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If you liked the Magnificent Seven, you'll love the Rock Creek Six!
Six elite Confederate soldiers band together after the War Between the States, hiring out their guns to protect lawless towns. Violence is all they know, until they make their way to Rock Creek, Texas.
Rico is known as "the Kid" to the other members of the Rock Creek Six. Though he can't hit much with a gun, he is deadly with a knife--and with women. But like all of them, Rico has secrets in his past, which come back to haunt him.
Lily Fortier has secrets of her own. She arrives in Rock Creek after winning the local saloon in a poker game and sets about making for herself the life she's always dreamed of having. Once known as the "ebony-eyed nightingale of New Orleans" Lily's beautiful voice has lifted her out of a shack in the swamps. Though she's always worked for others, she has her own place now, her own plans, her own life. She doesn't need a man in it--especially one like Rico.
However, over time he proves himself to be more than a decorative, aimless knife for hire. Together they build a business and make a home for both themselves and the two orphaned children who love them.
When a Pinkerton agent arrives in Rock Creek and drags Lily back to New Orleans to stand trial for murder, even the Rock Creek Six can't save her. This time, only Rico can.
Six elite Confederate soldiers band together after the War Between the States, hiring out their guns to protect lawless towns. Violence is all they know, until they make their way to Rock Creek, Texas.
Rico is known as "the Kid" to the other members of the Rock Creek Six. Though he can't hit much with a gun, he is deadly with a knife--and with women. But like all of them, Rico has secrets in his past, which come back to haunt him.
Lily Fortier has secrets of her own. She arrives in Rock Creek after winning the local saloon in a poker game and sets about making for herself the life she's always dreamed of having. Once known as the "ebony-eyed nightingale of New Orleans" Lily's beautiful voice has lifted her out of a shack in the swamps. Though she's always worked for others, she has her own place now, her own plans, her own life. She doesn't need a man in it--especially one like Rico.
However, over time he proves himself to be more than a decorative, aimless knife for hire. Together they build a business and make a home for both themselves and the two orphaned children who love them.
When a Pinkerton agent arrives in Rock Creek and drags Lily back to New Orleans to stand trial for murder, even the Rock Creek Six can't save her. This time, only Rico can.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2001
70 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
Lori Handeland
127 books1,347 followersLori Handeland is a five-time nominee and two-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America, as well as the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over sixty novels spanning the genres of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, contemporary romance, historical romance and historical fantasy.
After a quarter-century of success and accolades, she began a new chapter in her career with her women’s fiction debut, Just Once (Severn House, January 2019), which received a coveted, starred review from Library Journal and was optioned as a feature film by Catalyst Global Media.
Lori lives in Southern Wisconsin with her husband of over thirty-five years. In between writing and reading, she enjoys long walks with their rescue mutt, Arnold, and visits from her two grown sons, awesome daughter-in-law and perfectly adorable grandchildren.
After a quarter-century of success and accolades, she began a new chapter in her career with her women’s fiction debut, Just Once (Severn House, January 2019), which received a coveted, starred review from Library Journal and was optioned as a feature film by Catalyst Global Media.
Lori lives in Southern Wisconsin with her husband of over thirty-five years. In between writing and reading, she enjoys long walks with their rescue mutt, Arnold, and visits from her two grown sons, awesome daughter-in-law and perfectly adorable grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 14, 2015
4.5
This is the third book in The Rock Creek Six series and is Rico's story. Rico, or The Kid is the youngest of the six. He can't shoot worth beans but he's deadly with a knife. Of Mexican descent, he's also very dreamy looking and quite the ladies man.
The heroine Lily Fortier is able to resist his charms, for a while anyway. She's in Rock Creek as she won the local saloon, the one that a few of the remaining Rock Creek Six have been squatting in. Lily and her 'brother' are determined to make it a very high class saloon as she has an incredible singing voice. She's running away from a gambler who almost held her in slavery. But know she has a second chance.
Rico is smitten with her right from the start. Though she does hold him atbay for a while, his charm wins her over. She does have a rival though. Rico has a young adopted daughter, though in truth it was more like Carrie adopted Rico and doesn't want to share him. Some of her antics towards Lily are really quite funny.
Though Rico and Lily are falling in love with each other, Rico doesn't think he's good enough for her. He's known as The Kid by his friends and he feels that's what he is. But he's done quite a bit of growing up in the past couple of years.
I love both him and Lily, he has a Spanish background, she French. She's a few years older than him but the make it work between the two of them. Add Carrie and Johnny, Lily's brother and the four of them make for a wonderful family. Although I think this could be read as a stand alone, I'd still recommend reading the first two books. All of the other five and two wives play important roles and they are terrific books anyway. I've loved all three so far now.
This is the third book in The Rock Creek Six series and is Rico's story. Rico, or The Kid is the youngest of the six. He can't shoot worth beans but he's deadly with a knife. Of Mexican descent, he's also very dreamy looking and quite the ladies man.
The heroine Lily Fortier is able to resist his charms, for a while anyway. She's in Rock Creek as she won the local saloon, the one that a few of the remaining Rock Creek Six have been squatting in. Lily and her 'brother' are determined to make it a very high class saloon as she has an incredible singing voice. She's running away from a gambler who almost held her in slavery. But know she has a second chance.
Rico is smitten with her right from the start. Though she does hold him atbay for a while, his charm wins her over. She does have a rival though. Rico has a young adopted daughter, though in truth it was more like Carrie adopted Rico and doesn't want to share him. Some of her antics towards Lily are really quite funny.
Though Rico and Lily are falling in love with each other, Rico doesn't think he's good enough for her. He's known as The Kid by his friends and he feels that's what he is. But he's done quite a bit of growing up in the past couple of years.
I love both him and Lily, he has a Spanish background, she French. She's a few years older than him but the make it work between the two of them. Add Carrie and Johnny, Lily's brother and the four of them make for a wonderful family. Although I think this could be read as a stand alone, I'd still recommend reading the first two books. All of the other five and two wives play important roles and they are terrific books anyway. I've loved all three so far now.
December 27, 2008
In a nutshell: Rico Salvatore is a decorative young man with a reputation where women are concerned; he'd never been told no. When Lily Fortier arrives claiming ownership of the Rock Creek saloon, he is intrigued by this woman who seems immune to his charms. After working hard to convince her and then only getting her on her own terms, a relationship develops that quickly turns to love. Then her past catches up with her, tearing them apart. His past then rears its ugly head.
Third installment of the "Rock Creek Six" series: The continuity is superb. Every character stays true to the personalities that were developed in the first book, Reese (Rock Creek) and further developed in Sullivan (Rock Creek). Very impressive considering there are two different authors involved in this series.
My opinion:
The first time I read this--about 3 years ago--I was not impressed with Rico, the character. This time, I was in a different frame of mind and realized that while his character may not have been so developed as the heroine's, he was still a believably tortured young man, traumatized by the verbal abuse he'd suffered at the hands of his father and later, his experiences in the war. He was likable and romantic and despite his belief that he could get any woman in his bed--(gross)--he was not unbearably cocky about it.
Lily was an interesting, unusual heroine. Her past trauma had turned her into a self-sufficient, worldly-wise woman willing to do what she must to survive. She really made the story. She was someone the reader could root for, empathize with, and envy all at once. I could go on all day about how wonderfully she was developed but I will leave it at that. :o)
Supporting characters: I find myself falling more and more for Cash with each successive book in this series. Each book gives a little more of a glimpse into his personality. If I remember correctly, I had the same feelings the first time I read this series. Each of the six men were further developed in this story, even the previous two heroes, as were their wives. As I mentioned before, excellent continuity.
Complaints: None, really, except the usual. There were certain words and phrases that didn't seem in keeping with the time and, of course, the love scenes were too detailed, but I skipped them anyway, so, whatever. :o)
Previously, I gave this 4 stars because I could not connect with Rico, which annoyed me. Now, I give it 5 stars for continuity, character development, emotion, and flow. I look forward to the next book, Jed (Rock Creek).
Third installment of the "Rock Creek Six" series: The continuity is superb. Every character stays true to the personalities that were developed in the first book, Reese (Rock Creek) and further developed in Sullivan (Rock Creek). Very impressive considering there are two different authors involved in this series.
My opinion:
The first time I read this--about 3 years ago--I was not impressed with Rico, the character. This time, I was in a different frame of mind and realized that while his character may not have been so developed as the heroine's, he was still a believably tortured young man, traumatized by the verbal abuse he'd suffered at the hands of his father and later, his experiences in the war. He was likable and romantic and despite his belief that he could get any woman in his bed--(gross)--he was not unbearably cocky about it.
Lily was an interesting, unusual heroine. Her past trauma had turned her into a self-sufficient, worldly-wise woman willing to do what she must to survive. She really made the story. She was someone the reader could root for, empathize with, and envy all at once. I could go on all day about how wonderfully she was developed but I will leave it at that. :o)
Supporting characters: I find myself falling more and more for Cash with each successive book in this series. Each book gives a little more of a glimpse into his personality. If I remember correctly, I had the same feelings the first time I read this series. Each of the six men were further developed in this story, even the previous two heroes, as were their wives. As I mentioned before, excellent continuity.
Complaints: None, really, except the usual. There were certain words and phrases that didn't seem in keeping with the time and, of course, the love scenes were too detailed, but I skipped them anyway, so, whatever. :o)
Previously, I gave this 4 stars because I could not connect with Rico, which annoyed me. Now, I give it 5 stars for continuity, character development, emotion, and flow. I look forward to the next book, Jed (Rock Creek).
August 13, 2017
Rico, the handsome one
Rico was different from the others. He chose knives as his weapons of choice. He fell for Lily as soon as he saw her but would not take her. After promising Carrie, a little girl whose grandfather had died, that he would take care of her. Be needed a job and Lily offered him one. She was keeping her own secrets and so was he. After trading his life for hers, Rico finally figured out what was important. Family. His family and the love he had for Lily, Carrie and Johnny. Not even his father's huge ranch and all the trappings that went with being in charge of it was enough to make him stay and do what his father wanted.
Rico was different from the others. He chose knives as his weapons of choice. He fell for Lily as soon as he saw her but would not take her. After promising Carrie, a little girl whose grandfather had died, that he would take care of her. Be needed a job and Lily offered him one. She was keeping her own secrets and so was he. After trading his life for hers, Rico finally figured out what was important. Family. His family and the love he had for Lily, Carrie and Johnny. Not even his father's huge ranch and all the trappings that went with being in charge of it was enough to make him stay and do what his father wanted.
September 25, 2025
Glad I read it.
Truthfully I wasn’t looking forward to reading Rico’s story. He was my least favorite of the six. Once I started, I realized my silly mistake. It was a great read filled with lots of steam, western action and the kids weren’t bad either. Carrie and Johnny were a delightful addition. In the end, Rico , Lily, Johnny and Carrie became a happily ever after. Enjoy, I sure did.
Truthfully I wasn’t looking forward to reading Rico’s story. He was my least favorite of the six. Once I started, I realized my silly mistake. It was a great read filled with lots of steam, western action and the kids weren’t bad either. Carrie and Johnny were a delightful addition. In the end, Rico , Lily, Johnny and Carrie became a happily ever after. Enjoy, I sure did.
October 18, 2017
I was somewhat unmoved by this one. I am capable of getting over the man-slut thing, but I am not sure I felt this was really a romance. It was a (sort of) OK family building scenario, but eventually if you call a character 'Kid' often enough the sexiness just seems a bit weird. Not one that made much of a positive impression....
October 2, 2018
Great read!
What a great book!! I loved Lily and Rico! Lily is strong and fierce and Johnny is strong and silent. Carrie is just a little spitfire and Rico is what brings them all together. I love how Rico realizes that family doesn’t make blood, love does. I am looking forward to Jed finding love, should be an interesting read!
What a great book!! I loved Lily and Rico! Lily is strong and fierce and Johnny is strong and silent. Carrie is just a little spitfire and Rico is what brings them all together. I love how Rico realizes that family doesn’t make blood, love does. I am looking forward to Jed finding love, should be an interesting read!
May 13, 2019
Rico
The more I read Ms Handeland I think I have found another favorite author. The way she has managed to intertwine the 3 stories and characters together is intriguing and makes you realize how hard these authors work to make reading an adventure.
The more I read Ms Handeland I think I have found another favorite author. The way she has managed to intertwine the 3 stories and characters together is intriguing and makes you realize how hard these authors work to make reading an adventure.
May 16, 2019
Loved it
A true love story, love overcomes all things. Even pad sorrows and shame! Good storyline, really interesting characters, what more could you ask for? Great series! Good read!
A true love story, love overcomes all things. Even pad sorrows and shame! Good storyline, really interesting characters, what more could you ask for? Great series! Good read!
August 8, 2018
Liked this book but didn’t think it was as good as the first two. 3.5 stars
August 18, 2018
I have enjoyed this series very much.
May 21, 2019
Good book it has as well real love mixed through out the story.
February 25, 2017
Really liked Lily for Rico, perfect match. Really enjoying this series
September 17, 2016
Enjoyed this third addition to the Rock Creek series. However, I didn't connect to it as much as the previous novels. Rico was a decent hero and I liked Carrie and Johnny, but Lily annoyed me at points throughout the novel. I honestly hoped for a better heroine for Rico.
That being said, the story was still good and I am enjoying this series overall.
That being said, the story was still good and I am enjoying this series overall.
June 26, 2017
Okay, I'm definitely enjoying this series, but is it bad if I say I wanted some of these guys traumatic experiences to be a little more traumatic? Is that terrible? Lol, maybe, but still, it's what I wanted. I really enjoy that Rico, who often speaks Spanish, falls for a woman who often speaks French. That was a pretty cute little character trait.
March 6, 2016
This book by Lori was better than book 1 in this series, which she wrote. The big difference was there were no spelling errors in this book!! The best part of this book was the last 5 chapters! Her writing is ok, but Linda is a much stronger writer. The best character in this book was Carrie!
July 20, 2016
2 1/2
This series is cute, but the emphasis on the heroines' pureness, even when she's a lady of the night, is almost irritating Someone should have told Ms Handeland that Spanish and Italian are different languages and mixing the two isn't that fun.
This series is cute, but the emphasis on the heroines' pureness, even when she's a lady of the night, is almost irritating Someone should have told Ms Handeland that Spanish and Italian are different languages and mixing the two isn't that fun.
March 27, 2013
Just finished all 6 of the Rock Creek Six. I couldn't put any of them down.
April 3, 2013
Five stars because he is one of the six, but not my favorite. His story didn't resonate with me.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews