Gwen’s review of Sam’s Creed (Hell’s Eight, Book 2) by Sarah McCarty
Historical erotic romance released by Spice 24 Jun 08
This is the second book in McCarty’s “erotic adventure” series based on eight men who grew up together – orphans and homeless. They’ve stuck together thru some pretty grim circumstances that has made them all respected and feared men. None more so than our hero, Sam. These eight men will, I presume, find a type of salvation in the women they pick. Heaven knows they deserve it/them.
So far, McCarty’s Hell’s Eight heroes and heroines are all very complex characters. Nothing is straight forward – no alpha just for the sake of being an alpha, there’s always a past involved; and the women are normally quite tortured or at risk. There’s nothing simple about them and their lives are never the facile, easy existence we have today. It’s all quite true to the rugged “frontier” living of the times. This complexity leads to some interesting drama and major bad guys.
I did feel that Sam came to recognize his love for Isabella a bit quickly after he saw the quality of her family ranch – which she inherited from her father (an interesting twist that I wonder if would have happened in that day). A quick capitulation that made me look a bit askance at his motives. Do I think he’s the right man for ‘Bella? Absolutely. But I also think that he’s smart and quick to recognize a good thing.
— SPOILER ALERT! — I also found it interesting that our hero and heroine never do manage to make it to a bed for their, shall we say, athletic bouts of lovemaking. Their whole intimate relationship is spent, literally, in the saddle or the out of doors, which, when you think about it is an interesting statement for two such self-contained characters. — END SPOILER ALERT —
It’s no great surprise that there’s an HEA at the end. It’s a lovely one, and one I hope to see more of as time goes on in the other Hell’s Eight entries. McCarty has given us another smokin’ hot erotic romance with this book with some complex characters I want to see again. I can’t wait for the next one coming April 2009.
I recommend this book to any fans of erotic romance, historical westerns with steam, and McCarty’s writing.
Grade: B
Read reviews of this and other books in the series by clicking on the Hell’s Eight series tag.
Summary:
Known for making up his own rules of right and wrong, Texas Ranger Sam “Wildcard” MacGregor takes what he wants when he wants it, especially when it comes to women. But seduction is the last thing on his mind the moment he stumbles across an Hispanic beauty crouching in fear beside a burned-out wagon. And it doesn’t take long before he realizes the woman the townsfolk call “cursed” is hiding secrets too dangerous to face alone.
Isabella may look feminine and unassuming, but she’s hell in a bodice with gunslinging skills to match any man’s. But though she knows not to give Sam her heart as readily as she offers him her lush body, Isabella is certain she sees in Sam what he can barely glimpse in himself-a virtuous man dropped deep into a hard country bent on breaking him. A man who, under it all, craves a passionate woman willing to risk everything…
Other books in this series:
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Book 3, Tucker’s Claim, April 2009 |
Have not read her as yet. Keep seeing her stuff at LB’s also. Sounds good!
I loved the first two books in this series. Can’t wait for the next one either, Gwen!
I agree , Sam’s Creed was very good.
I almost didn’t read it because I didn’t like Caine’s Reckoning.
April is so far away. I want some Tucker right now!
I no longer buy McCarty’s novels. After meeting her in person at a convention and seeing how she pushed other authors aside to make herself the center of attention, I’ll never buy another books of hers.