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Montana Mavericks: 20 Years in the Saddle #5
The Maverick's Thanksgiving Baby
A Bride - and a Baby! - Under His Tree!
Rust Creek Ramblings
Stop the presses! Can you believe there's about to be another wedding in Rust Creek Falls? Yes, local cowboy Jesse Crawford is tying the knot with Maggie Roarke, that Hollywood lawyer who's been flitting in and out of town for the past several months. Rumor has it their hasty nuptials might have something to do with Maggie's brand-new baby bump...
We're all for one big happy family, but we're a little puzzled by this pairing. Maggie and Jesse couldn't be more different if they tried - are they really ready to saddle up for the long haul? Stay on the trail, faithful readers, and let's see if their baby-to-be can bring this new family together for the holidays - and ever after!
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
33 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Harlen
433 books83 followersBrenda’s first love was reading.
According to her mother, she fell in love with books even before she could read and was always content when she had a book in her hands. It didn’t surprise anyone when she decided that she wanted to be a writer, but she was encouraged to pursue “a real job” first.
So she did—she became a lawyer. Two years of practicing law taught her a lot about the world—and reinforced her determination to become a writer. Because in fiction, she could promise a happy ending!
Thankfully, she had already met and married a wonderful man to inspire her fictional heroes. And when she was on maternity leave after the birth of their first son, he encouraged her to take a romance writing course at the local community college. It was while enrolled in this class that she completed her first (still unpublished) manuscript.
Three more manuscripts and another baby followed. And then, in June 2002, she finally got the call from Susan Litman—an editorial assistant and contest judge—offering to buy the manuscript she’d submitted to RWA’s Golden Heart® contest as “From This Moment.” This story was re-titled McIver’s Mission and released by Silhouette Intimate Moments in May 2003.
According to her mother, she fell in love with books even before she could read and was always content when she had a book in her hands. It didn’t surprise anyone when she decided that she wanted to be a writer, but she was encouraged to pursue “a real job” first.
So she did—she became a lawyer. Two years of practicing law taught her a lot about the world—and reinforced her determination to become a writer. Because in fiction, she could promise a happy ending!
Thankfully, she had already met and married a wonderful man to inspire her fictional heroes. And when she was on maternity leave after the birth of their first son, he encouraged her to take a romance writing course at the local community college. It was while enrolled in this class that she completed her first (still unpublished) manuscript.
Three more manuscripts and another baby followed. And then, in June 2002, she finally got the call from Susan Litman—an editorial assistant and contest judge—offering to buy the manuscript she’d submitted to RWA’s Golden Heart® contest as “From This Moment.” This story was re-titled McIver’s Mission and released by Silhouette Intimate Moments in May 2003.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 25, 2015
Very good book about two extremely different people brought together by chemistry and its consequences. Maggie has been in and out of Rust Creek Falls for several months, working on a controversial court case. The first time Jesse saw her, he wanted to get to know her, but he hasn't been able to summon up the courage to ask her out. He's a bit shy and much more comfortable with animals than people. His latest attempt ended in a tongue-tied disaster, so he gave up, only to get another unexpected chance a few moments later.
Maggie is tired of avoiding the unwelcome attentions of a particular cowboy, and sees Jesse as the perfect rescuer. I loved her first words to him, and the kiss she laid on him was scorching. What happens next is not unexpected. Though she lives in LA, Maggie is not averse to getting to know him a little better. Unfortunately, once she goes home, her busy career interferes with her intention to go back to Rust Creek Falls to see him again. Pretty soon even their phone calls taper off to nothing, and she's afraid that he's forgotten all about her.
Jesse hasn't forgotten a thing, but he's not going to chase after someone who obviously didn't care that much about him to start with. Years ago he'd been engaged to a city woman who ended up leaving him because he and Rust Creek Falls weren't enough for her. He's not going to risk his heart on another woman just like that.
Then a few months later, Maggie is back to deliver some stunning news. She's pregnant and the baby is his. She doesn't expect anything from him, she just felt that he deserved to know. He's shocked, but he's old fashioned enough that he feels the best thing is for them to get married and tells her so. But Maggie is an independent woman and has no desire to be "the right thing". Besides, her life and her job are in LA. Jesse isn't going to give up trying to convince her to stay in Montana.
