The Rancher

A good read from cover to cover! Will put back to read again on a cold winter night by the fire.

You have to know right now that I have already collected every single book Diana Palmer has ever written. So I love everything DP. Saying that, I know that her style of writing isn't for everyone. She writes really saucy romance stories. She loves her male heroes to be on the alpha male side. Not everyone likes that type of male figure in their romance reading, but I do. The female protagonists are usually strong women, with minds of their own, smart and not afraid of facing off with their man.On the other hand, I like to see a good man grovel if it's justified, and DP does this very well when the occasion calls for it. Most of DP books are written with good old fashioned values based on a Judeo-Christian ethic, so there is always a sense of right and wrong. Right always wins, and the endings are always happy. That's what I like to read (I could use my psychology degree and explain to you why, but that's not the topic of this review) and that's why I read Diana Palmer books. My favorite books from DP are usually about ranchers, some in Montana, or Wyoming and some in Texas. That's why this is one of my favorites as well. The rancher here is stubborn, opinionated, bullheaded, but kindhearted in spite of that. He fights hard to resist our heroine's attractions, but in the end it's doomed to fail.Our heroine is a daughter from a household of a character most DP fans will recognize as one of their favorite "pain in the ass" wealthy heroes from her Long, Tall Texan series. The daughter is now defying her dear ole daddy by taking on a job as cowgirl up north. Her mother knows some of the details, but it's a well kept secret from her dad who'd have kittens if he should find out. And no one else knows either, so to the people she works for, she's just a poor working girl. Just the kind of setup for some rather painful misunderstandings. Eventually when all is revealed, yes, the hero does indeed get to grovel a little and the heroine gets to have a little bit of revenge, just enough "gotcha!" to make the reader happy. And since his pride's been pricked a bit, our heroine has to be unconventional to win her man.All of Diana Palmer's books are stand alone, but could come close to being a series since once you get to know some of her characters, they show up in other books in the same lines, especially the Long, Tall Texan's books. In like manner, there are at least two more books related to this one. I will probably be reviewing those as well some time soon.

I liked Cort Brannt, though he was a bit like his father, King Brannt. He was a bit boorish at first and didn't seem to know his own mind, but once he decided on Maddie, he changed for the better. Aside from a few stupid, thoughtless remarks he made, he finally got his act together and I could tell what his feelings were for Maddie though he didn't tell her until much later in the book.Maddie Lane was likable and thoughtful and while she had a small problem to deal with from a traumatic experience she'd had when she was younger, it didn't take over the entire book (I know many fans have mentioned that most of Diana Palmer's heroines seem to have gone through some horrible traumatic experience. Unfortunately that happens more often than we'd like to admit, so I don't make a big deal out of it when I see that in her books).Now Odalie Everett was a bit bratty and unlikable in the beginning (not even her brother John liked her very much), and I know many fans didn't like or think it was believable how quickly she went from foe to best friend, but I'd like to think a shock like the one she had could quite possibly have done it. LOL!All in all it was quite an enjoyable book and I loved the rooster drama (though he finally met his maker).I wanted to punch Cort for his thoughtless remarks, I cheered Maddie on when she sassed Cort back, I booed Odalie when she came back into the picture and acted bratty and I cried with Maddie when she lost her rooster and finally I rejoiced with Maddie when she realized that it was her Cort was in love with. I definitely recommend this book.

True that if you believe in yourself and what goes around does eventually prove your innocence and the love you have for someone will eventually come to you

I really enjoyed this book. Once I started reading this I couldn't stop till the end. Diana Palmer is one of my all time favorite authors.

Boring for most part ,characters weren't strong and the story lines just feld flat .This is not one of Ms.Palmer's best book!

I rated this book a five minute star. It was a fun read a page turner for sure. I can't wait to read the next book.

I haven't read a Diane Palmer novel in years. The last one I read felt as though it was written for someone with a fifth grade reading level. When I read Blurb I thought I'd give it a try. Boy am I glad I did! This was a great read. I thought the ending was a little rushed but overall a well written story.

Thia was a good story wasnt to graphic in the bedroom. I liked that the fought like cats and dogs then ended up in love. The characters were strong and believable I would definitely read this author again

Cassie and JL couldn't be more different and yet they're attracted to one another, both have their secrets and these come back to haunt them --- courtesy of his troublemaking cousin. Will JL realise what he's lost- Will Cassie forgive him??? I read this in one go-- a beautiful story, my 2nd book of yours today. Let's see what else I can find of yours to add to my collection

Really enjoyed this book and was sorry when it came to an end.

Diana Palmer does it again! I love how she managed to draw the reader in and make you both love and hate thecharacters.

Poorly written. So many unrealistic characters. Less than believable plot. Seemed very immature.