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Long, Tall Texans #37
The Maverick
Always in the middle of trouble, be it during roundup or at Jacobsville county dances, Harley Fowler emerges unscathed. Until he meets whirlwind, top-notch investigator Alice Jones, who is trying to solve a murder involving the one family Harley doesn't want to talk about—his own. Suddenly he's in the midst of mayhem—and all he can think about is protecting Alice. But the stubborn woman is unappreciative of his efforts. What's a confirmed maverick to do? Is seduction the solution?
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2009
62 people are currently reading
689 people want to read
About the author
Diana Palmer
1,038 books3,097 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
March 12, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. I haven't read any Diana Palmer for a while, and it was very nice to read one of her books again. She is a very funny lady! I like that she has normal kinds of people, and their values are traditional. It may seem hokey, but there are people like that still in the world. I felt like I was going home to visit with family and friends.
Harley came around to be a great hero. I liked that he was a sweet guy. I wasn't sure how she could pull him off as a hero, but he turned out great. I like that Alice is pretty outgoing and did some of the pursuing. Yes, normally I don't like that, but it was cute how she would always ask Harley when they were getting married. I think it helped to break the ice that she was doing some of the chasing. And with his history of being rejected by girls who were on the rebound, I guess he needed to be the one pursued.
If someone argued with my five star rating because the investigation takes too major a role, I couldn't dispute that it does, but it didn't ruin the book for me. It was great to see a heroine who was good at her job, and in a specialized field. And I liked the way the romance unfolded around the mystery, albeit unconventionally.
I was very satisfied with this book. It was a balm to my soul after having so many books that I had to read to read one I really wanted to read. Ms. Palmer remains one of my favorite authors.
Harley came around to be a great hero. I liked that he was a sweet guy. I wasn't sure how she could pull him off as a hero, but he turned out great. I like that Alice is pretty outgoing and did some of the pursuing. Yes, normally I don't like that, but it was cute how she would always ask Harley when they were getting married. I think it helped to break the ice that she was doing some of the chasing. And with his history of being rejected by girls who were on the rebound, I guess he needed to be the one pursued.
If someone argued with my five star rating because the investigation takes too major a role, I couldn't dispute that it does, but it didn't ruin the book for me. It was great to see a heroine who was good at her job, and in a specialized field. And I liked the way the romance unfolded around the mystery, albeit unconventionally.
I was very satisfied with this book. It was a balm to my soul after having so many books that I had to read to read one I really wanted to read. Ms. Palmer remains one of my favorite authors.
December 6, 2019
Sweet romance between the ubiquitous OM rancher who has lost out in the romance stakes several times in earlier Jacobsville novels and a CSI-type medical examiner heroine.
Because of DP’s author’s note, I knew upfront that the story’s focus would be on the murder the heroine is investigating and that it would take three books for the mystery to be solved. I quickly realized - with the banter between the H/h at the hardware store - that DP was aiming for screwball comedy/low conflict in the romance. So I adjusted my expectations accordingly.
So, don’t expect a cruel hero, an angst-filled heroine or any of the usual DP tactics for this story. She really wanted to write a CSI episode (she mentions the shows several times) with a sweet romance and she did.
The true surprise is that I enjoyed it even though I find DP’s humor cringeworthy at times. I enjoyed that the hero was not a born-and-bred rancher or a mercenary or a rich man. He was the son of a powerful senator and he bounced around several career paths until he landed in Jacobsville.
I enjoyed that the heroine had a happy family life, that she enjoyed her job, and that she thought the H was the guy for her from the beginning. She asks him to marry her frequently.
The murder was interesting enough with DP giving terrorists and drug dealers a rest. It’s not solved, but since I’m not a mystery lover, I really didn’t care. The romance, culminating in a white wedding with all the characters of Jacobsville in attendance and sweet honeymoon for the virgin heroine, was enough for me. Just a nice change of pace in the Long Tall Texans series.
Diana Palmer checklist:
Hairy chest It’s back! With heroine tugging on it during kisses.
Breast Description Perky!
Cigarettes No
Alcohol No. Body is a temple
Town Descriptions Motel heroine stays in has a Jacuzzi because so many movies are filmed in Jacobsville that they now cater to actors. (LOL) Hardware store, Barbara’s café.
Gardenia Scent Heroine puts Vics vapo-rub under her nose when dealing with decomposing bodies.
LOL detail The list of wedding gifts includes an Xbox360. My son would be so impressed.
Cutesy detail All the CSI jokes.
DP hobbyhorse Heroine preaches about not giving into hate. Justice will prevail over time, etc. . . Why love of Star Trek is an indicator of good character.
DP is trolling us This hero is a mercenary/masculine-lite. Even DP knows he’s not hyper-alpha like her other heroes who show up as contrast.
Because of DP’s author’s note, I knew upfront that the story’s focus would be on the murder the heroine is investigating and that it would take three books for the mystery to be solved. I quickly realized - with the banter between the H/h at the hardware store - that DP was aiming for screwball comedy/low conflict in the romance. So I adjusted my expectations accordingly.
So, don’t expect a cruel hero, an angst-filled heroine or any of the usual DP tactics for this story. She really wanted to write a CSI episode (she mentions the shows several times) with a sweet romance and she did.
The true surprise is that I enjoyed it even though I find DP’s humor cringeworthy at times. I enjoyed that the hero was not a born-and-bred rancher or a mercenary or a rich man. He was the son of a powerful senator and he bounced around several career paths until he landed in Jacobsville.
I enjoyed that the heroine had a happy family life, that she enjoyed her job, and that she thought the H was the guy for her from the beginning. She asks him to marry her frequently.
The murder was interesting enough with DP giving terrorists and drug dealers a rest. It’s not solved, but since I’m not a mystery lover, I really didn’t care. The romance, culminating in a white wedding with all the characters of Jacobsville in attendance and sweet honeymoon for the virgin heroine, was enough for me. Just a nice change of pace in the Long Tall Texans series.
Diana Palmer checklist:
Hairy chest It’s back! With heroine tugging on it during kisses.
Breast Description Perky!
Cigarettes No
Alcohol No. Body is a temple
Town Descriptions Motel heroine stays in has a Jacuzzi because so many movies are filmed in Jacobsville that they now cater to actors. (LOL) Hardware store, Barbara’s café.
Gardenia Scent Heroine puts Vics vapo-rub under her nose when dealing with decomposing bodies.
LOL detail The list of wedding gifts includes an Xbox360. My son would be so impressed.
Cutesy detail All the CSI jokes.
DP hobbyhorse Heroine preaches about not giving into hate. Justice will prevail over time, etc. . . Why love of Star Trek is an indicator of good character.
DP is trolling us This hero is a mercenary/masculine-lite. Even DP knows he’s not hyper-alpha like her other heroes who show up as contrast.
December 10, 2009
I get a bit repetitive when I review Diana Palmer books, but it's holds true...this book is pretty standard DP fare. It does vary a little from her typical stuff, but not much.
Summary:
Forensic investigator Alice Jones is called up from San Antonio to investigate a dead body found in Jacobsville. The dead man has no ID and was beaten beyond recognition and Alice can find little information about who the man was. As she investigates, she meets ranch foreman Harley Fowler. The two instantly set off sparks between them and each time they encounter each other, the sparks get brighter. And as Alice continues her investigation into a crime that may have ties to several Jacobsville citizens (Harley included) and a years old crime, her connection with Harley grows.
Review:
This was a short, easy read. It only took me a day and two sittings to finish it. I didn't mind the book and enjoyed it to a certain degree, but it wasn't one I liked a whole lot.
For one thing, I really wish Palmer would add some variance to her heroines. Jacobsville and the surrounding areas must hold the world record for number of small breasted, virginal females. I swear every single heroine of hers is like that...people aren't that uniform! And, in case your wondering, yes, Harley has a hairy chest. That must be a personal fetish of the author ;)
But for Palmer, I'm used to that stuff. It's really only mildly irritating. I did like the storyline of this book. It sets up a plot that will apparently run through her next two hardcover releases featuring half-brothers Kilraven and Blackhawk (who we've met in previous books). The murder being investigated will apparently tie-in to the brothers' past. I'm rather interested in how all that will play out.
The book (or rather the romance) is the very light-hearted, fluffy-bunny type. The thing I didn't really care for much, though, was that it had a kind of silly, juvenile vibe two it. The way Alice and Harley acted around each other, the way they talked, and how the romance progressed felt very junior high. It was kind of a turn-off. But hey, on the bright side, at least Harley doesn't act like a total jerk to Alice for half the book as Palmer's heroes usually do. He was nice to her almost the whole time (aside from a contentious first meeting).
I do wish, though, that Harley had had a stronger story. He's been a running character for a while and I thought he deserved a meatier, longer book. But oh well.
For you Palmer fans, this is one I think most of you will like or at least find readable, like I did.
Summary:
Forensic investigator Alice Jones is called up from San Antonio to investigate a dead body found in Jacobsville. The dead man has no ID and was beaten beyond recognition and Alice can find little information about who the man was. As she investigates, she meets ranch foreman Harley Fowler. The two instantly set off sparks between them and each time they encounter each other, the sparks get brighter. And as Alice continues her investigation into a crime that may have ties to several Jacobsville citizens (Harley included) and a years old crime, her connection with Harley grows.
Review:
This was a short, easy read. It only took me a day and two sittings to finish it. I didn't mind the book and enjoyed it to a certain degree, but it wasn't one I liked a whole lot.
For one thing, I really wish Palmer would add some variance to her heroines. Jacobsville and the surrounding areas must hold the world record for number of small breasted, virginal females. I swear every single heroine of hers is like that...people aren't that uniform! And, in case your wondering, yes, Harley has a hairy chest. That must be a personal fetish of the author ;)
But for Palmer, I'm used to that stuff. It's really only mildly irritating. I did like the storyline of this book. It sets up a plot that will apparently run through her next two hardcover releases featuring half-brothers Kilraven and Blackhawk (who we've met in previous books). The murder being investigated will apparently tie-in to the brothers' past. I'm rather interested in how all that will play out.
The book (or rather the romance) is the very light-hearted, fluffy-bunny type. The thing I didn't really care for much, though, was that it had a kind of silly, juvenile vibe two it. The way Alice and Harley acted around each other, the way they talked, and how the romance progressed felt very junior high. It was kind of a turn-off. But hey, on the bright side, at least Harley doesn't act like a total jerk to Alice for half the book as Palmer's heroes usually do. He was nice to her almost the whole time (aside from a contentious first meeting).
I do wish, though, that Harley had had a stronger story. He's been a running character for a while and I thought he deserved a meatier, longer book. But oh well.
For you Palmer fans, this is one I think most of you will like or at least find readable, like I did.
May 23, 2011
This was a sweet read and quite different from most DP books. The hero was not a jerk (which I am glad because in previous books he was quite a good guy - I'm glad she didn't change his character). It was just a sweet love story about two people who met and just fell in love. It was a bit slow because of that but still an enjoyable story.
This book also contains a mystery in that there is a murder of a stranger in Jacobsville. Apparently, this is to continue the story arc of Kilraven's (the hero in Dangerous) family's murder. The murder in this book is not solved but the story will continue throughout another couple of books.
The one thing that bothered me is that there was a hint that Harley was a boy that Alice had a crush on back in high school when she lived in Floresville, but never really got to know before she moved away with her family. It is also mentioned that Harley spent time in Floresville. (Which is in Texas, btw. My mom lives there which I thought was funny that it was the small Texas town mentioned.) It was pretty obvious and I wish it had been confirmed. Perhaps DP meant to but forgot about it.
This is a cute, fast read. I finished it in a few hours. If you want a DP book with a decent hero, then this is the one to read. Even though, the heroine was a bit odd at times, I liked this book.
This book also contains a mystery in that there is a murder of a stranger in Jacobsville. Apparently, this is to continue the story arc of Kilraven's (the hero in Dangerous) family's murder. The murder in this book is not solved but the story will continue throughout another couple of books.
The one thing that bothered me is that there was a hint that Harley was a boy that Alice had a crush on back in high school when she lived in Floresville, but never really got to know before she moved away with her family. It is also mentioned that Harley spent time in Floresville. (Which is in Texas, btw. My mom lives there which I thought was funny that it was the small Texas town mentioned.) It was pretty obvious and I wish it had been confirmed. Perhaps DP meant to but forgot about it.
This is a cute, fast read. I finished it in a few hours. If you want a DP book with a decent hero, then this is the one to read. Even though, the heroine was a bit odd at times, I liked this book.
December 13, 2009
As a long-time die-hard Diana Palmer fan, I was a bit disappointed in this latest book. The majority of it just seemed like a set up for the next two books (Kilraven and Blackhawk's stories). I wanted more interaction between Alice and Harley, but that was not to be. They saw each other, bantered back and forth, and that was that...the rest of the book was devoted to a murder mystery that will be resolved in future books. As mentioned by Isis, it seemed very juvenile.
April 24, 2010
I want to give Palmer some props for writing something different from the cruel hero/downtrodden heroine she's used in her last 250 books, but other than the slight novelty factor, there's just about nothing to like here. Tons of boring backstory, a mystery that isn't solved, a hasty, passionless romance. I don't find Palmer's humor funny or I might like it more.
October 27, 2015
Me ha gustado. Puede que Alice sea de las protas femeninas de Diana Palmer que mas me ha gustado. ahora tendré que leer el siguiente para saber como acá el caso. La relación entre ellos es relámpago xD. Creo que es de las mas relámpago que he leído.
January 21, 2010
I was just getting into this one and it ended without solving the crime. What the...
February 13, 2022
Me divertí con las ocurrencias de Alice, fue divertido lo que le decía a Harley y también tan tierna ella cortejándolo jajajajajaja simplemente genial.
April 26, 2018
3.5 stars
Beda sama buku2 dp lain nya. Disini co nya tipe baik hati dan tanpa prasangka. Co yg di buku2 DP lain nya berperan sebagai figuran yg selalu di tolak lead nya. Ce nya jg bukan tipe gadis lugu yg masih muda. Si ce udah berumur 26 thn walo masih vi. Suka sama sifat si ce yg easy going, pinter ngomong dan ahli forensic. Kasus yg ditanganin blm selesai sih, masih ngambang ending nya. Mungkin bakal di bahas tuntas di buku ttg Killraven dan Winnie (kayaknya blm ada terjemahannya)
Beda sama buku2 dp lain nya. Disini co nya tipe baik hati dan tanpa prasangka. Co yg di buku2 DP lain nya berperan sebagai figuran yg selalu di tolak lead nya. Ce nya jg bukan tipe gadis lugu yg masih muda. Si ce udah berumur 26 thn walo masih vi. Suka sama sifat si ce yg easy going, pinter ngomong dan ahli forensic. Kasus yg ditanganin blm selesai sih, masih ngambang ending nya. Mungkin bakal di bahas tuntas di buku ttg Killraven dan Winnie (kayaknya blm ada terjemahannya)
June 4, 2020
A virgin bride... but, hey! The male protagonist is not a jerk!
June 3, 2013
I'm painfully disappointed.
Harley met Alice and sparks fly. Even if they're working some cases together, they fell hard and in only few weeks, they get married. The end.
For the first time in my life, as a huge fan of Diana Palmer's books, I'm disapointed. Harley becomes a great deal in my heart even though his role's only small and mostly for the third person to make Hero jealous, but he owns part of my heart. And I'm looking forward to read his own story but apparently, it's so damn ridiculous and from all of Diana Palmer's books, The Maverick's the first one that I give a star to. *sigh*
Alice, the heroine, didn't win my attention at all. She's annoying for the first time she met Harley and I don't like it at all. It's good that Miss Palmer tried to write different kind of female character like Alice, I mean she's not weak nor meek like any other heroines but still, she didn't punch the righ buttons. She's annoying like shizzz and too proud of herself.
Harley, from the slight part of lot of books, isn't some arrogant, alpha-male. And it shows in this book. He's patient and tender. He didn't even rush Alice to sex. You know what surprised me more? It's the other way around! Ha! I still heart Harley, but to me Alice's not the one.
In my opinion, the right girl for Harley's a girl with attitude that can fire him up, yet she's tender and "need to be saved". You know, someone like Lisa Monroe kind of girl.
This book could be better little bit if there's at least some action in it. I have a high expectations about the murderer yet to me it left unsolved, even if it did, it was too quick and not described very good. Definitely turn off.
Yes, I don't like this one. Not at all. :(((
Harley met Alice and sparks fly. Even if they're working some cases together, they fell hard and in only few weeks, they get married. The end.
For the first time in my life, as a huge fan of Diana Palmer's books, I'm disapointed. Harley becomes a great deal in my heart even though his role's only small and mostly for the third person to make Hero jealous, but he owns part of my heart. And I'm looking forward to read his own story but apparently, it's so damn ridiculous and from all of Diana Palmer's books, The Maverick's the first one that I give a star to. *sigh*
Alice, the heroine, didn't win my attention at all. She's annoying for the first time she met Harley and I don't like it at all. It's good that Miss Palmer tried to write different kind of female character like Alice, I mean she's not weak nor meek like any other heroines but still, she didn't punch the righ buttons. She's annoying like shizzz and too proud of herself.
Harley, from the slight part of lot of books, isn't some arrogant, alpha-male. And it shows in this book. He's patient and tender. He didn't even rush Alice to sex. You know what surprised me more? It's the other way around! Ha! I still heart Harley, but to me Alice's not the one.
In my opinion, the right girl for Harley's a girl with attitude that can fire him up, yet she's tender and "need to be saved". You know, someone like Lisa Monroe kind of girl.
This book could be better little bit if there's at least some action in it. I have a high expectations about the murderer yet to me it left unsolved, even if it did, it was too quick and not described very good. Definitely turn off.
Yes, I don't like this one. Not at all. :(((
December 6, 2009
I was surprised to learn when I started reading this that it featured a minor character from my favorite Diana Palmer book. I liked the storyline but as I've said before I like her longer books better. This Silhouette paperback is just too short. The endings of her books lately make me think if you did a "where are they now?" the characters may not still be together. I don't feel like the relationship was fully developed. This book was just the 'getting to know you' stage. It even hinted that they really didn't know much about each other but then it never went any further with that.
September 8, 2015
My mom read this and then gave it to me to read. I've never been a Diana Palmer fan and I really don't know why. Anyway, it started out pretty good and had quite a bit of humor in it. I liked the hero and heroine too. My problem with the story was it seemed almost juvenile in places and there are unresolved issues at the end and because it's part of a series there are other characters that you are supposed to already know and since I haven't read them and more than likely won't, I didn't really "get" parts of it.
December 1, 2009
If someone hasn't read the rest of the series, this book will probably seem dull and lifeless - she doesn't really give Harley's background very well, and I could see how someone picking it up for a quick read would think that there is absolutely no chemistry between them.
For those who HAVE read the series...it's really nice to see Harley get his own story. :)
For those who HAVE read the series...it's really nice to see Harley get his own story. :)
December 27, 2009
I've read probably every single Diana Palmer (yes, a weakness for cowboys/law enforcement, why do you ask? ;)
She has a formula, one that makes me roll my eyes on occasion, but still keep coming back for more.
However, this one had a little something extra. There was a lot of sweet humor and did not really fit into her usual plot.
I really liked it, made me smile.
She has a formula, one that makes me roll my eyes on occasion, but still keep coming back for more.
