"I hate you! Let’s go have sex." It’s such an infuriating concept: a romance novel built on misunderstandings, deliberate untruthfulness, and a couple who are drawn together physically while sharing inconceivable, undeniable passion for each other. Sometimes, the background story is strong enough to make up for the foolhardy behavior of both hero and heroine while they bicker their way into bed. This is not the case here.
The premise is promising, with our heroine, Tara, being on the run from an evil dude who framed her for his father’s murder, but the final showdown on this conflict is rather pat and anti-climactic. The setting could also enhance the drama, being set in Florida during the time Native Americans were being rounded up and sent west, or slaughtered if they wouldn’t go. Our hero, Jarrett, even has a Seminole half-brother, but the only reason this enters the drama is so our heroine can be kidnapped by him but not be in any real danger while her husband teaches her a lesson in submissivness. Tara learns that Indians aren’t all filthy, scary savages. How nice for her. Of course, in her situation, should she really be judging anyone?
Whatever, the book was okay, if you like that kind of Alpha meets fake-feisty femme, he rescues her a lot and they live happily ever after kind of romance. ( )

From BackCover:
“I accepted you as payment on a gambling table because you’re incredibly beautiful and I want you for the same reason.”

His smoldering gaze claimed her long before a poker hand made her his. Tara Brent knew she could never escape this dark and brooding stranger who promised her safety, with a price: marriage and life together in the lush, lethal wilderness of Florida. She didn’t even know his name, only the promise of passion, and refuge in his arms…

Jarrett McKenzie swept his ravishing bride away from New Orleans to his remote Florida plantation, determined to uncover the desperate secret from which she ran. He couldn’t tell her of his own Seminole roots—or open her guarded heart—until his former commander, President Andrew Jackson, declared war on the Indians, and a powerful enemy from Tara’s past found his way to their door… ( )