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No woman could tame him...
Anthony Sutton is the 34-year-old grandson of Lady Sophia Sutton, and heir to a British earldom. But he was lost in Africa more than twenty years before, and only recently found and returned to London. He is part savage, part Englishman, and his grandmother does not want him exposed to society until his savage side is eradicated, and he becomes completely civilized.
To this task, she enlists her secretary-companion, beautiful Grace Hawthorne. The countess trusts only Grace to manage Anthony. She does not want any gossip about her grandson to get out: in order to inherit, he will need to be accepted (legally and socially) by the Queen and the House of Lords. But can this proper miss tame this wild man?
Anthony Sutton is the 34-year-old grandson of Lady Sophia Sutton, and heir to a British earldom. But he was lost in Africa more than twenty years before, and only recently found and returned to London. He is part savage, part Englishman, and his grandmother does not want him exposed to society until his savage side is eradicated, and he becomes completely civilized.
To this task, she enlists her secretary-companion, beautiful Grace Hawthorne. The countess trusts only Grace to manage Anthony. She does not want any gossip about her grandson to get out: in order to inherit, he will need to be accepted (legally and socially) by the Queen and the House of Lords. But can this proper miss tame this wild man?
372 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 24, 2008
12 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
About the author
Margo Maguire
61 books145 followersAs a nice, sane break from the drama and fast pace of working as a registered nurse in an intensive care unit, Margo Maguire returned to college to study history, and fell in love. Writing about the historical characters she encountered in her classes was a good way to unwind from a crazy day in the unit. She soon started creating her own fictional characters and putting them into historical settings.
Margo is the author of twenty historical romance novels. Her books have been published in numerous languages, and have even come out in Japan as manga—animated books. She is the mother of three grown children and lives with her scientist husband in southern Michigan.
Margo is the author of twenty historical romance novels. Her books have been published in numerous languages, and have even come out in Japan as manga—animated books. She is the mother of three grown children and lives with her scientist husband in southern Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 20, 2009
Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release Jan09
What is it about the ‘wild man’ that so calls to women? I’m sure there are probably as many answers as there are women but I think at least a few will admit to liking the idea of a man who doesn’t ‘hide’ behind a social face. If you’re his woman, he’ll do whatever is necessary to protect you because you mean so much to him. Is that it? Or is it the sheer unpredictability of what he’ll do…and when? Or maybe…heck I could do this all day. I just know that the untamed male has a draw and fascination that strikes some chord with many, many, many readers.
In Margo Maguire’s “Wild”, we have the story of a boy who somehow survived a horrible ‘accident’ in Africa which separated him from his father and fellow traveling companions. For the last twenty-two years, he has made his living alone through strength and cunning. The story opens as he is being forcibly returned to the only family he has left, a Countess, very much against his will. You see, he remembers the ‘accident’ and assumes he was left in Africa to die. His motto for living is to distance himself from real care and emotions.
Grace, on the other hand, is a woman who has already lived through pain and loss. Her almost-fiancé left her when her mother fell gravely ill. Then she lost her mother and father both which left her destitute. Luckily, the Dowager Countess had been friends with her own dead grandmother and offered Grace a position as her companion. But even so, Grace hasn’t given up on the idea of marriage and children and has done everything society demands to try and keep her ‘marriageability’ up to standard. She loves the Countess dearly and would do anything for her…even undertake the task of civilizing Anthony, the long lost Earl of Sutton, the grandson the Countess never lost hope would be found.
The hero and heroine are two polar opposites with strong characters who come together with what are originally differing motives and objectives. There were a couple of things that bugged me in the course of this book: Anthony’s refusal to give up his dreams of returning to Africa, and Grace’s seemingly rapid surrender to passion. One took too long, the other not long enough! But neither really impacted my reading enjoyment or caused me to put the book down. Everything else flowed with amazing ease in a story that revolved around the thoughts and emotions of the two main characters.
Margo Maguire’s choice of era did a good job of making the ‘wild boy’ story plausible. Africa was still mostly unexplored in the late Regency period and there was (and still is) a fascination with stories of children raised in the wild or by animals. One thing I must add is the author’s excellent love scenes, the attraction and heat just seem to jump from the page. And even with my minor gripes, “Wild” was a story that held my attention from start to finish.
What is it about the ‘wild man’ that so calls to women? I’m sure there are probably as many answers as there are women but I think at least a few will admit to liking the idea of a man who doesn’t ‘hide’ behind a social face. If you’re his woman, he’ll do whatever is necessary to protect you because you mean so much to him. Is that it? Or is it the sheer unpredictability of what he’ll do…and when? Or maybe…heck I could do this all day. I just know that the untamed male has a draw and fascination that strikes some chord with many, many, many readers.
In Margo Maguire’s “Wild”, we have the story of a boy who somehow survived a horrible ‘accident’ in Africa which separated him from his father and fellow traveling companions. For the last twenty-two years, he has made his living alone through strength and cunning. The story opens as he is being forcibly returned to the only family he has left, a Countess, very much against his will. You see, he remembers the ‘accident’ and assumes he was left in Africa to die. His motto for living is to distance himself from real care and emotions.
Grace, on the other hand, is a woman who has already lived through pain and loss. Her almost-fiancé left her when her mother fell gravely ill. Then she lost her mother and father both which left her destitute. Luckily, the Dowager Countess had been friends with her own dead grandmother and offered Grace a position as her companion. But even so, Grace hasn’t given up on the idea of marriage and children and has done everything society demands to try and keep her ‘marriageability’ up to standard. She loves the Countess dearly and would do anything for her…even undertake the task of civilizing Anthony, the long lost Earl of Sutton, the grandson the Countess never lost hope would be found.
The hero and heroine are two polar opposites with strong characters who come together with what are originally differing motives and objectives. There were a couple of things that bugged me in the course of this book: Anthony’s refusal to give up his dreams of returning to Africa, and Grace’s seemingly rapid surrender to passion. One took too long, the other not long enough! But neither really impacted my reading enjoyment or caused me to put the book down. Everything else flowed with amazing ease in a story that revolved around the thoughts and emotions of the two main characters.
Margo Maguire’s choice of era did a good job of making the ‘wild boy’ story plausible. Africa was still mostly unexplored in the late Regency period and there was (and still is) a fascination with stories of children raised in the wild or by animals. One thing I must add is the author’s excellent love scenes, the attraction and heat just seem to jump from the page. And even with my minor gripes, “Wild” was a story that held my attention from start to finish.
August 15, 2014
2.5 Stars. This Tarzan-themed book suffers from weak writing and character development. It seemed like the story was merely a vehicle for the love scenes, but had very little substance of its own. The concept was interesting, but the delivery was not good.
May 19, 2009
Grace Hawkins enjoys living with Lady Sutton, the elderly countess who gave Grace a home and employment after the death of her mother. Grace misses her mother dearly, but has great respect and love for Lady Sutton. Life is about to change, for Lady Sutton's grandson, Anthony Maddox, seventh Earl of Sutton, is thought to be alive. For twenty years, Anthony has been lost in Africa and presumed dead. Anthony fell off a boat while he and his father were on safari when he was only a boy. His father never stopped looking for him and died without knowing if his son was truly dead. Now, the man who is presumed to be Anthony has returned to British soil.
Anthony is being forced back to England because he was found weak with a fever. British voyagers found him in the wild jungles of the Congo and, without any respect for his own wishes, kidnapped him and put him on a boat, sending him straight to his grandmother. Anthony calls himself Kuabwa Mgeni and feels that Africa is his home. After his grandmother sees him, he will return to his true home in Africa. What he doesn't count on is meeting Grace.
When Anthony meets Grace, he is dumbstruck by the beauty that she tries to hide. Because he hasn't fully recovered from his illness, Grace takes care of him at Lady Sutton's demand. Lady Sutton believes without a doubt that Kuabwa Mgeni is her grandson Anthony, even though he may act like a savage, walk around barefoot, and has no table manners to speak of. She decides that Grace will teach him the correct protocol that an earl such as Anthony should embody so others will accept him in society. Grace wants to refuse because Anthony makes her uncomfortable with his stares and the way he won't keep his distance. He also touches her and flirts with her in ways Grace is not used to. Not only will Anthony learn how to act like a gentleman from Grace, but Anthony will also be her teacher when it comes to passion and the desires of the flesh.
Anthony and Grace begin a very tentative relationship, and Anthony would love nothing more than to mate with Grace. Grace enjoys Anthony's kisses, caresses, and the attentions he gives her, but knows they have no future together because he still longs for Africa. Grace is so confused, because not only does she have Anthony who wants her deeply, but she also has two other suitors who will fight for her hand in marriage. Those men may not make Grace feel such passion as she does with Anthony, but they promise her stability and a future, whereas Anthony has made no promises of a tomorrow between them.
Margo Maguire always writes passionate historical romances, and she has done that again with WILD. If you like heroes who don't conform to society and won't back down from what they want, WILD is the read for you. Anthony wants Grace in the most elemental way a man would want a woman. He both respects and desires Grace, who is not used to such open passion from a man. Her past relationship was with a suitor, Preston Cooper, who enters her life once again, around the same time Anthony also appears. Preston was Grace's first love, but because her mother was ill, Preston pushed her to the side. Not only does Grace have Preston and Anthony, two very different types of men who try for her heart, but also a third one enters the picture, a Mr. Bridewell, who offers Grace a ready-made family and a home. The main question is whom will Grace choose out of these three? The reader will be very biased in their opinion about whom Grace should choose, since Anthony has such a larger than life personality. And, the way he treats Grace is what every woman wishes for from a man.
Anthony is much like a duck out of water when he's taken out of his element. Even though he may not know the requirements of an earl and a man of his station, he learns these rules very quickly. He has great respect for his grandmother, who loves him dearly, and Anthony doesn't want to hurt her, but he is so torn between where his heart lies, one being in Africa, and the other with Grace. But that all changes the moment Anthony tastes Grace's lips and begins to fall for her.
I loved the interactions Anthony and Grace have. Their passion for one another was one of the best things in WILD. Anthony is very close to the alpha hero I so enjoy, and if you are a fan of that type of character, you also will love the way Anthony is with Grace. These two may be confused as to what they want for their futures, but they cannot deny what their feelings tell them.
WILD has a great romance, a bit of a mystery, and two great characters who will keep you hooked till the last page.
Anthony is being forced back to England because he was found weak with a fever. British voyagers found him in the wild jungles of the Congo and, without any respect for his own wishes, kidnapped him and put him on a boat, sending him straight to his grandmother. Anthony calls himself Kuabwa Mgeni and feels that Africa is his home. After his grandmother sees him, he will return to his true home in Africa. What he doesn't count on is meeting Grace.
When Anthony meets Grace, he is dumbstruck by the beauty that she tries to hide. Because he hasn't fully recovered from his illness, Grace takes care of him at Lady Sutton's demand. Lady Sutton believes without a doubt that Kuabwa Mgeni is her grandson Anthony, even though he may act like a savage, walk around barefoot, and has no table manners to speak of. She decides that Grace will teach him the correct protocol that an earl such as Anthony should embody so others will accept him in society. Grace wants to refuse because Anthony makes her uncomfortable with his stares and the way he won't keep his distance. He also touches her and flirts with her in ways Grace is not used to. Not only will Anthony learn how to act like a gentleman from Grace, but Anthony will also be her teacher when it comes to passion and the desires of the flesh.
Anthony and Grace begin a very tentative relationship, and Anthony would love nothing more than to mate with Grace. Grace enjoys Anthony's kisses, caresses, and the attentions he gives her, but knows they have no future together because he still longs for Africa. Grace is so confused, because not only does she have Anthony who wants her deeply, but she also has two other suitors who will fight for her hand in marriage. Those men may not make Grace feel such passion as she does with Anthony, but they promise her stability and a future, whereas Anthony has made no promises of a tomorrow between them.
Margo Maguire always writes passionate historical romances, and she has done that again with WILD. If you like heroes who don't conform to society and won't back down from what they want, WILD is the read for you. Anthony wants Grace in the most elemental way a man would want a woman. He both respects and desires Grace, who is not used to such open passion from a man. Her past relationship was with a suitor, Preston Cooper, who enters her life once again, around the same time Anthony also appears. Preston was Grace's first love, but because her mother was ill, Preston pushed her to the side. Not only does Grace have Preston and Anthony, two very different types of men who try for her heart, but also a third one enters the picture, a Mr. Bridewell, who offers Grace a ready-made family and a home. The main question is whom will Grace choose out of these three? The reader will be very biased in their opinion about whom Grace should choose, since Anthony has such a larger than life personality. And, the way he treats Grace is what every woman wishes for from a man.
Anthony is much like a duck out of water when he's taken out of his element. Even though he may not know the requirements of an earl and a man of his station, he learns these rules very quickly. He has great respect for his grandmother, who loves him dearly, and Anthony doesn't want to hurt her, but he is so torn between where his heart lies, one being in Africa, and the other with Grace. But that all changes the moment Anthony tastes Grace's lips and begins to fall for her.
I loved the interactions Anthony and Grace have. Their passion for one another was one of the best things in WILD. Anthony is very close to the alpha hero I so enjoy, and if you are a fan of that type of character, you also will love the way Anthony is with Grace. These two may be confused as to what they want for their futures, but they cannot deny what their feelings tell them.
WILD has a great romance, a bit of a mystery, and two great characters who will keep you hooked till the last page.
February 14, 2009
I love the book cover. It's almost vintage bodice-ripper but with a lovely modern dynamic. Can almost feel the "wild" wind against your skin.
That said, I enjoyed the novel. Normally if I love a romance cover that much I will inevitably hate the story. Initially I had misgivings about the whole idea of a prissy Englishwoman, Grace, taming her patron's long-lost grandson and heir to the family assets, Anthony—an Englishman hardened and seasoned by the wild African terrain. In short, a wild beast with no sense of propriety or tact.
It actually works. It's both amusing and very sensual in places. What makes it click is what isn't always said or described.
This is my first Maguire book, but I'll be reading her earlier work and look forward to more in future.
That said, I enjoyed the novel. Normally if I love a romance cover that much I will inevitably hate the story. Initially I had misgivings about the whole idea of a prissy Englishwoman, Grace, taming her patron's long-lost grandson and heir to the family assets, Anthony—an Englishman hardened and seasoned by the wild African terrain. In short, a wild beast with no sense of propriety or tact.
It actually works. It's both amusing and very sensual in places. What makes it click is what isn't always said or described.
This is my first Maguire book, but I'll be reading her earlier work and look forward to more in future.
March 8, 2015
MMWWAHH! I almost missed this one!
And that would have been sad, sad, sad! This author puts together gorgeous characters, humor, and wonderful plots full of luck to create escapist fantasies of great wealth. Here we have the despair of a boy remaining in a man, reflected in a grandmother, and built into a purely credible plot of revenge. A world of not quite arranged marriages, foundling homes, elegant ballgowns, and hidden treasures tucked away by both young boys and fathers. Lust, love, luck, and in the end, joy (with a few bits of gore along the way...).
This is a new author for me, and I am in love.
And that would have been sad, sad, sad! This author puts together gorgeous characters, humor, and wonderful plots full of luck to create escapist fantasies of great wealth. Here we have the despair of a boy remaining in a man, reflected in a grandmother, and built into a purely credible plot of revenge. A world of not quite arranged marriages, foundling homes, elegant ballgowns, and hidden treasures tucked away by both young boys and fathers. Lust, love, luck, and in the end, joy (with a few bits of gore along the way...).
This is a new author for me, and I am in love.
April 19, 2009
I thought that the idea behind this book was a lot more unique than most historical romance novels. However, I did not feel that the author delivered.
January 14, 2018
A wonderful Tarzan-like story! It does start off kind of slow and doesn't really start to get good until around half way in, but it was still an enjoyable read.
January 11, 2020
Anthony Sutton was lost in Africa when he was 11-years-old and fought to survive, believing his father had abandoned him. Now he's 34 and forced back to London while sick reunited with his grandmother, who seems the only one certain he is who he is. Anthony has no interest in reclaiming the earldom he is heir to...he wants to return to Africa. But he's troubled by knowing his father didn't abandon him and that he is loved by his grandmother...he attempts to keep himself distanced to make returning easier. But this he cannot do with Grace Hawthorne, his grandmother's companion. She is prim and proper and his teacher for being reintroduced to London society. He wants her to throw aside all her restraint and welcome his seduction.
I really liked the chemistry that this author creates between her characters. Anthony and Grace were practically vibrating with the chemistry between them, which was very angsty as well because Grace has marriage prospects, a reputation and a sense of decorum that Anthony upsets every time he's near. It was easy to believe that she'd get so caught up in that tension that she'd pretty much throw away all of that for the chance to be in his bed...of course then there's the regret of it when she realizes what she's done. The love between them is a bit less the focus here. They do spend a lot of time together and the passion is definitely there, but Anthony comes to realize his love pretty late in the game and by that time a lot of his actions were too selfish for me to believe that he loved Grace all that time. For one, he seduces her and takes her virginity after full-well understanding what she's giving up and with every intention of leaving her behind. And I don't know that he agonizes over it or really regrets it enough. It was definitely the reason he knew she was braver than he was, but it made me like him less. Maybe if he hadn't had those conversations about the ruination of unmarried women, with Grace as an example and if he hadn't had a conversation about his friend wanting her as a mistress (and ruining her for marriage and family in that act), then maybe I wouldn't have minded...I could have fooled myself into thinking he didn't realize the import of his actions - but he did. Now Grace supposedly understood what she was about, but the regret she shows afterwards says maybe not. Either way lust had a greater hand here and the love was less of a focus. Also - don't go into this thinking that since Anthony was lost in Africa for years he might be a virgin (or inexperienced). Nope. He knows his way around a woman's body and is fully practiced in the art of seduction (plenty of women to sleep with back where he was living)...and doesn't have the cultural inhibitions to hold himself back from doing it either.
I was especially bothered by the grandmother and her selfishness and absolutely flummoxed at how people looked up to her. She completely disregards Grace's reputation and marriageability for the sake of her grandson's reputation and throws Grace into all manner of inappropriate situations with Anthony. She doesn't once give a care for how it might affect Grace. Not only that but grandma dearest doesn't care that Anthony has no desire for the title or to remain in London. She doesn't once stop and ask what Anthony would like out of life at all. I was fully prepared to have her ranting and raving at the idea of Grace and Anthony together or something and her being so easy going about it at the end felt kinda out of character with the selfish woman she'd thus far been shown to be. I did not like her at all and wish Anthony had returned to Africa with Grace and left his grandmother high and dry. She missed him, but not for himself...more for the legacy and the memory.
I'll continue on with this series (which I can get on Hoopla! Yes!) I like the author's ability to write chemistry and passion between her characters and I'll hope that there's a greater sense of love coming across in the next one. It worked by the end of this one, but still had me wondering.
