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Code of the West #14
The Great Montana Cowboy Auction
With a neighbor's ranch at stake, Montana-cowboy-turned-Hollywood-heartthrob Sloan Gallagher agreed to take part in the Great Montana Cowboy Auction organized by Polly McMaster. But in order to avoid going home with an overly enthusiastic fan, he provided the money so that single mom Polly could take him home for a weekend of playing house.
Polly figured that a weekend was all this Tinseltown cowboy could handle of her reality -- which included one bionic cat, one starstruck sister, thirteen unemployed rabbits and, of course, the kids. Polly was sure it was the novelty that appealed to him. But when the hoopla surrounding the auction ended and Sloan stuck around, she prayed the novelty would wear off quickly -- before she got in too deep!
Polly figured that a weekend was all this Tinseltown cowboy could handle of her reality -- which included one bionic cat, one starstruck sister, thirteen unemployed rabbits and, of course, the kids. Polly was sure it was the novelty that appealed to him. But when the hoopla surrounding the auction ended and Sloan stuck around, she prayed the novelty would wear off quickly -- before she got in too deep!
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2002
54 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Anne McAllister
341 books124 followersAnne McAllister has written nearly 70 romance novels for Tule Publishing and Harlequin Books.
She has won two RITA awards from the Romance Writers of America — for COWBOY PRIDE and THE STARDUST COWBOY — and has had nine other books which were RITA finalists.
Her books have also been finalists for the National Readers’ Choice Award. She was named Midwest Fiction Writers “Writer of the Year” and also received Romantic Times’ Career Achievement Award as “Series Author of the Year.”
But while the awards and sales are wonderful, Anne thinks the best part of writing is telling the story. With every new book she writes, she meets new characters – or gets to know old ones even better – and discovers what makes them and their relationships tick.
It’s the relationships that interest her most and the question about “where do you get your ideas?” has always astonished her as she has more ideas than she knows what to do with!
She has won two RITA awards from the Romance Writers of America — for COWBOY PRIDE and THE STARDUST COWBOY — and has had nine other books which were RITA finalists.
Her books have also been finalists for the National Readers’ Choice Award. She was named Midwest Fiction Writers “Writer of the Year” and also received Romantic Times’ Career Achievement Award as “Series Author of the Year.”
But while the awards and sales are wonderful, Anne thinks the best part of writing is telling the story. With every new book she writes, she meets new characters – or gets to know old ones even better – and discovers what makes them and their relationships tick.
It’s the relationships that interest her most and the question about “where do you get your ideas?” has always astonished her as she has more ideas than she knows what to do with!
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 5, 2020
Sloan Galangher is now a Hollywood star, but his life had not always been so bright. In fact, for a couple of years after his mother died, he was in foster care until his father could put himself together.
Those were tough years, but the family that fostered him was loving and caring and he was forever grateful for all they have done for him.
Ten years after he left their home, Sloan finds out his former foster mom Maddie is in dire straits and in the risk of losing her ranch. In order to help her, the whole town is having an auction and they want him to participate in donating “a date”.
This is how Sloan is reunited with Polly, a girl that was a few years ahead of him at school, and who he once saw naked, by accident, and has never forgotten.
The then seventeen years old girl is now a thirty-six years old widow with four kids, and not much time in her hands to waste on a Hollywood Star.
To make matters worse, Polly’s sister has been forever in platonic love with Sloan.
The strength of this book, in my humble opinion, do not rest on the main couple’s story, but on the several side stories that take place.
Although I could not really connect with Sloan and Polly (I didn’t feel the chemistry), I simply loved Jace, a cowboy in love with the girl he once helped his bud jilt at the altar; Arthur, a meddling ninety-old years old shop owner; Joyce, Polly’s mom who, at sixty, decided to learn new things and enjoy her life; Celie, that after spending ten years in a shell, went out to brave the wild world; and, most of all, Sarah, Polly’s shy and responsible teenager daughter.
I can’t wait to read the next book to know how Celie and Jace will finally get together and the last one of the series to see what is in stock to sensible and intelligent Sarah.
Another great installment in this lovely series.
Those were tough years, but the family that fostered him was loving and caring and he was forever grateful for all they have done for him.
Ten years after he left their home, Sloan finds out his former foster mom Maddie is in dire straits and in the risk of losing her ranch. In order to help her, the whole town is having an auction and they want him to participate in donating “a date”.
This is how Sloan is reunited with Polly, a girl that was a few years ahead of him at school, and who he once saw naked, by accident, and has never forgotten.
The then seventeen years old girl is now a thirty-six years old widow with four kids, and not much time in her hands to waste on a Hollywood Star.
To make matters worse, Polly’s sister has been forever in platonic love with Sloan.
The strength of this book, in my humble opinion, do not rest on the main couple’s story, but on the several side stories that take place.
Although I could not really connect with Sloan and Polly (I didn’t feel the chemistry), I simply loved Jace, a cowboy in love with the girl he once helped his bud jilt at the altar; Arthur, a meddling ninety-old years old shop owner; Joyce, Polly’s mom who, at sixty, decided to learn new things and enjoy her life; Celie, that after spending ten years in a shell, went out to brave the wild world; and, most of all, Sarah, Polly’s shy and responsible teenager daughter.
I can’t wait to read the next book to know how Celie and Jace will finally get together and the last one of the series to see what is in stock to sensible and intelligent Sarah.
Another great installment in this lovely series.
July 6, 2023
In the small town of Elmer, Montana, Polly McMaster is a widow full of responsibilities. She is not only the mother of four, but she’s also the mayor, the postmistress, the solver of all the town’s problems. Now, with the help of the town, she”s the organizer of an event to help a woman who with her deceased husband, had foster boys and now is about to lose her ranch. One of those boys was Hollywood heartthrob, Sloan Gallagher . When asked to help by being one of the cowboys to be auctioned at The Great Montana Cowboy Auction , he doesn’t hesitate. Not only does he want to help Maggie, but he will get a chance to spend time with Polly. The girl he never forgot , the girl of his teenage fantasies.
This is a story that reminds us that even when life is at times messy and stressful, it’s worth taking chances in life and love. It’s also a story about family, whether by blood or friendship.
The plot was engaging and both the main characters as well as the secondary ones , old and young, were wonderful in their complexities.
A story that will touch your hearts. A couple of smaller plots are left unfinished, and this reader hopes they will be resolved in future stories.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Tule Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
This is a story that reminds us that even when life is at times messy and stressful, it’s worth taking chances in life and love. It’s also a story about family, whether by blood or friendship.
The plot was engaging and both the main characters as well as the secondary ones , old and young, were wonderful in their complexities.
A story that will touch your hearts. A couple of smaller plots are left unfinished, and this reader hopes they will be resolved in future stories.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Tule Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
July 25, 2023
The Great Montana Cowboy Auction (Cowboy, Come Home Book 2) by Anne McAllister is a reissued book with a beautiful new cover along with a new publisher. I did not read the first publication so I can’t say if it has revisions or not. What I can say is what sounded like it would be a Hollywood comes to Montana story is actually much, much more. There are several subplots besides the auction. Now there is a teenage crush but it is on the part of the actor which was wonderful. The woman has barely given him a second thought even though her daughters and sister certainly have.
I was fearing that hearts would be broken in this story but that was not the case. While some romances worked out for the best, others are still waiting to be finished. Not exactly cliffhangers but more of the subplots just starting to build.
For anyone who has ever had too many responsibilities or like Polly’s sister, Cecil frozen in life without moving on these are characters you will like but also identify with them. For others it will be, “Let the auction begin” kind of entertaining story.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was fearing that hearts would be broken in this story but that was not the case. While some romances worked out for the best, others are still waiting to be finished. Not exactly cliffhangers but more of the subplots just starting to build.
For anyone who has ever had too many responsibilities or like Polly’s sister, Cecil frozen in life without moving on these are characters you will like but also identify with them. For others it will be, “Let the auction begin” kind of entertaining story.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 6, 2019
Polly McMaster is a 347-year-old widow with four kids. She married young when pregnant with 19-year-old Sara. Sloan Gallagher spent 2 years (14-16) in foster care in Elmer, Montana and fell in love with Polly when he caught her making love in the barn with Lew, her future husband. Sloan's now a superstar cowboy movie actor. When his former foster mother has money problems paying a loan on their ranch, the town decides to do a cowboy auction to raise money for her. Polly is now mayor and postmistress of Elmer. When Sloan is contacted to be in the bachelor auction, he agrees and it becomes a media blitz for the small town. Sloan comes back to help Polly deal with it. He also decides she really is the woman of his dreams and proposes. She has plenty to deal with during the auction, but afterwards, they hit it off, but Polly has misgivings and tries to back out when she discovers Sara is pregnant. Ending is not as good as the beginning as she tries to pull everything together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2023
Anne McAllister writes her characters so well, and this is certainly the case with The Great Montana Cowboy Auction, by Anne McAllister. I loved widow Polly McMaster, who was left with four young children to raise after her husband died in a plane crash. Not one to shy away from a challenge, Polly is also the mayor of her rural town, Elmer, Montana, runs the town post office, and sems to be forever taking on other duties. Actor and cowboy Sloan Gallagher has been sweet on Polly since he was a teenager and now he’s back in Elmer as the main offering in the auction Polly is orgnising, he plans to capitolise on his opportunities and convince her of his love.
Family, community and secnd chances are key values in this story, which made for an entertining read.
Family, community and secnd chances are key values in this story, which made for an entertining read.
July 23, 2023
3.5 stars. I had trouble finding the right ranking for this book. The book itself was funny and entertaining. But there were four relationships being explored to some extent. While they all worked in together and did build upon each other, they also distracted from the main couple and did not give enough page time for their romance to be developed properly IMO. Overall, enjoyable due to the humourous aspects, however, it was weak on the romance aspects. *I recevied an ARC of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review. Please note: This book is being rereleased with a diferent publiser (Tule) so I have no clue if any of the text has changed between versions/releases.
June 22, 2023
I voluntarily read an advanced reader’s copy of this book for an honest opinion.
A sweet addition to the Cowboy, Come Home series. The Great Montana Cowboy Auction by Anne
McAllister. The storyline took me awhile to get into it but once I did I really enjoyed the characters and dialogue. This author never disappoints. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
A sweet addition to the Cowboy, Come Home series. The Great Montana Cowboy Auction by Anne
McAllister. The storyline took me awhile to get into it but once I did I really enjoyed the characters and dialogue. This author never disappoints. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
July 13, 2023
I found so much to love about this novel. The characters are full of life and all the emotions it contains. Mothers and daughters, cowboys and a movie star fill the pages with their doubts, insecurities, fears, and love.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 27, 2025
Learning to trust and love again
This novel was about being brave and taking chances. Polly had been a widow for some years before Sloan coming back into her life. It took everything in Sloan's arsenal to win Polly's trust and love. Finally Polly believed and trusted in Sloan's love for her and her family that allowed her to accept their happily ever after.
This novel was about being brave and taking chances. Polly had been a widow for some years before Sloan coming back into her life. It took everything in Sloan's arsenal to win Polly's trust and love. Finally Polly believed and trusted in Sloan's love for her and her family that allowed her to accept their happily ever after.
July 30, 2023
This book was an entertaining read. I loved the characters and the story was very well written. I look forward to reading more by this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 9, 2023
This is a wonderful read! Wonderful story line with many opportunities for sequels.
July 7, 2024
I loved the book. There are several turns & twists to keep you interested. You will be surprised at how the book ends. I think you will enjoy it.
August 26, 2024
good book
Good book but boring at times. I would. Not read again, though. The beginning was a slow read and slow to get through.
Good book but boring at times. I would. Not read again, though. The beginning was a slow read and slow to get through.
August 1, 2023
I did not realize this was a re-release from 2002. It was a sweet story about a small town boy, Sloan, who made it as an actor and the girl he never forgot. Polly was a few years older than him. When he saw her naked when he was 14 he knew she was it. Years later and he doesn't actively think about Polly anymore. Polly is now a widow with four children. When Sloan comes back to the small town to participate in the Cowboy Auction he is taken back by how much he is attracted to Polly. As a grown woman she has surpassed his fantasies. Can he convince her to slow down, lean on him and give them a shot? Cute one sided second chance love. Can she move on from her husband and start living her life for herself? Good read.
October 18, 2024
I received this arc of The Great Montana Cowboy Auction in exchange for my honest review. This is the second book in the Cowboy, Come Home series by Anne McAllister. The story is set in Elmer, Montana and features Polly McMaster. She is a young widow with 4 kids. She is the post mistress as well as mayor. Polly was married to the love of her life and he was killed in an accident returning home from a rodeo 6 years ago. Her mother and sister also live with her. Her sister was jilted at the alter several years prior and hasn’t had an interest in dating since. Everyone worries about her. Her mom is also a widow who has taken a job at the hospital and has added some hobbies to make her life less empty.
As the book opens, the town is trying to have a fundraiser to help a much loved resident save her home from foreclosure. They come up with the idea to have a bachelor auction and invite a famous actor, Sloan Gallagher, to return to participate and help raise money. The woman in need, was once his foster mother and he is happy to help out. The whole town is involved in the planning of the auction and other events. When the press gets word of it, the whole thing becomes a nightmare for Polly who is in charge of the event. There are groupies and paparazzi everywhere in the small town. Sloan left town at 18 and only comes back to work on his ranch each year.
We learn that when Sloan was a teenager, he saw Polly naked when she was with her boyfriend and he had a crush on her ever since. Polly knew that he had seen her and she had been horrified ever since. She hoped to have minimal contact with Sloan but she was his contact and he called her several times to discuss the auction and what was happening in town. When he learned her family was being stalked by the press and groupies, he came early to help. He snuck in town initially but then tried to divert the attention from Polly. He stayed at their home and realized what he was missing and vowed to settle down with a family and Polly.
In addition to the main relationship between Polly and Sloan, there are also things happening with her mom, sister and 19 year old daughter. Everyone thinks her sister will be the one going for Sloan since she gave up dating but followed his acting career with a fierce passion. The sub plots within the story were fun to read about and thankfully the author resolved many of the issues. There was a lot of angst with Polly and Sloan and what would happen with their relationship as well as her oldest daughter’s future life. In addition, her sister’s life became more interesting, allowing for perhaps a future book. Anne did an excellent job in including all of the family members and their individual stories as well as the family together. I enjoyed this book a lot. The characters were all very genuine and likable. It was fun to recognize some other characters from prior books as well.
As the book opens, the town is trying to have a fundraiser to help a much loved resident save her home from foreclosure. They come up with the idea to have a bachelor auction and invite a famous actor, Sloan Gallagher, to return to participate and help raise money. The woman in need, was once his foster mother and he is happy to help out. The whole town is involved in the planning of the auction and other events. When the press gets word of it, the whole thing becomes a nightmare for Polly who is in charge of the event. There are groupies and paparazzi everywhere in the small town. Sloan left town at 18 and only comes back to work on his ranch each year.
We learn that when Sloan was a teenager, he saw Polly naked when she was with her boyfriend and he had a crush on her ever since. Polly knew that he had seen her and she had been horrified ever since. She hoped to have minimal contact with Sloan but she was his contact and he called her several times to discuss the auction and what was happening in town. When he learned her family was being stalked by the press and groupies, he came early to help. He snuck in town initially but then tried to divert the attention from Polly. He stayed at their home and realized what he was missing and vowed to settle down with a family and Polly.
In addition to the main relationship between Polly and Sloan, there are also things happening with her mom, sister and 19 year old daughter. Everyone thinks her sister will be the one going for Sloan since she gave up dating but followed his acting career with a fierce passion. The sub plots within the story were fun to read about and thankfully the author resolved many of the issues. There was a lot of angst with Polly and Sloan and what would happen with their relationship as well as her oldest daughter’s future life. In addition, her sister’s life became more interesting, allowing for perhaps a future book. Anne did an excellent job in including all of the family members and their individual stories as well as the family together. I enjoyed this book a lot. The characters were all very genuine and likable. It was fun to recognize some other characters from prior books as well.
December 18, 2016
Elmer, Montana townsfolk pull together to save the ranch of one of their own by auctioning off a date with former town member and now big time movie star Sloan Gallagher.
Good thing: I liked the pace of the romance between the town's Post Mistress and the former cowboy.
Bad thing: It was hard to keep all the multiple side character's romances straight, but that's probably because I was reading this along with a few other books at the time rather than a fault in the story.
A sweet, enjoyable romance that makes you root for everyone.
Good thing: I liked the pace of the romance between the town's Post Mistress and the former cowboy.
Bad thing: It was hard to keep all the multiple side character's romances straight, but that's probably because I was reading this along with a few other books at the time rather than a fault in the story.
A sweet, enjoyable romance that makes you root for everyone.
November 24, 2011
What a great story! Besides the main characters there were many other storylines going which made me go straight to Amazon looking for follow-ups! Loved the ins and outs of small town America, great read
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews