Running Wild

The Men from Battle Ridge

By: Linda Howard, Linda Jones

Narrated by: Maggie Wheeler

Length: 11 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

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 she’s 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 doesn’t challenge Carlin’s terms: cash, dead bolts, and no questions. It is easy to see that she’s a woman in trouble. Problem is, he’s so blindsided by his attraction to her he can’t think straight. Zeke tries to stay all business, no complications - but 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. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. 

©2012 Linda Howard, Linda Jones (P)2012 Random House Audio

ON the RUN~ 5 STAR all the way HOWARD /Jones Gem~~

on the run Carlin finds safety and romance with Zeke the hot rancher~

Carlin is clearly a woman who knows how to "hide" ~ she carries all she needs to make an escape in her coat and moves into a Podunk Wyoming town~ sliding under the radar job as waitress for cash, she ends up houskeeper for sexy rancher Zeke Decker. Brad the ex cop stalker uses the internet to keep track and find the elusive Carlin. Locked doors and weapons in every room has Carlin feel slightly more secure in the remote ranch. Zeke soon has his "fantasy" life take the human form of lovely Carllin and we have some humorous looks into his mind as his NO touch policy is "revised." LOL This one is one of the BETTER Howard books in recent years along with Howard /Jones Combo author this is a very good romantic suspense romance. There is a hero and heroine by play we love and the humor and sparks are first rate. Plot is well done and flows along. I give this one 5 STAR FOR PLOT, 5 STAR FOR PERFORMANCE AND 5 STAR FOR fun couple who heat up the winter in the Wyoming snow. Keep them coming Linda Howard and Linda Jones much better than Blood Born.

Disappointment.

Would you try another book from Linda Howard and Linda Jones and/or Maggie Wheeler?

I would read another book by these authors but I would not listen to another book read by this narrator.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I felt the book had too much mundane filler. It would have been a great 6 hour book. It reminded me of the more basic romance novels, but again the narrator ruined what was good about the book.

How could the performance have been better?

This narrator has a rather monotonous voice that grates on ones nerves.

Do you think Running Wild needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Let me say Linda Howard is in the top three of my favorite authors. I will likely read anything that bears her name. I listened to 'Blood Born' and loved it.

Pure Romance, with elements of suspense and danger

This is the story of Carlin and Zeke, both lost in their own ways. Fate puts them together. Carlin is running from a nut case policeman and Zeke a hardworking, sexy rancher who has not been lucky in the love department. Well that changes when he meets Carlin, sparks fly and they turn up the heat. It was exciting to see their relationship develop and the banter between them had me chuckling out loud at times. Zeke is a hero in the truest since of the word, however these two rescue each other and that makes this a five start hit with me. Carlin is now wimpy girl; she is a strong woman who speaks her mind. I always enjoy Linda Howard books, this one is no exception. What I like the most is that the characters are realistic and believable. This is my second Linda Howard, Linda Jones book and I must say I like the collaboration. Maggie Wheeler does a great job with the narration and this was really an enjoyable listen. I want more!!!!

Entertaining!

I found "Running Wild" entertaining. It was refreshingly different from your average Romance novel. It includes action, mystery, humor and of course hot romance.The characters are well developed, the surroundings described well without a lot of filler words.

Although I did not give the narrator 5 stars, she was pretty good and had a way of pulling you into the story.

I don't feel I need to add anything to the Publishers Summary about the story itself.

Bottom line: it is well written and narrated, in my opinion, and I can certainly recommend it.

85% liked it 15% not so much

I usually do thorough research on a book before I decide to make the plunge and I felt that reviews on this one were sort of mixed. Giving it a chance I decided to try it out. I thought it was a cute story! A bit predictable and a few times I did do a little fast forwarding, all in all a fairly good book but not what I would label excellent. The narration was very good I felt (although other reviews did not). Maggie Wheeler does a very good job trying to carry the story in places it dragged or was redundant. I little to much whinny women stress for my tastes and I like a more detailed sexy romance but it was a cute story! If your looking for a book with a very sexy cowboy and a strong woman that is trying to overcome a terribly frightening history, this ones for you! Some detailed sexy parts with a little crewed speech but mild for serious romance readers/listeners. Enjoy!

Very Disappointing

Any additional comments?

I read everything Linda Howard, she is one of my favorite authors. Is this an older book that's been reworked? The writing was sophomoric, the plot had promise but never delivered, and the narration was awful. I would suggest you save your credits and try a different Linda Howard novel.

Get on with it

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not compared to her other books.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I would have included more about Brad.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Maggie Wheeler?

Joyce bean. Honestly she is so much better.

Do you think Running Wild needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. I'm surprised I finished the first one. The cover was the best part about the book.

Any additional comments?

It was the first book I have read by Linda Howard and Linda jones. I think Linda Howard should stay on her own.

A Romance for Foodies

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a long slow romance that savors the 'build' of a relationship and delivers a 'bang' of suspense.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Running Wild?

When the heroine was faced with feeding 12 hungry men in 2 hours with little experience.

What about Maggie Wheeler’s performance did you like?

She performed the book well. I thought her accent was charming.

Any additional comments?

An enjoyable suspense romance that would appeal to people who like to think about food. The ending was different from the formula one I thought they would come up with, so it was a nice surprise.

Howard and Jones are fantastic together!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Maggie Wheeler does a wonderful job at narrating this romantic suspense. I really felt for Carly and could feel here fear and understand her consuming need to run and stay off the grid. The strength of her character and the sizzle with Zeke set the romance portion on fire. This book had all the ingredients to keep you engaged!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Running Wild?

I was struck the most, when Carly shows Zeke the depth of her fear and the reality of her situation. The description of her terror was so vivid that I could see it, clear as day, and wanted to help her myself.

What does Maggie Wheeler bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Maggie has a way of using her accents and subtle changes in inflection to distinguish the voices and bring out there personalities. I love that in a narrator. It had power where it needed power, gentleness where it was needed and tenderness where it was important. Maggie spoke in a way that I could feel Carly's inner strength come through in her sarcastic voice and had me laughing like she was an old friend. I feel she was perfect to narrate this story!!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

When it is time to stop running and stand up and fight.....

Any additional comments?

I have always loved Linda Howard. I have enjoyed watching how her style has changed and developed, but this newest story with Linda Jones has been my favorite. I got my romance with a good dose of sizzle and enough suspense to make it interesting. I love a good twist to keep me guessing how a resolution comes about and these two were great at throwing those in the mix. This format even included some recipes that I can't wait to try. I love it when an author provides that to allow me to interact.

Loved it!

Would you consider the audio edition of Running Wild to be better than the print version?

No

What other book might you compare Running Wild to and why?

A wanted man. Same sort of hero. Same deep love story.

What about Maggie Wheeler’s performance did you like?

The excitement of her voice.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Love conquers all.

BATTLE RIDGE

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

IT WAS AN OK KIND OF BOOK I LISTENED TO IT IN DRIPS AND DRABS

If this book were a film would you go see it?

I MIGHT IT DEPEND IF THEY ADD TO THE STORY OR NOT

brilliant

I've had this audio book for some time and listened to it on many occasions I never get bored I would strongly recommend you listen to this audio you will not be disappointed

Running Wild

To be honest this book was a bit of a disappointment after the last Howard/Jones book Blood Born.



It does not have the same punch at all. There is little tension or suspense in it and I felt that the ending was a bit of an anti climax. Not up to their best standard but reasonable it is just that I have got used to so much better than reasonable for these two.