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Long, Tall Texans #19
The Texas Ranger
Texas Ranger Marc Brannon is involved in a high profile murder case, and comes face-to-face with the woman he has never forgotten. Josette Langley is an investigator determined to do her job even if it means going against the man she loves. When Josette crosses those who will do anything to bury the truth, Marc and Josette are thrown together in a deadly game of intrigue.
377 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2001
333 people are currently reading
682 people want to read
About the author
Diana Palmer
1,038 books3,098 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
May 17, 2012
The Back Story
Age 15 Josette sneaked from her house and went to a party. While there a boy slipped a drug into her drink and attempted to rape her. Enter police officer Brannon. He decided she was lying and because of his testimony, the would be rapist walked.
Seven years later Brannon and Josette are dating (very weird) and one night he discovers she was actually telling the truth about her assault. His response is to call her a whore and tell her she isn’t enough woman for him and never wants to see her again. What???
Two weeks later Josette is at a party where an old man is murdered. The police think he drank too much, fell into the water and drowned. She contacts the police to tell them the old man wasn’t drinking at all and that she saw Brannon’s best friend arguing with him. In court the attempted rape when she was 15 is brought up to discredit her as a witness. Because Brannon broke the law by failing to disclose pertinent information, an innocent man was sent to prison, and Josette was branded a liar and all but unemployable.
Two Years LaterThe man who went to prison has been killed and Josette and Brannon are thrown together to solve the case. So...one of the suspects is Brannon’s closest friend. The murdered man was Josette’s date to a party. Brannon and Josette dated. Josettle testified in a court case against Brannon’s friend. Is it just me or is there something wrong with these two investigating this murder?
This book offends me on so many levels. I have the distinct impression that Diana Palmer is a misogynist. She defends Brannon’s failure to adequately protect the victim of a serious sexual assault with the excuse that his last case was that of a man who was sent to prison after a co-worker cried rape. She implies that women making false claims of sexual assault is common.
I can’t see myself reading anything by Diana Palmer ever again. Half a star for the book's value as a target next time I go shooting.
Age 15 Josette sneaked from her house and went to a party. While there a boy slipped a drug into her drink and attempted to rape her. Enter police officer Brannon. He decided she was lying and because of his testimony, the would be rapist walked.
Seven years later Brannon and Josette are dating (very weird) and one night he discovers she was actually telling the truth about her assault. His response is to call her a whore and tell her she isn’t enough woman for him and never wants to see her again. What???
Two weeks later Josette is at a party where an old man is murdered. The police think he drank too much, fell into the water and drowned. She contacts the police to tell them the old man wasn’t drinking at all and that she saw Brannon’s best friend arguing with him. In court the attempted rape when she was 15 is brought up to discredit her as a witness. Because Brannon broke the law by failing to disclose pertinent information, an innocent man was sent to prison, and Josette was branded a liar and all but unemployable.
Two Years LaterThe man who went to prison has been killed and Josette and Brannon are thrown together to solve the case. So...one of the suspects is Brannon’s closest friend. The murdered man was Josette’s date to a party. Brannon and Josette dated. Josettle testified in a court case against Brannon’s friend. Is it just me or is there something wrong with these two investigating this murder?
”We can’t change anything,” she said.
“I wish to God I could,” he said harshly. “I rushed to judgement about you. I’ve ruined your life.”
“I helped,” she returned without looking at him. “I deliberately left the house at night to go to what I knew would be a wild party”.
This book offends me on so many levels. I have the distinct impression that Diana Palmer is a misogynist. She defends Brannon’s failure to adequately protect the victim of a serious sexual assault with the excuse that his last case was that of a man who was sent to prison after a co-worker cried rape. She implies that women making false claims of sexual assault is common.
I can’t see myself reading anything by Diana Palmer ever again. Half a star for the book's value as a target next time I go shooting.
January 19, 2017
1 RAPIST SET FREE STAR
This book was one of the worst I have ever read by Diana Palmer. It was just way too much for me. It was too much everything.
I did not enjoy this version of DP, the plain Jane and the big jerk!
Also, rape is rape if she said no it's rape!
God!!!
I hated this story.
Can't believe how badly the hero treated the heroine!!!
He does seem sorry at the end but he essentially ruined her life.
I'm not a doormat, like the heroine.
I'm an unforgiving bitch and it's an insult to rape victims everywhere, her acceptance of his excuses and even MAKING EXCUSES FOR HIM HERSELF!
NEVER AGAIN READING THIS CRAP!
I say this every time and I still read her books over and over and over again. I need professional help!
This book was one of the worst I have ever read by Diana Palmer. It was just way too much for me. It was too much everything.
I did not enjoy this version of DP, the plain Jane and the big jerk!
Also, rape is rape if she said no it's rape!
God!!!
I hated this story.
Can't believe how badly the hero treated the heroine!!!
He does seem sorry at the end but he essentially ruined her life.
I'm not a doormat, like the heroine.
I'm an unforgiving bitch and it's an insult to rape victims everywhere, her acceptance of his excuses and even MAKING EXCUSES FOR HIM HERSELF!
NEVER AGAIN READING THIS CRAP!
I say this every time and I still read her books over and over and over again. I need professional help!
November 14, 2018
This is listed as Long Tall Texans #19 and Hutton & Co #4. H/h are both from Jacobsville, but most of the action takes place in San Antonio and many characters haven’t been referred to in the LLT series yet, so I’m going to declare this one an outlier from the “Hutton” series that crossed streams.
The hero from Beloved is the Texas Attorney General and he’s the big boss trying to solve a murder because there is a “Texan in the White House now and they don’t want to make him look bad.” The H/h are both involved in the investigation and zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I’m not going to give an in-depth review of the suspense/police procedural plot points because I skimmed those parts. I don’t willingly read these types of stories because I like my romance undiluted. I don’t like mysteries or suspense and violence makes me queasy.
And even though I don’t read these kinds of stories, I could pick out the villain from a country mile away. So thank you DP for all the foreshadowing. You didn’t play any tricks on the reader.
Unfortunately, the romance was enraging in a lot of ways. The hero had been a rookie cop in the Jacobsville when the 15 year-old heroine was assaulted at a party after being plied with a date rape drug. She was examined in the hospital and was determined to still be a virgin, so the hero testified against her – even though he saw her injured and in distress right after the attack. The rapist was acquitted and heroine was labeled a liar. Her father, a minister, was driven from town.(Nice job, Jacobsville) The rapist went on to rape at least once more, but was killed in a police chase some years later.
The H/h met again in San Antonio when the heroine was in her last year of college. Hero was in her criminal justice class and they began to date. The heroine fell in love. The night of her graduation the hero took her to bed and discovered she was still a virgin because she had a super hymen. That’s what saved her from full penetration on the night of the party – and the guy had certainly raped her – he just couldn’t break through.
Hero feel guilty about his poor judgment in thinking the heroine was a liar at fifteen, so he calls her a tease and berates her for letting him get excited knowing her steel hymen would keep him from pleasure. True DP hero logic. Heroine feels terrible and says she never wants to see him again.
A few weeks later she goes to a party where a guest is murdered. It’s set up to look like an accidental drowning, but heroine had talked to the victim and alerts the cops to look further into his death. She thinks the murderer was the hero’s friend. She testifies at the trial of the innocent suspect, but the prosecution brings up her lying in her rape case at 15 to invalidate anything she might say. Heroine thinks the hero told the prosecution about her losing the rape case to help his friend and she feels doubly wronged by him.
That's the backstory. It’s been two years. The heroine’s parents have both died. The hero’s sister has married a sheikh. The heroine has learned to trust no one but her stray cat.
The H/h begin their investigation of the murder of the innocent suspect from the party two years before. (Total conflict of interest, btw) Hero is pretty obnoxious at first, but eventually he tells the heroine how guilty he felt about the rapist who got away and heroine chalks it up to God working in mysterious ways and how she was wrong to defy her parents and go to the party in the first place.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
This was published in 2001 and by this time there is no need for rape apologists in romances. The hero screwed up. It shouldn’t be the heroine’s job to make the hero feel better about his appalling judgment or the injustice of the courts.
Okay, back to the story. The heroine gets shot. The hero takes care of her. There are biscuits, meat loaf, chicken and broccoli crepes.
They find the murderers. There are jokes about just letting the suspects die of their injuries rather than giving them aid.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Police are not judge, jury and executioners, Ms. Palmer. And that’s not funny.
With the case solved, the H/h finally go to bed after heroine explains she got her super hymen clipped. They’re engaged from that moment and then marry in Jacobsville. All the cops from every DP cop novel show up unexpectedly. Then the Queen of somewhere (hero’s sister) shows up. Heroine is pregnant at the end of the story.
So DP got more political in this one and I didn’t like it. Why DP wanted to add realism to a mythical town with ever expanding attractions is beyond me. She has been world-building Jacobsville since 1988. It’s distracting to bring up George Bush in the White House or hear characters lament that police budgets are cut because of foreign aid* or how crimes have been obscured so the right guy would win the Senate primary in Texas. I don’t want/need that in my romance reading. Don’t even get me started on a rapist walking free and the travesty of *two* trials that did not achieve justice.
The less said about this romance, the better. The heroine had to forgive the hero twice because he was the only guy she was ever attracted to. He’s betrayed her twice – he’s got one more betrayal to go for the magic three. I guess she’s risking it because she didn’t want to be a lonely cat lady the rest of her life.
This hero was a terrible cop. And the Attorney General never should have put two people with obvious biases and conflicts of interest on the case.
*Hello – foreign aid is federal. Police are paid by either state or local taxes, but never mind. I think DP’s philosophy is baked in the cake at this point.
I can’t even do my Diana Palmer checklist because there were no fun details like her other books.
*pouts*
The hero from Beloved is the Texas Attorney General and he’s the big boss trying to solve a murder because there is a “Texan in the White House now and they don’t want to make him look bad.” The H/h are both involved in the investigation and zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I’m not going to give an in-depth review of the suspense/police procedural plot points because I skimmed those parts. I don’t willingly read these types of stories because I like my romance undiluted. I don’t like mysteries or suspense and violence makes me queasy.
And even though I don’t read these kinds of stories, I could pick out the villain from a country mile away. So thank you DP for all the foreshadowing. You didn’t play any tricks on the reader.
Unfortunately, the romance was enraging in a lot of ways. The hero had been a rookie cop in the Jacobsville when the 15 year-old heroine was assaulted at a party after being plied with a date rape drug. She was examined in the hospital and was determined to still be a virgin, so the hero testified against her – even though he saw her injured and in distress right after the attack. The rapist was acquitted and heroine was labeled a liar. Her father, a minister, was driven from town.(Nice job, Jacobsville) The rapist went on to rape at least once more, but was killed in a police chase some years later.
The H/h met again in San Antonio when the heroine was in her last year of college. Hero was in her criminal justice class and they began to date. The heroine fell in love. The night of her graduation the hero took her to bed and discovered she was still a virgin because she had a super hymen. That’s what saved her from full penetration on the night of the party – and the guy had certainly raped her – he just couldn’t break through.
Hero feel guilty about his poor judgment in thinking the heroine was a liar at fifteen, so he calls her a tease and berates her for letting him get excited knowing her steel hymen would keep him from pleasure. True DP hero logic. Heroine feels terrible and says she never wants to see him again.
A few weeks later she goes to a party where a guest is murdered. It’s set up to look like an accidental drowning, but heroine had talked to the victim and alerts the cops to look further into his death. She thinks the murderer was the hero’s friend. She testifies at the trial of the innocent suspect, but the prosecution brings up her lying in her rape case at 15 to invalidate anything she might say. Heroine thinks the hero told the prosecution about her losing the rape case to help his friend and she feels doubly wronged by him.
That's the backstory. It’s been two years. The heroine’s parents have both died. The hero’s sister has married a sheikh. The heroine has learned to trust no one but her stray cat.
The H/h begin their investigation of the murder of the innocent suspect from the party two years before. (Total conflict of interest, btw) Hero is pretty obnoxious at first, but eventually he tells the heroine how guilty he felt about the rapist who got away and heroine chalks it up to God working in mysterious ways and how she was wrong to defy her parents and go to the party in the first place.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
This was published in 2001 and by this time there is no need for rape apologists in romances. The hero screwed up. It shouldn’t be the heroine’s job to make the hero feel better about his appalling judgment or the injustice of the courts.
Okay, back to the story. The heroine gets shot. The hero takes care of her. There are biscuits, meat loaf, chicken and broccoli crepes.
They find the murderers. There are jokes about just letting the suspects die of their injuries rather than giving them aid.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Police are not judge, jury and executioners, Ms. Palmer. And that’s not funny.
With the case solved, the H/h finally go to bed after heroine explains she got her super hymen clipped. They’re engaged from that moment and then marry in Jacobsville. All the cops from every DP cop novel show up unexpectedly. Then the Queen of somewhere (hero’s sister) shows up. Heroine is pregnant at the end of the story.
So DP got more political in this one and I didn’t like it. Why DP wanted to add realism to a mythical town with ever expanding attractions is beyond me. She has been world-building Jacobsville since 1988. It’s distracting to bring up George Bush in the White House or hear characters lament that police budgets are cut because of foreign aid* or how crimes have been obscured so the right guy would win the Senate primary in Texas. I don’t want/need that in my romance reading. Don’t even get me started on a rapist walking free and the travesty of *two* trials that did not achieve justice.
The less said about this romance, the better. The heroine had to forgive the hero twice because he was the only guy she was ever attracted to. He’s betrayed her twice – he’s got one more betrayal to go for the magic three. I guess she’s risking it because she didn’t want to be a lonely cat lady the rest of her life.
This hero was a terrible cop. And the Attorney General never should have put two people with obvious biases and conflicts of interest on the case.
*Hello – foreign aid is federal. Police are paid by either state or local taxes, but never mind. I think DP’s philosophy is baked in the cake at this point.
I can’t even do my Diana Palmer checklist because there were no fun details like her other books.
*pouts*
May 13, 2014
(maybe spoilers)
All right hold on people, let me get this straight, from what I gathered (which may be diluted due to figuring out whodunit it by pg 50) there is some medical issues we need to discuss.
So Brannon’s love interest, Joestte is a virgin. Great, I can wrap my head around that. Brannon tries to make love to our dear Josette earlier in their relationship and…can’t because she is (forgive the bluntness) impenetrable? So later on in the story he suggests this poor girl undergo some sort of minor surgery to should I say…pop her cherry? Did I miss something, does she have a medical condition, virginity not being one of them?
Call me old fashioned but losing your virginity can be pretty easily achieved provided this dude knew what he was doing in the first place, but hey she may be hiding the Great Wall of China down there for all I know.
So these two crazy kids meet back up and start their attraction for one another all over again after Brannon calls her a slut a few years earlier after he was unable to “get it on” with her. Surprise Joestte is still a virgin after the name calling de-virgining incident. This is where in the story he is suggesting a procedure to cure her lady parts. This is freaking’ weird people.
I’m just a fairly smart girl that wants to read the equivalent of brain candy, not wait around to the end of the book to see if Brannon scientifically puts his penis in her vagina.
All right hold on people, let me get this straight, from what I gathered (which may be diluted due to figuring out whodunit it by pg 50) there is some medical issues we need to discuss.
So Brannon’s love interest, Joestte is a virgin. Great, I can wrap my head around that. Brannon tries to make love to our dear Josette earlier in their relationship and…can’t because she is (forgive the bluntness) impenetrable? So later on in the story he suggests this poor girl undergo some sort of minor surgery to should I say…pop her cherry? Did I miss something, does she have a medical condition, virginity not being one of them?
Call me old fashioned but losing your virginity can be pretty easily achieved provided this dude knew what he was doing in the first place, but hey she may be hiding the Great Wall of China down there for all I know.
So these two crazy kids meet back up and start their attraction for one another all over again after Brannon calls her a slut a few years earlier after he was unable to “get it on” with her. Surprise Joestte is still a virgin after the name calling de-virgining incident. This is where in the story he is suggesting a procedure to cure her lady parts. This is freaking’ weird people.
I’m just a fairly smart girl that wants to read the equivalent of brain candy, not wait around to the end of the book to see if Brannon scientifically puts his penis in her vagina.
February 27, 2013
2.5 rounded up
I thought Diana Palmer was badass. I kept l looking to make sure I had the right author.
This baby was more sugary than presweetened cereal. The plot wouldn't have been so bad if you weren't able to figure out the whodunit from first glance. And the poor dude reading for the audiobook? Well, he needs to practice female voices...though, it was good for a laugh, especially during those love scenes. ;D
If you're a lover of alpha WTFery, you'll find only a smidgen here (there was some). If you want sweet sweet sweet, have at it.
I thought Diana Palmer was badass. I kept l looking to make sure I had the right author.
This baby was more sugary than presweetened cereal. The plot wouldn't have been so bad if you weren't able to figure out the whodunit from first glance. And the poor dude reading for the audiobook? Well, he needs to practice female voices...though, it was good for a laugh, especially during those love scenes. ;D
If you're a lover of alpha WTFery, you'll find only a smidgen here (there was some). If you want sweet sweet sweet, have at it.
October 16, 2013
One of the most ridiculous book of Diana Palmer I've ever read. I just want to ask why. Why in the world Josette accept him back thay easily? I mean, come on.
I don't like it. At all. Could've been so much better than that.
I don't like it. At all. Could've been so much better than that.
February 10, 2014
Good mystery romance though the fact that heroine had to have a surgery because it was impossible for hero to deflower her was all kinds of weird. Still the romance was super cute as always in a DP book! I like celibate heroes!
October 26, 2019
"Corazones en peligro"
February 17, 2017
The hymen dragon attacked again.. rarrr!
So this was a ok read for multiple reasons
- it had the classic DP plot of imperforate Hymen (yet again)
- the hymen is the root of all problems
- I swear to god I've never read about it so much anywhere else.. even in my OBGYN books as much as in these classics
That being said, my other issue was the hero.
He was such a huge dbag to the heroine in the past- I don't know how she tolerated him.
From not believing her about the almost rape, to blaming her for being a tease when she had no hand in how her body was created- he was a mean and blind ass who trusted his friend more than her.
As the story moves, yes he does feel bad but the groveling wasn't enough for me.
The plot was mildly intriguing but as usual I wish the heroine had more spunk
Half extra star for that sweet epilogue
Safe with exceptions (the couple meets when she's 15. However once he touches her at 21, he remains celibate)
3/5
So this was a ok read for multiple reasons
- it had the classic DP plot of imperforate Hymen (yet again)
- the hymen is the root of all problems
- I swear to god I've never read about it so much anywhere else.. even in my OBGYN books as much as in these classics
That being said, my other issue was the hero.
He was such a huge dbag to the heroine in the past- I don't know how she tolerated him.
From not believing her about the almost rape, to blaming her for being a tease when she had no hand in how her body was created- he was a mean and blind ass who trusted his friend more than her.
As the story moves, yes he does feel bad but the groveling wasn't enough for me.
The plot was mildly intriguing but as usual I wish the heroine had more spunk
Half extra star for that sweet epilogue
Safe with exceptions (the couple meets when she's 15. However once he touches her at 21, he remains celibate)
3/5
April 6, 2017
Re-read june 13, 2016
too dumb + doormat heroin + jerk hero = 2 stars
too dumb + doormat heroin + jerk hero = 2 stars
June 23, 2022
An oldie, but goodie from Diana Palmer. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it. It has been two long years since Marc left without a word to Josette . Now a Texas Ranger, Marc and Josette are working a case together. Can they get past the hurt and pain and still solve the case? Can the find their way back to each other.
January 30, 2021
St. Margaret's review says it all. It isnt even a good hate read because of the crime/legal plot cluttering things up.
September 9, 2023
H betrayed h twice, not with another woman but betrayed her trust. Two years later, H did try hard to gain h's forgiveness and solve a crime together.
July 3, 2013
Hutton & Co. 04
A Última Chance
Diana Palmer
Juro, que tentei, tentei muito, mas não consegui odiar a Marc Brannon. Acredito que ele disse e fez coisas imperdoáveis, mas como sempre, tento ver todos os ângulos de uma questão ou de uma situação.
Felizmente ou infelizmente consegui compreender os porquês de Marc
Só uma única coisa me atormenta, apesar do sentimento não é exclusivo em relação Brannon, mas é sentimento me incomoda em relação à grande maioria dos homens, é a lealdade entre eles. É totalmente impressionante, como eles se protegem, mesmo quando um deles é acusado de algo grave, o outro já corre defende o amigo, sem saber dos fatos, e normalmente não acreditam na possível culpa.
Por exemplo, Marc não acreditou um segundo se quer, que o seu melhor amigo Bid Webb, tivesse qualquer envolvimento como o caso de assassinato. Por mais que você goste e conheça uma pessoa, esta pode cometer um equivoco sobre pressão, pode cometer loucuras, porque não?
Agora em relação à Josette, tirou conclusões precipitadas sem pestanejar, porque ele não podia lhe conceder a possibilidade da duvida. Não, julgou e condenou sem ter todas as informações. Isso me deixa indignada!
Adorei a Josette que apesar de tudo, seguiu em frente, não ficou chorando pelos cantos. É obvio que ela tentou se proteger, também é normal, depois do que ela passou não querer se envolver ou não ter nenhum tipo de relacionamentos com os homens. O que mais gosto nela, é nunca se fez de coitadinha ou de vítima. Josie simplesmente vestiu a armadura e foi à luta, foi viver.
Recomendadíssimo,
ADORO!!!
A Última Chance
Diana Palmer
Juro, que tentei, tentei muito, mas não consegui odiar a Marc Brannon. Acredito que ele disse e fez coisas imperdoáveis, mas como sempre, tento ver todos os ângulos de uma questão ou de uma situação.
Felizmente ou infelizmente consegui compreender os porquês de Marc
Só uma única coisa me atormenta, apesar do sentimento não é exclusivo em relação Brannon, mas é sentimento me incomoda em relação à grande maioria dos homens, é a lealdade entre eles. É totalmente impressionante, como eles se protegem, mesmo quando um deles é acusado de algo grave, o outro já corre defende o amigo, sem saber dos fatos, e normalmente não acreditam na possível culpa.
Por exemplo, Marc não acreditou um segundo se quer, que o seu melhor amigo Bid Webb, tivesse qualquer envolvimento como o caso de assassinato. Por mais que você goste e conheça uma pessoa, esta pode cometer um equivoco sobre pressão, pode cometer loucuras, porque não?
Agora em relação à Josette, tirou conclusões precipitadas sem pestanejar, porque ele não podia lhe conceder a possibilidade da duvida. Não, julgou e condenou sem ter todas as informações. Isso me deixa indignada!
Adorei a Josette que apesar de tudo, seguiu em frente, não ficou chorando pelos cantos. É obvio que ela tentou se proteger, também é normal, depois do que ela passou não querer se envolver ou não ter nenhum tipo de relacionamentos com os homens. O que mais gosto nela, é nunca se fez de coitadinha ou de vítima. Josie simplesmente vestiu a armadura e foi à luta, foi viver.
Recomendadíssimo,
ADORO!!!
September 23, 2022
I don't know why, but maybe because I'm easy to please? Or I got carried away? But damn, I love Brannon and Josette's story.
Although I don't really like what Brannon did to Josette, I still liked him. He was ashamed and admitted his mistakes. He was really sorry for what he did to Josette, but it didn't change what he felt for her. She's the only woman for him. And he was more than ready to protect, cherish and win her, no matter what she had to say about it!
As for Josette, I loved her strong character. She didn't let the past affect her life. She's a real trooper. Well, except the part where Brannon was concerned. Her heart. He still affected her in a way that no other man could.
As for the mystery/murder case they were trying to solve, well, I'd say that it was not that very hard to t guess who was the real culprit. But it was still interesting to see how they uncovered the truth.
It was an enjoyable read. If you love Diana Palmer's other works, I'm sure you'll love them too.
Although I don't really like what Brannon did to Josette, I still liked him. He was ashamed and admitted his mistakes. He was really sorry for what he did to Josette, but it didn't change what he felt for her. She's the only woman for him. And he was more than ready to protect, cherish and win her, no matter what she had to say about it!
As for Josette, I loved her strong character. She didn't let the past affect her life. She's a real trooper. Well, except the part where Brannon was concerned. Her heart. He still affected her in a way that no other man could.
As for the mystery/murder case they were trying to solve, well, I'd say that it was not that very hard to t guess who was the real culprit. But it was still interesting to see how they uncovered the truth.
It was an enjoyable read. If you love Diana Palmer's other works, I'm sure you'll love them too.
October 12, 2010
I like DP as a general rule.. But after the first two dozen books, the angsty plot gets a tad repetetive... There's always an older(usually 8+yrs) hero, usually in law enforcement or ranching, vs a younger virgin heroine: either he thinks she's experienced or has betrayed him and then the hero acts like an ass, and then spends the last part of the book getting forgiven...
Now I'm not saying I didn't enjoy this book, but I didn't find the formula as well applied as in other Diana Palmer books, such as Lawless or Heartless (which I both adored).. I'm not sure what didn't work out for me in this one, although I did like it... I just felt like it was missing something.. 3*
Now I'm not saying I didn't enjoy this book, but I didn't find the formula as well applied as in other Diana Palmer books, such as Lawless or Heartless (which I both adored).. I'm not sure what didn't work out for me in this one, although I did like it... I just felt like it was missing something.. 3*
March 15, 2012
Audiobook: narrated by Phil Gigante
Mix a frustratingly obvious mystery (not) with a couple of illogical and pathetic main characters, and *ta-da* = an eye-rolling romance. Urgh!! I had so much trouble not giving up on this book. I read it for a challenge and that is the ONLY reason I persisted. No more DP for me.
Narrator: 4 stars. Great characterisation (when I could separate my hands from my hair and distance myself enough to appreciate the narration). Not too keen on his masculine laugh (it reminds me of a puppet laugh or the Count from Sesame Street) - but I think the book really affected my ability to appreciate his vocalisations.
Mix a frustratingly obvious mystery (not) with a couple of illogical and pathetic main characters, and *ta-da* = an eye-rolling romance. Urgh!! I had so much trouble not giving up on this book. I read it for a challenge and that is the ONLY reason I persisted. No more DP for me.
Narrator: 4 stars. Great characterisation (when I could separate my hands from my hair and distance myself enough to appreciate the narration). Not too keen on his masculine laugh (it reminds me of a puppet laugh or the Count from Sesame Street) - but I think the book really affected my ability to appreciate his vocalisations.
June 11, 2012
This is an interesting romantic suspense novel that provides the reader with an exhilarating investigation starring two people in love and hate with one another. The story line is fun though Marc's obstinacy seems inappropriate for a clever detective with his glittering record. Still he is a hunk and Josette is a powerful female lead.
June 23, 2008
THe book was...okay. A lot of the plot was forced and seemed to be premature.
June 9, 2021
Incredibilmente ho iniziato e finito il 2020 leggendo la Palmer e leggendo proprio la serie hutton & Co che ad oggi , a mio parere ,è il lavoro migliore di Dianona.
Forse dei cinque questo è il meno bello, ma era l’ultimo rimasto, visto che Desperado è l’ultimo a chiudere la serie ma è stato purtroppo il primo che ho letto .
Pure essendo il meno bello della serie comunque il libro è piuttosto valido, a comprova del fatto che quando la Palmer aumenta il volume dello scritto la trama si fa più consistente e più credibile.
Il protagonista è Marc Brannon , militare, Texas ranger e agente dell’FBI. Fratello di Gretchen ,la deliziosa protagonista del precedente libro,e lei Josette Langley, segretaria dell’amatissimo Simon Hart Procuratore dello stato del Texas vecchia conoscenza per chi ha letto la serie Long Tall Texas.
Parto a analizzare i punti di questo romanzo: la storia è godibile nel suo intreccio, Meno banale e scontato rispetto ai normali polizieschi della Palmer, anche se comunque rimane molto elementare...( ho capito subito chi era il colpevole e neanche a un terzo del libro).
Capisco perfettamente che il fine ultimo è il raccontare la storia d’amore,ma se ci metti in mezzo un poliziesco/giallo dovresti fare in modo che il lettore non capisca dove vuoi andare a parare almeno fino a tre quarti del libro... altrimenti finirai per far sembrare i due investigatori due perfetti pirla.
Il personaggio di lui , Marc è un militare, un ranger nel DNA e questo l’ho apprezzato, ma il suo comportamento nei confronti di lei è, a mio avviso imperdonabile. È vero che tutti gli uomini della Palmer sono sostanzialmente dei minchioni, ma tutto sommato non fanno oggettivamente danno materiale alle donna di turno... magari sbraitano, urlano di dentro e di fuori però si intuisce il sentimento...questo invece è un caso strano e grave. In una misura che non è dimenticabile. Perché non parliamo solo di umiliazioni fatte in un momento di rabbia, ma di atteggiamenti sistematici molto gravi, che comportano un certo danno morale ,Che onestamente nessuna donna sana di mente perdonerebbe.
E non basta il fatto che Josie gli darà per tutta la durata del libro gran filo da torcere, anche solo il fatto che lei ammetta di essere comunque innamorata di lui, sfiora il masochismo.
In ogni caso la storia tra i due a un certo punto punto si sblocca teneramente, e su questo la Palmer rimane comunque una maestra di emozioni perché te lo fa piacere anche se almeno io, ho continuato a non avere mai lui in simpatia.
Un’altra cosa che non ho gradito è il fatto che cinque libri su cinque abbiamo tutte donne illibate, e innocenti...(forse Maggie in desperado no ,ma certamente non perché si è divertita con il collega di ufficio). Capisco il voler portare avanti un certo tipo di romanzo, ma ogni tanto un’eccezione alla regola spezza la monotonia, specialmente per il lettore affezionato che si è letto tutti i libri della serie. In senso lato questa versione molto maschilistica della vita femminile , alla lunga irrita.
Bello il cameo finale di Gretchen e il marito di lei Philippe Sabon, protagonisti del libro precedente molto molto bello.
Forse dovrei dare due stelle e mezzo ma ne do ⭐️⭐️⭐️perché la Palmer è la Palmer e nel complesso anche se è il meno bello della serie questo libro si inserisce benissimo nel disegno finale di Hutton & co.
September 12, 2023
I was either going to be 1 star or 5 stars. In the end I went for 5 because this book was bonkers, so utterly bonkers that I was just stunned and amazed the whole time I was reading it. Was I entertained? You bet! Was I enraged? Oh and how...
I think DP was on a bet with this one. 'Diana, I bet you can't write a romantic hero who is so awful, so excretable, so unforgivably horrible that no woman alive would ever in a million years forgive him let alone love him'. DP handed over her beer, rolled up her sleeves, and gave us Marc Brannon.
How do I even begin to catalogue this dude's fuck-ups. I guess it starts with him getting her rapist off so he could go fourth and rape and attempt to murder another women. He chased the h romantically when she was still at school. He forced her into sex because, since she's been raped already, she's no longer 'pure' and therefore easy game. When he discovers her super hymen survived the rape he lost his shit, called her a prostitute, said she wasn't woman enough for him, and dumped her cold. Then he dragged her rape through a murder trial, had her branded a liar, and destroyed the her reputation and lost her father his job. Her father lost hope and died young.
Years later he's back in her life due to working a case together - and he decides to act like a complete asshole, calling her names, accusing her of being a liar all over again, and then getting*furious* that she is trying to keep him distant.
She meanwhile shoulders all the blame for being raped (lot of rape apology in this book, it's actually amazing to me that a woman wrote this), forgives the H everything, and when he tries to say sorry she tells him it was all equally her fault and no apologies needed.
I just... wow. Why did I give this five stars? Because it was one of the most insane, entertaining car-crash books I've ever read. The murder mystery was hilarious too, I knew immediately who dunnit and where the Macguffin was hidden and it was a riot to see our dumb as rocks protagonists fumble about missing the obvious.
Ahh what a mad mess. And that is why I read Diana Palmer books.
I think DP was on a bet with this one. 'Diana, I bet you can't write a romantic hero who is so awful, so excretable, so unforgivably horrible that no woman alive would ever in a million years forgive him let alone love him'. DP handed over her beer, rolled up her sleeves, and gave us Marc Brannon.
How do I even begin to catalogue this dude's fuck-ups. I guess it starts with him getting her rapist off so he could go fourth and rape and attempt to murder another women. He chased the h romantically when she was still at school. He forced her into sex because, since she's been raped already, she's no longer 'pure' and therefore easy game. When he discovers her super hymen survived the rape he lost his shit, called her a prostitute, said she wasn't woman enough for him, and dumped her cold. Then he dragged her rape through a murder trial, had her branded a liar, and destroyed the her reputation and lost her father his job. Her father lost hope and died young.
Years later he's back in her life due to working a case together - and he decides to act like a complete asshole, calling her names, accusing her of being a liar all over again, and then getting*furious* that she is trying to keep him distant.
She meanwhile shoulders all the blame for being raped (lot of rape apology in this book, it's actually amazing to me that a woman wrote this), forgives the H everything, and when he tries to say sorry she tells him it was all equally her fault and no apologies needed.
I just... wow. Why did I give this five stars? Because it was one of the most insane, entertaining car-crash books I've ever read. The murder mystery was hilarious too, I knew immediately who dunnit and where the Macguffin was hidden and it was a riot to see our dumb as rocks protagonists fumble about missing the obvious.
Ahh what a mad mess. And that is why I read Diana Palmer books.
July 28, 2024
So by page 100 we find that the “hero” was the police officer at a 15 yr old heroine’s attempted rape. Which he doesn’t believe and gets her attacker off at trial. Then years later they date. She gives into his lust only to have an unbreakable hymen and he calls her a tease and street walker and a bunch of other horrible things, when he can’t complete the deed.
Then a few weeks later she’s witness in a murder case and he damns her even more!!! Her parents both die from the stress of all of this!
And she’s going to continue to love him?!?!?
It gets even better! After she gets shot in the arm with a bullet that hits the artery and she’s bleeding so much it’s all over the ground…the hospital releases her same day after only a local to fix it. Then she goes back to the jerk’s apt, takes a nap, then gets up and cooks him a full course chicken dinner complete with homemade biscuits. With her arm in a sling. After the doctor had said she had to rest for days and couldn’t be left alone.!!!
Did our author hate her publishing company at this point???
Then a few weeks later she’s witness in a murder case and he damns her even more!!! Her parents both die from the stress of all of this!
And she’s going to continue to love him?!?!?
It gets even better! After she gets shot in the arm with a bullet that hits the artery and she’s bleeding so much it’s all over the ground…the hospital releases her same day after only a local to fix it. Then she goes back to the jerk’s apt, takes a nap, then gets up and cooks him a full course chicken dinner complete with homemade biscuits. With her arm in a sling. After the doctor had said she had to rest for days and couldn’t be left alone.!!!
Did our author hate her publishing company at this point???
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2024
A pesar de algunas opiniones que leí por acá le tenía más fe a este libro, sin embargo después de leer el libro de Matt Caldwell no esperaba ver el retroceso en esta historia.
En el libro anterior no se culpa a la victima por su casi abuso sexual, de hecho Matt le dice que ella era joven, que un adulto serio no le haría eso a una joven de 17 años sin embargo en esta historia Josette excusa a Marc diciendo que ella igual tenía la culpa de que casi la violaran por escaparse e ir a una fiesta.
No entiendo como Diana paso de un Matt Caldwell que se disculpo por sus errores, a Josette excusando todo con el único propósito de que Brannon no se sintiera tan mal por SUS propios errores.
Este es uno de los libros que me encantaría tener una personaje principal en los 30. No me creo que Josette en dos años haya obtenido toda la experiencia necesaria para ser tan buena investigadora y Silvia se leía como una mujer mucho mayor y no de 23.
Otra cosa, si Bib Webb era TAAAAN bueno porque tuvo sexo con una chica de 16?
En el libro anterior no se culpa a la victima por su casi abuso sexual, de hecho Matt le dice que ella era joven, que un adulto serio no le haría eso a una joven de 17 años sin embargo en esta historia Josette excusa a Marc diciendo que ella igual tenía la culpa de que casi la violaran por escaparse e ir a una fiesta.
No entiendo como Diana paso de un Matt Caldwell que se disculpo por sus errores, a Josette excusando todo con el único propósito de que Brannon no se sintiera tan mal por SUS propios errores.
Este es uno de los libros que me encantaría tener una personaje principal en los 30. No me creo que Josette en dos años haya obtenido toda la experiencia necesaria para ser tan buena investigadora y Silvia se leía como una mujer mucho mayor y no de 23.
Otra cosa, si Bib Webb era TAAAAN bueno porque tuvo sexo con una chica de 16?
May 28, 2018
This one was better than I remembered. Still formulaic, but with a few twists and turns. Yes, everyone in South Texas knows each other, yes the women are still virgins (kinda) and trying to find true love, blah, blah, blah--but I think that the second chance at love angle is interesting and the heroine's job is cool.
There is a lot of "stuff" that happens and gets referenced in other books, so this one can help move that giant story arc along. The whole "Long, Tall Texans" thing is starting to run out of steam this late in the author's career. Don't get me wrong--I am a huge DP fan and I have read ALL of her stuff--I really do think this one has a bit of originality to it and that's why it gets a 3 and not a 2 star review.
There is a lot of "stuff" that happens and gets referenced in other books, so this one can help move that giant story arc along. The whole "Long, Tall Texans" thing is starting to run out of steam this late in the author's career. Don't get me wrong--I am a huge DP fan and I have read ALL of her stuff--I really do think this one has a bit of originality to it and that's why it gets a 3 and not a 2 star review.
December 7, 2017
Good read
On the outside our heroin hates him, but deep down, she still loves him. He knows he still wants her, but can't get beyond their past. But they have to work to solve a murder......he's a Texas Ranger and she's an investigator for the State Attorney's office. Lots of angst, some humor, some danger and lots of mystery. Highly recommend.
On the outside our heroin hates him, but deep down, she still loves him. He knows he still wants her, but can't get beyond their past. But they have to work to solve a murder......he's a Texas Ranger and she's an investigator for the State Attorney's office. Lots of angst, some humor, some danger and lots of mystery. Highly recommend.
December 29, 2017
The Texas Ranger
Exciting book. Marc and Josie had a lot of old baggage and hadn't seen or talked to each other for a couple of years. However, when someone they both knew was murdered, they were forced to work together. The sparks still flew and their feelings had not really changed so they found their way to each other.
Exciting book. Marc and Josie had a lot of old baggage and hadn't seen or talked to each other for a couple of years. However, when someone they both knew was murdered, they were forced to work together. The sparks still flew and their feelings had not really changed so they found their way to each other.
October 26, 2018
Loved it!
Diana Palmer is the absolute queen of western romance. After a very bad misunderstanding between Josette and Marc Brannon he takes off. Two years later they are assigned to work together. It's fireworks from the first moment they see each other again. Josette has a hard time forgiving Marc and Marc has big time guilt for what he did to her. Great , great story.
Diana Palmer is the absolute queen of western romance. After a very bad misunderstanding between Josette and Marc Brannon he takes off. Two years later they are assigned to work together. It's fireworks from the first moment they see each other again. Josette has a hard time forgiving Marc and Marc has big time guilt for what he did to her. Great , great story.
July 15, 2017
I think most of Diana Palmer's heroes should be less insulting and sensitive! Anyway, Can't stop reading her books though I sometimes wish her men should understand more their women and the heroines should be have a little pride!
December 4, 2019
Marc and Josette
Not a good one I am afraid. The things Marc did to the h are unforgivable and can't understand how DP thought this can be a romance. Not a lot of chemistry between them or depth. To long, to boring, and to ridiculous. Not recommended
Not a good one I am afraid. The things Marc did to the h are unforgivable and can't understand how DP thought this can be a romance. Not a lot of chemistry between them or depth. To long, to boring, and to ridiculous. Not recommended
December 30, 2017
Got bored about half way through it. Didn't care enough to finish.
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