A Difficult Woman

by Jeannie Watt

SOME THINGS ARE WORTH REBUILDING

Making over the creaky Victorian into a bed-and-breakfast is probably a crazy plan, but the ramshackle house is all Tara has. And even though she can barely scrape together her brother's college fees, she won't give up. Until the townsfolk decide to show the independent "Sullivan girl" that she's in over her head.

What can Matt Connors possibly do to help this notorious beauty? He's just a carpenter to her, and besides, he's got problems of his own. By pounding nails, Matt struggles to blot out the trauma of his last years in a big-city police department. But once Tara thaws enough to let him in, he has to face the past. And the past is full of memories both of them are trying to outrun ...

Genres: Romance

289 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2006

About the author

Jeannie Watt lives on a small cattle ranch and hay farm in southwest Montana. When she's not writing, she enjoys making mosaic mirrors, sewing, and pretending that the house is neat and tidy.

Jeannie loves to hear from readers. Please contact her via her website www.jeanniewatt.com.

Reviews

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Difficult Woman is the first stand-alone romance by American author, Jeannie Watt. Tara Sullivan has a lot on her plate: a younger brother whose college fees need to be paid; a run-down inn that needs to be renovated in time for the reunion; and a crippling bank debt with a balloon payment due very soon. She also has to try to live down the reputation of dishonesty left by her swindling father. And all while trying to fend off the local hotel proprietor intent on owning her inn by whatever means necessary.

Enter Matt Connors, a Reno cop on leave, ready to use his carpentry skills wherever Tara needs him to. Tara certainly lets him know what is required, but underneath her cool exterior, he is sure she’s one hot woman. Despite the glares, he’s attracted, and can tell she is too. Of course, it would be a bad idea to get involved: Matt can’t stick around, he has unfinished business with his Lieutenant in Reno, and a reputation to restore. This is a sweet, sexy romance with an interesting plot and characters with some depth. An enjoyable read.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 Stars ~ When her aunt died Tara was drawn back to her hometown to reclaim her mother's family home. It's not easy being back in the small town that had once loved to point fingers at her simply because she was the daughter of a Sullivan. Living down her father's reputation hasn't been easy, and neither is renovating the old Victorian into a bed and breakfast in time for the 100 year High School reunion, especially when her competition, Somers Inn, has chased off all her contractors. Burnt out and forced to take leave from the Reno PD, Matt finds himself filling his days helping his step-uncle Lucas with Tara's renovations. He's got a huge chip on his shoulder about his old man too, and an awfully tough job ahead to prove he's not anything like him. He recognizes all of Tara's boundaries quite easily, but he can't keep himself from admiring how hard she tries to stand on her own. It's not long and Matt's finding himself wanting to protect her, especially when he learns that the town's golden boy is a particularly nasty bully and he's out to get Tara.

Matt and Tara each have something to prove and while they're doing the proving they have to do it alone. Tara's a strong woman but she's got her limitations and no matter the road blocks set in front of her, she struggled to pass them. Matt's always thought himself a city cop, but somehow this little town seems to be growing on him. These two wounded souls take their time letting the other in. It's a hard journey to HEA but a most satisfying one. Ms. Watts' debut is a most enjoyable read.

PS ... I haven't read many stories with heroes who wear glasses. Ms. Watt's makes our eyeglass-wearing Matt incredibly sexy!

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tara's trying to stay behind the walls she's built up to protect herself. Problem is, they're crumbling. Matt's a cop on leave after an "incident". His step-uncle, Luke, asks him to help out Tara with some carpentry work since Luke's out of commission.

Moral of the story: sometimes you need to let people help you.