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Men of the West #29
One Tall, Dusty Cowboy
The love of a lifetime…
After losing her heart – and baby – to a disastrous romance, Lilly Lockett has her mind on only one thing: her job. She’s come to the Silver Horn Ranch to look after the Calhoun family patriarch, nothing more… Until she encounters rakish ranch foreman Rafe Calhoun!
Playboy Rafe knows his grandfather’s nurse is all wrong for him. His approach to relationships is a few dates, then move on – but an attempt at a casual affair with Lilly soon becomes all too serious… for both of them. Rafe has to make a choice: to keep flying solo, or risk everything for love.
After losing her heart – and baby – to a disastrous romance, Lilly Lockett has her mind on only one thing: her job. She’s come to the Silver Horn Ranch to look after the Calhoun family patriarch, nothing more… Until she encounters rakish ranch foreman Rafe Calhoun!
Playboy Rafe knows his grandfather’s nurse is all wrong for him. His approach to relationships is a few dates, then move on – but an attempt at a casual affair with Lilly soon becomes all too serious… for both of them. Rafe has to make a choice: to keep flying solo, or risk everything for love.
- GenresRomance
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
17 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Stella Bagwell
449 books86 followersAt seventeen, Stella married her high school sweetheart: Harrell, and they had a son Jason. She began her writing career almost by accident. She was a hairdresser and worked in her sister's beauty shop. Ironically, Stella developed a severe allergy to hairspray and was forced to resign. With time on her hands, Stella wanted to do something creative. She remembered a high school English teacher telling her she could be a writer if she wanted. Although she always loved reading romances, she never thought to write one herself. Armed with that now notion and an old, manual typewriter, she went to work, attempting to create a story similar to those she liked reading. The result‚ her first book, purchased by Mills & Boon and issued under the Harlequin imprint. After that, she became a full time writer and today, has close to forty published novels. Her for the future is to continue writing romance novels as long as there's an audience to enjoy her work.
Next to writing, traveling is one of her most favorite activities. Yet, because the southwest is dear to her heart, she sets most of her books there in rough, rugged ranch country. She feels it's essential to know a place before writing about it; that philosophy gives her more reason to plan trips! The marriage has always lived in southeastern Oklahoma. But, they purchased a portion of a twenty-two hundred, acre ranch; they now make their home there. Before moving onto the ranch, she had a swimming pool in her back yard and spent most of her summer evenings in the water. Her husband has promised to put in another pool, but for now she has to make do with the creek that runs through their property. The closest town of three thousand is fifteen miles away; she says she loves the seclusion, living among the woods and horses and wildlife. The only thing she doesn't like is making the thirty mile round trip to the post office or grocery store. Worse still, is the eighty-five mile trip to get office supplies!
One of her greatest joys was to see Jason, her only son, graduate from college with degrees in math and physical education. He now lives in Port Lavaca, Texas, where he teaches high school algebra and geometry and coaches football and weightlifting. Family has always come first with Stella and she enjoys spending time with her son when he visits Oklahoma. Sometimes, she and her husband drive down to the Texas coast to see him. However, her mother, step-father and siblings all live nearby and they have routine get-togethers. In her spare time, she enjoys practicing violin and guitar, both of which she can play by ear. She claims to need years of practice before calling herself a musician. Stella also enjoys gardening and being outdoors.
Next to writing, traveling is one of her most favorite activities. Yet, because the southwest is dear to her heart, she sets most of her books there in rough, rugged ranch country. She feels it's essential to know a place before writing about it; that philosophy gives her more reason to plan trips! The marriage has always lived in southeastern Oklahoma. But, they purchased a portion of a twenty-two hundred, acre ranch; they now make their home there. Before moving onto the ranch, she had a swimming pool in her back yard and spent most of her summer evenings in the water. Her husband has promised to put in another pool, but for now she has to make do with the creek that runs through their property. The closest town of three thousand is fifteen miles away; she says she loves the seclusion, living among the woods and horses and wildlife. The only thing she doesn't like is making the thirty mile round trip to the post office or grocery store. Worse still, is the eighty-five mile trip to get office supplies!
One of her greatest joys was to see Jason, her only son, graduate from college with degrees in math and physical education. He now lives in Port Lavaca, Texas, where he teaches high school algebra and geometry and coaches football and weightlifting. Family has always come first with Stella and she enjoys spending time with her son when he visits Oklahoma. Sometimes, she and her husband drive down to the Texas coast to see him. However, her mother, step-father and siblings all live nearby and they have routine get-togethers. In her spare time, she enjoys practicing violin and guitar, both of which she can play by ear. She claims to need years of practice before calling herself a musician. Stella also enjoys gardening and being outdoors.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 22, 2014
Good story about two people who are afraid to risk their hearts. Lilly is the new physical therapist for Bart Calhoun. Rafe is Bart's grandson and the ranch foreman. The sparks fly when they first meet, and they aren't all from the attraction they both feel. I loved that first meeting and seeing Rafe run up against a woman who doesn't immediately fall at his feet.
Rafe is a guy who doesn't stay long with any woman. He'll see one he likes, have a few dates, and then move on before it can become serious. He has had some loss in his life and witnessed what it has done to the people left behind, and he wants no part of that kind of suffering. He figures if he doesn't love,he won't have to worry about being hurt.
Lilly had been in love and then betrayed by the man she cared for. Not only did he cheat on her, but when she became pregnant he wanted nothing to do with the baby. She was devastated when she lost the baby and swore she'd be a lot more careful about getting involved with another man.
Rafe looks at Lilly as something of a challenge. Normally when he's turned down for a date, he simply moves on, but there's something about Lilly that he just can't get off his mind. When he talks her into going out with him they have a nice time, but Lilly makes it clear that she doesn't want to get involved with him. Lilly is actually a lot more affected by him than she lets on, but she's spent so long protecting herself that she's not sure she's ready for someone like Rafe.
They agree to spend time with each other, as long as they can keep it casual. The more time they have together, the deeper their feelings grow, even though they try to deny it. Rafe is especially hard hit as he has been avoiding even the idea of love for so long. I loved seeing him get more and more invested in them as a couple, even as he tries to convince himself that he could walk away at any time. When they split because Lilly wants more than Rafe thinks he can give, he starts to realize just what he's given up. His pain makes him do and say some stupid things, but some advice from his father finally makes him think about what he really wants.
Lilly starts out their relationship just thinking of Rafe as a way for her to get back into living. She knows he'll never settle down, as he's made no secret of his views. He's the first man in years who has made her even think about getting involved. I loved the way that she didn't fall for his lines and really pushed back at him. "Go find the nearest mirror and tell the guy who's looking back at you that he's not quite the Romeo he thinks he is." just made me laugh and root for her. She really thought that she could have a casual fling with him, but the longer they were together the more she realized that her heart was really at risk. I liked the way that she let him know her feelings even though it caused trouble between them. After some time apart, and an enlightening conversation with her mother, she discovered that she had been letting her own issues affect what they might have together. I loved seeing the two of them come together, finally opening their hearts to the possibilities. The epilogue was sweet.
I also enjoyed the family dynamics. The Calhouns are a large family with very strong personalities. We met most of them in The Baby Truth. Rafe's grandfather, Bart, made an especially strong impression and not a very good one. In this book we see a different side of him and he is much more likable. I also liked Rafe's interactions with his brothers. It's obvious that there's love and respect, but the relationships are realistic in that there are also conflicts that arise and have to be dealt with. I can't wait to read stories involving them.
Rafe is a guy who doesn't stay long with any woman. He'll see one he likes, have a few dates, and then move on before it can become serious. He has had some loss in his life and witnessed what it has done to the people left behind, and he wants no part of that kind of suffering. He figures if he doesn't love,he won't have to worry about being hurt.
Lilly had been in love and then betrayed by the man she cared for. Not only did he cheat on her, but when she became pregnant he wanted nothing to do with the baby. She was devastated when she lost the baby and swore she'd be a lot more careful about getting involved with another man.
Rafe looks at Lilly as something of a challenge. Normally when he's turned down for a date, he simply moves on, but there's something about Lilly that he just can't get off his mind. When he talks her into going out with him they have a nice time, but Lilly makes it clear that she doesn't want to get involved with him. Lilly is actually a lot more affected by him than she lets on, but she's spent so long protecting herself that she's not sure she's ready for someone like Rafe.
They agree to spend time with each other, as long as they can keep it casual. The more time they have together, the deeper their feelings grow, even though they try to deny it. Rafe is especially hard hit as he has been avoiding even the idea of love for so long. I loved seeing him get more and more invested in them as a couple, even as he tries to convince himself that he could walk away at any time. When they split because Lilly wants more than Rafe thinks he can give, he starts to realize just what he's given up. His pain makes him do and say some stupid things, but some advice from his father finally makes him think about what he really wants.
Lilly starts out their relationship just thinking of Rafe as a way for her to get back into living. She knows he'll never settle down, as he's made no secret of his views. He's the first man in years who has made her even think about getting involved. I loved the way that she didn't fall for his lines and really pushed back at him. "Go find the nearest mirror and tell the guy who's looking back at you that he's not quite the Romeo he thinks he is." just made me laugh and root for her. She really thought that she could have a casual fling with him, but the longer they were together the more she realized that her heart was really at risk. I liked the way that she let him know her feelings even though it caused trouble between them. After some time apart, and an enlightening conversation with her mother, she discovered that she had been letting her own issues affect what they might have together. I loved seeing the two of them come together, finally opening their hearts to the possibilities. The epilogue was sweet.
I also enjoyed the family dynamics. The Calhouns are a large family with very strong personalities. We met most of them in The Baby Truth. Rafe's grandfather, Bart, made an especially strong impression and not a very good one. In this book we see a different side of him and he is much more likable. I also liked Rafe's interactions with his brothers. It's obvious that there's love and respect, but the relationships are realistic in that there are also conflicts that arise and have to be dealt with. I can't wait to read stories involving them.
Read
January 12, 2016"Bagwell’s tale is uplifting and sensual, and the love scenes are smoking hot. The narrative flows and the characters’ private thoughts feel real. The multigenerational family is super and catches readers up on past tales" (RT Book Reviews). 4 stars
Miniseries: Men of the West
Miniseries: Men of the West
September 22, 2024
Couple decide to be just friends with benefits, but it turns out to be more for both.
April 22, 2018
First mills and boon book I have read in many years, was a complete change to what I normally read. Loved this book a real page turner .
Rafe is a Rancher and Cowboy living on a vast cattle range normally he is the love em and leave em type
but that all changes when he meets Lilly his Grandfathers Nurse. Can Rafe fall in love for real and be happy.
I really loved this book its got me into reading more mills and boon. Never heard of Stella Bagwell before, but she is one talented writer will be reading all her past writing works.
Rafe is a Rancher and Cowboy living on a vast cattle range normally he is the love em and leave em type
but that all changes when he meets Lilly his Grandfathers Nurse. Can Rafe fall in love for real and be happy.
I really loved this book its got me into reading more mills and boon. Never heard of Stella Bagwell before, but she is one talented writer will be reading all her past writing works.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews