Helpful Score: 9
I didn't read the other reviews before reading this (or any of the other Hells Eight books) and I'm glad. I can't believe people were disappointed with Sam's Creed. I know everyone has different tastes, but I can tell you these books are right up my alley! I actually read them out of order (Caine's Reckoning first, then Tucker's Claim, then this) and loved each one better than the previous one!
Sarah McCarty does something amazing that not too many authors can do. She creates a tough, sexy, strong alpha hero who shows vulnerability and a huge capacity to love the woman in his life. With these men, you have no doubt that you would be safe in an ambush, satisfied in bed and cherished for the rest of your life.
Sam and Bella were terrific together. Sam was just enough of a wounded hero (emotionally) without letting it drag the story down, while easily maintaining his hero status. Bella was (as another reviewer said) cheeky. She truly was delightful - smart and sassy and so easy for Sam to love.
I'm anxiously awaiting the next Hells Eight book!
Sarah McCarty does something amazing that not too many authors can do. She creates a tough, sexy, strong alpha hero who shows vulnerability and a huge capacity to love the woman in his life. With these men, you have no doubt that you would be safe in an ambush, satisfied in bed and cherished for the rest of your life.
Sam and Bella were terrific together. Sam was just enough of a wounded hero (emotionally) without letting it drag the story down, while easily maintaining his hero status. Bella was (as another reviewer said) cheeky. She truly was delightful - smart and sassy and so easy for Sam to love.
I'm anxiously awaiting the next Hells Eight book!
Helpful Score: 5
Good read in the Hell's Eight historical western series. This one has an action plot - Sam rescues Isabella from the site of a massacre. She says she wants to go San Antonio and very little else. Sam knows there is more going on but takes her along with him. [He is actually looking for Desi's sister from the previous book.] Bit by bit the story comes out - Isabella is in really big trouble. As they travel, they keep running into bands of thugs who want to kill him and take Isabella. Virginal Isabella decides she wants our hero to make love to her so her first time won't be rape when the chief thug gets her back [she figures this is inevitable]. Sam tries to be noble, he tries really, really hard...
I enjoyed the book and the plot kept me turning the pages. There are fun bits; mostly having to do with Isabella's attitude and occasional mangling of slang phrases. Sam is another strong male character with issues. Isabella is managing woman who could give stubborn lessons... It doesn't have the horrific elements found in the first book; although the theme is touched on.
Hell's Eight Erotic Adventures
Caine's Reckoning (2007)
Sam's Creed (2008)
Tucker's Claim (2009)
I enjoyed the book and the plot kept me turning the pages. There are fun bits; mostly having to do with Isabella's attitude and occasional mangling of slang phrases. Sam is another strong male character with issues. Isabella is managing woman who could give stubborn lessons... It doesn't have the horrific elements found in the first book; although the theme is touched on.
Hell's Eight Erotic Adventures
Caine's Reckoning (2007)
Sam's Creed (2008)
Tucker's Claim (2009)
Helpful Score: 3
I found this one really entertaining and I definitely am not a huge fan of McCarty. I either adore her series or hate them. So far I have read three from "Hell's Eight" and enjoyed all of them. Yes, it's predictable and cookie cutter but I love the dialogue plus the sassy female leads.
Bella really made the book for me. She was so much fun. I think the description on the back of the book was misleading. Bella was not a gunslinger at all. I think even in Tracker's novel it mentions that she is, but she certainly doesn't develop that skill here.
Overall, good quick read with lots of action and bantering. In a way, the ending was somewhat bitter sweet but I won't ruin it for you.
Oh. I have to agree with the reviews that said the way Sally Mae (not sure if that's her name but she is paired with Tucker) talks in a really annoying way. Not sure I'm looking forward to a full length novel of "thee's".
Bella really made the book for me. She was so much fun. I think the description on the back of the book was misleading. Bella was not a gunslinger at all. I think even in Tracker's novel it mentions that she is, but she certainly doesn't develop that skill here.
Overall, good quick read with lots of action and bantering. In a way, the ending was somewhat bitter sweet but I won't ruin it for you.
Oh. I have to agree with the reviews that said the way Sally Mae (not sure if that's her name but she is paired with Tucker) talks in a really annoying way. Not sure I'm looking forward to a full length novel of "thee's".
Helpful Score: 2
Just like Caine's Reckoning, this one was disappointing too. The plot was almost the same as Caine's Reckoning, with the whole damsel in stress and the hero comes rescue the heroin and blah blah
I just *really* hope that McCarty does something good with Tuckers Claim because I really liked his character from this and the previously book.
I just *really* hope that McCarty does something good with Tuckers Claim because I really liked his character from this and the previously book.
Helpful Score: 2
The book was okay. For some reason I kept expecting more steaminess (sex). The interaction between Sam and Bella was hot though! She is quite brazen and cheeky. Sam is alpha male. The author tells quite a story if you take the time to read it all, I sorta found myself skimming the words.
I wasn't sure that I was going to like the Hell's Eight series after reading Caine's Reckoning, but this book was wonderful. The heroine wasn't an emotional wreck like most of her other books. I hope the next book will be about Tucker and the Quaker woman he's smitten with!
I love all the books in this series. Wish I could find another series like it because i'd definitely read them too. LOVE these!!!!!
This book is the 2nd in the "Hell's Eight" books. Sam "Wildcard" MacGregor has rules of his own and takes what he wants. He's sexy, intelligent, seductive, and he could eat crackers in my bed anytime. LOL.
He stumbles across a burned out wagon and finds Isabella hiding. Isabella has been running for months from Tejala, a man whose been trying to force her to marry him so he can have her land her father left her and she's just plum worn out from running. Sam does not care about the threat of Tejala. He decides to take her home to her mother and kill Tejala if he has to.
Bella is sassy,sweet,brave and feisty. She tries to seduce Sam. But she really doesn't know how.
The story was excellent it flowed along and was easy to read. It was fun and entertaining and I just love the chemistry between Sam and Bella.
Sam is georgeous,hot, sensitive, forceful,brave,loyal and gentle. I know he sounds like a boy scout! LOL but he's far from that. Sara McCarty has a way of making you fall in love with her characters! I loved this book better than the 1st one. Sarah McCarty has a winner in her series of "Hells Eight". Can't wait to start reading the next installment called Tucker's Claim.
He stumbles across a burned out wagon and finds Isabella hiding. Isabella has been running for months from Tejala, a man whose been trying to force her to marry him so he can have her land her father left her and she's just plum worn out from running. Sam does not care about the threat of Tejala. He decides to take her home to her mother and kill Tejala if he has to.
Bella is sassy,sweet,brave and feisty. She tries to seduce Sam. But she really doesn't know how.
The story was excellent it flowed along and was easy to read. It was fun and entertaining and I just love the chemistry between Sam and Bella.
Sam is georgeous,hot, sensitive, forceful,brave,loyal and gentle. I know he sounds like a boy scout! LOL but he's far from that. Sara McCarty has a way of making you fall in love with her characters! I loved this book better than the 1st one. Sarah McCarty has a winner in her series of "Hells Eight". Can't wait to start reading the next installment called Tucker's Claim.
This was just ok for me. I think because Caine's Reckoning set the bar so high. Overall its a good series and I will continue to read the rest...hoping for another great one like Caine
Bigger than life are the characters. But what woman wouldn't love to have a man like Sam, at least once in her life. The trials they go thru are so very real when reading. Sarah McCarty has a way with words that make you wish you were the woman in the book. Her words make you wish you could read from cover to cover without puting it down.
The second in the Hell's eight series I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first. It is a good story but limits itself to mainly two characters and their budding romance. The plot comes full circle and has a good finish. Tuckers Claim is the next book to read.
I liked the first book in this series better, but this is good enough that I'm requesting the third one. I'm still confused by the gymnastics required for one of the hot scenes, though!
wonderful!!!
excellent read. great cowboys.......
Very good book. Texas Ranger Sam is searching for a kidnapped woman when he comes across Isabella, the only survivor in the attack on some wagons. Discovering that she's been on the run for six months, he's determined to return her safely to her home. Finding out why she's running has him equally intent on ending the threat to her.
Bella ran from home when her parents were forced to promise her to local bad guy Tajela. Her father was killed while trying to protect her. Tajela is a particularly nasty sort who wants her land first and her body second. Bella's not interested as she wants a man she can love and respect.
I liked Sam a lot. He's the strong silent type with a very definite code of honor. I also found that he had a pretty good sense of humor. Isabella isn't exactly the meek and obedient kind of woman, and from the beginning he finds himself constantly challenged by her. He's protective, even though she tells him she doesn't want his help. Getting her back home won't be easy, as he's right in the middle of the area that Tajela controls.
I loved Sam and Bella together. She is quite a spitfire, who has no trouble telling him what she does and does not want. Sam listens, then goes on and does just as he intended in the first place. He thinks of her as a spitting kitten and finds her pretty amusing. He's also very attracted to her, and though he has quite the reputation with women, he sees her as an innocent and his honor won't let him do anything about it. Bella is just as attracted to him, and convinced that Tajela will eventually catch up with her, would rather give herself to Sam. She is determined to have her way with him. The heat between them builds, and when they finally give in, it is scorching. Sam fought it hard, but once he gave in I loved seeing how Sam brought out the passionate woman in her.
I loved seeing their relationship develop. Sam is a man whose past has him believing that he isn't someone who deserves love. But there is something about Bella that he just can't resist, and it's more than just her body. As things go on, he sees past the brave and feisty front to her fear of what could happen and is determined to protect her. On her side, I loved the way that Bella saw past Sam's notorious reputation to the lonely man that he didn't let anyone suspect. She had a terrific way of getting past his control and right to the heart of him. I loved the fact that she wasn't going to just let him ride off into the sunset at the end.
The action side of the book, with Sam working to get Bella back to safety, was really good. Sam and Bella were under constant threat, and several of the attacks were especially violent. I thought that Bella held up very well, though she certainly gave Sam a few bad moments during some of them. By the time the final confrontation with Tejala came I was ready to see the end of him. It was very intense, with the potential for ending badly. It wasn't easy to see how it all worked out, but it did.
I loved the time spent with Sam's Hell's Eight brother, Tucker. His support for Sam and Bella was crucial. I also enjoyed seeing his interaction with the Quaker woman. I have a feeling that she has an important role in his life. I also liked his way of making Sam see just how important Bella is to him. There were also a couple great scenes with the men who work for Bella's ranch. One is where they make Sam see that she is more than just their boss. The next is a fun one where it's a kid that calls Sam out on his relationship with Bella and just where it should be headed.
Bella ran from home when her parents were forced to promise her to local bad guy Tajela. Her father was killed while trying to protect her. Tajela is a particularly nasty sort who wants her land first and her body second. Bella's not interested as she wants a man she can love and respect.
I liked Sam a lot. He's the strong silent type with a very definite code of honor. I also found that he had a pretty good sense of humor. Isabella isn't exactly the meek and obedient kind of woman, and from the beginning he finds himself constantly challenged by her. He's protective, even though she tells him she doesn't want his help. Getting her back home won't be easy, as he's right in the middle of the area that Tajela controls.
I loved Sam and Bella together. She is quite a spitfire, who has no trouble telling him what she does and does not want. Sam listens, then goes on and does just as he intended in the first place. He thinks of her as a spitting kitten and finds her pretty amusing. He's also very attracted to her, and though he has quite the reputation with women, he sees her as an innocent and his honor won't let him do anything about it. Bella is just as attracted to him, and convinced that Tajela will eventually catch up with her, would rather give herself to Sam. She is determined to have her way with him. The heat between them builds, and when they finally give in, it is scorching. Sam fought it hard, but once he gave in I loved seeing how Sam brought out the passionate woman in her.
I loved seeing their relationship develop. Sam is a man whose past has him believing that he isn't someone who deserves love. But there is something about Bella that he just can't resist, and it's more than just her body. As things go on, he sees past the brave and feisty front to her fear of what could happen and is determined to protect her. On her side, I loved the way that Bella saw past Sam's notorious reputation to the lonely man that he didn't let anyone suspect. She had a terrific way of getting past his control and right to the heart of him. I loved the fact that she wasn't going to just let him ride off into the sunset at the end.
The action side of the book, with Sam working to get Bella back to safety, was really good. Sam and Bella were under constant threat, and several of the attacks were especially violent. I thought that Bella held up very well, though she certainly gave Sam a few bad moments during some of them. By the time the final confrontation with Tejala came I was ready to see the end of him. It was very intense, with the potential for ending badly. It wasn't easy to see how it all worked out, but it did.
I loved the time spent with Sam's Hell's Eight brother, Tucker. His support for Sam and Bella was crucial. I also enjoyed seeing his interaction with the Quaker woman. I have a feeling that she has an important role in his life. I also liked his way of making Sam see just how important Bella is to him. There were also a couple great scenes with the men who work for Bella's ranch. One is where they make Sam see that she is more than just their boss. The next is a fun one where it's a kid that calls Sam out on his relationship with Bella and just where it should be headed.
Fairly good read. A little redundant and lacking in action but it kept my interest for the most part. I would have liked a little more involvement from Caine & Desi from book one but overall it was good.
