The Magnificent Seven

Montana Mavericks: Wed in Whitehorn #10

by Cheryl St. John

Heather Johnson had never intended to return to Whitehorn, Montana. But restoring an inherited ranch seemed the perfect way to pass the summer with her three kids. The moment she hired carpenter Mitch Fielding, though, his motherless twin daughters in tow, those short-term plans suddenly went awry. Mitch was the first man in her life who truly seemed to notice her. And as his skillful hands restored the ranch and ignited a passion she'd never known, her fragile heart began to heal, as well. For once in Heather's life, everything seemed magnificent. And that scared her. Because the future she wanted—and the past she'd run from—were forever in Whitehorn….

Genres: Contemporary Romance

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Cheryl is the author of more than fifty historical and contemporary romances. Her stories have earned numerous RITA nominations, Romantic Times awards and are published in over a dozen languages.

In describing her stories of second chances and redemption, readers and reviewers use words like, “emotional punch, hometown feel, core values, believable characters and real-life situations.”

With a 4.9 star rating on amazon, her bestselling non-fiction book, Writing With Emotion, Tension & Conflict by Writers Digest Books is available in print and digital.

Reviews

[Lisa Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

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★★★★☆ Tons of kids in this one, but the H/h still managed to fall in love. Took me forever to figure out “skettios” were “Spaghetti-os.” However, there are some truths about “Home & Hearth” that sink into your psyche, which Ms. St. John manages to deftly weave into her stories in a realistic manner.

[Kathleen]

This is book 10 or 11 in series. I haven't read the others. Contemporary setting: A small ranching town in Montana. I stopped reading it for now. Based on what I have read (25%), I'd go with 2-3 stars. Maybe it will improve. The plot is okay, but the writing style feels weak, somehow lacking depth. It isn't drawing me in.

Who are The Magnificent Seven? They're more like The Brady Bunch than the fabulous western starring James Colburn et al. Five children, ages 2 through 10, plus their two single parents. Too many scenes revolve around the children, especially the spoiled twins. Two blended families, 3 + 4, described below:

Mitch Fielding, single father, making a mess of it, overwhelmed. Garrett Kincaid's illegitimate grandson -- one of Larry's unwanted seven, born of different women (see other books in series). He's raising twin girls: Ashley and Taylor, age six. Sexy. A building contractor, tool belt, boots, and dusty jeans. Takes temp work at Heather's ranch, giving her a reduced rate if she will watch his twins all day while he remodels her house, making it ready to sell.

Heather Johnson, single mom raising three kids: Jessica, age 10, Patrick 5, and Andrew 2. She's trying to fix up her dead and unmourned father's ranch to sell it. Works in public relations in San Francisco. Has issues with self esteem.

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I have liked several of Cheryl St John's historical romances, including His Secondhand Wife, The Tenderfoot Bride, Sweet Annie, and Joe's Wife. Those were all historical settings. This is contemporary. It feels too simplistic. Superficial. Boring but not terrible, so I may finish it some day.

[Walker G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, well, look here. A "Harlequin Romance?" NEVER judge a book by it's cover... Not my usual genre, but I needed some material to kill a couple days of LONG hours, sitting in airports, and I accidentally picked this up, thinking I was going to get a good read about the 1960's western movie, starring Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Coburn & that all-star cast of gunslingers who banded together and rode down into Mexico to defend and protect a village from bandits. Even the cover of THIS "The Magnificent Seven," was laid out in western brown and gold coloring.

Never just by the cover ... instead of a great western, I got an EXCELLENT romance! Like I said, romance is not my go-to genre, but I LOVED this book!! Ms. St. John put together an excellent story that was quick, entertaining and easy read. It put tears in my eyes, it made me smile and I couldn't put it down. The ending might be somewhat predictable, but there is a lot of doubt leading up to it and I couldn't stop until I got there. I just HAD to find out how it ends.

You should too! If you like a soft, feel good romance, Cheryl St. John's, "The Magnificent Seven" is:
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

Shucks, don't tell any of my tough-guy buddies, but I just might even look up a few other titles by Ms. St. John (sssshhhhhh lol)

[Jerry Jares · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a rather vanilla story; it's a contemporary romance about a divorced woman with 3 children and a widower with a pair of terrible twins. Mitch Fielding is having enough trouble handling his own life without two demonic 6-year-olds running him through the wringer. Heather Johnson has come back to a place with lots of negative vibes, Whitehorn, Montana. Her father has died and all she wants to do is remodel the very dated home and sell it. Her plans are to return to San Francisco, where she has a very good job.

This is a straight-forward story with few twists or turns. It's just a nice story. Period.

[Mahlia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Writing style was quite amateur for my liking but I suppose that’s what’s to be expected with these type books. Storyline wasn’t half bad just wish it was better written

[Rymington Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a slow burn for sure but the story line was good, and it was able to keep my attention. The end did feel a little rushed, but I always love a good HEA.

[Linda C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heather Johnson has returned to Whitehorn after the death of her father to fix up and sell the ranch. She has brought her 3 children, but plans to return to San Francisco and leave bad childhood memories behind. Mitch Fielding is in Whitehorn to meet his long unknown family, a grandfather and 6 half brothers. While he is there and deciding whether or not to stay he agrees to work on fixing-up the ranch for Heather, if she will watch his twin daughters while he works. The story is not only a romance but a look at finding your true place in life and putting the past to rest.

[willaful]

Might be good, but way too kid-heavy for me... it feels like the title refers to how many children the hero and heroine have between them.

[Linda Klages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoy reading the Montana Maverick series. A nice feel good story.