The only thing Penny Shepherd loved more than the Rocking J Ranch she called home, was the cowboy that held her heart in his calloused hands. The only thing she hated worse than being thought of as his stepsister, was being the overweight girl that couldn't possibly catch his eye.
Ryan Jacobs felt not one ounce of brotherly love toward Penny Shepherd. And it was getting harder to pretend that he did. What he did feel was something so raw and powerful that it ate away at his gut a little more each day.
With Christmas fast approaching, will these two hearts find a bit of holiday magic?
EXCERPT:
Ryan left the house as fast as his cowboy shod feet allowed. He had to get away before he did something crazy like kiss Penny until they both ran out of breath. He wouldn’t even need the damn mistletoe hanging in the doorway to pretend.
He was tired of pretending.
He wanted to drag her beneath the Christmas tree and see just how naughty he could be. Ryan didn’t know what he’d been about to say and was torn between being angry at his stepmother for interrupting them and grateful that she had. The touch of Penny’s hand on his face had gone straight to his groin.
Two of the cowboys gave him a wide berth as he entered the barn. He knew why. He’d been like a bear with a sore paw for the last few months. Ever since Penny had gone on a date with the rancher next door. At last count they’d went out over six times. Which was six times too many.
The thought of Penny with another man made him crazy. The thought of another man tasting her lips or touching her in all the intimate places he longed to, made him murderous.
He still smelled her delicious fragrance. It was drowning him, tantalizing him, seducing him. Lord, help him, that’s what he wanted to do to her. Seduce her. Make her lose all those inhibitions and hang-ups he knew she had about her size.
Joann and Patricia are a writing team of two best friends who love to write (and read) stories about alpha males and smart, sassy, sometimes curvy, women.
Christmas with the Millionaire Cowboy by Joann Baker and Patricia Mason a shorter holiday story that is packed with wonderfully written characters, personal conflict, romance, steam, and good writing. Penny and Ryan have known is each for years as they explore the path back to one another. The story was engaging and I really liked the writing style of these authors for this small-town, holiday western romance.
Hero, heroine, story line.sexy scenes, all are just right. So right this is the second time I have read this book.If you enjoy a sweet seductive romance you should read it too.
This story had so much potential but it fell flat for me. There were so many grammatical errors, it was hard to focus on the story. I would've loved this to be a bit longer with more details in the plot and the spice.
I loved this short, but oh so sweet story. Penny has always struggled with her curves, and it sure didn't help matters that her mother seemed to constantly put her down about it also. Ryan has loved Penny almost since the day her and her mother became part of his family, but she was too young for him then, and he truly didn't know how to deal with his family and what their reaction to his feelings would be. When jealousy rears its ugly head, Ryan flips his lid. Will they make it through this holiday season as a family? Will Penny finally cut the ties and try to get on with her life? Will Ryan finally step up and take the bull by the horns and act on his feelings? So much excitement packed into such a short story, but so worth the read. Yes, it would have been nice if the book would have been a bit longer, but I think this only leaves the door open for re-visitation in the future. Loved it!
I kept seeing this story when I was searching for free reads like I do on a regular basis. Finally, I decided after about the hundredth time to break down & buy it. Up front it does have grammar issues but the storyline & characters are worth it. Yes, it is a short story but it packs a punch & the issues of Penny's weight, Ryan loving his step-sister & Penny secretly loving him right back. Gives a lot a food for thought on how they, Ryan & Penny, will handle it all. I recommend this book.
Cute short story. I would have liked for it to be longer to drag out some of the angst, and the first kiss scene was kind of random (there are so many fun ways that could have happened between them, but it seemed out of the blue). But overall I liked it.