What do you think?
Rate this book
The Good, The Bad, and The Texan #5
Pregnant with the Rancher's Baby / Reclaimed by the Rancher
One wild rancher gets a baby surprise, only from
USA TODAY
bestselling author Kathie DeNosky!
When Jessica Farrell shows up on Nate Rafferty's ranch five months pregnant with his child, he doesn't hesitate to propose. But the beautiful nurse can't believe this wealthy rancher will ever change his love 'em and leave 'em ways.
Nate tempts her into a monthlong trial run, and soon they're spending long days-and steamy nights-living in close quarters. But can he give Jessie the love she's truly looking for? The clock is ticking…
Enjoy a special Texas Cattleman's Lies and Lullabies
bonus prequel short story from Janice Maynard
Reclaimed by the Rancher
When Jessica Farrell shows up on Nate Rafferty's ranch five months pregnant with his child, he doesn't hesitate to propose. But the beautiful nurse can't believe this wealthy rancher will ever change his love 'em and leave 'em ways.
Nate tempts her into a monthlong trial run, and soon they're spending long days-and steamy nights-living in close quarters. But can he give Jessie the love she's truly looking for? The clock is ticking…
Enjoy a special Texas Cattleman's Lies and Lullabies
bonus prequel short story from Janice Maynard
Reclaimed by the Rancher
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2015
About the author
Kathie DeNosky
363 books179 followersKathie writes at night with country tunes playing from a local radio station while the rest of the world sleeps. It's the quiet time of the night that inspires her to craft her stories with a unique style of sensuality, interspersed with a little humor.
Kathie has been a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist twice. Her June 2001 release, His Baby Surprise, received the National Readers' Choice Award for Best Short Contemporary Romance of 2001. All of her books have been listed on the Waldenbooks Category Romance Bestsellers list.
Kathie lives in the Illinois area her family settled in the early 1800's when they moved from North Carolina. Besides writing, Kathie loves to read romances, travel to historic locales, and delights in trying to rid the world of chocolate -- one bite at a time! She also enjoys meeting readers and writers at the numerous conferences, workshops, and booksignings she attends.
Kathie has been a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist twice. Her June 2001 release, His Baby Surprise, received the National Readers' Choice Award for Best Short Contemporary Romance of 2001. All of her books have been listed on the Waldenbooks Category Romance Bestsellers list.
Kathie lives in the Illinois area her family settled in the early 1800's when they moved from North Carolina. Besides writing, Kathie loves to read romances, travel to historic locales, and delights in trying to rid the world of chocolate -- one bite at a time! She also enjoys meeting readers and writers at the numerous conferences, workshops, and booksignings she attends.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 5, 2015
Hero,a rancher and rodeo bull rider, and heroine,an RN had an on again ,off again relationship with the hero having commitment issues.As soon as he feels any emotions towards the heroine,he calls it off and they go separate ways only to come back together again a few months later.Tired of the one way relationship and the lack of commitment from the hero,the heroine,Jessie calls it off.
Close to 5 months later,the heroine has some life altering news for the hero that she feels he has the right to know,he is going to be a daddy.She goes to his ranch to inform him and he is happy with the news,but also afraid of his impending fatherhood due to his lack of less than stellar childhood and his deadbeat father.He wants to be a better father and is now ready to make a commitmetnt and offers marriage.
I really enjoyed this western romance,the pace was great and I liked this couple.The hero's persistantace to make the heroine commit to him was a nice pace and I loved how he went about researching all about pregnancy and the effects.I could see his growing love for the heroine developing throught the chapters and the need to make them a family.A huge plus for the hero,even though they had a 2 1/2 year off on relationship,he never went to another woman and was faithful to her,same for the heroine.
This is part of a series of western set romances about seven boys who grew up together as brothers after they were sent to the Last Chance ranch,a place for young boys who were in trouble with the law,there they had a mentor who helped shaped them into the men they are today.
I will def check out the others in this series as all the couples and a future couple were in this book.
Close to 5 months later,the heroine has some life altering news for the hero that she feels he has the right to know,he is going to be a daddy.She goes to his ranch to inform him and he is happy with the news,but also afraid of his impending fatherhood due to his lack of less than stellar childhood and his deadbeat father.He wants to be a better father and is now ready to make a commitmetnt and offers marriage.
I really enjoyed this western romance,the pace was great and I liked this couple.The hero's persistantace to make the heroine commit to him was a nice pace and I loved how he went about researching all about pregnancy and the effects.I could see his growing love for the heroine developing throught the chapters and the need to make them a family.A huge plus for the hero,even though they had a 2 1/2 year off on relationship,he never went to another woman and was faithful to her,same for the heroine.
This is part of a series of western set romances about seven boys who grew up together as brothers after they were sent to the Last Chance ranch,a place for young boys who were in trouble with the law,there they had a mentor who helped shaped them into the men they are today.
I will def check out the others in this series as all the couples and a future couple were in this book.
October 31, 2015
A Fantastic 4.5-Stars. IMO The Best of This Great Series Thus Far!
This is a fantastic addition to 'The Good, the Bad and the Texan' series and one I highly recommend. To date it is my favorite of this series. It was a bit lower in the angst department than most of the books out there these days and that was a plus for this reader.
There was a beautiful growth in these characters, especially Nate and it was quite touching and heartfelt. The pacing was right on the money always moving the story forward, never dragging or stalling. The characters were well-developed and I really like the fact that there were family members from the previous books included in this story.
Nate Rafferty is one of six boys who ended up at a ranch for troubled boys instead of juvie. The owner became their mentor and helped them change their lives. They are all closer than brothers and each one had a horrific childhood.
In this book we have Nate Rafferty, a cowboy, rancher, and rodeo star worth millions, oh yes...and handsome as sin. He is a great guy who has been around. He met Jessica Farrell, a young, beautiful nurse two and a half years ago. They have been off and on since they met. They would go along for a few months happy as can be and as soon as Nate's feelings would deepen he would tell her they needed space and after a several months apart he would go back to her and ask her to try again. Then the same thing would happen again and again. He never asked her to come to his rodeos and had not introduced her to his family. After the last time they split she had had enough. She told him to forget her phone number and forget where she lived, that this was the final split and she would not consider seeing him again.
Four and a half months later she shows up at his new ranch...pregnant with his child. He had thought of her constantly while apart as he did each time he called it off and she did the same. Jessie only came to tell Nate he was going to be a father because she thought it was the right thing to do but she has no intention of re-entering a relationship again just to have him walk out on her and the baby. She knew it would destroy her already broken heart to lose him again.
Don't miss this excellent book!
This is a fantastic addition to 'The Good, the Bad and the Texan' series and one I highly recommend. To date it is my favorite of this series. It was a bit lower in the angst department than most of the books out there these days and that was a plus for this reader.
There was a beautiful growth in these characters, especially Nate and it was quite touching and heartfelt. The pacing was right on the money always moving the story forward, never dragging or stalling. The characters were well-developed and I really like the fact that there were family members from the previous books included in this story.
Nate Rafferty is one of six boys who ended up at a ranch for troubled boys instead of juvie. The owner became their mentor and helped them change their lives. They are all closer than brothers and each one had a horrific childhood.
In this book we have Nate Rafferty, a cowboy, rancher, and rodeo star worth millions, oh yes...and handsome as sin. He is a great guy who has been around. He met Jessica Farrell, a young, beautiful nurse two and a half years ago. They have been off and on since they met. They would go along for a few months happy as can be and as soon as Nate's feelings would deepen he would tell her they needed space and after a several months apart he would go back to her and ask her to try again. Then the same thing would happen again and again. He never asked her to come to his rodeos and had not introduced her to his family. After the last time they split she had had enough. She told him to forget her phone number and forget where she lived, that this was the final split and she would not consider seeing him again.
Four and a half months later she shows up at his new ranch...pregnant with his child. He had thought of her constantly while apart as he did each time he called it off and she did the same. Jessie only came to tell Nate he was going to be a father because she thought it was the right thing to do but she has no intention of re-entering a relationship again just to have him walk out on her and the baby. She knew it would destroy her already broken heart to lose him again.
Don't miss this excellent book!
March 14, 2019
Sweet love story
I liked this story very much. It was sweet and safe and very little angst. Just a feel good book. No other man or woman drama just perfect. He was kind of a jerk in the past. I didn't like how he would push her away every time they were getting closer but I guess he was worried that he would be like his Father. I understand that but I felt sorry for her. He really hurt her. I like that even though they were off and on for over two years neither of them had dated anyone else. I loved how he would go to the computer after she fell asleep and read up on babies and pregnancy. That was cute. I was surprised it ended at 74% but it was still good. The second shorter story 'Reclaimed by the Rancher' was good too. It was about a couple who broke up because she saw him kids her Bridesmaid the night before the wedding. Two years later she goes to borrow money from him and he is very bitter. So is she. But it brought them back together. Her so called BFF was horrible. She was jealous of the heroine and lead her to believe they had cheated. In the end all is good. Nice stories for a snowy night. Both were safe.
I liked this story very much. It was sweet and safe and very little angst. Just a feel good book. No other man or woman drama just perfect. He was kind of a jerk in the past. I didn't like how he would push her away every time they were getting closer but I guess he was worried that he would be like his Father. I understand that but I felt sorry for her. He really hurt her. I like that even though they were off and on for over two years neither of them had dated anyone else. I loved how he would go to the computer after she fell asleep and read up on babies and pregnancy. That was cute. I was surprised it ended at 74% but it was still good. The second shorter story 'Reclaimed by the Rancher' was good too. It was about a couple who broke up because she saw him kids her Bridesmaid the night before the wedding. Two years later she goes to borrow money from him and he is very bitter. So is she. But it brought them back together. Her so called BFF was horrible. She was jealous of the heroine and lead her to believe they had cheated. In the end all is good. Nice stories for a snowy night. Both were safe.
October 5, 2015
This was a good book! I couldn't put it down once I started it. Hero was a real gem and heroine a very mature sweet woman. I wish she wasn't so insecure and she should have trusted Nate more easily but I loved the angst. I was so afraid when Jessica almost lost her baby but thankfully everything turned out fine. Great chemistry and HEA!
September 11, 2018
I was in the mood for a western and a story with light angst and romance. This one fit the bill. It was a sweet story of a couple who had been dating for 2 1/2 years off-and-on. Nate has major commitment issues and every time he felt himself falling, he would call things off. Jessica gets tired of having her heart broken and tells him it's over for good.
5 months later She shows up at Nate's door with news of her pregnancy. Nate decides he is ALL IN now that he is going to be a dad. He has to fight to win her trust and prove his love.
I had all sorts of thoughts and feelings while reading this book. Some of my reactions felt more extreme than they needed to be seeing as I chose to read a light, fluffy Harlequin. Do I get to have a tantrum over what I see as bad behavior by both our h and H? Do I just let it go and enjoy the book? I decided to not let the small stuff bother me and just enjoy the romance. In the end, this really was a nice, safe, sweet story.
My tantrum thoughts, it you are interested:
5 months later She shows up at Nate's door with news of her pregnancy. Nate decides he is ALL IN now that he is going to be a dad. He has to fight to win her trust and prove his love.
I had all sorts of thoughts and feelings while reading this book. Some of my reactions felt more extreme than they needed to be seeing as I chose to read a light, fluffy Harlequin. Do I get to have a tantrum over what I see as bad behavior by both our h and H? Do I just let it go and enjoy the book? I decided to not let the small stuff bother me and just enjoy the romance. In the end, this really was a nice, safe, sweet story.
My tantrum thoughts, it you are interested:
January 23, 2016
3.5 stars
November 24, 2015
Very good book. Jessie and Nate have had an on-again, off-again relationship for more than two years. The last time that Nate broke things off, Jessie told him she was done and not to come back. Four and a half months later she shows up at his ranch to tell him she's pregnant, but doesn't expect anything from him.
Nate is one of six foster brothers who spent their teen years on the Last Chance Ranch - their only option other than juvenile detention after getting into serious trouble. He has avoided getting serious about anyone because he is afraid of turning out like his worthless father. But no matter how many times he ran from Jessie and his growing feelings for her, he always came back to her. When he finds out she's pregnant, he proposes, determined to do everything he can to take care of her and the baby. He's surprised when she turns him down, but talks her into staying at his ranch for a month so that he can convince her.
Jessie is wary of staying so close to Nate. She appreciates his desire to do the right thing and be there for the baby, but she has to protect her heart. She won't marry for anything less than love, and Nate's track record doesn't give her any confidence that he has the staying power she needs. But she can't deny him his chance to be involved, so she gives in.
Nate was pretty sweet in his attempts to convince her while keeping his promise not to pressure her. It wasn't easy for him to deny himself the closeness he wanted. I loved seeing him read everything he could find so he could try to understand what she was going through. His reaction at the ultrasound was priceless, as the truth about becoming a father hit him hard. Nate and the unicorn toy at the baby store was such a sweet scene. His feelings for Jessie continue to grow, though admitting it is still a problem. He knows he has to tell her about his past, but is deeply afraid that once she knows the truth she will leave him.
The time she spent with Nate was hard for Jessie. It was so hard because she wanted him, and being close was making her ache for him. She was afraid that if she let herself believe in a future together, he would leave again and her heart would never recover. She could see how hard he was trying, and some of the things he did made her love him even more. How much she cared was really brought home to her when she saw him compete in the rodeo and feared for his safety.
But it was a health crisis involving Jessie that made Nate realize that he couldn't lose her. I loved seeing him gather up his courage to tell her everything, in spite of his fear. Of course, he hadn't had the confidence in Jessie that he should have had, and he's blown away by her reaction. In return, his reaction to Jessie's tale about her parents is perfect. He deals with them awesomely. Seeing Nate finally believe that he's capable of being a husband and father was the perfect ending to the book.
One of the great things about the book was the frequent appearances of Nate's foster brothers. I love the relationships they have, with the fun and teasing, but also the immediate support when it's needed. I loved the reaction he got from Jaron when Nate told him the baby was a girl. It made me laugh and think of other men I know who have had the same reaction. It was also very emotional to see the way they all showed up at the hospital to support Nate while Jessie had surgery. The scene where they are all betting on Jaron's downfall was a great lead in to the next book.
Nate is one of six foster brothers who spent their teen years on the Last Chance Ranch - their only option other than juvenile detention after getting into serious trouble. He has avoided getting serious about anyone because he is afraid of turning out like his worthless father. But no matter how many times he ran from Jessie and his growing feelings for her, he always came back to her. When he finds out she's pregnant, he proposes, determined to do everything he can to take care of her and the baby. He's surprised when she turns him down, but talks her into staying at his ranch for a month so that he can convince her.
Jessie is wary of staying so close to Nate. She appreciates his desire to do the right thing and be there for the baby, but she has to protect her heart. She won't marry for anything less than love, and Nate's track record doesn't give her any confidence that he has the staying power she needs. But she can't deny him his chance to be involved, so she gives in.
Nate was pretty sweet in his attempts to convince her while keeping his promise not to pressure her. It wasn't easy for him to deny himself the closeness he wanted. I loved seeing him read everything he could find so he could try to understand what she was going through. His reaction at the ultrasound was priceless, as the truth about becoming a father hit him hard. Nate and the unicorn toy at the baby store was such a sweet scene. His feelings for Jessie continue to grow, though admitting it is still a problem. He knows he has to tell her about his past, but is deeply afraid that once she knows the truth she will leave him.
The time she spent with Nate was hard for Jessie. It was so hard because she wanted him, and being close was making her ache for him. She was afraid that if she let herself believe in a future together, he would leave again and her heart would never recover. She could see how hard he was trying, and some of the things he did made her love him even more. How much she cared was really brought home to her when she saw him compete in the rodeo and feared for his safety.
But it was a health crisis involving Jessie that made Nate realize that he couldn't lose her. I loved seeing him gather up his courage to tell her everything, in spite of his fear. Of course, he hadn't had the confidence in Jessie that he should have had, and he's blown away by her reaction. In return, his reaction to Jessie's tale about her parents is perfect. He deals with them awesomely. Seeing Nate finally believe that he's capable of being a husband and father was the perfect ending to the book.
One of the great things about the book was the frequent appearances of Nate's foster brothers. I love the relationships they have, with the fun and teasing, but also the immediate support when it's needed. I loved the reaction he got from Jaron when Nate told him the baby was a girl. It made me laugh and think of other men I know who have had the same reaction. It was also very emotional to see the way they all showed up at the hospital to support Nate while Jessie had surgery. The scene where they are all betting on Jaron's downfall was a great lead in to the next book.
December 16, 2015
This was a good book. Jessie, and Nate has dated for years. He has commitment issues, so when he feels like he is getting too close to Jessie, he breaks things off. The last time he did, Jessie told Nate she was done. He was shocked to see Jessie drive up to his ranch a few months later. Jessie debated with herself, but knew she had to let Nate know he was going to be a father.
Nate knew he wanted to be a father, and he also wanted to be a husband. It was nice watching Nate working hard to prove what he wanted. Jessie was a nurse, and could have supported her, and the baby. She didn't have to have a man support her. She was shocked when Nate asked to marry her. She did not want a loveless marriage. Jessie wanted Nate to love her, and would not allow him to marry her just because of the baby.
In this story I loved Nate's big family. He had 5 foster brothers. All six of the young men met at the Last Chance Ranch. They are close, and is always there for each other. They were raised to be honest, and always tell the truth. If they say they will do something, it will be done.
Nate is not just a cowboy. He rides bulls. He invited Jessie to come watch him ride. I thought it was really nice how the whole family shows up to support one another. A few of the brothers ride. One brother is a Rodeo Clown. 8 seconds does not sound like much time at all. When Nate was on the back of the bull, 8 seconds seemed like a life time had passed. With Jessie being a nurse, she has seen her fair share of injuries. She is afraid that something will happen to Nate. At the same time, she doesn't feel right asking him to stop doing, what he loves.
This really was a good book, with a big family, romance, and a pregnancy.
December 31, 2016
Despite Kathie DeNosky's superb writing I didn't really get into this story compared to the others in the series. It should really have been called Hank Calvert's Rules of How To Treat A Lady Right.
Nate is one of Hank Calvert's fostered sons. As if you've been reading the rest of the series you'll know our man Nate is a 'love em and leave em' ladies man. So one fine summer day, Jessica who has been in an on and off relationship with Nate, rocks up to his ranch and declares she is knocked up, in the family way, with child. 'I'm pregnant and you're my baby daddy.
Being a typical ladies man who always wraps up- he asked 'How?' Yes, he did. They used protection didn't they? Convinced that it was his seed he then remember what Hank said - Basically he needed to marry her and give his child a name. Jessica being the liberated career woman she is, isn't having any of it.
So yeah, they strike a deal about the whole one month thing, she agrees. Along the line she becomes domesticated and he stops giving up riding bulls. And with a few twists and curves they declare a happy ending.
What I liked about it
Kathie DeNosky wrote the book, anyone else and I'd have dropped it.
What I didn't liked about it
Nate and Jessica didn't seem to have much chemistry between them. There was too much focus on other things like
1) Foster Dad Hank's expectations. It was like Nate didn't have a clue of his own. Hank said this and Hank said that. Please. Lane and Sam's story were so different.
2) Marah and Jaron petty drama continuing in yet another book. (Mariah has been driving me nuts in this series!) Let some other chick steal Jaron heart for a really good novel. This whole betting on the gender of babies and Mariah sulking drove me nuts! This whole Jaron of 'I'm too old for her' drove me nuts. Both of them just irked me!
Okay I know their story is out but they did bug me in all the other books with pettiness.
3) The timing - this is strange because this novel happened two years after Sam and Bria's novel. You know when Sam got beat up by the bull and landed in hospital. And Nate decided to sample the nurses - yeah, she was one of them. However to digress Mariah and Jason's ages the same - hadn't changed!
So I guess for me, Mariah and Jason just dominated the scene, so did the other brothers and their wives. I didn't like Taylor then and didn't like her now.
So my next reads will be
TJ & Summer. Now that was a hot one, I wanted to read. Their drama didn't seem petty and silly in Lane and Sam's books like Mariah and Jaron. And maybe Ryder.
Overall
For any Kathie DeNosky fan, read it. I'd read this any day over some other writers. For fans of the series - read it but I didn't find it as engaging as the other two books with Sam and Lane.
Nate is one of Hank Calvert's fostered sons. As if you've been reading the rest of the series you'll know our man Nate is a 'love em and leave em' ladies man. So one fine summer day, Jessica who has been in an on and off relationship with Nate, rocks up to his ranch and declares she is knocked up, in the family way, with child. 'I'm pregnant and you're my baby daddy.
Being a typical ladies man who always wraps up- he asked 'How?' Yes, he did. They used protection didn't they? Convinced that it was his seed he then remember what Hank said - Basically he needed to marry her and give his child a name. Jessica being the liberated career woman she is, isn't having any of it.
So yeah, they strike a deal about the whole one month thing, she agrees. Along the line she becomes domesticated and he stops giving up riding bulls. And with a few twists and curves they declare a happy ending.
What I liked about it
Kathie DeNosky wrote the book, anyone else and I'd have dropped it.
What I didn't liked about it
Nate and Jessica didn't seem to have much chemistry between them. There was too much focus on other things like
1) Foster Dad Hank's expectations. It was like Nate didn't have a clue of his own. Hank said this and Hank said that. Please. Lane and Sam's story were so different.
2) Marah and Jaron petty drama continuing in yet another book. (Mariah has been driving me nuts in this series!) Let some other chick steal Jaron heart for a really good novel. This whole betting on the gender of babies and Mariah sulking drove me nuts! This whole Jaron of 'I'm too old for her' drove me nuts. Both of them just irked me!
Okay I know their story is out but they did bug me in all the other books with pettiness.
3) The timing - this is strange because this novel happened two years after Sam and Bria's novel. You know when Sam got beat up by the bull and landed in hospital. And Nate decided to sample the nurses - yeah, she was one of them. However to digress Mariah and Jason's ages the same - hadn't changed!
So I guess for me, Mariah and Jason just dominated the scene, so did the other brothers and their wives. I didn't like Taylor then and didn't like her now.
So my next reads will be
TJ & Summer. Now that was a hot one, I wanted to read. Their drama didn't seem petty and silly in Lane and Sam's books like Mariah and Jaron. And maybe Ryder.
Overall
For any Kathie DeNosky fan, read it. I'd read this any day over some other writers. For fans of the series - read it but I didn't find it as engaging as the other two books with Sam and Lane.
February 6, 2021
Not enough angst for my taste
April 11, 2021
Divina historia
April 12, 2023
Me gusto, como las demás sigue el mismo patrón.
July 8, 2023
Jessica and Nate have been on and off for 2 years. Now Jessica finds herself pregnant but doesn't know if she can trust Nate. Nate, one of the boys from Last Chance Ranch, has to trust himself
January 27, 2025
3.5*
Ayyy si me gustó, siento que Nate se pudo redimir y pude conectar con los personajes como pareja, muy bonitos juntos y que bonito final
Ayyy si me gustó, siento que Nate se pudo redimir y pude conectar con los personajes como pareja, muy bonitos juntos y que bonito final
Read
November 1, 2015"This sweet romp wastes no time jumping headlong into a battle of wills. The theme of family and friends will resonate with fans of The Good, the Bad and the Texan series" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
Miniseries: The Good, the Bad and the Texan
Miniseries: The Good, the Bad and the Texan
December 18, 2015
So this was a cute little story. Starting out you get the sense that Nate is kind of a flaky jerk but he steps up to the plate and takes care of what's his and I liked that. The story wasn't remarkable but there wasn't anything wrong with it. Nothing to make it really stand out to me.
November 4, 2015
Sexy, emotional, and a happy ending!
November 27, 2015
A feel good read. Nothing like a Harlequin HEA.
September 26, 2016
Nate, te amo <3
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews