1/12/12
Just a note to mention that on Amazon this book has a different title and release date.

Running Wild: The Men from Battle Ridge
ISBN 9780345520784
Release date: 10/20/12 paperback

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According to Amazon:
Running Wild: The Men from Battle Ridge [Mass Market Paperback]
Publication Date: November 27, 2012
Synopsis:

In book 1 of this steamy new contemporary Western romance series by two blockbuster authors, a cowboy and a woman on the run take a stand and fight for love.

Carlin Reed lives in fear, off the grid, moving from place to place. So Battle Ridge, Wyoming, a small town in the middle of nowhere, seems like a good place to lie low for a while. But after becoming cook and housekeeper to cattle rancher Zeke Decker, Carlin suspects that shes made her first mistake. Rugged, sexy, and too distracting for his own good, Zeke is pure temptation mixed with something deep and primal that makes Carlin feel almost safe. Soon things are getting way too hot in the kitchen.

Zeke doesnt challenge Carlins terms: cash, dead bolts, and no questions. It is easy to see that shes a woman in trouble. Problem is, hes so blindsided by his attraction to her he cant think straight. Zeke tries to stay all business, no complicationsbut that game plan is sabotaged the second Carlin gets under his skin. And when her terrifying past follows her to the ranch, Carlin faces a heartbreaking choice: run away from the man she loves, or put him in the crosshairs of a madman.

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Carlin Reed has a stalker. After he kills one of Carlin's friends by mistake, she goes on the run, living off the grid and traveling from place to place. Needing a good place to lie low for a few months, Carlin finds a job in a diner in a small Wyoming town. When the diner is slowing down for the season, the owner suggests that she work for her cousin who needs a cook and housekeeper at this ranch. Carlin likes the idea of living in the middle of nowhere, but she isn't too sure about working for Zeke Decker. Carlin is attracted to him, but she doesn't want to end up possibly putting another person in harm's way.

This was an enjoyable contemporary romance with a little bit of suspense thrown in. I really liked both the heroine and hero. Carlin was very skittish around new people, wanting to make herself forgettable in case someone starts asking questions. She was a person who never felt like she had a home. Zeke didn't trust Carlin at first, but quickly realized that she was in some kind of trouble. When she finally tells him what happened to her, he pulls out all stops to protect her from her stalker.

This book was supposed to be the first book in the Men from Battle Ridge series. It had some great supporting characters who I would like to read about. Unfortunately, after ten years, there has been no book two. I'm guessing the publisher didn't get enough good feedback, but I enjoyed it. My rating: 4.5 Stars.

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This is a very average story with moderately interesting main characters -- Carlin Reed and ranch owner Zeke Decker. Carlin is on the run from a policeman who obsesses over her and decides to kill her when she doesn't return his affection.

She winds up in Battle Ridge, Wyoming, a small town growing smaller, as times become more difficult for the ranchers. Zeke doubts Carlins story but agrees to the deadbolts and cash payments. He needs a housekeeper and cook desperately.

However, along the way, Zeke realizes the terror Carlin lives with and sets out to do something about it. He teaches Carlin how to shoot and fight dirty, which gives her confidence.

Whatever suspense there was didnt travel through the pages; Brad, the bad policeman, was two-dimensional. The relationship between Kat and Carlin seemed natural and realistic.

The little woman taking over a house in turmoil is an oft-used device. This book didnt add anything different or interesting to the plotline. This was definitely a ho-hum novel.

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This book had a great story--but was WAY too long & drawn-out! The authors could've boiled this down to 200 pages, instead of 367!

Anyway...still enjoyable, so that's what counts.

I tried Linda Howard's Biscuit Recipe in the back of the book--EPIC FAIL! Take it from me, don't waste your time! This recipe is terrible.

I am a fantastic baker--cakes, cookies, pie crust & cheesecake from scratch, bread dough--EVERYTHING turns out great! Except these biscuits!

I followed the recipe to a T--and they were awful. Flat, blah & icky. Even slathered in peanut butter & jelly my kids wouldn't eat them. The dough was too sticky. They didn't raise in the oven. A waste of time & ingredients!

Try the Better Homes & Gardens classic cookbook Biscuit recipe instead--it's perfect. Making Linda's recipe made my feel just like Carlin--a kitchen disaster! LOL! :)

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