Wednesday, March 7, 2012

[NetGalley Review]: "Shadow's Stand"

Shadow's Stand by Sarah McCarty
Publisher: HQN Books (January 31, 2012)
Series: Hell's Eight Series, 5
Genre: Historical Erotica (Western)

Summary (Amazon.com):
Shadow Ochoa is lying low in the western Kansas Territory, waiting for his fellow Texas Rangers—the Hell's Eight brotherhood—to clear his name. That is, until he's unjustly strung up for horse thieving…and pretty Fei Yen intervenes. Invoking a seldom-used law, the exotic lady prospector claims Shadow as her husband and rides off with the bridegroom shackled to her buckboard.
Savvy, fearless Fei is single-mindedly devoted to her hidden claim and all it promises: wealth, security and freedom. A husband is just a necessary inconvenience and a name on paper to hold the claim she cannot.
Shadow isn't a man to take orders from anyone, especially from lovely Fei—except that the daily friction between them ignites into nightly blazes of all-consuming passion. Soon Shadow is dreaming a little himself: of the life they could have if only Fei could see past the lure of independence. If only bounty hunters weren't closing in on him. If only

Where to Buy*: Amazon | Kindle | BN.com
More Info: Author's Site


Other Books in the Series:
Click on the covers to buy from BN.com; the title links to the book's page on the author's website.
Book 1: Caine's Reckoning
Book 2: Sam's Creed









Book 3: Tucker's Claim
Book 4: Tracker's Sin











My Review:

Shadow.... *sigh* Oh, how I shall forever dream of you!

I first read Sarah McCarty's work a few years back when Caine's Reckoning, book one in the Hell's Eight series, came out. Right away, I fell for all of the dangerous men introduced to us in that book. I looked forward to their own stories, and counted down the days until I could read them. And then...something happened (life) and I never did pick up book two...or book 3... or..Well, you get the idea. So when I saw Shadow's Stand up on NetGalley, I jumped for it, eager to finally have another taste of the Hell's Eight men! :) Let me tell you, I wasn't disappointed!

While reading Shadow and Fei's story, I was once again reminded of all the reasons why I love McCarty's books: wit, banter, action, steamy-hot lovin', dangerous heroes that I'd steal away in a heartbeat and fierce heroines that I want to have as my friends. Oh, and did I mention the freakin' hot passion? Yeah, there's tons of that in Shadow's Stand and you won't find me complaining about it one bit!

Even though I missed a few books prior to this one, this series is one that can be picked up at any point along the way without getting lost. However, I would strongly encourage you to read it in order (as you should with any series), although I can't say much since I keep making this mistake again and again... The men from Hell's Eight are all tied together, at first through a promise for revenge when they were younger, and now from loyalty and brotherly love (though they are not blood relatives, with the exception of Shadow and Tracker). Their stories are intertwined, partly because they are always there for one another when something goes wrong (and it almost always does), but also because for all of them, the Hell's Eight ranch is home, and always will be.

Shadow has got to be one of my favorite heroes from this series; he isn't gentle, he isn't sweet, and he isn't a saint by any means. But he is loyal to those that he loves and protects, he is honest and he will fight—to the death—to defend not only himself, but those around him. He's a hard man, like all the others in the group, and his mixed heritage and upbringing made him even darker. But underneath all of that, there is a man waiting to be loved—and Fei is just the woman to find it!

Fei, also from a mixed heritage, knows what Shadow has been through. She knows what it is like to be an outcast, to be shunned and mistreated by everyone—even those people whom you call family. And yet she is a very strong woman, defying the commands given to her, waiting quietly for the day when she can break away and live her own life, start fresh. The ancient culture of her father's people has been breed into her, and while she respects her Chinese ancestry, she longs to be like her mother—American. Free. She was the perfect match for Shadow, and while I may not wish to picture Shadow with anyone at all (I'd rather he was mine!), at least I can take comfort in knowing that Fei will be his dynamite-toting fireball, and he her dragon. :)


^Favorite “Spicy” AND “Sweet” Quote (2-for-1 deal!):




Her fingers went back to the buttons of his pants. “I want you the way you are.”

That man will hurt you.”

Not on purpose.”

Pain is pain.”

She shrugged. “Then you will hurt me, but I want the real you, not the one you give other woman. I want the “you” that you hide. The “you” that you are afraid of. I do not want secrets. I do not want pretense. When this is between us, I want it to be honest.”

You want a lot.”

She shook her head and pressed her lips against his chest. “Just you.”

^Favorite Funny Quote:
"Her uncles have found her someone."

That gave Tracker pause. "Her uncles?"

"Yes."

"Found? As in we went shopping for canned goods and look what we found for you along the way."


I loved this quote. It came along after Tracker was pushing Shadow, trying to get him to claim Fei, and he says the usual things for why he can't (she deserves someone better, etc). I made the mistake of taking a drink right before this, and I almost chocked all over my NOOK! Pages after this quote, and I was still laughing from it. It just put such a funny picture in my mind, of her three very dignified Chinese uncles walking into the local store and while searching for supper they found Fei a good match. * Snort * Maybe it's just me, but I couldn't stop laughing... :)


4.5 STARS! Another Hell's Eight man down, only three more to go... Shadow's Stand continues McCarty's sexy historical series, set in America's wild west. Passions run high, sarcasm and banter fly freely and two people who were not looking for love find it after all. I simply loved Shadow and was glad to see Fei finally rein him in, showing him that he has a home and a family, as well as her love. I look forward to reading the rest of this series, as well as going back to catch up on a few that I missed, and I highly suggest that you do as well! If you don't mind your historical romances with a spicy kick (complete with alpha males and feisty heroines), then this series is the one for you!



^Both quotes are taken from the advanced copy I was reading. This means they may or may not match the final printed copy. Quotes are property of the author—I do not claim them in anyway!


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I received this e-book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
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Enjoy!




Until Next Time,
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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

2 comments :

Taryn @MySecretRomance said...

This is another author I want to start reading. I love when quotes are added into a review. It gives me a better feel for the book. I do that a lot too. :)

The_Book_Queen said...

Hi Taryn!

Thanks for stopping by. :)

This is my second time reading Sarah's work, and I'm still anxious to read more! :) I think you would enjoy her books, and I suggest you pick up this series when you get a chance (start with book 1; I skipped books 2-4 and while I wasn't lost, I did regret not waiting to catch up before reading Shadow's story). :)

I love when quotes are included, and though I don't always do it for my reviews, I try (especially if there is a quote that really sticks in my mind long after the books is done). :)

Enjoy!
TBQ