The first half of the book is spent with Jesse trying to get Maggie to marry him. I liked the way he tried to show her all the good things about the town. He's determined to keep her in Montana, but Maggie doesn't want to give up the job she's worked so hard for to marry a man who has said nothing about caring about her, not just the baby. Maggie likes her job, but because of her pregnancy she finds her priorities changing, and those changes aren't compatible with her work. I loved how she then makes a decision and follows through quickly.
I loved her return to Rust Creek Falls. While she's pretty sure that she has made the right decision, the changes to her life are pretty drastic. Life in Montana isn't nearly as hectic, and though she goes to work for the other lawyer in town it is a whole different way of doing things. I loved seeing her adjust to the slower lifestyle, the interest of her new town in everything she does, and how much she enjoyed having a life outside of work. She still had to deal with Jesse's determination to marry her, but even there it didn't take long before she was considering the possibility. She has accepted her feelings for him, but worries about marrying a man who doesn't feel the same way.
Jesse succeeds in convincing her to marry him, and is looking forward to all that it entails, until several people at the reception have him making comparisons between Maggie and his former fiancee. That same fiancee appears right before the wedding in an attempt to get him back, and when he turns her down, makes snide comments about Maggie being just like her. Then one of her brothers flat out tells Jesse that he's not so sure that Maggie is cut out for life in small town Montana. Even his parents have been less than welcoming to her. Now he's afraid that she won't stick it out, and in order to protect himself he starts to pull back.
I really wanted to shake him and tell him to stop comparing Maggie to Shaelyn, that he's just making both Maggie and himself miserable. The chemistry between them is still burning hot, but he is afraid to give in to it for fear of how much it will hurt when she leaves him. He does everything he can to keep distance between them, but in doing so misses seeing how quickly she is settling into life in Rust Creek Falls, He has a few instances of being the husband he should be, such as during and after the doctor's appointment and ultrasound. He's so sweet there, and adorable at the toy store, but then shuts down again. Poor Maggie is hurt and confused by his mixed signals, and her hopes for a happy marriage start to fade. It was very satisfying to see him realize what an idiot he was being and admit his fears to her. She may have been able to make him work a little harder for her forgiveness, but the ending was very satisfying.
Maggie is tired of avoiding the unwelcome attentions of a particular cowboy, and sees Jesse as the perfect rescuer. I loved her first words to him, and the kiss she laid on him was scorching. What happens next is not unexpected. Though she lives in LA, Maggie is not averse to getting to know him a little better. Unfortunately, once she goes home, her busy career interferes with her intention to go back to Rust Creek Falls to see him again. Pretty soon even their phone calls taper off to nothing, and she's afraid that he's forgotten all about her.
Jesse hasn't forgotten a thing, but he's not going to chase after someone who obviously didn't care that much about him to start with. Years ago he'd been engaged to a city woman who ended up leaving him because he and Rust Creek Falls weren't enough for her. He's not going to risk his heart on another woman just like that.
Then a few months later, Maggie is back to deliver some stunning news. She's pregnant and the baby is his. She doesn't expect anything from him, she just felt that he deserved to know. He's shocked, but he's old fashioned enough that he feels the best thing is for them to get married and tells her so. But Maggie is an independent woman and has no desire to be "the right thing". Besides, her life and her job are in LA. Jesse isn't going to give up trying to convince her to stay in Montana.
The first half of the book is spent with Jesse trying to get Maggie to marry him. I liked the way he tried to show her all the good things about the town. He's determined to keep her in Montana, but Maggie doesn't want to give up the job she's worked so hard for to marry a man who has said nothing about caring about her, not just the baby. Maggie likes her job, but because of her pregnancy she finds her priorities changing, and those changes aren't compatible with her work. I loved how she then makes a decision and follows through quickly.
I loved her return to Rust Creek Falls. While she's pretty sure that she has made the right decision, the changes to her life are pretty drastic. Life in Montana isn't nearly as hectic, and though she goes to work for the other lawyer in town it is a whole different way of doing things. I loved seeing her adjust to the slower lifestyle, the interest of her new town in everything she does, and how much she enjoyed having a life outside of work. She still had to deal with Jesse's determination to marry her, but even there it didn't take long before she was considering the possibility. She has accepted her feelings for him, but worries about marrying a man who doesn't feel the same way.
Jesse succeeds in convincing her to marry him, and is looking forward to all that it entails, until several people at the reception have him making comparisons between Maggie and his former fiancee. That same fiancee appears right before the wedding in an attempt to get him back, and when he turns her down, makes snide comments about Maggie being just like her. Then one of her brothers flat out tells Jesse that he's not so sure that Maggie is cut out for life in small town Montana. Even his parents have been less than welcoming to her. Now he's afraid that she won't stick it out, and in order to protect himself he starts to pull back.
I really wanted to shake him and tell him to stop comparing Maggie to Shaelyn, that he's just making both Maggie and himself miserable. The chemistry between them is still burning hot, but he is afraid to give in to it for fear of how much it will hurt when she leaves him. He does everything he can to keep distance between them, but in doing so misses seeing how quickly she is settling into life in Rust Creek Falls, He has a few instances of being the husband he should be, such as during and after the doctor's appointment and ultrasound. He's so sweet there, and adorable at the toy store, but then shuts down again. Poor Maggie is hurt and confused by his mixed signals, and her hopes for a happy marriage start to fade. It was very satisfying to see him realize what an idiot he was being and admit his fears to her. She may have been able to make him work a little harder for her forgiveness, but the ending was very satisfying.
Read
November 7, 2023I have a book shelf crammed full of Harlequins that I've acquired randomly over the years, and I've decided to take a stab at finally, actively culling it down. I'm starting with the winter holiday books (one Thanksgiving, seven Christmas), and this was up first. It's a classic premise executed smoothly and fully--it's just not one that engages or interests me. But I liked the protagonists a lot: they had dynamic interactions and fun dialogue where you could tell they were enjoying each other and enjoying learning about each other.
September 23, 2018
Love it
September 21, 2024
Well-written story about a lovely woman and the complete idiotic man who loves her but refuses to say so.
November 6, 2014
"The Maverick's Thanksgiving Baby" by Brenda Harlen is a continuation of the 'Montana Mavericks: 20 years in the Saddle' series. Loved this book. Quick read that you don't want to put down.
Maggie Roarke comes to Rust Creek Falls, Montana and meets Jesse Crawford. Maggie is a lawyer from L.A. Jesse is known as the horse whisperer, and is more comfortable around animals than people. They meet and have a one night stand. The next day Jesse wakes up to find a note from Maggie and she is on her way back to L.A. When he tries calling her she coldly rejects coming back to Rust Creek Falls, and Jesse feels as if she really wants nothing more to do with him. We come to find out that Maggie is going through serious morning sickness and just doesn't feel well enough to talk to Jesse.
A little more than a month later Maggie comes back to town to let Jesse know that their one night of passion resulted in their becoming parents. Jesse then tells Maggie that they need to get married for the sake of their baby. Maggie doesn't want to marry other than the sake of being in love, and she does love Jesse but she feels that he doesn't feel the same way. Jesse doesn't trust Maggie to stay in town due to an ex-fiance in his past that couldn't handle living in a remote area. He's afraid to give Maggie his love because he's afraid of giving his heart.
You'll need to read this story and find out what happens. Do they marry? Can Maggie give up her life in L.A. and be happy in Montana? There is quite a bit to this story that I'm leaving out because it is a story that should be read.
Maggie Roarke comes to Rust Creek Falls, Montana and meets Jesse Crawford. Maggie is a lawyer from L.A. Jesse is known as the horse whisperer, and is more comfortable around animals than people. They meet and have a one night stand. The next day Jesse wakes up to find a note from Maggie and she is on her way back to L.A. When he tries calling her she coldly rejects coming back to Rust Creek Falls, and Jesse feels as if she really wants nothing more to do with him. We come to find out that Maggie is going through serious morning sickness and just doesn't feel well enough to talk to Jesse.
A little more than a month later Maggie comes back to town to let Jesse know that their one night of passion resulted in their becoming parents. Jesse then tells Maggie that they need to get married for the sake of their baby. Maggie doesn't want to marry other than the sake of being in love, and she does love Jesse but she feels that he doesn't feel the same way. Jesse doesn't trust Maggie to stay in town due to an ex-fiance in his past that couldn't handle living in a remote area. He's afraid to give Maggie his love because he's afraid of giving his heart.
You'll need to read this story and find out what happens. Do they marry? Can Maggie give up her life in L.A. and be happy in Montana? There is quite a bit to this story that I'm leaving out because it is a story that should be read.
October 16, 2018
The book started out really good, and I enjoyed the author’s writing. She forms good sentences and it flows well, keeping me engaged even when I’m not enjoying the story.
I’m really tired though of these Harlequin novels that present these strong heroines who suddenly become doormats for the hero to walk all over.
It’s not sexy and no one in real life wants to be bulldozed just because of who they have sex with or have the luck to fall in love with. People want to be respected and loved. We don’t have that here. We have Jesse, a very selfish and self centered “hero”, who also happens to become hypocritical and misogynistic once he finds out about the baby. He never once offers to make changes for her, or try moving to L.A., even when she asks he’s shoots it down, along with pretty much anything else she tries to talk about that are centered on doing things his way for his reasons. Prior to that I was enjoying Jesse too.
I was intrigued by other characters in this book but with how backwards certain things are in this book I doubt I’ll read any of their books. I don’t have in-laws but hers sound like the ones I read about in the weekly advice column I subscribe to.
Jesse’s younger sister Nina was my favorite character in the book. I’m half tempted to find her book and read it but I’m worried if it’s anything like this one I’ll end up losing respect for her.
I might give this author another chance if I can find characters more relatable and not feel like I’m reading about characters in the 1980s when women were still shamed for being pregnant without a husband.
I’m really tired though of these Harlequin novels that present these strong heroines who suddenly become doormats for the hero to walk all over.
It’s not sexy and no one in real life wants to be bulldozed just because of who they have sex with or have the luck to fall in love with. People want to be respected and loved. We don’t have that here. We have Jesse, a very selfish and self centered “hero”, who also happens to become hypocritical and misogynistic once he finds out about the baby. He never once offers to make changes for her, or try moving to L.A., even when she asks he’s shoots it down, along with pretty much anything else she tries to talk about that are centered on doing things his way for his reasons. Prior to that I was enjoying Jesse too.
I was intrigued by other characters in this book but with how backwards certain things are in this book I doubt I’ll read any of their books. I don’t have in-laws but hers sound like the ones I read about in the weekly advice column I subscribe to.
Jesse’s younger sister Nina was my favorite character in the book. I’m half tempted to find her book and read it but I’m worried if it’s anything like this one I’ll end up losing respect for her.
I might give this author another chance if I can find characters more relatable and not feel like I’m reading about characters in the 1980s when women were still shamed for being pregnant without a husband.
December 11, 2014
The Maverick's Thanksgiving Bay. One of Montana Mavericks: 20 Years In The Saddle by Brenda Harlen is a very good book. Maggie Roarke, a lawyer from the big city goes to small town Rust Creek Falls to defend someone. While there she has a one night stand with cowboy Jesse Crawford. A baby results in their one night stand. Jesse doesn't want to give his heart to any woman since he was hurt once by one. The chemistry between Jesse and Maggie is hard to ignore. A very good story. Can't wait to read the next book in this series.
November 22, 2014
A nice story to add to the 20 years in the Saddle series. Maggie has been a side character in previous book and we met Jesse several books ago. Now they get their story. Harlen created romance and tension in this easy to read book. It can stand-alone but it is more fun if you have met the characters before. So far this year I have not missed any of the books in the series and plan to read any that come out before the end of the year.
May 12, 2015
I only gave this book a 3 because I just couldn't get into their story. I wanted to like the book, but I found myself skipping quite a bit just I could finish it.
Wasn't as an enjoyable read as I was expecting.
I liked Jesse overall, but Maggie was just not very likeable for me. Especially the way she handled things at the beginning of their "relationship".
The book had a lot more potential, but it was a miss.
Wasn't as an enjoyable read as I was expecting.
I liked Jesse overall, but Maggie was just not very likeable for me. Especially the way she handled things at the beginning of their "relationship".
The book had a lot more potential, but it was a miss.
Read
January 12, 2016"Harlen’s Mavericks tale is tender, sweet and full of heat between her wary cowboy hero and willing heroine who do battle with hormones, culture shock, biases and misconceptions. The unadulterated small-town grapevine gossip and fly-on-the-wall wedding conversations are priceless" (RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars).
Miniseries: Montana Mavericks: 20 Years in the Saddle!
Miniseries: Montana Mavericks: 20 Years in the Saddle!
November 3, 2014
Loved the book! Couldn't put it down, I read it in one day. I really liked Jesse and Maggie. It was a sweet story without a lot of conflict, mostly Jesse fighting his demons of the past which made me want to strangle him! Can never go wrong with the Montana Mavericks series and Brenda Harlen books!
May 25, 2015
took me a little bit to get into but once in I really enjoyed and what to read more from this author and more in the series
August 13, 2016
Absolutely loved it! . Another beautiful story about those Rust Creek Falls cowboys!
January 26, 2017
Typical Harlequin Montana Maverick. Had an early marriage, and then the struggle for the marriage to survive.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews