Gwen’s Review of Untamed Cowboy by Pam Crooks
Historical romance published by Harlequin Historicals 1 Jul 07

This novel is set in late 19th century Texas, Kansas, and the Indian Territory in between. The hero is a cowboy named Penn McClure (very cowboy name), and the heroine is Carina Lockett (very cowgirl name). The basic plot is she’s a successful cattlewoman with a successful spread, a single mom trying to get her daughter back from a ne’er-do-well, and he’s a former government agent returning to his cowboy roots to wreak revenge on the counterfeiter who killed his fiancee. The two get to know each other and fall in love on a cattle drive from Mobeetie, Texas to Dodge City (interesting map here).

I’ll start by saying that I have not been a fan of Harlequin novels in the past. I wouldn’t go so far as to say I am a fan now, but I’m less of an “un-fan” than I was, I’ll admit. And those of you who know me, know that this isn’t my usual erotic romance fare. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book.

This was an interesting book for me to read. I come from a long line of Texas ranch families and Texas farmers (7-8 generations back). I actually rode our horse, Buck (a big, beautiful palomino), on a wagon train for several days way back when. I’ve helped worm, feed, muck-out, birth, and basically tend to all kinds of critters, so reading a novel about a successful cattlewoman was interesting. It’s just not something you read every day. I felt the only “departure” from reality was no real mention of the day-to-day running of a large outfit – purchasing and breeding details, budgets, payroll, paperwork and more paperwork, even in the late 19th century. And the small detail of a female Treasury agent – did they have them in the 1880’s? But those are small sacrifices to make for a really good story.

I enjoyed the characterizations in this book. Carina’s relationship with her hands and others was wholly believable; it was nice to see a strong woman that men listened to and respected (except for her good-for-nothing ex-lover, father of her daughter). Her evolving relationship with Penn was also interesting and kept the pages turning faster and faster. Crooks manages to capture the banked passion adroitly with very few words.

For example, this passage just gave me chills it was so durn SEXY:

     Then, hardly before she realized it, McClure tied the ribbon on her camisole and re-fastened her blouse.

     The moment gone, her fingers fell away from his wrist, and he stepped back. Yet his gaze lingered over her, a fathomless pool of unspoken things between them. Desires and promises. Curiosities left unsatisfied.

     For now.

     He touched the brim of his Stetson, turned and walked away.

     And though he hadn’t told her so, Carina knew one thing for sure.

     Penn McClure wasn’t finished with her yet.

This type of writing will keep me coming back for more. Plus, there’s a lovely HEA at the end. Thank you, Ms Crooks. I highly recommend this to fans of western romance, and historicals in general.

Grade: B+

P.S. Pam – Tell Harlequin to pick a different cover mdoel next time. This guy looks like a dweeb. Here’s what a real cowboy looks like.

     Here’s the book blurb:

     Carina Lockett is driven to build a legacy for her young daughter, and she doesn’t need a man to help her do it. But when her precious child is lured away and held for ransom, she must swallow her pride and ask for Penn McClure’s help.

     Penn McClure has no intention of playing cowboy for any woman, especially one as strong-willed as Carina. But driving a herd of cattle to Dodge City is no easy task. And he has a score to settle with the man waiting for them at the end of the trail.

     Along the way, he discovers Carina is pure female–and that her legacy has become his own.

     Read an excerpt.