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Montana Mavericks: Back in the Saddle #6
The Maverick's Christmas Homecoming
Thunder Canyon Nugget
Guess Who's Coming for Christmas Dinner?
The fine citizens of Thunder Canyon have always gone out of their way to make the holidays special. But Christmas this year promises to be one no one will ever forget. You know that handsome celebrity chef everyone's been talking about, Shane Roarke? Don't tell anyone, but it turns out he has a remarkable--and shocking!--connection to our town. And not everyone is going to be happy about it....
Gianna Garrison has been looking downright radiant, however. Is it true that the Gallatin Room waitress has been sneaking under the mistletoe with the mysterious maverick? Hang on to your spurs, merry readers, because the surprises are just beginning. Wait till Gianna finds out who her sexy boss really is!
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
32 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Teresa Southwick
445 books49 followersA four time National Readers Choice award finalist, Teresa Southwick is the author of more than 65 romance novels. She's also been a finalist for Romance Writers of America's prestigious Rita Award and a winner of Romantic Times Book Reviews Magazine's Reviewer's Choice award for best Silhouette Romance.
Teresa grew up in Southern California, one of six children--four of them boys. That gave her a lot of experience with the male point of view and has served her well in her writing career. Living in Las Vegas which she considers just a little east of her childhood stomping grounds, she loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at www.teresasouthwick.com.
Teresa grew up in Southern California, one of six children--four of them boys. That gave her a lot of experience with the male point of view and has served her well in her writing career. Living in Las Vegas which she considers just a little east of her childhood stomping grounds, she loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at www.teresasouthwick.com.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 8, 2015
This is pretty bland.
First I was angry because it seems like the hero, Shane, is a real jerk.
He's rich. Choosing to make your hero rich means you're just going to have to work that much harder for me to like them. I'm not attracted to rich men.
Then, we have his "I'm a celebrity chef" personality. As you well know, that translates to "jerk."
AND the author at one point refers to him as a "gentleman bastard." Which is one of the worst ways you can describe a man to me. It sets my teeth on edge and makes me snarl.
Shane was a jerk right up to the part when he and Gianna decide to go to bed together.
Then they have not-very-described sex.
The whole book focuses on the fact that Shane was adopted and is trying to find his birth parents. Tons of telenovela-type drama ensues. I found it very boring. And I love telenovelas. This is not up to my standards for soap-drama. That's how bad it was.
How's the sex, Carmen?
Worthless.
...
Tl;dr - Mild jerk but nothing too asshole-ish, much to my relief. Boring book with lots of tedious melodrama. Not even exciting melodrama, just boring. This isn't going to get your heart pumping with either the romance/sex or the adopted-man-finds-his-biological-parents angle.
ONE REAL STAR, ONE ROMANCE STAR
P.S. Oh, yeah, the fat-shaming. This book was making me foam at the mouth.
"I hated leaving you shorthanded. You must have run your legs off."
Gianna looked down. "Nope. Still there. Cellulite, the extra two and a half pounds on each thigh and all."
ARGH!!!!! If I ever hear anyone talking this way about themselves, I instantly shut them down. SHUT IT DOWN. Don't talk about yourself like that. Isn't life hard enough without hating yourself for some incredibly stupid reason like you think your thighs are too big? If I were her friend in this conversation, we would have a big talk about loving yourself and how you are perfect and how you are beautiful and how I love you just the way you are, amiga mía. Either it would a.) sink in that you are beautiful or b.) be so embarrassing for you that you never dis yourself in front of me again. I don't talk about myself like this, I sure as hell don't allow my friends to talk about themselves like this. What the fuck, book?
And this isn't the only offense. Gianna can't seem to stop talking about how many calories are in food. She also (ON A DATE!) calls herself a pig for eating "too much." Of the gourmet food her chef boyfriend cooked her. Don't ever dis yourself, but if you absolutely have to dis yourself because you hate yourself on some level, NEVER do it in front of a man who's trying to get you into bed. It's very not-sexy. And it sends the man the message that it's okay to disrespect you, because you don't even value yourself. DON'T DO IT. You're beautiful!
And that's my lecture.
First I was angry because it seems like the hero, Shane, is a real jerk.
He's rich. Choosing to make your hero rich means you're just going to have to work that much harder for me to like them. I'm not attracted to rich men.
Then, we have his "I'm a celebrity chef" personality. As you well know, that translates to "jerk."
AND the author at one point refers to him as a "gentleman bastard." Which is one of the worst ways you can describe a man to me. It sets my teeth on edge and makes me snarl.
Shane was a jerk right up to the part when he and Gianna decide to go to bed together.
Then they have not-very-described sex.
The whole book focuses on the fact that Shane was adopted and is trying to find his birth parents. Tons of telenovela-type drama ensues. I found it very boring. And I love telenovelas. This is not up to my standards for soap-drama. That's how bad it was.
How's the sex, Carmen?
Worthless.
...
Tl;dr - Mild jerk but nothing too asshole-ish, much to my relief. Boring book with lots of tedious melodrama. Not even exciting melodrama, just boring. This isn't going to get your heart pumping with either the romance/sex or the adopted-man-finds-his-biological-parents angle.
ONE REAL STAR, ONE ROMANCE STAR
P.S. Oh, yeah, the fat-shaming. This book was making me foam at the mouth.
"I hated leaving you shorthanded. You must have run your legs off."
Gianna looked down. "Nope. Still there. Cellulite, the extra two and a half pounds on each thigh and all."
ARGH!!!!! If I ever hear anyone talking this way about themselves, I instantly shut them down. SHUT IT DOWN. Don't talk about yourself like that. Isn't life hard enough without hating yourself for some incredibly stupid reason like you think your thighs are too big? If I were her friend in this conversation, we would have a big talk about loving yourself and how you are perfect and how you are beautiful and how I love you just the way you are, amiga mía. Either it would a.) sink in that you are beautiful or b.) be so embarrassing for you that you never dis yourself in front of me again. I don't talk about myself like this, I sure as hell don't allow my friends to talk about themselves like this. What the fuck, book?
And this isn't the only offense. Gianna can't seem to stop talking about how many calories are in food. She also (ON A DATE!) calls herself a pig for eating "too much." Of the gourmet food her chef boyfriend cooked her. Don't ever dis yourself, but if you absolutely have to dis yourself because you hate yourself on some level, NEVER do it in front of a man who's trying to get you into bed. It's very not-sexy. And it sends the man the message that it's okay to disrespect you, because you don't even value yourself. DON'T DO IT. You're beautiful!
And that's my lecture.
September 28, 2013
Very good book. Gianna's had a crush on Shane ever since he arrived in Thunder Canyon. She doesn't expect anything to come of it since she's just a waitress. But after sharing a meal in the restaurant kitchen one night things are heating up between them. As they get closer Shane tells Gianna what brought him to Thunder Canyon. Shane is looking for answers but those answers are going to shock him to his bones. He's not sure if they will bring Gianna closer or drive her away.
I really liked both Gianna and Shane. Gianna had come home to Thunder Canyon feeling pretty low. The business she started in New York went bust, none of her romantic relationships worked out, and she was homesick. She has come to enjoy her job at the Gallatin Room and the scenery isn't so bad either. Besides his looks, Gianna is impressed with his abilities as a chef and his down to earth attitude. When they share a late night meal there are definite sparks between them, and Shane follows up with an invitation to dinner at his place the next night. It goes very well and Gianna feels the attraction between them intensify before Shane suddenly pulls back and pretty much ignores her for several days. Gianna is hurt and first and then gets angry and confronts him. When he apologizes and explains what happened and why she is surprised. I loved her support for Shane and how she makes sure she is there for him through all the steps of his search. She's the one who encourages him to talk to his potential half-brother and is there for him when it doesn't go well. The more time they are together the stronger her feelings for Shane grow. She is fighting a bit of an inferiority complex comparing her own problems to Shane's success so she sometimes wonders where they are headed. I loved her poise when his family suddenly showed up at an awkward time and how well she got along with them.
Shane came to Thunder Canyon looking for his birth parents. He has felt a deep connection to Thunder Canyon ever since he arrived. Finding out that his father is the most hated man in town and is in prison is devastating for him. He has heard the rumors regarding him and a woman who could be his mother but that news would bring pain to the woman's family. He is attracted to Gianna and nearly kisses her the night he cooked for her but is worried bout what her reaction would be to the identity of his father. So he pulls away, but can't get her out of his mind. When she calls him on it he apologizes and they start over. Telling her his secret is hard and he's surprised when she doesn't pull away. Shane is determined to find out who his mother is and appreciates Gianna's unwavering support. When they figure it out Shane is really hesitant to talk to his siblings because he knows it's going to rock their world. I loved the way he faced up to it anyway and didn't back down, but his unhappiness over the result was obvious. It made him think that perhaps he wouldn't be staying in Thunder Canyon after all but he didn't want to leave her. I loved his invitation for her to visit his parents with him on Christmas Day and her counteroffer for him to come to her family on Christmas Eve. I loved seeing him fit in so well with her family, especially with the children. I loved the meeting with his new brothers on Christmas evening and the difference it made to Shane's whole outlook on his life.
I really liked both Gianna and Shane. Gianna had come home to Thunder Canyon feeling pretty low. The business she started in New York went bust, none of her romantic relationships worked out, and she was homesick. She has come to enjoy her job at the Gallatin Room and the scenery isn't so bad either. Besides his looks, Gianna is impressed with his abilities as a chef and his down to earth attitude. When they share a late night meal there are definite sparks between them, and Shane follows up with an invitation to dinner at his place the next night. It goes very well and Gianna feels the attraction between them intensify before Shane suddenly pulls back and pretty much ignores her for several days. Gianna is hurt and first and then gets angry and confronts him. When he apologizes and explains what happened and why she is surprised. I loved her support for Shane and how she makes sure she is there for him through all the steps of his search. She's the one who encourages him to talk to his potential half-brother and is there for him when it doesn't go well. The more time they are together the stronger her feelings for Shane grow. She is fighting a bit of an inferiority complex comparing her own problems to Shane's success so she sometimes wonders where they are headed. I loved her poise when his family suddenly showed up at an awkward time and how well she got along with them.
Shane came to Thunder Canyon looking for his birth parents. He has felt a deep connection to Thunder Canyon ever since he arrived. Finding out that his father is the most hated man in town and is in prison is devastating for him. He has heard the rumors regarding him and a woman who could be his mother but that news would bring pain to the woman's family. He is attracted to Gianna and nearly kisses her the night he cooked for her but is worried bout what her reaction would be to the identity of his father. So he pulls away, but can't get her out of his mind. When she calls him on it he apologizes and they start over. Telling her his secret is hard and he's surprised when she doesn't pull away. Shane is determined to find out who his mother is and appreciates Gianna's unwavering support. When they figure it out Shane is really hesitant to talk to his siblings because he knows it's going to rock their world. I loved the way he faced up to it anyway and didn't back down, but his unhappiness over the result was obvious. It made him think that perhaps he wouldn't be staying in Thunder Canyon after all but he didn't want to leave her. I loved his invitation for her to visit his parents with him on Christmas Day and her counteroffer for him to come to her family on Christmas Eve. I loved seeing him fit in so well with her family, especially with the children. I loved the meeting with his new brothers on Christmas evening and the difference it made to Shane's whole outlook on his life.
November 15, 2019
3 Roark and Clara stars!
December 4, 2023
Mmm, fue un flop. Está mejor la película.
Cero ambientación navideña, pasa muy de segundo plano, no hay descripciones, solo se hace mención de que es diciembre. Es más la historia puede transcurrir en cualquier momento.
El romance es el principal enfoque, aunque esta entretenido, hay cosas muy cuestionables que pueden deberse al tiempo en que fue escrito. Gianna que desea un posible acoso por parte de su jefe, lo dice en una conversación con su amiga/compañera de trabajo. El tipo es un clasista ya que sostiene una diferencia en la posición de chef en un pueblito con new York.
Cero ambientación navideña, pasa muy de segundo plano, no hay descripciones, solo se hace mención de que es diciembre. Es más la historia puede transcurrir en cualquier momento.
El romance es el principal enfoque, aunque esta entretenido, hay cosas muy cuestionables que pueden deberse al tiempo en que fue escrito. Gianna que desea un posible acoso por parte de su jefe, lo dice en una conversación con su amiga/compañera de trabajo. El tipo es un clasista ya que sostiene una diferencia en la posición de chef en un pueblito con new York.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2025
Part of: Montana Mavericks: Back in the Saddle, Book 6 of 6. Welcome back to Thunder Canyon, Montana, where the people in this town go all out to make the holidays special. But Christmas this year promises to be one no one will ever forget. Shane Roarke, a handsome celebrity chef, has a connection to the town. Waitress Gianna Garrison is surprised to find out who her boss is.
This was made into a Hallmark movie called "Christmas with a View." I will look online to see if the movie matches the premise of the book.
This was made into a Hallmark movie called "Christmas with a View." I will look online to see if the movie matches the premise of the book.
June 10, 2023
En definitiva mi historia favorita de las seis, empezando por que la historia fue desarrollándose desde el primer libro y fuimos conociendo a Shane a través de todos los otros personas o de las personas importantes del pueblo. Lo segundo que me gustó fue que como en varios de la saga saga la historia de amor poco a poco pero ser muy lenta y no la sentí como forzada.
Y por último me gustó de saber la historia de porque todo el mundo le parecía tan intrigante Shane.
Y por último me gustó de saber la historia de porque todo el mundo le parecía tan intrigante Shane.
September 10, 2019
Protagonistas: Shane & Gianna
Profesiones: Chef & Camarera
Pais: USA
Profesiones: Chef & Camarera
Pais: USA
January 28, 2022
I remember Harlequin novels being a "safe" read. I wasn't prepared for the sex scenes. I just wanted a simple little story, not some "in your face" steam.
January 11, 2013
I'm going to make this review short and sweet.
I gave this book, the final installment in the Montana Maverick's Back in the Saddle continuity a three-star rating because while the romance was good, the revelation was ho-hum. If you read the previous books, there's plenty of tidbits. I'm sure Harlequin didn't intend for the the revelation to be so earth-shattering, but in my opinion, it takes a bit of the entertainment value out of it.
I liked the romance. I enjoyed the series. I've been following the Montana Maverick's Thunder Canyon series for a long time. I've enjoyed a good majority of the books. However, I must be a party pooper and say that endings to series haven't been that great. This book had a decent ending, but I kind of frowned near the end when the super chef hero went to visit Arthur in jail. I think I'm too jaded to really feel the mushy feelings that I know Harlequins and especially Christmas romances should bring, but while I love neat and tidy endings where everyone is feeling good, sometimes I think endings can be too neat and tidy. Or rushed, whichever the case may be.
That's all I have to say for this book. Overall it was a good, entertaining read. I would recommend the series. While you don't need to read the other books in the series, it'll give you a better idea of the characters involved.
I gave this book, the final installment in the Montana Maverick's Back in the Saddle continuity a three-star rating because while the romance was good, the revelation was ho-hum. If you read the previous books, there's plenty of tidbits. I'm sure Harlequin didn't intend for the the revelation to be so earth-shattering, but in my opinion, it takes a bit of the entertainment value out of it.
I liked the romance. I enjoyed the series. I've been following the Montana Maverick's Thunder Canyon series for a long time. I've enjoyed a good majority of the books. However, I must be a party pooper and say that endings to series haven't been that great. This book had a decent ending, but I kind of frowned near the end when the super chef hero went to visit Arthur in jail. I think I'm too jaded to really feel the mushy feelings that I know Harlequins and especially Christmas romances should bring, but while I love neat and tidy endings where everyone is feeling good, sometimes I think endings can be too neat and tidy. Or rushed, whichever the case may be.
That's all I have to say for this book. Overall it was a good, entertaining read. I would recommend the series. While you don't need to read the other books in the series, it'll give you a better idea of the characters involved.
December 10, 2020
First of all, let me say that this book is not one I would normally read. I do not enjoy love stories which colored my feelings about this book. However, the author does an interesting job of fleshing out the characters. The celebrity chief is a nice touch. The book is a quick read.
December 2, 2012
I enjoyed this and really liked the hero being a celebrity chef. It felt natural to put him in Thunder Canyon.
Read
August 15, 2016Nice easy read
Read
December 27, 2014Miniseries: Montana Mavericks: Back in the Saddle
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews