Stronger than the Rest

MacLarens of Fire Mountain (Historical) #4

by Shirleen Davies

“Smart, tough, and capable, the MacLarens protect their own no matter the odds. Set against America’s rugged frontier, the stories of the men from Fire Mountain are complex, fast-paced, and a must read for anyone who enjoys non-stop action and romance.”


Drew MacLaren is focused and strong. He has achieved all of his goals except one—to return to the MacLaren ranch and build the best horse breeding program in the west. His successful career as an attorney is about to give way to his ranching roots when a bullet changes everything.


Tess Taylor is the quiet, serious daughter of a Colorado ranch family with dreams of her own. Her shy nature keeps her from developing friendships outside of her close-knit family until Drew enters her life. Their relationship grows. Then a bullet, meant for another, leaves him paralyzed and determined to distance himself from the one woman he’s come to love.


Convinced he is no longer the man Tess needs, Drew focuses on regaining the use of his legs and recapturing a life he thought lost. But danger of another kind threatens those he cares about—including Tess—forcing him to rethink his future.


Can Drew overcome the barriers that stand between him, the safety of his friends and family, and a life with the woman he loves? To do it all, he has to be strong. Stronger than the Rest.

Genres: Romance, Westerns

152 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 14, 2014

About the author

Shirleen Davies grew up in Southern California. She attended Oregon State University, and has degrees from San Diego State University and the University of Maryland. During the day she provides consulting services to small and mid-sized businesses. But her real passion is writing emotionally charged stories of flawed people who find redemption through love and acceptance. She now lives with her husband in a beautiful town in northern Arizona.

Shirleen loves to hear from her readers.

Write to her at shirleen@shirleendavies.com
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Reviews

[Tricia Drammeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

After an injury leaves him paralyzed, Drew MacLaren is convinced he has to set his dreams aside. He's in love with Tess, the quiet daughter of a Rancher, but won't ask for her hand until he can walk again. Tess believes she's the only one who can help him, and she's determined to be there for him, even when he pushes her away. When Drew's job forces him to return to the site of his crippling injury, he discovers danger still lurks within the Colorado town.

Stronger Than the Rest is the fourth book in The MacLarens of Fire Mountain Series. While I can't say it's my favorite (because I couldn't possibly choose between them), I can say this is by far the most complex and fast-paced story of them all. This book is non-stop action, passionate romance, and heart-clutching danger all rolled into one amazing package. It's definitely a page-turner! With the introduction of a cold-hearted, greedy villain who will destroy anyone to get what he wants, the tension oozes from every page. There are characters who aren't who they seem to be, and a mysterious spy working behind the scenes. In the midst of all this danger, there's a romance brewing between Drew and Tess. Drew struggles with the fear that he isn't good enough for the woman he loves while trying to do the job he has set out to do.

Drew is a courageous, honorable character, and it's no wonder. The entire MacLaren family is made up of unforgettably unique characters I can't get enough of. I love the way this family bands together and supports each other in any situation. I've mentioned this in my reviews of previous books, but it's worth mentioning again--there is something very special about this series, and it isn't just the romance. If you're a romance lover, you'll enjoy the blossoming love that develops in each MacLaren novel. If romance isn't your thing, there's enough action and intrigue to keep you engaged (particularly in books three and four). If you're a reader who wants to discover an entire family of characters you can fall in love with, this is the series for you. It's the family that makes this series truly special. There's a feeling of love--not just romantic love, but love between brothers, love between parents and children, love for the land, love for your neighbors--the kind of real, enduring love that's missing from many romance novels I've read. These are characters who are often flawed, but have strong work ethics and solid moral values. They embrace fun and family while enduring tragedy and sharing tears.

This series is a definite favorite I will read over and over again.

[K B · Rating 3 out of 5]

4. Stronger than the Rest, Book Four
3 stars
I purchased a copy of the historical 1800’s set western romance Stronger Than The Rest (MacLarens of Fire Mountain Book 4): Drew by Shirleen Davies and this review was given freely.
Pride, reduced self-image, greed, determination, and a whole lot of violence is contained in this book where each chapter goes back and forth between Cold Creek and Denver, Colorado with a few excerpts from Fire Mountain Arizona. The delivery is awkward at times using ‘the associate’, ‘the brother’, and ‘Connor’ interchangeably during the same scene making it difficult to figure out who was being referred to.
If you didn’t catch on with the descriptions and foreshadowing, the family expands with three more adult MacLarens as well as some Arizona children.
Bitter, paralyzed, and determined to both walk again and make Tess his wife, attorney Drew Maclaren forsakes the comfort of his Arizona family, and his dreams of horse breeding to return to Cold Creek, Colorado to further the interests of his Denver boss, Mr. Dunnigan only to find the neighboring ranches under attack.
Contains a lot of violence and many murders.
5. Deadlier than the Rest, Book Five
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the historical 1800’s set western romance Deadlier Than The Rest (MacLarens of Fire Mountain Book 5): Connor by Shirleen Davies and this review was given freely.
A then and now story relating the tragedies experienced by Meggie beginning with her kidnapping at sixteen in Brooklyn, NY and ending with her abusive marriage as fourth wife to a Mormon in Salt Lake City, Utah is combined with her brother Connor’s search for her, Conner’s falling for Mormon runaway third wife Grace, and a story of ex-convicts seeking revenge.
Contains a fair amount of violence, multiple ironic moments, two weddings and two momentous reunions.
6. Wilder than the Rest, Book Six
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the historical 1800’s set western romance Wilder Than The Rest (MacLarens of Fire Mountain Book 6): Pierce by Shirleen Davies and this review was given freely.
A bit slow with some suspense.
A good update and integration of all the MacLaren clan is combined with an instant love-hate romance, a second chance at love romance, a reunion with three more MacLaren cousins, and an undercover Secret Service mission to stop an assassination.
Tricked into being partnered as a married couple, new Secret Service undercover operative Pierce MacLaren and Agent Mollie Jamison fight their attraction to and frustration with each other while trying to solve a governmental case where the city of San Francisco’s High Society and banking are the only clues.

[Earlene Click · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drew and Tessa

This is the fourth in the great series of more MacLearn brothers. Drew is one of the MacLearn twins. While ate the Taylor ranch he is shot in the back and paralyzed. He is in love with Tessa Taylor , but hold the fact that he is certain the paralysis is temporary and will not ask Tessa to marry him until he can walk again. There is plenty of adventure and excitement in the tale and you will enjoy discovering how they find their happily ever after.

[Barbara "Cookie" Serfaty Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stronger than the Rest (MacLarens of Fire Mountain Book 4)

The love story of Drew and Tess and many other story line. Drew cannot walk but he plan to. Patricia want to marry Drew but he is in love with Tess. Someone is trying to buy out the ranches in Cold Creek. MacLarens meet new cousin. Ok story.

[John Boles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stronger Than The Rest

I think this may be the best book that I have read by Shirleen Davies. The suspense and intrigue was more than you find in most books. I would recommend this book to anyone.

[Norma Gorrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stronger than the Rest

This was another great book in the lives of the McLarens of Fire Mountain. This one is of the younger McLaren and his job as a ranger and the men he was contacted to find and bring to Justice. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill

[Efpierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shirleen Davies never ceases to amaze me. In my mind I knew that this book would be better than her last and the ones before that but I did have some doubt. How could she possibly top her already phenomenal story telling? I ordered the book and started reading; almost immediately I knew that she had done it, she had surpassed her other works and created a story that would pull me in and entertain my mind with her character subtlety and powerful story lines. Stronger Than The Rest fits well with the rest of the series and I think it might even be my favorite. Her character, Drew, is one of the best leading men in any book series and his relationship with Tess is so much more than believable, the reader actually connects with them and they soon become real. The way the plot unfolds and gives us a twist here and there is pure literary genius and is something that every reader should have the privilege to behold. I know it sounds like I am gushing, but I really like this book and the rest of the series that much! It couldn't have been written any better by anyone else no matter who they are. Shirleen Davies has another hit on her hands with this one, I can't wait for the next book in the series!

[Katlyn Womack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was starting to think this book would never come out. I actually went back and re-read through the first three books a little bit to refresh my memory on the history of these brothers before diving into this story.

I had been so upset when Drew was shot in the last book, and I was praying for his speedy recovery. I won't go into just how much or how fast he recovers in this one, but it kept me pleased. I was also rooting for him and Tess to get together, and the outcome of that was of course satisfying as well.

Shirleen really knows how to interweave so many great stories and characters together and make a fantastic read. I always look forward to the next one. Being that there are only four brothers, I expected, and kind of dreaded that this would be the last one. However, she pulled something out of her hat during this book that took me by surprise and left the door open for more great books to come. She mentions at the very end that the next book should be out this coming spring. I greatly look forward to it.

I recommend this series to anyone. These are wonderful stories filled with a little bit of everything. Action, suspense, romance, you name it.

[Sarah Evanston · Rating 5 out of 5]

They say the third time's the charm, but I think in this case, it's the fourth time that the charm with this book series! I loved the first three books and have read them over and over again (I feel like the MacLarens are family now!), but this book is the best by far. I will try not to give anything away in my review and I apologize if I do. Drew coming back to Fire Mountain even though his career in law was going well, was a pivotal moment in his life; he met the love of his life and almost lost his life to a bullet. Although he was struggling with what happened, the story doesn't become a bleeding heart tale of woe and depression. He fight to regain the use of his full body and it's really inspirational when his feeling starts to return here and there. It's the fact that his true love is by his side that he is able to cope and that's the way it is in real life for many of us. The author has conveyed the feelings between her main characters into something tangible for the reader. There is a special connection that is a part of all of Shirleen Davies' books that I can't quite explain, you'll have to read them for yourself and see what I mean. Excellent book yet again!

[Anari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a great fan of Shirleen Davies. Stronger than the Rest is the fourth installment in the MacLarens of Fire Mountain and it does not disappoint. The story continues where 'Harder than the Rest,' left off - just after Drew MacLaren had been shot and paralyzed. It's a raw deal for Drew, who now finds himself cooped up in office when he'd rather be out ranching and to make matters worse, he's in love with the delicious Tess Taylor whom he feels he cannot propose to, unless he has full use of his legs. Men!

