DNF, wanted to give a chance bc some of the later books sounded interesting, the main character literally won't take no for an answer with the traumatized heroine. Hard pass. ( )

I had several problems with this book. (Just FYI I listened to an audio version.)

First this woman had just been kept tied to a bed as a sex slave for a year. Caine rescues her and marries her and that night (one and a half days later) he has her naked in the kitchen of the farm house where anyone could walk in and starts up some anal play. Really? This girl should have been running screaming from him. He knows about her abuse and still is on her all the time (and not in a gentle careful way mindful of her past) and she only barely seems to mind. Just not realistic and made me pretty uncomfortable.

Second the love scenes were way too long and mostly abortive. Where was the actual story?

Third there really wasn't much feel of the old west. Like the author said "let's throw in some horses and some six shooters! It'll be a Western!"

Fourth how many times did someone say "She's Hells Eight now"? I started to cringe every time I heard it.

Don't waste your time.

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Very hot sexy ranger saves woman from her abusers and he finds a way to heal her. Timeless story, partners of abused women could take a page from this story.
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I love series. There's something about them, like a continuing soap opera, each book telling the next episode, an addiction that doesn't end when the first book closes. Greedy me was more than happy to review the first edition of Hell's Eight by Sarah McCarty, especially when I began reading and happily learned the three main males are not stereotypical heroes.

The plot starts with a bang of action, introducing each character better than mere dialogue could. A mini mystery soon follows, and once it's solved, it ultimately leads heroine Desi (unwillingly) into the arms of Caine Allen, hardened Texas Ranger. Having suffered horrid sexual episodes with men of her past, Desi is jaded toward men and would like nothing better than to be left alone. She's sided and married with a man determined to protect and change all that, whether she initially likes the thought or not. It may be hard for some women to read a few scenes of what she went through, as the detail is intense and the scenarios violently grim, but the note of hope accompanying the rough ride leaves an appreciative turn-out.

I'd rate Caine's Reckoning as more of an erotic novel than romance, for sex continually sprints along the pages - hot and heavy - blended with romance and a few sub-plots that are exciting to follow. One is, of course, Desi escaping from the men who still want her, another being the harrowing tale of her twin sister (clearly leading up to a sequel - yeah!) Just be warned in advance that there's plenty of sex here, and if that's not to your liking I doubt you'd find this book suiting your fancy.

Character driven, Caine is a great hero. He's protective and strong, if not slightly overbearing and too domineering. He's erotic and gentle, yet at times fierce and rough, hardened by life but softened by the woman at his side. Gee, if I continue with this sort of phrasing, maybe I should write soap operas some day?? :) Desi is sweet but understanbly afraid of life, and it's interesting to see how she slowly relaxes enough to overcome the obstacle life tossed her way. Among the more interesting of the bunch were Caine's two sidekicks, the scarred Indian Tracker and the womanizer Sam. Tracker especially intrigued me, and I hope beyond hope that the second book delves into his budding romance with someone (perhaps Desi's sister?) I'd like to read Sam's story as well, but it's not as enticing yet.

On the negative side, sometimes a few scenes were played over and over again with Caine and Desi, proving mildly irritating. A small shortening of the novel could have fixed that problem. At times Caine's smugness wanted to make me slap him as much as I'm sure Desi did, but fortunately his good side outweighed the bad.

In short, this is one loaded book, fraught with emotional torment, strong emotional, gripping action, and a refreshingly beautiful relationship. Heady in the erotic department and surprisingly funny at certain times, this ones worth seeking out for sure.

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