The Outlaw’s Heart by Amy Sandas
Publisher & Release: Sourcebooks, October 29, 2019
Time and setting: 1883, Boston, Wyoming
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: 320 Pages
Heat Level: 1 Flame
Rating: 5 Gold Crowns
Book Description:
Three runaway brides
Determined to escape their fates
Flee West to find freedom that can only be had
in a cowboy's arms...
Desperate to escape an unhappy marriage, Boston socialite Evelyn Perkins flees west in hopes of losing herself to the dusty frontier. But when her train is boarded by outlaws, Evelyn is taken for ransom. Despite her terror, Evelyn fears being returned to her husband more. Refusing to co-operate, she becomes the responsibility of a man whose steady gaze threatens to pierce her brave façade and reach the wounded heart within.
Gabriel Sloan has his orders, but the haunting shadows in the pretty young woman's eyes spark an intense protective instinct he can't deny. Every look, every touch brings them closer together. He would do anything to protect her, but dangerous men are on their trail, and soon the two must face Evelyn's darkest nightmare—or risk losing the unexpected joy they've found forever...
Runaway Brides Series:
The Gunslinger's Vow (Book 1)
The Cowboy's Honor (Book 2)
The Outlaw's Heart (Book 3)
Praise for Amy Sandas:
"[B]eautifully written romance that's full of adventure—electric and absorbing."—Kirkus for Lord of Lies
"Pure perfection."—Romancing the Book for The Untouchable Earl
"Smart and Sexy."—Booklist for Luck is No Lady
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Vikki’s Musings
This is not the first book by Amy Sandas I’ve had the pleasure of reading, and it won’t be the last. When I received an invitation from the publisher, via Net-Galley, to read and review, I eagerly accepted, anticipating another fantastic romance. I was not disappointed! My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.
This book is exactly why I love historical romances set in the west. Between the emotionally-charged writing and the slow build of sexual tension, it is a shining example of what I expect in this genre. The pacing is outstanding, keeping me glued to my Kindle from the first page to the last. Is that not why one chooses to read in the first place?
Evelyn Perkins is an amazing heroine, one that I quickly fell in love with. She is brave and determined and takes a chance on gaining her freedom from her abusive husband when the opportunity arises. Then when she is kidnapped from the train, she again doesn’t give into the despair and hopelessness of her situation. She remains calm and thinks logically under that pressure. This is definitely a heroine to admire!
Gabriel Sloan’s character immediately drew me in, making me want to know more. His gentleness toward Evelyn, even though he was one of her captors, intrigued me. As the story progresses, I only fell further enmeshed in his character. His back story called to me. I could feel his pain and rejection at the loss of his family and his tribe at such a young age. His tender care of Evelyn from the start is worthy of an outstanding hero.
The romance is delicately nurtured. While I normally would find it difficult to enjoy a romance that involves a married woman with a hero other than her husband, it was clear from the start that the evil wretch was no husband, even if they had been wed. I could fully understand why she became so drawn to Gabe. I would have as well. She needed his gentleness as a wounded bird needs tender care. She thirsted for someone who would understand her and love her.
This is a romance that will have you rooting for the main characters and cheering when the evil husband receives his just desserts. The Outlaw’s Heart is a book that I will want to read again and again and will definitely remain on my keeper shelf. Ms. Sandas is an incredibly talented author, and she is now one of my auto-buys without even reading the book description. Her name alone will have me clicking. Happy reading!
Excerpt:
The tall, muscled man who’d stared at her across the fire was even more intimidating up close. He had expansive shoulders, thick arms barely contained in his pale-colored cotton shirt, and powerful legs encased in worn denim. In a graceful economy of muscle and movement, he folded his large body into a crouch, bringing his face even with hers.
And what a face it was. Strong and beautiful in a way she’d never seen before. He had a broad forehead and a long, straight nose. His jaw was sharply angled, as were his cheekbones, but his mouth was wide and his lips were soft and full.
But unsmiling.
Startled by his unexpected proximity, Evelyn flinched when he lifted his hand, realizing belatedly that he held a canteen and was offering it to her.
He did not react to her obvious fear. Instead, he remained still—his expression flat as his eyes held hers. “It’s water,” he said.
His voice matched the rest of him—richly complex and powerful. Something strange rolled through her at the sound. Like anticipation of a storm when you hear the rumble of distant thunder, but warmer.
Her lashes flickered as she glanced down at the canteen. She was unbelievably thirsty, but how could she trust anything offered by men who held her captive?
“If you want to survive, you’ll drink the water and eat the food,” he said quietly. The words were just between them. Still she did not reach for the canteen. “You want to live?” he asked, raising a brow.
Evelyn lifted her chin, regaining eye contact with the man, despite her uncertainty and fear. “Yes, I want to live,” she replied, surprising herself by the conviction in her words.
With a single, short nod, he extended the canteen a bit more. “Then drink.”
She lifted her hands to take the water, but because of the binding rope and her frozen fingers, she couldn’t grasp it.
Realizing her predicament, he gave a quiet grunt, then set the canteen on the ground and reached for her wrists. His large, warm hands surrounded her curled fists. He held them in silence for a moment—as if his only intention was to share his heat and offer comfort.
Though Evelyn felt the icy stiffness in her fingers dissipating, she resisted the instinctive desire to accept anything more. But she didn’t pull away.
And she wasn’t sure why.
“Don’t be scared,” he stated, still in a private tone. “You won’t be hurt.”
She searched his gaze in the darkness. She wanted to believe him, but she knew far too well how easily a man could hide wicked intent. “I am not so naive,” she replied, her voice barely more than a murmur of sound.
He did nothing to indicate he heard her reply as he released his hold on her hands and deftly loosened the ropes. He did not remove them altogether, but he allowed for a bit of freedom to use her hands more effectively. Then he picked up the canteen and offered it once again.
Evelyn managed to bring it to her lips this time and took a few long drinks. The water soothed her throat, but it also made her very aware of her empty stomach. Lowering the canteen, she offered it back to the man who remained patiently beside her. Watching her in silence.
His nearness was discomfiting. As were his size and his quiet manner.
She had no idea what to make of him. There was strength in him, something his muscled form attested to without effort, but he displayed not the slightest hint of temper or violence.
Of course, Matthew hadn’t either…until something set him off.
The outlaw took the canteen, never shifting his gaze from hers. Not even when the voices around the fire rose higher in discord.
“Shit,” the young one named Ramsey exclaimed, frustration clear in his tone. “We can still ransom the woman. I mean, look at her.”
Evelyn stiffened under the sudden flood of attention. The man crouched before her was still watching her carefully, and she feared she might have revealed her trepidation when his brows lowered over his gaze.
Did she really believe she was better off with these outlaws than in her husband’s hands?
Yes. Yes, she did. But that didn’t mean she was not in danger.
He stared at her for a moment longer before he rose to his feet and walked away without a word, leaving the canteen on the ground beside her. She couldn’t keep her gaze from following his powerful form as he melted into the darkness beyond the fire while the others continued discussing her fate.
She expected to release a breath of relief at being left alone again, but it didn’t come.
“With her fancy clothes and fine airs, there’s gotta be someone somewhere who’ll be willing to pay good money to get her back.”
Evelyn listened to the exchange with increasing tension. These men were right about one thing. Her husband would no doubt be willing to pay a small fortune to get her back. But there was nothing in the world that would convince her to tell them that.
***
Excerpted from The Outlaw’s Heartby Amy Sandas. © 2019 by Amy Sandas. Used with permission of the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. All rights reserved.
Author Bio:
Amy's love of romance began one summer when she was thirteen and complained of boredom. She ended up with one of her mother's Barbara Cartland books and an obsessive interest that expanded from there. Her affinity for writing began with sappy pre-teen poems and led to a Bachelor's degree with an emphasis on Creative Writing from the University of Minnesota--Twin Cities.
She writes in the early mornings while her young kids are still asleep and dreams of a future when she can write all day instead of going to her "other" job. In the evenings, Amy is a full-time wife and mother who enjoys pizza, wine and dark brooding heroes...namely, her husband.
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