That's not all that's going down. Smuggling, cattle hustling, kidnapping, murder - you name it and you'll find it in Cold Creek.Can the MacLaren's save the day once more? Will Tess and Drew manage to get themselves paired up - you'll need to pick up a copy and find out!

I love the fact that Ms Davies always sets up a new book before the last one has finished and I'm already interested in both Connor and Pierce's story. I certainly hope there will be many, many more books to look forward to in the future.

A 5 star read with a gripping plot, plenty of action and some good old fashioned romance.

[Deede · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been hooked on this series since the first book, eagerly awaiting this novel (particularly since a part of Drew's fate was determined in Harder than the Rest) so needless to say I read this one with all the eager anticipation of a woman on a mission and once again Shirleen Davis has delivered a heartwarming, exciting, adventurous and moving novel. Drew's struggles broke my heart, and Tess was fantastic: determined, supportive and hiding, initially, through her shyness, an inner core of strength and steel that manifested itself more and more as the story went on.

Ms. Davis has a particular talent at character building, at getting to the heart and soul of a protagonist and presenting them in a way where the reader feels like they know them like close, personal friends. She's done it with every book in this series thus far, and Stronger than the Rest is a sterling example of this remarkable feat. I can't recommend it, and it's predecessors, enough to do them justice!

Fantastic book, fantastic series.

[Shel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The MacLarens of Fire Mountain are four brothers: Niall, Jamie, Will and Drew. Each book from this series focuses on the life of one of the brothers. Stronger Than the Rest is the story of Drew MacLaren.

Single-minded Drew and Tess Taylor are drawn to each other’s strengths and serious outlook. Drew can also be prideful and stubborn, aspects of his personality that come to the fore after a suffering devastating injury. But the rugged west is a treacherous place and these hazards cannot be faced alone. Drew has many obstacles to overcome if he is to save the day.

Author, Shirleen Davies, gets right into the psyche of the frontier rancher overcoming inner conflicts of pride and humility, and independence and reliance to show the true grit and determination that we have come to associate with the ‘wild west’. She writes relationships with great depth of emotion. Her characters are well-developed and totally believable.

This is the fourth book in the Fire Mountain series – and they just keep getting better!

[Lcdk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this series with the first, Tougher than the Rest, and each new addition hasn't failed to please me yet. In fact, Shirleen Davis is one of the few authors where I find myself eagerly anticipating her new releases to the point that I stop reading whatever book I am currently indulging in, and jump into the new addition as fast as possible. With this being said, I think it's safe to say that I have set the bar pretty high for her, yet she never fails to amaze and I think Stronger than the Rest is a great example and testament of her skill.

Though my favorite is still probably Tougher than the Rest; what stood out to me about Stronger than the Rest is that it seems to keep up at more of a faster pace, compared to the others, which adds a whole new element of excitement and intrigue for me as I feel that the author is starting to expand and experiment a bit. As always, I will be eagerly awaiting more with high hopes!

[Joan Esworthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed Reader

I was disappointed in this 4th book of the series after enjoying the previous books. There were far too many characters to my liking and too much violence.

[Sandra Nachlinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exciting book in Shirleen Davies's "MacLarens of Fire Mountain" series. As the story opens, Drew MacLaren is confined to a wheelchair, paralyzed from a gunshot and convinced that he is not the man Tess needs. But as long as there's hope that he'll walk again, he'll keep working toward that goal. When an unscrupulous criminal sends thugs to intimidate ranchers into selling their property, will Drew and his brothers be able to set things right?

As in the other books in this series, the story focuses not only on romance but also on friendship and family. The compelling plot builds to an exciting and satisfying climax. I'm looking forward to the next MacLaren tale.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

While each of the MacLaren brothers have their own troubles to work through, Drew gets a much more brutal one when a bullet paralyzes his legs. Cut off from his ability to walk and from the dreams he had for his future, he retreats into his work while his heart aches to be the man who Tess deserves.

With romance and danger, this book in the series really had an emotional pull on me, and the whole family comes together as well. The ending was also completely unexpected, but satisfying. This series is a great gift for a romance fan in your life!

[Alexis1983 · Rating 5 out of 5]

After his injury, the main character finds himself with a massive journey ahead of him. He struggles to regain his loss, plagued by self doubt and enemies and situations that look to sink him at every turn. Yet he has the most beautiful girl there, who he wants, above all else. The whole novel is so involving, because the main character comes up against such difficult odds, and I won’t spoilt it, but he does as the MacLaren’s always do, he proves he’s stronger than the rest.

[Mikkel Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, fast moving story.

Davies treats the MacLarens as as a clan that gathers when there is trouble. She writes on the order of Louis Lamour in his Sacket series. She softens her stories with romance but not sappy like so many love stories. An all around good read.

[Sydnee Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who this book had a lot of information in it. Not only the storyline we were in but more aspects to the family we didn’t even know about. Loved it