eBook Compromised Hearts epub

COMPROMISED HEARTS is one of Hannah Howell's earlier novels which was originally published in 1989. I've read more than a dozen books by this author and not a one of them has ever been boring. Her characters, whether you love or hate them, are always complex and interesting. This story was a re-read for me and remains one of my favorites by Ms. Howell even to this day.

SYNOPSIS: Emily Cordelia Mason Brockinger was a proper lady, Boston born and bred. So nothing could have shocked her more thoroughly than Cloud Ryder's outrageous proposal: He would guide her safely to her brother's home in the San Luis Valley... if she shared his bed along the way.

Emily was appalled. Surrender her virginity to an arrogant half-breed drifter? It was unthinkable, even if he was the most handsome man she'd ever seen. But, stranded and helpless in the vast prairie, she had no other choice.

MY OPINION: This story takes place in 1870 and is not what I would call politically correct. There's no doubt some will find Cloud's proposal insulting, but I accepted that this was an uncivilized time and not the day and age we currently live in. Cloud was definitely no gentleman and never claimed to be one. Instead he's a man who knows what he wants and isn't afraid to go after it - in this case "it" being Emily. He was an obvious ladies man, but treated Emily well and never cheated on her even though there was no commitment or understanding between them. I thought Emily was simply adorable; she was so cute and funny that I couldn't see how Cloud could keep from falling for her. And the chemistry between these two was apparent from their very first encounter. In the end the pages just flew by and I was kept entertained the entire time. Add some lust, jealousy, kidnapping, and treachery to an already lovely romance and you have an unforgettable read waiting for you in Compromised Hearts =)

While the book was good and the romance and overall plot was full of twits and not overused i would recommend buying the paper copy. When I downloaded the book on my kindle after buying the e-book I found out that over a chapter was missing only discovering this after having looked up a paper copy of the book. this means that you jump from the middle of one chapter to the next with absolutely no idea what happened or how you got there.

This was one of the best western romance stories I have read in a long time. The characters were well written and the storyline was exciting and kept me turning the pages to see what happens next. The hero and heroines romance was wonderfully written and developed throughout the story.
This was a five plus story and has hooked me on reading more of this author's books.

Love this book. Great read. I've read it in the paperback version and I must warn that when they turned it into the digital there were some type oh's! So don't think it was the writer because it's not. Hannah Howell's books are perfection

I love Hannah Howell stories and Compromised Hearts has to be one of my favourites.

As any new or old lover of her stories knows she creates fantastic realistic people that have you either cheering for them to end up together or wishing you could slap the baddies for the hero and heroine. I loved how ladies man Cloud learned how to really trust and find love with Emily.

And while no love story worth reading isn't without it's problems I find Emily and Cloud's tale to be refreshing sweet.

If you haven't already read the story... Do! Read it now you won't be disappointed!

How Hannah Howell is able to write so many great books is amazing. I have read many of her books and she seldom disappoints. The story was well written and thought out. The characters were well as always well written and developed. This is a great story and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading romance novels.

I own it on paperback and bought it on kindle to re read. This book is my favorite story by Ms. Howell I have read to this date. I really loved this book and have read it countless times. If you like reformed rakes, steamy love scenes, devoted rakes, sweet but strong heroine, and western epic loves stories than try this read!!!

********CAUTION POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD> PLEASE STOP NOW IF YOU DON"T WANT READ ANY SPOILERS>THANKS**********

The story begins unorthodox with battle hardened, man-whore hero spotting the innocent heroine walking a western trail alone with only a small boy and a donkey for company. He can't believe it. He is shocked. What kind of crazy person would leave themselves open like that to danger? Well, an innocent heroine whose western carriage convey was attacked by Indians. Only ones left was herself and the small orphan boy. Not one to give up this heroine makes the trail alone but determined.

Hero is instantly attracted to the heroine. You can describe him as an antihero in that he is jaded and has no problem demanding sexual favors to help the heroine reach her destination. She feels she does not have a choice and agrees more for the loyalty she has for the little boy than for herself.

The next couple chapters describes their journey to their destination. The antihero does start off as a jerk and there was one scene he gets me so mad. We get to know how much of a man-whore he was as well. However, he develops a conscious and, even though he doesn't recognizes it because he has never felt it, begins to fall in love with heroine. He stays close to her and literally saves her countless times from kidnappings and attempted assaults. This brings reality to the dangers that driving through the west had with Indians and bandits laying in wait. In this journey he also picks up a friend along the way that he made while in the military. He made a great secondary character and added much humor and support to the small convey heading west. I loved the added dialogue and verbal bander this character adds to the journey. It gives humor relief to otherwise very serious conflicts along the way.

They finally make it to their destination and you get to meet some added secondary characters that add more humor and drama to the story. Hero plans to stay with his brother until he can build his own home. They both own the land they bought outside of town. Hero is fixed to offer for the heroine but holds back due to insecurities and wants to settle things on his part before he goes back to claim her. I should also add that hero has several big flaws but the main one is that he holds things to himself and is hesitant to reveal what he is thinking or feeling to others. So he leaves her with her brother with understanding she will be safe there until his return. He doesn’t make any promises as he wants to wait the two weeks he set for himself to get things settled before he claims her. However, things are not all they seem. Heroine was not asked to join her brother out of brotherly love but because her weak @ss brother gave in to his wife's plan to sell her to a banker that held their bank notes. It is revealed the wife liked to live in high lifestyle and the money was running short. Heroine's brother is easily manipulated by his wife that he fails to protect his sister.

Hero comes back to claim heroine but is tricked into believing she wants nothing to do with him. He goes into self-pity mode. The guilt he feels at having first tricked the heroine leaves him vulnerable to believing the lies he was told. His brother and army friend stage an intervention. Things are revealed and the hero's brother call's him out on his jerk move toward the heroine.

Thankfully the heroine escapes to the hero and asks for help. She also reveals she is pregnant. This begins the funniest wedding dialogue and preparations I have ever read. The hero stated he might not know exactly what he felt for the heroine but he considered her his and he would kill anyone that took he from him. The banker and heroine's family try to intervene but they get denied in hilarious manner. This was one of the best and funnies scenes in the book.

The rest of journey is the hero and his family, all men, trying to cope with the heroine's upcoming birth. Out of the blue a great secondary character comes about in form of an Irish lassie that has paranormal and healing powers that everyone take in stride. She shows up on the day the heroine was going into labor because she just knew she was needed. From then on she stays and becomes part of the family. The hilarious and wonderful written dialogue picks up a notch with this secondary character being added to the mix. I really enjoyed this character a lot.

It is also during this time that the heroine's brother finally wakes up and leaves his wife. He catches sleeping with the bank and just walks away from it all. Goes to heroine's new family and is taken in. Let me tell you, adding him into the mix of other secondary characters really added to the story. They form this big family of mixed personalities that really had great chemistry btwn them. They help each other and really support each other.

The climax scenes starts with banker having seduced heroine's sister in love and rejected former lover of the hero into helping him kidnapped heroine. He plans some dastardly plans with her to get back at the hero. Things don't go as planned when the heroine's sister in law loses her mind and things take a twist for the worst.

The ending finally has the hero admitting his feelings and coming clean with the heroine. He realizes how much he has loved heroine. But his actions showed me that as the journey grew. If you don't read the book then you lose out on getting to see the growth of the hero. It was a wonderful tale that had a great story line, wonderful secondary characters, steamy sexual scenes btwn H/h, personal growth in the main character, unique story line, great action scenes, humorous dialogue, and describes an epic love story btwn an ex-soldier "half breed" and a southern belle that really only wanted to be loved. It is a safe read. There are no OW or OM after hero starts off with heroine. Hero is protective and caring towards heroine. Heroine is sweet and has hx of being neglected by those she loved. Hero gave heroine what she craved above all else, love and a family.

The only other thing I will add is please, please Ms. Howell write the books to the other characters of the book. I would follow that series until the end!!!

Loved this book Characters were strong, plot easy flow to follow. I will eagerly await more of this series.