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Notorious
Eden Rossiter is the owner of Spur Ranch, located thirty miles north of the small town of Friendly, Nevada. She is as strong and cautious as she is beautiful, struggling in a world of cattle runs and prairie dust where a spirited woman is not generally welcome. Eden is notorious in Friendly for having eluded a first-degree murder charge some years before, and she is also widely admired for not selling off the family ranch after her grandfather's death. But now Eden is in real troubleDuke Depard, owner of the neighboring two-and-a-half-million-acre Diamond D Ranch, is ruthlessly determined to drive her out of business. Depard is too powerful an enemy for anyone to stand up to alone, and Eden's only family is a ne'er-do-well brother, Vince, whose gambling habits make him unpredictable - and dangerous.
Then a stranger drifts into Friendly. Kincade is a soft-spoken, ruggedly handsome man who takes up Eden's cause and becomes her ally against Depard and his band of crooked ranchers. Their union is strictly business, and Eden, who deeply distrusts affairs of the heart, is determined to keep it that way. But Kincade has never felt for another woman the way he feels for Eden. As they struggle together through danger and adversity, Eden realizes the depths of Kincade's devotion, and her reserve gives way to the untapped passions of her heart.
Then a stranger drifts into Friendly. Kincade is a soft-spoken, ruggedly handsome man who takes up Eden's cause and becomes her ally against Depard and his band of crooked ranchers. Their union is strictly business, and Eden, who deeply distrusts affairs of the heart, is determined to keep it that way. But Kincade has never felt for another woman the way he feels for Eden. As they struggle together through danger and adversity, Eden realizes the depths of Kincade's devotion, and her reserve gives way to the untapped passions of her heart.
342 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1996
3 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Janet Dailey
391 books1,839 followersJanet Anne Haradon Dailey was an American author of numerous romance novels as Janet Dailey (her married name). Her novels have been translated into nineteen languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 12, 2009
Per Wikipedia: In 1997, another best-selling romance writer, Janet Dailey, admitted to repeatedly plagiarizing from Nora Roberts' work. The practice came to light after a reader read Roberts' Sweet Revenge and Dailey's Notorious back-to-back; she noticed several similarities and posted the comparable passages on the Internet. Calling the plagiarism "mind rape," Roberts sued Dailey. Dailey acknowledged the plagiarism and blamed it on a psychological disorder. She admitted that both Aspen Gold and Notorious lifted heavily from Roberts's work. Both of those novels were pulled from print after Dailey's admission. In April 1998 Dailey settled the case. Although terms were not released, Roberts had previously indicated that any settlement funds should be donated to the Literacy Volunteers of America.
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September 3, 2016I didn't bother reading this book after Sweet Revenge by Nora Roberts, but I honestly couldn't care less if this book plagiarized Nora's. If it's such a fucking "mind rape" (Wikipedia's source) from a reader who caught it a long time ago, were they referring to actual rape that was happening in Sweet Revenge and Janet just wanted to use that concept in this story?
I'll tell you that ain't plagiarism. It's just a old common theme that's used in many romance books (and unfortunately creeps up in most recent ones) and the author tries to make it come off as loving and heroic. It's not. I think romance authors should get penalized for glorifying that kind of behavior despite the whole first amendment. Freedom doesn't give you the right to be a dickhead.
I'll tell you that ain't plagiarism. It's just a old common theme that's used in many romance books (and unfortunately creeps up in most recent ones) and the author tries to make it come off as loving and heroic. It's not. I think romance authors should get penalized for glorifying that kind of behavior despite the whole first amendment. Freedom doesn't give you the right to be a dickhead.
August 2, 2017
Denise, Central patron, August 2017, 5 stars:
This is about a woman trying to hold on to the family ranch and going against a man who is trying to make her sell the ranch and putting all kinds of obstacles in her way. She had shot the man's brother and it was supposed to be self defense and she was found not guilty by a court of law, but not the brother. A drifter shows up and signs on to help her at the ranch and he discovers some interesting things.
This is about a woman trying to hold on to the family ranch and going against a man who is trying to make her sell the ranch and putting all kinds of obstacles in her way. She had shot the man's brother and it was supposed to be self defense and she was found not guilty by a court of law, but not the brother. A drifter shows up and signs on to help her at the ranch and he discovers some interesting things.
July 8, 2013
This book takes place in Texas. The main character Eden is a female rancher who inherits a ranch from her grandfather. Eden is very stubborn on keeping the ranch and making it her life despite another rancher Depard trying to get her sell out. No matter what the cost. Eden was tried for the murder of Depard's brother, and he won't rest until she pays. With the help of a lone stranger, whom got stranded in this small town, she overcomes all odds, and to the whole towns astonishment saves her ranch, finds her lost self and love, all at the same time.
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November 30, 2019Wow, usually I don‘t read comments by other reviewers until after I‘ve written mine, but for some reason I just read one and saw that this book had been the subject of a plagiarism suit by Nora Roberts against Janet Dailey... and Roberts won. Strangely, that review was referring to events some twenty years ago, and just recently there have been a series of disputes due to authors plagiarizing... and apparently snide reports to the effect „if you‘ve seen one romance you‘ve seen them all“...
I do enjoy Nora Robert‘s books and had not read any by this author yet. Basically a contemporary set in the West, these were not really the ingredients which usually appeal to me most, but unaware of the background of this book, I did enjoy it.
I find it difficult to fathom why or perhaps how people can steal from others‘ creativity, but hopefully Dailey‘s current work is her own. Her prose was pretty good, presumably it‘s the plot she copied?
I do enjoy Nora Robert‘s books and had not read any by this author yet. Basically a contemporary set in the West, these were not really the ingredients which usually appeal to me most, but unaware of the background of this book, I did enjoy it.
I find it difficult to fathom why or perhaps how people can steal from others‘ creativity, but hopefully Dailey‘s current work is her own. Her prose was pretty good, presumably it‘s the plot she copied?
February 5, 2019
A wonderful book about a young woman who is fighting to keep the ranch inherited from her family. The ranch has been in their family for 4 generations. Unfortunately, her brother doesn’t want to have anything to do with the ranch. In fact he might be helping her enemies. Then a stranger rides into town and saves her life from a herd of cattle. She has tried her whole adult life to live down something from her teen years. Her enemy is a cattle rancher, a next door neighbor, so to speak. He has been doing everything he can to run her off or make her sell out. The characters are very strong. The story itself is extremely interesting and very addictive. It could certainly be taken from the front page of today’s headlines. I give high praise to this book.
December 30, 2020
I only gave this one star because I really was done with it half-way through. I did finish it, and it was better the last 25%, but I would still never recommend this book to anyone.
Number 1: I hate weak women characters. Eden enabled her brother’s gambling habits, forgave him for leaving the bulk of the ranch work to her, and let him betray her over & over again.
Kincade is a fairly decent character, but came across as someone who could disappear and move on with his life at any time.
Vince, the brother, was a despicable worm.
Number 1: I hate weak women characters. Eden enabled her brother’s gambling habits, forgave him for leaving the bulk of the ranch work to her, and let him betray her over & over again.
Kincade is a fairly decent character, but came across as someone who could disappear and move on with his life at any time.
Vince, the brother, was a despicable worm.
January 26, 2023
I liked the setting and the rich details of ranch life. I liked the main character Eden, and her stubborn determination to keep the ranch against great adversity. Kincade was an aloof and mysterious leading man. Unfortunately, it was a bit slow, there was not much romance, and the continued underhanded (but very obvious) antics of Eve’s brother Vince got to be a bit much after a while.
February 25, 2023
I don't believe I have ever read any of Janet's books, but after having read this one, I shall certainly be doing so from now on!
I got quite enthralled reading this. Very much held my attention as the story progressed. A delightful unravelling of people's pasts became more and more engrossing. The way the two main characters learn to trust each other was delightfully endearing.
I got quite enthralled reading this. Very much held my attention as the story progressed. A delightful unravelling of people's pasts became more and more engrossing. The way the two main characters learn to trust each other was delightfully endearing.
July 18, 2019
It was too slow in actions and boring conversation. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but when it was suppose to be exciting, it was like a bad 50's Western movie.
May 13, 2020
Loved the setting and the story. Janet Dailey rocks!
July 28, 2020
This book is far too wordy. Who says a writing pen, what other kind is there?
September 26, 2020
Great modern day western/murder mystery.
April 27, 2021
Another ranch love story. Romance, revenge, gambling, murder and putting your past behind you. Good read.
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June 13, 2022S
July 3, 2022
A sweet, little romance but nothing great.
January 23, 2013
Another great Janet Dailey novel. Eden's trying to manage/keep her family cattle ranch running, all the while, the rancher next door, Duke DePard, is trying to "finish her off", box her in so she'll have to sell. All out of spite because she killed his "star quarterback" brother 14 yrs earlier. Action keeps moving ... but does tie up a little too neatly, too quickly at the end.
May 21, 2013
A ranch romance story. Wouldn't say it was exceptional, but does bring out well how feuds, hatred and revenge are held by humans for long and that messes up everything. Too many unsaid things, that twist and turn the story. Rather a quick refreshing read, light and with a happily ever after ending.
April 10, 2016
Wow. This book was truly great. It was interesting and entertaining. The characters were so real, I loved the story. I have been through Nevada enough times to know the area and this author has the terrain down pat. The story line was awesome yet so believable. Truly a great book.
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August 20, 2008F Dai
December 17, 2010
Good Cowboy Opera! Seems that the Texas Ranch jargon is authentic, but what do I know...
Light bedside reading with enough violence and desire to attract readers from other genres ;-)
Light bedside reading with enough violence and desire to attract readers from other genres ;-)
June 12, 2011
just didn't work for me...
January 20, 2012
Eden Rossiter owns a ranch, but is being driven out by another rancher - until a stranger comes to town
April 8, 2014
Typical of this genre, but an enjoyable read just the same. And a little bit of a surprise twist at the end.
October 18, 2014
From the story, I get to learn about few things about Shakespeare's quotes. Although the story is typical, but I still enjoy reading it.
January 3, 2015
It was okay.
September 6, 2016
The ending was a surprise. Never thought of what happened happened. A good book from a great writer. Recommended read.
December 11, 2016
"Notorious" - written by Janet Dailey and published in 1996 by HarperCollins. Pretty boring Western romance.
August 16, 2019
Mystery and romance, cowboys and the bad guys. A darn good read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews