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Book Review By Sandra Calhoune
The Taming of Jessi Rose by Beverly Jenkins

Griffin Blake, orphaned at ten years old after his mother died, has spent most of his formative years in and out of trouble. He was bitter towards the railroad company which made promises to his mother that were never fulfilled, Griffin begins a career as a train robber. After being caught by the authorities Griffin is sentenced to seven years in prison. When Griffin receives an unexpected visit in prison from U.S. Deputy Marshal Dixon Wildhorse, Griffin can't believe the offer Dix is putting on the table. In exchange for his freedom, Griffin can assume the role of a Marshal and head to Blanco County, Texas and help in an undercover operation. As part of the deal Griffin must live with and provide protection for a woman and her nephew who are being terrorized by locals. Although Griffin isn't thrilled to suit up as Marshal, Dix wins him over by telling him that the case involves the railroad. Since Griffin blames the railroad for his mother's death he is all to happy to get involved. Jessi Rose Clayton will do anything to protect her familys' ranch from Reed Darcy an unscrupulous criminal who murdered her father in cold blood and terrorizes her family on a daily basis. When Griffin Blake arrives at her ranch Jessi is prepared to run him off her ranch when Griffin jumps in and helps her fend off Reed Darcy's men as they approach her property. Reed Darcy wants her familys' land more than anything so that he can sell it to the railroad. Jessi Rose wants nothing more than to live peacefully and to provide a good home for her nephew Jotham. Griffin lays all his cards on table with Jessi and tells her that he has arrived to serve as her protector until substantial evidence can be gathered against Reed Darcy. Although Jessi balks at the thought of having a male protector in her house, she quickly realizes that Griffin will be sent back to prison if she refuses. As Griffin and Jessi start to bond, Griffin realizes that there is much more to Jessi than meets the eye. Jessi is very private about her deceased husband and mysterious about her relationship with Calico Bob, an infamous bandit. Although Calico Bob is Jotham's father, rumor has it that Jessi and Calico Bob had some sort of relationship. Suddenly, Griffin is experiencing romantic feelings that he has always suppressed. As Jessi starts to thaw towards Griffin she begins to realize that Griffin Blake may be the one man who can tame her wild heart.


Plot & Themes
Time/era of story
Forbidden/mismatched love? Yes
How mismatched?
Action/suspense subplot? Yes
Action:
Who: - aunt
If one lover chases another... - he chases after her

Main Male Character
Profession/status:
Age/status: - 20's-30's
Sex makes him
If he's not white he must be... - black

Main Female Character
Age/status: - 20's-30's
Profession/status:
Effect of sexing
If she's not white she must be... - black

Setting
United States Yes
The US: - Midwest
Farm/Ranch? Yes
Farm/Ranch: - ranch

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
What % of story is romance related? - 90%
How explicit is the sex? - vague references only - descript of kissing - touching of anatomy - licking - actual description of sex - Boob talk - Vagia talk - Weiner talk
Focus of story - equally on him and her
How much dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
How much sexing? - 3-4 sex acts
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