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USA TODAY bestselling author Christyne Butler visits Rust Creek Falls, the setting for the popular Montana Rust Creek Cowboys continuity, in a sexy and emotional romance that is sure to capture readers' hearts!

Rust Creek Ramblings

The Great Montana Flood has brought all sorts of interesting menfolk to Rust Creek Falls. At the Ace in the Hole, they're all talking about hunky out-of-towner Dean Pritchett. They say the green-eyed carpenter from Thunder Canyon is in town to help rebuild the elementary school. But we've got the inside scoop!

Rumor has it that Dean has a special interest in our Shelby Jenkins. Yes, that Shelby Jenkins—the single mom who found herself in a "family way" back in high school. She's been fending off the town gossip forever, but Dean actually got into a fistfight trying to defend her honor! Sweet Shelby fears his love won't last. Just what are your intentions, Mr. Maverick?

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 23, 2013

41 people are currently reading
501 people want to read

About the author

Christyne Butler

111 books48 followers
Thanks to an aunt’s love of genealogy, Christyne discovered both Louisa May Alcott and Harriet Beecher Stowe are members in her extended family tree on her mother’s side, so she firmly believes her love of writing has always been her destiny.

Her father served in the Air Force for twenty years which resulted in her birth in Taipei, Taiwan and she spent her youth growing up all over the world before her family settled in New Hampshire in time for her to attend high school. She followed in her family’s rich military history and joined the United States Navy where she fell in love with romance novels after someone remembered women were serving aboard seagoing vessels and sent a box full of paperback romances to her ship, the USS VULCAN AR-5.

She started pursuing her own writing in 2002, sold her first ever ‘finished’ manuscript in 2006 and made her first sale to Harlequin Special Edition two years later! She writes contemporary romances full of life, love, a hint of laughter and perhaps a dash of danger too. Christyne loves the challenge of the boy-meets-girl, boy-loses-girl, boy-gets-girl-back and the journey of joy and hardship two people go through. And there has to be a ‘happily ever after’ or she’s just not satisfied.

When she’s not writing, she can be found hunting for treasures at yard sales and antique fairs to add to her collection of memorabilia of women who served in the military, watching classic romantic movies and the great movie musicals of the 40′s and 50′s, and reading books by her favorite authors.

She lives in central Massachusetts with her family, a four-footed double-pawed black cat who rules the house and a shelter-saved pup named Harley (short for Harlequin) who really thinks he’s a cat too!

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Susan.
4,808 reviews126 followers
July 24, 2013
Very good book. Shelby is a single mother who got pregnant in high school and then trash talked by the father of the baby. She has worked very hard to give her daughter a good life. She has earned her college degree as a teacher and would like nothing more than to leave the gossipy town behind. She meets Dean while working her job as a bartender. Because of her past she is very wary around men. As much as she is drawn to him she has no plans to get involved with another man. I really loved her independence and how she took charge of her life. She has also learned to deal with the haters. She fully expects Dean to leave her alone after he hears the gossip about her and is surprised when he doesn't. I loved the slow building of their relationship and how Shelby finally accepts that she is worth loving. I also liked seeing her finally stand up for herself to one of the worst of the gossips.

Dean and his brother have come to Rust Creek Falls to help out with the rebuilding. Dean is a very quiet kind of guy. He had health problems as a kid and spent a lot of time alone becoming something of a bookworm. Many times he'd rather stay home and read instead of going out. One one of those rare nights out he sees Shelby as she's working at the bar. He is immediately smitten. Dean is usually pretty cautious after having been hurt by a woman pretending that her baby was his. There's something about Shelby and little Caitlyn that fills the void in him. I love the way that Dean doesn't let the gossip influence him he just gets to know Shelby as she is.. He doesn't really push Shelby he is just there for her all the time. It doesn't take long for him to want them in his life forever and he starts to look at a permanent move to Rust Creek Falls. I really loved his thoughtfulness, not just with Shelby, but with so many others also.

For all that the town is gossipy and into everyone else's business, they are also there to help out when it is needed. I love all the flood help going on and also how everyone steps up when Caitlyn is missing.
Profile Image for Melissa.
304 reviews25 followers
April 24, 2024
DEAN QUE PEDAZO DE HOMBRE ERES 😭🫵🏼 amé, amé, amé este libro, que bonita historia y dios Dean que vaqueroooon😩🫦🫦🫦🫦
Profile Image for Hsiau Wei.
1,832 reviews7 followers
October 10, 2013
This book tells the story of Dean who meet Shelby at the bar. He was there with his brother, Nick. Dean is in town volunteering of help the townpeople to rebuild the town of Rust Creek Falls which was flooded earlier. From the beginning, he was captivated with her personality and look. But Shelby have a past. She is a single mother with a five year daughter. She got pregnant at the age of 16 and her boyfriend, a well known footballer have signed off his paternal rights to her. She struggle to take care of her daughter and is looking for a job as a teacher in town. But her past have kept on haunting her. She was being ridiculed by her own people. Dean, who eventually gets to know the story, is determined to stay beside her and taking care of her. Shelby was hurt before hence, she tried not to place much hope in Dean what more when her past hanging between them.

I like Shelby for her independence and her commitment towards her daughter. She has learnt her lesson before and is determining not to let it happen again. I like the community where the story was setup where everyone is looking out for each other and helping without hesitation when one needed help. This is a solid read for me and I enjoyed reading it every much.
Profile Image for Dorel.
4,344 reviews38 followers
September 2, 2018
This is the 2nd book I read by Christyne Butler. I'm sorry I stopped reading this story at chapter 2 because it didn't grab my interest.
Profile Image for Laura Jean.
45 reviews1 follower
January 23, 2020
I was so excited about this book. However the ending was a perfect way to end. I just wish there was another book to see how they lived their lives. Sad it ended. But it was an easy read
2,323 reviews38 followers
May 20, 2013

4 stars

Montana Mavericks: Rust Creek Cowboys continuity series.

Rust Creek Falls in the previous month had flooded and the town is now starting to build back. Their are a lot of rebuilding projects that need to be done. Lots of people are trying to help each other where they can.
Dean and Nick Pritchett are from Thunder Canyon to help rebuild. They are carpenters and work for their father building furniture usually.
Nick gets Dean to go with him too the bar. Dean would rather stay in and read. Dean sees Shelby Jenkins and comes back the next night right before they close. He helps were when a drunk gets out of hand. Dean really likes her when her car won't start he offers to take her home if it is too far to walk her home.

Nick is careful around women after his ex-fiancé broke it off and told him her baby was not his. He gets Shelby to go on a picnic with him up by they get along find but Shelby does not tell him a lot about herself.

Nick sees a need at the daycare center. Their backyard fence and playground got destroyed in the flood. The community got the fence up but playground is too expensive right now to get. The daycare is not charging anyone for the summer to help out the community.
Nick decides that he would pay the rest of the playground and gets his brother to help build it with him. He meets a cute little 5 year old Caitlin and she wants a place outside to read. Nick sees a way that he could do that with a couple of hours. Caitlin helps Nick by handing the screws, bolts and nuts to him. Nick is surprise when her mom comes to pick her up.

Shelby is a bartender. She got pregnant when she was 16. The father got his friends to destroy her and said she slept around with lots of guys. Some people still think she is loose and look down at her still. She is careful and does not date. Her mom helps share the daycare of Caitlin when they both work at same time she goes to the daycare.

It has a great community that turns out to help each other when they can whether it is bringing food, searching for lost ones, rescuing people and animals from the flood. I want to keep going back to Rust Creek falls. I want to see who the new mayor will be.

There is one love scene that I skipped over, lots of drama, romance and cute Caitlin who is a charmer.
I was given this ebook to read and asked in return to give honest review of it by Netgalley.
publication: July 23rd 2013 by Harlequin Special Edition 224 pages ISBN:0373657579


Description below take off of Netgalley.



USA TODAY bestselling author Christyne Butler visits Rust Creek Falls, the setting for the popular Montana Mavericks: Rust Creek Cowboys continuity, in a sexy and emotional romance that is sure to capture readers' hearts!
Rust Creek Ramblings

The Great Montana Flood has brought all sorts of interesting menfolk to Rust Creek Falls. At the Ace in the Hole, they're all talking about hunky out-of-towner Dean Pritchett. They say the green-eyed carpenter from Thunder Canyon is in town to help rebuild the elementary school. But we've got the inside scoop!

Rumor has it that Dean has a special interest in our Shelby Jenkins. Yes, that Shelby Jenkins-the single mom who found herself in a "family way" back in high school. She's been fending off the town gossip forever, but Dean actually got into a fistfight trying to defend her honor! Sweet Shelby fears his love won't last. Just what are your intentions, Mr. Maverick?
Profile Image for Katie Kaste.
2,116 reviews
July 16, 2020
Lovely

This is the story of Dean and Shelby meet when he is in town helping repair the damage from the flood. Shelby has a past in town they never let her forget. Dean wants to make this new town his own. Will the work it out? I am very much enjoying this sweet series.
Profile Image for Melody Cox.
1,502 reviews180 followers
November 14, 2015
A lot of this story takes place at the infamous bar, The Ace in the Hole, in Rust Creek Falls. I enjoyed this story but had a problem or two with it that I'll cover later.

The hero of this book is Dean Pritchett. The word is the hunky, green-eyed carpenter, Dean Pritchett from Thunder Canyon, is in town to help rebuild the elementary school. Seems he has been visiting the Ace in the Hole more often these days and only has eyes for bartender and waitress, Shelby Jenkins. Not only is Dean a fine specimen of a man but he is kind, thoughtful and, wait for it, not a man-whore! How refreshing!

Our heroine, Shelby Jenkins, however, has a very sullied reputation. She got pregnant in high school at the age of sixteen and delivered her daughter at seventeen years of age. It is now six years later and she has worked hard and earned her college teaching degree but no one gives her any credit whatsoever. Here is where I had big trouble. In this day and time it was extremely unrealistic how this sweet young woman was treated by the whole town save for a couple of people. They should have gone ahead and tattooed a scarlet letter on her forehead because that is how she was viewed and it was pathetic. I do realize that Rust Creek Falls is a very old-fashioned town but the way she was treated was beyond anything I could have imagined. They treated her like she was a prostitute. Men would make fun of her and felt like they had to right to paw all over her at the bar. It was just so out there. The young woman had one discretion and she was the town's easy lay.

An example: Shelby was with Dean and a woman Shelby went to school with came up to antagonize her in front of Dean. The woman was telling Dean about her children and made the comment that unlike Shelby she had waited until she was married to have children. It was like this all throughout the book and I got tired of the horrific behavior of this town. This is not the eighteenth or nineteenth century folks. People make mistakes.

So...what about all the cowboys who were man-whores? No one ever said a word about them. They all were looked up to and it was expected but a young woman making a mistake and she was doomed to hell.

I really, really like Dean and Shelby' daughter and mother. Shelby I liked as well but not as much. She would not speak up for herself and allowed the town folks to treat and talk to her terribly. By staying quiet she appeared way more guilty than she was. She was a strong woman but simply would not stand up for herself. That was very frustrating.
934 reviews4 followers
January 31, 2014
The Maverick's Summer Love is one of the Rust Creek Cowboys Series in Montana Maverick. Dean and his brother go to this small town to help rebuild from a terrible flood. Shelby lives in that town. At age 17 she had a little girl. She things the town don't like her because of that. And that is why she didn't get a job as a teacher. Shelby works at the only bar in town. Dean takes a liking to her, but she doesn't want to anything to do with him because of her past. She thinks people in the town told Dean about her past. Caitlin the five year old daughter is at a day care. Dean and his brother build a playground for the day care. Caitlin likes to read. When Dean saw Caitlin standing to the side watching the other kids enjoy the playground equipment, he aske her why she wasn't playing. Caitlin wanted a play to just sit and read since she loves to read. Dean builds an area for the kids who like to read. Caitlin likes Dean. Dean finds out she is Shelby's daughter. A lot goes on between them. In the end they get together. A very good read.
Profile Image for Sharon Redfern.
714 reviews25 followers
July 20, 2013
This is book two in the Montana Mavericks: Rust Creek Cowboys series. Dean Pritchett has come to Rust Creek Falls to help build up damaged houses following catastropic flooding that destroyed parts of the town. On a night out with his brother, he spots sexy bartender Shelby Jenkins and is immediately attracted. Shelby is a single mon with a little girl who has an undeserved bad reputation in town as a tramp. She isn't looking for a new relationship, never mind with a temporary resident.

This is a good summer read about two people who think they have different goals in life and find out they want the same thing, love, happiness, and stability. Shelby thinks her past makes her a bad bet and Dean thinks he doesn't want to settle down just yet. It was nice to see Shelby learn to stand up for what she wants and to tell the nasty gossips to get over it! Likewise, it was enjoyable to see Dean learn to love someone and open his heart to the idea of an instant family.

This is an nice series about a town in crisis that brings together different people to find love and happiness.
Profile Image for Jac (For Love and Books).
455 reviews59 followers
August 19, 2013
I go through phases where all I want is quick, sweet, romances. When I get in those kicks, I reach for HQN and this one definitely kickstarted this phase again!

Dean is in town with his brother, helping to clean up after a flood. His brother is the life of the party, but Dean would rather sit at home and read! (Seriously!! My dream guy!! Maybe we could hook up and go on a date to the library! LOL!) But then he falls for Shelby, the local bartender with a secret of her own! (She's a single mom - having her baby while she was still in high school.)

This story is sweet, and everything I've come to expect from Harlequin! (But that's the predictability that I really crave sometimes!) The town gossip mill has been holding Shelby down for a long time, and Dean steps in to save the day! (One of my favorite romantic 'knight in shining armor' moves ever!)

If you're looking for a sweet romance? I cannot recommend this one enough!!
Profile Image for Brenda.
655 reviews
August 13, 2016
I just finished reading The Maverick’s Summer Love by Christyne Butler and boy does this lady know how to write! This is a Harlequin Special Edition. And this book has a story line other than describing all the sex the people are having. I want a story line and my imagination for the sex part of books. You can tell me they tumbled into the bed and as he was gently stroking her, the magic started. I don’t need a touch by touch description.

The story line is great, Shelby, Dean and Caitlin make a great catch me at the beginning of the book and read until you are finished. I still want more story about this couple and her little girl, can they be included in another Montana Mavericks: Rust Creek Cowboys?
Christyne Butler is a prolific writer and I will be getting other books she has written. You did a great job Ms. Butler!

I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads.
1,133 reviews
September 7, 2013
Neither overly angsty or flowery, The Maverick’s Summer Love is a down to earth story of young mom, Shelby, juggling newfound love with pursuing her dream job and raising her girl. Dean’s a good guy, alpha only in the sense that he won’t let anyone sway his opinion, he judges Shelby on merit rather than rumor as any worthy hero should. The Montana setting nicely balances the bad of small town life - gossip - with the idyllic - support when needed, sunny picnics, and front porch kissing on a warm summer night. If like me, you love all things bookish and pink, you’ll adore Shelby’s little girl, Caitlyn, though if you’re not a fan of children in romances, don’t worry, there’s plenty more adult than kid time.
Profile Image for Lynn.
1,297 reviews73 followers
Read
August 31, 2013
This is a romance for those who like their's extra sweet. The hero is a really sweet, good guy who loves books and children and helping people. The heroine is a sweet girl who has an undeserved reputation sparking from being a teenage mom. There are some of the types of standard plot issues and devices that you see with this kind of book but I always expect that. There is one sex scene that I skimmed but it was done in a manner that fit the character's personality. I am more of a fade to black girl except for very rare occasions and this wasn't one of them.

I am betting that it will be a part of a series. There seemed to be a lot of side characters that were thrown in randomly.
Profile Image for Jenn.
330 reviews27 followers
June 10, 2013
This was a sweeter book than I had anticipate. I don't know why. I guess every time I see a cowboy I think of some hot rollin' in the hay, HAHAH!

Yeah... that wasn't this book.

That aside, this was a nice light & fluffy book. Not much drama, just a lot of cute.


*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Amanda.
616 reviews102 followers
September 30, 2013
I thought this was generally pretty good. Predictable, but in a romance novel, it's usually easy to tell where the story is going. My biggest problem was that some of the dialogue would have worked better as descriptive background. There was one particular instance that was really distracting -- I actually stopped reading to wonder whether anyone would ever spout off details and facts the way this character did.

Aside from that, though, this was a pretty enjoyable read. I'd read this author again.
Profile Image for J.
3,104 reviews50 followers
October 4, 2013
A nice, sweet romance. Pretty tame but a good read for a nice fall day. She got pregnant at sixteen by the town jock and now is trying to live down her reputation. He is a construction worker who came to her town to help with flood damage and meets her at the local watering hole. At first she keeps her daughter a secret from him but eventually he knows all and he still wants to be in a relationship with her. She's very hesitant, down right mean at times, but the sparks fly and an HEA is achieved.
Profile Image for Harlequin Books.
18.4k reviews2,804 followers
Read
December 29, 2014
"Butler's small-town meddling + small-town attitude = one small town romance to remember. Her couple shines above all, except for a certain little girl who'll steal the show. The love scenes will also raise temperatures." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 stars

Miniseries: Montana Mavericks: Rust Creek Cowboys
Category: Home and Family
Profile Image for Gail.
Author 25 books216 followers
June 21, 2014
Good Read. There's angst, which is handled well, without brushing it aside and without dwelling on it forever. The romance is sweet and done well and the crisis is realistic, without going over the top. I guess what I like in a story is balance. This one has it.
Profile Image for Linda Nelson.
Author 9 books63 followers
November 21, 2013
Was a great story, full of emotional ups and downs. Loved it. Planning on reading more stories by Christyne Butler
Profile Image for Terri.
703 reviews20 followers
August 21, 2013
While this book is not going to win any major literary awards I must accept it for what it is. A nice light summer read. With that in mind I enjoyed the brief escape from reality that it offered.
Profile Image for Kristine.
758 reviews15 followers
July 31, 2013
I received this book in a goodreads giveaway. Although somewhat predictable I enjoyed the story of Dean and Shelby. It was a quick and easy summer read and exactly what I was in the mood for.
Profile Image for Page  Pennington.
66 reviews3 followers
July 30, 2013
Shelby and Dean's romance hooked me from the start. He showed her that true love does happen.
Throughly enjoy this author.
102 reviews
August 6, 2013
Four stars is high, but it's late. . .I really liked Shelby's efforts to overcome her past, I like Rust Creek. I like Dean, too, but he's almost too perfect. Nothing wrong with being a hero.
106 reviews2 followers
Read
January 2, 2014
I DNFd this. I'm sure it's a perfectly good book but I haven't read the series and there are too many characters and details running around for me to make sense of it. Not a stand alone!
38 reviews1 follower
February 21, 2016
Not Great

Predictable and clunky at times. Nothing really exciting until the la as twenty pages. Good to read on a plane maybe
Displaying 1 - 28 of 29 reviews

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