I really liked the chemistry that this author creates between her characters. Anthony and Grace were practically vibrating with the chemistry between them, which was very angsty as well because Grace has marriage prospects, a reputation and a sense of decorum that Anthony upsets every time he's near. It was easy to believe that she'd get so caught up in that tension that she'd pretty much throw away all of that for the chance to be in his bed...of course then there's the regret of it when she realizes what she's done. The love between them is a bit less the focus here. They do spend a lot of time together and the passion is definitely there, but Anthony comes to realize his love pretty late in the game and by that time a lot of his actions were too selfish for me to believe that he loved Grace all that time. For one, he seduces her and takes her virginity after full-well understanding what she's giving up and with every intention of leaving her behind. And I don't know that he agonizes over it or really regrets it enough. It was definitely the reason he knew she was braver than he was, but it made me like him less. Maybe if he hadn't had those conversations about the ruination of unmarried women, with Grace as an example and if he hadn't had a conversation about his friend wanting her as a mistress (and ruining her for marriage and family in that act), then maybe I wouldn't have minded...I could have fooled myself into thinking he didn't realize the import of his actions - but he did. Now Grace supposedly understood what she was about, but the regret she shows afterwards says maybe not. Either way lust had a greater hand here and the love was less of a focus. Also - don't go into this thinking that since Anthony was lost in Africa for years he might be a virgin (or inexperienced). Nope. He knows his way around a woman's body and is fully practiced in the art of seduction (plenty of women to sleep with back where he was living)...and doesn't have the cultural inhibitions to hold himself back from doing it either.
I was especially bothered by the grandmother and her selfishness and absolutely flummoxed at how people looked up to her. She completely disregards Grace's reputation and marriageability for the sake of her grandson's reputation and throws Grace into all manner of inappropriate situations with Anthony. She doesn't once give a care for how it might affect Grace. Not only that but grandma dearest doesn't care that Anthony has no desire for the title or to remain in London. She doesn't once stop and ask what Anthony would like out of life at all. I was fully prepared to have her ranting and raving at the idea of Grace and Anthony together or something and her being so easy going about it at the end felt kinda out of character with the selfish woman she'd thus far been shown to be. I did not like her at all and wish Anthony had returned to Africa with Grace and left his grandmother high and dry. She missed him, but not for himself...more for the legacy and the memory.
I'll continue on with this series (which I can get on Hoopla! Yes!) I like the author's ability to write chemistry and passion between her characters and I'll hope that there's a greater sense of love coming across in the next one. It worked by the end of this one, but still had me wondering.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2017
Having been lost in Africa for many years. Anthony Maddox has the grace of a predator, savage, dangerous, and wild. For Grace Hawthorne, the newly arrived stranger is unlike any man she has ever known . Anthony Maddox (Lord Sutton) is not sure that if he would want to stay, even if it is true he is Countess Sutton's grandson. Grace has only one job, which is to turn Anthony Maddox into a gentleman for the sake of his grandmother. Determined to fulfill her duty and nothing more. How can Grace do this with a growing desire for Anthony, and Anthony's desire for Grace. What's more, someone is wishing the Anthony should not ever have been found in Africa and return to his grandmother and England at all
September 15, 2020
I was looking forward to reading this. Sadly, it fell flat for me and I couldn't recommend.
Read
July 21, 2009I thought that I would really enjoy this book with its Tarzan-style storyline. However, I got to page 100 and just didn't feel like I knew any of the characters. Nothing really happened in the book, either. I felt like it was an explanation of the characters' feelings towards one another, without much to back up the feelings. I won't give it a rating, though, because I didn't finish it. Who knows, maybe the last 200 pages are spectacular!!
April 1, 2013
I loved this one. I especially found it funny how civilized they expected Anthony to be despite having been lost in Africa for about 20 years. Hilarious!
August 6, 2014
Better than what I expected.
December 14, 2014
nice read... definite beach hammock material...
August 14, 2016
2.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews