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A Dime Novel Hero
She made him a hero … According to her wildly popular dime novels he was a bounty hunter with integrity and the fatest draw this side of Wyoming, the standard against which all other men of the West should be held. But real cowboy Jake Cordell’s just real tired of every two-bit gunslinger with something to prove coming after him. And now that he has finally put his father’s killer behind bars, Jake’s ready to reclaim his old ranching life. The only problem is, the old life hasn’t waited for him to return.
But he became her love … Gutsy Kit Thornton didn’t know how to get over her infatuation for Jake after he left town. So she bought his ranch, adopted the son he never knew he had, and immortalized him as the fearless pursuer of justice in her fiction. Now Jake’s back, and this dangerous, hardened man with the wild look in his eye is nothing like the tender boy Kit remembers idolizing. But with their lives so entwined around each other it doesn’t take long for Kit’s old feelings to flood back … does this tougher Jake deserve to win her innocent heart again?
Accolades / Reviews ...
From the Literary Times: "Original, funny and sweet--a romance you'll fall in love with."
From Romantic Times: "A hero you can daydream about!"
But he became her love … Gutsy Kit Thornton didn’t know how to get over her infatuation for Jake after he left town. So she bought his ranch, adopted the son he never knew he had, and immortalized him as the fearless pursuer of justice in her fiction. Now Jake’s back, and this dangerous, hardened man with the wild look in his eye is nothing like the tender boy Kit remembers idolizing. But with their lives so entwined around each other it doesn’t take long for Kit’s old feelings to flood back … does this tougher Jake deserve to win her innocent heart again?
Accolades / Reviews ...
From the Literary Times: "Original, funny and sweet--a romance you'll fall in love with."
From Romantic Times: "A hero you can daydream about!"
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1998
2 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Maureen McKade
21 books35 followersMaureen McKade has been making up stories since the moment she learned to read, write and string sentences together. Her first book, "Winter Hearts", published in 1997 was a finalist in the Romance Writers of America's (RWA) Golden Heart contest, then a finalist in RWA's RITA for best first book. Since then, she's written thirteen more books and a short story for an anthology.
She taught middle school science for three years then held a variety of jobs--bookstore clerk, administrative assistant, customer service manager, department manager, and pharmacy technician--until she settling on writing. (Or, more aptly, until writing settled on her.)
Maureen and her husband, a retired Air Force officer, now live on 40 nature-filled acres in southwestern North Dakota with their two French Brittany Spaniels and three cats. Her eclectic list of leisure pursuits include long walks with hubby and their two dogs, reading, wildlife watching, golfing, bird hunting, and puttering around in the kitchen.
She taught middle school science for three years then held a variety of jobs--bookstore clerk, administrative assistant, customer service manager, department manager, and pharmacy technician--until she settling on writing. (Or, more aptly, until writing settled on her.)
Maureen and her husband, a retired Air Force officer, now live on 40 nature-filled acres in southwestern North Dakota with their two French Brittany Spaniels and three cats. Her eclectic list of leisure pursuits include long walks with hubby and their two dogs, reading, wildlife watching, golfing, bird hunting, and puttering around in the kitchen.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 4, 2022
4.5 out of 5
I love a good historical western and it occurred to me that I've greatly ignored this genre in 2022. Usually by now I've read more. So I was going through my favourite authors of Westerns and Maureen McKade"s name came up. She's a lesser known author of this genre. She also wrote RS but its her Westerns I prefer. I believe sadly, she's retired now. I mean I'm glad she's retired but it mens no new books.
This book takes place in the late 1800's. It starts with Kit, our heroine being bullied as a young ten year old. She's a bit awkward, wears glasses and is on the chubby side. Her mother has died and her father has little time for her and she's lonely. While this bullying is going on, a much older, at 16, boy, Jake, comes along and defends her. They become friends and she develops a huge crush on him.
Fast forward years and an all grown up Jake has come home. A number of years previously Jakes father was murdered and Jake has turned bounty hunter trying to track down the guy who murdered him. Its taken a number of years but Jake finally tracked him down, took him to jail and is ready to settle down. Much to his dismay though, some author has been writing Dime store novels about him and that's brought attention Jake doesn't want or need. He doesn't feel he's the hero these novels make him out to be. He drinks a lot and frequents ladies of ill repute.
When he arrives home he discovers his family ranch has been sold from under him and his favourite "dove" has died. He goes on a bender. He's found by a very grow up Kit who has very mixed feelings. She's the one who bought his ranch, she's upset to see him in the condition he's in and not the perfect hero she's always imagined him to be. Plus she's hiding a few things from him she does not want him finding out about. But still, the man she's been enthralled with for years is back.
I love the character of Kit. She has an incredible strength about her but at the same time she's so caring. She's somewhat ostracized by the townspeople as she doesn't behave the way women should. She has a son but she's never married and her ranch hands are despised by many because they aren't the "right" kind. But she doesn't care. They are her family. Her father died a number years before and they had a poor relationship she regrets.
I also love Jake. He's far from perfect but he's a good man on the inside. He also had a cold relationship with his father and is determined to get the ranch back even when he finds out Kit, the young girl from his past is now the owner. And he also sees she's come into her own. She has an inner strength he admires even though he's frustrated she refuses to sell him the ranch. He also finds himself bonding with her son. He feels a sense of peace when he visits and he regrets that he's determined to get the ranch back.
I was thinking about what it is that makes western historical so appealing to me and its because they have a grittyness to them I really appreciate. Often times the hero can have a lot of grey in him and I like that. I love a reformed outlaw, a gunslinger, a rancher, many of those type.Also I think of the heroes as blue collar working heroes as opposed to the Dukes, Earls, Viscounts etc you see in historical set in England. I like the struggle many of them find themselves dealing with .
Also I find the heroines much stronger for the most part. They don't have to conform to the norms of society. And while they can face some derision, its not up to the level of cruelty and rejection that we can see in English misses and I like that they are allowed to be more true to themseleves.
I would absolutely love to see western historical gain in popularity and Maureen m made is an author who should be 'discovered'.
I love a good historical western and it occurred to me that I've greatly ignored this genre in 2022. Usually by now I've read more. So I was going through my favourite authors of Westerns and Maureen McKade"s name came up. She's a lesser known author of this genre. She also wrote RS but its her Westerns I prefer. I believe sadly, she's retired now. I mean I'm glad she's retired but it mens no new books.
This book takes place in the late 1800's. It starts with Kit, our heroine being bullied as a young ten year old. She's a bit awkward, wears glasses and is on the chubby side. Her mother has died and her father has little time for her and she's lonely. While this bullying is going on, a much older, at 16, boy, Jake, comes along and defends her. They become friends and she develops a huge crush on him.
Fast forward years and an all grown up Jake has come home. A number of years previously Jakes father was murdered and Jake has turned bounty hunter trying to track down the guy who murdered him. Its taken a number of years but Jake finally tracked him down, took him to jail and is ready to settle down. Much to his dismay though, some author has been writing Dime store novels about him and that's brought attention Jake doesn't want or need. He doesn't feel he's the hero these novels make him out to be. He drinks a lot and frequents ladies of ill repute.
When he arrives home he discovers his family ranch has been sold from under him and his favourite "dove" has died. He goes on a bender. He's found by a very grow up Kit who has very mixed feelings. She's the one who bought his ranch, she's upset to see him in the condition he's in and not the perfect hero she's always imagined him to be. Plus she's hiding a few things from him she does not want him finding out about. But still, the man she's been enthralled with for years is back.
I love the character of Kit. She has an incredible strength about her but at the same time she's so caring. She's somewhat ostracized by the townspeople as she doesn't behave the way women should. She has a son but she's never married and her ranch hands are despised by many because they aren't the "right" kind. But she doesn't care. They are her family. Her father died a number years before and they had a poor relationship she regrets.
I also love Jake. He's far from perfect but he's a good man on the inside. He also had a cold relationship with his father and is determined to get the ranch back even when he finds out Kit, the young girl from his past is now the owner. And he also sees she's come into her own. She has an inner strength he admires even though he's frustrated she refuses to sell him the ranch. He also finds himself bonding with her son. He feels a sense of peace when he visits and he regrets that he's determined to get the ranch back.
I was thinking about what it is that makes western historical so appealing to me and its because they have a grittyness to them I really appreciate. Often times the hero can have a lot of grey in him and I like that. I love a reformed outlaw, a gunslinger, a rancher, many of those type.Also I think of the heroes as blue collar working heroes as opposed to the Dukes, Earls, Viscounts etc you see in historical set in England. I like the struggle many of them find themselves dealing with .
Also I find the heroines much stronger for the most part. They don't have to conform to the norms of society. And while they can face some derision, its not up to the level of cruelty and rejection that we can see in English misses and I like that they are allowed to be more true to themseleves.
I would absolutely love to see western historical gain in popularity and Maureen m made is an author who should be 'discovered'.
June 19, 2018
I liked this despite the conflict hinging on several Big Secrets (including a Secret Baby), a hot and cold running hero who doesn't always do right by the heroine, and a plot hole that if you stare at long enough doesn't make much sense (the heroine is not the sort to hide herself away for 9 months if she had ever gotten pregnant - and yet everyone in town just assumes her son is biologically hers). But I loved the heroine, the complicated edges to the hero, even the plot moppet kid. It's easy and breezy and I inhaled it in two sittings. I've liked other books by McKade better, but this one is really solid and impressive considering it was only her second published book.
September 14, 2014
A Dime Novel Hero
By: Maureen McKade
5/5 stars
Please Note: This novel takes place in the late 1800s where racism against Native American and African Americans was unfortunately highly prevalent in both words and actions.
Jake Cordell, a cowboy and bounty hunter and dime novel hero, has finally caught his father’s murderer and put him behind bars six years later. He is finally planning a return trip home. Though, the life he always thought would be waiting; isn’t. Because of the fame the creative, fictitious novels have garnered, he’s had to watch his back as every wannabe gun-slinger tries to make a name for themselves. He also learns that the ranch he wanted to return to; was no longer his, but he’s not going give up easily.
Kit Thornton is a strong, tough, independent woman living in a time when women were almost completely dependent upon men. She is also a social outcast. She is a single mother, in a time when that was only acceptable if you were a widow. She sold her father’s business after he died and bought, owned and operated a horse ranch by herself with only 2 hired hands. She wore men’s pants and blouses instead of the standard dresses that women wore every day. But in secret, she is also a writer of dime novels. She always had a crush on Jake, which is why she wrote the novels about him, as a tribute to him, and is also part of why she bought his ranch.
Jake schemes of ways to regain control of his ranch and home, while Kit is busy being a good friend to him. Though she is keeping 2 major secrets from him and is terrified of his reaction that he may reject a friendship or just leave again and never come back. Jake is also keeping secrets from Kit; secrets that will break her heart and force her to view him as a different man.
Kit did idolize Jake because of a long infatuation that she had with him. But after his return, she does see the man that he is and has become. But she also sees beneath the mask, the hurt child, the pain and suffering of never having felt loved, the brutality of hunting down his dad’s murderer, making a name for himself and just trying to be a regular man. She’s not disillusioned to the man he is, but she also knows that it is in him to do and be better and that is what she holds out hope for. But she also has to help Jake see that he is more than he thinks he is.
Their journey isn’t so easy and has trials (literally) and tribulations. This was a great book mainly because I really enjoy a strong heroine, especially one who is independent, doesn’t pay attention to the lies and rumors told about her and goes against the grain!
By: Maureen McKade
5/5 stars
Please Note: This novel takes place in the late 1800s where racism against Native American and African Americans was unfortunately highly prevalent in both words and actions.
Jake Cordell, a cowboy and bounty hunter and dime novel hero, has finally caught his father’s murderer and put him behind bars six years later. He is finally planning a return trip home. Though, the life he always thought would be waiting; isn’t. Because of the fame the creative, fictitious novels have garnered, he’s had to watch his back as every wannabe gun-slinger tries to make a name for themselves. He also learns that the ranch he wanted to return to; was no longer his, but he’s not going give up easily.
Kit Thornton is a strong, tough, independent woman living in a time when women were almost completely dependent upon men. She is also a social outcast. She is a single mother, in a time when that was only acceptable if you were a widow. She sold her father’s business after he died and bought, owned and operated a horse ranch by herself with only 2 hired hands. She wore men’s pants and blouses instead of the standard dresses that women wore every day. But in secret, she is also a writer of dime novels. She always had a crush on Jake, which is why she wrote the novels about him, as a tribute to him, and is also part of why she bought his ranch.
Jake schemes of ways to regain control of his ranch and home, while Kit is busy being a good friend to him. Though she is keeping 2 major secrets from him and is terrified of his reaction that he may reject a friendship or just leave again and never come back. Jake is also keeping secrets from Kit; secrets that will break her heart and force her to view him as a different man.
Kit did idolize Jake because of a long infatuation that she had with him. But after his return, she does see the man that he is and has become. But she also sees beneath the mask, the hurt child, the pain and suffering of never having felt loved, the brutality of hunting down his dad’s murderer, making a name for himself and just trying to be a regular man. She’s not disillusioned to the man he is, but she also knows that it is in him to do and be better and that is what she holds out hope for. But she also has to help Jake see that he is more than he thinks he is.
Their journey isn’t so easy and has trials (literally) and tribulations. This was a great book mainly because I really enjoy a strong heroine, especially one who is independent, doesn’t pay attention to the lies and rumors told about her and goes against the grain!
November 7, 2015
Given our rapidly-growing dime novel collection at work, I picked this up for a lark to see what a modern romance novel's interpretation of dime novels would look like...
The first 300 pages were (unintentionally?) hilarious and not a whole lot happened and then at the end a lot of stuff happened that was just terrible, ugh. So I am just going to ignore the end and reminisce about the hilarity of the rest.
Kit, having had a crush on Jake since they were kids, does what any normal person would when said crush leaves town: she buys his family ranch, adopts his illegitimate child (who, of course, he didn't know he had), and writes "dime novels" about her "hero" in which she uses his actual real name (subtle!) while concealing herself behind a pen name (that is rather obviously related to her own name, should anyone ever actually stop to think about things — fortunately for her, no one ever does!). So then Jake comes back to town and he's a) not a fan of these dime novels and the reputation they've caused him, and b) not quite the same heroic lad Kit remembers. Oh dear, will they ever manage to work things out?
Then there's the German immigrant who speaks like Yoda ("Feeling better, you are?") and somehow makes a living as a baker despite the fact that all the characters eat her food for free whenever they stop by for life counseling and she doesn't seem to actually sell anything (well, she sold a couple loaves of bread to the mayor once). Oh, and the awkward snippets of "dime novel" prose inserted here and there (it took me a while to decide if these were snippets from Kit's "actual" dime novels or if she wanders around having visions of bounty hunters and mayhem a la Catherine Morland). And, of course, Kit and Jake each have numerous secrets that they confess one at a time every time they reach some sort of equilibrium, rather than all at once like a bandaid.
So most of it was fun, I just wish I'd skipped the ending. And there's not a whole lot to do with actual dime novels (not that I was actually expecting that).
The first 300 pages were (unintentionally?) hilarious and not a whole lot happened and then at the end a lot of stuff happened that was just terrible, ugh. So I am just going to ignore the end and reminisce about the hilarity of the rest.
Kit, having had a crush on Jake since they were kids, does what any normal person would when said crush leaves town: she buys his family ranch, adopts his illegitimate child (who, of course, he didn't know he had), and writes "dime novels" about her "hero" in which she uses his actual real name (subtle!) while concealing herself behind a pen name (that is rather obviously related to her own name, should anyone ever actually stop to think about things — fortunately for her, no one ever does!). So then Jake comes back to town and he's a) not a fan of these dime novels and the reputation they've caused him, and b) not quite the same heroic lad Kit remembers. Oh dear, will they ever manage to work things out?
Then there's the German immigrant who speaks like Yoda ("Feeling better, you are?") and somehow makes a living as a baker despite the fact that all the characters eat her food for free whenever they stop by for life counseling and she doesn't seem to actually sell anything (well, she sold a couple loaves of bread to the mayor once). Oh, and the awkward snippets of "dime novel" prose inserted here and there (it took me a while to decide if these were snippets from Kit's "actual" dime novels or if she wanders around having visions of bounty hunters and mayhem a la Catherine Morland). And, of course, Kit and Jake each have numerous secrets that they confess one at a time every time they reach some sort of equilibrium, rather than all at once like a bandaid.
So most of it was fun, I just wish I'd skipped the ending. And there's not a whole lot to do with actual dime novels (not that I was actually expecting that).
June 15, 2019
Even as a chunky, 10-year-old girl in glasses, Kit Thornton has been in love with Jake Cantrell. As the marshal’s son, Jake was popular; as the newspaper owner’s daughter, Kit was not.
During the years before this story starts, Kit has earned money as a dime novel writer. Even though Jake moved away, she has always written about Jake’s exploits in a highly idealized fashion. For the past few years, Jake has been a bounty hunter and later went on the trail of the murderer of his father. After turning the murderer in, Jake decides to return to his hometown and raise horses on the land he’s sure his father left him in his will.
When Jake returns to Chaney, things have changed a great deal: His old girlfriend is dead and his father’s property belongs to Kit. Jake goes on a bender; Kit saves Jake from himself.
With his two dreams dashed, Jake hangs out his shingle as a lawyer. He’s unsure of how to move on with his life until a chance meeting with Kit’s young son, Johnny.
This is a very likable story; the main characters are interesting and seriously conflicted about things from their pasts. Kit has to adjust her highly-romanticized vision of Jake to the man he really is.
During the years before this story starts, Kit has earned money as a dime novel writer. Even though Jake moved away, she has always written about Jake’s exploits in a highly idealized fashion. For the past few years, Jake has been a bounty hunter and later went on the trail of the murderer of his father. After turning the murderer in, Jake decides to return to his hometown and raise horses on the land he’s sure his father left him in his will.
When Jake returns to Chaney, things have changed a great deal: His old girlfriend is dead and his father’s property belongs to Kit. Jake goes on a bender; Kit saves Jake from himself.
With his two dreams dashed, Jake hangs out his shingle as a lawyer. He’s unsure of how to move on with his life until a chance meeting with Kit’s young son, Johnny.
This is a very likable story; the main characters are interesting and seriously conflicted about things from their pasts. Kit has to adjust her highly-romanticized vision of Jake to the man he really is.
October 3, 2022
Wonderful story. I loved it.
April 4, 2012
A DIME NOVEL HERO is the story of a man who lost his way while seeking revenge for the death of his father. Jake Cordell had a rough childhood. His mother abandoned him and his father was not physically available for him. He made do and managed to still have a heart for the underdog. Theodora Katherine Thornton only had her father and he was always busy with work while running the local paper. 'Kit' was on the plump side and wore glasses but she had a heart of gold while caring for every available animal that became hurt. Seven years apart in age, Jake came to Kit's side when other children were tormenting her. For awhile, they were drawn to each other because of their loneliness and became friends.
Years later, they came face to face again. Kit had grown up, slimmed down, still wore glasses and kept her heart of gold. Now a mother, she was trying to run a ranch while maintaining her love of helping others. In the meantime, Jake lost something along the way. He was expecting to buy his father's ranch and breed horses. He had spent enough time on the road as a bounty hunter while looking for his father's killer to last him a lifetime.
There are lots of little side stories within A DIME NOVEL HERO but with very little surprises. I enjoyed Kit's character because she meant well even when she kept things from others. Jake was in some ways very much an antihero. He lacked the attributes in real life that made him a heroic figure in the stories Kit wrote about him. Flawed, you still could feel something for him. Don't expect too much from this romance and you won't be disappointed.
Years later, they came face to face again. Kit had grown up, slimmed down, still wore glasses and kept her heart of gold. Now a mother, she was trying to run a ranch while maintaining her love of helping others. In the meantime, Jake lost something along the way. He was expecting to buy his father's ranch and breed horses. He had spent enough time on the road as a bounty hunter while looking for his father's killer to last him a lifetime.
There are lots of little side stories within A DIME NOVEL HERO but with very little surprises. I enjoyed Kit's character because she meant well even when she kept things from others. Jake was in some ways very much an antihero. He lacked the attributes in real life that made him a heroic figure in the stories Kit wrote about him. Flawed, you still could feel something for him. Don't expect too much from this romance and you won't be disappointed.
November 27, 2019
Kit Thornton was a bespeckled overweight lonely child when 18-year-old Jack Cordell rescued her from bullies and became her hero. He goes away to law school, but returns to WY when his judge father is murdered. It takes him five years to track down the murderer and then he returns to his home town. Meanwhile, someone has made him a hero through dime novels.
Kit has taken over his ranch and the son he doesn't know he has by the town whore when she died. Now Jake is back and wants the ranch back. When he finds out Johnny is his son, he's furious. He ends up marrying Kit to have both. It takes a while, a murder accusation and a baby to work it out, but they do.
Kit has taken over his ranch and the son he doesn't know he has by the town whore when she died. Now Jake is back and wants the ranch back. When he finds out Johnny is his son, he's furious. He ends up marrying Kit to have both. It takes a while, a murder accusation and a baby to work it out, but they do.
August 27, 2015
Light western with hurtful secrets, yellow bellied coward and some lonely people having their dream challenged then blended.
A childhood hero turned into a real life ruthless bounty hunter drinking & whoring not like the shiny hero of the dime novels the heroine wrote.
Rancher, writer, mother and nurturer of of the needy no matter race, finances, human or animal Kit would help. Yet she was treated as the town pariah.
I enjoyed the wisdom & humour of Pete Two Ponies part of the make shift family for Johnny.
A childhood hero turned into a real life ruthless bounty hunter drinking & whoring not like the shiny hero of the dime novels the heroine wrote.
Rancher, writer, mother and nurturer of of the needy no matter race, finances, human or animal Kit would help. Yet she was treated as the town pariah.
I enjoyed the wisdom & humour of Pete Two Ponies part of the make shift family for Johnny.
August 20, 2016
Ugly duckling meets her hero
Cute story, from childhood to grown up. Worth reading this is a clean book. With a happy ending. Enjoyed .
Cute story, from childhood to grown up. Worth reading this is a clean book. With a happy ending. Enjoyed .
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews