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Wide Open Spaces #1
Beyond All Reason
With two young sons to look out for and her vengeful ex on their trail, Kate Quinn thought the Circle S looked like the perfect place to hide out. They could build a new life, a safe life. And if love never came her way, so what?
But she hadn't counted on Tanner McCall, the intimidating half-breed who ran the ranch with an iron fist--and a closed heart. Something about Tanner got to her, making her dream of love under the stars and becoming a family at last.
But she hadn't counted on Tanner McCall, the intimidating half-breed who ran the ranch with an iron fist--and a closed heart. Something about Tanner got to her, making her dream of love under the stars and becoming a family at last.
248 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1993
1 person is currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Judith Duncan
35 books16 followersWikipedia entry:
Judith Duncan is a popular author of romance novels published primarily by Harlequin Enterprises between 1983 and 2002. During the period when Duncan was actively publishing, she lived and worked in Alberta, Canada. She based many of her books in this region. She has been heavily involved in local writers groups in a variety of roles. In particular, she has been active in the organisation and running courses designed to develop writing and publishing skills
Judith Duncan is a popular author of romance novels published primarily by Harlequin Enterprises between 1983 and 2002. During the period when Duncan was actively publishing, she lived and worked in Alberta, Canada. She based many of her books in this region. She has been heavily involved in local writers groups in a variety of roles. In particular, she has been active in the organisation and running courses designed to develop writing and publishing skills
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 8, 2011
Beyond All Reason takes time to take off but when it does it is great. It is a poignant tale of a man so tortured and humiliated in life that I can't say. The hero Tanner McCall comes across as rude and scary at first and it takes time to know him and like him and we only see him through the eyes of others but you understand why. His past was terrible, he's half Indian and because of his roots he is called trash even when he's highly successful. He was born to the wealthiest man in town but once his mother died at the age of 6 his life became a horror show, his father and his new wife abandoned him in foster care to religious zealots who tortured him, he was treated abominably in school and humiliated by his father's wife cronies, once this fact came to light years later, his father's foreman and his wife took him in and once she died, one event shattered his life. Since, then Tanner protects himself, he's aloof.
Tanner McCall puts in an ad for someone to help with his business partner on the ranch who has been paralyzed by a stroke and this ad is answered by Kate, who is hiding from her ex who is threatening to take away her two kids. Kate is looking for a safe place to be and she finds it. She is attracted to Tanner even though Tanner stays away from her and even warns her that speculation would start since she was staying in his house but Kate can't help fall for him, she sees the desolation and pain in Tanner's life and wants to make it better but can't. When she finds out a part of what he went through her heart goes out to him even more. The way they progress into a relationship is done slowly and gradually, the realities of a ranch life are also shown. Their journey is not easy.
Kate tells Tanner the truth about her marriage and even though there is intimacy between them Kate is un-sure since Tanner is not the most talkative and the work of the ranch doesn't allow them that much of time together and Kate also has her kids to think about. The moment when Tanner remembers about his mother and then later tells Kate that he doesn't know what to do with kids is so well done. I liked how accepting Kate was about Tanner, yes initially I didn't see how fast she could be attracted to him but she saw the goodness in him beneath the gruff exterior. When Kate realizes that she is guilty of short-changing Tanner and decides to do something about it was when I felt like saying you GO GIRL. Tanner was so hesitant to believe that Kate would be back and that she could love him.
This is a very well written old book. I give it 4 stars despite the time it took me to get into it.
Tanner McCall puts in an ad for someone to help with his business partner on the ranch who has been paralyzed by a stroke and this ad is answered by Kate, who is hiding from her ex who is threatening to take away her two kids. Kate is looking for a safe place to be and she finds it. She is attracted to Tanner even though Tanner stays away from her and even warns her that speculation would start since she was staying in his house but Kate can't help fall for him, she sees the desolation and pain in Tanner's life and wants to make it better but can't. When she finds out a part of what he went through her heart goes out to him even more. The way they progress into a relationship is done slowly and gradually, the realities of a ranch life are also shown. Their journey is not easy.
Kate tells Tanner the truth about her marriage and even though there is intimacy between them Kate is un-sure since Tanner is not the most talkative and the work of the ranch doesn't allow them that much of time together and Kate also has her kids to think about. The moment when Tanner remembers about his mother and then later tells Kate that he doesn't know what to do with kids is so well done. I liked how accepting Kate was about Tanner, yes initially I didn't see how fast she could be attracted to him but she saw the goodness in him beneath the gruff exterior. When Kate realizes that she is guilty of short-changing Tanner and decides to do something about it was when I felt like saying you GO GIRL. Tanner was so hesitant to believe that Kate would be back and that she could love him.
This is a very well written old book. I give it 4 stars despite the time it took me to get into it.
February 11, 2016
Once in awhile a book comes along that stays with you.Back when my kids were just infants/toddlers i ordered Harlequinn/silhoutte books thru the mail because they are all i had time for to read.
The blurb on the back of the book does not do this book justice at all. It's so much better than it is described.
Tortured hero is full of emotional and physical scars, the herione is carrying scars of her own from an abusive ex husband whom she is on the run from with her 2 small boys.She answers an ad to become a nurse's aide on a remote ranch thinking this is just the place she needs to hide out. She doesn't expect to slowy fall in love with the brooding man(Tanner) that picks her up that first stormy night from the local truckstop.He's the co-owner of the ranch she will be staying at, the 'patient' she is hired to care for is an older man who has taken Tanner under his wing and been a father figure to him for years.
Tanner has so many scars, he doesn't think he's worthy of anyone's love. I love the spark between them that starts out so slowly and ends up becoming so passionate. LOVED this book!!! It gets an "A" from me. That is saying alot since i have read hundreds of harlequin/silhoutte's over the years, nothing has ever stood out like this one, i didn't want it to end!
The blurb on the back of the book does not do this book justice at all. It's so much better than it is described.
Tortured hero is full of emotional and physical scars, the herione is carrying scars of her own from an abusive ex husband whom she is on the run from with her 2 small boys.She answers an ad to become a nurse's aide on a remote ranch thinking this is just the place she needs to hide out. She doesn't expect to slowy fall in love with the brooding man(Tanner) that picks her up that first stormy night from the local truckstop.He's the co-owner of the ranch she will be staying at, the 'patient' she is hired to care for is an older man who has taken Tanner under his wing and been a father figure to him for years.
Tanner has so many scars, he doesn't think he's worthy of anyone's love. I love the spark between them that starts out so slowly and ends up becoming so passionate. LOVED this book!!! It gets an "A" from me. That is saying alot since i have read hundreds of harlequin/silhoutte's over the years, nothing has ever stood out like this one, i didn't want it to end!
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February 26, 2018Read one fourth of the book. Can't go on any further Nothing is happening other than head talking. h is not a likable character. She is a woman can't even stand up without a man`s help. She is on run from an abusive husband and she is already making eyes to the next man.
September 27, 2022
Couldn't stand either lead. She was pathetic. I don't understand how such a wimp was able to pack up her two kids and leave her husband in the first place. And him. You can't string more than four words together for a woman you supposedly love?
October 20, 2009
It was ok. No man's POV -- and without it he was more scary than likeable -- and the heroine just spent the entire book crying. SO MUCH CRYING
April 4, 2015
If you like the brooding, silent wounded hero with a tortured past, you will like this book. Even if sometimes it's a bit overdramatic, the writting is very good. I really enjoyed it.
May 6, 2016
The heroine cried and angsted too much, for no reason. I couldn't see her attraction to the hero aside from the physical. And all the supporting characters were stereotypical and annoying.
October 12, 2022
This book was a good start to the series, I just needed a little more. A little more time between the MCs, a little more romance and alot more effort from Tanner.
January 17, 2009
one of the most hearbreaking books i have ever read, do not be put off because this is a mills and boon romance, this is storytelling at it's best
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews