Love in the Wild by Emma Castle – Dual Review & Giveaway

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Description:
A Sensual, Powerful, And Thought Provoking Tarzan Retelling

Eden Matthews stumbled upon the discovery of a lifetime while photographing wildlife deep in the heart of Africa…

A gorgeous god of a man living in the wilds of the African jungle among a family of gorillas…

When he saves her life she’s compelled to uncover the man’s tragic past and the fate which led him to grow up in the wild.

But Eden soon learns she can take man from the wild, but she can’t take the wild out of the man…

When her savage savior soon shows her just want he wants of her…her sensual surrender, she finds she can’t resist him teaching her how to love…in the wild.

Barb’s Review:

Love in the Wild by Emma Castle is a standalone novel that is a wonderful modern retelling of Tarzan.  I wasn’t sure what to expect from this retelling, but I am happy to say that I absolutely loved Love in the Wild.  I am amazed how Emma Castle made this into such a great story that I was unable to put down, which I read in one day. 

The story starts off with a couple and baby having survived a plane crash in Africa, unable to get help. Then danger comes when a group of poachers (looking for gold) comes across the couple, and kills them, leaving the 3-year-old alone in the plane to die of natural causes.  Young Thorne is found by a band of Gorillas, with the mother of the leader enamored by the little human baby.  She takes him and he slowly learns to live in the wild, learns their language, and becomes part of their family, especially his new mother and brother

22 years later, we meet Eden Matthews, our heroine, who is a wildlife photographer. Her entire group of coworkers and friends are all killed by poachers (who years later are still looking for the gold mine), with the men planning to take Eden with them, until they hear a roar of the wild, and the workers who live in the area know that sound and run.  The leader then decides to kill Eden and run.  Only a wild man comes out and kills the bad man, and saves an injured Eden.

When he takes her to his cabin high in the trees, to help her recover, and though he doesn’t speak English, she slowly begins to trust him and not be afraid.  When he takes her to the river to clean up from the mud, she sees a gorgeous hunk of man, and in a short time manages to learn more about Thorne. She was amazed to learn he grew up in the wild with Gorillas, and knew when he became a teenager that he was different, but he still remained loyal to his only family.

What follows is a wonderful story of Thorne becoming enamored of Eden, and the feelings she gives him; he wants her as his mate.  Eden was so great with him, as she too is falling hard for the sweet wonderful Thorne.  A slow build romance begins, and it was so well done by Castle.

The last third of the book was Eden finding Thorne’s uncle, proving he is real, and bringing them together. This was a sweet scene when they realize the baby did survive to be Thorne.   But threats remain, as the man behind the killings 22 years ago, and in current, is still around. This evil man wants to find the gold mine, and will do anything to get what he wants.  Eden’s life is in danger, and Thorne with his newfound family will return to Africa to save her.  Will Thorne be in time to save Eden?

Love in the Wild was a such a great sensual romance between Eden and Thorne, as well as an exciting finish to the wild climax.  Bravo to Emma Castle for such a wonderful adventure. I wholly suggest to read this book, which was so well written.

Copy supplied for Review

Julie’s Review:

Love a good Tarzan and Jane story. It does jump around a little for the first couple of chapters. But bear with it, it’s worth the wait. 

Jane (Eden) is an up and coming wildlife photographer. With a chance of a lifetime trip to africa, Eden jumps at the chance. But the chance of a life time trip turns into a nightmare, her party is hijacked, and the people she bonded with were cruelly slaughtered! Thinking she was next, Eden closes her eyes and nothing….. but she hears noises to keep her eyes closed and hopes her death is a quick one. 

Tarzan (Thorne) is a modern day Tarzan, lost as a child, brought up by gorillas, friends to the animals. 

An innocent in the world of men (he lost his parents to killers at the age of three) he knows a little of the outside world (he had a tribesmen as a friend) but nothing prepares him as he gazes upon Eden for the first time. 

It’s beautifully written. With descriptions that bring the jungle alive. We wander through the jungle, trail our hands through clear cool water. Listening to birds and wildlife. It’s a descriptive joy. I was ready to swim in the waterfalls and lay on the furs. 

Thorne is aware he’s different from the animal in the jungle, he’s also aware that the female in from of him is no gorilla. He thinks she’s he’s mate, and will do everything in his power to care and protect her. 

After Eden gets over her initial shock of not being dead, and living in a treehouse, she needs to tame this wild man, and keep him at arms length (which proves difficult when he’s so sweet) she is amazed when he speaks to her (although a little rusty) he remembers a little of his past, and takes her to the plane that brought him here. 

With a little detective work Eden discovers Thorne has an uncle in England. She tries to persuade Thorne he needs to go, but he can’t leave the jungle, he needs to protect the animals that live there, so with a sad heart Eden makes the decision to leave Thorne. (There is also the matter of her dead companions, they need justice) 

And when Eden has to leave Thorne, you know your leaving your heart with that jungle man. He’s desperate roars of sorrow tug at your heartstrings, and your desperate for Eden to realize her mistake and turn back to Thorne. 

It’s not long before Eden and Thorne are reunited, and she persuades him to go to England. He will as long as she is by his side. His childlike wonder is infectious, it makes Eden look at her world through different eyes. She’s enjoying showing Thorne her world, but she wonders how he will cope when she has to go home? But with any luck his uncle will take care of him. But how will she explain that she has to leave him?! 

Oh and don’t forget the poachers/smugglers, they are hot on Eden’s trail, she can’t be a witness to the crimes they committed. And when they find out Thorne knows where vast amounts of treasure is hidden in the jungle, Eden becomes a target twice over! 

So will Eden and Thorne settle in the hassle and bustle of the modern world? Or will the call of jungle become too much for Thorne to ignore?  

I would love to read a second book (maybe visit them wherever they decide to settle. Another author I’ll be adding to my reading list. Another highly recommended book. 

Emma Castle is offering a Love in the Wild Facemask for today’s giveaway to ONE (1) commenter :

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9. Giveaway runs from September 28 TO October 2, 2020

10. Giveaway open to USA only.