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Wild #5
Hearts Are Wild
"Branded Hearts" by Nelissa Donovan
When Lily Whitman agrees to a wager with her two single cousins to abandon her prim and proper ways and go after the first man who "trips her trigger", she knows she's finally fallen off the deep end of loneliness. There's always the hope that Nic or Bri will welch first. Lily just has to wait them out. In Big Sky Montana. On a working dude ranch. Surrounded by big and beefy, hard-bitten, real-life cowboys. Of course, the wrangler who trips Lily's trigger is the last type of guy she'd go for. As big and as wild as the Montana sky, ranch owner Shain Stevenson is only a shade less cultured and refined than grain alcohol-and just as flammable. As is the atmosphere of the Red Bear Ranch where, Lily discovers, things are not always what they seem.
"Hearts Afire" by Patrice Michelle
One man: a hot, seductive cowboy who smells of leather and fresh outdoors and who's more than willing to take a woman on the ride of her life. One woman: a sexy, petite firecracker whose emerald gaze and silky black hair can make even an angel want to sin. The mystery: a steamy chance encounter, a burned-out barn, and a potential killer on the loose, waiting to strike.
"Wild Hearts" by Cheyenne McCray
When Nicole Landford makes a bet with her cousins to go after the first man who "trips her trigger", little does she know that she's in for the ride of her life. Unfortunately it's with the last man on earth she wants to be with. Kev Grand's had his eye on Nicole for years. Now that he has her attention, he's got more than his hands full with the wild thing who claims her heart's not up for grabs. Not if Kev has anything to do with it. He intends to tame Nicole's wild heart and make her his for keeps.
Note: "Wild Hearts" is loosely connected to the Wild series, but may easily be read as a stand-alone story.
When Lily Whitman agrees to a wager with her two single cousins to abandon her prim and proper ways and go after the first man who "trips her trigger", she knows she's finally fallen off the deep end of loneliness. There's always the hope that Nic or Bri will welch first. Lily just has to wait them out. In Big Sky Montana. On a working dude ranch. Surrounded by big and beefy, hard-bitten, real-life cowboys. Of course, the wrangler who trips Lily's trigger is the last type of guy she'd go for. As big and as wild as the Montana sky, ranch owner Shain Stevenson is only a shade less cultured and refined than grain alcohol-and just as flammable. As is the atmosphere of the Red Bear Ranch where, Lily discovers, things are not always what they seem.
"Hearts Afire" by Patrice Michelle
One man: a hot, seductive cowboy who smells of leather and fresh outdoors and who's more than willing to take a woman on the ride of her life. One woman: a sexy, petite firecracker whose emerald gaze and silky black hair can make even an angel want to sin. The mystery: a steamy chance encounter, a burned-out barn, and a potential killer on the loose, waiting to strike.
"Wild Hearts" by Cheyenne McCray
When Nicole Landford makes a bet with her cousins to go after the first man who "trips her trigger", little does she know that she's in for the ride of her life. Unfortunately it's with the last man on earth she wants to be with. Kev Grand's had his eye on Nicole for years. Now that he has her attention, he's got more than his hands full with the wild thing who claims her heart's not up for grabs. Not if Kev has anything to do with it. He intends to tame Nicole's wild heart and make her his for keeps.
Note: "Wild Hearts" is loosely connected to the Wild series, but may easily be read as a stand-alone story.
359 pages, Trade Paperback
First published December 1, 2004
1 person is currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Cheyenne McCray
163 books1,764 followersCheyenne McCray fell in love with reading and writing early, deciding in kindergarten that one day she would become an author. Today, she is an award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling fiction author who’s sold millions of books worldwide. Having published more than 100 novels and novellas in contemporary and paranormal romance, urban fantasy and romantic suspense, she is now also writing cozy mysteries as Deb Ries.
Chey grew up on a ranch in southeastern Arizona and delights in creating stories of suspense, love, and redemption with characters and worlds her readers can get lost in. Chey and her equally geeky husband live with their two dogs, six ducks (the neighborhood celebrities), and a small flock of chickens in a small Arizona town where she enjoys gardening, crazy quilting and, of course, writing.
Find out more about Chey, how to contact her, and her books at https://cheyennemccray.com.
Chey grew up on a ranch in southeastern Arizona and delights in creating stories of suspense, love, and redemption with characters and worlds her readers can get lost in. Chey and her equally geeky husband live with their two dogs, six ducks (the neighborhood celebrities), and a small flock of chickens in a small Arizona town where she enjoys gardening, crazy quilting and, of course, writing.
Find out more about Chey, how to contact her, and her books at https://cheyennemccray.com.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 22, 2009
Hearts Are Wild consists of three stories about three cousins who decide to have no-holds-barred sex with the first man that “trips their trigger” (oh, that made me laugh) for one month.
In Hearts Afire by Patrice Michelle, we have Josh and Sabrina. Josh has a crush on Elise, his friend Colt’s wife. When he first meets Sabrina, he thinks she’s Elise from behind. Ironically enough, Sabrina and Elise resemble each other so much that they could be mistaken for sisters. Honestly, I felt that Josh was attracted to Sabrina because she looked so much like Elise. Hey, he can’t have Elise, he’ll settle for second best. Aside from that, he seemed like a good guy and the story was moving along nicely until someone was out to kill Sabrina/Elise. It became ridiculous and it was obvious who the bad guy was. This little subplot nearly ruined the story for me. 3 stars
In Wild Hearts by Cheyenne McCray, we encounter childhood friends Nicole and Kev. Kev has had a thing for Nicole for years, but she never gave him the time of day. Unluckily for Nicole, Kev was the first man who “tripped her trigger” (haha) so she was determined to keep it very casual. I did not like this story at all. There was zero chemistry between Kev and Nicole and the sex scenes were all hard and fast. Hell, sometimes things need to be a little slow or, at least, there should be a break between all the poundings. Thankfully, this was the shortest of the three stories. 2 stars
In Branded Hearts by Nelissa Donovan, we come across Lily and Shain. Lily is the most reserved of her cousins. Afraid that she might welsh on their bet, Sabrina and Nicole decide to book her a two week “real-life” dude ranch experience. On her way to the ranch, Lily panics and decides she needs a drink. She goes to a cowboy bar, proceeds to get sloshed and Shain finds her riding a mechanical bull. Unfortunately for Lily, Shain thinks she is a woman with “loose morals” and doesn’t treat her too nicely. Frankly, he’s a big fat jerk and I don’t know why she put up with him. The sex scenes were uninspiring and I ended up skimming them. Then the story totally veers off toward a paranormal path that seems so out of place in this book. It didn’t make much sense and there was no resolution. I have no idea if there is a sequel to this story, but I’m not looking forward to finding out. 2.5 stars
In Hearts Afire by Patrice Michelle, we have Josh and Sabrina. Josh has a crush on Elise, his friend Colt’s wife. When he first meets Sabrina, he thinks she’s Elise from behind. Ironically enough, Sabrina and Elise resemble each other so much that they could be mistaken for sisters. Honestly, I felt that Josh was attracted to Sabrina because she looked so much like Elise. Hey, he can’t have Elise, he’ll settle for second best. Aside from that, he seemed like a good guy and the story was moving along nicely until someone was out to kill Sabrina/Elise. It became ridiculous and it was obvious who the bad guy was. This little subplot nearly ruined the story for me. 3 stars
In Wild Hearts by Cheyenne McCray, we encounter childhood friends Nicole and Kev. Kev has had a thing for Nicole for years, but she never gave him the time of day. Unluckily for Nicole, Kev was the first man who “tripped her trigger” (haha) so she was determined to keep it very casual. I did not like this story at all. There was zero chemistry between Kev and Nicole and the sex scenes were all hard and fast. Hell, sometimes things need to be a little slow or, at least, there should be a break between all the poundings. Thankfully, this was the shortest of the three stories. 2 stars
In Branded Hearts by Nelissa Donovan, we come across Lily and Shain. Lily is the most reserved of her cousins. Afraid that she might welsh on their bet, Sabrina and Nicole decide to book her a two week “real-life” dude ranch experience. On her way to the ranch, Lily panics and decides she needs a drink. She goes to a cowboy bar, proceeds to get sloshed and Shain finds her riding a mechanical bull. Unfortunately for Lily, Shain thinks she is a woman with “loose morals” and doesn’t treat her too nicely. Frankly, he’s a big fat jerk and I don’t know why she put up with him. The sex scenes were uninspiring and I ended up skimming them. Then the story totally veers off toward a paranormal path that seems so out of place in this book. It didn’t make much sense and there was no resolution. I have no idea if there is a sequel to this story, but I’m not looking forward to finding out. 2.5 stars
August 7, 2011
Originally read in August 2011 (gave 4 stars)
Re-read May 2012
Re-read May 2012
October 8, 2021
Three cousins make a pact to give the first man who "tripped her trigger" a go at a relationship for one month with no conditions or inhibitions.
Hearts Afire by Patrice Michelle is Sabrina Gentry's story
At her friend Elise Tanner's ranch for her first vacation in forever, Sabrina meets handsome neighbor Josh Kelly. And boy does he ever trip her trigger!! A case of mistaken identity lands Sabrina in the the hospital and under the watchful eye of Josh. An old dispute, escaped convict and other shenanigans culminates in Sabrina being kidnapped. Due to a quirk in Josh's nature she's found in time and....all's well that ends well.
Wild Hearts by Cheyenne McCray is Nicole Landford's story
Nicole is stranded! Her beloved Corvette has overheated, she's dressed to the nines with no way of getting where she's going, it's about to storm, and she's just stepped in a cow paddy ruining her favorite shoes. Then she's rescued...by the last man she wants to see. Kev Grand, her childhood tormentor and some whom she's done nothing but argue with since she was a kid. But, not wanting to welch on her end of the bet, and needing a place to ride out the storm, she lets him bring her home. And, finally, they find something they agree on.
Branded Hearts by Nelissa Donovan is Lily Whitman's story
Sent to Red Bear Ranch in Montana by her two cousins to hold up her end of the bet, Lily is out of her comfort zone. After a rocky start for which the ranch owner, Shain Stevenson, thinks she's a good-times girl Lily throws herself into ranch life working as hard as the guys. Shain, despite his wild attraction to her, is mistrustful. Then Lily discovers evidence of looting, has an encounter with an otherworldly bear, and feels inklings about things. To uncover the looter, find the artifact, and protect the ranch, Lily and Shain must open their hearts and trust for the first time.
This was one fun, hot, and unique anthology. I loved that it was three cousins, inspired by a quirky aunt, who make the bet and go on the adventures. I also loved how each author approached the story a little differently--one a mystery, one a rescue/damsel in distress, and one a mystical intrigue. I actually ended up reading the book twice--forgot I'd read it, found again and reread enjoying it immensely BOTH times!!
Hearts Afire by Patrice Michelle is Sabrina Gentry's story
At her friend Elise Tanner's ranch for her first vacation in forever, Sabrina meets handsome neighbor Josh Kelly. And boy does he ever trip her trigger!! A case of mistaken identity lands Sabrina in the the hospital and under the watchful eye of Josh. An old dispute, escaped convict and other shenanigans culminates in Sabrina being kidnapped. Due to a quirk in Josh's nature she's found in time and....all's well that ends well.
Wild Hearts by Cheyenne McCray is Nicole Landford's story
Nicole is stranded! Her beloved Corvette has overheated, she's dressed to the nines with no way of getting where she's going, it's about to storm, and she's just stepped in a cow paddy ruining her favorite shoes. Then she's rescued...by the last man she wants to see. Kev Grand, her childhood tormentor and some whom she's done nothing but argue with since she was a kid. But, not wanting to welch on her end of the bet, and needing a place to ride out the storm, she lets him bring her home. And, finally, they find something they agree on.
Branded Hearts by Nelissa Donovan is Lily Whitman's story
Sent to Red Bear Ranch in Montana by her two cousins to hold up her end of the bet, Lily is out of her comfort zone. After a rocky start for which the ranch owner, Shain Stevenson, thinks she's a good-times girl Lily throws herself into ranch life working as hard as the guys. Shain, despite his wild attraction to her, is mistrustful. Then Lily discovers evidence of looting, has an encounter with an otherworldly bear, and feels inklings about things. To uncover the looter, find the artifact, and protect the ranch, Lily and Shain must open their hearts and trust for the first time.
This was one fun, hot, and unique anthology. I loved that it was three cousins, inspired by a quirky aunt, who make the bet and go on the adventures. I also loved how each author approached the story a little differently--one a mystery, one a rescue/damsel in distress, and one a mystical intrigue. I actually ended up reading the book twice--forgot I'd read it, found again and reread enjoying it immensely BOTH times!!
October 16, 2014
Hearts Afire
3.5 stars
I just finished Hearts Afire and I liked it...I love that these three authors came together to write this anthology meshing there characters together like they did.
I read a few reviews and do not agree with them at all...though I do see where they were coming from. With Josh "crushing" on Elise...I never got the feeling he had feelings other than friendship toward Elise, he even told Sabrina that he "may have once upon a time". That to me sounds like any feelings he had for Elise were a long time ago.
Anywho the big who done it was fairly predicable BUT it was still a good read nonetheless.
Wild Hearts
4 stars
I really enjoyed this story and so far my favorite of the three by far.
Kev and Nicole had a history beforehand...they grew up together and Kev would go out of his way to tease, argue and torment Nicole from the time they were kids. We have seen Kev as well as Nicole throughout Cheyenne McCray's Wild series. Kev owns one of the ranches that butts up against Dee's ranch and Nicole we first saw in Trace, and Jess's book...she is the owner of the B&B in Bisbee.
It was good to see these two be able to have a relationship without much drama (other than Nicole's inner turmoil) Kev has been through enough with the previous storyline and the cattle rustlers stealing his cattle. They deserved this HEA.
Breanded Hearts
3.75 stars
Okay so I liked this story...a few where not to keen on it because of "paranormal" aspects of the story. Which I fully understand if you didn't like it, BUT the hero in this story is Native American and the "paranormal" things were a part of his families history and a huge part in most Native American history's. With that said the bed guy was bordering on full on paranormal but beings as I tend ti read a lot of paranormal books this didn't bother me.
One thing that did irritate me was how Shain treated Lily at first...he judged a book by its cover and almost lost out on the best thing to ever happen to him.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book...how all three authors weaved together each character to fit into one anothers life as well as stories. I never had a detached feeling from the characters...and honestly they flowed quite well together, especially since you virtually reread the same month 3 times. My kudos to the authors for making this an enjoyable read.
3.5 stars
I just finished Hearts Afire and I liked it...I love that these three authors came together to write this anthology meshing there characters together like they did.
I read a few reviews and do not agree with them at all...though I do see where they were coming from. With Josh "crushing" on Elise...I never got the feeling he had feelings other than friendship toward Elise, he even told Sabrina that he "may have once upon a time". That to me sounds like any feelings he had for Elise were a long time ago.
Anywho the big who done it was fairly predicable BUT it was still a good read nonetheless.
Wild Hearts
4 stars
I really enjoyed this story and so far my favorite of the three by far.
Kev and Nicole had a history beforehand...they grew up together and Kev would go out of his way to tease, argue and torment Nicole from the time they were kids. We have seen Kev as well as Nicole throughout Cheyenne McCray's Wild series. Kev owns one of the ranches that butts up against Dee's ranch and Nicole we first saw in Trace, and Jess's book...she is the owner of the B&B in Bisbee.
It was good to see these two be able to have a relationship without much drama (other than Nicole's inner turmoil) Kev has been through enough with the previous storyline and the cattle rustlers stealing his cattle. They deserved this HEA.
Breanded Hearts
3.75 stars
Okay so I liked this story...a few where not to keen on it because of "paranormal" aspects of the story. Which I fully understand if you didn't like it, BUT the hero in this story is Native American and the "paranormal" things were a part of his families history and a huge part in most Native American history's. With that said the bed guy was bordering on full on paranormal but beings as I tend ti read a lot of paranormal books this didn't bother me.
One thing that did irritate me was how Shain treated Lily at first...he judged a book by its cover and almost lost out on the best thing to ever happen to him.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book...how all three authors weaved together each character to fit into one anothers life as well as stories. I never had a detached feeling from the characters...and honestly they flowed quite well together, especially since you virtually reread the same month 3 times. My kudos to the authors for making this an enjoyable read.
May 29, 2012
Okay so this one was more like 2.5 stars... It was between an "It was ok" to "I liked it"...
What I liked: The sex (obviously who wouldn't), The fact that it was a related anthology written by 3 different authors, that it had a prologue and an epilogue, ALPHA MALES AND that there were all happy endings. Plus the development of the characters in Hearts Afire
What I didn't like: Hearts Afire: - I didn't really understand how he could have the hots for one friend and then switch to the other so quickly.... Wild Hearts .... I didn't like Nicole and her "I want to be free" attitude..ugggh....Plus there didn't seem like alot of getting to know each other but I figure that was more because they grew up together..*shrug* IDK... And finally Branded Hearts... This book ended as if there were going to be more (and I don't mind it much) BUT I felt like it was trying to do too much with its "paranormal" twist.. BUT I could have lived with that, what I couldn't understand is how the two fell in love.. There was little to no interaction between them, there were trust issues, and a bunch of other stuff.. Rather confusing..
All in all these stories were ok But left me with a slight laugh but mostly with blahhh...
What I liked: The sex (obviously who wouldn't), The fact that it was a related anthology written by 3 different authors, that it had a prologue and an epilogue, ALPHA MALES AND that there were all happy endings. Plus the development of the characters in Hearts Afire
What I didn't like: Hearts Afire: - I didn't really understand how he could have the hots for one friend and then switch to the other so quickly.... Wild Hearts .... I didn't like Nicole and her "I want to be free" attitude..ugggh....Plus there didn't seem like alot of getting to know each other but I figure that was more because they grew up together..*shrug* IDK... And finally Branded Hearts... This book ended as if there were going to be more (and I don't mind it much) BUT I felt like it was trying to do too much with its "paranormal" twist.. BUT I could have lived with that, what I couldn't understand is how the two fell in love.. There was little to no interaction between them, there were trust issues, and a bunch of other stuff.. Rather confusing..
All in all these stories were ok But left me with a slight laugh but mostly with blahhh...
September 25, 2015
Three cousins bet each other to throw caution to the wind and engage in a little hedonism for one month with the first person to 'trip their trigger.' The stories are told by three authors of contemporary erotica, with varying levels of satisfaction:
Hearts Afire By Patrice Michelle - 2 1/2 stars
A girl with hang ups about firemen meets a guys she doesn't realize is a fireman and has panic attacks about his job. She nearly gets killed. She gets over her hang ups. Nothing special here, except I liked the house out in the boonies.
Wild - Wild Hearts By Cheyenne McCray - 3 1/2 stars
Local bed-n-breakfast owner realizes her forever neighbor Kev Donovan is the one. This one is fun and unapologetic and the best story of the three.
Branded Hearts By Nelissa Donovan - 2 stars
Shy, unassuming girl in disguise as call girl flies out to a dude ranch in Montana and misunderstands ensue, of course. She toughs it out, charms the local dude ranch owners, and then things take a nose-dive into mystical paranormal land. This one was one hot mess, with too many things happening at the end, and not all of them grounded in reality.
Hearts Afire By Patrice Michelle - 2 1/2 stars
A girl with hang ups about firemen meets a guys she doesn't realize is a fireman and has panic attacks about his job. She nearly gets killed. She gets over her hang ups. Nothing special here, except I liked the house out in the boonies.
Wild - Wild Hearts By Cheyenne McCray - 3 1/2 stars
Local bed-n-breakfast owner realizes her forever neighbor Kev Donovan is the one. This one is fun and unapologetic and the best story of the three.
Branded Hearts By Nelissa Donovan - 2 stars
Shy, unassuming girl in disguise as call girl flies out to a dude ranch in Montana and misunderstands ensue, of course. She toughs it out, charms the local dude ranch owners, and then things take a nose-dive into mystical paranormal land. This one was one hot mess, with too many things happening at the end, and not all of them grounded in reality.
April 22, 2014
None of the stories really jumped out at me.
The first one was meh.
The second had the heroine doing the same thing she does in nearly every Cheyenne McCray story. Can most women really do that? Do most women really want to do that?
Third had paranormal elements and I'm just not a fan. I wish the damn anthologies would say when there are paranormal elements to the stories. It always brings down the rating for me.
The first one was meh.
The second had the heroine doing the same thing she does in nearly every Cheyenne McCray story. Can most women really do that? Do most women really want to do that?
Third had paranormal elements and I'm just not a fan. I wish the damn anthologies would say when there are paranormal elements to the stories. It always brings down the rating for me.
March 30, 2009
Very enjoyable read. My favorites where the ones by Cheyenne McCray and Patrice Michelle. Although Nelissa Donovan's writing is good, I kept getting thrown off by her dialect. I'm just not sure she realizes that Montana is not in Texas and we do not have a lot of the Southern Drawl going on up here.
August 26, 2014
Loved it! Got to love them COWBOYS!
Want to read
July 13, 2011I love a cowboy...gotta add this one to the lengthy list!
October 25, 2012
Omg this book is sexy, sweaty, funny and quick. I ran through this book in no time. I love all stuff Kev had done to Nicole, the typical if a boy likes u he's evil to u. Lol. Great ending.
August 29, 2017
Cheyenne Mccray's books are always spot on. Sexy exciting and has romance, mystery& friendship. This author never has failed me in her books. Keeps you right there.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews