What do you think?
Rate this book
Golden Rule Outfitters #0.5
Dodge the Bullet
Librarian's note: This is an alternate cover edition for ISBN13 9781463573041.
Two years after her husband’s death, Sarah Woodward moves her boys away from their fast paced life in suburban Atlanta to small town Hailey, Colorado. But Sarah doesn’t know a Colorado Senator has earmarked her ranch for purchase and he’ll do anything to get it. Unwilling to sell, she dismisses his continued offers and moves ahead by improving the land with the help of a sexy stranger. A.J. Dodge is a man with a past. He’s returned to his hometown ready to set down roots and make things right with his family and whatever anyone else thinks he doesn’t give a damn. Until his old friend Tommy Thornton asks a favor, a favor he can’t refuse, and Dodge becomes involved with the beautiful widow Sarah Woodward. She’s alone with her young sons on a dilapidated ranch she’s determined to get up and running with or without his help. Under pressure to deliver the Woodward ranch to a land developer with shady connections, the senator sets in motion a dangerous plot to convince Sarah to sell. Dodge will risk everything to protect Sarah and the boys including his heart.
Two years after her husband’s death, Sarah Woodward moves her boys away from their fast paced life in suburban Atlanta to small town Hailey, Colorado. But Sarah doesn’t know a Colorado Senator has earmarked her ranch for purchase and he’ll do anything to get it. Unwilling to sell, she dismisses his continued offers and moves ahead by improving the land with the help of a sexy stranger. A.J. Dodge is a man with a past. He’s returned to his hometown ready to set down roots and make things right with his family and whatever anyone else thinks he doesn’t give a damn. Until his old friend Tommy Thornton asks a favor, a favor he can’t refuse, and Dodge becomes involved with the beautiful widow Sarah Woodward. She’s alone with her young sons on a dilapidated ranch she’s determined to get up and running with or without his help. Under pressure to deliver the Woodward ranch to a land developer with shady connections, the senator sets in motion a dangerous plot to convince Sarah to sell. Dodge will risk everything to protect Sarah and the boys including his heart.
275 pages, Paperback
First published April 29, 2011
277 people are currently reading
1795 people want to read
About the author
Christy Hayes
30 books195 followersChristy Hayes is a USA Today Bestselling author. She grew up along the southeastern seaboard and received two degrees from the University of Georgia. An avid reader, she writes romance and women’s fiction. Christy and her husband have two grown children and live with a houseful of dogs in the foothills of north Georgia.
Website: christyhayes.com
Facebook: ChristyHayesAuthor
Twitter: SeaHayes
Goodreads: Christy Hayes
BookBub: Christy Hayes
Instagram: @christyhayesauthor
Website: christyhayes.com
Facebook: ChristyHayesAuthor
Twitter: SeaHayes
Goodreads: Christy Hayes
BookBub: Christy Hayes
Instagram: @christyhayesauthor
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
July 11, 2011
I’m a man. I have a lifetime membership to the man club (my man card says so & my testicles and penis prove it).
So, when Christy Hayes requested I review her ROMANCE NOVEL, I wasn’t so sure if I could enjoy the genre enough to give an honest opinion. I found out that I am man enough to read and really, REALLY enjoy reading a romance novel. Dodge the Bullet was such an easy read. I can totally understand why women the world over read romance novels—they’re just fun!
Christy Hayes (a fellow Southerner…WOOT WOOT!) weaved a tale of intrigue and mystery, revealing bits and pieces as needed. She created characters that I loved and hated, very real, experiencing real doubts and fears. Dodge the Bullet is like a romantic dramedy (drama-comedy). I like that she built the story, established a relationship between Dodge and Sarah before anything remotely romantic began. Their relationship of mutual hate and disgust was humorous. And FINALLY things heat up between them…and life interrupts. It’s so, real. I like that. Even though this is marketed as a romance novel, and the sexual tension is more exaggerated than non-romance novels, the story is complete, fleshed out. I was surprised in a good way.
Dodge is a tortured man. Tortured by his past, by things he did or didn’t do, by the townspeople now that he’s back in Hailey. I got tired of his self-deprecation, of his I-can’t-have-love-because-I-swore-it-off attitude. The best Dodge got was when he was doing the protecting the Woodwards. I just got bored with his woe-is-me mess.
Another character complaint I have is that many of the men in authority positions were chauvinistic pigs. They were unbelievable jerk-wads. Maybe it was supposed to add to the story, but seemed oddly out of place and didn’t make a difference. At all.
Dodge the Bullet could have used one more edit. I found several grammatical errors and sentences that were rewritten without removing additional words (and hence, taking a couple reads through to understand what was being said). The writing style is a little choppy, and I never quite got used to it—the story was told from several different perspectives, often changing characters in the middle of a scene to complete the chapter.
As a whole, Christy Hayes wrote a story that had this man hooked, at least until the danger was squelched. I can’t say that I read the last couple chapters word for word. They were emotional, overly mushy. The ending was tied up in a neat little package, with a big shiny bow.
3.5 Stars: Good, easy summer read.
Many Adventures,
Richard
*This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review*
For more of my reviews, please visit my bog
So, when Christy Hayes requested I review her ROMANCE NOVEL, I wasn’t so sure if I could enjoy the genre enough to give an honest opinion. I found out that I am man enough to read and really, REALLY enjoy reading a romance novel. Dodge the Bullet was such an easy read. I can totally understand why women the world over read romance novels—they’re just fun!
Christy Hayes (a fellow Southerner…WOOT WOOT!) weaved a tale of intrigue and mystery, revealing bits and pieces as needed. She created characters that I loved and hated, very real, experiencing real doubts and fears. Dodge the Bullet is like a romantic dramedy (drama-comedy). I like that she built the story, established a relationship between Dodge and Sarah before anything remotely romantic began. Their relationship of mutual hate and disgust was humorous. And FINALLY things heat up between them…and life interrupts. It’s so, real. I like that. Even though this is marketed as a romance novel, and the sexual tension is more exaggerated than non-romance novels, the story is complete, fleshed out. I was surprised in a good way.
Dodge is a tortured man. Tortured by his past, by things he did or didn’t do, by the townspeople now that he’s back in Hailey. I got tired of his self-deprecation, of his I-can’t-have-love-because-I-swore-it-off attitude. The best Dodge got was when he was doing the protecting the Woodwards. I just got bored with his woe-is-me mess.
Another character complaint I have is that many of the men in authority positions were chauvinistic pigs. They were unbelievable jerk-wads. Maybe it was supposed to add to the story, but seemed oddly out of place and didn’t make a difference. At all.
Dodge the Bullet could have used one more edit. I found several grammatical errors and sentences that were rewritten without removing additional words (and hence, taking a couple reads through to understand what was being said). The writing style is a little choppy, and I never quite got used to it—the story was told from several different perspectives, often changing characters in the middle of a scene to complete the chapter.
As a whole, Christy Hayes wrote a story that had this man hooked, at least until the danger was squelched. I can’t say that I read the last couple chapters word for word. They were emotional, overly mushy. The ending was tied up in a neat little package, with a big shiny bow.
3.5 Stars: Good, easy summer read.
Many Adventures,
Richard
*This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review*
For more of my reviews, please visit my bog
April 3, 2012
I absolutely loved this book! Everything about this book hit the spot for me.
I've never read anything by Christy Hayes but you'd better be believe I'm going through her back catalog immediately!
This was a very well written romance, the hero/Dodge and heroine/Sarah were front and center. Their relationship built slowly and when they finally get "together" it was so worth the wait.
I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a small town romance, staring a super sexy Alpha cowboy, a side of STEAM and a dash of suspense!
I've never read anything by Christy Hayes but you'd better be believe I'm going through her back catalog immediately!
This was a very well written romance, the hero/Dodge and heroine/Sarah were front and center. Their relationship built slowly and when they finally get "together" it was so worth the wait.
I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a small town romance, staring a super sexy Alpha cowboy, a side of STEAM and a dash of suspense!
September 11, 2011
"I've found that all women fall into a series of categories. Its a little system I've devised and perfected through the years."
Oh this was priceless. "How many are there?"
"Six."
"Six? All women fall into just six categories?" When he nodded she said, "Please go on."
"First there's the 'never satisfied with anything' woman."
Sarah considered and shrugged. "Okay, I get that one. What's next?"
"Next is the 'pretty but unintelligent eye candy' woman." Again she nodded.
"Then there's the 'just plain low class' woman." She used her fingers to count along as he name them off. "Probably the least harmless is the 'book smart but no common sense' woman." As Sarah held four fingers in the air he seemed to relax and enjoy explaining himself. "Now your sister had me fluctuating between the last two, the 'I'll make you want to touch me until you can't breathe but you never will' category and the 'man-hater'.
Being a single mom of two boys is not easy. Sarah Woodward's husband, Todd, died two years ago and his death still deeply affected her. There were just too many memories in Atlanta for her to move on. In an attempt to get a fresh start, she decided to move her family to Colorado. It had been Todd's dream for the family to set roots in Hailey, Colorado and, in some ways, she saw this as a way of honoring his memory. She resigned herself to the thought she'd found 'the one' and would never love again.
Dodge, as a favor for his friend, Tommy, agreed to help Sarah Woodward learn how to run her cattle ranch. He wasn't liked very much in Hailey. A scandal that happened when he was a teenager had left most of the locals thinking he was the lowliest of the low. Apparently, they weren't the type to forgive or forget. He was a divorcee and the experience left him jaded. He decided never to let himself succumb to feelings of love again. He'd even created a systems for categorizing woman. Too bad Sarah didn't fall into any of them.
Neither was looking for love, but sometimes it's when you're not looking for love that it sneaks up on you.
I thought this was a nice story about finding love for the second time. I liked how it dealt with healing and taking a chance. I liked that it addressed the feelings of guilt associated with moving on without the loved one who has passed away. I liked the drama created by Sarah's refusal to sell her land, which turned out to be a prime piece of real estate. I felt the shady land developer and his associates who were bent on doing just about anything to get Sarah's land were a nice addition. It added an extra depth to the story. I liked how both Dodge and Sarah were hesitant to start a relationship even though they each felt attracted to the other. I also liked how Sarah's sons' feelings also came into play with the relationship, and how Dodge dealt with them. I feel this is definitely an author to watch.
On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets a FAN rating - the temperature in the room seems to have suddenly gone up a couple of degrees and a fan would be nice. Overall, I gave this one 3 1/2 out of 5 roses.
Oh this was priceless. "How many are there?"
"Six."
"Six? All women fall into just six categories?" When he nodded she said, "Please go on."
"First there's the 'never satisfied with anything' woman."
Sarah considered and shrugged. "Okay, I get that one. What's next?"
"Next is the 'pretty but unintelligent eye candy' woman." Again she nodded.
"Then there's the 'just plain low class' woman." She used her fingers to count along as he name them off. "Probably the least harmless is the 'book smart but no common sense' woman." As Sarah held four fingers in the air he seemed to relax and enjoy explaining himself. "Now your sister had me fluctuating between the last two, the 'I'll make you want to touch me until you can't breathe but you never will' category and the 'man-hater'.
Being a single mom of two boys is not easy. Sarah Woodward's husband, Todd, died two years ago and his death still deeply affected her. There were just too many memories in Atlanta for her to move on. In an attempt to get a fresh start, she decided to move her family to Colorado. It had been Todd's dream for the family to set roots in Hailey, Colorado and, in some ways, she saw this as a way of honoring his memory. She resigned herself to the thought she'd found 'the one' and would never love again.
Dodge, as a favor for his friend, Tommy, agreed to help Sarah Woodward learn how to run her cattle ranch. He wasn't liked very much in Hailey. A scandal that happened when he was a teenager had left most of the locals thinking he was the lowliest of the low. Apparently, they weren't the type to forgive or forget. He was a divorcee and the experience left him jaded. He decided never to let himself succumb to feelings of love again. He'd even created a systems for categorizing woman. Too bad Sarah didn't fall into any of them.
Neither was looking for love, but sometimes it's when you're not looking for love that it sneaks up on you.
I thought this was a nice story about finding love for the second time. I liked how it dealt with healing and taking a chance. I liked that it addressed the feelings of guilt associated with moving on without the loved one who has passed away. I liked the drama created by Sarah's refusal to sell her land, which turned out to be a prime piece of real estate. I felt the shady land developer and his associates who were bent on doing just about anything to get Sarah's land were a nice addition. It added an extra depth to the story. I liked how both Dodge and Sarah were hesitant to start a relationship even though they each felt attracted to the other. I also liked how Sarah's sons' feelings also came into play with the relationship, and how Dodge dealt with them. I feel this is definitely an author to watch.
On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets a FAN rating - the temperature in the room seems to have suddenly gone up a couple of degrees and a fan would be nice. Overall, I gave this one 3 1/2 out of 5 roses.
January 27, 2012
Why are all the freebies full of typos?! So annoying and makes me sooo angry! Good thing I didn't love this story! Seemed to go on and on about a conspiracy to take over a ranch--nothing interesting ever really happened there--totally predictable. It was all really a cover for the romance between Dodge and Sara. I'm very okay with romance of any kind, but the storyline just got in the way...first of all, I question the Woodwards ever buying such a big and coveted ranch in the first place...okay, that being said, why did the author feel we needed to know that it was purchased by the former successful romance novelist's royalties?! Who cares! Dodge's back story was lame...another, who cares if some trampy girl tried to say he got her pregnant--then she kills herself and he's a pariah, when all we hear is how everyone loves his family?! I'm giving this book a 2 star rating because I'm not sure that I'm being fair based on the typo thing and well--I'm just trying to be generous!
November 7, 2011
A new-to-me author and a book that kept me interested. There were some editing problems that should be cleaned up but otherwise a solid read. A feisty young widow with two boys meets stubborn bad boy with the usual non-commital baggage. She owns a large ranch in Colorado and he's just been evicted from his. Both need each other's help. As the story goes, one thing leads to another and soon love blossoms. Of course, first there's a bad guy that gets in the way of easy living and two boys who don't want a new dad to win over. Throw in a bad politician and some not-so-nice townfolk and you've got the makings of an interestingly woven storyline. I liked it.
January 2, 2015
Blech, this was a totally predictable story with a "hurry up and tie the ends together" ending. A woman whose dead husband leaves behind a ranch that she doesn't know how to run, finds herself at the mercy of a rancher willing to show her the ways. A bland conspiracy plot line to buy her ranch ends as expected...she falls in love with the rancher and they live happily ever after. Fast read, good for passing the time and highlighting the typos on my iPad.
October 7, 2011
Amazon synopsis
Two years after her husband’s death, Sarah Woodward moves her boys away from their fast paced life in suburban Atlanta to small town Hailey, Colorado. But Sarah doesn’t know a Colorado Senator has earmarked her ranch for purchase and he’ll do anything to get it. Unwilling to sell, she dismisses his continued offers and moves ahead by improving the land with the help of a sexy stranger. A.J. Dodge is a man with a past. He’s returned to his hometown ready to set down roots and make things right with his family and whatever anyone else thinks he doesn’t give a damn. Until his old friend Tommy Thornton asks a favor, a favor he can’t refuse, and Dodge becomes involved with the beautiful widow Sarah Woodward. She’s alone with her young sons on a dilapidated ranch she’s determined to get up and running with or without his help. Under pressure to deliver the Woodward ranch to a land developer with shady connections, the senator sets in motion a dangerous plot to convince Sarah to sell. Dodge will risk everything to protect Sarah and the boys including his heart.
My review
This is my first time reading this author (thank you for sending me a copy and giving me the chance to review it Christy).
Sarah decides to move her 2 boys to their vacation home and set up life there and make a go of her ranch. Having no experience with it and her husband dead two years it is the new start she and her boys need. Help comes in the form of Dodge, a social outcast shunned by the town because of his past but, to Sarah he is a welcome help and as the story progresses something starts to stir that she thought died with her husband.
It is a well written very easy to read story with a few levels to it. On the whole it is a mother trying to do the best for her children the best she knows how but fate has other things in store for her. We see Sarah struggle with the difficulties of still dealing with her husbands death, the role of mother with 2 boys reacting to their sudden upheavel of moving and a few other relationships along the way.
It doesn't always happen but with this book I got all of my answers and most of my boxes ticked (avid readers can be so picky about what they want to see in books and sometimes I am awful for it!). The only thing I can really moan about is the skulduggery plot which is revealed and dealt with with about 15% left of the book left so I thought there was something else going to happen which again is more about my expectations and assumptions, however I really enjoyed the book and would definately read more by this author 4/5 for me.
This book is available on Amazon for £2.14
Two years after her husband’s death, Sarah Woodward moves her boys away from their fast paced life in suburban Atlanta to small town Hailey, Colorado. But Sarah doesn’t know a Colorado Senator has earmarked her ranch for purchase and he’ll do anything to get it. Unwilling to sell, she dismisses his continued offers and moves ahead by improving the land with the help of a sexy stranger. A.J. Dodge is a man with a past. He’s returned to his hometown ready to set down roots and make things right with his family and whatever anyone else thinks he doesn’t give a damn. Until his old friend Tommy Thornton asks a favor, a favor he can’t refuse, and Dodge becomes involved with the beautiful widow Sarah Woodward. She’s alone with her young sons on a dilapidated ranch she’s determined to get up and running with or without his help. Under pressure to deliver the Woodward ranch to a land developer with shady connections, the senator sets in motion a dangerous plot to convince Sarah to sell. Dodge will risk everything to protect Sarah and the boys including his heart.
My review
This is my first time reading this author (thank you for sending me a copy and giving me the chance to review it Christy).
Sarah decides to move her 2 boys to their vacation home and set up life there and make a go of her ranch. Having no experience with it and her husband dead two years it is the new start she and her boys need. Help comes in the form of Dodge, a social outcast shunned by the town because of his past but, to Sarah he is a welcome help and as the story progresses something starts to stir that she thought died with her husband.
It is a well written very easy to read story with a few levels to it. On the whole it is a mother trying to do the best for her children the best she knows how but fate has other things in store for her. We see Sarah struggle with the difficulties of still dealing with her husbands death, the role of mother with 2 boys reacting to their sudden upheavel of moving and a few other relationships along the way.
It doesn't always happen but with this book I got all of my answers and most of my boxes ticked (avid readers can be so picky about what they want to see in books and sometimes I am awful for it!). The only thing I can really moan about is the skulduggery plot which is revealed and dealt with with about 15% left of the book left so I thought there was something else going to happen which again is more about my expectations and assumptions, however I really enjoyed the book and would definately read more by this author 4/5 for me.
This book is available on Amazon for £2.14
January 16, 2016
A.J. Dodge is a man with a past. He recently returned home to Hailey, Colorado, to become a rancher like his dad. He has six sisters so “he knows women”.
Sarah Woodward is trying to put her life back together. Her husband passed away over two years ago and she has decided to leave Atlanta and relocate to Hailey where she and her husband bought a ranch they hoped to move to someday. Her sons are not very happy about moving but she feels the small town is a better place to bring up her sons than the fast paced city of Atlanta.
What Sarah doesn’t understand is why a U.S. Senator is trying so hard to buy her land in Colorado away from her. She doesn’t understand that the Senator has made some promises he can’t fulfill without her land.
Sarah really knows nothing about running a ranch and realizes the place needs a lot of work but she is not going to let anything deter her dream. She is very surprised when a handsome man shows up at her door offering help, telling her the Senator sent him through a local friend, Tommy Thorton, to help get her off to the right start. The handsome man is A.J. Dodge and when the Senator finds out that Tommy sent Dodge to help Sarah, he is livid.
The Senator wanted someone he can control, someone that would ensure that Sarah would see that there was no way she could run a ranch. Dodge was the exact opposite of what the Senator had in mind. Now he will have to take drastic measures to get that land and Dodge is the man standing in his way.
Plus Dodge may understand women, but Sarah is unlike any woman he has every known. He finds himself risking everything to keep her and the kids safe.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I love a story with a strong woman and Sarah has been through the wringer but she is still tough as nails. She is stubborn and opinionated and sparks fly immediately between her and Dodge as he tries to treat her as a helpless woman.
Dodge is a strong man that doesn’t care what anyone think about him. He is in Hailey to put down roots no matter how many people are talking behind his back.
The mystery of Dodge’s past and the suspense of the Senator trying to steal the land added nicely to make this a very enjoyable read. It is very well written and I can see why is was a finalist in the 2007 Virginia Romance Writers Fool for Love Contest. This is my first Christy Hayes novel but it definitely will not be my last.
Sarah Woodward is trying to put her life back together. Her husband passed away over two years ago and she has decided to leave Atlanta and relocate to Hailey where she and her husband bought a ranch they hoped to move to someday. Her sons are not very happy about moving but she feels the small town is a better place to bring up her sons than the fast paced city of Atlanta.
What Sarah doesn’t understand is why a U.S. Senator is trying so hard to buy her land in Colorado away from her. She doesn’t understand that the Senator has made some promises he can’t fulfill without her land.
Sarah really knows nothing about running a ranch and realizes the place needs a lot of work but she is not going to let anything deter her dream. She is very surprised when a handsome man shows up at her door offering help, telling her the Senator sent him through a local friend, Tommy Thorton, to help get her off to the right start. The handsome man is A.J. Dodge and when the Senator finds out that Tommy sent Dodge to help Sarah, he is livid.
The Senator wanted someone he can control, someone that would ensure that Sarah would see that there was no way she could run a ranch. Dodge was the exact opposite of what the Senator had in mind. Now he will have to take drastic measures to get that land and Dodge is the man standing in his way.
Plus Dodge may understand women, but Sarah is unlike any woman he has every known. He finds himself risking everything to keep her and the kids safe.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I love a story with a strong woman and Sarah has been through the wringer but she is still tough as nails. She is stubborn and opinionated and sparks fly immediately between her and Dodge as he tries to treat her as a helpless woman.
Dodge is a strong man that doesn’t care what anyone think about him. He is in Hailey to put down roots no matter how many people are talking behind his back.
The mystery of Dodge’s past and the suspense of the Senator trying to steal the land added nicely to make this a very enjoyable read. It is very well written and I can see why is was a finalist in the 2007 Virginia Romance Writers Fool for Love Contest. This is my first Christy Hayes novel but it definitely will not be my last.
March 5, 2012
What I like:
Story build up is well written and downright awesome;
Secrets of the past;
The main female character ain't no wimp but the main male character is d a r n protective;
The author takes one situation and describes it from the mind of one of the main characters and then from the mind of the other main character. You get a well rounded view of what each character is thinking and of what is happening. No confusion there.
WHAT I DO NOT LIKE:
Too much colorful language;
Too much sexy passion gets boring after awhile;
TYPICAL ROMANCE STUFF:
L'amour but neither knows how the other feels aka misunderstandings.
Someone in the story always causes trouble aka the trouble-maker.
I would say that it is NOT Erotica due to the fact that it is a well structured story with "Action" but IS body part descriptive i.e., breasts, nipple, hard as a rock; (not really over the top).
Story build up is well written and downright awesome;
Secrets of the past;
The main female character ain't no wimp but the main male character is d a r n protective;
The author takes one situation and describes it from the mind of one of the main characters and then from the mind of the other main character. You get a well rounded view of what each character is thinking and of what is happening. No confusion there.
WHAT I DO NOT LIKE:
Too much colorful language;
Too much sexy passion gets boring after awhile;
TYPICAL ROMANCE STUFF:
L'amour but neither knows how the other feels aka misunderstandings.
Someone in the story always causes trouble aka the trouble-maker.
I would say that it is NOT Erotica due to the fact that it is a well structured story with "Action" but IS body part descriptive i.e., breasts, nipple, hard as a rock; (not really over the top).
July 26, 2012
This book had much cussing, including a couple f-bombs, and was sexually explicit. Also, they justify the sex with the yough kids around, instead of making wrong wrong. Characters were fun, and believable, Story line was good. I might read more from this author if they were cleaner. Sarah's husband dies. SHe has two teen boys to raise on her own, so she moves the family to a ranch they own, and decides to learn how to be a rancher. She meets Dodge, who has been sent to help her get started. Instant attraction, and a ploitician who wants her land...at any cost, lead to a typical "Harliquin" situation. The ending could have packed a much bigger puunch. It left me unsatisfied.
September 23, 2012
This is the first book I read by Christy Hayes. I loved the book from the beginning to the end. Dodge was my favorite character of the story because of the way he protected Sarah & her children. The plot was very good too. This was the second best story I read that was free. I would definitely read other books by Christy Hayes. This book was worth purchasing.
July 22, 2014
This book was simply, okay. It didn't really do anything for me. Dodge and Sarah were cute, but the senator was annoying and the whole conspiracy was just not for me. Dodge and Sarah's slight adorableness saved it from being a total dump.
Definitely not a re-read, but not a complete failure. If you like the grown-up, predictable love story/conspiracy, you may enjoy this book.
Definitely not a re-read, but not a complete failure. If you like the grown-up, predictable love story/conspiracy, you may enjoy this book.
October 7, 2014
Love Christy Hayes book..I really enjoyed The Outfitters Series.
March 7, 2025
Sarah is a mum of 2 boys, 2 years prior she became
a widow. Worried about her boys future she moves
them to Colorado to start afresh. And it’s there she
meets Dodge, a grumpy rancher who doesn’t want
anything to do with her, but feels an overwhelming
sense of duty to try and protect her, especially
when a senator wants her to sell her ranch.
I read this book probably about 10 years ago and
loved it, it is still a good read, almost a comfort
read. There’re is definitely a couple of cringe
moments but easily can get past them.
a widow. Worried about her boys future she moves
them to Colorado to start afresh. And it’s there she
meets Dodge, a grumpy rancher who doesn’t want
anything to do with her, but feels an overwhelming
sense of duty to try and protect her, especially
when a senator wants her to sell her ranch.
I read this book probably about 10 years ago and
loved it, it is still a good read, almost a comfort
read. There’re is definitely a couple of cringe
moments but easily can get past them.
February 10, 2020
Two years after the death of her husband, Sarah Woodward moves with her two sons to their ranch in Colorado for a new start. She is determined to learn the ranching business and as a favor to a friend A.J. Dodge agrees to teach her the basics. But it seems someone wants Sarah’s land and things begin to happen there and to Dodge’s cattle. As the two are drawn together problems escalate along with adjustment problems for her sons. A decent romance.
January 22, 2019
Time killing read
Good plot, well developed characters, and a beautiful setting make this a charming little read. Personally, I would have liked to have seen more intrigue and romance. This is a good book for restless nights or waiting rooms.
Good plot, well developed characters, and a beautiful setting make this a charming little read. Personally, I would have liked to have seen more intrigue and romance. This is a good book for restless nights or waiting rooms.
April 5, 2020
A widow with 2 sons moves to a small town in Colorado. She doesn't know that her property with unlimited water rights is wanted by a developer and congressman. To the rescue is a local cattleman whose reputation is not the best. A fast read, good characters. I rate this a 5.0.
January 7, 2021
One of the greatest books I've read in a while. A.J. Dodge went through so many stages life can offer. From being the bad seed to a hero to a lover and more. Worth the read. Couldn't put it down. Romantic but not dirty with a great story line.
August 16, 2019
Audiotape but predictable romance. Interesting but like fast food, I felt it needed more meat. She has good movement but characters seemed a bit flat. Still, I would have liked more.
September 15, 2019
It was a good book, enjoyed it. Will recommend it to friends
September 21, 2019
Really good
I fully enjoyed this book
A bit slow at the start soon picked up
Ended well which is a bonus
I fully enjoyed this book
A bit slow at the start soon picked up
Ended well which is a bonus
January 2, 2020
Good story but...
Very poor grammar and misspelled words. Was very distracting and annoying. Probably won’t read any more of her books. A pity really.
Very poor grammar and misspelled words. Was very distracting and annoying. Probably won’t read any more of her books. A pity really.
July 14, 2021
Really enjoyable read and story. Romance and realistic characters kept me reading. Thanks so much!
September 4, 2023
Woman vs women
If you're going to write and self-publish, get a good editor. Within the first three pages, woman is used instead of women. Takes the reader right out of the story.
If you're going to write and self-publish, get a good editor. Within the first three pages, woman is used instead of women. Takes the reader right out of the story.
October 15, 2023
Great read!
I wasn't sure if i was going to like this one, in the beginning. It seems that I found it hard to put down. I'm glad I read it. Great book.
I wasn't sure if i was going to like this one, in the beginning. It seems that I found it hard to put down. I'm glad I read it. Great book.
Read
February 12, 2025I read this book but I don’t remember what I thought about it to give a star rating
July 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A heartfelt mix of small-town charm and suspense, Dodge the Bullet offers a strong heroine, a brooding protector, and a land dispute that escalates into real danger. Sarah’s quiet resilience and Dodge’s troubled past create a compelling emotional anchor. Though the villains are a bit predictable, the chemistry between Sarah and Dodge is warm and satisfying, especially with her kids in the mix. A cozy romantic suspense with heart and grit.
A heartfelt mix of small-town charm and suspense, Dodge the Bullet offers a strong heroine, a brooding protector, and a land dispute that escalates into real danger. Sarah’s quiet resilience and Dodge’s troubled past create a compelling emotional anchor. Though the villains are a bit predictable, the chemistry between Sarah and Dodge is warm and satisfying, especially with her kids in the mix. A cozy romantic suspense with heart and grit.
August 10, 2011
~May contain slight spoilers~
After two years of mourning her lost husband Sarah Woodward is finally ready to step back into life and take control. To do this she is making a break from her, her sons, and her late husbands old home in Atlanta and moving to the vacation home in the small town of Hailey, Colorado. Where she plans to run the ranch and though her two sons are not happy about the move she hopes they will eventually come around.
On her first day there she meets A.J. Dodge, who was asked, as a favor from his friend to go check on her and make sure she got off on the right foot.
A Colorado Senator needs the land she is on if he is to hold up his end of the deal with a land developer; he thought it would be easy for the widow to see she couldn't deal with a ranch and two kids but with Dodge getting in his way he just might have to convince her to sell some other way...
I really enjoyed this novel--a one-day read for me. It was pretty fast paced and kept my attention pretty much from the first page also the attraction between Dodge and Sarah was palpable from the first moment they met and very interesting to see play out.
Especially with the hints of danger we have underling most of the novel.
The only thing I didn't really like about the novel was that around the ending--when the action is about to go down--it seems kind of drawn out. It does add to the suspense a little but other than that I think I might have liked it more if it had just played out. Other than that though and that might not even be something everyone feels should be so--I really liked the novel and I look forward to picking up more from this author.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good one-day read with a little suspense and romance.
*I received an Ebook copy of this book for free to review from the author.
After two years of mourning her lost husband Sarah Woodward is finally ready to step back into life and take control. To do this she is making a break from her, her sons, and her late husbands old home in Atlanta and moving to the vacation home in the small town of Hailey, Colorado. Where she plans to run the ranch and though her two sons are not happy about the move she hopes they will eventually come around.
On her first day there she meets A.J. Dodge, who was asked, as a favor from his friend to go check on her and make sure she got off on the right foot.
A Colorado Senator needs the land she is on if he is to hold up his end of the deal with a land developer; he thought it would be easy for the widow to see she couldn't deal with a ranch and two kids but with Dodge getting in his way he just might have to convince her to sell some other way...
I really enjoyed this novel--a one-day read for me. It was pretty fast paced and kept my attention pretty much from the first page also the attraction between Dodge and Sarah was palpable from the first moment they met and very interesting to see play out.
Especially with the hints of danger we have underling most of the novel.
The only thing I didn't really like about the novel was that around the ending--when the action is about to go down--it seems kind of drawn out. It does add to the suspense a little but other than that I think I might have liked it more if it had just played out. Other than that though and that might not even be something everyone feels should be so--I really liked the novel and I look forward to picking up more from this author.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good one-day read with a little suspense and romance.
*I received an Ebook copy of this book for free to review from the author.
October 10, 2016
This book was OK - kind of predictable but interesting enough to keep me reading. This eBook was a free download. The characters were appealing. Sarah Woodward is a widow who moves her family from Atlanta to the run-down cattle ranch she and her husband purchased in a small Colorado town. A. J. Dodge, is a mysterious cowboy with a past who makes an agreement with an old friend to make Sarah and her two teenage boys feel welcome in her new community, help her get settled, and teach her the cattle ranch business. Dodge risks his life to protect the family from a Senator plotting a variety of dangerous ways to get her to sell for the water rights to her land and in the process, the two grow close.
Merged review:
Sarah Woodward is a widow who moves her family from Atlanta to a small town in Colorado and takes on the responsibility of a large run-down cattle ranch she and her husband purchased several years ago. The ranch is targeted by a Senator for the water rights but she is unwilling to sell. An old friend asks A. J. Dodge to help Sarah get settled and make her feel welcome in her new community. Dodge is a mysterious man with a past but as he becomes involved with Sarah and her two teenage boys, he risks his life to protect Sarah and her sons from a dangerous plot to convince Sarah to sell the ranch.
Merged review:
Sarah Woodward is a widow who moves her family from Atlanta to a small town in Colorado and takes on the responsibility of a large run-down cattle ranch she and her husband purchased several years ago. The ranch is targeted by a Senator for the water rights but she is unwilling to sell. An old friend asks A. J. Dodge to help Sarah get settled and make her feel welcome in her new community. Dodge is a mysterious man with a past but as he becomes involved with Sarah and her two teenage boys, he risks his life to protect Sarah and her sons from a dangerous plot to convince Sarah to sell the ranch.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews