ON THE WILDE SIDE is a novella about the background of
character General John Hamilton Wilde. It is the prequel to
Sandra Marton's In Wilde Country series. The book
starts out with the General in modern times. He's visiting
the El Sueno ranch where he grew up. It then flashes back to
his younger years as a teenager.
Johnny was an all star athlete and MVP of the local high
school football team. He could have any girl he wanted, and
he 'wanted' a lot. He lives in the moment and is carefree
and reckless. He has no permanent plans for the future.
That's all for his straight-laced brother, Alden. Alden is
the apple of his father's eye, the honor student and
scholar. He's always kept his nose in the books and plans on
following in the family's warrior traditions by making a
career as an officer in the Army. He will start it off by
attending the prestigious West Point Military Academy. Just
as other generations of Wilde men, he'd climb the ranks up
and become a decorated soldier.
So many plans laid out, but one tragic night will end it
all. A fateful accident steals the life of the beloved
intellect. Although he is not at fault, Johnny blames
himself. Their father also blamed Johnny. He then
decides, because he doesn't know what else to do with his
life, to follow the path his brother would have taken and
make him proud. He gets his life on track as a West Point
graduate and a well respected officer.
ON THE WILDE SIDE takes some crazy twists and turns. You
find out
what led him to the path of leading a double life, complete
with two separate families comprised of multiple wives and
several children. It then returns to modern day and the
tangled web that has been woven when all of the children
find out about the other family their father had been a part
of. Don't expect a happy ending, because this one will leave
you pondering what happens next with its cliffhanger ending.
ON THE WILDE SIDE is the first book I've read in the In
Wilde Country series. It is a quick read. General
Wilde is a very domineering character. There is a point
where the author brings out a strong sense of sorrow for
Johnny, which you can feel through the pages. I did see a
few discrepancies in the book that may make the timeline of
events confusing for a first time reader of the series. It
will
definitely be interesting to see how things turn out for
everyone involved in the Wilde families.
He’s young, hot, sexy and reckless. He can—and does—have any
girl he wants, and the guys in Wilde’s Crossing call him
their hero. Then, one rainy night, something terrible
happens, and Johnny Wilde’s life will never be the same again.
On The Wilde Side is the story of General John Hamilton
Wilde. Is he the cold, strict man his sons and daughters
have always known? Or is he a man who’s been living a lie
that will shock them… and you!