However, this one had a little something extra. There was a lot of sweet humor and did not really fit into her usual plot.
I really liked it, made me smile.
October 9, 2012
I was kind of excited about this book, I've been waiting for Harley to have his own story but this book was the biggest let down. I didn't like the characters, the dialogue or the story.
Full review and discussion of book let downs can be found here
Full review and discussion of book let downs can be found here
April 21, 2010
I was kinda disappointed in this book. We have waited for so long for Harley's story and I just felt it was rushed and put out just to say here he has a story now. I like him with Alice, but was hoping for so much more for him.
February 12, 2016
One of the more sweeter Diana Palmers. Harley and Alice had a lot of chemistry and sweet moments- and there was no angst. Would have rated it higher if there were more scenes about the couple and less about the investigation.
May 20, 2018
Estos personajes que rondan muchas de las novelas anteriores me intrigan más, y espero más de ellos, y decepcionan. Me gustó la personalidad de la chica, pero acá todo se resuelve muy rápido, sobre todo considerando que el caso policíaco en cuestión no se resolvió para nada.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2009
nonsense.. i don't know why i finished reading this book. lol!
October 15, 2016
Review to come!
February 12, 2018
Konečně nepošahaný hrdina a ne úplně pitomá hrdinka. Ale detektivní linka je mnohem zajímavější než ta romantická. Jen nikam nevede, dalším dílem je Nezkrotný doktor a tam o nějakého mrtvého vůbec nešlo. A Kilravenův příběhů pro jistotu nevyšel vůbec.
Jako obvykle je většina vedlejších postav zajímavější než hlavní hrdinové.
Agent úplně všeho nepozná svoje telefonní číslo, protože je rozmáčená předvolba? Ani sebemenší podezření?
s. 50
„Poslední vyšetřovatelka, která se pokoušela podívat zblízka na senátorovy aktivity teď pochůzkáři.“
„Pomstychtivý chlap?“
To je divení. Sama na s. 38 pravila:
„…a vyšetřovatelka, se kterou spolupracoval, byla odvolána z oddělení vražd a hlídkuje teď v ulicích.“
s. 57 „Táta mi umřel před pár měsíci.“
s. 22 od smrti otce (…) a kterého pochovala teprve před měsícem
s. 134 „Myslíš, že by mi mohla jít za svědka Lisa Parksová?“
„Určitě půjde moc ráda.“
Pak došlo k nějaké změně? S. 143
Lisa Parksová jí nadzvedla před kostelem vlečku a pak se posadila.
Jako obvykle je většina vedlejších postav zajímavější než hlavní hrdinové.
Agent úplně všeho nepozná svoje telefonní číslo, protože je rozmáčená předvolba? Ani sebemenší podezření?
s. 50
„Poslední vyšetřovatelka, která se pokoušela podívat zblízka na senátorovy aktivity teď pochůzkáři.“
„Pomstychtivý chlap?“
To je divení. Sama na s. 38 pravila:
„…a vyšetřovatelka, se kterou spolupracoval, byla odvolána z oddělení vražd a hlídkuje teď v ulicích.“
s. 57 „Táta mi umřel před pár měsíci.“
s. 22 od smrti otce (…) a kterého pochovala teprve před měsícem
s. 134 „Myslíš, že by mi mohla jít za svědka Lisa Parksová?“
„Určitě půjde moc ráda.“
Pak došlo k nějaké změně? S. 143
Lisa Parksová jí nadzvedla před kostelem vlečku a pak se posadila.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2023
It was, you know, just kinda fine I guess. A medium OK. A lukewarm so-so.
I loved the h, she had a cool job and a somewhat eccentric sense of humor that I enjoyed. And she was embroiled in a little murder mystery plot that clipped along for as long as she was holding the baton.
But alas, this was more of a silly little mystery than a romance. The H was hardly in it, and when he was 'on screen' all he did was chuckle along to the h's half-in-jest marriage proposals. Their 'romance' was entirely straightforward, there was no complications, just a very smooth and seamless transition from dating to marriage. Then the book was over, with the mystery plot left unsolved and dangling for Kilraven to pick up in the next book I assume.
It was just a whole lot of pleasant nothingness, with an almost non-existent sex scene (come on of I read DP for anything its for her filthy steam), no conflict, no drama, no mean alpha, no tension... just a beige meander through a very sedate 'romance'.
I loved the h, she had a cool job and a somewhat eccentric sense of humor that I enjoyed. And she was embroiled in a little murder mystery plot that clipped along for as long as she was holding the baton.
But alas, this was more of a silly little mystery than a romance. The H was hardly in it, and when he was 'on screen' all he did was chuckle along to the h's half-in-jest marriage proposals. Their 'romance' was entirely straightforward, there was no complications, just a very smooth and seamless transition from dating to marriage. Then the book was over, with the mystery plot left unsolved and dangling for Kilraven to pick up in the next book I assume.
It was just a whole lot of pleasant nothingness, with an almost non-existent sex scene (come on of I read DP for anything its for her filthy steam), no conflict, no drama, no mean alpha, no tension... just a beige meander through a very sedate 'romance'.
September 16, 2025
The Maverick by Diana Palmer is a compelling addition to the Long, Tall Texans series. The story follows rancher Harley Fowler, known for his knack for getting out of trouble, until he meets Alice Jones, a determined investigator trying to solve a murder involving Harley's own family. As they delve into the case, their professional relationship evolves into a passionate romance.
Palmer masterfully weaves themes of love, loyalty, and redemption, creating a narrative that is both heartwarming and suspenseful. The chemistry between Harley and Alice is palpable, and their journey from colleagues to lovers is both believable and engaging.
For fans of contemporary romance with a touch of mystery, The Maverick offers a satisfying and enjoyable read.
Palmer masterfully weaves themes of love, loyalty, and redemption, creating a narrative that is both heartwarming and suspenseful. The chemistry between Harley and Alice is palpable, and their journey from colleagues to lovers is both believable and engaging.
For fans of contemporary romance with a touch of mystery, The Maverick offers a satisfying and enjoyable read.
July 11, 2018
This story was a bit different from the rest of the Diana Palmer books that I have read. Harley Fowler wasn't a jerk as most of the heroes have been in her novels.
Alice Jones is shy but pretends to be otherwise while hiding behind her sense of humor. She meets Harley and the fake proposals begin! She is too much but in her job as a CSI I can see why humor is important.
Harley comes from an influential family and one that he ran away from after a terrible tragedy. The case that Alice is woking on has a connection to his family, a family he hasn't seen in 8 years.
It was a good story and gave some background information for Kilraven's story.
Alice Jones is shy but pretends to be otherwise while hiding behind her sense of humor. She meets Harley and the fake proposals begin! She is too much but in her job as a CSI I can see why humor is important.
Harley comes from an influential family and one that he ran away from after a terrible tragedy. The case that Alice is woking on has a connection to his family, a family he hasn't seen in 8 years.
It was a good story and gave some background information for Kilraven's story.
November 30, 2018
We have meet Harley and many of the previous books in the pass and I was glad he finally got his own story I thought I already knew everything about him but was pleasantly surprised to find out the secrets he had behind the friendly cowboy image I had of him. It was a good read but I wished there was more romance and passion and heat between Harley and Alice. It was a ok read
September 10, 2023
3 estrelas porque não resolveu o mistério e eu não sei se tem outros livros que vai dar continuidade no mistério e resolver e está tão bem escrito que eu daria 5 estrelas se tivesse concluído ou dado o nome do livro q conclui.
September 6, 2024
Not sure if this is the Spanish version.
The hero Harley has been in many books friend dating the heroines. Glad he got his own book finally. Wish o could have given it a higher rating but honestly I was kinda bored by this book and lost interest.
The hero Harley has been in many books friend dating the heroines. Glad he got his own book finally. Wish o could have given it a higher rating but honestly I was kinda bored by this book and lost interest.
March 26, 2018
Wonderful book!
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