember for a long time. It is a keeper ! Truly recommend it! ❤️👏🏻🤩
What an amazing read! This book grabbed me from the very beginning and did not let me go. I got truly captivated by Molly & Matt love story and could not have loved them more! This historical romance has adventure, mystery, angst, humor, romance and even brought me into tears at some of them. The side characters are really good as well and Logan is my favourite. The next books in this series follow the history of them that I really intend to read as well. This is a kind of book that I’ll remember for a long time. It is a keeper ! Truly recommend it! ❤️👏🏻🤩
November 2, 2019
An awesome, entertaining, exciting, adventure, with lots of surprises, danger, unexpected twists and turns! After tragedy strikes, cruelty, and betrayal she is finally free after ten years! The questions why no one searched for her or came after her, the answers are unexpected, and unpredictable! Will anyone believe her, whom to trust, whom to fear! Is she strong enough to survive, to fight for the answers to the secrets, and what really happened. The characters are bigger than life, heroes, and handsome, the villains are cruel and evil! Be prepared for an unexpected and unpredictable ending!
April 5, 2018
Molly Hart was abducted from her home 10 years ago when she was 9. Her parents were murdered the same night and their killers were never found. Molly spent 8 of those years with the Comanche, adopted by a Comanche family, followed by being sold to a trader then a miner.
Matt Ryan had befriended young Molly and was devastated when she disappeared, only to mourn when her burned body was found and buried with her parents. Now Molly appears and Matt isn't sure what to believe.
The story was OK with some twists & turns- nothing extraordinary, but not bad.
Matt Ryan had befriended young Molly and was devastated when she disappeared, only to mourn when her burned body was found and buried with her parents. Now Molly appears and Matt isn't sure what to believe.
The story was OK with some twists & turns- nothing extraordinary, but not bad.
July 22, 2018
Enjoyable read
It has been awhile since I read a book that I enjoyed all the way through. I normally just leave a rating and go on. With this book i felt it was worth leaving a review. The characters were unique with great personalities. Where i normally skim over parts of books because it seems like drivel, I read every bit of this one. It was a good story and written well. I didn't want to put it down. The author did a wonderful job and I will look for more of her work to read. This one is worth paying for. DHowell
It has been awhile since I read a book that I enjoyed all the way through. I normally just leave a rating and go on. With this book i felt it was worth leaving a review. The characters were unique with great personalities. Where i normally skim over parts of books because it seems like drivel, I read every bit of this one. It was a good story and written well. I didn't want to put it down. The author did a wonderful job and I will look for more of her work to read. This one is worth paying for. DHowell
May 26, 2019
Promising
This is the first time I have read this author's work. It took me awhile to get past the first couple of chapters, but I finally managed to get dedicated to finishing the book. I learned that Ms. McCaffrey does good research, the bits about Molly's time with the Indians were interesting, and I'm glad that she wanted to keep that part of her experience with her. In conclusion, I thought the story was good and well written. This author has promising talent. I gave the story 3 stars because I feel that what is needed is some polishing.
This is the first time I have read this author's work. It took me awhile to get past the first couple of chapters, but I finally managed to get dedicated to finishing the book. I learned that Ms. McCaffrey does good research, the bits about Molly's time with the Indians were interesting, and I'm glad that she wanted to keep that part of her experience with her. In conclusion, I thought the story was good and well written. This author has promising talent. I gave the story 3 stars because I feel that what is needed is some polishing.
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